January 2003 Newsletter

Greetings
Greetings to you in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour!

Last year began a new journey for many of us who have now been called to a new ministry of healing.

There is good news, for the Chapter meetings are now in place, nine of us are preparing for Induction, and we are now planning a second bible study for March 2003. However, we are still "In Formation", and await the Lord's direction concerning our spiritual leader, the person He has in mind to lead us, our Chaplain.

All in due time.

For now, we continue to come together, and to wait upon our God.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine,
according to his power that is at work within us,
to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus
throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Ephesians 3:20-21

Teachings & Testimonials
I have been healed
by Penny Olive

Over the past six months, I have had fever, pain in my joints, fatigue, bleeding, sores in my mouth, and breathlessness. And my family doctor has been very attentive. I have been referred to a Gastro-Entomologist, a Gynecologist, and a Hematologist-Oncologist. And the Lord has blessed each of them with His Wisdom.

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God,
who gives generously to all without finding fault,
and it will be given to him.
James 1:5

You see, something was showing up in a blood test that my GP referred to as, "a blood tumor". To confirm that it was there, she sent me for the same blood test, twice. She told me that it was serious, and she spoke to me about Leukemia and bone marrow.

At the onset of all of this, I cried out to the Lord. And I received two things from His Word: Wisdom and a Promise.

The Wisdom, was that I should not be surprised at the painful trial that I was suffering, for my brothers and sisters throughout the world were going through the same thing.

Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering,
as though something strange were happening to you.
...because you know that your brothers, and sisters, throughout the world
are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
1Peter 4:12, 1Peter 5:9b

The Promise, was that after I had suffered a little while, He Himself would restore me, and make me strong, firm, and steadfast.

And the God of all grace,
who called you to his eternal glory in Christ,
after you have suffered a little while,
will himself restore you
and make you strong, firm and steadfast.
1Peter 5:10

As we continued to pray, I knew that Jack and I could not do this alone, and so I enlisted the help of our children and family. I also reached out to my church family and my Order of St. Luke and Education for Ministry groups.

And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well;
the Lord will raise him up.
If he has sinned, he will be forgiven.
James 5:15

And I am well.

How wonderful it was that the doctor should call when Jack and I were at home together. We scrunched together over the telephone at the other end of the line, to hear the good news, "I just received the test results, and I wanted to call you and tell you that everything is fine."

I thanked him very much for calling us.

Then, holding hands and sitting side by side on the couch, together Jack and I said a prayer of Thanksgiving to God, for answering our prayers, and for rescuing me from the threat of this illness.

I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God;
I trust in God's unfailing love for ever and ever.
I will praise you forever for what you have done;
in your name I will hope, for your name is good.
I will praise you in the presence of your saints.
Psalm 52:8-9

Thanks to the faithfulness of God's holy people.

Thanks to the grace of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Amen.

Upcoming Events
This February, in the context of a healing service, nine of us will be inducted as Associate Members of the Order of St. Luke. The Induction Service will be performed by the Reverend Canon Barry Clarke, Chaplain of the West Island Chapter of the Order of St. Luke the Physician.

News & Views
Reading list made available to new members.

OSL REQUIRED READING LIST:
Associate Members must read 3 titles before being inducted as Full Members.

   1.   Christian Healing - the Rev. Mark Pearson
   2.   Healing (revised edition) - Francis MacNutt
   3.   Healing Everywhere - the Rev. John G. Banks
   4.   Healing in the Landscape of Prayer - Avery Brooke
   5.   How Can I Find Healing? - the Rev. Jim Glennon
   6.   Inner Healing - the Rev. Mike Flynn
   7.   Praying for Wholeness & Healing - the Rev. Richard Beckmen
   8.   The Healing Light - Agnes Sanford
   9.   The Power to Heal - Francis MacNutt
   10. The Prayer That Heals - Francis MacNutt
   11. Your Healing is Within You - the Rev. Jim Glennon
   12. Wilt Thou Be Made Whole? - the Rev. Rufus Womble.

Attention Montreal Chapter Members:
Thanks to the diligent work of two of our members, Ruby and Marcel, 4 of the above-mentioned titles are available in our personal library.

They are for your use.