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Psalm 91
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”
Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare
and from the deadly pestilence.
He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.
A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.
You will only observe with your eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked.
If you make the Most High your dwelling—
even the LORD, who is my refuge-
then no harm will befall you,
no disaster will come near your tent.
For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;
they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
You will tread upon the lion and the cobra;
you will trample the great lion and the serpent.
“Because he loves me,” says the LORD, “I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
He will call upon me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.
With long life will I satisfy him
and show him my salvation.”
29 comments
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September 11, 2008 at 7:01 am
Jeanne Fortin
To The Rundle Family,
Chei-wei Hung has forwarded your story to me. I am a cancer survivor, and reading your journal brings back so many memories.
I approached it as an outer body experience, I turned my body and mind over to God. I told him when I could be “me” again, when all the pain is over, then I will come back. It worked rather amazingly for me. It gave me a strenth that was very comforting, physically, and mentally. I will pray for you and your family as you endure this journey through hell. Always think of your wonderful family, and how blessed you are with all their support.
Jeanne Fortin
September 22, 2008 at 3:56 pm
The Baker's
Alastair,
Stay strong! We are praying for you and your family. God will see you through this! I need Zoe to give me a hair cut!
Love,
The Bakers
September 23, 2008 at 5:23 am
Ron Langston
Hi Alastair: In my Hippie Bible (The Way – The Living Bible paraphrase), Psalm 91 verses 1-4 read “We live within the shadow of the Almighty, sheltered by the God who is above all gods. This I declare that He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; He is my God, and I am trusting Him. For He rescues you from every trap, and protects you from the fatal plague. He will shield you with His wings! They will shelter you. His faithful promises are your armor.” Margaret and I can’t begin to comprehend what you are going through Alastair, but we are praying Psalm 91 for you. Most especially we pray “Sheltering King, we pray that Alastair Rundle will feel safe there in the shelter beneath Your Wings; that he will trust in You with all his heart and know with great peace that Your promises are his armor.” This prayer is made in Jesus name, Amen.”
September 24, 2008 at 8:56 pm
Paul Rhoads
Alastair and Catherine,
Just want you to know there is one more person praying for you all!
Paul Rhoads
September 25, 2008 at 6:44 pm
Mike Crow
Hi Alastair (& Catherine)
I too battled Lymphoma (Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, B-Cell) from 1998-2003. I had 5 recurrences and 9 types of chemo. No fun! I had 2 stem cell transplants: one with my own stem cells, which failed; a second with stem cells from my youngest brother, which succeeded. I’ve now gone 5 years with no cancer! Praise God!
I found, as I’m sure you too are finding, many touches of grace through this difficult time. I’m sure it’s hard for you to even think or read, but perhaps these thoughts might encourage you when you feel up to it. Thes are some of the lessons I learned:
— I learned that God’s grace carries you when you can’t carry yourself.
— I learned that the Body of Christ is wonderful, carrying you in prayer, often by people you don’t even know.
— I learned that Christ’s presence resides in me at a deeper level than thought or emotion. When your body is so blasted because of the high dose chemo, that you can’t move or think or pray … somehow the awareness of Jesus’ presence spontaneously arises within you and only makes you more grateful for his love and grace.
— I learned that, in the midst of misery, I could learn more about the fellowship of His sufferings, that somehow Jesus met me in ways that went beyond the ways I met him prior to cancer.
— I learned that after a while, I wanted to learn everything I could possibly learn from Jesus through suffering. I didn’t want to walk out of that experience and look back feeling like I had missed something he wanted to teach me. I didn’t want to “waste” that experience with Him.
— I learned that during the midst of it all, kind people suggest all kinds of remedies, most of which I didn’t have the money or time or energy to pursue. So I began to simply thank them, because they loved me enough to try to help, even if I could not pursue their solutions.
— I learned that when people asked me what I was learning through that time, I usually didn’t have an answer. I was just barely clinging to Jesus, trying to make it through another day, or even another hour. It was only in the months and years since that time that the lessons I was learning unconsciously became more conscious and clear to me. And that’s okay!
— One of the hardest things I learned was how to hang on to Jesus when the future was so uncertain. I found it very difficult to live in perpetual uncertainty about tomorrow, not being able to think and plan for the future, without the dark emotional chain of potential death yanking me back into the present. But Jesus would meet me and help me find significance and rest in him, apart from my dreams about the future. I learned more about “being” when I couldn’t “do.”
— I especially learned a precious lesson the morning before I began the high dose chemo for my first stem cell transplant. I already knew how yucky chemo could be, and dreaded facing high dose chemo. I could not make myself take the elevator up to start the process. I was in a Catholic hospital so we went into the chapel. The Stations of the Cross were around the walls. I went and began to contemplate Jesus’ suffering through the various stages. I prayerfully walked through the whole series twice. As I did, I recognized that the Jews and the Romans did not simply want to kill Jesus. They wanted to make Jesus suffer as much emotional, physical and sociological pain as possible in the process. I recalled how the doctors and nurses upstairs were also going to cause me a lot of pain, but that they were doing it, not to hurt me, but to heal me, using all the care and competence they could marshall. I prayed: “Father, You gave Jesus the grace to endure the cross, as cruel and grisly and horrible as it was. Please give me the grace to face this chemo, which is so much easier. May I walk through this time with grace resembling in some small degree that grace you gave to Jesus. Amen.” Afterwards I turned to look at Katie, and she said she could see the change in my face. God carried me through that agonizing time, in ways I can’t comprehend, even now.
I feel confident He will carry you both through this difficult time as well!
Our love & prayers are with you
Mike (& Katie) Crow.
P.S. In the end, God used NIH (Nat’l Institutes of Health) to heal me in my second stem cell transplant. Now I’ve got TWO sets of DNA! My own and that of my brother. They had to kill my own blood & immune system, since it no longer recognized the cancer as foreign. My brother’s stem cells were infused into me. They generated an entirely new blood & immune system and defeated the cancer. My brother’s blood saved me! Praise God!
If Katie or I can be of any help to you (as patient) or Katherine (as caregiver), please contact us. We can also open doors for you at NIH if you need.
September 26, 2008 at 11:22 am
Patty Metcalf
Alastair and Catherine, you are on my heart this morning and I wanted you to know that I am praying for you – asking God to companion you in tender ways on this journey toward healing. You are precious people and dearly loved by the body of Christ.
My thoughts and prayers are with you today.
Love, Patty Metcalf
September 28, 2008 at 9:22 pm
Leo Poveda
Alastair, good evening and God bless you. Just wanted to drop you a line and check up on you. I pray that your strength and faith in The God we served is magnified today a thousand times. We love and continue to pray for you faithfully. Your absence in church is deeply felt. Catherine, we missed you and the children today. Our light was not so bright without the brilliance of your beautiful faces. All my love to Zoe, Peter, Doris, Angela and the both of you as well.
Que el rostro de nuestro divino Senor los ilumine y su mano los proteja.
Carino, Amor y Bendicion,
Leo
El amor es la flor de la vida
September 29, 2008 at 1:25 pm
Myra
Hi you two,
I just spoke with you, Catherine, but wanted to let you both know how much the Lord has been laying you on my heart. You have been dear to me since our GPC days, & now you’re on my heart more than ever. It was special seeing your faces a few weeks ago — radiant as ever! 😉 — & those are the eyes & smiles I see when I pray for you.
I love you!
Myra
October 1, 2008 at 1:54 pm
Elinor and Hugh Macmillan
Alistair, Catherine, Zoe, and Peter, You are greatly in our thoughts and prayers. May God strengthen you and guide you to get through all the chemo and daily living. We will keep you in our prayers.
Blessings,
The Macmillans
October 10, 2008 at 11:59 am
Judy Dixon
Alistair. Good to have your Mum in Housegroup. Studying the Psalms. May you feel God’s love and care for you and your lovely family. Think of you and pray for you OFTEN. Judy and Mike.
October 12, 2008 at 6:07 am
Lauren Chang
Alastair,
I haven’t seen you and your family for a long time but been checking up your blog from time to time.
Alastair,
I trust that God has and is and will take care of you, Catherine and your kids. And you are His ‘very special’ son.
See you soon.
Lauren
October 13, 2008 at 12:54 pm
Suzette Connell
Dear Alastair and Catherine,
You are in my heart and in my prayers. May you be blessed with assurance of Christ’s love and feel His nourishment.
…guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God and my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Psalm 25:5
Trusting in His Presence,
Suzette Connell
Love and knuckle kisses to Zoe and Peter.
October 13, 2008 at 2:43 pm
Chris & Marian Sharp
Dear Family,
We are remembering you in our prayers and send our love during this challenging time. Marian is visualising angels around you (Psalm 91). May Alistair experience the healing power of Christ, Catherine extra energy and strength as she cares for all the family and Zoe and Peter an awareness of the love that surrounds you from so many people.
1 Peter 5 v 7.
Love from Chris and Marian
October 14, 2008 at 3:08 pm
Anita Peoples
Dear Alistair, Catherine, Zoe, and baby Peter,
I pray for God’s grace for your family during these times. You are both beautiful people within God’s kingdom and you made a lasting impression on our family as we rubbed elbows at Pines. Take care.
Anita
October 20, 2008 at 3:29 pm
The Sibley Family
Alastair & Catherine,
We continue to pray for healing. May you feel God’s loving arms around your family while Alastair continues with his treatment.
With the love of Christ,
Beth, David, Stephen & Matthew
October 28, 2008 at 3:11 am
Pat and Peter Stockdale
You are in our prayers constantly. We saw your photo on the whiteboard in church on Sunday morning, shining with your love for God. He loves you in the same way. He is walking with you as you take this difficult journey.
We send our love to Catherine and to Jonathan who are walking this road with you.
May God bless you with strength each day as you travel this long, hard road.
Love from Pat and Peter
November 13, 2008 at 7:57 pm
Chuck Kaufman
Alistair, I think about you and your family constantly. The world needs so many more people like you – kind, gentle, good. This shall pass so be strong Alistair. I hope with all my heart for a return of full health so that you may continue to pursue your noble passions.
All the love and good wishes that I have are yours.
Chuck Kaufman
November 15, 2008 at 7:59 pm
John Shorack
My dear brother Alastair…though you’ve haven’t heard from me since conference, I’ve often carried you close to my thoughts and prayers. How I love you, and your family! I don’t have anything wise or wonderful that I can put in words. Just that I am confident that God is seeing you through this time, and that you and Catherine are a huge inspiration to me! Please give your kids a big hug from “uncle John in Venezuela”!
jss
November 17, 2008 at 2:38 pm
Lisa Everitt
“Because He Loves Me”
I pray you and your family senses that, knows it and lives it amidst all this in ways that are truly who you are and who Christ is.
Also added one more interceder into the pot, helping you know He does love you.
Lisa Everitt
November 25, 2008 at 9:31 am
Esther Knicely
I’m praying for y’all. I miss you lots, say hi to the kids for me!
-Esther
November 29, 2008 at 11:50 am
Elaine Rodriguez
Hello Alastair and Catherine,
I know it has been a long time since we have heard from one another, but i just want you to know i am so sorry to hear what is has happen. but i pray that everything will be ok.My stepdad is fighting cancer in his throat and pray also for his recovery.hope to hear from you soon.Tell Zoe and Peter hello hope they are doing fine? welll take care
Elaine Rodriguez
Elizabeth’s mom
December 10, 2008 at 11:10 am
Gracie Fernandez
Hello Alastair, Catherine, Zoe and Peter! Greetings from Houston!
Clare sent me the link to your blog. I want you to know that I think about all of you often, and what a pleasure it was to see you each time you visited the Cenacle; your visits and smiles truly brightened our days. We were always inspired by your goodness and faith. It was a blessing to work at the Cenacle because my life was touched by people like you. Please know that I carry you in my heart, and that you are all in my prayers.
Love, Gracie
December 10, 2008 at 12:11 pm
Jean Jones
Hello Rundle Family,
I represent the National Bone Marrow Transplant Link, a non-proft organization which provides vital information and support services for BMT patients, their caregivers, and families. (We subscribe to google blog alerts–that’s how we found your web site.)
I would like to invite you to visit our web site, http://www.nbmtlink.org to see if we could help you in any way through our booklets, video, one-to-one peer support program, and “Celebrating Second Birthdays” survivorship program.
If you send me your address, I would like to send you a “Help and Hope” bracelet for BMT patients and their caregivers.
My daughter had a BMT six years ago, so I understand what you’re going through and wish you the very best. Please contact me at jeanjones@nbmtlink.org if I can be of any assistance.
Regards,
Jean
December 10, 2008 at 1:59 pm
Cathy Bankhead
You are loved and so dear to so many. May you feel the richness of that love as it surrounds you. May you fill up so much that it overflows and may your children shine with it. We know God is holding you in his wings and carressing you. He has much work for you to do but right now rest and be at peace brother of mine. Hugs to the kiddos, Catherine, strength and peace. Love, Miss Cathy
January 14, 2009 at 11:05 am
Jim McRae
Prayers & well wishes to you from the Northwest,
I am a friend of Jim & Anne and just learned of your stem cell transplant. I would like you and your family to know that there are people praying for you on a small island in Washington, and that the circle of people who care about you stretches even farther! Having had a brush with death, albeit not from cancer, I am reminiscent of the late afternoon and early evening trips to the depths. May you take comfort knowing that God holds you even when you can’t feel His grip!
Blessings and God’s peace to you and your family.
Jim
January 16, 2009 at 6:14 pm
Robert Adams
Hi, Alastair and Family,
I am a member of Heritage Presbyterian Church and a friend and co-choir member with Susan McSwain who gave me your name and your web site.
Maybe you would like to hear of my experience.
I was diagnosed with multiple myeloma (bone marrow cancer) in March, 2008 when the doctors discovered a fractured T-12 vertebra and took a biopsy during repair surgery (Kyphroplasty). i started chemo in April and continued for five months. In August, my stem cells were harvested and on August 25 I entered Methodist Hospital for high dose chemo followed by the transplant of my stem cells. I am now at about 140 days post-transplant. My labs have been encouraging and I feel much better overall. I am currently taking a low maintenance dose of chemo, as well as some medication to prevent infection.
I feel so very blessed that this treatment was available and that I have the support of my family and so many friends. I exercise as often as possible by walking around the neighborhood and I use that time to pray for myself and others that I know who are in need. Early in my chemo I heard a voice in my head saying, “You are my precious child and I love you; I certainly am going to heal you!” I have held onto that promise ever since. As I am certain you know, there will be good days and some not-so-good days, but try to take one day (or hour) at a time. The Lord will give you the strength to endure what must be endured, and if it be His will, you and I both will be healed.
I wish for you a successful treatment experience and a return to health and strength. I will pray for you and I ask for your prayers for me. If I can be of help to you in any way, please let me know. I am reminded of a statement that Joel Osteen made in one of his sermons: “God is more willing to answer our prayers than we are to ask of Him. Ask God for his special favor and blessing, and believe that He will give it.” If we as earthly fathers know how to give good gifts, how much more so does God know how to give good gifts! In Jesus’ name….Amen.
Bob
January 25, 2009 at 12:55 pm
Judy Shamp
Welcome Home, Alastair!
Your joy at being back in your family setting surrounded with your loving Zoe, Peter and Catherine is contagious.
I’ve been reading all your and Catherine’s journals and blogs. With a smile I noticed your hoped for release was to have been “Jan 28 or more likely the 30.” Praise be to God through his Son Jesus, the great physician.
Continued prayers are forthcoming as you gain increasing strength and stamina, YAHOO!!! Blessings to you all!
Judy
February 2, 2009 at 7:08 pm
Greg Butler
…I was simply looking for an old friend and discovered that this beast is still knocking on your door….
I’m wishing you well across the miles my friend.
Love,
Greg
February 11, 2009 at 5:27 am
Judy Dixon
Just read yesterdays good news. Am weeping tears of joy. Off to prepare for leading tomorrows prayer group. You will ALL be there in our prayers. Gods Blessings continue to pour over you. Love Judy.