When I began radiation treatment for my cancer, I discovered what it was like to walk through the valley of the shadow of death. As I spent weeks without eating solid food, I began to realize that the physical and emotional trauma coming my way could only be met by taking the hand of the Lord and walking with Him. Even so, being led through the valley of the shadow is frightening. Its uncertainties keep you alert to every changing scenario. I began to cling to every nuance of the doctors'... (continued)

Great acts of faith are seldom born out of calm calculation.

It was fear - the suffocating, heart - racing fear of a man who has no way out - that propelled Peter out of the boat.

If Peter had seen Jesus walking on the water during a calm, peaceful day, do you think that he would have walked out to him?

Nor do I.

Had the lake been carpet smooth and the journey pleasant, do you think that Peter would have begged Jesus to take him on a stroll across the top of t... (continued)

We were rapidly descending through a night of thick fog at 200 miles per hour, but the seasoned pilot of the twin-engine Aero Commander was loving every dip, roll and lurch. At one point he looked over at me, smiled and exclaimed, "Hey, Chuck, isn't this great?" I didn't answer. I was sweating it out on my knees.

As the lonely plane knifed through the overcast pre-dawn sky, I was reviewing every Bible verse I'd ever known and re-confessing every wrong I'd ever done. It was like hurtli... (continued)

Twenty-six years of pastoral ministry did not prepare me for what was about to happen. After five months of tests and treatment for cancer, I was in complete remission, and I thought, Now life is going to return to normal.

My euphoria was replaced with a growing uneasiness. It was the beginning of a struggle for my emotional and spiritual well-being like no other struggle I had ever fought. I found myself postponing personal decisions about buying new furniture, clothes, and ... (continued)

Those who ride the emotional roller coaster of life with cancer unanimously agree on the worst section of the track. It's that long, downhill, out-of-control, white-knuckled, hang-on-for-dear-life, when-will-this-ever-end ride with fear. Even the stout-hearted find themselves braced against the seat, clenching their jaws and squinting their eyes tightly shut. While all of us careen down that section of track at one time or another, many cancer patients and their families are detoured onto tha... (continued)