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Standing With Bro Briggs
We are in your corner Bro Briggs. We wish you a full recovery. Several people have elected to make statements and write scriptures that may be uplifting to Bro Briggs during such a difficult time. He has been diagnosed with cancer and apparently it's pretty far advanced. Probably no one (with very few exceptions) can legitimately begin to understand what Bro Briggs is going through during this time. You can trust the Lord but that in itself doesn't totally take away from the natural fear that someone experiences who's been diagnosed with such an illness.
So under these circumstances many feel it's good to use this blog exclusively for the purpose of encouraging Bro Briggs during this time. Feel free to contribute and write things that may serve to ease and to calm the Brother's soul. I've started this thread at the request of someone who posted a message on the previous thread.
I respectfully request that you don't use this thread as a means to discuss the "NTCC". I will move or delete such messages. We want this thread to serve as a tool for encouragement. We are pulling for you Bro Briggs and we sincerely wish you and your family the best.
Jeff
65 comments:
I really like what you said here Jeff:
"You can trust the Lord but that in itself doesn't totally take away from the natural fear that someone experiences who's been diagnosed with such an illness."
I've always pondered if it was wrong to be fearful, like is it a sin? Or is it not trusting God enough?
In Revelation towards the end it says the fearful and unbelieving will be cast into the lake of fire.
But it's only normal to have some fear.
I wonder if Jesus feared dying...
Sorry to ramble, but I really liked that small sentence you wrote.
Hope you are hangin' in thrtr Bro. Briggs <(((><
I'm doing well. I deal more trepidation than actual fear but then I see the amount of people pulling for me and praying for me and my soul says it is well. The news keeps getting bleaker but the Lord keeps getting brighter. Thank you all for this kindness and honor you are showing during this time - RB
Not a problem Bro. Dawn, who knows. The scripture you quoted exists but I can't imagine anyone not having some natural fear under such circumstances. NO ONE knows the answer. It is what it is. Are you saved by grace and the blood or unwavering faith? If it takes both
Chief
2 Kings 20:1-5
In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz came to him, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live.
Then he turned his face to the wall, and prayed unto the LORD, saying,
I beseech thee, O LORD, remember now how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done [that which is] good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore.
And it came to pass, afore Isaiah was gone out into the middle court, that the word of the LORD came to him, saying,
Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the captain of my people, Thus saith the LORD, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee: on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of the LORD.
I'm sure Hezekiah or anyone in his situation would have some fear. Even if a person has complete faith and knows they are going to heaven, I believe there is still some fear for loved ones and natural fear of the unkown (unknown meaning we are at a place we've never been before). When we know for certain that everything is right in our soul and we walk with the creator of life every day there is comfort and peace, but we still are human and fiery darts from the enemy exist.
I say all this having never been in Rev. Briggs position. At the end of the day, God is in control and whatever happens is to His glory and honor. Many are praying including us, and there is nothing that can accomplish more than the prayers of the Saints. As Christians we have a right and can expect according to God's word healing. Hezekiah prayed and God saw fit to give him 15 more years. I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if God heals but whatever happens we must praise Him in the storm.
Don and Ange
You know, I was thinking about how our lives go through changing seasons, just as the weather around us and what mattered most when we were fine don't matter much when we are going through a difficult time.
I remember one time when I was going through a very difficult time in my life and this sermon about abraham, how he started his journey to offer isaac as a sacrifice, made a big impact on my life. Abraham starts his journey with 2 of his young servants but as he's coming closer to where God had told him to go, he tells his servants to wait there.
We must go alone, to the place of sacrifice. Lay the offering at the altar whatever that would be and leave it there.
Abraham had come this far and he knew that God was going to come through for him, whatever the outcome, he was going to do God's will.
And bro. Briggs we are like those servants, waiting for you, fellow brothers and sisters looking and praying for you in this trying time.
We are with you my brother.
Love you and your family.
Thanks everyone
Our thought and prayers are with you and your family.
Sincerely, polaris
To say Christians don't have fear on this side of eternity is just not a reality. That's like saying someone hasn't sinned since they got saved. It makes for good preaching maybe -- then again, maybe not -- but believing someone has no weakness, just because they never show it, is poppycock.
You can make believe you are Superman or put on a show to make everybody think you are Super-Christian, but as long as we are in these earthly tabernacles that were never meant to die in the first place, we've got to face fear at some time or another -- and some more often than others -- and God is the One, who by His grace, casts it down on our behalf.
RB, we are praying for you and your family, and will continue to lift you up before the throne of grace, that God will comfort you and take away your pain and sickness. You are in the palm of His hand.
LD
Anonymous said,
"RB, we are praying for you and your family, and will continue to lift you up before the throne of grace, that God will comfort you and take away your pain and sickness."
Don and Ange said:
In spite of our differences, we also are hopeful and prayerful that God's healing will touch your life and bless your family during this difficult time.
"Cancer treatment is about making money. It is a 120 billion dollar a
year industry in the United States alone and estimated to be a 600 billion dollar a year industry worldwide."
As a nurse, I would have to respectfully disagree with this article.
Our bodies fell into imperfection when Eve partook of the fruit. Therefore there are times when the cells we create may have some error in them. As we age, the chances of these errors increase. It is the Fall of man is the cause. I learned in nursing school because of these errors if you live long enough, you will eventually get cancer.Sometimes the immune system kills them the genetics errors, and sometimes it doesn't.
HIV works in a similar fashion as cancer. Many countries in Africa are being ravaged by the epidemic despite having a low fat diet and low or no dioxins in their environment.
I am not saying that alternative therapy is not without merit. It does have its place.However, alternative therapies have been around for thousands of year, yet did not make a dent in the human life expectancy like modern medicine. For a medical professional to endorse alternative therapy like it is the next Tree Life is trying to circumvent the Bible. All knowledge medical or otherwise comes from God.
ns
a low fat diet isn't necessarily good as the immune system and the body needs fats to carry on processes.
i have been learning that alot of the toxins and various things in the environment and products we use for daily things (cooking , cleaning, washing items or ourselves, etc,etc) may have a great "build-up" effect of toxins and poisons that our body can't filter it out fast enough and as a result sickness ensues.
i think if one avoids all the dangerous food additives, microwaves, pre-packaged meals and just consumes fruits, veges, and some meats (meats w/o the additives) the body can return to a normal state over time.
Just an update. They changed my diagnosis to Stage 4, metastatic Primary Lung cancer (specific type not known). The liver mass which they thought was a primary liver cancer is actually a metasse from the lungs. I start Chemo in the morning. They don't know what caused the cancer. I was a smoker for about 5 years over 24 years ago so it could be that. But who knows. Thanks again for well wishes and prayers.
Robert, I'm hoping that's good news--I don't really know, but my impression has always been that liver cancer was worse than lung cancer. Keep the faith.
I also hope that is good news.
Jeff
Robert,
Did you do any remodeling in the church you bought. Could it be you inhaled asbestos while working on the church? Just wondering, or maybe you worked in a place and inhaled some type of fumes not knowing they dangerous to your health. Hope all goes well.
Deborah Shunk
Oh my...
It's not good news... =(
My dad had stage 4 lung cancer, it spread. It's been 6 years since he's passed...
Bro Briggs... chemo is going to be a small piece of hell on earth. Make sure you have a good support system around you who won't mind seeing you at your worst, who will be there no matter what.
And it's okay to rely on others for help. You have helped many and led them to Christ now it's your turn to let the body of Christ help you.
Talk to your children about the physical changes they will see in their dad.
I wish it were better news.
I wish the cure for lung cancer was available or even something that would postpone it.
I don't know, I'd look into the newest and latest research that's being done and see what's come up. I did that with my dad and printed out the info to give to his doctor and the doc snubbed it and handed it back to my dad. Didn't even bother to read it.
Anyway..we're on your side Bro!
I'm glad its not primary liver cancer. Lung cancer is a pretty tough cookie, but you have very knowledgeable Drs at MD Anderson. My husband and I are praying for you.
ns
Rev. Briggs,
I just want to apologize to you for the disrespect I showed you during our discussions. I should have respected you as my elder. I pray that God heals you from this.
Deb: it is totally possible about asbestos I have done relishing work in many old buildings but I don't know if we will ever know for sure.
Dawn: thank you, yes we are keeping the kids current as we enter each phase. This as you can imagine is the hardest part of it all. My son is keeping a journal about his feelings. My daughter is asking a lot of questions but holding uP well.
Chris: don't worry all is forgiven.
There is nothing wrong with being real but good grief. The guy has enough on his platter without someone giving him a death sentence while telling him that he is going to experience hell on earth. Not only that, I know someone who survived cancer, went through chemo, and is still alive even to this day years after the fact. By all accounts from this person, the chemo wasn't even all that bad. It's different from person to person.
We all know the guy's condition is serious but we don't want to be like the grim reaper either.
Keep up the good fight Pastor Briggs. I like the story about the little train that could. He never gave up. There is a time to be real but there is also a time to say forget about the circumstances, I am going to do my best to fight through this stuff.
Shame about your dad, Dawn, but try not to be so negative. I have a friend who had stage 4 lung cancer, and he just came back from getting a PET scan in Phoenix which indicated that he's still cancer free. You might want to investigate liver cancer before you announce that finding out you don't have it isn't good news.
As far as asbestos, it causes mesothelioma, not lung cancer. My father died from mesothelioma, which involves the pleura, not the lungs. When you have that, they pretty much just shake your hand and wish you a speedy journey into the next life (although he did defy expectations by living a couple more years).
Cancer of any kind is scary, but there are a lot of people that have survived lung cancer, even stage 4. No doubt your dad's experience has made you pessimistic, but this is a place to be encouraging. Robert already knows he has a stiff fight; gloom and doom doesn't help.
I'm sure most of us have heard of cases where the church prayed for someone and they went to the hospital again and the doctor couldn't find the cancer that they had found before, and couldn't explain what happened.
I keep typing things and erasing them. I wish I knew the right things to say in a case like this. I don't want to say the wrong thing. I will just pray for you and your family, Rev. Briggs.
We want to say things which encourage Pastor Briggs. That pretty much sums it up. We certainly want to be careful not to discourage the man. We all understand that his condition is a serious one. That being said we can find testimony after testimony where people have overcome cancer. Sure we can also find the opposite but for the sake of providing the man strength of will, he really doesn't need to be reminded of those instances.
I personally believe that if I were in Pastor Briggs shoes, I'd have no plans to give up and I'm certain that Pastor Briggs feels the same way. So therefor by providing the man "only" encouragement, he can have additional strength and confidence to overcome this battle and by Gods grace, emerge triumphant. There it is.
Jeff
Thanks everyone, but I did want to tell Dawn that her comments were not depressing in my view. I've prayed with a lot of people in the hospital and homes that went through this so I know what is potentially in store. Actually, the most comforting thought came from a statement Kristofer said earlier on: God is dealing with you like a friend giving you time to get your house together. I am fighting but I am also preparing. And I feel at peace. I had my first Chemo yesterday and feel great today though Doc said I would be pretty sick in a week. We'll see. I am just immensley encourgaged by the support here, on facebook, through my organization, and around the world (people we have met over the years in other countries), churches of family members and friends, etc . etc. etc. I can't help but feel blessed, thankful, and humbled to the core.
RB,
Galatians 2:20-21
20I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.
Be encouraged because the Grace of almighty God is the most important power in our life, without it there is no hope. I'm praying for you and your family.
LTravis
Dear Robert, I just happen to look at this blog (seldom do) and this is what I see. I want to say I really appreciate your positive spirit in this trying time. This year I have had two co-workers (one a friend) both of which were younger than me pass unexpectedly. I was reminded of the frailty of of "all of our lives" and how indeed it is just a vapor. It has been over two decades since we started out serving our Lord together in Tillicum. Regardless of the outcome I know you to be a good man full of faith that loves Christ, that has been a wonderful example of the believer.
Your my brother and I love you sir. Damion Jacobs
Thank you brother, your's was the witness that brought be the good news. You followed up on me when I was doing the duck and dodge, and I am ever thankful for that. I would have none of the peace, or confidence that I have at this time without the testimony that you gave and the faithfulness you demonstrated. Thank you for being my friend and for your prayers.
God bless and keep you!
And thank you LTravis.
Wow, it is almost like God wants us to follow "peace with all men" and is using Rev. Briggs condition to bring it about.
How Great is our God.
I don't think God made Bro Briggs sick so there would be peace on this blog. God doesn't want people to be mistreated and taken advantage of by churches like the NTCC. We can be at peace while still warning people about the NTCC. Jeff just wanted to use this blog to serve a different kind of good for a while. Chances are Jeff will get right back into the swing of things when this situation with Bro Briggs subsides. That is my guess.
Sebring said,
"Wow, it is almost like God wants us to follow "peace with all men" and is using Rev. Briggs condition to bring it about.
How Great is our God."
Anonymous said,
"I don't think God made Bro Briggs sick so there would be peace on this blog."
I think you misunderstood Anon. "using" and "made" are two different words.
I don't really think I'd want to be "used" quite like that. I also doubt that Bro Briggs is being used to make peace on this blog. Of course none of us can prove it one way or the other. Such a theory is highly superstitious.
Many people in the NTCC are entirely too superstitious.
Acts 17:22 Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious.
KJV Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
(Rom 8:28 KJV)
I think this is the spirit that Sebring meant it in, Anonymous.
If you don't think that God allows people to die for a reason, as a sacrifice for the benefit of humanity, you ought to read either of the 4 Gospels, particularly towards the end.
Rev. Briggs,
You wanted to do something to help the situation with people leaving NTCC. Maybe I'm 'superstitious' but I have to say, some men do a lot in their deaths. Christ saved us all in dying. In ancient times when men wrote biographies, they paid particular attention to the way a man died. To them, it said a lot about the man. Christ was no exception, but rather His death said more than anyone's death before or after Him.
Rev. Briggs, I hope I am not sounding morbid. I hope you can pull through, and live a long life here on earth, but I have to agree with Paul that to die is gain.
In the OT even the saints feared dying. Just look at the account of Hezekiah. I think Hades was a scary place that they thought of as a dark and lonely abyss, separated from God, even for the righteous. Just look at the book of Job and how Job, a righteous man, describes the place he will go when he dies.
Flash forward to the NT era, during the apostolic and post-apostolic era, and you find men that coveted death, especially martyrdom, as they were not like some worldly Christians today, so involved in politics, and worldly matters. They looked for a city which has foundations whose builder and maker is God.
I do hope that peace can be made. I think that is what Rev. Briggs wishes, too. What can we do to honour him by applying some of the things he has taught us while he spent so many hours on this blog? Is there some reason why we are now turning our attention to him who sought for peace between us and NTCC? Or is it just some 'un-superstitious' happenstance?
Is there ever a time to say, enough is enough?
Can I just share my testimony? I talked to a man who claims he knew Rev. Davis many years ago. This is what he told me (although I won't go into details). He said he was preaching for RW Davis though he had been preaching longer than Rev. Davis had been saved. He claims Rev. Davis lied to him about whose name the church property was in where he was pastoring. We talked at length about other things, but at last he told me that I need to let go of RW Davis.
I felt like this man's advice was from God, and I am passing on his advice to some of you:
Let go of RW Davis. Remember the woman the man helped across the river? The other man was offended that the man carried her, but he told him, I left that woman at the river's edge, but you have carried her all this way. I was spending a lot of time on this blog when I could have been studying and reading my Bible. I finally let go of RW Davis and NTCC, and started studying, and I feel way better, and I have grown much more, and corrected my understanding of the Bible in a much more scholarly way. I still bring up things, and talk about them when they apply to my studies, like I will tell my wife that NTCC taught this or that, but the Bible says, this or that.
I don't think there is anything wrong with that.
I am glad for the good that this blog has done in helping people, but I just think that some people just need to let RW Davis go for the sake of their own soul. There is such a thing as temperance in all things. Beware lest you be guilty of biting and devouring someone and you yourself are consumed.
God bless you all, and may we all be edified through all of this, and most of all, God bless you, Rev. Briggs. May the God of comfort see you through all of this in the weeks ahead.
There is not a whole lot that we can say that Rev. Briggs does not already know. We will say that through all of this, you have kept a very good attitude toward all and have been very gracious towards the X-er community. In spite of where we all stand on all things NTCC, you have been real and unbiased as much as possible.
There have been times of disagreement and emotions have flared on both sides. In spite of all that, we hope that we can offer encouragement and inspiration during this difficult time. It takes a very strong person to go through what you are enduring. We know that the prayers of many are effectual and that in God's love and mercy we were given a very precious gift in His Son and by His stripes we are and were healed. I have absolutely no idea what it is like to go through what you are going through but I know that in times past when things seem really bad and you find yourself in the shadow of an immovable mountain, that there is nothing that God can't do and will do for His kids.
Hang in there, stay tough.
Don and Ange
I took care of that Kris. Lets let it go.
Chief
Ok, Jeff. I don't know if I should say thank you, because maybe you are upset with me for something I said, but I will just say thank you for helping to keep the peace between us.
No, not at all Bro and honestly, you shouldn't be worried about that anyway. You are a man like every other dude who comes on this blog. Nothing wrong with sticking up for yourself.
Chief
Thank you all is really the only thing I can say. You all have been great in this situation and I hold it as a great honor.
Hey, how has it been going Pastor Briggs? I hope you're making progress with the Chemo. I know it's kind of early to tell but certainly we are hoping for the best.
Take care.
Jeff
Hi Everybody!!
I am going on R&R Leave from Afghanistan, Rev Briggs I will be in Texas in less than 24 hours,
Render Honor upon whom Honor is due;
Rev Briggs,
I will be thinking and praying for you and your family when I land in TX on the way to go see my family.
God Bless you,
Bro Johnson
RB,
Here is some comfort for you and everyone.
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God. Ephesians 2:8
If life is “because I have to”—where’s the joy in that?
Too often I hear folks rejecting Christ because they think the Christian life is all about rules and regulations—all about stifling, suffocating ritual.
It happens when we confuse Christ with legalism. Legalism is joyless because it’s endless. There is always another class to attend, another person to teach, another mouth to feed. Excerpted from:
Max on Life
Grace! It makes all the difference. I like this quote:
Gone are the exertions of law-keeping, gone the disciplines of legalism, gone the anxiety that having done everything we might not have done enough. We reach the goal not by the stairs but by the lift . . . God pledges his promised righteousness to those who will stop trying to save themselves.
Grace offers rest. Legalism? Never.
http://insidedp.com/int/news/1841-dp-family-known-for-their-giving-receives-a-houseful-of-furniture
Update on Chemo Today (3rd round)... well, the update is there was no Chemo.
Unfortunately the Doctor would not allow me to take it because my CT scan from last week showed that my Tumors in my Lung and Liver have grown which mean that the Cancer treatment to date is not working so far.
I am scheduled to do an urgent PET scan tomorrow at 3 and then follow up and Chemo with my Oncologist on Tuesday morning. ... The Pet can will confirm the growth of the tumors as it is possible that they got a false reading from the CT scan. Hopefully so, but if not they will change my chemo drugs and start again. Thanks for your continued prayers. I feel very good and have actually put about 5 pounds back on, pain is very minimal so from that perspective all is great. Just got to stop the pesky cancer cells now.
It's taken me so long to write because of several things.
1) Energy, engergy energy - I just have been so tired.
2) we had to make a trip to Lubbuck to perform my Mother-in-laws funeral it was very sad and unexpected.
3) We had a short Revivival.
And also my family was blessed in such a fantastic way. A good friend of ours here in Houston put us in for a Christmas Givaway through Gallery Furniture. They had to write a letter as to why they thought we were deserving of a house full of new furniture. Their letter was selected for the semi finals and then they needed to get supporting letters from others who knew us. Close to 100 letters were written from people in our church, and teachers and administrators from our childrens school, as well as others. That put us into the 3rd round. Then our story along with others was put online for voting. That said out of 4500 nominees 35 were given new furniture and we were one. 3 Bedrooms full, a new dinning room table and a beautiful new couch.
God is so good. No fears, to tears (accept those of gratefulness and joy) and no worries. Whatever happens My Lord has shown me that He will provide.
And thank you all for the beautiful words, sentiments, and most of all the truce it was for me a great honor. Merry Christmas
God bless and keep you all. PS if you want to read the story and see pictures let me know it was covered by 3 news agencies.
I just noticed the link was posted right before my post. That's the first one to write about it. If you go to his FB page you can see all of the pictures and the huge turnout of people who came to make the delivery.
It's great to hear from you again R.B. We are glad that you were able to drop in and give us an update on how you are doing. Congrats on the furniture, hope you are able to sleep better at night. Get well soon. Prayers.
DnA
You just keep praying, fighting and seeing what more the doctors can do for you Pastor Briggs. That is all you can do. You've been tough thus far and I'm sure you'll continue to be.
Jeff
Other than prayers, what support has Rev. Briggs received from Rev. Davis and others that run NTCC. I am curious to know, has there been financial aid from them?
Kind of personal don't you think, but yes they have helped me with more than prayer.
Hey RB,
You are right in this instance. We just hope and pray that you get better. We have all had our differences but right now all that is important is your recovery. The prayers of the saints can be more helpful in this particular situation that any financial help.
I have posted on other threads and our own blog, but in this thread we have chosen to support Rev. Briggs. I was impressed with some of the things that I learned about you doing in the community which are and have not been the status quo for ntcc. Any of us could at any time be in the same situation and need the prayers of others and I hope that if that time comes for us, that there would be others who would pray for us. In the end the money is not going to heal us but the love of those who pray for us and their moral support will make a greater difference in our lives.
DnA
As an RN I can pretty much assure you that the cause of your lung cancer was out of your control.
Many folks don't realize that a good number of lung cancers are of unknown cause. No history of smoking, second hand smoke, radon, etc.
No amount of "if only I trusted in God more" would have prevented or will cure a cancer or other diseases. If God decides to cure you by a miracle- that's His choice. However, that will not keep me or others from praying for you any less.
I pray that God leads you to the people and the therapies that give you peace. Remember, there are "pallitive" programs that are available that can help you deal with the physical and emotional pains that you may suffer.
"Pallitive" care is not end of life care. It helps one cope with catastrophic diagnosises and treatments. Please talk to your doctor about this option if you haven't already.
I know the real fear of the diagnosis of lung cancer. My Pet scan made it a 99.9% diagnosis... until my biopsy 2 1/2 weeks later. I have "necrotyzing granulomatous disease" of the hilar region of my lungs. Most likely it was a fungal infection.
Those 2 1/2 weeks got me really educated on how I would plan to live out my next few years. If you are a service-connected veteran or a military retiree and need some answers on how to access different programs... give me a holler.
Until then I will be keeping you and your family in my thoughts and my prayers.
Dear Chillin:
Yes I am interested in the information you mentioned that might be available to me through the VA. I have been looking into a few possibilities but the more info you get about the services they provide the better.
Life has been good. God has given me great peace through this wildest of storms and I say that will full confidence. He will not fail me. Whatever the outcome of this is I am prepared as is my family.
The Chemo has been, to this point getting better with each dose which is a suprise to me. I just took my fourth dose on Tuesday and have just begun getting a little naseus but nothing to bad to bear. With the third round I only got sick a total of 3 days and the rest of the time I was almost perfectly normal.
The tumors have shrunk some. The Lymph nodes have gone dormant. And my Oncologist keeps telling me he believes my primary diagnosis will eventually switch to either Bilary or Pancreatic... not much better but they are just words to me anyway... it's all in God's hands for sure.
We were able to start cutting down on the pain meds PRAISE GOD which means some of the other things I suffer because of those meds will begin to clear up (I think you might know what I mean).
I have two more rounds ending the end of next month which with then put me into a re-assessment stage and they will begin to look at other possible treatments like Radiation, ligation, etc. all though the doctor told me that he did not think I would ever be a candidate for removal as the size and postion of the largest liver tumor was such that he didn't think a surgeon in the country would risk the operation. Well we will see.
In appearance I look fine... hardly any hair loss, one blessing is that my hair is not really growing so I don't need hair cuts as often at all. Wait got down from 292 to 220 and has stayed there so that's good. My apetite is back and I have a lot more energy. So all the prayers have been working.
Thank you all.
Chilling you can contact me through my email at pastor@ntccpasadenatx.org
Thanks
Robert Briggs
Ok, here is another follow up on my condition for those of you who have been praying for me. For that I thank you again.
I had my 6th Chemo treatment yesterday at the VA in Houston. My Doctor told me that from the first CA-19-9 Tumor Marker test I got when I was first diagnosed to the last one taken on my 5th chemo cycle I went down from 243,000 to 21,343 a decrease in almost 80%. While this number is still extremely high it is at least puts my numbers on the charts that the doctor's can actually use.
I feel great most all the time. Didn't even get sick the last time I took the chemo only had a couple of days of depression brought on by the huge amount of steoids they load me up with. All in all life is good.
Thanks for all who are concerned and have prayed. If I can trouble you for more it would be a blessing.
That's good, Robert. Keep up the fight.
Robert, I'm hoping that's good news--I don't really know, but my impression has always been that liver cancer was worse than lung cancer. Keep the faith.
Bailey,
Robert passed away a little while back. Maybe a month or two.
His Church's Blog "The Torch" has also been deleted. This was a shock to me. It had a lot of good content. He had put a large portion of who he was into it for many years. It was part of who he was. He said it was an extension of his local ministry.
If not continued by someone else I assumed it would be left up as a memorial to him; to who he was.
Did they also bury him without a headstone? They might as well have.
This is disturbing.
Gregory
Gregory said:
"Did they also bury him without a headstone? They might as well have."
DnA said:
Davis or Kekel probably asked the grieving widow: "When are you going to let that man die?", Like they asked the Reeds about Daniel Morris.
For what it's worth, Robert was paying for the blog. I'm sure they weren't planning on paying for it any longer. Obviously I'm not paying for this one nor would I. I don't know. It is a shame that he put so much time into that just for it do disappear. The NTCC sucks. What a way to go. Good grief. Spend the last days of your life involved in that mess? No life insurance, no direction, all for what? To get people quote, "saved". Waiting on Kekel hand and foot is what being saved is all about? Cleaning his house is being saved? Being more worried about whether or not your name was on a card attached to a gun given to RWD than whether or not you have live insurance for you family? That is a sad state of mind. The NTCC really messes people up in the head. Robert was a pretty good dude but good grief what a way to go.
Who knows. Life is strange. What do I leave behind? This blog? I have life insurance. No matter what, I hate to see Robert go out like that. Such a shame because in my opinion, his life was wasted being involved with the NTCC. I'm sure his family loved him but 100 years from now there will be no thought of his family or him or me for that matter. Robert's kids had a "relatively" normal childhood because it wasn't like Robert was following the NTCC rules either. He was kind of like Kekel in that respect. He picked and chose as do most NTCC ministers these days or they are stupid for following Kekel.
In all fairness, Robert's blog had to be paid for and I'm sure his wife didn't have the money to keep it going. Just being an honest broker. If the dude would have had life insurance, the blog could have been left up for a memorial but who would have read it? I wouldn't have. Others might have. I didn't read it when he was around for the most part. I always felt that it was simply more NTCC jargon in some shape shape, form or fashion.
Good point, Chief, I forgot that he was paying for it. It probably cost about 40 bucks a year for the web hosting, not sure if there would have been any other costs associated with it, but it's hard to blame a widowed mother for not being able to afford to maintain it.
That whole situation sucks. This is basically what a married woman in the ntcc has to look forward to. I'm so glad I'm no longer a part of this sad religious organization. If this is the kind of life that God requires people to live, Heaven would be a scary place.
Don and Ange wrote....
If this is the kind of life that God requires people to live, Heaven would be a scary place.
Chief said...
No evidence in the Bible that God requires all that. No way. I don't know very much about God but the NTCC way sure isn't the Bible way. Thank God I'm out of that mess.
Chief,
I didn't forget Pastor Briggs (or his Church) paid for his church site. Not that you said I forgot.
I just doubt his fees were due a few weeks after he died, and this was why it was deleted.
It just doesn't seem right to me to delete his site so soon after he died. It's like burying a loved one in an unmarked grave.
Of course, maybe his wife wanted the site deleted so she could move on immediately after his death.
But, my view is the Church Blog belonged to the people in that Church, and not to his wife.
At least his YouTube videos are still up.
Maybe the Torch will be reactivated at a later date? I hope so.
Another way to look at this is that this is even more proof that NTCC is all about money and not people.
No news there.
Gregory
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