Authenticity

Tuesday, January 10, 2006

Authenticity A very dear friend of mine from Iowa is dying. The doctors have given him just days to live. He's been battling cancer for over 5 years and, unless God steps in supernaturally, his journey is about over. Yet he keeps the faith. He continues to tell others of the Love of his Lord Jesus. And people continue to be drawn to him as a result. He has always been a light throughout his life. He shines brighter still at the end. Join me in prayer for Merlyn, that his light will continue to shine through others long after he has left this dimension of life. Authentic relationship with Jesus is both rare and extremely attractive! Craig Here's a note from his lovely and dedicated wife: "I just wanted to give you a quick update on Merlyn... He is still holding steady, still alert, and is actually stronger than he was when he left the hospital. We had an open house last Sunday, so that people from our church could stop by, since it's been so long since we were able to be there. For four hours, there was a steady stream of people who came. He was tired when it was over, but it was a good kind of tired. He had a chance to witness to an unsaved man and exhort a man who is drifting in his faith. The rest of the week has been spent with our boys, in a special time of togetherness. We got a call from the editor of a small local newspaper and she wanted to do a story on Merlyn. We asked people to pray that the Lord would speak through him and be glorified. She spent 2.5 hours here Saturday afternoon. She said she'd write whatever he wanted, and he started off with the gospel. She made sure she got every word right. "OK, you said Christianity is not a religion, it's a relationship with Jesus, right?" He had so much freedom to speak with her. She said, "I write stories about people and I want the stories to say what you want them to say. I will not print lies and I will not change the truth." She is from Bulgaria and said she was not religious because religious people were killed or tortured. She said she does not feel the same peace Merlyn expresses, but wants to. He told her she could! She took his tract and wants to re-print it in the Cedar Falls and Waverly newspapers "so that everyone can read it". ---So I think the Lord strengthened Merlyn for a little more work... God is still at work in this trial... Karen"