And the gospel must first be proclaimed to all nations.

Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God. 2 Corinthians 3:5

Paul knew that if his ministry was to be effective for God he could not rely on human resources but on the supernatural power of God. Paul also realized that sharing the Gospel should not be taken lightly. Paul also knew his inadequacy for his God given work. He said in 2 Cor. 2:16 But who is adequate for such a task?

I experienced myself this past week how helpless we can feel when sharing the Gospel to people. I would like to come back to my visit with my Oncologist last week. I do have to tell you that certain important details of the story are left out due to confidentiality.

On October 5 we had an appointment to visit my oncologist and to receive my Chemo pills for the next 4 weeks. A month earlier when we visited him I really felt the need to share the Gospel with him. This Oncologist is a very caring, soft spoken and friendly doctor. First the Oncologist gave me the news that the cancer had advanced during the two months of no Chemo treatments and that I could possibly grow immune to the Chemo that is being used. I may have to switch to another kind of Chemo or clinical trials. I told him that I believed with all my heart that God could heal me, if that was His will, and that I believed in prayer.

 I asked the Oncologist if he would accept a gift from me, he said he would. So I presented him with a story of a man that grew up in a non Christian home, yet through Gods directed circumstances he was saved. It is a touching story, the same story I have given to many other people. So we left him with this gift with the promise that we would talk again next time we visit.

As we walked out of his office and into the general reception area a woman that I have known for many years walked up to me. She has suffered from cancer for 6 years and was somewhat down from the latest news she received, that her cancer had spread further. She can also speak of God’s Grace in her life. As we were talking a nurse walked up to our small group, she knew the woman that I was speaking to, so she encouraged us to continue to look to Christ in our difficult circumstances. As we talked I asked all of those in our small group if they would pray for my Oncologist. As I was speaking, a medical person, some 20 feet away, stood up from behind a counter and walked up to our small group. He said, “I heard you speaking about sharing the Gospel with your doctor, I want to let you know that I pray daily for your Oncologist to be saved.” This man was so encouraged to hear that we shared the Gospel and we were all encouraged to hear that he was doing the same through prayer.

The precious time we spent in the hospital was such a great blessing that Henrietta and I left the hospital rejoicing, overshadowing the less than good news we received ourselves with His Grace. It was as if God said, don’t look at your circumstances, look at Me.

Many times we see Gods hand in so many beautiful ways and feel blessed beyond words. I ask that you will also remember this doctor in your prayers. Jesus said himself “without me you can do nothing.” I can often feel that inability and realize that we can only bring the word of God to peoples ears, it is God who opens eyes, ears and heart to save sinners by His Grace. Mark 1:15 Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel."

In regards to my treatments, I am 6 days into my 4 week round of Chemo and still feel pretty good. The side effects so far have been minimal, what a blessing it is to be able to eat, sleep, and walk. We continue to pray for complete healing and believe that God can do this. We read in the Bible that Jesus called Lazarus out of his grave after he was dead for 3 days and many other such miracles, it would only take a few words from Jesus to heal me. He can still perform these same miracles today.

Thank you again for your prayers and many other ways of showing your care. May God’s blessings go with you each day.
John

And the Lord said unto Moses speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward.

Just a short note regarding our visit to the Oncologist yesterday.
Before we left home we had prayed that God would open hearts and doors. We were greatly encouraged by the events that took place that morning when we introduced our Oncologist to the Gospel. I would like to come back to our very special visit later this week because the story is too long to write right now. We are taking a few days away from home together to commemorate our anniversary and before I start Chemo treatments again on Friday.

The Oncologist gave us the results from the last scan taken on July 21 and the one taken at the end August. It showed that the cancer in the lungs did not decrease but that there was growth of the tumors in both lungs. This means that when I do not receive chemo treatments the cancer continues to grow. Again the Oncologist told us that there is no cure for this cancer and that lung surgery is not possible at this point. This gives me all the more reason to continue to look to Jesus Christ, to whom else can I go.

At this time we do not know what the chemo treatments did in the last 4 weeks or what they will do in the next 4 weeks. We continue to pray for complete healing because God is much greater and more powerful than any medication or doctor. Even though the news was different than what we had prayed and hoped for, we are encouraged by Gods Grace each day again. Remarkable events are taking place and God is opening more doors much wider than prayed for. Ephesians 3:20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us.

For closing I want to share a devotion with you that I found on my computer. I do not know the author, I can’t remember when I saved it, but I do know that it is timely.

And the Lord said unto Moses speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward Exodus 14:15

Now was the time for action-GO FORWARD. God gave them their marching orders as He said to Moses, “Speak unto the children of Israel that they go forward.” “Yes, I know, but I will make a path.” There was only one way to go forward. Their only way THROUGH was UP. They must trust God completely. Although their physical eyes were on the water, their spiritual eyes must see the One who would make a path for them through the sea. Self effort is not sufficient. It shuts God out. Faith enables us to stand still and let God into our needs. Then the need becomes His to solve. He can and will do for us what we cannot do for ourselves. Someone has said, “When you let God in, the supernatural becomes the normal.” At His command we can move forward even when it is not reasonable or logical, even when we are fearful, even when we are weak. God doesn’t show us the complete blueprint but leads us step by step. Progress is dependent on our obedience to Him. The way of victory is the way of faith. Faith expects from God what is beyond all expectation. As we face our needs of today we must be reminded to “stand still” until God says “go forward.” Then we will go forward in His power and strength, knowing He will lead us safely through. There comes a time when God tells us to move forward. Our part is to obey; His part is to remove the obstacle. It doesn’t require faith to begin a journey when we can see the way through. But to begin when we can only see the next step requires faith. Victory comes as we move forward. “And this is the victory that has overcome the world--our faith.” (1 John 5:4).

I hope to write again soon with the remarkable meeting we had yesterday. In the meantime I can only say to everyone, The way of victory is the way of faith, the Lord will make a path where we don't see one.

May God bless you abundantly.
John

This time I posted a video that is absolutely beautiful in picture and words. I am sorry that it is sung in the Dutch language, however it tells a story of a rescue at sea. The same as sinners are rescued by Christ. I know you will enjoy it, even though you may not speak or understand Dutch. Titled, "Even though great storms are all around us, Jesus is there to rescue, if we call on Him"

Is this all ?

Is this all ?
A 6 minute video that "should" shatter all records at the Box-Office.
A must watch !

For it is written, "As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God." Romans 14:11

October 20, 2011 -- October 20, 1977

Yes it is true; today it is 34 years ago Henrietta and I got married. We are rejoicing that God has blessed us with so many years together. The pastor that married us used Psalm 37:5 in our marriage ceremony. “Commit your way to the Lord; Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass”

Looking back over the years, the Lord blessed us with 5 children, 6 grand children (and one on the way, due in February 2012 Lord willing). He blessed us with health in the years behind us, a home and we never fell short of anything. For this we can only thank God for His abundance of blessings. How many people in the world can say this? During our marriage we visited many (third world) countries, and upon our returns it always humbled us how God is looking after us, undeserved blessings, each day again.

As I write this Psalm 100 comes to mind, a song of praise, joy and thanks
giving.                                                  
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.

Yes we did commit our ways to the Lord, although with countless short falls. We trust in Him, but even that fails at times. Despite our short falls we can only say the Lord is faithful. He will bring it to pass, whatever we have committed to Him.

And so our lives carry on like footsteps in the sand, until the tide rises and they too will be washed away in due time. I sometimes wonder if God will add more years to the 34. We pray that it be so, however when I felt so sick in the last couple of weeks I wondered at times.

I am slowly recovering from this last Chemo treatment; recovery is taking longer than the last treatments. It is still difficult to walk due to sore feet. My appetite is slowly returning and amazingly I hardly lost any weight this time.
We hope to be together on Saturday with all our children and grand children to enjoy dinner together and to thank God for His countless blessings. On October 25 I will see my Oncologist again to get my next round of chemo. Time is going too fast now that I am off Chemo. I hope to post again after this visit.

I have posted the before and after pictures. Henrietta changed little, it's a different story for me. Fuzzy wuzzy has no hair!
Thank you for your support , cares and prayers. God be with you and bless you.
John

October 20, 1977

October 20, 2011

Pressing onward.

It has been a couple of difficult weeks, often spending a lot of time in bed with headaches, nausea, vomiting and many other discomforts. However, there is light at the end of the tunnel, this Thursday, October 13, will be the last Chemo pill followed by a 14 day break before I start the next round of chemo.

This round of Chemo that lasted 4 weeks has been particularly difficult. Doctors can’t explain why but I am told that each treatment is unpredictable, even though I use the same treatment as before. I had some good days in between and even felt good enough to go to church last Sunday. However each day is like a roller coaster right now, every morning I awake I am thankful but also wonder what the day may bring.
Even though I feel that each day is like a roller coaster, God remains faithful through this all. I often think of the poem” footprints in the sand”, looking back I often see only one set of footprints and that is a great comfort knowing that God is carrying me through.

On October 6, we visited the kidney specialist that did the surgery at the end July. He was happy with the results and gave me some more “old” news about the kidney and tumour that was removed. He informed us that 90% of the tumour had died due to the chemo treatments. This was good news and we continue to pray for complete healing.

In the last 4 weeks I had many opportunities to speak to people for which I am very thankful to God. One conversation really stands out and is still very much on my mind. After I was asked how I was doing, I explained my situation. However I really felt that I should ask this person a question in return, so I did and asked the following. How would you deal with it if your doctor told you that you had terminal cancer and only a year to live? It was quiet, than finally the answer came. I would pray like crazy and hope for the best. But what about if you would die in the next 30 minutes from a heart attack or accident, what then? Are you ready to meet God?

So now I ask you the same question and how would you react to that? Are you ready to meet your Creator? Do you have the assurance that all will be well? Where will you spend Eternity? John 3:16 gives the answer in a few words ”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”

I pray that all who read this and have not reconciled with God will waste no time. We can be summoned before God any moment.

We read in John 10:5 (Jesus said) I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.10The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came (Jesus) that they may have life and have it abundantly.11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

Thank you for the personal visits, prayers, cards and emails. Please remember Henrietta in your prayers that she will have the strength to go on each day caring for her 90 year old mother and me.
God be with you all,
John

The love of God

Romans 8: 38 For I am persuaded , that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present , nor things to come. 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

With the eye of tenderest love!

It was my plan to post much sooner on my blog; however the Chemo treatments have kept me from doing so. I have spent much of my time in bed the last 5 days with bad headaches, vomiting, muscle pain and a host of other side effects. I hope and pray that these side effects will lighten up a little because I am just over the halfway mark and have another 11 days to go. Thank you for remembering us in your prayers.

I hope to write again soon if my body and brains allow it. For now I want to share a devotion I read yesterday, for me a great comfort and if you find yourself in difficult circumstances I hope you will also find comfort in it.

God be with you, John


(J.R. Miller, "Daily Bible Readings in the Life of Christ" 1890)

"He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them." Mark 6:48
Jesus always sees our toils and distresses in this world. We do not see Him--and sometimes we think that He has forgotten us; but that is never true. He never forgets us, nor is He indifferent for a moment.

On the heights, while the battle was in progress, stood a group of men watching the struggling armies on the plain below. In this group was the American general Sheridan, who watched the mighty strife with the keen eye of a soldier. King William was also there; but his interest was different from Sheridan's. His son was in the thick of the fight--and he watched the battle with the eye of a father, as well as of a king.

Just so, Christ looks down upon our struggles in this world. He sees us straining and toiling; He beholds all our battles and strives. He sees us in the waves and in the storm. He sees us, not merely with the eye of the calm spectator--but with the eye of tenderest love!

This is a great thought! If we can only get it into our hearts--it will give us wondrous courage in the hour of toil, sorrow, or struggle. Jesus knows . . .
when the battle is hard,
when the night is dark,
when the temptation is more than we can bear.

The winds were against His disciples--even though Christ sent them out to sea. We learn here, that even when we are doing the things God which has bidden us do--we may encounter great opposition and difficulty. We may even be beaten back, and find the trial too great for our strength. Many of the Lord's disciples have to make their voyage over very stormy seas--on their way to glory. For some, duty is often very hard. Indeed, a true, noble, courageous, holy life--must always exist in the face of opposition and contrary winds.