Dear Folks,
Happy Tuesday morning to all in the Lord. It is good to acknowledge our belief in God. Everyday! To make mention of His name and to commune with Him. That’s what I find myself doing this morning, taking a break only to write this letter. And I’m feeling much better, though I’m still a little lagging in physical health, the Lord has lifted my spirit through my communion with Him this morning.
Tracie and I have struggled through illness for the past week or so. She seemed to have it first, the effects of hay fever, and I seemed to have only a touch of it. I was determined not to allow it to get the better of me, but it did. By last Thursday I was in a poor condition, beginning to suffer the effects of bronchitis. Illnesses like that can quickly cause plans to change, and I thank the Lord, that the First Elders of each church, Mort Kriigel at Griffin and Richard Respress at Thomaston stepped up to take the worship services. Thank you Richard and Mort, and praise the Lord.
And though this bronchitis still lingers in me, I am much improved in stamina and health. Hydrotherapy really does help. It takes an effort to do it, the hot and cold water treatments, but it certainly helps, especially when combined with rest. My voice which was lost to me has mostly been revived, so that I should be able to handle the prayer meetings tonight and tomorrow night. Those who attend already know, I am not the only one who has to talk during the prayer meeting. We all have a very blessed time together when we come together these midweek prayer meetings, each one being able to share something that is on their heart, a praise, a testimony, and thanksgiving, a prayer request and more.
Thinking back to my communion this morning with the Lord, and in regards to our spiritual health, notice this incisive statement from Ellen White:
“Prayer is the breath of the soul. It is the secret of spiritual power. No other means of grace can be substituted, and the health of the soul be preserved.”
Ellen Gould White, In Heavenly Places (Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1967), 83.
What a joy it is to contribute to the health of each other’s souls as we come together in prayer. I will be leading out tonight and tomorrow night in the prayer meetings for the two churches of which I have the privilege and the calling to be the pastor. I thank the Lord for technology such as Zoom, because even the sick may attend without risk. And now, since I am still a little sick, I will take the majority of the rest of today to spend in communion with my Lord.
FINAL THOUGHT: Perhaps the Lord allows such illnesses to come, so that His people will find opportunity to commune with Him. Selah!
Grace & Peace,
Pastor Dean
Last Day's Grace 