GROWING SEEDS: "Let's Get Acquainted - David & Patty Brewer"

 

"Give, and it will be given to you.
Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. 
For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you."  Luke 6:38

There's just something about getting married that drops reality straight into your lap and helps one organize their priorities.  Such was the case of David and Patty Brewer. 

After dating for 12 years, they were married almost two years ago.  David, having been raised a Methodist and Patty a Baptist, they hadn't attended church since they were kids.  They decided when they said "I Do" to each other, to also say "I Will" to attending church together, and First United Methodist Church in Mt. Vernon was blessed it was our pews they chose to sit in each week.

Two months after committing their love to each other, they received the difficult news from a routine annual examination that David had Stage 4 Polycystic Kidney Disease. 

Pure Devastation. 

Because both kidneys were the size of footballs, weighing 15 pounds and invading other vital organs.....removal of both kidneys was the only option.   Their immediate families lived states away and David and Patty, reeling from the shock of this diagnosis, knew they'd be walking this journey alone. 

But God had other plans.  He provided them a church family to walk beside them through the weeks, months and years ahead as they went through surgeries, daily dialysis and hospitalizations.  As food arrived at their home to nourish them, money started coming in from anonymous members of this precious church to help with the cost of lost work and gas to and from doctor appointments.  Prayers of hope and healing are sent daily to the throne room of God with their names on them by many. 

And they looked at each other and said, "We aren't alone.....God provided us a church family that is standing right next to us."

Their journey is just beginning.  The waiting list for a kidney transplant is almost 10 years and hopefully an artificial kidney will be on the horizon in the year 2020....God willing.  And Patty....well, Patty is ready to be baptized.  She is ready and anxious to proclaim her love for Christ and the many hands and feet of Christ that sit next to her....whether in the hospital waiting room or their favorite pew at this precious church. 


** Interested in helping David and Patty?  Please contact Kathy Byrd in the church office at (903) 537-3616 or by donating to a GoFundMe account set up at www.gofundme.com/n2a4w-medical-fund

GROWING SEEDS: HOPE

 

 This week marks the beginning of Chapter 57 in the Life of Liz. 

And there's just something about being another year older that causes you to reflect back on Chapters 56 or 40 or 20 in your life.  Don't get me wrong....I'm looking forward as much as I'm reflecting backwards, but when you look back on spent chapters in your life, you are able to see with clarity....20-20 vision....the pouring out of Grace into your very soul.  You remember the sufferings.....but you also see the ripples from your endurance muscles increasing because of the suffering.

"Suffering produces Endurance....." (Romans 5:3)

And because your endurance muscles are more toned and strong now, your character starts changing.  You start caring more for others than you do for yourself.  Your heart starts breaking for the things that breaks God's heart.  Those fancy clothes or expensive vacations you once treated yourself to for years, well.....they become less important as your character changes.  Your focus changes to those who are suffering, just as you once did, and you long to help them....instead of yourself.   You start to take on the character of God.....

"Endurance produces Character....." (Romans 5:4)

And suddenly, you get to Chapter 57 or 75 or 90, and you find this chapter is full of Hope.  Hope....because God's love has poured continuously into your heart through the Suffering....through the Endurance....and now through the gift of Hope of the Holy Spirit.  You see the common thread of God's finger in your life that has gotten you to where you are.

"Character produces Hope....." (Romans 5:4)

And this crazy wonderful wild Hope......well, it's the very Heart of Jesus.

GROWING SEEDS: "Embrace The Darkness"

 

"Take the hardest thing in your life - the place of difficulty, outward or inward,
and expect God to triumph gloriously in that very spot. 
Just there he can bring your soul into blossom." 

I don't know who wrote the words above......but I cling tightly to them....with fingers that include chipped and broken nails from a very difficult year.  And I know I am joined by many others who are clinging tightly to a broken heart from a failed marriage...or a painful hip that flat-out won't heal and needs injections.....or maybe a diagnosis there is no cure for.....or even the sting of loneliness as those you once counted on have vanished from your side.

"It is when the rain is falling, or the mist hangs in the air
When the road is dark and rugged, and the wind no longer fair
That we find it hard to trust Him, and are slower to obey."
George McDonald

Yet...it's in the darkness, friends, that we learn the gift of faith.  It's in the darkest moments of our lives He lets us know what His hands feel like. It's in those times where we can't see beyond our toes that our sense of hearing kicks in and we hear Him breathing our name and leading us through the night with His voice.  It's trusting......even when we feel forsaken.

But He promises, if you stay focused on the touch of His hand and the calm of His voice, you will come through the storm.  And one day, you will wake up and find yourself walking out of the dark tunnel of confusion, pain and hurt and realize you survived....chipped nails and all....to a life that includes bright sunshine and a Friend who will never let go of you.

Embrace the darkness, Friends......it's a Gift.

"That person will receive the Crown of Life....Promised." 
James 1:12

GROWING SEEDS: "The Birthmark of a Believer is a Bullseye"

 

 "The birthmark of a Believer is a Bullseye"


I'm not sure if you know this or not......but Satan doesn't much like you. 

And as God is raising you up, Satan is using you as target practice to bring you down.  He's a lion....licking his lips.....and you are in his sight.  He is waiting for that opportunity, when you least expect it, to pounce on you with his claws.

"For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear, I will help you." ~ Isaiah 41:13

He despises the passion you have for God.....and he wants nothing more than to distract you, make you anxious and convince you he is right and God is wrong (remember that chick named Eve?).  But this is a time for resistance, not a time to run.  Yes....he is wanting to eat you for dinner and he is proud of how he is able to manipulate you into believing you aren't worthy or a good enough Christian.  He is a master talker and influencer and convincer. 

.....Satan knows you better than you know yourself.

And one more thing he knows.....he is on a leash.  He knows he can only go so far and he can only do so much.  He can't keep you down forever when you put your trust and faith in God.  God Himself will step in and restore you and make you strong.

"As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless.  He is a shield for all who take refuge in Him." ~ Psalm 18:30

"Stay conscious of Me as you go through this day, remembering that I never leave your side. 
Let the Holy Spirit guide you step by step, protecting you from unnecessary trials and equipping you
to get through whatever must be endured." 
~ Jesus Calling