Bull Poker and Stage 3 Cancer

4

Unless you are a fan of rodeo, you may not have heard about a fun event called “Bull Poker” in which three or four cowboys sit around a table in the middle of the arena with a bull let loose to wreak havoc. While the cowboys sit at the table playing poker, the bull roams freely. Eventually the bull is bound to charge the table, scattering the cowboys, upsetting the table, and ending the game.

The last man sitting in his chair wins $100. You need a good sense of timing, excellent reflexes, and a bit of luck to win. It’s a dangerous game and sometimes the cowboys are injured when the bull finally makes his charge. 

That’s the metaphor Andy McQuitty used in his sermon last Sunday to describe his current battle with colon cancer. I wrote about Andy’s initial emails to his congregation (Irving Bible Church) in my sermon called Theology at Midnight. Andy returned to the pulpit last Sunday for the first time in six weeks. He told the congregation that his cancer is Stage 3, Level 3. The only thing beyond that is Stage 4. He starts six months of very tough chemotherapy later this week. 

I listened to the audio of his sermon last Sunday in which he talks openly about the cancer and what it means in light of the call of Christ to “seek first the Kingdom” in Matthew 6:33. He speaks with courage, a touch of humor, a sense of gratitude, and a profound trust in God. 

We first met Andy and Alice in 1983 in Garland, Texas. He is a dear friend and a man whom God has used mightily. Now at the age of 53, he is in the fight of his life. I commend this sermon to you because as Andy says, we all have various “bulls” facing us down. No one is granted an exemption. 

You can listen online or you can download the service by going to the IBC Media Page and clicking on the links for the service on 8/23/09 called “Prayer” or you can find it on iTunes. Andy’s talk begins about 30 minutes into the service. 

*Screen Name:
Question or comment:
	This is a private message or question
	Notify me of follow up comments via e-mail
	* denotes required field

Visitor Comments:

August 26, 2009, 4:31 AM patrick Sullivan says:
British / Australian . Retired Pastor. Hospital Chaplain. Creator and Webmaster of www.jesuschristonly.com	There just has to be easier ways of earning $100?. Pat
August 26, 2009, 1:25 PM baylorhall says:
	Thanks so much for sharing Andy’s story and sermon. That Sunday service was powerful as we watched the wonderful man who has led our church for over 20 years share from his heart. We were a true family that night. Andy faces his cancer in a way that empowers all of us to face our own giants. He is convinced that we will all draw closer to the Lord as a result of his illness. I ask everyone to join us in prayer for his healing. Thanks!
August 26, 2009, 7:37 PM jsosa says:
	The $100 is meant to pay for the ambulance. The true prize is the bragging rights.
September 11, 2009, 2:35 PM Ray Pritchard says:
	baylorhall, Thanks for your kind words. I agree 100% about Andy. He’s one of the bravest men that I know. I pray for him and Alice—that God will heal him and that they will both be filled with peace and joy and hope. We are joining with you in prayer. Blessings, Ray