What do you do when things come crashing down around you? How do you respond when things feel really uncertain? Where do you go when life suddenly changes? Sometimes we don’t know the answer to these questions until we are actually facing the circumstance that is redirecting our lives. It’s been 6 months since I was almost taken out by meningitis and I can tell you that it has been a long 6 months in many ways. The overwhelming fatigue, the continuous brain fog, the achiness in my body, the headaches and nausea, and the lack of desire to want to do the things I enjoy doing. Though I would say that I am close to being back at 100 percent, I still often have moments or days where several of these symptoms come back reminding me of what happened on the weekend of October 11th and12th. Saturday night into Sunday morning is where it started with a headache and feeling a little off. I thought I was just coming down with the flu or one of the other dozen illnesses floating around at the time. By Sunday night I wasn’t able to sleep due to the pain and nausea that intensified. Monday morning I had become confused, irritable, and completely adverse to any type of light. Again, the symptoms seemed to me like an uncomfortable flu but unbeknownst to me it was much worse than what I had imagined I was going through. It was not the flu. I made it to Tuesday in extreme discomfort crying out in the night for God to help me though I have no recollection of this. My wife’s account is far more accurate I can assure you. Tuesday I found myself struggling to speak or make any conscious sound as I was writhing in pain and experiencing intense nausea. My wife Emma had made her way to work and told her boss how bad of shape I was in. He quickly replied to her, “You should go home and check on your husband.” She did, and it was on the way home as she was praying that she heard the Holy Spirit tell her to take me immediately into the ER or I would die. As she found me confused, writhing in pain, without a coherent sentence to be made she strongly urged me to get up and go to the ER with her. In typical Dan fashion, that being an astute aversion to going to the Doctor, I said no, or grunted emphatically, as I thought I could sleep it off and take plenty of fluids. I had no idea just how bad it was! After me trying to just get back to bed to try and sleep it off the Holy Spirit told me some of the wisest words I have heard, “Listen to your wife. Go to the ER.” Sure enough, my greatest irritation happened. I had a terrible drive into the ER, then got to spend what seemed like an eternity waiting to just get seen by an intake nurse. They did the intake after seeing that I could not remember my name, or remember my birthdate, and after seeing I couldn’t even write my initials.I ended up having a temperature of 104.3℉ which I had for around 5 days with a migraine to match. My brain was cooking on high causing my cognitive function to almost completely diminish. Thank God my cognitive function came back as in many cases patients suffer residual effects of memory loss for up to 2 years. After a lumbar puncture, otherwise known as a spinal tap, they found out I had meningitis, which happens to be extremely contagious, rare, and deadly if left untreated. The Holy Spirit was right as always and was verified by my doctor he believed I would have died if I hadn’t gone in when I did. I continued to stay in the hospital for 5 more miserable yet impactful days. Unfortunately, things were not smooth after their findings. I went through a bomb threat, collapsed veins due to severe dehydration, limited sleep due to pain, and a throbbing migraine which lessened to a severe headache after days in the hospital. But while I was laid up in the hospital God gave me opportunity after opportunity to connect with the nurses, doctors, and even a chaplain to share the love of Christ. Like it says in 1 Peter 3:15, “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord.” That’s where it starts revering Christ as Lord knowing He is in control. It goes on to say, “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have” He gave me chances to share hope, joy, and love with those in need. It wasn’t just the person in the hospital bed who needed the Great Physician. It was everyone in there. I didn’t really feel fear about what was happening as I was just trying to make it through each day, but my wife was experiencing fear, wondering if she would have to raise our two boys on her own. If I would die in the aftermath of a bomb threat. If she would have to watch me writhe in pain and possibly pass away. If she would have to do this all on her own. What was her life going to look like? But God showed up and Emma continued to trust in His goodness and provision. She continued to praise through the storm. She continued with the God of the universe at her side, at her front and her back, fully surrounding her with comfort, peace and love. So what do you do when things come crashing down? How do you respond when things are uncertain? Where do you go when life suddenly changes? Life continues on and things continue to go awry. The residual effects of meningitis still cause issues in my life and in my body. Even with that aside life is still life. The world is still the world, full of brokenness,troubles, evil, and sin, but I choose to trust in the God who knit me together in my mother’s womb. I choose to see Him active in my life and the world around me. I choose to worship Him in the good and the bad. I encourage you to do the same. As Jesus said in John 16:33b, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” It seems that things are promised to go awry, that things in this world will cause us trouble, that things at some point just might fall apart. But Jesus tells us to take heart, to be encouraged to the core of our being, because He has overcome the world. We can and should trust that because God is still God! By taking heart, we are actively putting our trust in the one who forgives, the one who heals, the one who rescues, and the one who brings freedom from fear, loneliness, pride, and sin. There is a lot more I could write about this experience but what I am left with though is this; no matter what, even if you’re on your deathbed or close to it... God’s not done with you yet (Isaiah 43:19) You can still worship Him (Psalm 34:1) You can still share His goodness, proclaim the Gospel, and be the light to those in the darkness (1 Peter 3:15) You can still have a grateful heart even if yours might stop beating (John 11:25-26) You can still trust Him (Proverbs 3:5-6) And you can take heart that He has overcome (John 16:33)! If you're facing a scary season right now, don't go through it alone. Message the prayer team at Northgate so we can walk alongside you in prayer and support.
Let’s be honest. For a lot of us, praying out loud with someone else can feel a little like being asked to freestyle rap with zero warning. You know you love Jesus, but suddenly you are very aware of every word coming out of your mouth. Matt and Nicole Rhoad were right there too. After stepping into Prayer Ministry training, they discovered something powerful on the other side of that hesitation. In this short Q&A, they share what led them to take the course, what surprised them, and how it has changed the way they pray in everyday life.
ONE BAPTISM & ONE GOD Day 1 “Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Acts 2:38 As soon as we know the truth, we don’t waste another minute. We immediately run to our Heavenly Father and wholeheartedly embrace Jesus as our Lord and Savior. This response to God’s love is active, demonstrating our desire to receive Him fully into our lives. As we respond in obedience to God’s love, the Spirit of God comes to live within us. Without delay, we make a public declaration of our allegiance to Christ through baptism. This public proclamation is a vital step, acknowledging we’ve been washed cleaned and our sins have been forgiven. Our perspective shifts as we begin to turn away from our old patterns of thinking and living and instead choose to trust and rely on the Spirit of Jesus to guide and empower us in our new life with Him. God’s promise is true for all: everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. This assurance gives us confidence as we walk in faith and obedience, trusting in God’s saving grace. Why might the physical act of baptism be significant in following Jesus? If you believe in God's promise and have received Jesus as your Lord and Savior, yet haven't been baptized, consider taking this next step in your relationship with Him. Why have you delayed and what do you need to know in order to move forward? Additional Reading: Acts 2:1-41 Day 2 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come. The old has gone, the new is here!” 2 Corinthians 5:17 Through our faith, we become a new creation in Christ. While old patterns of sin may linger, our identity is completely transformed; there is nothing left of who we used to be. Embracing every promise in Christ means letting go of old loyalties and obligations. We are no longer bound to the ways of our past but are set free to live differently. This freedom empowers us to see others from a new perspective. Where once we may have harbored resentment or judged others as unworthy of God’s love, now we recognize the power and influence of sin on every human heart. We realize that God’s love extends to all, because each of us has experienced the need for His mercy. As the Spirit of Jesus takes up residence within us, division and hatred are replaced by unity and reconciliation. In this renewed life, we are called to represent Jesus wherever we go and with whomever we meet. Our participation in the ministry of reconciliation becomes our new mission, reflecting the love of Christ as we seek unity and peace with others. How has your life changed as a result of faith, and what recurring challenges do you still face? Is there someone God may want you to see differently or reach out to with His grace and love? Additional Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:11-6:2 Day 3 “Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” John 1:12 God was not compelled by obligation or necessity to send His Son for our reconciliation. In our sinful nature, we are undeserving of His mercy, and by rights should face only His judgment. Yet God chose to make an extraordinary sacrifice so that we could know Him not simply as a distant spiritual force or a god to be appeased, but as a loving Father. The circumstances of our birth and our journey to faith in Jesus Christ are not random or accidental. God’s intention is for us to know Him intimately as Father, a relationship built through faith in Christ. As a good Father, He teaches and trains, equips and encourages us, nurturing us in His righteous ways. Embracing our identity as children of God gives us both strength and courage to live wholeheartedly for Him. Through following the example set by others and sharing the grace and truth found in Jesus, our understanding of our identity in Christ deepens. This process matures us, shaping us increasingly into the likeness of Jesus, co-heirs in the kingdom of God. Reflect on God has your perfect Father. Do you find this easy or challenging, and why? In this season of life, how is God teaching, training, equipping, or encouraging you, and how might you actively participate as you learn and receive from Him? Additional Reading: John 1:1-18 Day 4 “And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.” 1 John 4:16 God is love. Let that sink in for a minute. God is not just someone who shows love occasionally or when we meet certain expectations. Instead, God’s very nature is love—He is the embodiment of what it truly means to love. This love is constant and unwavering; it does not depend on our actions or circumstances. Because God loves us first, He makes it possible for us to love Him and others in return. It is impossible to claim that we love God while harboring hatred toward our brothers or sisters. When we genuinely experience God’s love, it changes our hearts. We are compelled to love God and to show genuine love to those around us. One of the most powerful ways we demonstrate this love is by sharing the message of Jesus with others. Because there is nothing that can separate us from the love of God in Jesus, we have no reason to fear. Everything God does and calls us to do helps us to know His love more deeply. As we trust in Jesus, accepting His sacrifice on the cross, embracing His grace and forgiveness, and allowing Him to transform our attitudes toward others, we begin to experience and share the perfect love that comes from God. How does God’s perfect love compare to the culture’s concept of love? In what ways are you hesitant to show God’s love to others, and what fears could His perfect love help you overcome? Additional Reading: 1 John 4:7-21 Day 5 “There is one body and one Spirit – just as you were called to one hope when you were called – one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” Ephesians 4:4 In Christ, we have received the gift of One. We are one with God, one with Jesus, and one with the Holy Spirit. This unity extends to every person who proclaims faith in Jesus. We cannot separate ourselves from those in the body of Christ any more than we can split ourselves in two. God’s mercies are new every morning, which means each day presents a fresh opportunity for transformation. We are invited to renew our attitudes and thoughts, to leave behind our old ways, and to embrace the new self that is shaped to be like Christ in what we think, say, and do. As we meet together and share our lives with one another, we actively remind each other of God's promises as we encourage one another in the hope that only comes from Jesus. God the Father stands ready, willing, and able to assist us in every area of life. As we seek His goodness and wisdom, we are empowered to reflect His character to every person we meet. As we each do our part, the body of Christ throughout the world grows stronger and more vibrant. Let us, therefore, strive to maintain the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. Which of the “Ones” are you interested in learning more about? How could you dive deeper into this topic? What might you need to set aside to better focus on the unity and peace that the Spirit of God seeks to bring through you? Who could you reach out to for support in this effort? Additional Reading: Ephesians 4:1-32
