The Good News

     Almost 10 years ago, my husband  Rod was dying. His liver was failing, due to a disease called Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis. He was #1 on the Liver transplant waiting list and we were anxiously awaiting a call that an organ donor had been found. It was a sobering thought that someone had to die for Rod to live. Our good news would be a result of someone else's pain. On the eve of his transplant, Rod was walking in the hallway near his room at UNC Hospital in Chapel Hill. He had been admitted two weeks earlier through the ER because of hemorrhaging in his esophagus due to Esophageal Varices. He almost didn't make it then and his days were numbered. His kidneys were showing signs of failure and time was running out. As he was walking, a nurse asked him what he was doing out of his bed! She gave him the good news that early in the morning he would have a liver transplant! On August 19, 2002 Rod received the gift of a new liver, the beginning of a new life.  I am happy to report that on August 19, 2012, he will celebrate the 10th anniversary of his transplant and is doing quite well! God gave him a second chance. The scar on his abdomen reminds him daily that someone died so he could live. Jesus died so we can live and Isaiah 49:15 and 16 tells us that He would never forget what He has done for us because of the scars engraved on his hands. Knowing what God had done for him gave Rod a passion for sharing the Good News of Jesus with those who didn't know Christ, especially other fishermen and hunters. The Outdoors Ministry of our church developed from this passion.

Rod

     This Saturday, August 4, 2012, Ridgecrest Outdoors Ministries will host its 5th Sportsman's Banquet. The sold-out crowd will eat a delicious chicken dinner, visit vendors, laugh with Comedian Lee McBride and meet and listen to Jase Robertson, Duck Commander and a star of the reality show "Duck Dynasty".  Most importantly they will hear the Good News of Jesus Christ. They will hear how God gave his One and Only Son Jesus to die for them, so they can live.  By trusting in Jesus as Lord and Savior of their life, and by making a decision to follow Him, they can receive a "heart transplant", the beginning of a new life. The old will be gone, the new will come. They will receive the gift of eternal life. Pray for those coming to the banquet. Pray that their hearts will be receptive and open to the Good News. Pray for the volunteers at the banquet. Pray they will follow Jesus' example of service and love for the lost, and that they will be good representatives of Christ to the guests at the banquet. There will be a great banquet in heaven one day (Revelation 19:9), pray that the number of guests attending that banquet will grow on Saturday night!

"Then the master told his servant, Go out to the roads and country lanes

and make them come in, so that my house will be full."

Luke 14:23

(Photo credit: Bob Ayers)