What Cancer Can NOT Do
What Cancer Can NOT Do Read More »
Physical Health
How Do You Live?
Acts 17:28: For in him we live and move and have our being.
“Every woman on my dad’s side of the family has died of breast cancer except me,” a lady told me as I drove her to the airport.
I gulped before I answered. She was a miracle of God’s grace and mercy. I wondered what work God has in store for her on earth.
I told her I’m also a miracle of God’s grace and mercy. Twelve years ago I went through breast cancer treatment. Prior to my diagnosis, two cousins had died of breast cancer. My work on earth is not yet finished either.
My medical oncologist who oversaw my chemotherapy treatment had lymphoma, but she was fully alive and fully involved in the treatment of all of her patients.
The Battle (Satan vs. Christ)
When Jesus was taken down from the cross,
Satan called his counselors in.
He called the meeting to order and looked own at the three,
And the first that he called on was Sin.
“Oh Sin, you’ve let me down this time.
Why couldn’t you pull Him away?
For thirty-three years you tried, and you failed.
Not once did He falter or stray.
Then He picked you up like a little whipped pup
And took you to Calvary with Him.
Then He knocked you down with one single punch
And paid for the sins of all men.”
The Battle (Satan vs. Christ) Read More »
The Poet’s Sonnet (A Withered Leaf)
A withered leaf upon a bough
Held fast against the wind,
Doctors passed and learned men,
But none had time to spend.
Yet someone stands with pen in hand
To write the things he sees,
That all the world might see the leaf
And feel the Autumn breeze.
I cannot take a dying child
And help her find relief,
But I can see the hand of God
Upon a withered leaf.
The world beholds what greatness brings,
But poets see the little things.
Copyright 2000, Bob H. Cook.
All rights reserved.
Used by Permission
All rights reserved.
Used by Permission
Used by permission.
The Poet’s Sonnet (A Withered Leaf) Read More »
We Must Have Grown Up In Our Sleep (reflection on Wisdom & Aging)
It seemed to mark the end of summer,
The school bell rang and it was gone.
So many friends to share the moment,
How the days drug oil and on!
We didn’t know that we were changing.
We thought today was ours to keep.
Lord, what happened to tomorrow.
We must have grown up in our sleep.
Mary smiled, and my heart fluttered,
So many things I never said.
But the kisses that I dreamed of
Were for someone else instead.
Puppy love may be for children,
But the hurt goes just as deep.
We Must Have Grown Up In Our Sleep (reflection on Wisdom & Aging) Read More »
I Just Ain’t Got the Time (Do you want to be healed?)
A Study of John 5:1-16
The city of Jerusalem was in full bloom, for it was a religious festive day. Its streets were full of excitement as pilgrims from all over the known world, came to perform their religious duties. Many were in awe as they viewed the majestic temple of that era. I can hear, a parent saying to their son, “My child, the great I AM resides in that building!”
But as the mesmerized masses were focusing on the wondrous
Work build by human hands. God incarnated (John 1:1-4, 14) was entering through the back entrance of the city appropriately called the Sheep gate, for this is where the livestock were herded into the great city. We are told that near this gate was a pool of water called Bethesda (House of Mercy). And it was at this pool that laid a multitude of those who were sick, blind, lame, and withered. For it was believed that an angel of the Lord would at certain times stir up the water; whoever then first after the stirring up of the water, stepped in was made well
It was there that Jesus noticed a man who had been ill thirty-eight years.
One can only imagine what was going through this mans mind, when Jesus entered into his little world of shattered dreams. Over the years he had come to terms with his lot in life, and there was no reason to believe this day would be any different from the previous ones. But God has a way of changing one’s world in a twinkling of an eye and this day would prove to be the greatest moment of this man’s life.
We read that, When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he had already been a long time in that condition, He said to him. “Do you wish to get well?” John 5:6
INTIMACY
Let’s not forget that this man was just one of a great multitude, but when Jesus saw him He knew (aware of the truth) that he had been stuck in this
I Just Ain’t Got the Time (Do you want to be healed?) Read More »
Afraid to Die, Suffer, Loose
Psalm 23:4a RSV
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for thou art with me.
There are very few Americans, believers included, who are simply (if they were honest enough to admit it) petrified to die. It’s why “staying young” is a multi-billion dollar industry. Plastic surgery, health care, exercise clubs… even the insistence that 50 is now the new 40!
We are afraid to die.
But I was ready something this morning in Spurgeon that hit a note with me:
Afraid to Die, Suffer, Loose Read More »
I am God!
My children, I am the Creator of ALL, and ALL power originates with ME!
There is no power in heaven or on earth that is able to thwart My purposes for your life as you yield to Me. NONE!
Have I not promised that as you seek Me, you will find Me, when you seek Me with all of your heart? Have I not said to ask, and you will receive? Ask then, and let your hearts run wild and your imagination run vagabond, for you cannot plumb the depths of My planning and provision for My own.
How Do I Say Good-Bye?
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned or scorched, nor will the flame kindle upon you. Isaiah 43:2 NIV84
The tears ran down my cheeks in never-ending rivers, as congestion choked off my breathing and and rage threatened to overwhelm me. “Why can’t I just be calm?” I cried out to Jesus!
I thought I had peace in my heart about my impending Mom’s death before she was gone, but now that it had become a reality and the Lord had called her Home, there seemed to be no end to the waves of anxiety, depression, rage, despair, agitation, frustration, and every other emotion but calm that seemed to be rushing at me. I could not understand why, with so much faith in God, and knowing that I had not wanted my beloved mother to suffer, I was so angry now. Then my pastor called to ask me how I was doing, and I honestly shared with him the truth. He prayed that I would allow the Holy Spirit to comfort me in my grieving, and that I would find the acceptance of the Truth that my mother is now in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. That is when it hit me: I was angry at God because I wanted Mom to stop suffering, but I had wanted her to stop suffering here! The Lord had not done things my way, and so I was not accepting her death. And because I was in denial, the rage I was experiencing was preventing me from entering into the loving arms of my Saviour to surrender my emotions to Him. Without that surrender, I could not find peace.
How Do I Say Good-Bye? Read More »