Australia Mission 2010 - Greystanes

GOD REMEMBERS

It's been years since we ministered in Greystanes, but I remember some of the amazing understandings God gave me in those days. I remembered the young woman who came to Greystanes ministry at ten o'clock on a rainy Sunday night. She couldn't forgive until God showed me how to help her. God showed me a vision of poison arrows in a heart to teach me about unforgiveness. I described what I saw and she was able to choose forgiveness. The Holy Spirit set her free on that long ago night. That vision has become a touchstone teaching, a lesson I have repeated worldwide to help people choose forgiveness.
Memories flooded my mind, wonderful recollections that brought tears to my eyes. Greystanes was the place where I first met Sally, who now heads Bridge for Peace Australia with her husband Tim. I remembered precisely where Sally and I stood when I had first prayed for her..
This morning, D. and I sat together in the front pew reviewing the day's schedule. I asked, "Do you remember when we both prayed for V. in this exact spot so many years ago?".
Elderly V. had come to the service leaning alternately on the arm of a nursing sister and on her cane (or stick as they say in Australia.) The faith-filled nurse told us V. had dementia. Surgery was scheduled to relieve her painful knees, but the doctor wouldn't operate because V. had fluid retention. Elastic stockings covered her enormously swollen legs. D. and I prayed, and V. looked around, babbling to herself. God's power went through V.; her legs shrank and her elastic stockings fell down and lay around her ankles in thick folds.
I asked her, "How do your legs feel?"
V. responded appropriately saying, "My legs didn't bother me, it was my knees."
I smiled at her correction. "How do your knees feel?"
She pounded on both knees with her fists and said, "They feel fine. I don't have any pain." She left her cane on the bench seat and we walked around the church. She spoke with me the entire time, perfectly coherent. At the front of the church V. said, "I can dance."
I responded, "Well, let's dance."
She said, "I don't know how!" I knew her heart danced with Holy Spirit joy, because my heart was leaping to the same heavenly music! P., an author was there and witnessed the whole thing. She asked me to sign a permission form to include the story in her book. The following year she presented me with a copy. Let the testimony of God's love and power go out far and wide!
At Greystanes today, G. came up with open arms, "Remember me?" How could I forget? He had trigger fingers, plural. His fingers would get stuck if he closed his hands and he had to manually open them. It was terrible and he cried many tears during prayer.
Several Bridge for Peace team members prayed for G. one year. I remembered sitting around the table late at night after ministry as the team discussed his situation. His fingers would be a bit better, and then get stuck again. It was one of the most stubborn spirits I had met up until that time, but satan is a defeated foe. We continued to pray for G. until we saw the manifestation of his healing.
G. stood before us today, years later, hands raised in the air, still opening and closing his healed fingers at will. Glory radiated from his face, he laughed out loud—and I joined him with total delight! G. was surprised I remembered his situation, but God etches into my mind particular instances of the triumph of the Cross.
Ed and I exchanged glances, a special moment in the midst of the busyness. His eyes told me he was thinking of how important the people and experiences at Greystanes have been to him since our first visit to Australia in 2000. I thought of the wonderful people who had served on Bridge for Peace Australia missions through the years and the deep attachments formed through shared service.
Ed set up projection and sound equipment in the front pew, Sally and Tim bustled about getting us situated. D. approached to introduce the associate pastor. His name was Zechariahs. I thought of the biblical book Zechariah—the name means "The Lord God Remembers".
I felt God draw close and whisper, "I also remember early mornings and late nights in Greystanes."
I knew God had been with me, but I now realized God shared in my sweet memories and I felt my love for God deepen. It sounds strange, but I can only describe the moment as bonding with God in a new way. God wants to be included in my reminiscing.
I have long been in the habit of recounting moments of astonishing grace. That practice brings even greater joy today, because the memory is a shared moment. God remembers, too.
November 12,2010