You Cannot Reach Paradise Without a Cross

All the children of God have a cross to carry. They have trials, troubles, and afflictions to go through for the Gospel's sake. They have trials from the world, trials from the flesh, and trials from the devil. They have trials of feeling from relations and friends - hard words, hard conduct, and hard judgment. They have trials in the matter of character - slander, misrepresentation, mockery, suggestion of false motives - all these often rain thick upon them. They have trials in the matter of worldly interest. They often have to choose whether they will please people, and lose glory; or gain glory and offend people. They have trials from their own hearts. They have each generally their own thorn in the flesh, which is their worst foe. This is the experience of the children of God. Some of them suffer more, and some less. Some of them suffer in one way, and some in another. God measures out their portions like a wise physician, and cannot err. But never, I believe, was there one child of God who reached paradise without a cross.
J.C. Ryle

God hears the needy when they cry.

The last week has been a remarkable week to say the least. In my last posting I shared with you how our daughters Stephanie and Sophia will undertake a trip to help those in great need at an orphanage in Dominican Republic. God indeed heard the cry of the needy and opened the hearts of people to give in a most abundant way. A Bible verse came to mind today from Malachi 3:10 Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. The girls had hoped to take goods and $1000.

The girls are at the point that they are over the allowable amount of free luggage by air and by the time they leave on April 20 the monetary donations will have far exceeded expectations. It is for that reason we must never think too small of God. He is an amazing God, He indeed hears the needy when they cry. Thank you for opening your hearts and please pray that the huge amount of luggage will travel at no charge with Delta Airlines.

Another miracle is the story that unfolded this week of Jacob and Anja Oosterwijk from Southern Alberta who got lost in the vast back country of British Columbia. Many prayers were made to God for their safe return, including a prayer service, and later a thanksgiving service. God heard the needy when they cried, the cries of their children, loved ones and friends and total strangers. You can read here and watch how the story unfolded. Amazing Grace indeed.

As for myself, God is blessing me too in a remarkable way. I have not had Chemo Therapy treatments since the end of January and feel amazingly well. I will have a CT scan on May 25 and a follow up visit with my Oncologist on May 30 for the results and consultation. Again I am looking forward to hear what the CT scan results will show and we continue to pray for amazing results from an amazing God who gives more grace and blessing each day.

Psalm 72: 12 For he shall deliver the needy when he cries; the poor also, and him that has no helper.

Time and again we can see God’s blessings all around us. I hope you see them too. Please take time to reflect on all your blessings and don’t forget to count the little ones, they are as important as the big blessings.

Thank you for your continued prayers for us. God is good, all the time.

John

In Christ there is no East or West

This blog entry is not about me this time but in support of some very special people in very special circumstances with a very great need. I want to share the story with you.

Mark 14: 7 (Jesus spoke these words) For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you want, you can do good for them. But you will not always have me.

In November of last year, our daughter Stephanie and her husband Chad were privileged to visit and work at a mission called “New Hope Girls Academy” in the Dominican Republic in the small town of La Vega. They were moved by the work that God is doing at this small mission station, but they were also deeply moved by the poverty that the founders, Joy and Vidal are operating in.

Joy and Vidal are living from day to day solely depending on donations for survival. The prayer “Lord give us this day our daily bread” is so real in their lives as they rely on God’s help each day to provide for their needs. Financial and prayer support is desperately needed at this mission station where they care for girls who are in great need of care, food and education.

Joy and Vidal have built a small school to educate these children. The school teacher, who is a Christian, is a registered teacher who has committed to volunteer at the school, she also holds a regular job teaching at the public school. Children without birth certificates are unable to attend Public school. For children without education it is nearly impossible to find employment later in life.

Several years ago, Joy and Vidal left their home in Oregon to answer Gods call to the Dominican Republic. They felt the need to help the less fortunate, rescue the oppressed and most importantly bring the Gospel. They have a family of four lovely children. Joy and Vidal are teaching the local women how to make purses and flip flops with embellishments which they can sell in order to provide for their families.

Being deeply moved by their experience, Stephanie has decided to return on April 20 with Sophia her sister to equip the mission with “fishing rods”. They will be loaded down with extra luggage and transport a near new Serger sewing machine to teach the local women to sew items that can be sold to support their families.

Some people in Canada have designated money towards a feeding program for the 13 children that attend the school and many other much needed supplies. The mission’s goal is to make these families self sufficient and bring the Gospel to a people who are in great need of help and of Christ. Please consider prayerfully to support this mission that is in desperate need of your help. You can visit the website for New Hope Girls Academy here; you can also donate directly online on this website. A short video produced by Joy on New Hope Girls Academy can be viewed here. Feel free to drop Stephanie an email at c.s.hampson@gmail.com or Sophia at vdts@comcast.net they would gladly accept checks or cash to deliver directly to New Hope Girls mission.

As parents we want to give our dear daughters a word of encouragement.
Dear Sophia and Stephanie, as parents we feel blessed that God has laid this on your heart and to have compassion on the poor and needy. Be assured that as always, that we will pray for you, and that you may be a blessing to the people there who are anxiously awaiting your arrival. "Go in peace. The journey on which you go is under the eye of the LORD." (Judges 18:6)
God be with you till we meet again.
Deeply loved
Mom and Dad

In Christ there is no East or West,
In Him no South or North;
But one great fellowship of love
Throughout the whole wide earth.

In Him shall true hearts everywhere
Their high communion find;
His service is the golden cord,
Close binding humankind.

Join hands, then, members of the faith,
Whatever your race may be!
Who serves my Father as His child
Is surely kin to me.

In Christ now meet both East and West,
In Him meet North and South;
All Christly souls are one in Him
Throughout the whole wide earth.

For I know the plans I have for you..........

Plans, we make them every day, even as little as going to the grocery store. Everything is planned; we can’t do without doing some kind of planning in our life. I do the same, although I have to say that my planning does no longer include long term planning like I use to do. Yesterday this again became a reality for me as I plan, hope and pray for certain things, however God has His own plan set out for you and me.

This is the Bible text that caught my attention this morning and again made me aware that everthing is Gods plan, not ours. Jeremiah, 29:11For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Myself and many other people prayed for me to be cured from cancer and I had great hopes that I would hear good news from the Oncologist, however, it was the opposite. As I mentioned in another posting, I had asked for a second opinion on my condition and to be seen by another Oncologist and asked to be sent to the Vancouver Cancer Centre, both requests were granted several weeks ago.

Our visit at the Vancouver centre started with an Oncologist from Australia who is here on a one year visit to study more on cancer. He said "I won’t forget you anymore; you are my first Canadian patient I get to see". He was very thorough and went into great detail with many questions. After one hour another Oncologist joined us, they both had studied the CT scan results and the treatment history of the last year. I was amazed that we were able to spend two full hours with two very nice and knowledgeable Oncologists. It was a very blessed and worthwhile visit where I learned a lot.

I was told that the cancer continues to grow, although not rapidly, there is growth and every time a little adds up to more each day. The Adrenal gland also showed an increase in size, both Oncologists believed that it was due to the cancer having metastasized to this organ. However, no definite conclusion was made and there is little that can be done about it. Surgery is not an option because the other Adrenal gland was taken away in July and every person needs at least one. I was also made aware that Kidney cancer is a cancer that is very unpredictable, able to flare up at any time and able to take over rapidly.

The end result was that I was given several choices. I could go back to my original Oncologist or more Chemo Therapy treatments or two more months without doing anything and take the “wait and see” approach. With the input and approval of both Oncologists I choose the option of two more months of no treatment followed by a CT scan. They both felt that it would be safe to do so; however, if complications would arise I can go in and see them at any time.

I also made the decision to continue my visits at the Vancouver Cancer Centre where I will be treated and/or advised by both these Oncologists. I believe this to be quite unique and see it as a huge blessing to have two Oncologists who are so knowledgeable and caring. This means a little further to travel but I am willing to do that. I must give a big thank you to those who treated me at the Abbotsford Cancer Centre with great care and love. We will continue to pray for the Oncologist at this Cancer centre who tried his utmost to make it all work.

Of course I would have loved to hear a different message from these doctors, but this is the way God is planning it. There must be a purpose and reason, otherwise it would be different. I am much at peace with it, so is Henrietta. No matter how difficult or intense the battle may become, if we enter the battle with Jesus we will always be victorious, even if it means death. 1 Corinthians 15:57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

I know that many wonder how long I will fight this battle with cancer and how long I will possibly live. I can’t answer that question, however, I know and believe that God has this in His hands and I can say “Amen” to the text from Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

But what about you, are you going to see tomorrow? Are you ready to meet your Maker? Don’t take for granted that tomorrow is yours, God may have different plans.

Where you die—when you die—or by what means is scarcely worth a thought, if you do but die in Christ. Roland Hill (1744-1833)

The clip that I posted is one that I used before, I find it a powerful example and worthwhile to watch.
I thank you so much again for showing your cares and prayers in so many ways.

God bless you all.
John

 

Short update on today's CT scan results.

I know that many are waiting for the CT scan test results, therefore I will just write a very short and hope to give more details tomorrow.
We had a 2 hour visit with 2 Oncologists at the same time. It was a very detailed and blessed visit.
The CT scan showed that the cancer is still there and since the last scan in January it showed a slight increase in size of the tumors. It also showed that the Adrenal gland is slightly increased in size.

We and many other people had hoped and prayed for better results. However, I am not disappointed. God is good and blessed us again today with quiet hearts, trusting in the Lord.
I hope to be writing a more detailed posting tomorrow.
Wishing you God’s blessings
John

Lord, teach us to pray.

D. L. MOODY (1837-1899): I had often said that I had rather be able to pray like Daniel than preach like Gabriel. What we want is men that know how to pray, who know how to call down fire from heaven…I tell you, friends, some people’s prayers need to be cut at both ends and set fire to in the middle.

When it comes to prayer there is much to learn, that is why the disciples asked Jesus, Teach us to pray, Luke 11:1
The more I read about prayer the more I learn about prayer. Go here and read under the heading "prayer", what these Godly preachers of the Word had to say about prayer. It will teach you and me much more about prayer.
John

Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
That calls me from a world of care,
And bids me at my Father's throne
Make all my wants and wishes known.
In seasons of distress and grief,
My soul has often found relief,
And oft escaped the tempter's snare
By thy return, sweet hour of prayer!

 

The power of Prayer

Henrietta and I were gone for a couple of days together and thoroughly enjoyed each other and the beautiful spring like weather. Upon return I received an email from a friend that had sent an email to our church family and friends. I want to share this email with you. There is nothing to add, the email says it all.It humbles me, knowing that so many people are praying for me and again will let me down at the feet of Jesus.

In Mark 2: 1-11 we read of one of the many miracles that Jesus performed when He was on earth. We see four friends taking a paralytic man and letting him down on a stretcher through the roof of a building right in front of Jesus while He was teaching the people.
I am looking forward to this evening of prayer and you are invited.

Dear Friends:
On Monday night March 26th we hope to have a time of prayer for our dear Brother John Van Woerden. As we all know John is and has been struggling with cancer in his body for many months and on Wednesday, March 28th, he will get the results of his most recent CAT scan. It has been laid on our hearts that we need to earnestly seek God’s face in faith with the needs of this brother.

We are all exhorted in James 5:13 Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? Let him sing psalms. 14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: 15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. 16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
To us it may seem to be insurmountable odds, to the doctors it may also seem impossible but “For with God nothing shall be impossible..” (Luke 1:37 ) and “And he said, the things which are impossible with men are possible with God”. (Luke 18:27)

 We also know that we have a high priest in heaven that hears our prayers and will answer us if we come to him in faith, believing in his power to save “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16).

We hope to meet at the home of Pete and Trudy Slootweg. Please join us for a time of prayer for John:
When: Monday Night March 26th
Where: 48430 Chilliwack Central Rd. Chilliwack
Time: 7:00PM

Mark 11:24 Therefore I say unto you, What things so ever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.