SPIRITUAL TSUNAMI! PART 1 OF 2
As a coastal boy I am a little slow to hear and learn some things! Now with this brain cancer, things are even slower to understand at times, but then Holy Spirit erupts within me with profound clarity and I receive instant insight, how greatful I am. Thank You Jesus!!!
My words today to you ARE deep and wide, because Jesus made clear this morning to share with you what is really occurring behind these pastoral reflections. Why, am I being driven by Holy Spirit in a deep and wide spiritual transformation that is profoundly miraculous! PLEASE hear this as I continue to share with you a few secrets of what is occurring during my fourth watch experiences each morning. This is most important – all spiritual transformations we experience, the main character is ALWAYS about Jesus at work through power of the all flowing Holy Spirit!!!
Important Profile Background Information: I am pushed to share clarity with you about how the Holy Spirit is moving in the reflections directly out of my past life experiences and relationships! So, just in case you are not aware, allow me briefly to state my important profile background:
- Coastal Boy: raised in the sound and ocean of the Promise Land of Morehead City, NC – a powerful foundation of my life!
- Air Force Chaplain and Methodist Pastor: 1985-2015, 30 years AF; 1979 to present appointment at Trinity Methodist, Jacksonville NC, as a honored and very grateful Global Methodist Pastor, 45 years.
- Lastly, more importantly, since born July 1957, a 67 year old human being that was being shaped miraculously by Jesus, to glorify God by the hovering power of the Holy Spirit shaping my life!
It has become very apparent to me, as the Holy Spirit works in my heart and mind on my pastoral reflections, each of the above profile elements are being used by Him in a rather interesting spiritual dance where HE intertwines and utilizes each significant element of my profile differently each day!
With this personal foundation affirmed, now allow me to share what I call a few ‘secrets’ of how Holy Spirit is working in my life over these last thee weeks battle with brain cancer.
First, daily I am in battle on on two fronts:
The ground battle of my physical struggle daily as Debby and I go to Duke Cancer Pavilion for my chemo and radiation treatments. Let’s stay here for few seconds and share we discovered an ugly red tide had moved and grown within my mind: a massive brain tumor, along with three other evil brain cancer tumors had taken root in my brain. They were being vicious in their attempt to destroy my mind and kill me! The large one was expanding rapidly, growing immensely…without me knowing! Silently destroying good brain cells with a vengeance!
We just did not know what was happening until a huge migraine exploded in my head as we were celebrating our 45th wedding anniversary. Thank Jesus for this event, which led to discovering the evil presence of darkness at work in my brain, what a significant ripple effect, PTL!
After multiple MRIs, my Jacksonville Doctor whom I call Dr. T, tells me something I will hear often in next few days: Pastor Jerry I am sorry, you have a big, bad, brain tumor. I cannot help you and due to its size you need to move fast for help!
Holy Spirit works miraculously through Debby, who comes alive with making significant phone calls to Duke; she knew to pray: Jesus help me get my husband to Duke!
After a few hours of discouraging calls in attempt to get me to Duke, another huge ripple effect occurred, Holy Spirit made it clear to her, this time when you call, you make it profoundly clear you are a current patient of Dr. Allan Friedman, one of the most highly experienced and world renowned cancer surgeons! She hastily now uses this information and in a short period of time, word made it to Dr. Friedman. Very shortly, a call comes in to Debby, “Mrs. Lewis, Dr. Friedman wants to meet with you and your husband very soon, when can you get here?”
Now jump forward – the ground battle: As a Duke doctor reviewed with us the MRI results, we clearly hear: “Mr Lewis your brain cancer is significantly bad, you have four tumors, one is huge and growing rapidly! Mr. Lewis I will be very honest with you, time is of the essence for you to make a most critical decision for your life, you can choose to not to have treatment, and have maybe have three months to live. Or you can chose to have treatment, I will promise you this, but no more, I believe we can help you have nine more months to live, maybe stretch it to 12 at most.”
Let’s stop right here for just few seconds…you hearing for first time what I have pondered many times now…another huge ‘ripple effect’ occurring!
The doctor’s diagnosis deeply concerns Debby, Ray, and I as we are all present together listening.
Question, who is this new doctor and how is he in our room talking with us right now? YES, let me share with you another significant ‘ripple effect’ story!
Duke Cancer doctors work as incredible teams! First doctor to speak with us is a fantastic lady with amazing gracious heart! After her and I come in agreement on my course of upcoming treatment (yes, story here too, another morning), notices we need to meet now with Doctor who will take care of my new ground stategic warfare against bad, brain tumor! But, she quickly says, they did not schedule you with him today? Our hearts quickly drop, Debby first to say, can this be changed, we live in Jacksonville. She then says it will be no problem Mrs. Lewis, give me just a second. She goes to her medical network, types something fast, makes quick call right in front of us. New Doctor will be here soon, in fact he’s headed our way right now… he’s my husband! WOW!!! Can not make this stuff up! You keeping up with ‘ripple effects’?
Now most important stategy of my ground battle takes shape at Duke. However actually I have been learning another more powerful strategy was already in motion since I was born—the Almighty and ALL Powerful AIR Strategy where Jesus was already working through the ALL Moving and Present Holy Spirit!
I struggle right now what to say for this reflection, do not want to get too long. Pause, help Lord…
Clear to me now, let’s meet again for another HUGE cup of coffee tomorrow morning and we will finish this momentous Pastor Jerry reflection!
Question: How are you feeling right now?
Please know as I share, I am concerned for you! It’s ok to weep with me, I have cried often over last three weeks, deep emotions for sure. However, join me in moving from tears of sadness to tears of JOY in what Jesus, by power of Holy Spirit, is doing!
As we close today’s reflection, I believe you will agree with me, that the ripple effects are moving in direction of a TSUNAMI!
Scripture for Today: Please from Psalm 91!
“I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.””
Psalms 91:2 NKJV
“He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler.”
Psalms 91:4 NKJV
“He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him.”
Psalms 91:15 NKJV
