March 2024
GOD STILL LIVES TODAY
“Donnie, I need you to pray for me to be able to forgive the people we have loved and served. It’s hard for me to forgive them for how they treated your grandfather.” But Don MacLafferty was just a little boy when Grandma Mac had asked him to pray for her. She was a real ball of fire, a woman of God who had strengthened his faith in Jesus in such powerful ways.
“I took her hands in my little hands,” Don remembers, “and I cried out to God, ‘Jesus, would you please help my grandma forgive the people who have hurt her and grandpa so very much? In Jesus’ name, amen.’”
Time passed, and the next time his grandma talked with Don, she told him: “’You know what? God heard your prayers, and He’s helped me to forgive all the people that hurt your grandpa. I’m at peace now, and my heart is happy again.’”
Sadly, several months later, Grandma Mac had a near-fatal accident. While visiting some of her relatives on the west coast, they all hopped into a car, and the relative who was driving decided to race across the tracks before an oncoming train. “I can beat that train.” He declared. “I’m going to race it and get over the train tracks before it comes around the corner.”
Don’s grandma pleaded, “Please don’t! Let’s just wait and let the train go by. This is foolishness.”
“Don’t tell me what to do,” her relative responded arrogantly, then stepped on the gas, driving in between the railroad safety arms that were already blocking the tracks from the road. However, right when they got on top of the train tracks, the car engine stalled. The two relatives that she was riding with quickly got their seat belts off, opened the car doors, and escaped. But Don’s little grandma was still in the process of getting her seat belt off when the train, which was trying to slow down, slammed into the car.
“While my grandmother miraculously lived through the train accident,” Don explains, “her legs were terribly broken, and that accident changed the rest of her life. The next time I saw her, she hobbled up to meet me. ‘Donnie,’ she pleaded, ‘I need you to pray with me again. I’m having a hard time forgiving my relative. I asked him not to do it, and he did it anyway. Now I live in pain. Will you pray that I will give my bitterness to God, and that I will have freedom and be able to forgive?’”
Once again, Don took her hands in his and cried out to God as only a little boy can do. Time brings healing if we’re willing, and God did heal her heart towards that relative, and she was able to forgive and to keep on going.
But her greatest test of forgiveness was still to come.
If you are facing heart-wrenching hardships, we invite you to listen prayerfully to Don MacLafferty’s personal faith-building adventures that may open the eyes of your heart to see how God still lives…even when you wonder.
To hear Don’s captivating stories and receive a free copy of his latest book: God Still Lives… Even When You Wonder, simply watch It Is Written Canada this month on CTV or the dozens of networks where It Is Written Canada is aired across Canada and around the world. Or go to iiw.ca or It Is Written Canada’s YouTube videos and click on the programs entitled: “God Still Lives Today and “Impossible Heart Surgery.”
– Mike Lemon
Upcoming Episodes
MARCH 2
Your Father Knows:
Even though no one had yet conveyed those dreaded words, “You have breast cancer,” Karen Dobbin knew she needed to talk—and listen—to her heavenly Father that afternoon. God clearly spoke to Karen that day, and He continued to guide her onto a career path she could never have anticipated.
MARCH 9
God Still Lives… Even When You Wonder:
Whether you are going through puzzling predicaments, dangerous dilemmas, or heart-wrenching hardships, we invite you to listen carefully and prayerfully to Don MacLafferty’s personal faith-building adventures that all point to the truth – God Still Lives.
MARCH 16
Impossible Heart Surgery:
Don MacLafferty’s grandmother faced three impossible heart surgeries, and her God was faithful in performing every one, with her consent.
MARCH 23
Destroying the Devil’s Domain:
When Don MacLafferty’s skeleton key finally opened that locked door in Zimbabwe, it led him on an assignment to destroy the devil’s domain.
MARCH 30
Every Moment Matters:
Don MacLafferty knows from experience how every moment matters when you risk your life to spend time in countries where practicing Christianity is illegal, and participants could face fines, imprisonment, beatings, or even death.
It Is Written Canada Celebrates 50 Years!
It has been 50 years since Henry Feyerabend launched his first TV broadcast in Canada. To celebrate It Is Written Canada’s 50th anniversary, we decided to stage several rallies at various churches across the country during the months of September and October, and we will soon let you know where these rallies will be. To enjoy our classic programs with Pastor Henry Feyerabend, please visit us at iiw.ca and click on IIWC Classics.
Upcoming In-Person Events
March 2
Preaching at New Life SDA Church, Oshawa, ON
March 9
Preaching at Peterborough SDA Church, ON
March 10-17
One Week in Paradise
Camp Frenda, Port Carling, ON
March 16
Preaching at Portuguese SDA Church, Etobicoke, ON
March 29-30
Sylvan Lake SDA Church – Prescription for Love
THIS MONTH’S FREE OFFER – God Still Lives…Even When You Wonder by Don MacLafferty
Do you ever wonder if Someone is out there somewhere caring about you? Find encouragement in stories from Don’s life adventures from around the world. Puzzling circumstances, dangerous opportunities, and heart touching moments all point to the truth – God Still Lives.
Lentil Salad with Roasted Baby Carrots
Ingredients:
For the salad:
- 1 cup green lentils
- 2 bay leaves (optional)
- Big bunch baby carrots (about 450g or 1lb), trimmed and scrubbed
- 2 large red onions, cut into chunks
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- ½ bag baby kale (about 60g or 2oz)
- Salt and pepper to season
For the chimichurri sauce:
- ½ cup parsley, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoon fresh oregano, finely chopped (or substitute 2 teaspoon dried oregano)
- 3 cloves garlic crushed or grated
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon chili flakes (optional)
- 90 ml extra virgin olive oil (¼ cup + 2 tbsp)
- Salt and pepper to season
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 200C fan bake (390F).
- Cover lentils and bay leaves with plenty of water and bring to a simmer. Cook for 20-25 minutes or until tender. Drain and set aside.
- While the lentils are cooking, toss the baby carrots and red onion chunks with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, maple syrup and balsamic vinegar. Season well with salt and pepper, then roast for about 30 minutes, or until tender, golden brown and fragrant.
- To make the chimichurri sauce, stir all ingredients together and season to taste.
- To assemble the salad, toss the drained lentils with the roasted baby carrots and red onion, baby kale and half of the chimichurri sauce.
- Serve the remaining sauce on the side, for people to drizzle according to their personal taste.