There is a word that sparks excitement to my psyche. The word is “new” or its numerous derivatives. As a New Year begins, it is common for people to think of beginning anew by making New Year resolutions – new diets; new exercise routines; new plans for study; develop new financial plans. The truth is I feel like a new man. After 18 months of medical treatments including surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hundreds of prescriptions, pills of varied color, size, and shape, and thousands of encouraging emails and prayers, I feel like a new being.
The devastating effects of the energy of radiation administered in radiation therapy and the powerful toxic effects of chemotherapeutic drugs are designed to destroy the old and facilitate a regeneration of new tissue; to bring an end to the cells of death and create a new beginning for the cells that would bring life. Certainly, my recovery gives me a new sense of what it is to become new.
This is a new year, a new semester, a new month. You may have new classes, new plans, new job assignments, and new ideas. In a few weeks, Americans will welcome a new President and usher in a new government. But the God of grace and mercy whose hands can heal and whose words can bring a new beginning is able to bring new life and a new spirit here and now, and a new vision of what you want to do this year. Let him give you new strength for this new encounter.
Recently I did a search to find some of my favorite biblical passages that incorporate that word, new, or its variants. Here are a few I want to share with you from the New Living Translation:
Ezekiel 36: 26: I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart.
Revelation 21:1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared.
Psalm 40: 3 He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see what he has done and be amazed.
Lamentations 3: 22 – The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease. 23 – Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin anew (sic) each morning.
My best wishes to you for God’s richest blessings in this New Year!
Friday, January 9, 2009
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Christmas Greetings
Season’s Greetings
from
The Archers
December 2008
As another year-end approaches, it provides the opportunity to reflect on the blessings and challenges of the past year and to share with you, our dear friends, a summary of our activities and God’s goodness to us. After the trials of 2007, battling cancer and the effects of the numerous radiation and chemotherapy treatments, this year was indeed a blessing – recovery, increased strength and energy, and an almost full return to work, exercise and other physical activity. Several PET and CT scans have confirmed the absence of cancer though tissues of the pharynx remain inflamed and swollen. The loving healing hand of God vividly evident to me!
This year we were blessed with the gift of another grandson. Nick and his wife, Erin, welcomed Caleb Nicholas on August 22 – one day after our 31st wedding anniversary - and seems to have inherited his paternal grandmother's green eyes. Proud big brother, Christopher is almost six years old and is happy to be in school with “the big boys.” Nicholas is continuing to enjoy his profession, serving as the Finance Manager of Florida Hospital – Celebration Health and Erin has returned to Altamonte Springs Elementary school after some much appreciated time at home with baby Caleb.
Lilly is about to begin her final semester at Florida A & M University School of Law and is anxiously looking forward to her law career after graduation in May and bar exams in July. Along with her Masters degree in Public Health, she hopes that she will be well prepared for a successful career. This past summer she completed an internship in the legal department of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. Along with her brother, sister-in-law, Erin and a few other college friends she leads a vocal ensemble, Made to Worship and served as a panelist on several editions of Hope Sabbath School, periodically aired on Hope TV.
Nichole is doing well, her motherly instincts so vital in doing what she loves most– taking care of us all. The occasional opportunity to use her culinary talents catering for local events certainly keeps her happy. She also enjoys her at home job with Florida Hospital that provides the opportunity to be Caleb’s babysitter. I, on the other hand, have enjoyment of frequently taking Chris to and from school. Grand-parenting is surely a lot of fun. Our family is indeed thankful for the numerous blessings God has provided – improving health, stable employment opportunities and children and grandchildren to dote over. Blessings indeed!
The joys of Christmas and the anticipation of the New Year bring hope, strengthens our faith, and renews the promise of our Saviour. We celebrate his birth and look forward to his return.
Thanks for your love, friendship and prayers over the years, and especially over the last 18 months. Our family wishes yours a joyous Christmas season and God’s richest blessings for the year, 2009.
With our love,
Len, Nichole, Lenis, Nicholas, Erin, Christopher and Caleb
from
The Archers
December 2008
As another year-end approaches, it provides the opportunity to reflect on the blessings and challenges of the past year and to share with you, our dear friends, a summary of our activities and God’s goodness to us. After the trials of 2007, battling cancer and the effects of the numerous radiation and chemotherapy treatments, this year was indeed a blessing – recovery, increased strength and energy, and an almost full return to work, exercise and other physical activity. Several PET and CT scans have confirmed the absence of cancer though tissues of the pharynx remain inflamed and swollen. The loving healing hand of God vividly evident to me!
This year we were blessed with the gift of another grandson. Nick and his wife, Erin, welcomed Caleb Nicholas on August 22 – one day after our 31st wedding anniversary - and seems to have inherited his paternal grandmother's green eyes. Proud big brother, Christopher is almost six years old and is happy to be in school with “the big boys.” Nicholas is continuing to enjoy his profession, serving as the Finance Manager of Florida Hospital – Celebration Health and Erin has returned to Altamonte Springs Elementary school after some much appreciated time at home with baby Caleb.
Lilly is about to begin her final semester at Florida A & M University School of Law and is anxiously looking forward to her law career after graduation in May and bar exams in July. Along with her Masters degree in Public Health, she hopes that she will be well prepared for a successful career. This past summer she completed an internship in the legal department of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. Along with her brother, sister-in-law, Erin and a few other college friends she leads a vocal ensemble, Made to Worship and served as a panelist on several editions of Hope Sabbath School, periodically aired on Hope TV.
Nichole is doing well, her motherly instincts so vital in doing what she loves most– taking care of us all. The occasional opportunity to use her culinary talents catering for local events certainly keeps her happy. She also enjoys her at home job with Florida Hospital that provides the opportunity to be Caleb’s babysitter. I, on the other hand, have enjoyment of frequently taking Chris to and from school. Grand-parenting is surely a lot of fun. Our family is indeed thankful for the numerous blessings God has provided – improving health, stable employment opportunities and children and grandchildren to dote over. Blessings indeed!
The joys of Christmas and the anticipation of the New Year bring hope, strengthens our faith, and renews the promise of our Saviour. We celebrate his birth and look forward to his return.
Thanks for your love, friendship and prayers over the years, and especially over the last 18 months. Our family wishes yours a joyous Christmas season and God’s richest blessings for the year, 2009.
With our love,
Len, Nichole, Lenis, Nicholas, Erin, Christopher and Caleb
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