Friday, July 25, 2008

End of day 9

Dear faithful prayer warriors,
Do you remember the passage in 1 Kings when Elijah challenges the gods of baal? Short version - Elijah is preaching that God is the only True God and the priest of baal are balking; so Elijah offers a challenge. They build an alter for sacrifice and Elijah says call down your god's to consume the sacrifice. The priest of baal spend the day petitioning their god's, tearing their clothes, their bodies and begging their god's to answer. NOTHING happens. Elijah taunts them "a little" ,"where is your god, did he nap or maybe he took a walk" he ask. . . after a long time Elijah says ok, "my turn". He repairs the Lord's alter and says, "But before i start pour water on the sacrifice. A LOT of water. So much water that it puddles around the sacrifice." When the sacrifice is soaked and dripping Elijah calls on the God of Abraham and immediately the sacrifice is consumed. Not only the sacrifice but the scripture says the water was lapped up by the all consuming fire. That is the God i serve.
And as Shadrack, Meshack and Abednego said in Daniel . . ."but even if He does not rescue us . . . we will still serve Him. " That is the God i serve.
Sometimes He doesn't answer so swift or like i would like. But He is still God - my God.
Today they took the catheter from Aaron and we had a great day. He was strong felt good, no nausea, just generally felt good. (especially considering . . .) and then his bladder didn't work. About 5:00 p.m. they had to put the Foley catheter back. Not only did they have to put it back it did not work the first time - so it had to be done again. It has been about 3 hours now since they got it going. We both had a nap and he is easier. We will try again in another day or so.
But you know what? God is still on the throne and we will still praise His Holy name. Because there is no cancer and the threat of cancer has now been removed. I don't pretend to understand why God chooses to answer, sometimes, the first time we call and sometimes He doesn't; but i know that just because He doesn't, does not change the fact that He is good and we will serve Him.

In Him
nise

11 comments:

Paula said...

Dear Jehovah Rapha,

You are the Lord that "healeth thee". I call on you to touch Aaron and get his bladder working again. Please Father, let this be the last time Aaron has to have the catheter replaced. Give Aaron and Denise a restful night again tonight. In Jesus name I pray. Amen

Great post Denise and a testimony to the strength of your faith in God. (((hugs)))

Russ and Sandy said...

My favorite bible story! "maybe your gods went to the bathroom, yell louder ..." (South Ga. translation)

The way your post started I was expected a "large flow of water" ending :). We'll just continue to wait and pray for those kidneys to wake up!

Did we ever find out how fast that marine recovered?

Praying for more rest tonight. Tell Aaron if he'll eat a hamburger from the Varsity I'll bring it to him.

Russ

cmiller77 said...

Brother,

I'm all out of words for today, so I'll just say: "love you, brother (and sister too)."

Have a blessed night,
CWM

Houghs said...

Remember the 4th man in that fiery furnace? I know there's someone walking this walk with you and forever He is faithful! He loves you both even more than we do. I know that you know that, but isn't it always wonderful to hear? I like to "marinate" in the fact that Jesus loves me; it makes me feel good. It introduces fresh perspective when Satan tries to discourage me. Once again, sunshine is on the way; I just know it!

Goodnight...
The Houghs

Joy Carroll said...

Pastor and Denise,

Your testimony today just recalls what has been going through my mind all day. Do we have faith because we see the evidence of God or do we see the evidence of God because we have faith? As we learned in VBS this summer: the Lord said "I AM WHO I AM" Have a blessed night of rest.

Love you both,

Joy Carroll

Lane McGullion said...

Hopefully this post will find you sleeping peacefully. Sounds like you need the rest for sure after the "Foley Follies" today.

Father, please show your favor on Aaron and shock his system back to life.

Maybe Tom could come down and play a few rounds of reveille to get that bladder jump started.

Take care, both of you. We continue to join in the chorus of prayers for you several times a day.

Richard Balfour said...

AMEN and AMEN!! We serve a GREAT GOD. Not because of what HE does for us, but because of WHO HE IS and what HE HAS DONE FOR US!

The 3rd shift prayer team is still on the clock, standing in the gap 'till dawn.

BTW: Say the word and we can fire up the smoker and get some good BBQ going.

Unknown said...

Denise, Aaron,
I have refrained from posting up until now since I am an "outsider" and only Aaron even knows who I am. After this post, I can hold it no longer. Your faith and faithfulness - what a wonderful example to all of us as we go thru the ease of our lives! May our God "who is able" to do all things continue to be with you, strengthen you and bless you both!
He is a great God and He is faithful.
Robert Fudge
Athens, Al.

Jim Hurley said...

Great trust. Great faith. Great God. I am truly humbled by Denise's heart and spirit. My prayers and belief in God's merciful and eternal love for Aaron and family continue.

"Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you.But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed WHEN his glory is revealed."
1 Peter 4:12-13

Tamie said...

I was reading in Isaiah Chapter 40 and thought of you and Denise this morning. What a MIGHTY GOD we serve!

11 He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart;

12 Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens? Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket, or weighed the mountains on the scales and the hills in a balance?

13 Who has understood the mind [d] of the LORD, or instructed him as his counselor?

14 Whom did the LORD consult to enlighten him, and who taught him the right way? Who was it that taught him knowledge or showed him the path of understanding?

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.

29 He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.

30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;

31 but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

I'm still here and still praying that you will have renewed strength, and that soon you will "soar like eagles, run and not grow weary, walk and not be faint."

Tamie

Michelle Love Lang said...

Aaron, remember all those road trips where Denae would utter the words "Daddy, I need to go to the bathroom". I'm sure if it were like my family the boys would look at her and try to hand her a bottle, but it just doesn't work that way. Wouldn't you love to be able to stop on one of those trips now!! Ha Ha!

We love you and are praying for fast healing. We want you home!

Love,
Michelle

P.S. Robert Fudge, you are not an outsider. We are all family here!