The Beginning Of A New Spiritual Journey

God has taken us on an extraordinary and unique journey this past week when we found out that my dad was diagnosed with a rare, aggressive cancer in it's end stages.  This was a shock to all of us including the doctor, and caused us all to re-examine our lives in a whole different way.  I wanted to share what I have observed and experienced so far in this adventure (as my dad called it with a smile).

Faith
 From the beginning, my dad has demonstrated the strongest faith I have witnessed in real life.  After hearing about his cancer some of his first words were his life verse, " I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.  For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." Philippians 1:20-21.  He was at peace with whatever God was going to allow; whether he lives or dies.  

Many people visited while he was in the hospital.  Some came to be encouraged by my dad because they knew he would be the only one that could encourage them, which he did.

Unity of the Church 
There has been no time or place that I have seen the unity of the church of God better demonstrated than what I have witnessed in this past week.  We had many Christian friends visit and offer to help in any way they can.  My mom's boss was an angel brought to us.  She coordinated meals that were brought to us throughout the week.  She also screened calls for us so we wouldn't be bombarded with calls.  Several people gave money as well as groups from church and work.  

Before dad was discharged, he asked the elders from their church to come and pray over him.  We had a great prayer session and dad was anointed with oil.  What a great example of the passage in Romans about the unity of the church.


Relationship of Husband and Wife
In the twenty plus years my parents have been married, I have never seen a better example of the affection and intimate relationship of a married couple as was demonstrated to me this past week.  I witnessed the best biblical example of true love of a husband and wife in my parents.  What a blessing it was to witness such a incredible thing in this time.


The Sovereignty of God
God has shown Himself in many ways through all of this.  He has shown us all that He is in control, will take care of us and knows what's best for us.  A lot of questions have been asked though.  We don't know what's going to happen to dad, but we do know that he is in God's hands and whatever happens, God will get the glory.  

It is hard to trust a God we cannot see and let Him take total control when we can't see the big picture and only have a small piece of the puzzle.  But we CAN trust Him because He is the only One that sees the whole picture and the only One that knows exactly what we are going through.


 This past week has been a growing experience for all of us.  We have cried.  We have laughed.  We have shared many things together.  As my dad said it, it isn't going to be easy, but this is going to be an adventure.  We trust God for His will to be done and are satisfied that He will carry us through this adventure and provide us with the strength and peace we need to get through it.


Helping you get the upper hand to change your life forever,

Peter Bunn
Rising Leader

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