By now you may have heard that
I was diagnosed with acute myeloid
leukaemia on Monday 7th April 2008.
I believing that my recovery will
come gradually in 3 stages. I am
now into stage 3.
Stage 1 April 2008 - August 2008
: Hospitalisation: involved treatment
of 14 intensive chemotherapy injections
divided into 4 courses plus transfusions
and courses of the anti-cancer drug
ATRA.
Stage 2 August 2008-December
2008:
Remission, convalescence and treatment
as a hospital out-patient with regular
monitoring through blood tests.
This does involve a massive amount
of pills. I have to take 126 ATRA
pills over a 14 day period repeated
every 3 months. When not on ATRA
I will be taking daily chemotherapy
pills 2 one day, 3 the next and
an extra 8 each Wednesday. I will
have to take 1 Allopurinol pill
each day for the rest of my life
to stop the gout. The side effects
so far are fatigue, tiredness, nausea,
soft nails, dry lips and itchy dry
skin. During this period I am managing
to do a small amount of preaching,
teaching and music ministry but
keeping fairly local.
Stage 3 January 1st 2009 – September
2010:
I am now continuing to be in remission
and getting back to normal. I have
started doing some distance travel
and have recommenced my music/teaching
seminars. I am also really enjoying
getting back and doing some Praise
Parties / Family Services and concerts.
Each month I return to the hosptal
for a blood test and monitoring
and every 3 months have a bone marrow
biopsy. Daily I take 300mg of Allopurinol,
and my chemotherapy tablets consist
of 50mg of Mercaptopurine daily
and every Tuesday a further dose
of 30mg of Methotrexate. Every 3
months I stop the chemotherapy tablets
to take 90mg of Tretinoin (ATRA)
tablets daily for 2 weeks. The main
side effects at present are slight
nausea, slight fatigue and slightly
dodgy taste buds but these are nothing
compared to the side effects of
the past !
Mid 2010:
Hopefully (God willing) given the
all clear, stop the chemotherapy
and ATRA tablets and hear the word
cured!
I praise God for the speed of my
recovery so far and give thanks
for the consultants, nursing staff,
medical science, prayer from Christians
all over the world and of course
for my wife Irene, our children,
family, cathedral clergy and congregation
and our close friends.
You will probably never realise
just how much your love and support
has meant to us as a family. We
have been overwhelmed by your wonderful
messages, prayers and practical
giving. You have carried us through
the darkest time of our lives.
Please be assured, your prayers
are being answered although I realise
that I still have a long way to
travel on my cancer journey. I am
convinced that a miracle is happening
and I am so pleased to still be
alive and I am assured that God
still has more for me to do yet!
Part of the treatment is maintaining
a positive attitude so if you would
like to continue sending messages
please use the following email address:
If you would like
to continue supporting us in prayer,
please add your name to the mailing
list and I will keep you informed
of the latest news.
Until 2010, I will be available
to visit your Church and I will
not be charging a set fee for any
ministry that I do. It will just
be a joy to be well enough to visit
Churches again and hopefully be
a small blessing to others. If you
feel that you as an individual or
your Church would like to offer
further practical support then please
either contact me direct or see
the Jeff Lucas section further down
the homepage.
Ishmael's
New CD - 'BIGGER BARN'
Review From Cross Rhythms by Mike Rimmer
9/10
The album title comes from the parable that Jesus told about a wealthy man who decides he's doing so well, he needs a bigger barn to store all is wealth. The song seems to be quietly taking off in grassroots church circles, though it probably won't surpass Ishmael's biggest hit, "Father God I Wonder". Ian "Ishmael" Smale is, of course, the veteran children's ministry man who introduced a whole generation of children to the exciting idea of the "praise party".
This album sees the grizzled survivor writing and recording a batch of songs for older kids and with their driving retro rock accompaniments wouldn't feel out of place on Ish's 1979 album with his band Ishmael United. A lot of the material here is based on the parables of Christ. The combination of story telling and application is both powerful and fun filled while the witty 'borrowing' of tunes and arrangements from classic pop hits of yesteryear is constantly amusing. Have a listen and see if you can spot the influence of some of the songs. Here's a couple to get you started! There's the party groove of "Wolfy Wolfy" which brings to mind a certain Sam The Sham hit from the sixties. Then there are hints of Dylan's rambunctious "Rainy Day Women #12 & 35" on "Sow 'n' Sow".
If you listen to the title song, you may find yourself getting up to do a bit of a Greek "Zorba's Dance" or reminiscing about the '60s song "Bend Me Shape Me". So if you buy your older kids this album, you'll be scratching your head trying to remember the songs that Ishmael's hinting at as your loved ones feed on the lyrics about Jesus and His teachings. Ish has undergone major health problems over the last few years so it's particularly pleasing to report that 'A Bigger Barn' is his best recording for many a long year.
On the 7th April Ish was admitted into hospital
and diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia.
He was hospitalised for several weeks while
undergoing intensive chemotherapy treatment.
Ish had been feeling tired and unwell since
January and we just assumed he had been overdoing
things as usual. The week before he went into
hospital he began to have headaches and came
out in bruises all over his body, including
in his mouth. That was when we began to get
alarmed. He was admitted into hospital on Mon
7 April for tests and we were shocked to discover
that he had cancer as there had been very little
advance warning.
We were advised by Ish’s consultant, who is
a Christian, that thankfully this is a type
of cancer that can be treated and the treatment
has a good success rate. This was we believe
an answer to prayer.
Since then our children and I have kept a journal
by maintaining Ish’s web site and posting updates
daily while he was in hospital. As a family
we have been able to gain strength and encouragement
from all your messages which have been printed
off and filed for Ish to keep as a positive
incentive to get well. Words cannot describe
how grateful we are to you for your prayers
through what has been the most difficult time
of our lives. God has touched us so very deeply
through you.
Our love and thanks,
Irene, Joss, Dan, Suzy and Adam.
Ishmael's Revival Band (minus Ish) performed
a gig at Spring Harvest this year to honour
Ish who had just been admitted into hospital
suffering from leukaemia.
If you enjoy the set, do buy the CD and
also consider booking the band (with Ish)
to come and do a concert in 2009. Click
HERE
for further 'Ish's Revival Band' details.
We think that 'A Year According
To Ish' will be a great short
daily study book for any teenager
/ adult and also that God will
speak to them as they read it.
Each of the 365 pages carries
a Scripture verse, a short compelling
'Ish' story, a brief statement
of the point being made and a
one sentence prayer.
The great news is, you don't have
to start this book on January
1st, you can start any time of
year!
Click HERE
for a sample page and order it
online today
Turn my eyes away from worthless things. (Ps 119 v 37)
Its strange how quickly our values change. Nowadays football is one of the most important things in life, especially if you are a professional footballer. A while ago a famous footballers little boy tragically died, and following this many footballers and commentators admitted that there are many things in life that are much more important and precious than football. People are far more valuable than any ‘things’ but sadly for some it takes difficult or even tragic circumstances before they realise this.
Lord, help me to realise how precious people are.
Ish's
Leukaemia From Jeff Lucas. How You Can Help Ish.
By now many of you have heard the good news
that Ishmael is in remission but our continuing
prayers are still vital.
I’m writing again to address the specific practical
needs in the light of Ish’s medical condition
and his future ministry.
Although it is thrilling that Ish will be well
enough to do a limited amount of engagements
during 2009 / 2010 whilst he is still receiving
chemotherapy treatment and convalescing, this
will provide nowhere near enough finances for
his living expenses. This presents the need
for continued financial support until September
2010 when Ish should be fully recovered.
I’ve suggested to Irene and Ish that this financial
challenge is a burden that we as friends can
lift off of them. It’s more than enough for
them to fight this battle, without being weighed
down by the additional challenge of finances.
Rather than sending cheques through to Irene
directly, there are three ways that you can
support them at this time:-
1. A fund has been set up, that is being overseen
by Nigel Singleton, Sue Mills and myself. We
therefore want to invite any one who would like
to make a donation to make cheques payable to
I. Smale and send them to:
Mrs Sue Mills
New Barn House
2 Braemar Way
Bognor Regis,
West Sussex
PO21 5DP
2. If you wish to pay money directly
to their Stewardship Services Account, you can
do so. The account number is 70775207.
Ish and Irene are especially concerned that
this appeal is an invitation and not a pressure
to their friends, and so by organising the fund
this way they will immediately receive the help
they need without knowing the details of who
gave what amounts; they will not be burdened
with the need to write thank you notes, and
also this will help those who just prefer to
give anonymously anyway. A list of donations
will be made for accountability purposes and
each gift will be acknowledged.
Ish and Irene have not only enriched the lives
of countless thousands with their tireless faithfulness
in travel, but they have been carriers of great
joy to so many of us who are privileged to call
them friends. Now we have an opportunity either
as individuals or as Churches who have benefited
from Ish’s ministry, to bring some practical
joy to them with our gifts, large or small.
Thanks for your prayerful consideration of this
request.
Ish is a wonderful husband. He always remembers Irene’s birthday – but kindly forgets her age.
To keep up to date with Ishmael why not join his mailing list?
Just enter your email address in the box below and click the join button.
“As I look back over the 25+ years of history of Spring Harvest it is difficult to identify any one person who has had such an influence on the Event or on the lives of several generations of children as Ishmael.
Ishmael has been at the heart of every Event since it began in 1979 shaping the way not only Spring Harvest but subsequently the Church across the UK approached its children’s work and in more recent years engaged in and developed ‘all age worship’.
A man renowned for his high octane energy and yet beneath all the frenetic activity lies a passion for children and a man with a Heart after God’ - Alan Johnson: Chief Executive Spring Harvest.
Click
HERE
to view Ish's full book and discography.
This page also contains some interesting
little known facts about Ish's recordings!
A resource to help you to both to teach and learn a different Bible song every week of the year. Make it a regular feature in your children’s meetings. Each Sunday we will give you the song, the music, the guitar chords and tell you CD the song is taken from in case you have no musicians and want to use the music track. This will allow leaders 6 days to have it ready to teach (and make up actions) before the following Sunday meeting.
If you use any of Ish's songs, for legal copyright reasons, please inform your worship leader of the titles so they can be included on the CCLI forms.
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Taken from the album Its Amazin 'What Praisin' Can Do
Here is a very rare track that I recorded 'live' with the band 'After the fire'. Ok, so the recording is not so good, and I was losing my voice but I wonder if you can still feel the power in the song.
If you use any of Ish's songs, for legal copyright reasons, please inform your worship leader of the titles so they can be included on the CCLI forms.
The audio tracks require RealAudio player to listen to them. This can be downloaded for free at www.real.com. If you can't find it then email ishmael@ishmael.org.uk.
People
are telling me that this
song is great to use for
all ages at Communion
gatherings. This being
the case we have provided
both the track and the
music / lyrics so that
everyone can use it. You
will note it is very simple
so your musicians should
have no trouble playing
it.
Although I am known mainly for children's songs, Father God I Wonder has remained popular with adults as well as children. Here are 3 more songs that I wrote many years ago which I am being told are just as powerful today and are really blessing adult worshippers. They are very simple so please give them a try, and see what God does through them.
At the beginning of each day try prayerfully singing this song with me. Its a great way to start each day. If we mean the words as we sing them we may start to notice a change in our day!
Lord give me a heart that's true
Help me keep loving you
Watch over all I do
This is my prayer
Be in my thoughts today
Help me in what I say
But most of all I pray
Make me like you.
(c) Glorie Music / Thankyou Music 1999 (Taken from 'Songs for little children' triple CD)
Click
HERE
to find out more about being
a Christian.
Lucy asks us to pray for her family. Lucy's Dad and Mum, Russ and Christine Cooper are a dynamic couple who both live to love and share Jesus.
Last year Russ was diagnosed with a very serious brain tumour and doctors have been treating him with chemo and radiotherapy to try to extend his quality of life for as many months as possible. In the last few weeks Christine has been diagnosed with secondary bone cancer. She continues to be in hospital for treatment.
Please pray for comfort and support for all the family at this very difficult time. Pray for healing and positive treatment for them. Pray that the correct care will be provided to suit both of their needs. Every prayer is appreciated
Click HERE
to see the dates available to
book Ishmael.
13 Mar - Living Oasis Bookstore. Unit 31, The Bargate Centre, Southampton. [Re-opening a Christian bookshop.]
14 Mar - Waterlooville Baptist Church [Anniversary Service]
17 Mar - Rogate [Lent preach on faith]
21 Mar - St Peters Lynchmere [Guest preacher]
26 Mar - Bicester Mission. [Schools day and Praise Party.]
Lord give me a heart that's true
