LC's Open Mic

God's Touch

 

We have had so many beautiful responses from all of you in answer to the last health update.

 

 

 

Michelle and I treasure EVERY one.

 

 

 

If I haven't personally responded to yours, please know that I am joyfully working through to yours, and I should be caught up in the next day or two :-)

 

 

 

It is truly a labor of love, both to read and respond.

 

 

 

I want to give a HUGE SHOUT of PRAISE, because your prayers are WORKING, indeed!

 

 

 

During a 48 hour period, the cyclosprine (immune suppresant drug) levels in my blood shot to over 1,000.

 

 

 

That is twice what is considered to be a toxic level  :-(

 

 

 

The potential nuerological and organ damage that the doctors expected NEVER happened.

 

 

 

I was supposed to have been shaking uncontrollably, blood pressure through the ceiling, with organs being damaged...

 

 

 

And yet, aside from joint pain and some increased naseua...

 

 

 

I WAS FINE!

 

 

 

It really tripped them out :-)

 

 

 

Of course, you know we loved that!

 

 

 

We got to share about all the prayer going up!

 

 

 

IT SUSTAINED ME MIRACULOUSLY...

 

 

 

Now THAT is cool!

 

 

 

Being held up by God's hands, the precious hands of HIS Body, is both humbling and wonderously exhilirating.

 

 

 

God bless each of you for the sacrifice of time and energy spent on our behalf.

 

 

 

I know that all of you have many PRESSING needs...

 

 

And yet you have chosen to include us as part of your prayer burden.

 

 

 

We do not take your sacrifice for granted!

 

 

 

Here's to the JOY that only HE can give!!!!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

In love with Jesus,

 

 

 

Lance

 

2 Corinthians 1:7&11

 

And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort....as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.

 

 

 

I am back in treatment again at the VA.

 

 

 

I am being treated like an inpatient, but they are allowing me to actually stay in The Village At Vanderbilt, in a 2 bedroom apartment, which is only moments away from the VA Transplant unit.

 

 

 

I report to the hospital 7 days a week at about 7:30 am.

 

 

 

This is when they draw blood, take vitals, go over med logs, check on "input" and "output", take any needed xrays, and give any IV meds that are necessary, etc.

 

 

 

Last Thursday, we did a donor stem cell transplant (bone marrow transplant) to whip this cancer once and for all (the last 2 transplants were my own purified stem cells).

 

 

 

Just a little clarification... These treatments have nothing to do with embryonic stem cells.

 

 

 

It is all done using my own and my sister's cells :-)

 

 

 

I praise God that my sister, Melody, is a match.

 

 

 

She was so gracious to fly out here with my niece, Becky.

 

 

 

She went through a lot of misery to donate, and I am forever GRATEFUL!!!!!

 

 

 

Concerning my recoup time, without MAJOR divine intervention, it is pretty long.

 

 

 

Serious immune suppresion for 3-6 months and then a gradual testing of how the two different DNA co-habitate in my body.

 

 

 

The procedure can take up to 2 years...

 

 

 

However, we are BELIEVING GOD for a record-breaking, MIRACULOUS recovery!

 

 

 

Without God's healing power intervening it can be very risky... AND it is just plain weird.

 

 

My bone marrow, blood, and various other organs will be 100% my sister's DNA by next year or possibly sooner.

 

 

 

In a DNA test of those things, they will show that I am a 36 year old woman... pretty freaky and disturbing... I might like shopping better, lol.

 

 

 

They have assured me that I will still be a man hormonally, etc.. Michelle was VERY grateful for that news... phew!

 

 

 

The hope is that Melody's immune system will kill the cancer once and for all!

 

 

 

I know with God this is possible!

 

 

 

The whole treatment can be pretty rough.

 

 

 

For anyone interested in more info on this treatment (it is still in clinical trials), you can click this link.

 

 

 

http://multiplemyeloma.org/treatments/3.03.05.php

 

 

 

ANY faith filled prayers are SOOO VERY APPRECIATED!

 

 

 

We are believing God for my sister's DNA to TOTALLY wipe out the cancer in my body, and for our two DNAs to "play nicely together" inside me.

 

 

 

A couple of days ago, the head nurse sat with us and outlined the 3 main points that she felt should receive extra prayer support (Wendy is an AWESOME believer).

 

 

 

They are:

 

 

 

1. Pray that the CMV virus is supernaturally romoved from my body!

 

 

 

This nasty little virus that lies dormant in most of the population (and is currently in my body), has wrought havoc on transplant patients, because the immune system is so supressed. It has been responsible for a lot of the mortalities in the past.

 

 

 

2. Pray that there is only minimal graft-v-host disease!

 

 

 

Enough to cause an immune response against the cancer (graft-v-myeloma), but not enough to damage any part of my body.

 

 

 

3. Pray against any opportunistic viruses and bacterias!

 

 

These guys really like immune supression :-(

 

 

 

AND I would add a fourth...

 

 

 

4. Pray that the doctors and nurses will have the mind of Christ about all the cases that are before them daily.

 

 

 

My doctors are Dr. Stacey Goodman and Dr. Wichai Chin.

 

 

 

The main nurse who is responsible for me is NP Wendy Knuckles.

 

 

 

I AM BELIEVING GOD FOR HIS HEALING VIRTUE TO TOUCH EVERY PATIENT TREATED HERE!

 

 

 

God's ways are so far above our ways :-)

 

 

 

Michelle, the kids, and I have been blessed beyond words by all of the love and support of all of you!

 

 

 

AND I am hard at work in my little "mini" studio - mix room here in the apartment...

 

 

 

The ministry and music must go ON!

 

 

 

Get READY to hear some fresh worship!

 

 

 

In love with Jesus,

 

 

 

Lance

The Cross of Jesus

My current single from the Re-Construction album, "The Cross of Jesus", has finally hit Christian Country radio!

It has entered the Power Source Christian Country charts at 54, and should start climbing  :-)

Thank you for your support at radio!

I wish I could hit the road in support of the air play... That would be cool, but alas, I am still healing up from the transplant.

AND speaking of "healing up", it is definately a proccess, but I am doing well  :-)

I love living only minutes from the Opryland Hotel. 

In the late evening when the crowds have gone down, I slip over there and walk with my family through the BEAUTIFUL indoor gardens.

It is one of the most beautiful spots in Nashville. 

It is interesting to me that I NEVER feel like taking a walk anymore...  Ugh! 

BUT once I actually get moving, I feel so much better and energized! 

No shortcuts to rehabbing the body LOL!  I just gotta' DO IT!

Blessings,

Lance

Here I Am!

I just re-read my last post...  Well, after that melphalon...  Let's just say that I haven't checked my email in about a month lol...  It knocked me harder than I thought it would, but even with that I was protected from the worst of the side effects. 

THANK YOU for your faith filled prayers!!!!

I am home now to continue the recouperation process.  It is kind of tough for Michelle and the kids, because everyone has to be REALLY aware of EXTREME hygiene...  No harmful bacteria or viruses allowed (at least in theory). 

It is 24/7 germ awareness!  That has meant everyone's social calenders have been seriously cut back, and for three very social teenagers that has been hard.  Although, they have been INCREDIBLE sports about the whole thing  :)

While I was in the hospital Avon T. (our TN Meema) had my daughters stay with her north of town...  They said it was like girl camp every day!!!  They had a bonafide BLAST! 

And my son stayed with the Gallaher family not far from Meema's place.  He and Daris had a GREAT time as well!!!  Steve, Lisa, Daris & Stephen, God bless you! 

Michelle and I are SOOOO  grateful for the loving care given to our kids during a challenging season.

So...  Now I have to really dig into my emails...  It is time to catch up! 

It has been a month...  So, your patience with any unanswered emails is truly appreciated. 

I look forward to answering every one of them....  But it might take me a bit to actually do it  :-)

Your continued prayers are a blessing.  There are still some very serious decisions looming ahead in the next month or so. 

We need God's wisdom on a lot of different levels as to how to proceed!

We still need God's sovereign touch to complete this healing in a quantifiable way... 

AND that is just what we are believing for!!!

Soaking in God's grace and love,

Lance

Prayer & Faith & Melphalon

Well folks, I am inpatient now at the Nashville VA Bone Marrow Transplant Unit for a stem cell transplant (my purified stem cells).

I've got a lap top here and dial up internet... I am grateful for this touch to the "outside".

Tomorrow is another Melphalon treatment then my blood counts start dropping until my marrow is basically all burned out...  No fun  :) 

But we are believing God for HIS CURE in the midst of this.  The last 2 weeks have shown the cancer really getting AGGRESIVE...  I guess we fight this with even more AGGRESIVE prayer and declaration of His promises. 

God is GOOD and HE is certainly still the Healer.  No matter how He works this healing out, we are by faith rejoicing in it.  Like God, we are boldly "calling those things that are not as though they were." (see Rom 4)

Everyone's calls ,emails , visits, and precious prayers have been and are such an encouragement and proof positive that God's manifestation of healing is "drawing nigh"!

We are praying that the melphalon will kill EVERY cancer cell in my body and that I would be supernaturally protected from the side effects.

Also, we are inviting God to just show up and heal me at ANY time as a testimony to these doctors of what God can do!

We are also praying that the doctors will have the mind of Christ in everything!

The doctors here have been such a blessing to us.  Their genuine concern for my well being has humbled me.  God has ordained them, of this I am sure!

Michelle, the kids, and I are SOOOOO grateful for YOU and all you do.

Let us know how we can pray for you!

In His love,

Lance

IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME COMIN': "Track of the Day"

IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME COMIN' has received some great reviews on GarageBand.com and was voted the "Track of the Day" for Feb 5, 2007!

***GarageBand.com uses collaborative filtering to let ordinary people identify the best songs. Recognized by TIME Magazine as one of the "50 Best Websites," GarageBand's mission is to empower musicians and redefine how music is discovered and promoted.***

Track of the Day on Garageband!

On Monday, January 29th, as a result of a perfect 5 star rating, my song "AUTOBIOGRAPHY (It's Love)"  will be the featured song on the Country music genre page of Garageband! 

I am VERY grateful for all the reviewers who have scored this song so well!

If you were one of them...  THANK YOU!!!!!

Hey, if you support music trying signing up and doing some reviews in the country genre....  While there you can show some love to yours truly and help bring some great exposure to the music I make...  Don't forget to mark all the EXTRA CREDIT  :)  Let me know if you do!

Praise God and  thanks for the reviews!

Lance

GarageBand.com uses collaborative filtering to let ordinary people identify the best songs. Recognized by TIME Magazine as one of the "50 Best Websites," GarageBand's mission is to empower musicians and redefine how music is discovered and promoted.

RE-CONSTRUCTION is now on iTunes!

RE-CONSTRUCTION is now on iTunes! 

If you are an iTunes user, go check it out and let me know what you think of their layout.

Also, any reviews are sincerely appreciated!

There is more distribution in the pipeline and I will keep everyone updated as we go :)

Your fan,

Lance Christopher

2007 & MIRACLES

...Been thinking a lot about "heavy" stuff lately. 

Over the holidays, I had some time down in Florida to hang by the ocean. (God bless Bryant, Bob G., and my biz partners, Dennis, and Bob for making it possible)

Physically and emotionally, I was pretty wasted on treatments. High dose dexamethasone can make one feel pretty wimpy, and having my platelete count below 25 didn't help... Ugh!

After everyone would go to bed, I would sit outside, listen to the surf, and prayerfully meditate.

No real agenda other than to connect with my God and sort out things like living, dying, His will, healing, treatments, destiny, callings and purposes for my wife and children, suffering, joy, the music business, ministry... Stuff like that.

Conclusions? 

I am not really living unless there is something for which I am willing to die. (I'm sure I am quoting someone, but I'm not sure who)

I fight to live, because to do so is to honor the One who gave me life...  It values the gift He gave.

To predict the future based on present circumstances is FOLLY. Almost every major life shift, at least for me, has been a genuine surprise. I think God likes it that way.

God REALLY does rule supreme in the affairs of men, and my help is significant in as much as I submit to what HE wants.

God still is in the healing business, and His TRUTH trumps mere facts... That is to say that faith in God's word makes the facts come in line with the truth.

Faith pleases God...  He sincerely likes it.  Pleasing God is good  :)  I want to please Him!

He has blessed me with GREAT doctors.

I LOVE music ministry :)

AND Yeah, way more than I can fit in this blog entry LOL.

I do believe that 2007 is the year that I am cured of cancer. 

I PRAISE GOD FOR EACH OF YOU WHO HAVE AGREED WITH ME IN THIS!

I am unbelievably grateful for YOUR gift of faith!

I pray that 2007 is a year of miracles for you!

I praise God that we are in this thing called "life" TOGETHER!

In Him,

Lance

Also, I have to say that on the drive down to Florida I was HUGELY blessed by the old Sonic Praise album by Sonicflood, the one from when Jeff Deyo was the lead singer. That album was/is brilliant!

Then on the drive back up, Michelle, Bob Gale, and I sang all the old hymns, and old vacation Bible school songs we could remember... That was a blast LOL!

JOY UNSPEAKABLE & AUTOBIOGRAPHY (ITS LOVE): lyrics

Here are the lyrics to "Joy Unspeakable", my current single...

And "Autobiography (Its Love), my upcoming single to be released to radio in February!

I am still trying to get my ministry website lancechristopher.net and my main artist page lancechristopher.com fully integrated. 

The hold up is me LOL!

Thanks for your patience.

For now all of the lyrics to the new album, RE-CONSTRUCTION, are a click away at...

MUSIC & MORE (click the song title and they pop up...  pretty cool!)

Love you all and MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

LC

JOY UNSPEAKABLE

(Lance Christopher & Scat Springs)

Lance Christopher

• MP3 play whole song, hi-fi (broadband)
• MP3 play whole song, lo-fi  (modem)

It’s been a pitiful, miserable, broken hearted, sad week
Ain’t nothin’ gone my way, Lord, I need a change

I'm puttin' on a garment of praise
And I'm doin' it by faith
I'm letting go of what has been
I'm here to press in

(‘Cause) It's joy unspeakable
When I'm in Your presence Lord
With a thirst unquenchable
Cause I want, I want some more
Of that joy unspeakable
When I'm in Your presence Lord
With a thirst unquenchable
Cause I want, I want some more
Of that joy, joy, joy, joy
Joy, joy, joy up in my soul
Joy, joy, joy, joy
Joy, joy, joy up in my soul

When we choose to give You praise
Trouble falls away
As we sing of Your great worth
It’s heaven here on earth

(‘Cause) It's joy unspeakable
When we’re in Your presence Lord
With a thirst unquenchable
Cause we want, we want some more
Of that joy unspeakable
When we’re in Your presence Lord
With a thirst unquenchable
Cause we want, we want some more
Of that joy, joy, joy, joy
Joy, joy, joy up in our souls
Joy, joy, joy, joy
Joy, joy, joy up in our souls

It’s love unspeakable
When I'm in Your presence Lord
With a thirst unquenchable
Cause I want, I want some more

Of that peace unspeakable...
When I'm in Your presence Lord
With a thirst unquenchable
Cause I want, I want some more

Of that joy unspeakable
When I'm in Your presence Lord
With a thirst unquenchable
Cause I want, I want some more

I gotta’ get me some love
I gotta’ get me some peace
I gotta’ get me some joy
It’s in Your presence Lord

(c) 2006 Titonka Music/BMI

 
 

AUTOBIOGRAPHY (IT'S LOVE)

(Lance Christopher)

Lance Christopher

• MP3 play whole song, hi-fi (broadband)
• MP3 play whole song, lo-fi  (modem)

I've had the imitation stuff
Lord, it hurt when it all blew up
Tore my heart from my chest
I was broken
Don't wanna' go...  There again...

But someone cared enough to pray
Lifted me before God night and day
Wouldn't quit...  Wouldn't stop...  Wouldn't give up
'Til I gave my heart to Jesus

And I started growing
Love kept me going
In the womb of the Body of Christ
Grace won out and I can testify

To love... Comin' on strong
Pourin on down
With a healing flow from heaven
Love... Comin' on strong
Pourin on down
With a healing flow from heaven
It's love

Been up the mountains rocky way
Through the valley where the shadow of death lay
Felt its fingers icy cold
But I'm not afraid anymore

Been in the fire a time or two
Ooo, but every time I made it through
Leaning on the Everlasting Arms
He carried me on and on...  I am...

Saved...  Delivered... and healed
More and more as I seen him clearer
Being changed day by day
Into the likeness of the one I praise

chorus

(c) 2005 by Titonka Music/BMI