November 28th, 2022
Dear Friend,
It is such a joy once again to take time to share with you how God is glorified in His work through Ceaseless Love Ministries and to wish you a blessed Christmas season.
This past year has been a very full year for our family. On a beautiful day last January; we celebrated the wedding of our oldest son, Daniel and Amy, his bride. What a happy day it was! A day Dan and I will not forget. They are such a sweet couple and are doing very well. We thank the Lord for both of them and His blessing on them!
In February, it became evident that Dan’s mother was in the last months of her life and her need for care increased weekly. We lived in Dan’s parent’s home most of the next seven months caring for them. Many of you have been such an encouragement to us during this difficult time. We thank you for your patience with our time constraints and for your prayers. Dan’s mother received Christ three days before she died; she entered the glories of heaven on August 2nd. What an answer to all our prayers, and especially for Dan; he has faithfully interceded for his mother for 41 years.
To you who are praying for the salvation of loved ones, or the repentance of a fellow believer, a wandering child, or a relentless and painful situation or relationship - be encouraged. Yes, you will go through many difficult days of struggle in prayer. You may have to wait and to humble yourself in recognizing that you are powerless. But “with God nothing shall be impossible.” (Luke 1:37)
The Incarnation – think of the extent of that act – God becoming Man to accomplish our salvation. This is the depth of His desire for us. Our deepest concerns, our painful longings are His. He carries us, and all that burdens us, in His loving heart. “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” (Genesis 18:14)
“How unspeakably wonderful is it, to know that all our concerns are held in the hands that bled for us!” - John Newton
Let the arduous task of waiting work strong faith in your heart as you look upon your God Who cannot fail to carry out all righteousness.
The great contrast we have been touched by all year is the powerful beauty of affectionate and selfless love, both in the young love of newlyweds and of elderly couples at the end of a lifetime of faithful devotion, cast on the dark backdrop of an increasingly selfish and violent world, bent on destruction. Watching Dan’s father’s tender love daily expressed with so much dedication to his wife of 69 years caused us to reflect that a truly meaningful life is one where love is in action, bringing one loving moment into being after another, creating a beautiful light-filled path of happiness.
C.S. Lewis wrote, “Affection is responsible for nine-tenths of whatever solid and durable happiness there is in our lives.” Love is not something we wait to receive. If you are in Christ Jesus, you are God’s child. He has set His great love upon you. You are loved with the same affection God has for His Son. In the experience of His love and the security of it, we are able to freely love others. It is in giving we receive.
In Ceaseless Love Ministries we are faced with many in need of loving attention. We have ministered to those in need of physical care and medical advocacy this year. But also, there are wives and single mothers in need of hope, direction, and support. Please continue to pray with us for these dear sisters in Christ who really suffer loneliness and untold pressures. The Body of Christ must examine itself and, as a whole, ask this question; “Why are our sisters in Christ weeping?”
We enjoy the discipleship of those who ask to study God’s Word on a regular basis and experience great spiritual growth and fellowship together during these wonderful times. It is our desire to engage in more of this work in the coming years because it is through this work we see real life changes come about. God’s Word is transforming, but we must actually know what God says and be able to effectively apply it to our daily lives.
The most powerful things we have seen this year are with those who have asked to pray with us regularly. You know who you are and we know you would agree with us that God has given us what we asked for in faith this year! We celebrate with you! So many needs – so many answers! We can say with Joshua as we look back over this fruitful year – “Not one of the promises which the Lord has spoken…failed, all has come to pass!” (Joshua 21:45)
Dan and I wish you a Merry Christmas and many blessings in the New Year!
Dan & Marie Thomson
Ceaseless Love Ministries