I heard from the doctor finally, and it is indeed skin cancer on my face. They have scheduled me for mohs surgery to remove it and also reconstructive surgery that same day on September 17th. It will most likely take all day, and I will be out of commission for the better part of three days, then two trips for stitch removals, from the skin graft and where they take the skin from for the graft.
But in all of this, I praise my God and my Savior because my name is written in heaven. No matter the trials and tribulations and sufferings we experience in our lifetime on this planet, I assure you that it is nothing compared to the glory that will be revealed to us when we see Jesus face-to-face.
And the possible opportunities for me to share the gospel, before, during, and after my surgery will be multiplied. Nothing happens apart from what God allows, and I know that He will use this for good and for His glory.
I'm also praising Jesus because as of last Friday night, I successfully completed my first course in Re:Train!!! After 23 years of being out of school, by God's grace and mercy, I made it through a Master level course, which included writing three small papers and one 24-page curriculum on God's Plan of Salvation. Thank you Jesus for Your faithfulness and love!
I will be adding another post later today about one of our community groups up here and how they reached out to their community....
Is the surgery free?
ReplyDeleteBoy I sure hope so! We'll see. God will provide someway of that I am confident.
ReplyDeleteWill be praying for the surgery/healing. And you're right, God can and does use all things for His glory, even trials. May He grant you many more opportunities to share the Gospel because of this one.
ReplyDeleteAnd congrats on finishing the course! :)
Thanks Bea, I really appreciate all your prayers!!
ReplyDeleteWe are praying for you and trusting the Lord will not only comfort you but that He will also provide many opportunities for you to share your faith through this trial... This is where the rubber meets the road, right? When life is difficult, may we say like our brother Job, "Blessed by the name of the Lord!"
ReplyDeleteIn Him,
The Seiferts
Yes.. We B's are praying for you too. May God be glorified in all things! :)
ReplyDelete~ Mattea ~
God alone initiates salvation. He always turns toward man first and seeks him, as when God walked in the Garden (Genesis 3:8). Man does not seek God or turn to him without God first calling man to Himself (John. 6:37, 44; 1 John. 4:10,19).
ReplyDeleteSecond, God’s initiative does not exclude man’s free response, but demands it (Catechism of the Catholic Church [Catechism], nos. 154, 155, 2002; Philippians 2:12, 13). In other words, God wills that man be free to choose His grace or reject it.
Third, salvation is extended to each and every human person, not limited to just some, and one can fall away from grace (Hebrews 2:1-4; 6:4; 2 Peter 1:10; 3:9; 1 John 5:16, 17).
Furthermore, it is imperative that once one is touched by grace, he perseveres in charity lest he forfeit the free gift of salvation (Lumen Gentium [LG], no. 14). Within the confines of these principles, Catholics have sought to understand the mystery of predestination.
Though opinions and formulations have varied among Catholic theologians, with these principles left intact, there is room for legitimate speculation.
The only proper framework to understand predestination must be rooted in the notion of a communion of persons in love. Why? The nature of God as Trinity is this very kind of communion and God created man to share in that “blessed life” (cf. Catechism, no. 1).
PS: I pray that your surgery is successful!!