If you ever wonder why this blog goes quiet or slow for seeming spurts at a time…go here.
I had hoped to post a few times in the month of November, but here I am, catching up.
By far one of the most exciting things was my trip to Puyallup to speak at a Friday night youth gathering (Nov.6-7). The group included several Rock Solid alumni families and students. It was wonderfully humbling and exciting to see and hear of the ongoing fruit in the lives of those RS alumni. I was greatly blessed. I will attempt to highlight some of those stories in days ahead (you know who you are!) I spoke on the subject of “maturing in Christ” and certainly gained more from my preparation than they did from my delivery. Though I pray they were served well “for their progress and joy in the faith”.
Two other exciting things took place during that trip. I was able to meet with several families who are excited to host and coordinate a conference in the Puyallup area for April 2010 on the subject of navigating the road to marriage. I’m very excited to roll out a re-packaged version of the Finding/Forging conference and hopefully serve many families and singles in the area. New friendships were formed that I believe will provide not only great encouragement for years to come, but bare much fruit in spreading the Gospel and strengthening the saints as well.
Thank you Ashburn’s, Myer’s, and Black’s!!
Second, and in many ways greater, was the special opportunity to visit my sister-in-law who “just happened” to be in the hospital in…where?…yes, Puyallup. I say “just happened” to highlight recent lessons I have been reflecting on regarding God’s providence in our lives, as we have been studying the Book of Ruth at church. Shannon was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease after 2 horrible years of pain and dead ends (including an unnecessary gall bladder removal). She had to call 911 herself, with her 5 year old twin daughters and 2 year old son by her side at home until the ambulance arrived. They ended up doing surgery and removing a portion of her bowels…though the surgeon later shared he had expected to find lymphoma. I pulled into the hospital parking lot, and prayed. Grabbed my Bible and flipped to Psalms…praying and searching for something that would provide good sound encouragement and comfort for her at this point in her life. A portion of Psalm 73 and Psalm 46….man I’m tempted to share those here and expound, but unfortunately, my time is too short. Suffice it to say, I knew the Lord was with me.
15 seconds after I walked into her room, where my mother-in-law was also waiting, she said softly, “will you pray for me?”
“Absolutely.”
I pulled my Bible from underneath my coat and left arm (my concealed weapon of choice)., “Would it be alright if I read something and then prayed for you?”
She smiled a groggy post-surgery smile and said, “I knew you wouldn’t come empty handed.”
I knew in that moment that this is what I was born to do.
(And I was glad I had prayed and prepared something Solid to give her in that moment…such a weighty responsibility and precious privilege…whoa, humbling. There are others expecting me to be the man of God I’m employed to be…”not many of you should become teachers” whoa.)
I opened to Psalm 73 first, then flipped over to Psalm 46.
“My heart and my flesh may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever!”
I may get Crohn’s Disease. I may get cancer. I may experience a thousand different failings in my flesh…BUT GOD!
Oh how comforting is the sovereignty of God in moments of real need. It is the theology of hospital bedside visits, because its truth rings clearest when we are most aware of our powerlessness and dependency on something or Someone for our every breath. We are frail, finite. God is mighty.
I think I received more than I gave.
Still praying for your recovery and health Shannon!
I prayed and hung around for a little while, had several more great conversations with my father-in-law and mother-in-law (who I love to death and am so blessed to be so close to) and then cruised over the pass (that’s another story!) to catch a GCC leadership team meeting with Dr. Art Azurdia…preaching on the New Heavens and New Earth (which includes new bodies!) from Revelation 21…wow. Phew… what a weekend.
It was a rich weekend filled with plans and surprises from the Lord.
What else?
I don’t have time to write about meetings with Max, Sam, Brian, Matt…or Tuesday night men’s meetings…or preaching Ruth 4:1-12 (link coming soon)…or even the Thanksgiving Holiday itself.
I know this, I am blessed. God is good. God is moving. I’m privileged to be a part of the ongoing fulfillment of Matt. 28:18-20.
Now back to shooting monkeys off my back (school!) so I can maybe blog more frequently again. Paper #4 this week…here I come.
