Friday, 10 February 2012 07:45
When Ryan's surgeon walked into our waiting room yesterday around noon, I could see on his face that he was pleased. In fact, Dr. Oxford told us that surgery could not have gone better. Ryan should come home from the hospital later today. Lab results will be back in 5-7 days, determining if next steps are needed.Today I must try to express my gratitude to you for your incredible intercession and support. I've been led to do so from another insight I've never considered before today. As you know, I've been exploring my favorite miracle with you this week. This morning, let's consider Peter's near-death experience and its relevance for the challenges we face.
Jesus' lead disciple was walking on the water to Jesus, but "when he saw the wind, he was afraid" and began to sink (Matthew 14:30a). Then he did what any of us should do in a crisis: he cried out, "Lord, save me!" (v. 30b). And "immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him" (v. 31). Here's the question that came to me today as I considered this event: why did Jesus reach out his hand to save Peter? He could heal a centurion's servant and calm storm-tossed waters with just his word (Matthew 8:13, 26). Clearly, he did not need to touch Peter to save him.
Here's my thought: Jesus touched Peter because that's what Peter needed most in that terrifying moment. Afraid he was drowning, he needed the physical assurance of his Lord's presence and power. Since Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8), he can do today all that he has ever done. He still reaches out his hands to catch those who are sinking in the storms of life. But now we are those hands: "You are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it" (1 Corinthians 12:27).
Our family has felt the powerful hands of God in your ministry to us. I spoke yesterday with a dear friend who called from Ireland, and prayed with a beloved pastor and his wife who called from Cuba. Dr. Duane Brooks, Ryan and Candice's wonderful pastor at Tallowood Baptist Church in Houston, drove from a meeting in Waco to Dallas just to be with them. Jeff and Billie Byrd, our ministry partners for 24 years, spent the day with us. Members of our ministry board and dear family friends were with us in the hospital. We have received emails from friends who prayed for Ryan in the Garden of Gethsemane and in Hong Kong. Notes and emails have come from staff colleagues and members from each church Janet and I have served. We treasure each and every assurance of your prayers and thank God for your presence with us through this dark valley.
On the way home from the hospital yesterday afternoon, Janet and I stopped by the post office. No one who saw us knew that our son had cancer surgery that morning. Nor did we know what crises the people we encountered were facing. In this fallen world, the only safe thing to do is to show God's love to everyone we see. The next person you meet may be drowning, and yours is the touch they need. God works through his people--our family is proof. Today we thank him for you.
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Your comment about poeple that we encounter every day was so appropriate. We do not know what is going on in their lives behind the smiles on their faces. Like the line from People Need the Lord says....Laughter hides their silent cries...we need to be the light of Jesus too all whom we encounter. Our smile, our touch, our concern may be exactly what they need in that hour.
We continue to pray for Ryan and your family.
You've touched so many lives by choosing to share God's love and His message, and just being a vessel, as God asks of all of us. Many, many people are continually praying for you, Janet, Ryan and Candice.
You made the statement that Peter needed to feel Jesus's physical touch. Don't you think ther are a lot of people that are missing Jesus due to the fact they feel there is nothing physical to touch or see.
Your Brother in Christ, Rich
Love to you and Janet,
Pastor Sam
blessing on your son and your family
You have been in my thoughts and prayers
almost continually and I thank God that
your lives have been touched.
Praise to Jesus.. Love my brothers & sisters in Christ.
Garry Kinder
God bless you and your family,
Ginnie
Thank you for sharing your heart with us.
What a wonderful God we have!
Praise God for our exceptional doctors and medical facilities. We are indeed blessed.
toshi
Although, I have never met you, I experience your love for Christ and his people each morning when I read your message and I thank you. This week I have felt like part of your family as you shared with us. As a parent, my heart ached with for you and Janet, but oh the joy that fills my soul today in knowing that Jesus Christ gives us comfort and peace in the midst of our storms. All praises be to our Lord and Savior!
Thank you for reminding us that while our's is a faith that believes in a future that has been perfected by Jesus' loving act on a cruel cross--made by man, but resurrected by an eternal God, we live and interact in an imperfect, fallen physical world--one where pain and suffering may be known or hidden to an observer--therefore, something as simple as a touch, hug, smile, or a word of encouragement can be transforming by the Holy Spirit--both to the lovely and unlovely.
We continue to lift up Ryan and your family in the days ahead.
Having missed the 2011 Bloys camp because I was undergoing surgery for a malignant neck tumor, I have been re-living that amazing whirlwind of medical and Divine intervention this week. My unceasing prayer, in Eugene Peterson's words from Philippians 4: "Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life." The overwhelming sense of peace and assurance that we're in the midst of God's Perfect Will is all we need. We continue to pray for your precious family,
He had surgery and only 1/4 of his stomach was taken out, as he had a 10 to 12lb. tumor, which the Lord showed mercy and His
grace. He lost his spleen and one of his
adrenal glands. Since then, he has had radiation and chemo with an experimental shot. His aunt heard of a drink, limuseaweed and has been taking it with the permission of his physician. You see he was on stage 4 of his cancer since two other tumors showed up after his radiation (one in the liver and another in another adrenal gland). A miracle showed the tumor in the liver was gone as if it had never been there and the one in the adrenal gland is dying!!! He has been to another scan and we are awaiting God's miracle. Every day is a miracle for my son, but, for us too. How blessed we are that we an share time, love and memories. What a blessing that we can let everyone know what our Lord does each day for us. I have heard of so many people young and old with cancer since then. The treatments are working for my son, how many others will be saved from this cancer, God only knows.
We await for God's answer and praise Him everyday for whatever His decision is.
Please know our family has been praying that the Great Physician will miraculously heal Ryan and that he will get the glory. We have also prayed for Ryan, his precious wife, you, Janet and Craig. Praying for peace, comfort and encouragement.
The seasons are harder and more strategic; during them, God desires to do TO us so that in the times He can do THROUGH us what will bring glory to Himself and good to others. The seasons always end, and the times always are fruitful if the lessons of the seasons are applied.
May this season pass most quickly and the next time bring a most rich harvest.
Blessed..Jean
Picture the cross, and Jesus hanging on the cross. Picture the word: "HOLD" above His head. The word: "ON" to the left of His hand. The word: "TO" to the right of His hand. The word: "HOPE" below His feet. To me, to "Hold on to Hope" is to come to the cross and embace Jesus! He is our hope!!
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