Today is a hard day for me. I am contemplating potential bad outcomes of surgery and what I need to say to my family before I go in. I am always encouraged by the scriptures and hymns that God brings to other people's minds to bless me with. Does anyone have any they would like to share? Please post in my comments section to encourage others as well!
Thanks and love to you all!
Someone once suggested to me to read Isaiah 43 and insert my name for the name Israel. Let's read it with your name inserted:
ReplyDelete"But now, this is what the Lord says -- He who created you, O Jennifer, he who formed you, O Jennifer. Fear not, for I have redeemed you Jennifer. I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers,they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Saviour."
Earlier in Isaiah 26:3 he says "You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in You."
I'm praying you will feel His presence as He walks you throuogh the days ahead and gives you and your family His perfect peace.
Sharon Lindsay
Jen,
ReplyDeleteTake comfort in the completeness of His promise: He never sleeps!
Psalm 121
1 I lift up my eyes to the hills—
where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
3 He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;
4 indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The LORD watches over you—
the LORD is your shade at your right hand;
6 the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.
7 The LORD will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;
8 the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.
http://mendelssohn-no-29-chorus-he-watching-ove-mp3-download.kohit.net/_/287302
Received this from my good friend Sarah Nordlie:
ReplyDeleteAs I was praying for you the first day you found out about the "spot" the verse that flew into my head was:
"The eternal God is a dwelling place, And underneath are the everlasting arms;" (Deut. 33:27)
which, of course, led me to think of the hymn "Leaning on the Everlasting Arms"
What a fellowship, what a joy divine,
leaning on the everlasting arms;
What a blessedness, what a peace is mine,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
Refrain:
Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms;
Leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.
Oh, how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
Oh, how bright the path grows from day to day,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
What have I to dread, what have I to fear,
Leaning on the everlasting arms?
I have blessed peace with my Lord so near,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
I love Jesus, and how His ways are so different than our ways. When we know Him we truly can say, even when we are facing what in a worldly sense is the scariest thing we can imagine, "What have I to fear, what have I to dread?"
Another favorite hymn of mine is "'Tis so Sweet to Trust in Jesus".
’Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to take Him at His Word;
Just to rest upon His promise,
And to know, “Thus saith the Lord!”
Refrain:
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!
How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er;
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
Oh, for grace to trust Him more!
Oh, how sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to trust His cleansing blood;
And in simple faith to plunge me
’Neath the healing, cleansing flood!
Yes, ’tis sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just from sin and self to cease;
Just from Jesus simply taking
Life and rest, and joy and peace.
I’m so glad I learned to trust Thee,
Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend;
And I know that Thou art with me,
Wilt be with me to the end.
It reminds me of what John Piper says about the two descriptions of the Christian life: wrestling and rest. "So we must fight against everything that inclines us to rest in anything but Jesus."
I'm praying that you will rest in His everlasting arms!
Sarah Nordlie
Apparently posting a comment isn't all that easy to figure out, but I want to share what I have received: This is from Mom...
ReplyDeletePhil 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
That has been one of my favorites since we were first Christians meeting with Bill & Peggy.
Love
"How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
ReplyDeleteIs laid for your faith in His excellent word!
What more can He say than to you He hath said—
To you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?
“Fear not, I am with thee, oh, be not dismayed,
For I am thy God, and will still give thee aid;
I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
Upheld by My gracious, omnipotent hand.
“When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
The rivers of sorrow shall not overflow;
For I will be with thee thy trouble to bless,
And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.
“When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,
My grace, all-sufficient, shall be thy supply;
The flame shall not harm thee; I only design
Thy dross to consume and thy gold to refine.
“The soul that on Jesus doth lean for repose,
I will not, I will not, desert to his foes;
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I’ll never, no never, no never forsake.”
From an email from my dad...
ReplyDeleteIn your first post "What's on my mind" you mentioned our favorite hymn Day by Day. I'm sure you know what it did to my heart and how I reacted. I can tell you one other we share that is quite appropiate. that I have been using as a prayer for you when I think of how you must be feeling. The hymn, "It is well with my soul". Your strength in and Love for your Lord is a blessing to both your Mother and I. What an example you are to follow.
Love
Dad
Jennifer,
ReplyDeleteThis is what came to mind when I wanted to give you thoughts of encouragement. I read Psalm 62, especially verses 1-2 and 5-12 earlier this week and it gave me encouragment.
My soul finds rest in God alone;
my salvation comes from Him.
He alone is my Rock and Salvation;
He is my fortress, I will never be shaken.
Find rest, O my soul, in God alone;
my hope comes from Him.
He alone is my Rock and Salvation;
He is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
My salvation and my Honor depend on God;
He is my mighty rock, my refuge.
Trust in Him at all times, O Jennifer;
Pour out your heart to Him,
for God is your refuge.
Do not trust in extortion
or take pride in stolen goods;
though your riches increase,
do not set your heart on them.
One thing God has spoken,
two things have I heard:
that you O God are strong,
and that you O Lord are loving.
Surley you will reward each person
according to what he has done.
I will be praying you adn your family through this trial.
Kristine Schneider
Cousin Jennifer,
ReplyDeleteI don't have scripture to add but all I can say is that in 18yrs I've been involved in a handful of these Meningioma resections and ....
"piece of cake".
We will be following you and your familiy's progress closely during this new chapter in you life.
In our thoughts,
jamespipernashwillandhale
Today's sermon was based on this passage, and I thought of you:
ReplyDeleteProverbs 3: 5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and he shall direct your paths.
Jennifer,
ReplyDeleteHere is a verse Joshua wanted to send you;
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous for the Lord your God will be with you." Joshua 1:9
and our verse.....
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles.." 2 Cor 1:3
Trust Him!
Dave, Debbie & Joshua
I couldn't get this posted on your blog, so I'm sending it to you via email instead. Wish I could have prayed for you with our class this morning.
ReplyDeletePsalm 46:1-3
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.Jen, I so admire how you are trusting Him as He carries you through this. He truly is your treasure, that is evident!!
Melissa
From Susie:
ReplyDelete"Hi Jen,
I hope today you have some peace. We will be praying for before during and after 4 p.m tomorrow.
"Be Still, My Soul"
by Catharina von Schlegel, 1697-?
Translated by Jane Borthwick, 1813-1897
1. Be still, my soul; the Lord is on thy side;
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul; thy best, thy heavenly, Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.
Praying without stopping for you and your family"
From Tania:
ReplyDelete"Isaiah 41:13 For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.
Psalms 46:1-2 God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea.
Matthew 11:28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.""
From Ethan:
ReplyDeleteI am with you always to the very end of the age. Matthew 28:20
From Sarah Eye:
ReplyDeleteJennifer (and Jeff), The verse we want to give you is Psalm 91:4 " He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart." This verse was given to us when Wayne was so ill in 2000. We are praying it will have special meaning for you and your family. God does take extreme care of us when it seems the darkest. We love you guys and plan to be with your family tomorrow in the waiting room praying for you and the surgeons. I did speak with my friend today who had much the same surgery. I'll tell your family about it tomorrow. We fully expect as wonderful an outcome for you as it has been for Leslie. God bless. Wayne and Sarah
Be Still My Soul is probably my favorite hymn of all time. But the words of this infrequently sung hymn are powerful as well
ReplyDeleteUnto the Hills I Lift Mine Eyes
Unto the hills I life mine eyes, O whence shall come my aid?
My help is from the Lord alone,
Who heaven and earth has made.
He will not let thy foot be moved,
Thy guardian never sleeps;
With watchful and unslumbering care
His own he safely keeps.
They faithful keeper is the Lord,
Thy shelter and thy shade;
Neath sun or moon, by day or night,
Thou shalt not be afraid.
From evil he will keep thee safe,
For thee he will provide;
Thy going out, thy coming in,
Forever he will guide.
Prayers and love forever, Nedra and Fred
Jen,
ReplyDeleteWhat do I say here to my sister?.... there is so much to say.
I will start with this- something that I was given so very long ago- that has meant so much to me.
Jennifer,
I didst form your inward part,
I didst weave you in your Mother's womb.
You are fearfully and wonderfully made.
Ps. 139:13,14
Just as the Father has loved me, I have also loved you.
I chose you and appointed you that you should bear fruit.
Jn. 15:9,16
I will provide all your needs.
Phil 4:19
Nothing can separate you from my love.
Rom. 8:39
With my strength you can do anything.
Phil. 4:13
You will be caught up in the clouds to be with me forever.
1 Thess. 4:17
And you will be my Bride.
Rev. 21:2
Abide in my love.
Jn. 15:9
Love,
Jesus
Also- one other that came to mind-
"And the God of all grade, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast." - 1 Peter 5:10
I love you and will be "praying without ceasing" all day tomorrow- especially at 4.
All my love ALWAYS,
Renee