Not A Farewell
Bob Rakestraw
September 13, 2013
“The New Benediction Project”
Dear Reader,
This is a difficult posting to write. I have come to a point
in my life when I need to cut back on my involvement with “The Benediction
Project” (which has now become “The New
Benediction Project;” the link above will enable you, with just a click, to go
back and forth between the two).
The blog was started in May, 2007, with the help of my very
capable blog manager, Abigail Miller, now Abigail Sengendo. Abigail, who has
done an excellent job for the past six plus years, will be moving soon to
Africa, where she, her husband and their darling twin daughters will live with
and serve the people of Uganda.
As I have mentioned previously in this blog, I was informed
by two doctors in the spring of 2007 that I would probably not live more than
six months. My immune system, despite being suppressed by powerful medications,
appeared to be winning the battle to reject the new heart which I had received
in 2003. I entered hospice care and then started this blog.
Well, I am still here (by God’s sovereign plan) and the blog
is still active, even though I post only once a month. My health, however, has
continued to decline, especially with my breathing. I cannot get enough oxygen,
and medically-supplied oxygen does no good in my case. It has become
increasingly difficult to speak, move about and just be (whether sitting,
standing or lying down).
In light of the above matters, I believe I should focus the
little energy I still have to complete the two books I am writing. Grace Quest is my spiritual
autobiography, with the tentative subtitle: “A Teacher’s Search for Salvation,
Spirituality and the Strength to Suffer Well.” The first draft is now finished,
and I hope to see the book published before the end of 2014. Maria: Five Days in Heaven is a novel
about a Mexican woman who dies and goes to heaven. I am not too far along with
this project, but I expect to return to it after Grace Quest is completed.
While I hope to continue posting something each month, the
items likely will be much briefer than before. As my wife and I are able we will
try to keep you aware of any major health-related issues. In addition, I am on
Facebook and will welcome you as a friend if I know who you are. I am not,
however, an avid Facebook user.
The 120 or so previous postings—those of the past six years—will
remain available on “The Benediction Project” site. New postings will appear
here, on “The New Benediction
Project.” The links on each blog site should enable you to switch back and
forth and read or print any ones you wish.
I hope you will stay with me in the months and years ahead,
as God permits. Thank you for your faithful readership and prayers for both my
health and the ongoing usefulness of this blog in the lives of people all over
our world who are seeking God’s benediction in their lives.
“So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to
the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.
“May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who
loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope,
encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.” 2
Thessalonians 2:15-17
