Heavenly Bells, Hidden Manna, White Stones & New Names

Today, my Dad, Capt. Billy, has an appointment at UNC Medical Center in Chapel Hill, N.C. He goes to get the latest opinion on the recurrence of cancer in his back and left elbow and to get future treatment options.

In talking with Dad last evening he said: "I am not discouraged, quite the opposite. I am encouraged. I am going to witness to new people about my Lord."

Dad then shared an experience he had yesterday as he was sharing and praying on the phone with Rev. Clark Langford, age 80, who lives in Virginia. Dad said: "Kerry, as Brother Langford was praying for me, all of a sudden, I began to hear the most beautiful bells ringing I have ever heard. I am sure it was the bells of Heaven and as I listened I was so very encouraged."

Well, there you have it. My Dad is hearing the bells of Heaven. 

This morning Revelation 2:17 so inspired my heart about the eventual end of our journey Home:

“Let the person who has ears listen to what the Spirit says to the churches. I will give some of the hidden manna to everyone who wins the victory. I will also give each person a white stone with a new name written on it, a name that is known only to the person who receives it.” (GWT)

Let's win the victory, and be..

...Grateful 

Steadfast Faith That is Anchored

As I am on sabbatical with about three weeks remaining, many of you know my Dad, Capt. Billy, has been completing a round of radiation for recurring cancer.

Dad is feeling new strength and has a great appetite. Last evening he told me he enjoyed the best meal perhaps of his life, as Mom cooked Stewed Carolina Blue Crabs for their supper.

On Tuesday, September 23, Dad goes to UNC Medical Center to get options for his future treatment. His inspiring comments on that upcoming visit were: "Nevertheless, I will not worry!" Some people wilt spiritually when suffering comes, but my Dad -- through His trust in our Almighty, Personal, and Very Present Holy God -- has gloried in it all. It's been amazing to witness.

A dear church board member, Debbie, sent me this message recently. It so touched my heart that I asked her if I could share a portion of her message to me with all of you on my blog. She agreed. Listen in:

Dear Pastor Kerry:

I sent these words from my devotion in a card to your Dad the other day and I thought I would share them with you. Praying they will be an encouragement to you.

"God enjoys our faith in any season in life, but the trust we display in the dark is far more precious than gold. Nothing overcomes the enemy's tactics or thwarts his desires more clearly than that. When everything seems stacked against us and we trust God, praise him, and lean on him anyway, we have won invisible victories that are visibly celebrated in Heaven. Our faith in the dark is treasured by God." -- Chris Tiegreen, Experiencing God's Presence

Celebrating the many victories you and your Dad have won because of your steadfast faith that is anchored in our Lord and Savior.

Blessings,
Debbie

Grateful (... and encouraged... me & my Dad)  

John 4:42 -- He Really is The Savior

This morning our Pastor's Prayer Dawn Patrol was 28 strong. I am always amazed to see men and boys show up to pray with me (and for me) at 6:10 a.m. each Tuesday. It's a humbling reality.

This morning as I led the prayer time, I referred to the touching story in John 4. If you need a good read, please saturate your soul in this Scriptural passage about Jesus "having to go going through Samaria" to meet a seemingly hopeless and soul-thirsty woman at Jacob's well. He offered and she received "Living Water".

The verse that struck me most powerfully today is the final verse of the encounter -- John 4:42:

"They" (that is, "the people of her town that she went back and witnessed to about Jesus") Yes, "They told the woman, 'Our faith is no longer based on what you’ve said. We have heard Him ourselves, and we know that He really is the Savior of the world.'”

My prayer today for eternal souls everywhere, is that they will have ears-wide-open to hear the invitation of our Savior, that they too might believe and be saved. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Take comfort today in knowing The Good News. Yes, Jesus really is The Savior -- The One Who first saves us from sin and then keeps us from sin.

Grateful

Real Is More Wonderful Than Cool

This prayerful thought has been on my mind many times lately:
Lord, I want my life to be positive proof that "being real in You" is more wonderful than "being cool on my own".

Yes Lord, I want Your Holy Spirit's presence within me to be a real and wonderful moment-by-moment witness of Your undeniable Love for, and existence on, planet earth. In Jesus' name. Amen.

As a matter of fact, John 3:16-17, is in my face-and-eyes right now: (16) God loved the people of this world so much that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who has faith in Him will have eternal life and never really die. (17) God did not send His Son into the world to condemn its people. He sent Him to save them! (CEV)

Christ in you (me), the hope of glory.
-- Colossians 1:27b

Holiness Unto The LORD!
Grateful

The Most Obvious Confession of a Witness

In my mind over the past week or so, Philippians 3, verse 10, has been coming and going and coming again. To me it is the most obvious confession of one who longs to be a true witness of Christ. Dare I say, it is perhaps the most honest desire and proof of one who is and/or longs to be a true disciple of Christ as well?

(10) I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death, (11) and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. (12) Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. (13) Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, (14) I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
-- Philippians 3:10-14 (NIV)

Click here: YouTube - Steve Fry - Oh I Want to Know You More

Click here: YouTube - Steve Green - Oh, I Want To Know You More
Click here: YouTube - Cadet Sisters - Oh I Want To Know You More

Count it all joy. (James 1:2-4)
Grateful

Witnessing the Glory and the Agony of Jesus

Today in my devotional reading I was reminded that the three, inner-circle disciples of Jesus --Peter, James, and John -- witnessed not only the glory of Christ during His Transfiguration, but they also witnessed His agony in Gethsemane.

Surely, because our Lord is present, whether we are surrounded by light or engulfed by darkness, we are blessed. As the Psalmist said in Psalm 23, Yeah though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for You are with me.

ALL JOY!
Grateful