Maralyn's Updates

Thursday, November 06, 2008

God's ACD's

Has God ever spoken to you audibly? Me neither. In fact, I only know one person who has had that experience. But God does have many “alternative” ways of communicating. He speaks through his Word…through sermons…through music…through circumstances...through other people...through his creation...and through many other means. He finds ways of making himself known, so if our hearts are open we’ll hear him.

Because of my own speaking challenges, I’ve been thinking about this. My voice doesn’t work hardly at all so I use gestures…paper and pencil…extreme facial expressions…I even write in the air sometimes.

My Alternative Communication Device (ACD) arrived. I type what I want to say and it speaks for me. It's a little hard to understand but it's better than nothing. This one is a rental but the updated model will be here soon. Hopefully it will have better vocal inflections. (smile)

God’s determination to make himself understood has been my inspiration!

In fact, God spoke to Jim and me in a very unusual way this week. Here’s how it happened:

One day we were looking at the statistics about this blog site and marveling that there were readers now in 49 countries of the world! We’ve had almost 2000 hits this month, averaging 62 per day. And in October alone there were 465 NEW readers. That shocked us! We were rejoicing at how God has taken a very negative thing like ALS and has used it to do positive things.

As we were looking at those site statistics Jim said, “Remember that prophecy about you?”

I did remember, but had discounted it when it didn’t come true.

“No, think about it,” he insisted, “remember when that man said that your ministry would expand to many new cities?”

Yes. (I had pictured traveling to all of those places!)

“It HAS, Honey! Look at how God is ministering through you to so many people! And you’re touching people in cities we've never heard of. Did you write down exactly what the man said?”

Yes somewhere, but I have no idea where it is.

“Why don’t you try to find it? Remember he was crying the whole time he was saying that?”

Yes and I had cried even into the next morning because I had felt like God had really spoken to me.

“Try to find it.”

So I began digging into my old papers to see if I could find where I had written it down. Finally, I found it! And when I read it my mouth dropped open and I sat there in stunned silence. Then came the tears. “God, you are amazing!”

It was a Finnish businessman and church elder, a man we didn’t know, who had given me this word, and it had happened almost four years ago at a pastors’ conference in Finland! Here’s what he said:

“Your work will expand to include many other cities. Your influence will grow significantly. You have some of the keys already—both of you—and new shoots of growth are coming. You are in a significant time of growth right now. He is preparing you for what’s coming. Something new and strong has begun. He is going to use you in new ways that you can’t imagine. God holds out a scepter to you. Don’t be afraid. Move ahead into what God invites you to do.”

I guess that man was one of God’s “Alternative Communication Devices," and in God’s perfect timing we figured out what God had spoken to us--just when we needed a lift.

Last week was one of our toughest yet! I had one whole day of Atrial Fibrillation, several bouts of heart arrhythmia, and increased difficulty eating and swallowing. My body continues to lose muscle mass (and weight) so I’m noticeably weaker. Sometimes it’s overwhelming for both of us…and last week was one of those times.

It was a wonderful time to hear so directly from God and it was an enormous encouragement to us!

I keep thinking about my 465 new readers. I wonder who you are. Who referred you to my site? Do you also have a life threatening illness? Do you need a personal relationship with Jesus? Are you searching for peace? If so, I encourage you to find a Bible and read the entire book of John. It’s one of the four Gospels. Before you begin, ask God to speak into your life. Then read John from beginning to end, noticing who Christ is and what he wants to be to you. I hope you’ll choose to give your life completely to him. That is the most important decision of your whole earthly existence. If this happens (and I pray that it does) then find a Bible believing church and get to know some other believers. God will show you how to grow in him and become all he has planned for you to be. Get used to listening to his voice. You'll find it in many places!

Is it possible that God could use me, a perfect stranger, to speak into your life? I hope so. By the way, if you and I don’t get to meet on this earth, come find me in heaven and tell me your story!

That’s a pretty creative God who can use a lady who needs an ACD to be an ACD. (smile)

mm

P.S. One of the happiest spots of our week was Friday when Rhonda brought our three grandsons to go trick-or-treating.

We have a lovely neighborhood with many Christian families and it seemed like all of Nekoosa had brought their preschoolers to our street to go door to door for candy. It was like a big block party. Most adults don’t dress up, but our very creative daughter-in-law had created cute costumes for all six of us. We were dressed in pairs. Reuben and I were clowns…Jim and Levi were soldiers…Rhonda and Micah were frogs. It was lots of fun! And who could have dreamed that the temperature in Wisconsin on October 31 would be 66F (20C)?
If you'd like to see all of the photos from our fun afternoon, copy and paste this link into your browser: http://gallery.me.com/rdmathias#100129

15 Comments:

Blogger Dr. James O. Lowell said...

Fantastic Maralyn! God works in mysterious ways, His wonders to perform and He is doing it in and through your life! What a blessing you are not only to me but to so many others. I love you my friend! You are special to God and to me! Jeanne

8:50 AM  
Blogger Dr. James O. Lowell said...

Fantastic Maralyn! God works in mysterious ways, His wonders to perform and He is doing it in and through your life! What a blessing you are not only to me but to so many others. I love you my friend! You are special to God and to me! Jeanne

8:50 AM  
Blogger Jonathan Newton said...

Spot on!!!!!!
Your blog is ministering to me, about 15 years since I last saw you and subsequently lost all contact with you both. As I am sitting here in a small Swedish town, your words from Wisconsin are 'hitting me like arrows' and making me think a number of things over... that prophecy was spot on.

9:17 AM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Thanks Maralyn for being willing to be an ACD! It is pretty amazing that we never become "insignificant" as God's children and involved in his mission...it doesn't stop even if the body doesn't cooperate!!

10:20 AM  
Blogger Unknown said...

thanks marilyn for the way you allow redemption to be seen in your life's circumstances. we think of you often and send our love...

2:04 PM  
Blogger Susan C said...

Fabulous words. Thanks for letting God speak through you! Susan

2:23 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing again. It is so good to know that God is speaking to us regularly and so kindly. He is so good! I just finished the book you recommended - "The Shack." Messed me up in a good way. I believe I am supposed to tell you today (I know you know this already) that God is especially fond of you... and so am I.

Your little brother, Daniel

4:42 PM  
Blogger Mantho said...

'A generous man will prosper: he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.' Proverbs 11:25
Its easier for us to withdraw and hide when we feel beat(sickness, loss etc). Keep up the love nad Hope as it ministers to all in ways you can never imagine. Peace and love be with you always. Mantho in Gaborone, Botswana

12:21 AM  
Blogger Petra said...

Dear Maralyn, Thanks for sharing your heart and thoughts. I am deeply moved by the testimony of your life. Andreas and I couldn't stop reading thru your entries... I hope I'll soon find the time to continue. God has surely blessed you with a wonderful family. Little Micah is so cute! Almost like our little Benjamin. ;) Much love and strenght to you and Jim, Petra Eberwein

3:08 PM  
Blogger Petra said...

PS: Thanks so much for contacting us! It's a real blessing and privilege to get to know you thru your entries. :) Petra

3:52 PM  
Blogger Andreas said...

Dear Maralyn! Thanks for finding us on the net. It is good to be in touch again - and as you taught me in Advanced Writing it is not necessary to write "great" or add "so", because the word good is already sufficient, as in "God is good". :) Thanks for sharing your heart and life. I was deeply moved by your story. Petra and I read quite a view of your entries and we are going to continue reading.
Seeing the pictures of you and Jim and your family, brought back some very special memories, back in the last century :) I love you guys and thanks for being there back then. Looking forward staying touch! Much Love and strength to you and Jim, Andreas :)

4:27 PM  
Blogger Amy F. said...

I read your blog often and pray for you. You truly our an inspiration and encourage me in my faith. You stated that you were curious who was reading your blog. This is Amy Friesema and I live with my husband in Milwaukee, I am the daughter of Paul and Sandy Jeltema who attend Christian Life Fellowship in Port Edwards and I grew up there. I also love your cookbook and use it often. May God continue to grant you healing and grace as you are continuing to minister around the world through this site.

7:44 AM  
Blogger Tim said...

Maralyn--

So great to catch up with you via your blog. I had lunch the other day with Paul's grandfather-in-law, Mr. Stump, in Sonora, CA, and somehow that connection came up.

I then called my Mom to ask about you, and she mentioned your blog--as soon as I spelled Maralyn correctly, you were the first hit on a Google search. So you're officially prolific.

We'll be praying with you. Say hi to your family for me.
Grace,
Tim Smith

11:18 AM  
Blogger Teddybear said...

Hi Maralyn my real name is Debbie, I belong to Poplar Creek Chuch Carol P. gave me your blogger site.

I am dearly touched by your writings. I do believe God works in mysterious ways. He uses whatever means He needs to - to get the word out, and He is using you. I will be following your blog. I just starting blogging at the end of Oct.

May God continue to Bless you and your family. Debbie from WI

10:26 AM  
Blogger Karen Lutz said...

Thank-you Marilyn for your wonderful blog, it is so inspirational and you are true teacher. I am Karen Morgan Lutz, Linda Morgan's younger sister. I remember you so well as Linda's fun friend back in Walthill. Thank-you again.

5:36 PM  

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