Second Corinthians chapter one, verse nine is the passage I've chosen for my journey through prostate cancer. Although Paul was speaking specifically about the persecution he and other Christians endured for the Gospel, the emphasis is on the purpose. Persecution or trials of any form solely exist to make us rely on GOD alone, and not ourselves. They happen in order for us to exhaust ourselves of any self effort in order to realize that our total dependence should be on the One Who created, sustains, and has sovereign authority over everything, including our individual lives. One of the Lord's greatest pleasures is when we surrender all to Him so that He receives all the glory He deserves from us, especially those of us who claim Him as Lord. We must avoid using religious cliches and "christianese" to flatter God and make us appear spiritual to man. Yes, it is true – God is good all the time... But, is He good only when things are going good for me??? God is good because it is Who He is, whether our world is good or not. One of the hardest truths to swallow is the fact that prosperity and adversity come from the same Source.

To be clearer, God will sometimes break us in order to use us. A vessel broken by the hands of the Potter will often provide better service to Him because of a clearer understanding and greater reverence for the Maker. Broken or not, we must fully confess and admit to ourselves the words of the Lord Jesus: "...apart from Me you can do nothing."

Visit the blog archive and read from earliest to latest to get the details in chronological order.


12.02.2008

Out with the (somewhat) old (blog), in with the new!


Ok, as hard as I worked on coming up with a term to explain my passion and heart for being used to serve others with my prostate cancer survival, I've decided to retire the "openvessel" name. I still like it, but it never really grabbed me, especially since I had a time trying to explain it. If you have a hard time trying to explain or describe a concept then it's too abstract. What really stands out the most for me is my slogan "broken to serve." So, that will be the name of the new blog that I'm constructing, especially since I've already purchased the domain name for it (see the link to the right). With "openvessel," I was trying to say it with one term. Something simple but with a big meaning. That's the designer in me. But sometimes I find that short phrases can do the same thing. "Broken to serve" just has that ring - enough so that it is not only my slogan but also the main concept. Same scripture reference though. That one says it all. I will keep this blog up for at least 6 months to a year after I launch the new one. Stay tuned. See new logo above. Hmmm. That means I've gotta get another t-shirt made... And new cards... Oh, well.
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Another free screening and PSA update

My church had another one of its monthly men's fellowships with another annual prostate health screening on November 1. As I was walking in my pastor wanted me to come sit by him and share a few words with the brothers about my survival and to encourage them, which is what I always look forward to. My own PSA checks are now at 6-month periods. I'm not due for another check until February 09 but why not do it since they're here for free? My results came back about 2-3 weeks later and I'm still undetectable!!!! Praise the Lord!!!! The number was <0.04 which was the normal PSA lab test that the hospital does in their own lab. I normally get the "ultra-sensitive" test done that goes out to the thousandths place. But, good report anyway! Now I need to work on my cholesterol. My bad cholesterol was good, but my good cholesterol showed a little low. Need to work on that.


After the screening I had the chance to talk with another brother who tested positive as a result of the same free screening. He was not from my fellowship, but was screened by the same hospital. I was called by the prostate screening program coordinator (again) and given the information. As others, the brother had a few questions about surgery options and post-surgery concerns. It does my heart good to inform and encourage other men with my experience. Please feel free to email me any questions or concerns that you may have about prostate cancer. I don't know everything, but I know enough and will find out more for anyone if I need to.


I would strongly encourage men who belong to churches or any other local organizations to rally together and have some health fairs and screenings. Get with your local hospitals and see if they offer free prostate screening programs. Many lives can be saved with early detection of this disease. What's that old saying? "What you don't know can't hurt you." What a lie! Many think that if they don't know then it can't affect them. Most of us men are just dumb like that (me included). I can just imagine how many men, especially African American men, who are just walking around day by day with prostate cancer in their bodies and just don't know it because there are no symptoms at first. There's another old saying that's a better one: "Ignorance of the law is no excuse." Just because you don't know about it doesn't make it go away or not exist. Brothers, GET SCREENED NOW before it becomes too late!!! Prostate cancer doesn't wait for you to find out about it before it starts to grow. Give that some thought.
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