tomorrow February 16, 2011

Just got back from meeting the doctor who will oversee Carter B’s angiogram tomorrow afternoon! We found out there that he will have to stay overnight so that they can monitor him since he will be undergoing general anesthesia for the test. I’m so glad we met the doctor because we were not prepared to stay overnight! Thankful that they are being cautious to take care of our baby boy

Thank you for praying already. Our family and friends have gone before the Throne of Grace in faith time and time again on our behalf – thank you. Please pray that the test will come back clear with no signs of lingering AVMs and that God would be pleased to keep Carter B. Pray, too, that we would walk in the Spirit,  being sensitive to Him as we seek to bring glory to the Father at LeBonheur Hospital tomorrow. We long to be pleasing to Him in all respects and “that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To Him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” (1 Peter 4:11)

trust, obey, do February 9, 2011

Psalm 119:1-8

“Blessed are those whose way is blameless,

who walk in the law of the LORD!

Blessed are those who keep his testimonies,

who seek him with their whole heart,

who also do no wrong,

but walk in his ways!

You have commanded your precepts

to be kept diligently.

Oh that my ways may be steadfast

in keeping your statutes!

Then I shall not be put to shame,

having my eyes fixed on all your

commandments.

I will praise you with an upright heart,

when I learn your righteous rules.

I will keep your statutes;

do not utterly forsake me!

 

So on my way to  Romans this morning after a yummy bowl of Golden Grahams, I opened up directly to Psalm 119, seemingly on accident. But, this morning, the LORD used a flippant opening of the Bible to teach me what He requires. Look at these eight verses – the psalmist, under the power of the Holy Spirit, refers to God’s Word eight times. Walk in the LAW of the LORD; Blessed are those who keep his TESTIMONIES, who walk in His WAYS; You have commanded your PRECEPTS to be kept diligently; Oh that my ways may be steadfst in keeping your STATUTES; having my eyes fixed on all your COMMANDMENTS; when I learn your righteous RULES; I will keep your STATUTUES. Keep His law, keep His Word, keep His commandments, walk in His ways. Do, obey, trust!

We read last night in James 1 that we must be doers of the word and not hearers only. And in James 1 God uses the writer to give a few more commands -  Verse 19 “Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger.” And in verse 21-22 “Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” Verses 25-27 “But the one who looks into the prefect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tounge but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.”

Oh that our hearts, captivated and changed by the Gospel of Jesus Christ, would long to obey God’s Word, trust His commands, walk in His ways, learn His righteous rules, seek Him with our whole heart, and keep His precepts dilgently.

Updates February 1, 2011

I’ve been pressed ever-so-slightly by some new friends to post more often! Thank you for the encouragement… I will try to get on here and share what’s going on with this wild family of ours.

*Carter B and his super hero cape his Ma made him for Christmas!*

So, just a quick update on our ole’ Carter Brown. He really is doing amazing. He has one last test (Lord willing) until he is 5-years-old on Thursday, February 17. On Wednesday, February 16, we will meet the neurologist who will oversee Carter Brown’s angiogram. Then we will report to LeBonheur at 10 a.m. the next day, and the procedure will begin at 1 p.m. This procedure is actually considered surgery, and Carter will have to undergo antisethsia. Pray that the Lord will sustain Carter and us as he goes without food or drink for almost 12 hours amist a morning in an unknown place and the potential of having an IV placed. Pray, also, that God will keep Carter and that the recovery following the procedure will FLY BY! He will have to lie flat for a few hours to prevent bleeding at the site near his thigh.

I have been recounting many instances during his sickness and hospital stay and surgeries and recovery lately, and I stand in awe at how our Lord Jesus spared Carter’s little tiny life. To what avail, I do not know yet. We are praying, though, that his life was saved for God’s glory and Carter’s salvation in Christ. We trust the One to whom salvation belongs (Psalm 3:8). 

I was reading this verse today and reveling at God’s sovereignty.

Romans 11:33

“Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!”

Thankfully, it is not on our knowledge and wisdom and riches our life depends, but on God’s. ”Oh the depth….” In my finiteness that’s about an eternity’s worth of inches, feet, miles of wise plans and all-knowing choosing. That’s a LOT and much more than we have or will ever aquire or ever muster up in our own strength. We are called to trust and obey God in all areas of our lives. In going to the nations, in selling a home, in giving, in affliction, in loss, in everyday, long-haul, minute-by-minute wiping noses, correction, discipline, training, cooking, changing diapers, bathing babies… He is trustworthy because He is I AM, the One who is all-wise, all-knowing, and the giver of all things.

*Caroline and her super hero cape with her cousin, Madison Margaret!*

Another update: our little baby girl will celebrate her first birthday in a little over one month! What a year she has lived…. She is our little trooper. With very little sickness and sweet ability to transition well, Caroline has been helped by her Maker to fit right into our family! We are so glad she is ours.

*A sweet father/son picture we took at Christmas near my sister’s house. Hopefully there will be many more outdoor experiences with this duo and maybe more baby boy Sheridans to come (no, we’re not pregnant ).*