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
Saturday, 6 October 2012
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
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