The Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 10:9-10; 13 (NIV):
9That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.
13for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."
Today, Ronald Lemm confess Jesus is Lord and he believed in his heart that Jesus died for him. I believe the heavens rejoiced when Ron acknowledge that today. Lindsey had the perfect opportunity to talk with her dad about who Jesus meant to him and she was able to guide the conversation to the point where Ron "confess" Jesus.
Ron is in a cardiac care unit in Seattle, literally fighting for his life. Ron is Lindsey's dad and you can read Lindsey's updates on her blog. Ron has been diagnosed with a tumor on his kidney, his lungs and liver are full of cancer. The outlook may seem dire right now, but today, we can celebrate because Ron acknowledge Jesus. Now Ron is alive and his eternity is secure in the hands of the heavenly Father.
I got the opportunity to spend some time with Ron the last two evenings. Tonight, he was actually sedated and "asleep" when I got there. The doctors had performed a procedure to help ease some pain he was feeling around his kidney. As I stood by his bed, I rejoiced in my heart and I prayed for him. Last night, I got to converse with him for a few hours. Because of his condition, Ron sometimes forgets where he is or tries to get out of bed or doesn't really know what is going on. However, we managed to have good conversations about his past and his love for flying. I am so glad to have been able to just hang out with him and talk with him. It moved me that even through some of his weird episodes, he knew who I was. I know God has and is still answering prayers.
I am reminded again at how unpredictable life is yet at the same time am confident that my life is in God's hands; and I know where I am going to spend eternity (just like Ron). I am reminded to love my family and to let them know it, and not wait till something happens in life.
In John 10:10 (The Message), Jesus said:
A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy. I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.
This is a promise we can all cling on and I am so glad that Ron is going to enjoy the Life!
Tonight as I drove to the hospital I was listening to Brooke Fraser. One of my favorite songs on her new album is called Shadowfeet. I wasn't expecting to blog tonight but on my way home all of these thoughts came to mind and also the lyrics to this song. Here they are and may you be encouraged:
Walking, stumbling on these shadowfeet
toward home, a land that I've never seen
I am changing, less and less asleep
made of different stuff than when I began
and I have sensed it all along
fast approaching is the day
[CHORUS]
When the world has fallen out from under me
I'll be found in you, still standing
When the sky rolls up and mountains fall on their knees
when time and space are through
I'll be found in you
There's distraction buzzing in my head
saying in the shadows it's easier to stay
but I've heard rumors of true reality
whispers of a well-lit way
[CHORUS]
You make all things new
You make all things new
You make all things new
You make all things
You make all things
[CHORUS 2]
When the world has fallen out from under me
I'll be found in you, still standing
Every fear and accusation under my feet
when time and space are through
I'll be found in you
When time and space are through
I'll be found in you
When time and space are through
I'll be found in you
Ron, this song is for you. I am praying for you and routing for you.
