Dear All
Please read the letter from Terri, below. It was hard work (this kind of thing is slow and difficult for her right now) but very important to her. We worked on it for two hours this morning.
We are still waiting to hear what, if any, treatment will be possible. They are still watching Terri 24/7. They are all very kind.
Here’s Terri:
Dear Friends and Family
By now you know about my cancer. It has happened so fast, but the Lord is with us and encouraging us. I want to ask two favours of you.
First, this song got real. Please, listen to it, it is not long: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xL7rDeNYwDY. I so want to see you over there.
Second, can you join us, sometime this Sunday, in singing “Because He Lives”? If you don’t know it, you can play this and sing along:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sm2wLKZoGPY
I know people around the world are receiving this, and it would be an encouragement to know that we are singing it together, because it answers everything.
It hurts me when people blame God and say He hasn’t been fair. I know people mean well and say it out of love and affection. But please don’t say that, even to yourself. The song answers it. I don’t want people who care about me to be angry with God on my behalf. I love Him for everything He has done for me, and I want you to love Him, too.
What is fair? If God were fair, he wouldn’t have sent Jesus to die, and rise again for me. If God were fair, I’d have “crossed that river” long ago, and I would be in Hell.
But God did send His Son for a sinner like me, and He “bled and died to buy my pardon.” Now He lives and I will, too. I will be with Jesus who loves me so much, in Glory. I’m ok, I’m better than ok.
I want to be honest with you. I’m afraid of “life’s final war with pain.” But it doesn’t matter if I’m a coward, the lights of Glory will still be there. They are there for me, not because of any good in me, but because He lives. Death will give way to victory, and I’m not going to lose that victory even if I’m afraid of the pain. Jesus guaranteed my victory. He lives, and so will I.
Isaiah 25:8
He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken it.
John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
John 11:25-26
25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
Do you believe that? I’m asking you if you believe, but do you see that verse? Jesus asked it first, do you believe? We believe it. That is what we count on. You can believe it, and if you do, we will see you over there. Please contact Jon if you need help in understanding.
It appears I may not see many of you again unless it is “over there.” That only has to be sad if you aren’t going there. Please, come join us.
Love,
Terri
Thank you to those who have sent messages to Terri on www.messagesforterrigleason.wordpress.com. She has read all the messages so far, more than once. They are deeply appreciated.
To send private messages that I and all of our kids (and their spouses) will see, but no one else, go to www.messagesforterrisfamily.wordpress.com/.
If you want to receive updates on Terri’s status, please send me an email using my contact page.
Thank you for all the encouragement, love, and prayers.
In Him
Jon