A day of cold wintery showers from above and warm company from the South.
The overnight snow was gradually being washed away by the rain as I arrived early this morning, hoping to assist Annie with a bath. Unexpectedly she was in far too much pain for it. Evidently she did not have a great night’s sleep but she did tell me that one of the hospice nurses – another Christian(!) – spent a good hour kneeling at Annie’s bedside last night in what Annie described as being like a ‘fellowship sleepover in the dark’ – as they both shared testimony and praise.
Instead of the planned bath this morning, Annie and I spent the time in prayer and reflecting on Psalm 20 together, praying that she’d experience some respite as friends and family from Hayes came up to visit for the day.
May the Lord answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you. May he send you help from the sanctuary and grant you support from Zion. – Psalm 20:1,2
She has experienced some nausea and the pain remains but the company (both last night and through today) that the Lord has sent has been a great help, support and blessing.
Following the recent ‘pleurodesis’ procedure Annie asked that I would blog the words of a song she listened to as the procedure took place. So here they are…
R&A
Waters Gone By
You will lift up your face without shame
You will firmly stand with no fear inside
You will surely forget your troubles and pain
Recalling them only as waters gone by!
If you put away the sin in your hand
And allow no evil to dwell
If you devote your heart and stretch out your hands to him
You will lift up your face without shame
You will firmly stand with no fear inside
You will surely forget your troubles and pain
Recalling them only as waters gone by!
You’ll be secure, for there is hope
And you will safely take your rest
You will lie down with no-one to make you afraid
You will lift up your face without shame
You will firmly stand with no fear inside
You will surely forget your troubles and pain
Recalling them only as waters gone by!
But the eyes of the wicked will fail
Darkness gives way to mornings light
Life will brighter than noon day
As the waters go by into the night
You will lift up your face without shame
You will firmly stand with no fear inside
I will lift up your face without shame
I will firmly stand with no fear inside
I will surely forget your troubles and pain
Recalling them only as waters gone by!
Broken Chariots 
Ian and Bev, dear brother and sister…
I am so sorry for our tardiness in responding to your kind and encouraging response to an earlier post. The encouragement of a fellow brother and sister who also know the path of suffering adds to the treasure that God puts into these clay pots. Thank you. May the Lord bless you both, your family and the flock at Meadows Community Church. Annie and I first met in Leicester at a youth conference, so its geography locates itself in a special place in our hearts and history together! Not sure if we ventured as far as Wigston!? Although, as we listened to your preaching via the website, we detect a lovely accent that might be slightly dislocated in the East Midlands! May the Lord bless you as you serve Him and His eternal, glorious purposes in Leicester. Your testimony of God’s goodness and faithfulness through affliction gives us courage on the path of suffering we presently walk.
Our love in Jesus,
ry and annie
Glad that you Annie were able to experiene God’s blessing through your sisters in Christ!! Hope to come and visit you soon!
Ana xx
Dear Ryan and Annie, I am one of the pastors at Meadows Community Church in Wigston Leicester and came across your blog last week when I was searching for the words of a hymn which contained the line ‘ I’ve tried the broken cisterns Lord but ah the waters failed’. I was preaching last Sunday on Psalm 16 and I wanted to quote that hymn when referring to verse 4 which says that the sorrows of those will increase who search after other gods. It is a great psalm and the last verse is one of my life verses. ‘You have made known to me the path of life, you will fill me with joy in your presence with eternal pleasures at your right hand. When we delight in God we give Him the glory. God is always after our pleasure because true pleasure and enjoyment will always lead to praise and God gets the glory. We get the joy He gets the credit.I was so encouraged by reading your blog and am now a regular follower and will continue to pray for you both.You Demonstrate the truth of psalm 16v11. I referred to your story in my sermon as I thought it demonstrated so well how one can find endless joy and delight in our Lord Jesus when travelling a very testing road. I have proved the truth of this when my son died three years ago. phillipians 4 became very precious to me then. I continued to rejoicein God and brought all my anxieties to Him and found that I really did experience a peace that passed all understanding. By not leaning on my own understanding I found the peace that surpassed understanding.
May you continue to rejoice in God and remain in His peace. I believe many people will be blessed my your testimony and I pray that as a result many will turn to Jesus and put their trust in Him.
May God’s richest blessing be with you both and may you continue to experience the truth of psalm16v11.
Ian Powell
Sent from my iPad
Glad you had a good time with Karen and Jo etc….. hoping today is a good day and that rest and sleep come naturally and easily…. love you loads. joyx