Health and Life Update 2-26-10

Hi everyone.  I'm not sure how many folks are still reading this blog but to those of you who are thanks, and I especially thank you for your prayers and encouragement.  Here's a few random updates.

The storm my daughter let you know about here on the blog back in January has passed.  I'm staying away from anti-depressants and I also didn't go back to Hopkins.  I know that Hopkins is one of the great medical institutions in the world and is doing much good, but things didn't go well for us there.  I am now at the small local no-name unknown hospital around the corner with the non-world famous docs and am receiving absolutely wonderful care.  Some day I may write a post singing their praises but suffice it to say for now that Lynette and I are at ease regarding all phases of my treatment for the first time.

I am back on chemo.  After the trouble in January I fled from doctors and treatment for a few weeks until I could hook up with this new team.  But I did resume chemo two weeks ago.  There have been two drugs in particular that have given me the most side effects throughout this experience and I am not on either at this time.   So I responded very well to my last treatment. 

I'm also feeling very good emotionally these days.  The dark cloud has lifted and even though my prognosis hasn't changed I am at ease, and so is Lynette.  

There has been much to glean from this experience and I hope to share some at some point.  When I was first diagnosed, after the initial trauma passed, I made it my goal to show the world how a Christian could face something like this with trust in Christ and with courage and joy.  Along the way my attitude has changed a bit.  I don't have quite the same compulsion to put myself out there publicly the way I used to.  Awhile back I read a post by Carl Trueman called "Fools Rush in Where Monkeys Fear to Tread," and this pretty much undid me as a blogger.  Trueman's post is all about the ways we engage in shameless self-promotion on the internet.  Sadly, this is me.  It would be one thing to desire to face cancer with courage and joy, it is quite another to desire to display myself to the world as one who is full of courage and joy.  Even with all of the salutary effects of these hard days, that desire for attention is alive and well in me.  I have always known that blogging was mainly a way of making a name for myself, but being sick has crushed my ambitions enough that an article like Trueman's could finally sink in.

At the same time I do believe God is doing something genuine through this and there is gold in this experience worth sharing and it may be that I can find a way to share some things in a helpful manner.  I hope I can, but if not you won't have missed anything.  Any thing I write will be simply along the applications and implications of the theology of the cross and there are far better writers on that subject than me.  If you need a place to get started read "The Hammer of God" by Bo Giertz.  That is now #2 on my all time list of most influential books outside the bible, right behind Pilgrim's Progress.

Comments

[Barry]

David, I don't want to minimize the truth or impact of Trueman's article, but I do want to let you know that your writing has often encouraged me. Your blog was one of the first I ever read. In fact, I had to look up a definition for blog after I stumbled on yours! I've bookmarked some of your posts and referred back to them more than once. I doubt any of us do anything with perfectly pure motives; yet God uses us. There's no praise in that for us, but there is praise for God in it. We've never met and never will, most likely, but I love you as a brother and continue to pray for you.

[Tara Barthel]

Thank you for the update, Pastor Wayne, and the insights re: blogging too.

Please know that even though you have those convictions re: your blogging (and praise God for conviction!), you have been a tremendous blessing to me (and thus, to my family by extension).

Grace to you!
-- Tara B.

[Annette Harrison, editor for]

I want to encourage and thank you, too, David, because I have a niece suffering many of the same things you have described here. I can't tell you how often your thoughts held me up and were beneficial in helping me to say things to her family that had an immeasurable impact. I would encourage you to continue to write as you feel led of the Lord to share. It truly has been a great help to many of us.

[Gina Dalfonzo]

I'm so glad you're doing better. Praise God.

[Gina Dalfonzo]

And may I just add that you are NOTHING like the people that blog post described? (Besides which, with all due respect to Mr. Trueman, (a) he admitted he rarely reads blogs, so his sample size was a little skewed, and (2) he sounds like he got up on the wrong side of the bed that morning anyway.)

[Judy Parsons]

David,

You write because God has gifted you to do so. We all struggle with getting attention for our gifts, but affirmation of the body is one of the indicators of giftedness, is it not? Please, continue to share with those of us who are consistently blessed by your writings. What He puts in your heart, you should put on the Net. Not that I'm a famous writer or critic, just someone who loves you and loves your writing.

Judy

[Jared Wilson]

Still reading, David, and still praying. Thanks for keeping us updated.

[Lesley Bateman]

Keep sharing; I find your insights encouraging, and am reminded:

"All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ. Even when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation! For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer. We are confident that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in the comfort God gives us." 2 Corinthians 1:3-7

[Kinnon]

David,
You would be the last blogger on the planet who could be accused of shameless self-promotion. You've consistently modelled transparency on your blog for all the years you've been blogging. Thanks for the update, and as Jared said above, "still reading" and "still praying." A big man hug, brother.

[John Schroeder]

Let's see - wisecrack or genuine encouragement? I'll go for wisecrack.

Until your up to Warnock levels - you're fine.

Bless you my friend, you're in our prayers daily.

[MARKJDANIELS]

David:
Thank you for this post and its honesty. You remain in my prayers.

The struggle between using one's communication gifts to glorify God on the one hand and glorify one's self on the other hand, is a struggle I've had as well. (Surprise!) I pray daily that God will make war on my ego. It's amazing--and infuriating--to me how I can offer that prayer and at the very same moment, angle for attention, notoriety, and accolades. (I sometimes find myself deriving pride in my humility!)

This, I think, will be an ongoing struggle for any Christian who blogs or writes. My feeling is that so long as we're aware of this struggle, we're probably OK.

Like you, I love 'The Hammer of God.' It's been years since I read it. I may have to do so again.

Your transparency and commitment to follow the way of the cross are examples of true discipleship, David. God bless you and your family.

In Christ,
Mark

[Bobby Grow]

David,

I'm still praying for you, daily. Glad to hear a positive report, I'm praying the Lord will miraculously just touch your body (He can you know).

As far as blogging, I didn't read Trueman's article, but if it discouraged you from blogging then there was something wrong with it! You are a humble man of God, and that has always come through in your writings; even if I didn't always agree with your conclusions (like on certain 'secondary' doctrinal things). Please keep writing when you have the strength, it is good to hear from you; and anything on the theology of the cross is always an encouragement (have you read Gearhard Forde's book "On Being a Theologian of the Cross?"). All blogging is is a medium for communication, just like writing books, or preaching (in some ways); if Calvin took Trueman's advice (whatever that was) then we might be the poorer for it. Anyway, I just hope you'll keep writing, David!

In the love of Christ,

Bobby

[lelia]

Thank you so much for the update. I have received so much enjoyment and conviction from your blog over the years.

[Jan Scroggins]

I'm with those guys . . . your writing has obviously had an impact and is not self-promotion! Glad to hear that you and Lynette are doing better. We love you . . .Jim and Jan Scroggins

[Ed Stetzer]

We read it and we pray for you, David.

Love you, bro.

Ed

[Lisa A.]

Please, please, please do not think of your open sharing of your trials as self promotion!! It is very encouraging to read your posts, even though I do not know you or your family. We have all had friends, loved ones, and even ourselves have faced cancer and your writing really helps us to encourage those folks that we do know personally struggling with the disease. It is also my joy to pray for you and your family. It is so good to hear that you are feeling better. GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY!!

[Heidi]

Let me agree with everyone else - you write things that encourage and admonish. And I think that the people who most need to worry about being vain are the least likely to do so, and vice versa. Besides, how can we pray for you if we don't know what's up?

So I must tell you that I am still reading, still praying for you, and I love it when you have insights and the strength to share them. I still tell myself to "examine the bridge," and how long ago was that?

[K Phillips]

And they will say to him, "when did we see you hungry and thirsty and tired and in prison and minister to you Lord?"
And he will say "forasmuch as you did it to one of these, the least of my brethren, you did it unto me."

Your posted weekly review of what others have said is always extremely useful. You led me to a number of good sites and that even includes a couple of Arminian ones you quoted. You have obviously been meeting others' needs as well ...

Need we say more?

K

[Sonya]

David,

Don't be so hard on yourself. I suspect that is part of your personality. Most pastors are like that. lol. hah ! Besides many people can't write and or don't like getting the limelight or even speaking in front of others which is me. It's quite debilitating actually. God uses you mightly and I think your initial intent is fine and still on track. It's your visibility that helps us all. Esp as a pastor !!Thanks for all you do. I still think you are awesome.

[Joe]

Your stuff has been a big encouragement, so thank you. Continued prayers.

[Rtree]

Praying for you and your family.

[Kat]

Honesty and transparency are rare commodities in this world. I have appreciated your openness and willingness to share your own struggles as you run the race.
Keep blogging.
My little grandson is undergoing chemo for leukemia. Please pray for Joey and his family as they face their own race.
God is good...just ask Job.

[Rick]

I just ordered Hammer of God. Thanks for the recommendation. I feel the poorer for having not read it yet. You are in my prayers, brother. Thanks for your example to us all.

[tk999888]

Prostatitis patient's gospel

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