Miscarriage

A miscarriage can often be a deeply traumatic and emotional experience, regardless of when in the pregnancy it is suffered, especially if you have been trying to conceive for a long time, or have suffered a miscarriage previously. From the first moment they find out they are pregnant, many women are deeply pre-occupied with impending motherhood and all the changes it involves, and even if your response to the pregnancy is more reserved or ambiguous, the sense of loss following a miscarriage can still be tremendous. Common reactions to the loss of a pregnancy are really no different to other forms of grief, you may feel deep shock, numbness, guilt, a sense of helplessness, you may find it difficult to concentrate on anything else and be unable to sleep.

I recently read these words from an article titled Coping with miscarriage By ThinkBaby

As Stephanie is recovering from a recent miscarriage my heart is broken for her and Josh. This time brings clear memories from 30 years ago. Sharron and I had been married for almost two years and felt it time to begin a family. When Sharron told me that she was pregnant we cried together with tears of joy. I knew this meant our lives were about to undergo a major change. When Sharron went through the miscarriage she and I were devastated. Our church family came around us to pray and encourage us. I clearly remember Sharron going for a follow up visit and returning home handed me a note from the doctor. It read “When at first we don’t succeed – try, try, again!” Ten months latter God blessed us with beautiful twin daughters.

Now as my daughter goes through a miscarriage my heart is broken for her. I know that when God terminates a pregnancy we may wonder – WHY? I believe that nothing happens in our lives that are not Father filtered and God has a divine plan for Stephanie and her unborn child.

I have been studying and preparing messages from a series of questions. On Sunday August 9th I plan to preach on the question: Is Heaven a real place? In this study I have come to the opinion that someday Stephanie may see her child.

God’s Word tells us in Isaiah 11:6-9 (NLT)

“In that day the wolf and the lamb will live together; the leopard and the goat will be at peace. Calves and yearlings will be safe among lions, and a little child will lead them all. The cattle will graze among bears. Cubs and calves will lie down together. And lions will eat grass as the livestock do. Babies will crawl safely among poisonous snakes. Yes, a little child will put its hand in a nest of deadly snakes and pull it out unharmed. Nothing will hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain. And as the waters fill the sea, so the earth will be filled with people who know the Lord.”

When we go to heaven there will be peace unlike anything we have ever experienced. Babies and little children will walk without fear of injury or pain. Where do these babies and young children come from? Could it be the unborn babies and children taken in death before fulfilling their future? Since God knows us in our mother’s womb, I ask: Wouldn’t that be just like God?

One thing is for certain: “… our perishable earthly bodies must be transformed into heavenly bodies that will never die. 1 Corinthians 15:53 (NLT)

“That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9 (NLT)

Meanwhile, we continue to pray for Stephanie and Josh during this time of grieving and loss. I am so thankful for Danielle who was by her sister’s side at the hospital and did all she could to assist her sister. I am so thankful for my wife Sharron who arrived at Stephanie’s to clean her house and then prepare several meals to help them during the days ahead. Sharron and I have tried to take care of Alyse during each day and try to be there for Stephanie. I appreciate all the emails and comments on Facebook and the thoughts and prayers of so many.

Stephanie has a doctor's appointment on Friday and we trust all is going well. Sharron and I have an event on Saturday afternoon and plan to arrive back in Raleigh on Saturday evening.
I look forward to being back at NRN and preaching this Sunday.

Back in the USA!

Back in the USA!

On Saturday July 18 Sharron and I spent the day with my brother Vic and his family. It was a great day as my nephew Alan was a swimmer in the Junior Olympics in Cary, NC. We then enjoyed some excellent "family time" with Vic and his family. Alan and Montana enjoyed the dinner we had together.

Then - I had the opportunity to have my picture taken with my younger brother

Notice that my wife - Sharron -- and Vic's wife - Laura -- did not allow us to take their pictures
However - here is a picture of me with my brother Vic and his two sons

On Sunday July 19th Sharron and I enjoyed the worship experience at North Raleigh Church of the Nazarene. We departed for a long drive to Canada following a lunch with friends.

We arrived in Ridgeway Ontario Canada on Tuesday morning. It was good to see Sharron's day and spend time with him. We attended the memorial service for Sharron Aunt Ellen on Thursday and on Saturday then drove to a relatives home near Georgetown, Ontario on Saturday for the Wiltshire Family Reunion. As we departed on Saturday evening for Dundalk, Ontario we received a message that our daughter Stephanie had been taken to the hospital. We drove back to Ridgeway on Sunday morning and departed for North Carolina as soon as possible.

Stephanie is now out of the hospital and we are in Charlotte to care for her and her family. To read more about her condition - check out her blog to read about her situation in her own words:
http://bcuzoflove.blogspot.com/

An answer to prayer

Praise God from whom all blessing flow.....

Jennifer Floyd is home from the hospital!

This is truly an answer of prayer. God is at work!

Bob and Sandy are very appreciative of the many thoughts and prayers

for them and Jennifer!

The Lord gave me this passage of Scripture about this:

Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.

He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak. Isaiah 40:28-29

These are Trustworthy statements....

REVELATION

As I prepare for Sunday I believe God has given me a stirring message to preach. As I have read through the scriptures and completed the manuscript and I began to prepare the power point presentation. As I once again went over the message (preaching it to myself) the Lord laid upon my heart a song that I listen to often in my car. It is written and preformed by David Phelps. It always stirs my soul and brings tears to my eyes. It's one of the songs you hit repeat after you hear it.

This Sunday I am planning to bring the first message in the series:

The Question for Sunday: ARE WE LIVING IN THE LAST DAYS?

The BIG news

This has been another super busy week. Here is the BIG news! Have you heard?

This is when we heard the big news:

To read more about the news that our daughter Stephanie is expecting another child early next year - you will enjoy her postings on Because of Love.

Summer Picnic announcement

Featuring:
All-gospel worship music and a powerful message by Pastor Rick

And following the service:
a delicious picnic lunch served
in the Worship Center

The church will supply hot dogs, hamburgers, buns and condiments. Each family and/or individual is asked to bring one (or more) of the following: baked beans, potato salad, chips, drinks or dessert.

After lunch, plan to stay for an hour of:
Speed Gaming
Each Sunday school class and small group will be hosting a group game. Play that game until the buzzer sounds, then move on to the next!

Sunday - July 12th is going to be a GREAT day at

North Raleigh Church of the Nazarene.

It is hard to believe this is my first posting of July 2009. I have so much to share - but my schedule has been extraordinarily busy. I look forward to posting my thoughts soon. My mind is held captive by the message God has given to me for tomorrow.

Why does it take so many hours to prepare for a 12 minute powerful message?