Another God-appointed trip to Blandford!
In 2007, we were invited to teach at The Gathering Place, in Blandford Forum, England. The invitation was for October, and I went through a LOT of cancer treatment with the internal promise that "I will be in Blandford, in October...." We did get there, preach, and see lives changed. Hallelujah! Our favorite activity, with some of our favorite friends!
When we returned from that trip, it was to more reports and more treatment. In August of 2008, I had another Gamma Knife brain surgery, and this time I was holding onto "I will be in Blandford in September!"
Following a (surprisingly grueling) session with the Gamma Knife, we did make it back to England, for a very busy 30 days. This trip included several places, and churches, that were new to us, especially in the far southwest.
The part that was not new -- was the goodness and mercy of the Lord! His presence, at each teaching, at each meeting, was rich! With every hour that we were there, another person came for prayer and left knowing Him a little bit better, a little fuller --- or, a LOT better, and a LOT fuller.
He really IS the God of Love. He really DOES know what is going on inside of each of us, and He really WILL bring to us, each, the truth we need to heal our hearts/minds. Once we are finished with a ministry time with a person, we seldom remember what it was all about. But, we DO remember the huge, expressive THANKS of each person who has just heard the Lord, heard the missing puzzle piece of his/her life, and is dancing out, different forever!
We don't ever doubt the value of what we do with the Lord. We always ask Him for more!
He LOVES freedom!
A long time ago, our pastor said to us, "God will do all the work....but you will get the hugs!" Hasn't THAT been true! People are always very excited when we get to their church, but we know it is because HE has come, with us. Our prayers are always that we would reflect Him well, and lead people deeper in to His heart. Because of that heart desire, He is constantly challenging us on our own beliefs, and attitudes, keeping us sharpened and cleansed. This is the kind of experience none of us wants -- to be straightened out, AGAIN -- but the pay-off for going through it is AMAZING. AND, we couldn't do the work that we do, if we were not continually sharpened.
So, "sharpen me, Lord..." it is! Dennis teaches us all to pray, "God, show me where you and I disagree..." God will answer that prayer. He will highlight for us the attitudes/beliefs,vows that are not worthy of Him. It's perhaps essential to understand that He will never agree with us, in our low self-esteem, in our fear, in our doubts about Him, or about our lives. He made us to carry His purposes -- He has placed HIGH value on us -- He has done all the work to redeem our sinful natures -- He has paid the price!
Just before we got to Blandford, we hosted a Weekend Retreat in the Coltswolds area. People who have been working with the More Light inner healing model were invited, along with any who were interested in learning it. The retreat center told us that they "never" allow single individuals to book into their facilities, however, this weekend they had! (It seemed like a surprise to them, too..)
A lone woman wandered into our first session, and we said, "Come in, come in..." She had no idea what we would be talking about, but within 10 minutes of hearing some MoreLight stories, she began to cry. As we were sitting in a large, extended circle, we could all see this. Dennis took the opportunity to ask her about her tears, and to lead her into hearing from the Lord, and getting His perspective -- HIS truth. The most amazing first-hand lesson, for the group!
This woman may not have known why she had booked into this conference center, and the center may not have known why they let her --- and we certainly didn't know God's plans -- but HE DID!! Over the weekend, we all watched her change -- her demeanor, her questions, her comments, and her confidence in her God. Along the way, MANY others at the weekend reached into their hearts for their deepest pain and deepest problems --- to find HE was there, with all the help needed.
On this trip, we drove more little, winding, bumpy, blind-curved roads than ever before! Dennis really dreads the blind-curve roads, with signs posted, saying, "On-coming traffic may be in center of road". It's always good to have a native Brit drive through those one-lane/2 way traffic roads that are bordered, on each side, with a 6 foot high shrub-line!
I'd like to say that I got through this trip well --- I'd LIKE to say that -- but it would be a complete fabrication. I was extremely fatigued for most of it, and stayed in bed a few times, sending Dennis to do the preaching without me. This is not a problem for either of us -- it was merely a disappointment for me. A disappointment that I was going to have to get over -- one more thing to hand over to God.
I discovered a specific lie within my thinking -- which was, "when I am on treatment, I am fighting cancer. The rest of the time, I should be well. I should have energy. I should be able to do what I used to do." (You can laugh, here....I know God did...).
As long as I held onto that lie, I couldn't hear the truth that I needed. Then, one day, as I pondered it anew (always blaming myself -- "should be walking more," "should be getting stronger..."), I heard God say, "Have you considered that your body is fighting hard, anyway, even if you are not..?"
OH! WOW! A new idea, which I had not considered...being busy assigning blame.
This was a blessing for Dennis, who each day would patiently deflect my moaning disappointment in my weakness! What a good break for him!?! (This man, my Univeral Champion Husband, who gets me through....every day and every night. The husband who wakes me up with a cup of tea, and the announcement, "We are BOTH alive today! God has something GOOD for today!")
GOD IS GOOD!! HE IS WORTHY OF PRAISE -- OF ALL OUR PRAISE!!
HE GIVES US LIFE HER ON EARTH -- A TRAINING COURSE, A DRESS-REHEARSAL, A CHANCE TO CHOOSE HIM AND LEARN TO EMBRACE HIM -- AND THEN.....MY GOODNESS....THEN, AN ETERNITY WITH HIM --- IN A PLACE THAT CANCER CANNOT FOLLOW!!!
CELEBRATE WITH ME, THIS LIVING GOD!!!
When we returned from that trip, it was to more reports and more treatment. In August of 2008, I had another Gamma Knife brain surgery, and this time I was holding onto "I will be in Blandford in September!"
Following a (surprisingly grueling) session with the Gamma Knife, we did make it back to England, for a very busy 30 days. This trip included several places, and churches, that were new to us, especially in the far southwest.
The part that was not new -- was the goodness and mercy of the Lord! His presence, at each teaching, at each meeting, was rich! With every hour that we were there, another person came for prayer and left knowing Him a little bit better, a little fuller --- or, a LOT better, and a LOT fuller.
He really IS the God of Love. He really DOES know what is going on inside of each of us, and He really WILL bring to us, each, the truth we need to heal our hearts/minds. Once we are finished with a ministry time with a person, we seldom remember what it was all about. But, we DO remember the huge, expressive THANKS of each person who has just heard the Lord, heard the missing puzzle piece of his/her life, and is dancing out, different forever!
We don't ever doubt the value of what we do with the Lord. We always ask Him for more!
He LOVES freedom!
A long time ago, our pastor said to us, "God will do all the work....but you will get the hugs!" Hasn't THAT been true! People are always very excited when we get to their church, but we know it is because HE has come, with us. Our prayers are always that we would reflect Him well, and lead people deeper in to His heart. Because of that heart desire, He is constantly challenging us on our own beliefs, and attitudes, keeping us sharpened and cleansed. This is the kind of experience none of us wants -- to be straightened out, AGAIN -- but the pay-off for going through it is AMAZING. AND, we couldn't do the work that we do, if we were not continually sharpened.
So, "sharpen me, Lord..." it is! Dennis teaches us all to pray, "God, show me where you and I disagree..." God will answer that prayer. He will highlight for us the attitudes/beliefs,vows that are not worthy of Him. It's perhaps essential to understand that He will never agree with us, in our low self-esteem, in our fear, in our doubts about Him, or about our lives. He made us to carry His purposes -- He has placed HIGH value on us -- He has done all the work to redeem our sinful natures -- He has paid the price!
Just before we got to Blandford, we hosted a Weekend Retreat in the Coltswolds area. People who have been working with the More Light inner healing model were invited, along with any who were interested in learning it. The retreat center told us that they "never" allow single individuals to book into their facilities, however, this weekend they had! (It seemed like a surprise to them, too..)
A lone woman wandered into our first session, and we said, "Come in, come in..." She had no idea what we would be talking about, but within 10 minutes of hearing some MoreLight stories, she began to cry. As we were sitting in a large, extended circle, we could all see this. Dennis took the opportunity to ask her about her tears, and to lead her into hearing from the Lord, and getting His perspective -- HIS truth. The most amazing first-hand lesson, for the group!
This woman may not have known why she had booked into this conference center, and the center may not have known why they let her --- and we certainly didn't know God's plans -- but HE DID!! Over the weekend, we all watched her change -- her demeanor, her questions, her comments, and her confidence in her God. Along the way, MANY others at the weekend reached into their hearts for their deepest pain and deepest problems --- to find HE was there, with all the help needed.
On this trip, we drove more little, winding, bumpy, blind-curved roads than ever before! Dennis really dreads the blind-curve roads, with signs posted, saying, "On-coming traffic may be in center of road". It's always good to have a native Brit drive through those one-lane/2 way traffic roads that are bordered, on each side, with a 6 foot high shrub-line!
I'd like to say that I got through this trip well --- I'd LIKE to say that -- but it would be a complete fabrication. I was extremely fatigued for most of it, and stayed in bed a few times, sending Dennis to do the preaching without me. This is not a problem for either of us -- it was merely a disappointment for me. A disappointment that I was going to have to get over -- one more thing to hand over to God.
I discovered a specific lie within my thinking -- which was, "when I am on treatment, I am fighting cancer. The rest of the time, I should be well. I should have energy. I should be able to do what I used to do." (You can laugh, here....I know God did...).
As long as I held onto that lie, I couldn't hear the truth that I needed. Then, one day, as I pondered it anew (always blaming myself -- "should be walking more," "should be getting stronger..."), I heard God say, "Have you considered that your body is fighting hard, anyway, even if you are not..?"
OH! WOW! A new idea, which I had not considered...being busy assigning blame.
This was a blessing for Dennis, who each day would patiently deflect my moaning disappointment in my weakness! What a good break for him!?! (This man, my Univeral Champion Husband, who gets me through....every day and every night. The husband who wakes me up with a cup of tea, and the announcement, "We are BOTH alive today! God has something GOOD for today!")
GOD IS GOOD!! HE IS WORTHY OF PRAISE -- OF ALL OUR PRAISE!!
HE GIVES US LIFE HER ON EARTH -- A TRAINING COURSE, A DRESS-REHEARSAL, A CHANCE TO CHOOSE HIM AND LEARN TO EMBRACE HIM -- AND THEN.....MY GOODNESS....THEN, AN ETERNITY WITH HIM --- IN A PLACE THAT CANCER CANNOT FOLLOW!!!
CELEBRATE WITH ME, THIS LIVING GOD!!!
posted by Living with Hope and Cancer @ 9/28/2008 05:03:00 pm
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