Updates:
• Jenny and I flew to Houston this week and met with the bone marrow transplant team at MD Anderson Cancer Center.
• The trip was clarifying and has determined the next few months of medical treatment for me. The doctors reiterated how aggressive my cancer is and emphasized the need for a high-intensity treatment plan. We will be making plans to travel to Texas when the time comes for me to get the transplant.
• I will proceed with another cycle of chemotherapy this upcoming week, and it is critical that it reduces the mass in my lung to prepare for the transplant.
Prayer Requests and Praises:
• Jenny and I are so thankful for the trip to Houston and the clarity it brought. I felt the Lord’s care in a tangible way, unlike anything I’ve experienced since my diagnosis. I still don’t know what the future holds, but I do know that God is with us.
• Please pray that this new round of chemotherapy is successful and that the mass is completely reduced. For the transplant to proceed, the mass must be eradicated.
What I Am Learning:
• The Bible tells us to pray when we are suffering and when we are sick:
“Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise.” (James 5:13)
• One reason to pray in times of suffering is that God hears and understands our groaning. Regardless of how we feel, God is interested in our pain. He cares about our troubles and wants us to seek Him for help. God heard the groaning of the people of Israel when they were in slavery. He had compassion on them and responded to their cries.
Give ear to my words, O LORD; consider my groaning. Give attention to the sound of my cry, my King and my God, for to you do I pray. O LORD, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch. (Psalm 5:1–3)
• God heard David’s cries repeatedly throughout his life, as he fled from his enemies and hid in caves. God heard the groaning of Jesus on the cross and vindicated Him. It is good and right for us to pray with David, saying, “God, give me your ear.” “Lord, lean down close and listen to my plight.” “Jesus, please pay attention to the misery I’m experiencing. I need You.” No matter what trial you’re facing, “in the morning,” God will hear your voice. Watch and pray.
What Has Been Encouraging:
• The caring sovereignty of God has been encouraging. My story is different from the astronauts aboard the International Space Station, but the words of Butch Wilmore ring true for my circumstances. If you haven’t heard his explanation of trusting God even when bad things happen, you should watch the video below. He cites Hebrews 11, which recounts the faith-filled heroes of the Old Testament. Some of their stories have good endings… and some do not. Regardless, God was working powerfully in their lives. Be encouraged and take a few minutes to watch Heath Lambert explain the astronaut landing in “The Biggest Story of the Week.” You can watch it here.
[32] And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets—[33] who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, [34] quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. [35] Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. [36] Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. [37] They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated—[38] of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. (Hebrews 11:32–38; note the shift from “good” outcomes to “bad” ones in verse 35)
Unspoken 