91Èȱ¬

Funny, my dad sent me a link to the interview with a single sentence ending in the word "inspiring". And that it is.

The combination of Derick's inherent ability to inspire with his words and his latter day experiences with the nearness of death is a potent one, bringing along his conviction that he's still here for an important reason (it occurs to me that this interview forms part of what he calls being kept alive to give "a word to someone"; a word to many).

What he didn't mention was doubt. As he approached death, Derick said he was "caught between two worlds", and split over his desire to see Christ and his desire to stay with family and the world. He never said he had any doubts in those moments about his Christian beliefs. I wonder if it is true that he didn't, or if there was a private doubt, which would be a very human thing, and, I suspect, even to the ears of committed Christians, a very understandable thing.

Maybe an experience like this for someone like Derick has the opposite effect upon any sense of doubt, to diminish it more than to raise it. If so, perhaps its absence allows him an even brighter glimpse of the world he looks forward to than us mere mortals are shown. It helps to explain why his story... inspires us, maybe.

Can I say well done William on producing such a thoughtful and meaningful interview with Derick Bingham it is certainly an Interview that has given me plenty to think about. "Inspiring" and "powerful" are indeed the right words to use. Derick Bingham has and I hope will continue to be an Inspiration to many people and to hear him talk so honestly and lovingly about his life and walk with God is a powerful message to fellow Christians and non Christians alike. May I just say that I wish Derick and his family every blessing as they go through this testing time in their family life and pray that his health will indeed continue to improve.
I was just thinking to myself how easy it is as a Christian to say the right words and to act in the right way especially when I am healthy and life is good but how well would I perform when the testing times come? I hope that I will stand up as well as Derick and his personal testimony about these hard times in his life is indeed an Inspiration to me and I hope many people.

Having just returned from a holiday in Australia, and being starved of my favourite 'Radio Ulster' programmes for the past four weeks, I was catching-up with our local radio programmes today, Saturday 2nd Jan., and listening in to 'Sunday Sequence' on 27th Dec 2009, via the web facility, I was totally immersed in William's interview with Derek Bingham, and have to say it was the most inspirational discussion I have ever been priviledged to listen too, Derek Bingham expresses real love and humility with a profound belief in his Lord. This interview will help untold numbers of people with similar medical problems and will, or should be, essential listening when the "dreaded diagnosis" of Cancer is given. Thank you William, this is why Radio Ulster/Sunday Sequence is rivitting listening ... most weeks.

I have found Derick Bingham's comments on his faith and treatment for acute myeloid leukaemia interesting and inspiring ,but I have often felt evangelical believers seem to be centred on themselves and their immediate families rather than the wider world. I was diagnosed with AML in Dec 2007 and was given low chance of survival - many people prayed for me but I could only pray for others - I feel praying for one's own survival is too self- centred - why should I expect to survive when thousands of people die from other diseases, violenceand man-made or man-preventable causes? What would happen to someone with leukaemia in Africa or any country without the NHS which is willing to spend thousands of pounds to prolong the life of a septugenarian like myself? No amount of prayer could save them.
I found most comforting the sharing of treatment and feelings with others in Level 10, the Haematology Unit,where I spent 5 months spread over 9 months,and built up relationships with staff and fellow-patients some of whom survived ,some who have not, we kept in touch with those in the isolation rooms through the staff. Best wishes MM

Margaret - thank you for your comment which, in its honesty, charity, and understanding of fellowship, I found deeply inspiring. I am glad, too, that in a sense your words have given permission to open some debate on the matter as few personal concerns are more important for Christians than how we deal with our own suffering and mortality.

Derick Bingham is a gifted writer and I can understand how his words assist so many people in the contemplation or experience of illness and approaching death. I have to admit, however, that I simply cannot connect at all with the understanding of God and the human experience which shapes his message. I have been wondering what the thoughts of other non-evangelical Christians might be.

I do, nonetheless, hope for his continued well-being (as I do for yours) and will pray you both continue to find blessing in God.

I found this interview to be both comforting and challenging: comforting because Derek Bingham identified those fears which a person, even a theist, might face in such circumstances and challenging because he was able to draw on the experiece of numerous people who have faced up to the ultimate questions of life and death. I wanted to pass the link for this interview to someone who finds themselves in a similar situation however it is no longer available on the 91Èȱ¬ i-player and is not included in the Everyday Ethics Podcast. I wonder if it could be accessed in any other way?

Good Morning

Where can I again hear the last inspiring interview with William Crawley and the late great Derek Bingham. Will someone please send me a link to the actual interview to my e mail address whch is [Personal details removed by Moderator] thank you

Every Blessing

Thomas

Will

I know a lot of people were moved by the interview. (I was uplifted by the cherry tree.)
My principal was taught English by a (young ) Derek Bingham. He found your tribute to Derek in the Belfast Telegraph moving and true. I haven't read it yet, but your posts here have shown a deep and profound respect for Derek Bingham and his beliefs.

GV

Yes, the interview needs to go back online!

Oh, it has...sorry!