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Christianity Today, July, 2007 |

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Cancer's Unexpected Blessings

When you enter the Valley of the Shadow of Death, things change.

Tony Snow | posted 7/20/2007 02:30PM

Commentator and broadcaster Tony Snow announced that he had colon cancer in 2005. Following surgery and chemo-therapy, Snow joined the Bush administration in April 2006 as press secretary. Unfortunately, ...

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Robert Billings

Posted: August 03, 2007 4:56 AM


Thank you so very much. I have just been diagnosed with cancer of the lower bowel. Gd bless you all. Psalm 23:2

Andy Baxter

Posted: August 01, 2007 6:47 PM

What a blessing Tony's article is for everyone. Believers and non-believers alike. I too have a life threatening cancer I was just diagnosed with in the last month, I begin treatments next week. I smile at the descriptions he so aptly described because I know them well. But through it all we are reminded that Christ put the lamp above the table so we can see the light before us. We in this great nation are blessed but true believers are blessed even more. Poor Mark, his comments are so politisized he lost sight of the grace of God in Tony's words. We all hurt when loved ones are sick and we that are sick are hurt by our loved ones pain but we must keep in mind Christ's promise that he will walk with us and not forsake us no matter who we are, where we lilve, how much money we have or what our job may be. It's not about us!! It's about bringing glory to God and if through our sickness we may bring that to others then we as individuals are blessed even more as the angels sing.

Ann	Posted: August 01, 2007 6:23 AM


Dear Tony, You can go on The Gerson Therapy asap and build up and heal your body through nutrition and detoxification. Please check it out. It may save your life.

caroline

Posted: July 30, 2007 10:30 PM


wonderful God be praised!

Alice

Posted: July 29, 2007 11:12 PM


I have watched this man on TV and felt such a strong relationshop to him, I believe that it is because I see Jesus in him. Now when I see him on TV i wish I could comfort him, but in truth , he has comforted me, and strengthens me. God Bless you Tony Snow, and your friends and family. You are in the best of all places, IN GODS HANDS! And know that you have blessed so many! Alice

Joyce Geisert

Posted: July 28, 2007 1:57 PM

Such a good article! Straight from the heart of a man that I can hear the truth . God grant this man blessings, more that only you can give. Give him power to give his testimony to those who are truly in need of your touch. There are so many that are worried about death this very minute that needs to know Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord before sickness takes their life and etenally they will never know the LOVE, JOY, and PEACE that they could have had in Christ Jesus! Eternity is a long time, please help us as God's children to let our life ,while we still breathe on this planet, to count for the Glory of God, in Jesus name I pray. Amen

RuthAnn Danielson

Posted: July 28, 2007 1:35 PM

This article provided the answer to the question a friend asked me several days ago "Has your cancer changed you spiritually?" At the time I said "Yes and no!" I felt a shift in my relationship with God but even as I was diagnosed with breast cancer and my life for at least the next year was laid out before me, I felt no fear, worry, anxiety, didn't ask why's of any kind, didn't give it a personality, or suddenly feel like I was embarking on a "new journey of life." I had a disease and was told I could live, it was curable - sort of. I didn't know how long my "cure" or "life" would or could be, nor did I ask. I often wondered about my lack of negative feelings so many others experienced, and the only answer was a strong, deep, life-long faith. A year prior to my diagnosis I began anew a daily walk with Jesus. This was simply a continuation of that walk with an added dimension. Tony Snow in this article says it all, and answers the question. Thanks for clarifying the issue!

Joyce

Posted: July 28, 2007 11:12 AM


Our goal to strive for ... our glory to receive.

Trish

Posted: July 27, 2007 11:50 PM

While I feel great compassion for Mr. Snow and pray he makes a full recovery, did it ever occur to him that standing before the press and LYING on behalf of the President may not be very good for his health? Does he honestly believe that spinning the news to put his boss in a better light brings glory to God? I find the whole thing rather shocking, frankly. How can a Christian stand up there and lie like that?

Linda Joyce

Posted: July 27, 2007 4:33 PM

As I sit here reading this divine testimony of faith, I cannot help but feel a renewed faith the One Who is able to keep us from falling and present us fautless before our Dear Heavenly Father! My husband has been diagnosed with prostate cancer recently and is so calm about it. I asked him, how do you handle this in the way? Pretty much in the words of Tony Snow, he replyed"it is what it is"-God is in control.I will not complain". I thank God for the people of God like Tony Snow and my strong husband. It has helped to cope. I know that by Jesus' stripes we are already healed-I just need to be reminded and to reaffirm my faith in Him.God bless Tony Snow for sharing this revelation with others so that we may continue to walk by faith and not by sight; realizing that God is able to do exceedingly,abuntantly beyond what we may ask or think;according to His will that is at work in our lives.Praise God! Joyce

Janice Jordan

Posted: July 27, 2007 10:01 AM


God Bless you, Tony Snow! You are a true warrior in this life and a Triumphant Victor in the everlasting one! Press on dear soldier!

Grace Alexander

Posted: July 27, 2007 1:24 AM

What a blessing to read this. How encouraging to realize such comfort can be experienced because of Who Jesus Christ is. Thanks Tony for expressing so well your complete trust in this Jesus Who lived, and died and arose from the grave and is coming again to receive to Himself everyone who has placed their trust in Him. What a wonderful day to look forward to actually being in the very presence of our Creator God, Jesus Christ.

AJG	Posted: July 26, 2007 8:49 PM


This article came from the heart of the Lord. I too have undergone cancer treatments and found Jesus to be all that Tony Snow describes... He truly is our All in all.

Carmelita

Posted: July 26, 2007 1:08 PM

What a beautifully well expressed Love Letter to everyone regarding the power of God's Love and Design of our lives!! Praise Jesus for such a talented, gifted and strong writer to share an amazing testimony. This article builds hope and inspires me to always know that God knows better and has written me in the book of eternity -- my calling to help build and heal others according to God's will and to give him all the Glory for our being here on earth. It isnt so much the outcome or the struggles in the Valleys, but to KNOW BEFORE the outcome during the struggles that we have Faith and Trust in Jesus' plan for our lives - AND WE ARE NEVER ALONE. LIVE PASSIONATELY AND BOLDLY OUT OF LOVE FOR CHRIST.

Ruth French

Posted: July 26, 2007 10:56 AM


The article was inspiring and very touching. I have lost many friends to cancer, if we Love Christ we will see each other on the other side. I work at Davidson College; Tony Snow ‘77 is part of the Davidson family. I pray for Toni Snow and President Bush every day.

Dr. Roy W. Browning, Jr.

Posted: July 26, 2007 10:04 AM


This is a truly inspirational article. It is a powerful, authentic witness to the Christian faith of a man who functions within the highest echelons of our government. We are indeed a blessed nation to have Tony Snow amongst us.

Caroline Parham

Posted: July 26, 2007 8:31 AM


Thank you sharing for this with me.. It was very enlightening to hear the other side of this most sensitive subject.. It truly was a blessing to read. A very excellent article.

Roy Sharpe

Posted: July 26, 2007 5:03 AM

Thanks Tony, I lost my dearest friend to cancer 25 years ago and he cried for my pain, and begged me not to be angry at God. I never stopped loving God, I can't... but it confused the heck out of me, weren't we supposed to be a 'protected species' who lived in the hollow of God's hand I argued! My faith has been on hold for the last 25 years, and it's only when I read your article that I finally understood that it's not for the day, the year, this mortal lifetime, but Life Everlasting that we live in His precious care... God forgive me, thank you for Tony's words and Your love... In Jesus name, your friend in Christ, Roy (Brisbane, Australia)

Puneet Narula

Posted: July 26, 2007 1:35 AM


An excellent article that answers the "Why?" in most persons minds when they are afflicted with diseases.

Fr Charles Threewit

Posted: July 25, 2007 11:35 PM


I have survived several near-misses, one of which was when my cardiologist told me to go home and get my affairs in order, as soon as I could. And through every one of them, there was the still, small voice of God, saying "I am with you". And somehow, it didn't make any difference what the outcome was, because He was with me, and still is.

Pulotu

Posted: July 25, 2007 10:35 PM

What an encouraging statement! When reading this, I was really touched as it came in a time that I was deeply worried about one of my brother's health. My brother had a fatal accident three years ago and by the grace of God, he miraculously survived it. He has screws and bolts fastening his bones together in some parts of his body. Lately, he has experienced pains in the hip and its getting worse. The unceasing prayers being sent up to God for help, to heal him and to make the pain go away etc. After reading Mr. Snow's statements, I concluded that God knows best. God knows what He is doing and for what purpose. The calenders for our lives have been designed, from birth to death. The agonies that my brother is experiencing, is a part of the rough times in his life's calender and will be happening to everyone in their life journeys. But the best part, is the hope that lives in us and knowing that we will all be there when His roll is called.

Jennie(England)

Posted: July 25, 2007 10:55 AM


Going through the trauma of cancer myself, this is a very encouraging article. I agree that if I didn't know Jesus I don't know how I would cope, but as Tony says it refocuses your thinking and God has your attention in a different way. It is great for articles like this to be printed so many people can read them and be helped and encouraged.

Jenny M

Posted: July 25, 2007 10:02 AM

I just lost my husband in January of this year to a 3 year batlle of cancer. Reading your article give me comfort because I believe that my husband fouhgt the best way he could but at the end he was chosen to go back to our Father's house. Be positive and God will take care of the rest. I have my angels that help my daughters(14 and 10) and me in our midst to continue living with my husband's memory and knowing that he rest in God's hand. May God bless you and your family.

Darren

Posted: July 25, 2007 7:59 AM


So Jesse, how exactly do you explain the fact that you're going to die if sickness isn't from God? How exactly do you explain the lack of a rebuke from Paul to Timothy when he mentions his frequent illnesses? You really are an insensitive moron. Have you never read that His strength is perfected in our weaknesses?

Ephrem Hagos

Posted: July 25, 2007 6:00 AM

How glorious life and death would be if only we took notice of and time to confirm the absolute certainty of Jesus' promise that whoever believes in the "resurrection and the life" inffallibly demonstrated at His crucifixion and death will live even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in Him will never die (John 11: 25-26). This is Sriptures super loaded with God's power --the power of God of the living (e.g. Abraham, Isaac and Jacob) not of the dead! (Matt. 22: 31-33). What is the height of presumption is overlooking this given possibility and dwelling instead on other "powerful hints and consolations" (no disrespect intended). The infallible demonstration of the resurrection and life of Jesus shown on the cross on which ours hangs in the balance is based on 1) putting in operation His free will and power to die completely unassisted by anyone (John 10: 17-18); and 2) self-revelation of His divine identity, through the baptism in the Holy Spirit, as we look at Him pierced.

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