Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Friday, May 23, 2008
Donations
Martha has decided to have money donated to Cornerstone on behalf of their dear friends, the Smith Family who is battling ALS.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Paul's gone to be with Jesus!
Martha wanted to let you know that she was able to finally rub her fingers through his hair (after months of pain) and she's very relieved that he has been released from his suffering.
There will be a Memorial Service on Monday, May 26 (Memorial Day) at 3:00pm at Cornerstone Church, 1190 S. Broadway in Boulder. At 2:00pm for those who wish to spend some quiet time with Paul, the closed casket will be available in the auditorium. A reception will follow at 5:00; Paul requested a BBQ, so please bring a side dish or dessert! The rest will be provided.
If you would like to provide a meal for the Townsends, call Liane Cutforth at 303-926-1126.
Monday, May 5, 2008
Thanksgiving Email update
Happy Thanksgiving!!!
I am writing this email from our hotel room in
To avoid the predicted snow and get a head start on our trip, we picked up
The reality of having life threatening cancer has changed my view of current and future events. I wanted Martha and the kids to see the college and hear the stories of the past. I want the extended family to get together again. I have come to realize again that I (we) do not have control over our life and future, and it’s important to make the days count.
I want to send you an update about our lives. The best way I thought I could do that would be to send you a prayer request note that I put together last week to send to some friends in our church that spent 3 days praying / fasting for us and many others. The special prayer time concluded with a gathering to worship and pray.
I also wanted to ask you to pray for my brother-in-law Steve, married to my sister Janice. He is dealing with pain in his back and hip that is on a level that I can not comprehend. The pain and other issues affect him so much that he is not able to work. I try to manage the pain that I have by using 3 different drugs. One of those is a pain patch that gives out 25 milligrams of medicine over a three day period. Steve has two patches deliver much more medicine and the pain is still very uncontrollable. Please pray that God would heal his body, take away the pain, and that Steve and Janice would “taste and see” God in mighty ways during this difficult time.
I am praying for you and your time with family and friends this Thanksgiving weekend. My prayer is for conversations and connections to be made that speak to your heart and the hearts of others. May you hear God’s still small voice and know of His deep unconditional love for you.
The info below is the prayer request note that was sent out. Thank you again and again for your love, prayers, encouragement and walking with us. We could not do this journey without you. We love you.
Paul (Martha, Bryan and Natalie)
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PRAYER REQUESTS: (for Paul, Martha and the family)
Situation- Paul has inoperable bone cancer in the area behind his left eye and in front of the wall of his brain. The pieces of the tumors spread out to the size of a tennis ball. They are next to the lining of the sinus cavity and the brain. The doctors gave Paul 2 ½ to 3 years to live.
Family- Paul and Martha have been married 27 years. Their two grown children are Bryan (25) and
Treatment Plan-an operation, radiation and Chemo have been ruled out in dealing with the cancer. Paul and Martha have decided to use alternative means, such as nutrition, supplements and a Rife machine. The Rife machine is a procedure that uses sound wave frequencies to break apart the cancer tumors. This is similar to a music note shattering glass. Paul uses the machine 5 days a week for 90 minutes per treatment. He hopes to increase the treatments to twice a day. Pray that God would not only take away all the cancer, but that He would give Paul a sound and healthy body that is “exceedingly, abundantly, beyond what we could hope or dream.” He also wants/needs to put on @ 20 pounds (mostly muscle). Paul and Martha are hoping to do another detailed Cat-Scan to find out the progress of the cancer. Pray that the fear of finding out the status of the tumors would not stop them from living in reality and trusting God with the results. Pray that God would take away ALL fear and that He would show them when to do the test.
Pain- Paul has daily pain in his face, especially under his left eye. He wears a medication patch and takes pills when the pain spikes. He also uses medication to deal with the tumor swelling. Pray that the pain would be taken away.
Heart and Hope- Paul does not feel that God has abandoned him or the family. The Father has asked them to go on a different journey for the past 2 years. Although it has been very difficult especially with the death of Martha’s parents and Paul getting cancer again, they know that God has not deserted them or is even punishing them. The Father is revealing His love in greater ways. Paul has grown to have a very deep love for his Abba (heavenly Daddy). Pray that this love continues to grow in great and mighty ways. Also pray that God’s glory would be seen throughout the world. Pray that Paul and Martha and the family would continue to grow in hope and that their hearts would become more alive. Pray that Paul’s mental, physical and emotional depression would go away.
Spiritual Warfare-The warfare with Satan and his forces is a daily on going battle. Attacks come in the form of lies, pain, depression, discouragement and simple events that end up being very difficult to plan and /or do. Conversations, especially between Paul and Martha, seem to escalate from simple to difficult to understand and at times building a wall between them. Pray that Jesus as the Good Shepherd would put a hedge of protection around Paul, Martha and the family. That they would see and understand Satan’s lies and schemes and stand against them.
Ministry-Paul’s ministry is called Front Line Support. It is an international counseling ministry to Christian leaders. He also leads a men’s group that meets every Monday morning. Pray that God would bless the men’s group and build community between these men. Please pray for a trip to the headquarters of Campus Crusade for Christ in
Please pray for Martha as she directs the Women’s Ministry and the Newcomer’s Ministry at Cornerstone. Pray for wisdom and discernment as she develops leaders in both ministries. Pray that God would bless both ministries in great and mighty ways.