Book Give-Away in Memory of George Green, the Man Who Inspired Me to Praise the Lord and Pass the Chemo

George Green loved baseball, cars, helping people, and cancer. Yes. Cancer. Why? Because his greatest love was Jesus and cancer gave him opportunity to tell people about his Savior.

When cancer hit me hard, I remembered George, his words, and his attitude. I, too, decided to praise the Lord and see cancer as a gift and not a curse. Thank you, George. You changed my life.

I write about George in Praise the Lord and Pass the Chemo: A Hopeful Response to a Hard Reality. Enjoy this partial excerpt from my book:

"'I have a praise report! I have cancer!' George smiled wide as he announced his diagnosis to a group gathered for a Wednesday night of prayer.

'George! How is that a praise report?' The stunned assembly seemed to ask in unison.

'Can you imagine the people I'll meet and tell about Jesus? Doctors! Nurses! All kinds of medical staff! Why, I'm having chemotherapy every week with the same seven people in the same room. I'm going to tell all of them 'I know I'm going to Heaven. Do you? And they won't be able to leave because we're all having chemo.'

For George, cancer was a reason for thanksgiving. Telling people about Jesus was his passion. Cancer opened doors to share his faith with people he otherwise might never meet.

I would have loved being in the doctor's office when the oncologist tried to heal George, and George tried to heal the oncologist.

'George, this is serious. You are a sick man.'

'Doctor, if you don't know Jesus as your Savior, you are a lot sicker than I am!'

Remembering my God-loving friend, I determined — like George — to look at cancer as an opportunity rather than an obstacle. . . . 

I walked into the cancer center with joy in my step and a prayer in my heart.

Every six weeks I receive a five-hour infusion in a private room with one nurse — what an opportunity to make a friend I may have never met, except for cancer. On my first infusion day the nurse and I talked about Jesus. . . . 

'You must be tired of listening to me.' I smiled as the sedative kicked in. My eyes and tongue were heavy.

'Oh, no! I could listen to you all day.' She meant it. Without a hint of flattery or a nurse's bedside manners, she spoke with sincerity as the Holy Spirit worked in her heart.

Later, with a hop and I skip, I left the hospital thanking George for his example and God for allowing me to share Jesus and hope with a new friend. Exhilarated by all God did that day, I got into my car proclaiming, 'Well, praise the Lord and pass the chemo.'"

Ha! My next thought was Oh no! That sounds like a book title! And so was conceived Praise the Lord and Pass the Chemo: A Hopeful Response to a Hard Reality. 

George was so excited to see the book! He bought multiple copies and passed them along to any in need. I remember his grin and excitement seeing God use him through this story.

George died July 7, 2019 at the age of sixty-six. I'm sure his smile is a mile wide and I suspect he's already asked Jesus if he wants a copy of my book. Thank you, George, for impacting this world and my life for Christ. I miss you. I rejoice that you are in Heaven with Jesus, the One you love most.

In memory of George, 

I am giving away one free copy of Praise the Lord and Pass the Chemo. 

If you would like to enter the give-away,

 please leave a comment of any kind,

 a prayer for his family, 

or a memory of how you remember George. 

I will choose a name from a bowl

 on Thursday night, July 25, 2019 at 9:00 p.m. 

"But I have raised you up for this very purpose, 

that I might show you My power and 

that My name might be proclaimed in all the earth."

Exodus 9:16

And the winner of

 Praise the Lord and Pass the Chemo is . . . 

Rhonda Roemer-Stephani! 

Thank you for remembering George 

with your sweet words.

Thank you to all who remembered 

George Green. 

He blessed me, 

I pray he blessed you too.

Splashes of Serenity from George to you, because George knows the Christian life is the only life filled with serenity,

Elaine W. Miller's Book on Cancer Releasing in Fall 2018

Dearest friends and cancer warriors,

Cancer surprised me! I was thrown into the cancer community—not by my choice, but by God's plan. Little did I expect to receive some of the greatest lessons of my spiritual life as well as meet cancer heroes whose faith would increase mine.

God placed a desire in my heart to write a book encouraging cancer patients and those who love them to consider:

Cancer is not an obstacle in life, 

but an opportunity

 to love deeper, 

live fuller, 

laugh louder, 

sing sweeter, 

and shine brighter.

I am pleased to announce my new book (cover and title to be revealed in October), releasing in time for Christmas. 

Signing a publishing contract with Living Parables of Central Florida Books.

The book is in the capable hands of the publisher. Thank you to all who prayed me through the book-writing process. You are my heroes, lifting my arms when I had no strength to stand.

Tomorrow Dan and I leave for various locations to rest, love each other and our extended family, and celebrate our 48th anniversary—another anniversary we thought we would never see. How we thank God for His goodness to us and His sweet spirit of peace dwelling within us.

I'm doing great! My blood counts are normal and my heart beats for Jesus! Enjoy every moment, dear ones!

Life is worth living.

People are worth loving.

Smiles are worth smiling.

Laughter is gold.

May splashes of serenity fill your days,

The Gift of Cancer

Clinging to the cross. Always.

"I have a praise report! I have cancer!" George announced at our church's Wednesday night prayer meeting many years ago.




"George! How is that a praise report?" I asked.




"Can you imagine the group of people I will meet who I can tell about Jesus. Doctors! Nurses! All kinds of medical staff! Why, I'm having chemo every week with the same seven people in the same room. I'm going to tell all of them 'I know I'm going to Heaven. Do you?' And they won't be able to leave because we're all having chemotherapy."




Then there is the oncologist who said "George, this is serious. You are a sick man."
George answered "Doctor, if you don't know Jesus as your Savior, you are a lot sicker than I am."

Cancer was a gift to George.

Today, I laugh with George as I too have a cancer diagnosis.

Don't panic! I'm fine.

A month ago I was diagnosed with active stage 3 high risk chronic lymphocytic leukemia. That's really the only bad news. The great news is I started chemotherapy (taking three pills a day for the rest of my life) in the comfort of my home or wherever I travel. I will not lose my hair, but I should lose some weight. Leukemia burns up calories. How funny is that. All these years I've been trying diet plans. Who knew? Well, God did.




Cancer is a gift because cancer  makes you a better person. God opens your eyes to the important. The eternal. Priorities change. Each day (each moment) is a gift you treasure.




 I am excited to share this journey God knew about before I was born. He has me in this place for the glory of God. And so, like George, I look forward to a new audience, new stories, perhaps a new book. For, indeed, God ordained this day for me. He knows and He cares. He holds me and He will never let me go.

"All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be."

Psalm 139:16

  

Prayers are working.

Three weeks of chemo and I have not one side effect.

Not ONE!!!

I have energy by day and sleep well at night.

I asked two oncologists if I should cancel my speaking and they both replied "ABSOLUTELY NOT!"

Over the past six days, fourteen women gave their hearts to Jesus at luncheons where I shared my story.
Blood tests reveal the chemo has effectively stopped the progression of the leukemia. Hallelujah!!!

Your prayers are always appreciated.

If you are going through a difficult cancer diagnosis, please know that Jesus loves you, He holds you, and He will never let you go. If you need assurance that you are going to Heaven, please read "Elaine's Testimony" at the top of this webpage. I am always happy to pray with any in need.




Who knew cancer could be a gift that brings a splash of serenity? God did. To God be the glory.