July 29 Update

Hey All,

Here's the latest. The good news is that my cancer is still in remission (3 months), the bad news is I'm still dealing with some major treatment related side effects. Thus, I've been grounded. This time I have to agree though, I know that my present condition would not allow me back on the bus. But, it's a day to day thing and could turn around for the good very soon. That's what I believe will happen.

God remains constant, loving and on the job and I am,

In His Grip!

Roger

Comments

[Nina Foster]

Dear Roger:

I just returned from a large church assembly in Portland. While there, I had no access to a computer so couldn't keep up on your progress--so I just prayed that God would take care of whatever needs you had. It looks like He put you on hold for a bit--but I am so thankful for the report on the remission! Like it or not, you are temporarily out of commission as far as L5 is concerned, but won't it be great when you are feeling better and you can continue your music ministry (you have so many ministries we have to be specific). Hold on! Nina

[Charlie Pigg]

Glad to hear the good news about the remission; saddened to hear the bad part. You are wise to take all precautions, despite everyone's desire to see you back on stage.

We all have faith you'll be fully healed and fit as a fiddle soon. The Lord will bless you, your family, ad L5 mightily. We'll keep praying and holding the rope with you, Roger. God bless!

[Ann Woodward]

Hi Roger,
Grounded is not much fun but like you said, it won't be for long. Take care of yourself because there are so many of us who care about you.
In His Love,
Ann Woodward in sunny Washington

[Nina Foster]

To Our Professional Typist:
When I started off this comment section, I had just read your ropeholder memo--but I wasn't going to say anything! Glad you are feeling good enough to realize what happened!!

From one professional typist to another--take plenty of time to smell the roses. Nina

[Peggy]

Roger, I rejoice in your good news, and commiserate with you on your grounding. Sometimes we need to be brought to our knees to realize God's telling us to get off our feet and taking it easy. Missed you Thursday night in Hartville, but the guys were awesome! Love and prayers, Peggy

[Karen Thies]

Roger, Debbie & all,

So glad to hear the good news that you are still in remission. The "grounding" is a bummer, and although we all love to see you on stage with the guys, we desire even more that you are completely healed, which includes your strength and all.

And yes, L4 is awesome, but L5 is even BETTER!!

We'll keep praying and holding those ropes for your continued recovery, looking forward to the day that you can rejoin the "flock" so that L5 can fly higher still.

- Karen Thies, Fruitport, MI -

[Rebecca Wilkinson]

Roger,

Just read the latest Ropeholder Memo. When you're feeling sick, go ahead and cut and paste info into the newsletter. We'll get the message--and won't hold it against you!

Take care of yourself. When I was "grounded" I became addicted to the Food Channel. That led to a weekly pie tradition for the rest of the year. May your time now be just as profitable. ;)

[Bernie and Terry Shirkie]

Dear Roger-All we can say is, "We love you!!" You are always such an example! You are not a complainer and God has so much confidence in you! So do we! Love Bernie and Terry

[Cindy]

Roger, Hang in there, Buddy. We'll all keep praying, God will keep healing & soon you'll be back to where you want to be! But until then.....just REST, ok?! We love y'all, holding the ropes in Ohio, Jessie & Cindy

[Linda Cooper]

Roger,
We love hearing from you, we can read past the typos -- and we know from the Ropeholder's memo that you are feeling a bit better since your wonderful sense of humor came shining through. With all you have been and are going through, we just feel blessed to be "in the know" so we can pray specifically for your current needs. Besides, the "perfection" we all love is from 88 keys of Ivory!
I've also been thinking that as you are in these temporary downtimes, that perhaps in the still and quietness of "rest" that God might be sending another song your way!
Being still and waiting on God is not my best attribute, either -- and I know I should learn to rely on His time, which is perfect. Alas, it is the way of our fast furious world -- instant this, instant that -- instant gratification for whatever our current desire is. No wonder we all have stress related health issues!
Well, enough of this for now. Just know that you, Deb, the kids (your "young adults!") & L5 are in our thoughts and prayers daily. Holding the ropes in Ada, OK. Tom & Linda Cooper

[Helen Johnson]

Hey, Buddy, no apologies necessary. The computer age has made us all spell a bit phunny. (hehe) You rest up and we will pray up. I still have faith that one day your strength will be restored and your heart's desire to return to full time service will be granted.
Helen

[HELEN WOOLLEY]

Hi Roger,
Just so happy to hear from you today. As the rest have already said, we are so happy about the news of remission....Praise God!
And we are glad that you are finally going to just rest and get better. We know you want to be back on the road, and we want you there too, but in good health, not just struggling to keep up. We love you so much, you and your family, and we all want God's very best for you. Just know that you are loved and prayed for, more than you can possibly know. May God continue to bless you and give you the faith and grace you need to overcome these final obstacles standing in the way of continuing your ministry with L5. You already minister to us greatly in your journal, and we love your sense of humor and stedfast faith.

[Peggy B.]

Roger Dodger,
You know that we read through your typos. I do not even notice them. You need to rest and let your body and doctors tell you when you can return to the road full time. We want the 'very best'
Rpger B. that is possible. Take care and remember--we are-
Hanging on to the Rope,
Peggy and Henry B,

[Helena Boyd]

HI TO ALL OF YOU,
WE ARE SORRY YOU ARE GROUNDED,BUT WE KNOW THAT IS THE BEST, AND LIKE YOU SAID YOU KNOW ,TOO.
WE ARE KEEPING YOU IN OUR PRAYERS.
WHEN YOU ARE ABLE TO BE BACK ON THE ROAD,WE PRAY THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO BE AT ONE OF YOUR CONCERTS.
WE HAVE NEVER SEEN LEGACY FIVE,WE HAD A CD BUT I THINK WE LOST IT IN OUR CAR ACCIDENT.WE WILL HAVE TO GET SOME MORE.
WE HAVE BEEN TO SEVERAL CATHERDAL CONCERTS.
TAKE CARE AND WE WILL KEEP PRAYING AND YOU KNOW WHAT I SAY ONE DAY AT A TIME.
YOUR FRIENDS,
DALE,HELENA BOYD

[Betty]

Grounded, sounds worse than it is if you needed! Sometimes it takes others to tell us what is best for us. We miss you but it won't be long till your tickling the ivories once again for us. Just take this time to write some awesome songs or a book. Looking up from down on my knees always seems to be the best place to be!
Betty

[Vicky Schnorbus]

Roger, I would like to suggest an experiment: take Jay's pillow, wrap it in plastic (or something), seal it up tightly, and put it as far away from you as possible. Then let me know if you can tell any difference in how you feel. If so, please throw the thing away (if you haven't already).

While you're "grounded", just enjoy sitting on your porch and counting cattle. Better yet, think of some more "Roger Bennett at the Piano" music you can do for us when you're feeling better. Until then, we'll keep playing what we have.

Love to you and your family from our family - - the Schnorbuses and the Wilsons in Austin, TX

[Terry]

Dear Roger, We are grateful to hear of the remission and will continue to pray that your side effects of tx will subside. Also, we are praying for your A-type personality to take a back seat to make it easier to wait. Ha, Ha, Ha! God Bless

[Julia Hunt]

Roger,
So pleased to hear about the remission.Just enjoy the time you need to mend by sitting on your porch fully aware that we're all holding you in arms of prayer to our Heavenly Father for those blessings you are in need of.

[Vicky Schnorbus]

Roger, please try an "experiment" for me: take Jay's pillow, wrap it up and seal it tightly, and put it somewhere far away from you (like in the "back 40"), then let me know if anything changes. If so, please throw the pillow away (if you haven't already done so).

Still holding on in Austin, TX.
The Schnorbuses & the Wilsons

[karen]

This is to the schnorbuses and the wilsons...You need to get a life. Leave Roger alone! Some of your posts sound so ridiculus.

[joyce Veal]

I have all your L5 videos and they are such a comforting way to spend time before turning in for the night. I feel like you all are in the room with me and since I've seen you in person a few times, it is like we are close friends. Thanks for ministering to us. Joyce in Oregon

[Ruth Voorhees]

I am praying that you are feelng better by now. Please, listen to the medical people and Debbie, try to do as they say. God will let you know what He wants you to do and when He wants you to do it. I know that waiting is hard part. Take care of yourself.

From sunny Roanoke, VA

Ruth

[Bernie and Terry Shirkie]

Dear Roger and Debbie--Tonight was prayer meeting and the word to this old hymn kept running through my mind. I thought of you guys and also some of the rope holders who are going through some trying times. I am going to write it out for you;

"He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength when the labours increase,
To added affliction He addeth His mercy,
To multiplied trials His multiplied peace

When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When strength has declined ere the day is half-done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources,
Our Father's full giving is only begun.

His love has no limit, His grace has no measure,
His power no boundary known unto men,
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth and giveth and giveth again!"

Please know that we are still praying for you Roger and Debbie!! love Bernie and Terry

[Joel and Lynette Taylor]

Dear Roger, Debbie and Family,
So glad to hear that Roger's cancer is in remission. Debbie I pray for all ,but you I remember more often, such a job to be Wife , Mother, Fried and Jack of all trades. You do such a good job. I know your children are a blessing. Roger we hope to see you with L5 in Dec. in Lacaster, PA. You have been our favorite for so long. I think we first heard you in 1976 or 77 in Cedarville, NJ . Lisa is still singing but mostly in her church and weddings. Not a lot of concerts. Being a working Mom, she doesn't have a lot of time. Joel is retired but works harder now than before he retired. Keep looking up. He's got everything under control. We love you.
Joel and Lynette Taylor

[Amy R.]

I don't know if this is original with us, but I liked it:
My brother and I were listening to the Gospel Greats' tribute to Howard Goodman, which I had recorded off, and Paul closed with the comment that some people say Howard "put the 'happy' in gospel music." I remembered that they say Mosie Lister (I think?) "put the 'rhythm' in religion." My brother Aaron immediately responded, "So we have 'Happy Rythm.'"
I have a copy of your instrumental album that I listen to regularly. I can play by note but am a very poor improvisationist. I would give ANYTHING but a few hours of practice (evidently) to be better. I have been tempted lately to play along with your album every day. I have all the melody line memorized and can play along with it (one note) on the guitar.
I pray for you, Kirk, Ernie, and all "George's family and friends" everyday.