The Importance of Having Dedicated Friends

Did you hear about the woman who accompanied her husband to the doctor's office? After his checkup, the doctor called the wife into his office alone. He said, "Your husband is suffering from a very severe stress disorder. If you don't follow my instructions carefully, your husband will surely die." Then he said,
"Each morning, fix him a healthy breakfast. Be pleasant at all times. For lunch make him a nutritious meal. For dinner prepare an especially nice meal for him.
Don't burden him with chores. Don't discuss your problems with him; it will only make his stress worse. And most importantly, don’t nag him if he doesn’t want to talk to you.
Now, If you can do this for the next 10 months to a year, I think your husband will regain his health completely."
On the way home, the husband asked his wife, "What did the doctor say?" And she said,
"The doctor said—you're going to die."

Well, I have to tell you this. My wife who was my designated care giver did what she was called upon to do. In fact, a good friend of hers told her a week ago, “I could not have done what you were asked to do.” So, in my message this morning, I want to say “Thank you” to my wife especially and—to those who reached out to me and to both of us the last few months. You see, basically, I was helpless a good share of the time. I couldn’t drive, couldn’t do any chores and I had to depend on others.

Now in light of this, I want to bring to a conclusion our series entitled, Surviving Life’s Curves and this morning, I want to talk to you about The Importance of Having Dedicated Friends. Maybe you have heard it said, “With friends like this, who needs enemies?” But, in contrast, we can be surrounded by dedicated friends as King David was and say what he did. So, if you want to grab your sermon notes, I want to begin by looking at Psalm 16:3 where David writes,

“The godly people in the land are my true heroes! I take pleasure in them!” (Psalm 16:3). The people David has in mind are those dedicated friends of his who put their lives on the line for him while he was on the run. And David is moved, not only by the greatness of God in Psalm 16, but by the godly-friends he had. Question. Do you have friends like this? Do you ever just stop and delight in your friends? Do you let them know that they are your true heroes in your life?
Some of David’s friends were like Jonathan that most of us have read about and probably Abishai who we referred to earlier in our study and who risked his life for David. While David had to go through a few rough times in life, God always provided a friend to go there with him. And God does this for us as well. He does it through family, friends and the church. Do you remember the Lone Ranger? This is not God’s intended plan for any of us.
And a good time to count your friends is when you go through a storm. I have to tell you this. I have never been through anything like this. Not only the time of being in the hospital, but the months that followrd. I can’t walk on dirt, can’t do any yard work, can’t fly on a plane for 6 months and all kinds of stuff. But in times like this, the true nature of God’s people becomes clear to us. What would we do without our friends? Well, I just wanted to tell you today that God has given me some fantastic, good and godly friends. These are my heroes. And I would like to mention some of them to you today and I trust that if you are not named, that you realize that it is not because you are unimportant. For I have more friends than I can keep track off and more than I can cover today. So, who are some of them? Besides my wife—are my two sons and their families.

First, I have some wonderful grandkids. Here is just one of them. Randall Foster who got his middle name from my middle name. On crazy hair due day at school, he identified with his granddad who was losing his hair. And you know, David Gangarapu did the same thing. Noriko wouldn’t do it!

Well, you probably heard the story but after chemo treatment one day at Stanford, I got a call from our youngest son Mike. He was excited and wanted me to know that Ken Griffey, a baseball player was being traded to Seattle. This was great news for fans up north. While I was speaking to him, another call came in. I thought, “This must be Mike’s brother Scott.” Sure enough, as soon as I hung up with Mike, I checked my phone and it was Scott. I called him and he said, “Did you hear the news? Ken Griffey is coming to Seattle.” I had a good talk with my two sons over the phone and when it was over, I wrote up something on my blog entitled, “Griffey is coming to Seattle, so much for Dad!” What I was trying to say was that the boys were all excited about Ken Griffey but—they never asked me how I was doing! When my wife told her sisters about this, they were horrified. “What’s the matter with those boys? Their dad is dying and all they want to do is talk about baseball? But, I didn’t take it this way. I thought, “How nice of those guys to call me and tell me the good news.” You see, I know those guys. They were a bit afraid about what I was going through and they weren’t sure that they wanted to hear any more bad news anyhow.” The fact that they called was a way to tell me that they loved me and were concerned about me. I knew this. Besides, I made them baseball nuts like this.

Here is Scott and he is about 3 and just got a mitt. I sent him this picture recently on his 40th birthday. In addition, we send him $40 for his birthday and he went out and bought a new mitt with the money since they were knocking $100 off the original price of a mitt at what used to be called Trader’s Joes. And we heard from his wife that he loved the mitt so much, he even took it to bed with him the first night. It was his new Teddy Bear. So, he is a baseball fanatic. No doubt about it.

Besides, we bought a picture for his bedroom of Griffey many years ago and so we helped his addiction!

I also went with the boys to a game in Seattle a few years back when we all got a bobble head of Ken Griffey. So, take it anyway you want, but I take it that my sons are also my friends, in fact, fantastic friends. Talking about friends. When, Dr. William Bellshaw, who was the dean of the seminary when I was a student, read my blog about the boys and Ken Griffey and had his Sunday school class praying for me in Seattle, he sent me on 3 different occasions 3 full page posters of Griffey in the Seattle P.I.

Here is a picture of one of the posters. But, let me tell you of some more ways people have responded besides my wife and our sons. First, do you remember the home-made poster the kids made me and gave to me last Sunday? That was so nice. In addition to this was a home-made poster I got from the kids at the Chinese Alliance Church in Concord. Here is what it says (Poster). Another poster that the kids made from here is one that I will show you in a couple of weeks as those ladies that brought it to me are for the most part gone this week and next. Here is another chart done by my wife and the nurses to keep me posted on what was going on and some statements about how good God was.

Well, let me jump to some other things. I need to thank our board for being helpful and kind for they agreed to let me have some time off to go through this ordeal. And even when I told them that I would fill in a couple of weeks so I wouldn’t take advantage of the church, they said, “Pastor, we would much rather you stay home, get well and not have any relapses.” I felt like they were all on my team in this because of their attitudes. And I appreciate the different speakers who came in here and especially Ken Mindrup who kept things going and preached a lion’s share of the load. And Mel Jones kept up on people who were missing while I was gone and kept me posted on this as well.

Another thing I appreciated were encouraging notes that were sent my way. I liked this one by the Swansons since it fit so well with the theme of surviving the bends in the road. It said,
“It’s not easy getting parts for us older models,

Please get back on the road soon and take care of yourself.” And I got a lot of notes. A book full of them and we would be here all day if I went through them. But here is just one from our Principal Esther McClellan who said: “Hi Pastor, Just wanted to let you know that I'm thinking about you both as you start the hardest leg of the journey. Just finished looking at your blog. What a great use of your time when so many of your activities are limited. Technology is great, and the Lord must be pleased with how you're using it to bless so many... your family, your friends, and maybe even strangers God sends your way.
We miss you at church. Terry did a great job, and we look forward to Scott's coming down next week. Still, no one can replace you!
Anyway, wanted to send along a note to remind you that I'm praying for you daily. I admire and respect you more than I can put into words. Thank God for sending you back to California, and thank you for listening to Him. You are good for our church, good for the school, good for my family, and good for me! Because you believed in me, you gave me confidence I didn't think I had to do a job I never even wanted!  God works in mysterious ways!
From my notes on Chip Ingram's God As He Longs for You to See Him DVD series...’You are the object of God's affection. God is good to you not because you are good, but because He is.’ Psalm 84:11, "For the Lord God is a sun (unlimited resources) and a shield (unlimited protection). The Lord gives grace and glory. No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly.’
I am praying for abundant resources and protection for both you and Koyce.
Love, Esther.”

I liked this note on the screen by Alyssa Knight, age 12. It was picked up by a friend of mine in Oregon who said, “I saw this card and thought of you! You are swinging back—and an army of people who love you are praying! That’s how God works. What an encouragement you both are to me.” (I liked this card because the theme of it is similar to the theme of my blog, that is, we want life to be in a straight line but there are curves along the way. Also, this was written when I was not feeling like writing, but I wanted you to see it anyway. Back to the note .)
In some ways we are going through this process with you—thank you for making it so clear as to what to expect as you go through the various steps. It makes it much easier to pray appropriately!
I think you must feel so horrible! And I pray, ‘Please God, take this away soon so David will feel better.’ That seems to be all I know how to do! But just be aware that every day you are being prayed—and it is a priority.
I am keeping up with your blog but there isn’t much as to news there right now so I am assuming this is a tough time and it will get better soon! I pray for success for you and the doctors in all that is being done—and expect to hear you are doing well! Every day
we will continue to pray for you both—and thank God for what he is doing for you! Much love to you both! Jo & Jack.

Gail Bradway prayed and wrote her prayers out. In one of her prayer notes, she wrote, “And by the way, that series you just injected, it was for you, yes, and for all of us who have hard times, but it helped us all to get on the same page with you as you go thru this—we could see your thot processes—we could relate to these first steps in stem cell transplant” (Then she started praying, saying,)….Pastor is so human—brave yet fearful; realistic but hopeful. What I still think and appreciate deeply, AND I TOLD YOU THIS way back when I helped him announce the cancer with ‘Little cardboard David’ is that he takes sooo much care to try to ease our anxiety as a flock, when he’s got to be hurting so much himself. How Christ like.

I was so impressed with the prayers over them today—Esther’s history lesson, Calvin’s ‘from everlasting to everlasting you are God.’ I don’t know how anyone could have walked away not being blessed and it really wasn’t to be that way….really we were praying over him and blessing your love. The praise was yours again….P.S. I’m thinkin’ in many respects this ordeal will be harder for Koyce than David—it’s very hard to be a spectator and comforter when you can’t really relate because she hasn’t had a stem-cell transplant—she’s gotta have such grace, God—no problem right? You’re the grace-giver!” As Gail read and prayed in Genesis over Abraham’s servant prayer to God, she wrote, “O God of my Master Abraham, (then she crossed it out and inserted the name David). Make things go smoothly this day—treat my master Abraham (i.e., David—well!) So you know me that you’re working graciously behind the scenes for my master.” Gail prayed on, saying, “What a beautiful verse God—I’m claiming that one also! When he gives you the credit each day for victories, we’ll all know you’re graciously working behind the scenes for him!”

I had people praying for me all over the place. Let me read a prayer from Mary Smith who did a piano concert for us a couple of years ago. Maybe you remember it. I have known Mary since at least the second grade. Mary was going to call one day and pray with me over the phone but decided instead to write out her prayer and send it. Listen to it. “Dear Lord, hear my prayer. It is from my heart, and it's for someone very, very dear to me.
My friend, David, faces a tough week. But, that's nothing for you, God. You aren't surprised by our circumstances or taken aback by our life experiences, because you see the road ahead. You already know what you're going to do and how it will be accomplished.
But, since WE don't know what lies ahead, here's my specific prayer request: Heal him, Lord. Restore David's health. Give him courage in those 3 am alone times, and remind him that HE ISN'T ALONE, because you're right there with him through every moment.
We thank you for life. We thank you for our mothers and fathers who gave us life and for all we've learned and know about your Word and YOU, but we don't know enough. We want more years to grow in your ways and influence more people and to enjoy more time on planet earth. But only if it's your will, Father.
Thank you for the people you bring to our lives....David to mine. And Koyce to David's. Oh, I pray that Koyce will be a strong woman, filled with confidence that you're going to bring her through this, and we know that she's going to need a lot of strength. Bring friends to her side.

Bless Scott and Mike. They love their father so much! They need their Dad. So do the grandchildren. So, I'm asking you to carry this family through an uncertain time, knowing you are with them every minute.
Lord, hear my prayer. I thank you for all that you are going to do, and we claim your many promises, especially Psalm 121. We know our help comes from you. You are mighty, awesome, and we praise you, now and always.
In Jesus name I pray, amen. Love, Mary (Curt, too)” But, not only did people tell me that they were praying for me, called on the phone and prayed with me and wrote their prayers but many wrote encouraging notes and cards.

Let me share with you some neat cards given to me by Scott, my son. He sent me 10 different cards of 10 of his great memories with me, his dad. These 10 cards are an hour’s reflection themselves so I will only show you 2 of the 10. In card number 1 of 10, Scott said, “Every time I look into my garage, I see this “classic” of a car that you had the vision to put together. I don’t think I learned much about cars in the process, but the time spent with you and Mike were so profitable for me. To this day, I have great relationships with both of you, and I have a pretty sweet ride.”

Then here is card number 10. “Oh, so many memories. You teaching me how to bunt by throwing the ball in my face (smiley face following ). You ‘forcing’ me to play basketball in high school and college, and hey I drained a half court shot at WOSC. The Chevy making it to the coast and back before the wheels went whack as you entered Dallas. Telling us to ‘laugh all the way to the bank’ after umping when Mr. Hamilton had just yelled at us. After performing a funeral, you took me to a card show in Portland where you talked to a guy and we bought his 1963 cards of Yaz and Spahn (More smiley faces).

And I wish I had time to show you the cards that Esther Bishop sent. She must have sent a card a week and many of them were also signed by people at Kennsington.

In addition to cards, I got some coupons that were pretty neat. They were done by Polley Darnell. One was David’s Christmas Coupon—a Koyce helper and it was for cleaning. shopping working in the church office, whatever she needs help with her choice. I also got a coupon for Kid hauling, a coupon that was a secretary for the day and even chemo companion to keep me entertained while doing chemo. And, of course, we used the one for cleaning a couple of times. I had to get rid of all the dust in order to move back into the house. And it was not only her but Diane Ketcham and Katie Jones came and did some cleaning too.

In fact, we were given a new dyson vacuum cleaner to help us with the dirt and dust. Now, I don’t know if you noticed a pattern here but what I noticed is that most of the people who did something for us just did it. You know, we can always say, “If there is anything I can do for you, just let me know.” Or, one can just do something without saying anything.

For instance, Ruth Matthews sent one of her homemade cards, someone else loaned me their DVD player without my asking. Another person brought be a bag of DVDs to see. People brought over deserts and meals. Sue Fujita’s kids did it on more than one occasion without even making an inquiry. Ana Black who went through cancer herself brought over some soup she made on a couple of occasions. It was delicious. In fact, I am glad to have with us this morning our neighbors (Rita and Allan and I want them to stand if they would). They not only brought us food but Allen mowed our lawn, trimmed the edges and washed my car. And if that wasn’t enough, he even waxed my car for me. Let’s give them a hand if you would. And Hap Jones did similar things too, butchering my Palm Tree. But it has grown back very nicely. One day he came by and noticed we weren’t there but noticed that the flowers needed water so he got out the hose and gave them a drink.
And if you think this is neat, let me share with you how you could do something like this yourself. Here are 3 names where you could reach out. The first is:

Khem, Vimul M 12/10 Ravy Mam 1/15
Rosa Moli 12/6 & Michel Ravimul 5/31 1221 Brooktrail Dr.
Pittsburg 94565 925.709.1268
Cell: 925-325-8026

Roncagliolo, Nicolas & Antonieta
Marco
3369 Chamberlain Court
Walnut Creek 94598
925.932.6034

Mahnami, Rod 2/20 & Sherrie 11/21
Jacob 6/17; Nicholas (Nick) Anthony Davis 6/29
1231 Brookview Dr.
Concord, 94520

Back to our story, one day, Koyce was cleaning out my catheter and forgot if she had done it properly. She panicked and called Oyin. Oyin had just flown to the east coast since a friend of hers just lost her husband. We called but Oyin was still in the air flying home. When she arrived that evening, she was tired and ready to hit the bed but she came running out to our place to make sure that I was okay. The help was incredible.

And Gail Barbitta was a great help too even though she was going through all of this with her daughter. And I know that I am going to kick myself for leaving out some very heroic acts of what some of our people did—but God knows and he will reward his people for being so full of care.

During the time I was in the hospital which was almost a month, Koyce would not be able to stay with me. So what should she do? Should she drive home every night? The drive is too long and would be quite tiring. Should she come only a couple days a week to see me? She would never buy into this plan. Should she stay with my sister in Fremont? Well, it is still a 30-45 minute drive and then there is the bridge toll every day? So, should she stay in a hotel in the area? This would be real expensive and maybe a bit scary staying by one’s self every night. The ideal would be to stay with someone we knew within a ten minute drive to the Stanford Hospital. Did we know any such person? The answer is—well, maybe. You see, a little over three years prior, I was preaching a series of messages entitled 40 Days of Prayer. It was a good time to deal with such a subject because this was when I had been diagnosed with cancer the first time. Then one Sunday morning, a couple walked in named Bill and Lucie Silene. They loved the series and wished that they could do the same thing in their church. I gave them all of my messages and we had a few left over devotional books that their people could work through. And guess what? They lived right by Stanford! And they told me that if I ever needed a place to stay while at Stanford, to just give them a call. They sent me a nice card and I saved it! That’s right. I have saved all kinds of encouraging notes and things over the years. So, I went to my notebook after hearing of the reoccurrence of my cancer and found that card with their address right there. I gave them a call to see if we could possibly have Koyce stay with them while I was in the hospital. However, timing was going to be a challenge. Their daughter had returned home from college and grandma was temporarily living with them. But they told me that they knew some people very close by the University in the town of Atherton.

They said that they were going to ask Bill and Marilee Clausen to see if Koyce could stay at their place. And before I knew it, Marilee was on the phone and enthusiastically invited Koyce to come and stay in their huge house.

The place they lived was beautiful. And they gave us a key and a free reign of the house and they were great company whenever Koyce needed it. And they were only 10 minutes at most from the hospital. All Koyce has to do is to drive in each morning, either park the car at the Stanford parking garage for $12 a day or drive over to the mall where they allow people to park free and then take the free shuttle to the hospital. Besides, when she wanted to get away from me, she had a place to go where she could exercise her spiritual gift! What is her gift? You probably know. It is the gift of shopping! Isn’t this all amazing. I can say only one thing. This whole situation was a God-sent. What is a God-sent? It is when you stumble across something so unexplainable and wonderful that it has to be a gift from God! This was certainly wonderful and for us; it was a God-sent. Praise the Lord

A family with two teenagers in our church sent me the neatest card. First, it started out by saying “There are greater things than you can IMAGINE ahead of you—and there’s a great God walking beside you. When you open the card, a song starts playing, ‘How great is our God.’ (Let’s listen to it). The lady of the house quoted Psalm 19:14-16 that says, “Because he loves me, ‘says the Lord,’ I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him. I will be with him in trouble. I will deliver him and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation.’” Then she wrote “We thank God that you are in his care…the Great Physician. And what a story, you will have to tell! Can’t wait for your first Sunday back.”
Their college age son wrote, “I appreciate the time and effort you put in to the church. Can’t wait to have you back.” Their high school daughter wrote, “Pastor, we are praying for you. We appreciate all you do for our church.” Dad wrote, “Thank you for being such a great example to all of us. You are as much of an inspiration to us there in a hospital bed as you are here in our church. But we look forward to having you back with us soon.”

Another card from Laura Bishari. Inside it read, “Hang in there.” She said, “We are praying for you double time—obey the doctor, but trust the Lord to bring you back real soon. It’s not the same here at FBC without you!”

Most of us know how talented Cindy Mindrup is. One of her gifts is being a great photographer and she sent Koyce 30 such photographs with verses attached. I also received 30 cards, one for each day I was in the hospital. We loved these cards and so did our doctors, nurses and aids.

“A righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all;…” (NIV Psa. 34:19).

“The seas have lifted up, O LORD, the seas have lifted up their voice; the seas have lifted up their pounding waves. Mightier than the thunder of the great waters, mightier than the breakers of the sea—the LORD on high is mighty” (NIV Psalm 93:3-4).

“How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. When I awake, I am still with you. If only you would slay the wicked, O God! Away from me, you bloodthirsty men!” (Psalm 139:17-19).

“From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the LORD is to be praised” (Psalms 113:3).

“I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands” (Psalm 63:4).

“being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (NIV Philippians 1:6). Let us pray.

Getting Close to Coming Back to Church

After my last visit to Stanford and getting a seemingly clean bill of health, I was approved to finally be able to go to church. So, we went the next Sunday where we had a former student of mine and a friend speak at the church. His message was entitled, When God puts you to the test. Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader? He began by reading John 6:1 that says, “After this…” But after what? It was sometime after the presentation of John in chapter 5 on the deity of Christ. Here, the speaker, Dr. Roger Martin said that John 5:1-9 Jesus demonstrates Himself to be God, in John 5:17 Jesus claimed to be equal with God, in John 5:18 the Jews seek to kill Jesus for His claim. In John 5:21-27 Jesus’ position as Judge and His authority speaks of His Deity, in John 5:29 the two resurrections speak of His Deity, in John 5:3, John the Baptist spoke of His Deity, in John 5:36 Jesus’ miracles spoke of His Deity, in John 5:37 God the Father spoke of Christ’s Deity, in John 5::39 the Scriptures spoke of Christ.

Why is this important? Roger said, “Because Jesus Christ is the answer to every problem! He will either solve the problem or give you grace to go through it."

Now, in John 6:1-14 there are THREE big problems!

How to feed 5,000 men plus women and children
How to build faith in Philip
How to get unbelievers to believe

Philip’s Problem: The Test Question: Where are we to buy bread that these may eat? (John 6:5)

Philip’s Answer: “200 denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for them for everyone to receive a little” (Literally: ‘For everyone to receive one bite)

What About Tests?
Tests are God-given opportunities to discover our competency! (Are we ready for the next assignment?)
Tests are God-ordained challenges to make us stronger! (He knows what we will need for the future)
Tests are God-designed instruments to measure our progress! (Are we continuing to grow?)

For instance, there can be Tests of our:
• Faith
• Gratitude
• Obedience
• Knowledge
• Willingness
• Servanthood
• Boldness/Courage
• Follow-through
• Trust
• Faithfulness
• Availability

Principles to Grasp

God is just as interested in working in you as He is in working through you!
(So anticipate His tests in your life)
If we want to pass the tests God puts in our lives, we must first understand the question!
(So don’t be afraid to focus on the real issues)
Every test from God is an act of His grace because He really cares about you!
(So welcome His tests as a part of His love for you!)

The message was very appropriate to our church and certainly to my situation. We were glad he could be with us. The next Sunday, I preached. It was the first time since February. One of our nurses in the church told me to plan on sitting down during the message. She also noticed how I was walking and she said, “Get a cane.” I said, “They gave me one at Stanford” and she said, “Use it then!” So I am back at church sitting on a chair and using my cane. Thanks for your prayers to be able to be back again with our people.

Survivor Winner Has Cancer

The day after James “JT” Thomas was revealed as the winner of “Survivor: Cocantins,” news broke that Ethan Zohn, winner of “Survivor: Africa” has cancer.

“This is the ultimate game of Survivor and there’s really only one outcome, and that’s to win,” the 35-year-old told People on Monday. “There’s no other option.”

According to E! Online, night seats and strange itching led the reality-TV star to think he had some sort of skin condition until he was diagnosed with stage two Hodgkin’s disease April 30….He began chemotherapy treatments on Friday….”My life flashed before my eyes.”….However, the pair have good reason to be hopeful—survival rates for Hodgkin’s lymphoma are up to 90% percent.

Zohn will lose his signature curly hair within the next few weeks. He’ll take the initiative to buzz it himself before then.

For an update on myself, my hair is coming back in. It looks just like fuzz at this stage and it is darker on my face. I seem to be getting stronger and walking better. The doctors are still urging me not to be in crowds for awhile. I have a meeting June 5 at Stanford and hope to have some more green lights to attend church and even do some speaking. The church board, however, is urging me to get well so I won’t experience some kind of a relapse. They are so patient and kind. We have a great group of people at FBC in Walnut Creek.

Oakland Man Finds New Life through Cancer Battle

Jill Perry of our church saw this article below and made sure I was able to see it. She wrote, “Hi Pastor, I hope everything is going well and that you are feeling stronger every day. I finally was able to get that story for you about the Oakland man who had Stage 4 lymphoma….Quite an inspiring story. Of course, I think you and Koyce have quite an inspiring story also. You both amaze me with how you have handled all that you have gone through. We miss you at church and look forward to the day we can see you either sitting in the crowd or preaching from the pulpit. We will be happy with either one.
Take care and hurry back. Love, Jill.” The article is below.

MATT RHODES didn't realize how alive he could be until he overcame a period in his life when it looked as if he might be dying.

Diagnosed with stage-four Hodgkin's lymphoma at age 31 in 2001, Rhodes' cancer rendered him unable to walk because a tumor was pressing against his spinal cord. The Oakland resident learned a year later that his doctor estimated his chances of survival at one in three, and other doctors had calculated it at one in five.

"That was probably the first time it really hit me how close I was to death," said Rhodes. "The tumors had gone outside of my lymph system, so they were basically everywhere. My whole chest and torso was pretty much full of tumors — my spleen, my lungs, my bone marrow — all over the place."

Fast forward to today. Rhodes, 39, is cancer-free. He and his wife, Claire, have become avid triathletes, competing for charity under the banner of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Team In Training program.

It's a phenomenal survival story, with a neat love-story subplot. Before he contracted lymphoma, Matt considered himself a reasonably healthy bachelor who ran a little and worked out at the gym to stay in shape. But after surgery to remove the tumor, followed by 12 weeks of chemotherapy and 12 weeks of radiation treatment, he had to learn to walk again. He used a walker at first, then a cane. About a year into his rehabilitation, he went on a ski trip to Colorado, where he met Claire through mutual friends. While the two were swimming, she noticed a large surgical scar on his back. He told her his cancer story and thought he'd killed a budding romance.

"When we got back to the lodge, I made things even worse by showing her a Web site I'd made with pictures and a journal from my rehab," he said. "She basically got to see me near death only a year before. She was flush and had a blank look on her face afterward, and I thought, 'Good job, Matt. Way to screw up this relationship. This isn't going anywhere.' But she stuck with a guy who should have been a 'no' the second you hear stuff like this."

Claire wound up shifting Matt's physical mind-set into overdrive. An avid runner, she convinced him they should try the inaugural Hike For Discovery at the Grand Canyon, where they came in contact with Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, which sponsored the event. They were married shortly after in 2004, settled in Oakland, and at Claire's urging entered a triathlon through Team in Training, which has prepared more than 380,000 novice athletes for marathons, triathlons and cycle rides, raising nearly $1 billion for research, education and patient aid since 1988.

"I'd never done anything like this," Matt recalled. "I'd only done one other race in my life, a four-mile road race. I had no real concept of what it would take or how good it would feel. My initial thinking was do something easy, but Claire said, 'No, no, let's challenge ourselves.’”

Since 2006, Matt and Claire have competed in more than 10 triathlons together, raising several thousand dollars toward finding a lymphoma cure. They recently took part in the Avia Wildflower Half-Ironman and are now training for their third Escape From Alcatraz triathlon in June. Even though Claire generally beats Matt, he adores the fast-growing sport.

It still grabs him sometimes that he is able to compete. Rarely does a day go by when he doesn't reflect on what he overcame.

"It's a wonderful irony that I'm out here running and cycling when my diagnosis had me not walking, and possibly worse," he said. "My first three or four triathlons, I'd get choked up during the race because I'd get to that moment where I realized what I'm doing and how lucky I am. I'd look like an idiot on the course because I'd be wheezing, barely able to breathe, because I would get so emotional."

As for Claire's influence on his life, Matt said, "She believes in herself in a great way and me in a way that makes me do things I never thought I could do before."

Claire has made inspiration her life's work. She is director of the San Francisco arm of Girls On The Run, a nonprofit prevention program that helps preteen girls develop self-esteem and healthy lifestyles through running. Matt is a computer software animation and graphics developer who provides inspiration simply by telling his story whenever and wherever he can.

"Team in Training tries to contact people who are going through treatment so they can receive support from our group, but also we use them as honorees as inspiration for the team," he said. "It's give-and-get inspiration. For me, it's a real honor to hear that I inspire people." In truth, they both do.

When Medicine and Faith Collide--What about the Child?

Because we have heard on the news a situation with a 13-year of boy with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, I have been following this story with interest. Today, Seminary President Albert Mohler weighed in on the story. He writes below saying,

“Recent cases involving parents who claim a religious reason to refuse medical treatment for children have cast this issue back into the Public Square -- and right into the headlines.

The cases draw immediate attention for good reason. Each case involves a sick or injured child, and in each case at least one parent refuses to allow needed medical treatments, claiming either a reliance upon divine healing, a resignation to the divine will, a medical practice specific to the religious tradition, or some particular objection to a specific medical treatment (such as a blood transfusion) or to all medical interventions.

Each case involves what appear to be conflicting interests -- the parental right to determine the raising of children and the state's interest in protecting the health and welfare of all citizens, including minors. All of these cases are tortuous in some sense, and some are deeply tragic.

In the case of Daniel Hauser, a 13-year-old Minnesota boy with Hodgkin's lymphoma, the issue is the fact that his mother, Colleen Hauser, has defied legal authorities and is believed to have taken him to Mexico for non-traditional treatments for his cancer. The Hausers believe in medical practices based on Native American traditions. After an emotional appeal from the boy's father, the mother and son returned Memorial Day to Minnesota, where he will now receive treatment directed by pediatric oncologists. There is good reason to hope that the chemotherapy will be successful in the case of this treatable cancer.

In another highly publicized case, Leilani Neumann of Wausau, Wisconsin was convicted last week of second-degree reckless homicide in the death of her 11-year-old daughter, Madeline Kara Neumann. Mrs. Neumann refused to allow medical treatment for her daughter's diabetes, and the girl died. The mother claimed a belief in faith healing as her rationale for refusing medical treatment for her daughter. According to medical authorities who testified at the trial, insulin and fluids would have kept the girl alive. Mrs. Neumann now awaits sentencing.

Another recent case involves a 16-year-old boy in Oregon who died a painful death when his parents refused medical treatment for what started out as a simple urinary tract infection. Citing a belief in faith healing, his parents substituted prayer for medical treatment. According to medical authorities, the boy's death was easily preventable.

As these cases make clear, the headlines draw attention for good reason -- children deserve medical care and parents who refuse medical care in cases such as these have no right to allow their children to die without the care and treatments.

And, amazingly enough, there is a strong moral consensus in this country that children deserve medical care and that the state has the obligation to intervene in such cases. This consensus includes both political liberals and conservatives and includes the vast majority of Americans regardless of religious conviction. Though there are important legal issues at stake, a broad consensus exists on this narrowly-defined question. In cases like those recounted above, there is no outcry against state intervention from Christian conservatives or from secular liberals.

The 1944 U.S. Supreme Court decision Prince v. Massachusetts set parameters that continue today. In that case, the Court acknowledged the rights of parents as fundamental. In an important statement the court expressed this right: "It is cardinal with us that the custody, care and nurture of the child reside first in the parents, whose primary function and freedom include preparation for obligations the state can neither supply nor hinder. Pierce v. Society of Sisters, supra. And it is in recognition of this that these decisions have respected the private realm of family life which the state cannot enter."

But the Court also found that there were issues of the welfare of a child that could draw state authorities into this "private realm." Specifically, "The right to practice religion freely does not include liberty to expose the community or the child to communicable disease or the latter to ill health or death."

As a parent, I respect this point. I cannot imagine denying my child any needed medical treatment or defending the right of others to do the same, whether claiming religious liberty or parental freedom for the care and nurture of the child.

I would defend the duty of the state to intervene in these cases, and I am thankful for the broad consensus that stands behind this duty.

I am not without concerns. Given the power of government and the reach of the state into almost all areas of life, the danger exists that the state could seek to expand this duty into other decisions related to education, discipline, and nurture -- the very issues acknowledged by the Court in Prince v. Massachusetts to "reside first in the parents." Yet, vigilance on those questions is the price that must be paid, lest more children be added to the list of those who die or are endangered by parents who claim a religious right to deny their child urgently needed medical treatment. As adults, parents have the right to refuse medical treatment for themselves. They do not have the right to refuse urgently needed medical treatments for their children.

As a Christian theologian, my concern is also directed to those who oppose medical treatment on what are claimed as biblical grounds. The Bible never commands any refusal of legitimate medical treatment. I am unspeakably thankful for modern medicine, for antibiotics and anesthesia and chemotherapy and dialysis and diagnostics. The list goes on and on. There is no Christian prohibition against legitimate medical treatment. I believe that God heals, that we should pray for healing in Christ's name, and that our lives are in God's hands. I believe that all healing comes ultimately from God, but that He has given us the blessings of medicine for the alleviation of much suffering and the treatment of disease. There is no conflict here.

There are serious issues of medical ethics in the case of some treatments, even as there are excruciating dilemmas that confront physicians, patients, and parents. Those must be acknowledged, but they are not the issues at stake in these cases.

In these cases I advise what the great Reformer Martin Luther advised -- take your medicine and put your trust in God. For parents, this means to give your child the best care that modern medicine can offer, and to entrust your precious child to God and to God alone.”

Look for the rainbows

On Friday, we visited Stanford once again. I had a CAT scan and they took some more blood samples. We met with our oncologist and she suggested that I could back off on some of my meds. The meds were often making me just gag right after I took them. It was like World War III going off in my stomach within seconds. We were checked over and we were given a good prognosis. I will go to Stanford every three months for the next year and twice the following year. Koyce and I were overjoyed with the news on Friday and so we get ready for the next five months of getting stronger, resting and staying healthy. We thank the Lord for our friends, your prayers and your love. We could have never gone through this without them. As Jo said in a previous note, prayers have been answered. By the way, a great song to see is I’m Alive illustrated with fighter jets. If you haven’t seen it, email me or leave a comment below and I will send it to you. Thanks again. We are flying high at the moment and for this we give God the glory. Praise be to Him, the Almighty, our LORD and savior. I trust that you will priase God this week along with us.

"When Life throws you a curve, SWING".

This statement above was developed by Alyssa Knight, age 12. It was picked up by Jo Sherman who said, “I saw this card and thought of you! You are swinging back—and an army of people who love you are praying! That’s how God works. What an encouragement you both are to me.” (I liked this card because the theme of it is similar to the theme of my blog, that is, we want life to be in a straight line but there are curves along the way. Also, this was written when I was not feeling like writing, but I wanted you to see it anyway.

In some ways we are going through this process with you—thank you making it so clear as to what to expect ad you go through the various steps. It makes it much easier to pray appropriately!

I think you must feel so horrible! And I pray, “Please God, take this away soon so David will feel better.” That seems to be all I know how to do! But just be aware that every day you are being prayed—and it is a priority.

I am keeping up with your blog but there isn’t much as to news there right now so I am assuming this is a tough time and it will get better soon! I pray for success for you and the doctors in all that is being done—and expect to hear you are doing well!Every day we will continue to pray for you both—and thank God for what he is doing for you! Much love to you both! Jo & Jack.

Jo, in another note wrote, "I just finished reading your blog. Wow! It is so great that the people who were there for you were able to listen as you related the gospel in such creative ways. I, of course, read your blog from the top down and should have gone down to the last bit that I had read and go back up! Anyway, after reading about the terrible nightmares and other "bad" things that happened as a result of the chemo, etc, it sounds as if you were quite uncomfortable for some time. The sores in the mouth and throat must have been difficult for sure.I hope you are gaining a bit more energy each day because I know it can be very discouraging when one feels they do not have the energy they want to have. It is especially difficult for someone like you who is always so energetic!Sounds like Koyce was a true trooper and the best help meet you could ask for!Have a terrific, wonderful good day, Jo"