Where Shall We Turn in Times of Doubt?
First published 21 May 2010 Times of doubt A while ago I wrote to encourage those who are worried that they don’t have strong enough faith. I was, to be honest, concerned that my previous reflections may be overly dogmatic, and end up discouraging those who read and say, “I still don’t get it!” I…
What is Prayer?
First published 5 May 2010 “Do not be anxious about anything,” says Paul, “but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” (Philippians 4:6) James writes, “Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray.” (James 5:13) If we turn to Matthew 26, when Jesus was “sorrowful and troubled”…
For the Encouragement of Faithful Doubters
First published 7 April 2010 Some people seem to have rock solid faith. They talk about God, Jesus, and the world, as if they see things with absolute clarity and as if nothing is going to shake them. This can be disturbing for people for whom things are not so clear. They feel like they…
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…
Should the Prognosis Affect Me?
First published 3 March 2010 This post is now incorporated with 22 other similar ‘reflections’ in my book, Facing Cancer with Faith. I was arguing in the last two posts that statistics should not make us despondent or complacent, because our God is above the statistics and has, in any case, assured His people a…
Hardships Eclipsed by the Glory to Come
First published 25 January 2010 This post is now incorporated with 22 other similar ‘reflections’ in my book, Facing Cancer with Faith. Last time I wrote I was reflecting on how cancer treatment statistics could affect my approach and attitude to life. I concluded that only faith in Jesus Christ could provide an antidote to…
Where Do I Put my Trust?
First published 17 February 2010 This post is now incorporated with 22 other similar ‘reflections’ in my book, Facing Cancer with Faith. This is being written while I am still in hospital (although I will publish it some time later), now more than a week after being told about my lymphoma. Sometimes the days are…
Hardships Develop Comforters
First published 11 February 2010 This post is now incorporated with 22 other similar ‘reflections’ in my book, Facing Cancer with Faith. I am writing again in my hospital bed, only a week or so after I first wrote of my illness in the 3rd article in this series. It is now Sunday 31st January…