May God bless each of you for your prayers, words of encouragement, and yes good words from the Lord.
Heather tried to move onto the ICU bed all by herself, but the nurses were there to stop her, and do that for her. Thats a good sign don’t ya think? All she could do was nod her head and stare at us when we asked her questions. It will take her some time to come off the meds. It might take a few days for her to say anything so lets keep praying for a strong recovery.
When they rolled her off today it was like it hit all of us…OH MY HERE WE GO. And then we just had to go back to living moment by moment. Thats about all I have to say right now, 4:45am is catching up with me.
I leave you with this. As I sat and talked with my father-in-law today this passage in James I kept coming to me.
2-4Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.
5-8If you don’t know what you’re doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You’ll get his help, and won’t be condescended to when you ask for it. Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought. People who “worry their prayers” are like wind-whipped waves. Don’t think you’re going to get anything from the Master that way, adrift at sea, keeping all your options open.
9-11When down-and-outers get a break, cheer! And when the arrogant rich are brought down to size, cheer! Prosperity is as short-lived as a wildflower, so don’t ever count on it. You know that as soon as the sun rises, pouring down its scorching heat, the flower withers. Its petals wilt and, before you know it, that beautiful face is a barren stem. Well, that’s a picture of the “prosperous life.” At the very moment everyone is looking on in admiration, it fades away to nothing.
12Anyone who meets a testing challenge head-on and manages to stick it out is mighty fortunate. For such persons loyally in love with God, the reward is life and more life. the message bible
Go Get’em HD
Still Pressin On
HD’s Hubby
WOW – what a strong woman, her spirit amazes me!
God bless, and continuing to pray!
I woke up with your family on my mind this morning and have lifted you all up in prayer. Stay strong and your journey today and take it minute by minute with God leading the steps.
Wonderful news! So many people are praying for Heather and you and your whole family. Be encouraged! Our God is a God who saves! Let God arise!
Ya done good.
Heather tried to get up and move herself!!!
That is astonishing!!!
Live Strong, Heather dear.
And you too, DH!
I praise God for the good report. I will continue to lift you up in prayer.
Continued prayers for all of you! with love in Christ, Karen
Praise God!
This is SO awesome.
Continuing to pray for all of you.
mary
PRAISE GOD for His goodness and watch care over Heather! Will continue to pray and look for updates
Heather my heart is with you. Will continue to look for updates. Will say prayers…
Excellent news! I’ve been praying so hard for Heather. She must be so strong to want to move to the bed after brain surgery!! Praise God, He is faithful and has Heather in His hands, always. Wonderful verses you quoted too, just perfect, God’s Word is famous for that, huh? Take care both of you and still praying for her recovery.
Molly (:
My prayers are with Heather and with your family. What a blessing that things are going well!
Still praying in Dallas, TX!! Thank you for taking the time to keep us updated and for the wonderful messages. Your family is a total inspiration.
Checking in this AM for an update on Heather,wonderful news, goes to show you..you can’t keep a good woman down.:)..Continuing to keep you all in prayers.Hope you wee able to get some sleep. God Bless!!!!
YYYYYIIIIIPPPPPPPPEEEEEEE from TEXAS !!
Ain’t GOD GREAT !!
We are all going to continue to push you in this battle – We are joining hands with you and will walk with both of you along each step of the way !! You are both precious blessings !
God bless you and Heather and your family. I am praying for all of you. Stay strong. If God brings you to it, He will bring you thru it.
2 Chronicles 16:9a, “For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.†(NIV)
This was my devotional for today and I thought of Mark and Heather !!
Still praying for Heather and your family! Such an incredible testimony and faith you’ve been sharing here!
H.D., Mark, Greg, and Dar,
We love you all!! Continuing to pray for you. Wish I could help in some way, but know we’re praying and loving you all from here.
Michelle and Garrett
May 4, 2007
You’re the One
By MaryBeth Whalen
2 Chronicles 16:9a, “For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.†(NIV)
Devotion:
Do you ever long to hear God say, “I choose you� Maybe you have read that He has a plan for everyone’s life or you have heard a pastor say that He loves you. But in your heart of hearts, you wonder: Am I special? Does God see me?
There are stories from the Bible that illustrate how God calls ordinary people out of their ordinary lives. It is clear from the Scriptures that in each case He was watching them long before He invaded their lives with His holy presence.
God chose Noah simply because He lived a righteous life. Genesis 6:8 tells us, “But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.â€
God chose David simply because He saw His heart. Psalm 78:70-73 tells us, “He chose David his servant and took him from the sheep pens; from tending the sheep he brought him to be the shepherd of his people, Jacob, of Israel , his inheritance. And David shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he led them.â€
God chose Mary simply because He knew she would do what He asked. Luke 1:30 tells us, “But the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God.’â€
None of these people held lofty positions or had received worldly acclaim. They were “nobodiesâ€???nothing special???and yet God saw each of them as they went about their daily lives, doing the most mundane of tasks. He saw their character, their right choices, and their hearts. And He said in response, “You’re the one.â€
In Mark 5:21-34, Jesus is walking with a crowd of people, all pressing in on Him, hungry for His attention, His healing, His words. The Bible tells us that the crowd “pressed around him†(Verse 24). I imagine people were clutching and grabbing at Him, desperate for even a small piece of Him. Only one woman, however, pressed in such a way that it caused Him to stop and turn to her. Her touch was different from all the rest. This woman didn’t just touch Him with her hands, but with her heart of faith. He felt the difference as His power went out of Him (verse 30), and He in effect said in response to her: You’re the one. This woman was a “nobody,†with nothing to offer the God of the Universe. Yet, He found her worthy of His time and attention. He chose her.
God wants to find those people whose hearts are desperate for Him. He wants to heal, strengthen, and equip these people. He isn’t looking for the worthy, the intelligent, or the beautiful people. He is looking for the ordinary ones who are simply open to His invading presence in their lives. If He is calling you right now, don’t convince yourself that He isn’t. God sees you, just as you are, and He knows the ones He calls.
Dear Lord, please remind me today that You do notice me and that I am worthy in Your sight. Strengthen me to do whatever it is You have prepared in advance for me to do. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Beautiful in God’s Eyes by Elizabeth George
Who Holds the Key to Your Heart by Lysa TerKeurst
Application Steps:
What verses speak to you specifically today? Write them down somewhere where you will see them often. Cling to the promise that God does see you, and that He can use you.
Reflections:
Do you doubt your worth in God’s eyes?
What has this devotion reminded you of regarding your worth?
Do you doubt that He could ever use you? How can you take captive that thought and turn your thinking around today?
Power Verses:
I Chronicles 28:9, “And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever.†(NIV)
Romans 8:27, “And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will.†(NIV)
Jeremiah 17:10, “I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve.†(NIV)
still praying so wonderful that things look good today!
So glad to hear that the surgery went well! I will continue to pray and I know that God’s hand is upon you at this time. Many the Holy Spirit strengthen you and fill you with His perfect peace this very day! Blessings!
Wonderful to hear she has such a strong will in her heart. We are praying for all of you here. May God continue to keep you all in his hands. God Bless
Oh Praise the Lord! My hubby and I have been waiting for word! I am happy she is doing so well and I will continue to pray for her and all of the family! May she soon be up and about! God is so good!
Singing Praises
Everlasting God
Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord
We will wait upon the Lord
We will wait upon the Lord
Our God, You reign forever
Our hope, our Strong Deliverer
You are the everlasting God
The everlasting God
You do not faint
You won’t grow weary
You’re the defender of the weak
You comfort those in need
You lift us up on wings like eagles
WooHoo! Praising God! Asking Him to continue to give Heather a full recovery…asking Him to make you all smile really, really BIG!
Love in Jesus,
Holly
What a beautiful bible passage…I love that it is in language I can understand! Heather is amazing; that she would try to move herself is amazing…and we can see GOD’S HAND in all of this. May God continue to hold Heather close to His heart, with His loving hands wrapped tightly around her and all your family.
Sounds like things are going well! I’m still praying for you and your family. I can’t wait to hear more updates.
Debbie
Thank God. Praying for strength for you all and a rapid recovery!
Lana G
I heard that song this morning on my way to work !! I love it – GOD is so amazing and using Heather and Mark is so many amazing ways !!
Thanking the Lord with you! And you have my continuing prayers for a rapid and full recovery for Heather and deep peace and strength for each of you.
praying, praising…..
speechless…with tears pouring down…
(Thank you Lord for always being with Heather and her family)
Praying still!!! This has really touched my heart, I’ve asked everyone I could to pray for you Heather!! God is good!!!
Heading into my focused time of prayer for Heather and all of you. I was checking back for any updates. I also wanted to encourage you and let you know prayers are continuing… without ceasing.
I’ve been praying and will continue to. I’m still stuck with open jaw that you guys have gotten to this point so quickly! From “inoperable” to “operable, can you come tomorrow?”. God is so good. Mark – have been praying for your continued strength and peace. God bless you!
Still praying!!!
I’ve been on the site numerous times to check on Heather. Thanks so much for all the updates!
Blessings!
In good times and in bad- you are all I need.
I want God to be glorified, but if he can be glorified best by a better than ever Heather and family because of this trial, then that is what I am praying for.
My brothers and sisters in the Lord, I am asking my God, who is very, very good, and loving, and oh so kind- to do a little miracle for us today, and heal this girl, to bring glory to His name. The one and only God.
Still praying in California.
Absolute goosebumps when I read the entry this morning. At the conclusion of the Beth Moore conference in SC several weeks ago – we were given the following as our “going out” commissioning – 17,000 stood and said this together – I have prayed this daily, and now Mark and Heather are believing on this very same scripture – here it is from Beth –
“Count it a joy, Dear One When life gets hard. God is doing something huge! He is also proving That you are NOT a fake. Be brave, Mighty Warrior. Your God is with you! When waves are crashing, Stand to your feet, Throw your head back And feel the wind of the Spirit! God is painting a masterpiece With multi-colored trials. Go forth and display Divine special effects To the great glory of God. YOU CAN DO IT!” April 14, 2007, Columbia, SC
Praise Our God in Heaven..You do not know me but I have wept many tears for your family..This is such excellent news…And the Message version of that Scripture? Simply Wow.
Praying for refreshment from the Spirit over your tired bodies..
Lisa
Alabama
I’m still praying for you…
Thank you so much for the updates, Laura & Mark. Mark, I hope you were able to get some rest.
PRAISE THE LORD!!!!!
Keepin’ the prayers and faith alive. Praise God!
God is SOOO Good in all things. Still praying for you all, but now I get to add some thanksgiving for his work already.
Thanks for the updates.
THAT’s AWESOME MARK!!! We are storming the gates on Heather’s behalf, and that of the fmaily.
HAPPY DANCE!!!
Praise the Lord. It is awesome to hear of His blessings in your life.
I heard this on the radio today. It made me think of you & your family again. I’m not suggesting this is from God, but I thought it might encourage you:
I wonder how it must have felt
When David stood to face Goliath on a hill
I imagine that he shook with all his might
Until You took his hand, and held on tight
‘Cause You were there, You were there
In the midst of danger’s snare
You were there, You were there always
You were there when the hardest fight
Seemed so out of reach
Oh, You were there, You were always there
You were always there
So there he stood upon that hill
Abraham with knife in hand was poised to kill
But God in all his sovereignty had bigger plans
And just in time, You brought a lamb
‘Cause You were there,
You were there
In the midst of the unclear
You were there, you were there always
You were there when obedience
Seemed to not make sense
You were there, You were always there
You were always there
So haven’t I learned that my ways
Aren’t as high as Yours are
And You alone keep the universe
From crumbling into dust
You are God and though we would
Not have understood You
There You were
Hanging blameless on a cross
You would rather die than leave us in the dark
Every moment, every planned coincidence
Just all makes sense
With Your last breath
You were there, You were there
During history’s darkest hour
You were there, You were there always
You were the Victor and the King
You were the power in David’s swing
You were the calm in Abraham
You are the God who understands
You are the strength when we have none
You are the living, Holy one
You were, You are and You will always be
the Risen Lamb of God
You were, You are and You will always be
The Risen Lamb of God
(Avalon)
Praising God for every moment.
PRAISE GOD! Continuing to pray for Heather and your entire family. May you feel the peace and strength that only come from Him!
God is so good!!! Let his spirit wash over your family and live free in Christ! Heather, you are an inspiration to us all!!!