To Catch Up A Bit

Cynthia is back home after a successful “girl-trip” to Alabama. By all reports they had a grand time. She was also able to be a part of helping her aunt Ida get relocated into a nursing home after a rather difficult illness. Now its back to the grind stone—and, of course, the joy of taking care of me (Prov. 18:22)!

She left Jody and me some of her delicious oyster dressing for Thanksgiving, which we dutifully enjoyed. He stayed here most of the time they were gone. It was nice having him around again. He obviously missed his girls. One of the joys of parenthood is to see your kids grow into good parents. Cynthia and I are three-times blessing in that regard.

For the most part I was able to spend a quiet time studying, answering mail and phone calls. I preached twice last Sunday to see if I my strength would hold up. I got through the messages fine—preaching actually makes a preacher feel better!—but Monday was a real downer. I realized that it was over doing it for the moment, so Alex will be doing Sunday evenings for the rest of the year.

I forgot that we had a special meeting scheduled for next Saturday when I cancelled my October and November preaching schedule. Art Johnson and the saints at Shorewood-South have been working hard to invite southside preachers to give a hearing to the grace message. They targeted over a hundred area preachers with mailings and phone calls offering answers for problems that only right division can solve. We have four sessions scheduled along with a free lunch and drawing for a full scholarship to Grace School of the Bible. All indications are for a good response.

I probably will not be able to do all four sessions, so Art will fill in if/when I run out of strength. This is one of those exciting experiences that you simply can’t duplicate! This assembly is a church plant from Shorewood Bible Church. It is in the heart of Chicago's African-American community and is without question a pace-setting black assembly for the grace movement. They have, by the way, already planted a daughter church of their own—which has also done the same! Our original goal was to have at least forty grace churches in the black community in Chicagoland. They are doing their part! Art’s personal friendship—along with his family—has long been very special to me. The saints of Shorewood-South are especially dear and their zeal “to make all men see” is a constant encouragement to my soul.

On the health front: I went to the doctor Monday. He was happy with where I am in the treatment process and indicates that my discomfort level is within the expected range, although on the high side. He said I am at the height of the radiation exposure this week and next week, so my career as a "glow stick" will never be brighter.

I want to again say a heartfelt thanks to so many that have sent cards and expressions of affection and good will. Three stacks over two feet high each sit on my table reminding me of all those who are “helping together by prayer for us.”

Maranatha!