Tag Archives: encouragement

A Pastor’s Response

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My Precious Life, my book, has received many positive and promising reviews, and this one, which landed in my Inbox yesterday, is among the most encouraging.

The writer of this message can be found in Chapter 23, page 89, of My Precious Life. He is mentioned in only one sentence, and yet that sentence seems to have moved him to this response.

Lawrence Crews is Senior Pastor at Calvary Community Church in Barrie, Ontario, and has given me permission to share his words.

This then, is a Pastor’s response: 

Today at 10:49 AM
Dear Mrs Boyes,
Thank you so much.
I just finished reading your beautiful book. I am deeply moved. I feel honoured.
I am blessed. I am encouraged. I am chosen.
Tears flow down my face as I write. I am truly amazed at the love and care of our God toward you, toward me, toward each of our loved ones and so many others as well.
God’s grace, peace and kindness have again leapt into my heart – this time from the pages of your book. Thank you.
Your old brown Toyota will always hold a special place of memory in my heart. December 18, 1977. My life changed forever that evening at Scarborough Gospel Temple. Jesus Christ sought me. Thank God I was found by him.
How could I have known the rich heritage of God moving in your life? Thank you for being willing and obedient to write.
I am in awe. I am comforted. If God is for us then who can be against us?
Thank you for sharing your precious life so beautifully with pen and paper. I know you now a thousand times more than ever before. My life is that much the richer.
You will be delighted to know…
I woke early this morning and was able to get a good start on the day. I treated myself to breakfast and your book at a quiet, local greasy spoon. It’s a great way for me to read without interruption.
Out of the blue the waitress asked, “What book are you reading?”
Instantly I knew God was at work-again. I shared with her about December 18 and how my life changed that night forever.
She curiously asked me some more questions about the book. I asked her if she would like to read it. 🙂
I’m leaving it with her now.
Thirty-seven years later, I’m humbled and thankful to know that God still speaks to us and through us even today.
With deepest respect, honour and thanks,

Lawrence 😎

It is with a thankful heart that I share this glowing tribute to My Precious Life, the book, which, through Jeremiah 30:2, God prompted me to write.

Have You Seen God?

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We have been told that no one has ever seen God.

Well, I’m here to tell you that I saw Him on Saturday at My Precious Life’s successful book launch!

I saw Him in the faces of my church family who worked for hours setting up tables and chairs, food and drink, and nourished me with the gifts of flowers, words of encouragement, and a cuppa tea and a plate of goodies after the books were signed and sold.

I saw Him in the faces of my dear and lovely family, rearranging their day to come to my launch; and in the faces of three of my little great-grandchildren who gave up their play time for GG.

I saw Him in the faces of friends who came from far and near; friends from bygone days who nourished me with warm hugs and loving memories.

I saw Him in the faces of those who lined up to buy copies of My Precious Life.

Have you seen God?

Look closely at those whose lives touch yours in any wonderful way, and like me, you will say, “I saw God today.“

 

The Face

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In 1990, our then Pastor gave a sermon depicting the many faces of Christ. It was very interesting, and gave us another way of looking at Jesus. The lady sitting beside me gave me an elbow poke and whispered, “You could write a poem about this.” I am quite susceptible to the power of suggestion when it comes to writing anything and immediately thought, hmmm, I wonder…

And so, I came home, sat down with pen and paper and came up with this:

THE FACE

Evil, cruel, hardened,

set in grimaced scorn.

Flattened nose,

upslanted eyes,

with pointed ears was born.

Hollowed cheeks,

haunted eyes,

disease its toll has taken.

Wasted skin, hungered, thin,

in poverty, forsaken.

Criminal,

Down Syndrome child,

Aids victim,

Poor man’s tryst,

Look!

And then, please look again…

and see the face of Christ.

©1990

I gave a copy to the lady who poked me, and said, “Here you go, Christine, this is for you.” She took one look at the first few words and said, “Oh, I don’t want to read this!” But she did, and I do believe still has the poem in her possession all these years later.

As for me, that sermon and ensuing poem gave me the eyes to see all of God’s people in a whole new Face.