Michael Spencer Update…from Michael

Posted byChaplainmikePosted inSite news/Tech

A short update for all:

Thanks for all the love and continuing prayers. Am I wrong to ask for more, more and many more?

I have a cancer diagnosis. It’s complex, but has been quickly diagnosed once I was in the Markey cancer center. We know have a plan. Many weeks as some of you know, but that is my life for now.

God is meeting our needs in every was. Enjoy his love and upholding power. This is all working a mighty work in me.

It will be weeks + before I can think about regular work. I love chaplain Mike. You do the same and keep it together here at IM.

Needs now: Pray for healing of brain surgery and successful further work.

I am almost too dizzy to walk. Should improve slowly, but all that is unsure.

I need appetite. Mine is severely limited since T-giving. I have experienced some slight improvement. All food is hard. Meat and bread almost impossible. I am improving. Four cups of broth/soup today.

Denise is an angel, but this is very hard on her. Pray for Noel, Clay and spouses, all co-workers, OBI, the blog.

If you feel bad or are having signs, listen and go get evaluated

The book remains close to schedule. Pray that when time comes, it will be ready and will help us with resources and you with motivation.

Pray for me. My head is awkward. I use a walker. I sleep with many bad dreams. This is a time of dependence, faith and humility. There are millions who are living out this road. I’m just one. Thank God for all of you and God’s great blessings.

132 thoughts on “Michael Spencer Update…from Michael”

  2. Miss you Michael. My wife and I were saying how much we appreciated your heart for Christ and the gospel. Thanks for speaking into our lives. You’re in our prayers.

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  3. When I sent out an urgent prayer request to my Sunday School class a few days ago on your behalf, here is the response one of them gave me, “I hope God will glorify himself through a healing miracle and baffle a few non-Christian doctors, nurses and other hospital workers into Salvation..amen.”
    I could not have said it better myself. I have been praying for you daily. Many in my church are also praying for you.
    Your sermons, writings, and spoken wisdom have been the source of great hope and inspiration to me for nearly 18 years now. You have ministered to thousands. Now, it’s your turn to be ministered to. God Bless.

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  4. You’ll be just fine Mr. Spencer your in Gods hands now …my prayers are with you & your family

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  6. I am sorry to hear of your troubles Michael. May the Lord be with you as you journey through the ‘belly of the beast’ that is our medical establishment. I had a round of cancer diagnosis and treatment in 2008 and I kept going to the 23 Psalm in my mind as all the work was done. May you have wonderful and companssionate care through it all. You are in the hands of some wonderful providers but the provider of note is always the Lord. Peace, love and grace to you and your family. You are in my humble prayers. Get well my brother.

    Mike

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  8. Michael,

    I have learned so much form reading you over the years.
    You and your family are in my prayers.

    Peace

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  9. Michael, I will be praying for you and your family. Stay strong in the Lord and seek His face and his grace. I hope for healing.

    Peace.

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  13. No words… only prayers and love. Lord, heal! Give strength and peace to Michael, Denise and the whole family. Amen.

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  15. I’ve started to reply to this post at least a dozen times over the last couple of days, and even this time, can’t think of anything deep or profound, or even that comforting to say, particularly that hasn’t already been said by all of your other supporters, so I just echo their thoughts, prayers, and good wishes.

    We are thinking of you and your family, Michael, and praying for you.

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  18. Pingback: baby blog » Blog Archive » Linkathon 2009: The year in links, part 2 (plus Linkathon 12/30)

  23. Michael, I will be praying for everyone for whom you requested prayers– most of all, you, your family, and the doctors involved in your healing process. I have learned mich from you, brother, and I continue to do so. Take care and rest in God’s love.

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  24. Remembering you before Jesus Christ, Savior, Sanctifier, HEALER, and Coming King.

    The Alliance Guy in Alberta

    DSY

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  25. Michael,

    I have been reading your posts for over six years and have replied once. Forgive me for not being more encouraging to you over the years because you, my brother, have unknowingly been a source of great wisdom, guidance, and encouragement to me. May our God comfort you and your family; may He be your strength now and always.

    Scott G.

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  29. Dear Michael,

    I’m sorry to hear this. Be assured that you will be in my prayers, and I will do my best to obtain more intercessory prayers for you, on my blog and at the Coming Home Network Forum. We’ll “storm heaven” for you!

    May God’s blessing and comforts be with you and your family at this difficult time.

    In Him,

    Dave Armstrong

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  30. Best wishes Michael!! And prayers for your rapid and complete healing–with much gratitude for all you do!

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  31. Prayers of healing and comfort for you, Michael. I have enjoyed your site, and your writing, very much over the last year or so. I pray God brings you and your family comfort, healing, and peace.

    A brother in Christ,

    Scott in CA

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  32. I have never written before…I just read and think. I was moved this morning. My youngest son has been at death’s door now five times. He has had well over 45 surgeries and he is only 8 years old. I wish I could post a picture of him. He is an absolute joy in our lives. His mind is unbelievable but his body does not always cooperate. But we have seen our God in such unbelievable ways. Sir, I would love to see my son healed but if He had never been sick my family would have never seen God work in the way He has in our lives. We have seen His glory and He has been glorified.

    Sir I will pray for you and for your complete healing. But you sir have the opportunity to allow God to shine through you in so many ways…I am praying that even in this time of rain that God will get all the glory! May God bless you in ways that you have never dreamed of!

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  33. Praying for you and your family. May the peace that passes understanding guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

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  34. Michael ,
    This website has been a blessing to me the last couple of years. I am and will continue praying for you. God be with you and your family.
    In His love,
    Natasha

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  37. Michael, I am a Church of God Pastor In Southeastern KY (Booneville KY). I am praying for your full recovery and healing. I stated following you just the other day because of following Ed Stetzer and Thom Rainer. I realized when you said you were being treated at Markey that you were in KY. I was wondering where in SE KY is your ministry located? I am a first time pastor trying to pull out a comeback church here in rural KY. I try to surround myself with succesful pastors because I know that to be successful you need to associate with successful people. My former pastor and current Mentor (when I was doing Children’s Ministry in Lexington) is now one of the Chaplains at UK hospital. His Name is Richard Ussery. A good Man to have pray for you. he has a very humble and gentle spirit. He is also a very intelligent man of God and a man of strong faith and anointing. I encourage you to greet him and allow him to pray for you in my place. If I can help in anyway. send for me. KY Church of God Headquarters are in Lexington on versailles Road and can help u contact me. or just e-mail. it will go to my blackberry

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  38. Michael, I’ve read the Internet Monk site on and off since it was started. You’ve been an important part of my spiritual development. I know you know this but as someone who lives in constant physical pain I’m going to take a moment to remind you that the Lord has a use for everything we go through. I wish you luck in finding thew ways that your current situation can bring glory to Him.

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  39. Monk,

    Diana and I join you and your loving family in constant prayer for you.

    We pray our Creator God will minister to you in a very personal way granting His peace, comfort, and healing presence during these long hours and difficult nights.

    Remember, dear brother, you are never alone. We each share this human condition and thereby often find the real sufficiency of our encounter with Christ in the hour of our individual greatest need.

    May you too find a deeper awareness of God’s infinite love, mercy, grace, and healing comfort, than you have ever known.

    Our God reigns now and always.

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  40. Hi Michael,

    I’m praying for you, brother. Unfortunately I’m in the same boat as you, well, I’ve just been diagnosed with cancer too (I’m 35, cancer doesn’t care about age); I’m writing to you from my chemo bed.

    Anyway, I’m sorry you’re going through this, too. I’ll pray for the LORD’s healing hand, and I know you’ll come through this in order to magnify Jesus (Jn 11:4). I’ll pray that for your appetite and that the dizziness will subside. Most of all, I’ll pray for peace for you and your fam as you walk through this season of life.

    In the Peace of Christ,

    Bobby Grow

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  41. We continue to pray for both you, Michael, and you, Denise, here in Idaho. By the way – who would have thought that it would take your pain to bridge the gap and stop the bickering between all of us denominationalists? Be encouraged, dear friends, you are well loved and in our hearts!

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  42. Your writing has been a spiritual mentor of sorts in my life. Thank you so much for your work. I pray that God’s grace will uphold you and your family as you travel the road ahead.

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  43. My prayers are with you. I’ve followed your blog for awhile now and look forward to being challenged through it. Thank you for your voice in the journey that is my spiritual walk. God Bless you.

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  44. My heart goes out to you and Denise. I pray daily for your complete recovery. We all miss you, Michael. May the peace of Jesus strengthen you as you go through this difficult time.

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  45. I will be thinking of you and praying for you and your wife. It must be tough – it has to be tough. You have shared personal things with us readers, but this is the toughest you are sharing. Even though 66 myself, I have been “hospital-clear” and in very good health, but I live “expecting” to be very likely the next person with a serious health problem. Theoretically I am prepared not to fight a futile fight and “let it happen”, but I wonder if I will really stick to the theoretical! My heart goes out to you and all those who have to go through tough and trying circumstances. May God give you wisdom, strength and assurance that he is with you.

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  47. Thoughts and prayers, iMonk. God is good; trust in that. His ways are not our ways, and though they may mystify us to no end, nevertheless they are for the best. He is not through with you yet, Michael. Let us know if we can serve you in any way.

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  50. May the Lord bless you and keep you, May the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you, May the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace. Love and prayers from Arkansas.

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  51. I add my prayers for your successful recovery Michael. Christ is before you, in you, behind you, around you, above you, beneath you and for you regardless the diagnosis. He is your life and always shall be. You are in the shadow of his wings and the center of his eye.

    Rom. 8.38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (ESV)
    God bless.

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  52. Wow, I didn’t know you’d been ill. I haven’t been reading as regularly. I hope and pray you have a quick recovery and that you and your family will not be burdened by too much worry.

    -Kenny

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  53. Pingback: Prophets, Priests and Poets » Blog Archive » Brief Timeout for Prayers

  54. January 1, 2010

    Hey Michael,

    Keeping you and your family in prayers and thoughts during this difficult time. Having been through cancer before I can most certainly identify with the struggles, fear, pain and difficulties that come with this disease. Praying that healing will come quickly and that you will be clear of it when all is said and done.

    Will be away from work in a couple of weeks for a winter vacation and will send a message to your email about coming up for a short visit weather conditions permitting…… going to be getting very cold and possibly snowy so I’ll send on that in a week or so.

    Peace and God Bless,

    Randall Maynard
    The Guy from Knoxville

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  56. My husband and I are faithful readers and we’re praying for your long-term healing. I also pray you will soon have solid food, a good night’s sleep, a comforting dream.

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  58. Godspeed Michael. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Your blog has changed my life! Blessings to you and your family. I pray for your complete healing.

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  59. Having experienced a particularly invasive form of brain surgery to remove a (thankfully, benign) tumor three years ago, I know what the aftermath is like – and for me, continues to be. I will pray the terrible dreams stop – I know them all too well. I will pray for you in general. I could not have gotten through my own experience without the grace of my Father and the prayers of his children. May God bless you and keep you and yours…

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  60. Praying for you right now, “Lord, heal my brother, and give him and his family the peace that only You can give.” Love ‘ya, Man!

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  61. Dearest Michael, Please know that Joe and I are praying for you and your family. My heart is saddened with what you are going through, but our God is more powerful than the cancer. If there is anything we can do for you and your family please don’t hesitate to let us know. In the meantime we will continue to pray for you all!

    Blessings,

    Dora Lee Stallard

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  62. I know you must be living in deep vulnerability, dependence and weakness. This can be be difficult and dark but also a place where Jesus is most revealed. Praying for you.

    Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ to you and for your family.

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  63. Well Michael, even if you didn’t ask for more, more and many more prayers, you’re getting them anyway! It’s good to hear from you. You’ve been a great encouragement to us and it’s time for us to do the same for you. Praying for strength and healing for you.

    Blessings,

    Jim K.

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  64. For every person who posts to let you know they’re praying, there are dozens more who haven’t posted but are praying. May God bring healing to your body, and strength to your family during these days.

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  67. Your writing continues to be meaningful to me and many others…even now you are helping us to see what it means to live a Jesus-shaped life. Thank you. Praying for healing, strength, and grace for you and your family.

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  68. Michael and Denise,

    Prayers for a long and difficult road. One step at a time… so today I pray that you Michael may enjoy food of substance, and for Denise, that you may find some peace at some point this day from your stress and exhaustion. Prayers also to those that are close to you.

    Your blog is a blessing for me and I enjoy it daily.

    Peace,

    From a Catholic in Pittsburgh

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  71. Monk,
    My prayers are with you and your family. May our Saviour continually watch over you and
    heal you and give you peace. Love and Peace.]
    Numbers 6: 24-26

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  72. How wonderful to hear from you. You keep getting better and we will keep praying.for you and the family.
    On days you are able, keep us posted.

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  73. Michael

    We are praying for you here in Erie, PA. Many of us at First Alliance Church read your column daily. Our prayers, love and thoughts are with you and your family. God is good.

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  74. Pingback: Articles of Interest 01-01-10 | Onward, Forward, Toward...

  75. Praying God will speak to you and your family in this darkness, Spirit to spirit, in the depths of your souls where words cannot express and where healing is born.

    He is.

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  79. Pingback: Pray for Michael Spencer « Should Know Better By Now

  81. Michael and Denise,

    Your are in my prayers, and my congregation of Anglicans will also be praying for you. I have loved the internet monk and his religious sanity since I discovered him (by way of Amy Welborn) several years ago, and I have also appreciated Denise’s blog for its wonderful descriptions of encountering the Holy in daily living.

    God be with you, and my His Son, Jesus Christ, heal you, and remember Romans 8.12-39.

    Blessings and peace,

    Dan Crawford

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  83. Praying for you and yours. I too have been incredibly blessed by your ministry here. God of course is with you, even when you find it hard to credit. We need your continued voice here in the blogosphere and also in your book.

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  84. The hard times are God’s garden. Praying for your strength and healing as He grows you in His mercy and grace.

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  85. Praying from the Netherlands.

    Your posts on grace have put me on the trail of among others Robert Farrar Capon, and those have widened my view of Gods love for me.
    Hope to read your book as soon as it’s available!

    Johan

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  86. Praying for you and hoping that you find encouragement from your friends, family, IMonk commenters and lurkers. Take care.

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  89. You know this is all about me, don’t you? About how much I miss you showing up on the blog aggregator. You have become a real companion as I make my own way into post-evangelicalism and facing the new configuration. I really feel your absence and deeply hope that strength returns in full measure. Each day I sit down to blog I think about you and pray for you.

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  90. It’s all been said already, but, just to reiterate, even from downunder, there is prayer that you will be held ever closer in the love and grace of Jesus, that He will be walking with you, and your loved ones, through this dark valley, and bring you through, together, to a whole new gladness.

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  91. Been praying for you and your family a lot….it’s tough when it seems like God threw you a curve ball when you least expected it. Best wishes for a speedy recovery, and that you can return to writing soon….your writings over the last 7 years have blessed me so much.

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  92. Michael,

    It’s so good to hear from you, even a short message like this one. We love you, and continue to petition God for your healing. Thank you for sharing your prayer needs with us. It is my hope that this New Year will bring blessings and restoration to you and your family.

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  93. Michael:

    Our family has been praying for you. You are regularly on my mind and I am asking the Lord to heal and renew. Your name is being mentioned in high places regularly by people from around the world. May this truth comfort you through this trial.

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  95. Get well brother, and soon. Do know that you have many people thinking about you, and praying for you, and wishing you the very, very best.

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  100. Of course keeping you in prayers – every time I say the rosary (heh).

    Um – may sound like the kind of thing Job’s comforters would say, but at least it’s not lung cancer (that killed my mother very, very quick from ‘no sign of anything on x-ray’ to ‘oops – tumour size of orange’).

    It’s good to know what the problem is – once you know what’s going on, you can do something about it. Praying for you, family, and doctors.

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  101. I’ve been blessed to be part of your blog “family” for several years, and I pray that God will bless you and your family as you face the struggle ahead.

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  105. I am praying for you and your family and all involved, Michael. However weak we are, our Lord is with us, for He has been where we are already. May you know the depth of God’s love and care in this time.

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  106. Prayers for recovery and strength this New Year… and for your family.

    Blessings,

    Josh T. (and family)

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  107. Dear Michael,

    May the Lord bless and keep you, and may He make His face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you, to Denise, and to all of your family and caregivers. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

    Heather

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  108. You and your family are in my prayers. Don’t be shy to ask for “more and more” prayers. Let’s get the entire “great cloud of witnessess” praying for you!

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  109. Your blog has been such a mainstay the past couple of years for me. I was struck by reading this post how hearing news of your health was akin to finally getting word of how a family member is doing….

    I can certainly pray for your healing and your family’s well-being in this time.

    God Bless

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  114. I have never left a comment here, but I want to let you know that I am praying for you and all involved.

    Perhaps this is trite to say, but your writings have practically saved my Christianity when I was at a crossroads. You have been an incredible blessing. May God in his abundant goodness keep you and your family.

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  120. Praying for you, Denise and your kids, Michael. You’re not wrong to ask for more…you have touched our hearts; may we pray more and more for all of you. May God do more than any of us can ask or imagine for you.

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  125. Michael and Denise,

    Denise I’ve walked this road with my wife Joni several years ago. Unfortunately for us the kind she had had no cure. Only a very few live more than a few year and no one past ten. She made it nine. I wouldn’t wish it upon my very, very worst enemy, either to be the sick one or the spouse. Morning, noon and evening my prayers go up that Michael will be a survivor. He’s helped me so much the past few years by the things he has written. God be with you and it is my sincere prayer that healing is near, very near.

    Tim

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  127. My prayers are with you, Denise, and the rest of your family. My prayers are also with the good doctors and technicians and nurses working with you that they may be guided by the hand of God in all of their work. Peace and blessings to you.
    John

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  131. Will be in prayer for you, dear new Brother of mine. You have blessed and strengthened me through your work, now I am humbled to go to God on your behalf.
    Kindly,
    Wanda

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