Easter Story

As Sara, my eleven year old, searched for family pictures on my facebook profile, she came across LOVE 146 recent post. I read to her the recent rescue of a four-year-old girl from the bondage of sex slavery. How grieving to read of this evil taking place in our world today! I briefly explained the need for prayer for all our children to Sara, then I moved on to do some other chores. I found Sara later in her room with tears in her eyes. “Mom, I was thinking about JoJo and Izzi and Gabriel (her 4 and 5 year old cousins). How could someone hurt them when they are so small?”

How indeed. We read Isaiah 61 and discussed the scripture. Jesus died on the cross so that we might be set free from the bonds of sin. If Jesus has set us free, the Bible says, then we are free indeed. Our prayer is that every man woman and child would know that Christ has come to set us free, no matter what our past. The Spirit of God is upon us so that we could heal the brokenhearted, set captives free, preach the good news, comfort those who mourn.

I watched as Sara wrote in her journal that evening. I know that this upcoming generation is going to wreak havoc in the spiritual realm. When their hearts are turned for the broken and vulnerable, they will passionately rescue and restore them with the gospel of peace. Pray for this generation. God is going to use them mightily to break the chains of the enemy and set the prisoners free. This is the Easter Story.

Because every child matters,

Susan

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Wisdom tooth experiences

The only surgery I can recall having was about 25 years ago. I had a permanent tooth lodged sideways in my jaw, which I was told would never erupt naturally. Therefore, I still have one baby tooth. 🙂

My dentist has reminded me many times over the past 1-2 years that I should get my wisdom teeth also taken out sooner rather than later. He mentioned that recovery is much easier the younger we are. Not a flattering kind of word from my dentist, but I did accept it.

So last week I had a wisdom tooth extracted. The same oral surgeon who has extracted Philip’s extra teeth, performed my surgery. As I waited in the chair prior to the surgery, my mind wandered to Philip and all the thoughts in his mind before he goes for surgery. What concerns in his mind, what thoughts he thinks. I compared it to myself. Could I just rest peacefully knowing that God is in control?

Recovery from this tooth extraction has been very difficult. I can barely open my mouth due to the swelling on my face and the pain in my gums. I thought of our young Shivaranjan. For fourteen years he swallowed liquid food through a straw because of his locked jaws. What suffering these young people have gone through? And on top of the physical needs, I am reminded of their emotional needs. What humiliation and shame they undergo in their daily walk through life. And yet I’m so inspired because they do not let these “obstacles” get in the way of their goals. Instead, they press on.

I think it was a good thing for me to go through this surgery. I could feel some of the pain and the heart’s desires of our patients. I needed to be reminded of their courage and perseverance to press on in spite of what stands in the way. May God help each of us in our daily walk to keep our eyes on Jesus, He is the way.

Because every child matters!

Susan

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I only lasted 24 hours

Have you ever experienced that ultimate victorious sensation during special revival meetings at church? After such an amazing time of worship, experience with God and just freedom, you think to yourself I am going to make it!

Well, our church had such a meeting this past weekend. It was a beautiful time of “Soul Care.” Reflecting on past wounds and current rocky emotional states and the healing found in Jesus once these are confessed. It was such a time of deliverance for me. And knowing that “because He lives, all fear is gone.”

Well, I came home from work on the very next day, Monday, still strong. However, after I saw the assignment and test schedule for Philip for this week, I panicked. I became frustrated with myself and with Philip. Then came Sara with her homework. I stared at the pile of dishes through teary eyes. I tried to think of the meals I had yet to prepare for the family tomorrow. And I just let myself back in the spiral of feeling overwhelmed, sad and frustrated. How can I make it this week?

Well, after the pity party, I shook it all off. How could I have let myself fall out like this? It had not even been 24 hours since the church meetings had ended. How could I have succumbed to the wiles and lies of the enemy. I didn’t even fight!

I picked myself up off the ground and dusted myself off. I was not going to let the enemy distract me from what I knew about myself. I know who I am. I know what mighty power I have working in me. I know I am more than a conqueror in Christ, and I have victory because of Him. Though it is a hard road, I am never alone, and neither are you!

I thought about that old chorus we sang years ago, “We’ll not be Defeated!” The words go like this:

We’ll not be defeated

We’ll not be defeated

We’ll not be defeated anymore,

Since the Holy Ghost came in,

Gave us power over sin,

We’ll not be defeated anymore!

Be encouraged, my friend. In the words of Andrew Wommack, “You’ve already got it!” I know the price has been paid for our healing, our prosperity, our joy and our blessing. As is in Ephesians chapter one, I praise God who has blessed us with every heavenly blessing. It has been given, and We WILL claim it!

God bless you!

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Birthdays and whiny Christians

Birthdays can be looked at from different perspectives, either excitement or sadness. I think children look more towards the excitement end. I wish as adults we could keep that innocent mindset as the years progress. 🙂

At my recent milestone, I embraced the day. However, I remembered the 2012 birthday. It was a sad day. I just wondered what I was doing with my life. The day-in rut and the concerns I had in taking care of my family, trying to stay full time in my job and work in the non-profit world. Then to add to all of it, I turned a year older.

Where are you, God? Am I succeeding in the call on my life? Why can’t I move forward? Those were the questions and tears I shed that day.

Add another 365 days and here it is again. I reminisced what an amazing year this has been. Yes, I have to admit I have gotten older. 🙂 There is more gray on my head! But there is definitely more peace in my heart. I’ve realized that I carry an authority in carrying my Father’s name. I know who I am. Instead of being a “whiny Christian” I have learned to go and speak to the mountain and obstacle in my way. I know what the will of God is for me, and I will not let the enemy distract me with emotional barriers and physical illnesses. I speak that over myself, knowing that my words have life and power. I’ve also been reminded that I have the faith of Jesus in me. I have the mind of Christ. Jesus is on me, and my Father looks at me, through the Son. Isn’t it amazing the love He has for you and me?

Remember friends life and death is in your tongue. What do you speak over yourself today? I hope it’s not “Oh, my back is killing me! :)” I urge you to speak to the mountain. Remember your true identity in Him and what you can do because of Christ. We thank God for the victory that we have in Him. And the best part is, none of this expires at the next birthday!!

God bless you!

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Dark Days and the Voice of TRUTH

Dear Readers,

It has been FOREVER since I have updated the blog. The title tells it all. There have been many dark days.

Have you ever had a string of dark days? Just no good news anywhere. And everywhere you look there seems to be more darkness, discouragement and depression.

This is getting morbid, isn’t it? 🙂

Don’t worry, this is where the voice of truth comes in. In Mark 5:34 there is an interesting story of Jesus being caught by Jairus, a ruler of the synagogue. He comes to Jesus asking for the healing of his twelve year old daughter. On the walk to Jairus’ house, people come running to Jairus with a message that his daughter is dead. “Why do you need to trouble the Master?” And immediately after these people gave their bad report, Jesus turns to Jairus and says, “Don’t be afraid, Only believe.” It was the voice of Truth. This passage just lifted me out of the darkness and gave me such encouragement and hope. Yes, there are bad reports from all sides. The medical reports, the work reports, the family reports. Everywhere I turned, I wept over the reports of the world.

But the report of my Heavenly Father is do not be afraid, only believe. This is my strength now. I believe what His word says, and I know what my inheritance and rights are because of the price Jesus paid for the world. Friends, don’t be afraid when you hear the world’s reports about you, instead believe what your Father says about you. I love this song by Casting Crowns, and I pray it blesses you.

Because every child matters!

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I’m excited AND scared to see Philip!!

Philip is finally on the way home from his first mission trip on behalf of LWR! In speaking to him, he is the normal, excited young man when he left me a month ago.

However, I know that there have been changes that have taken place in his heart and mind. There will be images, people, voices, that will never leave his heart. I gave Philip a book before he left for India by a young teenager called Be the Change. He wrote about past heroes who spoke and acted on behalf of the voiceless, and gave a rally cry to urge readers to do the same. I wonder what Philip will say about the experiences of this trip. Does he see hope? Is his heart even more bold and assured in his mission?

With the emotions and visual images Philip will carry in his heart, I ask that you keep us in prayer. As parents, we want to channel that appropriately and in light of the love of God visible in John 3 and verse 16.

I pray that we are able to do this for our Sara and Caleb as well. Their hearts are tender, yet they must be bold to stand up and to know when to stand up for those who cannot do so.

Pray for this generation. I know the Lord is moving in their hearts, I pray they respond and act with love and courage.

Because every child matters!

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Philip’s First Medical Camp

Dear Friends,

Thank you so much for your prayers on behalf of LWR. Saturday marked a special day, as it was Philip’s very first LWR medical camp about 90 kilometers outside of Bangalore, India. We had almost twenty patients come in to the camp. There were ten patients who had actual craniofacial deformities, ages ranged from one month old to seventeen years old. Initial reports from our physicians indicate that all ten may have be appropriate for surgical repairs!!

Philip took the time to mingle and meet with family members who brought in their children with deformities. With the help of the interpreter, he confidentally explained his before and after craniofacial surgery pictures. He shared his testimony with those gathered there. I know many were comforted and consoled with his simple, matter-of-fact explanations of his personal experiences.

To paraphrase Philip in regards to people with craniofacial deformities, “Just because they have something wrong with their body doesn’t mean they should be treated differently. They deserve a chance too. We need to help them!”

Come join us!

Because every child matters!

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December 23, 2012

Several months ago, Philip questioned the significance of baptism and its importance to the believers of Christ. Since that span of time, he has learned more on baptism. He came to us a few weeks ago with tears in his eyes saying, “I want to be baptized, I want to be filled with the Spirit, and walk in the Spirit. I want to obey the command of God.”

After much discussion with him, and all the grandparents and our Pastor, it was decided that Philip will be baptized on Sunday. I initially had some doubt as to whether he was ready. But as I listened to him talk to Santhosh discussing his own sinful nature, and how he desired to be like Jesus, I knew he was ready.

One of my friends was commenting on baptism, how we are “putting on Christ.” I couldn’t help but pray, Philip will be “putting on Christ.” I pray for the display of perfect healing for Philip, his spine and his breathing issues. I pray that not only in the spiritual sense he is a new creation, but also in the phsycial realm, we will see with our own eyes, a new creation.

Please keep the service in prayer, as many of our precious youth will follow the Lord’s command regarding baptism. May the Lord be glorified!!

God bless!

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Creating something out of Nothing

In the beginning, God created the heaven and earth… those are familiar scriptures that we have all memorized in the past.

I was listening to the testimony of one of my new friends. She was sharing her gratefulness to God for the family and friends and fellowship. But she became tearful, and I could hear a yearning cry as she was thanking God for her family and friends. I did not know her well, but felt led to ask her later on if I could pray for her. I found out that she and her husband had no children. It explained the cry of the heart, and with her permission I had the privilege to pray for her.

In 2012 particularly, I’ve known several friends who have had miscarriages. One look at their eyes tells their grief inside. This was a burden for me, and God started to speak to me.

I thought about this familiar verse from Genesis 1:1-2. God is a creator God. He created the world out of the formless void. He created the Earth we live in out of nothing. Can he not fashion a baby out of the formless, barren womb?

There is nothing too hard for the Lord. We have seen this multiple times in multiple ways. He takes the marred clay and refashions the vessel to a new and beautiful vessel. What an amazing God we serve!! He took my marred self, and refashioned me.

In the same way, he takes our nothingness and reforms it to something beautiful. God has given a promise that children are a gift from the Lord. His promises are for each and every one of us. Therefore, take the promise He gives, and speak over your barren womb, or your nothingness. God will reform it. He will do it.

I pray that He turns your mourning into dancing!! Let me know of your miracle.

God bless!

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Look at the RAINBOW!!!

I was driving Philip home from school yesterday after a dreary rainy day. Philip was happily chattering about his day, and then he mentioned his most embarrassing moment in Bible class. He had fallen asleep in class!! His instructor had kindly advised him to go to the first aid station, but Philip told me that he resolved that would never happen again!

The past 3-4 days Philip has really struggled with his breathing at night, while wearing his BIPAP. Like I’ve said before, it is so difficult to watch him struggle. I feel so helpless in watching, repositioning, or holding him. There is nothing to do but cry and pray that he would rest well so that he would be refreshed the next morning.

I couldn’t help but get teary-eyed when Philip told me about his embarrassing moment in class. I again thought to myself, which doctor should I talk to, and how else could we correct things or help him? Suddenly, Philip shouted, “Mom, look, look ahead!” I panicked, thinking I was heading for a car. Then he shouted, “look at the rainbow, it’s a reminder of God’s promises!”

It was indeed a beautiful rainbow, and we saw two together, in fact. I thought of the promises obtained over the years. Many promises over the future of Philip and the miracles in the past, and the miracles we believe to come.

There is no such thing as coincidence. This was a providential reminder, God does keep his promises. People fail us, things, life, nothing is for certain. But God. His Word never fails.

Stay strong, my friends. God is on the throne, and He never changes.

Blessings!

Susan

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