Funeral Service Message

Hello Family and Friends,

We would like to thank everyone once again for their support, prayers, cards, and flowers during this time of mourning. This blog meant a lot to dad and its contents will remain up as long as they can.

Dad also requested that the funeral message and eulogies be posted. The link is below.

http://heritagereformed.org:81/sermonlibrary/content/index.asp?sort=&preacherfilter=all&locationfilter=Chilliwack%20CRC

Thank you,
Jeremy Van Woerden

Obituary and Funeral Details

Family and Friends,

We have finalized the details for Dad's funeral. They can be found in the obituary link below.

http://obits.dignitymemorial.com/dignity-memorial/obituary.aspx?n=%22John%22+Johannes-Van+Woerden&lc=3150&pid=166040747&mid=5613054&locale=en_CA

Dad's Request

Jeremy here again.

While dad was still able, he wrote a series of messages for his friends and family and requested that I post them following his passing. They are all posted below.

Thank you again for your love, prayers, and support.

Obituary

Johannes Cornelis (John) van Woerden

Born: November 15, 1953 in Lisse, The Netherlands

Passed away July 24, 2013 in Chilliwack, B.C. Canada

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18



At last, the Glory of the Lord shall be revealed.

And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it. Isaiah 40:5

Dearly beloved readers, friends, family and loved ones and those who read my blog and preferred to remain anonymous. Thank you for your support, encouragements, prayers and visits and many other ways you showed your love during my time of illness and throughout my life. The time has come to say farewell, I prayed that we will meet again at resurrection morning, the day when Gods glory will be revealed in all splendor, beauty and majesty. Please continue to pray for my loved ones, Henrietta, our children and grandchildren. May the God of peace provide you with every good thing you need in order to do His will, and may He, through Jesus Christ, do in you what pleases Him. To Jesus Christ be all the glory forever and ever!
John

Philippians 1:21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 

 

 

Born Again to a Living Hope

 

1 Peter 1: 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith--more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire--may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.   

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 JOHN NEWTON (1725-1807): Imagine a number of ships at different times and from different places, bound to the same port. There are some things in which all would agree—the compass steered by, the port in view, the general rules of navigation, would be the same for all. In other respects they would differ. Perhaps no two of them would meet with the same distribution of winds and weather. Some we see set out with a favourable wind; but when they almost think their passage secured, they are checked by adverse blasts. After enduring much hardship and danger, and frequent expectations of shipwreck, they barely escape and reach the desired haven. Others meet with the greatest difficulties at first. They put forth in a storm, and are often beaten back; at length their voyage proves favourable, and they enter the port with a rich and abundant entrance. Some are hard beset with cruisers and enemies, and obliged to fight their way through. Others meet with little remarkable in their passage.
Is it not thus in the spiritual life? All true believers walk by the same rule, and mind the same things: the Word of God is their compass; Jesus is both their polar star and their sun of righteousness; their hearts and their faces are all set Zion-ward. They are as one body, animated by one spirit; yet their experience, formed upon these common principles, is far from being uniform. The Lord in His first call, and His following dispensations, regards the situation, temper and talents of each, and the particular services and trials He has appointed for them. All are exercised at times, yet some pass through the voyage of life much more smoothly than others.
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The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you all.

Amen.

John Van Woerden

 

Dedicated to my dear wife Henrietta

The Way of Love

1 Corinthians 13:4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. 11 When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. 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. 13 So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.  

 

With my deepest love to you, I leave you in God's care because He cares for you.

John

 

God will provide

 

Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. Psalm 37:5

 

Dedicated to my dear daugther Sophia and Damon

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.

 

With my deepest love.

Dad

 

 

Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. 1Peter 5:7

 

1. Days are filled with sorrow and care,
Hearts are lonely and drear.
Burdens are lifted at Calvary,
Jesus is very near.

CHORUS:
Burdens are lifted at Calvary, Calvary, Calvary;
Burdens are lifted at Calvary, Jesus is very near.

2. Cast your care on Jesus today,
Leave your worry and fear.
Burdens are lifted at Calvary,
Jesus is very near.

3. Troubled soul, the Savior can feel
Every heartache and tear.
Burdens are lifted at Calvary,
Jesus is very near.

Dedicated to my dear daughter Stephanie and Chad

Psalm 145:4 One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts. 5 On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate. 6 They shall speak of the might of your awesome deeds, and I will declare your greatness. 7 They shall pour forth the fame of your abundant goodness and shall sing aloud of your righteousness. 8 The LORD is gracious and merciful; slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. 9 The LORD is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made. 10All your works shall give thanks to you, O LORD, and all your saints shall bless you! 11 They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom and tell of your power, 12 to make known to the children of man your mighty deeds, and the glorious splendor of your kingdom. 13Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures throughout all generations. The LORD is faithful in all his words and kind in all his works.14 The LORD upholds all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down.

 
With my deepest love.
Dad

 ^{C C C With my deepest love.With my deepest lo
Dad}

Be not dismayed whate’er betide,
God will take care of you;
Beneath His wings of love abide,
God will take care of you.
Refrain

 God will take care of you,
Through every day, over all the way;
He will take care of you,
God will take care of you.

 Through days of toil when heart doth fail,
God will take care of you;
When dangers fierce your path assail,
God will take care of you.
Refrain

 All you may need He will provide,
God will take care of you;
Nothing you ask will be denied,
God will take care of you.
Refrain

No matter what may be the test,
God will take care of you;
Lean, weary one, upon His breast,
God will take care of you.

Dedicated to my dear son Jeff and Holly

Isaiah 55:1"Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. 2    Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. 3 Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live; and I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David.   

With my deepest love.
Dad
 

 

2 Peter 1:10 Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to make your calling and election sure, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall.

 

1. Just as I am, without one plea, 

but that thy blood was shed for me,
and that thou bidst me come to thee,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

2. Just as I am, and waiting not 

to rid my soul of one dark blot,
to thee whose blood can cleanse each spot,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

3. Just as I am, though tossed about
with many a conflict, many a doubt,
fightings within and fears without,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

4. Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind;
sight, riches, healing of the mind, 

yea, all I need in thee to find,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

5. Just as I am, thou wilt receive,
wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve; 

because thy promise I believe,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

6. Just as I am, thy love unknown
hath broken every barrier down;
now, to be thine, yea thine alone, 

O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Dedicated to my dear daugther Tamara and Hans

Ephesians 3:14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith--that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. 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, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

With my deepest love.
Dad

The love of God is greater far

Than tongue or pen can ever tell;

It goes beyond the highest star,

And reaches to the lowest hell;

The guilty pair, bowed down with care,

God gave His Son to win;

His erring child He reconciled,

And pardoned from his sin.

Refrain:

Oh, love of God, how rich and pure!

How measureless and strong!

It shall forevermore endure—

The saints’ and angels’ song.
 

Could we with ink the ocean fill,

And were the skies of parchment made,

Were every stalk on earth a quill,

And every man a scribe by trade;

To write the love of God above

Would drain the ocean dry;

Nor could the scroll contain the whole,

Though stretched from sky to sky.
 

When hoary time shall pass away,

And earthly thrones and kingdoms fall,

When men who here refuse to pray,

On rocks and hills and mountains call,

God’s love so sure, shall still endure,

All measureless and strong;

Redeeming grace to Adam’s race—

The saints’ and angels’ song.



Dedicated to my dear son Jeremy and Jules

Romans 8:35 Who 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.

With my deepest love.
Dad  

 

 

Dedicated to all my dear grandchildren

Matthew 19: 13 Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people, 14 but Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven."15 And he laid his hands on them and went away.

With my deepest love to all my grandchildren
Papa

 

Dan zingen zij, in God verblijd

Geliefde familie en vrienden in Nederland. De tijd is gekomen om afscheid te nemen. De tijd is aangebroken dat ik eindelijk bij Hem zal zijn die mijn ziel lief heeft. Ik heb gebeden dat ons gezin, familie en vrienden kring nooit zullen worden gescheiden tot in eeuwigheid maar zullen verbonden zijn en blijven in Jezus Christus onze Heere en Zaligmaker.
Tot aan de jongste dag wanneer God zal worden gezien in alle macht, heerlijkheid en majesteit.
God zij met U allen
Filippenzen 1: 21"Want het leven is mij Christus, en het sterven is mij gewin".

Het nieuw Jeruzalem

Openbaringen 21

9 En een van de zeven engelen  die de zeven schalen hadden, vol van de zeven laatste plagen, kwam naar mij toe en hij sprak met mij en zei: Kom, ik zal u de bruid, de vrouw van het Lam, laten zien. 10 En hij voerde mij weg  in de geest op een grote en hoge berg en liet mij de  grote stad zien, het heilige Jeruzalem, dat neerdaalde uit de hemel, bij God vandaan. 11 Zij had de heerlijkheid van God, en haar uitstraling was als een zeer kostbare edelsteen, als een kristalheldere steen jaspis. 12 Zij had een grote en hoge muur met twaalf poorten, en bij die poorten twaalf engelen. Ook waren er namen op geschreven, namelijk van de twaalf stammen van de Israëlieten. 13 Drie poorten op het oosten, drie poorten op het noorden, drie poorten op het zuiden, en drie poorten op het westen. 14  En de muur van de stad had twaalf fundamenten met daarop de twaalf namen van de twaalf apostelen van het Lam. 15 En hij die met mij sprak,  had een gouden meetlat om de stad op te meten, en haar poorten, en haar muur. 16 En de stad lag daar als een vierkant, haar lengte was even groot als haar breedte. En hij mat de stad met de meetlat op: twaalfduizend stadiën.  Haar lengte, breedte en hoogte waren gelijk. 17 En hij mat haar muur op: honderdvierenveertig el, een mensenmaat, die ook de maat van een engel is. 18 En het bouwmateriaal van de muur was jaspis en de stad was zuiver goud, gelijk aan zuiver glas. 19 En de fundamenten van de muur van de stad waren met allerlei edelgesteente versierd. Het eerste fundament was jaspis, het tweede saffier, het derde chalcedon, het vierde smaragd, 20 het vijfde onyx, het zesde sardius, het zevende chrysoliet, het achtste beril, het negende topaas, het tiende chrysopraas, het elfde hyacint, het twaalfde amethist. 21 En de twaalf poorten waren twaalf parels. Elke poort apart bestond uit één parel, en de straat van de stad was zuiver goud, als doorzichtig glas. 22 Ik zag geen tempel in haar, want de Heere, de almachtige God, is haar tempel, en het Lam. 23  En de stad heeft de zon en de maan niet nodig om haar te beschijnen, want de heerlijkheid van God verlicht haar,  en het Lam is haar lamp. 24 En de naties die zalig worden, zullen in haar licht wandelen, en de koningen van de aarde brengen hun heerlijkheid en eer erin. 25 En haar poorten zullen overdag nooit gesloten worden,  want daar zal geen nacht zijn. 26 En zij zullen de heerlijkheid en de eer van de naties daarin brengen. 27 Al wat onrein is, zal er niet inkomen, en ook niemand die zich bezighoudt met gruwelen en leugens, maar alleen zij die geschreven zijn  in het boek des levens van het Lam.

De genade van onzen Heere Jezus Christus zij met u allen. Amen. 

 

Jan van Woerden

Canada

 

 

 

One Day at a Time

It's Jeremy again just posting a quick update on Dad. Dad's condition is worsening every day. It is clear that his fight with cancer is coming to an end. He is sleeping a lot and is experiencing an increasing amount of pain, which the medical staff are trying to keep under control. However, his body is slowly shutting down.

Dad still wakes up from time to time to say something to make us smile. Today when all us kids were there at once he woke up, looked around, and said "Oh, you guys are all here. Just to look at me, or what?"

Dad does realize what is happening, but still tries to convince us otherwise when he has his awake moments. The reality of seeing our Dad experience so much pain and knowing he will die soon is difficult to accept, but we know his future with Christ is bright.

Over the past 2.5 years we've seen the things of life be slowly stripped away from him. His health, comfort, freedom, ability to walk, strength, hobbies, and eventually life will be taken away, but in the end one thing will remain. And that is the righteousness of Christ. Dad's peace reminds us of that truth and with that truth we all carry on through this trial.

Thank you again for all your thoughts and prayers. God bless you.

Walking by Faith

Hello family and friends,

This is Jeremy and I just wanted to send out a little update on dad since many of you have probably heard that he has been hospitalized. On Monday morning dad was taken to the hospital by ambulance as he was very weak and was having difficulty completing his usual morning routine. When the ambulance arrived they found that his oxygen levels were extremely low and decided to take him in.

Once at the hospital, they performed an x-ray of his lungs which revealed some fluid build-up and a possible infection. They have placed him on antibiotics for the infection and have also begun treating his hypercalcaemia, which is the result of cancer breaking down his bones and depositing calcium into his bloodstream. This has been the cause of his confusion. He has also had an increasingly difficult time walking and is uncomfortable due to pain in his hips, arm, and back.

I asked him tonight how he felt about being back in the hospital and he said he was ok with it. Despite all these difficulties, dad remains at peace with the burden he has to carry. He spoke about how 1 Peter 1 has been a comfort now, as it has been in the past. He really does have an “inexpressible and glorious joy” as a result of the living hope he has in God through Jesus.

The family really wants to thank everyone for their prayers and support. Please continue to pray for us and especially dad. Pray that he will remain encouraged and that he will walk by faith. We also request that visiting be limited to family at this time so that dad can rest. Thanks again!

Precious in the sight of God

Every individual believer is precious in the sight of the Lord. A shepherd would not lose one sheep, nor a jeweler one diamond, nor a mother one child, nor a man one limb of his body; nor will the Lord lose one of His redeemed people. However little we may be, if we are the Lord's, we may rejoice that we are preserved in Christ Jesus.
Alistair Begg

You shall see your children's children

Last week I focused much on Psalm 128, how could I not . A week ago we had all of our children and grandchildren come over for supper, something we do quite often, and they stay for the evening. We took the opportunity to take some pictures at the same time and I could not help but think about Psalm 128. Putting my own circumstances aside, each verse applied to me and I truly rejoiced in it. (Click on the picture to enlarge.)

Do you ever meditate on God’s Word and put your own circumstances aside? You will be surprised how it will lift you up and out of your present circumstances.

The weather has been absolutely beautiful the last weeks, giving me the opportunity to be outside a lot, go for short walks, and for longer walks with Henrietta when she takes me for walks in the wheelchair. I have found out that wheel chairs are a wonderful tool to get around. It is too bad that I can’t wheel myself around due to my right arm. It is showing increased signs of paralysis and the strength in this arm is virtually gone.

Last week Friday I did receive the CT scan as promised. On Wednesday I received a call from a Neurosurgeon in Vancouver for an appointment this coming Tuesday. I was amazed how quickly everything is moving forward. This Neurosurgeon will assess the situation and I expect that he will make a decision very quickly on a possible spinal surgery. Before this will happen I do have many questions. Today I heard from someone in the medical field that this Neurosurgeon is one of the best and normally would have a long waiting time to see him, for me it appears not to be so, God is again placing me in the front of the line.

I always thought that wheel chairs were for other people, last week I found out that it was for me too. Our church has one and I was offered to use it for as long as I need it. Lately I had a hard time going for longer walks, that is no longer a barrier. Henrietta will take over with the backup wheel chair, what a great blessing this is. I can still go places that before were unreachable. Again I see this as a great blessing from God.

Your prayers are deeply appreciated, please pray that our faith does not fail, but that our eyes will be on Christ at all times
John

When looking at the enclosed pictures this Psalm comes to mind.

Psalm 128
Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord, Who walks in His ways. 2 When you eat the labor of your hands, You shall be happy, and it shall be well with you. 3 Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine In the very heart of your house, Your children like olive plants All around your table. 4 Behold, thus shall the man be blessed who fears the Lord. 5 The Lord bless you out of Zion, And may you see the good of Jerusalem All the days of your life. 6 Yes, may you see your children's children. Peace be upon Israel!

Christ the Builder

Each individual believer is being prepared and polished and made ready for his place in the temple; but Christ's own hand performs the preparation-work. Afflictions cannot sanctify, except when they are used by Him to fulfill His purpose. Our prayers and efforts cannot make us ready for heaven, apart from the hand of Jesus, who fashions our hearts correctly. As in the building of Solomon's temple, where "neither hammer nor axe nor any tool of iron was heard" because it all arrived perfectly ready for the exact spot it was to occupy, so is it with the temple that Jesus builds; the preparation is all done on earth. When we reach heaven, there will be no sanctifying us there, no squaring us with affliction, no maturing us with suffering. No, we must be made ready here,and all that Christ will do He will do now; and when He has done it, we will be ferried by a loving hand across the stream of death and brought to the heavenly Jerusalem, to live as eternal pillars in the temple of our Lord. Alistair Begg Beneath His eye and care, The edifice shall rise, Majestic, strong, and fair, And shine above the skies.

The Great Physician

I can honestly say that not a day goes by lately that I am receiving a call, email or response from someone in the medical field. It feels like I am the only one that has cancer in Canada. However, when entering the hospital or BC Cancer Agency I watch a steady stream of people coming and going who struggle with this dreadful disease. Still I have the feeling and actually believe that I am being singled out for that extra touch of care. We thank the Lord for this daily and feel His constant care over us.

My condition is changing almost daily and I can feel that the cancer in the spine is advancing neurologically. My right arm is losing strength quickly and using it is becoming very difficult. I am blessed that I write with my left hand, there is little feeling and acurate movement left in my right arm. Typing and the use of a computer mouse is becoming more difficult and I keep hitting the wrong keys. In the last days walking is also more difficult, I don’t know what the cause is, muscular or neurological, whatever it is I am staying closer and closer to home when it comes to walking around.

This week I had another visit with the radiation Oncologist, a female doctor with a huge heart that cares deeply about my condition. This Friday I received another CT Scan for my spine and now this Oncologist is speaking to other doctors about possible spinal surgery to release pressure on the spine in order to slow the signs of paralysis coming from inside the spinal column. No doubt a very delicate procedure.

My other Oncologist in Vancouver, who is on a Sabbatical leave but continues to work during his leave on my case is trying to get a new Chemo drug approval for me.

When I see this all I stand amazed. It is not me asking for all these remedies and drugs but the doctors and all other medical staff that go far beyond the call of duty to get me the treatments that they feel I need. I thank the Lord, the great Physician often for His care over me. God is giving in abundance day by day.

This same Great Physician, Jesus Himself speaks in Mark 2:16-17 And when the scribes and Pharisees saw Him eating with the tax collectors and sinners, they said to His disciples, "How is it that He eats and drinks with tax collectors and sinners?" 17 When Jesus heard it, He said to them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance."

How is your Spiritual health condition? You may not have cancer or some kind of other disease that needs to be treated but how is the Spiritual health of your  heart and soul? Has it been healed by Jesus Christ Himself? Have you repented from your sick sin condition that we all have from the day we were born? We can be healed and forgiven by this same Great Physician, Jesus Christ that heals dreadful diseases.

The answer is in the Bible, John 3 speaks of it clearly: 16 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. 18 He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

Remember, God's Grace is sufficient for you. Surrender to Him today. God bless you all and may you be a blessing to all those around you. Thank you again for the cards, and  the many ways you show your care.
John.

All to Jesus I surrender,

All to Him I freely give;

I will ever love and trust Him,

In His presence daily live.

I surrender all,

I surrender all.

All to Thee, my blessed Savior,

I surrender all.

All to Jesus I surrender,

Humbly at His feet I bow,

Worldly pleasures all forsaken;

Take me, Jesus, take me now.

All to Jesus I surrender,

Make me, Savior, wholly Thine;

Let me feel Thy Holy Spirit,

Truly know that Thou art mine.

All to Jesus I surrender,

Lord, I give myself to Thee;

Fill me with Thy love and power,

Let Thy blessing fall on me.

All to Jesus I surrender,

Now I feel the sacred flame.

Oh, the joy of full salvation!

Glory, glory to His name!

Lifted above the floods

Noah was so shut in the Ark that no evil could reach him. Floods simply lifted Noah toward heaven, and winds helped him on his way. Outside the ark all was ruin, but inside all was rest and peace. Without Christ we perish, but in Christ Jesus there is perfect safety.
Alistair Begg

Thy will be done

Whereas God tests our faith, he never tempts it (James 1:13). The purpose of divine testing is to sanctify and strengthen. The purpose of satanic tempting is to deceive and destroy. Evil neither exists in the heart of God nor is He its author. It most assuredly exists in our hearts and we are its author.
Sam Storms.

 

Testing is never easy, it places a great deal of stress on whatever material is being tested. Last week Thursday morning I was admitted to the hospital due to vomiting and pain, this time is was my body being tested. On Friday during the night I endured such incredible neurological pain in my spine that it literally made me swim in my bed in agony. Having vomited for more than 24 hours no pain medication was left in my body to subdue pain. By the time the medical staff caught up with pain medication it was some 4 hours later and finally I fell asleep exhausted and under the heavy influence of pain medication.

 

It was during the time of extreme pain that I made it known to God in desperation that it would be better for me to be home with my Lord and Saviour than to be here in this valley of pain and tears. Soon after that I fell asleep. When I awoke the pain was nearly gone, subdued by medication I felt much better and was able to thank the Lord for caring for me and giving the gift of medical staff and meds. Strange as it may sound, but I again prayed for healing and Gods nearness because I know and believe that I serve a God that lives and does great miracles, also of healing. For clear evidence of that I suggest you read the New Testament. it is full of healing miracles by Jesus himself. Each time I read of the healing that Jesus did I can’t help but ask for the same knowing that even one word from His mouth, or even one thought can bring about complete healing. 

 

On Sunday I was discharged from the hospital and I looked back at 4 days of great blessings where many opportunities arose for me to speak about Gods Grace to medical staff but also others that visited me and encouraged me a great deal spiritually. Yes it tested my faith, but it strengthened my faith in the furnace of affliction. I know that I was not alone during this time of trial, Jesus was Captain in my little ship and He was navigating so we would not run aground on the rocks of despair.

Being home again is a great blessing, there is no place like it and the care is second to none from the ever presence of Henrietta.

 

On Thursday we visited my Radiation Oncologist to enquire about the added pain in my mid spine. The last CT scan revealed that additional cancer spots are appearing on the spine. After being examined we made the decision with the Oncologist to watch and wait into the next week or so and not to radiate right now. Radiation also has its drawbacks and side effects.

 

The question is often, where do you draw the line. Even with the help of medical professionals these decisions are often difficult to make. Nothing else but God and Him only, He is the One who has all the answers. It is to Him I turn to be a light upon my path and ask the Lord to lead and show the way.

 

Teach me Thy way, O Lord, teach me Thy way!
Thy guiding grace afford, teach me Thy way!
Help me to walk aright, more by faith, less by sight;
Lead me with heavenly light, teach me Thy way!

 

I continue to be on pretty heavy pain meds, something I don’t care for but it is the only way for now to suppress the pain and have a fairly normal life. The tokens of love and care I receive are overwhelming at times. I am deeply indebted to you all for this and thank you from the bottom of my heart.

 

Despite all the thoughts and wishes that so often fill my mind I come back to that perfect prayer that Jesus taught His disciples, especially the words” Thy will be done”. It is those words that give rest to my soul.

Our Father which art in heaven.

Hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever.
Amen.

 

God be with you all and bless and keep you.
John

He never slumbers or sleeps

On Sunday I was able to come home from the hospital. I hope to post again on Saturday
God bless
John
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Like passengers standing upon the bow of a ship in mid-ocean, to us the sea appears a trackless void. But when we stand upon the stern and look back, we view an equally vast ocean already traversed, and close upon us we see a short white wake that curves away in a half-moon arc—the undeniable evidence that our ship has made a turn in the sea, and we know, without doubt, that the Captain is piloting the ship according to His chart, and in his wisdom, and at the proper time, merely adjusting his course to current and wind.
J. H. MERLE d’AUBIGNÉ (1794-1872)

 

 

 

 



"Fear Not"

God seems to always prepare us for what lies ahead. This week was to be a more relaxed at home
type of week.  The last radiation treatment was Monday for the pelvic/femur. On Wednesday morning John became very ill with flu like symptoms.  He continued to be ill into Thursday because
of this he ended up in the hospital for what we thought would be some hydration and back home again. As John was taken in by ambulance I sat down to just read my devotion and these words just
gave me so much comfort.  "Be brave and fear not. Advance in God's strength." God knew my heart and thoughts.  John would not come home he was admitted to the hospital.  After a CT scan and further testing it was determined that John had C-dif. So into isolation he went. So consequently he
is still in the hospital tonight therefore no blog posting from John. I thought well then it's my responsibility to post. We are hoping and praying that John will come back home tomorrow just in time to celebrate Father's Day at home. For our children Father's Day has a whole new meaning cherishing what we still have and feeling blessed. We are thankful for the time given to us and cherish each day.  It is such a blessing to hear and see the grandchildren praying for their Papa, fighting back tears and saying "Oh I have itchy eyes." The very little ones seeing me and then asking "Papa"  as if to say where did he go. Grandchildren what a blessing and support. Each grandchild has their own way of dealing with Papa's illness and we sometimes wonder what goes on in their thoughts. The few words they say tell a story. 

So we go forward each day trusting our heavenly Father to provide for every need.  Thanking Him for all His provisions.  I want to wish all the Fathers a Happy Father's Day and may you have a blessed day with your families.  Cherish each day as a gift from God.

Day by Day and with each passing moment,
Strength I find to meet my trials here;
Trusting in my Father's wise bestowment,
I've no cause for worry or for fear.
He whose heart is kind beyond all measure
Gives unto each day what He deems best
Lovingly, its part of pain and pleasure,
Mingling toil with peace and rest.

Wishing you all a blessed Lord's Day.
Henrietta

Attached to our tent

Most of us find comfort in being told that we are going to go on living;  the apostle Paul was comforted when he was told that he would soon be dying [see Philippians 1:21]! He kept referring to death as that which was "far better." The fact that we don't view death with optimism just might be because we think of death as taking us from our home rather than bringing is to our home! Unlike Paul, we have become so attached to our tent that we just don't want to move.
Erwin Lutzer

 

Jesus calms storms

Matthew 8: 23 And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. 24 And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. 25 And they went and woke him, saying, "Save us, Lord; we are perishing." 26 And he said to them, "Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?" Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. 27 And the men marveled, saying, "What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?"

As I lay under the radiation machine in the hospital this week, storms swarmed my little ship, yet I knew that Jesus was laying beside me giving me calm in my soul. I knew that my ship would not sink, how could it, Jesus was on board with me and this song came to mind. I love listening to music, Psalms , Hymns and Spiritual songs. One of the Dutch Psalms that came to me at that time is Psalm 121 “I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come." Here is the link if you like to listen to it. 

Here are the words to Psalm 121 in Dutch

'k Sla d' ogen naar 't gebergte heen,
Vanwaar ik dag en nacht
Des Hoogsten bijstand wacht.
Mijn hulp is van den HEER alleen,
Die hemel, zee en aarde
Eerst schiep, en sinds bewaarde.

Hij is, al treft u 't felst verdriet,
Uw wachter, die uw voet
Voor wankelen behoedt;
Hij, Isrels Wachter, sluimert niet;
Geen kwaad zal u genaken;
De HEER zal u bewaken.

Zijn wacht, waarop men hopen mag,
Zal, daar zij u bedekt,
En u ter schaduw strekt,
De maan bij nacht, de zon bij dag,
In koud' en gloed vermind'ren,
Opdat zij u niet hind'ren.

De HEER zal u steeds gadeslaan,
Opdat Hij in gevaar,
Uw ziel voor ramp bewaar';
De HEER, 't zij g' in of uit moogt gaan,
En waar g' u heen moogt spoeden,
Zal eeuwig u behoeden.

There are at times fears of my little ship going down into the waves that wash over me, it is songs like these that lift me high above my circumstances and it is those times that Jesus rebukes the winds and sea and gives great calm in my soul, even overpowering the pain in my body.

Last Tuesday was supposed to be my last radiation treatment on my spine/neck area, however a visit with my Radiation Oncologist changed that and another 5 treatments followed on my pelvis/femur bone which will be finished on June 10.

The Oncologist spoke about the concern she has about the pelvis area, how that the cancer has weakened the bones to the point that a fall could cause a fracture of the bones. She warned me to be careful at all times to prevent falls that could cause serious injury.

Due to an increase in pain from radiation and cancer growth, doctors have also increased the pain medication. The increase in medication is affecting more than suppressing my pain. It affects my thinking and writing and I am no longer permitted to drive because it affects my actions and reactions.

Writing is also becoming more difficult, trying to keep my mind on the things I write about can be challenging with the increased medications. I am thankful for the help I get from Henrietta to correct a some words or sentences.
I thank you all for your continued prayers for us. God be with you and bless you.
John

 

From every stormy wind that blows,
From every swelling tide of woes,
There is a calm, a sure retreat;
’Tis found beneath the mercy seat.
Hugh Stowell

 

God allows trials

In His infinite wisdom, God allows trials in order to develop perseverance in us and to cause us to fix our hopes on the glory that is yet to be revealed… Our faith and perseverance can grow under the pain of trial.

Jerry Bridges

 

 

What shall we ask God to do ?

This week I received a devotion by email from J.R. Miller. I will share it with you.

"We do not know what we should pray for as we ought" Romans 8:26

A pastor sat with a father and mother by the bed of a child who was hovering between life and death. He was about to pray for the little sufferer, and turning to the parents he asked, "What shall we ask God to do?" After some moments the father answered, with deep emotion: "I would not dare to choose. Leave it to God."

Would it not be better always to leave the decision to God, letting Him choose what is best for Him to do for us, or to give to us? We are not in the world to always have ease and pleasure, to always succeed, to do great things--we are here to grow into strength and beauty of life and character, to accomplish the will of God, and to have that will wrought out in our own life. Often times the present must be sacrificed for the future, the earthly given up to gain the Heavenly, and pain endured for the sake of spiritual refining and enriching.
Christ does not seek to take away the burden but rather, He would make us strong and brave to bear it.

If we are willing to let God choose for us, and accept what He gives we shall never fail to receive the best. Perhaps not what the world would call the best, but always God's best. We do not know what we should pray for as we ought, and we had better leave it to God.

We should be content to leave the guidance and choices of our lives in His hands. Think how wise He is knowing all things, knowing how to choose the best for us. Who does not know that this is better, safer and wiser than if we were to choose the way for ourselves?

The truest prayer is often times that in which we lay into the bosom of God and rest there in silence. We do not know what to ask, and we dare not say even a word, lest it might be the wrong word, hence we simply wait before God in quietness and confidence. We know that what is best, our Fathers will, and we trust Him to do what He will.

We are sure that God could relieve us of the things which are so hard for us to bear, if He desired to. This is God's world, and nothing can get out of His hands or control. All we have to do is to lay our need before the throne of mercy, and to let God answer us as He will.
 J.R. Miller

On a personal note that question is often in my heart. “What do I ask the Lord to do?" On Monday afternoon we visited my Oncologist in Vancouver. In a somewhat subdued voice he gave me the latest update on the scans that were made the week before. The news and scan analysis did not come as complete surprise but more like a confirmation of the way I have been feeling lately.
The news was that the Chemo Therapy treatments will be stopped immediately because they are not doing any good at all. The cancer continues to progress and it appears to advance even faster in the last five weeks.

Several spots on the spine are progressing, there is also a new tumor on the top of the spine/neck area. This tumor is most likely contributing to the intense pain that I am experiencing at times, traveling into my shoulder and arm. Also the top of the femur bone showed an increase in size, right in the area where it joins the pelvis, making walking difficult.

Other areas also showed an increase in cancer, like some of the ribs among others. A more detailed report is forthcoming from the CT Scan. Because of the seriousness of the cancer in the spine, a rush appointment was made with the Radiation Oncologist on Tuesday and on Wednesday I received the first of five radiation treatments for five consecutive days.

What should I ask God to do? I have considered this question many times lately. In the last couple of days I have come to the conclusion that I need to give it all over into His hands, not just some parts of it, but completely surrender to God. No one on this earth is able to stop this cancer from growing, something I already knew right from the day I was diagnosed with cancer. I truly believe that God can still do a miracle but the reality is that we all must leave this earth one day and meet our Maker. For me that appears to be sooner than I had prayed for. However, I do have peace with the ways that God is dealing with me. There are times I struggle to leave it all into God hands, I also know that God will do what is best for me and to glorify Him. This is not about me, it’s about the glory of God.

Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your needs according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

I covet your prayers for strength and endurance to run the race as written in Hebrews 12 1-2. Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Thank you for the many ways in which you have shown your love and compassion.
John

Guide me, O Thou great Jehovah,
Pilgrim through this barren land.
I am weak, but Thou art mighty;
Hold me with Thy powerful hand.
Bread of Heaven, Bread of Heaven,
Feed me till I want no more.

Will­iam Will­iams