Weighing Up Hardships
First published 13 August 2013 This post is now incorporated with 22 other similar ‘reflections’ in my book, Facing Cancer with Faith. “I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” So said the apostle Paul in Romans 8:18. Paul, who…
A Lesson From King Asa’s Bad Feet
First published 15 May 2013 This post is now incorporated with 22 other similar ‘reflections’ in my book, Facing Cancer with Faith. I was struck recently by a verse I read in my daily Bible reading. It challenged me personally, but struck me as pertinent to any believer who suffers illness, and, since we all…
What Keeps Me Going?
First published 18 February 2013 This post is now incorporated with 22 other similar ‘reflections’ in my book, Facing Cancer with Faith. I went for some tests – an endoscopy in fact – in hospital the other day. As the nurse was doing the booking in form with me, she was remarking that everything was…
Hardships to Make You Holy
First published 8 October 2012 I have taken recently to reading books by Christians past and present, who suffer and suffered in some way. I guess it’s because I consider myself to be suffering with my illness and the constant battle to stay employed. I know I’m not suffering to the same degree as the…
God is the Way He is
First published 7 September 2012 This post is now incorporated with 22 other similar ‘reflections’ in my book, Facing Cancer with Faith. If we are created by God – and not the other way around – why do we feel like we can challenge, and take exception to, aspects of His character and His work?…
Faith for Diagnosis and Cure
First published 31 August 2012 This post is now incorporated with 22 other similar ‘reflections’ in my book, Facing Cancer with Faith. Very recently the doctors diagnosed that the non-Hodgkins lymphoma, from which I have been free for two years, has returned. As at this point I have some mild symptoms, but nothing that yet…
Thank God I’m Better
First published 11 October 2010 This post is now incorporated with 22 other similar ‘reflections’ in my book, Facing Cancer with Faith. After nearly 2 months in hospital at the beginning of the year, followed by more than 4 months of chemotherapy, I was given the news that my cancer no longer shows up on…
Faith in Hardships is the Same as Saving Faith
First published 25 March 2010 I was brought up in a Christian home, going to church every week. I am very thankful to God for that upbringing. But there came a time, when I was twelve years old, when I consciously committed myself to the Christian faith. That’s, I guess, the time I go back…
Is Christian Comfort ‘Pie in the Sky’?
First published 18 March 2010 This post is now incorporated with 22 other similar ‘reflections’ in my book, Facing Cancer with Faith. Well it’s not quite what I expected to be dwelling on when I started my blog just over 6 months ago, but my thoughts on hardship and suffering as a Christian do seem…
Does Trusting God for Everything Mean We Don’t Need Medicine and Technology?
First published 10 March 2010 If we should have faith in Jesus Christ in everything, including every illness, then why should we do things like medical research and invent things like chemotherapy and antibody treatment for cancer? Doesn’t a reliance on God, through faith in Christ, make us complacent about the problems of this life…