To God’s Beloved At Cloverdale Baptist Church:
On July 30, 1967 a beautiful young lady full of life dove into some shallow water, and the world has not been the same. She was paralyzed from the neck down, and has lived now 56 years in a state that is weak, and horrific.
Life has not been easy for this precious daughter of the King, in fact she has battled cancer, depression, despair, and darkness, and yet in and through it all her life has been a shining light for God and His glory.
She not only has written many books to encourage and bless God’s people, she has painted using only her mouth (I treasure her paintings, and one hangs in our offices to remind us to live for eternity). When the accident occurred, she thought her life was over, she was to weak, to hindered to be used by God, and yet millions (including Lori and I) would credit her and her ministry for incredible encouragement.
God chooses to use those who are weak by the worlds standards to bring Him glory. Joni has not been healed, yet brought healing and love to so many! Joni longs for heaven, and because of her life and ministry will bring many with her to glory.
It is doubtful that many reading this are paralyzed from the neck down, and yet each of us comes with our own brokenness in the midst of a world that is filled with pain. Joni has wheeled down the path we are called to walk, full surrender, and begging God to help us to know Him better and follow Him more fully in the midst of all of life! You might be struggling with health, or emotional difficulties, or weakness and Joni’s 53 years of pain and pouring out her heart to God remind us that in God’s economy we can boast in our weaknesses so that the power of Christ rests on us.
I praise God for Joni and her wheelchair, and am thankful that her message to my heart and countless others, allows us to offer our weakness to God, even perhaps boast in them, so that the power of Christ can rest on us.
She is a clear and present reminder for us that God is REAL and RELEVANT even in this broken world we live in. Surrender all to Him, and He will use you to be a blessing to others, even if you are in a wheelchair, or have cancer, or …..
Remember, we are strangers and aliens here, and we should be those like her who store up for ourselves treasures in heaven.
God has chosen not to heal His precious daughter here on earth, and she has said she wants to take her wheel chair to heaven to thank God for all it has taught her and the intimacy she has with Him because of it. That is the maturity I long for in my own heart, and for the people I am privileged to shepherd (she then said she will throw it straight to hell, as she walks, runs and dances in His presence…or something like that).
I thank God for weak people surrendered to Him, and delighted that I can be one…and as she as said, "her accident was no accident at all".
Pastor Rob
2 Corinthians 12:9-10
Sunday Is Coming:
Parables: Always Pray & Don't Give Up
- Text: Luke 18:11-8
- How much time do you spend praying?
- How does this parable teach us that praying, and not giving up are tied together?
- How can you use this parable in your life to engage in personal and corporate prayer?
- Why is prayer so important to the followers of Jesus?
- How can we be a church that prays more, and doesn't give up?
- Why or why not, is corporate prayer a priority for you?
Bulletin
Summer Prayer Nights
Tuesdays / 7:00 pm / Fellow. Hall At Cloverdale Baptist we always emphasize the importance of personal and corporate prayer. Over the summer, we’ll be meeting every Tuesday at 7pm, where our elders will be leading us through a time of prayer and sharing a brief message. We hope you’ll make this a priority!
More Than $3 Worth of the Gospel: Corporate Prayer (w/ Tim Radke)
The Cloverdale Baptist Podcast God did not create us to live the Christian life in isolation, but in relationship with him and one another. Corporate prayer is one of the avenues that afford us this privilege and when God’s people come together to worship Him in this way, it magnifies the glory that we give Him. Listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts, as well as on our website.
We’re Hiring!
- Pastor of Discipleship: Our search committee is looking for a candidate with a heart to see people grow in the faith and knowledge of the Lord. Full job description is available at the link above.
- Worship Ministry Intern: Paid internship from Sept. 2023–May 2024 which offers experience in leading worship services, mentoring and teaching.
- Women's Ministry: 3 people to care for our children (0-5 years) during our fall/spring Bible Studies on alternating Tuesdays, 9:15-11am. Children’s Ministries will provide discipleship material and training to the workers. Candidates must obtain police check. To apply and for more info, contact the Women's Ministry.
