I have been cleaning out my work e-mails today to continue my end of the year activities at work. I came across some e-mails that I'd like to post. Each of them refer to specific prayers that God has graciously and abundantly answered during the past year!
... and to think... these are but the fringes of His ways!!
"Behold, these are the fringes of His ways; And how faint a word we hear of Him! But His mighty thunder, who can understand?" (Job 26:14)
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Dearest Care Group,
Roger and Judie have asked us to pray for their oldest son Stephen. He may
have been exposed to a deadly virus at his Army base in Texas. There is one
soldier who is dying from this virus that has no known cure.
Anyway, Stephen called and asked us to pray, which is good.
Roger and Judie would like us to pray for God to protect him from this
virus, and also that He would use this opportunity as Stephen faces his
morality, as well as that of someone he knows, to wake him up and capture
his heart. Also, pray for the Eastin family for peace and faith.
We love you guys, see ya Sunday.
Dan and Kimberly
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Just wanted to give everyone a good news update.MUSC in Charleston called today and said that they have gotten the results from my bloodwork last week. Everything looks fine and they are ready for me to go to Charleston to do the next set of tests. They will be scheduling it for next week. It will take a full day there and will include: an EKG, a chest x-ray, an ultrasound, a meeting with a psycologist, a meeting with a surgeon, and a meeting with a kidney specialist. Because it will take a full day and they want to start in the morning I will be staying at a hotel at no expense to me. What a blessing considering my current financial situation!!! It will more than likely be scheduled on either Tuesday or Thursday- so for those of you in my care group- I may or may not be there on Wednesday. I appreciate your continuing prayers for me in this. Please also keep the O'Daniels' in your prayers. I can only imagine what this is like for them. I will be talking to them on Sunday to let them know what day I will be going down next week. I imagine it will be hard for them to not start getting their hopes up.Again thanks for your prayers... I will send another update when I find out what day I will be going.Because of the Suffering Servant,Wendy
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Katie and I were driving to Rick and Lucia’s house and we were talking about the meeting and being sensitive to where the Holy Spirit lead and being willing to share accordingly. I looked at Katie and said, “I don’t think we’ll really talk about singles tonight. I have a feeling God has other plans and that He’s going to show up tonight.” How cool it was later, when I realized that, that is what had happened. God is so amazing!
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I want to have a faith that is constantly aware of Christ dwelling in my heart; a faith entirely, 24/7 dependent on my Lord’s strength and ever aware of my weakness and hopelessness. I want to have no other source of satisfaction, but instead be rooted and grounded – yet trembling – in the incomprehensible love and holy power of the One who owns me! O Lord Jesus, I want to comprehend, and live in a state of trembling awe and joy in Your presence; undone by the depth of the riches and wisdom of the Lover of my Soul. “Let me this day know Thee as Thou art, love Thee supremely, serve Thee wholly, admire Thee fully…” (The Valley of Vision – Morning). Help me to behold You, realizing these are merely the outskirts of Your marvelous ways. How small a whisper do I hear of You, O God, and yet the thunderous might of Your power I long to recognize and understand (Job 26:14). Give me a passion to see Your glory, Holy Jesus. I desire a heart that worships you alone! Sharpen my spiritual senses that I might perceive Your presence in the very air I breathe.
Thank you Savior. Thank you for “showing up” last night; for filling the room with reverence, and for humbling me by revealing to me my passive, paralyzed heart and fear of man. Continue to break down my pride Great Father, let Your Spirit flow. Give me an ardent desire, a joy-filled zeal for Your Word that I might know the fullness of God – my only hope! I praise you Jesus, God of Salvation, King of Kings, Creator, ALMIGHTY God, for who You are and the wondrous mystery of Your ways. Thank you for this short time here on earth to see, experience, and seek out the depths of Your glorious grace and incredible character! Teach me Your ways O Lord, I want to know Your thoughts! I want to tremble!
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Good morning! Wanted to see if ya’ll would be available to meet on April 10th to talk about Na and prepare our hearts for Na? I was thinking around 6pm or so. Katie and I would like to have ya’ll over to our house and cook you a home cooked meal. Would that work for you?
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Heidi called me this morning and said that MUSC called and has April 4 (next wed.) open. We are praying about whether or not we should do it next week. Please be praying that God would lead us positively one way or another. For my part- finances are the biggest issue. Please pray for God's provision.For the O'D's- they have 2 birthdays in their family next week and the parents would not be home on Easter (which is a favorite holiday for their family). Also- they still have a son in a wheelchair and a daughter getting over mono.Thanks! I'll let you know the decision this afternoon.
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Ed is coming home tomorrow! They ran tests on him yesterday and today and they said he’s doing great and they’re sending him home. Heidi said Wendy must have given Ed a great kidney! They should be home sometime tomorrow afternoon. Ed is doing great, just tired. Heidi asked me to pass along her thanks for all of your care and prayers.
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Hello Precious Friends and Family!
After only 1 week after transplant, Ed is reclining on our bed, at home!
It was just one week ago today, that Ed received Wendy's kidney, and it immediately began to function. He has progessed so beautifully, that the nurses declared him their new poster boy! The surgeon told him that the kidney was beautiful - a really healthy organ!
His creatinine levels (measure of kidney function) are in the normal range, his blood pressure is good, and his blood sugar levels are well under control. He will still battle diabetes and it's thievery, but he has a new kidney to extend his life and return some of his health to him. He says he feels like he hasn't in years. He looks like he hasn't looked in years, as well. His skin is no longer pale, his eyes are bright, he is not swollen and his heart is light!
We are eternally thankful for the gift of life, given through our Saviour, Jesus, and that the life of Christ makes possible the sacrificial gift of Wendy.
We will have many trips to Charleston to keep a close eye on Ed, but we expect nothing but more miracles. Thanks to every one of you for your part in this journey. We love that God gave us you. Ed, Heidi and Children
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I went to the doctor today for the follow-up x-rays. Not only does my leg NOT need surgery (though 95% of broken Tibia's do), the doctor said that it is healing far better than he even expected. It's been broken only 3 1/2 weeks but he said with the way its healing, it looks more like its been about 6 weeks. He said there is no indication that I twisted it or did any damage from Sunday - I just stretched some of the muscles that haven't been used in a while because of the boot and that's why its been hurting worse.
Thoughts from Jessica from just a minute ago (You know something really cool I thought about today. What if your leg really was injured after Sunday mornings twist? What if God healed you after we prayed for you? Another thought I had was that you probably should have injured it worse, but God in His kindness either healed it or protected you for injuring it. Either way, isn’t that an incredible evidence of His love and care for you?)
Thank you guys not only for praying for me, but also pointing me back to the gospel, God's love and care, and His protection through this. I know that you are probably all sad that you won't get to push me around in a wheelchair at New Attitude, but I'll still have the boot so God can work on my pride in that area! I'll still be on the crutches this week at work and then working up to walking 100% by next week. Please keep praying that the pain and swelling will go away (the doctor said this takes a while).
Love you guys. Thanks! God is awesome and apparently still in the business of working miracles and making Himself bigger in our lives!!!!
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There have been many times I"ve felt blessed to be part of SGC, and particularly our care group. Last night was one of those nights. I was sitting there listening to Rick talking about the Ninjas and how they were living the gospel. I couldn't interject at that moment, as I didn't think it was appropriate, but I was sitting there thinking of how all of you have been so kind and accomodating to my physical needs. The thoughtfulness that goes into..."would you like a pillar", or "do you want this seat? " is truly touching and does not go unnoticed and unappreciated. It is sometimes quite humbling to be the recipient of special care, and even more that has modeled the gospel for me. We certainly don't deserve the gift of salvation, and all it entitles us to ( the Spirit's indwelling, eternity with Christ, answered prayer, communion with God), but God has been so gracious to pursue us. Thank you, for being like Christ, and modeling for me, the gospel. In His Love, Sandy
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....told me last night that he was very encouraged to hear your specific confessions/struggles regarding different things and how encouraging that was to him. He said God used that to embolden him to share his personal struggles that he shared with us. Knowing he was not the only person in the room who is imperfect brought a measure of comfort to his soul that motivated him to share as well. This, of course, led to other conversation between him and me after group, which I hope will bear some remaining fruit in his life. My prayer this morning for him is that God has used last night to grow ...in his sanctification.
My gratitude to God for you is my thankfulness for your desire to be real, honest, transparent and willing to model one of the values we really cherish at Sovereign Grace Church. That kind of humble modeling had immediate impact on a stranger. Jesus said, “When you have done it to the least of these you have done it to me.”
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additional answered prayers from 2007:
1. Stefan
2. car situations/ finances
3. worship team...