Reaching Forward

I am so grateful to have this wonderful church family praying for me during this challenging season in my life. In case you do not know, I have been struggling with attacks in my speech at times. I first experienced some slurring of mainly my “s” and “j” words while sharing Wednesday night Bible Study and Prayer Meeting in early March. My stammering has shown up during Choir Rehearsals and last Sunday it showed up during my singing “Statement of Faith”. In 35 years of full-time Worship Ministry, I have never experienced anything like it. I am not in any kind of pain or discomfort, except for the embarrassment of garbling my speech.

I have seen local medical professionals, and have had a CT and an MRI scan, that have not shown anything out of the ordinary. I just had an appointment with a neurologist in Savannah, and he found no signs of a major neurological disease. I praise God that they have not found any signs of a major illness but still have no idea what is happening. I continue to pray daily that God will heal me quickly and completely, and I ask that you join me and praying the same. Please be patient with me, as this syndrome has really affected my confidence and self-esteem.

Philippians 3:12-14 says, “Not that I have already reached the goal or am already perfect, but I make every effort to take hold of it because I also have been taken hold of by Christ Jesus. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead, I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God’s heavenly call in Christ Jesus.” I am trusting God’s hand in this, and I know He is in control.

Your servant in Christ, Phillip