Kate Smiled!

Aaron and Holly posted this message and then Aaron posted this pic on his facebook!  Keep praying people; Jehovah Rapha (The God Who Heals) is in the house! (NEW Video Update too: http://bit.ly/N0TuP)

Friday, July 10, 2009 10:02 PM, MST – I had to write! Kate SMILED tonight!! Yes, she smiled a full (kind of lopsided) smile!! Which caused both Aaron and I to smile and laugh. It felt so good. It has been way too long since a real smile has passed our lips. Thankyou Jesus. She also pooped on the toilet! (trust me these things are exciting right now). And she actually wanted to do a puzzle with me tonight. She has not wanted to engage in much play at all, so this, well, it was wonderful. Continue your prayers, we are seeing some progress. Thankyou!

Saturday, July 11, 2009 10:13 AM, MST – Quick prayer request.. I have broke out in cold sores from the stress of the last 12 days. So I have started to wear a face mask to protect Kate. My simple prayer is that Kate will not acquire any additional viruses etc. She needs to stay healthy for her upcoming treatments. It is definitely hard for me not to be in bed with her all the time. So pray for my heart and Kate’s health. We need her to be strong for next week. She will be getting a spinal tap to check her CSF for cancer cells. She may also be getting the bone marrow or stem cell transplant (before they start chemo). Please pray that God will shield her from any additional stresses on her body. That He will be her shield. Thankyou.

Praying for Kate McRae

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” - Matthew 19:14 NIV

I am not certain that my heart has been heavier than it is right now since hearing of little Katie-Bear’s brain tumor.  Aaron and Holly McRae came with their family to Chandler, AZ with hopes to partner with Cornerstone Christian Fellowship and plant a church in July 2008.  The week prior to their arrival, Tracy the kids and I arrived to accept the position as Singles Pastor at Cornerstone.  Since that time, our families have grown close as have many other families with the McRaes.

Aaron’s title with Cornerstone is Multi-Site Pastor.  He is in the process of heading up a new Cornerstone Campus set to launch in South Scottsdale, AZ in August 2009.  On Sunday,  June 28th, it was announced that this campus launch, along with a few other growth plans, were being temporarily put on pause to let the financial giving catch up to the need.  Although he knew this was a necessary step…Aaron was disappointed at the postponement of the campus  launch.  Little did he realize that God was clearing his calendar to handle something that only happens to other people: his 5-year-old precious Kate was diagnosed with brain cancer.

Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done.  If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” – Matthew 21:21-22 NIV

On Monday, June 29th, Kate was diagnosed with an egg-sized, aggressive brain tumor.  Wednesday morning she underwent surgery during which about half of the tumor was removed.  She is now recovering from the surgery and it is slow-going but in the right direction.  Initially she would not move the right side of her body.  Since that time, she is now showing movement which is great!  However, she is refusing to speak.  She was intubated several times and now refuses to eat or speak (however she has acknowledged that she is confused about what is going on).

My family and I were on vacation in Oklahoma and Texas this week as all of this unfolded.  I have never felt so helpless.  In addition to Kate’s situation, five other staff members were faced with serious and unexpected physical challenges on the same day we initially heard of Kate’s tumor.  Again, I have never felt so helpless.  Although hurting for Kate and many others we understood that we needed to comfort our own family and enjoy the precious time we had already planned to have with them.  In the end, we cut our trip short by one day and were able to slip up the hospital on Saturday and see Aaron, Holly and little Kate.  Many tears were shed and many prayers were lifted during our few brief moments with the family.

As I said in the beginning, I am not sure I remember my heart ever being this heavy.  As parents, Tracy and I know what it is like to have your child hang on in the Pediatric ICU.  (Our first born, Rachel spent a week there at 6 months of age.)  However, I cannot fully comprehend what Aaron and Holly are feeling after having five years to fall in love with this little angel. 

“The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.” -Psalm 145:18 NIV

The greatest thing any of us can do for them is obviously pray: 

• Pray for God to completely heal Kate of this tumor
• Pray that the cancer flees from her body and she lives to leave a legacy that only God could take credit for
• Pray that Aaron and Holly remain strong in their weakness through the power of God
• Pray that Olivia and Will are able to process what is happening to their sister
• Pray that the Church (the body of people who are unified through the blood of Christ) all hit their knees and walk moment by moment with this precious family
• Pray that the hospital staff witness a miracle of Jehovah Rapha (The Lord Our Healer)

There are many stories of countless people being touched by the story of Kate’s journey from John McCain to Dr. Phil, from Australia to Canada, from hundreds of blogs and tweets, from the nearly 90,000 hits her website has received in the first five days.  Even one of Kate’s nurses told Holly her story of being healed from a brain tumor herself…at the age of five.  God is using this little angel to unite people in prayer.  May this be only the beginning of a revolution among Christians world-wide who claim the words of Isaiah, that by HIS wounds we are healed.  A special thanks to Brian Wurzell and Promise Tangeman Wurzell for their creative talents and their amazingly selfless hearts as they exhausted themselves to spread the word about Kate. 

If you are in the Phoenix area and would like to visit Kate and the family, please email them or sign their guestbook online,  while continuing to pray, instead of visiting them in the hospital.   They have been inundated with visitors and are now surrounded by friends and family and could use a little space to process the reality of each day. 

Here are just a few websites covering their journey:

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/mcraekate (http://www.prayforkate.com)

http://promisetangemanblog.com/life/pray-for-kate

http://promisetangemanblog.com/life/a-little-photoshoot-with-kate-mcrae

http://brianwurzell.wordpress.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ese3zYZ-NA4

http://www.myspace.com/audreyassadsings

http://blog.drphil.com/

http://www.catalystspace.com/catablog/full/rallying_the_nation_to_pray_for_kate_mcrae/

Are You Famous?

Are you famous?  What is your definition of famous?  I was watching the Academy Awards last night with my wife.  I found myself being lulled into the mindset of standing in awe of these “heroes of the big screen”.  As I sat there, I began to ask myself, “What would it be like to be famous like these movie greats?”  Then I wondered if I would ever be a “famous” person.  As I pondered these questions and thoughts, I began to believe that I would never be somebody of such great importance as these larger-than-life individuals. 

 

At 41 years old, I can see how people can get sucked into the bonds of a mid-life crisis when comparing their own accomplishments (or lack thereof) to those who are applauded by the mainstream of society.  Now, I do not want to downplay the efforts and accomplishments of those on the silver screen; I recognize the importance of entertainment and I enjoy a great movie just as much as the next person.  However, the person that I found to be the most admirable of the night was Jerry Lewis.  The tribute to this man highlighted his acting career but also concentrated on his contribution to the children affected with Muscular Dystrophy.  As a part of the evening’s events he was awarded the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award.  Thinking about the effect that Jerry’s life has had on so many, it helped me regain my focus on what is meant to be a “star”.

 

As I wrestled with thoughts of my own life-contributions I resolved that although I may not ever be nationally recognized by mankind, I have the opportunity to speak into people’s lives every day with the potential to make an eternal impact.  As husband, father and pastor I have the opportunity and responsibility to lead those in my life towards understanding and experiencing life, love, and the God of the universe regardless of whether mainstream society ever knows my name.

 

May we never tire of pursuing our dreams and yet never obsess about the applause of men.

 

John 12:42b-43 NIV

“…many even among the leaders believed in him [Jesus]. But because of the Pharisees they would not confess their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; for they loved praise from men more than praise from God.”

Nuggets of Truth from the Book of Job

I am once again going through Tyndale House’s published Chronological One Year Bible (see link to the right) and just spent a couple of weeks reading though the struggles of Job’s experience.  Although this story can seem a bit depressing and repetitive at times, it is still God’s Word.  I came across a few nuggets of truth buried in the text that literally jumped off the page at me this past week.  I was encouraged through the words of one of Job’s “friends”.  God stated that his friends were misguided in most of what they told him, but in the midst of his poor advice Elihu made a few statements that resonated with truth.

First, in Job 32:8-9 Elihu states, “…it is the spirit in a man, the breath of the Almighty, that gives him understanding. It is not only the old who are wise, not only the aged who understand what is right.”  This reminded me that although many who are older carry with them great wisdom, it is God’s very spirit in all of us who enables us to comprehend His greatness, His nature, and His heart.

Second, I have often been laughingly accused of being a bit long-winded when I am teaching the Scriptures and I now found someone else who identifies with what I feel inside!  In Job 32:18-22 Elihu continues by saying, “For I am full of words, and the spirit within me compels me; inside I am like bottled-up wine, like new wineskins ready to burst. I must speak and find relief; I must open my lips and reply; I will show partiality to no one, nor will I flatter any man; for if I were skilled in flattery, my Maker would soon take me away.”  I LOVE these words!  They describe the very heartbeat inside of me to inspire people with the Words of God and yet refrain from pulling punches.  Although I must always speak the truth in love and with humility, I must speak the truth.

Lastly, I was encouraged that God ALWAYS speaks.  We may not hear Him…but He speaks daily.  Job 33:14 says, “For God does speak–now one way, now another–though man may not perceive it.”  This ought to be an encouragement to us all.  Even though Elihu was misguided in his understanding of why God would allow catastrophic circumstances to occur in Job’s life, and although Elihu may have given Job some poor advice on the whole, Elihu still spoke some truth in the midst of his ramblings.

God speaks every day…what are you hearing? what are you studying? what are you saying?

In Awe of God’s Love

As I sit and think about what has gone through my heart over the past four days I cannot help but acknowledge the active hand of All Mighty God.  I just spent four amazing days with my former singles, co-workers and friends at South Tampa Fellowship and 97 WEST.  I am overwhelmed with emotion to know that the God who saved me, the God who blessed me with a beautiful wife and four amazing kids, the same God who called me personally to join Him in reaching into the darkest places of despair and emptiness in the lives of those He loves is still just as busy at work in their lives now as He’s ever been.  It is abundantly clear that He cares for those whom we’ve left behind in Tampa so much more than I can pretend to communicate here.  There are seemingly no words with which to describe how I am feeling inside as I have had the opportunity to take a step back and watch Him continue what He began seven years ago in this aching heart of mine.  In my forty one years of life I don’t know that I have ever felt a greater expression of His love for me than I do at this very moment as I sit and leaf through a notebook of assembled expressions of gratitude from those with whom we’ve ministered over the past seven years.

 

This week I had the fortune of being welcomed back to the stage where I previously cut my teeth in preaching and teaching the Word of the Savior to a generation of Singles who were hungry for truth, meaning and purpose.  For years these same singles were also very forgiving of a new pastor learning the ropes as he went.  I was also reminded this week just how very much I love my wife as I was continuously told how much she means to them as well.  Anyone who has ever had the opportunity to experience the love, respect, and genuine thankfulness that I have over the past few days needs nothing else in this lifetime.  Although I was the one who was asked to return to Tampa to speak to the singles, it was actually God who spoke to me through this gift of reunion with my spiritual family in this journey of faith.

 

Believe it or not, just the week prior to my trip to Tampa I was questioning whether or not the past seven years had any real, eternal impact on anyone.  I know this sounds a bit ridiculous but I actually sat remembering our time in Tampa and wondered how long I would continue in ministry, while questioning the depth of my impact on those currently in my sphere of influence.  Only God could have provided me with such a clear confirmation of my calling this week.

 

From the very deepest parts of my heart I want to thank all of you in Tampa for your graciousness and your love for me, Tracy and our family.  I also want to thank those with whom we are now journeying through life together in Chandler, Arizona at Cornerstone; I hope to experience the same depth of God’s love with you.  Lastly, I cannot wait until we all stand together, side by side in the presence of Jesus and finally know we are home.

 

In awe of God’s love,

 

- James

 

 

 

Where is the Fear of God?

I was reading the other morning in 1 Samuel 16 about when God told Samuel to go anoint a new king after Saul’s failings.  We are told he went to Bethlehem, to the house of Jesse, and that he eventually anointed David to be the next king.  However, buried in the middle of this tale is an intriguing statement.  In verse 4, it reads that when Samuel entered the town, the elders of the town trembled when they met him.  Then they asked him if he came in peace.  This is an amazing testimony to the respect people had for God and the men of God thousands of years ago.  Yes, they waffled in their reverence for Him regularly, but the respect they had for God seems to be somewhat greater than is often seen today.  So here is my question to us all:  How did we get to a time and place where we’ve forgotton all about what it means to fear God?  I’m talking about a reverent fear; a respect for who He is; an unquestionable knowledge of His power and His love.

The Psalmist wrote: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding.” – (111:10) NIV.  There appears to be such a thirst for knowledge today and yet seemingly little regard for fearing God.  I pray that somehow, someway, we as the church, and we as a nation here in the U.S. would discover the imperative nature for following His precepts in order to have a “good understanding” about this crazy world in which we live.  It all begins with fearing the loving God…therein lies the beginning of wisdom.

A Challenge of Character

I have discovered a priceless treasure regarding the economy of prayer: “The Complete Works of E.M Bounds on Prayer”.  This morning I read Chapter 8, “Prayer and Character and Conduct”.  Here is a quote that is worthy of regular review and meditation, by all who claim to follow Christ:

“The best-prepared, most eloquent sermon can be marred and rendered ineffective, by questionable practices in the preacher.  The most active church worker can have the labor of his hands neutralized by worldliness of spirit and inconsistency of life.  Men preach by their lives, not by their words, and sermons are delivered, not so much in, and from a pulpit, as in tempers, actions, and the thousand and one incidents which crowd the pathway of daily life.” 

Whether you are a pastor, church worker, or Christian in the workplace, the manner in which we live our daily lives is the loudest thing we will ever say about ourselves and the God we love; without even speaking.  Each moment counts; and those moments in the “every-day” must align themselves with those in the spotlight.