Pastor Tony...

Not an easy day for us as a Fellowship. Tony, one of our Pastors, has been diagnosed with cancer. He will be setting up his own blog, linked from our Church website, very shortly. This is one of those brilliant times when you realise how powerful and supportive blogs and the dissemination of information can be, so let’s use it wisely, prayerfully and thoughtfully.

I guess there will be much to say over the next few weeks and months, but three things I will say right here and now.

Firstly, for Satan to attack in such a dirty, underhanded way probably means that something big is on the horizon for us as a Church. Satan is not omniscient – he cannot know everything, for that is an Attribute of God. However, Satan is aware of things in “The heavenlies”, that spiritual realm which often heralds moves of God. He watches that, and when he sees something powerful from heaven heading our way, we then become a prime target for anything he can throw at us. He will use whatever means he can to make us doubt God, to fear, and to feel that everything we have believed in is a lie. So remember; if he’s trying that hard, it’s because something big is on the move.

Secondly, how to respond. From my perspective, and from experience, when this kind of news hits, people don’t know what to say. But it is vital that the family are made constantly aware of our love and prayers. The thing that helped us as a family the most were the cards. Every day, somebody somewhere remembered to send a get-well card, a word of encouragement, a thought, a prayer. It doesn’t have to be fancy, but it does need to happen often. And every one of those cards were pinned up on a wall at home, a living reminder that we were not alone, nor forgotten. So if you ‘re wondering what to do, send a card. If you don’t know how to pray, just pray simply, and send a card, saying “I prayed for you today”.

And finally, our love and thanks go to everyone who signed up today for The Covenant Prayer Chain on the day of Tony’s op. The chain is now complete, with at least one person, sometimes two and occasionally three people praying every 15 minutes throughout the day. Chelmsford, you are a brilliant church, and I know that you know how to pray. Now is the time, though, to step up to the plate again, dig in our spiritual heels, and do battle for a very special family.