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I was brought up in a Christian home and accepted the Lord as my Saviour when I was 12. We
regularly attended Calvary Temple in Winnipeg, MB. Pastor Barber's strong preaching influenced my
life, and after graduation I attended Central Pentecostal College in Saskatoon.
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In 1977 I married Alex and we moved back to Saskatoon. The Lord blessed us with four children, and
as they grew I was involved in Sunday School, and then AWANA. I enjoyed spending Sunday afternoons
memorizing Scripture with my children. They challenged me to memorize with them. So I also received
the highest awards given them.
All this was important to me, but after my round with cancer I really got to know the Lord.
Faced with death your priorities tend to change. My focus was more spiritual. I now understand how
fragile and fleeting life is. While in chemo I sought the Lord with new fervour and depth, and felt
the power of God as written in the poem, Footsteps. God's hand upheld me during that time. I may
have lost my physical health, but my spiritual health has grown immeasurably.
Do I regret what God has done in my life? No. I praise and thank Him; through my problems I
have gained greater insight into the love, strength, support and compassion of our Great God and
Saviour Jesus Christ. God has rescued me with His strong arm. God answered prayers and turned what
looked like a total disaster into a greater blessing than I could have imagined. My faith increased,
and I know when I die I will go to be with my Saviour.
My focus needs to be on Christ at all times, and not on this world, for it will pass away, but
what we do for the Lord will never pass away. Our life is only a fingernail in width compared to how
long our life in Heaven will be, yet we get so caught up in living down here. We worry and fret,
trying to solve our problems, instead of giving all over to Christ.
I close with Romans 5:1,3-5. "Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God
through our Lord Jesus Christ. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that
our tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope
does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who
was given to us.
- Your friend and servant; Judy Petlikau
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