Monthly Archives: May 2013

Medical Update 5/21/2013

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Yesterday’s clinic visit explained:

  • I continue to be cancer free and none of the rare 10;17 chromosomal abnormalities are observed.
  • 96% of my T cells and 100% of my tissue cells come from my donor. In other words, the engraftment is working and my DNA change is nearly complete.
  • My steroid induced diabetes is definitely temporary and I can now reduce the steroid to 1/4 original strength.
  • My tremors and burning skin problems are also both temporary.
  • There is nothing that absolutely prevents our plans for full time ministry in Bolivia, but there are also no guarantees. Everything depends on whether there is relapse, severe Graft Versus Host Disease or any number of other medical problems that could still present themselves in the next two years.
  • The schedule to replace all my childhood vaccinations will take 18-24 months; hence the delay for US and international travel.

While I am getting “out of the gates” with a strong physical and spiritual start to this marathon, mentally I continue to be challenged by memory, concentration, and decision making/judgment issues. I keep a memo pad with me to record most thoughts and to-do items as memory often is limited to minutes. Marcia keeps close tabs on me.

We are greatly encouraged by today’s reports, and are content to wait upon the Lord’s timing for our eventual move and also for His season of preparation and service for us while we wait. How immensely merciful God continues to be to us.

Please join us in praying for Pastor Evan and his devoted wife Jill. Evan is in much discomfort as he waits, in the coming hours it seems, to make his transition from this life to His new life with Jesus in heaven. My battles are so very light and not worth mentioning, in comparison to the valley of death this couple is facing. And still, they would join me in praising God in the midst of their pain and sorrow. Such is the power of a real personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Cliff Barrows: Rejoicing Always – Even Through Difficulty

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Cliff Barrows, long time Crusade song leader for Billy Graham has faced a number of physical challenges in the latter part of his ninety years on earth: “Part of the reality of aging,” he reflects. But what is different about Barrows from many folks, and one of the keys to aging so well is his indomitable joyful spirit. Many folks allow aging, and any number of other life circumstances to steal their joy, but Barrows knows the truth of this verse well:
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10

This truth allows anyone who trust Jesus to fulfill it to live life with a deep sense of thankfulness. Barrows says it all goes back to believing, claiming, and continually reciting God’s promises.

“Expectancy is a great word,” Barrows said. “Expect great things from God.”

He strongly encourages everyone to read and think about Jesus’ promise of heaven, found in John 14:1-2.

“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.” (NKJV)

“And boy that brings great comfort,” Barrows offers. “And that’s how believers, in the midst of grief, in the midst of loss, even the loss of a loved one, can know that Jesus is there. He said, ‘I will never leave thee or forsake thee.’ ”

But such an attitude of gratitude doesn’t just come upon us. Like any fruit, it must be cultivated and nurtured to grow in our hearts. “Expectancy is a great word,” Barrows said. “Expect great things from God.”

Of course, Barrows can’t help but sing hymns throughout the day, no matter what circumstances rise to meet him:
“There is joy in serving Jesus, every moment, every day.”
“The joy of the Lord is my strength.”
“ I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart!”
“Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again – my Savior and my God.”

“What do we expect God to do?” Barrows asks. “ I’ve experienced so much with Mr. Graham because he’s a man that has a joyful spirit, a joyful heart.” Barrows offers one more word of encouragement—one that’s just as true whether you’re 19 or 90:

“God has a plan for your life,” he said. “You don’t need to step outside of the will of God to find it.”

How is your joy meter doing these days? Do you require a ‘good day’ to find reasons to be thankful? Or are you cultivating and nurturing a joyful spirit in your heart that transcends and sustains you through all of life, even the painful and difficult times?

9 Words For a Thriving Marriage (and other relationships)

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At age 90, Cliff Barrows, Billy Graham’s lifelong Crusade song leader, offers valuable life lessons on marriage and other deep relationships.

I think Barrows is a good example of ordinary people who serve and are loved by an extraordinary God…who in turns makes them extraordinary.

How to Have a Loving Marriage: Life Lessons from Cliff Barrows at Age 90

  • Even when schedules are busiest, make marriage a top priority. Barrows gets up early every morning to pray for and with his wife. She reads devotions to him because his macular degeneration has robbed him of his sight.
  • Pray for discernment – Read God’s Word – Pray for application.
  • Don’t pretend that marriage is easy or perfect. It will always require hard work from both husband and wife. 
  • “I think there are nine words we should be willing to say every day: I am sorry. Please forgive me. I love you.” -Cliff Barrows
  • Three more words: I was wrong.  “I think the greatest secret to a Christian marriage is the willingness to acknowledge it was you,” (Barrows) He recites Ephesians 4:32 — a verse that has become his compass through the ups and downs of marriage:

“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.”(NKJV)

(original article by By Kristy Etheridge, Billy Graham Evangelical Magazine)

Whose Shepherd Is He?

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The 23rd Psalm is perhaps the most widely read psalm in the world. You most often hear it at funerals because of the peace and promise offered to believers. I wonder how often we neglect to remember that all of God’s Word is intended to be read and meditated upon, to guide and fill our daily lives, to center us on who God is and who we are in His sight. (HE LOVES YOU so much!)

Roy Lessin offers a simple way to personalize Psalm 23. As you read it out aloud, put your name in the 17 blanks to remind you how much God cares about YOU!

Psalm 23 – A psalm of David.

The LORD is ————————shepherd.

————————shall not want.

He makes ———————— to lie down in green pastures:

He leads ———————— beside the still waters.

He restores ————————soul:

He leads ———————— in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.

Yea, though ———————— walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

————————will fear no evil:

For You are with ————————;

Your rod and Your staff they comfort————————.

You prepare a table before ———————— in the presence of —————–enemies:

You anoint ———————— head with oil;

————————cup runs over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow ————————

All the days of ————————life:

And ———————— will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Ten Things NOT To Take for Granted

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The top 10 things people claim to have taken for granted,

10. How important they were to so many.

9. How easy life was when they stopped struggling.

8. That all of their prayers and thoughts were heard.

7. That there really were no coincidences.

6. How far ripples of their kindness actually spread.

5. What really was important: happiness, friends, love.

4. That any and all of their dreams could have come true.

3. How good looking and fun they always were.

2. How much guidance they received, whenever they asked for help.

1. That God was alive in everything, including themselves.

Update 5/15/13

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God is doing an excellent job of healing me. I am of course tired each day, but gaining strength. Today I made it through seven hours of medical appointments. Most counts are pleasantly up except platelets which are very very low. I got a paper cut which bled for an hour. The steroid I take to control constant nausea is doing a good job, but has caused my blood sugar to spike to 549, so I am learning the world of insulin 4x/day, hopefully just for a couple of months as they slowly titrate me off the steroid. It seems a good opportunity for me to increase my empathy for those whose lives are affected by this condition on a permanent basis. My 100 days of ultra precautions for infections takes me through July 23. I can have healthy visitors anytime, but still need to be cautious of crowds and no gardening etc.

Thanks for the continued prayers. Marcia is taking PT for her severe neck/shoulder/arm pain and that is helping. I was encouraged that a prayer warrior I don’t even know set their kitchen timer to pray for us each and every hour today. WOW! God is so good to us!

We are glad to pray for you dear readers also. Send your confidential prayer requests to thayers @ Go Light Your World.org. (Remove all the spaces included here to reduce spam to our account.)

Be blessed seeking God’s best for your life and you will bring His best to others around you!

The Gift of Contentedness

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How was that it that selfish capitalist Oskar Schindler transitioned from being a self-centered, self-indulged businessman in order to live a life of poverty committed to winning the freedom of 1200 holocaust Jews? Was this a one time historical moving of God in his personal heart, or is this same passion of Christ available to grasp the hearts of each of us in our own resistant and desperately self-led hearts? Is there within us too a life of quiet desperation that yearns to be freed in our own search for passion and purpose?

I wonder if there is a key that we have not yet found or perhaps not fully embraced. It is easily located in Philippians 4:11-12 and concludes with the ever popular, and misunderstood verse in Philippians 4:13.

“I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:11-13

At first glance, this passage appears to deal with the presence or lack of physical possessions, food, and they such. But of course, it speaks more specifically to the condition of the heart, to the ungodly passions that guide our heart, and even godly ambitions that grab our heart more than the singular passion to be pleased with who God is in us, rather than who we desire to be in Him. We get so easily distracted between being a child of God and doing His business, especially our perception of what that business should be. Our egos are so easily pleased with personal desires that lead us to such lives of quiet desperation. Better that we embrace sooner and more fully the life of contentment simply being His child and enjoying God forever in our our lives, quite free of our personal agendas.

In what areas of your life have you found this peace? And in what areas is the holy and loving God continuing to speak, peace, be still, be content in me? Be still and know that God is God in your heart and in your life. YOU will find freedom that will no doubt pass on to others around you. Stop striving. Be blessed.

He Who Saves One Life Saves the World Entire

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Oskar Schindler (28 April 1908 – 9 October 1974) was an ethnic German industrialist, German spy, and member of the Nazi party who is credited with saving the lives of over 1,200 Jews during the Holocaust by employing them in his enamelware and ammunitions factories, which were located in what is now Poland and the Czech Republic respectively. He is the subject of the 1982 novel Schindler’s Ark, and the 1993 film based on it, Schindler’s List which highlights the contradictory trajectory of an opportunistic and amoral man initially motivated by profit, who came to show extraordinary initiative, tenacity and dedication in order to save the lives of his Jewish employees, ending his life in poverty.

Schindler’s grave is located on the mountainside below Zion Gate and the Old City walls. Stones placed on top of the grave are a sign of gratitude from Jewish visitors, according to Jewish tradition, although Schindler himself was not Jewish. On his grave, the Hebrew inscription reads: “Righteous among the Nations”, an honorific used by the State of Israel to describe non-Jews who risked their lives during the Holocaust to save Jews from extermination by the Nazis. The German inscription reads: “The Unforgettable Lifesaver of 1200 Persecuted Jews”

He was quoted as saying “I knew the people who worked for me… When you know people, you have to behave towards them like human beings.” The writer Herbert Steinhouse, who interviewed Schindler in 1948 at the behest of some of the surviving Schindlerjuden (Schindler’s Jews), wrote: “Oskar Schindler’s exceptional deeds stemmed from just that elementary sense of decency and humanity that our sophisticated age seldom sincerely believes in. A repentant opportunist saw the light and rebelled against the sadism and vile criminality all around him. The inference may be disappointingly simple, especially for all amateur psychoanalysts who would prefer the deeper and more mysterious motive that may, if it is true, still lie unprobed and unappreciated. But an hour with Oskar Schindler encourages belief in the simple answer.” (source: Wikipedia)

He who saves one life saves the world entire. What will you do to save a life? Watch this compelling short video with award winning Liam Neeson and Ben Kingsley and then visit www.worldvision.org, www.compassion.com, and www.GoLightYourWorld.org/giving for ideas to free the oppressed for less than a cup of coffee a day.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=qIp_8RNNX4k

The Color of Magic – Hugo

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We have been writing about living life as the adventure it is meant to be. The 2008 movie The Color Of Magic, starring Sean Astin, David Jason, and Tim Curry is a delightful tale of the impact of such a positive perspective. (We watched the two episode feature on Netflix.) No sex or cussing. Simple adventure and fun. Enjoy and be uplifted in living in perspective God desires to reveal to you.

For a more touching adventure film, Hugo, starring Asa Butterfield, Christopher Lee, and the very talented Ben Kingsley, offers an excellent option: When people lose their purpose they become like broken machines, without their intended use. It is based on the true story of historic film genious George Melies who offered: Truth is meant to save you first and the comfort comes afterward.

Happy endings don’t have to be relegated to the movies. They belong to those who live their adventure with the purpose God Himself intended. Enjoy.

A Tribute To Doc Stookey

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My father-in-law/love Dr. Norman Stookey, would have been 100 years old today. Doc was a godly man who taught me gentleness by how he lived, not just what he said. Suffering with years of macular degeneration that led to blindness, I don’t ever recall hearing him complain about it. He generally took life in stride. He came back from the war wanting to put his zoology major to work with a nature job, but the government put him through dental school so that became his life, whistling and singing while he worked.

I remember one summer afternoon we were gardening in his back yard. I must have complained about something. Without chiding me he simply shared a word picture with me. He said, Bryan if you take all your troubles and stir them up in a bag with everyone else’s troubles, you will always pick out your own when you go your way.

What a gem of truth. We tend to focus on our issues, problems, and challenges. And the more focus we give them, the larger they get, and everyone else seems to be doing better than us. But when we look inside the bag, we discover we are well blessed indeed. Not long after sharing his counsel, Marcia and I took our eldest son to the University of Iowa for consultation on how to remedy his walking problem. We were full of grief that he wouldn’t be able to play sports and enjoy his full abilities. Once in the lobby we were confronted with children with half a face, missing legs entirely….you get the picture and understand how we were instantly humbled and convicted of our own self-centered issues.

I have often been reminded of this in my Leukemia treatments. So many suffer far more. Just the other day I was feeling oh so tired and then watched a man hobbling down the street with one leg. I have two legs that work fine. No complaints.

Dad Stookey, thank you for all you taught me through your wonderful life. Happy 100th Birthday!NOrman Stookey