April
2, 2008
Dear Ventura First Assembly Family and Friends,
Over the last few months, I have been strengthened
and sustained by all of your prayers and
expressions of love as my back problems have
persisted after my surgery last October.
I could never thank you enough. And I cherish
your continued prayers. I am still trusting
for a total healing.
As
most of you know, I am scheduled for another
surgery on the morning
of April 8th.
This surgery will be even more intensive
and extensive. The surgeon will be targeting
the L-3, L-4, and L-5 levels on my back.
The surgery will be on both sides since my
discs have continued to worsen since the
last surgery. Even though my surgery is scheduled
and all the Pre-Op tests are being taken – I
will be praying for a total miracle until
the moment I am wheeled into that operation
room.
Let
me encourage you at this time. Paul prayed
a powerful prayer in
the book of Philippians
when he wrote: I want to know Christ and
the power of his resurrection and the fellowship
of sharing in his sufferings, (Phil. 3:10).
Knowing Christ is an experience that includes
both the Power of Christ’s Resurrection
and the Fellowship of His Suffering. This
fellowship of Christ’s suffering is
not a simple visit or awareness of Jesus’ presence
in the midst of life’s toughest moments – it
is about finding His life in the midst of
those things that drain us of life. This
fellowship is about finding abundant and
powerful life in the midst of suffering.
For the believer, suffering is not an evil
part of life - nor is it even random or accidental
- it is not punishment or retaliation. Paul
understood it as COMMUNION with CHRIST – and
I know that Jesus will be with me and Ventura
First Assembly in a very tangible way during
this time. We will all experience Jesus in
a more personal and powerful way through
this time.
And
that is why I am writing to you. When I
am away or while any pastor
is out of the
loop for any extended period of time – it
is a sad but an all too often practice for
the Church family to be less than regular
in attendance and giving. I am calling on
you to do everything in your power to not
let this be the case for the time I will
be recovering from my surgery. There has
been a noticeable momentum building in our
services. God’s presence has been sweet
and lives have been changing every week.
In no way do I want to see this momentum
stopped. I believe that it can continue to
build in my absence. So, you can help keep
the momentum going by being at our Sunday
morning services and Wednesday night Prayer
meetings.
In my absence, we have some outstanding
preachers and special guests in our services.
The former pastor of San Diego First Assembly
of God, Dr. Dick Dresselhaus, will be our
guest for several Sundays. In addition, we
will be graced by the ministry of Dr. Dave
Gable, former Assistant Superintendent of
the Southern California District of the Assemblies
of God, in May and June. These gentlemen
are seasoned, eloquent, and passionate preachers
that will bring a message to our church that
will challenge and uplift everyone in attendance.
So, I ask you to make a special effort to
build up our body by consistently being at
church during my recovery.
This
Sunday will be my last Sunday, April 6th,
before my operation.
So, I look forward
to seeing you this weekend as we worship,
pray, and hear God’s word together.
One more thing, please remember my wife and
family in your prayers during this time of
recovery.
Blessings,
Pastor Tony Cervero
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