Liz's Letters

I really don't like to think about suffering but I know it is part of life. And when things are going really well for me, I struggle a little because I know I am not doing anything right - I am just in a good place for now. The next trial, the next crisis, the next ... something... will certainly come along eventually. Suffering is everywhere and nobody is exempt. I have lived through my own bouts of this and it started early in my life like many others. Some of the things I have suffered have been relatively small, but some of them have been great and life changing. I work in a place where every patient admitted has experienced some sort of trauma which brings them to our hospital. They suffer. My dear friend admitted her 16 year old daughter to an inpatient drug and alcohol addiction rehab hospital yesterday. Lots of suffering. Another has lost her husband after many years of marriage. She suffers. And my pastor is battling malignant brain cancer. Suffering. There is ...

My pastor, Matt Chandler, had an MRI today. It was a follow up to the one he had after his radiation which showed some "matter" that was concerning. Great news is! Listen to his latest video update and thank God with me!

Some of you have asked how my pastor is doing. He just finished his third week of radiation and has three more. He also is about to finish his third week of chemotherapy, and has three more. He is doing good, he is upbeat, and relying on God. God uses this in the lives of all of us at The Village Church, and even in the lives of people all over the world. I am learning my own lessons from God as I ask Him to reveal the work He wants to do in me in this circumstance. One of the things I am in awe over is that Matt and his family have decided to suffer this trial and battle this battle publicly. This decision of Matt's has helped me learn a great deal about honesty, about trust in God and others, and heal from some past hurts that involved dishonesty and secrets in church leadership. What a refreshing change. And I have determined where I fall in the question, "Is God so sovereign that He won't change His mind?" He is absolutely sovereign, yes, and He does chang...

Today the pathology report was provided for our church family. Our very loved pastor, Matt Chandler, has a malignancy. The entire update is available at the link below, but in short, he will see a Neuro-oncologist this week to discuss further treatment. The nature of the tumor hindered the removal of it all and several treatment options will be considered. -In the meantime, we will pray for the following: -Wisdom for all the coming decisions -Strength and peace to endure -The kids’ (Audrey, Reid and Norah) hearts; pray the Lord is merciful as they process and that their little hearts do not grow embittered -The Chandlers and The Village would suffer well because of the gospel and for the sake of Christ’s name. The gospel is our hope and the Lord is our strength. The entire update as released by the staff at The Village Church can be viewed by clicking the link below. Pathology results revealed Thank you for your prayers!

Today draws to a close and I am aware that when I sleep and rise again, it is the day that my pastor will be having surgery to remove a tumor from his brain. Wow. Many thoughts and emotions have occurred since I received this news. And many have been the conversations with others who are experiencing similar feelings. I have had deep conversation with a dear friend, a new believer. Her faith was rocked...for a time. She seeks, God answers. Even those who have walked a long time on the journey of faith in Jesus have struggled to remain steadfast. We are not alone. But, all in all, we have hope. Claiming this verse today... Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 ...

Below is the letter that was sent to the body of believers at the Village Church today. Prayer and fasting is taking place in my home, in the church family that we are part of, and in the lives of thousands of others who know, love, or just know of Matt. I humbly pass this along for my believing friends and family, asking you to join me in prayer for Matt's total and swift healing! Thank you! God, the Great Physician, is Sovereign! Update from our elders concerning Matt and his health: Matt will undergo surgery Friday afternoon Pastor Matt Chandler will have surgery Friday afternoon to remove a tumor located in the frontal lobe of his brain. The surgery will be performed by Dr. David Barnett. Dr. Barnett told Matt that he was positive about recovery but won't know the full results until the surgery is performed. The doctor was uncertain about the malignancy of the tumor, and a biopsy will be performed as part of the surgery. The outpouring of support and prayers from all over t...

I love it! My friend Teri @ A View From The Mountaintop , posted a quick video on her blog today. The clip is taken from part of a message that Matt Chandler gave at the Desiring God pastors conference just a couple of weeks ago. She sweetly linked my blog to hers because she knows that I attend Matt's church, The Village. She and I both share a love of his style and the down to earth way that he speaks the truth! Today, I have had a few people ask, "Do you go to Matt Chandler's church?" The answer is Yes. And he is just as good every weekend as he was at the Desiring God conference. I am so going to email him (or tell him face to face) all the hooplah that I am getting on MY blog about him! He will get a kick out of it. Actually, he is very humble. But I will tell him anyway. So, for those of you who wonder what in the world I am talking about, go check it out on Teri's link. Or go check Matt out on the church web site.... The Village Church The messages are pod...