January 6: Need a faith boost today?

Let me just share with you about how our Lord answers prayer.

Yesterday I was talking with the nurse about some medical situations and trying to remember what doctor was treating which area. As she looked over Barbara's list of docs, she said, "Boy, you really have a 'dream team'" here. It's something that I'd heard before, but it was a great reminder of how God answered all of our prayers even before we prayed them! You see, the neuro-surgeon, Dr. Rifai, is in high demand, and there is literally a long list of people waiting to see him. But, thanks to having Karen Johnson, a wonderful Christian lady, as our nurse practitioner (basically our "family doctor"), she was able to quickly get Barbara's health issue to Dr. Rifai, who in turn insisted on seeing Barbara immediately. Then, Dr. Rifai hand picked the best doctors to attend to her other areas of need. Also, Dr. Rifai has taken Barbara's care personally, and has treated us as if we were his own family.

The point of all this is to assure you that God is so big, so awesome, and so un-restrained by time that He could answer all of our prayers before we prayed them. He put this in place, and has master-minded Barbara's healing process by inspiring the doctors who care for her.

Supt./Pastor Chet Martin put this concept in my mind regarding a totally different issue early last year. But I've come to understand that God, being greater than time or distance, and understanding that we can't see the future, masterfully hears the prayers yet to come and answers them in advance of us even praying. If you're not prepared to believe that, I would suggest that you search the scriptures for all the examples of God doing things that are much bigger than man. It won't be hard to find them. God is far bigger and greater than we can humanly comprehend. Thinking that we can wrap our mind around God is arrogant and a bit heretical. Be glad that we serve a Lord who can do far more than we can even think to ask.

While we are still in intensive care, things are progressing quite well. Her heart rate and blood pressure are doing GREAT today. In fact, the lung doctor was just here, and will order that her respirator settings be lowered even further today in the process of weening her from it all together. So, basically, we're waiting for the weener!

Barbara is in good spirits today. She has the look of rejoicing on her face as we've "talked" about how well things are going. We just now received word that they will keep her here over the weekend, and move her back to the step-down unit on Monday (probably). This way, they can continue the process of weening her from the respirator while able to monitor her progress more closely and attentively. This is all good.

The main issue, besides the blood pressure, is that she is experiencing a lot of nausea and bloating in her stomach. The good part is that she is feeling it working.

So, please pray that Barbara's stomach do well digesting,

Pray that her entire digestive system will kick into full working order,

Pray that her blood pressure remains good,

And pray that the respirator weening process goes remarkably well.

Also, if you would please, keep Jackie in mind today. She sent an email this morning expressing that she is having trouble getting into a class that she needs from UK in Lexington to complete her Masters in Counseling at Asbury. If she can't get into the class, she won't graduate this spring. Please lift her in prayer today.