A Great Story

Yesterday at the National Cathedral, the bishop told a gripping story. In July he was at a meeting with about 25 Anglican bishops from Africa. The bishop from Khartoum, Sudan, told about his "cathedral"--a tin roof on poles over a packed dirt floor with room for about 300 people to stand. One day he was meeting there with about 200 priests from his diocese when suddenly a small janjaweed army burst into their midst. The commander was 15 years old, the other "soldiers" ranged in age from 8 to 12, and they all carried AK-47s. They ordered the priests outside, bound their hands and feet, and forced them to kneel. Then the 15-year-old commander said to the bishop, "We're going to kill you all, but first would you like a cigarette?" The bishop declined. "Well, I'm sure you'll want blindfolds." "No," answered the bishop. "We will die with courage. But instead of a cigarette, I would like permission to pray." Granted. So he prayed, thanking God for the gift of salvation through Christ, and the confidence of going to heaven. Then he asked God to forgive the commander and his soldiers for the murders they were about to commit. When he opened his eyes, instead of the flash of arms, he saw the commander and then all the other children drop their weapons to the ground, and then they untied all the ropes and let the priests stand. "I want what you have," shouted the commander. "Tell me how I can have what you have." And the bishop led this practiced murderer to saving faith in Christ. Now the young man is studying to become a priest. At this point, the Washington DC bishop asked a probing question: "What are you here for? Are people asking how they can have what you have--that is, a life-changing faith in Christ?"

One of the readings was from Romans 12, where Paul appeals to the readers to present their bodies as "a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship." I blinked. I distinctly remember doing that, and then reconfirming the decision many times. (I failed so many times to live up to that commitment.) Anyway, the point is that my body isn't mine but rather God's, to whom I gave it. So what He does with it is up to Him. He can choose to lift the finger that for so many months has been keeping the cancer somewhat under control, for His own purposes. Or He can once and for all drive the cancer out. Whatever.

After church and lunch we'll be driving back home this afternoon.

Our family is growing. Last evening Justin asked his darling Laura to marry him and she said Yes. We're all so delighted, because we love her already. We'll have a Happy Engagement party when we get together at Thanksgiving time.

Have a blessed day.
Carol