Stand Firm

"Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. . . the Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still."          Exodus 14:13-14

These words contain God's command to the believer when he is reduced to great straits and brought into extraordinary difficulties.  He cannot retreat; he cannot go forward; he is shut up on the right hand and on the left; what is he now to do?  The Master's word to him is, "Stand firm."  It will be well for him if at such times he listens only to his Master's word, for other and evil advisers come with their suggestions.  Despair whispers, "Lie down and die; give it all up."  But God would have us put on a cheerful courage and even in our worst times rejoice in His love and faithfulness.  Cowardice says, "Retreat; go back to the worldling's way of action; you cannot play the Christian's part - it is too difficult.  Relinquish your principles."  But however much Satan may urge this course upon you, you cannot follow it if you are a child of God.  His divine decree has bid you go from strength to strength, and so you shall, and neither death nor hell shall turn you from your course.  Even if you are called to stand firm for a while, this is in order to renew your strength for some greater advance in due time.  Precipitancy cries, "Do something. Stir yourself; to stand still and wait is sheer idleness."  We must be doing something at once - we must do it, so we think - instead of looking to the Lord, who will not only do something but will do everything.  Presumption boasts, "If the sea is before you, march into it and expect a miracle."  But faith listens neither to presumption, nor to despair, nor to cowardice nor to precipitancy, but it hears God say,
"Stand firm" - keep the posture of an upright man, ready for action, expecting further orders, cheerfully and patiently awaiting the directing voice; and it will not be long before God shall say to you, as distinctly as Moses said it to the people of Israel, "Go forward."


From Morning and Evening by Charles H. Spurgeon

God is SOOOOOOOO Good!

I just want to thank each one who prayed for Ava and for our family during this time. Your prayers have been answered, PRAISE GOD!! He is so good. At our lowest Chris and I were praying for a mountain top for ourselves. If anyone needs a mountain top it's Ava. Thank you God for giving her a mountain top!! She has never rested so peacefully as she does now. NO SEIZURES. We appreciate her so much more now. I never thought I could love her more than I do. She has taught me so much in her young life. God has used her in an amazing way in her young life. I can not wait to see what he has for her in the future. I used to ask why God chose me? Why he thought I was strong enough? Why he thought I could handle her when the medications had her so wild in the middle of the night? Through this I have learned that Ava's condition is not a burden at all it is a blessing!! God used Ava to teach all of us a lesson. He taught us the power of prayer, that He is still in the business of performing miracles. Ava is a miracle!!! They told us it could take up to a year for her to get her strength back on her left side. She is already running. Not to mention they took over 10% of her brain yet she shows no signs of any sort of mental delay. God is so faithful!! He deserves all the honor and praise for her rapid recovery!!! Thank you Jesus!!! My prayer for her is that one day she will proclaim Jesus as her savior and realize what he has done for her. She will always have Tuberous Sclerosis but it certainly does not have her. 

I love you,
Catherine 
      

July Fellowship

We had great fun, food, and fellowship at our July get together!  Kevin, Melissa, Marcus, and Meghan were very hospitable by opening up their land and home to us.  Several fished, fired guns in a skeet-shoot, played volleyball, and played games.  The kids had fun on the water slide and some rode horses.  The night ended with a display of fireworks.