My surgery on Thursday turned out to be a test in perseverance and trust. I was under general anesthesia and the surgery was in full process, when the team discovered what they felt might be cirrhosis in my liver. At that point, they (three doctors) assessed the situation and determined they needed more tests before they were comfortable proceeding with the surgery. They then performed a biopsy of my liver and called Kim to say that those results would be available in a few weeks, at which time they will determine their suggested course of action. 

I became aware of the decision when I regained consciousness in the recovery room. I was looking directly at a clock that read 11:11. I knew something was off because the surgery was expected to go into the afternoon. I received a phone call from one of the doctors who informed me of this news. I was so disappointed. 

We are now in another classroom of waiting, and we don't know what the future holds. 

I wrote an email blast/blog before we left for San Francisco, believing I would have a successful surgery, and I included the following devotion/meditation. I want to share it because I find it is still relevant and is helping me tonight (10/21/21) as I write this.

Allow me to share an exercise I have used the past few weeks that has given me strength and confidence, based upon Exodus 3:14 – God said to Moses, “I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I Am has sent me to you.’” I meditated on this beautiful truth about our God who is present in all His glory from a Relevant magazine blog I read a few weeks before my surgery: 

God feels no need to limit Himself with words. He simply is. He is not restricted by an action, characteristic or perception. This name speaks volumes about His character. Only God could use the language He created to describe Himself so beautifully. I AM omniscient. I AM omnipresent. I AM omnipotent. I AM loving. I AM the Creator. I AM the Father. I AM jealous. I AM comforting. I AM gracious. I AM merciful. I AM here for you. I AM in control. I AM beyond words. This name of God gives me comfort every day. As I venture into the unknown of every new day, I know that He is. When I wonder who is going to guide my steps, God says, “I AM.” When I ask who is strong enough to face all my fears, He reveals, “I AM.” When I doubt if anyone is compassionate enough to forgive me of all the sin in my past, He informs me that “I AM.” With all the doubts and all the fears that bombard my faith every day, I hear one comforting, echoing answer to all my questions: “I AM.” Father, thank You for being the great I Am. You are in all things, and I see that so clearly. Thank You for being the same yesterday, today, and forever. 

I had already chosen those powerful proclamations before I learned the confusing news of today. Kim and I cried to realize how powerful and personal God is, that He would instruct us in what to believe before we even needed it. He is our compassionate God who gives us courage and strength to face the struggles of each day no matter what you and I face. Thank you for walking this journey with me. It is my prayer that you will take these words about our Great “I Am” and use them in your own situation. 

Here are some upcoming opportunities to SPREAD HOPE to our community. 

FALL FAMILY FESTIVAL. One of our largest community service projects each year is FFF. This year’s theme is Animal Adventures. We’re going to spread out and utilize as much of our facility – indoors and outdoors – as possible to create a fun and irresistible environment where families can come relax and play together. We’re doing our part to make sure our FFF is safe for the community who will attend and for our volunteers. 

FFF is such a FUN event, and we’re eagerly looking for a whole army of volunteers to help make sure that every family who attends will feel welcomed, have fun, and leave with all the candy they could ever have imagined. You can sign up to serve on our website or by contacting Mare or John. So many families in our community get their first real contact with our church through this event. That makes FFF a high-impact investment as we get to have a personal touch with the families of 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. 

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.” This week’s message is about Standing Strong in Assurance. As we’ve learned in our series, the early church was being influenced by forces that caused them to begin to doubt God’s sovereignty, goodness, grace, and love. We’ll hear as John talks to them and us about how to stand strong against these messages. 

Here are the links you’ll need to be fully prepared for Sunday’s Service:

• Message Notes and Study Guide
• Weekly Spotify Playlist
• Children's Ministry
• Student Ministry 

Joyfully living everyday life on mission in intimacy with Jesus and others,

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