Let’s be wise builders who build our lives on the Word of God (Matthew 7:24-27) and seek first the Kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33) above all else in this world. Think of the Bible as the Constitution of the Kingdom of God.
Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” Matthew 7:24-27 NIV
I love my country. We live in such a great country where dreams can come true through hard work. These powerful and poignant words attached to Statue that welcomed immigrants to this country. These open arms produced a great nation.
Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
and her nameMother of Exiles.
From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes comman
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
“Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!” cries sheWith silent lips.
“Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”
Sounds alot like Jesus’ words in Matthew 9:36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.
COMPASSION: This term in Greek literally means bowels. It means at the deepest part of Jesus, his guts were torn up, twisted up because of how much he hurt for those experiencing hardship, who were scattered and faint.
I’M CONCERNED WITH THE LACK OF COMPASSION OF CHRIST FOLLOWERS AND CITIZENS OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD! 4000 people under a bridge on the border of Texas, and many Christians could care less and were even condemning and angry at these poor people hoping for a better life in our great country. Let’s apply the Word of God and Kingdom values to borders of our country. Hear the heart of Jesus and what matters to Jesus and maybe even what makes him mad. It seems to make Jesus mad when Christians don’t care for the hurting and faint among us.
Matthew 25:41-45 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? 45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to
Throughout this judgment scene it is made clear that the service of the lowly, the insignificant, the unimportant in this world’s eyes is in the last resort the test of discipleship. To fail this test is sheer calamity.Leon Morris The Gospel According to Matthew p. 641
FOLLOWERS OF JESUS WHAT DO YOU DO WITH JESUS’ WORDS ABOVE IN MATTHEW 25??? Now take a look at the heart of God again but these words are from the Old Testament.
33 And if a stranger sojourn with thee in your land, ye shall not vex him.34 But the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God. Leviticus 19:33-34 NASBI included the New Living Translation to make sure the meaning of Leviticus 19:33-34 is as clear as possible in our current culture.
33 “Do not take advantage of foreigners who live among you in your land. 34 Treat them like native-born Israelites, and love them as you love yourself. Remember that you were once foreigners living in the land of Egypt. I am the Lord your God. Leviticus 19:33-34 NLT
WHAT CAUSED THIS LACK OF COMPASSION? The compassion of the King and the Kingdom has been replaced by fear and scarcity mentality.
I see posts like the ones below regularly from mature, Godly men and women that I respect: The following are a couple of recent post regarding the the 4000 people under the bridge in Texas. Is there fear in these posts?
Facebook Post #1: Just as a husband who loves his wife and a father who loves his children will stand between them and an intruder, these brave men and women understand that simple, common sense principle. The intruder nor the beggar is hated but a boundary of safety must exist or chaos will prevail. Thank you Lord for courageous and dedicated officers who are willing to put their very lives on the line to protect us all!
Facebook Post #2: Somehow, it’s no problem that millions of people tearing across the border illegally with satchels of God knows what–drugs? Weapons? Soup? Who knows? And some bringing children–are they theirs? Are they trafficking? Kidnapping? “Borrowing” so in case they get caught they’re immediately released? Who knows?
Can you smell the fear? What would cause these 1000’s of people to take these kinds of risks? Women and children risking their lives to get to the border. Haitians living in great poverty trying to get to the promised land. Here’s what I know about the majority of these people. These are the people that will take jobs that very few Americans want or are willing to take. These are the maids. These are the roofers in 100 degree heat putting roofs on houses. These are the people in meat packing plants. These are dishwashers and cooks in restaurants. I in no want to denigrate any of these jobs.
To be perfectly clear, I’m not advocating for open borders. Every single alien, stranger trying to get into this country should be thoroughly back ground checked. The vast majority of these people are people fleeing poverty and gangs and looking for a better life. Are there some criminals in the crowd? Most likely! Could there be drug smugglers or human traffickers among them? Yes. Could there even be terrorist among them? Yes. I’m all for thorough background checks! But I am advocating for compassion and concern for the least of these and increasing the numbers of immigrants we allow into this country. More importantly I want Bible based and kingdom shaped values that guide the hearts and minds of those who follow King Jesus. Are your views based on what the Bible says?
GOD’S WORD IS SO BLUNT! SO PLAIN AND EASY TO UNDERSTAND THAT WE DON’T HAVE TO LIVE IN FEAR! Literally hundreds of times we are told FEAR NOT! DO NOT BE AFRAID!! One of my favorite writers on the spiritual life, Dallas Willard, said, “The Kingdom of Gods is a perfectly safe place to be.”
Luke 12:5-7 But I will warn you whom to fear: fear the One who, after He has killed someone, has the power to throw that person into hell; yes, I tell you, fear Him!6 Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? 7 But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.
Luke 12:32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
It’s very important that we define what the kingdom of God is and is not.
THE KINGDOM OF GOD
When we say Jesus Christ, we are saying, “Jesus the King”. Christ comes from the Greek word Christos which mean anointed one. Christ is not Jesus’ last name. No one ever called Jesus, “Mr. Christ”. Christ is an honorific title for Jesus like Augustus was an honorific title for Caesar Augustus.
Kingdom is NOT some vague general concept of God’s will getting done on earth. It is more than God’s sovereignty and social justice. It is about a rule and realm, a people and place. A King without a place and a people isn’t much of a king.
Kingdom has always been about a people and a place. First, King Yahweh called Adam & Eve to be fruitful and multiply and to reign and rule with with him. The rule of Gods through a people passes through Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3) and his family—Isaac (Genesis 17:6), Jacob (Genesis 35:10-11), Judah (Genesis 49:10). The nation of Israel is described as a kingdom of priests in Exodus 19:5-6. Jesus came to create a community, a people who would express and embody the rule of God among themselves showing the kingdom of God in action. (Matthew 16:18)The gospel is about king and kingdom as seen in Colossians 1:12-13.
We all as Christ followers have a role to play in being the church. When we live out the one another’s of the Bible, the world sees the kingdom in action. We are not human doings. We are human beings. When the church just “BE’s”, we are being renewal to a world that has rebelled and rejected Christ as their king. The church is the people and place over which king Jesus rules. We, the body of Christ, the family of God are to embody and express the values of the kingdom!
WHEN KINGDOM AND COUNTRY CONFLICT: Unfortunately I have to address this conflict. What do we do when the laws of the Kingdom conflict with the laws of land?
Exodus 1:15-17 Then the king of Egypt spoke to the Hebrew midwives, one of whom was named Shiphrah, and the other was named Puah; 16 and he said, “When you are helping the Hebrew women to give birth and see themupon the birthstool, if it is a son, then you shall put him to death; but if it is a daughter, then she shall live.” 17 But the midwives feared God, and did not do as the king of Egypt had commanded them, but let the boys live. The Hebrew midwives disobeyed the laws of the land to obey God’s law. God’s law and kingdom values is, ” Human lives are more important than laws.”
Joshua 2:5-6 They left the town at dusk, as the gates were about to close. I don’t know where they went. If you hurry, you can probably catch up with them.” 6 (Actually, she had taken them up to the roof and hidden them beneath bundles of flax she had laid out. NLT The King of Jericho asks Rahab where the spies are. She lies in order to protect the lives of the spies. She obeyed God rather the king of Jericho. Rahab is in the genealogy of Christ (Matthew 1)and the Hall of Fame of Faith in Hebrews 11. Evidently Yahweh approves of her lies to protect the spies. There are times when absolute commands to be good citizens conflict the commands to be good citizens of God’s Kingdom.
The laws of the Kingdom supersede the laws of the land. When country and kingdom conflict, the citizens of the kingdom must follow their true king. I can hear you objecting and screaming, but what about Romans 13?
Romans 13:1-2 Every person is to be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves.
Context is everything in interpreting Romans 13. Rome is a world power and oppresses through brutal imposition of its power. Caesars are actually described as gods, as saviors and are worshipped. Paul is slyly being very subversive with his words. He is subtly saying to the superpower of his day, “God is more powerful than you. God is in charge, not you!” Romans 13 is not a blanket endorsement of all government. Romans 13 is not saying that Christians should obey brutal dictators like Nero or Hitler!
All discussion and dialogue is welcome as long as it Bible based! The constitution of the kingdom of God is the Word of God. It is important to base your views upon the Bible. Disagreement is welcomed as long as you back it up with the Bible.
Oh to trust my Heavenly Father the way this little boy trusts his dad. This is what total trust looks like.
Psalm 103
Bless the Lord, my soul, And all that is within me, bless His holy name. 2 Bless the Lord, my soul, And do not forget any of His benefits;
Psalm 103 is one of favorite Psalms. From the depths of soul, I give Him praise to God for blessing me this week. We had scary news at the start of the week that my platelet levels were low, around 100. My cancer shows some genetic markers that it might be receptive to chemo treatment, but if my platelets get too low, my body will not tolerate chemo. My cancer really needs to be aggressively treated with both chemo and radiation. God has been so good to me. I have healed quickly from brain surgery just a short few weeks ago, and I have no deficits from the surgery and removal of 70% of the glioblastoma. My mind and all my parts work, and I am so thankful for God’s mercy and grace. I am able.to take care of myself and not be a burden to my wife and kids. I am so thankful for TeamPhelps and how they have all pulled together and been there for me and one another. I am so thankful for each and every one of you who follows along and prays faithfully for me and my family!
I don’t know that I have reached the place that I experience joy in this cancer trial:
James 1:2-4 Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you encounter various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing..
Romans 5:3-5 And not only this, but we also celebrate in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; 4 and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; 5 and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
James and Romans set a high bar on responding to trials, tribulation and suffering. Trials do reveal our truest selves and show us the reality of the depths of our faith. I think 1 Peter 1:6-8 is about self-revelation to us about the strength of our faith. God knows what our faith condition is.
1 Peter 1:6-8 In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various]trials, 7 so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which perishes though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 8 and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,
I want to found faithful in this trial and give God glory in and through it all.
I’m praising God for great results from my 2nd platelets blood test on Wednesday.
My platelet levels continue to increase. They were 151 on Monday, and Wednesday they were 191. We are headed in the right direction. Up and the right is good. God is good. I have tolerated the chemo and radiation well. My appetite is strong, and my energy levels are good. I am having some difficulty sleeping so you can pray for a solid night’s sleep that doesn’t disturb my wife. Week 1 of six weeks is almost in the books today. I bless the Lord and don’t forget what He has done for me.
What gets me through this trial is my suffering savior has gone before me. What blows me away is that he willing chose to suffer.
Philippians 2:6 who, as He already existed in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
He willingly gave up his status in heaven and came to earth to become one of us and to suffer with us and for us.
Hebrews 12:2 Looking only at Jesus, the originator and perfecter of the faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Are there anymore radical word than “joy set before Him” when he looked at the cross? Wow!
Hebrews 4:15-16 For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things just as we are, yet without sin.
He sympathizes because he has suffered before me. I’m so thankful for my compassionate, caring Savior who knows suffering. Because of his example and the Holy Spirit, I can walk out Psalm 103.
Bless the Lord, my soul, And all that is within me, bless His holy name. 2 Bless the Lord, my soul, And do not forget any of His benefits;
Anytime there is a big drum roll something big is about happen, right? At a rock concert the big drum roll may indicate the last song of the night, and one of your band’s biggest hits is about to get played. I hope you hear drums playing in your head right now starting to play faster and louder, and your favorite song is about to be played so loud and awesome at your favorite bands sold out concert.
Monday, September 27th is a big day for me and Team Phelps. I have a blood test at 2:50 pm. My radiation chemo treatment will be at its usual time, and after my treatment I will meet with my radiation oncologist, Jennifer Peterson. I am assuming that I will get an update on my platelets when I meet with her. My oncology team is adjusting some of my anti-seizure medication along with adding steroids in order to help boost my platelet count. It looks like they are going to keep a very close eye on my platelet counts. I will have another blood test on Wednesday, September 29th at 3:00 pm before my treatment.
Drum roll please! Keep those prayers coming. I am praying and believe with you for platelets to rise. Thanks so much for keeping me in your prayers. I really need them and covet them. I feel surrounded by your prayers, and this is how we win our battles.
Most of life’s storms are unexpected. Yesterday I continued into this unexpected storm with my first day of chemo and radiation. I had some scare as I entered into the unknown. How would my body respond to chemo? Even with the anti-nausea medication (Zofran) would I vomit? Would I have an appetite? I never like MRI tubes so I was a little worried about what 15-20 minutes of radiation would be like? How would it affect me? I was told to expect fatigue at some point. So as you can see, I was a little anxious about my first treatment. My son who is a doctor, 3rd year resident, came in from Gainesville to take me to my first treatment which gave me a lot of comfort.
To my surprise when I entered the radiation room, there was no MRI tube. My simulation treatment was in an MRI tube, but this radiation room was very open. There was a bed and what looked like two panels on the side above the bed and one panel directly above my head. Once on the table, they put my Hannibal Lectur, Silence of the Lambs mask, on me or for you hockey fans my goalie mask. They asked me if I wanted any music, and I asked for Elevation worship music. Again to my surprise they said they had it. I thought they would put head phones on me, but with my lovely Lectur mask that was not possible. They cranked up Elevation worship music in the room and gave me the room for my treatment. Nothing that I had expected happened in the way I envisioned my treatment would look like and feel like.
In the middle of my treatment with just me and my mask and radiation and worship, I had an experience with God. Tears came to my eyes. The presence of God was almost palpable. This doesn’t happen to me often. Throughout my treatments, I have prayed the Lord’s Prayer, Philippians 4:6-7 and meditated on Psalm 23 and Romans 8 during all my MRI’s, CAT scans, PET scans, but this was different. I worshipped in my spirit. I never in a million years thought I could feel this kind of calm in the storm. God was powerfully present, and he ministered to me in the depths of my soul. While I didn’t sing out loud, I cried out in my spirit. God was as close as my very breath.
I am very thankful that my first day of treatment went so well. Today I’ll be back at it at 3:45 pm EST. I’ll take anti-nausea at 2:00 pm, chemo at 3:00 pm. Then I’ll head to Mayo around 3:20 for my 3:45 appointment. I’ll look forward to watching my LSU Tigers at 12:00 EST on Saturday with my family. We’ll worship together on Sunday watching online. I’ll take anti-nausea and chemo on the weekend following my regular schedule. Please pray for my Monday blood test that my platelets will have increased above 100. Thanks for going on this journey with me and praying for me and my family. We need you!
From the very beginning of the U.S. space program in the 1960’s, Houston has been the nerve center and control room for the race into space. Whenever a rocket was launched into space, the countdown to launch was done in Houston. Houston made the final decision on whether conditions were right for a safe launch into space. During the count down to launch, no one wanted to hear, “Houston, we have a problem.”
Yesterday in my preparations for the launch of my chemo and radiation treatments today at 4:00 pm, I heard those dreaded words, “Houston, we have a problem.” Well, that’s not exactly what my oncologist said. She ran a blood test on me, and the blood test came back showing that my platelets were borderline around 100. My platelets had been fine up until this blood test. If my platlets get too low, it could impact my ability to tolerate chemo which is absolutely critical to treating this aggressive Glioblastoma. I actually have a genetic marker that indicates my cancer is a good candidate to respond to chemo. I just need my platelets to cooperate so I can be a better prepared person for chemo.
I share all this to rally your specific prayers for an increase in my platelets. My oncologist is adjusting medications in hopes that this will help to increase my platelets. I will start my chemo and radiation this Thursday and Friday at 4:00 pm. The mission has not been scrubbed at this point. My stitches were removed yesterday and all systems are go. We will however do a repeat blood test on Monday and pray that my platelets have increased. Calling all prayer warriors to action.
No, I’m not going to space. I have absolutely no desire to leave planet earth. There are lots of places that I would like to see in this beautiful world. I want to go to Greece, Turkey and Rome and walk where Paul walked. I want to go to Maine and eat Maine lobster until I can’t eat anymore lobster. I would like to go to San Francisco and Lake Tahoe. I could go on and on and on. So much I want to do.
My next trip is into an MRI tube for radiation treatment. Tomorrow, September 23rd will begin my six weeks of radiation combined with oral chemo pills. I will take anti-nausea at 2:00 pm. Then I will take a chemo pill at 3:00 p.m. At 4:00 pm I will undergo radiation for about 15-20 minutes. I will get radiation five days a week from Monday through Friday for six weeks. I will take oral chemo daily for six weeks. I should be done with my first six week cycle in the first week of November. Pray that the side effects of the treatment will be minimal and that I will be able to continue with my work in some capacity. Of course pray that the treatment is successful and that the stage 4 Glioblastoma does not grow! Pray that God will give me peace and courage through the process. Lift up my family that God will be their comfort and strength.
After this six week treatment cycle, I will be given four weeks for healing. They will want the swelling from radiation and chemo to go down in my brain. I will be given permission to travel during the month of November depending upon how I feel. I may attend an Evangelical Theological Society conference that I was looking forward to attending before all this happened November 16-18. I hope to visit family in Jackson, Mississippi and Baton Rouge, Louisiana. I really am looking forward to visiting friends up in the mountains of North Carolina at some point in the month of November. The first week in December I will have an MRI to evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment and we’ll develop a plan from there.
I covet your prayers and will lean into your faith alongside of mine. Like the paralytic I am counting on your faith to bring me to the feet of Jesus for healing. I will do my best to keep you informed with as much detail as possible about my journey so that you can support me in prayer.
Views from the valley of the shadow of cancer reveal the things that really matter most in life. What matters most in life is the gift of friendship and the relationships that develop over a lifetime. These are the gifts and treasures that should be held tight, nurtured and valued above all else in life. The Apostle Paul is an example of a man rich in relationship who has deep friendships. Philippians 2:19-21 says, “I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon,that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. 20 I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare. 21 For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.” Paul and Tim were tight, and Paul knew that Timothy had his back! What a gift loyal friends are who stand with us when times are tough. God gives us such profound wisdom in Proverbs 17:17 about the role of friendship in our lives saying, “A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” As I have walked through the valley of the shadow of death, it is the love of friends that has sustained me. I have tangibly felt the love and presence of God in the hugs, calls, texts, and emails of friends.
I have been moved to tears more times than I can count by those who have reached out to me with words of encouragement and prayers of faith. My high school classmates from Madison Ridgeland Academy have touched my soul so deeply with their words of love and hope. It has been a long time since I have been in high school but so many have been so kind, so loving, so giving, so faith filled. I wasn’t the most popular person in high school, but the cool kids have blessed me more than they’ll ever know as I walk through this valley. Noel and Amy you will forever be special heart friends that I cherish. Billy Young I was so moved by your tangible expression of care and concern for me.
There are those who let me know almost daily that they are praying for me. Friends like Kirk Schiefelbein are a gift from the very hand of God. Men of God like Jackie Rome, Lane Grigsby and Wayne Austin are men that can be counted on! Petey and Bob you are men who stand with me and daily lighten my burden. Willie would never want to be singled out, but he is a man worthy of great honor who shows me Jesus in the way he loves and lives on a daily basis. Dennis you deserve a shout out because you have laid down your life in so many ways and shown me the love of Christ.
There is an inner circle of friends from Wellington, Florida that I have been blessed to do life together with for over 25 years. No matter the storm you have always been there for me. You fill my life with deep joy, love and laughter. You each are treasured gifts from God to me that I thank God for on a daily basis.
One of the highlights of my life was the bucket list dream of getting my doctorate. My life has been forever changed by the kindness and wisdom and scholarship of Dr. Scot McKnight. The friendships formed over the four years of studies with my doctoral cohort are so special to me. I truly love, admire and respect: Julie, Jeremy, Ivan, Dave, Pete, Dan, Josh, Jeff, Brandon and the Big “E”- Ernest.
If I have not mentioned you by name let me blame it on brain surgery and Glioblastoma. Please know that I have prayed for and thanked God for each person who has given financially to help me and my family during this season. I have wept with each gift knowing the love and sacrifice expressed. I honor and value all of you who are standing with me in the valley. To my Awakening family and church family, I love and miss you all. Britnie Bellamy thanks for holding the fort down and always taking things to next level greatness. Michael and Drenna Heiser it is one of the honors of my life to serve Jesus together with you.
More than any other person on planet earth, I am thankful for Baby Luv. She is my rock!! My kids affectionately known as Team Phelps are my reason for being and fighting. I am the proudest dad on planet earth and a blessed man to have you in my world. I’m so thankful for a dad who loves Jesus and is a man of the Word who lives by faith and prayer who constantly points me to Jesus. Big hugs and honor to all who read this blog. You matter to me more than you’ll ever know.
The corny old action adventure show called the “A Team” always ended with the leader of the team saying, “I love it when a plan comes together.” In theology when we see the plan come together we call this the Providence of God. It means that God is in the details of life. Often Abraham followed God when he didn’t fully know the plan or how it would all come together. That’s how life works. We follow God’s providence and trust his plan. I love to see how Abraham trusted God to provide. Genesis 22:13-14 says, “When Abraham raised his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram caught in the thicket by its horns; and Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering in the place of his son. 14 And Abraham named that place The Lord Will Provide, as it is said to this day, “On the mountain of the Lord it willbe provided.
We have seen God’s providence demonstrated through my brain surgery and diagnosis of Stage 4 Glioblastoma brain cancer. When Karen told her 6th grade science class about my surgery and cancer a little boy came up to her and hugged her and cried with her. The next day Karen received an email from this boy’s mom that his uncle was one of the top ten Glioblastoma cancer researcher at world renowned Shands hospital in Gainesville, Florida. God is involved in the details of my treatment. It is quite possible that the radiologist who made my initial diagnosis of cancer is the parent of a child that Karen teaches. Also a parent of a child Karen teaches runs the 5th floor neurosurgery floor at Mayo that took such good care of me and got me home so quickly to be with my family.
THE PLAN IS COMING TOGETHER! I meet with my neuro-surgery team on Wednesday, Sept 22 at 11:00 a.m EST for them to remove the stitches from my surgical scar and give me the green light to start radiation and chemo treatments. The sooner we start in treating the cancer to stop its growth the better. I am scheduled for my first treatment of radiation and chemo on Thursday, September 23rd at 3:45 PM EST. The radiation blast is about 15-20 minutes long and one of the side affects is fatigue. I will take an oral chemo along with radiation. Radiation will take place 5 days a week for six weeks.
I find great comfort from the book of Philippians and Paul’s life. Paul knew what it was to suffer and experience trials. Here is what sustained Paul: I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all, Philippians 1:3-4 I thank God for every single one of you who texted, emailed, called, encouraged and prayed for me and my family. You have nourished our souls and sustained us. We need you to stand with us, believe with us and like the paralytic bring us to the feet to Jesus
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO HELP FINANCIALLY WITH THE MOUNTAIN OF MEDICAL BILLS WE FACE, HERE’S HOW. Friends we have done life together with for over 25 years from West Palm Beach will be managing a fund for us to help with medical bills. They will manage the fund with integrity and accountability. While we have good insurance, our deductible so far is $6200. No one knows the future in regards to clinical trial expenses and disability. If you would like to be informed of our needs, you can respond to this post by sending your email address in the comment section below. To be added to this email group, you can also email directly to a new email address that will be monitored by our friends: teamphelpsfamily@gmail.com. Our friends will communicate regularly about what our financial and medical needs are. I will be more transparent and open with this inner circle group of very trusted friends. I trust the Holy Spirit to guide and in no way presume anything of you.
I am a very blessed man. God has surrounded me with such good and Godly people. Many of you have walked with me through a lifetime of ministry and loved me well. No truer words could ever have been penned by the Apostle John of the people who have walked with me through life: Little children, let’s not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth. 1 John 3:18 Words are not enough to express my gratitude and thankfulness for life long friends, the men and women in groups, fellow staff members in churches that I have served, students that I have taught. You have refreshed my soul and had my back during hard times.
Most storms announce themselves with some warning. Weathermen can sometimes predict them well advance. Other times the signs are obvious. There are dark, ominous clouds that gather and the threat of rain is imminent. Then there is a flash of lightning and a clap of thunder.
There were no advanced signs that I had a cancerous brain tumor. Maybe looking book Baby Luv says I was angrier and grumpier than usual. I’ll blame all the bad attitudes and harsh language on that big bad Glioblastoma stage 4 cancer.
Thursday August 26th I was meeting with my good friend Willie Johnson for lunch. We were going to walk to the Five Points area from my office to find a little restaurant to enjoy together. As we walked to the restaurant Willie grew concerned. He kept asking me if I was okay. There was something off in the way I was walking and talking. He said, “You aren’t acting like yourself.” Ever the Marine, he took action. He whisked me away to the Mayo ER, and they suspected I was having a stroke. A quick CAT scan quickly revealed a monster mass in my brain. Willie, is a man of God who will forever be a hero of mine for his quick and decisive action that day.
I’ve had two friends pass away over the last few years from Glioblastoma cancer of the brain. I was very afraid about my future. I want to walk my girls down an aisle some day. I want to hold grandchildren. If I had to have this happen anywhere in the world, Jacksonville, Fl., and Mayo Clinic was maybe the best place on the planet for me and my family. We live within 10 minutes of a world class Mayo hospital.
On Monday, August 30th, around 5:00 pm I went in for brain surgery. They had to remove as much of the tumor as they could which was putting pressure on my brain. I was extremely blessed in that the tumor was located on my right temporal lobe. Any brain surgery is very dangerous. Physical and mental deficits are possibilities when you cut out parts of the brain. I had no idea what I would be like physically and mentally when I awakened, if I even awakened. My left temporal side would have had much greater risks to my speech, and the surgery would have had to be done while I was awake.
God was gracious, merciful and good to me through the surgery. I have no deficits. My mind and all my parts work for which I am eternally grateful. I’m so thankful I was not moved to the ICU among Covid patients after my surgery. My surgical team cared for me on the 5th floor nuero-surgical floor. Only My wife could be with me. I only stayed a few days in the hospital after my brain surgery. I was able to go home on Wednesday, September 1st. My physical strength is good, and I can care for myself. Being with my kids, family, and friends is healing to my soul.
The surgery was a great success when it comes to removing the cancerous tumor. They were able to remove 70% of the tumor which was a very positive outcome. I have a lovely scar to show for it. I’m now a perfect candidate for a zombie role or a Klingon role on Star Trek!
The rest of the tumor will have to be treated via chemo and radiation. It is important for treatment to start as soon as possible to make sure the tumor does not grow back. My scar is healing nicely, and I have a big meeting with my neuro-surgery team on September 22nd to see if stitches can be removed. Keep praying with us that there will be no seizures or set backs between now and September 22nd. If all goes according to plan on September 22nd, I will be cleared for radiation and chemo treatments to start as soon as September 23rd. My first round of treatment will run for 6 weeks. I will go through radiation Monday through Friday for six weeks along with oral chemo treatments.
