faith Over Flesh
A Man Who Loved Jesus
Hi everyone! My name is Joel and I’m here to share my Dad’s writings from 2006-2008 as he battled stage 3 stomach cancer. Despite how ill he was, he was so committed to blogging because it was where he poured his heart out to the world about all his battles, defeats, victories, joys and pains.
Building His Kingdom
His story is simply about a man who loved Jesus. “He knew for a while that he was called to full time ministry. But in his mind he thought that meant going to seminary and becoming a pastor. He thought he was never able to live out his calling because of his illness. But it wasn’t until his last days when he realized that he had already been living out his calling through his cancer battle. The cancer was a gift from God so that he can share his life with others.”
Whether you’re Christian or not I just hope this can be an encouragement to anyone who is or has suffered a loss of a loved one, or any sort of life battles.
I’ve always been hesitant about sharing his life in fear of judgement. However, I do know that God did not create testimonies to be hidden. “One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts” — Psalm 145:4.
In the end, my Dad just wanted to point to Christ. It wasn’t about whether he lived or died. It was about saving souls and building his kingdom. Paul expressed, “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” — Philippians 1:21
Perhaps we may never know the greater purposes of God here on earth. I do know for sure that my Dad did not want to waste his cancer, but he also didn’t want any of you to waste it either.
Do take every bit of what he shared during these past 2 years and make them yours so you can all live bold, hopeful, victorious lives.
— Life after loss