Sunday, February 15, 2009

Preparation...




I'm not sure how you really prepare yourself for what lies ahead.

None of us really know (even when we think we do!) what's around the next corner, what lies on the agenda for the next day, or on the next month's calendar.

Sometimes in effort to prepare for what we can't really prepare for, we get fearful, anxious and impatient.

But really, the only way to prepare yourself, for anything, is to place your trust in the Lord. Because He IS the ONE that is around every corner, a part of every day, and on every calendar page. And we can count on Him even in the preparations, even in the unknown.

"Jesus Christ is the same
yesterday
and today
and forever"
Hebrews 13:8

We are trusting Him as we gear up for David's surgery, fast approaching on Friday, February 20th at Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston.

If you are interested in ministering to the Baker family these next few weeks, we are so thankful for you! There are lots of ways you can be a blessing to them - the main one is simple, and you can do it anywhere, anytime.

Pray for them. Go before the Throne of grace with confidence and beg God to have mercy, extend grace and show favor on David Baker - & on his family.

"Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence,
so that we may receive mercy
and find grace to help us in our time of need."
Hebrews 4:16

The second way you can bless this family is also simple...and you can do it almost anywhere and most certainly at any time!

Encourage them. Your blog comments are a great encouragement. Just knowing you have been on the blog and are reading/praying for David is an encouragement. When they hear that your friends, or your office, or your students, or your family is praying, it is an encouragement. When you leave a Scripture that you have prayed over them, it is an encouragement.

The third way you can bless the Bakers is by visiting them at the hospital...many of you came in December to read Scripture with the family and pray for Dr. Chen, the nurses & David during his surgeries. This surgery will start early Friday morning and is as intense or even more intense than the first surgery. Your presence and focused attention on the Lord, David, Matt & Kathe, Austin & Lauren, & Barbara is a blessing.

There are lots of other ways you can bless the fam - you can make signs, write letters, sing songs, do a dance, shave your head, you guys know the drill - you came out in full force in December and the Bakers, as you know, are truly humbled by you and grateful for you...

But the last way I want to mention is that of the blessing of meals at the hospital. Whether David is in the hospital three days after the surgery or three weeks, the Bakers will need to eat and be nourished! Once again, Sally Goodwin has volunteered to lead this great ministry to the Bakers and so once again I wanted you all to have her contact info. Please get in touch with her if you would like to bring a meal up to the hospital...

Sally Goodwin
smolly1234@aol.com
713.303.1183-c
713.665.5155-h

We ARE preparing this week by trusting Him! He is the Prince of Peace and we pray for His peace that passes all understand and goes beyond any human preparations.

"And the peace of God,
which transcends all understanding,
will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Philippians 4:7

7 comments:

Jayne Wittschen said...

My name is Jayne Wittschen, and I was one of Mr. Green's radiation therapist at Houston Metro Urology. Everyday, Mr Green would talk to us about his grandson, and the progress of his 1st surgery. I have been following this blog from the beginning, and am blown away at the ministry that David's story has brought. It is amazing to see what God has done in so many people's lives because of this. His story is a true inspiration. I have been a Christian for a long time now, but this has improved my faith in so many levels. It is amazing to watch the miracles God has provided through this, not just David's recovery, but also all the people who have become saved because of this.
I just want you to know that I will be praying again for David, the doctors and his family during this 2nd surgery. I will pray that God can give everyone strength, courage, and that everything that happens can glorify God. The power of prayer is an amazing thing, and I know that prayer will get David through this again.

My prayers are with yall!
Jayne Wittschen

jfoz said...

hi bakers,

Praying like crazy for you all. Part of my prayer routine is praying/singing songs usually a different "song" every morning which is basically Scripture put to song by incredibly talented people. This morning was the song below by Meredith Andrews... I am praying that God would draw us near, that we would remember we are in His hands, under His wing, in the shadow of the Almighty, always before HIS throne... draw us near Lord.

Last night I was scheduled to teach the 5th and 6th graders at Awana. Well the 3rd and 4th grade teacher was out so I had a room full of about 60 8-12 year olds telling them about David Baker and praying for him. You are such a rock star David Baker! They talk about you as if they know you :)The last time we had gotten together was right before David's last surgery. God worked out perfectly that we were together again praying and professing Jesus Christ AND the miracles that HE has done and continues to do. It is sometimes hard to keep the interest of all of those kids esp the younger ones in that room. There wasn't a peep in the place when I was telling them your story, David Baker....about your faith and your trust about God's amazing love and care. Hang on to HIM and KNOW that we are lifting you up and will continue to do so.

BAKERS, love love love you - we are here we are praying,

janet (and john and crew)

Draw Us Near by meredith andrews

For your nearness Lord we hunger
For your nearness Lord we wait
Hold us ever closer Father
Such a love we can’t escape

For your nearness we are hoping
For your nearness Lord we long
Have no need of any other
We have found where we belong
Yes, we have found where we belong

So draw us nearer Lord
Never let us go
Closer to your heart
Draw us nearer Lord
Draw us nearer Lord

In your nearness there is healing
What was broken now made whole
Restoration in its fullness
Lasting hope for all who come

In your nearness we take shelter
Where you are is where we're home
We have need of only one thing
To be here before your throne

So draw us nearer Lord
Never let us go
Closer to your heart
Draw us nearer Lord
TO BE HERE BEFORE YOUR THRONE!

Anonymous said...

David, here you go again, bringing faith in Christ throughout the WORLD!!! Incredilbe. We love you & your family, and are praying!
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future." Acts 17:11
Drew & Madeline

Anonymous said...

I am praying for y'all!

Love y'all!
Laura DeBellas

Anonymous said...

Big Dave,

Good morning to you....Good morning to you. We're all in our places with bright shiny faces....Uh, well, that's an old school song; kind of before your time. But it does get right to the point though. We ARE all here, in our places...before the throne of grace, asking for yet another touch of His mighty love on you and your bunch.

Looking forward to getting around the bend on this one with you. Quick in - Quick out. And may you, may we, continue to be a witness to others through this stretch of life.

It's all good.......Foz

Anonymous said...

Dear Bakers,

"Grace and peace to from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ...For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullnes of God. NOW TO HIM WHO IS ABLE TO DO IMMEASURABLY MORE THAN ALL WE ASK OR IMAGINE, ACCORDING TO HIS POWER THAT IS AT WORK WITHIN US, TO HIM BE THE GLORY IN THE CHURCH AND IN CHRIST JESUS THROUGHOUT ALL GENERATIONS, FOR EVER AND EVER! AMEN." Ephesians 1:3 and 2:14-20

We join all the saints in praying this scripture for the Baker family...

All of our LOVE and PRAYERS,
Cyndi and Jeff

Sara Joy Martin said...

We will definitely be praying for David and the whole family. Wishing I was closer to you all to show support in person. Love you all!