Today we received a call from the hospital to say that Jewel is now on the surgery schedule for next Friday (Oct 2nd). While we are appreciative of the fact she is now on the schedule we continue to pray for an earlier date for the surgery.
The weight of the growing tumor continues to cause Jewel discomfort. Please pray that Jewel will be able to get some rest and nourishment from her limited food intake.
This morning we heard that our dear friend Barb passed on to heaven. (She was about the same age as Jewel.) Barb has struggled for the last several years with cancer. Both Jewel and I were inspired in our faith as we sat with Barb and her husband Phil during our last visit with them. We grieve the loss our friend. We pray for Phil and their two daughters.
Justin also received word that Marie, his girlfriend in Thailand, continues to struggle in the hospital. While on MSN with Justin, Marie collapsed. The nurse in Thailand was able to pick up the MSN messaging a little later and let Justin know what had happened.
These matters are heavy on my heart.
In the midst of this heaviness I have been reminded of:
(Ephesians 3: 17-19)
“17 So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”
Pastor John Ortberg in unpacking these verses writes:
Paul fell to his knees as he thought about how incredibly much he was loved by God every moment of every day. For Paul it didn’t matter what he had to face, he knew that he could face it all, having God’s love continually poured into him. Paul was always in peace because he knew he was always loved by the Father. Paul was filled with the love of God and the knowledge of that love.
If there is one truth we can take away as we face the challenges of this week it is this:
• God’s love is wide enough to embrace every corner of our lives.
• God’s love is long enough to last forever, and see us through this life and into eternity.
• God’s love is high enough to secure our place in heaven; our final destination in his love and this truth gives us peace.
• God’s love is deep enough to meet us at our lowest point, which reminds us that we are never alone.
The key to peace in our lives is love, the love of God for us. In all the circumstances of life we need to hang on to the truth that drove the apostle Paul to his knees.
May we have the power to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ for us.
One last note. As I write this Natasha should be boarding her plane from Cairo to Frankfurt.
Yours on the Journey,
Geoff
Geoff, Delia and I and all of us in the NAE are saddened to learn of Jewel's illness and we join with friends around the world in praying for her swift and complete healing. We are grateful that you have access to first class medical care, as well as love and support from the body of Christ.
ReplyDeleteIn March of this year my wife Delia was diagnosed with lung cancer. We were living in Burundi at the time. She has now been operated and the doctors expect her to make a full recovery. Meanwhile we have learned much and grown in our faith. I pray that you too will konw God's grace, peace and strength during this time of trial.
In Christ,
Galen Carey
gcarey@nae.net