Great Cancer Update!

The GREAT news is that the PET scan looks good. About the same as it did last time which means the cancer is somewhat "asleep". They WILL not call it remission because the oncologist explained that this cancer never goes away and will, at some point, "wake up". The CAT scan that was done in February was a little scary in that it showed some enlarged lymph nodes which could have been a sign of the cancer "waking up". The doctor said it could still be that but sometimes it will act up and then you'll go and scan the body and it will be inactive.

Anyway, we will stay on the course that we have been on. The next scheduled chemo will be starting May the 4th. They will place another "port" in a couple of weeks, so I'll have to go into out-patient to have that done at the hospital.

We asked the doctor how long the cancer usually stays "asleep" on an average and he said about three years and we are a year and a half into that three years, so the reality is that within the next year or so...OR later, it could be back to the point that I will need to go into heavy chemo again and/or bone marrow transplant, but we will handle that when it comes our way. For now, we are actually content with where I am and thank God for His answer to many prayers that were offered up for me. I also thank all of you who took the time to offer me up to God for my health.

I know you all were probably expecting something about God so listen to this: Romans 8:38,39 says "For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." So by this I can say don't worry, God is in control

My personal website is www.nowwhataz.org.

A Covenant Keeping God

Have you ever stopped to think that we serve a "Covenant Keeping" God? I mean, a God who is strong enough to say, "I promise, no matter how difficult this relationship may get - I will keep my promise." That's what He said to Abraham about becoming the "Father of many nations." That's what he said to Moses, Jacob and all the other biblical encounters where a promise was made between man and God.

God says, "I will not quit. I will not throw in the towel. I'll never walk away from you." And how did God finally seal this covenant promise with man? That's right! In John 19, verse 30, His precious Son, Jesus Christ said, "...It Is Finished." And He bowed His head, and gave up His spirit. So what did that mean? It meant, whatever you promised, Father, I have sealed with my blood. Whatever you said you would do, Daddy, I seal the covenant today with the shedding of my blood. The Holy Trinity made a promise to mankind and Jesus hung on a splintered cross to make sure that promise was kept.

Is our commitment level up that high? Do we "cut and run" from some of our promises? Will there ever be a time when we can say, "Whatever it takes, I'm going to keep my promise?" What about it, husbands & wives, parents & children, employers & employees? Strong enough to make that kind of covenant keeping commitment? You should be. After all, if you live with Christ in your heart, you get a "free pass" to heaven, only because He kept His promise.

Made any promises lately that you are wavering on? Check with God and see what He thinks about your promise! Let me know your thoughts!

Dave

...To Hell In A Handbasket

Ever hear the phrase, "He's going to hell in a hand basket"? One I hear a lot these days or even find myself expressing is that "This World is going to hell in a hand basket"! With all the things going on in the world today, it's no wonder that would cross our minds from time to time. Kids being abducted, drug problems dominating communities, violence taking over entire cities. Well, you know, the truth is that the world IS going to Hell; don't know about the "hand basket" but the world is spiraling "out of control" with all the civil dangers we see everyday.

The Bible helps us understand that this world belongs to Satan and all of his followers. In fact, Ephesians 2:1,2 says, "And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air(that's Satan), of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience." Satan and his crew are the ones who will get it in the long run. And consider the condemnation; John 13:31, Jesus says, "Now judgment is upon this world; now the ruler of this world shall be cast out."

As you watch the news and look around your neighborhood, do you see this kind of destruction and deception going on? Does it look like most situations are being taken over by "decay"? It has gotten so bad that I have heard Christian leaders say, "If God doesn't step in pretty soon, He'll owe Sodom and Gomorrah an apology." I'm not sure where any of us get to the point that we believe that God must apologize for ANYTHING but it sure makes sense, sometimes.

Are we doing all we can do to change things in this world? For instance, how many people have I personally mentioned the Lord to today? He has certainly left us with that command. What about the Ethiopian eunuch who didn't understand God's Word as he read it, and the spirit put Philip in his chariot to help him understand? Philip was called and acted upon that call. Perhaps someone crossed your path today and you had a chance to introduce them to Jesus and that opportunity slipped away. How long will we use excuses and not "open our mouth"? Philip opened his mouth and explained the Word that was being read, the Ethiopian eunuch understood, and was immediately obedient when he said to Philip in Acts 8:36, "Look! Water! What prevents me from being baptized?" and Philip said, "If you believe with all your heart, you may." And he answered and said, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God."

What a precious moment in your own life to be on the receiving end when someone you introduced to Jesus says, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God." After all, this was our command from our Lord in Matthew 28:19,20.

The world IS going to hell in a hand basket and we have a job to complete. UP FOR THE TASK? Please share your experiences with me...Dave