“Pastor Bob, you look horrible.” At first I didn’t like my mustache either. But then, it grew on me.
Doing Good
A friend told me, “If I grew a mustache, my wife wouldn’t kiss me for a month. How do you get away with that?” My unfiltered response was, “What makes you think I’m getting away with it?”
I grew a stache not so I could look good, but so I could do good. You know. MOvember.
Now, three weeks into MOvember and suddenly the cause is personal.
Sobering Stats
There are too many men and the wives and kids who love them, going through horrible times because of cancer. A close friend was diagnosed with testicular cancer two decades ago. I saw firsthand how it ripped the heart of his family.
* One in seven Canadian men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime.
* Fifty-eight men are diagnosed with prostate or testicular cancer every day in Canada.
* Four thousand, one hundred men will die this year as a result.
And so – MOvember.
The Cause Becomes Personal
Cory, Jean Marc, Bob
Team Edmontoon MoBros is led by Cory Jones. He recruited me into his band of brothers to help raise funds for prostate and testicular cancer research. How could I say, “No” to “Mo” for my son?
And then, the phone call.
Jocelyn’s dad has been experiencing excruciating pain in his back and shoulders, so much so he was hospitalized for treatment. We received a call from him early on November 15th. He was fresh from a consult where his physicians diagnosed him with stage IV prostate cancer.
Prostate cancer. The very thing we are trying to help OTHER men deal with.
Now we are the “other.”
Stage IV. There are no stages beyond this one.
Anxiety comes right on the heels of shock, just so you know.
Followed by a tidal wave of questions.
Dad Blades
Dad is more than a statistic, just like anyone facing cancer.
He’s a Bluenoser.
Healthy. Independent. Manly. Rock-solid stubborn. Faith-filled.
He’s taking all this in stride.
He’s more concerned about mom than he is himself. No heroism. Just dad.
So, he’ll be a good guy and take his shots and treatment mixed with hope and prayer.
Meanwhile, the guys grow their staches and people – like you – are asked to pray and make donations.
APPLICATION: This post is for families facing some sort of cancer diagnosis. Hold on to hope. Make a donation here. All donations tax receiptable. If you thought the content was helpful and you would share it with others I’d be honored. Thank you.
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Pastor Bob,
I am SO sorry to hear about your dad, and I will to pray and ask our heavenly father for his healing.
Stage IV cancer may be impossible for our earthly doctors, but we know the GREAT physician, and it’s HIM who has the final say.
With man this is impossible, but with God nothing is impossible.
Matthew 19:26
All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Blessing and prayers
Vahen
We are so sorry to hear about Jocelyn’s dad. We are praying for him and for all the rest of your family. Our youngest son had testicular cancer 13 years ago at age 27. He had surgery and radiation and praise the Lord has been cancer free since.
My husband was diagnosed with prostate cancer at the age of 47 years old. Early detection and radiation treatments defeated the disease – or so we thought. As his wife it hurt to watch him deal with not only the physical but emotional impact of this disease. For thirteen years we lived with hope it had disappeared for good – until we knew it hadn’t. In may 2014 we were told he had aggressive prostate cancer and after checking multiple options the only hope is a miracle. Now we live day to day wondering where it will spread and when. We try and make memories while he struggles with pain, tiredness and all the emotional baggage that comes with the big C word when it drops into our lives. Thanks for doing this post.
Hello Carol. You are welcome. Thank you for reading AND commenting. Praying for your husband. Hope is huge. Hold onto hope while you pray everyday.
Thank you Sheila. So good to know about your son. Cancer stories surface when cancer stories are shared. I hope your comment about your son would give hope to some other young man going through early diagnosis.
Thank you Vahen. You know a lot about “impossible” situations. Looking forward to having you speak on November 27th at North Pointe. http://bit.ly/2yILoPW
Praying for your father in-law , pastor Bob , God wants us in good health and by the stripes of Jesus ,he is healed and made whole. God bless
Thank you Laura for praying…and believing.
Pastor Bob, I am so sorry to hear this. I would like to share a story that will encourage Jocelyns dad as well as all of your family. Like everyone else has commented, we all know we serve a God that has authority over every situation.!
My dad was an atheist all of my life, that is until 2 1/2 years ago, the day before he turned 75 and right after their 50th wedding anniversary. He had spent all those years hearing my mom and me and many others talk about a God of miracles. That incredible night, my mom and I were with him. I had been talking, yet again,… for a long time, laying out the gospel and what happened on that cross. I told him not only was he forgiven if he believed but Jesus also took all of our sicknesses, pains, and brokenness to the cross as well. I have to mention here that he had 4th stage prostate cancer as well. His future was not good. They also suspected bone cancer in a couple parts of his body. At about 11:00pm dad broke and said “Jesus Help me” that is all he could get out. Fireworks went off, as it was Canada day, at that exact moment and the angels rejoiced as my dad was newly born again.
But, I believe that because he believed the whole package and because of the goodness of Jesus, he was also instantly healed of his cancer! The doctors say his blood count is as a 18yr old mans right now!!!
Praise God!!
I love the passages in Matthew. 8:13, to the centurion, Jesus said “let it be done to you as you believe”
Matthew 9:22 to the woman with the issue of blood Jesus said “your faith has healed you”
Matthew 9:29 to the blind men Jesus said, ” according to your faith let it be done to you”
All our faith means simply is ….trust in Jesus! He is everything.
I love sharing this story, but I simply want to encourage Jocelyns dad to believe Gods report, not the doctors, and to stand firm on it. I hope it does bring encouragement and hope to you all. I am praying now for complete healing and restoration in the name of Jesus, and that the doctors see the Glory of God at work! I pray against all fear and feelings of hopelessness as well. Never stop believing.
Thank you Jodie. So good to know about your dad. God is good. Your words are faith-filled, encouraging, true. We will share this with him.
we will pray as well for his healing God is a Working Miracle!