The Death of a Saint

Saints.
Definition of "saints" from Baker's Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology:  The word "saint" is derived from a Greek verb (hagiazo) whose basic meaning is "to set apart, " "sanctify, " or "make holy."

The only way we can be made holy (without sin) is to be justified, or to render just, or innocent - be righteous (right before God).  Romans 3:24 says, "Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:"  Once we accept the payment of Christ's death on the cross as a substitution in our place, God looks at us through the blood of Jesus and see us as made holy, without sin, which is what separates us from God in the first place.

Saints, in the New Testament, are never deceased individuals who have been canonized by the church and given sainthood. They are living individuals who have dedicated themselves to the worship and service of the one true God as revealed through his Son, Jesus Christ.  Our friends in the Catholic church declare some dead persons to be saints.  They beatify (be-at-i-fy, or canonize), glorify, deify, and idolize these individuals.  We know that glory belongs to God alone, that He is the only Diety, and idolizing anything but God is sin!

I said all of that to say this.  Our family has been in distress for well over a month with Tim's brain cancer issues.  Naturally, we don't want to think about losing him.  I'm certainly not ready to have my life-long (less 15 years) companion be taken from me.  But, I hope that I can offer some comfort, not only for myself, but for the rest of the family with the next verses and thoughts on the death of our Tim, a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, cousin, nephew, uncle, preacher, friend and SAINT.

Remember, Vicky, if and when his times comes.......(or fill in your name)
Romans 8:28 will always be true.  "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."

Don't worry about tomorrow, but take one day at a time.  God is already in your tomorrows.  Matthew 6:34 says, "Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof."

My past, present and future is in His hands.  Jeremiah 29:11 says, "For I know the thoughts (intentions, plans) that I think (have purposed) toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts (intentions, plans) of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected (hope) end (for the future)."

We all have a certain number of days assigned to us by the Lord.  Job 14:5 says, "Seeing his days are determined, the number of his months are with thee, thou hast appointed his bounds that he cannot pass;"

God is looking forward to our time with Him!  Psalm 116:15 says, "Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints."

Celebrate the life God gave instead of mourning the death which is just a transition from life on earth to eternal life in heaven, which will be easier said than done, I am sure!  1 Thessalonians 4:13 says, "But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope." (the lost have no hope)

He will be better off than we who remain!  And I will be glad that he is perfectly whole!

Today I woke up with a headache, which I haven't done, it seems, in over a month!  So, I took some tylenol when Tim got up to eat his cereal at about 7:40 and laid back down for another hour.  Tim snoozed in the recliner until I got up.  Then he dressed and headed to the church office, unassisted.  Thank You, Lord!

He was there for about 2 hours until Elisabeth and the kids came.  We went to High Point to do some thrifting.  We ate lunch first at Carter Brothers BBQ.  Abby made it her duty to hold Papaw's hand to help him walk.  So sweet!

Abby stayed right beside her Papaw!  After a couple of thrifts, Tim was ready  to stay in the car with the kids while Liz and I went in the stores.  

We got back to the house around 2, I guess.  Tim laid down and the kids played quietly while Liz and I went to the local Goodwill and Mega Thrift.  Then she gathered up the kids and headed for home.  As they were leaving, Ryan said, "Hannah washed your dishes!"  I told her thank you.  When I got in the house, I found the evidence and a sweet note:

"Dear Grandmaw, Thx for doing all of my dishes when I stay!  I had nothing 2 do so I washed them for you. HA HA - That rymes.  Love - Hannah"

After Tim woke up and I finished the bulletin, we went to K & W to eat.  I couldn't believe how much food he took!  I knew he would not be able to eat it all!  He ate more than I thought.  I shared the roll with him and ate some of the fruit.  Other than that he ate all but a few bites.  We brought home one of my drumsticks and the cabbage he ordered but said it didn't taste good to him.  It tasted fine to me.

After we ate, we went to Walmart and CVS looking for some reading glasses with a stronger magnification than Tim's prescription glasses.  We couldn't find anything.  No double vision for Tim again today, but his glasses are 2 years old, so he needs a new prescription.  He has an appointment for July 7th.

When we got back home, we sat under the car port to watch the birds.  It was a beautiful day today!  Here are a few pictures.

Chipping Sparrow

Female house finch drinking from the bird bath

Haven't seen many chickadees around lately.

First time I remember seeing the chickadee at the finch thistle feeder.

Even as small as the thistle seed is, the chickadee put it between its feet to break it open with its beak.

Got a text from our son, Michael, thanking us for his birthday card.  He will turn 36 tomorrow, June 9th.  Instead of texting him back, I called him to tell him he was welcome.  He's in denial about his age, LOL!  You can't get out of it, sweetie!  I was there!  I know how old you are!  :D  Love you!

And that's the end of another day of blessings from the Lord!

Progress

Up at 8 to get ready for the post-op neurosurgeon follow up.  The visit was encouraging.  Information we found out:

Us:  Did you remove a portion of Tim's skull during the surgery to remove the tumor?
Doctor:  Yes.  And then it was put back in place with titanium.  Eventually the skull will fuse back together.

Us:  Where were the 3 new tumors?
Doctor:  One was in the front, left side of the brain just above the forehead.  (If I understood correctly) the other 2 were skull lesions.

Us:  What happens if there are more tumors come July 12th (the next MRI)?
Doctor:  We take care of them quickly with gamma knife radiation.  Lots of people have multiple gamma knife radiation procedures and live a productive life.  That would not be the case with full-brain radiation, which we will avoid.

Us:  With the double vision being gone all day yesterday, yet coming back around 9:00, what are your thoughts?
Doctor:  I believe it was probably due to fatigue.  As you become stronger and less fatigued, I believe the vision will return to normal.  You are doing great, but you still have a long way to go.

Us:  Should we make an appointment with the eye center now or wait?
Doctor:  You could go ahead and make it now.  But by the time your appt. rolls around, you may not need it.


After we got back to the car, I asked Tim if he would consider gamma knife radiation now.  He said, yes, he would consider it!  Thank You, Lord!

Tim went to the church office for about an hour after we got back.  Then we went to Subway for a BOGO sub.  When we returned, Tim went to the office again.  But, when he woke up about 45 minutes later and realized he had been asleep, he called me to tell me he was ready to come home for his nap.

I received a note back from his oncologist about the use of the brain cancer chemo pills.  His reply was, "At this time I would like you to continue your current chemotherapy treatment, as it is working well outside of the brain, and continue your gamma knife treatments as scheduled to treat the brain tumors.  If the gamma knife is stopped, I will speak with you about switching to Temodar (the chemo agent we spoke about for brain cancers) at your next visit on 6/30."

That conversation won't happen because the next brain MRI isn't until July 12th.  I do need to contact his oncologist about doing another CT scan on Tim's chest, abdomen and pelvic areas as one has not been done in quite a while.  If the melanoma is in his brain, it could be in his other major organs, too.  I pray not, but I think it needs to be watched more closely!

The AC is frozen in the main church, so we held our prayer meeting in the fellowship hall.  It was actually nice being able to lean on the tables and take notes.  Once again, Tim forgot to have the men pray, so I reminded him when he got back to his seat.  So before Philip Parks preached, he went back to the front and had the prayer.

Everyone was so encouraged to see the picture of Tim in the office from yesterday's blog post!  They miss their pastor!  If things keep progressing as they are, they will have him back in no time, Lord willing!

No double vision today!  Praise the Lord!

Can you imagine what it will be like to have perfect vision?  Maybe you do.  But, what about your spiritual vision?  Do you long to see Jesus?  Do you have perfect vision in Christ?  Wanting to see Him face to face?   To thank Him for His AMAZING GRACE!   Even when we turn our faces away from Him, He still loves us with an everlasting love!  I'll never understand that!

I've never heard this song, but I love the words.

To Behold Thee

From weariness of sin I turn at last, O Lord, to Thee
My eyes and heart grown dim from looking long on vanity.
I venture toward thy radiance then, compelled to come by grace
And in the pages of Thy word behold Thy lovely face.

(Refrain)
Face of glory, turned upon me
I cannot but Thee adore.
To behold Thee, O my Saviour,
Is to love Thee more and more.

Each grace in all its fullness on Thy countenance I see.
Great tenderness of mercy, blazing light of purity.
Thine eyes are wells and love and wisdom, settled peace Thy brow,
Before the whole of perfect beauty I in worship bow.

(Refrain)

When someday I before Thee stand, a debtor to Thy grace,
And gaze with heaven’s eyes upon the brightness of Thy face,
Transformed into Thy likeness, all my sin thrust far away,
With millions of redeemed ones I will lift my voice and say:

Face of glory turned upon me
I cannot but Thee adore.
To behold Thee, O my Savior,
Is to love Thee more and more.
To behold Thee, O my Savior,
Is to love Thee more and more.

Transformed into His likeness!  Can you even imagine that?  I cannot fathom it, but I long for it!
1 Corinthians 13:12 "For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known."

FOCUS on FAITH

1Kings 8:22-23

22 ¶ And Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven:

23 And he said, LORD God of Israel, there is no God like thee, in heaven above, or on earth beneath, who keepest covenant and mercy with thy servants that walk before thee with all their heart:

My FOCUS sometimes, when I forget to trust God with all my heart:
Faith is
Often
Clouded
Under
Stress

But, when I FOCUS on FAITH, I:
Focus
Always
In remembering to
Trust
Him

Sometimes my FOCUS becomes clouded.  I only see the trial in front of me.  It is during those times that I forget my FAITH, just what the enemy of my soul wants!  Satan wants me to forget the promises God gives to His children in His Word.  He doesn't want us to remember the encouraging scriptures we have hidden in our hearts! He especially wants us to forget there is NO God like our Savior God!  There is no other God, period!

Being God's child means He will never leave us or forsake us, even when heaven seems to be awfully quiet!  He is still there, working His sovereign plan for our lives.  Only Trust Him!  Only Trust Him!  I thought of this little chorus.  I only remember ever hearing the first verse, but I really like the second verse!

I just keep trusting my Lord

Author: John W. Peterson, 1921-2006

I just keep trusting my Lord as I walk along,
I just keep trusting my Lord and He gives a song;
Tho’ the storm clouds darken the sky o'er the heav'nly trail,
I just keep trusting my Lord—He will never fail!
He's a faithful friend, such a faithful friend

I can count on Him, to the very end.
Tho’ the storm clouds darken the sky o'er the heav'nly trail,
I just keep trusting my Lord—He will never fail!

I just keep trusting my Lord on the narrow way,
I just keep trusting my Lord as He leads each day;
Tho the road is weary at times and I'm sad and blue,
I just keep trusting my Lord— He will see me through!
He's a faithful guide, such a faithful guide,
He is always there walking by my side;
Tho the road is weary at times and I'm sad and blue,
I just keep trusting my Lord— He will see me through!

Thank You, Lord, for being there, walking beside us each step of the way!

Tim woke up with no double vision, praise the Lord!  However, even with his glasses, the left eye, especially, still has trouble focusing.

He fixed his breakfast, took a shower and went over to the church office for about an hour.  He did a little better on preparing for his Mallard Ridge devotion!  Thank You, Lord!

Calvin Russell came and was able to take care of the stubborn plastic bolt from the old toilet seat.  And he even installed the new one for me.  And, he also took care of the light in the exhaust fan over the tub.  What a blessing he was today!  Thank you so much, Calvin!  We thank the Lord for you!

Wayne Mabe took my blue Cavalier to a man he knows who works on cars and had the AC Freon filled.  He texted me and said it was blowing cold air!  WOOHOO!  Thank you so much, Wayne!  We thank the Lord for you, too!  I will be testing it the next time I need to go out!  Calvin said he had to put Freon in his Cavalier every year.  Hopefully we can put more miles on my car now and save the white one for longer trips.  It looks like a new car!  Before it rained last evening, I took some soapy water and washed off the 1/4 inch of pollen and left it out from under the car port so the rain could wash the soap away.  What a difference it made!

Today while Tim was at the office, I did some sweeping on the back porch and swept up some of the cob webs, leaves, bird seed, etc inside the basement steps.  I put away all of the boxes of granola bars, etc. that were sitting out on the counters, put the dishes away from the dishwasher, did some laundry and actually made the bed for the second day in a row (before Tim laid down to take his nap)!

Boy!  Do I love this picture!  It captures the progress he is making!  Thank You, Lord!

I asked Tim how pork chops and gravy and mashed potatoes sounded.  He said, "Ah, sweetie!  That sounds wonderful!  I had forgotten about that!"  I love making his belly happy!  :D

After I got the kitchen cleaned up from supper and cleaned out the fridges of too-old food, I took the garbage to the road.  And then Tim and I went out under the car port to do some bird watching.

We had progress on the double vision again today!  NONE all day until around 8:30 tonight while he was watching TV.  I'm hoping and praying it was from being tired!  Also, no fever today!  Thank You, Lord!

Tomorrow is the follow up appointment with the neurosurgeon.  We want to ask him questions about Tim's eye sight, especially.

Here's some more pictures from my day, including a new bird:

This was my brunch.  It was to be an egg, cheese and sausage croissant.  It should have looked like.......

.....this!

Here's a cute little girl and boy in a hammock that Lori gave to me.  I may or may not paint it.

It was sunny all day, but there were clouds as we sat outside to watch the birds.

Love the male house finch!

The tobacco crop in the field next to the house.

Female cowbird

This is the new bird I was talking about.  Reminded me of a female cardinal, except for the head.

 

Well, as it turns out, from everything I could find, it is a female cardinal, but from what I could find out, it seems mites have caused this Cardinal to loose the feathers on her head, similar to mange mites on dogs and cats.  Poor thing!

I wonder if Mr. Cardinal cares about Mrs. Cardinal's hair problem?

I'll Fly Away!

Romans 8:9-11

9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
10 ¶ And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

1 Thessalonians 4:17-18

17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

In reading these verses my thoughts went to Tim's flesh of cancer.  Yes, Tim's cancer is in his flesh, not his spirit.  Your health, or lack thereof, is in your flesh and my flesh.  The flesh and the spirit are separate from one another!  The cancer of the flesh cannot affect Tim's spirit!  His spirit, which is of Christ, will not die.  His diseased flesh will, but not his spirit!

I know that eventually the cancer that is in his body is going to end his life here on earth, unless the Lord intervenes with that miracle lots of people are praying for.  But, that won't be the end of Tim.  Because his spirit is of Christ, he will live forever in the glorious presence of His Savior God!  And, those of us who love Tim and also have the Spirit of Christ dwelling in us, will see him again!  The only way to have the Spirit of Christ in you is by trusting in His sacrificial death on the cross as payment for your sins.  No amount of good deeds that I or you have done will suffice to take us to heaven!  Good works outside of Christ is works of man, filthy rags in His sight!  His righteousness is the only thing that will get you and me to heaven!  When we accept His sacrifice, His righteousness is transferred into our account and marked PAID IN FULL!  The sin debt I owed has been paid!  I wish I could make you understand that.  But, only God can do that!

Knowing Tim is going to heaven and will be completely healed doesn't mean I'm ready for him to leave me!  Actually, I'm trying to figure out a way to hitch a ride with him when his time has come.....and so shall we ever be with the Lord!  It has been something we have talked about.....wanting to leave this world at the same time and enter the presence of the Lord together!  WOW!  Gives me goose flesh just thinking about that!  What would be better than that?  How about, oh, say the Lord bursting through the eastern sky and taking all of His blood-bought saints home to live with Him forever.....today!  Are you ready?  I am soooo ready!  I know I will have things to answer for that I've omitted or committed, but I am still soooo ready!

There is a story of a preacher saying, "How many of you are ready to go to heaven, raise your hands?"  One man didn't raise his hand.  The pastor said, "Don't you want to go to heaven?"  The man said, "Yes!  But I thought you were getting a load together to leave now!"  Well, I might have been like that man at one time, but not any more!  I am ready ANY TIME the Lord says COME!  I'm tired of this sin-filled, wickeder-than-wicked world!  One of these days, sweet Christian family and friends!  One of these days!

I'll Fly Away

Some glad morning when this life is o'er,
I'll fly away;
To a home on God's celestial shore,
I'll fly away (I'll fly away).

Chorus
I'll fly away, Oh Glory
I'll fly away; (in the morning)
When I die, Hallelujah, by and by,
I'll fly away (I'll fly away).

When the shadows of this life have gone,
I'll fly away;
Like a bird from prison bars has flown,
I'll fly away (I'll fly away)

Chorus

Just a few more weary days and then,
I'll fly away;
To a land where joy shall never end,
I'll fly away (I'll fly away)

Today, Tim's fever was gone.  He got up a little bit earlier, ate his breakfast and got dressed.  We made a trip to Walmart.  About half way through, he was ready to go back to the car.  But I needed him to tell me what frozen foods he wanted for lunch, so I got one of the wheel chairs with a basket on the front and had him sit down while we finished the grocery shopping.  When he got home, he was ready to rest.  He wants to spend some time in the office this afternoon to prepare the devotion for the Mallard Ridge Assisted Living service on June 12th.  He rested for a couple of hours and I got him up to eat.

I walked him over to the church office and came back to the house to work on the new toilet seat we got at Walmart.  I worked for an hour on one bolt that is rusted.  Plus it is in an area that I cannot see, so I don't even know if I was turning the bolt the right way or not.  I had to call Calvin to the rescue.  He will be able to help me tomorrow.  What would we do without Calvin?!  Lord, please bless him in a mighty way for his willingness to serve You at a beckon call!

When I walked back over to the church to see how Tim was doing, he was just sitting in his chair.  He said nothing in his database suited his fancy for the Mallard Ridge service.  He will probably try again tomorrow.  I really think he was just too tired to wrap his brain around anything.

Some good news in his double vision.  Last night before bed he had his patch off and noticed as he looked around that he didn't have double vision, even though things were still blurry.  And again after his nap this afternoon he noticed there was no double vision.  But, it came back at one point.  I am praying this is the beginning of the double vision going away!  No double vision again tonight!  Thank You, Lord!  I would love to go to the doctor on Wednesday with the news that the double vision is gone!  If it please You, dear Lord, I would be so grateful!

A couple of our pastor friends stopped by tonight to visit with Tim.  He was so encouraged and loved their visit!  Thank you, Brother Dale and Brother Bill!

Today I swept and mopped the linoleum floors.  I put up a new church sign. Worked in the checkbook and mailed some bills and birthday cards. I actually cooked a meal  tonight!  Tim requested sweet and sour chicken, rice and veggies.  So that is what he got!  He ate more than I thought he would!

After supper, I cleaned up the kitchen, ran the dishwasher and cleaned my bathroom since Calvin will be working in there tomorrow on the new toilet seat.

Well, I think I am going to do some reading before bed tonight.  It has been about a month since I've  done any pleasure-reading.

I Know WHO Holds Tomorrow

My sweet friend, a sister in the Lord, reminded me of another great song to help get me through tough days, scary days, of caring for my dear husband.

I Know Who Holds Tomorrow

I don't know about tomorrow
I just live for day to day
I don't borrow from the sunshine
For it's skies may turn to gray

I don't worry o'er the future
For I know what Jesus said
And today I'll walk beside Him
For He knows what lies ahead

Refrain:

Many things about tomorrow
I don't seem to understand
But I know Who holds tomorrow
And I know Who holds my hand

Ev'ry step is getting brighter
As the golden stairs I climb
Ev'ry burden's getting lighter
Ev'ry cloud is silver lined

There the sun is always shining
There no tear will dim the eye
At the ending of the rainbow
Where the mountains touch the sky

Refrain:

Many things about tomorrow
I don't seem to understand
But I know Who holds tomorrow
And I know Who holds my hand

There are so many things in life that we do not understand.  Why this or that comes along.  You fill in the blank.  We all have them.  

I'm so thankful to have the Lord in my life on days like today.  For no apparent reason, Tim woke up from his nap with a 100 degree temperature.  He said he feels exhausted, even after a 3 hour nap.

He has been running a low-grade fever off and on since Thursday evening, I believe.  Last night before bed it was 100.3.  After the gamma knife procedure on Tuesday the nurses gave us some instructions to follow as far as keeping the areas clean where they bolted the halo onto his skull.  One of the instructions was that if he ran a fever off 100.5 to call them.  I asked him if he wanted me to call.  He had just taken his bedtime PM meds and said to wait and see what happens.  So, he was fine this morning.  No matter what he says, I believe I will contact the doctor tomorrow just to give him a heads up on what is going on.

In the meantime, please pray for this matter.  I try to keep my fears at bay by quoting scripture, like, "What time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee."  Psalm 56:3  Or, "Thou will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee; because he trusteth in Thee." Isaiah 26:3  The Lord brings different ones to mind at different times.  Isn't God good to do that?  That is one of the ways He holds my hand!  What would I do without the Lord?  Indeed, I would be a basket case!

Tim was strong enough to stand for a few minutes to make the announcements, etc, but not really strong enough to stand through the songs.

We were privileged to have Brother David Parks preach for us this morning.  The Parks family are a very special family.  Brother Ernst Parks preached at this church 42 years before retiring.  Tim is only the second pastor this church has ever had.  But, the Parks family are still important to the church.  When they have their family reunion in June, we get to hear them sing, too.  Wonderful, godly family!

The oldest son, Daniel, is missing as he was preaching at another church.

Brother David preaching on Forgiveness and Forgiving.

His Eye is on the Sparrow

We got up about 8:30.  Kim already had the car packed and ready to go.  She intended to be on the road by 10, but she made it an hour earlier.  It was a tearful goodbye with her giving me words of encouragement.  Her husband died of cancer several years ago, so she knows exactly what I am going through.  I will miss her.

Tim ate a good breakfast and then watched some news, in between some snoozing.

He has been running a low-grade fever off and on yesterday and today.  He has had some minor headaches, too.  I don't like these symptoms, so will be keeping a close eye on him.  His walking was not as steady today, either.

About 10:00, he got dressed and we took a walk around the parking lot, came back to the house and he wanted to sit under the carport to do some bird watching.  He really likes the lounge chair his mom gave to us.

We sat outside for several hours.  The Parks family was having a reunion in the fellowship hall and they invited the whole church.  So, at 2:00 we went inside, I changed clothes and then we headed over.  The food was delicious!  And, so was the company.  Tim didn't eat much.  He was getting another headache and was cold.  Plus, the noise was too much for him, so we left quietly, went to the church to find an article and then headed back to the house.  I thought he would want to head into the house to take a nap.  But, instead he wanted to sit in the recliner again.  He was gone in no time!

It was a beautiful day.  It was a bit warm under the carport the later in the day it got, but there was a breeze.

And, here are the bird pictures I captured today:

I believe both are female house finches

Male goldfinch

Male goldfinch

Female goldfinch

Bluebird.  Best back picture I've been able to get showing its beautiful color.

This one is pretty skinny.  I'm thinking it might one of the young ones born this year.

Male house finch

Male cardinal

Bluebird

All 3 bluebirds.

And this is my little reminder that God is going to take care of me through this trial of Tim's health.  I don't remember where I got it, but when I begin to feel discouraged and overwhelmed, I think about the verse in Matthew 6:26 "Behold the fowls of the air:  for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your Heavenly Father feedeth them.  Are you not much better than they?"  God is already in my tomorrow.  He knows every step he has planned for my future.

This passage down through verse 34 is not about "stuff."  It is about God taking care of my needs, no matter what that need looks like.  Thank You, Lord!

His Eye is on the Sparrow

Why should I feel discouraged, why should the shadows come,
Why should my heart be lonely, and long for heav’n and home,
When Jesus is my portion? My constant Friend is He:
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

Refrain:
I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free,
For His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

“Let not your heart be troubled,” His tender word I hear,
And resting on His goodness, I lose my doubts and fears;
Though by the path He leadeth, but one step I may see;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise,
When songs give place to sighing, when hope within me dies,
I draw the closer to Him, from care He sets me free;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

The Pastor's Friend

After going thrifting yesterday and being at the hospital all day on Tuesday, Tim was pretty tuckered out today.  I will have to be more aware of the activity we do from day to day.

We went over to the church office for a little while today.  He was so excited to do that!  He got some things off of his computer for me to use in making the bulletin for Sunday.  And also got a new church sign quote.  He is planning on doing the devotion for the Mallard Ridge service on the 12th of this month.

Tim's mom sent me a note after I stated in my blog post that Tim was not going to take the chemo pills for brain cancers.  She didn't know why he wouldn't.  I don't know why, either.  I told her that I was not going to try to make him do something he didn't want to do.  Well, he read her note and decided that he might as well try it since he is taking so many pills already anyway.  I was glad to hear that and I know she will be, too.  So, I contacted the oncologist and asked him when Tim could get started on that treatment.  I don't expect to hear from him until next week since it was pretty late this afternoon when I sent the note.  I'll keep you informed.

We had a wonderful visit from the son of the former pastor of the church, David Parks.  Brother David reminded Tim that pastors don't have pastors that they can talk to and confide in when they are going through troubles and trials in their lives.  Brother David told Tim that he could call him and talk to him any time he felt the need.  Tim was so appreciative of that.

It is true.  A pastor is the listening ear for his church members and others, but he himself does not have that privilege when he needs guidance and counsel or a shoulder to cry on.  I'm so thankful for the godly men who are pastors and friends in ministry that Tim can talk with.  I pray as he struggles through the current battle of brain cancer that he will be strengthened and that the Lord will use these godly men to encourage him.

Well, it is hard to believe that my sister is leaving already in the morning.  It seems like she just got here!  It has been wonderful having her here.  She spoiled me by doing all of the cooking this week.  I will miss her.

Ryan and Abby spent the night with us last night so that Liz could travel half way to Alabama to pick up Hannah.  Kim did things with them while I was taking care of Tim, etc.  They really enjoyed doing things with her.

Well, I didn't sleep very well last night, so I am calling it a night.