I have cancer, probably terminal.

[Brad Mercer]

I've been having stomach problems and antacids and so forth didn't seem to help. I went to the doctor a few days ago, he poked around on my belly and said my liver was enlarged. He immediately sent me for ultrasound, cat scan and blood work. I went back this evening for the follow-up to get his diagnosis.

He's just a general practitioner, rather than an oncologist, and he only spent about 30 seconds looking at the test results (he hadn't seen them until I got to his office. His diagnosis, however, was cancer of the bowel, spread to my liver. The prognosis he gave me when I asked for one was that it might take 3-5 years, but he thought the cancer would kill me.

My general lay impression has also been that liver cancer seems to be generally terminal, although not necessarily taking that long. My wife Karen looked online and found something that said that, although liver cancer is generally terminal, that's frequently because cirrhosis is also present. The oncologist might have a more optimistic prognosis. I'll certainly pursue every reasonable medical option.

In the meantime, I would appreciate your prayers. I believe in doctors and cures, but I also believe in miraculous healing. Of course, I also recognize with the three Hebrew children that I might not be delivered, but that God will still be God and love will still be enough.

We have a lot of things we'd like to see God do through us over the next 20 years. I'd really like to not be done, yet.

Love,
Brad

[Anita F. Henck]

Oh my, Brad! I am sure I am the first of many who will post that they will pray ... for you, Karen, your children, your extended family and many friends, as well as those involved in your diagnosis and treatment. You are loved here on Naznet (and elsewhere, too!)

God is able to see you through ... whatever you face.

Much love,
==anita==

[Belinda Y. Edwards]

WoW - the journey that we, as NazNetters, have traveled and will travel together never ceases to amaze me.

Of all the posts that i thought i would read one day, this was not on the list.

First, you have my prayers. Your family has my prayers.

Second, my brain has to process this news on several levels.

i remember the prayers you have prayed for my friends through the years when facing this diagnosis. i'm asking Jesus to take those words and flow them through your body today.

[Wilson L. Deaton]

Brad,

I am so sorry that you are having to go through this. I will certainly be praying for you and your family.

Wilson

[Hans Deventer]

Oh, brother!!!!!!! Just this morning, in our newspaper, it said that one out of three persons would get cancer, but that is just a statistic. This isn't, this cuts, this hurts deeply. Brad, of course Hannie and I will pray for you.
Man, I hate to read this. It makes me long so much for the day that tears will be wiped away, and right now, they need to. :basic04

[Jen Blackburn]

i'm praying for you Brad.

that seems like such a common response, but when you sit back and think about the power for prayer, it's the most powerful response i can come up with.

i'm praying.

[Michael B. Ross]

Brad, I am stunned. Please be assured of my continuing prayers. I will be checking NazNet regularly for updates.

BTW, it speaks highly of you to take the time to inform us on NazNet. But, you know we believe in you and appreciate the depth of your faith.

I've been having stomach problems and antacids and so forth didn't seem to help. I went to the doctor a few days ago, he poked around on my belly and said my liver was enlarged. He immediately sent me for ultrasound, cat scan and blood work. I went back this evening for the follow-up to get his diagnosis.

He's just a general practitioner, rather than an oncologist, and he only spent about 30 seconds looking at the test results (he hadn't seen them until I got to his office. His diagnosis, however, was cancer of the bowel, spread to my liver. The prognosis he gave me when I asked for one was that it might take 3-5 years, but he thought the cancer would kill me.

My general lay impression has also been that liver cancer seems to be generally terminal, although not necessarily taking that long. My wife Karen looked online and found something that said that, although liver cancer is generally terminal, that's frequently because cirrhosis is also present. The oncologist might have a more optimistic prognosis. I'll certainly pursue every reasonable medical option.

In the meantime, I would appreciate your prayers. I believe in doctors and cures, but I also believe in miraculous healing. Of course, I also recognize with the three Hebrew children that I might not be delivered, but that God will still be God and love will still be enough.

We have a lot of things we'd like to see God do through us over the next 20 years. I'd really like to not be done, yet.

Love,
Brad

[Sara Sheppard]

Brad,

I know what you are feeling today. There is no way to prepare yourself for the words "You have cancer". It is beyond shocking.

I am so sorry you have to go through this and that you are going down this road. I will be praying for your healing and your PEACE. My pastor told me something a few days after my cancer diagnosis - Perfect love drives out fear - that is - HIS perfect love for us will drive out fear of the future.

Don't hinge everything on what this first doctor told you. See the specialist. The first doctor gave me BAD news related to my cancer - lots of terminal type stuff. The oncologist was much more optimistic and I sit here today - cancer free. :)

You are loved and cared for. I WILL PRAY for you, your family, and the medical community.

Sara

[Dennis M. Scott]

You have of late been on my prayer list, but I would have preferred to pray for other reasons. In my discussions with the Lord, I will argue on your behalf. You are loved. He loves you, and so do we.

[Carol Kane]

Brad, Rick and I will be praying. Get a second opinion and find a very good cancer specialist.

[Marsha Gupton]

Oh Brad!

As I sit in my office this morning and decided to check naznet, this is not what I wanted to read.

I will be praying for you and your family and your doctors as they accurately diagnose you and come up with a treatment plan.

Most importantly, we serve a God of healing and miracles. We serve a God that gives us complete peace.

Joining with christian brothers and sisters around the world that are praying for you and yours during this time.

Marsha Gupton
Nashville, TN

[G R 'Scott' Cundiff]

A quote just came to mind, but I can't remember who said it, but it applies here. "God always has the last word."

More than medicine or conventional wisdom - God always has the last word.

And he is faithful and trustworthy.

[Scott Daniels]

So sorry Brad. I certainly will be praying.

[Cecil Wallace]

Brad, that is certainly a surprise.
I'm so sorry to hear the news.
Will be remembering you and your family in prayer.
As was posted above.... God always has the last word.
Here's hoping and trusting that the first doctor's opinion was a mis-diagnosis.

Lots o' love

[Pete Vecchi]

Brad, I'm sorry that you are having to go through all of this. You have my prayers.

[Wanda Van Winkle]

Of course, Michael and I will be in prayer for you and your family as you begin this journey, and pray specifically for the outcome to be healing.

In the meantime, I know this challenges you to let God be enough.

I could go on with many many stories of healings, but I know you've heard enough of them in your lifetime to know God really does heal, and really does love you along the way.

[Marsha Lynn]

Brad, this is grievous news. I am so sorry you are traveling this road. Even the simple words, "You have cancer" are a huge shock to the system, no matter what the final outcome may be.

Jesus said, "In this world you will have trouble." But he goes on to remind us that he has overcome the world. I trust that no matter what else comes out of this, there will be triumph in the midst of trouble -- for you and for the many who love you. I will pray that God will be glorified in your life, regardless of the outcome of all this. (I find it to be a more effective prayer on my part than prayers for healing, which I know others will cover.)

Marsha

[BobHunt]

Brad, sure sorry to hear this, we will be praying here!

[Mark Doble]

Brad, I too am in shock!

As Dennis mentioned above, I too will approach our loving God, to argue on your behalf... We shall see a miracle Brad. I am going to petition Him now.

[Terri Knoll]

On my knees before His Throne.

[Dave McClung]

I've been having stomach problems and antacids and so forth didn't seem to help. I went to the doctor a few days ago, he poked around on my belly and said my liver was enlarged. He immediately sent me for ultrasound, cat scan and blood work. I went back this evening for the follow-up to get his diagnosis.

He's just a general practitioner, rather than an oncologist, and he only spent about 30 seconds looking at the test results (he hadn't seen them until I got to his office. His diagnosis, however, was cancer of the bowel, spread to my liver. The prognosis he gave me when I asked for one was that it might take 3-5 years, but he thought the cancer would kill me.

My general lay impression has also been that liver cancer seems to be generally terminal, although not necessarily taking that long. My wife Karen looked online and found something that said that, although liver cancer is generally terminal, that's frequently because cirrhosis is also present. The oncologist might have a more optimistic prognosis. I'll certainly pursue every reasonable medical option.

In the meantime, I would appreciate your prayers. I believe in doctors and cures, but I also believe in miraculous healing. Of course, I also recognize with the three Hebrew children that I might not be delivered, but that God will still be God and love will still be enough.

We have a lot of things we'd like to see God do through us over the next 20 years. I'd really like to not be done, yet.

Love,
Brad

Brad
My heart is heavy, but we serve a great God. About a month ago another of my friends got exactly the same kind of prognosis. Some were already planning a funeral, but the church turned to prayer. Now, one month later, the tumor has been completely removed and the doctors report that they were able to completely remove it. His prognosis is good. Linda and I will pray that you get a similar result. God is certainly able.

Dave McClung

[Christine Josephson]

Praying for a miracle for you and your family.
Does Jesus care, oh yes He cares.

[Gord Evans]

... other than your own, in circumstances like this, my friend ...

BLAST!

Prayers and love, Brad ...

[Barbara Moulton]

My dear friend.

I am so sorry to read this news.

As much as you can know anyone on the Internet, I feel that I know you. You have revealed your heart so many times. So I know the strength of your faith in God.

I know God will be with you every step of the way. I will be praying for you and your family consistently in the days ahead.

Love,
Barbara

[Jim Franklin]

I will join the others in praying for our Father's healing touch.

Father, you know Brad far better than any of the rest of us but Your grace has given us a loving care for Brad and his family as he makes this journey. I pray that Your will be done and You allow him many years of ministry there and to the rest of us here in this gathering of Your people. He is such a blessing to us, we need him. Amen

[David van Beveren]

No, Brad. What a shocking message...
I feel connected to you because you and Roland have infected me with this vision of yours. It's central in our preaching, and the church board adopted it whole-heartedly. That's why you always will be connected with me.
You are in my prayers!

Connected in Christ

[Andrea Larabee]

Brad, I'm shocked!! My heart is broken. I've always enjoyed your posts. You are in my prayers! The Lord has everything we need. Praise God.

A fellow Texan,
Andrea

[Joel Merrill]

Wow, what a shock! I'm very sorry to hear that. I'll be praying too.

Joel

[Martijn van Beveren]

Hello Brad,

I'm very sad to hear that you have cancer. I hope that the 2nd opinion gives you a better look at the situation.
I hope and pray that you get well...

In Christ,
Martijn

[Faith Maddox]

Dear Brad,

Along with everyone else that has already posted, I am too in shock to hear this news. I will be praying for you and Karen and your family during this ordeal. I know it must be hard to be so far away from parents and other family members right now. I just talked to your mother-in-law, Helen. She is so good and strong in her trust in God for his faithfulness in good times and bad. She said had already began fasting.

Grace and Peace,
Faith

[Sue Pyles]

You are in my prayers Brad!

[Paul Whitaker]

Oh my!

Our prayers are with you and with your family!

There is much new technology out there in the area of cancer. Our daughter has been fighting cancer for the sixth year now and continues to be a conqueror. Much prayer and good medical advice have been the secret.

Jesus is still The Healer.

[John Kennedy]

Brad -

It seems almost trite to say that I will pray that you and yours will experience God's presence and peace and the rich outpouring of God's grace during this time - but I really can't think of anything that you need more.

[Nelson Bradford]

I am SO sorry to read this!
My/our prayers are with you, my forever friend!
Love
-neb
ps - Isn't God good?!

[Judy Hamilton]

Brad
You are in my prayers ..for a misdiagnosis
and if what the doctor stated is the bottom line,
I pray for courage and strength for you and your family
to meet each day and for God to intervene
in a miraculous manner

Judy

[Barb Bouldrey]

I am so sorry that you and your family must go through this.

Yes, I will pray.

Barb

[Randy Wise]

Brad, I am praying for you!
Randy

[Jon Twitchell]

Praying here in Maine...

[Ian Gentles]

ya got my prayer support and love

[Laurie Florence]

I am so sorry to hear this Brad. I will be praying for you.

Blessings,
Laurie

[Beth Larpenter-Shurbutt]

Brad,
I'm saddened by your news but I've got hope and faith that the Lord we serve knows each cell of your body. I'm praying that He'll reach down and completely heal you! Keep trusting Him!!!

Beth in Bama

[Marg Shurtliff]

No words to say other than I will join the company of God's people praying for you and your family at this time .

[Carsten Schermuly]

Dear Brad,

be wise, please, change your food manners.

In Berlin was a pastor, had me forbidden to say any word about healthy food inside my community. His wife was sick - but better nutrition and better food had helped her. Still they have thought, I as a 'tupid layman could never know the truth. The consequences I will not tell public - but - it is a serious story with a bad end.

You do remember - about one year ago or so you told me, you did not like my "Health Crusader" speeches.
Maybe I am layman - and maybe I am 'tupid.
I can live with.

Can you live with your situation?
Please inform yourself what sciences do say.

I love you.
I do pray.
You will overcome it! I am sure.
Put the right things in mouth to help the healing process, to get back a healthy DNS molecular structure.

Carsten

[Carsten Schermuly]

Just this morning, in our newspaper, it said that one out of three persons would get cancer, ...Dear Hans,

correct is - we all do have cancer inside - without any exception. It needs just bad influences to let it break out.

We all should protect ourself by better food - as a cheap, naturally and painless solution.

Be blessed!
Carsten

[Barbara Phillips]

Brad,

We are praying for you our Brother In Christ.

We do hope the Specialist provides you with better news.

Your Brother & Sister In Christ,

Ed & Barbara Phillips
Mid Atlantic District

[Wesley Smith]

Brad,

Prayers for you here in Longview, WA. Your name and request will be prayed for by our two prayer groups. Can't imagin what you must be feeling. All I can say is...fight it with all you've got. God is on your side. You are a winner either way, but my prayer is for you to stay those 20 and more years.

Friend,

Wes Smith

[Jerry O. Richards]

So sorry to read this news. I prayed for you as I read your post and will continue to pray for you and your family. God is still in the healing business. I am praying, along with a host of others, that God will heal you.

[Kim Hersey]

But my prayers right now are kinda loud and angry... "God, what ARE you thinking??" I'll get to that gentle, "Your will be done" but it will take a while :basic04 How about, "God, let the doctor be wrong"... is that better?

Grace, and PEACE,
Kim

[Brad Mercer]

You do remember - about one year ago or so you told me, you did not like my "Health Crusader" speeches.

Believe it or not, one of the first thoughts that occurred to me was that now you were going to get to say: "I told you so." :basic03

Yes, I'll try to eat healthy, but more than that, thank you for your expressions of love and for your prayers.

Love,
Brad

[Brad Mercer]

... other than your own, in circumstances like this, my friend ...

BLAST!

Prayers and love, Brad ...

Okay, the responses I wanted were the ones I've mostly gotten, of people that I know are being honest when they tell me they're weeping with me as I weep, telling me that my life really matters to them, but I have to tell you, old friend, yours is the only one that made me laugh out loud, and I needed that, too.

You are one of a very tiny number of NazNetters that I'm deeply sorry never to have met in person. I still hope to remedy that this side of glory.

Love,
Brad

[Lee Branum]

I'm sure sorry Brad about your report to us here on NazNet. We'll sure pray for you, and we'll trust God for His best for you. I sure hope the doctor made a mis-diagnosis! Do your best to fight on man! I'm hoping for better news as time goes on. LeeB

[Hans Deventer]

But my prayers right now are kinda loud and angry... "God, what ARE you thinking??" I'll get to that gentle, "Your will be done" but it will take a while :basic04 How about, "God, let the doctor be wrong"... is that better?

Kim, there are some examples in the Scriptures you could use in your prayers:

Exodus 32:9 "I have seen these people," the LORD said to Moses, "and they are a stiff-necked people. 10 Now leave me alone so that my anger may burn against them and that I may destroy them. Then I will make you into a great nation." 11 But Moses sought the favor of the LORD his God. "O LORD," he said, "why should your anger burn against your people, whom you brought out of Egypt with great power and a mighty hand? 12 Why should the Egyptians say, 'It was with evil intent that he brought them out, to kill them in the mountains and to wipe them off the face of the earth'? Turn from your fierce anger; relent and do not bring disaster on your people. 13 Remember your servants Abraham, Isaac and Israel, to whom you swore by your own self: 'I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and I will give your descendants all this land I promised them, and it will be their inheritance forever.' " 14 Then the LORD relented and did not bring on his people the disaster he had threatened.

2 Kings 20:1 In those days Hezekiah became ill and was at the point of death. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz went to him and said, "This is what the LORD says: Put your house in order, because you are going to die; you will not recover." 2 Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD, 3 "Remember, O LORD, how I have walked before you faithfully and with wholehearted devotion and have done what is good in your eyes." And Hezekiah wept bitterly. 4 Before Isaiah had left the middle court, the word of the LORD came to him: 5 "Go back and tell Hezekiah, the leader of my people, 'This is what the LORD, the God of your father David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will heal you. On the third day from now you will go up to the temple of the LORD. 6 I will add fifteen years to your life. And I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria. I will defend this city for my sake and for the sake of my servant David.' "

It seems the Lord will accept our pleading. Now He is God, let there be no doubt about that. But the Bible tells us He actually does change His mind at times when we pray.

[Dana Grant]

Brad....

I've been reading these posts all day and night, over and over.

I guess I'm stunned.

I'm praying for your strength in the days ahead. You're probably going to be on information overload, that's for sure!

Has anyone mentioned biopsies? I'm hoping that doctor was way ahead of himself giving you that diagnosis without first doing biopsies......

Praying.

Praying.

[Gord Evans]

I still hope to remedy that this side of glory.


And THAT, would be just short of glorious! It's also my hope.

Man!

Can't keep hold on the tears on this one.

[David Pettigrew]

Fairly new to naznet and don't know you at all, but you will be on my prayer list for sure.

dp

[Grandma Carolyn]

Brad this is shocking news that is sending us NazNetters all on another path in our journey together. I read through three pages of replies from your family here and I'm very thankful that I have the privilege of being a part of this family.

I won't be one bit surprised to see what our Lord does in response to the prayers of those who love you and ask Jesus to let you our brother stay here in this life with us a while longer. One of the songs that we will be singing in our choir special for Easter is that "Jesus Is Ever Interceeding".

As I pray for you I am going to include that song in my prayers, it lets me know that we are not praying to our Father alone.

Brad you have shared so many answers to prayer of your mother when she fasted and prayed. I'm trusting her example here to hold on to prayer for you.

I'm so sorry you are having to go down this path. You won't be alone in your journey. We are with you in spirit and in prayer.

My prayer, too, is for Karen and your children that our Father will give strength for this valley.

You have been such a shining example for me, Brad, and it is not time for your light to go out. That's what I'll be telling Jesus, too.

gc

[Mike Schutz]

Brad,

Please pardon this newcomer interrupting such an outpouring of love from so many folks who obviously care about you. In a few months I have learned to appreciate your insight.

Sorry that this has become part of your journey.

We will be praying without ceasing for healing, hope, strength, courage, and victory.

God loves you.

Grace and peace

[Barbara Philipp]

Mr. Mercer: May God be with you in the weeks ahead as you make decisions. I am praying.

I will lift mine eyes to the hills...praying

[Jenny Mitchell]

Dear Brad,

To quote a professor-friend who called me 1 1/2 years ago after I received a diagnosis of advanced breast cancer,

"This stinks!"

And it does. I am so sorry, and I know your head is probably spinning. Please know that you and your family are in my heart and prayers. Cancer is never good news, and advanced cancer even less so. It is a very scary diagnosis to receive, and the treatments available are scary, too.

I'm now 19 months past receiving a diagnosis of advanced (metastatic) breast cancer. The statistics available are old, but gave an average life expectancy of 18-24 months, although about 23% make it five years or longer. Remember that statistics are just that - statistics. They are not normative for you or anyone else. Your life is in God's hands, and many, many are praying for you.

If the oncologist recommends chemo or radiation or surgery, know this - it won't be fun, but it is do-able. If I can offer a few words of advice - take it one day at a time, celebrate all victories, both large and small, and let others know what you and your family need. Now it is time for others to show their love for you - bless them by allowing them to help. If you ever want to vent or chat, don't hesitate to e-mail me.

May God grant you health and healing and peace,
Jenny

[Brad Mercer]

I've got to quit reading these things at work. They keep bringing me to tears. Thank you, Jenny. That was a perfect message. A lot of these responses have been. One reply makes me laugh. Others give practical advice or empathy about what I'm going through. Others just tell me as I suddenly look back across my life that I have not entirely squandered the years I've been given so far - that my life has made a difference, and I really, really needed to know that.

I have a consultation with a bowel surgeon Friday morning, Australia time. I may have more information to post after that.

Thank you all for your expressions of love this week.

Love,
Brad

Dear Brad,

To quote a professor-friend who called me 1 1/2 years ago after I received a diagnosis of advanced breast cancer,

"This stinks!"

And it does. I am so sorry, and I know your head is probably spinning. Please know that you and your family are in my heart and prayers. Cancer is never good news, and advanced cancer even less so. It is a very scary diagnosis to receive, and the treatments available are scary, too.

I'm now 19 months past receiving a diagnosis of advanced (metastatic) breast cancer. The statistics available are old, but gave an average life expectancy of 18-24 months, although about 23% make it five years or longer. Remember that statistics are just that - statistics. They are not normative for you or anyone else. Your life is in God's hands, and many, many are praying for you.

If the oncologist recommends chemo or radiation or surgery, know this - it won't be fun, but it is do-able. If I can offer a few words of advice - take it one day at a time, celebrate all victories, both large and small, and let others know what you and your family need. Now it is time for others to show their love for you - bless them by allowing them to help. If you ever want to vent or chat, don't hesitate to e-mail me.

May God grant you health and healing and peace,
Jenny

[Doug Kitchen]

Brad,

We are praying here for you and your family.

Doug Kitchen

[Bob Evans]

Brad

Sorry to hear of your diagnosis and we will be praying. I am a cancer survivor
so I understand the experience first hand. Keep us updated so that we can walk through the experience with you in prayer.

Bob

[Kevin Rector]

Brad,

I don't really know you, and you don't really know me. I've lurked on and off for a few years and have only really been posting much in the last month or so.

But I have to say that I've really been overwhelmed by the grace, dignity, and wisdom in almost every post I've read of yours. So many times I've read what you've written and said to myself, "yep!"

This latest one just made me sad.

I will be praying for you and I will be praying for your loved ones as well.

God is good.

[Hans Deventer]

Brad,

Today, in the magazine of the Evangelical Broadcasting Company, I read the following column by its chairman, Rev. Arie van der Veer. I could not help but think of you. It encouraged me to keep praying.

Give Him no rest

It sounds disrespectful, but it is really in the Bible. Isaiah says it (62:6-7): "You who call on the LORD, give yourselves no rest, and give Him no rest."
It is almost too bold, but once Abraham did it. When he heard from God that He wanted to destroy Sodom, he put himself in God's way. "He remained standing before the face of the Lord", it says literally. Abraham pleaded for this godless city and started with the possibility of 50 righteous ones..... And if they weren't there? Well, then perhaps there were 40.... OK, say 30... And what about 20??? Abraham gave God no rest.

Jesus told the parable of the widow who was treated wrongly by a judge. She didn't accept that however and kept knocking on his door: "Give me justice..." And after long and repeated asking, the judge gave in. Jesus compared this widow with God's elect, that call to Him day and night. They give God no rest.

Isaiah is addressing the exiles here. As "watchmen on the walls of Jerusalem" they first of all should give themselves no rest. They have to remain watchful. "Give yourself no rest". But also, "give Him no rest". Keep pleading with Him, until He will rebuild the destroyed city of Jerusalem. For He had promised so!

"You who call on the LORD, give yourselves no rest, and give Him no rest." In another translation is says, "reminding God to remember." The prophet calls on Israel to remind God of what He had promised. And not just one time, but time and time again. Until all of His promises have been fulfilled.

Praying is also: never giving God rest. For a promise is a promise.

Prayer: Lord, there are so many promises that You have not yet fulfilled. We won't let you go unless you bless us. Amen.

Below a picture of the author. He's a good man, a man of faith.

[Paul Whitaker]

Jesus still answers prayer. We have seen a young lady at death's door five different times and each time when we went back the next morning - she had rebounded. The doctors and nurses all say "It was a miracle!" She is now in Baghdad. You can also have a miracle if we and others hold you up in prayer - in faith believing.

Our daughter continues to fight cancer. It was in her breast, around the breast, thyroid gland, brain (4 tumors) and now there are two tumors in the chest between the sternum and the esophagus. The miracle is that she is free of all of the tumors except the last ones in the chest. Those will be gone before chemo is finished.

God has given us so many promises and all of his promises are still true. "We've trusted and tested and tried them and we know God's promise is true!"

Gather a support group around you. It will strengthen you and also them.

Blessings

[Sara Sheppard]

In another thread, Brad mentioned that he has an appointment with a surgeon Friday morning (Australia time). Hopefully, Brad is currently resting but in a few hours, it will be Friday morning in Australia. Let's remember Brad and his family over the next few hours.

Sara

[Garth Lahana]

You are in our prayers Brad, you and your family! I wish I had something profound to say... This touches us all deeply Brad, you are very much loved here.

God bless you in this difficult time.

[Rosalie Ross]

Brad, Our hearts go out to you. God Will see you through. He really does care. Both John and I send prayers and petitioning your way. .We are praying for Gods healing touch. Rosalie

[Belinda Y. Edwards]

i'm sticking this one until Friday evening.

Thanks Sara for posting this.

[Joanne Vergin]

Does anyone know the time difference from there to NY, Chi, Den. LA etc?
I also thought maybe we could have a 24 prayer vigil set up soon? We could take 1/2 hour slots
on Brad's behalf? Does anyone know the best way to go about this?

[Marsha Lynn]

Does anyone know the time difference from there to NY, Chi, Den. LA etc?

Here's a site that will tell you. http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/ Brisbane is 15 hours ahead of EST, 16 ahead of CST, etc. If you take your current time and add 3 or 4 or whatever hours more than 12 plus half a day, you'll get there. Thus, when my alarm goes off at 5:30 a.m. CST, it's 9:30 P.M. in Brisbane - 4 hours plus a.m. going to p.m. = 16 hour difference.

The first time I saw Roland post a report about his Sunday morning service on Saturday evening was when it struck me that we're sometimes not even doing the same day. (Either that or he was missing his call as a psychic.) A 10:30 am Sunday service in Brisbane gets underway before Americans even get started on their weekly Saturday evening baths. (Oops. There's a different kind of time warp behind that scene. Maybe it should be their Saturday evening Sunday School lesson review.)

The Europeans aren't quite so drastic. It looks like London is six hours ahead of Chicago and Amsterdam is one hour more. They don't head off to Sunday morning services until Americans have at least made it to Sunday morning.

Marsha

[Marg Shurtliff]

The Philippines is exactly 12 hours different from here - EST .We have a nazarene friend from there who visits Otttawa a few times every year . He shared with my Junior Missionary children once and that is one thing I really remember . I would imagine that Australia is in the same time zone or very close .

[Brad Mercer]

I haven't felt like writing today, so I'm going to take a short cut and copy and past what Karen wrote to my sister Janet after this morning's trip to the doctor. Thank you all for loving and praying for me. Emmy Hearn has me on a special diet of basically whole grains and fresh fruits and vegetables. My friend and employer Kev Crowther is footing the bill for me to visit a naturopath that he believes extened his father's life when he had cancer, and my cousin Kenneth is shipping me four cases of water that he's sure have healing powers due to a special process it goes through.

We hope to get in for surgery within the next couple of weeks, and have the oncologist give us an updated prognosis and begin chemo after that. Pretty nearly everyone with a job in our 2-family household has had to take at least one day off work or leave early because they're as scatter-brained and bummed out as I am right now.

Anyway, here's Karen's synopsis. (Parkland is the county hospital in Dallas.)

***************
what happened at the doc
NOTHING! The dumb doctor was out today. Apparently he misunderstood the gp and had his office schedule the appt for next friday.
I phoned the gp to make sure it would be alright to wait another week before the consultation and what we should expect in that visit.
The gp (Dr Dutney) said that Dr Stevenson (surgeon) would examine Brad and examine the test results and decide on that basis if Brad would need
a colonoscopy or just go straight to surgery. Dr Dutney has sent paperwork to Royal Brisbane hospital ~ the public, government funded hospital (similar to Parkland) to get things moving there just in case Dr Stevenson can't convince the insurance company to cover the surgery at the private hospital. Either way, there are powers in place who are working separate from Brad and me to get this thing through quickly.
Dr Dutney said that we should have paperwork from a surgeon at the public hospital telling us when we might expect to go to hospital sometime next week.

I needed to write all this down so I wouldn't forget any of it or get it all confused. My mind is kinda muddled this week and I'm not functioning at my best. :-)
I've remembered how good it is for me to write lists and write details down immediately.

Ok, time for me to go for a walk and get some exercise. Brad's in bed listening to gospel music (NOT his crying songs!!) ;-)
We deal with our anxieties in such different ways!

[Brad Mercer]

Brisbane doesn't have daylight savings time so part of the year I just subtract 4 hours and change AM to PM or vice versa. The other part of the year I subtract 3 hours. I've also got a little plug-in or add-on for Firefox that tells me that right now it's 7:51pm Friday in Brisbane, 3:51am Friday in Dallas and 10:51am Friday in Amsterdam.

Here's a site that will tell you. http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/ Brisbane is 15 hours ahead of EST, 16 ahead of CST, etc. If you take your current time and add 3 or 4 or whatever hours more than 12 plus half a day, you'll get there. Thus, when my alarm goes off at 5:30 a.m. CST, it's 9:30 P.M. in Brisbane - 4 hours plus a.m. going to p.m. = 16 hour difference.

The first time I saw Roland post a report about his Sunday morning service on Saturday evening was when it struck me that we're sometimes not even doing the same day. (Either that or he was missing his call as a psychic.) A 10:30 am Sunday service in Brisbane gets underway before Americans even get started on their weekly Saturday evening baths. (Oops. There's a different kind of time warp behind that scene. Maybe it should be their Saturday evening Sunday School lesson review.)

The Europeans aren't quite so drastic. It looks like London is six hours ahead of Chicago and Amsterdam is one hour more. They don't head off to Sunday morning services until Americans have at least made it to Sunday morning.

Marsha

[Paul Whitaker]

Brad, I awoke some minutes ago thinking of you. I am praying that you will have the Peace that only Jesus can give today.

I am sorry to hear that the specialist messed up the schedule. That can be a real bummer.

Words don't help much during times like these but we want you to know you are in our prayers this morning.

You have not heard the last from us as related to our genuine interest in your well-being.

Note from you bio that you were in Houston for a time. Did you know Jim Stocks?

Love and hugs this morning.

[Brad Mercer]

Note from you bio that you were in Houston for a time. Did you know Jim Stocks?

Love and hugs this morning.


Thank you for the love and hugs. I've decided that hugs have healing power and I'm going to start asking for them around here. ;-)

Jim Stocks was an associate pastor when Jess Middendorf was our pastor at the Richardson Church of the Nazarene. After Jess left he moved to Houston and started the Lake Houston Church of the Nazarene where my wife's parents attended. He's a really good guy.

Brad

[Paul Whitaker]

We were in Swaziland when Jim and Judi came for their term of service. They became special friends from that time. Jim went to teach high school Biology. We both know that the Lord had different plans for Jimmy. Isn't God good?!

We inherited their dog, Ditto, when they returned to the US. He was a daschound. He was actually Judi's dog - if you can imagine. He remained with us until we returned. We had him for 12 years.

Brad, hang in there!.

[Hans Deventer]

I haven't felt like writing today, so I'm going to take a short cut and copy and past what Karen wrote to my sister Janet after this morning's trip to the doctor. Thank you all for loving and praying for me.

Brad, the prayers continue. Even if at one point, you cannot pray, we will.

[Judy Hamilton]

Brad
Know that over one thousand Believers have looked in on your thread
and of these over a thousand are lifting you up to the mercies of Almighty God....The Prayers of the saints are creating a stir in the heavenlies..

Judy

[Brad Mercer]

I think I'm working through the five stages of grief backwards. I think they're supposed to be denial, bargaining, anger, depression and acceptance. I think I started with acceptance and moved to depression. It's just so hard to focus mentally. It's hard to do my job, hard to pray, hard to eat, hard to exercise -- easy to sleep. Everybody around me is furiously working, marshalling resources, mapping out strategies and I'm just doing what I'm told.

I need to get past this stage and get more focused and more proactively engaged.

In the meantime, I recall the four friends who let the cripple down through the roof to Jesus, who forgave and healed him when he saw "their" faith. God can heal me and meet my every need when all I have are the prayers of my friends and my own "groanings that cannot be uttered."

Thank you all for standing in the gap.

Brad

Brad, the prayers continue. Even if at one point, you cannot pray, we will.

[Hans Deventer]

In the meantime, I recall the four friends who let the cripple down through the roof to Jesus, who forgave and healed him when he saw "their" faith. God can heal me and meet my every need when all I have are the prayers of my friends and my own "groanings that cannot be uttered."

Thank you all for standing in the gap.

This is the very text Dr. Cunningham preached on tonight at our District Assembly. Michel Meeuws closed tonight's session in prayer and prayed for you specifically. David shared in his pastor's report how your sickness had touched him, but also how his church has been affected by the vision of Roland and you.

We'll keep standing there.

[Paul Whitaker]

Thank you for the love and hugs. I've decided that hugs have healing power and I'm going to start asking for them around here. ;-)

Brad

Brad, grasp your right shoulder with your left hand. Grasp your left shoulder with your right hand. Now squeeze!! You've been hugged.

Our daughter is in her sixth year of fighting her cancers. It is the hugs, prayers, concerns, scriptures which others share with her that keep her going. She is presently fighting two new tumors. Jesus is still at work in Australia and in Ohio! Aren't we glad!!

[Sara Sheppard]

Brad,

I actually think its 'normal' to sometimes move backwards. I remember when the doc told me I had cancer....I was stunned and then almost immediatly was like "Ok, I have cancer". Very odd. Then a few days later, it hit me and I was sad and had lots of self pity. I really could not pray.

I remember distinctly the one prayer I could pray was asking God not to leave me. I have no clue why I needed to pray that prayer because He has already promised that He won't leave me....I guess I felt the need to remind him. ;) It was the prayers and ministry of others to me that really held me up. So, its ok, go ahead spend a few days in bed sleeping - you will need it. Then get ready to go to battle. You will be in a battle of sorts.

Remember too that those around you who love you more than you will ever know will pass through these same exact stages but probably not at the same time you are (example - your wife may be depressed a month from now when you are in denial.)...kinda of fun and tricky trying to let each other move through the stages at our own pace.

My mom stayed in a state of denial the entire time I was sick. She was either in denial or the greatest actress of optimism I have ever seen. ha

We love you Brad and we pray for you.

Sara

[Wilson L. Deaton]

I think I'm working through the five stages of grief backwards. I think they're supposed to be denial, bargaining, anger, depression and acceptance.

Brad,

I have a confession. I've jumped straight to anger.

You are the one actually facing this and I should be taking my cues from you. I mean, if you are not angry I shouldn't be either. But honestly, I can only say that I'm not very happy with God right now! Theologically, I could write a good essay for a test question about bad things happening to good people. But sometimes, when it actually happens, my theology loses out to my emotions. I find myself saying, "Yeah, but, this time it should have been different. Brad is a special case...."

So feel free to skip anger, I've got that one covered. :mad:

My Bible study group prayed for you last night.

Wilson

[Bob Evans]

Brad

I to felt like I was doing things in backwards when I had cancer. I was in optimistic denial to begin with. My cancer was not fully diagnosed until I had exploritory surgery and thats when my denial became depression.

Everyone reacts differently and you don't really know your there in the situation. One thing for sure is that there is a huge array of emotions that change constantly depending on situation.

I know when the reality of my situation hit I didn't sleep for three days because I was afraid that if I did I wouldn't wake up. Finally, really out of desperation I was able to fully yeild my situation to God and from that point on that was my solid ground. Zechariah 4:6 became my promise to claim and I stood on that verse through the entire experiece.

I also found it helpful to become an expert on my disease. If cancer was attacking my body I wanted to know all I could about the enemy.

I will continue to pray. And if seems like your going backwards or sideways it is all part of the process of coping with the disease.

Bob

[Dennis M. Scott]

Brad,

Strange as it may seem, I want to be with you. I want to sit with you, and cry with you. I want you to be able to sleep while I keep watch for you. And the really strangest part is - I've never even met you, at least face to face. In just a few years on the internet, you have significantly contributed to who I am. That may not be especially encouraging to you, and I don't think many will hold you responsible for my behavior, but I am grateful. I don't want you to die, because even though we would be able to meet in heaven, I had kinda been looking forward to meeting you here. Maybe that's still not too distant a possibility. I'd prefer you to live quite awhile longer. Admittedly, that is selfish on my part. So get well. I have been these last few days telling the Lord how I feel, too.

In the course of a person's life, even though we meet a lot of neat people, there really aren't too many about whom we say, "I want to be like that person." You, however, are one of those. I don't mean I want to be your height and weight, hair color, or even have your personality - as pleasant as those things might be. I mean that I want to be your kind of clear vessel through which the Lord may be seen, even as He is through you. My opinion is that the world needs more like you, not fewer. You are proof that a person can be in love with the Master so much that He takes over and lives in context of an approachable human being. I know you're not perfect, and that these are very difficult times for you. But in the middle of your pain and struggle, we can see Jesus. We know that you want Him to shine even during these times.

Many of us are in denial. I, for one, and pretty certain the doctors got your file mixed up with someone elses, or that this is just one of those silly tricks someone is playing - perhaps even you - to make us pray more. It is working.

My brother, my friend, I love you. Somehow, let some of us carry you now. It's the very kind of thing you would do. We learned it from you.

Blessings,

Dennis

[Joanne Vergin]

Brad,
I have read nearly every post. It is all so encouraging. I wanted to say something but didn't know what.
I looked at the verse I am using for my signature, Phillipians 1:6.
God started a good work in you. He is not done with you.
Bless your heart Brad.

[Brad Mercer]

Sometime today I'll put the bulk of this update and my previous one in my blog, but for right now, this is the latest. My friend and employer Kevin Crowther lost his father to cancer a few months ago after a long battle. He's convinced the diet and dietary supplements of a naturapath kept his father alive for years, until his father went off them, so he paid for me to see the naturapath yesterday (Saturday).

I've never been a big believer in such things myself, but I figured I'm like the old reprobate who was on his death bed. The preacher comes to his bedside and says to him: "Renounce the devil." The old man shakes his head no. The preacher puts his hand on the old reprobate's head and urges more loudly: "Renounce the devil!" The old man says weakly: "Preacher, I'm just in no condition to antagonize anybody."

So I'm saying yes to any advice that isn't mutually exclusive with the advice of medical doctors.

The naturapath is a Christian and after he spent a long time explaining what his recommended approach does and why it works, he said that three mental attitudes are also key elements in recovery: prayer, gratitude and laughter.

So since that visit, even though I'm not having a physical symptom-free day (and symptoms seem a lot more serious now that I know they're cancer and not just indigestion or acid reflux or irritable bowel syndrome), still I feel a lot better mentally just because I've added gratitude and laughter to prayer on my list of acceptable things for my mind to wander around in. And it feels better, between the further details we got from Dr. Dutney on Friday and the recommendation that we're already implementing from the naturapath, to actually have a plan, a strategy, to understand what the next steps are, and to doing something proactively instead of just laying around being a victim.

Money is still a pretty scary thought. I don't see any way to get and do all the needed things without significant unexpected money, but we're aren't quite to that day yet. Otherwise, things are as good as can be expected until I've had surgery and then seen the oncologist after he has the surgery results. That's when it looks like I have the next chance of an upgrade or downgrade in my prognosis.

Thank you for loving me and praying for me.

Love,
Brad

[Brad Mercer]

In just a few years on the internet, you have significantly contributed to who I am. That may not be especially encouraging to you, and I don't think many will hold you responsible for my behavior, but I am grateful.

You can't imagine how comforting it is. This note and others like it have been fantastically uplifting to me. They speak to a deep fear that my tombstone would someday say: "He had a lot of potential". To know that I'm loved and valued and that God is using me, all deeply imperfect though I am, is oddly the one thing I've most desperately wanted to hear this past week. And to hear it said by so many good, admirable, lovable people is just astonishing and overwhelming.

God is good, all the time.

Love,
Brad

[Jean Johnson]

Brad,

I am a 63-year-old single woman born and raised in the Nazarene church who currently resides in Glendora, California. I am one of the many lurkers on Naznet who rarely posts. I stumbled on to Naznet when I was out in Korea teaching English at the Nazarene University and have so enjoyed reading many of the exchanges.

Your posts have been especially helpful to me. In fact, I copied the portions of the book you and Roland co-wrote and posted on the web. I have been deeply influenced by your thoughts on the topic of God's love superseding all else. It seems that I did not grasp this early in my Christian walk but am so thankful for individuals like you and Roland who are seeking to communicate this reality as being the essence of a life of holiness.

Today I was taking a walk around my apartment complex. During this time I was praying for you, Brad. Yes, I hope you realize that there are probably many others who don't regularly post but whose lives have been deeply impacted by yours. My thoughts and prayers go with you and your family in these uncertain days. You are much loved.

Jean

[Joanne Vergin]

Brad,
I hope to see you often in the good clean fun forum. I usually start my time there. A cheerful heart is good medicine.....

[Brad Mercer]

Yes, I hope you realize that there are probably many others who don't regularly post but whose lives have been deeply impacted by yours. My thoughts and prayers go with you and your family in these uncertain days. You are much loved.

Thank you so much. The naturapath we visited yesterday said the three mental states to cultivate during this time as an aid to my healing are prayer, gratitude and laughter. Your post brings me to tears, but they're tears of gratitude, so I think that's okay.

Times like this really cause me to chafe at the limitations of online relationship. Cold black text on a screen saying "thank you so much" just communicates so much less than saying it in person with tears in my eyes and following it with a big bear hug. But, limited though it is, gracious it's wonderful to have such an avenue for hearing that what sounds like the whole world really wants me to live and is praying for me.

For a poor little kid from Arkansas who in my best years only managed to claw my way to the middle, who never got within shouting distance of the top of any ladder anywhere, it's just a miraculous gift of God, all by itself.

If I can have all this and the healing, too, so I have all these responses as a resource for joy and encouragement during difficult moments in the many years ahead as we strive to be an effective part of all we believe God is ready to do in the life of the church, and through the church, in the world at large, that would surely be close enough to heaven for me for a long time yet.

Love,
Brad

[Steve Reece]

I am saddened to read this. I have prayed and will continue to pray for you.

[Paul Whitaker]

This list is taken from a list we use to pray for our daughter daily. It might be good if we could pray through this list daily for Brad.

Prayer List for Brad
Our Father we ask that You would:
1. Remove the cancer completely from Brad and restore all the things that have been stolen from him
2. Restore all damaged tissue to perfect health
3. Give Brad and his entire family peace
4. Bring Brad's body completely in-line with Your Word
5. Strengthen and protect Brad, Karen, Wesley, Charlotte and Jake's faith and help them discern curses and lies which are spoken over them and to overcome them through the Blood of Jesus. Also, raise up and motivate many faithful from the Body to be a Circle of Faith and support to Brad and Karen.
6. Ensure that Brad and Karen will be encouraged by, and would come to know, all who are praying for them. We ask that all who pray would be in awe of what You do in response to our prayers.
7. Prevent Brad from experiencing any undue suffering from this disease. [Luke 10:19]
8. Open the eyes of all who are praying that they would come to see this disease as an opportunity for You to show Your great love for us.
9. Protect Wesley, Charlotte and Jake and provide for them the knowledge, truth and love that will overcome all their fears.
10. Have the Holy Spirit provide a covering, saturation and awareness of protection, promise, peace and patience for Wesley, Charlotte and Jake throughout this entire experience.
11. Provide Your wisdom for Brad and Karen in making all decisions regarding this experience.
12. Make any and all pain a servant to Christ’s authority and not a master over Brad.
13. Provide an encompassing group of ministering angels over Brad, Karen, Wesley, Charlotte and Jake
14. Empower Brad's parents with a strength of God that they have never experienced before.
15. Cast out all fear, doubt and any other contrary spirit from Brad and Karen and the Body who prays, so that Your truth will reign in all.
16. As Brad is undergoing chemotherapy treatments that you would reveal Yourself to him each day that he undergoes a treatment in such a way that it will strengthen him and overcome any dread that he may have about the treatment.
17. Minimize the side effects of the chemotherapy treatment upon Brad's body
18. Move upon Brad's doctor so that he would experience You in such a way that he would know Your truth. Also that he would know that You have heard us and take care of Your Children, and that You do perform miracles today. We pray that Brad's doctor would be utterly changed by the witness of the Holy Spirit upon his life.
19. Deliver Brad from the headaches he has been having and we pray that You would also any other pains he might be experiencing.
20. Provide Brad with an “all clear” report and also prepare for him a wall of protection that will surround him and keep her from having any cancer for the rest of his life.

[Paul Whitaker]

Jesus, let it be so.

[Carsten Schermuly]

Amen!

[Hans Deventer]

You can't imagine how comforting it is. This note and others like it have been fantastically uplifting to me. They speak to a deep fear that my tombstone would someday say: "He had a lot of potential". To know that I'm loved and valued and that God is using me, all deeply imperfect though I am, is oddly the one thing I've most desperately wanted to hear this past week. And to hear it said by so many good, admirable, lovable people is just astonishing and overwhelming.

God is good, all the time.

Brad, I think only God knows what your influence so far has been. Of course you know about Frisco, you know about some people who told you. But I am absolutely certain, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that this influence is way larger than you can imagine even in your most optimistic moments. There are at least two churches on our district that are profoundly influenced by what Roland and you have shared. That I know. But there are many, many, who like Jean just lurk and rarely or never post but who have been touched and come to realize that this is really what God is like, that the gospel is GOOD news indeed, in fact, far better than we ever dreamed it would be! People, who "dare to hope one more time".

This "poor little kid from Arkansas" has been a great blessing to the church, and even more to those outside, this kid has shown what God can do, even with "poor little kids". "Therefore God is not ashamed to be called your God". My goal is one day to become like you, as you follow Christ.

And trust me, these are not words I use lightly. I'm not a guy that easily says "I love you". But I love you.

[Brad Mercer]

you can fasten healing processes by natural food. Consequently done, it needs a few months,
but in end your health will be amazing strong - and no infection ever could take effect.

The naturapath kept telling me I'd be really tired of the especially restrictive diet by the end of the 52 days before he moves me to a slightly less restrictive one. But I have the advantage that I like basically everything, including all the healthy foods, so I don't think that's going to be my challenge. The real challenge is the supplements. There are vitamins, minerals, good fats, I have no idea what all I'm taking but it's got to be 15-20 things and some of them are especially nasty tasting. They're all natural and organic and designed in specific ways to fight the cancer, but between them, the requirement to take a fairly long walk after every meal, and to actually eat three meals a day, it's starting to make the recovery process feel like a full time job, which is a problem because the boss needs me and I need the income, so I've got to work all the recovery demands around my income-producing job.

Anyway, it doesn't seem impossible, and the intended result is definitely worth it.

Love,
Brad

[Joanne Vergin]

For I, The LORD your God, will hold your right hand, saying to you, "Fear not, I will help you."
Isaiah 41:13 NKJV
I wil lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety. Psalm 4:8 NIV
The first one is for Brad the second one is for everyone taking care of you. They need to rest!

[Gina Stevenson]

... for EMMY and the others who are doing something I was wondering how to approach [hence, my not writing a thing yet, only praying and thanking others for their words]. Recalling your diet ... and your "dis'ing" my veggie juice [which I then teased you about ;)], etc ... I wasn't sure how you'd take it if we said something ergo[/I] cancer-fighting diet].

Brad, I'm so glad you were amenable to letting those who love & care for you suggest one of the best ways to help yourself, while also availing yourself of the medical help: building up the immune system ... giving the body good stuff ... after all, what goes into it is all it has to work with to keep our body in good shape ... all it has to rebuild cells to keep us going, as older ones die off.

Thank God! Good work, Emmy! :fav18

Anyway, 'have learned so much before they found Danny's rather late for him [tho' I still wonder if we'd known all them that we'd learned since, if it would've made a HUGE difference, and he'd still be with us! [Actually, it was awhile after he was found to have cancer, had had surgery, that we heard something about juicing ... someone had been to doctor after doctor, sent home to die, etc ... and juiced back to health, and we were hearing them 11-12 years later. We found a juicer, I started making juice, but he didn't seem to like it. I found myself begging him to not die for his taste buds' sake ... so, it may have worked, may not have. THEN, too, it was so new to us, and it had us in such an emotional state, that I/we didn't have the sense about us to figure he might have been able to stand it if the taste of what he needed were covered with other veggies, such as tomatoes, so it would be somewhat like homemade V-8, maybe??? Maybe if we'd had the i'net we'd have found more ... or more juice options ... his appetite wasn't great, anyway].

THEN, too, I've tho't, "Did some other people know more ... had they heard more than we/I had, having no i'net, not having watched TV much so that if the cancer centers we now keep hearing of (where diet is definitely taken into account, too, along w/medical) were told about even back then (nearly ten years ago) ... or not ... did anyone know more, and yet was 'AFRAID' to mention it, not wanting to 'interfere,' when at a time like that, it's NEEDED?" 'Guess bottom-line to this here paragraph is that I feel that if anyone does know something that might help someone, they really do need to speak up, rather than "worry" about saying too much ... it might mean someone's life ... or not .................. the "why," I guess, of waiting to speak up ... trying to figure out the "how," knowing I could not sit by and just say "nothing." SO, anyway, for anyone else, if there's any situation where your words might make a difference in someone's outcome, don't be afraid --- even of their possible rejection --- to speak them.

But, I can't hang onto all that now, tho' sometimes it's still hard not to .... just have to remember to speak up sometimes ... or reminds others to not be afraid to do so, as well.

Anyway, 'good to hear that someone else to whom you'd possibly better listen than myself is "on your case." ;)

Praying here, Bro. [B]{{{ hugs }}} to all

PS * oh yeah ... about that water someone's sending ... it can function differently if "ionized" (I think it is) ... but definitely you want to drink clean (filtered) water when you don't have that other around. Our bodies have enough sludge in them without having to deal with yet more ... sediment that is in much unfiltered water. Coming from some "municipal water system" doesn't necessarily mean "clean." The tap water here often just gags me ... couldn't drink it ... sometimes smells like a swimming pool when turned on, even. gs



I haven't felt like writing today, so I'm going to take a short cut and copy and past what Karen wrote to my sister Janet after this morning's trip to the doctor. Thank you all for loving and praying for me. Emmy Hearn has me on a special diet of basically whole grains and fresh fruits and vegetables. My friend and employer Kev Crowther is footing the bill for me to visit a naturopath that he believes extened his father's life when he had cancer, and my cousin Kenneth is shipping me four cases of water that he's sure have healing powers due to a special process it goes through.

[David Cash]

Brad,

I haven't been on NazNet much for a week or two. Getting on this afternoon and reading your post wasn't what I wanted or expected. Add another person to those praying for you.

David Cash

[Alisa Stoll]

Sometimes it's hard to see Romans 8:28 in these situations. But if you tried to make a cookie with only the good tasting ingredients - the cookie wouldn't be a cookie - it's only when you add the soda, the flour, the raw eggs, etc. that you end up with a great result.

Regardless of the ultimate result - cure or death, God will use this and will be glorified in your life. Of course we are all praying for the former.

Alisa

[Peter Teolis]

Phillipians 1:6.
God started a good work in you. He is not done with you.

I like this scripture.

I was talking with people yesterday about you. I did say that there is going to be good come from this. I do believe it. God is not done with you and all those who know you from either personally getting to know you or Naznet friends or lurkers, will find out when you do.

I am praying that it is a miraculous healing of the cancer. Prayer is how we will battle this with you. Gord Evans brought this to our church for prayer yesterday. We prayed as a church for your healing and our youth, in our Power Hour (Sunday School) prayed for you as well.

God be with you. Bless you and your ministry work. Be healed by the hand of the almightly Father, I pray. I will continue to pray for you.

:fav11

[Benjamin Bristow]

Know that you are loved and are in my prayers. You are a friend.

[Thomas Weyandt]

I'm putting you on my prayer list also.

[Joanne Vergin]

III John 2
Beloved I pray that Brad may prosper in every way and [that Brad’s body] may keep well, even as [I know] Brad’s soul keeps well and prospers.
(Amplified)

[Carsten Schermuly]

MT 10, v. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.


Dear Brad,

you are not an anonymous bird, right?
Your name is well known.

Hearty greetings!

[Sara Sheppard]

Still praying Brad, still praying.

I know all to well that this "wait and see" period is agony at times. I pray that you have peace, healing, rest, and strength for each day.....but above all peace!

Sara

[Brad Mercer]

Well, we got some movement this morning with the visit to the surgeon (and oncologist). The good news is that treatment is proceeding and the bowel doesn't look as bad as at first thought. The bad news is that everyone agrees that the liver is very bad. I'll be in a position to get a more accurate long-term prognosis from the oncologist at this coming Wednesday afternoon appointment with him.

I may or may not still be dying but I feel good. I'm currently like the incurable optimist who feel from the roof of a skyscraper. As he passed each floor on the way down in his plummet, he'd call out to the people on that floor: "Well, so far, so good!"

Love,
Brad

P.S. For more detailed info, see my blog at:
http://bradsbigbadbrisbaneblog.blogspot.com/

[Pete Vecchi]

Brad, with the e-mail notification on, I receive an e-mail when people reply to your original post. Although I might not go to the NazNet forum and post anything, I'm using the e-mail notification as a reminder to pray for you. So whenever I see an e-mail about this topic in my box, I whisper a prayer.

Pergaps other nazNetters are doing the same thing, and if so, I believe that God is hearing a lot of prayers on your behalf!

[Peter Teolis]

We remember you, at Cedardale church, in corporate prayer every Sunday night and Wednesday night, as well on Sunday mornings. I pray for you as well.

You are blessed.

Peace

[Terri Knoll]

I "work" with people every day that are dying (aren't we all?)

but to cut to the chase, so to speak, liver cancer, what ever the cause, can be cured by a transplant. Even partial liver transplant, (I would offer you a lobe, but I have promised it to another :basic05 ) Is that feasible? Please check into it. Not that I don't think that God CAN or CANNOT heal, but more like He sends people in boats, helicopters and planes to rescue the drowning. paddling here :basic05

OMKBHT, love you

Terri

[Brad Mercer]

I know one can give part of a liver as a living donor to another for transplant, but I can't imagine that any doctor would do a transplant for a cancer patient. I don't think that's an option. And I certainly don't think I could pay for it.

Anyway, we'll see where we are after Monday's colonoscopy and then in June after the first round of chemo.

Thanks for the thought.

Brad

I "work" with people every day that are dying (aren't we all?)

but to cut to the chase, so to speak, liver cancer, what ever the cause, can be cured by a transplant. Even partial liver transplant, (I would offer you a lobe, but I have promised it to another :basic05 ) Is that feasible? Please check into it. Not that I don't think that God CAN or CANNOT heal, but more like He sends people in boats, helicopters and planes to rescue the drowning. paddling here :basic05

OMKBHT, love you

Terri

[Doris Grant]

Brad I have been away from Naznet for a couple of weeks. My granddaughter has been in the hospital. I am so sorry to hear all of this on my return. I will definitely be praying for you.

Doris

[Roland Hearn]

Brad is right now taking the first steps towards medical intervention. He is having a colonoscopy even as we speak.
Please be in prayer right now and for the future.
This is a very difficult day. On the one hand presumably a clear colon would be good news, on the other hand that will leave the more serious liver cancer without explanation at this point and therefore a longer delay in determining the best response. We just need God to be God right now and walk into this situation with us all. It is a very stressful day.
Brad is doing amazingly well, choosing to be optomistic while genuinley and vulnerably talking about his fears and struggles. That is the way faith works. He is walking more every day than I have ever seen him walk in his life, he is eating exacltly what he is being told to eat, while struggling to make sure he knows exactly what the requirements are. If you were to see Brad today, you would never guess he isn't in the best shape of his life but there is this insidiousness at work.
Please pray.

[Joanne Vergin]

Praying this very minute. Thanks for the timely notice.

[Christine Josephson]

Praying Praying Praying

[Brad Mercer]

The colonoscopy is over. I'll meet with the oncologist at 3:20pm Wednesday, Brisbane time (12:20am Wednesday Dallas time) to hear the results and where we go from here. Apparently we have to hope the biopsy from today shows cancer, because then they know where the liver cancer came from. Otherwise, they're still convinced the cancer originated outside the liver but they won't know where.

My expectation of Wednesday's meeting is that at the end of it I'll know the cancer came from the bowel, I'll have an updated prognosis, a schedule of treatment for the chemo, and some understanding of the side effects to expect with the particular chemo regimen he's planning.

Then in three months he rechecks to see whether the cancer has shrunk, stayed the same or grown. That's the first chance for a really meaningful long-term prognosis and the first chance to get official confirmation of a miracle.

In the meantime, we learn to let all things work together for good, including how to use even this struggle to advance in my own heart and the hearts of others what it means to trust and reflect the character of God as love.

Love,
Brad

[Dennis M. Scott]

We'll continue to pray and wait with you. In the meantime, how are you feeling? As I recall, this evidenced itself with your feeling not too well. How about now?

[Carsten Schermuly]

I am sure, you will come out well - I have no doubts - and no matter how serious it will be.
It is just an attack to make a gospel preacher quiet.
Just an attack, no more.

Think to Job -
he was in sooo a bad situation - but gave not up hope - and the Lord did not let him drop.


He will not let drop you - his voice. He does need you.

:fav18

[Joanne Vergin]

I have thought of Job in this situation also. And Hezekiah although I am sure you will not waste the time God gives you.

[Brad Mercer]

We saw the oncologist this afternoon. The average patient with my cancer lives 18-24 months with treatment. The average 5-year survival rate is in the single digits.

I need a lot of money and a big miracle.

Details on my blog at http://bradsbigbadbrisbaneblog.blogspot.com/

In addition to the medical details and my spiritual musings, it gives details on how to send money if you're so inclined.

Thank you for your prayers. Money can't buy what I need God to do in response to your prayers.

Love,
Brad

[Brad Mercer]

We'll continue to pray and wait with you. In the meantime, how are you feeling? As I recall, this evidenced itself with your feeling not too well. How about now?

What I was feeling was in the nature of acid indigestion, acid reflux, irritable bowel syndrome. It felt like what I'd heard every middle-aged man describe. I expected a prescription for Nexium, or at worst to be told it was some bug like helicobacter pylori and to be given six weeks of antibiotics.

Oddly enough, I've had no significant symptoms in the 2+ weeks since I was diagnosed. I'm in pretty good shape for the shape I'm in.

As the incurable optimist said as he passed each floor after falling from the top of a skyscraper: "So far, so good!"

Brad

[Michael B. Ross]

Brad, you are a very gracious man. I am grateful that you take the time to keep us NazNetters informed of your progress. Thanks for posting regarding your trip to the Oncologist. I also am appreciative of your providing a link to your blog.

You continue to be in my prayers. I am moved by your commitment to Christ. I will pray for you this day. God bless.

Michael

We saw the oncologist this afternoon. The average patient with my cancer lives 18-24 months with treatment. The average 5-year survival rate is in the single digits.

I need a lot of money and a big miracle.

Details on my blog at http://bradsbigbadbrisbaneblog.blogspot.com/

In addition to the medical details and my spiritual musings, it gives details on how to send money if you're so inclined.

Thank you for your prayers. Money can't buy what I need God to do in response to your prayers.

Love,
Brad

[Carsten Schermuly]

As the incurable optimist said as he passed each floor after falling from the top of a skyscraper: "So far, so good!"

Brad:fav18


the gospel after John

JN 16, v. 26 At that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you:
JN 16, v. 27 For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God.

http://codas.de/htmbibel/kjv1611/kn_test/kjohn16.htm


I have no fears, you will not overcome the trouble.
As better you will know this, as stronger your optimistic view will be,
as stronger becomes your organism.
Think positive
is a very important part of healing processes via psychosomatic automatisms.
Think about the many miracles you have seen already in your life - and trust in his good hand - he will heal you!

It is his main desire to heal.
It is his main desire to heal you - as an eyewitness and testimony of his glory.

[Hans Deventer]

We saw the oncologist this afternoon. The average patient with my cancer lives 18-24 months with treatment. The average 5-year survival rate is in the single digits.

I need a lot of money and a big miracle.

I don't know what to say anymore :basic04 This is not what I wanted to read today. I definitely will be praying, Brad, till (if that could possibly be) they get tired of me up in heaven.

[Paul Whitaker]

This morning I find it difficult to say what I am feeling.

The first thing that came to mind was some songs, "Hold on My child, joy comes in the morning" and "My anchor holds". The first ministered to me during a very rough time of physical illness - when they first thought I had cancer. The second has helped Ellen and me hold fast during the last six years of our daughter's fighting cancer.

Jesus DOES heal cancers. Our daughter is living proof - breast cancers, brain cancers, breast cancer have all disappeared after presenting themselves in CAT scans, MRIs and other means.

We pray for you at every meal and at times of devotion.

God loves you -and so do I.

Paul

[Marsha Gupton]

Brad

I am at a total loss for words. However, I did want to respond and let you know that you are in my prayers continually. I am praying for a miracle.

[Mike Schutz]

Brad,
No matter what you are thinking or feeling, hundreds of people around the world are praying for you.
We will not stop praying.

[Gina Stevenson]

Oh, Brad. This brings back too many memories in our (Danny's & my) situation. First, you've mentioned feeling better since the diagnosis than before. Hopefully, that can be connected not only with the idea of having knowledge rather than being in the middle of wondering what's wrong, but to the juicing/supplements/etc that have already begun to build up your immunity to the point of "feeling better." Then, prayfully, it can be built up to where your immune system itself (in spite of/in tandem with chemo) can help fight off this invasive cancer.

You also mention a miracle ... we pray you get yours, we honestly do. This reminds me, too, that for some reason just "hoping/praying" aren't always enough, so keep on doing what's totally healthy. We here recall Danny telling me to not despair if he gets so bad, it appears he's dying, can't communicate with me etc ... feeling that if God were to work a miracle, He would first allow things to get bad enough that it could apparently be no one but God who did this healing. Yet, I've wondered---too many times---if things of a more healthy nature had been done (have been learning more & more in years since), that he'd also be with us. Seriously ..............

So, keep doing what's healthy ... it cannot hurt you at all, and can only help ................

luv'n ((( hugs ))) & blessings to you all,

[Dennis M. Scott]

We will continue to pray for the finances and the cancer. He is all you need and He is everything you need. At the end of the day, when we pillow our head, He is the only One on whom we can rely. He also is the only One we want to trust. He is able.

We love you and Karen, and your family.

[Dave McClung]

We saw the oncologist this afternoon. The average patient with my cancer lives 18-24 months with treatment. The average 5-year survival rate is in the single digits.

I need a lot of money and a big miracle.

Details on my blog at http://bradsbigbadbrisbaneblog.blogspot.com/

In addition to the medical details and my spiritual musings, it gives details on how to send money if you're so inclined.

Thank you for your prayers. Money can't buy what I need God to do in response to your prayers.

Love,
Brad

Brad
Some suggestions--

1. If your church in Frisco would be willing to team with your core group in Australia so that the contributions could be made to a charity in the U.S., the donations would receive more favorable tax treatment for those of us in the U.S.

2. If you set up a PayPal Account that would provide a simplified way for people to make donations without having to do the international transfer.

Linda and I are praying for you and your family.

Dave

[Terri Knoll]

I wish you would come home, but I understand why you can't, I guess.

No american has to do without treatment for something so devastating. You paid taxes, we all pay taxes to provide for people going thru exactly what you are going thru. When a catastrophe hits, medically needy medicaid will kick in and pay for everything! Also SSI pays you back for the years you paid into it! There is NO pride in trying to do it yourself!

The monies raised to pay for something that should be rendered free, could very well finance a well in a country where people have no help from their governments www.bloodwatermission.org

I know you said the doctors were calling in favors and what not, but Australia really doesn't owe you anything. America does.

I am aching for you and really don't want to chew you out, and as I said I understand your reason for staying and DO believe God can rectify it, but please don't limit your options.

Not only are you a spiritual mentor to many (most you won't know til you get to Glory) but you are an american, who paid taxes, your civic duty and we owe you something in your time of need. (I drone this into alot of people everyday btw)

thank you for talking it out live, you are loved. (and thanx for listening)

[Marsha Gupton]

He Giveth More Grace

He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength when the labors increase;
To added affliction He addeth His mercy;
To multiplied trials, His multiplied peace.

When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources,
Our Father's full giving is only begun.

Fear not that thy need shall exceed His provision,
Our God ever yearns His resources to share;
Lean hard on the arm everlasting, availing;
The Father both thee and thy load will upbear.

His love has no limit; His grace has no measure.
His pow'r has no boundary known unto men;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus,
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again!

Annie Johnson Flint

2Corinthians 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

[Gary Swartzlander]

We continue to pray that the God of Miracles will once again reveal his might powers through you. We love an appreciate you.

[Glenn Harris]

I just can't easily come to terms with this. All I can do is fall on my knees and ask God to provide you and your family whatever grace you'll need in the coming days. I'm praying for a miracle for one of the few people I've ever met that really deserved one.

Know that you have been on our mind and our prayer list since you first posted this horrendous news and will continue to be in Donna and my prayers, not only for you but for the entire family.

[Brad Mercer]

I wish you would come home, but I understand why you can't, I guess.

Probably not. I've copied and pasted from an e-mail I wrote to my brother when he suggested the same thing:

I think the quality and cost of medical care is going to be about the same here or there. I have two main reasons for wanting to stay here if possible. First, I want to use whatever time I have left, whether a year or 30 years, for the glory of God, impacting as many people for Christ as possible, as deeply as possible. Roland helps me do that better than anyone else I know. Second, Roland is the best counselor I know. I don't think anyone is as well equipped as he and Emmy are to counsel Karen and me and the kids to help us process whatever we have to process emotionally and spiritually during this time.

No american has to do without treatment for something so devastating. You paid taxes, we all pay taxes to provide for people going thru exactly what you are going thru. When a catastrophe hits, medically needy medicaid will kick in and pay for everything!Okay, this is news to me. I could hardly walk into a convenience store in the states without seeing a jar into which customers were invited to drop their loose change to help pay for someone's major operation. I am, however, having my sister check out the medicaid and SSI angle. I think everyone here in Australia is agreed that if the choice is to die here or be cured in the states, I should go back home.

I suppose if medicaid and SSI are available to me there and not here, and too many people would rather pay for a well than contribute to my medical expenses, I'll be coming back home, but the good that I can do with whatever time I have left will be dramatically impacted, as will my emotional health and that of my family.

Brad

[Roland Hearn]

I wish you would come home, but I understand why you can't, I guess.

No american has to do without treatment for something so devastating. You paid taxes, we all pay taxes to provide for people going thru exactly what you are going thru. When a catastrophe hits, medically needy medicaid will kick in and pay for everything! Also SSI pays you back for the years you paid into it! There is NO pride in trying to do it yourself!

The monies raised to pay for something that should be rendered free, could very well finance a well in a country where people have no help from their governments www.bloodwatermission.org

Terri,
I have been trying to think through a way to respond to your post during the last couple of days. I think Brad's response is adequate and personal but I feel like I need to say something here.
This is probably a response that needed to be emailed. You have some valid points but your presentation has come across in a way that leaves a sting of pain. That reflects the struggle that you are in and almost certainly is not your intent. But suggesting a well over Brad's immediate needs comes across as suggesting that Brad is not worth your, and anyone else's, efforts because there is a way for the government to respond that removes the responsibility from those that love him. There is a suggestion that Brad and his family are acting selfishly and unthoughtfully. I know that isn't your intent but it comes across that way.
There is a family, and our two families are actually one, here that is agonizing over a reality that we could never have anticipated. There are lots of factors involved that you could not possibly understand but we are in tears wrestling with everyday. We will attempt to find God's way through the middle of this situation whatever that means. If you do not want to help no one is suggesting you have to. We recognized from the beginning we were going to need help but hesitated for a long time before making any public request. The overwhelming response from people asking us how they could give to this need pushed us in the way of making it public. We are not certain that God is not at work in a bigger way then we could imagine. Perhaps we are in this situation precisely because God has room for His glory to show even in this. We want to be responsive to His leading.


I know you said the doctors were calling in favors and what not, but Australia really doesn't owe you anything. America does.

One of the God moments in this for us has already come. We outlined for the oncologist the dream that brought Brad to Australia and we could see his eyes glisten as he listened. He responded, "you have left so much and come to give us so much we (Australia) need to give back to you. " We have no guarantee what God will do with that or where it will lead but it is possible that God is still God and love will be enough - even now.
Terri you probably will want to respond to this and defend your post. I'm not sure it is necessary I'm confident I understand your heart of love behind the post. This is just an opportunity to understand that so often when we experience pain even our desire to love can cause more pain. It is because we want to start asserting control in a situation that we find fearful and I would just ask people to remember the totality of this situation for Brad and his family before posting something that may be perceived as hurtful.

BTW in a couple of days we will be launching a web site that will chronicle Brad's journey with grace over the next few years as God reveals Himself in this, including the healing that we are believing for.
The web site will explore the paradigm of love in both a secular and Christian perspective and lead people to our church plant's web site. When we launch it we would love for people to visit regularly, respond in the places made available and post links on other website where possible. That will increase our google availability. The website will be called choosing2live.com

[Carsten Schermuly]

America or Australia?

Once I became 24aged a child of the Lord, I listened a bit later to a report by catholic nuns, working on some of the thousandthreehundred isles of the Phillippines as missionairies.

Every week came a boat with Post / Mail and what the nuns had ordered - food, medicaments etc
Than the boat was missed for eight weeks!
One of the sisters was sick and should have seen a doctor. The nuns did not know what sickness it was, could not erect a diagnosis by their own.
The only food they have had, have been Quaker Oats.

Later another boat took place for the missed boat.
The sick nun was brought to a hospital.
The physicians listened to the story and have said,
"In case, we had an earlier contact, one of our recommendations had been a strictly Quaker Oats diet."

We do not know all details why the Lord has lead Brad to Australia.
He is there.
And this is good.
Because all ways of the Lord are good ways.
Wrinkled ways or straight ways.

[Gina Stevenson]

"Foreign aid" ... that's what came to mind, Roland (Brad, Karen, y'all), when reading Terri's post about "America owes you." Where my mind went was that, since our country sends tons of foreign aid to other countries for those who've never sat foot on our soil, could they not send some aid to one of their own who would be eligible for it, were he still here? Wonder if anyone could figure how to look into this ... some of Brad's help coming from sources that would readily help if here, even tho' he is there? Why not? [not in place of what those here might help out with---since we know even Medicare/Medicaid is somewhat limited sometimes---but in addition thereto]

[Hans Deventer]

Brad, this morning, in church, we sang the following song by Matt Redman. It touched me.

Blessed Be Your Name
In the land that is plentiful
Where Your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your name

Blessed Be Your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed Be Your name

Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

Blessed be Your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's 'all as it should be'
Blessed be Your name

Blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name

Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your name

[Terri Knoll]

Terri,
I have been trying to think through a way to respond to your post during the last couple of days. I think Brad's response is adequate and personal but I feel like I need to say something here.
This is probably a response that needed to be emailed. You have some valid points but your presentation has come across in a way that leaves a sting of pain. That reflects the struggle that you are in and almost certainly is not your intent. But suggesting a well over Brad's immediate needs comes across as suggesting that Brad is not worth your, and anyone else's, efforts because there is a way for the government to respond that removes the responsibility from those that love him. There is a suggestion that Brad and his family are acting selfishly and unthoughtfully. I know that isn't your intent but it comes across that way.
There is a family, and our two families are actually one, here that is agonizing over a reality that we could never have anticipated. There are lots of factors involved that you could not possibly understand but we are in tears wrestling with everyday. We will attempt to find God's way through the middle of this situation whatever that means. If you do not want to help no one is suggesting you have to. We recognized from the beginning we were going to need help but hesitated for a long time before making any public request. The overwhelming response from people asking us how they could give to this need pushed us in the way of making it public. We are not certain that God is not at work in a bigger way then we could imagine. Perhaps we are in this situation precisely because God has room for His glory to show even in this. We want to be responsive to His leading.


One of the God moments in this for us has already come. We outlined for the oncologist the dream that brought Brad to Australia and we could see his eyes glisten as he listened. He responded, "you have left so much and come to give us so much we (Australia) need to give back to you. " We have no guarantee what God will do with that or where it will lead but it is possible that God is still God and love will be enough - even now.
Terri you probably will want to respond to this and defend your post. I'm not sure it is necessary I'm confident I understand your heart of love behind the post. This is just an opportunity to understand that so often when we experience pain even our desire to love can cause more pain. It is because we want to start asserting control in a situation that we find fearful and I would just ask people to remember the totality of this situation for Brad and his family before posting something that may be perceived as hurtful.

BTW in a couple of days we will be launching a web site that will chronicle Brad's journey with grace over the next few years as God reveals Himself in this, including the healing that we are believing for.
The web site will explore the paradigm of love in both a secular and Christian perspective and lead people to our church plant's web site. When we launch it we would love for people to visit regularly, respond in the places made available and post links on other website where possible. That will increase our google availability. The website will be called choosing2live.com

of course did not mean to cause a sting, I just wanted to point out that we americans need to do a better job of taking care of our own when catastrophic things happen. it's so sad that people lose their livelyhoods when they don't need to.

I have responded in like ways when others have asked for help dealing with medical issues to remind them that we DO have a refuse in the medicaid/medicare system in the U.S. many don't know that it is there for them, they think of welfare. it is NOT welfare. it is a response to a catastropic event.

I understand why someone would want to remain in another country for ministry, totally, but in a case of catastrophy coming home and letting america pay them back for their service is not something to be over looked. or ashamed of. several of our missionaries have had to come back because of catastrophies. I stay in prayer for missionaries and all others helping out where they are called, that they CAN stay in their positions, but want to remind people it is not a disgrace or dishonor to use whatever aide is available.

thanx for your kind words.
it's still hard to deal with someone so dear facing something so devastating and sometimes I don't voice my feelings well.

Blessings

[Carsten Schermuly]

Dear Terri,

everybody does know you - your wish was the best for Brad.
I do know you only and only as a true loving heart - and -
as a tender comrade in the prayer battle.
It is not needed to say why this or that was said by you.
And
since the Lord IS THE LOVE, he will heal Brad -
just because he is a loving God - looking down on us in grace.

Be blessed,
Carsten

[Carsten Schermuly]

Dear Terri,

everybody does know you - your wish was the best for Brad.
I do know you only and only as a true loving heart - and -
as a tender comrade in the prayer battle.
It is not needed to say why this or that was said by you.
And
since the Lord IS THE LOVE, he will heal Brad -
just because he is a loving God - looking down on us in grace.

Be blessed,
Carsten

[Brad Mercer]

For those of you waiting on an update on my situation, I'm sorry, I didn't realize it had been 10 days since I posted to my blog.

At any rate, it now has two new entries. One is a medical update and the other is just a silly thing that happened to me this past week, for a bit of comic relief.

Love,
Brad

My Blog: http://bradsbigbadbrisbaneblog.blogspot.com/

[Gina Stevenson]

For those of you waiting on an update on my situation, I'm sorry, I didn't realize it had been 10 days since I posted to my blog.

At any rate, it now has two new entries. One is a medical update and the other is just a silly thing that happened to me this past week, for a bit of comic relief.

Definitely was "comic relief," Brad! You nearly had me ROFLOL with your praying for such a variety of "pastas," which my mind went to immediately, anyway, when you mentioned how they pronounce "pastor," tho' it took you a sentence or two to get around to your own pasta list. FUNNNY!

Anyway, speaking of laughter being a good medicine, do you recall that Norman Cousins guy who---other than the mega vita-C's---began the habit of watching every comedy he could get his hands on, helping to "laugh his way back to health"?

BTW, knowing your reluctance to return to the US, we pray that whichever way it turns out---being able to stay in Australia or having to return to the US for awhile---that you, Karen, Roland & Emmy will eventually be able to complete your God-given Australian dream