Sep 1, 2009

Cancer is Not in the Bible

Cancer is not in the Bible, but death is. We have ways of forestalling death, even death from cancer. They had the ability to forestall my death a little longer, and I'm amazed that I'm still alive. But, some day my death is going to come. I’m so grateful the Bible teaches me what God did to save me from death. I’m so grateful that I don’t have to be deserving in order to gain Christ.

Brushing so near to death and facing it so near in my future, I now a have renewed interest in asking those of you who read our blog if you’re trusting in God’s solution for death.

Steve

Note: On Monday the doctors officially diagnosed him with cancer. The average life expectancy of people with this kind of cancer is 14 months after diagnosis.

31 comments:

Anonymous said...

steve..once again you are showing us how to respond to affliction. your character, and the character of your family, is incredible to those of us 'watching you'. we are undone....

Anonymous said...

Steve - so good to hear from you. I have been praying all day. We are with you.

Glenn and Diana.

Anonymous said...

Steve,
I'm so glad that you are living in a "unique moment in history" and you have a hope and a future.
I'm so glad that you have cared for so many souls in your life and still are sharing the Gospel with the lost and needy.

I'm so glad the each day we are given renewed hope. I'm so glad the Bible teachs that signs and wonders are for today and that they are available for today and should be sought for the good of the church and the spread of the gospel. John Piper states in and article "Are Signs and Wonders for Today?"
http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/Sermons/
ByDate/1990/711_Are_Signs_and_Wonders_for_Today/

"we ought to be open to the real possibility that this too might be a unique moment in history, and in this moment it may well be God's purpose to pour out his Spirit in unprecedented revival—revival of love to Christ and zeal for worship and compassion for lost people and a missionary thrust with signs and wonders."
So we still have yet to see the great things God has prepared for you as you walk out you life. As one author states "God is 100% for you in the midst of this suffering"
God still makes the impossible possible. So we will keep asking and keep praying that you will be healed.
take care
Joe and Jayne:)

Anonymous said...

We love you, Steve, and love the God Who saves us even more. Our hearts are standing firmly with you and yours.
Terry, Eric and the rest of us
Eph. 2:10

Anonymous said...

Steve It is so great to read your words. Prayer and Praise to our Lord Jesus.

How wonderful it is to contemplate the Lord's solution for death, for He really does not have one. He only has a solution for Life, and that being for us to be one always with Him. To trust and believe in Christ is life eternal, and that is his solution.

God will bless

The Minori Family

All 8 of Us said...

Steve,
I am grateful to be able to say that by God's grace in drawing me near to Him, I too trust in His solution for death. I am lifting you and your precious family before the throne of grace...asking the Lord to give you all you need to walk this path He has set before you...I am also crying out to Him for your healing.
Blessings,
kathi (from SGC in NJ)

cassidy in md said...

What faith. Thank you for your example of trusting God in challenging circumstances.

Praying!

Anonymous said...

Yes Steve...I'm trusting in that future also. I just want you all to know that this blog has made a tremendous difference in my life. I thank you for it. Praying for you, Ian and your entire family.
Blessings,
Maryann Plesnicher

Anonymous said...

I am trusting! God has blessed your family in so many ways. He will continue to bless you all.
He is our loving FATHER, we are His legitimate children! My prayers continue for all your family.
With love and prayers, Rene

Anonymous said...

your comment reminded me of John Piper. Another man who has faced cancer and has a passion for the gospel. Praying for you all!
Joy in RI

Sarah Bosse said...

Steve, thank you for your godly response to this severe challenge. The Lord is honored and glorified through your heart towards Him.

Jer 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. 13 You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you..."

How great the truth in this passage is for Steve and His family right now! The Lord has given Steve a hope and a future that transcends the current (and very real!) reality of his suffering.

And how great this truth is for all who would die to self and live to Christ! The promise isn't just for a "super-spiritual Christian" who seems to do all the "right" things. No, this promise is for all who come to the Lord, seeking Him in humility and repentance, recognizing that they cannot do all the "right" things in "their own" strength. The Lord drew Israel back to Himself and the Lord desires to draw us to Himself again through the midst of trials and suffering. The Lord's desire to reveal Himself is great! He dedicates two and a half verses to showing His desire to reveal Himself just in this passage alone. "Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. 13 You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you declares the Lord..."

How great and how gracious and merciful is our God! Seek Him now, while He may be found, and find in Him your soul's rest and reward!

Sarah M. Bosse

Anonymous said...

Steve,
It is amazing in your situation that you are concerned with pointing people to Christ. You have a grasp on the reality of eternity and what our most pressing need is, the need for a Savior. Our Father in heaven is beaming with pride in you as is His Son.
Many, many prayers are being said for you and for your family. I pray that God moves in a miraculous way in your lives. I pray for physical healing for you and Ian daily and for renewal, comfort and faith in your souls.

Still Praying.

Mary Ann K.

Anonymous said...

Praying - praying - praying! You have been such an encouragement Steve; thank you.

Unknown said...

Steve - Thanks for this post. I have been praying for you and your family.

Tim

Anonymous said...

Praying. May the God of all comfort wrap your family in his arms.

Anonymous said...

Thank you Steve.

I'm a stranger, but will know you one day I hope... and the rest of your wonderful family.

Thank you to all of you in allowing me to share a tiny bit in your lives through prayer.

Praying still.

Cynthia W

laurie said...

Just a reminder that we are praying for you, and that the effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.

We love you guys,
Laurie and Everett

Chris Hinkle Flamma said...

Hi Steve,

I believe 100%. Life would seem sort of meaningless to me, if I didn't believe that there was more to come.

I also believe in miracles and in the many advances in the area of cancer treatment. I like the 'Cancer Treatment Centers of America' commercial where they tell the patient that no test told them that she only had x months to live. I believe in the will to live as well, and that it extends peoples' lives.

I will keep you in my daily prayers, asking God to remove the cancer from your body and give you and your family strength and comfort.

Anonymous said...

Oh Gracious Lord, please be Mary's strength...

Anonymous said...

Dear Ones ~

It is with heavy heart that I offer meager words of gratitude for YOUR POWERFUL words. Also, I humbly offer someone else's words...
...........................

When You are the One Who is at the center of the universe, holding it all together; if everything moves, breathes, and has its essence, its being in You, You can do no more than give Yourself when someone is hurting (Acts 17:28).

Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? ~ Jeremiah 8:22

Jesus helps the hurt.

And so,
He becomes the Husband to the divorced woman (in Isaiah 54).
He becomes the Father of the orphaned (in Psalm 10).
He becomes the wall of fire to those who need protection (Zechariah 2:5).
He becomes the Bridegroom to the woman who's grieves that she'll never get married (in Isaiah 62).
He becomes the Healer to the sick (Exodus 15).
He is the Wonderful Counselor to the confused and depressed (in Isaiah 9).
He becomes the living water to the thirsty (in John 4).
He's the bread of life to those who are hungry for more than this world can give (in John chapter 6).

There is a balm in Gilead to make the wounded whole;
There is a balm in Gilead to heal the sin-sick soul.
Sometimes I feel discouraged, And think my work's in vain,
But then the Holy Spirit revives my soul again.

Press the ointment of Your love on my hurting heart today, Lord. Be Everything to me.

~ Joni and Friends, [Taken from More Precious Than Silver],
August 30, 2009, "Balm In Gilead", 'selected' & 'arranged' from original source: communications@joniandfriends.org
..............................
grateful for HIS grip, HveHope

Ellen T said...

I appreciate your faith and your words of confidence in your salvation and hope in Him. I am standing with you in this and in prayers for His healing to you. I know many who have outlived predictions of doctors. God bless you much!!

Anonymous said...

We will continue to pray for you, Steve, and your family. We love you all! We are grieving with you, but at the same time rejoicing in God's amazing grace at the cross.

Love,
The Hermans

Anonymous said...

Steve your faith has always amazed me and this time is no different. Thank you for challenging me again and again. I thank God for how he has used you in my life. Just wanted to let you and Mary know I'm praying.


Paula Miller

Anonymous said...

So thankful that you and your family know our Savior and His amazing grace...Praying for you and your family.

Anonymous said...

"Mercy shall follow me all the days of my life. I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever." (Ps. 23)

"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the Lord, 'He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust." (Ps. 91:1-2)

"If Your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction. I will never forget Your precepts, for by them You have given me life. I am Yours; save me." (Ps. 119:92-94)

If all beneath us should fall away, the Lord shall never fail His children. Praying for you, dear Murphys.

Sara Brode

Audra Michelle said...

Love you, love your family, and praying for you all! Thank you for the reminder that in ALL things, God is good.

Anonymous said...

We certainly understand your feelings........as our son-in-law was given a kidney cancer diagnosis of 6 months to live, but lived nearly 4 years but with much suffering. He also was serving and pleasing God all along his journey until he called him to the eternal home in heaven. Our prayers are with you all.
Dave and Carol Ulsh and small group friends of Mert and Marietta

Anonymous said...

Thanking Jesus for your Christ-centered, Gospel-centered attitude, Steve.
Yes, I'm trusting totally in God's solution for my death through the blood of His only Son, my only hope, Jesus Christ.
Through reading your posts it seems you are an incurable God lover, and I thank Him for your example.
Honored to claim you as a brother in Christ even though we have never met, yet.
Praying for you, Mary and your family as He brings you to mind throughout my day.
Wendy in Maryland

Lee and Jeannette said...

Dear Steve, we love your family so dearly.

It seems like ages since those joyful hours we spent together, talking and rejoicing over the addition of a new little one, a girl, in our LR home. Jeannette and I will always remember those precious times and nights we had together (though I know you have wanted to forget the few that were the result of us being so kind to give you the flu). And then later, together, on our sabbatical in Indiana, PA. How fun it was to sit in your backyard or just fellowship together. You were so kind to set up stuff and ensure we had a great and productive time together. It was so encouraging and amazing to us that after such a short time, we felt like we'd known you all our lives and Jeannette and I were dreaming of ways we could spend our lives together. I still periodically think about what it would have been like to have a church together or to minister full-time together. I really can't have more pleasant thoughts. You guys are such a delight and a joy and light to us. When we think of you, we think of all that is good about God...all that is sweet. We miss you and know with all our hearts, that if we were to see you or spend a few minutes over coffee or a glass of wine together, we'd pick right up where we left off. Our lives are all so short and time is so precious. We simply don't realize how one day folds into the next. And we're never sure what's around the corner. When we love people dearly, as we do you guys, our hearts yearn to take away your pain, sorrow, suffering. And yet, God, who is perfect and who loves us perfectly, does not, often. So just as our bodies are wanting and imperfect and needing to be transformed, so too, our thoughts and ideas of Him. And maybe, this is a big part of what He wants from all of us. I think of the end of Psalm 17, "As for me, I shall behold Thy face in righteousness, I shall be satisfied with Thy likeness when I awake." Whether here or in that life to come, it's just so about Him. Can I be satisfied with Him? Just Him alone? I still try and I still fall miserably short. And I know you would deny it, but I think you are closer to Him than me in more ways than one. And the most important, is this latter way. And maybe, if God doesn't choose to heal you, it's because you've become such a good friend to Him and He's ready for you now. Jeannette asked me what would I do if I thought I had a year to live. I don't know...I really don't know anything. But I do know I love you brother. And we love you Mary. Both of us and our kids send all of our love to you and to the kids as well.

Your most favorite family in Italy, the Walti's

Jeff Daniels said...

Steve--I am so sorry to hear about your affliction as well as Ian's. You and your family are in my prayers and I hope that God has given you some break in the pain you have had to go through. I'll always remember you as a great guy who loved the Lord (and will never forget our tennis games down at Aidenn Lair Park--in simpler times).
Warmest regards,
Jeff Daniels

Mrs.Pastor Steve said...

We are praying for you- Caroline