As I walk through the valleys of life I cling to God and His promises. Those promises are; that He will be with me and I will not have to fear evil because His rod and staff will comfort in the times when the shadows of death appear. (Psalm 23) Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ even over death.
This week started with a visit to the hospital due to the continued pain in my left side. When X- rays revealed nothing a CT scan was made on Tuesday. The results were again different than what we had hoped and prayed for. It revealed that some areas like the adrenal showed a slight improvement of smaller size tumors but the tumors in both lungs showed an increase in size. The tumor in the spine showed an significant increase and is causing my vertebrae to deteriorate and be compressed, according to the doctor this is what causes the pain and discomfort.
As I was listening this week to some beautiful Christian music I was thinking about the message from the doctors I could not help but to let my tears flow. It was as if the bad news could not even penetrate my heart and mind but the glory and compassion of my Saviour Jesus Christ overwhelmed my heart with His love. I can only thank God for His great compassion over me. I always prayed that God would never take me suddenly from this life. He has given me that time for myself, my family and friends and maybe many more that I don’t know about. One day this text will be a reality, Isaiah 25:8 He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken it.
As I walk through the valley of life I have also come to experience that in the valleys of life, as is the case in nature, is where the crystal clear streams flow, streams of God’s mercy, streams of water that yield fruit in its season, streams for thirsty souls and refreshing streams of God’s Grace. It is good to be able to quench ones thirst in these streams.
The following text speaks of Gods love and grace. Romans 8:38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
I wish all the readers of my blog, family and friends Gods blessings to you and yours this Christmas season. Luke 2:11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes , lying in a manger.13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying , 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
John
JOHN NEWTON (1725- 1807) I dreamt that I was crossing a sea. It was narrow but very rough. After long struggling with winds and waves I entered a still and beautiful harbour. I landed, and meeting a man, I said, “What is the name of this port?” He replied, “The Harbour of Comfort.” “And what is that stormy sea which I have just crossed?” “The Bay of Care.” “I suppose this beautiful port can be reached sometimes without such trouble as I have had.” “Oh no; it is the will of the Master of the port that it shall be reached in no other way. Through much tribulation you must enter the kingdom.”
Saturday, 22 December 2012
Saturday, 15 December 2012
Life
The Bible describes life this way in Psalm 90: 10 The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty; yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away.
The thought of life often keeps my mind occupied. At my age of 59 I reflect often on the joys and blessings of life, our children and grandchildren and the things we were and are still able to do. At the same time I often think of how brief life is. It says it so beautiful in James 4:14 yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.
As I write this we are again confronted with the shortness of life when 26 people were gunned down at school in Connecticut or a friend who himself is dying of ALS just wrote how his mother in law passed away, you can read about it here. This week I also attended the funeral of an acquaintance who passed at the age of 72.
All these things point to life being a vapour, that is the best way to describe it. Be it joyful or in sorrow, the fact remains that even at age 90, life is short and dying is not the end but only the beginning.
For most of us, after our departure, there will be very little left to show that we have walked the face of the earth. For many of us, nothing will be left to remind anyone of our existence on earth 100 years from now. It doesn’t take long to apply this principle to what we are doing today to appreciate what theologian Albert Barnes wrote many years ago:
“ Wholly disappears. Like the dissipated vapor, it is entirely gone. There is no remnant, no outline, nothing that reminds us that it ever was. So of life. Soon it disappears altogether. The works of art that man has made, the house that he has built, or the book that he has written, remain for a little time, but the life has gone. There is nothing of it remaining any more than there is of the vapor which in the morning climbed silently up the mountain side. The animating principle has vanished forever. On such a frail and evanescent thing, who can build any substantial hopes?”
The concept of our lives being like a vapor may not be hugely encouraging. However, it seems to me that this 'principle of the mist-like life' can be an incentive to live each day with eternity in mind. Does our schedule have room for the things of eternity, i.e., activities that will impact others’ eternal destiny? Or is our schedule packed full of trivialities, i.e., things that will hardly matter a week from now, and for certain, will not matter in any way 100 years from now.
While it has been said millions of times, it remains true, “Today is the first day of the rest of your life.” Beginning now, each of us can become more intentional about living our lives and impacting other people keeping their eternal destiny in mind. After all, there are only two eternal destinies and those are either Heaven or hell, and each is forever.
As for myself, I take life day by day. The pain I had earlier in the week has subsided quite a bit as long as I don’t over exert myself. The next CT scan is scheduled for January 9. I continue to lose some weight and I hope it’s due to my diet. Life has just become so different, so much more meaningful in many different aspects and God is becoming so much more real as each day goes by.
Although it is hard to do, I do thank God for my trials. Much good has come out of it for me and I pray for others too. It has taught me big lessons that I otherwise would not have learned. James 1:2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
Please be sure not to forget the real reason why we will soon celebrate Christmas. John 3: 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.
Thank you for your prayers and the many ways you show your care.
Be blessed and be a blessing.
John
The thought of life often keeps my mind occupied. At my age of 59 I reflect often on the joys and blessings of life, our children and grandchildren and the things we were and are still able to do. At the same time I often think of how brief life is. It says it so beautiful in James 4:14 yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.
As I write this we are again confronted with the shortness of life when 26 people were gunned down at school in Connecticut or a friend who himself is dying of ALS just wrote how his mother in law passed away, you can read about it here. This week I also attended the funeral of an acquaintance who passed at the age of 72.
All these things point to life being a vapour, that is the best way to describe it. Be it joyful or in sorrow, the fact remains that even at age 90, life is short and dying is not the end but only the beginning.
For most of us, after our departure, there will be very little left to show that we have walked the face of the earth. For many of us, nothing will be left to remind anyone of our existence on earth 100 years from now. It doesn’t take long to apply this principle to what we are doing today to appreciate what theologian Albert Barnes wrote many years ago:
“ Wholly disappears. Like the dissipated vapor, it is entirely gone. There is no remnant, no outline, nothing that reminds us that it ever was. So of life. Soon it disappears altogether. The works of art that man has made, the house that he has built, or the book that he has written, remain for a little time, but the life has gone. There is nothing of it remaining any more than there is of the vapor which in the morning climbed silently up the mountain side. The animating principle has vanished forever. On such a frail and evanescent thing, who can build any substantial hopes?”
The concept of our lives being like a vapor may not be hugely encouraging. However, it seems to me that this 'principle of the mist-like life' can be an incentive to live each day with eternity in mind. Does our schedule have room for the things of eternity, i.e., activities that will impact others’ eternal destiny? Or is our schedule packed full of trivialities, i.e., things that will hardly matter a week from now, and for certain, will not matter in any way 100 years from now.
While it has been said millions of times, it remains true, “Today is the first day of the rest of your life.” Beginning now, each of us can become more intentional about living our lives and impacting other people keeping their eternal destiny in mind. After all, there are only two eternal destinies and those are either Heaven or hell, and each is forever.
As for myself, I take life day by day. The pain I had earlier in the week has subsided quite a bit as long as I don’t over exert myself. The next CT scan is scheduled for January 9. I continue to lose some weight and I hope it’s due to my diet. Life has just become so different, so much more meaningful in many different aspects and God is becoming so much more real as each day goes by.
Although it is hard to do, I do thank God for my trials. Much good has come out of it for me and I pray for others too. It has taught me big lessons that I otherwise would not have learned. James 1:2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
Please be sure not to forget the real reason why we will soon celebrate Christmas. John 3: 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.
Thank you for your prayers and the many ways you show your care.
Be blessed and be a blessing.
John
Shall I take from Your hand Your blessings
Yet not welcome any pain?
Shall I thank You for days of sunshine
Yet grumble in days of rain?
Shall I love You in times of plenty
Then leave You in days of drought?
Shall I trust when I reap a harvest
But when winter winds blow, then doubt?
Yet not welcome any pain?
Shall I thank You for days of sunshine
Yet grumble in days of rain?
Shall I love You in times of plenty
Then leave You in days of drought?
Shall I trust when I reap a harvest
But when winter winds blow, then doubt?
Oh let Your will be done in me
In Your love I will abide
Oh I long for nothing else as long
As You are glorified
In Your love I will abide
Oh I long for nothing else as long
As You are glorified
Are You good only when I prosper
And true only when I’m filled?
Are You King only when I’m carefree
And God only when I’m well?
You are good when I’m poor and needy
You are true when I’m parched and dry
You still reign in the deepest valley
You’re still God in the darkest night
And true only when I’m filled?
Are You King only when I’m carefree
And God only when I’m well?
You are good when I’m poor and needy
You are true when I’m parched and dry
You still reign in the deepest valley
You’re still God in the darkest night
Wednesday, 12 December 2012
The charity of clarity
Dear Friends, last year I came across a posting on the blog of Dr. David Murray. I like to share it with you. I hope it gives you clarity.
By Dr. David Murray
No one likes to be confused. If a doctor or a mechanic or a teacher bamboozle and befuddle us, we get annoyed, frustrated, and even angry. We demand clarity: “Look, can you please explain that again, this time in plain English.”
No one likes to be confused – with one exception – and that’s in the most important matter of all – our eternal destiny.Let a salesman confuse us about a car and we get angry. But let a preacher confuse us about salvation and we’re quite happy.
When a lawyer clearly explains two possible options, we compliment him. When a preacher clearly explains the only two options – heaven or hell – we criticize him.Why is clarity in every area of life to be commended, but clarity in the greatest issues of life and death to be condemned as “uncharitable”?
Well we could never accuse Jesus of a lack of clarity or charity. Rather, it was His charity that produced His clarity. In fact, wherever there is charity in a heart, there will be clarity in the mouth! A compassion for souls will produce clear sermons, clear pastoral counsel, and clear parental instruction.
How can we say that charity produces clarity?
Consider Jesus’ first sermon, the Sermon on the Mount. He packed a lot into that first sermon, so much that we are still unpacking it 2000 years later. But as he concluded it, he returns to the basics: there are only two gates, two roads, two types of traveler and two destinations. It’s as if he says, “Whatever else you take away from my sermon, take this: “There are only two options.”
A Third Way?
From the Garden of Eden onwards, humanity has been on a desperate search for a third option, a third way to be saved. We realize there is a wrong way, and we don’t want to be on it – I mean who wants to be with Hitler, and BinLaden, and Kim Jong-II? But we don’t like the only other way – bit too narrow, bit too demanding, bit too unpopular. So let’s make up a third way.
And many preachers cooperate with this desired confusion. By neglect, by design, by fear, or by whatever, they leave people in sufficient fog to give them some hope that there may well be a third option. And such preachers are often admired and praised: “So compassionate! So kind! So warm!”
Jesus hurricanes this deadly mist away: “Two gates, two roads, two travelers, two destinations, two trees, two fruits, two foundations, two houses…two, two, two. Never, ever three.” There is no third option for “nice” people. There is no third option for “covenant children.” There is no third option for “church attenders.” We are either dead or alive, dead in sin or born again, asleep or awake, darkness or light, against Christ or for Christ, a Pharisee or a Publican, a child of the devil or child of the living God.
There is no “in-between” category, there is no “miscellaneous,” there is no “and all the rest of us.” There is no third gate, no third road, no third kind of traveler, and no third destination.
THERE IS NO THIRD OPTION!
And it’s not love to suggest there might be. Not in sermons, not at funerals, not in counseling, not in books, not anywhere.
The more we clarify these matters, the more the hearts of lost sinners will be exposed, the more they will see the broad gate they have entered, the broad road they are on, and the deadly destination they are heading to.
And the more angry they will get – at least initially. Because, for some weird reason, confusion is comfortable and usually preferred in spiritual matters. “Keep your clarity. Give me the fog!”
But clarity also, eventually, provokes passionate prayer, earnest seeking, and fervent calling on the name of the Lord for ourselves and for our loved ones.
In these foggy and confusing days, may God give all of us far more of this compassionate Christ-like clarity in our hearts and minds, and in our words and in our walk.
By Dr. David Murray
No one likes to be confused. If a doctor or a mechanic or a teacher bamboozle and befuddle us, we get annoyed, frustrated, and even angry. We demand clarity: “Look, can you please explain that again, this time in plain English.”
No one likes to be confused – with one exception – and that’s in the most important matter of all – our eternal destiny.Let a salesman confuse us about a car and we get angry. But let a preacher confuse us about salvation and we’re quite happy.
When a lawyer clearly explains two possible options, we compliment him. When a preacher clearly explains the only two options – heaven or hell – we criticize him.Why is clarity in every area of life to be commended, but clarity in the greatest issues of life and death to be condemned as “uncharitable”?
Well we could never accuse Jesus of a lack of clarity or charity. Rather, it was His charity that produced His clarity. In fact, wherever there is charity in a heart, there will be clarity in the mouth! A compassion for souls will produce clear sermons, clear pastoral counsel, and clear parental instruction.
How can we say that charity produces clarity?
Consider Jesus’ first sermon, the Sermon on the Mount. He packed a lot into that first sermon, so much that we are still unpacking it 2000 years later. But as he concluded it, he returns to the basics: there are only two gates, two roads, two types of traveler and two destinations. It’s as if he says, “Whatever else you take away from my sermon, take this: “There are only two options.”
A Third Way?
From the Garden of Eden onwards, humanity has been on a desperate search for a third option, a third way to be saved. We realize there is a wrong way, and we don’t want to be on it – I mean who wants to be with Hitler, and BinLaden, and Kim Jong-II? But we don’t like the only other way – bit too narrow, bit too demanding, bit too unpopular. So let’s make up a third way.
And many preachers cooperate with this desired confusion. By neglect, by design, by fear, or by whatever, they leave people in sufficient fog to give them some hope that there may well be a third option. And such preachers are often admired and praised: “So compassionate! So kind! So warm!”
Jesus hurricanes this deadly mist away: “Two gates, two roads, two travelers, two destinations, two trees, two fruits, two foundations, two houses…two, two, two. Never, ever three.” There is no third option for “nice” people. There is no third option for “covenant children.” There is no third option for “church attenders.” We are either dead or alive, dead in sin or born again, asleep or awake, darkness or light, against Christ or for Christ, a Pharisee or a Publican, a child of the devil or child of the living God.
There is no “in-between” category, there is no “miscellaneous,” there is no “and all the rest of us.” There is no third gate, no third road, no third kind of traveler, and no third destination.
THERE IS NO THIRD OPTION!
And it’s not love to suggest there might be. Not in sermons, not at funerals, not in counseling, not in books, not anywhere.
The more we clarify these matters, the more the hearts of lost sinners will be exposed, the more they will see the broad gate they have entered, the broad road they are on, and the deadly destination they are heading to.
And the more angry they will get – at least initially. Because, for some weird reason, confusion is comfortable and usually preferred in spiritual matters. “Keep your clarity. Give me the fog!”
But clarity also, eventually, provokes passionate prayer, earnest seeking, and fervent calling on the name of the Lord for ourselves and for our loved ones.
In these foggy and confusing days, may God give all of us far more of this compassionate Christ-like clarity in our hearts and minds, and in our words and in our walk.
Saturday, 8 December 2012
This world is not our home.
On Thursday we returned from our visit with the Russian Christian doctor. After a 90 minute checkup and analysis he gave us some good news. There appears to be some healing in certain areas but I was told again that other areas in the body are still very much affected by the cancer. I need to continue on my strict diet which is very difficult for me. He even took away some things I really enjoyed, that leaves me with even less things I enjoyed eating.
Did this news make me feel better? Yes, it did to some extent but I am coming more and more to the conclusion that I cannot put my trust in man, but only in God. He already knows the outcome. This Bible text came to mind; Psalm 91:2 I will say to the LORD, "My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust." I know that I will never and can never go wrong with trusting in God.
The CT and Bone scans that were planned for next week will not be happening. The pain in my left side is gone and I only have some discomfort from my spine. In consultation with the oncologist I am going to postpone these scans until the later part of January. I know that all these scans and nuclear medicine is not the best for my body and even after two months the effects of the chemo treatments are still very much present.
Contrary to what some people think, this world is not our home. At times we lay up treasures here on earth as if we are going to stay here forever; however every passing and funeral tells a completely different story. 1 John 2: 15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions is not from the Father but is from the world. 17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
Thank you to those who encourage me to go on and for your prayers.
God be with you and bless you.
John
Hebrews 13:14 For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come.
Did this news make me feel better? Yes, it did to some extent but I am coming more and more to the conclusion that I cannot put my trust in man, but only in God. He already knows the outcome. This Bible text came to mind; Psalm 91:2 I will say to the LORD, "My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust." I know that I will never and can never go wrong with trusting in God.
The CT and Bone scans that were planned for next week will not be happening. The pain in my left side is gone and I only have some discomfort from my spine. In consultation with the oncologist I am going to postpone these scans until the later part of January. I know that all these scans and nuclear medicine is not the best for my body and even after two months the effects of the chemo treatments are still very much present.
Contrary to what some people think, this world is not our home. At times we lay up treasures here on earth as if we are going to stay here forever; however every passing and funeral tells a completely different story. 1 John 2: 15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions is not from the Father but is from the world. 17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
Thank you to those who encourage me to go on and for your prayers.
God be with you and bless you.
John
Hebrews 13:14 For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come.
Monday, 3 December 2012
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow
As I cling to Gods promises, I know that God can use extraordinary means to carry out his plan, often when we least expect it. This not only applies to healing but to everything in life. I see many of Gods means and blessings first hand; it strengthens our faith and trust in Jesus Christ.
We visited several doctors last week, again we again stood amazed at Gods Grace and blessings. Doors of opportunity continue to open for us to share the Gospel with those in the medical field. Our own family doctor, who is a Christian, encouraged us to continue to look to Christ for needs and healing. To be surrounded with caring people and Gods care in such special ways is an amazing experience.
I recently came across this writing; something we all need to take to heart;
Hebrews 18:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and forever.
1. There are only-three days that we need to concern ourselves with.
2. Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow.
3. Yesterday is gone and there is no need to fret about it because we cannot change it even if we tried to.
4. Tomorrow has not come, and may not come, so there is no reason to concern ourselves with it. Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring. Proverbs 27:1
5. That only leaves one day and that is today: This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118 : 24.
Last week was a good week and God blessed us so much in many different ways. I felt good most of the time, with the exception of the pain in my left side and that I can’t stand very long in one place, walking is fine which we do daily. Because the discomfort is persisting my Oncologist thought it to be wise to do a CT and Bone Scan. I hope to get these scans on December 14 and on December 17 I will get the results of these scans. It appears that the radiation treatments have helped ease the discomfort in my spine somewhat. We continue to pray for healing and I know that many of you do the same and thank you for your prayers.
This week a quote from JC Ryle (1816-1900) really struck me, he said, this is the lesson that is taught us by the expressions used in Scripture about prayer. It is called, “crying, knocking, wrestling, laboring, and striving.” This is the lesson taught us by Scriptures examples. Jacob is one. He said to the angel at Penuel, “I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.”
On December 5, we again hope to travel to Portland, OR to see the doctor that put me on a very strict diet. It was a blessing to meet up with this Christian doctor and I look forward to seeing him again this week.
Often I feel so blessed, maybe it is hard for you to understand that I can feel that way in my condition, yet it really is that way. Last week I received an unsettling message that a cousin died at the age of 56 after only one night of falling ill. How good that God is, He still gives me more time with my loved ones and I still get time to do the things that are on my heart. Those are blessings beyond words.
Thank you so much again for your tokens of love and care.
John
Psalm 118: 29 Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; for His steadfast love endures forever!
We visited several doctors last week, again we again stood amazed at Gods Grace and blessings. Doors of opportunity continue to open for us to share the Gospel with those in the medical field. Our own family doctor, who is a Christian, encouraged us to continue to look to Christ for needs and healing. To be surrounded with caring people and Gods care in such special ways is an amazing experience.
I recently came across this writing; something we all need to take to heart;
Hebrews 18:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and forever.
1. There are only-three days that we need to concern ourselves with.
2. Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow.
3. Yesterday is gone and there is no need to fret about it because we cannot change it even if we tried to.
4. Tomorrow has not come, and may not come, so there is no reason to concern ourselves with it. Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring. Proverbs 27:1
5. That only leaves one day and that is today: This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118 : 24.
Last week was a good week and God blessed us so much in many different ways. I felt good most of the time, with the exception of the pain in my left side and that I can’t stand very long in one place, walking is fine which we do daily. Because the discomfort is persisting my Oncologist thought it to be wise to do a CT and Bone Scan. I hope to get these scans on December 14 and on December 17 I will get the results of these scans. It appears that the radiation treatments have helped ease the discomfort in my spine somewhat. We continue to pray for healing and I know that many of you do the same and thank you for your prayers.
This week a quote from JC Ryle (1816-1900) really struck me, he said, this is the lesson that is taught us by the expressions used in Scripture about prayer. It is called, “crying, knocking, wrestling, laboring, and striving.” This is the lesson taught us by Scriptures examples. Jacob is one. He said to the angel at Penuel, “I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.”
On December 5, we again hope to travel to Portland, OR to see the doctor that put me on a very strict diet. It was a blessing to meet up with this Christian doctor and I look forward to seeing him again this week.
Often I feel so blessed, maybe it is hard for you to understand that I can feel that way in my condition, yet it really is that way. Last week I received an unsettling message that a cousin died at the age of 56 after only one night of falling ill. How good that God is, He still gives me more time with my loved ones and I still get time to do the things that are on my heart. Those are blessings beyond words.
Thank you so much again for your tokens of love and care.
John
Psalm 118: 29 Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; for His steadfast love endures forever!
Monday, 26 November 2012
I received nothing I wanted, I received everything I needed !
I sat in church on Sunday listening to our pastor expounding Scripture on the life of Paul and his encounter with God on the way to Damascus. I came to the conclusion that my challenges are not even coming close to those of Paul who, after a confrontation with God and his conversion, became a true disciple of Jesus and faced many hardships that are described in 2 Corinthians 11: 25
Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure.
Yet despite all this Paul laboured on for his Lord.
We all face challenges in life and we don’t always see them as God intervening in our lives for our good. At first when I was diagnosed with cancer I could not see it either and at times wondered what God had in mind. I have come to the conclusion that cancer in my life has become a blessing in many ways, at the same time we continue to pray for healing. Sometimes struggles are exactly what we need in our lives. If God allowed us to go through our lives without any obstacles, it would cripple us.
We should never try to figure out how God is going to answer our prayers. Trust that God will answer prayer, He promises in the Bible multiple times and in different ways that He "hears the needy when they cry" and that "whatsoever we ask of the Father in His name He will give it to us". Whatever circumstances you find yourself in, remind God of his own promises. Hebrews 10: 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.
Our lives appear to revolve around my cancer, last week we visited with the radiation Oncologist and on November 20 I started a series of 5 radiation treatments to hopefully shrink the cancer on my spine. I received one treatment every day, today being the last one. Last week it got to the point that the cancer in my spine really started to give me much discomfort and pain. I was told today by the radiation oncologist that some patients with Kidney cancer don’t respond to radiation treatments. Each time I get this kind of news I can only look to Christ, He can do miracles. This week I will have another visit with my Oncologist in Vancouver.
The journey with cancer can be challenging, however what a difference it is when God is in it, I couldn't imagine these turbulent times without Him. Many of you have challenges in life; please never forget that God has a purpose for every life, which becomes a real adventure for those willing to cooperate. Just look at Paul, he faithfully followed the call from his Master and Lord and became a pillar of faith to those whom he ministered too. I pray that you will have the same courage and dedication for Jesus in your life as Paul did.
Thank you for your care and tokens of love in so many ways. God be with you.
Remember, the best things in life are not things!
John
I asked for strength: and God gave me difficulties to make me strong.
I asked for wisdom: and God gave me problems to solve.
I asked for prosperity and God gave me brain and brawn to work.
I asked for courage and God gave me danger to overcome.
I asked for favours and God gave me opportunities.
I received nothing I wanted: I received everything I needed!
Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure.
Yet despite all this Paul laboured on for his Lord.
We all face challenges in life and we don’t always see them as God intervening in our lives for our good. At first when I was diagnosed with cancer I could not see it either and at times wondered what God had in mind. I have come to the conclusion that cancer in my life has become a blessing in many ways, at the same time we continue to pray for healing. Sometimes struggles are exactly what we need in our lives. If God allowed us to go through our lives without any obstacles, it would cripple us.
We should never try to figure out how God is going to answer our prayers. Trust that God will answer prayer, He promises in the Bible multiple times and in different ways that He "hears the needy when they cry" and that "whatsoever we ask of the Father in His name He will give it to us". Whatever circumstances you find yourself in, remind God of his own promises. Hebrews 10: 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.
Our lives appear to revolve around my cancer, last week we visited with the radiation Oncologist and on November 20 I started a series of 5 radiation treatments to hopefully shrink the cancer on my spine. I received one treatment every day, today being the last one. Last week it got to the point that the cancer in my spine really started to give me much discomfort and pain. I was told today by the radiation oncologist that some patients with Kidney cancer don’t respond to radiation treatments. Each time I get this kind of news I can only look to Christ, He can do miracles. This week I will have another visit with my Oncologist in Vancouver.
The journey with cancer can be challenging, however what a difference it is when God is in it, I couldn't imagine these turbulent times without Him. Many of you have challenges in life; please never forget that God has a purpose for every life, which becomes a real adventure for those willing to cooperate. Just look at Paul, he faithfully followed the call from his Master and Lord and became a pillar of faith to those whom he ministered too. I pray that you will have the same courage and dedication for Jesus in your life as Paul did.
Thank you for your care and tokens of love in so many ways. God be with you.
Remember, the best things in life are not things!
John
I asked for strength: and God gave me difficulties to make me strong.
I asked for wisdom: and God gave me problems to solve.
I asked for prosperity and God gave me brain and brawn to work.
I asked for courage and God gave me danger to overcome.
I asked for favours and God gave me opportunities.
I received nothing I wanted: I received everything I needed!
Saturday, 17 November 2012
Gods measurements
In Isaiah 40:12 we read that God measures everything, “Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand and marked off the heavens with a span, enclosed the dust of the earth in a measure and weighed the mountains in scales and the hills in a balance “
Just sit back and think about that, He measures the oceans in the hollow of His hand and measures the dust and weighs the mountains. I find that amazing. God does all these things to the very things He created and He does the same to people. I am personally experiencing that day after day, God measured up my shoulders before He laid on me this load of cancer. He knows how much I can carry, and I can honestly tell you that when scripture tell us in Matthew 11: 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." I am also experiencing that too. There are people that have asked me how I am dealing with this difficult journey of cancer, at times I feel that those that ask are more burdened with it than me. I often tell folks, at times it may be difficult but it is bearable because the Great Burden bearer Jesus Christ is helping me to carry my load and that is why my yoke is easy and burden is light. How I thank God for this time and again. From a worldly perspective the future looks grim, from an Eternal perspective it is nothing but gain. If there was ever anyone that experienced that Gods yoke is easy, and His burden is light it was Paul. He suffered a great deal in his life for the sake of the Gospel and Jesus Christ, he spoke these profound words from his prison cell in Philippians 1:21 “For to me, to live is Christ--and to die is gain!"
This does not mean that I am not praying for healing, I am praying for that often and I pray that God will give me more time here with my loved ones. This week I celebrated my 59th birthday and find myself too young to die, that too I place into Gods Almighty and capable hands. He knows what is best, He already knows the outcome and that is wherein I can rest.
Before Jesus spoke the words "For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." He said in verse 28 "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
Dear friend, have you personally surrendered to Jesus? You too can place your burdens on this same Jesus. Your burden of sin, worldly care burdens, family burdens, financial burdens and personal burdens can all be brought to Jesus. Confess your sins, believe on Him, place your trust in Jesus and He will be your Comforter for this life and all Eternity. This is Gods promise, Psalm 9:10 And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.
This week was good but my back is starting to give me more discomfort and I have decided to go for radiation treatments early next week to hopefully shrink the tumor on my spine and deal with the discomfort. Standing up for a longer period is becoming difficult, but sitting or lying down is not a problem. Please pray that these treatments will help, pray for healing and a peaceful heart and that my faith will not fail. Thank you for your cares and the huge amount of birthday and well wishes this week. Thank you, I pray that God may bless you abundantly in this life.
Abiding in Christ.
John
Just sit back and think about that, He measures the oceans in the hollow of His hand and measures the dust and weighs the mountains. I find that amazing. God does all these things to the very things He created and He does the same to people. I am personally experiencing that day after day, God measured up my shoulders before He laid on me this load of cancer. He knows how much I can carry, and I can honestly tell you that when scripture tell us in Matthew 11: 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." I am also experiencing that too. There are people that have asked me how I am dealing with this difficult journey of cancer, at times I feel that those that ask are more burdened with it than me. I often tell folks, at times it may be difficult but it is bearable because the Great Burden bearer Jesus Christ is helping me to carry my load and that is why my yoke is easy and burden is light. How I thank God for this time and again. From a worldly perspective the future looks grim, from an Eternal perspective it is nothing but gain. If there was ever anyone that experienced that Gods yoke is easy, and His burden is light it was Paul. He suffered a great deal in his life for the sake of the Gospel and Jesus Christ, he spoke these profound words from his prison cell in Philippians 1:21 “For to me, to live is Christ--and to die is gain!"
This does not mean that I am not praying for healing, I am praying for that often and I pray that God will give me more time here with my loved ones. This week I celebrated my 59th birthday and find myself too young to die, that too I place into Gods Almighty and capable hands. He knows what is best, He already knows the outcome and that is wherein I can rest.
Before Jesus spoke the words "For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." He said in verse 28 "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
Dear friend, have you personally surrendered to Jesus? You too can place your burdens on this same Jesus. Your burden of sin, worldly care burdens, family burdens, financial burdens and personal burdens can all be brought to Jesus. Confess your sins, believe on Him, place your trust in Jesus and He will be your Comforter for this life and all Eternity. This is Gods promise, Psalm 9:10 And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.
This week was good but my back is starting to give me more discomfort and I have decided to go for radiation treatments early next week to hopefully shrink the tumor on my spine and deal with the discomfort. Standing up for a longer period is becoming difficult, but sitting or lying down is not a problem. Please pray that these treatments will help, pray for healing and a peaceful heart and that my faith will not fail. Thank you for your cares and the huge amount of birthday and well wishes this week. Thank you, I pray that God may bless you abundantly in this life.
Abiding in Christ.
John
STEPHEN CHARNOCK (1628-1680): Prayer is nothing else but a pleading on God’s promises.
Thursday, 15 November 2012
The Weaver
THE WEAVER
My life is but a weaving between my Lord and me,
I cannot choose the colors He worketh steadily.
Oft times He weaveth sorrow, and I in foolish pride
forget He sees the upper but I the under side.
Not till the loom is silent and the shuttles cease to fly,
shall God unroll the canvas and explain the reason why.
The dark threads are as needed in the Weaver's skillful hand,
as threads of gold and silver in the pattern life has planned.
Benjamin Malachi Franklin (1882-1965)
My life is but a weaving between my Lord and me,
I cannot choose the colors He worketh steadily.
Oft times He weaveth sorrow, and I in foolish pride
forget He sees the upper but I the under side.
Not till the loom is silent and the shuttles cease to fly,
shall God unroll the canvas and explain the reason why.
The dark threads are as needed in the Weaver's skillful hand,
as threads of gold and silver in the pattern life has planned.
Benjamin Malachi Franklin (1882-1965)
Monday, 12 November 2012
Don't waste your cancer
Many of you may know John Piper, a pastor from Minneapolis and author of many books. For those of you that do not know John Piper, here is a good opportunity to get to know him.
One of his booklets is titled “Don’t waste your cancer”. I found it a very good example of how we are to deal with the things that God allows in our lives, no, it is not by accident that we get struck by some kind of illness and that includes cancer.The big question is, what do we do with it? Curse God or ask God to use this opportunity for yourself and others.
Here is a link to this booklet; you can read it online for free. I know you will be blessed by it. Maybe you can see or add your own illness or accident to this story. No, it is not just for those that are afflicted by cancer, it is everything that God allows to happen in our lives, even as small as a headache.
John Piper writes about the following points in his booklet.
1. We waste our cancer if we don’t hear in our own groanings the hope-filled labor pains of a fallen world.
2. We waste our cancer if we do not believe it is designed for us by God.
3. We waste our cancer if we believe it is a curse and not a gift.
4. We waste our cancer if we seek comfort from our odds rather than from God.
5. We waste our cancer if we refuse to think about death.
6. We waste our cancer if we think that “beating” cancer means staying alive rather than cherishing Christ.
7. We waste our cancer if we spend too much time reading about cancer and not enough time reading about God.
8. We waste our cancer if we let it drive us into solitude instead of deepen our relationships with manifest affection.
9. We waste our cancer if we grieve as those who have no hope.
I have tried hard not to waste my battle with cancer and share my story and God’s blessings with others. We pray often for healing but even more that God will help me carry this load which can at times weigh very heavy on my heart. We pray that God will use my cancer to bring sinners to repent and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and I pray that my cancer will not be in vain.
There are days when I wonder if I will see the end of 2012 because of the discomfort I feel inside my body.There are also days when I feel good and look to the future with great anticipation. I have to learn however to take life and its blessings day by day and stop looking too far into the future, that already is a challenge on its own.
Today is 3 weeks ago that I stopped Chemo treatments that too has its challenges. At times I feel more vulnerable because I am not taking any meds, yet I know that God is in control and that healing only comes from Him.The diet I am on is not a pleasant one. I always loved my food but now the joy of eating is no longer there, now I just eat to live. No meat, no salt or spices, no dressings of any kind but just fruit, veggies, fish and yogurt, it’s all very bland and tasteless but the blessing is that I can still eat.
I am not as tired as I was before and I have more energy, however, I can feel that things are happening inside of my body. It’s hard to explain how and what I feel but it is uncomfortable at times.
I want to thank all the people that stop me, call or email me to encourage me time and again, your words may be few, you maybe don’t know what to say but your words and prayers mean a lot to me and Henrietta. It is truly blessing for us. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
God bless you and keep you.
John
One of his booklets is titled “Don’t waste your cancer”. I found it a very good example of how we are to deal with the things that God allows in our lives, no, it is not by accident that we get struck by some kind of illness and that includes cancer.The big question is, what do we do with it? Curse God or ask God to use this opportunity for yourself and others.
Here is a link to this booklet; you can read it online for free. I know you will be blessed by it. Maybe you can see or add your own illness or accident to this story. No, it is not just for those that are afflicted by cancer, it is everything that God allows to happen in our lives, even as small as a headache.
John Piper writes about the following points in his booklet.
1. We waste our cancer if we don’t hear in our own groanings the hope-filled labor pains of a fallen world.
2. We waste our cancer if we do not believe it is designed for us by God.
3. We waste our cancer if we believe it is a curse and not a gift.
4. We waste our cancer if we seek comfort from our odds rather than from God.
5. We waste our cancer if we refuse to think about death.
6. We waste our cancer if we think that “beating” cancer means staying alive rather than cherishing Christ.
7. We waste our cancer if we spend too much time reading about cancer and not enough time reading about God.
8. We waste our cancer if we let it drive us into solitude instead of deepen our relationships with manifest affection.
9. We waste our cancer if we grieve as those who have no hope.
I have tried hard not to waste my battle with cancer and share my story and God’s blessings with others. We pray often for healing but even more that God will help me carry this load which can at times weigh very heavy on my heart. We pray that God will use my cancer to bring sinners to repent and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and I pray that my cancer will not be in vain.
There are days when I wonder if I will see the end of 2012 because of the discomfort I feel inside my body.There are also days when I feel good and look to the future with great anticipation. I have to learn however to take life and its blessings day by day and stop looking too far into the future, that already is a challenge on its own.
Today is 3 weeks ago that I stopped Chemo treatments that too has its challenges. At times I feel more vulnerable because I am not taking any meds, yet I know that God is in control and that healing only comes from Him.The diet I am on is not a pleasant one. I always loved my food but now the joy of eating is no longer there, now I just eat to live. No meat, no salt or spices, no dressings of any kind but just fruit, veggies, fish and yogurt, it’s all very bland and tasteless but the blessing is that I can still eat.
I am not as tired as I was before and I have more energy, however, I can feel that things are happening inside of my body. It’s hard to explain how and what I feel but it is uncomfortable at times.
I want to thank all the people that stop me, call or email me to encourage me time and again, your words may be few, you maybe don’t know what to say but your words and prayers mean a lot to me and Henrietta. It is truly blessing for us. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
God bless you and keep you.
John
Saturday, 3 November 2012
The Love of Christ
Romans 8
35Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written, "For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered." 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Wednesday, 31 October 2012
Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer
As we clip along in the train on our way back from Portland, OR., I let my mind wander and think of the additional diagnoses I received today. It’s been a busy couple of days but thankfully we made the decision to take the Amtrak train instead of driving ourselves.
As I promised in my last post, I will share with you how I met a young man that set a good example of someone that has Christ in his heart. Nothing happens by chance, and this meeting was no exception.
This young man came to make a small repair on our new home and he asked me if I worked from home because the last time he was working at our home I was here too. I told him that the reason I was home is because of my battle with cancer. He wasted no words and without hesitation pointed me to the great Healer, Jesus Christ and told me that is where I needed to go with my cares. As you can imagine this started a very nice and spiritual conversation between us and he proceeded to tell me that his mother was also battling a serious case of cancer for the last year and that she was seeing a doctor in the USA specializing to fight cancer the natural way and through a strict diet. He suggested I’d call his mother which I did.
I again ended up with a very nice spiritual conversation with this Christian lady and she shared with me her experiences with this doctor. She suggested I contact him and to make a long story short, that is why we are sitting on a train on our way back from meeting with this doctor.This doctor is a strong Christian and a compassionate man. One of the first things he shared with me that I should not look to him for healing but that I must look to Jesus Christ for my healing. Again we had a very nice spiritual conversation.
After his hour long examination he revealed more than I expected. It again made me realize that we are a weak and feeble people as it says in 1 Peter 1:24 for all flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, 25 but the word of the Lord remains forever.
The doctor told us that besides the cancer in my lungs, spine and some bones he informed me that the colon, stomach, liver, pancreas, kidney and prostrate all are in the early stages of cancer. As you understand it was not what we hoped for and it brought home again the reality of my illness.The doctor pointed out the seriousness of my cancer and again told me to bring this burden to our great Burden bearer Jesus Christ. He offered his help, one of these being on a very strict diet. I accepted and hope to meet him again Lord willing in 6 weeks or so. I felt as we parted ways as if we had known each other for a long time.
Life goes on and as I travel the road of cancer I pray for peace in my heart, Gods leading, strength and grace to carry Henrietta and myself through these trials. I ask that you will continue to uphold us in your prayers and thank you for your care.
Hope is a beautiful word and I often think of hope and often experience hope. Romans 12: 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
Be blessed and be a blessing to those around you.
John.
Just I was finishing off this posting I received an email with a meditation from Thomas Watson. I will share this timely gem with you.
The more pains we have taken for Heaven--the
sweeter Heaven will be when we come there.
When a farmer has long been working hard--it
is pleasant to enjoy the fruit of his labors. Just so,
when in Heaven, we shall remember our former
zeal and earnestness for the kingdom--which
will sweeten Heaven.
It will add to the joy of heaven, for a Christian to
ponder, "Such a day I spent in examining my heart.
Such a day I was weeping for sin. When others
were at their amusements--I was at prayer.
And now, have I lost anything by my devotion? No!
My tears are wiped away, and the wine of paradise
cheers my heart. I now enjoy Him whom my soul
loves! I am possessed of a glorious kingdom! My
labor is over--but my joy remains forever!"
"Better is one day in Your courts than a
thousand elsewhere!" Psalm 84:10
Heaven will make amends for all!
As I promised in my last post, I will share with you how I met a young man that set a good example of someone that has Christ in his heart. Nothing happens by chance, and this meeting was no exception.
This young man came to make a small repair on our new home and he asked me if I worked from home because the last time he was working at our home I was here too. I told him that the reason I was home is because of my battle with cancer. He wasted no words and without hesitation pointed me to the great Healer, Jesus Christ and told me that is where I needed to go with my cares. As you can imagine this started a very nice and spiritual conversation between us and he proceeded to tell me that his mother was also battling a serious case of cancer for the last year and that she was seeing a doctor in the USA specializing to fight cancer the natural way and through a strict diet. He suggested I’d call his mother which I did.
I again ended up with a very nice spiritual conversation with this Christian lady and she shared with me her experiences with this doctor. She suggested I contact him and to make a long story short, that is why we are sitting on a train on our way back from meeting with this doctor.This doctor is a strong Christian and a compassionate man. One of the first things he shared with me that I should not look to him for healing but that I must look to Jesus Christ for my healing. Again we had a very nice spiritual conversation.
After his hour long examination he revealed more than I expected. It again made me realize that we are a weak and feeble people as it says in 1 Peter 1:24 for all flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, 25 but the word of the Lord remains forever.
The doctor told us that besides the cancer in my lungs, spine and some bones he informed me that the colon, stomach, liver, pancreas, kidney and prostrate all are in the early stages of cancer. As you understand it was not what we hoped for and it brought home again the reality of my illness.The doctor pointed out the seriousness of my cancer and again told me to bring this burden to our great Burden bearer Jesus Christ. He offered his help, one of these being on a very strict diet. I accepted and hope to meet him again Lord willing in 6 weeks or so. I felt as we parted ways as if we had known each other for a long time.
Life goes on and as I travel the road of cancer I pray for peace in my heart, Gods leading, strength and grace to carry Henrietta and myself through these trials. I ask that you will continue to uphold us in your prayers and thank you for your care.
Hope is a beautiful word and I often think of hope and often experience hope. Romans 12: 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
Be blessed and be a blessing to those around you.
John.
Just I was finishing off this posting I received an email with a meditation from Thomas Watson. I will share this timely gem with you.
The more pains we have taken for Heaven--the
sweeter Heaven will be when we come there.
When a farmer has long been working hard--it
is pleasant to enjoy the fruit of his labors. Just so,
when in Heaven, we shall remember our former
zeal and earnestness for the kingdom--which
will sweeten Heaven.
It will add to the joy of heaven, for a Christian to
ponder, "Such a day I spent in examining my heart.
Such a day I was weeping for sin. When others
were at their amusements--I was at prayer.
And now, have I lost anything by my devotion? No!
My tears are wiped away, and the wine of paradise
cheers my heart. I now enjoy Him whom my soul
loves! I am possessed of a glorious kingdom! My
labor is over--but my joy remains forever!"
"Better is one day in Your courts than a
thousand elsewhere!" Psalm 84:10
Heaven will make amends for all!
Friday, 26 October 2012
Answered Prayer
The answer I prayed for came in an unexpected way. In the last weeks Chemo treatments have been much on my mind. As each week went by I felt a little weaker and a little more ill from the chemo treatments. Lately I was unable to take my 5th day treatments because I felt too ill. Several weeks ago the scan reports also showed increased cancer growth. The question often came to mind, do I stop with the treatments or continue on? We prayed for an answer and it came much quicker than I had expected.
On Tuesday I received a call from the Vancouver Cancer Centre they suggested that I get radiation treatments to ease the discomfort in my back and spine. However to get radiation treatments I have to stop Chemo treatments, apparently you can’t have both at the same time, at least not the kind I receive.
I asked them for advice and I was told that I should consider stopping the Chemo treatments. The treatments are not giving the desired results, they are making me ill and weak and the cancer continues to grow. My back is starting to bother me more each week, the discomfort is intensifying and in order to get some relief from that I really have no choice but to get radiation treatments.
On November 2, I hope to meet with the doctor for advice and to schedule the treatments, most likely for 5 consecutive days. The aim is to shrink the tumor on the spine and relieve me from discomfort. We are praying for positive results.
I was also told that after having tried three different types of Chemo treatments the options are running out. I should not have been surprised by this statement because I was told right from the beginning that there was no cure for my Kidney cancer, words I really did not want to hear, yet on the other hand it gives me relief that I no longer will have to take this quality of life altering drug.
You may think, so now what? To tell you the truth, I don’t know either, yet I have hope because I know that we serve a Great and Almighty God who can do remarkable miracles, I believe that with all my heart. The text from John 16 and other similar texts often come to mind” 23 In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. 24 Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.
I pray that God will give me peace in my heart, even when humanly speaking there is no way out of this, God is Sovereign, His will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven.
I had a good week; I am starting to feel better now that I don’t receive Chemo treatments. Next time I will share a story with you, several days before I heard I had to stop Chemo treatments I met a young Christian man. It is because of this meeting that I will prayerfully start an alternative way of dealing with my cancer. I know that nothing happens by chance; neither was meeting this young man.
Next week will be a very busy week, seeing different doctors nearly every day. The medical provisions and help continue to be amazing. I am treated like a king.
Please continue to pray, God is listening, it’s His promise. Thank you for your love and care, and even for a delicious Apple Pie.
John 16:33 I (Jesus) have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.
God be with you
John
On Tuesday I received a call from the Vancouver Cancer Centre they suggested that I get radiation treatments to ease the discomfort in my back and spine. However to get radiation treatments I have to stop Chemo treatments, apparently you can’t have both at the same time, at least not the kind I receive.
I asked them for advice and I was told that I should consider stopping the Chemo treatments. The treatments are not giving the desired results, they are making me ill and weak and the cancer continues to grow. My back is starting to bother me more each week, the discomfort is intensifying and in order to get some relief from that I really have no choice but to get radiation treatments.
On November 2, I hope to meet with the doctor for advice and to schedule the treatments, most likely for 5 consecutive days. The aim is to shrink the tumor on the spine and relieve me from discomfort. We are praying for positive results.
I was also told that after having tried three different types of Chemo treatments the options are running out. I should not have been surprised by this statement because I was told right from the beginning that there was no cure for my Kidney cancer, words I really did not want to hear, yet on the other hand it gives me relief that I no longer will have to take this quality of life altering drug.
You may think, so now what? To tell you the truth, I don’t know either, yet I have hope because I know that we serve a Great and Almighty God who can do remarkable miracles, I believe that with all my heart. The text from John 16 and other similar texts often come to mind” 23 In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. 24 Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.
I pray that God will give me peace in my heart, even when humanly speaking there is no way out of this, God is Sovereign, His will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven.
I had a good week; I am starting to feel better now that I don’t receive Chemo treatments. Next time I will share a story with you, several days before I heard I had to stop Chemo treatments I met a young Christian man. It is because of this meeting that I will prayerfully start an alternative way of dealing with my cancer. I know that nothing happens by chance; neither was meeting this young man.
Next week will be a very busy week, seeing different doctors nearly every day. The medical provisions and help continue to be amazing. I am treated like a king.
Please continue to pray, God is listening, it’s His promise. Thank you for your love and care, and even for a delicious Apple Pie.
John 16:33 I (Jesus) have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.
God be with you
John
Friday, 19 October 2012
Counting Our Blessings
When upon life's billows
You are tempest tossed
When you are discouraged,
Thinking all is lost
Count your many blessings,
Name them one by one
And it will surprise you
What the Lord has done.
You are tempest tossed
When you are discouraged,
Thinking all is lost
Count your many blessings,
Name them one by one
And it will surprise you
What the Lord has done.
Chorus:
Count your blessings,
Name them one by one
Count your blessings,
See what God has done
Count your blessings,
Name them one by one
Count your many blessings,
See what God has done.
Are you ever burdened
With a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy
You are called to bear?
Count your many blessings,
Every doubt will fly
And you will be singing
As the days go by.
When you look at others
With their lands and gold
Think that Christ has promised
You His wealth untold
Count your many blessings,
Money cannot buy
Your reward in heaven,
Nor your home on high.
So, amid the conflict,
Whether great or small
Do not be discouraged,
God is over all
Count your many blessings,
Angels will attend
Help and comfort give you
To your journey's end.
There are times when awe and gratitude overwhelm us, whether we're seeing a sunset, watching a child laugh or just appreciating a special moment. These are the moments when we thank God for all the blessings in our lives, and praise God for the amazing gifts he showers on us each day.
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On October 20 we will commemorate the day we were joined in marriage. Looking back on 35 years we can only say that God has greatly blessed us. We thank the Lord who gave us 5 children and 7 grand children ( with # 8 on the way Lord willing in March 2013). We never fell short in anything and the difficult times we encountered always turned out to be a blessing in one way or another.
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Our Children
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We thank and praise the Lord as we will celebrate this very special day with our children and grand children. We thank our children for being a huge blessing in our lives and thank our grand children for being so special to us every day.
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Our Grand Children
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Our complete family
Psalm 100. 1Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth! 2 Serve the LORD with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! 3 Know that the LORD, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. 4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! 5 For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.
Psalm 100. 1Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth! 2 Serve the LORD with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! 3 Know that the LORD, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. 4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! 5 For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.
Saturday, 13 October 2012
He will be our guide, even unto death.
In the last 18 months I received a lot of guidance from doctors and other medical experts and even friends and loved ones. However, when I came across an article from Octavius Winslow on guidance (1808 - 1878) I found he summed it up in a beautiful way.
Life has been much on my mind lately. For one the “shortness of it” as the Bible calls it “only a hand breath” or “only a vapour that comes and disappears”. Take a look at well known people in the Bible and that no matter how long they lived, it all ends the same way.
Genesis 5:5 Thus all the days that Adam lived were 930 years, and he died
Genesis 5:8 Thus all the days of Seth were 912 years, and he died.
Genesis 5:11 Thus all the days of Enosh were 905 years, and he died.
Genesis 5:14 Thus all the days of Kenan were 910 years, and he died
Genesis 5:17 Thus all the days of Mahalalel were 895 years, and he died.
Genesis 5:20 Thus all the days of Jared were 962 years, and he died.
Genesis 5:27 Thus all the days of Methuselah were 969 years, and he died.
Genesis 5:31 Thus all the days of Lamech were 777 years, and he died.
Genesis 9:29 All the days of Noah were 950 years, and he died.
Sometime ago I had a conversation with a highly aged man named Wally. I asked Wally how old he was, he replied, 99 years old and said that he loved the Lord. I asked Wally, what do you hope for the remainder of your life? Oh, he said, I hope to be a hundred years old. If I would ask Wally the same question today he most likely would say, I hope to get 101 years old.
This shows us that we will never have enough years; we always like to have more years. I understand that completely myself, I pray for more years and I think a person does unless life becomes very difficult through pain or suffering. I also believe God can give Grace to die when times comes.
However, the most important is that we can say “For this God is our God forever and ever! He will be our guide even unto death!" Psalm 48:14. If we have received forgiveness from our sins and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ he will be our guide, even unto death. Death will then take on a different meaning, a hope after death, a hope of Eternal life.
I continue to pray for life but also that God will guide into the future. He knows what is best for me and you. Put your trust in Him and He will be your guide, even unto death.
As for my battle with cancer, I have some difficult days at times when I can hardly eat and feel extremely tired. I can start to feel the cancer in my spine and ribs. There are good days too when we can go away as we did this week to see the ultimate of God’s creation, this time to the summit of Mount Baker. Stunningly beautiful at any time of the year, but especially in the fall just before the snow falls. It is almost unrealistically beautiful, yet real. God is good and I thank and praise Him each day we live.
Thank you for the many cares, emails and messages on this blog and many other ways you show your love and care.
John
Following is the writing from Octavius Winslow I mentioned earlier.
"For this God is our God forever and ever! He will be our guide even unto death!" Psalm 48:14
The world passes away. Everything here in this present world is changing.
Life is like a painted dream;
Like the rapid summer stream;
Like the fleeting meteor's ray;
Like the shortest winter's day;
Like the fitful breeze that sighs;
Like the waning flame that dies;
Darting, dazzling on the eye;
Fading in eternity!"
A rope of sand,
a spider's web,
a silken thread,
a passing shadow,
an ebbing wave, are the most fitting and expressive emblems of all things belonging to this present earthly state.
The homes that sheltered us in childhood — we leave.
The land which gave us birth — we leave.
The loved ones who encircled our hearths — pass away.
The friends of early years — depart.
And the world that was so sunny, and life that was so sweet — is all beclouded and embittered — the whole scenery of existence changed into wintry gloom. Such are the saddening, depressing effects of life's vicissitudes.
But in the midst of all, "This God is our God forever and ever!" All beings change — but God. All things change — but heaven. The evolutions of time revolve, the events of earth go onward, but He upon whom all things hang, and by whom all events are shaped and controlled, moves not. "For I am the Lord, I change not."
Our affairs may alter.
Our circumstances may change.
Our relations and friends may depart one by one.
Our souls in a single day pass through many fluctuations of spiritual feeling.
But He who chose us to be His own, and who has kept us to the present moment — is our covenant God and Father forever and ever, and will never throw us off and cast us away.
"For this God is our God forever and ever! He will be our guide even unto death!"
Life has been much on my mind lately. For one the “shortness of it” as the Bible calls it “only a hand breath” or “only a vapour that comes and disappears”. Take a look at well known people in the Bible and that no matter how long they lived, it all ends the same way.
Genesis 5:5 Thus all the days that Adam lived were 930 years, and he died
Genesis 5:8 Thus all the days of Seth were 912 years, and he died.
Genesis 5:11 Thus all the days of Enosh were 905 years, and he died.
Genesis 5:14 Thus all the days of Kenan were 910 years, and he died
Genesis 5:17 Thus all the days of Mahalalel were 895 years, and he died.
Genesis 5:20 Thus all the days of Jared were 962 years, and he died.
Genesis 5:27 Thus all the days of Methuselah were 969 years, and he died.
Genesis 5:31 Thus all the days of Lamech were 777 years, and he died.
Genesis 9:29 All the days of Noah were 950 years, and he died.
Sometime ago I had a conversation with a highly aged man named Wally. I asked Wally how old he was, he replied, 99 years old and said that he loved the Lord. I asked Wally, what do you hope for the remainder of your life? Oh, he said, I hope to be a hundred years old. If I would ask Wally the same question today he most likely would say, I hope to get 101 years old.
This shows us that we will never have enough years; we always like to have more years. I understand that completely myself, I pray for more years and I think a person does unless life becomes very difficult through pain or suffering. I also believe God can give Grace to die when times comes.
However, the most important is that we can say “For this God is our God forever and ever! He will be our guide even unto death!" Psalm 48:14. If we have received forgiveness from our sins and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ he will be our guide, even unto death. Death will then take on a different meaning, a hope after death, a hope of Eternal life.
I continue to pray for life but also that God will guide into the future. He knows what is best for me and you. Put your trust in Him and He will be your guide, even unto death.
As for my battle with cancer, I have some difficult days at times when I can hardly eat and feel extremely tired. I can start to feel the cancer in my spine and ribs. There are good days too when we can go away as we did this week to see the ultimate of God’s creation, this time to the summit of Mount Baker. Stunningly beautiful at any time of the year, but especially in the fall just before the snow falls. It is almost unrealistically beautiful, yet real. God is good and I thank and praise Him each day we live.
Thank you for the many cares, emails and messages on this blog and many other ways you show your love and care.
John
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| Mount Baker, Washinton USA |
"For this God is our God forever and ever! He will be our guide even unto death!" Psalm 48:14
The world passes away. Everything here in this present world is changing.
Life is like a painted dream;
Like the rapid summer stream;
Like the fleeting meteor's ray;
Like the shortest winter's day;
Like the fitful breeze that sighs;
Like the waning flame that dies;
Darting, dazzling on the eye;
Fading in eternity!"
A rope of sand,
a spider's web,
a silken thread,
a passing shadow,
an ebbing wave, are the most fitting and expressive emblems of all things belonging to this present earthly state.
The homes that sheltered us in childhood — we leave.
The land which gave us birth — we leave.
The loved ones who encircled our hearths — pass away.
The friends of early years — depart.
And the world that was so sunny, and life that was so sweet — is all beclouded and embittered — the whole scenery of existence changed into wintry gloom. Such are the saddening, depressing effects of life's vicissitudes.
But in the midst of all, "This God is our God forever and ever!" All beings change — but God. All things change — but heaven. The evolutions of time revolve, the events of earth go onward, but He upon whom all things hang, and by whom all events are shaped and controlled, moves not. "For I am the Lord, I change not."
Our affairs may alter.
Our circumstances may change.
Our relations and friends may depart one by one.
Our souls in a single day pass through many fluctuations of spiritual feeling.
But He who chose us to be His own, and who has kept us to the present moment — is our covenant God and Father forever and ever, and will never throw us off and cast us away.
"For this God is our God forever and ever! He will be our guide even unto death!"
Saturday, 6 October 2012
Who can add a single hour ?
In the last couple of days much has gone through my mind. Some hours of sleeplessness have kept me busy considering Gods ways and again I have come to understand a little more that Gods ways are higher than my ways. Even as I was busy writing this blog entry on Saturday morning I received the sobering message that my only sister had a serious heart attack today at the age of 63. God so far spared her life as she is in IC in a hospital.
During the night I meditated on Matthew 6: 27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? It’s not that I am anxious about life or my circumstances, however my last results gave me reason to meditate on this and especially the last part “ who can add a single hour to his span of life”. Not one person, not even the richest person in the world who would have the best doctors at their side can add one hour to their life. There is a time to be born and a time to die and those times God holds in His hands.
The results of the scans I received were sobering to say the least and once again I was confronted with the seriousness of the cancer within me. Even with the Chemo treatments the cancer continues to grow in areas like the spine and ribs, however, in other areas it showed some decrease. Last night was the first night that the discomfort in my back kept me from a good sleep. Those sleepless times were spent with God and reflecting on life and prayer. I am coming to realise more and more that life is indeed a vapour, like a misty day, it comes and disappears. Humanly speaking there is little hope for recovery but I continue to cling to Gods promises and the great miracles He has done and still does.
I want to leave you to think on these words from Psalm 90:10 and 12 " The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty; yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away. 12 So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom".
For the Canadian readers, I wish you all a blessed Thanksgiving day, may each day of your life be a Thanksgiving day as we thank God for His care over us. I wish all those outside of Canada the same, may your heart rejoice in God who gives us our daily bread and much more.
God be with you all.
John
During the night I meditated on Matthew 6: 27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? It’s not that I am anxious about life or my circumstances, however my last results gave me reason to meditate on this and especially the last part “ who can add a single hour to his span of life”. Not one person, not even the richest person in the world who would have the best doctors at their side can add one hour to their life. There is a time to be born and a time to die and those times God holds in His hands.
The results of the scans I received were sobering to say the least and once again I was confronted with the seriousness of the cancer within me. Even with the Chemo treatments the cancer continues to grow in areas like the spine and ribs, however, in other areas it showed some decrease. Last night was the first night that the discomfort in my back kept me from a good sleep. Those sleepless times were spent with God and reflecting on life and prayer. I am coming to realise more and more that life is indeed a vapour, like a misty day, it comes and disappears. Humanly speaking there is little hope for recovery but I continue to cling to Gods promises and the great miracles He has done and still does.
I want to leave you to think on these words from Psalm 90:10 and 12 " The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty; yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away. 12 So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom".
For the Canadian readers, I wish you all a blessed Thanksgiving day, may each day of your life be a Thanksgiving day as we thank God for His care over us. I wish all those outside of Canada the same, may your heart rejoice in God who gives us our daily bread and much more.
God be with you all.
John
Friday, 28 September 2012
Which way ?
There we were, back standing on the corner of Soi Cowboy. I met and encountered two men from Europe, fresh off the long flight into Bangkok. I talked to them for a few minutes and was left with a revelation that I've had in the past, but this time it was made clearer.
They were eager to get their month long adventure started in the first few hours of their arrival. They explained to me how they had just met some other travelers down the street at another bar. These guys gave them a "road map" to maximizing their travel experience in Bangkok and around Thailand with instructions scribbled on a dingy napkin mapping out all the must see bars and places; which is what had led them to the red-light district at Soi Cowboy in the first place."Interesting", I thought as a great contrast was forming in my mind.
In the course of our time spent talking to each other we were actually able to get to a place of some depth, as they probed to find out why I had come to this place on this night. I explained that I come frequently but for different reasons than most which then led to deeper conversation focused on real love and purpose, eventually and briefly, faith. I was quite shocked as I received respectful and interested nods in return.At the end after wishing each other well, the revelation I had was clear.
It amazed me how influenced we can be -- either in a positive way or negatively. It was ironic to see them walk away having received two different views of life that night. One to follow the crowd into a successful experience of bar hopping and sexual encounters the other about taking the time to think about our lives, choices, purpose, and what we really want and need.
We are always being discipled, the question is: By what or by whom?
With this introduction I want to introduce you to the writer of this article, Chris Lenty from MST Project. (MST stands for “Men and the Sex Trade”)
As I had mentioned in my last blog entry I would tell you a little more about our visit to Southern California last week. It has been several years ago that I made contact with Chris, the founder of MST Project. What caused me to contact MST Project was an experience I will never forget.
Some 4 years ago I travelled with Henrietta to Cambodia to visit friends who worked there as teachers in an international Christian school. On our flight to Cambodia I sat beside a dentist from N. America who told me that he was exploring Cambodia to see if he could help the local people. I was impressed by his story and upon departing we wished him well.
The very same day of our arrival we spent some time in the city of Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, to explore our new surroundings. It was very warm that day and as we sat on an outdoor patio of a local restaurant Henrietta observed the same dentist we had met earlier on our flight. Henrietta asked me, is that the same dentist you spoke to on the airplane? I said yes indeed it is. Here was the dentist with his beautiful story who now was accompanied by a local Cambodia girl with whom he departed shortly afterwards walking hand in hand. We encountered him once more that same week with another girl.
Many Western men of all walks of life can be observed in this fashion in many Asian countries where they prey on the local girls or children for sex. This encounter touched me deeply and as time went by great passion has grown within me to help these men. Men that are broken, men that have often lost their way in society, men that are sinners just like we all are, men that need Christ and need to hear the Gospel and the Hope that lies in it.
A year before I was diagnosed with cancer I searched for organizations that did exactly that kind of work. Bringing the Gospel to those who the world rejects because of their behaviour or orientation, yet it was those very people that Jesus had great compassion on. Just to name a few examples from the Bible brings us to the women by the well in John 4: 8-18 or the women caught in adultery in John 8: 2-12 when Jesus proclaimed "Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her."
My search brought me in touch with Chris and his wife Nui who started this small organization some 12 years ago. These folks have a heart for the lost, the ones that are rejected by the world. Chris and Nui were visiting in the USA in the last four months and we took the opportunity to go and meet them in California. It was a blessed time where we also had the opportunity to be at one of his presentations where he shared his calling from God to bring the Gospel to a broken people. Henrietta and I walked away with a renewed outlook and new perspective to this work. I am praying that God will give me the opportunity to one day join Chris in this beautiful but difficult work. In the meantime we are here in Chilliwack where God wants us to be right now.
I highly recommend you visit the MST Project website and view 4 short video clips or you can read about many other aspects of their work. Read about their encounters with men, read the blogs or see the prayer wall of those whom they meet. Maybe your heart is inclined to help financially or be part of this worthwhile ministry.
I truly believe we all need to look at our own lives and meditate on the words in Proverbs 20: 9 "Who can say, I have made my heart pure; I am clean from my sin"? We all need heart renewing Grace each day again, if you don’t posses it, pray for it, repent and believe on Him.
Personally, I had a good week and was able to do some gardening and yard work. It made me feel good as the weather is so beautiful. God is so good, each day again He showers us with blessings.
On October 1, I will be going into Vancouver for a CT Scan and Bone Scan to see how things are going inside of me. It will be a busy week of testing and doctor visits. On October 4 I hope to receive the results of the CT and Bone Scan. On October 5, I will see a Cardio Oncologist in regards to my heart function. My heart appears to be affected by the Chemo treatments and I will hear how they hope to address this.
Please continue to remember us in your prayers. The text from John 16 : 16 is much on my mind “ You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.17 These things I command you, so that you will love one another.”
God be with you all, He cares for you.
John
They were eager to get their month long adventure started in the first few hours of their arrival. They explained to me how they had just met some other travelers down the street at another bar. These guys gave them a "road map" to maximizing their travel experience in Bangkok and around Thailand with instructions scribbled on a dingy napkin mapping out all the must see bars and places; which is what had led them to the red-light district at Soi Cowboy in the first place."Interesting", I thought as a great contrast was forming in my mind.
In the course of our time spent talking to each other we were actually able to get to a place of some depth, as they probed to find out why I had come to this place on this night. I explained that I come frequently but for different reasons than most which then led to deeper conversation focused on real love and purpose, eventually and briefly, faith. I was quite shocked as I received respectful and interested nods in return.At the end after wishing each other well, the revelation I had was clear.
It amazed me how influenced we can be -- either in a positive way or negatively. It was ironic to see them walk away having received two different views of life that night. One to follow the crowd into a successful experience of bar hopping and sexual encounters the other about taking the time to think about our lives, choices, purpose, and what we really want and need.
We are always being discipled, the question is: By what or by whom?
With this introduction I want to introduce you to the writer of this article, Chris Lenty from MST Project. (MST stands for “Men and the Sex Trade”)
As I had mentioned in my last blog entry I would tell you a little more about our visit to Southern California last week. It has been several years ago that I made contact with Chris, the founder of MST Project. What caused me to contact MST Project was an experience I will never forget.
Some 4 years ago I travelled with Henrietta to Cambodia to visit friends who worked there as teachers in an international Christian school. On our flight to Cambodia I sat beside a dentist from N. America who told me that he was exploring Cambodia to see if he could help the local people. I was impressed by his story and upon departing we wished him well.
The very same day of our arrival we spent some time in the city of Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, to explore our new surroundings. It was very warm that day and as we sat on an outdoor patio of a local restaurant Henrietta observed the same dentist we had met earlier on our flight. Henrietta asked me, is that the same dentist you spoke to on the airplane? I said yes indeed it is. Here was the dentist with his beautiful story who now was accompanied by a local Cambodia girl with whom he departed shortly afterwards walking hand in hand. We encountered him once more that same week with another girl.
Many Western men of all walks of life can be observed in this fashion in many Asian countries where they prey on the local girls or children for sex. This encounter touched me deeply and as time went by great passion has grown within me to help these men. Men that are broken, men that have often lost their way in society, men that are sinners just like we all are, men that need Christ and need to hear the Gospel and the Hope that lies in it.
A year before I was diagnosed with cancer I searched for organizations that did exactly that kind of work. Bringing the Gospel to those who the world rejects because of their behaviour or orientation, yet it was those very people that Jesus had great compassion on. Just to name a few examples from the Bible brings us to the women by the well in John 4: 8-18 or the women caught in adultery in John 8: 2-12 when Jesus proclaimed "Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her."
My search brought me in touch with Chris and his wife Nui who started this small organization some 12 years ago. These folks have a heart for the lost, the ones that are rejected by the world. Chris and Nui were visiting in the USA in the last four months and we took the opportunity to go and meet them in California. It was a blessed time where we also had the opportunity to be at one of his presentations where he shared his calling from God to bring the Gospel to a broken people. Henrietta and I walked away with a renewed outlook and new perspective to this work. I am praying that God will give me the opportunity to one day join Chris in this beautiful but difficult work. In the meantime we are here in Chilliwack where God wants us to be right now.
I highly recommend you visit the MST Project website and view 4 short video clips or you can read about many other aspects of their work. Read about their encounters with men, read the blogs or see the prayer wall of those whom they meet. Maybe your heart is inclined to help financially or be part of this worthwhile ministry.
I truly believe we all need to look at our own lives and meditate on the words in Proverbs 20: 9 "Who can say, I have made my heart pure; I am clean from my sin"? We all need heart renewing Grace each day again, if you don’t posses it, pray for it, repent and believe on Him.
Personally, I had a good week and was able to do some gardening and yard work. It made me feel good as the weather is so beautiful. God is so good, each day again He showers us with blessings.
On October 1, I will be going into Vancouver for a CT Scan and Bone Scan to see how things are going inside of me. It will be a busy week of testing and doctor visits. On October 4 I hope to receive the results of the CT and Bone Scan. On October 5, I will see a Cardio Oncologist in regards to my heart function. My heart appears to be affected by the Chemo treatments and I will hear how they hope to address this.
Please continue to remember us in your prayers. The text from John 16 : 16 is much on my mind “ You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.17 These things I command you, so that you will love one another.”
God be with you all, He cares for you.
John
Thursday, 20 September 2012
On eagles wings
It’s been a long time since I posted, too long. I know that I should have posted much sooner but circumstances just did not allow me, and there were days when I wrote a posting in my mind and just could not put it on paper.
Some weeks have passed, good days and difficult days, especially in the last couple of days I have spent a good amount of time in bed, feeling very nauseated, tired and feeling the results of the Chemo treatments. It leaves me caring little about this world and what goes on around me, it appears that the discomfort of the body takes the cares of this life away. Yet I have to say that the Lord has been so good to me, sending people on my path that give me courage but above all God’s Word, the Bible, gives me courage when doubts enter into my life.
This morning I was so blessed by reading Isaiah 40 where it speaks about comfort for Gods people, but also how fleeting this life is when the human race is compared to grass. It flourishes today but tomorrow it withers just like beautiful flowers that wither. It speaks about God’s greatness how that He measures the oceans in the hollow of His hands and weighs the mountains. Nations are as a drop in a bucket and God stretches out the heavens like a curtain, these are just a few examples that Isaiah writes about God’s greatness. At the closing of the chapter he writes these encouraging words, “but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
Waiting on the Lord with expectation that gives courage because I know that I can rely on Him, no matter what. Even in times of bodily difficulty and when I lose hope and courage it is these texts and others that give me hope in Christ. The future that is laid away for those who love the Lord Jesus is mirrored in this verse. It gives me hope and courage to go on.
I came upon a beautiful little story from a man who came to D. L. Moody and said he was worried because he didn’t feel saved. Moody asked, “Was Noah safe in the ark?” “Certainly he was,” the man replied. “Well, what made him safe, his feeling or the ark?” The inquirer got the point. “How foolish I’ve been!” he said. “It is not my feeling; it is Christ who saves!” - D.J.D
The last months have been very busy for us with doctor visits, moving to our new home, family and many other things. We were also blessed with a week away to Southern California where God opened doors of amazing Grace. Our visit had a special purpose which I will share with you the next time.
In the mean time medical appointments keep stacking up, it being the result of the clinical study that I am involved in. I pray that God will bless the means for me and countless others that are dealing with incurable kidney cancer. I do need to mention a funny event that took place due to my medical treatments.
Several weeks ago I needed to have a Muga Scan, this is a scan that measures the condition of the heart. Chemo treatments apparently can be damaging to the heart. This scan is administered with a nuclear medicine that is injected prior to the scan and making a patient nuclear active to some degree. By request a special letter is provided that the patient has undergone this procedure in the event you cross the USA border or airport scanner. It was 2 days after my scan that we crossed over the border, with the letter, into the USA where I set of all the bells and whistles and was promptly stopped, sent inside for questioning and tested why I was radioactive. After the necessary test and questions for Henrietta and myself, and even our vehicle was tested and eventually cleared, we carried on our journey. It’s comical to experience how that a medical test can upset such a big apple cart. I have to say they do have very fine tuned scanners that read right through your car.
Lately I am also noticing that I am slowing down in actions, thinking and doing things. It is a result of Chemo treatment or so called Chemo brain. After reading about it, it makes more sense, however, it can still be frustrating at times when I want to do, say or think and it’s just not coming to me or very slow.
One more thing I like to share. In May of this year we made a trip to my native Holland to visit family and friends. It also coincided with a performance of choirs and singing. We managed to attend this event in a cathedral in Goes, The Netherlands. This cathedral in itself was awesome to see, construction of this church started in the 12th century with an amazing history and acoustics. This event was televised and it finally was posted last week. If you have 30 minutes and you like singing as we do, you may want to watch it. They even put us in the picture several times. To us it was a blessed time; I hope it will be the same for you.
From now on I will try to post more often and on a more regular basis as it was before. I find it good for myself and to reflect on the blessings that God sends us each day. Please don’t take life for granted, not only is it fragile, it is the gift of God, so use it well. Thank you for your prayers. God be with you.
John
Some weeks have passed, good days and difficult days, especially in the last couple of days I have spent a good amount of time in bed, feeling very nauseated, tired and feeling the results of the Chemo treatments. It leaves me caring little about this world and what goes on around me, it appears that the discomfort of the body takes the cares of this life away. Yet I have to say that the Lord has been so good to me, sending people on my path that give me courage but above all God’s Word, the Bible, gives me courage when doubts enter into my life.
This morning I was so blessed by reading Isaiah 40 where it speaks about comfort for Gods people, but also how fleeting this life is when the human race is compared to grass. It flourishes today but tomorrow it withers just like beautiful flowers that wither. It speaks about God’s greatness how that He measures the oceans in the hollow of His hands and weighs the mountains. Nations are as a drop in a bucket and God stretches out the heavens like a curtain, these are just a few examples that Isaiah writes about God’s greatness. At the closing of the chapter he writes these encouraging words, “but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
Waiting on the Lord with expectation that gives courage because I know that I can rely on Him, no matter what. Even in times of bodily difficulty and when I lose hope and courage it is these texts and others that give me hope in Christ. The future that is laid away for those who love the Lord Jesus is mirrored in this verse. It gives me hope and courage to go on.
I came upon a beautiful little story from a man who came to D. L. Moody and said he was worried because he didn’t feel saved. Moody asked, “Was Noah safe in the ark?” “Certainly he was,” the man replied. “Well, what made him safe, his feeling or the ark?” The inquirer got the point. “How foolish I’ve been!” he said. “It is not my feeling; it is Christ who saves!” - D.J.D
The last months have been very busy for us with doctor visits, moving to our new home, family and many other things. We were also blessed with a week away to Southern California where God opened doors of amazing Grace. Our visit had a special purpose which I will share with you the next time.
In the mean time medical appointments keep stacking up, it being the result of the clinical study that I am involved in. I pray that God will bless the means for me and countless others that are dealing with incurable kidney cancer. I do need to mention a funny event that took place due to my medical treatments.
Several weeks ago I needed to have a Muga Scan, this is a scan that measures the condition of the heart. Chemo treatments apparently can be damaging to the heart. This scan is administered with a nuclear medicine that is injected prior to the scan and making a patient nuclear active to some degree. By request a special letter is provided that the patient has undergone this procedure in the event you cross the USA border or airport scanner. It was 2 days after my scan that we crossed over the border, with the letter, into the USA where I set of all the bells and whistles and was promptly stopped, sent inside for questioning and tested why I was radioactive. After the necessary test and questions for Henrietta and myself, and even our vehicle was tested and eventually cleared, we carried on our journey. It’s comical to experience how that a medical test can upset such a big apple cart. I have to say they do have very fine tuned scanners that read right through your car.
Lately I am also noticing that I am slowing down in actions, thinking and doing things. It is a result of Chemo treatment or so called Chemo brain. After reading about it, it makes more sense, however, it can still be frustrating at times when I want to do, say or think and it’s just not coming to me or very slow.
One more thing I like to share. In May of this year we made a trip to my native Holland to visit family and friends. It also coincided with a performance of choirs and singing. We managed to attend this event in a cathedral in Goes, The Netherlands. This cathedral in itself was awesome to see, construction of this church started in the 12th century with an amazing history and acoustics. This event was televised and it finally was posted last week. If you have 30 minutes and you like singing as we do, you may want to watch it. They even put us in the picture several times. To us it was a blessed time; I hope it will be the same for you.
From now on I will try to post more often and on a more regular basis as it was before. I find it good for myself and to reflect on the blessings that God sends us each day. Please don’t take life for granted, not only is it fragile, it is the gift of God, so use it well. Thank you for your prayers. God be with you.
John
Monday, 27 August 2012
One day at a time
The last posting was about the positive results and that I was taking a break from Chemo treatments for one or two weeks.I felt pretty good and decided to take only one week. Now I am back on Chemo and almost finished my second week already, how time flies by.
One day at a time is easier said than done. I am one of those that tend to run ahead of myself and get hurt by it in the process. I had to experience this again last week when it became obvious that I over extended myself with the move from our old home to the new one. I felt pretty good and lifted some heavy stuff and in the process over exerted my body and now I am paying for it with a lot of muscle pain in the chest. I find it very difficult to watch everybody work and I do little or nothing.
We love our new home and new surroundings, each day it feels more like home. However, I realize every day that this earthly home is just a temporary home and not a day goes past that my thoughts wander to the future, only to remind myself to take one day at a time. I struggle at times with the text from Matthew 6:19 Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Dear friends, do you struggle with these things at times that all these earthly things will pass as quoted in Psalm 103:15 As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field; 16 for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more. 17 But the steadfast love of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children's children, 18 to those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments.
Sure, there are exciting times and times that we cherish with family and friends, yet in all these things I so often see the temporal joy and realize that only real joy will be to be with Christ Jesus. One of those joyful messages we just received from our daughter Stephanie and her husband Chad that they are expecting a baby early next year. Great blessing against all odds, yet by God all things are possible. Will I see that joyful day? I do not know but I am praying that I will. So life goes on, one day at a time. For closing I want to share a beautiful poem written by Annie Johnson Flint.
One day at a time, with its failures and fears,
With its hurts and mistakes, with its weakness and tears,
With its portion of pain and its burden of care;
One day at a time we must meet and must bear.
One day at a time to be patient and strong,
To be calm under trial and sweet under wrong;
Then its toiling shall pass and its sorrow shall cease;
It shall darken and die, and the night shall bring peace.
One day at a time - but the day is so long,
And the heart is not brave, and the soul is not strong,
O Thou pitiful Christ, be Thou near all the way;
Give courage and patience and strength for the day.
Swift cometh His answer, so clear and so sweet;
"Yea, I will be with thee, thy troubles to meet;
I will not forget thee, nor fail thee, nor grieve;
I will not forsake thee; I never will leave."
Not yesterday's load we are called on to bear,
Nor the morrow's uncertain and shadowy care;
Why should we look forward or back with dismay?
Our needs, as our mercies, are but for the day.
One day at a time, and the day is His day;
He hath numbered its hours, though they haste or delay.
His grace is sufficient; we walk not alone;
As the day, so the strength that He giveth His own.
Thank you for the cards, your prayers and cares.
John
One day at a time is easier said than done. I am one of those that tend to run ahead of myself and get hurt by it in the process. I had to experience this again last week when it became obvious that I over extended myself with the move from our old home to the new one. I felt pretty good and lifted some heavy stuff and in the process over exerted my body and now I am paying for it with a lot of muscle pain in the chest. I find it very difficult to watch everybody work and I do little or nothing.
We love our new home and new surroundings, each day it feels more like home. However, I realize every day that this earthly home is just a temporary home and not a day goes past that my thoughts wander to the future, only to remind myself to take one day at a time. I struggle at times with the text from Matthew 6:19 Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Dear friends, do you struggle with these things at times that all these earthly things will pass as quoted in Psalm 103:15 As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field; 16 for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more. 17 But the steadfast love of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children's children, 18 to those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments.
Sure, there are exciting times and times that we cherish with family and friends, yet in all these things I so often see the temporal joy and realize that only real joy will be to be with Christ Jesus. One of those joyful messages we just received from our daughter Stephanie and her husband Chad that they are expecting a baby early next year. Great blessing against all odds, yet by God all things are possible. Will I see that joyful day? I do not know but I am praying that I will. So life goes on, one day at a time. For closing I want to share a beautiful poem written by Annie Johnson Flint.
One day at a time, with its failures and fears,
With its hurts and mistakes, with its weakness and tears,
With its portion of pain and its burden of care;
One day at a time we must meet and must bear.
One day at a time to be patient and strong,
To be calm under trial and sweet under wrong;
Then its toiling shall pass and its sorrow shall cease;
It shall darken and die, and the night shall bring peace.
One day at a time - but the day is so long,
And the heart is not brave, and the soul is not strong,
O Thou pitiful Christ, be Thou near all the way;
Give courage and patience and strength for the day.
Swift cometh His answer, so clear and so sweet;
"Yea, I will be with thee, thy troubles to meet;
I will not forget thee, nor fail thee, nor grieve;
I will not forsake thee; I never will leave."
Not yesterday's load we are called on to bear,
Nor the morrow's uncertain and shadowy care;
Why should we look forward or back with dismay?
Our needs, as our mercies, are but for the day.
One day at a time, and the day is His day;
He hath numbered its hours, though they haste or delay.
His grace is sufficient; we walk not alone;
As the day, so the strength that He giveth His own.
Thank you for the cards, your prayers and cares.
John
Friday, 10 August 2012
Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; for His steadfast love endures forever! Psalm 118:29
Indeed the Lord is good; I did experienced this again yesterday when visiting my Oncologist in Vancouver. Words really fell short when I was given very encouraging news that after using a new type of Chemotherapy that is still in its trial stages is showing a change in my condition.
As soon as the Oncologist entered the room he wasted no time to tell me the following:
No new cancer growth was found anywhere. The cancer in the lung tumor showed no increase in size. The cancer that was found on my spine and ribs showed that it was less dense and showed signs that it was in the process becoming less intense. The biggest change was the cancer that was found two months ago on the Adrenal gland, it had decreased by 50%. The Oncologist commented that he found the result to be very good.
With that I went home for a one or two week break from Chemo so my body can take a rest from the destructive power of Chemo. Destructive on cancer but also on the healthy parts, and that I can really feel. The last weeks have given me some difficult days with little appetite, nausea and being very fatigued.
I look forward to this break and hope to enjoy this time. I have questioned myself, would I have written the same text above this posting if the results would have been the opposite and had the cancer shown progression. I gave that much thought and came to the conclusion that I would have used the very same words from Psalm 118. The Lord is good, and yes I would have giving Him thanks also for the negative results. God has the whole world in His hands, including your and my life and every minute we exist. Whatever God does is good. Pray much that you and I can submit to the will of God, and then we can have true peace in our hearts, a peace that passes all understanding.
Philippians 4: 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
I want to thank you all for your continued prayers for me. So often I meet people at the most unexpected times and places that say, I want you to know we are praying for you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
As soon as the Oncologist entered the room he wasted no time to tell me the following:
No new cancer growth was found anywhere. The cancer in the lung tumor showed no increase in size. The cancer that was found on my spine and ribs showed that it was less dense and showed signs that it was in the process becoming less intense. The biggest change was the cancer that was found two months ago on the Adrenal gland, it had decreased by 50%. The Oncologist commented that he found the result to be very good.
With that I went home for a one or two week break from Chemo so my body can take a rest from the destructive power of Chemo. Destructive on cancer but also on the healthy parts, and that I can really feel. The last weeks have given me some difficult days with little appetite, nausea and being very fatigued.
I look forward to this break and hope to enjoy this time. I have questioned myself, would I have written the same text above this posting if the results would have been the opposite and had the cancer shown progression. I gave that much thought and came to the conclusion that I would have used the very same words from Psalm 118. The Lord is good, and yes I would have giving Him thanks also for the negative results. God has the whole world in His hands, including your and my life and every minute we exist. Whatever God does is good. Pray much that you and I can submit to the will of God, and then we can have true peace in our hearts, a peace that passes all understanding.
Philippians 4: 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
I want to thank you all for your continued prayers for me. So often I meet people at the most unexpected times and places that say, I want you to know we are praying for you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
I recently read a devotion that included this verse that was written by Isaac Watts (1719) it touched my heart and it increased my hope, hope in Christ and his unfailing love for sinners.
Within Thy circling power I stand;
On every side I find Thy hand;
Awake, asleep, at home, abroad,
I am surrounded still with God.
May the Grace of our Lord be with you, now and forever.
John
Within Thy circling power I stand;
On every side I find Thy hand;
Awake, asleep, at home, abroad,
I am surrounded still with God.
May the Grace of our Lord be with you, now and forever.
John
Wednesday, 8 August 2012
Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
Today I received an email from our dear friends in Cuba and the congregation with whom we worshipped when we visited Cuba.
These dear people are close to our hearts and with God's help and the help of total strangers we are able to supply them with Bibles and Christian literature. Staying connected with our friends has been difficult until today when we received an unexpected email. Things are slowly changing in Cuba, however this congregation is still worshipping in the open air because they are forbidden to build a church building.
Please pray for them as they often struggle in difficult circumstances. I want to share their email with you that our friends sent to us.
Dear friends, I am happy to hear from you again, we try to communicate in various ways which is very difficult here. Today we have asked the whole church to prayer and we raised a cry to the King of Kings for a complete healing for you, which we believe 100%, because Jesus already paid the price ... Remember that the Lord is with you and all of the church in Cuba is praying for you. Our meeting here was not by chance God has everything planned ... HE IS FAITHFUL. The literature has been a great blessing as it helped us in our preparation to share the Gospel.
We love you, we continue to pray, God bless
E. and J.
That is why I used this Bible text as heading.
Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Romans 12:12
Peace with God Through Faith
Romans 5
1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. 6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person--though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die-- 8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.
These dear people are close to our hearts and with God's help and the help of total strangers we are able to supply them with Bibles and Christian literature. Staying connected with our friends has been difficult until today when we received an unexpected email. Things are slowly changing in Cuba, however this congregation is still worshipping in the open air because they are forbidden to build a church building.
Please pray for them as they often struggle in difficult circumstances. I want to share their email with you that our friends sent to us.
Dear friends, I am happy to hear from you again, we try to communicate in various ways which is very difficult here. Today we have asked the whole church to prayer and we raised a cry to the King of Kings for a complete healing for you, which we believe 100%, because Jesus already paid the price ... Remember that the Lord is with you and all of the church in Cuba is praying for you. Our meeting here was not by chance God has everything planned ... HE IS FAITHFUL. The literature has been a great blessing as it helped us in our preparation to share the Gospel.
We love you, we continue to pray, God bless
E. and J.
That is why I used this Bible text as heading.
Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Romans 12:12
Peace with God Through Faith
Romans 5
1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. 6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person--though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die-- 8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.
Saturday, 4 August 2012
Grace, Power and Weakness
"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Corinthians 12:9.
How beautiful if we can experience this each day, Gods Grace and Power and that even in our weakness we can see the work of Christ and find refuge in Him. For me there are times when these things appear through a fog, yet when the fog clears these things become clearer. One day we will know as it says in 1 Corinthians 13: 12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.
Lately I have had my ups and downs, not just bodily but at times Spiritually. Specially when I feel very tired and not well I need to be reminded of the above text and others. The last couple of weeks the Chemo treatments have really taken its toll on my body. After 7 weeks of treatment I am ready for a break which I will get after 8 weeks are finished on August 6. The Chemo builds up in the body to the point that I have difficulty eating, sleeping, and feeling nauseous and extremely tired. However when I get a break for 2 days I perk up quickly, but 2 days does not give me enough time to recover. I am looking very much forward to my break of hopefully several weeks.
On August 7, I also hope to get a CT scan and a Bone scan to see what is happening inside of me in the last 2 months. We are praying for a positive outcome, but those things are in God’s hands. I still have much hope for healing because I know that what is impossible by men is possible by God. I look forward to receiving the results on August 9 and hope to post again that day or the day after.
Lately I have not been too faithful in posting. This is due to us getting ready for a move on August 6. It has been a busy time but thanks to God everything has worked out well. Thank you for your cares and prayers.
Be blessed and be a blessing
John
How beautiful if we can experience this each day, Gods Grace and Power and that even in our weakness we can see the work of Christ and find refuge in Him. For me there are times when these things appear through a fog, yet when the fog clears these things become clearer. One day we will know as it says in 1 Corinthians 13: 12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.
Lately I have had my ups and downs, not just bodily but at times Spiritually. Specially when I feel very tired and not well I need to be reminded of the above text and others. The last couple of weeks the Chemo treatments have really taken its toll on my body. After 7 weeks of treatment I am ready for a break which I will get after 8 weeks are finished on August 6. The Chemo builds up in the body to the point that I have difficulty eating, sleeping, and feeling nauseous and extremely tired. However when I get a break for 2 days I perk up quickly, but 2 days does not give me enough time to recover. I am looking very much forward to my break of hopefully several weeks.
On August 7, I also hope to get a CT scan and a Bone scan to see what is happening inside of me in the last 2 months. We are praying for a positive outcome, but those things are in God’s hands. I still have much hope for healing because I know that what is impossible by men is possible by God. I look forward to receiving the results on August 9 and hope to post again that day or the day after.
Lately I have not been too faithful in posting. This is due to us getting ready for a move on August 6. It has been a busy time but thanks to God everything has worked out well. Thank you for your cares and prayers.
Be blessed and be a blessing
John
Monday, 30 July 2012
If you were arrested for being a Christian would they have enough evidence to convict you?
Today I want to share a newspaper article from one of our local newspapers. I asked the writer and pastor if I could share the article on my blog. He agreed, so here it is.
Our church’s purpose statement reads like this: “Real People, Real Life, Real Faith”. We are trying to do a better job of being the Real Deal. I am challenging believers to be ‘real Christians for a real world’. In our culture being a Closet Christian (one nobody knows about) is profoundly easy. We mostly act like, talk like, and look like everyone else around us. That is not entirely bad… unless they have no idea that we are believers. If they can’t tell, and at best just see us as really nice people (or worse yet as nasty people), then we are not being real Christians for a real world. We have a message that our world desperately needs. When we live like closet Christians we deny our neighbor a chance to hear the great truth that set us free and can do the same for them.
Someone once asked me this question: If you were arrested for being a Christian would they have enough evidence to convict you? Being a Christian in many other parts of the world means taking your life in your hands every day. Muslims that convert to Christianity are often disowned by their friends and families. Sometimes they are threatened or even murdered for it. In fact, there are more people martyred for their faith today than any time in 2000 years of Christianity. Those who decide to follow Christ in those places make a decision that their faith is more important than life itself.
In North America being a Christian often means something completely different. For many it just means we are not Muslim or Buddhist. We get married and will be buried in a church building and we might drop by on Christmas or Easter if we are not too busy. ”Hey, it was good enough for Grandpa.”
Here’s an observation to think about. The Gay community has come out of the closet… and the Christians have gone in. Oh sure, they threw a few stones at each other as they switched locations but even that conflict has pretty much blown over. My point has really nothing to do with the battle for gay rights and everything to do with the fact that you often can barely recognize believers in our culture.
The night that Jesus was betrayed, Peter boasted that he would never forsake his Lord. Jesus told Peter he would deny Him three times before the rooster crowed twice. The next morning Peter was confronted by a mere servant girl and yet denied Jesus three times. What happened next is the most important part of the story and yet most people miss it. When the rooster crowed twice, Peter remembered what Jesus said and wept bitterly. This was a defining moment for Peter. He was overcome by his own shame and disappointment. Though nothing more is said about it in the narrative, it is clear that Peter made a decision that morning that he would never again hide the “life giving” faith he had discovered. It was Peter who on the day of Pentecost stood out in the street and told a skeptical crowd of thousands that they needed to repent and be converted that their sins could be blotted out by the blood of Jesus. Peter lived the rest of his life as a radical follower of Jesus.
No, our world doesn’t need more church goers that are in the bar Saturday night and in the pew Sunday morning (unless they were there inviting people to church the next day). We need more real Christians for a real world, people that are not ashamed of the fact that Jesus has done an incredible work in their lives. Around the world, Christians face the raising of weapons at the name of Jesus. Here, because we have freedom of religion, the worst response we get is someone raising an eyebrow at us. Why we have such trouble living our faith out loud is a bit of a mystery. Maybe we all need a disappointing rooster crowing experience to get us out of the closet. What do you think?
Glenn Driedger is the lead pastor of Chilliwack Evangelical Missionary Church.
Our church’s purpose statement reads like this: “Real People, Real Life, Real Faith”. We are trying to do a better job of being the Real Deal. I am challenging believers to be ‘real Christians for a real world’. In our culture being a Closet Christian (one nobody knows about) is profoundly easy. We mostly act like, talk like, and look like everyone else around us. That is not entirely bad… unless they have no idea that we are believers. If they can’t tell, and at best just see us as really nice people (or worse yet as nasty people), then we are not being real Christians for a real world. We have a message that our world desperately needs. When we live like closet Christians we deny our neighbor a chance to hear the great truth that set us free and can do the same for them.
Someone once asked me this question: If you were arrested for being a Christian would they have enough evidence to convict you? Being a Christian in many other parts of the world means taking your life in your hands every day. Muslims that convert to Christianity are often disowned by their friends and families. Sometimes they are threatened or even murdered for it. In fact, there are more people martyred for their faith today than any time in 2000 years of Christianity. Those who decide to follow Christ in those places make a decision that their faith is more important than life itself.
In North America being a Christian often means something completely different. For many it just means we are not Muslim or Buddhist. We get married and will be buried in a church building and we might drop by on Christmas or Easter if we are not too busy. ”Hey, it was good enough for Grandpa.”
Here’s an observation to think about. The Gay community has come out of the closet… and the Christians have gone in. Oh sure, they threw a few stones at each other as they switched locations but even that conflict has pretty much blown over. My point has really nothing to do with the battle for gay rights and everything to do with the fact that you often can barely recognize believers in our culture.
The night that Jesus was betrayed, Peter boasted that he would never forsake his Lord. Jesus told Peter he would deny Him three times before the rooster crowed twice. The next morning Peter was confronted by a mere servant girl and yet denied Jesus three times. What happened next is the most important part of the story and yet most people miss it. When the rooster crowed twice, Peter remembered what Jesus said and wept bitterly. This was a defining moment for Peter. He was overcome by his own shame and disappointment. Though nothing more is said about it in the narrative, it is clear that Peter made a decision that morning that he would never again hide the “life giving” faith he had discovered. It was Peter who on the day of Pentecost stood out in the street and told a skeptical crowd of thousands that they needed to repent and be converted that their sins could be blotted out by the blood of Jesus. Peter lived the rest of his life as a radical follower of Jesus.
No, our world doesn’t need more church goers that are in the bar Saturday night and in the pew Sunday morning (unless they were there inviting people to church the next day). We need more real Christians for a real world, people that are not ashamed of the fact that Jesus has done an incredible work in their lives. Around the world, Christians face the raising of weapons at the name of Jesus. Here, because we have freedom of religion, the worst response we get is someone raising an eyebrow at us. Why we have such trouble living our faith out loud is a bit of a mystery. Maybe we all need a disappointing rooster crowing experience to get us out of the closet. What do you think?
Glenn Driedger is the lead pastor of Chilliwack Evangelical Missionary Church.
Wednesday, 25 July 2012
Chicken or Eagle
A man had an eagle which had grown up among the barnyard hens. For a time the bird seemed content to be only a chicken. But one day it looked up into the sky, and something within the eagle, sleeping until now, awoke. Flapping its wings, it soared away toward the sun and never returned.
Just so, too many Christians, meant for the eagle-life, content themselves with a barnyard existence. Now and then they feel something stirring within them, but they are too indolent to make the effort necessary to take their place in the upper air and among the mountain crags. So they spend all their days down in the dust, among earthly things, never waking up to their God given potentials.
"Since, then, you have been raised with Christ--set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things!" Colossians 3:1-2
J.R.Miller (1840 - 1912)
Just so, too many Christians, meant for the eagle-life, content themselves with a barnyard existence. Now and then they feel something stirring within them, but they are too indolent to make the effort necessary to take their place in the upper air and among the mountain crags. So they spend all their days down in the dust, among earthly things, never waking up to their God given potentials.
"Since, then, you have been raised with Christ--set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things!" Colossians 3:1-2
J.R.Miller (1840 - 1912)
Monday, 23 July 2012
That my glory may sing your praise and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks to you forever! Psalm 30:12
God has given us many things in life that we should be thankful for. Therefore, we should be counting our blessings. We don’t often reflect on what we have instead we dwell on what we lack. We cannot have enough of anything, and always want more. We never get tired of asking for more. It is our human nature.
There is nothing wrong with asking God for good things, as long as we are appreciative of them when He gives us what we want, and submit to His will if He chooses not to give. Perhaps He will give them to us later. God knows what is best for us. Also we might be asking for something that may not be good for us.
Often we realize and appreciate what we have after we lose it temporarily or after seeing someone who does not have it. For example, it is unfortunate that we don’t thank God enough for our health until we get sick. Then we constantly implore God to heal us. As soon as we feel better, we tend to forget God and may turn unappreciative again. It hardly ever occurs to us that our eyes, hands, feet, and everything we have, are blessings from God until we have problems. Being thankful and appreciative is for our own good. If we choose to ignore the blessings God has given us, and do not recognize God’s hand in our lives, we are the ones who lose.
On a more personal note I often fall short for words of thanks, not only to God but all those that surround me and those that pray for me. I often feel deeply indebted to God who gives me life each day again. To you who read my blog, to you whom I meet in the store, to you whom encourage me time and again and cheer me on, to those who express their feelings in writing, telephone calls and cards. To those churches who pray from me in Cuba, The Netherlands, Australia, Canada and the USA and other places. I am indebted to total strangers who God puts on my path and with whom I can share His Amazing Grace. How long can I make this list? I could go on with much more.
Finally I want to end with the boundless love of my children and grand children whom stand at my side each day again. A hug will never say it all, the words “I love you” fall short of what you do for me. When I hear my grandchildren pray aloud, Lord make Papa better again, it brings tears to my eyes and a smile to my face because I know that God hears the needy when they cry. Thank you for your prayers and every day support, words fall short.
Then lastly and most important next to God is Henrietta my wife, the love of my life whom stands and walks with me through this life and journey with cancer. Through the valleys, over the mountain tops, in sorrow, in joy, in times when you pray for me when I can’t because I feel ill or so tired that I can’t go on anymore, it is then that you are there. How can I ever say the right words to thank you. It is you and all those who are named here and those whom I forgot to name. Thank you, and I pray that God will keep us together yet for more time. I pray for healing, knowing that my God is Almighty and can do it, no doubt at all. To God be the Glory.
Finally just a short update on myself. I am doing ok, although I am often very tired due to the chemo treatments and lately I can feel that the chemo treatments are taking its toll on my body, feeling more nauseated and less appetite. I have no pain and so far my weight remains stable.
We are going into a couple of busy weeks because we have sold our home and are downsizing to a new and smaller home in the area. We talked and prayed about this matter together and so far God has made all things well. Our home sold in 2 ½ weeks and our new home should just be ready to move into on August 6. Although we have many fond memories in this home we look forward to making this move.
Thank you for your prayers.
Be blessed and be a blessing to many.
John
There is nothing wrong with asking God for good things, as long as we are appreciative of them when He gives us what we want, and submit to His will if He chooses not to give. Perhaps He will give them to us later. God knows what is best for us. Also we might be asking for something that may not be good for us.
Often we realize and appreciate what we have after we lose it temporarily or after seeing someone who does not have it. For example, it is unfortunate that we don’t thank God enough for our health until we get sick. Then we constantly implore God to heal us. As soon as we feel better, we tend to forget God and may turn unappreciative again. It hardly ever occurs to us that our eyes, hands, feet, and everything we have, are blessings from God until we have problems. Being thankful and appreciative is for our own good. If we choose to ignore the blessings God has given us, and do not recognize God’s hand in our lives, we are the ones who lose.
On a more personal note I often fall short for words of thanks, not only to God but all those that surround me and those that pray for me. I often feel deeply indebted to God who gives me life each day again. To you who read my blog, to you whom I meet in the store, to you whom encourage me time and again and cheer me on, to those who express their feelings in writing, telephone calls and cards. To those churches who pray from me in Cuba, The Netherlands, Australia, Canada and the USA and other places. I am indebted to total strangers who God puts on my path and with whom I can share His Amazing Grace. How long can I make this list? I could go on with much more.
Finally I want to end with the boundless love of my children and grand children whom stand at my side each day again. A hug will never say it all, the words “I love you” fall short of what you do for me. When I hear my grandchildren pray aloud, Lord make Papa better again, it brings tears to my eyes and a smile to my face because I know that God hears the needy when they cry. Thank you for your prayers and every day support, words fall short.
Then lastly and most important next to God is Henrietta my wife, the love of my life whom stands and walks with me through this life and journey with cancer. Through the valleys, over the mountain tops, in sorrow, in joy, in times when you pray for me when I can’t because I feel ill or so tired that I can’t go on anymore, it is then that you are there. How can I ever say the right words to thank you. It is you and all those who are named here and those whom I forgot to name. Thank you, and I pray that God will keep us together yet for more time. I pray for healing, knowing that my God is Almighty and can do it, no doubt at all. To God be the Glory.
Finally just a short update on myself. I am doing ok, although I am often very tired due to the chemo treatments and lately I can feel that the chemo treatments are taking its toll on my body, feeling more nauseated and less appetite. I have no pain and so far my weight remains stable.
We are going into a couple of busy weeks because we have sold our home and are downsizing to a new and smaller home in the area. We talked and prayed about this matter together and so far God has made all things well. Our home sold in 2 ½ weeks and our new home should just be ready to move into on August 6. Although we have many fond memories in this home we look forward to making this move.
Thank you for your prayers.
Be blessed and be a blessing to many.
John
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