Danny - for those who have been praying.

Danny

Let me let you in on 2 of the craziest weeks of my life…

Some of you know my little brother, Danny. You know how he came to our family, and how much potential he has, and the smile and laugh that is extraordinary only to his personality.

You know his awesome sense of humour, and the brilliant mind he has.

And some of you don’t know him… don’t know the impact he’s always had on our family.

You don’t know… but you knew enough.

You knew something of the concept of the “6 degrees of separation”, that connect you in one way or another to the brown-eyed boy in the wheel chair.

Or maybe you didn’t even know that… maybe you’ve just heard that he needs prayer.

2 weeks ago, Danny went to the hospital. He had a twisted bowel, he had emergency surgery, and since then it’s been an up and down roller-coaster of emotions, tests, allergic reactions, and tubes… and my one brave little brother.

Reasons doctors only recently discovered.

But miracles happened.

God is greater.

Faith is a choice, my friends.

If you choose to stare at the trial God is taking you through – in this case, worry for my little bro – then that is all you can see. It’s like holding a penny straight in front of your nose and focusing on it. Try it, I dare you. You won’t be able to see anything else but the penny.

But if you choose to look at something beyond the penny, something bigger and stronger – perhaps a person… then the penny suddenly becomes non-existent. All you can see is the person beyond it.

This is what its been like for us the last couple of weeks.

If we chose to dwell on the fact that Danny was in the hospital, that was all we could think of. It tore us up… to see him go thru tests and not know what was wrong, or how it could be fixed… hardest thing ever.

It was all we could see.

But the moment we looked past the “penny”, remembered Who created Danny, and how He still has an amazing plan for his wonderful life… well then all we can see is God. And we knew it would all be ok.

God never gives up on a plan He has for someone’s life.

He is the same. Always.

But it’s still up to us to choose if we will focus on Him, or on the situation.

Let me leave you with one thought…

God is everything… the situation is just… a penny.

Focusing on Him helps put things in a perspective I never realized until this week.

So thank-you, for all who prayed for our family… all who sent e-mails, facebook messages, phone calls… or even simply a hug or understanding smile.

I, for one, couldn’t have kept perspective without the encouraging voices that surrounded me in all this.

And for those of you who don’t know us, but have been praying… we felt that too.

God is Greater.

This message was sent to my family by my wonderful, exhausted, Mother… who has never left Danny’s side. 24-7 care… sleepless nights… and Mother’s Day meal in the hospital waiting room. (she deserves an award above any other mother I know… proud she’s mine. J )

What she says sums up very well, I think… (as well as includes medical terms I never understand.)

Mom’s e-mail…

Thursday May 12, 2011:

“We now know what the problem is and why he can't take in any nutrition......he has Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome. This is not a complication of the surgery, but a result of him losing so ,much weight. You can Google it if you want, but simply put, there is a branch of the Aorta that crosses the small intestine (which is normal) but because there is no fat, his spine is arched, and his abs so tight, the artery is compressing the bowel and causing a blockage. So the treatment is yet to be determined, but it will either be a new tube going thru the nose, stomach, and into the intestine to bypass the compression, or a G tube inserted directly into his abdomen with a local anaesthetic. Then there will be tube feedings to give him his food until he gains what he has lost, and probably until after the next surgery.....It will hopefully be temporary. They are still planning to give him a modified version of the TPN and if there is no reaction, he is scheduled to have the Pic line put in tomorrow at 10am.

It's good to know what the problem is, but now I really don't know when we will be home....”

Mom’s e-mail…

Friday May 13, 2011

“Thanks for all the prayers.....just our family, and there are prayers coming from China, Germany, BC, Oregon, Georgia, Florida, ON of course, and who knows where else? World wide, round the clock! Thank you and to your friends too who are holding Danny up in prayer. This morning at 9am we had the tube inserted into the nose, through the stomach, the duodenum, and into the jejunum with a guiding wire and radiology to guide the doctor. A second Dr. was called in to help with the procedure, and it took a little over an hour. Danny was given a mild sedative, but what is normally given could not be scheduled on such short notice. It is a miracle that everything fell into place, but we had everyone on the team pushing to get it done before the weekend. The nurses said after it was done that they are amazed with the Dr's we got, that they even did it without the usual sedation, and to have those 2 Dr’s in the same room at the same time is unheard of. We have an awesome God to orchestrate all that happened this am! The morning was absolutely exhausting, but the feeding has just started and I am already seeing some improvement. Danny was so weak he wasn't talking much, and not even laughing while watching Corner Gas.....but now he is talking in short sentences and starting to smile. Pray he will tolerate the feeding - it is pre-digested because it is bypassing the stomach, and also so he doesn't need to work to digest anything, just absorb it. It is being started at a slow rate, and increased in 12 hrs. If all goes well, the TPN will be discontinued at 6am tomorrow.”

So yes… it’s not over yet. And we still have some recovery (including sleep for my parents!)… and Danny needs to gain back the weight he lost (I’m praying for even more… cuz he’s SO small!) before he is scheduled to have hip/leg surgery that will untwist his body – preventing another situation of twisted bowel…

So this message is to say thank-you for your prayers!

They are working!!

And please don’t stop cuz this isn’t over yet!

But I know Who I’m looking to in all this…

He is Greater, Stronger, Healer, Comforter, Encourager…

And He loves Danny SO much… as do we all.

Thanks… we’ll keep you posted somehow.

Though, I have a feeling we may not even meet some of you this side of eternity. J

If that is the case, I can’t wait for you to meet Danny one day… he is my little brother, and also yours… thanks to our Father who adopted us ALL into this great family.

 Psalm 139:13-14 (The Message)

 Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out;

      you formed me in my mother's womb.

   I thank you, High God—you're breathtaking!

      Body and soul, I am marvelously made!

      I worship in adoration—what a creation!

   You know me inside and out,

      you know every bone in my body;

   You know exactly how I was made, how I was sculpted from nothing into something.

   Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth; all the stages of my life were spread out before you, The days of my life all prepared before I'd even lived one day.

My strength in life is I am Yours...

During a time when life is so full of crazy learning experiences, tests of faith, late nights and early mornings… I stop for a second to say “hello” to the outside world.

I wish I had some wonderful epicphany to share with you… I do, and I’m working on writing some down. But for now they’re just another journal entry.

Yet, here is a real story from my life.

A young girl’s heart being pursued by her own Creator.

The Son of God became human, and died, so she might have an abundant life.

His wonder captivates me. With every sunrise, every note of music, and every heartbeat.

This tired girl is often overwhelmed with how huge life is… and yet overwhelmed in the best of ways at how much He loves her.

I encourage you (if you are reading this somewhere) if you’re not sure of His love, that you will begin to seek His heart for life… 
I challenge you to ask Him to fill your life with things of Him… 
I exhort you to put aside whatever is distracting you from His will and begin a pursuit of wonder and awe.

I assure you, you will never be disappointed.

Jesus will meet you more than half-way, and His dreams for you are bigger than you could ever imagine!

1 Corinthians 2:9 (New King James Version)

But as it is written:

      “ Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,

      Nor have entered into the heart of man 

      The things which God has prepared for those who love      

      Him.”

This week’s “Song on Repeat”: 
You Are My Passion – by Jesus Culture

Mirrors my heart these days completely…

 I'm alive to bring, glory to You, King

God of victory, You are my passion

It's in the way You are, You don't change at all

Great and humble God, You are my passion

My strength in life, is I am Yours

My soul delights because I am Yours

Your will on earth is all I'm living for

Jesus I glorify

Jesus my love is Yours

You are my heart's desire

I live to know You more

Light that breaks the darkness, showing what true love is

Always full of goodness, You are my passion

You never do me wrong, the meekest man but strong

The most perfect song, You are my passion

Song on Repeat - God I look to You -- Take a Jesus Moment

Hey… so dead centre of a busy week full of intern stuff (most of which, I love.) I was just thinking…

Are you seeking God?

I mean like really… is He the reason you do what you do?

Just throwing that question out into this open void of internet connections.

I mean, have you noticed it’s in the little moments, even when you’re at your busiest and can’t seem to get your mind to slow down enough to sleep…

That’s the time when it’s really important to just look at things thru His eyes…

How does He see you?
He knows your situation... He wrote it all down and knew all about what you're going thru (get this.) BEFORE you were even born! (ya. crazy. I know.) 

What are you doing?

It’s not about works… we are covered by unending Grace.

But His calling to this life means such a high standard of living.

But that’s not easy.

That’s why we need to look to Him and not be overwhelmed.

In the midst of all the busyness and the insanity that we live in everyday, take a moment and just realize how magnificent our God is.

I pray that as you listen to this week’s “Song on Repeat”, it will be like the equivalent of how I feel when I just stop and watch the sunset.

Or when a child realizes the wonder of the first snowfall.

Or when a robin announces the magic of springtime.

May you capture a moment with the God of the universe – in the midst of a crazy week  (but then, I’m assuming your week is crazy like mine) that you would stop. Listen to these lyrics.

Realize once again the wonder and awe of the omnipotent God we serve.

One who gave His own life’s blood just so He could be in relationship with you.
And fall in love with Jesus all over again... simply because, He Is.

“Song on Repeat” – God I look to You

(Jenn Johnson – Bethel Church Music)  

Praying for Beauty for Ashes

Small-town, engulfed in tragedy.

The flames of last week were painful

My heart hurts for them

You can see it on their faces

Walking the streets of this beautiful little town

We’re hurting

The black ribbons all over downtown,

Houses and businesses alike.

The gaping hole strewn with ashes and rubble,

The blackened bricks and melted sign

Now lined with flowers in memory of the fallen.

What used to be full of busy shoppers,

Is now a solemn reminder of the fragility of life.

Life is short, beauty often overlooked

We are busy creatures,

Never taking the time to realize.

Never opening our eyes to see the hearts involved

But only the Father can restore our eyes

Only He who created can give us the ability to love

Love truly and fully… even in the midst of tragedy.

For out of ashes comes a beauty unknown

Out of tragedy can come triumph

Nothing can ever change the outcome of that sad day

But in the light of His unending love,

We can find hope.

He alone can rebuild and restore our hearts.

To console those who mourn in Zion,

      To give them beauty for ashes,

      The oil of joy for mourning,

      The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;

      That they may be called trees of righteousness,

      The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.”

       And they shall rebuild the old ruins,

      They shall raise up the former desolations,

      And they shall repair the ruined cities,

      The desolations of many generations.

Isaiah 61:3-4

Praying my community hears the voice of God today.

Praying they recognize His love for them and that those who know Him can reach out to those who don’t.

Having faith that those who don’t know Him will seek in the midst of these sad days and find the only One who can heal their broken hearts.

- In memory of Kenneth Rea & Raymond Walter. 
Listowel Volunteer Firefighters who died a week ago.

Song on Repeat - Forever and a Day (Bethel Live)

Welcome to a new feature I’m going to throw in to “Epicphany” every once in a while. Since I am both a word nerd, and a music geek, I am excited to share some music with you that is touching my heart and turning my world upside-down!

God often speaks to me in music, especially worship songs. J

So here we go… today’s “Song on Repeat” is… 

Forever and a Day – by Bethel Church Live 

(from Redding, CA)

(and cuz I’m such a word nerd and don’t want you to miss the incredible meaning in this song… I’ve included some lyrics for your benefit! J)

Enjoy!!

FOREVER AND A DAY

- Bethel Live –

 I was afraid Your love set me free

I was in debt You paid the price for me

I was hurt You took away my pain

I was alone until You called my name

I was broken and You mended me

Before I was You loved me

You healed my body and You made me whole

No matter what I do You don’t let go

Chorus:

I will sing to the King I am the ransomed one

How I love Your holy name holy to the Lamb who was slain

When I laugh and when I cry You are the reason why

How I long to be with You forever and a day

Vs:

When I go to bed You are near

When I wake up You are there

When I call Your name You are here

When I walk in faith You’re everywhere

You catch and save every tear I cry

You journal everyday all about my life

Your love for me reaches to the sky

I am Yours You are mine

Perseverance & Oswald

Came across this awesome insight on “Perseverance” by Oswald Chambers today in my reading. (excerpt taken from “My Utmost for His Highest” – by Oswald Chambers)

May it encourage you to press on as it has encouraged me. J

……………………………………………………

The Discipline of Spiritual Perseverance

"Be still and know that I am God..." (Psalm 46:10)

Perseverance is more than endurance. It is endurance combined with absolute assurance and certainty that what we are looking for is going to happen.

Perseverance means more than just hanging on, which may be only exposing our fear of letting go and falling.

Perseverance is our supreme effort of refusing to believe that our hero is going to be conquered.

Our greatest fear is not that we will be damned, but that somehow Jesus Christ will be defeated.

Also our fear is that the very things our Lord stood for - love, justice, forgiveness, and kindness among men - will not win out in the end and will represent an unattainable goal for us.

Then there is the call to spiritual perseverance.

A call not to hang on and do nothing, but to work deliberately, knowing with certainty that God will never be defeated.

If our hopes seem to be experiencing disappointment right now, it simply means that they are being purified.

Every hope or dream of the human mind will be fulfilled if it is noble and of God.

But one of the greatest stresses in life is the stress of waiting for God.

He brings fulfillment, "because you have kept My command to persevere..." Revelation 3:10

Continue to persevere spiritually.

WARNING: Heavy Rainfall!

NEWS: Weather Forecast

ALERT: Heavy Rainfall Warning for – insert your town here 

Wait a minute… heavy rainfall warning?

Oh please… like we haven’t endured raindrops before.

You know, they’re those little wet round things that plop… pretty sure I first saw those on Bambi.

If they had said hurricanes or flooding then there’d be cause for some warning… I’d even probably be pretty concerned.

But when the weather channel (or weather.ca – in my case) tells you that “heavy rainfall” is on its way… I say, bring it on!

I mean come on! Are we scared of some rain?

What month is it?

Oh right… it’s March.

In Ontario, no less.

Rain is welcome here… it’s beautiful, the snow is melting… poor hibernating Canadians (such as myself) start to get that glimmer of hope that spring could be just a month away!

After somehow surviving a long winter of nothing but snow-squalls, white-outs, and flurries (for my friends south of the border, a Canadian flurry is a ton of huge snowflakes falling out of nowhere. Could be sunny one minute, flurries the next. We don’t limit this to McDonald’s.) we see some harmless rain (as long as it’s not freezing) as a chance to relax and believe in miracles again.

BUT…

The weather channel proclaims: HEAVY RAINFALL WARNING!!!

Scary.

Apparently over the course of the next 24 hours we are supposed to get 10-20 millimetres of rain!

Do you know how much a millimetre is?

Yeah. A tenth of a centimetre.

Ooohhh scary.

It’s like this big -

That’s it.

Why are you listening to the weather channel’s scare tactics?

It’s just rain.

I know the guy who created that stuff… he loves me more than his own life. ;)

I was reading earlier today in my homework (shout out to Pastor Paul if you’re reading this! Yes, she does do homework.) about the grace of God giving us power to live out the lives we are meant to live. God has so much planned for us to do in life, but without his grace on our lives and his power working thru us, we can do nothing.

What does this have to do with rain?

Well… let me let you in on a secret.

I’ve just had a highly caffeinated Friday, I’m tired – yet wired, and I’m massively excited cuz my best Nova Scotia friend – Lori – is coming to visit me tomorrow! And I haven’t even seen her in like almost 2 years… so my brain is goin crazy and when it does this it jumps from one thing to the next at lightning speed… oohh I love lightning. Wish we had some right now… it goes well with rain… SQUIRREL!!

Ok. Back to where I was going with this.

There’s a story where Jesus and his disciples are going across the lake in a boat… massive storm comes up… they didn’t have the weather channel to warn them. Bet there was some heavy rainfall  tho.

So the disciples reacted the way any of us would when a storm takes us by surprise (or sometimes we react even when weather.ca makes us fully aware of warnings)…

They were SCARED!

Ok ok… I’m making a little light of it. It was definitely a bigger storm than the 10 millimetres I’m supposed to see tonight.

But the concept of fear can occur to whomever fear wishes to grip its easy targets.

Whether it be tough fishermen, who have seen a storm or two… or a little baby girl, afraid of her first summer thunderstorm.

But… what can we cling to?

What did the disciples seek out during this storm?

They didn’t look to the weather channel and buy in to some scare tactic made up just to intimidate them into giving up.

No. they took their small, trembling faith to the feet of the Master.

“you wake him… no you! … come on, it was your idea! … we’re all gonna drown if we don’t wake him up… how can he sleep at a time like this?”

Finally someone gets up the nerve and pokes Jesus in the ribs.

“Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”

Fear… doubt… many things were weighing on these guys minds.

Its like us… when all we can see is storms and opposition, it’s hard to remember that God is in control. It’s hard to see past the “10 millimetres” of impending rain, and believe that HE has a purpose for your life. You may not see it yet, and you may be “of little faith” that His dreams for you are even gonna come true…

But keep looking. The Master has spoken that we are “going to the other side”, and no matter what storms lie in between, he has the strength and power to get us there. If only we will trust that he is who he says he is.

That’s all I have for tonight… going to sleep peacefully with the sound of 10-20 millimetres of rain falling softly on my window, and Jesus watching over my life. J

PS. For the full, unabbreviated story on Jesus calming the storm, read Matthew 8 OR Luke 8.