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