Wednesday, August 12, 2015

Out Of Order

Hey Friend,
 
I am posting this a day early because tomorrow (my usual day for posting) I will be in surgery for several hours.  Just like the gas pump, the public bathroom, or the soda machine, I will have a white, hand-scribbled note taped to me that says "Out of Order". 
 
I covet your prayers as I undergo my third major surgery in less than three years.  I admit that I am weary and tired of pain, but I look forward, with hopeful anticipation, to potentially being free of some of this pain.  I am also a wee bit curious as to what God will do in my life during this extended recuperation time. 
 
You see, in 2013, when I was about to go stir crazy after my first knee surgery, God whispered...okay, shouted to me, "Go back to your love of writing!"  My degree, some thirty years ago, was in English and Communications.  I loved to write and what better subject to write about than my first love - my Lord.  My blog began during that "desert" time in my life and now reaches people around the globe. I am proof that God can do great things with broken vessels and cracked pots.
 
Through my blog and international connections, I fell in love with some precious and innocent orphans and destitute children in the epicenter of evil that is the Middle East.  Where better to raise the banner of Christ's Love than in the enemy's territory??  You could say, what began with knee surgery wound up starting a Christian school (Redeemer Christian School) that seeks to answer God's command to serve and protect the "least of these" and to share the love of Jesus with those who most need to hear it. 
 
So, I wonder, what will God be up to this time??  What is He going to whisper in my ear?  How will He move the Spirit who dwells in me to move and do His good will...I firmly believe the best is yet to come!
 
For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.  (Philippians 1:6)
 
God began this good work in me and I have every confidence that He will see it through to completion.  We don't reach our point of "arrival" on this side of Heaven.  Until Christ comes again, I know God will continue to use me if I will just do Him the kind favor of getting myself out of the way lol.
 
Jesus is the author and the finisher of our faith. (Hebrews 12:2)
 
If there's one thing I know about Jesus, it is this...Jesus doesn't play it safe.  Oh no, He goes with love and power where others fear to tread.  Knowing He is the author AND the finisher of my faith, I am confident that I am in for a wild ride!
 
I hope you will join me on this next leg (no pun intended) of my journey with Christ and what He might have in store for me and through me?!  I promised you a story of a miracle last week, but you may have to wait until post-op and the anesthesia wears off.  I hope to be back to writing next week because I certainly won't be going anywhere.
 
Meanwhile I invite you to read, re-read, and hopefully share this previous post of mine.  Though my pain may be great, the pain Christ endured for me was a million times greater and He wants to take the Good News of Salvation, for which He gave His life, into all the corners of the world.  Will you help and serve Him?
 
 
Dear Heavenly Father,  I thank you and I praise you that you love me so much that you gave up your son for me.  The thought of sacrificially giving up one of my own precious children for callous sinners is beyond my comprehension.  Enable me to begin to grasp the depth of your love and to be willing to go to great lengths...to sacrificial lengths to pass your love on to others.  Shelter me in the refuge of your wings and continue to grow and perfect my faith until that wonderful day when Jesus comes again.  In the precious name of Jesus, I pray.  Amen.
 
Be blessed...
 
 
ps. For those of you who live close by to me...I would love visitors...the first 3 weeks it's hard to go much of anywhere because I can't put any weight at all on the knee/leg that was operated on.