Cancer and moving forward

The two scariest conversations I've ever had with a doctor are 1) you're going to be a father and 2) you've got cancer! I'm still recoving from both!

I've hesitated to talk about this especially on a blog about online church evangelism. However, I changed my mind because:
1) I hope it might help some who might not know much about it but may need to
2) if you don't want to read it you're under no obligation, and
3) my doctor asked me to.

I was getting to "that age" when men have to undergo the "finger test"!* Most of my doctor appointments consisted of my getting blood tests done then meeting with him to discuss my "numbers". I always appreciated his knowledge and his great professional manner.

But I wasn't always convinced his knowledge was worth as much as my insurance paid him. However, during my first "finger test" and after the shock!!!, I said to him, "As far as I'm concerned, Doc, you just earned your money! Wasn't expecting THAAAAAAAAT!" (Imagine the sound of Jerry Lewis whining here....)

My GP wanted me to get a PSA (prostate-specific antigen) which to me as a laymen meant basically a blood test. The numbers came back slightly high. He sent me for another one...high again! He had me talk to a urologist, discussed my numbers and determined that surgery was probably the best alternative.

Before moving forward with surgery, he wanted me to talk to some doctors from nearby Yale Medical Center to hear from them what options were available, namely: 1) do nothing, die younger than I'd planned(?!), 2) try radiation (but, surgery wouldn't be an option if that didn't work) or 3) get it removed...which everyone recommended...because "you're so young". I thought if I heard that phrase one more time, I'd scream!!!

Ends up, (no pun intended) that I had to get a prostatectomy...or as I like to say, I was "gutted like a fish". Still have the 6" vertical incision up my front side. This was a little over 3 years ago (January 2007). Surgery went well. Stayed in the hospital about a week and for the most part, the experience was bearable.

By far the worst, and most uncomfortable part of the surgery and recovery was the catheter. I always feared if I didn't sit, lay down, roll over or walk exactly right I would puncture my bladder. I was assured that was unlikely but "unlikely" just didn't seem to be good enough. I still worried...

 ...to be continued...

* If you're too young to know what this is...consider yourself lucky...just wait! It's one of the "joys" of manhood.

Would appreciate hearing your thoughts about this...

The Blogger's Life...when it gets out of control

How you know when your life is out of control...

From the pulpit to the pew...and beyond

Like you, we have preached our share of evangelistic sermons. Some received greater responses than others. Many Churches today seldom preach the promise of eternal life from the pulpit. Their reasoning usually is based on the idea that the pew helps get people in the Church, the pulpit will help keep them there.

Our seminary professor use to challenge us with this thought about unbelievers attending our Churches. He said, "Why would a stranger come to a strange place to sit with a bunch of strangers to listen to a stranger talk about strange things?" Perhaps, the miracle is that they would attend our Churches at all.

However, the fact remains, before they can hear our wonderful "Three point sermon" about eternal life they first have to sit in our pews. Is there anything we can do to help get them there?

A Gospel Invitation starts with the Gospel itself

An online Gospel presentation can create a venue for those who want to know more about your Church and your beliefs. And, hopefully, that venue will tweak their curiosity to visit your Church. THEN, they'll hear your 3 point sermon.

Nothing more clearly states our committment to the Gospel than the Gospel itself. And, our websites allow the world to see our core belief, e.g.
"We believe that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the most important truth you will ever hear. And whether or not you ever have the opportunity to visit our fellowship, we want you to discover The Road to Eternal Life for yourself.

No Illusions Here

A quote from The aXiom Network:

"The aXiom Network has no illusions about the once lost throngs queuing up to the throne of grace someday as a result of our meager efforts. However, we do believe, whether many or few, every soul that finds the joy of forgiveness will be eternally thankful to the Church that made it possible!"