Dear family and friends:
Here we are, a few days before Christmas, in Dunkirk, Maryland, across the Potomac from Alexandria, Virginia.
Nunc dimitus, Lord, but not yet! I have had such a good several days, that I could almost say, "Lord now let your servant depart in peace!" For my eyes have seen, my ears have heard, my hands have touched, and my tongue has tasted what I take such delight in, that I could almost say, "It doesn't get any better than this; take me now, Jesus!" I won't because I know that the best is yet to come - our Lord Jesus!
I have, nonetheless, within the last ten days seen all of my children (except one) and all of my grandchildren (but one) and the wonders and beauty of the countryside between Orlando and the D.C. area. And, while the local inhabitants are weary of it, I find the crisp wind and weather refreshing (in limited exposures).
And just last Sunday I heard the most glorious music at the Cathedral of St Luke; the anticipatory anthems of Advent and the blending of voices in awesome harmony. I heard the cheery greetings of folks, soon to be reunited with their distant relatives, greeting me as family.
I touched the face and held the hand of my beautiful bride, Amy, with whom I have been married now forty-seven years; on December 21st, we celebrated our anniversary in an amusing tradition, a feast, on the road, at McDonald's. I look into those wondrous blue eyes and marvel at her love, courage, tenacity, and patience. What a gift from God!
AND, I have had three of my most favorite meals in five days: Chinese food at the Ming Bistro (Orlando); a dozen fried oysters (at Fuller's in Fayetteville, N.C.); and chorizo and eggs and Mexican beans, at our eldest daughter Katie's, in Dunkirk! Take me now Jesus!.... but not yet. Christmas dinner of turkey and all the trimmings are only two days away. Yummmm!
And most especially, I am privileged to have been through an extensive medical procedure not available not so long ago, and marvelously healed with very few side effects or inconvenience. Thank you Jesus!
Yes, all of this is privilege. From the sight, to sound, to touch, to taste, to healing. It is truly Grace: undeserved and unmerited. I could understandably say, "Nunc dimitus," except that there are so many who do not know that Grace that I am privileged to experience. I hear the Lord's voice gently saying, "As you have received, give."
May all of you know the miracle of the Incarnation and the glorious truth that unmerited and undeserved, Grace has come to us! Gloria! Alleluia! Merry Christmas! God has blessed us, every one!
Your brother in Christ,
Dick
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Blog #37 12/16/2010 - Witness the Good News! Alleluia!
Dear Friends and Family:
I hate to always be making excuses for being so irregular; but somethig went kaflooey with either my computer or server or something else, and I got knocked off the blogspot and couldn't get back onto the net to make any additons since late November. It took Amy (blessed be the same) to work with the thing and get me a new password so that I could continue.
And this is the latest news concerning the multiple myeloma: Yesterday's visit to the doctor revealed that if my "M-spike" numbers (that has something to do with a measurable amount of malignant cells in a blood sample) continue to fall as they have recently, we can use the terms "complete response" (to the stem cell transplant) and "remission." Those are terms we have never heard him use in regards to multiple myeloma. Praised be Jesus! Alleluia! Yea God! and Hot Tamales!
We fairly floated out of the office. But as we did so, another couple came out with us. In the elevator, I asked if a stem cell transplant was in the offing. The woman said with sad eyes, "Yes."
I responded, "Well, I'm at day 131 after my transplant," swelling a little in pride (as though it were my doing).
Both she and her husband responded happily, "But you look so good! You look terrific!" I swelled a little more. They were so pleased to know the good news that the procedure can work, and without that witness would probably have born some of the same dread and concern I had.
As we walked into the parking lot, Amy (the real evangelist in the outfit) turned back to the woman and said, "Be sure to take Jesus with you!" The lady beaned and said, "Oh I always do!"
Even so, she and her husband needed that witness; she needed to hear good news.
That's true especially in this season prior to Christmas, even among the believers. Be sure to share the witness of the presence of Jesus to those who may already profess Him as Lord. These are difficult times and the words of encouragement concerning His presence - Emmanuel - God with us - have never been more important than now. Jesus IS the reason for the season. Share that in every encounter you have, every conversation - especially with clerks and salespersons who often get the worst of the season.
Have a blessed Christmas! I have already been given my Christmas present: such good news! And, thanks to you all (all y'all) I have been receiving the benefit of your prayers and encouragement for months! Prayer works! Keep sharing the Good News!
Much love in Christ Jesus,
Dick
I hate to always be making excuses for being so irregular; but somethig went kaflooey with either my computer or server or something else, and I got knocked off the blogspot and couldn't get back onto the net to make any additons since late November. It took Amy (blessed be the same) to work with the thing and get me a new password so that I could continue.
And this is the latest news concerning the multiple myeloma: Yesterday's visit to the doctor revealed that if my "M-spike" numbers (that has something to do with a measurable amount of malignant cells in a blood sample) continue to fall as they have recently, we can use the terms "complete response" (to the stem cell transplant) and "remission." Those are terms we have never heard him use in regards to multiple myeloma. Praised be Jesus! Alleluia! Yea God! and Hot Tamales!
We fairly floated out of the office. But as we did so, another couple came out with us. In the elevator, I asked if a stem cell transplant was in the offing. The woman said with sad eyes, "Yes."
I responded, "Well, I'm at day 131 after my transplant," swelling a little in pride (as though it were my doing).
Both she and her husband responded happily, "But you look so good! You look terrific!" I swelled a little more. They were so pleased to know the good news that the procedure can work, and without that witness would probably have born some of the same dread and concern I had.
As we walked into the parking lot, Amy (the real evangelist in the outfit) turned back to the woman and said, "Be sure to take Jesus with you!" The lady beaned and said, "Oh I always do!"
Even so, she and her husband needed that witness; she needed to hear good news.
That's true especially in this season prior to Christmas, even among the believers. Be sure to share the witness of the presence of Jesus to those who may already profess Him as Lord. These are difficult times and the words of encouragement concerning His presence - Emmanuel - God with us - have never been more important than now. Jesus IS the reason for the season. Share that in every encounter you have, every conversation - especially with clerks and salespersons who often get the worst of the season.
Have a blessed Christmas! I have already been given my Christmas present: such good news! And, thanks to you all (all y'all) I have been receiving the benefit of your prayers and encouragement for months! Prayer works! Keep sharing the Good News!
Much love in Christ Jesus,
Dick
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