Day 7 update/Authentic Christianity

Hello everyone,

I hope all is well with you "Ropeholders". I haven't posted in a few days so let me start at the beginning.

My counts are way down. White Count is really low and platelets very, very low. This is exactly what the Drs. want. I am a little bit ahead of schedule in many ways and we are so thankful. The downside to this is I'm extremely tired and my walking has taken a back seat during the last few days. I'm being honest when I say that this transplant has been significantly harder to endure than my last one. Yet I still feel strong and am very hopeful about the outcome of transplant.

I'm at day 7 and in a perfect world that would mean 93 more to go until my release from MD Anderson. Sounds like a long time, but at least I can see some light at the end of the tunnel (I hope it's not a train.)

I've been doing quite a lot of thinking lately concerning authentic Christianity. Whether or not what our hearts (actions) line up with our mouth says. I was watching a morning news show today and the report was on how many husbands cheat on their wives. Evidently it's becoming sort of an outbreak across our nation. They sent an undercover reporter in to a bar to see how quickly a married man would approach her. Sure enough in about 3 minutes we are treated (through hidden camera) to seeing a middle aged man bust out his Romeo skills. The reporter noticed his wedding ring and asked him about it. Very brazenly he laughed and said "it comes off real easy." And with that he slipped the ring that his wife had given him as a symbol their commitment, put it in his pocket and continued his "what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas" routine.

You say, "Roger what has this to do with authentic Christianity?" I'm glad you asked! There have been countless times that I would've brought shame to the Lord if it hadn't been for one small thing.. guess what it was. No, not my wedding band....I'm still in love with the girl that walked down the aisle to begin our life together almost 24 years ago. Rather than keeping you guessing, let me give you the situation.

I was out running errands and one of my stops was the scene of a major mistake by the owner of the business. The owner got very aggressive, my temper flared and I was going to go on through the drive through, park and go into the establishment and finish our little spat. Then I remembered I had on a Christian message T-shirt. I was stumped....I even looked around in the car to see if I had any other shirt to put on. The only thing that stopped me was the "message" shirt I had on. If I had found a different shirt to put on, the argument would have escalated. Then the Lord spoke to me. "Is your Christianity so trivial that you can take it off like a t-shirt? Put on a plain shirt and let the guy have it? Is my sacrifice and calling so meaningless to you that you can shed it like a shirt only to put it back on when you're in the mood to be associated with Me?

I was so caught in my sin. I would have felt better to give that guy what I thought he deserved. If only I hadn't worn that "I Believe" t-shirt. Pitiful conduct. As I drove home I begged God's forgiveness. I asked Him to help me realize that being a Christian is much more than a garment to be taken on and off, it is the power of the Gospel, a treasure stored in jars of clay.

That's what being an authentic Christian is all about. Live the gospel, don't just read about it. Be the hands and feet of Christ, not for recognition, but because He changed your life and you want to be more like Him and less like you.

I believe the harvest is plentiful and the time for revival is at hand. Lord, help us to be really authentic messengers of your gospel.

In His Grip!

Roger

Comments

[Jeremiah]

Wow, first to post:-) Glad to hear the transplant is going well so far. Can't wait for this to be over and to see you on stage again!!

Jeremiah

[Terry Boggs]

Hi Roger and Debbie,

I've been watching everyday for an update and was so thrilled to see it today. We are continuing to pray for you two and the children. Thanks for the challenge to live to become more like Him and less like us. We can ALL relate to your experience, how we must grieve our Lord. He is so gracious to forgive us, may we never treat that lighlty. 93 days and counting...We will pray and count with you, each day is a day closer. Many blessings, Jeff and Terry in TN.

[Tina Reynolds]

Roger,
Thanks for the wonderful, thoughtful post...I know exactly what you mean about "T-shirt Christianity": Sometimes you DO just want to put it off so you can "finish" sinning, but our testimony is something we must always wear before the world, so we definetly need to keep it clean! Thank God for His wonderful salvation! I'll be praying for you and Debbie. Love ya, keep your chin up, and see you (hopefully) at Hickory Corners, MI this year!!!
Love, Tina

[Mary]

What a powerful message. Thank you. So glad things are going well for you and pray your strength will increase daily. Missed you Saturday night at the concert in Wooster. The guys were fantastic and it was great to hear your voice.

[Marg]

I agree wholeheartedly with you,I tell my grandson,13,"the only Bible some people will ever read is you,live your life so they can see Jesus in you." You never know who is watching. Roger,I have been praying for you that this transplant will go better than the Drs. ever thought,(we have a miracle working God). Debbie, my prayer for you is for strength to go through it again. These are times when we have to draw on the inner strength in us. By the way, we have some pretty great weather here in Ontario, Canada, my tulips are coming up!! Your friend in Canada, Marg

[Don Hertzler]

Roger, it was so good to hear your voice on Sunday Feb.6 when Legacy Five was in Harrisonburg Va. We really missed your piano but the guys did a great program. It is great to hear that you are doing so well and we pray that you will continue to do well. Your thoughts are so good to hear and we continue to pray that you will soon be back on the road. God is so good and we are so thankful for what Jesus did for all of us and continues to do. We pray for you and Debbie and the kids. Praise His Name.
Don Hertzler

[Cindi Miller]

Your closing "In His Grip" has so spoken to me, and is so appropriate! I am "about" your age and have a life-threatening illness also. We have four children, ages 18-24. I love reading your thoughts and writings, particularly this one on authentic Christianity. But most of all, I love Scripture and the power and strength it brings! God is so faithful to give just what I need at just the right time, and I'm sure you've found it the same. Isn't God good?! Keep up the good work- we need you back on stage! Blessings to you and your family, Cindi

[Vicky]

And rightly so you should feel good about this transplant. Everyone has been praying that this will be "it". "The one". And since we believe it, and ask it in God's name, so shall it be. The fact that you're ahead of schedule is good news also. Be assured that all of us will continue to pray - - and believe - - that this transplant will completely cure you of this horrible disease and return you to your favorite activity: delivering God's word in song and in person. What a powerful message will be sent when that happens!! Even thinking about your being back with Legacy Five, cured, makes me want to shout!! And, since I'm in Texas, I think I'll just go outside and do it. Wonder what the neighbors will think when they see and hear a short (but cute!) 62-year-old person yell "PRAISE THE LORD!!" at the top of her voice? Turn them into Christians, maybe.

You and Debbie just "keep on keeping on", Roger, and know that when Texans pray for something, GOD LISTENS!! And ANSWERS!!

Love to you and your family from slightly soggy Austin, TX. - - - - Vicky Schnorbus

[EVELYN BLACK]

ROGER-JUST READ YOUR POST FOR TODAY--FIRST OFF LET ME SAY THIS--IF A WOMAN PUTS HERSELF IN A BAR-SHE IS LOOKING FOR SIN,AND IT WILL SURELY COME-SO GLAD YOU ARE DOING AS WELL AS YOU ARE,ON THIS TRANSPLANT--OUR PRAYERS ARE STILL WITH YOU-DEB,AND REST OF THE FAMILY--GOD BLESS--ALWAYS IN HIS GRIP--EVELYN BLACK

[Carol]

Roger,

Thanks for sharing your insight on being an authentic Christian. I believe the Psalmist's words are good for us to remember. "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my Strength and my Redeemer."

My prayer for you is that renewed strength and health come rapidly to your body.

Your partner in prayer,
Carol

[Alvin & Dorothy Kendall]

Dear Roger,
Thank you for your transparency that tells us we all have more blessings than we deserve. Your insights remind us of Isaiah 45:3 "And I will give you the treasures of darkness and hidden wealth of secret places in order that you may know it is I, the Lord, the God of Israel, who calls you by name."
Let that verse be yours forever.
Alvin & Dorothy Kendall

[Kathy Kuykendall]

Dear Roger,
So many times in life we have to start over or set a new normal. Your outlook and attitude are inspiring. We pray for you daily. We will be wearing our rope pins at the Dallas Gaithter Concert this weekend. I am sure Rope Holders from all over Texas will be present and we will be praising God and praying for you and Debbie.

God Bless you always,
Kathy in Dallas

[Virginia Foust]

WOW! What a wonderful message you put out. I love to hear from you and I get such a blessing from your words. You are in my prayers every night. I went to see L5 when they were in Des Moines and what a show they did. Only thing missing was YOU!! So will be looking to see you there next time. Kepp improving and God Bless you and your family. Virginia

[Elaine Harcourt]

What a great message, Roger! Your messages are so inspiring & hit the nail right on the head. I've been guilty of that as well. Glad to hear your are doing well with the transplant. Praying blessings on you & your family while you wait.

[joyce Veal Gibson]

Praise God! He is working miracles in you and we love Him so much for what he is doing - not only for your well-being but for what you are doing for so many of us via the internet. Reading Solomon the other evening we just couldn't believe how many times in the first 8 chapters he referred to beware of prostitutes. Later that evening I pointed out to my husband the reason for that message - the tv is filled with this junk. My husband has CLL and not bothered with it but the mantle cell lymphoma is growing rapidly and he is so thin. You have been an inspiration to me and I am keeping a notebook of your journal each time you post. I take the cursor and circle your picture and pray before bringing up your post. I also circle the other L5's and pray for them. You are helping us in our faith. Love, Joyce

[Charlotte in Nashville]

How true today's posting is? Another area to think about is the bumper stickers we have on our cars. How many times have you been cut off in traffic (or cut someone off) only to notice the "FISH" symbol or a "God is my co-pilot" bumper sticker. We all witness in ways that we don't realize, so your posting is a little kick in the pants to make us more aware of the message we are sending.

Bless you for your meditations and words of encouragement. I especially ask God to bless you and your entire family with healing (of course), strength, endurance and abundant love.

[Marj]

Now wouldn't you know it--leave it to a guy in a hospital to preach you a lesson!! I've been reading about the desert experience that Moses had and between the two of you I feel like I've been sandblasted. You see, I cared for my mom for 14 years in our home , while raising our family. Now, my mother-in-law is with us and frankly, I just haven't had the heart for it. Let someone else fill that gap this time was my attitude. There are others in the family and they are just too selfish. Well, what is my Christianity all about anyway? I stand corrected. On with the job at hand and no more complaining or murmuring!!!

[Judi Clark]

Roger,
Your faith is a testiment to His grace.
You are only as strong as the master that you choose to serve. And you have chosen to serve the "Master" who never fails us.
I pray God continues to strengthen and bless you.
Standing in the gap for you,
Judi

[Justin]

Hey Roger. I noticed my picture on your photo page. Thank you. I am the most blessed guy in the world to get to play the piano with my hero and then get my picture taken with him too!

Wow! What a great post! Your words truly touch my heart. Whether it's web-journal posts or music, God really uses you to give us what we need to hear. This afternoon while playing the piano in my room, I pulled out some song books and just glanced through them. When I got to L5's "Our Legacy" songbook, I couldn't help but stop to play and sing a few lines of Don't Be Afraid". The words of that song give a peace and sweet assurance from God that can't be described!

God Bless You!

Justin
Holding on in Texas!

[June]

What a message! It seems like we Christian change the circumstance when we are affected! We need to walk the talk!
Praying for you and your family daily.

[Arthur & Carol Curtis]

Dear Roger & Debbie,
Sure hope you kids are doing okay after such a harrowing transplant. You have certainly gone through enough. But you-all seem to holding up just fine. Maybe it's the rest of us holding our end of the rope. Sure hope it helps. We are continually praying for you guys all the time. Because I know there are other praying for us down here. Love you guys the most. The Cyber Curtis' Arthur & Carol from North Port, Florida.

[Peggy]

What a great reminder that it's not just talking the talk, but even more importantly, walking the walk, that makes one a living example. My prayer for you, Roger, is renewed strength every day. God bless you! Love and prayers, Peggy

[Charlotte Turner]

Roger,
Glad to see the post today. Wow, what a post!!!
Glad to hear you are doing o.k..
I go along with Evelyn Black's post. If a women goes to a bar, she is sining.
Praying for you and Debbie, also for the family.
IN HIS GRIP
ROPEHOLDERS FROM KY.
THE TURNER'S

[Lula]

ANOTHER GOOD POST ROGER. JUST LIKE ALWAYS!!
HOPE YOUR TIME GOES BY QUICKLY AND YOU WILL BE BACK ON THE ROAD SINGING AND PLAYING THAT BEAUTIFUL MUSIC.
TAKE CARE AND HOPE TO HEAR FROM YOU AGAIN SOON.
HAROLD AND LULS

[Anita Rayner]

Dear Roger and Debbie, What an Awesome God we serve. Thank you for your message today. We here at the Volunteer in Mission house have been talking all week about the necessity of being mindful of God's presence with us at all times, so that we might always show others His Love for all of mankind. Thank you for reminding us again. Anita @CAP in Kentucky