The good news is that Annie slept without coughing too much last night; the bad news is that her back is now very painful! She decided to spend the night sleeping downstairs on our Lazy Boy recliner. Because she was able to find a halfway sleeping position between upright and horizontal it helped settle the coughing. But the trade-off was that the bunched-up sleeping position also put her back out and she awoke with great pain and discomfort in that area.
She was unable to join us for the morning service at Manor Park and while I was at the service she managed to put her back out again by coughing. On my return I did my best to be husband and physiotherapist! This role was made especially easy for me because there was no need for me to be husband and chef! We had some lovely meals provided for us by our sisters in the Lord, Sue and Maggie. Again, I just cannot say enough to tell you how thankful we are to the Lord for that lovely provision and great blessing. We say it again to all of you who have provided meals for us, thank you so much and we pray that the Lord would bless you in your service.
This morning, our visiting preacher and dear brother in Lord, George, preached from Daniel chapter 5. We looked at King Belshazzar and contrasted him with king Nebuchadnezzar. He drew out three characteristics of the unbeliever using Belshazzar as the unbelieving subject. One of those characteristics was that unbelievers do not honour the Lord with their lives. At the time of Daniel 5, Belshazzar was king of the greatest empire on earth and therefore by extension, king of the known world; but he used his power to dishonour God. George applied this by asking us to think about the gifts God has given us and consider whether we are using them to give God the glory or merely squandering them for our own pleasure. It reminded me of the parable of the talents that Jesus taught (Matthew 25:14-30; Luke 19:12-28). Whatever the Lord has blessed us with, He wants us to multiply it for His glory.
I’ve been asking myself how I can apply that today.
Since we set up this blog (6 days ago), we’ve had nearly 3,000 hits. In all my time as a web designer, I’ve never worked on a site that ever had anything near that impact in such a short time. And so Annie and I want to see this as another one of those opportunities to give God more glory. Earlier today Annie baked and delivered some cookies to a very elderly neighbour named Pearl. Annie has really built up quite a friendship with her but Pearl often shares that she has no assurance in life, is full of regrets and fears death. Annie never fails to tell her about the love and mercy of God through His Son, Jesus; but each time she chats with Pearl, it still seems that she has not found that peace with the Lord.
So, here’s an opportunity to use this blog for God’s glory: if you are a believer and you are reading this, perhaps this evening you would remember to pray for Pearl; pray that she would seek and find forgiveness of sins and refuge in the Lord through Jesus Christ, His one and only perfect Son; His remedy for all the guilt, shame and regret of our sin.
No matter where we are in life, it is never too late to call upon the Lord. As the hymn writer put it:
The dying thief rejoiced to see that fountain in his day;
And there have I, though vile as he, washed all my sins away.Washed all my sins away, washed all my sins away;
And there have I, though vile as he, washed all my sins away.
To God be the Glory,
R&A
Broken Chariots 
Since hearing about this you have both been in my constant prayers and thoughts.
BIG HUGS too !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Anne 🙂
Roz, we do remember you both and very well even though those days seem some time ago. Yes, we were married one week after you both (August 4th 2001). Thank you so much for your thoughts and memories. We share the same Lord and Saviour as you both and it is only because of His faithfulness that we are able to stand. I wish I could write a blog for everyone of our brothers and sisters here who are holding us up with their love and prayers. The Lord makes our burden lighter through them. We really hope this finds you all well! Love in Jesus, R&A
please excuse the multiple spelling mistakes above….it is too late for me to attempt to type! sorry.
Hi Anne&Ryan…..
Ryan, you probably won’t remember me but Anne, I think you may! hopefully! We met you whilst you were around at HTC and we were still living in Uxbridge. I think you guys got married literally the week ir maybe 2 weeks after we did!? We were July 28th 2001?!
Anyway….Anne have been hearing about your situation and have thought about you a lot since your original diagnosis. You may not know, that I have always worked as a nurse,in oncology and spent my time in my last job in a chemo day care suite giving chemo all day every day…..so you were very close to my heart,not because i understood what you would be going through with the treatment&side effects, but obviously because i knew you and you were so kind & friendly to me when we were at Hayes, at that was a time i felt quite homesick, especially on sundays, so your smily little face was always a welcome sight!!!!
I was so sorry recently to hear of the news you had and think about you every day and wonder how you are and who i could ask….then i saw this site&have read right back to the beginning of all you have been through. Thankyou Ryan for that, for your time doing it when you must have so much else going on each day and when mentally you must feel so tired.
I have though about what you have written so much this weekend,and you have realy challenged me as to how I live&react to what life throws at me….Your faith is a great example to me, and your desire to bring glory to God in your great suffering is such a challenge.
This comes with lots of love to you both,and a big squeee to Annie(not too tight though that it sets off coughing or that back pain!!!)….and praying that you will have a comfortable night and have relief from that horrid cough you are suffering with at night time.
Roz (&Matt) Philpott xxxxx
Hi Ann,
Ryan, you don’t know us, but we just wanted to let you know dear Ann that we are praying hard for you and are also keeping a watchful eye on your dear Mom too. It is wonderful to hear of God’s peace for you both and for the opportunities to witness that God is giving you.
We love you.
Cliff & Char
Funny how God works. Yesterday in church and then small group we were studying the parable of the talents and discussing how we can make sure we are honoring God with what He has given us. Your blog entry was good confirmation. Annie continues to inspire me every day using the gifts God has given her even during this very difficult time (baking cookies for an elderly neighbor!) Love, Leeshie
Hi Anne, thank you for your precious comment. We are VERY thankful for your encouragement and are so glad we have had the privilege of meeting you both and the rest of Madison.
I am listening to the “Why do I doubt?” song right now – its really pretty and has words that are soooo true – how do people live without Jesus??? – dont you just want everyone to know about Him and the hope and joy he can give even in suffering!!! I’m so gad Anne and Remy that we have the same heavenly father, the same saviour King and the same Spirit within us!
BIG HUGS!
Your sister in Christ,
Annie
Oh, and if you have time, you should listen to that song “Why do I doubt” : http://www.takemebeyond.com/audoplayer/cd1.htm
It is from 2 canadian young women that we met last month, they are missionnaries, and so “faith-encouraging” people…
Anne&Rémy
Hi Annie & Ryan,
We think of you from Switzerland. All the Madison group prays for you, wherever we are each other. Be sure that you are for us like our own family.
Anne&Rémy
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
It is well, it is well,
With my soul, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
Your blog is a wonderful idea, Ryan. It gives us your daily status and how Annie is going on. That’s so helpful when praying for her. I wonder if you might add when you have folk staying with you, too, so those of us cooking for you will know. That would save troubling you with a phone call.
Much love to Annie, Maggie.