Just like Jesus....

Now, here's a new twist from one of my favorite cartoonists:

Latest update on Glenn's health

Here's the latest update from Denita sent out to our friends and family:

Hi!  It's been quite a while since I sent an update, so here goes....  About a month ago we met with the doctor and Glenn's platelets and lymphocytes were low so the doctor told Glenn to quit the chemo to see if that would help his blood counts.  Glenn was happy to comply as the chemo drug was making him feel awful in the morning.  After that doctor's visit we went away for 2 1/2 weeks for vacation and we had a wonderful, relaxing and fun time.  Both of us got lots of rest.  We returned from our vacation last Thursday and on Monday we saw the doctor again.  Glenn's platelet count has come up a bit, but his lymphocytes are still below normal so the doctor suggested he stay off the chemo for now and we don't have to go back until the end of November (YEAH!!!).  All in all, Glenn is feeling quite good.  He continues to put in a full week of work.  He does feel like he is coming down with a cold/flu right now, though.  I think our biggest challenge will be getting him past the flu season without getting really sick. 

Besides that, life goes on.  It is nice to settle into a more normal routine right now.  We can almost pretend nothing is wrong.  Thank you for your love and concern.

Till next time...

Denita

As the birdies fly away

My wife and I are starting to experience the "empty nest" syndrome.  Well, more accurately, my wife is.  I, being a typically male, am pumping my arm going, "Yes!  Now I can finally get that office I have been wanting.  And no more having to see if the car is still in the driveway!  Freedom!  Finances! Go kid go!  Best of luck and good flying!"

Denita, however, is less enthusiastic.  David (our youngest) moved into his own place while we were on vacation.  I know it's hard for her.  Denita loved being being a mom.  She still does.  Early in the New Year, our oldest two will be moving out. Then it will only be the two of us.  A new stage for both of us, I expect, but more so for my beloved wife.

Now, to scope out David's room to see where my desk will best fit....

As we face the coming storm

As the worldwide economic storm seems to grow ever darker, it seems to me that there are two, equally wrong, options that I could take as the CEO of The Voice of the Martyrs.

First, is to panic and act as if God does not exist.  Yes, we may have to face some cost-cutting measures.  Yes, we will need to expand our supporter base.  But decisions will be made carefully and with considerable prayer and deliberation.  We will not violate our values of integrity and faithfulness to God in the face of economic hardships and uncertainty.

The second danger would be to act as if it were "business as usual"  or crying "full steam ahead" and calling it faith. As I mentioned, keeping costs down and finding ways of increasing the number of those who receive our monthly newsletter will need to be priorities in the coming months or longer.  The way of wisdom is to know the times and act accordingly.  Acting in faith, yes.  But faith does not mean claiming promises that God has not made. 

One approach you will not see me take is the one exemplified in this cartoon.

As we look ahead, what can you do to stand with us? The needs of the persecuted will not stop and we will need to continue to stand with them in their time of need.  First, you can pray that we will have the wisdom to know God's priorities for us and how He wants to direct us in the days to come.  Second, if you have friends and neighbours whom you think might be interested in our ministry, let us know or encourage them to sign up for our free monthly newsletter.  Let them know that we will never pressure them to give to our mission, telephone them or send fundraising letters to them.  We simply let people know what is going on around the world with God's persecuted church.  We then show how Canadians are already getting involved in showing their love for their suffering family and their passion to see the world won for Christ regardless of the cost.  We leave it to God to do the rest.  God has honoured this approach in the past and as we all face an uncertain future, I am confident that He will continue to honour it.

Off on vacation

Starting tomorrow, I am heading off on vacation until October 24th. Most importantly (to my wife I'm sure) I will not be taking my laptop with us (which is really the only way to get me to really relax).  Hence, I will not be blogging or checking emails until I get back. 

So, take care and see you in a few weeks.

Glenn

Voting

Today I voted in an advance poll as I am not going to be home on election day.  As I was waiting to cast my vote, I was reminded of something I read in a recent biography of John A. MacDonald how voting by secret ballot was not always how Canadian elections were held.  I am not sure when it changed, but in the 19th century, the "manly" way to vote was to stand and shout out the name of your preferred candidate.

Of course, this led to some rather heated and less than civil elections. 

Some weeks

There have been some days lately when I have certainly felt like this:

I need a break

It took a while, but I am finally looking forward to my vacation that starts next week.  I will be away for just shy of three weeks and really feel the need for a break. The last few weeks have been quite taxing at the mission; many quite difficult decisions and it has taken its toll.  I am so thankful that my colleagues talked me into it.

Light the Night

 I am really excited that members of my family are getting involved in Light the NIght, a fund-raising event for the Lymphoma & Leukemia Society of Canada that features participants carrying illuminated balloons on a 5 km twilight walk to celebrate and commemorate lives touched by cancer.  The families of my niece, Alicia and my cousin Tracy are walking in my honour, which touches my heart very deeply.  I am so proud to be part of such a family. 

May I encourage you to join them as they seek to raise money for lymphoma and leukemia research?  You can make your pledge online for either Team Brown or Fox Trot

What a week!

This has been a brutal week. Meetings, dealing with conflicts (none staff related, praise God), having to turn down requests that I simply don't have time to deal with, working through some very difficult issues with one of our overseas partners (which ended up with our eventually deciding that we had to drop all future work with them). These are some of the inevitable duties of a CEO, but wow, do I feel tired out by the end of the week. Tomorrow I go out for brunch with 3 members of our team who work outside of our head office and while there is a part of me that would like to cancel it tonight, I know that I will enjoy it tomorrow. Some of these guys I haven't seen in months; in one case, well over a year.

I am starting to really look forward to my holidays in a couple of weeks (as is my wife). Now if I can just get through the next week (which also promises to be full of meetings, staff training and strategy meetings for our international work. I know that they will be fun, but I also know I will probably be wrecked a week from now.

I'm not complaining. This work is my calling and my love. It's just a statement of fact. So bring it on!