A Message from Joshua

When I was four years old, I was diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma, a deadly type of cancer. In fact, the doctors told my parents I had only one week to live, and my chances of survival were zero! That was over 50 years ago, so I always tell people "It's been a long week!"

After over a year long battle with the cancer and treatments, the cancer was gone. However, it left me with many physical problems and difficulties I would face every day for the rest of my life. My vocal chords were partially paralyzed, my growth was stunted, I had lost my hearing in one ear, and there were other problems that would surface in the days, weeks, and years ahead.

So, Yes, I was still alive, but I had a very difficult life ahead of me. I would have to face people laughing at me because I was short, I talked funny, and I was different. I would be turned down for jobs and overlooked for other opportunities because I looked too young or people didn't know if I could handle it. I would never have a girl friend or a wife (at least not yet). And I would have to deal almost daily with the side effects of cancer and its treatments. Let's face it - my life wasn’t going to be easy.

So, I had two basic choices. I could feel sorry for myself and just give up, wasting my life. Or I could remember that the Bible tells us "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good..." (Romans 8:28), and that God has promised, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." (Hebrews 13:5).

I soon learned that no matter what happens, God is in complete control. And I learned that the closer I walked with Him, the more happier I would be, and the more I would see His hand at work in everything in my life - even the cancer!

God never promised us an easy life. However, He does promise us, "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me' (Philippians 4:13), and the closer we walk with Him, the more of His strength we'll find in our lives each day!

The greatest love story you'll ever find is found in John 3:16, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." God loves you and wants to know you. I know in today's world, there are a lot of misconceptions about God, but I know from my own experience how great a friend He is to those who love Him and learn to trust Him.

Jesus Christ spent His entire life on this earth living for others, and we should follow His steps! Get to know Him - you'll never regret it.