1. The American Cancer Society--www.cancer.org

or call 1-800-ACS-2345

Here you can find all kinds of information on cancer events and late-breaking research news, treatment, support, volunteering to help cancer patients, local ACS chapters in your area, etc.. Also, you can call and speak to a nurse and order informative booklets.

2. The National Cancer Institute's CancerNet--www.cancer.gov

or call 1-800-4-CANCER

This is the best technical cancer source on the Internet--home of the famous PDQ ("Physicians Data Query"--information written for either doctors or patients). Find all about the latest research, types of cancer, treatment, recovery, etc.

3. Oncolink (Univ. of Penn. Cancer Center)--cancer.med.upenn.edu

Check out the survivor stories, artwork, photos, support groups, technical information, links to other cancer sites, etc.

4. Steve Dunn's Cancerguide--cancerguide.org

Very helpful for patients--survival stories, tips on how to research cancer, lots of Internet links, etc.

5. City of Hope--cityofhope.org

Get the latest cancer research information, find out about bone marrow transplantation, and read "bmt" survivor stories (complete with photos). You can also learn about volunteer opportunities, especially the annual "Walk for Hope" against breast cancer.

6. The Susan G. Komen Foundation--www.komen.org

or call (800) I'M AWARE (462-9273)

A user-friendly site where you can read survivor stories and find out what the Susan G. Komen Foundation is doing to help fight breast cancer. You can see a list of national and local activities such as "Race for the Cure." You can find out more about breast cancer, post your own survival story, or order a cute pink ribbon pin.

7. The New Zealand Cancer Society--www.cancersoc.org.nz

or call (0800) 800-426

Get help and support in New Zealand where Daffodil Day is the end of August, and people really get involved.

1. Fighting Cancer by Annette and Richard Bloch. R.A. Bloch Cancer Foundation: Kansas City, MO, 1985.

All sorts of good, practical advice from the co-founder of H & R Block, Inc. Doctors told Mr. Bloch that he should get his affairs in order because he would soon die of terminal lung cancer. He recovered and founded a nonprofit cancer support center at the University of Missouri. Richard also started the famous "PDQ" now on NCI's CancerNet (Internet Homepage).

2. Making the Chemotherapy Decision by David Drum. Lowell House: Los Angeles, 1996.

I wish this book was out when I was first diagnosed. I should have read it before I started chemotherapy. It lists most of the chemo drugs, how they work, side effects, etc. It also tells you what to expect emotionally during and after chemo. Great for patients and their families and friends.

3. It's Always Something by Gilda Radner. Avon Books: New York, 1989.

I really enjoyed this sad, funny, honest book by Gilda, the well-known comedienne who died of "the most unfunny thing in the world"--ovarian cancer--in 1989. Her narrative is easy to follow and interesting. I wish I had met Gilda. Maybe someday I will.

4. Cancer Combat by Dean and Jessica King and Jonathan Pearlroth. Bantam: New York, 1998.

This book is filled with survivor stories by all sorts of cancer patients and tackles topics from bills to treatments to recovery and support.

5. The Climb of my Life by Laura Evans. Harper: San Francisco, 1996.

A mountaineer chronicles her battle with breast cancer and her founding of "Expedition Inspiration," a group that takes recovering breast cancer patients on mountain climbs.

6. No Mountain Too High by Andrea Gabbard. Seal Press, 1998.

Another hiker and breast cancer patient tells her survival story and how she led a group of breast cancer-recovering women to climb the highest mountain in South America.

7. No Time to Die by Liz Tiberis. Little, Brown & Co.: New York, 1998.

A fashion industry leader chronicles her successful battle with ovarian cancer.

8. Eileen's Story by Rosamond Richardson. Element: Rockport, MA, 1997.

The easy-to-read tale of a woman who had "incurable" lymphoma and recovered.

9. When Life Becomes Precious by Elise Babcock. Bantom Doubleday: New York, 1997.

A guide for loved ones and friends of cancer patients, this book gives stories of patients along with advice on what to say and expect when a loved one (or you) hear the diagnosis of cancer. Elise Babcock is an experienced counselor whose father died of cancer.

10. Portraits of Hope: Conquering Breast Cancer. Text by Marcia Stevens. Photography by Nora Feller. Sherril. The Wonderland Press and Smithmark Publishers: New York, 1998.

A beautiful collection of 52 women's stories about surviving breast cancer. Great photographs. Some of the women are celebrities; some are previously unknown. Easy to read and encouraging.

11. Coping with Cancer by John E. Packo. Christian Publications, Inc.: Camp Hill, PA, 1991.

A minister's story of his battle with lymphoma. He gives Biblical perspectives on suffering and healing.

12. Cancer Lives at Our House by Beatrice Hofman Hoek. Baker Books: Grand Rapids, MI, 1997.

A mother recounts her family's reaction to her breast cancer. She gives helpful advice and Biblical insight on how to help family members and friends of cancer patients.

13. Prescription for Nutritional Healing (2nd edition) by James F. Balch, M.D. and Phyllis A. Balch, C.N.C. Avery Publishing Group: Garden City Park, NY, 1997.

A helpful guide to herbal, vitamin, food, and other drug-free remedies and preventatitive treatments. Easy to read and informative--a must for anyone interested in holistic health.

14. PDR for Herbal Medicines (1st edition). Medical Economics Company: Montvale, NJ, 1998.

Everything you wanted to know about herbs--and more. This helpful guide lists chemical properties of herbs, history, habitat, what they're used for, side effects, etc. You may need to look up in a medical dictionary some of the medical terms.

15. The American Medical Association Encyclopedia of Medicine. Charles B. Clayman, M.D., Medical Editor. Random House: New York, 1989.

Do you want to know where the lymph nodes are? See how a CAT-scan works? Learn the difference between a harmless cold and spinal meningitis? This easy-to-use book comes with helpful illustrations and explanations of complicated conditions and medical terms--in everyday English. Everybody should have one. It's not for making your own diagnosis, but it can help you become a lot more informed about your body and the medical world.

16. The Complete Cancer Survival Guide. Peter Teeley and Philip Bashe. Doubleday: New York, 2000.

A comprehensive source book for all types and treatments of cancer. It's thick and full of information--the encylopedia of cancer! Easy to read--a must for all cancer patients and their families.

17. Dr. Susan Love's Breast Book. Susan M. Love, M.D. with Karen Lindsey. Perseus Books: New York, 2000.

All you need to know about breasts, what can go wrong with them, and how to keep them healthy. It has a good section on breast cancer, treatment, and prevention.

18. Women's Health Companion. Susan M. Lark, M.D. Celestial Arts Publishing: Berkeley, CA, 1995.
A general guide to women's health, including diet, lifestyle, exercise, etc.

19. The Breast Cancer Prevention Diet. Dr. Bob Arnot. Little, brown and Company: New York, 1998.

An easy-to-follow diet to help prevent breast cancer (eat the right fats, avoid sugar, and stock up on fresh vegetables!).

20. It's Not About the Bike: My Journey Back to Life by Lance Armstrong and Sally Jenkins, 2002.

The many-time Tour d'France winner candidly discusses his cancer and treatment, including medical procedures, workouts, and the road to recovery as a world-class athlete.

21. Childhood Cancer Survivors: A Practical Guide to Your Future by Nancy Keene and others, 2000.

The author gives much helpful information about the physical, emotional, psychological, and social aspects of cancer in young people. It includes a helpful section on the long-term effects of chemotherapy, and even a little book where you can keep information about the drugs and other aspects of your treatment.

22. Hannah's Gift: Lessons from a Life Fully Lived by Maria Housden, 2002.

A mother chronicles the death of her three-year-old daughter to cancer. Little Hannah lived fully, dancing in her glittery red shoes in the hospital room. Hannah brought joy to all she touched. This book will bring comfort to anyone troubled by loss.

1. A Woman's Guide to Breast Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment by The California Department of Health Services (no date). Order from Breast Cancer Treatment Options, Medical Board of California, 1426 Howe Ave., Suite 54, Sacramento, CA 95825 or FAX requests to (916) 263-2479.

Find out, in this short booklet, about essential breast cancer detection, treatment, and support (with phone numbers, address, and helpful illustrations).

2. Chemotherapy and You by the National Cancer Institute (Publication No. 94-1136), July, 1993.

This booklet explains how basic chemotherapy treatments work, their possible side effects, and precautions you should take while undergoing treatment.

3. Taking Time by the National Cancer Institute (Publication No. 94-2059), December, 1993.

Written for patients, their families, and their friends, this booklet discusses helpful ways to deal with doctors and hospitals, emotional needs, exercise, stress, family issues, self-image, and long-term recovery.

1. Living with Cancer: A Message of Hope VHS video by Wellspring Media, 2000.

Narrated by Anne Bancroft, in which cancer patients and professionals discuss the disease and how they survived. It even has jokes by a cancer surviving comedian.

2. Between Us VHS video by Mary Katzke, 1998.

A support group for women with breast cancer. Survivors share their stories.

3. No Hair Day: Laughing (and Crying) Our Way Through Breast Cancer VHS video by WGBH Boston, 2001.

Three breast cancer patients share their own stories of treatment, wigs, and emotions. They show how cancer isn't always frowning.

1. Read the Bible (Psalm 23 really helped me--I memorized it and repeated
it to myself at 3:10 a.m. when I couldn't sleep)

2. Pray (a lot!)

3. Don't worry (yeah, right, easy to say and hard to do--but check out
Philippians chapter 4 in the New Testament)

4. Reach out for help from family, friends, church, health care workers,
etc. (Don't be shy! Don't be afraid to ask for help! You know the "squeaky
wheel" saying. Stay in touch--don't crawl away and hide in bed.)

5. Stay on top of your own treatment (do your own research, get second or
third opinions, check out alternatives, be firm--it's your body and your
life!)

6. Don't push yourself too hard (take a break, relax, listen to music,
swim, hike in the mountains, watch T.V., eat chocolate, whatever. Enjoy
life--you still can!)

7. Get involved with a cancer support group--it's so important to realize
you're not the only one with cancer (share your feelings and trials with
other people who know what you're talking about)

8. Keep a journal of your experiences and feelings (yes, write these things
down--even if it's just a few words or sentences once a week)

9. Laugh! (that's so good for you! Find the funny aspects of your
predicament--like when you were baking cookies with your wig on, got too
close to the oven, and singed your fake bangs)

10. Remember, cancer can be beat! (I know the grammar's wrong there) Many
people have survived. Keep that all-important positive attitude. What
you're going through won't last forever! There really is a light at the end
of the tunnel, a sunrise coming, a new hope (you can tell I'm a Christian
and believe in the resurrection and heaven, and even a happy ending,
but--hey--that's who I am)

If you've read my book, you know what I learned while battling cancer--and what mistakes I made. Since I am, after all, a teacher, I'll give you an outline of some of my more important discoveries:

***Do the three-step screening for breast cancer: monthly self-exams, regular mammograms, and yearly doctor exams. My self-exam saved my life! By the way, men get breast cancer, too.

***If you find an unusual lump in your body, get a doctor to check it out. Don't wait. Remember, a biopsy is usually the only way to know for sure if you have cancer. People in the medical profession can be very caring, wise, and effective. Don't be afraid of them.

***Maintain control over your own medical treatment. Do your own research. Get second and third opinions if necessary. Don't let doctors, other medical personnel, family, friends, or anyone intimidate you, stall, or force a particular treatment. They're only human, too, and they can make mistakes. It's your body and your illness, so take charge!

***Fight cancer with all you've got. Don't let well-meaning family members, friends, or anyone else put you in the grave before you're ready. Fight until you believe, in your heart, you've done everything possible--and even impossible. Doctors and nurses will tell you they've seen miracles--cancer patients who were told they had six months to live are still alive years later. Even chemotherapy might not be right for you--everything has its side effects, and you must weight the cost of the cure.

***Consider using herbs, diet, and/or other alternative treatments and preventatives. Visit your local health food store or look in the yellow pages for a holistic healer, herbalist, or nutritionist. I recommend this as an addition to conventional medical treatment, not necessarily a substitute.

***Reach out for help--to God, family, friends, the Internet, the bookstore, the library, the medical profession, etc.

***Through everything, stay close to the ones your love--your spouse, children, brothers, sisters, parents, cousins, aunts, uncles, friends, etc.

***Go to a cancer support group. You'll discover that you're not the only one who feels the way you do. You can exchange stories and learn more about cancer, treatments, family issues, side effects (physical, emotional, and mental), etc. . Besides, you can relax, drink coffee, eat snacks, and sit in a comfortable chair for an hour or two.

***It might be wise to wait three years after having chemotherapy before you try to conceive a child.

***Don't isolate yourself and plunge into depression. People can help you. Many people survive cancer--learn to see the positive and not the negative.

***Remember that the actual physical treatment may be, in some ways, easier than the emotional, mental, and spiritual recovery that follows. If you get anxiety attacks, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder, seek help--from family, friends, counselors, the medical profession, etc.

***Life continues after cancer--celebrate life!

***Look for ways to reduce stress in your life. Pray (or meditate)--a lot. Listen to music or watch videos. Take naps. Walk in the country. Go out to lunch. Sing or dance. Don't just rush, work, and worry all the time.

***It wouldn't hurt to read and memorize inspirational verses (I recommend the Bible).

"Weeping my endure for a night,
but joy comes in the morning. (Psalm 30:5b)

My husband Edd Williams has helped me edit this book, and he could have written much of it. I thought you might like to read some of his own words about our ordeal. Here is an excerpt from our family newsletter, The Nag (July 1, 1996):

How we have been dealing with cancer:

Perhaps you can imagine (or maybe you already know?) what it is like to have cancer suddenly intruding on the family peace and harmony. . . .

A person starts to wonder what he or she did wrong. Maybe it was diet, or maybe some other bad habit? But in my wife's case, there is no right or wrong, no place to put the blame. My wife is one of those people who eats cheese & cucumber sandwiches, rather than cheese & ham. She hardly drinks coffee, and not much tea. She drinks more water in a day than I do in a month, thanks to my preference for soft drinks. Lonna by far eats more vegetables and fruits than she does meat. She drinks juice and never has alcohol. If you didn't already know that she is a born-again Christian, you'd almost guess that she is, just by her way of life, her diet, and the care she gives to her "temple" that is her earthly body.

During her chemo treatments, Lonna and I met a couple named Lori and Jeff, both in their early 40's. Lori started smoking when she was 19 and was recently diagnosed with lung cancer. In her case, cancer was probably a consequence of her lifestyle.

Anyway, Lori was undergoing chemo just like Lonna. But a few weeks later, Lori found out that she has a tumor in her brain. Suddenly, she was on the "unlikely to recover" list. Within a few more weeks, she found out that she has several tumors in her brain, too many to operate or treat. She has nine months to a year to live.

Dealing with cancer has led both me and Lonna to several serious revelations. I'd like to share six of them with you.

Firstly, the threat of death can cause a person to reevaluate rather quickly what's really important in life. I know that you have heard this before, but let me share what has happened in our case.

Lonna and I have been working very hard the past three years, week in and week out, because we have been wanting our home to prosper for our children. We both have had good health, so why not? She was teaching 4-5 classes a semester and taking the summers off (8-10 classes a year, which is close to a full-time schedule), and I was teaching my usual 8 per semester and 2-3 in the summer (18-19 a year). I was (and still am) plodding away in the yard, building rock walls and planting trees and shrubs. Soon, I'll have the concrete walkways in and will finally be able to plant the large lawn I have been tractoring/tilling and grading and preparing for two-plus years. We have visions of a nice "little" nest, more perfect than the one we already enjoy with our whole hearts, thanks to our children, our tender and blessed marriage, and primarily the grace of our Lord Jesus.

But facing the prospects of cancer and of a death caused by cancer have made us think hard about TODAY. We started to appreciate even more than we already did the value of "the moment" and what we already have.

"For what is life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time

and then vanishes away" (James 4:14).

I know that many of you know what I mean, but for those of you who can't seem to stop looking at the horizon, I would remind you of how fleeting and fragile life really is. I can't tell you how happy I am knowing that every time I look at my son or daughter or step-children or wife, it is a little celebration of what has become more important than all the nicely landscaped "estates" in the whole world. Lonna and I have come to appreciate this difficult trial because we know in our hearts that the Lord was asking both of us as a couple (as one flesh) to understand the simplest of lessons: value the moment and all the gifts that He has given us. It is a lesson in faith and worship by placing all our trust in Him.

Secondly, the Lord has helped Lonna and me to become closer. Maybe you have heard this one before too, but I am hoping that my words might reach into the hearts of my former students and current friends and family who may have lost faith in the institution called marriage.

Perhaps our marriage would be inevitably better each year thanks to our love for each other. But it turns out that enduring a hardship together can bring a great deal of patience, tenderness, and sacrifice into an already vibrant marriage.

I didn't go through the chemo, of course. But I did go through the process of chemo, and I watched its effects on Lonna. I watched as the nurses pricked her wrists with needles and tubes. The nurses, using bags of chemicals, wore protective garments that made it look like they were getting ready for full-body X-rays. I watched the strangely colored liquids drain into Lonna's veins. I watched her wince in pain.

In our home, in the evenings during her first two treatments, I brushed her hair as it fell out in clumps, then finally cut it all off, close to her scalp. And in the nights, month after month, I listened to her breathing, watched her sleep, and counted each moment as if it might be one of our last together. I appealed to the Lord in silence, and I learned the meaning of trusting fully in God.

I have watched my wife in illness and in recovery. I have watched her with our children and have glimpsed a mother's love. It is true, I saw fear in her eyes sometimes, but then I witnessed her trust in the Lord and the tearful smile that comes with loving Him. It is something like standing on the edge of a cliff and waiting for the wind to blow you off. You could almost feel the whip of air. But then you look down and you see the great hand of God ready to caress you and lift you above the clouds.

"Let not mercy and truth forsake you;

Bind them around your neck;

write them on the tablet of your heart. . . .

. . .Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

and lean not unto your own understanding;

In all your ways acknowledge Him,

and He shall direct your paths.

Do not be wise in your own eyes;

Fear the Lord and depart from evil.

It will be health to your flesh,

and strength to your bones." (Proverbs 3:5-8)

All of the evidence isn't in yet. Cancer may yet return. But it would be the mind and heart of a fool who would blame God. For we do not know God's realm.

Thirdly, the Lord has helped us to understand the idea of stewardship. God has taught us that we own nothing. We are only caretakers. All that we have comes from God, and all that we have goes back to Him.

Several consequences can be had if you were to accept this idea of stewardship into your life. To begin with, nothing would be all that important to you again, nothing like cars or boats, anyway. Oh sure, it is nice to prosper, to have "things" that make this world a little easier to tolerate and enjoy. My home, for instance, is something I value and want to improve. I want to plant more trees, add sidewalks, and perhaps add-on several rooms. But if I lost my house for whatever reason, I would still love God more than any "thing" in this world. Which is why the idea of stewardship is so important: If you lose a few dollars in the stock market, or if you lose your life savings, so what? Our job as human beings is not to invest in the "things" of this world, or at least not to rely so greatly on them. Our job as human beings is to invest in things eternal and to worship God, with thanksgiving. He will honor the man or woman who trusts completely in Him.

It occurs to me now that some of you may be facing something quite a bit more difficult than cancer. Perhaps the loss (or potential loss) of a child or friend. Accidents happen; diseases happen. If God is such a great God, then why do such horrible things happen?

This brings me to a fourth revelation: God is a sovereign God, and we cannot know His business.

I have heard people complain that the death and destruction in the world would not happen if God were really merciful. But I have come to see that the evil in the hearts of men and women is the root of all the ugliness in this world. If God had made dutiful robots instead of free-willed men and women, then it's obvious that there would be no death or sin or ugliness anywhere because we would all help each other.

But God made men and women who could choose freely whether or not to receive the salvation of the cross, or to reject it. "I am the way," said Jesus Christ. "No one comes to the Father except by me" (John 14:6). This is the truth of the cross: that Jesus died for your sins, even though He himself was without sin. And unless you believe in Him and confess your faith to others, you cannot be saved, no matter how "good" your works; no matter how kind your actions.

I have shared this "one way" gospel with many people, and I must confess that many people do not like it. There was a time in my life when I actually hated the idea of a God who provided only one way to Him. I thought Christians were arrogant, narrow-minded fools who believed they and they alone had a corner on the truth. "What about all the other people of the world who believe differently?" and "That's not fair!" I would say.

But now, I appreciate the facts of the gospel:

"For God so loved the world that He gave

His only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in Him

should not perish but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)

And I appreciate the fact that the natural man and the world itself not only hates God's Word but counts it as foolishness. Consider these two scriptures:

"The preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness;

but unto us which are saved it is the power of God" (I Cor 1:18)

"The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God:

for they are foolishness to him: neither can he know them

because they are spiritually discerned." (I Cor 2:14)

I'm not sure how I made the decision three years ago to commit my life to Christ, except that He called my heart into His faith. He must be the reason, because I had a skeptical mind and a hard heart when I considered God. But now, I pray several times a day for the Lord to keep me humble and appreciative of what He has given me--not only my family, but my faith. Lonna's cancer has made this humility and thanks-giving more acute and more real. And I am learning how to give more of myself for the cause of Christ's lovingkindness. May I encourage you to do the same? There is great peace and contentment when you surrender to the voice of the Lord in your heart.

This simple idea of humility and stewardship has lead me to a fifth revelation: our home is not just for Lonna and me and our children.

Someday, I may have that nice lawn and lots of tall trees, shrubs, and flowers. But it all belongs to God and to His sheep. Lonna and I feel that we are growing stronger in our faith the way a well-planted tree grows stronger at its base. I think here of Psalm 1:1-3

Blessed is the man who walks

not in the counsel of the ungodly,

nor stands in the path of sinners,

nor sits in the seats of the scornful;

But his delight is in the law of the Lord,

and in His law he meditates day and night.

He shall be like a tree

planted by the rivers of water,

that brings forth its fruit in its season,

whose leaf also shall not wither,

and whatever he does shall prosper.

And I think of Psalm 127:1:

Except the Lord build the house,

they labor in vein that build it.

Lonna and I know that we are standing on the cornerstone, which is Christ Jesus our Lord, and as a Christian couple we know that we have been given the trial of cancer because the Lord has plans for us. We are not quite sure yet what the Lord has in store for us beyond our responsibilities to our children, immediate families, and our church family. And while we are enjoying "the moment," we can't help but feel that the Spirit of God is directing our path toward some other work. As time goes by, I will let you know as we ourselves find out where that path may lead.

And finally, as a sixth revelation, I have come to understand what it is like to be a good husband.

I didn't have any good models in my life. My dad (God rest his soul) was a dutiful and proud man and a good provider for the most part, but he had a hard time showing his love to his wife and his five children. And I suppose that his three sons (including me) learned how to be just as dutiful, and just as inept.

But "hard" people can change. They grow in wisdom and surrender themselves to a higher ideal. They learn to say, "I love you" in other ways than casual words or stern behavior. They learn that every single gesture and behavior, day in and day out, are the expressions of their love. If love truly is in their hearts, then their actions will reveal that love. For what a man does is more important than what he does or does not say.

Forgive me. I am spilling over, or maybe I should say, "My mouth runneth over." But I share these things because, well--Who knows? Maybe tomorrow, your spouse or best friend will find out that he or she has cancer. Or maybe you won't be as fortunate as Lonna and I have been. Maybe instead of finding out that you or someone you love has cancer, you will simply lose your loved one. Maybe this is the last letter I will ever write and so this is the last chance that I will ever have to confess my faith and to share with you the mystery of the cross.

None of us has a guarantee.

But all of us have the hope of eternal life with Christ. As Paul said,

"For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." (Phil 1:21)

If you truly believe in heaven and the eternal presence of God, then how can you complain about this rather temporary and oft-times dreary place called earth? Oh sure, there is much joy in our life here, especially if it includes friends and family. But how much more awaits us if we know where we will spend eternity?

Do you know Jesus Christ as your personal savior? If so, then I am so glad to know that we will share in an eternal light!

But if you are not sure, my friend, then I would ask you to search your heart and listen. Do you feel the nagging pull of God's Spirit tugging at your heart? Or do you sense that something is calling you toward Christ? Don't resist it, my friend. It may never happen this way again. NOW IS THE DAY OF SALVATION.

There is no rhyme or reason to the mystery of the cross, but it is a gift from God that is yours through His grace and your faith in Him. As the Bible teaches us in Ephesians 2: 1-9:

And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins,

in which you once walked according to the course of this world,

according to the prince of the power of the air,

the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience,

among whom also we all once conducted ourselves

in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh

and of the mind, and were by nature

children of wrath, just as the others.

But God, who is rich in mercy,

because of His great love with which He loved us,

even when we were dead in trespasses,

made us alive together with Christ

(by grace you have been saved),

and raised us up together, and made us sit together

in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,

that in the ages to come

He might show the exceeding riches of His grace

in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

For by grace you have been saved, through faith,

and that not of yourselves;

it is the gift of God,

not of works, lest any man should boast.

The gospel message is simple: He was born of a virgin; He lived on this earth and was tempted in all ways, yet was without sin; and even though he was sinless, he was crucified, and his shed blood became the salvation of the entire world; on the third day, he rose again from the dead, and in the power of the resurrection, He gained victory over death for all of us!

And now in this world, his Holy Spirit calls us onto Him, comforts us, teaches us, scolds us, directs us, even heals us, if that is His will.

This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He hath sent" (John 6:29)

--believe in Jesus, ask Him sincerely into your heart, and then believe. Let your faith carry on. Pray daily, first thing in the morning, last thing at night, and several times in between. Ask Him to strengthen you and to help you to grow in faith. Read the Word of God. Perhaps begin with the Gospel of John, and read the Psalms. Get yourself into a Bible-believing church or study group.

Be ye not conformed to the ways of this world,

but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind,

that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable,

and perfect will of God. (Romans 12:2)

I am not talking about all those "thou shalt not's"; I do not advocate legalism, like not eating certain meats or going to church because you must. No. I am talking about the quote at the bottom of page two of this letter. "Write them (His Mercy and Truth) on the tablet of your heart." In His grace will you find a great love and a wonderful peace, and in His word will the Spirit of God give you direction.

I hope that you will write to me. I hope that you will tell me about how God is blessing you, or at least how God is nagging you. What is happening in your life? Will you write to me and let me know?

Now you know why I decided to name my newsletter "The Nag." I am hoping that these twice-a-year letters will remind you that someone is praying for you, someone cares enough to send you a letter about happiness and mercy and God's salvation plan. Life in the Lord is so wonderful, even when cancer not only knocks on the door of the house, but lets itself in. As God's word teaches us in Romans 8:31,

"What shall we then say to these things?

For if God is for us, who can be against us?"