God is Building His Church - Even Online!

I'm sitting here amazed at how the Lord works. The remarkable way He brings people together from all around the globe! People of like mind and heart! People with a love for God!

And I'm observing how we often strive to make it happen. We see the internet as a wonderful tool to spread the gospel and to unite Christians, so we try and figure out ways and methods how we can do it.

But hey, my experience is very different to that. I am so thankful for a prayer group that I am a part of, and it all started when a friend of ours was desperately ill in hospital, and dancing at heavens gates.

We all came to know one another on Flickr, where we'd share are photos and our testimonies about God's goodness. I find it amazing that God should draw a group of Christians together this way. The friendships were a real blessing, but the really deep bond didn't happen until our friend took ill.

So we formed a group on Flickr and started praying. The Lord was gracious and answered our prayers, and brought our friend back to us. But from there, the prayer group continued as we prayed for other needs. And when the needs became more of a personal nature, we started a few smaller, close knit prayer groups ... ones where you could share that personal stuff. That was nearly two years ago.

Today, we have a wonderful nucleous of about a dozen ladies. Our friendships have grown, and we really feel like sisters. We know one another so well. I love my ladies!! They a truly a blessing from the Lord.

But, a sad thing happened a year ago, and I think this is what has really bonded us. One of our group members (in fact, she was the main one who instigated the group) was tragically killed in a motor vehicle accident. She had been a bit distant prior to us, as she was facing some personal traumas. I was concerned, I hadn't heard much from her and she wasn't being active on Flickr. Then last January, I got mail from her. It seemed she had things sorted out, and she was back with us.

But then again, we stopped hearing from her. Six weeks later we got the news about the accident. It had occurred the day after she had written to me. You can imagine how this affected us all, but it drew us together. Thank the Lord for online friends, especially Christian ones.

Anyhow, what got me thinking about all this, is that our friend whom we prayed for in the beginning is not well. He has pneumonia, which is dangerous for him due to other medical complications. So we're back praying for him. At this point he is at home and on antibiotics. We are praying that the oral medication will work and he will stay out of hospital.

But then, God knows, because the Lord has miinistered to him in special ways during his other hospital visits.

So, could you too, please pray for the health of our friend, Paul?