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Please place Jill and her family in prayer. Nome of them know the Lord as their Saviour. My wife and I spent a good portion of the night at the hospital with them. Jill has a problem with the bones in her spine. It is a degenerative disease that she was born with. The disks in her neck have pinched the spinal cord. Because of this she cannot currently use one arm and leg which both twitch involuntarily and has no feeling. She went through emergency surgery for it but due to her condition they could only finish one side. They must now wait another week before being able to complete the surgery. She risks being permanently disabled and the upcoming surgery is quite risky also. Her Dr told the family that there is the possibility of losing the use of the other arm and leg and perhaps her vision with it. The family currently has no income due to this situation so no means to pay bills let alone those associated with this situation. Their current apartment is a small economy apartment on the second floor with no means to get a disabled person up a set of narrow, steep stairs.

Please pray for her health, a job for the husband, a suitable place to live and most important their salvation.

Brother,

Jill and her family will definitely be in my prayers. I will pray especially that the Holy Spirit softens their hearts for the hearing of the GOOD NEWS.

Love In Christ,
Tom

 

Ditto

It's hard for me to pray for people that i know who have Rejected The Lord & the Salvation he offers.
If its a sign that God is real? NO...
I cannot pray for people that seek OR need a sign to Believe...
You can tell them for me, this:
If you will only Believe, MY/Our Father will do unto you as you have asked,
But, Not until then will his ears be open unto them.
God Does'nt REWARD people who DENY his SON....

I will Pray that they Repent & seek him,
1st the Soul, then the Body...
1st seek God THEN the necessities of the Body are added unto the Believers...
YLBD

I TELL my OWN Family members this same thing:
HE Died for you, Deny him and You have NOTHING coming!(Except the Hot-tub from Hell)
I've never been "A Go-Along to Get-Along" Kinda Man, For Me, I'm a: "It IS what it IS"...

My real dad alway's told me to "Say what you mean & Mean what you say"

Mat 5:44  But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
Mat 5:45  That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
Mat 5:46  For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?

I cry tears of sadness & do love them, even for Jill & her Family...
But that does'nt change the fact that the ears of our God are not open
to the UNbelievers of this World, Nor are his Rewards...
I am as my Father on this " I would have everyone come to the Glory of our God
& repent their sins", BUT, I know just as well as our God does, NOT ALL shall Repent,
Their are the Sheep & their are the Goats, The Believers & the UNbelievers,
The Children of God & the Children of Satan.
They will be divided, one to the Right & the other to the Left,
The Right enters the Kingdom of God & the Left enter The Lake of Fire.
IT'S NOT always with the pleasantries of Gods words that save a Man...

God also say's that it won't always be so, The sun & rain upon both the Godley & Ungodley,
In fact theirs a time coming when he will stop turning his face from the Ignorance of Man...

God knows MY Heart & how I feel.
 And I feel comfortable on The Rock I'm standing (Firm Foundation) on...
YLBD

It is true that God will judge and make such decisions but is it for us to make a determination on who will come to Him and who will reject Him? Should we only show kindness to our brothers and sisters? Or should we pray for all and show charity to all as God has told us to do? Do you know for a fact that this family will reject Him or will come to Him through those witnessing to them? It is not them asking for the prayers or the handouts it is me that is doing that out of the love of God that I have for them and the desire that I have for them to come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. A desire that we should all have.

God specifically tells us to pray for them. Should we out of the hardness of our hearts say "They have rejected Christ so I will not pray for them"? or "I will ask God to bring wrath down on them and bring them to their knees so they will seek Him"? I pray that those who do will soften their hearts towards others and show the love that Christ did. After all He died on the cross for ALL MEN not just a few. He showed charity toward all men even those that rejected Him and hung Him on a cross.

We all were in these peoples shoes at one time, a sinner headed for an eternity of torment. Brother, I say this in love toward you also. You profess love for them yet in your own words you show despite toward them.

Hello Littleboy,

GOD can and does use many situations to draw people to him. GOD can also work in and through willing Christians to do many things. We must remember that we were all lost at one time, and SOMEONE cared about us even then. The biggest thing we need to remember is CHRIST willingly giving HIS Life on the CROSS for evil men and women who had rejected him. This is the most precious event in History and the Ultimate example of GOD'S Grace and Love toward mankind.

We love HIM because HE first loved us, and we continue from here when we witness to the lost. CHRIST didn't die on the cross for just pretty good people or fairly good people. JESUS CHRIST died on the Cross for even the worst and most evil humans on this earth.

Brother, there is nothing improper about praying for the lost. The lost are our biggest concerns, and Christians around the world pray for them every day. This has nothing to do with us changing our positions against sin and evil. There are many things we can do for the lost and be 100% Biblically correct, and this includes prayer.

Love In Christ,
Tom

 

Pastor Roger:

I will agree with you in prayer for Jill, her situation and her family.

God hears the prayers of those who diligently seek Him.  We are called by God to intercede on behalf of others and the prayer of a righteous man, or woman, availeth much.

Please keep us posted and God Bless you and your wife for all of your wonderful service.     

Love in Christ, Eva

Thank you all for your prayers. Yes, I will gladly give updates as I get them.

We're at the hospital again tonight. Jill was taken into emergency surgery again about an hour ago. We brought her son here so he could be with his dad while waiting for news on the surgery. The bone graft that was put in during a previous surgery came loose and a sharp edge was floating close to the spinal cord. When she gets out of this surgery she will have a neck frame put on her to hold her head and neck still as there is nothing left of the spine to support it.

Pastor Roger,

Thanks for the update Brother. It sounds like Jill is going to have a hard time, even in a best case scenario. However, we all know that GOD works in many ways. There are other ailments in this family that might be cured during this difficult time. Knowing you, I know you consider this an opportunity to serve GOD, and I give thanks this family has a Christian friend to be with them during this difficult time.

I was also just thinking about my dear Mother who is 87 years old now. She dearly loves to do volunteer work at the SurgiCare Unit at the hospital every day. The hospital has told her she can do whatever she wants to as long as she doesn't get pushy. She also has to stop if the patient wants her to. The vast majority of the patients want to talk about the LORD, especially those who are scared of what might happen. She especially loves to work with the children. This is the driving forced that makes her enjoy getting up every morning. She loves this work so much that it makes her sad to miss a day. She's only had 3 or 4 people tell her they didn't want to talk or hear about the LORD in almost 10 years now. All she has to do is ask them and respect their wishes. Most of them are very happy to have her pray with them, and the children like to hear her sing. We think this volunteer work keeps her strong, happy, and joyful that the LORD is using her.

Brother, there isn't any surprise that there's joy and satisfaction for all of us in yielding to the Will of the LORD for HIS use. It's a joy like no other, and it becomes a wonderful addiction. Brother, please tell this family that many are praying for them.

Love In Christ,
Tom

1 John 1:1-4 NASB
What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of Life -- and the life was manifested, and we have seen and testify and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was manifested to us -- what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ. These things we write, so that our joy may be made complete.

Galatians 5:22-25 NASB
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.

Hebrews 12:1-2 NASB
Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

James 1:2-4 NASB
Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Philippians 2:1-2 NASB
Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.

Not only is this an excellent opportunity to witness to the family but to others that are there in the hospital also. It is a Catholic hospital and so far no one there has objected to listening to me. I am fairly well known by most of the staff although it is a pretty big hospital, especially in the ICU, Critical Care and Children's wings. In fact some of the nurses see me on the floor and will ask me to see certain patients.

A little more update on Jill. She was in surgery for just about an hour. It went well considering her condition. The bone graft was removed. They didn't get the frame attached on her as they have to get a special ordered one made for her that has a ring that will fit her head. She is scheduled for surgery again on Monday when they are hoping to get supportive screws and rods in place on her spine as well as the brace frame. The Dr is not expecting her to regain full use of her arm and leg if any at all. There was quite a bit of damage to the spinal cord before he got to see her. He told the family that any movement regained will be a miracle from God.

Brother,

I know that things like this are physically and emotionally draining, but I also know that you will make a difference - AND GOD will use what is said and done in HIS Way and HIS Time. I'm convinced 1000% that GOD will use HIS WORD and it will never return void. We might not ever know the result, but there will be a result according to GOD'S Will and Purpose.

In the meantime, we can:


Love In Christ,
Tom

 

Dear Brother it's Obvious you have a Differant calling than I do,
And what YOUR doing is a Wonderful thing for My/Our Father, No ? about that.

I think why I'm like this IS:
One day a good friend of mine in the USMC(MP)
was telling me what he was going to do when he got out.
I had just been prayed over & Blessed by Rev. Billy Graham
& I was telling him about the Lord & he did'nt want to hear it,
So it ended our Conversation.
The next morning there was a commotion in the Head(restroom),
It was my friend flopping around like a fish outta water & he Died right their on the Shower Floor,
Without Jesus!
As a Littleboy I've always been very Zealous when it came to the word of God,
This only made it so much more (some you'll save with Love & others with Fear)
The Love Story of Jesus does'nt work on the people i come across in life,
Personally, I've brought more people to the Lord by his Prophecies & the Wrath to Come,
Then anything else....
I'm a Turn or Burn, Kinda Man!
He Loves me just the way I am, Thank You Kindly...

;D  lol I loved that....

And there is nothing wrong with being that sort of person.  However as you have learned that method does not work for all people.  So that is why you also need to have some folks in the wings that are of a different sort that you can refer to...if the turn or burn does not work then bring in the gentler guns to try and do some work...maybe soften them up for you :)

The "turn or burn" does have it's place and has been used in my own witnessing just as the Love of Christ has. It is as the Lord leads for the Lord knows the hearts in ways that man never will.

Amen to that Brother, Good Cop Bad Cop Does work...
I also try to get the feel of the person, And i can usually tell
What angle to come at them from (Love or Wrath)...

I do hope that all is well with Jill,
Through your kindness Pastor, Maybe she will except Jesus as Lord & Saviour,
That would be and is my Prayer for her & her Family.( that the lord would work thru you)...
As you know Brother, ALL things are Possible after that.
YLBDS

My prayers are going out for Jill, and her family.

Hello Dreamweaver,

Brother, it's great to see you and hear from you. I'm glad that you're feeling better. I think that a bunch of folks have had a dose of flu and associated illnesses. I think we had just about everyone in our city sick at least once, and some two and three times with various illnesses associated with the flu. Thankfully, the flu itself wasn't the really dangerous kind.

I think that it might have something to do with all of this GLOBAL WARMING and the MUCH COLDER THAN USUAL TEMPERATURES.

WELCOME BACK, but please do take care of yourself and don't get down with some kind of secondary infection.

Love In Christ,
Tom

 

Pastor Roger,  I have just read all this,  I'm so sorry I have been so wrapped up with everything in my life.  God is working with me though.    Please know that Jill and her family will be in my prayers as for you and your family as you witness to her. 

We just got back a while ago from the hospital. Jill's surgery seemed to go fine. She has more feeling and use of her arm now than she did before but neither one of her legs are responding yet. The Dr thought that the medications she is on to keep her somewhat immobile may have something to do with that.

We couldn't talk with her much as her throat is swollen shut and tubes down her throat because of this. They didn't get the bone graft back in place as of yet due to some more difficulties during surgery. They need to do another MRI to see if the bone graft is even possible and if it is they plan to put that in tomorrow.

Thank you, sister and everyone else. The prayers are most appreciated.

Brother, At least things are sounding much better than they were. I give thanks for the progress and will pray for more. Some of the things that the doctors can do these days is amazing. BUT, as usual - GOD does as HE pleases in Heaven and on Earth. I'll pray that HE uses this situation for GOOD and HIS GLORY.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Colossians 2:13-17 NASB  When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him. Therefore no one is to act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day -- things which are a mere shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ.

Give it time, Maybe when the swelling goes down,something will happen for her...
I would like to know if she is willing to Except Jesus or Not,
Thats the Most important thing that i could hear about.
As you know, whitout Jesus, NOTHING else matters...

I have a family member that lives in a wheelchair sucking air thru a tube like Christopher Reeves DID!
This is a rich kid that had anything he wanted in life,
He's my older cousin that i've been telling about Jesus since i was a Littleboy.
He now know's, the MOST important thing in Life is Jesus, And I am MOST thankful for that,
THAN ANYTHING ELSE...
Soon, God Willing I will go to him and see if his Faith is strong enough for him to walk Again,
If not now,to at least let him know that, he will walk again when we are renewed with Immortal Bodies.

Do you Believe, I MEAN really Believe that the Anointing of ones head & saying the Prayer of Faith
over someone can heal them?...I Do, Because Jesus said it was so.
IF you don't, why?
YLBD

I just got back from almost an entire day at the hospital. Jill had what the Dr hopes is the last of the surgeries. The screws and rods are holding good and so is the bone graft. She isn't able to talk and hasn't been able to since going into the hospital due to her throat being swollen shut from the surgeries and a breathing tube in her throat.

The family has been very receptive to hearing the good news of Jesus. The Dr is hoping to be able to remove the tubes tomorrow.

I forgot to mention that when she got out of surgery today that she had some feeling in her legs and was even able to move them a little bit.

Still praying for Jill, and her family. I'm also praying for you brother, as you give Jill and all the Good News of Jesus.

Hello Pastor Roger,

Brother, I'm happy to hear that the family is receiving the GOOD NEWS of CHRIST. This was one of my main hopes when hearing about the trials of this family. Lots of people are still accepting CHRIST and I give thanks. I'm also happy to hear about the progress after the surgery.

Love In Christ,
Tom

 

Amen!

After battling an infection and the strain of so many surgeries in such a brief time, Jill was able to sit up and feed herself today for the first time. She was also able to hold a decent discussion for a brief period. The Dr is expecting to be able to start her physical therapy this coming Friday. Her husband was also able to leave the hospital and go home for the first time over night last night.

Thank you all for prayers for her. Please do continue though in praying for salvation for the entire family.

Hello Pastor Roger,

Brother things are sounding pretty positive in a short period of time for such a serious surgery.  I give thanks and will keep praying for this family.

Love In Christ,
Tom


 

Pastor Roger,i am lifting  Jill and the entire family up in prayer.
There is nothing to hard for GOd.With God all things are possible.Amen.