Cloud of Witnesses

The beginning of a marathon (although I have never run in an actual marathon) is exciting, you are full of energy, hope, adrenalin, confidence, and you are focused.  As I begin the marathon of beating pancreatic cancer I am now full of energy, faith, joy, hope, and love.  Four dear friends each with their own marathon experience came over yesterday to help Jan and I complete some very important tasks and most importantly to share their experience and the marvelous way God carried them through their marathon. There was a glorious time when my family (my girls were in town again this weekend) and these four brothers and sisters in Christ circled around me and we had a great time of prayer.  It was appointed of God and provided us with that extra boost as we start the race.

A very familiar verse is Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”  The Bible goes on to list many examples of faith.  Some of those are hard to understand while others are very comforting.  In Verse 11:6 it says “And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.” The unshakable faith God provided me was built on the faith in God I have had since May of 1972.  That is when I accepted Jesus and all he did for me to restore my relationship with God.  On September 14th, God gave me Unshakable Faith because He knew I would need that kind of support.  Additionally, in Hebrews 12:1 it says “Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us , let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin (unbelief) which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”  Verse 11 talks about the great cloud of witnesses, God is bringing this great cloud to surround my family even as recently as yesterday.  All of you who have reached out with thoughts, deeds, notes, tangible support, and most importantly prayer are a cloud of witnesses to me. You are preparing me for the race just as God is.  You are obedient agents of God and your impact is immeasurable.  Please continue to be faithful to God’s purpose in providing a cloud of witnesses to my family as we continue on the Robertson’s adventure.

There may not be as many updates going forward but for sure there are two dates I need your prayers for.  This Monday, October 22nd at 2:00 I will have blood drawn to check liver function and bilirubin levels.  Dr. Strauss wants the liver to be as healthy as possible and my bilirubin level to be 1 or below.  Last Monday it was 4.2 which was much improved from a high of 11 two weeks before.  This is part of getting ready for the marathon. The next date would be October 29th which is when I am scheduled to start chemotherapy, assuming the liver and bilirubin are willing to cooperate.  Every step forward takes a measure of faith but we seem to be more comfortable when taking those steps.  The “waiting room” is the tougher test because we can do nothing but pray and seek a closer walk with God.  In my vernacular, a closer walk with God is when I fall back into His arms and let Him wrap me in love.  The waiting room is also the time the cloud of witnesses has the biggest impact of supporting me.
 
Thank you, Price