Pastor Buddy’s Blog

Journal,

Have you ever had a question that simply bugged you and you had no idea about where to find the? answer. My mom and dad gave me a perfectly good name, Lawrence Everett Martin. It may be a bit high sounding but that makes no mind. Actually my older sister and me were both named after my dad. His name was Lawrence Bert Martin. Bertie inherited the ‘Bert’ part of his name. I got the ‘Lawrence’. So for the question — ‘How in the world did I ever come to be called Buddy?’ Nothing very majestic about that name. Think about it. It even sounds like ‘Bubba’ or ‘Boudreaux’.

Aha!! I found out last week where ‘Buddy’ came from. My oldest sister has a collection of writings that she had to do for her English. (Many, many years ago.) Reading one of her papers, I saw it. Bertie was writing about ‘My Favorite Relative.’ In this case it was our younger sister, Julia. In her last paragraph, she wrote…

“She [Julia] talks a lot, and most of the time she imitates what one of us say. She calls me ‘Sister’ and calls my brother ‘Buddie.’ I think she is sweet and I do not think any other girl or boy is as lucky as I am to have such a sweet sister.”

So that is where the moniker came from. Julia had a problem pronouncing her r’s. And so ‘Buddy’? stuck. Actually few people know my real name. (‘L. E.’ was also a name tagged on me. But it pretty much disappeared over time.)

So much for he shall be called Buddie. Betty and I got to set in on the Wednesday evening service via the computer. I remain awed at Nathan’s ability to weave a ministry to such perfection. He stirred up these old bones.

Only thing I missed had to do with after the prayer requests. We couldn’t hear what the requests were so the computer was turned off. What I found out is that Johnny Barkdull addressed some very precious comments to myself as he looked at the camera. Nathan said there was weeping in the congregation. He is? going to get me a copy of what Johnny shared. Johnny has the heart of a true disciple. He is such a humble person.

I had a hard time getting to sleep last evening. No pain. Simply a case of the racing mind. After getting up for a time of devotion, I decided to sleep in another bedroom so as not to disturb Betty. My lady is such a jewel. Its bad enough when I toss and turn, but she has to live through all of this turning. Do you think she would offer a complaint or two? Never. My wife is the most generous, caring, and loving? person that I have ever known. I well remember the first time I looked into Betty’s blue eyes — My toes began to curl and I knew I had been captured.? :)? (Forty-three years of blessed captivity.)

Today I went for my blood test and then we met our children at El Chico’s. It has been our custom for a good while to have lunch together on Thursdays. It is always such a pleasant time when just you and your family can sit down to a? meal together. Not that we don’t enjoy a meal with others — There are just some times when you only need your family to be present.

El Chico has a very interesting young manager. His heritage is Lebanese Christian. He spend a good while visiting with us. Found out that he was in Lebanon during the? war. Anyway,? we clicked off right away. He give me his word that he would be in Church with us this Sunday. (His mom is nondenominational Christian from West Monroe.)

Let’s see — What else? Oh yeah. Got a call this morning from Joe Garlington. He and James Dauzart are coming by for a visit in the morning. This is really thrilling to me. These two brothers were part of laying the foundation for Christian Challenge in the? 70s. Joe eventually went into pastoraing. James has been with us over the many years until of late. The Lord placed him in another ministry. Well it is true enough, ‘The ways of the Lord are past finding out.’

It will be good to share old memories. It will be even better to renew ourselves in Christian love.

The Scripture that comes to mind when I think about these two ‘early’ elders of Christian Challenge is Psalm 133 –?

“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious oil upon the head, coming down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard, coming down upon the edge of his robe. It is like the dew of Hermon coming down upon the mountains of Zion; for there the Lord commanded the blessing–life forever.”

That’s it for now. Learn to walk in love and you will fulfill all the commandments of God.

Journal,

Ever since my? first chemo treatment I’ve had no need for pain medicine in the least. This is wonderful in itself. But I’ve found another issue at hand. Every morning I wake up around 2-3 a.m., and lay there with my mind going various directions. All the thoughts are good ones. I even spend a bit of time weeping over the goodness of the Lord.

But what is this 2-3 a.m. business? My tossing and turning has to bother my sweet Betty. Then last night something clicked. Perhaps the Lord wants me to get up and spend some special ‘very personal’ time with Him. So at 3 a.m., I did just that. The house was so quiet. I sat in my easy chair and began to pour into God’s word. What an awesome time. Spend over an hour just reading the Bible and praying.

Guess what? When my hour was over I went back to bed, fell asleep and then woke up around 8 a.m. this morning.? Looks like I’ve discovered another special gift from the Lord. Thank you Lord Jesus. Now I can say with the Psalmists, “My soul waits for the Lord more than the watchmen for the morning; indeed, more than the watchmen for the morning.” Psalm 130:5,6

What can I say? I’ve been walking on the clouds ever since Sunday morning. Each day has become a high water day with the Lord. Yesterday morning I had a call from my old friend, Joe Garlington. Joe was one of the early elders of Christian Challenge. He has long since moved on to other pastorates. It was such a joy to hear from him. And on top of things, he and James Dauzart, another of the early elders of Christian Challenge are coming by for a visit very soon. I can’t wait to love on these two precious men of God. They both will always hold a special place in my heart.

I’ve just got to share this. I jokedly shared with the congregation that the men could shave their heads just to get on the same ‘faith’ page with me. Of course that was nothing more than a laughing matter on my part. But not on the part of my youngest grandson, Jared. I received word this morning that Jared has shaved his head to get on grandpa’s faith page.? And he is just eight years old.? I can’t wait to wrap my arms around around this little tyke. What a champion!!

Well, Andre, Judy and the kids were with us last evening to share their Christmas moment. The children are flying out for a short vacation to Washington State tomorrow, and they wanted to open presents at grandma and grandpa’s. Nathan and his family were also with us. The only one missing were Shana and her family. But we tend to have a number of get-togethers during this season. Not everyone can be at every place, every time.? :)

But yesterday cannot be passed over without calling attention to Debbie McBride and her children. What a joy. They worked with Betty, getting? the parsonage? gleaned up and helping put everything where it needed to be. This is largely outside work. Debbie is such a trooper. Her and David are two of the most precious people that we have in our congregation. They are willing to do anything to help the ship called CCI keep in shape.

Not much else to add. This evening we will sit in on Wednesday’s service via a home computer. I am so looking forward to being in the services even if it means getting to sit at home in a comfortable easy chair. Oh the sufferings of a semi-retired pastor.

And Lord, thank you again for the wee hours. I love you so much.

Journal,

Before I get further into the awesomeness of yesterday’s services, let me share something that my sister Bertie? shared with our family at the dinner table following the morning service. She was so? full of emotion that she could hardly contain herself. Bertie said that when Nathan, Lori and the girls stood at my right,? she simply? closed her eyes for a moment. That is? when she saw? their clothing had changed into glowing white. The glow may have come from the? angels who were right behind them. And in the? middle of us all? was another larger glowing angel in white. She could hardly believe what she was seeing. I know my sister very well. Bertie does not play spiritual games. And she could hardly share this without crying and trembling.?

Yes, I believe in angels. I believe in them with all my heart. And, yes, I have personally seen angels in very real personages. (Not simply in a vision.) And, yes, I believe that every one of God’s children has an angel in attendance and that Christian Challenge had a great many angels in attendance yesterday.? I also know the Lord rarely let’s us see these creatures of glory so that we are not overcome by their presence.?

How do you? describe spiritual awesomeness?? Before the service actually began some of my personal music was being played over the PA system.? Betty and I walked down to the front with greetings and hugs simply overpowering us. My children and grandchildren were there. I don’t think my heart could have taken much more. It was like we were given just a little taste of what heaven is all about. The sanctuary overflowed with family, with CCI members, with friends from the community and from elsewhere. (Note: We are making a DVD of the service. It will be available shortly.)

Our worship leader, Jeff Murphy, took his place.? We worshipped and the? tears flowed freely. The Lord’s presence? was so real. At one point during the worship it is our? custom to take a? short break for greetings,? and then we enter back into worship for a few moments.? Here goes the hugs again.

When we returned for worship I? needed to sit down for a bit. So Betty and I sat there as the congregation continued offering praises to the Lord.?

Jeff could hardly contain himself. But being the gentleman that he is, after an introduction he handed? his mike to me. So now it’s my turn.? I was so afraid of losing it.? Betty and I walked to the front and it happened again. It was as though the Lord placed His hand on my shoulder.? I felt His strength and composure resting upon me.

I opened with a? reading from Isaiah 61, and then spoke? to the congregation as to the importance of what was taking place that day. Following this I asked? Nathan, Lori, and his three beautiful daughters, Joy, Faith, and Hope, to come forward. They stood at my right.? First I spoke? about the shepherd’s staff and then handed it to Nathan. Next I talked about the watchman’s war trumpet.? While speaking of the war trumpet, I quoted this song:

I see an ancient city, surrounded by a wall. And as the night approaches I hear a watchman call. To all God’s fearing citizens, let each heart prayerful be. It seems there’s been a rumor, an approaching enemy.

Watchman, watchman, tell us what you see. Will there be safety for each family. We’re counting on you watchman, please don’t let us down. Awake us from our slumber if danger comes around.

Throughout the night he watches, he hardly sleeps at all. He feels responsibility, this watchman on the wall. And as the night grows long and dark, it seems I hear a prayer; ‘O God? above, look down in love, and keep us in Your care.’

After I took the? shepherd’s mantle off my shoulders and placed it on Nathan’s shoulders, I then asked our board of counselors to come forward for the laying on of hands. I also asked our beloved mayor, Clarence Fields to partake in the laying on of hands and after that to? give his blessing to Nathan. The congregation was asked to stand and to extend their right hand to Nathan as we laid hands on him and his family for the transferring of Senior Pastor to him.

Then a most marvelous thing happened. Jaune Gagnard, and her daughter, Hanna, and Bud Frederick sang the song, ‘The Warrior is a Child.’ Dear Lord — Where do all these tears come from?

Nathan took his place at the podium and began to share his heart. There is no question that the Lord’s anointing was upon him. Nathan is such an honorable man and so well respected everywhere. You could sense his strength of character with every word he spoke.

Finally our beautiful sister Gayle Faulkner came forward and began to sing,? ‘Thank You For Giving to the Lord.’? It was at that point that I? lost it. All I could do was bury my face in my hands. Wherein all these tears? Why am I such a crybaby?

Well, we had to stop at some point. Just before Nathan would lead the congregation in our three times, ‘Jesus Christ is Lord!’ he ask me to come before the congregation again. That’s when he and Lori presented me with a special gift. I unwrapped the gift and in my hands was this beautiful picture of Jesus in the boat with his disciples during the time of storm. It is so awesome. That picture will go in my new office at the parsonage.

Yep — We did it. ‘Jesus Christ is Lord!’ ‘Jesus Christ is Lord!’ Jesus Christ is Lord!’ thundered across the sanctuary.

Were we in the presence of angels today? Sure we were. But that isn’t unusual for God’s people. These divine attendants from heaven are with us every day.

And, yup, I’m feeling really good. A little tiredness now and then. Nothing to be concerned about. Right now I am enjoying what the Lord has given me to do. And that is to enjoy life with Him being right in the center of all things.

Talk with you later.

?

Hi Journal Friends,

Even though a dear sister in the Lord? suggested that I continue? my pain medicine as needed, it’s been three nights since my chemo and I haven’t taken any pain medicine at all. It wasn’t as though I wished to ignore? her advice. I just felt in my heart that the Lord wanted me to see Him at work.? Every night has been free of pain. But that’s just an update on how I feel. Sure I feel some? discomforts but nothing to compare with the earlier pains that I especially had at night. ?

It is wonderful to wake up and spend time with my darling wife. We have the most pleasant conversations throughout the day and especially in? the morning. The Lord knew exactly what He was doing when He gave me Betty for my lifetime companion. She is such a treasure. And the wisdom of the Lord that flows through her just? captures my heart. The moment she begins to share, I know she is right on target. How I love to hear her talk.

Just a couple of personal notes for now — I’ve kept a prayer journal off and on over the years. Not all my prayers are recorded there but certain significant ones are. Rarely would I share any of? my prayers from this journal, but now seems an appropriate moment. Many prayers are for my own? sanctified heart. It is from? these prayers that I am able to see the hand of the Lord in all that is happening while I am walking through this trial.

Here are a couple of prayers that I’ve recorded. (All my prayers and numbered and dated with each journal.)

#374 Monday, July 24, 2006 - “My Father, help me to never lost my savour, my saltiness of value. Restore to me and help me to renew my passion for all Your kingdom work. Forgive me for my failures and sins, which are many. Cleanse me and give me wholeness so my service to you will not decrease but increase. I ask this in the name of my Lord and Savior, Jesus. Amen.”

#376 Wednesday, July 26, 2006 - “Father, let the cleansing Spirit of ‘holiness to the Lord’ flow through all the congregation of Christian Challenge. Let the people know and feel in their inward parts the power of sanctification. Grant wholeness of life and healings of all sorts rest upon this ministry. I ask this in Jesus name. Amen.”

#381 Tuesday, November 21, 2006 - “Father, let my health issue be to Your glory. Out of all this let your healing love be upon me with my testimony as a liviing witness to Your care over both me and all Your people. Strengthen me O my God to Your kingdom work. In Jesus name. Amen.”

Since I won’t likely post any updates on my journal until late Sunday evening or Monday, let me give a run down on how the services tomorrow will take place. (Some of this is a bit of repeat on information.)

== Christian Challenge Service, Sunday, December 17, 2006. Change of Leadership ==

Tomorrow will be a high water mark in the days of Christian Challenge. You can be sure that we’ll have a weepy service, especially on my end. We expect a crowd including the mayor and other city officials as well as many of our our family and other Christian friends from the various churches. The service will be recorded along with being available for ‘live’ viewing.

Nathan will take the reins of the ship called CCI. I’m moving my office to the parsonage while my ministry branches out into other areas. The Lord has shown me how very important it is for me right now to ‘forget what lies behind and to reach forward to what lies ahead, and to continue to press on for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.’”

As we pass through this transitional time it looks like my ministry will move towards further development of our School for Christian Workers, along with some travelings. But a major part of my ministry will be my writings. This continues to be a pressing issue for me, especially as I am prodded by others. Just have to see how things go. I am very encouraged at where we are in all this.

Anyway, tomorrow following our worship service, I’ll speak to the congregation about what it means for Nathan to become Senior Pastor, that is, that he will have that role to fulfill in every sense of the word. Betty will stand with me while Nathan and his family are called forward. My Scripture reading will be from Isaiah 61. I will share a vision that I had many years ago. It was when the Lord showed me a pine tree that had turned into a sweetgum tree. My youngest son Andre gave an interpretation. It had to do with the changes now in place. It certainly fits the picture. I accept it as from the Lord.

To consecrate Nathan, I’ll then use the emblems of the war trumpet, the shepherd’s staff, and the prophet’s mantle, to speak of his charge before the Lord. Following that we’ll have our board of counselors come forward for the laying on of hands. The mayor will also participate. The congregation will be asked to stand to give their affirmation to Nathan’s shepherding role by extending their right hard towards him during the laying on of hands. I’ll offer a prayer for his consecration and encourage any of our board to offer a prayer. I’ll then ask the mayor who is a good friend of our family to extend his blessing.

Nathan will take his place before the congregation and share his vision for the ministry. I also have to mention that some very wonderful special songs will be shared during the service. Jaune will sing, ‘The Warrior is a Child.’ How I dearly love that song. Gayle Faulker will close out the service with another wonderful song. She has such an angelic voice.

Well, that’s it for? now. Lovings…

I asked the doctor and the nurse how long it would be before the chemo begins to take? effect.? They both indicated? pretty soon.? I’ve felt pretty good all afternoon, sort of like a tingling feeling in my upper legs. I’ll know more? this evening. My lower back and upper legs that have caused the discomfort at night.

Some are asking? about the staging. Keep in mind that staging is simply an international way for sharing information. Every case has to be considered on its own. The doctor said my stage was? 3 or 4. The good news is that none of my organs including my bones and marrow have any cancer. He also said that the? chemo I am on? is very aggressive against kind of lymphoma that I have. (It is? one of the more common types.)

There are cautions that I have to take. I can’t be around anyone who has a cold or any type of sickness. I have to wash my hands frequently. And I must be carefull about people hugging me. So being in the public requires extra caution. Looks like I’m going to be a semi-couch-potato for awhile.? Time will speak to that. (I heard that. Stop laughing. Sorry, I’m talking to Betty.)

Its been a good day, if you don’t mind sitting around for several hours, just reading and relaxing. The chemo treatment? itself took? six hours. I felt no discomfort with it. For my punishment? I had to read from a couple of books: The Gospel and the Greeks, by Ronald H. Nash, and, Deliver Us From Evil, by Sean Hannity.

The people at Cabrini are the nicest people you would ever want to meet. Our accomodations were perfect. I sat in the recliner while Betty had the bed. Naturally my sweet daughter spent time with us. Shana had questions that she wanted answered. And she got them answered, much to her delight.

This brings me to a very, very special service we will have at Christian Challenge this Sunday. Nathan will be ordained and put in place as Lead/Senior Pastor. There is no way that I can function as Senior Pastor at this time. But it looks like the timing of the Lord is in place. Nathan will have? responsibility? for the ministry at large. My ministry role will change.? When things get better I’ll likely do some ministry on Wednesday evenings. My staff position is as? Founding Pastor. However, this not a true retirement since? the larger part of my ministry will be with? my writings, with my online counselling,? along with some travel, and whatever else? the Lord provides.

Thought I would mention that the? Alexandria? Town Talk would like to do a feature on me this weekend. They are sending a photographer? tomorrow for pictures. The? interview will? be by email so as not to interfere with my healing time.?

There is one other thing I’d like to mention in closing. Probably the most important thing? you can do as a believer is to learn to trust your compass of life. What is a compass of life? Glad you asked. A believer’s compass of life is the voice of Jesus, the assurance of Jesus, the peace of Jesus, and the guidance of Jesus. This is when you know, that you know, that you know. My compass of life is fully in place. I realize that some have questions about me having lymphoma, but all I can tell you is? that all of this will turn out to the glory of the Lord.

Keep believing. Keep loving.? Keep giving. And keep Jesus always before you.

This is the week we begin. The results of my various scans and other tests are in. The blood marrow tests show me free of? cancer cells in those areas. My heart is fine. However, I do have lymphoma above and below the stomach diaphragm. Wednesday is my educational class and then? Thursday I begin my first chemo treatment. Because of the location of the lymphoma it appears that I’ll need eight treatments. (Course this is all subject to the greater Physician.? :)

I need to thank my precious daughter Shana for getting the doctor on the ball. She did not want to see me go through another weekend with the discomforts I’ve been having. Shana was behind getting the treatments moved forward. Of course she isn’t the only one on my case.? My Betty continues to be? my ‘constant nurse.’ I can hardly move a muscle without her? taking charge. Boy, a fellow could get use to that. And my boys are on top of things, making sure daddy is doing well.

The peace of God remains in place on the holy hill. Nathan’s ministry was simply awesome.? He taught on “Which ‘Then’ Are You In.”? Using Psalm 107 for his background, Nathan spoke about? the four types of situations that God’s people need deliverances from: (1) Wilderness. (2) Captivity. (3) Foolishness. (4) Storms of Life.

This brings me to a major change taking place at Christian Challenge. It has been in the works for a while.? I shared with our Board of Counselors Sunday afternoon that Nathan will be? taking the helm of leadership for the ministry. There is such a spirit of consensus and cooperation in place. ? It simply brings us back to what Paul meant concerning the peace that surpasses all comprehension. It is wonderful to know when one is in the center of God’s will.

To explain things a bit better, here is a letter being sent out to our church members and other friends:?

Hi Family,

I trust this letter finds you well. I want to share with you something I shared with the Christian Challenge Board of Counselors this past Sunday, and to invite you to a very special service this coming Sunday, December 17, 2006.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 says that “there is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven.” This past Sunday I shared with our Board of Counselors that I felt it was time for Nathan to “take the helm” of the ministry of Christian Challenge. I believe the timing for this decision is from the Lord.

While my battle with NHL has certainly contributed to this decision, it is not the only reason for the decision. I do not want the ministry of CCI to be in a “holding pattern” but to launch out into the deep of God’s continued faithfulness. And I believe the Lord would have Nathan “at the helm’ of this continued journey.

Nathan was licensed to the ministry at the age of sixteen. He went to the mission field at the age of 21 and after serving in southern Mexico for 4 years he returned in November 1990 to assist me in pasturing Christian Challenge. For the past 16 years he has served faithfully with me, demonstrating himself to be a capable leader with a pastor’s heart. In June of 2004 we installed him as pastor, recognizing the transition that would eventually take place from my leadership to his.

That time has come. And it is just as Solomon wrote in Ecc. 3:11, “[God] has made everything beautiful in its time.” It is a beautiful thing to see Nathan step forward and assume the leadership roles that we have been thrust upon him. He has many giftings, some of which we’re just beginning to see. I believe he will lead Christian Challenge to even greater accomplishments for the kingdom.

As for me I am excited about this new chapter in my life. I believe the Lord is releasing me to begin writing - putting on paper some of the life principles he has shared with me through the years. I also look forward to traveling with my precious wife Betty as the Lord allows. I will still serve on the pastoral staff as “Founding Pastor” But Nathan will serve as Lead/Senior Pastor. In addition I will continue to do personal mentoring as the need arises.

I want to invite you to a special service this Sunday as we lay hands on Nathan to confirm his leadership. I will be “passing the mantle” (staff of leadership) so to speak. I will also ask the congregation to publicly affirm his pastoral role. This will be a special service in the life of Christian Challenge and I hope you will make every effort to be there.

Until then I remain,

Your servant in Christ,

Lawrence (Buddy) Martin - Founding Pastor CCI

The past two days have been pretty full and pretty telling. Yesterday I went for a pet scan. What an experience. They put radiation in my system so the scan could precisely pinpoint where all the lymphoma is located.

Here is a description of a PET scan — PET scans use glucose (a form of sugar) that contains a very small amount of radioactivity. The glucose is injected into a vein and travels throughout the body. Every cell in the body needs sugar in order to live, but cancer cells will take up more sugar since they are rapidly dividing and need more energy in order to grow and divide. Therefore, cancer cells usually take up high amounts of the radioactive sugar because of their high rate of metabolism. A special camera can then detect the radioactivity.

So much for the technical. After the scan the technician told me not to be around pregnant women or children under the age of 4 for the next twenty-four hours, and to avoid close contact with others during that period. What a bummer. And I was supposed to minister that evening.? But it gets funny. Perhaps the Lord was tickling my laughter bone.

When the technician instructed me about the radiation, a song popped into my head. It was written by the Mill’s Brothers many years ago entitled, The Glow Worm. (Some of you old timers will remember it.) I chuckled when I thought about the song. I asked the technician if I would be a glow-worm for the next twenty-four hours? We had a good laugh together.? Here are some of the lyrics:

Shine little glow-worm, glimmer, glimmer.
Shine little glow-worm, glimmer, glimmer.?
Lead us lest too far we wander.
Love’s sweet voice is calling yonder.
Shine little glow-worm, glimmer, glimmer.

When Betty further questioned the doctor about my ministering that evening, he said it would be fine as long as I kept my distance from the congregation. Thats what I did. We always sit on the front row. During the worship time it is our custom to break for a time of greeting. At that point I slipped into my office. That was when Nathan explained my current situation and the radioactivity.

Well — I got to minister. Nathan put a comfortable barstool for me to sit on. And, believe it or not, the Lord had given me a subject to minister several weeks ago, that is, even before we found out about the lymphoma. The subject was ‘Strangers in the Land.‘ I was able to share with the congregation how the word ’stranger’ became a code word for true believers both in the former testament and in the new testament. The object of the ministry was to show how we as believers are actually heavenly born people who are existing in an earthly body, and that this world is not our home. (Right after the ministry Betty and I gave the congregation our ‘love’ wave and left for home. We have such a wonderful group of believers.)

Which, of course, brings me to today. Today was ‘bone marrow aspiration and biopsy’ day. I’m really not a stranger to this procedure. Had it done in the Veterans Hospital in 2000. Course it does make your “butt butt” a bit sore.

Here is the technical description — For bone marrow biopsy, a larger needle is used to remove a cylinder of bone and marrow, about 1/16-inch across and 1 inch long. Both samples are usually taken from marrow at the back of the pelvic bone after numbing the area with local anesthesia. These tests can be used for the initial diagnosis and for staging (to see? how far the cancer has spread).

Today has been another wonderful day for me. Every Thursday Betty and I have lunch with our kids and their spouses. This has been our tradition for a few years. And when there is a birthday involved it becomes even extra special. Andre’s birthday is actually the 10th of December, but we celebrated his birthday at our special lunch place. This is also a custom of ours. On top of this the manager of the restaurant said that every Thursday they would have a special table in the restuarant set aside just for us.? Now that is what I call a blessing.

After we made it home another blessing dropped in on us. Two of my sisters, Bertie and Julia, and our dear friend from California, Juanita,? spent the afternoon with us. What a wonderful time it was. How I love family!

Well, that’s about it for now. Next Monday I go to day surgery to have the port put into my upper chest for the chemo treatments. Am I at peace in all this? Yes and even more. Some of God’s people do not understand that the realm of faith is not whether you believe in miracle healings. I believe in them with all my heart. And God’s healing work can be done with or without the help of physicians. However, that is not the basis of a faith walk. A true Biblical faith walk centers itself on the providence of God, and in knowing Jesus Christ every moment of every day, and having Him continue to speak His personal counsel into one’s life. It is simply learning to do the things the heavenly Father shows you to do.

That is where I am. And so I can say with David, The Lord is? my Shepherd,? I shall not want.

Note: If you would like to hear the music to the Glow-Worm song, go to this site: http://www.geocities.com/sh_booms/rockn50s/Jukebox/52-29.html

What a wonderful weekend! It is as if God’s love decided to settle on the holy hill. (The holy hill is a special name that I gave Christian Challenge when we moved the ministry to Pearce Road in 1990.) In fact we had a family of visitors with us yesterday who asked their family member that attends Christian Challenge, how she ever found this ministry. They were in awe with the atmosphere of love that flows in our congregation. Of course every pastor thrills to hear those kinds of testimonies.

But it really has been a wondrous weekend. Saturday morning the ‘holy hill’ was filled with church members with rakes and other tools helping to tidy things up a bit. Jaune’ was more than happy to have them on board. And since I have a natural lazy streak, it was my joy to see all the work and fun taking place. The fun part was when our youth pastor, Jon Martinez, got buried under a large pile of leaves with the young people piling in on top of him. Of course my great dane CJ had to get in the middle of things. He made sure that Jon got plenty of loving from him. CJ thinks he is a human so he was right in the middle of the young folk when they piled up on Jon.

Then Sunday morning — Nathan had pictures of the raking party including a movie of CJ frolicking with Jon. He showed them to the church Sunday morning. Of course laughter was the course of the day. But what a day it was indeed. I shared one of my songs with the congregation, ‘What Kind of Man is This. Had to pick on Warren Spurgeon. He had asked me to sing a few weeks back, but I kept putting it off. Anyway I shared with the congregation how I could always tell when a phone call was from Warren. He says, Is the old man there? My response is usually, ‘Hello, buzzard bait. All I can say is that if there is anything to the so-called confession message, then Warren should be emitting a strange smell by now. Of course laughter continue as the matter of the day. Naturally I dedicated the song to Warren.

The worship was awesome. Nathan ministered from Psalm 95, ‘The Sheep of His Pasturing. When it came time for personal ministry, it was nothing less than beautiful. Nathan is such a capable pastor and teacher. Hearts were touched. A number of people came forward for personal prayer. It really gave me a warm feeling to see how well the church responds to Nathan.

Nuff on that — Yes, I’m on the road again. This morning I had a muga (heart) scan at Cabrini. (Multiple Gated Acquisition scan) This sort of scan is very telling with regard to a person’s heart. Wednesday I go in for a pet scan. This scan is also very telling. It pinpoints with accuracy where the lymphoma is located. Then Thursday I go in for the bone marrow extraction. I realise all this sounds rough, but it is really an important part of preparing me for the chemo treatmenst. Next Monday the surgeon will put a port in my upper chest area for the chemo treatments.

Everything is going well. At this point no hospital stays are indicated. Everything will be done outpatient. The oncology doctor is very upbeat. The chemo treatments will be spaced three weeks apart and will include from 6 to 8 treatments. Of course all things are subject to change because of the great Physician. And both my doctors, the surgeon and the oncologist give credit to the Lord for all healings. It is so good to have believers as your attending physicians.

And on top of everything I keep getting wonderful calls from so many friends. How could anything be better? This may seem like a strange thing to say, but I have to say it anyway — This trial has already proven to be a blessing in more ways than one. And the Lord assured me that the trial would reveal itself to His greater glory. I’m not sure what that means specifically. It really doesn’t matter. The One who called me into His everlasting kingdom, continues to be my constant companion. What more could I ask for?

Well, thats it for now. I’ll keep everyone abreast as things move long.

Yesterday I had the drain tube removed from the biopsy surgery. An interesting conversation with the surgeon took place. He offered his regrets over finding that I do have non-Hodgkins lymphoma. I was able to share with him my faith and of my readiness to embrace whatever the Lord had for my future. In our conversation the doc also shared some interesting things. He spoke of his dad who had had to deal with cancer of the esophagus some years ago. (His dad was healed and is doing well.) The dad was a Baptist deacon.

He added how his dad had said very much the same as I shared about our belonging to the Lord whether we live or died. Then he added that believers have a much higher rate of healing than do others. I certainly agree. Believers are attuned to the greatest healer of all eternity.

That ties into something else I want to share. In my email to our church family, entitled, ‘It is well with my soul,’, I gave an update on my journey of faith. I chose the title ‘It is well with my soul,’ as the best way to share my feelings. Interestingly enough this brings me to my devotion this morning. My morning devotion found me in a faith story that I loved to preach as a young evangelist. The story is about the Shunammite women of whom Elisha had promised a son. (You can read the entire story in 2 Kings 4:8-37.) This story is so filled with insight into God’s world of faith.

The woman’s son had died and she was distraught. Here is what captured my attention. Elisha saw her coming from a distance, and sent his servant to see if things were alright with her. Gehazi asked her; “Is it well with you? It is well. Is it well with your husband? It is well. Is it well with the child? It is well. Until she came to the man of God, her message concerning anyone else was simply, It is well.

The Shunammite women’s story of faith has always intrigued me. Her expressions of faith are very much the same as my own. I’ve learned long years ago to not look to others for answers but to simply go to the Lord with whatever the case may be. And as long as everything is alright with me and the Lord, then all is well.

The trial we are walking through is not something that is new to us. When Betty and I stood at the casket of our second son, it was the greatest trial of our life. Our hearts broke in a million pieces. Yet I will never forget what my mom said. Mama said that as she observed how Betty and I never got angry with God, and how our faith in Him never wavered, this let her know that our faith was a living faith. My mama came to know this living faith for herself. But Betty and I both knew that we would see David again. A living faith is a living reality.

I hope no one will ever think that I am bragging on my faith. My only boast is in a living Savior who has walked with me from the very moment that He brought me into His kingdom. This is why I truly sorrow for people who do not know the Lord in a personal way. The journey of faith begins when we receive Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, but it extends through every moment of every day and up to our final presentation in heaven.

I want to end this entry by sharing a dream the Lord gave me long ago. I believe it speaks to all believers. It is about our testimony in life. The dream showed me how we are so often unaware of how our walk with the Lord affects those around us.

Here is the dream — I was walking across a large open field of dead grass. When I looked back I saw a group of people staring at the ground and then pointing to me. I was puzzled; What are they looking at? When I looked closer at where I had walked, I noticed that green grass had sprung up in every foot step I had made.

The Lord has often instructed me through dreams and visions. And as much as I would like to think that my every step has produced green grass, I also know that not all my footsteps have been the best. But even in times of my straying, the Lord has always brought me back on course. All I can do is thank the Lord for His marvelous grace and that in the new covenant, He remembers our sins no more.

Perhaps the point to be made is that believers are called to be life givers. We should bring life with us wherever we go. And the life we have to give is the life of Jesus. And our walk with Jesus does influence others far more than we realize.

Jesus said, “He who believes in Me, as the Scriptures said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’” Living water is the life of Jesus. It is the water that brings life to others.

I often ask the Lord to forgive me for those times when my words have not been words of life, and for the times that my footsteps spoke of anything other than green grass.

Just something to think about. Can you say with the Shunammite, ‘It is well.

Love and blessings,

Buddy

Hi CCI Family,

Since Nathan is keeping everyone up to date on my venture with Lymphoma, I wanted to share just a bit on a personal note.

A good place to begin is with the song which says, ‘It is well with my soul.’ This song was written by Horatio G. Spafford, in 1873, following some terrible tragedies in his life. You can listen to the song and a bit of background at this site:

http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/i/t/i/itiswell.htm

By way of encouragement just remember what I have often shared with you through the years. In any trial that comes your way, always look for the greater glory and for the deeper blessing. The Lord is faithful, always, and in every situation. Simply keep your eyes and ears towards the Lord. There is nothing more important for a child of God than that of hearing from the Lord on a personal level. Out of this hearing comes the governing peace that we are to live our lives by.

This is the peace that has sustained me all these years. And this is why none of this has been a struggle for me. I know in my heart that when it is time to go home, I’ll make the transition with no regrets. John said it best in saying that God’s ‘perfect love’, casts out all fear. The fear of death has long departed from my world. Jesus said that there is no death for a believer. There is only a transition of life.

Please don’t misunderstand me. I do deeply regret all the sins and failures and mistakes that I’ve made in life. If I were to dwell on the sins of my past, it would be more than I could bear. But that is not the case. I can attest to the truth of what it means to be a sinner saved by grace, and my soul knows it very well. I’ve learned that one of the greatest keys of life is to learn to dwell on the goodness of the Lord, to believe in the message of the cross, and simply to remain focused on the reward to come.

In all of life I’ve come to fully embrace the message of the cross. God’s love and mercy through the cross have made amends for all my sins. This is why I carry in my heart a special seal that the old timers called ‘divine assurance.’ (All believers have this seal.) That seal cannot be broken. Paul calls it the seal of redemption. I know that when it comes time to make the transfer out of this life, I will forever be with the Lord. But you also know about the seal.

But to carry this further, the Lord has fully assured me that out of all this will come His greater glory. I know this in the deep of my being. I have this from the Lord. And whatever this may mean, I truly want the Lord to be glorified in my life. So, it is not a matter of having to confess something into reality. It is a matter of letting the Lord carry me through.

This is why I love what the Psalmist said, “Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory because of Your lovingkindness, because of Your truth.” (Ps115:1)

Just keep in mind what I have taught you over the many years. Nothing takes the place of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. To know Him personally is to know life. To know Him personally will always be your first defense against strange teachings.

Anyway, I will be in services as time and circumstance allow. Last evening I watched the service on my computer. John brought a wonderful message. And I deeply appreciate Nathan keeping you updated on my progress.

Tomorrow I will have the drain tube removed. :) (Or whatever you call that thing.) Next week begins the varied appointments. Aside from ‘it is well with my soul’, on the natural side I am much encouraged. The doctor said that if I follow his instructions any sickness I may feel would be minimal.

The only thing that bothers me is when he said I would lose my hair. Well, I’ve thought it over. Maybe all the men in the church would like to shave their heads as a show of solidarity of faith. Yuk. Yuk. (Hope you know that I am kidding. :)

By the way, don’t ever lose your sense of humor. The devil does not like to hear the laughter of faith. So, giggle a lot, laugh a lot, and chose to live in the joy of the Lord. That is what I am doing. Moses said it best, when he said, “Chose life in order that you may live!”

Well, I plan to be in services Sunday. May even share a song with you. (I also plan to teach our Shepherd’s Heart Class Sunday evening.)

Love all of you more than you can know,

The Lord bless you,

Buddy