Mak=
ing
Him Known
By Terry McLean
Recently my son h=
ad
outpatient ankle surgery. While waiting for him to complete pre-op
“stuff”, I conversed with one of the reception staff. Somehow o=
ur
conversation turned to “near-death” experiences (well, it was a
surgery center….). I had an opportunity to share my “close
encounter with God” from 21 years ago, after she shared her near death
experience. Many of you have already heard me tell that story, so I wonR=
17;t
go into detail here….but let’s just say I was given the tremend=
ous
gift of getting to experience what’s on the other side of this life.
Obviously I was sent back, but not before I felt the
“unconditional” Love of God and the “Peace that passes hu=
man
understanding”. It is impossible for me to fear the eternal life with=
God
that has been promised to us, through the salvation of Christ Jesus. So I w=
as
quite surprised to learn from the woman I was speaking with, that she had
returned from her near death experience more afraid. As we talked about the difference =
between
her experience and mine, I realized how blessed I was to have had my faith
strengthened by many, many years of Bible study and Christian education from
talented and caring teachers; inspired spiritual leadership and encourageme=
nt
from dedicated and gifted ministers; thoughtful, beautiful expressions of l=
ove,
commitment and service from
Getting to “=
;know
Christ” is an essential first step in “making Him known”.=
All
that St. Andrew’s has offered me over the years has helped me to
“know Christ” better. You all have given me the strength,
confidence, courage and compassion to reach out in love to those I encounter
who may not know how much God wants to be in relationship with us. So, of
course, I briefly shared what I knew of Christ’s love and I saw hope
enter her eyes…and when I turned around from talking to her I discove=
red
a whole waiting room that had filled with people, who were listening intent=
ly.
Bonus! Maybe some of them were also encouraged and had their belief
strengthened and hope renewed….
I do not know wha=
t God
has planned for us, but I do know I would not “know Jesus and (be abl=
e)
to make Him known” if not for St. Andrew’s. I hope you all feel=
the
same way….and will continue to have hope and work along with me and y=
our
brothers and sisters in Christ to keep our ministries going through this
difficult time.
In Christ’s=
love,
Terry
![](3D"9terry_files/image002.jpg")
A Note from “EM Doodle=
s”
I think God is talking to us constantly. I think he gives us little
reminders and messages all the time. The key is to keep your eyes, ears and=
heart
open so you don't miss it. I am blessed to know God is talking to me and to
hear others share how he expresses himself to them. Just the other day in a
crummy traffic jam God threw this my way and it changed my whole situation.
Praise God. Bless and be blessed.
Chris.