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As he reached the tail section, the plane hit an air pocket, and Dempsey was tossed against the rear door. He quickly discovered the source of the mysterious noise, the rear door had not been properly latched prior to takeoff. It flew open when he landed on it and he was instantly sucked out of the jet.
The co-pilot, seeing the red light that indicated an open door, radioed the nearest airport, requesting an emergency landing and a helicopter search for the area in the ocean the pilot had fallen out of the plane.
After the plane landed, they found Henry Dempsey – holding onto the outdoor ladder of the aircraft! Somehow he had caught the ladder and held on for 10 minutes as the plane flew 200 miles an hours at an altitude of 4,000 feet. It took airport personnel several minutes to pry Dempsey’s fingers from the ladder.
Here is the point, when life get’s a little turbulent and the bottom seems to have dropped out from beneath you – hold on to God’s promises and Word like never before. Like for Dempsey, there is no other good alternative!
We always have the choice, to say with Jacob in Genesis 42:36 ‘all things are against me’ or to say with Paul in Romans 8:28 ‘all things work together for good’. To choose being up-beat rather than just beat-up!
Patty and I had one of those unexpected turbulence, door opening beneath us moments this past week when we found out that some cancer cells were still in her body and she would have to return to chemo-therapy. Despite the disappointment and pain in the news, we knew the only option – grab ahold of God’s Word and promises like never before and watch him take us to a safe landing! We have sensed his love and presence and peace in such powerful and tangible ways. Our Oncologist feels very positive with this round and the new chemicals they will use in this chemo treatment that the cancer will be defeated – but even more exciting is that the Great Physician has said “By My stripes you have been healed”
 (Isaiah 53:5; 1 Peter 2:24). We would appreciate your prayers as we walk through this healing process. She will begin chemotherapy a week from Monday, February 21st, that will be weekly injections – then in six weeks there will be another PET scan to show the progress. I will keep you updated in these Pastor Pen’s.
This Sunday morning we are privileged to have with us Pastor John Gunn, founder and director of the Power Company Kids Club in Pontiac Michigan. Patty and I have been blessed to know Pastor John and be partners with this powerful ministry for several years. In fact, he was coming to Florida to lead a ministry retreat this week for some of his team and ministry supporters that Patty and I are planning to be a part of, so I asked him to come and share with us and preach the Word for our two morning services. Pastor John is reaching out to thousands of families and children every week with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, rescuing at-risk children in one of our nations most dangerous cities. Pastor John drives his own bus route and visits hundreds of children in their homes every week. He leads the weekly ministry, teaches the lessons, mentors the staff and develops and leads the sidewalk ministry teams on the streets. You will be blessed to hear this vision and message Sunday morning!
Tonight, Friday, at 6:30 pm is the Youth Valentine Banquet for Speed the Light. Saturday at 7 pm, and every Saturday, is our Encounter – great nights of prayer, praise, testimonies and miracles. Don’t miss these!
On Wednesday nights at 7 pm we have three new School of the Bible classes started: ‘Relentless’ (John Bevere) in the office classroom, ‘Letter to the Seven Churches’ with Pastor Eddie in the café, and ‘Journey into Knowing God’ and intercession in the prayer room with me. This Thursday night, February 16th, the ladies will meet at 6 pm at the church to carpool to Oceanway Assembly of God for a Women’s Ministry meeting, ‘The Beautiful Project’ with Jennifer Beckham, Martha Tennison and Marsha Woolley. This Sunday night (the 12th) at 6 pm our Life Groups will meet. Next Sunday night (the 19th) at 6 pm we will have our annual business meeting in the Ministry Center.
Keep believing, our greatest days are just ahead!
Blessings,
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