Recently I came across this touching story that I want to share this with you.
It was a cold winter's day that Sunday. The parking lot to the church was filling up quickly. I noticed as I got out of my car fellow church members were whispering among themselves as they walked in the church.
As I got closer I saw a man leaned up against the wall outside the church. He was almost laying down as if he was asleep. He had on a long trench coat that was almost in shreds and a hat topped his head, pulled down so you could not see his face. He wore shoes that looked 30 years old, too small for his feet, with holes all over them, his toes stuck out.
I assumed this man was homeless, and asleep, so I walked on by through the doors of the church.
We all fellowshipped for a few minutes, and someone brought up the man laying outside. People snickered and gossiped but no one bothered to ask him to come in, including me.
A few moments later church began. We all waited for the Preacher to take his place and to give us the Word, when the doors to the church opened. In came the homeless man walking down the aisle with his head down. People gasped and whispered and made faces.
He made his way down the aisle and up onto the pulpit where he took off his hat and coat. My heart sank. There stood our preacher...he was the "homeless man."
No one said a word.
The preacher took his Bible and laid it on his stand.
"Folks, I don't think I have to tell you what I am preaching about today. If you judge people, you have no time to love them."
Tuesday, 13 December 2011
Friday, 9 December 2011
"My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust."
Psalm 92:2 shows us where we need to go when we need a place of refuge, nothing else but God. As we visited the medical experts yesterday, it again became so obvious that God gives people the wisdom to make medicine and to give good sound advice, but when it comes to healing these medical experts are helpless. Only God can give healing and bless the means.
We had a very pleasant meeting with our regular Oncologist. He is a very nice and compassionate man with all the best intentions in the world. Again we went over the results of the CT scan and he asked many questions and how I would like to proceed from here. The best I could do is return the question to him and ask his advice which he gave me the best he could. He said that when I had my first round of Chemo he was very encouraged with the rapid response the cancer had to the chemo. He had hoped this would continue, however it did not. Right now I basically have fallen into the common area with most kidney cancer patients. Although, he was not giving up by any means, he suggested I start Chemo treatments right away today at 75% of the original strength. I agreed on that. If the Chemo proves to be still too powerful for my body and I get sick like the last round he will switch me to a different Chemo Therapy treatment. He also said that other types of Chemo treatments for Kidney cancer are becoming available down the line.
So as of December 8, I am back on Chemo treatments for the next 28 days and hope to be finished on January 4, 2012. I had hoped for a little more time off or maybe I was just looking to postpone treatments a little further down the road in order not to have to deal with the side effects of the Chemo.
We also visited the Homeopath whose services I used from the time I was diagnosed. I will continue to use his prescribed remedy. Every medical doctor we visit always comments on the healthy appearance that I have. This may be so, but inside it is a different story, not only physical but also spiritual. Each time I struggle with the fallout of Chemo the spiritual struggle becomes more intense. In those difficult times there is nobody that can comfort like Jesus. I have Henrietta and the children that comfort me so much, but ultimately God comforts as no other, we can read this in Psalm 119:50 this is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life.
I hope that those who read this blog will also seek their Eternal comfort in Jesus. He is waiting for hearts that repent from sin and believe on Him.
Last night as we travelled back from Vancouver, Henrietta said, you know I have a real hard time to feel sad. We both agreed on that, it is amazing how good God is to us. We still have times that we can go away together when I feel good and be with our children and grand children. Church life and friends mean a lot to us and we love our walks and talks along Chilliwack River with its beautiful wild white water. Yes, life does have many blessings and we are thankful to see and enjoy them each day. We thank God often for His countless blessings day after day.
I want to thank you too; so many people send messages, emails and cards or pay personal visits. Thank you for your prayers. And as we get closer to Christmas I want to remind you of the true reason of Christmas, Jesus!
Wishing you and yours a good and Godly day.
John
We had a very pleasant meeting with our regular Oncologist. He is a very nice and compassionate man with all the best intentions in the world. Again we went over the results of the CT scan and he asked many questions and how I would like to proceed from here. The best I could do is return the question to him and ask his advice which he gave me the best he could. He said that when I had my first round of Chemo he was very encouraged with the rapid response the cancer had to the chemo. He had hoped this would continue, however it did not. Right now I basically have fallen into the common area with most kidney cancer patients. Although, he was not giving up by any means, he suggested I start Chemo treatments right away today at 75% of the original strength. I agreed on that. If the Chemo proves to be still too powerful for my body and I get sick like the last round he will switch me to a different Chemo Therapy treatment. He also said that other types of Chemo treatments for Kidney cancer are becoming available down the line.
So as of December 8, I am back on Chemo treatments for the next 28 days and hope to be finished on January 4, 2012. I had hoped for a little more time off or maybe I was just looking to postpone treatments a little further down the road in order not to have to deal with the side effects of the Chemo.
We also visited the Homeopath whose services I used from the time I was diagnosed. I will continue to use his prescribed remedy. Every medical doctor we visit always comments on the healthy appearance that I have. This may be so, but inside it is a different story, not only physical but also spiritual. Each time I struggle with the fallout of Chemo the spiritual struggle becomes more intense. In those difficult times there is nobody that can comfort like Jesus. I have Henrietta and the children that comfort me so much, but ultimately God comforts as no other, we can read this in Psalm 119:50 this is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life.
I hope that those who read this blog will also seek their Eternal comfort in Jesus. He is waiting for hearts that repent from sin and believe on Him.
Last night as we travelled back from Vancouver, Henrietta said, you know I have a real hard time to feel sad. We both agreed on that, it is amazing how good God is to us. We still have times that we can go away together when I feel good and be with our children and grand children. Church life and friends mean a lot to us and we love our walks and talks along Chilliwack River with its beautiful wild white water. Yes, life does have many blessings and we are thankful to see and enjoy them each day. We thank God often for His countless blessings day after day.
I want to thank you too; so many people send messages, emails and cards or pay personal visits. Thank you for your prayers. And as we get closer to Christmas I want to remind you of the true reason of Christmas, Jesus!
Wishing you and yours a good and Godly day.
John
Monday, 5 December 2011
Mixed feelings and mixed emotions on mixed results.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever (Hebrews 13: 8). To know and to experience that is a real blessing. This morning I did not really experience it that way. Yes, I know it is true for the Bible tells us so, yet the results we received from the Oncologist gave us mixed feelings.
My regular Oncologist was away and the Oncologist we met did not specialize in Kidney Cancer. She shared with us the results from the scan. It showed that the tumour on the left lung had shrunk a little. However more cancer nodules (cancer spots) are appearing on the lungs and some of the existing nodules are growing in size. The oncologist said that it will not affect my breathing immediately. I was given the choice what to do next, go on half strength Chemo treatments starting today or wait and think about it for a few days and see my regular Oncologist on December 8. We opted for the last one and plan to see him on December 8 in the afternoon because our regular Oncologist specializes in Kidney Cancer.
One thing is pretty well for sure, I will not be going on full strength Chemo anymore, at least not the kind I have been using because it makes me too sick. The hard part is what to do next. It is good that I have a few days to think this over and bring this in prayer to God, asking Him for guidance and wisdom.
Psalm 27 says it all, Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD! I wonder if God is talking about earthly things or eternal things or maybe both. Matthew Henry’s commentary gives the following explanation on this text.
“What was the belief which supported the psalmist? That he should see the goodness of the Lord. There is nothing like the believing hope of eternal life, the foresights of that glory, and foretastes of those pleasures, to keep us from fainting under all calamities. In the mean time he should be strengthened to bear up under his burdens. Let us look to the suffering Saviour, and pray in faith, not to be delivered into the hands of our enemies. Let us encourage each other to wait on the Lord, with patient expectation, and fervent prayer”.
Paul said in Philippians 1:21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Oh how I know that, yet I need so much grace to be able to say that with my heart and mind. I pray that God will give me that grace when I need it as He has done already so many times under different circumstances. Someone said to me a little while ago “everybody wants to go to Heaven but no one wants to go now” isn’t that the truth, yet I also wonder why people want to go to heaven. Are we truly ready for Heaven? I hope many of you went to church yesterday. I did, and I heard the words from John 3:16 explained to me, making salvation possible for the biggest sinners walking on earth. Please don’t postpone seeking Jesus because today is the day of salvation. Will we see tomorrow? Are we going to see each other again? I do not know and can’t answer that, however, if we repent and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ we will see each other again in Heavenly glory. Oh, what a day that will be.
On December 9, I will write about the visit to our Oncologist and the decision we will make. In the mean time we ask you to pray for me and Henrietta that we will make the right decision on Thursday. We continue to pray for healing, by God all things are possible and we are praying that God will give us grace and help us to carry this load.
Sometimes people say, the news you receive is very discouraging. I think we should look at it in a different light. If this is going be used to Gods honour and glory and used for the saving of sinners it will be a great blessing. We should never forget 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. God’s love is so great that He gave His ONLY Son. If we had only one son would we do that?
God bless you and keep you.
John
My regular Oncologist was away and the Oncologist we met did not specialize in Kidney Cancer. She shared with us the results from the scan. It showed that the tumour on the left lung had shrunk a little. However more cancer nodules (cancer spots) are appearing on the lungs and some of the existing nodules are growing in size. The oncologist said that it will not affect my breathing immediately. I was given the choice what to do next, go on half strength Chemo treatments starting today or wait and think about it for a few days and see my regular Oncologist on December 8. We opted for the last one and plan to see him on December 8 in the afternoon because our regular Oncologist specializes in Kidney Cancer.
One thing is pretty well for sure, I will not be going on full strength Chemo anymore, at least not the kind I have been using because it makes me too sick. The hard part is what to do next. It is good that I have a few days to think this over and bring this in prayer to God, asking Him for guidance and wisdom.
Psalm 27 says it all, Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD! I wonder if God is talking about earthly things or eternal things or maybe both. Matthew Henry’s commentary gives the following explanation on this text.
“What was the belief which supported the psalmist? That he should see the goodness of the Lord. There is nothing like the believing hope of eternal life, the foresights of that glory, and foretastes of those pleasures, to keep us from fainting under all calamities. In the mean time he should be strengthened to bear up under his burdens. Let us look to the suffering Saviour, and pray in faith, not to be delivered into the hands of our enemies. Let us encourage each other to wait on the Lord, with patient expectation, and fervent prayer”.
Paul said in Philippians 1:21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Oh how I know that, yet I need so much grace to be able to say that with my heart and mind. I pray that God will give me that grace when I need it as He has done already so many times under different circumstances. Someone said to me a little while ago “everybody wants to go to Heaven but no one wants to go now” isn’t that the truth, yet I also wonder why people want to go to heaven. Are we truly ready for Heaven? I hope many of you went to church yesterday. I did, and I heard the words from John 3:16 explained to me, making salvation possible for the biggest sinners walking on earth. Please don’t postpone seeking Jesus because today is the day of salvation. Will we see tomorrow? Are we going to see each other again? I do not know and can’t answer that, however, if we repent and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ we will see each other again in Heavenly glory. Oh, what a day that will be.
On December 9, I will write about the visit to our Oncologist and the decision we will make. In the mean time we ask you to pray for me and Henrietta that we will make the right decision on Thursday. We continue to pray for healing, by God all things are possible and we are praying that God will give us grace and help us to carry this load.
Sometimes people say, the news you receive is very discouraging. I think we should look at it in a different light. If this is going be used to Gods honour and glory and used for the saving of sinners it will be a great blessing. We should never forget 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. God’s love is so great that He gave His ONLY Son. If we had only one son would we do that?
God bless you and keep you.
John
Saturday, 3 December 2011
Friday, 2 December 2011
The Benefit of Storms
Your trials may be many and great. Your cross may be very heavy. But the business of your soul is all conducted according to an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things and sure. All things are working together for your good. Your sorrows are only purifying your soul for glory; your bereavements are only fashioning you as a polished stone for the temple above, made without hands. From whatever quarter the storms blow, they only drive you nearer to heaven! Whatever weather you may go through it is only ripening you for the garner of God. Your best things are quite safe.
J.C. Ryle
J.C. Ryle
Thursday, 1 December 2011
10-Inches of water
I just wanted to tell you how well everything is going since I wrote last time. I feel so good and eat and sleep well. I thank the Lord for His amazing Grace. I did get my CT scan yesterday and hope to get the results on Monday December 5 from my Oncologist. I hope to write soon after the results are in.
We thank the Lord and continue to look to Him as we pray for complete healing. Psalm 81 speaks of it clearly " I am the LORD your God, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt. Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it". So I continue the daily journey, looking to Jesus Christ.
I came across a story that I want to share with you.
God Bless you.
John
A boy was sitting on a park bench with one hand resting on an open Bible. He was loudly exclaiming his praise to God.
"Hallelujah! Hallelujah! God is great!" he yelled without worrying whether anyone heard him or not.
Shortly after, along came a man who had recently completed some studies at a local university. Feeling himself very enlightened in the ways of truth and very eager to show this enlightenment, he asked the boy about the source of his joy.
"Hey," asked the boy in return with a bright laugh, "don't you have any idea what God is able to do? I just read that God opened up the waves of the Red Sea and led the whole nation of Israel right through the middle."
The enlightened man laughed lightly, sat down next to the boy and began to try to open his eyes to the "realities" of the miracles of the Bible.
"That can all be very easily explained. Modern science has shown that the Red Sea in that area was only 10-inches deep at that time. It was no problem for the Israelites to wade across."
The boy looked surprised. His eyes wandered from the man back to the Bible laying open in his lap. The man, content that he had enlightened a poor, naive young person to the finer points of scientific insight, turned to go.
Scarcely had he taken two steps when the boy began to rejoice and praise louder than before; "Hallelujah! Hallelujah! God is SO great!". The man turned to ask the reason for this resumed jubilation.
"Wow!" exclaimed the boy happily, "God is greater than I thought! Not only did He lead the whole nation of Israel through the Red Sea, He topped it off by drowning the whole Egyptian army in only 10-inches of water!"
We thank the Lord and continue to look to Him as we pray for complete healing. Psalm 81 speaks of it clearly " I am the LORD your God, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt. Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it". So I continue the daily journey, looking to Jesus Christ.
I came across a story that I want to share with you.
God Bless you.
John
A boy was sitting on a park bench with one hand resting on an open Bible. He was loudly exclaiming his praise to God.
"Hallelujah! Hallelujah! God is great!" he yelled without worrying whether anyone heard him or not.
Shortly after, along came a man who had recently completed some studies at a local university. Feeling himself very enlightened in the ways of truth and very eager to show this enlightenment, he asked the boy about the source of his joy.
"Hey," asked the boy in return with a bright laugh, "don't you have any idea what God is able to do? I just read that God opened up the waves of the Red Sea and led the whole nation of Israel right through the middle."
The enlightened man laughed lightly, sat down next to the boy and began to try to open his eyes to the "realities" of the miracles of the Bible.
"That can all be very easily explained. Modern science has shown that the Red Sea in that area was only 10-inches deep at that time. It was no problem for the Israelites to wade across."
The boy looked surprised. His eyes wandered from the man back to the Bible laying open in his lap. The man, content that he had enlightened a poor, naive young person to the finer points of scientific insight, turned to go.
Scarcely had he taken two steps when the boy began to rejoice and praise louder than before; "Hallelujah! Hallelujah! God is SO great!". The man turned to ask the reason for this resumed jubilation.
"Wow!" exclaimed the boy happily, "God is greater than I thought! Not only did He lead the whole nation of Israel through the Red Sea, He topped it off by drowning the whole Egyptian army in only 10-inches of water!"
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