Updates:
- I’m in the middle of “high-intensity chemo,” with four more days left before the official “Day 0” of transplant. I’m learning so much about the medical world!
- I’m on a floor unit with Jenny, who is allowed to come and go as needed (with certain restrictions).
Prayer Requests and Praises:
- I have never received so many drugs in my life! Please pray that these chemo drugs will kill any remaining microscopic cancer cells.
- I’m viewing this transplant as a time of spiritual renewal and a deeper commitment to my family. I would love your prayers for me to draw closer to both during this month of isolation.
- This transplant is a gift from the Lord. I’m very thankful to be here and am praising God for His kindness to me.
What I Am Learning:
- I have shared the gospel more in the past few days than I think I have in a while. Numerous opportunities have arisen with the various medical staff rotating to care for me. There’s an atmosphere here at the cancer center of wanting to do good works and a sensitivity to those fighting for their lives.
- I’ve met numerous Catholics and spoken with them about their perspectives on salvation and the passing of Pope Francis. It’s been a delightful time of conversation! Here’s a snippet from one exchange with a wonderful lady who has worked at the hospital for four decades and tends a beautiful garden every day:
Sean: I like your pin on your shirt. Are you Catholic?
Nurse: Yes. Thank you.
Sean: What do you think about the Pope passing away?
Nurse: I am sad, but he was old, and it was time.
Sean: I’m sorry. Yes, we will all have to face death. I’m trying to live right now, but I will eventually die.
Nurse: Yes. You must try, but we all will.
Sean: Can I ask you a question? Where do you think you will go when you die? Will you go to heaven?
Nurse: No one is perfect. I am trying to be a good person. I’m doing the best I can. I think I will make it. What about you?
Sean: You’re right that no one is perfect. And I’ve thought a lot about this question. I believe I will be going to heaven — even though I have sinned — because the way to heaven is by trusting in the work of Jesus on the cross, not by trusting in our good works. Jesus died on the cross to forgive our sins, and He rose from the dead. Good works are important, but they cannot save us.
- I could recount many more pleasant exchanges that have happened while these kind people take my blood, change my chemo IVs, or bring me water. Please pray for many more gospel conversations that point people to the only lasting hope in the world.
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:8–10)
What Has Been Encouraging:
“Mental health” is a topic of conversation around the unit floor due to the difficulty isolation and cancer can bring. Each day, Jenny and I read from Charles Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening devotional, and the content has been extraordinary — much better than anything Maslow ever wrote! Here are some of the quotes so far:
“Divine omniscience provides no comfort to the ungodly mind, but to the child of God it overflows with consolation. God is always thinking about us, never turns His mind from us, always has us before His eyes.”
“No man can enter into the full meaning of these words. Some of us think at times that we could cry, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’ There are seasons when the brightness of our Father’s smile is eclipsed by clouds and darkness.”
“Beloved, the wounds of Jesus are fairer in our eyes than all the splendor and pomp of kings.”
“Believer, rest assured that the heart of Jesus cares about your smallest concerns. The breadth of His tender love is such that you may turn to Him in every case; for in all your afflictions He is afflicted, and just like a father cares for his children, so He cares for you.”
“Child of God, death has lost its sting, because the devil’s power over it is destroyed. Stop fearing death! Ask God the Holy Spirit to grant you an intimate knowledge and a firm belief in your Redeemer’s death, so that you may be strengthened for that journey.”
“Whatever your especial need may be, you may readily find some promise in the Bible suited to it. Are you faint and feeble because your way is rough and you are weary? Here is the promise — ‘He giveth power to the faint.’ When you read such a promise, take it back to the great Promiser, and ask Him to fulfill His own word.”
Unspoken 