January 2013 Bob DeWaay Update

Thank you, sweet friends, for your continued care and concern for my Dad. Your prayers are appreciated.

I have a brief health up date for you, along with some ministry news.

Health Update:

As for his health, his hemoglobin count was down to 6.6 on Monday. He continues to need regular (almost weekly) blood transfusions. He started his new treatment, Cytoxin, almost two weeks ago. He saw his rheumatologist yesterday and is going to have to cut the dose in half because his white blood cell count has fallen way too low. Please pray that this treatment, even at the lower dose, will cause an increase in his red blood cells. Please also pray that he would remain healthy as this treatment will wipe out his immune system.

(Preaching at the new church, Gospel of Grace Fellowship)

Ministry updates:

Despite his ongoing health problems, I am so happy to be able to share with you the wonderful news that he has been able to return to the pulpit to preach an occasional sermon. It is such a blessing to hear him preach again. The new church is Gospel of Grace Fellowship, led by Pastor Eric Douma. You can hear the sermons at the website.

He also has a new CIC article, Cursed by Works or Blessed by Faith. All new CIC articles will be online only, no print newsletters will be mailed. You can sign up to receive and email when new articles are published here. 

Local friends:

There is a blood drive being held for him and all blood types will help.

Sunday, February 17, 2013

12:00pm until 3:00pm

DoubleTree 1500 Park Place Boulevard St. Louis Park,MN 55416

A Memorial Blood Centers Blood Mobile will be at the DoubleTree following the service to accept blood donations to benefit Bob DeWaay.

*Gospel of Grace Fellowship is currently meeting at the DoubleTree if you would like to attend the service as well.

Psalm 91:1-2

¹ 

The one who lives under the protection of the Most High

dwells in the shadow of the Almighty.

² 

I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress,

my God, in whom I trust.”

Sunday Hymns - I'm So Glad I'm a Part of the Family of God

I'm so glad I'm a part of the Family of God,
I've been washed in the fountain, cleansed by His Blood!
Joint heirs with Jesus as we travel this sod,
For I'm part of the family,
The Family of God

You will notice we say "brother and sister" 'round here,
It's because we're a family and these folks are so near;
When one has a heartache, we all share the tears,
And rejoice in each victory in this family so dear.

I'm so glad I'm a part of the Family of God,
I've been washed in the fountain, cleansed by His Blood!
Joint heirs with Jesus as we travel this sod,
For I'm part of the family,
The Family of God

From the door of an orphanage to the house of the King,
No longer an outcast, a new song I sing;
From rags unto riches, from the weak to the strong,
I'm not worthy to be here, but PRAISE GOD! I belong!

I'm so glad I'm a part of the Family of God,
I've been washed in the fountain, cleansed by His Blood!
Joint heirs with Jesus as we travel this sod,
For I'm part of the family,
The Family of God 

Sunday Hymns - In Christ Alone

In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My comforter, my all in all
Here, in the love of Christ, I stand

In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones he came to save
'Til on that cross, as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin, on him, was laid
Here, in the death of Christ, I live

There in the ground, his body lay
Light of the world, by darkness, slain
Then bursting forth in glorious day
Up from the grave, he rose again
And as he stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me
For I am his and he is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life's first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Could ever pluck me from his hand
'Til he returns or calls me home
Here, in the power of Christ, I stand
(c) 2001 Thank You Music
Source: http://www.gettymusic.com/hymns-inchristalone.aspx 

A Quick Update on My Dad - Jan 9 2013

Thank you for all of your continued prayer and support for my Dad. 
He is now done with his Rituxan treatments and is being slowly weaned off the steroids. The Rituxan did not work. The last few weeks his hemoglobin counts have been dropping even faster than they have been, which is concerning. 

From my Mom:Bob's Rheumatologist called today and after they run some blood tests on Thursday when he has his transfusion they plan on starting him on the drug below (Cyclophosphamide). They need to get started sooner than his Jan 24th appointment because he is losing ground every week with his hemoglobin counts. Hopefully this one will work without too many side effects. We have to wait for the blood tests though to make sure he can take this drug. At least this is in pill form and he won't have to go in for 6 hour infusions.
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a682080.html

Friends, would you please pray about this, that he would be able to take it and that his bone marrow would respond to it?

Psalm 121:1
I will lift up my eyes to the mountains; 

 From where shall my help come? 

Sunday Hymns - Nearer My God To Thee

    Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee!
    E’en though it be a cross that raiseth me,
    Still all my song shall be, nearer, my God, to Thee.
   

        Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee!

    Though like the wanderer, the sun gone down,
    Darkness be over me, my rest a stone;
    Yet in my dreams I’d be nearer, my God, to Thee.

        Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee!

    There let the way appear, steps unto Heav’n;
    All that Thou sendest me, in mercy giv’n;
    Angels to beckon me nearer, my God, to Thee.

        Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee!

    Then, with my waking thoughts bright with Thy praise,
    Out of my stony griefs Bethel I’ll raise;
    So by my woes to be nearer, my God, to Thee.

        Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee!

    Or, if on joyful wing cleaving the sky,
    Sun, moon, and stars forgot, upward I’ll fly,
    Still all my song shall be, nearer, my God, to Thee.

        Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee!

    There in my Father’s home, safe and at rest,
    There in my Savior’s love, perfectly blest;
    Age after age to be nearer, my God, to Thee.

        Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee!

- Music and more