Ever since reading this summary of the gospel in Dever and Alexander’s book, The Deliberate Church, Crossway Books, 2005, 221 pages), I have sought to be all the clearer in my presentation of the gospel to unbelievers and in my teaching of the gospel to our new member classes.

This from 8.15.05 in my journal.

The final week of treatment, Lord willing. I can see the finish line. Had visitors today. Someone recited John 14 from the ESV, flawlessly. What an encouragement that was. Someone stopped by with food for Nancy. Someone else brought the video of the OGC service to the house.

James says pure and undefiled religion before God is to visit widows and orphans in their distress (1:27). I counted the endless stream of folks who visited this pastor in his cancer distress as a certain pure and undefiled religion that I will not soon forget.

Another insight. I went in and out of the hospital five times that year. Some of those stays lasted multiple days. Since that time I have never taken hospital visitation as a pastor lightly or as something to begrudge.

Every visit to my hospital bed or the couch in the family room meant the world to me in my suffering. Thanks to all who showed such mercy and kindness in our season of need!

Still home this morning. Feeling a bit stronger. Hope to make it in to the office after lunch.

This entry from my journal of 8.13.05 reminds me how much prayer can be a part of a season of suffering in a believer’s life.

One day closer. Vomited twice. Mucous is constant. Today I get my final tumor bed radiation treatment. Now things will be able to heal. After this, three neck treatments and I am done. I just want it to be over. Strengthen me, Lord. It has been so long since I have felt well. May this season come to a close soon.

It felt like I “rowed” on the stormy sea forever. But Jesus did get into the boat and take me to the other side. I’m grateful.

At home today battling my periodic nemesis, CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome). It beats cancer, as this entry from 8.12.05 from my journal testifies.

Some days seem unbearably long. These last two weeks just drag on. It seems like it will never be over. But the end draweth nigh. I just have to persevere by God’s grace. . . . Not a good night’s sleep between mucous and not being able to breathe well. Not sure whether to fire my tongue or my nose for poor performance! Both maybe.

At least the Lord helped me keep my sense of humor, not to say my life as well.

Here are the eight marks of a fully devoted follower of Jesus as distilled from the Scriptures as best I see it.

· Pursues his joy in God by abiding in Christ through the practice of spiritual disciplines
· Manifests his godliness of character by obeying God’s word through the power of His Spirit
· Fulfills his roles in society by embracing God’s design for functioning in each of the ordained spheres – home, church, and state
· Shares his faith with unbelievers by engaging them through a wise combination of gracious words and merciful works
· Does his part in global missions by maximizing his investment through praying, sending, and/or going
· Accomplishes his ministry to others by using his gift(s) in the domain(s) of God’s calling
· Manages his resources from God by utilizing them according to the principles of biblical stewardship
· Demonstrates his love for believers by engaging in fellowship through keeping the covenants of church membership

May we give ourselves regularly to the kind of self-examination that measures our commitment to follow Jesus in terms that the Scriptures prescribes.

Some posts in my journal along the path of treatment of head and neck cancer were decidedly mundane. This from 8.11.05.

Radiation resumed yesterday. I had to take a 2 1/2 hour nap in the afternoon. It wipes me out. Had some nausea but not too bad. It was a fairly uneventful day except for the fact that I moved one day closer to finishing treatment for this horrible disease. Thank you, Father.

In retrospect, a fairly uneventful day in the fight against so formidable an enemy was a good day indeed. Any day without cancer is a great day for sure.

More in the morning romance, this from D. A. Carson.

To think that rebellious, self-centered mortals become children of God, increasingly mirroring his character, and one day enjoying the unclouded bliss of a perfect existence in the presence of the Triune God–this could not possibly be the fruit of our own endeavors. Rather, Christ is glorified, he receives the praise that is his due, as we are glorified, as we are conformed to his likeness. On the last day, Jesus Christ will be glorified in us on account of what we have become by his grace, and we will be glorified in him on account of what he has done for us.

From A Call to Spiritual Reformation, Baker, 1992, p. 59.

This, again, in the morning romance, one of many prayers for the day.

Oh, Father, help me trust in your magnanimous heart of love and not shrink back in faithless fear.

In Jesus name, amen.