Melissa’s Operation

Sharon flew to Virginia for 3 weeks to take care of Melissa after her operation. Instead of the anticipated half day in the outpatient clinic and then home, it required a rapid return to the emergency room for a long night of waiting and pain while the anesthesiologists adjusted her meds until she could manage the pain. She wasn’t released until 6:00pm the following day. The day nurse said that they usually stay for 2 -3 days after the Fulkerson procedure. Heather came for a couple of days to help with the initial recuperation. Melissa and I stayed at several places while she recovered and started therapy. She is now staying with Heather in Blacksburg, anticipating next week when she can stop using crutches and drive her car.

Distinguished Visitors!

Mike and Sarah Wilson, friends from way back, (since Mike was 9 yrs. old!) stayed with us a few days during an investigative trip to work at ECA, the school for missionary children.

We then received the Marcano family from Venezuela. They partnered with us in founding the IBM church in Lecheria. They are involved in a 2 week outreach in Tenerife. While they were here, IBM members met at our house for a total of 11 people!

Coming for a few days in August: the Schatte family from Lecheria, Venezuela. They have been instrumental in forming several home groups and we anticipate refreshing times with them.

8 Reasons to Memorize Scripture

I was very encouraged to continue to memorize scripture as I listened to John Piper shares 8 reasons for the importance of memorizing scripture.

Memorizing scripture…

1. 1. Makes meditation possible at times when reading the Bible is not possible and meditation is the pathway to deeper understanding.

2. 2. Strengthens my faith because faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God…and that happens when I am hearing the word in my head.

3. 3.Shapes the way I view the world, by conforming my mind to God’s viewpoint on everything.

4. 4.Makes God’s word more readily accessible in overcoming temptation to sin because God’s warnings and promises are the way we conquer the deceitful lies of the Devil.

5. 5.Guards my mind, making it easier for me to detect error and the world is filled with error because the god of this world is a liar

6. 6.Enables me to hit the Devil in the face with a force he cannot resist to protect myself and my family from his assaults (what are you hitting him with? He is millions of times stronger than you and he hates you and your family and your marriage and the church and God. How anybody walks through this devil ruled world without a sword in your hand is beyond logic.)

7. 7.Provides the strongest and sweetest words for ministering to others in need

8. 8. Provides the matrix for fellowship with Jesus because he talks to me through his word and nowhere else (he sweetly, powerfully, authentically, really speaks to me through God’s Word… and then I speak back to him in prayer and if the word is in my mind then we can talk anywhere.)

It is sweet, it is very sweet.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSAVXHE5COg&feature=related