Health Update XXV

Many members of the church I attend, the Forest Lake Seventh-day Adventist church, are participating in what our pastor has called “40 Days of Prayer at Forest Lake” with devotionals patterned after Alvin VanderGriend’s book, Love to Pray. I, along with several individuals have volunteered to write a series of devotionals for the event. These devotionals are sent daily to church members as we pray for our church and prepare our hearts for the challenges that lie ahead. As I wrote the first of two devotionals I contributed, I found that the message of the selected scriptural passage resonates with my experience of the past year. I’d like to share with you an edited version of my contribution.

“Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” -Matthew 7: 9-11

Christmas time is a time of giving. Many people spend lots of money giving gifts to co-workers, family members, friends, and often strangers, just to make a good impression. No matter who the recipient might be, or what the value of the gifts might be, the gifts are representative of the giver. Unfortunately, the commercialism of Christmas propels us to spend lots of money to be sure that when the gift is given, not only will it be well-received but it would also speak well of the giver. In gift-giving, the more we love someone or want to impress someone, the more likely is the increased cost or value of the gift.
Sometimes, we present gag gifts at parties. The exercise is usually one of frivolity and fun and is not understood to be a meaningful exercise that illustrates the heart of the giver. No one gives a gag gift as an expression of the heart. Why then would one who loves us supremely give us a gag gift? That is the question that Jesus asks.
God wants the best for us. He loves us more than anything or anyone; more than any lover could, and more than we love our wives, husbands, and children. Will he not give us the best? Oh yes, he will! He cannot but exercise his love for us by providing us with the best he can possibly offer. Sometimes, life brings difficult circumstances and situations that make us wonder about the giver. We can be assured that the giver of the gag gifts of life is the ‘architect of all evil,’ but the giver of all good gifts in our lives is the God of love.
This year I have been reassured of God’s gifts to me – strength and faith to endure the difficult days, daily recovery, and life itself. My second PET scan a few weeks ago confirmed the results of the one I did in February. I have no obvious active cancer though the path to full recovery is a slow one. My friends still pray for and encourage me. What gifts!

Dear Father of love and Giver of all good gifts; we give our gifts to you, our lives, and thank you for the many gifts of love you give to us. Amen!

HEALTH UPDATE XXIV

June 14, 2008


This is a year of reminiscing! Thinking of last year, what was, and what might have been. Every day, I say to myself, and often to my wife or anyone who would listen: “Last year at this time…” At this time last year, I had just completed one round of chemotherapy and two weeks of my seven-week radiation treatment schedule. I had begun to lose my appetite and hence had dropped a few pounds but still had the energy to do a 15 mile bike ride at an average 15 mph clip on Father’s Day. However, I began to anticipate the road ahead as I developed slight throat pain and my radiation oncologist advised me to fill the prescription for the magic mouthwash so I’d have it ready when the pain became more intense. It seems like yesterday. Every experience is etched in my memory and although the journey back to my former healthy life is still ongoing, I can thank God for bringing me through the valley of the shadow of death with renewed hope for prolonged blessings in this life and an eager anticipation for the return of our Savior.

I have two good reports: My friend, Dr. Vernon Andrews, is recuperating well after his open heart surgery and is looking forward to a life of vitality. He thanks you for the many prayers you have offered on his behalf. Also, there has been a significant reduction in the swelling of my throat over the last couple of weeks. Today, eating has become more comfortable and pleasurable. Some of my colleagues at work tell me that the spring in my step is returning.

Those of you who know me well remember me for my love of music, especially singing. I have had over fifty years of the most wonderful experience of vocalizing for appreciative audiences. One of my earliest memories is singing along with the congregation on my mother’s lap in a tent meeting. Today, the physiological and anatomical changes around my vocal folds prevent me from doing any meaningful, audible singing although my doctors promise that my voice will also return to normal. Last Sabbath, as I opened the hymnal to sing the closing hymn with the congregation I could merely complete two stanzas. The sound that emanated from my lips was not what most of you were used to hearing. But as the congregation sang the third stanza, the tears welled in my eyes as I was reassured anew by the God I love and the friend who has been so faithful to me. I could now listen to the sound of my heart.

Lead on, O King Eternal,

We follow, not with fears,

For gladness breaks like morning

Where’er Thy face appears;

Thy cross is lifted o’er us;

We journey in its light;

The crown awaits the conquest;

Lead on, O God of might.

Yes, even in death's shadow, he leads. And I believe that the morning of a new day is soon to come. To paraphrase a popular southern gospel song: “Some glad morning when this night is o’er, I’ll sing again.” Yes, I will sing again. Will you sing with me?

Love and Blessings,

Len