God is Awesome

Today was visit number two to Pathways Community Church. I am loving this church more and more each time I visit it. Right away this chick named Sara Kelly was playing on piano. Beautiful voice. She sings like old school country/blues/jazz. It was really quite nice. We walked into the Gym (Pathways is in a high school gym until the church is built) and heard her playing and singing some really pretty worship songs. That was good, then we sang, then the pastor gave a little sermon. He talked about how “awesome” God is. It didn’t really mean much, I felt like I had heard it all before. Then he told the congregation that he had a special speaker to share her story with us. There was about a 4-minute break where two men helped this woman out of her wheelchair, up the stage, and back in her wheelchair. It was odd, but it kept my attention.
The pastor introduced this woman, her name is Sheryl Mason. I really felt like the spirit was talking directly to me through this woman. Let me give you a little background on Sheryl. There is a very detailed reason why she is in a wheelchair, and talks a little slower than the average person. She shared some of her story with us, and wow. IMPACT! Turns out, not too long ago, Sheryl had 3-brain aneurisms. She told about how she had endured nine brain surgeries, and how the doctors told her and her family that she had a very limited amount time left. Hours, possibly days. Through all of this tragedy, Sheryl kept her faith. Sheryl has something I like to call, unconditional faith. She gave a bible verse that is an excellent example of her faith.

Daniel 3:16-18:
16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up."

Shadrach, Mesach, & Abednego trusted that God would do what is best. They had unconditional faith. Someone who practices unconditional faith loves Christ no matter what is going on in his or her life. God is so much bigger than our temporary problems. God is bigger than sexual abuse, bigger than low self-esteem, bigger than multiple sclerosis, bigger than alcoholic parents, bigger than homosexuality, even bigger than death. As humans, we tend to want to “think” we are in control of our lives and problems. When in reality we aren’t and don’t have to be. It’s that darn pride, it’s always getting in the way. Sheryl has unconditional faith. She said something very powerful when the pastor came to visit her in the hospital. She said, “Through all my trials and tribulations, I want people to know I never forgot or turned from Christ, even if I lose my life.” WOW! What did I get from all this? First, I am not afraid of a stem-cell transplant, second, No matter what the outcome, God is in Control, So don’t be afraid to give him all your burdens, big or small.

M/S Update

Tody in church my legs were pretty shaky. I have noticed that if i put a large portion of my weight on a single leg, it shakes like crazy. It is definately odd, but it's pretty easy to deal with. My eye is still twitching a lot. I notice that environmental factors effect the twitching a lot. Like if i am stressed, it twitches like crazy. But like the shaking leg, it is very easy to deal with. So far there is no word from insurance, i am going to call Kate, and NorthWestern tomorrow and see if there is anything i can do to speed up the process. But i am pretty sure it's just a matter of time.