“Glory to the living God!” as we slide into a brand new year, celebrating the Lord’s faithfulness and care in ‘09 and anticipating even more of the same in ‘10 simply because “faithfulness and care” is, well…who the Lord is - who he always has been and, unceasingly, will always be. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8). Glory to Jesus!
In this year-ending/year-beginning post, I’m going to let a friend of mine, Merlin, do my writing for me. Why? Because I recently received an email from her - an email that she sent to all her friends – and it’s one of those emails that pretty much “says it all,” especially as we turn the page on a new year. Ladies and gentlemen, may I introduce to you, Merlin (edited)…
Dear Friends,
Praise be to Jesus, my friends. I pray you are all experiencing the fullness of God’s Loving Kindness, Faithfulness, Mercies and Joy today…
I am as blessed a woman as there is… At the same time, I have a long ways to go toward growth in the Lord. I need the Lord to take me into a place where I am literally worshipping every moment, in whatever I am doing. I need my life to be about worship of just him and him alone. Sounds like miracle territory, doesn’t it!
And so, let’s continue to pray, pray, and pray some more. The more we pray, the more everyday miracles we will see, Amen. We Pray without ceasing and tiring no matter what happens, always being thankful, for this is God’s will for us who belong to Christ Jesus.
Let us pray, my precious friend… as a fellow sinner saved by God’s breathtaking grace, who, the more I grow in him (hopefully!) the more I become aware of the desperation with which I need to acknowledge that my every hope and promise in life’s situations is in Christ Jesus.
He alone “can,” while I have absolutely zero to offer. He alone can reach the hearts of those I am in contact with every day, He alone can love and mend broken hearts and set the prisoner free. Oh friend, He can. He alone can save those family members we have been praying for, for many years.
And so, collectively and individually in the deep and private places of our needs, friends, all we have to do is continue to carry our burdens to Calvary where they will be lifted, for Jesus is very near. To lay it at his feet in total, taking our hands completely off, giving over to his all-sufficiency and our own lack of ability, and cry out to him, and cry out to Jesus, and then “stand and watch, and be utterly amazed” as he does what only he can do…
And so, collectively and individually in the deep and private places of our needs, friends, all we have to do is continue to carry our burdens to Calvary where they will be lifted, for Jesus is very near. To lay it at his feet in total, taking our hands completely off, giving over to his all-sufficiency and our own lack of ability, and cry out to him, and cry out to Jesus, and then “stand and watch, and be utterly amazed” as he does what only he can do…
Oh boy, I got carried away; I was going to write an update of what is happening with me, but I guess the Lord had other plans I guess it is not about me it is about JESUS and YOU ALL, isn’t it? I better get that right ha ha ha ha!!!!! I have said it so many times–you, my friends, are a great blessing. Thank you for all your care, encouragement, support… Continue to laugh, loving life despite what it throws at you, with Jesus you will be just fine… I love you all very much.
Let us be a people who pray, pray, and pray some more.
Merlin
Inspiring, isn’t she? “…take me into a place where I am literally worshipping every moment, in whatever I am doing. I need my life to be about worship of just him and him alone.” What a blessed ambition – an ambition that, being perfectly honest, puts me to shame.
Merlin is from Zimbabwe, having moved to the states many years ago. In Zim, Merlin saw more horror at the hands of an evil regime than all of us westerners put together. But that’s not all of Merlin’s story. In fact, that’s the easy part…
Merlin has brain cancer. She’s been suffering with it for years now. Lord only knows how many surgeries and how many everything-else she’s endured – on her own as a single, middle-aged woman.
She’s totally amazed her doctors, not only because they assumed she’d be gone by now, but all she does – even in the middle of her condition – is testify to the goodness of God, share Jesus with them, and generally bounce off the walls with joy in Jesus.
And now here she is with one heart’s desire – to worship God every moment – filled with more excitement for Jesus and more confidence in him than, well, you fill in the gap. Here’s her email again - unedited…
Dear Friends,
Praise be to Jesus, my friends. I pray you are all experiencing the fullness of God’s Loving Kindness, Faithfulness, Mercies and Joy today. Lamentations 3:21-26. These, my friends, are verses I am praying for each and every one of you as I ask the Lord to bless you for all the warfare you fight on my behalf. I pray you will experience hope for your lives from these scriptures like you have never before experienced.
I am as blessed a woman as there is… And a big part of that is you all - your care, your support, your surrounding me with a fortress of prayer and love… I stand deeply humbled. Thank you so very much!
So much has gone on this year it feels like years have gone by. I’m thankful to report that my doctors are really excited, and full of questions as they see me laughing and living life with hope and joy, as evidenced by the Jesus we serve. Oh friends, as you pray for these doctors, nurses, and other patients I come in contact with, remember ;there is no greater love fulfilled in the fullness of the Lord’s intent; that is, that no one should perish. So thank you for praying for their salvation.
At the same time, I have a long ways to go toward healing and growth in the Lord. I need the Lord to take me into a place where I am literally worshipping every moment, in whatever I am doing. I need my life to be about worship of just him and him alone. I need to be in his perfect will even as I struggle with this body of mine. Sounds like miracle territory, doesn’t it!
And so, as Jesus and the doctors do what they do best, let’s continue to pray, pray, and pray some more. The more we pray, the more everyday miracles we will see, Amen. I thank you so much – We Pray without ceasing and tiring no matter what happens, always being thankful, for this is God’s will for us who belong to Christ Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5:16-19)–actually, read it from verse 12 to the end of the chapter–you will be blessed.
Let us pray, my precious friend. I’m not speaking in terms of healing intercession for my health- but as a fellow sinner saved by God’s breathtaking grace, who, the more I grow in him (hopefully!) the more I become aware of the desperation with which I need to acknowledge that my every hope and promise in life’s situations is in Christ Jesus.
He alone “can,” while I have absolutely zero to offer. He alone can reach the hearts of those I am in contact with every day, He alone can heal completely, He alone can love and mend broken hearts and set the prisoner free. Oh friend, He can. He alone can save those family members we have been praying for, for many years.
And so, collectively and individually in the deep and private places of our needs, friends, all we have to do is continue to carry our burdens to Calvary where they will be lifted, for Jesus is very near. To lay it at his feet in total, taking our hands completely off, giving over to his all-sufficiency and our own lack of ability, and cry out to him, and cry out to Jesus, and then “stand and watch, and be utterly amazed” as he does what only he can do.
And so, collectively and individually in the deep and private places of our needs, friends, all we have to do is continue to carry our burdens to Calvary where they will be lifted, for Jesus is very near. To lay it at his feet in total, taking our hands completely off, giving over to his all-sufficiency and our own lack of ability, and cry out to him, and cry out to Jesus, and then “stand and watch, and be utterly amazed” as he does what only he can do.
It is humbling and amazing to see the Lord’s hand move because we prayed. It is also extremely humbling to realize how awesome it is for us to actually take part in the moving of God’s hand. Wow–to be vessels through which the darkness that opposes Jesus scatters away. Glory to God. That, friends, happens when we totally surrender to the Lord and when we immerse ourselves in the Holy Spirit as we pray.
Oh boy, I got carried away; I was going to write an update of what is happening healthwise with me, but I guess the Lord had other plans I guess it is not about me it is about JESUS and YOU ALL, isn’t it? I better get that right ha ha ha ha!!!!!
I have said it so many times–you, my friends, are a great blessing. Thank you for all your care, encouragement, support… I stand in awe of you all, and I salute you for hanging in there with me.
Continue to laugh, loving life despite what it throws at you, with Jesus you will be just fine. I will write a health update next time, I guess. You see, the Lord is doing so much, saying so much, I am having a hard time keeping it to myself, so you will have to just bear with me. Oh, what the heck, you have done so for so long. I love you all very much.
Let us be a people who pray, pray, and pray some more.
Hugging you in prayer
Merlin
And may I add, “Happy New Year!” For each and every one of us, may 2010 be the year we can honestly say that our greatest heart-desire is to worship God “literally every moment.” May 2010 be the year we can finally rise above whatever it is that seeks to beat us down, and celebrate Jesus. May 2010 be the year that we pray, pray pray – and then “stand back and watch and be utterly amazed.”
Yes, precious one, may 2010 be “that” year – oh, sweet victorious year – for both you and me!
Thank you, Merlin! Glory to Jesus!
Bruce Marchiano
4 Comments
She is truly an amazing woman. Such faith and truth about her Savior and Lord. I pray dear Lord, you touch her in a mighty way she will sense your presence and peace. In Jesus Name.
How we need to put into practice worshiping the Lord every moment. A lot of my walks with my dog are prayer walks and worship. Thanks Bruce.
Totally inspired and will make worshiping God at all times my main goal for 2010. Bless you Merlin and according to Psalm 107 v20 God sends forth His Word and You Are Healed.
You are a blessing to me. I pray that our saviour will richly bless you.You are a women of God.The Lord wants our praises and he is a wonderful God and a true friend . The song says “he raised me up to stand on the highest mountains,he raised me up to walk on stormy seas, am strong when I am on his shoulders,he raised me up to more then I can be”.God bless you .
Timing is everything with God – I didn’t read this blog when it was first posted, not sure exactly why but I didn’t. Today, was indeed the day, when I needed to read this blog. Lord I just pray for Merlin right now, Jesus, grant her request and touch her Lord for her’s is a ministry the world needs to hear and see. Love you Merlin. And Jesus, please make Merlin’s desire mine as well and make it the desire of your church. Thanks Bruce for posting this email, it truly is a blessing to read, tell Merlin thank you as well.