The same day the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to him and asked him, saying: “Teacher, Moses said that if a man dies, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife and raise up offspring for his brother. Now there were with us seven brothers. The first died after he had married, and having no offspring, left his wife to his brother. Likewise the second also, and the third, even to the seventh. Last of all the woman died also. Therefore, in the resurrection, whose wife of the seven will she be? For they all had her.”
Jesus answered and said to them, “You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God. For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels of God in heaven. But concerning the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was spoken to you by God, saying, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.” And when the multitudes heard this, they were astonished at his teaching. (Matthew 22:23-33)
Jesus, please help all of us in this diocese know the Scriptures and the power of your Holy Spirit.
Father, you are the living God and there is no other God besides you.
Holy Spirit, please astonish the leaders and teachers and people of the Episcopal Church with Jesus’ teaching and bring us all to faith, hope and love. Thank you.
Monday: 9, 15; Amos 7:1-9; Revelation 1:1-8; Matthew 22:23-33
Tuesday: 10, 11; Amos 3:1-11; 2 Peter 1:12-21; Matthew 21:12-22
Notes from the Front Line
***** Date: Sun, 06 Dec 2009 10:05 PM
From: Elizabeth Strickland
Subject: Update on Fr. Nigel
Monday 12/7/09
Fr. Nigel Mumford is gaining his strength back a little more every day. Even though he is frustrated because he is not able to stand, he does exercises in his bed to strengthen his muscles. He is taking the initiative on this and is doing the exercises even when it isn’t PT time. He feels that he has the strength to stand now, but the dizziness and nausea is keeping him from doing so for very long. While Lynn had stepped out of the room on Saturday, he was able to stand briefly with the Physical Therapist, at which time he asked her to call Lynn in because he wanted to surprise her with a hug. For the first time since the middle of October, he was able to stand and hug his wife. What a moment it was for both of them. Thank you Lord. We Glorify You and give you Praise Lord God for your continued healing.
Fr. Nigel was so excited to relay that he had put on his own socks! He said he felt as though it was a momentous day because he was able to do this by himself. To see his face beaming when he relayed this accomplishment was reminiscent of seeing him standing before the altar in the Christ the King Chapel with his fist raised in the air, shouting “BRILLIANT”. Please take a moment to think of the miniscule movements that you do every minute of every day that you take for granted, and Praise God for these gifts He has given you.
His bed sore is starting to diminish and to be less painful. Thank you Lord for listening to the prayers of your people.
Please pray for:
* Complete healing of his lungs so that he can be weaned off the oxygen
* Continued healing of his bed sore
* Immediate relief of his dizziness and nausea when he stands, and knowledge and wisdom for the doctors and nurses that are trying to discover the cause of this
* Continued strengthening of all of his muscles so that he can walk out of the hospital ASAP
Fr. Nigel thanks you all for your prayers – he said that he can “feel the prayers” and is gaining strength from them. We thank you Lord Jesus that you are our strength and our redeemer.
Albany Intercessor
Praise God from Whom all blessings flow! Nigel, I am praying for your complete and quick healing. One of our young counselors here at CJH got a word of knowledge when you were unconscious and very ill that you would be healed. We have been praising God for your healing ever since. Now we will just watch and see what God will do and the marvelous testimony to His Power and Love that will result. Blessings, MaryLou
On the subject of nausea and dizziness, remember that Fr. Nigel has been through a huge viral illness. I wouldn’t be surprised if said virus had also caused some viral labryinthitis, i.e. the inner ear infection that can make for such pronounced vertigo. Plus, the weakness and stasis of being confined to bed for over a month is enough to make anyone dizzy and nauseous once he/she begins to move again. I believe it will all pass with a return to health and strength, and I offer my prayers to that end.
In a way, it can be like being pregnant–one minute you might think you’re feeling great and the next you are ready to fall over from either nausea or fatigue–despite all Marines’ can-do attitude, and they surely “can-do”, it is better to listen to one’s body and not overdo, as that can feel like it’s setting you back, which is discouraging.
Like pregnancy, New Life is coming, and in more ways than one.
Happy Holidays and with many prayers–JLC and family
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