A Call to Prayer May 3, 2015

                                                                                                                        May 3, 2015

"Now to the One Who is able to do beyond measure
far more than we ask or even imagine
according to the power which works in us for our benefit,
to Him be the glory in the church and in Jesus Christ
forever and ever."                     Eph. 3:20-21



Greetings Friends, Family and Partners in Prayer,

I would like to catch you up on some news and ask the saints to be with me in prayer once again.

On my latest go-around of scans last month they discovered a spot on my sternum that has not been there in the previous scans. It is not large, but it is concerning because it seems the cancer has raised its head again and wants to grow.

Given that, we have decided to do a course of radiation to hit that spot and also the kidney bed where the tumor was first removed in 2000--the site of the original kidney cancer.

This is a type of high-powered radiation that is relatively new in the treatment of cancer (used the last 8-10 years or so) and very precise. I will be doing five treatments at MD Anderson over the next two weeks. It is supposed to be able to pinpoint the area they want to hit and surround it without any damage to nearby organs or tissue.

The only side effect would be fatigue. Since fatigue has been the major side effect of my kidney failure, adding more should prove to be interesting.

After two years of the cancer being in regression, this is an unwanted surprise. Jeane and I feel like we are armoring up to go back into battle. But it is an enemy we know, and we know its tactics. We are aware that cancer, like any other evil in this world, is an ever-present threat; but greater is he who is in us. So we keep our eyes on God and move forward--fearing not.

Some scholars say that the Bible tells us to "fear not" or "do not be  afraid" well over 300 times, and I've gained a new appreciation for that phrase. This year, as a Christmas gift, we received a One New Man Bible: Revealing Jewish Roots and Power. I keep thinking about a footnote I read regarding the phrase "Fear Not."

I think we sometimes imagine Jesus meekly folding his hands and quietly telling people, "Do not be afraid now, dear children." Actually, it's quite the opposite. My new Bible says that this Hebrew negative command is very strong and powerful, with no direct English equivalent. It is even stronger than saying to someone, "Don't even think about having fear!!!"

Wow. I love that. And I love that I am in his good hands. It is my prayer during this time that the radiation will hit its mark and kill the cancer cells without hurting anything else. And for strength and energy for Jeane and me.

On another note, my one kidney is still alive at 8% function and I am not on dialysis. I try to keep my body as toxin-free as possible so the kidney doesn't have to work so hard. I do hyperbaric oxygen every week along with acupuncture, massage, juicing, detox baths, supplements, etc. On a human level I am tired of being tired and I miss my work at the hospital; but all things considered I feel so blessed to be able to teach and travel and go about my day without the encumbrance of dialysis treatments.

Thank you, thank you, for your love and support, dear friends, and I will keep you posted.

In his good care,

Greg