The Power of Prayer + Sunday Morning Resources
I received a heads up on Friday morning that my wait for surgery could very well be coming to an end. I kept my phone glued to my side all day so I wouldn’t miss the call I was told would come. My phone rang at 6:30pm, from UNKNOWN CALLER. I’ve learned to take many of the calls I might have screened during this wait because the UCSF staff use their personal cell phones for their communication.
I was glad I answered because it turned out to be one of the nurses in charge of getting me prepared for surgery in October. She told me that the stars had aligned and that I was set for surgery on TUESDAY, November 9th instead of the 16th or 30th which we had been told. Wow! Now, my head was swimming as I began to work on getting there in just two days since I have to get a COVID test on Monday. A lot of work was done on my behalf by the staff of the hospital. As much as I appreciate them, I appreciate my faithful and powerful prayer team even more.
Last week, Michael Bauer, our High School Director, recommended a song to our Worship Arts Team called THAT’S THE POWER by Hillsong Worship that God used to change my prayers concerning this waiting time I’ve been in. Here are some of the lyrics:
There’s a Name that levels mountains
Carves out highways through the sea
I’ve seen its power unravel battles
Right in front of me
That’s the power of Your Name
Just a mention makes a way
Giants fall and strongholds break
And there is healing
You still do miracles
You will do what You said
For You’re the same God now as
You’ve always been
After listening to that song, I heard a still small voice gently speak to me. I know it was God and the Holy Spirit leading me to go to a different place in my prayers. So, I wrote to a few of the people in my army of prayer warriors and asked them to pray this: Please pray. One doctor needs to adjust his schedule to get my surgery set for November 16. If he does, I’m in. If not, surgery will likely be pushed out until December. So, I am asking God to move this mountain. Will you pray and ask God for His provision, His miracle, and His healing? Well, it looks like God answered that prayer, and instead of November 16, He had November 9 in His plan for me.
Thank you so much for your prayers, love, tangible care during this season. Kim and I love you more than we could ever say.
Update from Kim on Wednesday, day after surgery: Great news! Ron seems a new man to me today as he was sitting up in a chair and had already walked around ICU before I arrived. He reports his pain is down to a 5 (that’s way better than last night!), and nurse says he will walk the hall at least once more today.
They are wonderfully watchful over Ron here — amazing hospital staff here at UCSF — and they plan to keep him in the ICU to watch him closely for a bit, then move him to a regular room in the hospital. We think he may remain here in San Francisco until at least Saturday or Sunday.
Ron reported really good news from his surgeon when he came by this morning — that cancer appeared really “well treated” (small) and that he saw good clean margins. That is amazing and encouraging news to us! We are asking God to make it final — that cancer is gone.
I want to share my moment of yesterday, when I FELT God’s nearness to me. While Ron was in surgery (which turned out to be 8.5 hours), I was talking to my friend Clarise, who is here with me. I was sharing how I know it was God who had, for some reason, put out His Hand and stopped the last surgery midstream. That I trust Him. At that instant, I glanced out the window and saw this sight outside my hotel room…
Look closely. Do you see RON’S name on that sign?! Someone had graffitied his name just for me, and then God arranged to put me in THIS room on the second floor and then directed my eyes in JUST that moment when I was declaring my trust in Him. In that instant, I knew my Father’s presence in a real way, and that the Almighty is indeed WORKING on RON’S behalf!
Thursday update: I can tell God’s people are praying! Ron is slated to move out of the ICU today, IF they can locate a bed for him in the main hospital. He is taking walks around the ICU regularly. When he took six laps at one time today, the nurse told me she got her steps in for the day! Ron’s pain is being managed and today the GI tube that ran through his nose was removed. I say “yippee!” Ron is a little too subdued by pain to say “yippee.” THANK YOU, warriors, for your ongoing prayers of boldness before the Throne of Grace (Hebrews 4:16). Please pray Ron will continue to experience God’s favor as he simply rests.
Here are some upcoming opportunities to SHARE LIFE and SPREAD HOPE to our community.
OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD has been a way we’ve engaged for years now that allows us to reach out in a global way to spread the hope of Jesus during the holiday season. If you’ve never participated or want a review of why this is so important, just watch this video, and you’ll see the impact a small shoe box can have on the lives of children around the world. We have OCC boxes available at the church on Sunday mornings at the Spread Hope kiosk. Stop by, get yours, make a box, and return it to Twin Cities by Sunday, November 14.
SURVIVING THE HOLIDAYS GRIEFSHARE is a meaningful way to spread hope with your loved ones and friends who face the pain of loss during this season. The holidays have a way of turning up the heat under our pain, and we want to help you know that you are not alone. This one-time session offered Thursday, November 18, 5:30-7:30pm at Twin Cities, will help you find hope as you navigate the holidays without your loved one. You can guide people to our website for more information or to register.
BABES WHO BRUNCH is an inspiring opportunity for the young women in our church to make friends, grow spiritually, and find encouragement from other women. The next gathering is Saturday, November 20, at 11:00am-12:30pm in the church lobby. It’s potluck-style so bring a brunch dish to share. Go to the website to register.
GIRLS NIGHT OUT Christmas edition is Friday, December 3, 6:30-8:30pm at the church. Gather with the women of our church and the friends they invite for an evening of connection and reflection. Begin your Christmas by gathering to reflect on the true meaning behind all we celebrate. Check it out on the website and reserve space for you and an invited friend.
Our next BAPTISM will be December 12. Let me encourage you if you’ve never been baptized, PLEASE consider following the example set by Jesus when He allowed Himself to be baptized in the Jordan River. This is the first step He took to signify the beginning of His mission to seek and save the world. If you want to express your faith in Jesus through baptism, send an email to Mare, and attend the class Sunday, November 28 or December 5 at 9:00am. She will help you know everything you need.
THIS SUNDAY we will continue our RADIATE LOVE series based upon the New Testament book of 1 John. John writes to correct error that had seeped into some of the second-generation church teachers in the region of Ephesus. He writes to encourage the Followers of Jesus in that region to exemplify the words of Jesus when He said, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this, everyone will know that you are My disciples if you love one another.”
Sunday’s message is about being Transformed by Real Love. God’s love is free and unconditional, but when we act on it by obeying His Word and building our lives on His truth, He transforms our hearts and makes us more loving.
Here are the links you’ll need to be fully prepared for Sunday’s Service:
Joyfully living everyday life on mission in intimacy with Jesus and others,
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