My Journey With Cancer, Part 18 By David Maddox
Medically this was another of the special no medical people weeks and an opportunity to travel for the first time since the infection and hospital stay (several months ago). My appetite has been good all week and the remaining side effects from the last chemo infusion have been minimal. I have learned just how weak (lack of stamina) I am from trying to keep up with five grand kids and that was a surprise, but I am here in the Portland, Oregon area and get to enjoy them – so no complaints. The cool weather away from Phoenix is a gift from God as is the company. We postponed the next chemo for an additional week in order to stay longer here with this part of the family.
The battle this week has not been medical, but mental. As I have mentioned on many occasions the main fight for a cancer patient is between the ears. Satan keeps saying, “enjoy your last visit with Lindsay and Sarah and these five Grandkids”. I keep responding Biblically by drawing near to God and submitting to Him the best I know how – and then resisting Satan and his declarations (James 4:7) – remembering that he is a liar and the Father of all lies (John 8:44). Sometimes it is hard but always if I keep my eyes where they belong it passes.
The week has been a treat going to the zoo – to parks – just hanging out together as a family that loves the Lord. Got to go to church Sunday and hear my son in law preach – that was special – and to see how God is growing him and Lindsay and their kids in the faith is nothing short of pure joy. To also get to be with Sarah and David at the same time is wonderful. We are only missing Seth and his bride Meredith and their kids – and David’s bride Ashley. It there were with us we would have the whole gang together. We got to Skype with Seth and his family Sunday and have been talking and texting with Ashley so at least we all have been able to be together electronically for a while. That will have to do until Christmas.
We have a publisher in Seattle that is interested in publishing and marketing the novel (a seven year project so far). This is a wholly new process for me so I am trying to take it slow and be sure that this is what God wants me to do with the book He wrote – using me. I am excited about the possibility of getting the book out with a large distribution, but know that it will require a lot of work on my part in the editing process in between chemo treatments for a while. We also may be looking for an investor to increase the printing size and marketing effort. Pray for wisdom to know what God wants us to do.
This week Spiritually God has done what He often does and brought me back to something He showed me before the cancer was discovered. He reminded me of two words – abide and finish. Those were words He gave me as we traveled and worked with Time to Revive. The Biblical concept is simple and yet critical. Jesus said, “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in Me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing” (John 15:4-5). The critical thing for me to remember is that apart from Jesus I can do nothing. I can do nothing in ministry. I can do nothing about this cancer that seeks to kill me and destroy any additional ministry opportunities – nothing apart from Him.
The second word “finish” is tied to Ephesians 2:10 – “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” God has for each of us “good works” which He desires to do in us and through us. The admonition to me and to all Believers is to seek to be able to be like Jesus and say truthfully when we stand before Him, “I glorified You on earth, having accomplished the work You gave me to do” (John 17:4). What a joy that moment would be. For me I know that I am to seek to finish the work God has called me to with Time to Revive, our small group, the book, discipleship materials for new Believers, and other Bible study materials which I have prepared over the years. To do that I must abide in Him (keep my mind on Him and not on me or the invader within) – listen and obey. It is my life verse to do that and simply be a sheep. Jesus said, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me” (John 10:27). I would appreciate your prayers that I do exactly that – abide – listen – and obey so I will be enabled to finish His “good works” for His honor and glory (we all know He does the works through us).
Thank you for your continued prayers.
About David Maddox – After a legal career in both Texas and Arizona that spanned over 40 years as a civil litigator, God called David to leave his law practice and work full time as Discipleship Director for Time to Revive. That call is really the fruit of decades of prayer for revival and teaching God’s Word, writing discipleship materials and seeking to make disciples. David married Janet Whitehead in 1976 and they minister together from their Phoenix home. God has blessed them with four children and thus far seven grandchildren.
