THE BIRDS ARE SINGING a heavenly,
but jazzy melody and all of nature seems to be dancing to their tunes! I’ve thrown open the window to the deck (that
is not built yet!) and the fresh, early morning air is streaming in through the
screen. Blue soft sky with wispy white
clouds, sunshine to greet the day … and there sits a fresh sliced half of
grapefruit and a steaming cup of freshly brewed coffee. Does it get any better than this?! Oh … yes it does, Lord! You reminded me of that yesterday! How I LOVE it when your Presence fills a
room. I mean, F-I-L-L-S a room!!! Due to this exciting journey God has had us
on for several years now, we have had no health insurance for most of those
years. I remember on “day 1” … when everything
changed. I literally told God (sorry
God, I guess I didn’t even ask – I just made a blanket statement, speaking with
every ounce of faith I had!) . . . “Well God, You will be our doctor now, and
we’re going to trust You to take care of every part of us – body, soul, and
mind! Today we cancel our health
insurance because we no longer can afford it.”
That was almost 5 years ago. I
know what I know. And what I know is
that God has done a great job of taking care of us … but I absolutely love it
when medical doctors prove out what I know by their examinations and ensuing
results! Part of having no health
insurance meant I had no funds for new glasses.
But I had no issues with my eyes, I could see great, and I never got
headaches! All was well, right? Well, in my heart and soul, I knew so. So after twelve years with the same
prescription lenses, and after saving up money for quite a long time now, I
finally walked into the exam room of the optometrist. The assistant had me cover one eye and read
the letters. I was amazed at how well I
did. Then she had me cover the other eye
and I read again. I could tell she was
amazed. We had a great visit as I sat in
that chair. I was as excited as a little
girl on my birthday! More fine-tuning of
clarity of vision, eye drops, and then the dilation of my eyes. Soon I was ready to see the optometrist. I think he almost fell out of his chair when
he saw on the chart that I had not had my eyes checked in twelve years. He began talking about looking into my eyes
under the bright lights and how he would be able to see into my body for all
kinds of health issues. He said, “You
know in the past two or three years, I have diagnosed people with melanoma,
diabetes, cholesterol, brain tumors, and more … all through what I see in their
eyes.” For a split-second, the thought
raced through me, “What will he see when he looks in my eyes?” And the split-second following, my thought
was, “God has been my doctor … I am just fine!”
He looked and peered, and those lights got REALLY bright!! This Presence permeated the room with me, and
I felt no apprehension at what he would find as he looked. I knew the doctor would soon know what I
knew. All was well, he finally said, except
to have my cholesterol check updated. Any
change in medications, he asked? I said,
“I’m on no medications!” Then I told him
my story of having no insurance and how God has been my doctor all these years,
and what a great job He has done! He
smiled and agreed. How could he
not?? I walked out of that office
feeling like the most blessed woman in the world! There I had it … proof for whoever wants to
know: my God reigns and He’s kept me
healthy for all of the missions He has me here for. Perhaps my mission this day was to share God’s
keeping power with that doctor … and it took twelve years of waiting to do
so! Now … I am singing!!!
IN A NUTSHELL . . .
BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS to our daughter-in-love, Stacey on July 16th
and to David on July 17th; and HAPPY ANNIVERSARY to Matthias &
Liz on July 20th! May you
delight in God’s best for you!
SUN, JUL 15: 10:00 A.M. –
WORSHIP & PRAISE, w/message shared by Wayne on “God’s Peace: Do You Have It?”
SUN, JUL 15: 11:15 A.M.
- KINGDOM CONNECTION CLASSES and PUPPET
MINISTRY for the children!
WED, JUL 18: 7:00 P.M. –
BIBLE STUDY/FELLOWSHIP on the book of James at Pastor Doug’s & Debbie’s
home
FRI, JUL 20: 7:00 P.M. – LADIES’ NIGHT OUT at the church! Plan to bring a “white elephant” gift and a
snack!
SUN, JUL 22: 10;00 A.M. –
WORSHIP & PRAISE / 11:15 A.M. – KINGDOM CONNECTION classes/Puppet Ministry
SUN, JUL 29: 10:00 A.M. –
SUNDAY MORNING RALLY with Larry &
Gloria Lundstrom; invite everyone you know for this anointed and
lively time of powerful preaching and awesome music ~ plus a dose of humor and
fun!!!
PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES . . . Verla, Cherry, Julia, Tarike, Daouda,
our church ministries, our youth and children!
REMEMBER . . . “God will not send us out on any journey for
which He does not equip us well.” ~ A.
Maclaren
Serving Christ Joyfully . . .
Pastor Doug and Debbie
