Update from Pastor Cameron
Greetings Asbury family and friends! I want to share an update with you:
I had a positive check up with my Neuro-oncologist on Thursday by way of reviewing the latest MRI of my brain tumor. Some of the margins that looked suspicious last month now look less active, and there were no signs of the tumor expanding further. So the treatments I am on (chemotherapy and Optune) seem to be working quite well.
The number of “good days” I am having seem to be on the rise each week as well.
I have also had this growing awareness of how little I in control in my life, and how just about all we control as humans is how we respond to and utilize/live each day we are given. There are some days it is plain hard to get out of bed and the only decision is whether to put my feet on the floor and start walking or not. I can’t quite remember who said this prayer in the Bible, but I’m pretty sure it was Moses who prayed, “Teach us to number our days, Oh Lord.” I have always taken this to mean that Moses and all who seek to follow God are called to a day to day, step by step journey with God through many varieties of terrain and circumstances in life. Now that I can’t take a new day for granted very easily, I see more clearly that Jesus leads us even “through the valley of the shadow of death,” and though I may tell him “I don’t want to go in there” he just reminds me that he wants me to be with him, and I want to be with him so I must confront my fears and frustrations, disappointments and failures and ask him for courage to walk with him even through the valley of the shadow. Ever notice how Jesus walks everywhere and how we are invited to walk with him by following? So life with Jesus is to the most scenic vistas of love and life, beauty and joy, as well as through the cold, dark valleys we try to avoid as the sun sets and temperatures plummet, and every little sound inspires feelings of fear and danger.
I also believe we count what we value; so in asking God to help us number our days, it is also a way of asking God to help us see the good, the value each day of life has for us. Sometimes we are blinded by our suffering and we need extra grace to help us notice the good gifts God pours out for us daily. So, I still have brain cancer, and I continue to ask God for grace to number my days so that I might stay open to receiving the abundant gifts the Lord gives daily, and I invite you to embrace each step of your own journey of faith and life in Jesus Christ. I hear wonderful things about your work in the world of “knowing the love of Jesus Christ and passing it on!” So keep up the good work, and I look forward to the day when I may return to learn and lead alongside you as we grow in the love and likeness of Jesus for all the world to see. May God bless you richly Asbury, and may we find… Joy on the journey,
Pastor Cameron Lead Pastor
Asbury United Methodist Church, Maitland