Easter...God's Resurrection power still at work

Only because of the God's resurrection power at work in me can I write something like this. I have nothing good in myself, apart from God, nor any power of positive thinking, more extraordinary DNA or family history of positivity. The only explanation I have for this is God has done this in me. This is my testimony, written out today to a friend who inquired about how I am doing:


...thanks so much for continuing to lift me up in prayer. Your prayers are being answered. Even though my left ear was totally removed last month because another melanoma was spotted in January, there is today no evidence that this cancer has spread anywhere else in my body. I am strong, encouraged and growing in the Lord, and hopefully planning and anticipating many, many more years of service to God, my family and our nation. I am thanking our Lord for this cancer. This is not a journey I would have chosen. It is a painful, difficult, frightening thing to be told that you have a dangerous cancer that could kill you. The treatments are grueling, the physical, emotional, spiritual, financial costs are high. However, not because I am deeper or more mature than anyone else, but only because of God's grace at work in my life can I say, "thanks Lord for giving me cancer." It is my "furnace time (like three young Hebrew men who stood against an evil king and ended up in the fire)." This is my opportunity to identify in small measure with the sufferings of Christ. It is my time to prove that I really believe God is in control. I believe in God's sovereignty, so who am I to impudently say "God, you sure you know what you are doing by permitting me to have cancer?" Thru this journey, I have received many gifts. I have returned to my first love with Christ. I have been refocused into investing in Him and in my family. I am not taking even one day for granted. I am sharing my story of joy amidst trial with as many people as I can, thru speaking and writing on my blog (www.raywoolridge.blogspot.com). So, keep the prayers coming...Easter blessings to you all!