Group Member’s Story
Jerry’s Story “I was in spiritual trouble.”
There is no doubt in my heart that in order for me to honestly explain how I was able to recover from Stage IV cancer over the past three years, any efforts on my part would have proved worthless had I not finally and fully turned it all over to God. And while I am sure He was somewhat disappointed in me that I didn’t do that directly upon being informed as to the seriousness of my situation, in this case it was He who found an alternative window when I didn’t recognize the doors that He had placed for me to walk through. With encouragement from those closest to me, it was generally agreed that sitting at home by myself doing nothing would not even be a part of the solution. And while I didn’t believe it would do much good, I once again put myself out there as a computer geek and charged very little as further proof that I didn’t think much of myself or my talents. However, as a direct result of that risk I was introduced to John Kindseth who, in turn handed me off to Tom Barnett who was also experiencing an array of computer-related challenges.
Immediately, Dr. Barnett understood that while I was a child of God and follower of Christ, I was in spiritual trouble. Without gaining approval from any other member of the ten or so men who gathered at his home each Saturday morning, he invited me to attend the very next session. Because God does so many spectacular things, what I experienced from then on was and is nothing short of a miracle. These men, each with their own personal and spiritual challenges openly accepted me and I found in each one of them a level of trust that I had not experienced in a very long time. While reading and discussing the Bible (absolutely required reading for any small group) and a spiritual novel, not only were my own personal conversations with Him occurring more often and with so much more depth than ever before, I was able to hear God directing me to do things that not only were what He wanted me to do, but things that I had always desired to do but lacked the necessary faith to go forth on my own.
Oh, my cancer challenges haven’t been reduced nor is my future in any way guaranteed. But with the fellowship that came along with studying His Word with these remarkable men, I no longer fear what is to come. Rather than look to myself for answers, God has provided me with a fulfilled life by using my passion for reading, writing and computers to help others who have faced similar or worse situations than mine. In turn I am content with who I am and am confident that by listening to Him, I very well might be helping others to wipe away their fears by giving credit to the truly one loving and living God and His Son, Jesus. Life is indeed very good – and I have ten new Christian brothers in these men who took me in – sight unseen – because they also followed His leading.
My desire is that others might be inspired to join a small group to not only grow their love of God and Christ, but equally as important to touch others who need encouragement or simply being led to the gift that God has so graciously and selflessly given us through His Son.
Jerry Kinderman
Catch Jerry’s story in the Lodi News Sentinel. Part I has already published, Part II is submitted and appear soon, and followed by a final Part III.
