Rough Week Over

   Last week was the roughest week to date in taking chemotherapy.  I am so glad that God's grace is able to sustain us during the difficult times of life.  My time in the valley of sickness was made a little more bearable because I was able to spend a couple of days with my precious grandaugher Addyson Grace.  Our Lord has perfect timing.  He knew that I would be battling cancer during this time.  God was gracious beyond measure in that He sent a little bundle of joy named Addyson to lift my spirits during these difficult days.
   God showed me His grace yesterday in allowing me to preach with strength that could only come from Him.  And to top it all off, a precious soul was born into the family of God.  I never cease to be amazed at the goodness of our Lord.
   This week should be my "good week."  I am getting over the effects of chemotheraphy for a while.  My appetitte is returning somewhat.  This Thursday I will be getting a CAT scan.  I have peace about the results, but I sincerly desire your prayers about the outcome.  I don't believe there is anybody that has been blessed with such a wonderful group of friends as I have.  You amaze me with your committment to continually pray on my behalf.  Many of you have told me that if there is anything you can do to let you know.  I know those are not mere words but you really stand ready to help me and my family.  Just in case I haven't told you lately--I love you dearly and I am proud to call you my friends.

Luke

Is Heaven Real?

    This week I received another unsigned letter without an address.  I have received a few of these lately.  I am sure they all come from the same source.  In this particular letter the unknown author begins with this statement "Why don't you leave now?  We won't miss you.  If "that place" is so great, you should do anything to get there now.  The letter was obviously from a Jehovah Witness as He or She spent their time talking about how that only 144,000 were going to Heaven and that even John the Baptist won't make it.
    I am glad that Heaven is a real place.  And I am glad that Jesus said that I could go there.  The cancer in my body may be the means that God uses to seperate me from this world.  I will say as D.L. Moody used to say "If you read my obituary don't believe a word of it.  I will be more alive then  than I've ever been before.  I am thankful that "to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord." 
   I appreciate your continued prayers on my behalf.  I am in the process of taking another round of chemotherapy this week.  You have been gracious friends that have proved over and over again that you love me and you are lifting my name to the Father.

Luke

Back Again

    I have not been able to post anything during the last few days due to the effects of chemotherapy.  God granted my request that I be able to enjoy the revival meeting last week.  However, beginning Wednesday the chemotherapy took its toil on me.  I so needed the revival--a time of refreshing from above.  I am thankful that God still does supply all our needs.  In spite of the effects of chemotherapy, I did receive good news last week.  In spite of all the tests (pet scans, cat scans, MRI's, etc) the doctors were unable to pinpoint the source of my cancer.  There are many different chemotherapies that are used to treat different types of cancers.  My doctor took an educated guess (actually more than that since my doctor is a Christian) and prescribed the chemotherapy.  The only way to tell if chemotherapy is working is through blood tests.  Last week, the doctor's office called me and gave me good news concerning the blood test.  A normal reading for the blood test is around 20.  When I was given the blood test confirming my cancer, my reading was over 2700.  The reading has now dropped to just over 1300.  I realize that my battle with cancer is far from over, however I rejoice in the progress that has been made!  I know that my life is in the hands of the Great Physician.  But because of that, I know that I am in good hands!
    I was able to preach both services with very little problems.  I don't have the strength that I had before cancer, but God has enabled me to continue to stand and preach His Word.  There are a lot of men that do a much better job preaching than I do, but no one enjoys preaching more that I do.  I am honored that God would take a weak vessel like me and use that vessel to preach his wonderful Word.  I ask for your continued prayers.  You have been so gracious in lifting me to the Throne of Grace.  I will never be able to thank you enough for what you have done.  To my wonderful friends my prayer today is that Enoch's companion will be your companion!

Luke

Revive Me Again

    Tonight was the first night of Revival at Batley.  Our preacher preached on the Glory of God.  The message was absolutely awesome.  The choir singing and the special singing by the McKameys had already reminded me of God's glory before the preaching began.  The McKameys sung the song "The Shepherd's point of view.  That song has been my theme song during my battle with cancer.  At this time I cannot see all that God is going to use my sickness for.  I do know that my Lord never makes a mistake and that he has a plan for my life that includes using my cancer for His glory.  We had special prayer for another dear lady in our church that will be operated on for cancer this week.  Part of God's plan for my cancer is that I can love and pray for other folks that are battling cancer in a way that I've never been able to before.
    When the invitation was given last night, I felt led to come to the altar just to give my Lord the praise that he desires.  I just had to praise Him for saving me and for walking with me during this dark valley in my life.  My prayer for this revival is that we will learn to glorify God--that we won't be ashamed or intimated to let down our hair and just praise our wonderful Lord.  Tonight the Youngs will be singing for us.  God will give our preacher another great message that will stir our souls.  I would like to invite you to come out and glorify God with me!

Luke

Today's the Day!

    Today begins an exciting chapter in the history of Batley Baptist Church.  This morning will be old fashioned harvest day.  A lot of folks will be wearing old fashioned clothes to the service.  After church we will have an old fashioned meal that will include pinto beans, onions, greens, peach cobblers, etc.  We are doing this as a promotion for our Sunday School.  Our Sunday School has been growing steadily over the last couple of years.  We now regularly run about 160 in Sunday School.  I praise God for godly teachers that not only teach the Word of God, but have a genuine love for their class members. 
    Tonight we will start our Revival meeting.  For those of you who have never heard Terry Trivette, you are in for a treat if you come.  Terry is a young man that has a genuine love for our Lord.  I have had the privlege of preaching revival in his church, White Oak Baptist in Trenton GA.  During the time I was there, I had the privlege of spending a lot of time with Terry.  I cherish the time we had together and the friendship that we have that will last for all eternity.  We will not only have great preaching, we will have great singing.  The McKameys will be singing on Sunday and Wednesday night.  The Youngs will be singing on Monday night and the Joyaires will sing on Tuesday night.  Please make plans to be with us.  Services start at 6:00 on Sunday night and at 7:00 on Monday through Wednesday night.
    Tomorrow I begin Chemotherapy again.  I will be wearing a chemotherapy pump after the initial treatment from Monday through Wednesday.  I will have the pump during the Monday and Tuesday night of revival.  Please pray that I will not be sick during this week and I will be able to enjoy the revival meeting.  You have overwhelmed me with your love and prayers during this difficult time in my life.  Don't be surprised if a million years from now, I am still walking up to you on the Streets of Glory and thanking you again!

Luke

Great Night

Last night I was able to preach like I hadn't been able to in about 6 weeks.  I thank God for the strength he gave me!  I have been preaching on Wednesday nights on "Teach Us To Pray."  We have been looking at Matthew 6 at what we call the Lord's Prayer, but in reality is the Model Prayer.  When the disciples ask Jesus to "teach us to pray," Jesus gives them and us the essentials on how and what to pray.  I know that my being able to preach is a result of God's people praying for me.  I am glad that the Lord is allowing me the opportunity to bring my prayer life to a new level.  I wake up during the night with a desire to talk to my Lord.  I still have a lot of growing to do in my prayer life, but the blessing of my sickness is that it has slowed me down enough so that I can spend time with God.  Every day I get phone calls, cards, emails, and personal visits from people that remind me that they are praying for me.  I am constantly reminded of God's people (some I know and many that I don't know) that care enough about me to lift my name to the Father in prayer.  Folks are constantly asking me if there is anything they can do for me.  I don't need a lot of things right now, but one thing that I will need until the Lord calls me home--I need your prayers.  To my praying friends, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your prayers.

Luke

Disappointment

One of the greatest disappointments in my battle with cancer has been that I am not able to minister as I have been used to.  This week one of the member's sister is in the hospital in critical condition.  Normally, I would be at the hospital trying to encourage the family.  Some pastors despise visiting the sick, but during these years of ministry I have found that visiting in a time of crisis not only encourages those I visit and their families, but it allows me to get to know the families.  God has allowed me the privlege of forming bonds with folks over the years during these visits that will last a lifetime.  I could throw caution to the wind and visit anyhow, but I have asked God for healing and I believe He expectes me to do my part.  Although my visiting is limited, rest assured that these families are in my thoughts and prayers.  One of the benefits of my sickness is that I can relate to those that are sick from a totally different point of view.  I ask for your continued prayers.  I have had some pain this week, but all in all I have had a good week.  I don't look forward to taking chemotherapy next week, but with God's help I am not going to let next weeks clouds hide the sun of this week. 

Luke