The sanctified heart…
Filed in NHL |Hi Journal Friends,
Even though a dear sister in the Lord? suggested that I continue? my pain medicine as needed, it’s been three nights since my chemo and I haven’t taken any pain medicine at all. It wasn’t as though I wished to ignore? her advice. I just felt in my heart that the Lord wanted me to see Him at work.? Every night has been free of pain. But that’s just an update on how I feel. Sure I feel some? discomforts but nothing to compare with the earlier pains that I especially had at night. ?
It is wonderful to wake up and spend time with my darling wife. We have the most pleasant conversations throughout the day and especially in? the morning. The Lord knew exactly what He was doing when He gave me Betty for my lifetime companion. She is such a treasure. And the wisdom of the Lord that flows through her just? captures my heart. The moment she begins to share, I know she is right on target. How I love to hear her talk.
Just a couple of personal notes for now — I’ve kept a prayer journal off and on over the years. Not all my prayers are recorded there but certain significant ones are. Rarely would I share any of? my prayers from this journal, but now seems an appropriate moment. Many prayers are for my own? sanctified heart. It is from? these prayers that I am able to see the hand of the Lord in all that is happening while I am walking through this trial.
Here are a couple of prayers that I’ve recorded. (All my prayers and numbered and dated with each journal.)
#374 Monday, July 24, 2006 - “My Father, help me to never lost my savour, my saltiness of value. Restore to me and help me to renew my passion for all Your kingdom work. Forgive me for my failures and sins, which are many. Cleanse me and give me wholeness so my service to you will not decrease but increase. I ask this in the name of my Lord and Savior, Jesus. Amen.”
#376 Wednesday, July 26, 2006 - “Father, let the cleansing Spirit of ‘holiness to the Lord’ flow through all the congregation of Christian Challenge. Let the people know and feel in their inward parts the power of sanctification. Grant wholeness of life and healings of all sorts rest upon this ministry. I ask this in Jesus name. Amen.”
#381 Tuesday, November 21, 2006 - “Father, let my health issue be to Your glory. Out of all this let your healing love be upon me with my testimony as a liviing witness to Your care over both me and all Your people. Strengthen me O my God to Your kingdom work. In Jesus name. Amen.”
Since I won’t likely post any updates on my journal until late Sunday evening or Monday, let me give a run down on how the services tomorrow will take place. (Some of this is a bit of repeat on information.)
== Christian Challenge Service, Sunday, December 17, 2006. Change of Leadership ==
Tomorrow will be a high water mark in the days of Christian Challenge. You can be sure that we’ll have a weepy service, especially on my end. We expect a crowd including the mayor and other city officials as well as many of our our family and other Christian friends from the various churches. The service will be recorded along with being available for ‘live’ viewing.
Nathan will take the reins of the ship called CCI. I’m moving my office to the parsonage while my ministry branches out into other areas. The Lord has shown me how very important it is for me right now to ‘forget what lies behind and to reach forward to what lies ahead, and to continue to press on for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.’”
As we pass through this transitional time it looks like my ministry will move towards further development of our School for Christian Workers, along with some travelings. But a major part of my ministry will be my writings. This continues to be a pressing issue for me, especially as I am prodded by others. Just have to see how things go. I am very encouraged at where we are in all this.
Anyway, tomorrow following our worship service, I’ll speak to the congregation about what it means for Nathan to become Senior Pastor, that is, that he will have that role to fulfill in every sense of the word. Betty will stand with me while Nathan and his family are called forward. My Scripture reading will be from Isaiah 61. I will share a vision that I had many years ago. It was when the Lord showed me a pine tree that had turned into a sweetgum tree. My youngest son Andre gave an interpretation. It had to do with the changes now in place. It certainly fits the picture. I accept it as from the Lord.
To consecrate Nathan, I’ll then use the emblems of the war trumpet, the shepherd’s staff, and the prophet’s mantle, to speak of his charge before the Lord. Following that we’ll have our board of counselors come forward for the laying on of hands. The mayor will also participate. The congregation will be asked to stand to give their affirmation to Nathan’s shepherding role by extending their right hard towards him during the laying on of hands. I’ll offer a prayer for his consecration and encourage any of our board to offer a prayer. I’ll then ask the mayor who is a good friend of our family to extend his blessing.
Nathan will take his place before the congregation and share his vision for the ministry. I also have to mention that some very wonderful special songs will be shared during the service. Jaune will sing, ‘The Warrior is a Child.’ How I dearly love that song. Gayle Faulker will close out the service with another wonderful song. She has such an angelic voice.
Well, that’s it for? now. Lovings…
