Bake Sale - For Cora Peters!

Jada invites you to come to her bake sale! 
 

 
Here is a GREAT opportunity to support a St. Jude patient we love... Saturday (Sept. 29th) from 8-3 Jada is doing a bake sale at our house (message me to donate baked items). ALL PROCEEDS will go to bless Cora Peters and her family. Cora has been battling a rare cancer (synovial sarcoma) since 2009. Here is her caringbridge site: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/corapeters. Swing by the house, buy a brownie for a ridiculously large quantity of cash, and bless someone who could use our encouragement. 517 N. Greenfield Tremont 61568 is our address.

Persecution

Often my waking and my sleeping are in much peace these days, as is the case - to a large degree - with most of you reading this. Your morning routine may not be interrupted at all. The alarm is set and the largest thing most of us battle is the gumption to drag our bodies out of the comfortable, oversized bed we own.

Moving throughout the day we choose what we want for lunch, pick a spot to eat and accomplish nearly all we intend without so much as a slow internet connection to wrestle with.

We come home to dinner, sports, children's activities, and a host of other commitments. We thank the Lord for our food but our prayer seems rote and dry, "Lord, bless this food we are about to eat and thank you that we all have had a good day. Watch over us tonight and help us love you more, Amen." Every night. Same thing. What's missing?

Picture this if you will, you are a pastor of a thriving church in a relatively large city. God is doing some amazing things among the community of believers whom you shepherd. People are being changed from the inside out, the Spirit is on the move. Then, one morning you come to these seemingly obscure passages in the Bible:

• Acts 5:41 "Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name."
• John 15:21 "But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me." 
• I Peter 4:14 "If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you."

A brief survey of your congregation reveals that growth is the result of such persecution. "What do you mean growth?" Watch the video (again if you haven't already).

Annual Rumbold Wrap Up

I figured rather than write our annual Christmas letter I'd do it in pictures. A lot has happened since December 30th 2010 - so I reasoned that if a picture is worth a 1000 words this buys me a lot more space for expression.

In short: December 30th Jada was diagnosed with Clear Cell Sarcoma of the Kidney, January 3rd she had surgery, January 11th Pierce was born, January 13th she started chemo and radiation, January 20th Jada FINISHED radiation, March Jada celebrated her 6th birthday, June Jada broke her arm and got shingles from chemo treatment, July 9th Oliver celebrated his birthday, July 31st Jada FINISHED chemo August 17th Jada had her first day of school, October Jess, Jada, Ollie and myself were sent to Hawaii by Make-a-Wish Foundation.

Through it all God grew our faith, showed us family and their unwavering commitment, and illustrated how the church is to care for one another's burdens. God, without question, is Great!

Reaping in Joy

"Linger, loiter, procrastinate, delay, wait, dawdle... hang around." 

These are some of the synonyms one will find when they crack a thesaurus for the word "tarry." In Psalm 30:5 the writer speaks of anger and sadness. Anger in the opening words of the verse and sadness in the second half, 

• "For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning."  

The contrast in the poetry is a work of art and clearly the metaphor is apt in its description of the human heart. Yet one wonders, if God's favor is for a lifetime then what do we make of prolonged weeping that is tarrying for the night? How must one interpret the goodness of God in such times? 

Nights are not forever:

We may shake our fists at God in anger if our night is lasting longer than originally anticipated. We may even question his goodness, shout at the ceiling or beat our heads against the wall - (consequently I have done all three). However, nights are not forever and this little fact has been cemented into my cold-as-steel intellect which shrouds my heart at times. It was Spurgeon who said, "When the Sun of righteousness comes, we wipe our eyes, and joy chases our intruding sorrow."  

Nights have different origins:

A brief reading of Numbers 11-13 or Psalm 51 or any other number of Biblical stories will reveal that sometimes our nights originate as a result of sin or our response, attitudinally, to different circumstances. By way of contrast, they may well be cropping up from something we DO NOT choose. Take for example the great apostle Paul who prayed three times that the Lord would remove a thorn (some unknown affliction) from him but it was not granted. 

God's grace OBLITERATES our nights:

Recently, as my children and wife were sleeping, I was sitting on a balcony in the early morning looking over a small bay in the Pacific Ocean. Eleven months ago we began to tarry for what felt like a long night. But thanks be to God, as the Psalmist says, "Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of Joy" 126:5. Throughout our struggle we were literally overwhelmed by the love of family, friends, church, community, and many others we did not even know. The morning has dawned time and again for us and we are filled with Joy. There is not space here to accommodate all that many of you reading this have done for us. Which is to say all that God has done for us. 

However...

There are still many who linger, loiter, hang around and in general just slide the lever of joy on the driveshaft up to the "park" position. This may be you and I know for certain that it has been me even since beginning of August. Our sin has caused grief, shame, and a number of other emotions that Satan is content to have dwell in us. However, the virtue that I extol is that of God's abundant love toward us in Christ Jesus. Paul says in Philippians 3:12 "Not that I have already obtained this or am already made perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me His own." 

Did you catch that last part - Christ Jesus has made you His own? None of us has arrived, much less are we Fully Perfected, but Christ has made us His Own. There is great security and comfort in this fact alone; should my vision of Jesus wane my nights will tarry on. Should my vision of Christ increase, so will my awareness of his mercies over and against "my night." A little thing I like to call the "Covenant of Day" is helpful here. The writer of Lamentations describes it this way, "The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." 

Each morning there is reason enough to proclaim the favor, mercies and steadfast love of God. Would that our heart of hearts derive satisfaction in this.

The do-ability of Obedience

Each morning we awake and go through the same routine that about 64 million (according to recent data) other school aged children and families go through. We get out of bed, put our pants on one leg at a time, eat breakfast, brush our teeth and head out the door. However, there's just one problem with this picture - we (as a people of God) were not called to be just a number. Sure, we must participate in this race like oversized rats running from one place to another - but there is great purpose and intentionality here for the one with eyes of faith.

How is it then, if we know we are called to so much more than minutia, do we miss the boat so-to-speak?

The other day I loaded Jada in the van to go to school. The conversation is usually rich on those mornings. About half way there I begin to pose questions about how she will interact with her peers that day at school, etc. We had been studying Colossians 3:1-4 that morning and had made some accompanying motions to have it "stick." As we were going over these motions and discussing the meaning of "setting your mind" we arrived at school. I dropped off Jada and headed home.

Three hours passed and I returned to pick up Jada at Maria Imig's house (thank you SO MUCH Maria). She hopped in the car and whipped out her journal. She carries a little notepad with doodlings of a six year old on her person every school day. This week she had been writing "poems" that are made into songs later on the piano at home. I glanced in the back seat and said, "Jada, what are you working on?" She reads what is posted above (Here is the translation if you can't read it: "Jesus is great, Jesus is good. He helps me just like God. We try to obey but we need help from Jesus. We can't do it ourselves, Jesus is our helper. He helps us obey him."

Now, before you are tempted to think this is an exaltation of Jada and her spiritual musings or Doug and Jessica's parenting skills - let me stop you IMMEDIATELY. The reason this little poem hit square in the heart was what I didn't share which happened just before we all loaded up in the car.  We were running late through a combination of individual shortcomings of both Jada and I. We got to the door to leave and Jada "had to get something." I asked her to come... Then I yelled loudly and with a fair amount of anger in my voice. Jada burst into tears but went to the car. The first 10 minutes were SILENT. Jada sat holding my hand and whimpering. I was resolved not to be the first to speak.

I could only hold out so long with a self-justifying attitude of, "well, I am her father and she needs to listen to me when I give an instruction." I had shouted earlier, "why won't you just obey? Is it really that hard to go to the car when you are asked? Obey now and go to the car!" (picture Jessica wide-eyed and Oliver staring at me while all this is happening).

Now, here is the crazy part. Just that morning I had read a few chapters of Luke and Matthew 28. In both instances I was chewing on Jesus' words to his disciples, "...teaching them to obey (observe) everything I have commanded you and behold I am with you always..." I had given her the impossible task that morning, and I have done it often before - I look my children in the eye and tell them to obey without elaborating on the fact that it is Jesus who helps them to obey. We pawn off religion on our children and for that matter our church members when we seek an easy quick fix.

"Your behavior is the problem, not your heart."

That, folks, is religion. This is why I am thankful for the free gift of Grace in Christ Jesus and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. I have NO CHANCE on my own. This story should illustrate that fact clearly. People will often ask me, "How do you counsel someone with _____________ (fill in the blank with any sin issue imaginable)?" I will tell them, though as the story above indicates I struggle with it often, "I show them Jesus." In Luke 17:32 Jesus makes a startling statement, "Remember Lot's wife." In this statement we find a hint at what Jesus expects of us as his disciples and what he desires FOR us to be as Disciplemakers - It's as if he is saying, "Have a SINGULAR focus. Make it me."

The final 10 minutes of the car ride to school for Jada and I were wonderful. The Spirit convicted my heart of the sin present and I looked Jada in the eye and we had a moment of sweet forgiveness. We both cried, held hands and began talking through Colossians 3:1-4 together.

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How is normal?

On August 17th, like many other parents, I loaded up the minivan and through teary eyes watched as our daughter set foot into yet another different environment. School. It was interesting to watch my wife of 7 years look through the salty lens of sadness and separation as Jada scampered into her new room. My mother took the time to watch the boys for this momentous occasion. Our hope was not to jump right into school for if Jada had experienced no delays in treatment she would have been finished with chemo in June not July 31st. This would have afforded a little more time between the old life and the new as it were.

Thankfully, this has proven to be yet another arena where we must trust God to do what we can't. Jada has adjusted well, for the most part, to school for those of you wondering. She does not like math and lacks the stamina to go full day so we pick her up at noon. Her teachers are wonderful and we are totally enjoying the banter of a 3 year old and a school girl at the table each night. Pierce, well, he just makes eyes at his momma :)

We have been advised to expose Jada to exercise and condition her body back to where it was pre-surgery. Since she lacks stamina, this is a tricky endeavor. Last week after dinner we decided to go for a family bike ride to the park and back. Its a short ride from our home and we assumed a safe one. Jada had tired legs but was still able to run around and chase Ollie as he climbed up and down the slide. It was, dare I say, "normal." Then, the unthinkable. Two young boys looked at her. One of them said, "Look, there's that bald girl." The other retorted, "yeah, I bet they call her baldy at school. Let's call her baldy. BALDY BALDY." (Thankfully, the staff at CLA in Hopedale, IL have tackled this issue head on and are so SENSITIVE to our concerns) Jada really did not seem to hear them and scampered off. Jessica, however, rose up with deep motherly love and flat rebuked those young boys. "No, actually, they do not call her that at school. In fact, its quite rude to say that..." The boys got the picture and just stared in disbelief at the now deeply saddened mother. I had been running to the bathroom and when I came back there was this look that Jess had in her eyes. She recounted the story with tears and with fury.

Later that night as we were putting the kids to bed, Jada was asked, "how did that make you feel that they called you baldy?" In a very matter of fact tone she said, "well dad, he was not really there so he doesn't know what happened to me. But mostly, it just makes me want to cry."

This caused me to think - a lot. Jess and I both just shed tears of sadness for her knowing that it has to be difficult to be a spectacle. But that is not why I wrote this - nor is it why I shared the story in the first place. Two very distinct things began to emerge in my thinking:

1. God has always been and will always be our defender and refuge. He is the perfect parent - there when we cannot be. Variables are a damning thing - they exist when you did not plan or intend on them and they often impede one's ability to stay the course. Psalm 18:2 is helpful in this regard. By definition a variable is something that is not consistent or not having a particular pattern.

2. This makes me treasure Jesus all the more precisely because he spoke for those who could not speak. (See Matt. 12:20). Why else do you think there is so much talk in scripture of the "fatherless, the widow and the orphan?" Have you ever thought about those people in more than just a passing way? Actually considered in the core of your being the following: what is my responsibility to the Fatherless, the widow and the orphan? or better yet the prostitute, the drug addict and the ex-convict. Its easy to avoid the likes of these and spew out something spiritual like "they just did not show commitment to the process or there was not enough thirst for God."Well, as I recall, in Romans 5:8 Christ loved me while I was still a sinner. The term could not be stronger - it might as well say, "while Doug was still a no good, lousy, arrogant, deceitful, jerk..." you get the picture.

It is sad when this happens, though it will not be much longer and she won't be that noticeable anymore - but that leads us to the title of the post, "How is normal?" You'd be surprised how many pose that question to me assuming thats what I want. Its fair, I suppose, and I have even talked of a "normal" schedule and retiring to life as it used to be. However, as I sat in a circle of men today discussing the disciplemaking genius of Jesus I realized something..

I don't want normal. Not now anyways. Don't get me wrong, there is a certain love affair we have with the predictable - but is that really what we are called to? I am coming to the conviction more and more that I don't want normal, I WANT JESUS! That means all the messed up potential-less people like myself have a hope.

So, if you are in with me - (especially you Tremont High School Student) who will you sit next to at lunch that was not the same as yesterday? Who will you invite into your home and just do the "normal" things of life with in a way that drips with Jesus-like intentionality?

!!!ALL CLEAR!!!

There are days that  I wake up refreshed. The clean and deep first breath of air is invigorating. The sun is just making its presence known outside, my coffee is hot, the pages of my bible ruffle and the children are asleep. These are good days.

However, this past Friday was not that day. Having finished Jada's scans the day prior and still without results was not a recipe for a peaceful day. Throughout the day there was this eerie little reminder of the phone call that had not come. On Thursday evening I had spent some time on the phone with Jada's oncologist and it seemed as though he was going to call me by noon with the results.

Finally, after I tried distracting myself with work stuff at the church it was time for the family to hop in the car and drive up to see Jada's friend (and obviously OUR friend) Cora Peters for her birthday. Cora just turned sixteen so insurance rates will soar, curfew will be more strictly enforced, and a driver's license will be had (driver's ed happens to be one of her presents). While driving north on IL-40 I glanced at my time, 5:00pm. "Hmmm, Jess do you think I should just call St. Jude to find out?" "I'm not sure," was the reply. Well thanks for clearing up any ambiguity I had. Not five minutes later my phone rang and the I.D. said "St. Jude Peoria."

In that moment there is little training one can endure which makes them steady and fully prepared. I looked at Jess and her face went white. I picked up the phone and Dr. Al said very quickly, "I just wanted to tell you that Jada's scans all returned clear. You may come back Tuesday for a follow up."

There is a particular diner in Peoria my wife enjoys mainly because they serve what her limited diet can actually consume; it is called One World. As one walks in from the front door there is a mural with what appears to be a greek god holding the world on his shoulders. In that moment of pure elation after hanging up the phone, I felt like that mural - taking the weight and tossing it to the side. I cried. As we drove down the road I hung up the phone and just cried.

A short while later we arrived at Cora's house. Jada and I did a brief little celebratory dance next to our van as I got her out. Over the next few hours we were family. We played football, ate dinner, had great conversation, and in general were just welcomed in by a family who is in the middle of this same trial we just exited, and at that - for their second round. After 9 months in remission Cora's cancer returned. Our utter joy is co-mingled with perseverant prayer. For while our scans were ALL CLEAR there are many for whom scans are not clear at all.

This is the great temptation and the tremendous parallel: a body lacking health mimics sin and its catastrophic effect - death. The temptation, once health returns is to run out and buy the first t-shirt that says "I beat cancer" and speak of the strength of this person or that in facing a trial. Folks, Jada is not strong, Cora is not strong, BUT they both WALK WITH THE ONE WHO IS! In our fast paced, over-stimulated, under-related culture we must never tire of displaying our dependence. We have needed the Peter's in the past few months just as much, if not more than they have needed us. But, when the day is done our first and most conspicuous dependence is on Jesus Christ!