Cancer's Seeming Madness
God's Story
by
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Bonds between my son, David, and myself were strengthened as a result of the seeming madness of David’s cancer. The story of how this played out is God’s story. Of that, I am certain. It is a story that I believe will speak to all who struggle with spiritual issues in the context of the anomalies and crushing experiences of life. But , especially, it will speak to baby-boomers and their parents. Before you read any further, I wish to say that in many ways David’s presence is still a reality. Signs of that presence confirm, for me, that the veil between earth and heaven is very thin. A case in point occurred on the occasion of our son John’s fiftieth birthday. John was named after the beloved disciple, John. In many ways for John’s mother, Jean, and myself, our affection for John continues to be enhanced by his thoughtful, inclusive love. Attending his fiftieth birthday celebration was a joy-filled experience which gave us another opportunity to rejoice in having him as our son. Though his much beloved sister, Linda, could not attend, her talking gift created many laughs and was greatly appreciated by John. As for David, he was not present, or was he? Did David collaborate in providing a sign that I shall describe? I tell about it now, because visual phenomena related to David, who himself by trade was a sign-maker, is such an important part of God’s story related in this book. After John’s "pig-picking" party was over, I engaged in another kind of pikin’ called clean-up. The usual residue of an outdoor celebration needed attention; so I retrieved disposable items, including black balloons which are often used for fiftieth birthday celebrations as a jocular reminder of passage to a point where physical alacrity and mental acumen tend to diminish. As I neared the end of my labor, I noticed an inflated black balloon near some shrubbery in the neighbor’s yard. Intending to retrieve the balloon, when I was about six feet from it, it started to rise from the ground, even though there was not the slightest breeze. I watched it until it became a tiny dot in the sky and then disappeared. Was this a sign of David’s unseen presence at the party? I certainly would not rule out this possibility. At the very least, what to me was a mystery, became an assurance that there is a realm of joyous light and encompassing breath of the Spirit where the unseen presence of God and redeemed loved ones dwell. What an unique and powerful part of God’s story this truth is!
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About the Book
Cancer’s Seeming Madness
The book is unique in its focus on moments of humor and deep interpersonal relationships. David’s own words and actions mollify somewhat the vivid portrayal of his search for truth and meaning.
Is there a God who speaks to us through the natural world and circumstances rarely identified with spiritual truth? Does the old word providence often associated with Biblical belief have any meaningful place in a world where science and technology seem to reign supreme? Can we see the face of God in art and feel a divine presence in human relationships? You’ll likely be surprised by the answers that David and those close to him found as they caught a glimpse of the Spirit at work through their tears and laughter. Perhaps as you read Cancer’s Seeming Madness, the mystery of life will begin to open like a flower in spring, and you will see the colors of peace, purpose and hop as signs of God’s presence nurtured by insights in this intriguing book that the author dares call, God’s Story.
About the Author
The academic and pastoral background of the author, Lloyd Austin Phillips, helped qualify him to write Cancer’s Seeming Madness. He earned a Bachelor of Divinity degree from Calvin Seminary in Grand Rapids, MI. At the same institution, he earned a Th.M. with a major in Philosophical Theology. In earning the later degree, he wrote as his thesis, "Painting, A Vehicle For Christian Apologetics" which dealt with how three master painters working in different eras used their talents to create works which served the purpose of defending the Christian faith by making the faith more palatable and vivid for the average person. This academic preparation paved the way for forty-one years of ordained ministry in the United Methodist Church. In three of the parishes served, major building projects were pursued to provide adequate facilities for new ministries essential to growing congregations. In Lansing, Michigan, Reverend Phillips founded the Dismas Counseling Service for ex-convicts and their families. He also wrote scripts for and conducted a weekly TV program called Cornerstone. Later in his ministry, he served as President of the Samaritan Counseling Center and was the conference speaker through Michigan State University Extension on the subject of "Ethics in the Public Square." Most of all, Reverend Phillips’ continuous presence with his son, David, during the last two weeks of his life made it possible for him to write, Cancer’s Seeming Madness, a book possessing academic and pastoral integrity.