I just talked with Roger and he is one sick man. The chemo is really kicking his behind. He is able to eat small amounts and drink some liquids. He is nauseated and very weak. I was going to go to their house, but decided against it because he is so sick. He has a Doc’s appointment tomorrow, along with an appointment with a Senator, who is going to attempt to get him on Medicare. I do not know how he will hold out for the two appointments: one in Macon and the other in Warner Robins.
I will talk with him tomorrow and learn more about what we can do to help finish the inside of the house.
As you might imagine, Barbara is having a very difficult time traveling this road.
Please keep both of these precious people in your prayers.

Covered dish tomorrow after our service AND a shower for Caryn Reeves!
See you then!

Roger had a three hour round of chemo this morning, which has left him decidedly weak. As you know, he is trying to finish the inside of their house and this is not helping. His son will be back down next week end to do some more work. If all goes as planned we will hire some carpenters to do some of the work. I have assured Barbara and Roger that we will do whatever we can to help them through this part of their journey.

I think Mildred went home today.

Mildred Brandful is still in the Coliseum Hospital, Room 519, waiting test results. Hopefully, they will come today.

As far as I know now, Roger is beginning chemo today.

Please keep these dear folk in your prayers.

George and Ann Nettle’s son had a bad mountain bike accident in Colorado. He has several broken bones, punctured lung, broken ribs, etc. He is in ICU. Please remember him and them in your prayers.
Grace and peace,
Mac

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

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