A SHORT CHAPTER TO ETERNAL LIFE

Recently I received an email giving me an update on a friend's health. Although we'd lost touch over the last few years, we had recently reacquainted in a small way this past spring. Her email touched my heart - here she is, diagnosed with possibly terminal cancer and her hope and joy lies in her salvation and trust in her Lord & Saviour Jesus Christ. What a testimony!

I'm sharing (with her permission) her words below - and in praying for her health, I am also praying for YOUR spiritual health. As Kathy says,

'this earthly life is only a short chapter to eternal life.'

"Most of you know I have battled with melanoma off and on for 18 years now. It has come back for the 4th time and the prognosis is not good. There is no cure though there is radiation, chemotherapy and steroid treatment to help lesson swelling; it is on my brain very similar to a cancerous form of meningitis. It is quite unusual and the location is unusual too. Surgery is not an option. We are all realistic, HOWEVER the most realistic thing in all of this is the Lord and that we are in His will. My terrific doctor hates to admit he can be wrong but is the first to do so. I am not sure that he knows the power of God’s will and the holy spirit but I do know by the time this is done, one way or the other, I want him to know some of it from our family, what ever the out come is. I am praying for first, God’s will, I will accept what ever that is, I want a cure, I want [my husband and daughter] to have peace and I want the grace to go through this with peace and happiness no matter what.

I am not scared for myself. I know my [husband and daughter] will be fine because I know God is in control. I am holding out for remission! What I want each and every one of you to think about is your salvation. It comes, not from doing good works, so unfortunately no matter how many lovely home cooked meals you make me…and you know how we love home cooked meals (hint hint), the good Lord will not take you to heaven on your culinary skills! Find out who Jesus is. The Son of God who died so you could have eternal life. Sounds weird to some of you in this high tech world, but that is the key. Ask him to forgive you for your sins and accept that they have been forgiven because he was forsaken for you. Then…this earthly life is only a short chapter to eternal life!" ~Kathy

~~~

For by grace you have been saved through faith,

and that not of yourselves;

it is the gift of God,

not of works, lest anyone should boast. Ephesians 2:8

~~~

If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus

and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead,

you will be saved. Romans 10:9

~~~

Brian Doerksen - Your Faithfulness

I don't know what this day will bring

Will it be disappointing, filled with longed for things?

I don't know what tomorrow holds

Still I know I can trust Your faithfulness

I don't know if these clouds mean rain

If they do, will they pour down blessing or pain?

I don't know what the future holds

Still I know I can trust Your faithfulness

Certain as the rivers reach the sea

Certain as the sunrise in the east

I can rest in your faithfulness

Surer than a mother's tender love

Surer than the stars still shine above

I can rest in your faithfulness

I don't know how or when I'll die

Will it be a thief, or will I have a chance to say goodbye?

No, I don't know how much time is left

But in the end, I will know your faithfulness

When darkness overwhelms my soul

When thoughts and storms of doubt

Still I trust You are always faithful, always faithful

Certain as the rivers reach the sea

Certain as the sunrise in the east

I can rest in your faithfulness

Surer than a mother's tender love

Surer than the stars still shine above

I can rest in your faithfulness

I don't know what this day will bring

Will it be disappointing, filled with longed for things?

I don't know what tomorrow holds

Still I know I can trust Your faithfulness

WHEN YOU SHEPHERD ME

Psalm 23 - one of my favourite songs, by Brian Doerksen ~

~ When You Shepherd Me ~ Listen
When you shepherd me, I have everything that I need
When you make me rest, beside the peaceful stream
My soul is restored, my strength is renewed
When you shepherd me
When you shepherd me, your rod and staff comfort me
As you guide my steps, I can trust your lead
Even when I walk through the valley shadowed with death
I will not fear for you are with me
I am overwhelmed by love, over taken by your mercy
Lord your goodness without end
Will be the house in which I dwell
I am overwhelmed by love, over taken by your mercy
Lord your goodness without end
Will be the house in which I dwell
When you shepherd me, you prepare a bountiful feast
Even when my enemies are closing in on me
You annoint me with oil, my cup overflows
When you shepherd me
I am overwhelmed by love, over taken by your mercy
Lord your goodness without endWill be the house in which I dwell
I am overwhelmed by love, over taken by your mercy
Lord your goodness without endWill be the house in which I dwell
When you shepherd me
Lord you shepherd me
~ by Brian Doerksen ~

BYE BYE 39

This year marks 40 years of my life!

AUGUST 4, 1966

In less than 30 days I will say goodbye to my '30s! Hard to believe and yet, when I look around me I say 'of course!' My kids ages combined adds up to more than my own age, I'm beginning to get wrinkles around my eyes, my husband is already 40, I have bifocal contact lenses, I longingly look at little babies and dream of grandchildren, our nephews and nieces have their own children, every once in a while we discuss 25th anniversary celebration ideas, I have a child who drives, I have kids who have jobs, my son is the same age that my husband was when we began dating, my 'baby' is 12 now...Yes, I'm on the precipice of 40! BUT, there are things that make me wonder if I'm not 40 - my son turns the music down on ME (I admit it - I've always liked to crank up the volume!), I'm still a paper delivery 'girl' (I love the exercise), I still love birthdays, gifts and Christmas, I still get excited when snail mail arrives, once our kids waited for us at the entrance to an amusement park - because WE lost track of time...

I don't remember 1966 much :) so I researched it and here's what I found:

- Indira Gandhi was the PM of India
- Art treasures were ruined during severe floods in Florence
- The first solo voyage around the world was made by Francis Chichester
- Australia won 105 medals at the Commonwealth Games in Kingston, Jamaica.
Movies in 1966: Georgy Girl (Alan Bates, Lynn Redgrave) and Born Free (Bill Travers, Virginia McKenna) - and some other ones that I don't recognize!
Music in 1966: Green, Green Grass of Home (Tom Jones), Monday Monday (Mamas & Papas), I'm a Believer (Monkees), Yellow Submarine (Beatles) - and much more that (again) I don't recognize;
Lots on TV: Dr Kildare, The Avengers, Lassie, Gunsmoke, Bonanza, The Andy Griffiths Show - again, these are ones that sound familiar to me (even though I grew up without a TV!).

Canadian Things in 1966:March 12 - Bobby Hull sets the record for the most goals in an NHL season; May 18 - Paul Joseph Chartier is killed when a bomb he is carrying goes off on Parliament Hill; October 1 - The CBC becomes the first Canadian television network to broadcast in colour; December 31 - The Centennial flame in front of Parliament Hill is lit;
Grey Cup - Saskatchewan Roughriders win 29-14 over the Ottawa Rough Riders;
Stanley Cup - Montreal Canadiens win 4-2 over the Detroit Red Wings. Stephen Leacock Award: George Bain, Nursery Rhymes to Be Read Aloud by Young Parents with Old Children.
Star Trek premieres starring Montreal actor William Shatner.

Other Canadians who turn 40 this year: Jeff Healey, musician (March 25), Belinda Stronach, politician (May 2); Gary Roberts, politician (May 23); Kurt Browning, figure skater (June 18); Joe Nieuwendyk, ice hockey player (September 10); Peter Milkovich, field hockey midfielder (October 17); Wendel Clark, ice hockey player (October 25); Kiefer Sutherland, actor (December 21).

I share my birthday with:
1792, Percy Bysshe Shelley W r i t e r; 1901, Louis Armstrong M u s i c i a n; 1904, Antonio Vivaldi C o m p o s e r [ d. 1741 ]; 1947, Klaus Schultze M u s i c a l A r t i s t; 1952, Maire Ni Bhraonian M u s i c a l A r t i s t; 1955, Billy Bob Thornton A c t o r; 1958, Ian Broudie M u s i c a l A r t i s t; 1962, Roger Clemens A t h l e t e; 1962, Paul Reynolds M u s i c a l A r t i s t; 1981, Marques Houston M u s i c a l A r t i s t.

I've never met any of those people but I do know a few people who share my birthdate - my sisters-in-law's sister Dorothy, Lou-Ann from church, and Missy - who I know will be 10 this year because she was born on my 30th birthday! TIME FLIES! HAPPY BIRTHDAY EVERYONE! Treasure the moments that God has blessed you with - and 'SEIZE THE DAY'!

Remember your Creator while life lies before you

Remember His only Son who gave His life for you

And think on His laws, and see life through His eyes

Then you'll know that you're

Walkin' wise!

(Judy Rogers)

UPDATE - Miracles do happen!

NOW UNTO HIM WHO IS ABLE TO DO IMMEASUREABLY MORE THAN ALL WE ASK OR IMAGINE, ACCORDING TO HIS POWER THAT IS AT WORK WITHIN US, TO HIM BE GLORY IN THE CHURCH AND IN CHRIST JESUS THROUGHOUT ALL GENERATIONS, FOREVER AND EVER! Amen. Ephesians 3:20

It's been a week since Miriam, Marissa & Selina's accident and the recoveries have been remarkable! We know that this would not be possible except by the Hand of our loving God. We praise Him for His work in the girls' lives - many have said that when comparing the day of the accident to one week later it seems like the girls rose from the dead!

Here is an update from the Miriam Fluit blog (you can read more here http://miriamfluit.blogspot.com/ )

Friday, July 07, 2006
One week
Wow. Its hard to believe that it was exactly one week ago that we all rushed to the hospital in Hamilton after finding out about the accident. I don't think that any of us really imagined last Friday night that we would get as far as we have in just a week, including the doctors! Looking back at everything that the Fluit family, Leanne, myself and all the family and friends have gone through, it's just amazing to be able to recognize so clearly the strength that God gave us when we really needed it. God truly is an AWEsome God!Tonight we once again have the blessing of being able to look back at the day and confidently say that things are looking up. The recent reports from the doctors really have been optimistic in that Miriam will recover in due time. The doctors have expressed that even though they will not be able to thoroughly assess her until she is more awake, Miriam's recovery thus far is remarkable. But we all know that Miriam's recovery thus far is more than remarkable; it is a miracle.God has truly blessed us through these difficult times and we trust that He will continue to provide what we, and expecially what Miriam, will need on the long road ahead of us. We are so thankful for all the love, support and prayers that so many friends and family members continue to express and it is our prayer that God may continue to be glorified by us all.Peter, Leanne and Fluit family

Prayer Requests
*Please continue to pray that the breathing tube may be removed as soon as possible
*Pray that Miriam will have patience and strength in the days ahead of her
*Thank our Lord for the miracles he has preformed in Miriam, Selina, and Marissa's lives. We stand in awe.

~~~
The photo above shows Miriam (at the back of the boat) and her sister Rebekah.

KEEP PRAYING FOR THE LORD'S WILL!

WHO AM I?

I did a lot of driving today - mainly down country highways, and the view was spectacular! The sun was shining and I saw wild flowers at the side of the road, crops growing wonderfully, trees adorned with luscious leaves - some with flowers too - and the sky was HUGE! Bright blue, with tons of multi-coloured clouds. (It was a picture-taking day - and I'd forgotten my camera - this pic is from another gorgeous day.) I was amazed at the sight before me - how beautiful this world is, and how small I am! Made me think of all of the concerns of life - and how I fret about them - and yet GOD IS IN CONTROL! What a comfort that is! The events of last week - the accident - and how small we truly are when life goes out of control - even when we think we are in control! And yet, GOD CARES! About the big things AND the little things!

I drove along and Casting Crowns began to sing one of my favourite songs -

Who am I?
That the Lord of all the earth,
Would care to know my name,
Would care to feel my hurt.
Who am I?
That the bright and morning star,
Would choose to light the way,
For my ever wandering heart.

Chorus:
Not because of who I am,
But because of what you've done.
Not because of what I've done,
But because of who you are.
I am a flower quickly fading,
Here today and gone tomorrow,
A wave tossed in the ocean, (ocean)
A vapor in the wind.
Still you hear me when I'm calling,
Lord, you catch me when I'm falling,
And you've told me who I am.
I am yours.I am yours.

Who am I?
That the eyes that see my sin
Would look on me with love
And watch me rise again.
Who am I?
That the voice that calmed the sea,
Would call out through the rain,
And calm the storm in me.

Chorus 2x

I am yours.I am yours.
Whom shall I fear? Whom shall I fear?
'Cause I am yours.I am yours.

PRAISE THE LORD!

PLEASE PRAY FOR MIRIAM & FRIENDS!

It's been quite a while since I wrote here. A lot has happened. My heart is heavy now - has been for a few days. You see there was an automobile accident on Friday, June 30th and two girls from our church were in it - as well as one of their friends. All three girls are 17 years old. Young. New drivers. The same age as our son. We've known two of the girls for all of their lives - and it just breaks my heart to hear and see them suffering so badly. Our own kids are saddened. Our church is saddened.

Please pray for Marissa, Miriam and Selina. They are all hurting. Miriam & Selina are in the hospital battling head injuries and other physical injuries. Marissa is at home, recovering from the accident too and battling a broken heart. They all need loving arms to surround them and their families.

Read here about Miriam: http://miriamfluit.blogspot.com/