Paul Manwaring - Kisses from a Good God: A Journey Through Cancer

DESTINY IMAGE BOOKS BY PAUL MANWARING

What on Earth is Glory?

Copyright 2012 Paul Manwaring

All rights reserved. This book is protected by the copyright laws of the United States of America. This book may not be copied or reprinted for commercial gain or profit. The use of short quotations or occasional page copying for personal or group study is permitted and encouraged. Permission will be granted upon request. Unless otherwise identified, Scripture quotations are taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE, Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. Scripture quotations marked NKJV are taken from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked TLB are taken from The Living Bible; Tyndale House, 1997, 1971 by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All emphasis within Scripture quotations is the authors own. Please note that Destiny Images publishing style capitalizes certain pronouns in Scripture that refer to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and may differ from some publishers styles.

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ISBN 13 TP: 978-0-7684-0309-1

ISBN 13 Ebook: 978-0-7684-8777-0

ISBN 13 HC: 978-0-7684-0322-0

For Worldwide Distribution, Printed in the U.S.A.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 / 16 15 14 13 12

Dedication

This book is dedicated to the greatest kiss from God
that came in the season
about which this book is written.

To my first grandson,

Aidan James Manwaring
Before you were born, you changed history
and gave me a reason to fight.

Your birth marked the first time
three generations of Manwaring men
walked this earth together.

Since your birth, you have brought
greater joy and happiness than words can express.
I Love You, Aidan

Papa

Acknowledgments

This book is really one single acknowledgement of my family, friends, co-workers, surgeon, and, of course, an extravagantly good God who made this journey and story possible. I will never forget Bill Johnsons words as I finished preaching this message six weeks after having surgery: Tonight we have heard our culture defined in the midst of suffering. As Bill said that, I stood next to his wife, Beni Johnson, who gave me the title for my message and subsequently, this book. Call it Kisses from a Good God, she said. Thank you, Beni.

Since that day, so many have encouraged me to write this book. I am grateful for each one of you and for the testimonies I have received from those who were inspired on their journey by my original message.

Thank you to Bill and Ted for the two forewords. You both have different careers and ministries, and yet you are so alike in your absolute love for God and in the way you have encouraged and inspired me.

Three special women have helped with the manuscript. Chelsea Moore, who edited it for me with the challenge of correcting my grammar while protecting my voice. You have done a great job and are a true daughter in my life! Pam Spinosi, thank you for your ability to check the finest details. And Suefor whom reading the manuscript was not easyI needed your eyes to confirm that I had recorded the story accurately.

I cannot write these acknowledgements without naming my surgeon, Dr. Thijssen. Thank you for your skill, extraordinary bedside manner, and for the now 14 post-op appointments, providing us the opportunity to talk about cameras and share life.

And to my two sons, I am sure you know this already, but it is your daily love, sarcasm, and laughterwhich you bring with occasional references to a kiss from a good Godthat are my encouragement. And of course to Amy, my daughter-in-law, who will, by the time this book is published, have presented us with my second grandchild. Thank you for continuing to enrich my life.

And finally, to the One who has been misrepresented by so many. He really is a good God, and its time that the whole world knew!

Endorsements

Kisses from a Good God is an extraordinary book full of encouragement and hope for those in the midst of great physical trials. I loved Pauls transparency, and the amazing God-given insights presented in the book will enable you also to walk through cancer, illnesses, and everyday life in total victory.

CAROL ARNOTT

Catch the Fire Ministries

I have traveled in my own Valley of the Shadow of Death. That journey led me to the table prepared in the presence of my enemies. Paul Manwarings book made emotion fill my eyeswe are fellow travelers. His book helped me see the many kisses of God on my own path. Hospitals, doctors, nurses, and technicians are gloves that are filled by the healing hand of God. I applaud them! I encourage you to read the book, program your heart, receive good things from a good God, and He will be sure to make all things beautiful in its time! Beauty for ashes.

STEVE WITT

Ill never forget the day I took Paul to the doctor to get the results of his cancer tests. The nurse led us to a cold, white, sterile office, and seated Paul on the examining table. The doctor will be in to see you in a few minutes, she said in a serious tone. I found a chair in the corner and sat down. The atmosphere was tense, so I tried to be funny to lighten the air. It seemed like we sat there for an eternity as we waited for the specialist. Finally, I heard the footsteps of the doctor grow louder as he neared the room. My heart began to race with anxiety as I anticipated the possible scenarios. The door opened and a tall, older man in a long white coat entered the room. I immediately knew that something serious was wrong by the stress on his face.

Without making eye contact, he began to give Paul his prognosis, using large, technical words and complex scenarios, almost as if he was hiding the bad news in some foreign language. Paul, being a former nurse, probably had some idea of what he was saying, but I was completely lost. I looked up at the doctor and said, Im sorry, but I didnt understand a word you said. Could you please say that again in plain English?

Your friend has prostate cancer, he explained in a monotone voice. Its a level nine, which is the worst possible scenario.

Paul turned white as a ghost and looked as if he wanted to run out of the room. I scrambled to think of questions that might help breathe some hope into the situation, but the longer the doctor talked, the more critical Pauls condition seemed. We left the doctors office in a daze, struggling to understand how to find God in this life-threatening test. After all, Bethel Church was famous for healings. We had seen thousands of miracles over the previous ten years. We intensified our prayer effort for Paul, but the miracle never came.

It wasnt that we didnt believe in doctors. After all, it was Jesus who said, Its the sick who need a physician (see Luke 5:31). Its just that we believe in miracles more. Weeks later, the operation took place, and shortly after we learned that Paul was cancer free!