We’ve lived in our current house for 3 years now, and, over those 3 years, our boiler has consistently needed repairs. We have intermittently gone with no heating or hot water (a trivial inconvenience in reality) and have had to find creative ways of staying warm.

Every time our boiler broke down again, we’d pray that the boiler engineer would quickly be able to find the issue and repair it. However, this year I started praying that the boiler would just break down properly so that it couldn’t be fixed, and we’d need it to be replaced.

In the beginning of autumn this year, our boiler broke down. I remember being really thankful that it happened just before the cold season so that it could be fixed ready for when we really needed it. And it was. For about a month, it worked great. Praise God, we were warm. But then it broke down again, and, as literally all the parts have been repeatedly repaired or replaced, the decision was made that it’s time for it to go. Praise God!

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Anyway, in view of all this, I was thanking God tonight during our prayer meeting that our boiler is finally ‘properly broken’ because now it can be properly fixed (or replaced in this case). Dad chuckled at my random prayer, but then responded by thanking God that He’s breaking the Church in this nation so that it can be renewed.

He’s right. We’ve cried so many times over the past few decades for Jesus to bring revival and have cried, fasted and interceded on our nation’s behalf. I believe Jesus has heard and acted on each of those prayers, and is doing just that. Revival necessitates death. It’s time for us, the Western Church, to learn what it looks like to pick up our crosses. It’s time that we learned how to count the cost and watch beauty spring up from the ashes as we bury our old and water the new.

This season is an opportunity for exactly that.

I believe right now is the time for us to crumble all our idols of comfortable worship and religion and reassess everything we believe and know God to be. This time is a precious, precious gift that God is giving us to strengthen our faith and prepare us to stand firm on His Word and goodness.

He’s doing it.

He is preparing His Bride.

Take heart. He knows exactly what He’s doing.

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 “And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.  For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it —  lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him,  saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish’?  Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand?  Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace.  So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.”
Luke 14:27‭-‬33 NKJV

One of my weaknesses is that I ‘strongly dislike’ being falsely accused. From a petty, “Abbie, did you put the shirt there?” said in a mildly accusatory tone to a, “Abbie, why did you take my shoes?” (laundry examples were all I could think of), my blood gets pretty easily boiled by being reprimanded for something I didn’t do.

It’s something that I’m very aware of, and recently I’ve taken to having a more light hearted and sarcastic approach in response. One of my favourite phrases to respond to a petty false accusation such as, “Abbie, did you take my charger?” or “Abbie, why did you move my stuff?” is “Yes, I did. I did it just to annoy you.” (making sure that this is said with a cheeky smile).

It’s had a very successful response as family members acknowledge the implications of their accusations. The following conversation happens fairly regularly:

Matt: “Abbie, did you move my *blank*”

Me: “Yes, I did it just to annoy you.”

Mum: “Abbie, why would you do that?!”

*Cue me shrugging and cheekily smiling.*

Matt: “No, Mum, she’s lying. She thinks she’s funny.”

*Cue Matt trying to tickle me and apologetically saying,* “Abbie, do you know where it is?” (In a much more loving tone.)

As successful and entertaining as this approach has been, when it comes to more serious matters than my organisational habbits, I find that I still respond very frustratedly and offendedly. I repeat to myself often that:

“For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.
I Peter 3:17 NKJV”

And I remind myself that Jesus didn’t defend Himself. He let others think what they wanted about Him because He knew who He was and who His Father said He was. Phew. When I realised that that’s the root of it all, I began to see that learning to not be hurt or offended by false accusations is actually incredibly important. We need to know who we are and who our Father is and have peace and confidence in that. When our fruit shows that we aren’t confident in that, it’s evidence that we have some learning and remembering to do.

So, lesson 1. Know who your Father is and who you are. From here flows pretty much everything.

Lesson 2. These mild trials are preparation for our future and the molding of our characters.

I’m learning that in me choosing to face this weakness now, I’m being prepared for larger moments in my future in which I’ll be accused of larger things. Things that hurt my pride, reputation, and heart. But in those moments, I’m being prepared to respond without offense or self-defense, but instead, to respond like Jesus did and focus on knowing who I am and on loving the other person well.

I’m confident that I’ll continue to struggle and be refined in this area, but I’m also confident that I’ll increasingly learn to respond like Jesus.

So, life lesson: Jesus is using even our littlest frustrations and weakness for His glory and our good. Let this give you so much peace and hope in whatever your weaknessnes are.

And remember: Jesus is so kind. So be kind to yourself and those around you. Have a listen to ‘Be Kind to Yourself’ by Andrew Peterson and ‘Good and Loved’ by Travis Greene and Steffany Gretzinger.

Also, if you have any other life lessons that you’re learning in this area, please share them with me! We learn best when we learn together.

“O Lord , You have searched me and known me. You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off. You comprehend my path and my lying down, And are acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word on my tongue, But behold, O Lord , You know it altogether. You have hedged me behind and before, And laid Your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is high, I cannot attain it.”
Psalms 139:1‭-‬6 NKJV

“And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9 NKJV

My sister and I read C.S. Lewis’ Narnia series over the summer. (If you haven’t read them all recently, do it!) There are so many beautiful and striking parallels to both the Christian experience generally and these specific times. However, I want to spend some time on my two favourite quotes from the series.

1. “Safe?” said Mr Beaver …”Who said anything about safe? ‘Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King, I tell you.”

The safety of Jesus.

What does it look like to have a safe Father? I think this question is often misunderstood. However, I think Corrie Ten Boom understood it almost perfectly when she wrote:

“There are no ‘if’s’ in God’s world. And no places that are safer than other places. The center of His will is our only safety – let us pray that we may always know it!”

Corrie Ten Boom, The Hiding Place

This quote comes from a point in the book in which Corrie has just narrowly avoided a violent death, as a metal shard came flying through the window onto her pillow whilst she went downstairs for a few minutes. I think this quote is actually Corrie quoting what her sister, Betsie (the-overflowing-with-faith hero), said to her in response to Corrie’s shock at nearly dying.

This is so beautiful in the context of the Ten Boom sister’s story. (Again, if you haven’t read it, do!) The revelation that the ‘only safe place is in His will’ became an anthem for them throughout their lives. But their lives were far from safe. They sheltered and hid Jews during WW11, and were dragged off to various concentration camps where they experienced unthinkable horrors. Bestie even died in the concentration camp.

You may observe, “Their lives following Jesus were far from safe.” And, from an earthly perspective, you would be right. But Corrie and Betsie didn’t have an earthly perspective, they had a heavenly one. They knew that Jesus was working all they saw and went through for their good and His will. Even if it meant suffering and dying at the cruel hands of Nazis. They knew Who their safe place was and where they were going.

You see, from a heavenly perspective, they were always safe. Jesus was always holding them and knew exactly what He was doing.

This is what Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego understood so well when they were threatened with a fiery death. The natural consequences of faithfulness are incomparable with the reward of a pleased King and Father.

“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” Romans 8:18 NKJV

We need to know this now more than ever, and we need to increasingly know it! That as diseases, natural disasters, corrupt goverments, unfaithful friends and dark times threaten to steal our peace, we have a good, kind and powerful Father who will hold us through it all. He knows what He’s doing. If we’re safe and comfortable in our homes, He is good. If we’re ill and dying, He is good. If we’re in prison, He is good. If we’re suffering unspeakable torment for Him, He is good. Let it sink down that there is nothing that is worthy of our fear apart from Him. And fearing Him is the most fearless and free place to be.

I won’t stop saying that even death itself is a victory for those in Jesus. Let’s live like it.

2. “He’s not a tame lion.”

Whew. This quote has so much depth! It is an anthem repeated throughout the series that was intitally uttered in The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe to Lucy to help her understand his character. However, in The Last Battle, this anthem is repeated, but it’s now a phrase used to doubt and question his character. Many generations of Narnians have lived since the time of Queen Lucy or any other character who had a personal relationship with Alsan and trouble comes to Narnia. *Spoiler* A villain has dressed a naive animal in lion skins, and is pretending that it is Aslan Himself. The manipulative villain begins to tell Narnians that Aslan has commanded them to do all kinds of questionable and outright evil things. In light of this, many Narnians are very confused. They always thought Aslan was a good king and lion, but now he was apparently an evil dictator. They reasoned amongst themselves, “He’s not a tame lion.” And all of a sudden, a phrase that once spoke of his power and wonder was spoken to mean that he was too fearful and wild to be good and trusted. Amongst other adventures, this all leads to Narnia in utter chaos and many Narnians completely lose hope and tragically reject King Aslan.

There are so many incredible Biblical narratives going on in this book, but the one that I want to touch on, and that I believe C.S. Lewis was referencing, was this: The Tribulation

For those of us who know our Bibles and prophecy, we know that the Tribulation is a time of struggle that will come upon the Earth in which horrors and evil that this world has never seen will come and will all end in the returning of our King Jesus and the ushering in of His millennial reign.

What I believe Lewis was touching on was this: the Pre, Mid, Post Trib question. I don’t know if you’ve ever spent time studying theology or have been in a debate around this subject. But, if you have, you most likely came away confused and frustrated and, hopefully, saying, “Well, it doesn’t matter, anyway. I know where I’m going.”

While this is a faithful statement based on the true confidence of salvation, I contend that it does matter. The Bible speaks of revival and falling away happening in the tension before and during the Tribulation, and I believe much of it will center around the battle for understanding the character of Jesus.

In an FAI Bible study video hosted by Dalton Thomas earlier this year, he spoke on this subject and urged Christians to dig into God’s Word for the answer. Despite popular belief, the Bible is very clear on this point: the church will not be raptured before or during the Tribulation. There is so much the Bible has to say about this, and I encourage you to watch the FAI video “We will be radiant and ready, not raptured and removed.” on YouTube. However, I just want to quickly focus on the importance of knowing the character of Jesus.

In The Last Battle, because so many Narnians didn’t know Aslan’s character personally, when the first sign of real trouble came, they quickly doubted that he was ever good. That, friends, is exactly what will happen to people, including Christians, who don’t know Jesus personally when the Tribulation starts. Many, many Christians have been promised that safety in Jesus looks like being removed from the worst hardships. And it’s the Christians who have bought this lie who will question, when trouble comes to their door, if Jesus was even ever good. Many, friends, will reject Him completely because they never actually knew Him.

We can already see the evidence of this in play, from both perspectives. For those who know their God, when trouble comes knocking in their door, they say Jesus is worthy of this too. I think of the persecuted and abused women of the Middle East who endure unthinkable torture at the hands of evil men, but who hold on to Jesus all the more. I also think of many Western Christians who, when disease or financial ruin threaten them, turn their back on God for being unfair and unkind.

This is why knowing the character of Jesus and His response to our sufferings is so important. It is not in the nature of Jesus to leave or abandon. However, this is exactly what He would be doing if He raptured the church in the earth’s greatest time of need. The Christian presence on Earth will be powerful, glorious and faithful during the tribulation. Many of us will lose our lives in unthinkable ways for simply being faithful, but as the Ten Boom sisters understood, it will all be a part of our glorious and kind Father’s plan. He is so much better than we know.

“…looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Hebrews 12:2 NKJV

Jesus will never ask us to do anything that He isn’t right there with us in or that He doesn’t have a glorious plan for. Friends, this time is a gift. Get to know Jesus in this season. Fill your lamps with the oil of intimacy and rejoice in all seasons that our Jesus is good, wise and kind. It all has purpose. We have nothing to fear. Let’s be like Jesus and face death and suffering with JOY. And let’s love others fearlessly. I believe neighbours and kings will come to know Jesus as we live relentlessly faithful lives.

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9 NKJV

Maranatha and much love.

I’ve had many people ask me a variant of the following question since I was a child: “Why won’t you watch Harry Potter if you watch Lord of the Rings. They both have magic. It’s hypocritical.”

It’s taken me a long time to have a solid answer to that question, but my answer now is, what is the fruit of it? Do you see people buying wizard hats and casting spells after watching  LotR? I’ve never seen it. However, this is exactly what happens for the majority after watching or reading J.K. Rowling’s novels.

As for Harry Potter growing up, I had 3 main reasons why I could never watch it. Firstly, I was instructed by my parents to never watch it because it was evil. I remember being at a friend’s house when I was around 6 and leaving the room to play with Barbies when it was switched on. That’s not to say however that I simply followed everything my parents ever told me; I argued with them over many things if ever I disagreed. However, (and this is reason 2) growing up in a Christian household, I’ve always had a very awake and sensitive spirit. When I saw Harry Potter playing, I would literally feel the demonic warfare. And thirdly, for as long as I can remember, magic has never been a game. I grew up with a white witch on my road, and it was common knowledge that she sacrificed cats. The very real reality of the heavenly warfare, and the part that witchcraft played in it, was sobering. The thought of entertaining it was unthinkable.

My mum has always been the most spiritually a tune amongst us. When we first moved into our previous property, she was convinced that witchcraft was occurring. We mostly ignored her, until we were told that our house was an old lay line: used as a meeting point for witches and seances. When we heard this, we rejoiced as a family.  We had a deep conviction that it was why we lived there. The glory of Jesus taking what was once a demonic foothold and claiming it for Himself sent joy through all our veins! We became more vigilant in praying over the house and pleading the blood of Jesus over every door frame, window, and corner and rejoiced in Jesus glorifying Himself through us in that house.

However, the ever spiritually atune mum, still felt that there was occult worship happening around us. She found an old shack in the woods and was convinced that it was used for occult gatherings. We told her to stop being so suspicious, but slowly, I started to sense it too. There was nothing provable, but sometimes I could literally feel the battle in the heavenlies around our property. And then, we started noticing our cats. 

At first we couldn’t figure it out, but they would regularly come home with a patch of hair shaved off on their legs or backs. For a long time, we tried to reason it as being a scratch from a twig, but there was no mistaking the very clean razor shaves. Mum slowly realised that only the black hairs on the cats were shaved and became convinced that our cats’ lost hair was being used in occult practices. When it finally dawned on me that she was right, I started praying for my cats. I prayed that they would be covered by the blood of Jesus and that no hair on their bodies could be used in satanic worship.  I prayed that the witches would be overwhelmed by the presence of Jesus when they came near our cats and that the conviction of sin and wickedness would cause them to run to Jesus. I prayed often over the cats. I didn’t really think about it that much after that, and I don’t know what happened in the lives of the witches, but I know that our cats stopped being shaven.

You see, there is a very real spiritual realm. In fact, it’s more real than what we currently experience.  Jesus is Lord and King and Redeemer, but He has an enemy. Don’t make yourself an enemy of Jesus by aligning with him.

“Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
Galatians 5:19‭-‬21 NKJV

Having such experiences in my life has neither made me afraid of the enemy nor caused me to be hateful and fearful of those who worship him. There are many witches around, and when I come into contact with them or hear that they live near me, I just want to love them, pray for them and long that they would know their true source of power and strength. As stated in the verse above, all sin is sin. They are in need of Jesus just as much as the rest of mankind.

However, I pray that, in me sharing and writing this, you would be awakened to spiritual things. We’re not called to be blind to the enemy’s ploys, and we’re defintiely not called to be entertained by it. As children of the light and children of the day, we’re called to see where darkness is and actively partner with Jesus in warfare. It’s not a fearful thing; it’s not a fairytale; it’s our calling as followers of Jesus.

“You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober.”
I Thessalonians 5:5‭-‬6 NKJV

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”
Ephesians 6:10‭-‬13 NKJV

Know that if you have made Jesus your Lord, you are on the winning side. His is the victory.

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”
II Timothy 1:7 NKJV

Blessings, Abbie

I’ve never written a book review before (other than as homework for homeschool days!), but I recently read Kathy Lee’s A Captive In Rome and was blown away. I don’t know if you reading this are in a season of life in which you are searching for edifying things for you and your family to do, but, if you are this review is for you!

For many years now, Elizabeth has tried to get me to read it, saying that it’s her all-time favourite book, but I just never gave it the time. I expected it to be a sweet child fiction, and knew that it was about First Century Christians, but it didn’t really capture my attention. However, Elizabeth finally convinced me into reading it with her and a friend a couple of weeks ago; and, goodness, am I glad she did.

The basic plot is about a young British Celt named Bryn whom is taken captive by Romans and sold into slavery in Rome. For the duration of the book, Bryn spends most of his time trying to find freedom and return to his beloved Britian. However, at the house in which he is a slave lives a Christian slave, Tiro. Bryn soon finds himself drawn to this caring, thoughtful man, and, despite his hate for Rome and desperation to go home, he forms a deep father-son like bond with him. Tiro teaches Bryn many things about the Jesus he serves, and Bryn repeatedly finds himself wanting to know this foreign God whom Tiro calls ‘Father’.

The book leads you through many of Bryn’s personal struggles and tribulations and (*spoilers coming*) ends with one of the most striking parallels of redemption that I’ve ever read outside of God’s Word. After various grievous and painful experiences, Bryn finally receives the freedom that he long hoped for. However, instead of using his freedom to fulfil his own desires, he chooses to use his freedom to serve his beloved Tiro and declares, “Everything I have is yours.”

Goodness, at this point in the book I was nearly bawling. It is so beautiful. The striking parallels that the story paints of sacrifice, redemption and freedom are stunning. Galatians 5:13 comes to mind, “For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” This is the greatest picture of freedom I can imagine. Jesus, who is our King and Lord, as the Lead Servant. He has shown us that true freedom looks like endless serving.

I love that Bryn finds his true freedom, not in the absence of a life of slavery, but in a life devoted to Christ that is lived out by service to others. In the end, Bryn becomes on the one hand more of a slave than he ever was: not only in working for his master, but in doing and giving everything for a friend; and, on the other more free than he could have ever imagined.

This really is my story, and is every Christian’s story, that as we die to oursleves and our own desires, Jesus comes and burns in us a passion to love and serve Him and from there to love and serve others with abandon.

So, in conclusion, I loved this book, and I look forward to reading its sequels with Lizzie. It’s such a treasure to find children’s books with such depth and revelation. There are many other treasures of revelation to be pulled out of this book, and I’m finally beginning to understand why Lizzie holds this book so dear. I unreservedly encourage you to find and read this book! Both personally and with your children or family. It is absolutely beautiful.

“For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more”
I Corinthians 9:19 NKJV

“As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
I Peter 4:10 NKJV”

“Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
Matthew 20:28 NKJV

I want to share the past three weeks with you. This is a very personal story, but I hope that through reading this your hearts would be settled and minds awakened to the wonder and glory of our good and gracious King.

A little over three weeks ago, my parents received a phone call from the home that my grandmother was cared for in. They let us know that Buba (my dad’s mum) was having increasing fits and seizures and that we should prepare to say goodbye. Over next two (ish) weeks, we visited her every other day. She stopped eating and being able to swallow water. The doctors applied a pain patch, and told us every day that it would probably be her last.

A bit of back story: Buba battled dementia for 21 years, the last 7 of those being completely bed bound. However, she was one of THE strongest ladies, and constantly surprised doctors and staff with her strength and will to live. Over this time, we as a family battled many times over how Buba was living.  We prayed that Jesus would take her home to be with Him, away from her suffering, but that more than that that Jesus would have His way. While she was in that home, we know that she carried the presence of Jesus and shone like a bright light. 

During this time, when we visited her we read her the Bible and sang hymns and worship songs. We also laughed and played around her, and as much as possible tried to engage her in conversation.  For about 3 years, she pretty much lost the ability to speak. However, occasionally she would catch one of our eyes and let out a witty or touching remark: like scoffing Sam’s joke with  a “no” or replying with “yes” to dad asking if she knew that we loved her. However, these visits lasted a long time, and we as a family often questioned why she was still holding on when she could be with Jesus in Heaven.

Two weeks ago, we went to visit her for the last time. During this visit, Buba looked like death. Her mouth had started decaying, eyes set back, and all physical function all but lost. However, her spirit was so alive! You could feel it in the room. I started to question why she was holding on when her body was clearly finished with this life. I turned to dad and asked if he gave her permission to leave. He said yes and then went to her and had what I can only describe and the most beautiful conversation I have ever heard.

He asked for her forgiveness for anything he had done growing up or after, and spoke forgiveness over her for anything she had done to him. He spoke in faith that anyone who she may have wronged in the past had forgiven her, and reminded her that she had forgiven them too. He declared the forgiveness and blood of Jesus over her, and reminded her that Jesus is good and faithful. He told her not to worry about who might or might not be in Heaven to greet her, but simply to trust in her beloved Jesus.

After we kissed her goodnight, prayed with her and walked out, I asked dad if he had ever had that conversation with his mum before. He said, “no”, and I knew in my spirit that I had just witnessed a great healing for both Dad and Buba.

Buba passed away in her sleep the next morning, and we were left grieving our loss and wondering and rejoicing over the perfection of our precious King. We had a week of intense funeral and family planning, and were so well supported by many around us. We were truly able to join in with the party in Heaven that she is home!! That funeral and time of grieving and rejoicing will always be one of my favourite times. Buba has gone ahead of us into glory!!

We realised very quickly that God works all things for good and had done so again in this season. Not only was celebrating Jesus’ triumph over death the BEST way to enter into a season of fear over death in the world, but it also dawned on us that had Buba passed away only days later, we wouldn’t have been able to visit her. All this and so much more made that week a spiritual high for my family. Our faith and joy were tangible and overflowing with gratitude to our sweet Jesus. However, I knew that every mountain top is simply preparation for the battle in the valley below, and I knew that we needed to deeply take stock and be prepared for our faith to be tested once again.

The day that Buba entered glory, Dad said, “This is the time that we put our faith into action and believe what God says in His Word. ”  He couldn’t have been more right.  Only a few days later, a dear friend of ours, Emily, tried to take her life and was in a coma.

The day before I heard about Emily, the word AWAKE was ringing through my head. I didn’t really know why, but thought it was God’s Word for this nation right now.

 ‘Therefore He says: “Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light.”’
Ephesians 5:14 NKJV

While I know that this is God’s Word for this nation, when I heard about Emily the next day, I knew this was for her also.

My family and I joined with so many others who were praying AWAKE EMILY, and entered an intense weekend of intercession pleading for her life. The faith of Emily’s sister, Annabel, woke such faith in me, and I marvelled at being allowed to partner with her in our prayers. She is one of the strongest and bravest ladies I’ve ever known.

On Sunday afternoon, while the world was preparing for quarantine and hospitals were locked down to visitors, my family and I went to pray around the QE hopsital. We drove around the perimeter of the hospital 7 times like warriors around Jericho singing praises to Jesus and speaking life and redemption over Emily. On the 6th and 7th times around, I felt in my spirit that Jesus was saying, “You have been faithful, let Me do the rest.” We drove home from that battle with a deep conviction that Jesus had heard our prayers and that the battle fought over Emily was not lost. 

When we arrived home, I learned that while we were driving around the hospital, Emily had passed away. We felt a deep sadness, but also an awareness that Jesus was faithful.  It was a dark moment for me in which I had to go over everything Jesus ever said He was and cling to it despite what I saw.

The lyrics to a song I wrote last year were as plain as day:

“You’re using every moment of this story
For Your infinite and endless glory
And at the end of every page I know I’ll say
You’ve always been good; You’ll always be good.”

We learned that as we were praying over Emily, God was turning deep sadness into joy, as four families (including three children) received much needed organ transplants that day. We were able to rejoice with so many others that not only had Jesus heard our prayers and given life to sweet Emily, who is now living a more abundant life than we can imagine, but also gave life to four other precious people.

Our King and Father really is so good.

A day later, two days ago, the Prime Minister announced a national lock down. We as a family were discouraged by this, as it removes the opportunity for many to live by faith and meet with other believers.  However, in our sadness at this decision, we are also celebrating that our Jesus works all things for the good of those who love Him and is providing opportunity for the body to seek Him in new ways and for those who don’t know Him to seek Him.

He is so endlessly faithful. Know as you read this that Jesus has conquered the grave. There is nothing to fear. Our God will go behind and before, making a way where there is no way.

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“Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:6-9 NKJV

“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance. Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: “For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.” Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 8:18‭-‬39 NKJV