I’d like to introduce you to Marcia and Rob McCure, who are friends of Ministry Ventures. I have known them for over 20 years and watched them walk with Jesus through the high mountain tops and the lowest of valleys. Please celebrate with us her story of God’s healing and faithfulness!

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In November 2003, Marcia was diagnosed with Leukemia, treated for several months, and declared to be in remission the next March. In June 2005, the Leukemia returned in the form of a brain tumor. The only chance she was given for recovery long term was with a bone marrow transplant, which they declined because of the extraordinary process and the slim chance for success.

Instead, Marcia chose to be treated with radiation for the brain tumor and chemotherapy for the Leukemia and was released from the hospital in September, declared as in remission again in October, but given no chance for living past the next year.

Here they are, almost three years later, and she is in good health. They say that they know that this healing is from Jesus, the only One who can heal anything. The One who can heal physically, spiritually, mentally, and emotionally!

For some the healing comes when a believer meets Jesus face-to-face, but for now He has decided to give Marcia some more years with her husband and with us. To God be the glory, great things He has done – and continues to do.

If you live close to Marietta, Georgia, please stop by their flower shop at Robb’s Flowers of the Field and greet them.
In Christ,

Boyd

Rita and I are a little numb these days as our baby Anna Grace graduates from High School in less than a month. One tradition we have done with her three older sisters is write them a letter of congratulations, encouragement and challenge. I recently finished Anna’s graduation letter and thought you would enjoy…

April 20, 2008

Dear Anna,

Mom and I are so very, very proud of you. We are impressed with your love for Jesus and your desire to obey Him regardless of the cost. You take very seriously His words, “If you love me, you will obey what I command” (John 14:15). Obedience to the Lord is the wisest route you can take in life, because He will only lead you into His very best. Indeed, we are thankful to the Lord for giving us the gift of you on May 3, 1990. As your loving parents we remind you as you transition from high school graduation: remember who’s you are, be who you are and love who you are…

Remember Who’s You Are
Simply put you are God’s. When you placed your faith in Christ you surrendered all control of your life to your Lord Jesus, “…your life is now hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3b). Your security is in your Savior, so you can rest assured that He is with you always and will never leave you (Hebrews 13:5 KJV). Be confident of this that even on your bad days you are still much better off than a good day of someone without God in their life. Moreover, you can be bold and adventurous knowing God’s will is not always predictable and safe, so do dare to take advantage of your position of heaven’s royalty by placing faith in your heavenly Father. We pray often for God to “…give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better” (Ephesians 1:17b). So, be humbled and extremely grateful Anna that you are a child of God and that He loves you unconditionally now and forevermore. You are a cherished child.

Be Who You Are
You already excel well at being your unique self, keep this up and do not allow anyone or anything to stifle your creativity and/or your refreshing humor. Laugh a lot with others and laugh out loud at yourself, because this is how God made you. You are a young lady that knows how to enjoy life. Furthermore, sports will probably be a significant part of your life, because you have always enjoyed staying active and competitive. Use your high energy to serve and encourage others. Your health is a gift from the Lord, so continue to take care of your body as the residence of God’s worship (1 Corinthians 6:19). Lastly you are a giver, because God as given you much, you have the opportunity to invest much in others. Always look for ways to out serve you parents, sisters and friends. Greatness comes in giving to and serving others, Jesus said “…whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant…” (Mark 10:43b). You are a lovely servant.

Love Who You Are
Jesus said the greatest command is to love God and to love others like the love you have for yourself (Matthew 22:37-39). It is imperative that you love yourself well, so you can love others well. Because God accepts you, you can totally accept yourself. You are a gorgeous young lady with as beautiful heart as you have hair. Your smile is infectious and communicates love and compassion. Your personality is fun loving and frank, so use your gift of wisdom and discernment to help others keep from making dumb mistakes. Be courageous and bold to speak the truth in love at the right time and in the right tone for “faithful are the wounds of a friend”. Be yourself and you will continue to attract quality friends who love you for who you are: joyful, wise and disciplined. Anna, above all keep your eyes on Jesus for He will never let you down!

Love Always,

Dad and Mom

Joy is Gone … “Joy has gone from our hearts; our dancing has turned to mourning.” Lamentations 5:15

What happens when the joy is gone? It is not fun anymore. What we are experiencing is not what we signed up for. Indeed, a joyless state is not a good place to stay over a prolonged period of time. It may be you just lost a loved one suddenly and without warning. You grieve because of your tremendous loss, but their great gain is they knew Jesus. It is not unusual for joy to rise from the ashes of our grief. Joy does come at dawn after the dark night of the soul. Your heart laments and longs for one more conversation and warm embrace from the dear one departed to heaven. But joy comes when you know they are with Jesus.

Jesus and joy go hand in hand. He understands that joy comes from obedience and faithfulness to God’s call. It was for the joy that was set before Him, that He endured the cross and despised its shame (Hebrews 12:2). Consider Christ, along with His model of endurance and obedience, in the middle of opposition and persecution. Do not grow weary and lose heart. The Lord is your lesson in joyfulness. Jesus never forgot the bigger picture of hope for a better tomorrow. Hope ultimately leads to heaven. Just the thought of heaven’s hallelujahs brings a smile to the face of faith. Joy is set before us in the person of Jesus Christ, reigning on His throne of grace. It is imperative that we stay fixed on Him. Our faith flees when it loses perspective from the Prince of Peace. Joy is found in Jesus. He wrote the book on experiencing joy in the midst of misery.

Joy, at the very least, lies dormant within every disciple of Jesus Christ. Therefore, awaken it from its slumber if you have slid into a joyless state. The Jesus that became your Savior at conversion is still the Jesus that currently is the Lord of your life. Look to the Lord for an infusion of His eternal joyfulness. Joyfulness is found in His hopefulness. Do not allow joy killers to rob you of hope and peace. A naysayer will always be around to remind you of his reality. But a definition of reality without hope is wrong for the follower of Jesus Christ. Indeed, joy is embedded in hope.

Therefore, reject these joyless jabs from revisionists of reality. Instead, seek out companions of Christ set on seeing Him for who He is. Jesus is a dispenser of joy. Yes, certain circumstances are joy crushers. Loss can logically lead to joylessness. However, within a community of faith, you can divert this default toward disillusionment. Allow your loss to lead you to the Lord. Navigate toward His lighthouse of love. Joy knows Jesus. You know His love; this is joy. You know His forgiveness; this is joy. You know His faithfulness; this is joy. You know His mercy; this is joy. Joy is not based on changing circumstances, but on knowing an unchanging Christ. Seek Him in your sad state and you will not have to search far for joy. When you find Jesus, you have found joy. Confusion will try to keep you from Christ, but want of joy motivates you to your Master. It is good to desire joy, because a desire of joy leads to authenticity with Almighty God. Make joy a juggernaut of obedience in your ruthless pursuit of Him. Give joy to the world. Jesus is joy. Giving joy brings joy. Therefore, be a joyful giver of joy!