A couple of hours ago few family and friends were sitting in a waiting areas just around the corner from Karen's room when Karen came waltzing through the door. (Well, now that I think about it, it wasn't really a waltz it was more of a waddle.) Either way it was a truly beautiful sight to see.
She's improving consistently each day and the doctors are very happy to see her phenomenal progress. Right now we are both very encouraged. We'll meet with the head of neurooncology later today and he'll give us an overview of how things will work over the next week or so. I'll try to remember to update you all on that info later today.
As I was reading some of your recent posts I found tears welling up in my eyes. Your words are so profound and encouraging and I can't help but be moved by them. I noticed, however, that though I am sincerely moved by your words and hope to hear many more, it has been the words you have quoted from God's word that truly stir my soul. Though what you have written is so eloquent and beautiful, there is nothing like the voice of my Heavenly Father. His words are so perfectly bitter sweet. No sugar coated cliches will do for the Lord of Hosts. And like any child, I long to hear the truth from my father. The truth that sends my heart soaring with gut wrenching joy.
Praise God that he has revealed himself so clearly to us in his precious word. I will pray today that as you open your Bible tonight you will be struck more than you have ever been before by the words that confront you on each page. You won't find the words of a self help guru. You won't find chicken soup, or any other kind of poultry for that matter. You won't even find great advice and nuggets of truth. What you will find etched in every word of every page is THE Truth who became flesh. The Truth that sets us free. The Truth that is so often painful until we remember that it was the Truth who was wounded so that we would not be.
How glorious it will be after we have been refined in the fire to look back and see the master artisanship of God as he molded us and shaped us into the image of his very own son. I hope that you will find that kind of life in the words you read tonight and I will pray that God's words will change you as I can feel them changing me.
Dave
About Me
- Dave Gregg
- Men have the God given honor and responsibility of training the next generation of men to lead and love in their families, churches and society. But knowing that this needs to be done, and knowing HOW to get it done are often two different things. Christian Service Brigade is a 75 year old organization that has been dedicated to helping men accomplish this vital task through: Training, equipping and encouraging men for ministry Empowering men to use their own gifts, talents and experience to teach the truth of God's Word. Encouraging young men and boys to grow in Christ-likeness through relationships with godly men, applying Scripture to daily life, serving Christ together, and memorizing God's Word. Providing materials that give men a practical, fun and dynamic way to disciple young men and boys for Christ. Fostering the skill of fathering through mutual father/son experiences. Our family is excited to be serving with an organization so uniquely positioned to answer this timely and vital need. If you are interested in seeing how we might be able to help you or someone you know develop a strategy for discipleship feel free to email me. dgregg@csbministries.org
18 comments:
Dear Dave and Karen,
My name is Wendy Jung and I am a good friend of Lisa Kjeldgaards. Lisa called on Saturday asking us to pray for your family. We have been praying throughout the day since then. Our church prayed for you during our service on Sunday morning. The doctors and medical staff, your children, and both of you are being lifted before God's throne all over...even in Green Bay, WI.
In Him,
Wendy, Ron, Nathan, Jacob, Zechariah and Elizabeth Jung
PS-I have met Karen at Smidge's wedding; I was one of the bride's maids.
Hi....
I have just read David's latest news about Karen waltzing through the doors - and it staggered, stunned, amazed and overjoyed me. Talk about the Power of prayer!!!!
Wow and Double Wow!
When I think about the news on Friday and Saturday, it all seemed VERY bleak - and the future even more so. Over all that time, lots and lots and lots of folks have been praying for Karen - as I said, the Power of Prayer. What an amazing validation (NOT that one was needed!) of God's power.
With love and hugs, John Clayton
Hi....
I have just read David's latest news about Karen waltzing through the doors - and it staggered, stunned, amazed and overjoyed me. Talk about the Power of prayer!!!!
Wow and Double Wow!
When I think aobut the nedws on Friday and Sautrday, it all seemed VERY bleak - and the future even more so. Over all thzat time, lots and lots and lots of folks have been praying for Karen - as I said, the Power of Prayer. What an amazing validation (NOT that one was needed!) of God's power.
With love and hugs, John Clayton
Praise God!! Both for Karen's improvement and for giving Dave encouragement through the Word! :)
Karen/Dave,
Praise God for Karen's recoverey from the surgery! Truly amazing. Sooo many people praying for your family. Norma gave Grandma your photo today and asked her to pray for you. AS always grandma agreed to pray faithfully. I will remind her and pray with her. I do know her prayers have worked miracles Karen! :)
Much Love, Lori
"The Lord is my light and my salvation-whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the STRONGHOLD of my life-of whom shall I be afraid?"
Psalm 27:1
Dave, Karen & Family,
There are many people in Texas praying for you! God is your STRONGHOLD, do not be afraid!
Much love & prayers,
Corrie (Knight) Schrader
Ps 149:4-6
4 For the LORD takes pleasure in His people;
He will beautify the humble with salvation. 5 Let the saints be joyful in glory; Let them sing aloud on their beds.
6 Let the high praises of God be in their mouth
Karen-
You are continuing to be in our thoughts. Cheryl has been keeping us updated and we've been reading David's updates. You are truly amazing and such a strong person. We'll be thinking of you!
Love,
Teresa & Will
Praise God for waltzing or waddling! Either way, she must have truly been a beautiful sight. Praise be to God.
I just read this this evening and I don't know why I feel like posting it here but I will. I know you love His words. The part about the Sabbath reminded me of Karen's insistance that everyone be in the house of the Lord on His day.
Isaiah 58
6"Is not this the fast that I choose:
to loose the bonds of wickedness,
to undo the straps of the yoke,
to let the oppressed[b] go free,
and to break every yoke?
7Is it not to share your bread with the hungry
and bring the homeless poor into your house;
when you see the naked, to cover him,
and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?
8Then shall your light break forth like the dawn,
and your healing shall spring up speedily;
your righteousness shall go before you;
the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard.
9Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer;
you shall cry, and he will say, 'Here I am.'
If you take away the yoke from your midst,
the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness,
10if you pour yourself out for the hungry
and satisfy the desire of the afflicted,
then shall your light rise in the darkness
and your gloom be as the noonday.
11And the LORD will guide you continually
and satisfy your desire in scorched places
and make your bones strong;
and you shall be like a watered garden,
like a spring of water,
whose waters do not fail.
12And your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt;
you shall raise up the foundations of many generations;
you shall be called the repairer of the breach,
the restorer of streets to dwell in.
13"If you turn back your foot from the Sabbath,
from doing your pleasure[c] on my holy day,
and call the Sabbath a delight
and the holy day of the LORD honorable;
if you honor it, not going your own ways,
or seeking your own pleasure,[d] or talking idly;[e]
14then you shall take delight in the LORD,
and I will make you ride on the heights of the earth;[f]
I will feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father,
for the mouth of the LORD has spoken."
David and Karen,
A passage from scripture that has comforted our family many times is Isaiah 43. It is a passage that we meditate on often.
But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel; "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior."
We hope this passage comforts you also. You are in our prayers.
Love,
The Schroeder Family
Dear Karen & Dave,
I have been reading all of the information on Karen and when I read she "waltzed in" I had to smile for you. Once when I had a health concern I went to church choir practice and we practiced a song with very poignant words:
"I want to walk in wide-eyed wonder.
Through troubled times on wounded feet.
No stormy wave will pull me under because...
He turns my sorrows into dancing,
I will sing and not be silent
I will praise Him with the dance!"
God Bless you as you dance, Karen! If you ever want the whole song, I would be happy to let you hear it.
Please know that my church has you on the prayer chain and we believe that God works through prayer!
Love,
Keri & Tony Gnecco
Karen and David:
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. You both have had a very touching impact with us. Please, count on us in any and every way.
Please do let us know if and when we can visit.
Neil Monica Vijay & Rishi.
Dear Dave and Karen,
This is Tami (Normann) Ghere I am Rob Normann's sister and I went to church with Karen at 1st Pres in Hayward. I am now in Boise Idaho and I want both of you to know that we are and have been praying for your family. When Rob let us know what was going on the first thing I could do was remember what a wonderful friend Karen was as we were growing up! Please know that I have a prayer chain here praying!
God Bless! Love, Tami & family
Wonderful, wonderful news!
hey you little Pipkin Kid...get yourself healed up purdy good and I'll send you down a BarBQue'd baked Potato to munch on.....We love the little girl that grew up in front of our eyes from across the street...your still a precious little thing....there are 50 people on our prayer list from our congregation ......you just took cuts to the top of the list on Saturday....our love to you and your family,,,,Bryan and Donna C in Idaho
hey you little Pipkin Kid...get yourself healed up purdy good and I'll send you down a BarBQue'd baked Potato to munch on.....We love the little girl that grew up in front of our eyes from across the street...your still a precious little thing....there are 50 people on our prayer list from our congregation ......you just took cuts to the top of the list on Saturday....our love to you and your family,,,,Bryan and Donna C in Idaho
Dave and Karen, just prayed with your(Dave's) Mom tonight. I love you both (all 5) Your in my prayers. Here is a verse of scripture to bless you. Isaiah 60:1-2
Arise,Shine, for thy light is come, and thd glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the peoples, but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee.
Lots of love and Prayers
Julie
Dave and Karen,
Sorry my last comment was so short. I wanted you to know that my wife and I have been checking this blog each day to see how we can pray for you and your family. Our church prayed for you on Sunday as well.
Just as you mentioned Dave, we have often welled up in tears as well, being a mixture of genuine sorrow for the situation and tears of joy for our great God who is sustaining you. We thank God for the faith he has given you. God is being glorified greatly and our faith and enjoyment of him being strengthened as we read your blog. BOO to health and wealth gospel teaching! Even when our health and wealth waists away, God is our lasting and abiding possesion:
Psa. 16:5 The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot.
6 The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.
Psa. 16:7 I bless the LORD who gives me counsel;
in the night also my heart instructs me.
8 I have set the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.
Psa. 16:9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure.
10 For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption.
Psa. 16:11 You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
We love you guys, and look forward to seeing you again someday, LORD willing!
P.S. Remember that time I pretended I was Justin Timberlake :) I have so many fond memories from back in the glory days when we all lived in San Pedro and you visited us (I especially enjoyed singing "X")
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