Day 8 - June 23 - Shorter is Better!
For those of you committed to actually typing in URLs instead of clicking on links, the new URL for the ConnorWatch website is:
connorwatch.org
For the link clickers among you:
http://www.connorwatch.org
Thanks for your all your support.
Brad
Michigan
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posted by Brad Williamson @ 6:00 AM
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3 Comments:
Dear Cherie and Eric,
I am Sandy, Kent’s mother-in-law from San Antonio. I’m visiting here in Ruckersville now, visiting my new granddaughter. Karen called me after you had called with the news about Connor, and I immediately sent out the prayer request to friends in San Antonio, from First Presbyterian Church. I have kept up daily through your blog and Kent’s communications with you.
In seeking for words of comfort, several things come to mind. First, Connor belongs to the Lord, now and forever, and not even death can separate him from the one who died to redeem him. In life or in death, he belongs to the Lord.
Second, the goal of our lives is to be transformed into the image of Christ, which is an ongoing process from the moment of our new birth. The hard words of Scripture are clear, that this comes through sharing Christ’s sufferings. Who would sign on to this difficult journey if it were not for the fact that in our weakness, He is strong? “Therefore will I glory in my infirmities,” Paul said. The last verses of Hebrews 11 remind us of the sufferings of those who have gone before—and then that wonderful beginning of chapter 12, “Seeing we are encompassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us run the race that is set before us….” The awful truth is that sometimes the race is run from a bed of intense pain, with limbs paralyzed and body wasting away. At least for a time—and for some, until in the presence of Christ.
But it is in the midst of these stark realities that the family of Christ cries out in prayer to our Lord for the gift of healing. Especially when the one stricken is so young, with the joys of life still ahead—at least the joys that we have come to expect on this journey. Knowing that our Lord can do miracles, knowing that he heals, that he hears our pleas; knowing that nothing is too hard for our great God, we besiege the throne of grace persistently on Connor’s behalf, always asking, as you said in your first blog entry, that the Lord’s will be done.
If you have access to the Heidleberg Catachism (in the PCUSA Book of Confessions), read Question 1. It truly says it all. “What is my hope in life or in death?.....” (Maybe you can pull this up on the Internet.)
Then the comforting words of 2 Cor. 1:3-7, about our first being comforted by our Lord so that we might comfort others going through similar trials. You are hearing from people now who have walked the same path and survived—yes, not only survived, but who became strong through suffering, and now are there for you in your suffering. And you will also become a source of strength for others who will go through a similar trial. This is the body of Christ at work as God intended—ministering in the midst of pain, when we are in despair, feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, without a viable future. It is not our trouble-free life that gets the world’s attention, for in our life of ease the world thinks only that we are lucky or successful or played our cards right. No, it is our strength in the midst of tragedy, when all hope seems gone; in the midst of tears and sleepless nights that draws the world’s attention to this all-powerful Christ of whom we speak—this is what speaks so loudly.
Connor, with you and your family, are speaking loudly, and we hear you. We watch and pray; we besiege God’s throne daily and through the night for you. Victory is assured—Christ is being glorified and will be glorified, whatever the outcome. You will have grace for today, one day at a time. The family of Christ surrounds you and will continue to uphold you.
With blessings and love,
Sandy
Here's a link to THE BOOK OF CONFESSIONS (I believe this is the latest version):
http://www.pcusa.org/oga/publications/boc.pdf
The Presbyterians in Morgan Hill have been praying for Connor & family too!!
I'm praying especially today for spiritual comfort and encouragement as you all start the second week of this experience.
Bob Mancini
Morgan Hill, CA
Though I've never met your family, I go to church with Serrell Farris, who informed me of the accident. I just wanted to let you know that as a sister in Christ I will be praying for your family!
"Shall we receive good from God and not evil?" Job 2:10
"As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful." James 5:10-11
"And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work." 2 Cor. 9:8
Mrs. Deming
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