This is uncharted territory...but should be fun since knowing and speaking English gives me a head start. But where to begin?
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Perry's Story
I was diagnosed with Large B-Cell Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma this past November,2007- and went through seven months of chemotherapy. It's been an up and down roller coaster of emotions and thoughts since then. I pretty much figured my life was over and death was just around the corner. But thankfully, I responded well to the treatments, and the cancer is in remission for now.
Life takes on a whole new meaning when faced with the possibility of its ending. Yet we all have to face death eventually, some of us sooner than later. The old saying, “For everything there is a time…a time to give birth and a time to die.” 1 still stands true.
The June before my 17th birthday I was also wondering about such things, what my purpose was for existing and what would happen to me if I were to die. Maybe such thoughts crossed my mind because the neighbor across the street from our home in
One night sitting out under a clear star filled sky, I looked up to the heavens and asked,
God, if you’re up there, I’d really like to know for sure. Please show me why I’m here. I’m not sure about who Jesus is and how he might fit into the picture... I know I’m not following Him but would like to. I’d also like to be sure about life after death.
I was asking a lot, but the answers to my earnest prayer came just a month later at a youth meeting. Every July hundreds of teens would descend on Winona Lake, Indiana from all over the mid-west. It was a great place to meet new friends. After work, I’d hop in our family’s little wooden motorboat and cross the lake to the conference grounds. One afternoon, I joined a group of guys playing basketball who ended up inviting me to the evening youth meeting.
That night, they walked me in to a large post and beam auditorium, furnished with long wooden benches and sawdust floors. Going down the bench first, I ended up the middle of the pew so I was stuck for the evening. I had never been to a meeting like it before -enthusiastic singing, humorous skits, followed by a good speaker.
Incredibly, the speaker spoke about the very things I had asked: how to know there was a God, who Jesus was, how Jesus paid the bill for my sin and then rose again from the dead. He spoke about how to follow Him, and how to be sure about life after death! Hearing this good news, I put my trust in what he said, and told God I was sorry for bad things I had done. I would follow Jesus as Lord of my life from then on.
As I traveled back across the lake toward home, my heart was overflowing with joy. I now knew that God was with me and that things were set right. My sins, which were many, were forgiven. I was freed from the fear of death and nothing would separate me from my new Friend and His love. In following Him, I found my purpose in life.
That wonderful day was long ago. Since then, life sure has had its mix of joys and sorrows. This cancer and its treatments have certainly been one of the greatest challenges yet. But through it all, I know that God is good and knows what is best.
If you are facing a major challenge these days, may you know that God is there for you. He loves you and desires your friendship, love and obedience. For those who trust in Him, Jesus promises:
"I am the resurrection and the life; the one trusting in Me will live even if he dies." (John 11:25)
and
"In the house of my Father there are many rooms. If it were not so, I would have told you because I go to prepare a place for you. So if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again and take you to myself, that where I am you also might be." (John 14:2-3)
Under Construction
He who began the good work in you will continue to bring it to an end. -Philippians 1:6
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