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Thursday, September 13, 2018

Your Dying Spouse 516 - In Cancer I Found Health {FMF}

Boy, that title sounds stupid, yeah?

How do you find health in pancreatic cancer and non-Hodgkins lymphoma?

The dude is delusional.

Well, maybe, but I would not have mise this for the world.

This process has been the best teacher for which I might have asked; I have learned, ere the end, that Christianity is not a part of life.

It's life.

Long ago, I thought that if I was terminally ill, I would be in despair. All those things I wanted to do, that now will be left undone! Al that I thought I had, taken from me!

All the meaning I had assigned to life, shattered.

But it's not that way at all, and it's not me that;s making the difference.

As I fall there are strong Arms holding me up, and a Voice that is as loud as thunder, and as gentle as a spring breeze, saying You can keep going.

And thus cometh the strength, to walk down to the shop and do a bit...a tiny bit...of welding, and feeling the satisfaction of molten metal as a gift to my beloved Lord.

Of ever-shortening blog posts, that...I hope!..carry the message, you're not alone, God really does care, and Christ will hold you up.

Of prayers for my dear wife, and the privilege of listening to her as she talks about work, and of letting God speak through me, to help her find her way through the thickets of the temporal.

And to encourage her to find friends that will support her when I'm gone, and to find a good, Godly man to love, so she won't be alone with memories.

I can let her go on, without jealousy.

Of the care for my dogs, who have made themselves more independent, working in cooperation to create a harmonious dog-party of life, and who are showing that I can trust them to love one another, and not fight.

I would not have missed this for the world.

Music is from For King And Country, with Shoulders.


Please pardon my slow response to comments. I do my best, and your comments are really precious to me. Barb is answering many of them now. I'm running on fumes, if you don't mind a macho metaphor.

I'm grateful for the energy to have written this. I'm so glad Barbara's stepped in for many of my posts. I'm really not doing well at all.

Thanks to Carol Ashby, Blessed Are The Pure Of Heart is back on Kindle, and will be available in paperback soon.

Friends are everything. I couldn't have done it.

Marley, the canine waif from Afghanistan, whom WE helped save, has a Facebook page! Please drop by to see how happy he is today.


If you can, please do leave a comment. I am trying to answer all, and I am failing, but please know this - I read and treasure each one.

Below are my recent releases on Kindle -please excuse their presence in the body of the blog. I haven't the energy to get them up as 'buttons' in the sidebar. You can click on the covers to go to the Amazon links.








40 comments:

  1. I have chronic illness and I have found the same thing. Christianity IS life. I would not trade my plight for the world

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    1. Amanda, isn't it a wonderful discovery? Thank you so much for sharing this!

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  2. Thank-you for sharing. You are an inspiration to us all. Jesus is truly life, and you are truly living.

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    1. K. Ann, sharing this path is a privilege; I'm honoured to walk these steps with you.

      I am indeed living the dream, and there is no irony in thought or word.

      These are the best days of my life.

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  3. Thankyou Andrew, you are the same kind of different trooper, as my daughter Kelly. The same kind of different loyal as my beloved late husband. The same kind of selfless love as Christ, I ask God continuously why? But I'm still believing in your healing and turn around back to life. You have an awesome testimony and a means to share it. I'm done your not. If I could ask God of one thing my life for yours, but I've learned that request is denied because the life of Christ is greater than I. I speak life and creative miracles for you now in Jesus name. For pancreatic cancer and death to loose it's gripped on you. And for the release of a new pancreas. I believe in creative miracles. And God is the creator of all things on heaven and earth. I believe in his word and the resurrection power of Christ. I declare and decree over your body now you shall live and not die. I speak new energy life strength and peace into your body now. The breathe of life to sustain you as you breathe Yahweh! Blessings Nancy

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    1. Nancy, thank you so much for this! I believe in a God of Miracles, too, and I live to see tomorrow's sunrise, and all the promise it holds.

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  4. Andrew you are a beautiful writer. One that is raw and honest. One that does not fear because he know where his strength comes. You are in my prayers.

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    1. Rhonda, your words are both honouring and humbling, in the best of ways. Thank you so much.

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  5. Thank you for sharing your journey with us, Andrew! It is always so encouraging to read about what God is teaching you and revealing to you, and it is a valuable reminder of what really matters!

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    1. Lesley, thank you so much for being here...the company I am privileged to keep informs what I write; you are a part of this, and for that, I am grateful.

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  6. Andrew, while I am always moved to tears knowing you are suffering, I am most grateful you share so transparently. You are an example and inspiration to us all to hold onto Jesus in all things. Praying for you and Barbara today!

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    1. Joanne, your words truly honour me, and we're so grateful for your friendship!

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  7. Andrew, your hope has encouraged me so much over the years. I love how you tip things upside down!

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  8. Amen and amen! Cancer of the body scares me far less than creeping cancer of the soul. May we always live in hope and relationship with God.

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    1. And Amen to that, Anita. Cancer of the soul is terrifying.

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  9. Perfect. Sending you both love and prayers.

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  10. (((((Andrew & Barbara)))))

    Love from Texas!
    Annie

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  11. Cancer is definitely a teacher. Whether you are healed or it eventually wins...it forever shapes you and gives you perspective. I was healed. My son was not but even in those days with him...there are moments and lessons I would never have known otherwise. I can choose to be grateful for even those.

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    1. Jennifer, Ihear you...and I thank you for your story. I would not have missed this for the world.

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  12. You are one of the most inspiring people on this planet.

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  13. Thank you so much for sharing the truth and the love that you have found. Only Jesus could bring that. I have found the same in my journey with chronic illness. So much I would never have found. How could I trade that? You remain in my prayers so much!

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    1. Bettie, I'm so grateful for this, and for your prayers! I really wouldn't trade back for health, if I had to go back to being who I was.

      I've found joy in Christ. Can't put a price on that.

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  14. Oh friend, you amaze me! You have taught us so much too.

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    1. Tara...thank you. If I see any father, it's because I stand on giants' shoulders, the stalwart shoulders of my friends.

      Like you.

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    1. My dear Norma, thank you so much...and you remain, for now and ever, in my thoughts and prayers.

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  16. Thank you for sharing your heart. You are in inspiration.

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    1. MoonDove...COOL name...thank you so much, for your gracious words, and for being here.

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  17. You're the real deal, man. I am glad to know you, a phrase that seems far too small. You have taught me, blessed me, made me smile. Thank you.

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    1. Marie, a lot of what you see here...it comes from you. You've taught me so much about faith, compassion, and Christ's love!

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  18. Andrew, thank you for sharing this perspective on terminal illness. Not letting despair rule thoughts, words, and actions can be so difficult. you accomplish this beautifully in the ways you pour out your heart and words to those around you. I continue to pray for you and Barb, my friend.

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    1. Jeanne, thank you so much for this lovely affirmation. In truth, my position is really privilege; riding on God's shoulders because my legs have given way, I can see vistas of which I could never have dreamt.

      Many thanks for the prayers, and we pray you forward in Nashville!

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