Speaking Truth in Love

Like all endeavors into the unknown, we experienced mixtures of anxiousness, concern, excitement, joy, gratitude and deep awe in how our Lord Jesus used YOUR MINISTRY, Innovative Truth, for His purposes. And all that was just Monday!  

It feels like a lifetime ago that Tom & I were planning my funeral as my liver began failing. Remembering the hospice providers giving instruction on how Tom will help me should I pass while visiting the Redwoods, is surreal as I sit here eight months later without any pain, fully functioning organs, and officially NO EVIDENCE OF DISEASE!

As most of you know, my oncologist stated he was not a believer when he and I started this journey together 9 years ago. Choosing just the right physician is really important. I had originally searched for a believer, and had consults with many very capable oncologists. I knew God would show me who He wanted for me. My shock was no small thing when God clearly said He wanted me with
Dr. K, who was a non-Christian. Lucky for me God didn’t ‘Zechariah-mute’ me for having questioned Him. My Lord was clear. So I obeyed despite my confusion. Dr. K is more than competent, has a VERY direct approach, and a sharp tongue, and OH HOW I DRIVE THAT MAN BATTY!

Not a visit would pass that I didn’t find a way to bring God into our conversation. I would get the typical assortment of eye-rolls and mumbled responses. As time passed and we became more comfortable, he would tell me, ‘your God-stuff isn’t for me,’ yet slowly began asking me to sit with other patients who were struggling. In 2018 when 7 of my 9 tumors simply disappeared, he admitted he had “no medical explanation.” Dr. K and I had several instances where he would simply say, “I cannot explain this with any scientific certainty.” 

After telling us in January 2020 I had entered the hospice stage and that my organs began failing, no one seemed more surprised by my condition than Dr. K upon our return from the Redwoods.

When I showed him I could stand, walk, & jump without pain, and I adamantly said it was because of God’s healing hand, he sat quietly. This time he did not roll his eyes.
I felt God moving.

At the next appointment, my non-Christian doctor of 9 years, asked me questions for the very first time about Innovative Truth. He then asked, “How does God lead your ministry to people who are so firmly non-believers and get them to start wondering if they’ve been wrong? And why have you never stopped talking to me about God over all these years?” 
​
Fireworks started going off in my head and I wanted to get up and dance like I’d never danced before, but I held myself in that chair knowing my exuberance would ruin it. I closed my eyes and prayed, asking the Holy Spirit to answer through me instead.

Our great country has been inundated with scenes of violence, anger and division. It is overwhelming! We have lost friends to suicide during this time, and Tom & I are meeting with people weekly who are hurting in ways we’ve never been called to minister to before. That ‘“innovative” part of your ministry has been full-steam these past 6 months. Our country is in “lock-down” but GOD’S POWER ISN’T! We’ve ventured into places for His ministry we never expected.

YOUR PRAYERS AND SUPPORT SUSTAIN US as venom and rage is fired our way. Satan the accuser, isn’t even subtle anymore. He is blatant in his control over so many lost and deceived people. So the question persists, how do we, God’s church, answer non-believers when they are vomiting back the lies the enemy has fed them?

For me, I submit my tongue to God and let Him speak His perfect words through me, just as with Dr. K that day. Paul tells us in Ephesians 4:15, “Instead by speaking the truth with love, let’s grow in every way into Christ . . .”

We never give up no matter how many years it takes. If God calls us to someone, we obey. We fervently pray for them. Even when the hate in their words is painful and feels personal, and our desire to launch a serious tongue lashing might make us feel better, we remember Jesus died for them on the same cross He died for us. They may be lost and broken right now, but Jesus said they too, are worthy of His sacrifice.

​So we hang in there with love, support, prayers, and understanding for all the people to whom God calls us. Hey, it’s all the same qualities we display for each other in your ministry! It’s a pretty cool thought to be cognizant of spreading INNOVATIVE TRUTH LOVE to everyone by sharing HIS unconditional love.
​
Thank you for continuing to be salt and light in a dark world where we are in a battle of good vs evil. Your partnership, prayers and financial generosity are greatly needed and deeply appreciated!

​                                                                            With all our love,

---