Hi, Friends!
This is another message from Winston.
Until another post is up, to learn about how jmichael is doing, you can look at his daughter's blog, which is www.sunshineforhim.blogspot.com
Thanks!
Winston
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Is the Hokey Pokey really what it's all about? Or is there something more? Difficult life circumstances help us to cast off the distractions and see what is really important. This blog is an attempt to share what I'm learning about life as a 45-year old pastor and teacher in a battle with Ewing's sarcoma.
My Wife and I
So Happy Together
Note to Readers
Thank you for taking time to visit this blog! My purpose in doing this is to be an encouragement to others who are facing difficult circumstances in life and to remind them that there is hope!
For those who are reading this blog for the first time, I recommend going back and starting at the beginning. It is a bit of an inconvenience, but it will all make more sense if you read about where I've been before you read about where I am now.
I do not feel the need to post every day, but have the goal of three to four posts per week. Most of my entries relate to what I am learning in my daily Bible reading - that is where I find my wisdom, comfort, and my strength. Some of my entries might be described as "much ado about nothing." Sometimes I preach, but try to do so minimally, and only when prompted by the Holy Spirit.
The settings have been adjusted so that all readers, not just those with Google accounts, can leave comments. Please feel free to do so. If you desire a response, please leave your e-mail address. It does not appear automatically. I look forward to hearing from you.
For those who are reading this blog for the first time, I recommend going back and starting at the beginning. It is a bit of an inconvenience, but it will all make more sense if you read about where I've been before you read about where I am now.
I do not feel the need to post every day, but have the goal of three to four posts per week. Most of my entries relate to what I am learning in my daily Bible reading - that is where I find my wisdom, comfort, and my strength. Some of my entries might be described as "much ado about nothing." Sometimes I preach, but try to do so minimally, and only when prompted by the Holy Spirit.
The settings have been adjusted so that all readers, not just those with Google accounts, can leave comments. Please feel free to do so. If you desire a response, please leave your e-mail address. It does not appear automatically. I look forward to hearing from you.
Recommended Links
Blog Archive
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2008
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November
(26)
- Final Post
- Random Acts of a Family's Love
- A Wife's Perspective
- Another Blog from Winston
- A Message from Winston
- A Challenge
- Fraternity Friends Finally Released from Photograp...
- Woodall Visit
- Pilgrim Day
- Relating to Paul's Tension
- Chinese Food and Fellowship
- Friday Is a Good Day to Pursue Love
- I'll Be Right Back!
- Independence Day
- The Boys and the Big Rig
- Election Results and God's Sovereignty
- Tomorrow Brings Such Uncertainty
- This morning, my younger son and I spent some time...
- A Sun and Shield on An Autumn Day
- Walking in Love
- More Pictures
- Assorted Picture for Posting
- Massaging Feet and Sorting Socks
- A Wing (or Two) and a Prayer - And a Bottle of Ant...
- For Lack of a Better Name. The First Sunday in No...
- Woodland Retreat
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November
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About Me
- jmichael
- Until the end of September 2008, I taught science, geography, and senior social studies at a small Christian school in Pennsylvania. In addition, I served as an assistant pastor at the church which sponsors the school. I have been married to my best friend for 21 years; we have three children, ages 18, 14, and 5.
13 comments:
I don't know you or your family personally, but your niece Tracy is one of my very best friends. I have been reading your blogs as often as my schedule allows for it. You never cease to amaze me. Your faith and wisdom I admire and can only hope to achieve someday. I wish you and yours nothing but the very best in your coming struggles! God bless all of you! You have a beautiful family...
I found your blog through another blog that I read daily. I have done as you suggested and gone back to the very beginning of your blog journey. I am at May and just felt like I needed to write to you.
My husband and I are both Christians. In our ten years together the number of terrible things that have happened to us are to many to count. The last two years have been especially rough. Job losses for both of us. Savings completely depleted, home foreclosure and most recently my husband was in an accident that totaled our one good vehicle.
We have huge debt. A car that we owe money on still. An insurance company that is denying our claim. We are moving from our home in a month into a house my in-laws bought for us. Our most recent issue is a severally clogged floor drain that has left us without a toilet, sinks, shower, washer and dishwasher until we move. Everyday I wake up and get ready for the next terrible thing that is going to happen to us.
Several people tell me they don't know how I do it. They are surprised that I am not in a mental hospital. I am amazed at times myself. The ONLY thing that has remained strong is our marriage and our belief that God is in control.
As I read your blog I am encouraged by your insight, faithfulness, teachings, the list goes on. I am however frustrated with my reaction to my problems. I wish my life through these trials could be even half the testimony yours is.
I am going to continue to read and get up to date. After that I am going to go back and use your blog as my devotional.
Thank you for sharing your journey.
Jim,
I feel so blessed and enriched to be reading your blog. You are an inspiration to so many. This morning I read your daughter's blog. Wow. You and Merrily have raised an amazing child. I can't wait to share her blog and others like it with my own children. I know you have two other amazing children, too. Isn't that a priority here on earth... to teach our children to love and trust God? Job well done. And I hope that the food we brought didn't contribute to your failing appetite!
With love to you and Merrily and the whole gang!
emily
Winston, thank you so much for showing us Kat's blog. I am so happy to still be able to be a part of your family. God be with you all as you face this very difficult step in your lives. I was very relieved to hear that Jim's parents were there. I'm sure it means the world to him to have them there with him and I'm sure there is nowhere else they would want to be than by their son's side, even though it must be so hard to see your son go through this. As a mother myself, it seems like we always want to fix everything for our children, but it is not always possible. I will continue to pray for your all. God bless.
Thanks Winston for the info on the new blog.
Great job your family must be very proud of the young lady you are and for keeping us updated I am very thankful! I worry and watch as if it were a close family member; and I have never met any of you;which is my loss! But my great gain is this blog and learning and remembering so much; to live a better life!
I can't even imagine the love in that house! What a journey!
Please know so many of us are praying all the time!!
In God We Trust---
Kelly
Dear Bond Family,
My words fail and are certainly inadequate. I can only say we love you and are praying for you; trusting according to Romans 8:26-27 that the Holy Spirit will direct us in how to pray in the midst of our ignorance; that, as Spurgeon said, the Spirit of God will indite prayers that arise from our inmost soul when the mind is far too troubled to let us speak.
My hope today comes from
I Corinthians 15:1-58. Quoted here starting with verse 52: "In a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: "Death has been swallowed up in victory." "Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?"The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."
Dear Bond Family,
Psalm 16
1 Keep me safe, O God,for in you I take refuge.
2 I said to the LORD, "You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing."
3 As for the saints who are in the land, they are the glorious ones in whom is all my delight.
4 The sorrows of those will increase who run after other gods.
I will not pour out their libations of blood or take up their names on my lips.
5 LORD, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure.
6 The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.
7 I will praise the LORD, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me.
8 I have set the LORD always before me. Because he is at my right hand,I will not be shaken.
9 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure,
10 because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay.
11 You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
You are in my prayers for the love, peace and grace of the Lord Jesus Christ to fill you.
I met a buddy of yours tonight at the CCEF conference in Philly. He told me of your battle, asked me to pray for you, and said sometimes you tune in to a sermon. I'm away from my wife and 5 kids tonight and longing to be home with them tomorrow. Seeing the photos of your family is really helpful for me to get an idea of how well loved you are and who really needs you to win your battle to love them well. So, I wanted you to know that your buddy loves you and I am praying for you and the family and flock God has entrusted to your care. Thank you for using this is a gospel opportunity. And, please let your wife know that she is in the prayers of our family.
Pastor Mark Driscoll
Mars Hill Church, Seattle
Hi Jim:
Jenny Sheard here, sister of Kim Fisch and Josh Sheard. You were one year ahead of me in HHS, and I remember the day that you announced you were going to Dickinson. Since that day, whenever I heard of Dickinson U, your face pops in my head. Kim shared your blogspot with me, and I just wanted to say hello and that I am praying for you. Your love for your family is beautiful and your faith inspiring. My kids go to Faith Christian in Roseto, PA and I know some of our varsity sports play Canaan. You are a shining example of Christ, and your family should be so proud of you for your faithful witness. Your testimony will live through them. May God bless you all richly. Jennifer Sheard Absalom
Here's a youtube video I just watched that really blessed me:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2cyqn2LxKVk
Blessed Be Your Name
(sung by Robin Marks)
Love in Jesus,
Terri
Hello, dear old friend. How I've missed you. I've been following your journey for the past few weeks since Blair shared your blogspot link. I apologize for not writing sooner. I'm still teaching at Walker, in the high school now. Chris is 15, Nicole is 11, both at Walker. Mark is still my best friend. Some things never change. I told my students about you when we read the book of Job. Your courage is incredible and can only be from God. You are an amazing witness. I pray often for you and Merrily and the kids. God bless you all.
Thank you for taking precious time to give an update on how Jim is doing. Mark and I will continue to keep the whole family in prayer.
Our daughter Jessica has great memories of you as her grade 5 teacher in 2000-2001...ones she cherishes to this day.
Thank you for "sharing" your family and your journey with us.
Been there, done that already. I’m just too happy right now after attending a Family Blessings seminar to think about negative thoughts.
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