Pastor Ron Salsbury ~ February 2008 ~ Health Update
Good Morning Dear Ones. Well, here we are. February 12th will be my fourth anniversary of my original diagnosis of cancer. It has been the best four years of my life! Thank you for all of your love and prayers and support for me and my family. I am eternally grateful to you!February 12th will be a big day. That day will mark four years from diagnosis, and two years from the end of my treatments (hormone, chemo, surgery, and radiation.) As most of you know, we were hoping for a "non-detectable" PSA reading (0.1) at this two year point, which would have indicated a condition of being "cancer free." As most of you also know, a few months ago, my PSA rose to 0.2, and then to 0.3, which is considered to be the biological indicator of the "reoccurrence" of cancer. I had a CT and Bone Scan which thankfully, did not show any cancer metastasized in any part of my body. Cathi and I went back up to UCSF and Dr. R and the doctors there recommended that we wait until the PSA rises to 1.0, and then I will go back on hormone therapy and hormone blockers. He thought that I would be at 1.0 by the end of summer. So, that is our plan.
Here's the latest. I got my blood checked yesterday, and my PSA is 0.4 and this means it has risen again. This morning I'm feeling tender, but not sad. ... weary, but not fearful. God's amazing grace is giving us "the gift of faith." It is not something that we are generating by our own effort or in our own strength. It is a gift. It is a faith that is fully aware of two things: The size of the numbers, and, the fact that God is bigger.
I have learned that real, biblical, healthy, miracle-working faith is never a matter of denial. It is a matter of declaration. Young David did not have to deny the size of the giant Goliath, he just declared that God was greater. Daniel did not have to deny the presence of the lions in the lion's den, he just declared that God was greater. And we don't have to deny the presence of cancer cells, we just need to declare that God is greater! I so appreciate the honesty and faith of the Apostle Paul. In 2 Corinthians 4, Paul says (vs. 7) "We have this treasure ("the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ") in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us." Now notice what Paul doesn't deny, but what he does declare (vs. 8-9) "We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed." I love a faith that can be clear about the situation, but confident in the Savior! Later (vs. 16-18) Paul says, "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far out weighs them all. So, we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."
So, what will we do? We'll keep our focus on Jesus! I'm holding on to His promises, and, His people! I'm asking you to continue in prayer for me and my family. Pray against hidden cancer cells in my body, and most importantly, for Christ to be made known through this continuing story. It will continue to be a story of God's goodness, faithfulness, power, and love. And, don't forget that my story, like yours, has a really happy ending! ... And even the ending will only be a beginning! I'll leave you again with Romans 15:13 "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace, as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Keep trusting! And remember that you are loved and appreciated!
Amazingly Graced
Pastor Ron Salsbury
As most of you know, I have been blogging the updates regarding Pastor Salsbury's health as they become available on the New Life website. As I read the update today, I'm once again in tears. Some of my tears are, of course, a result of the latest news. However, the majority of my tears are for Pastor Salsbury and the truly amazing man that he is. His whole outlook on the situation he is facing is an example of the type of person we should all strive to be. He truly loves God, he truly trusts God and he's completely content with putting everything he has in His hands. I have admired Pastor Salsbury for such a long time, he was the very first pastor to really have a significant impact on me and the first pastor to motivate me to be at church every Sunday. There is something about his sermons that are unbelievably touching one minute and humorous the next minute. You laugh and cry, but at the end you always feel peaceful, calm and happy. He has taught me, and so many others, the tools needed to stay focused on what's important as far as God's plan for us. He also teaches us how to handle any struggles that may come our way and he encourages us to view these struggles as an important part of who we are.
Now, as Pastor Salsbury is going through his own struggle, he is still teaching so many people what it means to be a Christian, what it means to have Faith and what it means to appreciate the things that really are most important in our lives.
Thank you so much Pastor Salsbury for the positive impact you have had on so many people. I'm praying for you and your family continuously. : )
