Mildred Brandful is a patient at Coliseum (main hospital), with what I think is as hematoma. I have few details, even after talking with her. The Doc told her they were going to do more tests next week. She asks for our prayers.

The report Roger received from his oncologist this morning was not what he (or we!) wanted to hear. The cancer has returned and is now not only in his esophagus, but also in his lymph nodes and his stomach. The symptoms are ever present.  Along with the difficulty swallowing, his stomach spasms when he is able to get anything down.Nausea is also present.

To make matters worse, he has learned that since he is now 62 and on Medicaid, he is required to begin receiving his social security payments, which means he no longer qualifies for Medicaid. Because he is only 62, he does not qualify for Medicare.

I really am thankful that God specializes in the impossible!

Around the noon hour,  spent some time with Roger and Barbara, along with Roger’s brother, Steve, and his wife. As you might imagine, Roger is in good spirits and was planning to install some tile this afternoon.

Please plan to be in our service this Sunday, as I believe God has something special in store for Roger and Barbara.

Blessed be the name of the Lord!

Mac

The more I observe how the church attempts to “polish” the gospel in its attempt to make it less offensive so it can reach the masses, the more I wonder why God continues to tolerate it.

Take for example the heretical concept of evangelism the church has propagated for years and years in its effort to evangelize the masses, a tragic role-reversal where God is made the victim not only of man’s shenanigans, but also of man’s choice (actually, where God is made man’s victim and man elevates himself to the position of God!). Even a casual look at this would lead one to believe that God left the responsibility of redemption up to man and to his ability to contrive an effective plan to win the lost.

Just for the record, I want to offer the following for your careful and prayerful consideration:

1. The gospel is the power of God for salvation, not the shenanigans of man.  [See Romans 1:16]

2. The gospel is not for everyone; therefore, the masses cannot be evangelized. [See John 5:20-21]

3. The gospel is for the elect of God and ONLY for the elect of God; therefore, only the elect of God can be evangelized. [see John 6:37; 39-40, 44, 64; 17:2; Acts 13:49; and Romans 8:28-29]

4. The antics used to evangelize the masses actually offend the elect; whereas, the gospel offends the masses. [See 1 Corinthians 1:18]

5. No one, not even the elect, can come to the Father (be evangelized), unless He grants it and unless He draws them to Himself. [See John 6:44]

6. When the Father draws one of His elect to Himself, he/she will come to Him and that in His time. [See John 6:37)

7. The Son gives life to whom He wishes and only to whom He wishes. [See John 5:21]

8. God did not design evangelism to be some complicated, manipulative effort that man carries out; instead, He designed it to be something that He accomplishes through the power of the Holy Spirit. [See Acts 1:8]

9. The effectiveness of evangelism is not determined by the efforts of man—the one who wills or the one who runs—but by the power of God, who has mercy and lavishes grace. [See Romans 9:16]

10. What we win them with is what we win them to; consequently, we should never attempt to win anyone with anything other than the preaching of the gospel. Actually, we never win anyone because He has reserved that for Himself. [from the gospel of Mac]

It is my prayer that you are one of those who refuses to attempt to polish the gospel in an effort to make it more palatable to the lost, that you simply trust the offensive gospel to accomplish the work of evangelism.

Blessings and love,

Mac

Taken back when we thought our bodies would last 150 years.

A life-long friend of mine and Annis’ has just been told that she has inoperable lung cancer. Please keep Rebecca in your prayers, especially as she moves to the next phase of this journey.

Thanks much!

Mac

The funeral service for Melanie Chandler’s mother, Lena Jackson, will be today at 2:00 at Snows on Pio Nono. Lena is finally Home!

Blessings to each of you!

Mac

Roger Miller called me a few minutes ago to tell me that the PET scan came back with wonderful results!! Nothing active!! Praise the Lord and Hallelujah!!

I talked with Roger Miller earlier today and it seems that his lymph nodes are enlarged somewhat, as well as the lining of his esophagus. A PET scan will happen the first week of June. Obviously, we are praying that this is not a re-occurrence of the cancer. He also has a blood clot in his right lung. They have closed on the sale of their house and are planning on moving in the near future into the one they are about to purchase. I am sure they will appreciate any strong backs.

Melanie Chandler’s mother, Lena, is very ill and really needs our prayers, as does Melanie and her father. She is in the CVICU at the Med Center.

Mildred Brandful is having to deal with much to much, as far as I am concerned. Please keep her in your prayers, as well.

I am looking forward to seeing each of you this Sunday at GCF!

Grace lavished,

Mac

Sometimes life is just hard: it is hard to take the next step in the journey and it is hard to understand why it has to be so hard. In these times, words are simply inadequate, unless of course they are His words spoken into the hearts of those who are struggling to take that next step and to understand.

It is my prayer that Aaron and Teanill (son and daughter-in-law of Dudley & Debbie) will hear that still, small voice speaking words of encouragement and hope into their despairing hearts. I am confident that He will do just that!

Last night their baby girl, Ann, was stillborn. This morning their baby girl, Ann, is in Heaven alive and well!

God is good all the time and every time–even when life is hard to live and hard to understand.

Grace and peace to each of you, and especially to this family.

Mac

I am really eager for Sunday! No, I am not trying to hurry my life away; I simply believe the Holy Spirit gave me a special message for Sunday morning: Jesus: You mean all to me!

If at all possible, plan to attend, as I know you will be glad you did.

Yes, I realize that this will be a departure from our study of Genesis, but so be it. And, yes, I could have missed what He said, altogether, but I do not think so.

See you Sunday!

Blessings,

Mac

Thankfully, Roger’s sonogram showed no abnormalities!

Furthermore, they signed a contract for their house today!

He and Barbara are now on their way to his mother’s memorial service.