To my Southwood Church family,
As last Tuesday, June 30, officially completed my senior pastor position at Southwood since 1987, where do we go from here? Dottie and I plan to continue in our fellowship with you as health allows. If we are gone for a Sunday it is because of a need for additional rest or catching other friends before we leave the area. We have no definite future time line other than to eventually relocate to the Dallas Texas area where our oldest daughter Kristin and her family lives and where our daughter Kara and her family are planning to relocate. Getting our house sold will be a crucial next step. I am continuing my chemotherapy and radiation treatments and other supplemental treatments. My final radiation treatment is July 15 and I will continue to take the chemotherapy drug for a few months afterward. I seem to be enduring the chemo and radiation well, so far. It will be August before an MRI can reveal the result of the treatment and any decisions for what may continue to be done. This is a tumor that doesn’t go away easily but we trust that God will reveal whatever next steps He has for us. We are resting on Romans 15:13 and seeking to conform our thoughts to the truth found in this passage.
May the God of hope fill you with great joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
This journey qualifies easily as the toughest that has come our way. Our deepest desire is to honor the Lord in any way possible as we walk with Him and before you. Paul’s statement in 2 Corinthians 5:9 grips our hearts. So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it.
Dottie and I cannot express enough to you what your prayers and support have meant to us. You are a great church family. I covet for the next senior pastor the wonderful relationship with you all.
Please keep in contact as we plan to do with you.
Please continue to press on as you have done. God has a special plan for the Southwood Church family. People in this community need the Savior that you love. Love and care for each other deeply. Work well with your leadership. Graciously welcome and reach out to people in this community who need to know the life-transforming power of Jesus Christ. Allow His transforming power to work in you each day.
Joel MacDonald
July 5, 2009
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
Hi Joel,
Just a word to encourage you, for sure GOD'S peace and assurance has blessed your heart, as it should , thanks so much for your love for the saint's, teaching us to know him and follow him in truth.
your friend forever
Post a Comment