Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Even Cancer Can Be Good

I have been blessed to be a fairly healthy person. I rarely have to go to the doctor. I walk a lot. I enjoy hiking the mountain near my home. Many people think I am ten years younger than I really am.

Imagine my shock when I found out I have cancer. Recently I had to go through a battery of medical tests to check out something I thought was minor. When I went back to the doctor to hear all the reports, I assumed he would say everything was fine. When he started talking, somewhere in the conversation he used the "C" word for the first time. As he kept talking, I realized what he had said and stopped him mid-sentence. "Are you saying I have cancer," was my shocked question. "Yes, but we think we caught it in the early stages," was his reply. And suddenly, my whole life changed.


In the two weeks since then, I have been poked, prodded, stuck, and tested more times than the rest of my life combined. I have had to drink nasty stuff to prepare for various procedures, take various medicines, and meet with doctor after doctor after doctor. I have surgery on Friday.


Being a planner who schedules out his life months in advance, this has played havoc with my carefully made plans. I had to cancel my participation in two back to back important conferences and adjust a whole month on the calendar to make time for recovery. Though I have done all that I could to prepare, I am extremely mindful that I am NOT in control of this situation. Which makes the whole experience overwhelming since I like to be in control. But one thing that keeps coming back to me is that God has this whole thing under control. God has not had to cancel any meetings or change any plans because this whole thing was on His schedule since before the foundation of the world.


Everything God does has a purpose and a plan, therefore, I know this is part of that purpose and plan. Romans 8:28 continues to come to mind: "We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose." All things, even cancer, work together for our good if we love God and are following His purposes for our lives.


I do love God, not because I am some super spiritual person, but because God first loved me (Romans 5:8, John 3:16). In God's wonderful grace He called me to Himself (Ephesians 1:4-5, 2 Thessalonians 2:13). How could I do anything but love God back once He opened my eyes to His amazing grace, love, forgiveness and divine plan? Since I love God and am called to His purposes, then God has committed Himself to making sure that everything that happens in my life ultimately works out for good. That brings a lot of comfort and peace into this very chaotic situation. Though there may be pain in the process, ultimately, this will all work out for good. I do not know exactly what the future holds, but I know Who holds the future, so I face Friday, and all that follows, with a confidence that it will be good.




57 comments:

  1. Pastor Terry, while I have never been in your congregation, I am very fond of you and Kay. You have been mainstays in the life of our oldest daughter. You have counseled, prayed with and for her, assisted her financially and in every way I can think of. But most of all, you have ministered to her and fed her with sound doctrine as her pastor. Please know that you are constantly in our prayers. Lynda Fassett

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    1. Thanks Lynda. Deeann is very special to us. We are praying for her too and thank you for praying for us.

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  2. I knew you would end up writing a very good story behind this entire ordeal and knew it would have such a deep strong spiritual side to it. God has given you such a strong ability and, son, he is not finished with you yet. He is always in control. Sometimes He has to stop us long enough for us to really realize it. God's hand has been on you from the moment you were in born and the DR said Mrs. Dorsett we have a problem with your baby. You were always healthy after a day or so in that incubator in the hospital. God's hand was on you as a youth, a teen, and young man and now and Friday when you go into surgery God will be in there with you. Blessings from mom and dad

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    1. Terry you have been faithful to God and I pray for His healing in your life. Thanks for being my friend and partner in the ministry for all these years.

      Robert Fullerton
      Limestone Baptist Association

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    2. Thanks Robert, for your prayers and partnership in ministry.

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  3. Margaret and Edward ChampionMarch 26, 2014 at 7:59 AM

    Praying for you.

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  4. Hoping you pull through, friend...

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    1. Thanks Joshua. I'll try to keep you posted, as I'm able.

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  5. Terry, you and Kay are continually in my prayers. I really have come to appreciate how our Lord and Savior used things I think of as minor to make a major impact in in my life.

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    1. Thanks Laurie. God does teach us things in interesting ways.

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  6. Well said, Terry. God's got this.

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  7. We are praying for you, the family, and the ministry to go forward.

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    1. Thanks Walt. Once I'm through all of this, I'd love to come speak in your church again and tell them about ministry in Connecticut.

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  8. "Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again." Praying earnestly for you pastor.

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    1. Thanks Joshua. You and Anita's prayers mean so much.

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  9. Gail Lynne SimpsonMarch 26, 2014 at 9:12 AM

    Thoughts and prayers coming your way. May God continue to place a healing touch on you.

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    1. Thanks Gail. Sure would love to hear your Dad sing one of those old hymns right about now.

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  10. Jane and Greg McConnellMarch 26, 2014 at 9:21 AM

    Terry, First let me say thank you for keeping so many of us in the know about your situation so that we can be praying for you, and your medical team, in advance of your surgery. I know it cannot be easy to discuss this situation, but doing so helps us all to know exactly how to pray for you and Kay, and your kids. Not many words send terror into our lives like the word cancer. Thanks be to God for His peace in such a terrifying time. Please do know that prayers are being lifted from VT, and from SC too, to a God who is in control and who loves us.

    This blog was beautiful. Thanks for reminding us all of the love that knew us before we were even conceived - for a God that runs the world and our own day to day lives. Thanks again for letting so many of your friends walk this road with you. May you feel every one of us by your side today, tomorrow, Friday, and throughout your recovery.

    Logistically, if they throw any drugs at you and you want to chat about those, please don't hesitate to do ask.

    Love to you, Kay, and all of the kids. Greg and Jane

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    1. Thanks guys. And Jane, if I have to do chemo, I'll make sure to send the list of stuff to you so you can help me understand all the side effects.

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  11. Pamela Copeland JohnstonMarch 26, 2014 at 9:26 AM

    Terry I'll be praying for you. Having had Cancer myself I know what your feeling. God gave me Dueteromony 33:27 when I was going through it. Jerry Falwell said a Saint is bullet proof until he has finished the work God gave him to do. You my friend have a long way to go before your finished.

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  12. We are praying for you!

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    1. Terry just as you said I know that God is with you all the way. We are all praying for you and for God to demonstrate his "glorious might" in and through your life.

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    2. Thanks David, it means a lot to know you, and the FBC family, is praying.

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  13. I have no doubt that everything is going to work out fine. God is not finished with you yet. We will try to get by to see you when we return to Vermont next month. We will be praying. Blessings. Steve and Nellene

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  14. Outstanding my friend . . . If there is anything I can do for you beyond continuing to pray please let me know . . .

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  15. Praying for you, Terry.

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  16. AWESOME PASSAGE, I always have been impressed with your walk in Christ and continue to do SOOOO.

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  17. God can turn it around for something glorious. Amen!

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  18. What an inspirational blog! The Lord will get you through this just like He got me through my neck surgery and recovery almost 18 years ago. I continue to pray for you and will pray even more on Friday as you go through your surgery.

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    1. Thanks Pam, I appreciate your prayers. It means a lot.

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  19. We pray God's blessings on you and your family, Terry, as you all walk through this ordeal together. You may be going through this physically, but your family is going through it right there with you. We praise God for His perfect peace, the peace that surpasses understanding. So glad that you are experiencing His perfect peace right now. His peace will be with you going forward as well. Praying for healing, and little pain with Friday's surgery and beyond. Laurie and Chuck Hurdle

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    1. Thanks Laurie. And I'm thankful people are remembering to pray for my family too.

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  20. hello Terry , my walk on that very same road started 5 years ago and God has done amazing things in my life - nothing is ever wasted - God takes all these things and turns them around for His Glory I will keep you in prayer and the family along with medical staff and all - I pray Gods Peace upon each and every one and His wisdom for all the staff caring for you

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    1. Thanks Maxine. I appreciate your prayers for me and for the hospital staff.

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  21. Dear friend Terry, we are praying for you. May the Lord bring great glory to Himself through your faith in Him and His faithfulness to you.

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  22. Thanks Kenny, I appreciate you a lot. Did you know we have two of your young people in our church plant in Hartford? The Davis's.

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  23. Terry, I do not know you personally. I have gotten to know you a little bit online. You have been a huge blessing to me! Your book has given me the tools to help this little church in the mountains of Idaho. I have been so encouraged by your posts. This article was just such a blessing. I know you are going through a scary time. I cannot imagine how alarming the news had to be for you. But you are correct - God IS in control. He is working out his plan for your life and ministry. We just have to trust Him. Daddy knows best! I am praying that the Spirit wraps His arms around you and keeps you in perfect peace in the middle of this storm. I am also praying the surgery goes well and that you heal quickly. We are holding you up in prayer brother!

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    1. Thanks Virgil for your kind words and your prayers. I am grateful that my writings have helped you in your ministry. That was my prayer when I wrote them.

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  24. This is a moving testimony of grace in the dark place. Terry, be reassured you are in our thoughts and prayers as you walk through this particular valley. May God grant you much peace and healing in the months ahead. The battle belongs to the Lord and He has already overcome for us. Rest in His strength as you face all that is yet to come.

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  25. Terry, believe me I understand. I am praying that God will give you His sweet peace!

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  26. Terry, we have not met yet but I know the road you are walking with the shock of being in that number of hearing that diagnosis that no one expects to hear for themselves. The toughest time is waiting to find out the extent and the needs for the rest of treatment. I found that chemo and radiation were far easier to do than I had imagined..The new meds and treatments help the process go much smoother. I pray your surgery goes smoothly. I learned the power of the preposition during my breast cancer treatment year. God is with us IN trouble, not that He keeps us From all trouble. Blessings.

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  27. Amen and amen. I am right there with you my brother. Praying everything goes smoothly. Cancer is but 1 of many minor bumps in life's walk in the grand scheme of things. Don't be surprised when God uses this episode in your life to bless others. Then again, he already has.

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  28. Thank you, Terry, for your testimony in word and in song. May the Lord continue to surround you with His presence...You are in my prayers.

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  29. Terry--I read your blog this morning about Romans 8:28...that is my life verse so it really did bring me to tears. I know R.8:28 is correct even when we ask our self and God, "what can possibly be the good in this"?. Praying for you Terry: for health, assurance, and spiritual strength and for the Drs.to be guided by the hand of God. Praying that you will see and know the plan and that you will grow, be blessed and prosper even in this. regards Maggie

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  30. Dr. Dorsett and family, know that you are forever in our prayers, your ability to walk through this valley with your head uplifted towards heaven speaks volumes, about who you are and who God is to you. It is a blessing to watch as you walk with God and trust him to be the all sufficient savior that he is, rest assured that the way you're handling this situation speaks well of the relationship that you have with Christ, and just by chance if in the midst of all that is happening, if for ever so brief a moment you may need to be reminded, GOD LOVES YOU, you are his child and you're not alone, his grace is sufficient enough to keep you during this and his mercy is ever lasting. You are always in our prayers. Rev. Derrick C. Holloway and family.

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  31. I will pray for you brother. God bless and keep you, and be glorified in your life, and even through the trials like cancer.

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  32. I found you via Jack Miller's blog. God Bless you, best wishes and keep smiling.

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  33. We are praying for you and Kay, let us know if there is anything we can do for you.

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