An email from Annie Crist...enjoy!
"I thank my God every time I remember you." Phil 1:3
I just picked up a small book of promises, asking God to give me a scripture to help convey to each of you how much your prayers mean to me. I want to type almost the whole book! Phil 1:3 continues into verse 4 & 5, as it says,"In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now."
It is your partnership, your love, that has sustained me this week as I seek to serve my family and pray for my father. I cannot type with enough sincerity my gratefulness for you and your prayers.
As for an update, my dad is making astounding progress. My younger step-brother (Jason) is a technology-nut and has created a website for my dad. If you are interested, he has typing a daily journal of events. http://skipcrist.blogspot.com/
What I can share is more of the incredible grace and mercy being poured out on my dad and on my family. First let me share that God impressed Psalm 37:4 on my heart Tuesday. "Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart." My heart was/is assured that all of this will be for good, and that my dad will experience the fulfilment of his heart's desires. To me, this is about his children coming into peace with one another, restoration and love that will be the fruit of this trial. And, prayerfully salvation for my dad and others, as time continues.
A dear friend reminded me that my dad has had wealth to buy most all of his flesh desires, but only GOD can bring about the fulfillment of his heart desires. When I shared this with my dad on Tuesday, he nodded his head and squeezed my hand. I believe God has and is continuing to reveal Himself to my dad.
Each day, I lay hands on his head and pray for the hemorage to lessen. I also pray other things for his heart and peace, but he squeezes my hand the tightest when I pray for the hemorage to clear. He also squeezes when I ask him if he knows that God is there with him. Beside my knowledge of all of you and your prayers, THIS is my daily bread, the very thing that causes my heart to understand the ministry of Jesus. When I get that moment to be and pray with my dad, all the insecurities I felt for the day - all the antagonism of the enemy - is forgotten. I believe my dad has a testimony that is being created each day, and I can't wait to hear it!
Also, I am watching miracles each day in the dynamics of my family! Often when there is a "combined" family, there are unresolved issues. My first petition was for all of this to be put aside for the honor and service to my step mother. Instantly, I saw humility and gentleness pour forth from both my two brothers. Hearts of service and encouragment has been streaming from all my sister-in-laws. My young step brother, Jason, rising up to comfort his mom and bring us all together. The timing of who can be where seems to be a perfect orchestration of God. The beauty of watching God bring forth the treasure & uniqueness of each family member as they interact with my dad. My list goes on.
In only four days, I can say that I believe (at the very least) both my dad and I have been transformed. The spiritual battle has felt intense, especially yesterday (Thursday). But, by the day's end, when I was able to watch my dad lift his head to smell a daisy, assurance that our Lord IS the victor over death flooded my heart. The overwhelming joy at my dad's desire to write his name, know the time, and see the pictures of his grandchildren assured me that God has moved over my dad's soul.
Finally, in closing, I want to share that when I told him about all of you praying by the advances of email, he whinsed. At first, I worried that the news caused him pain. But, instead, what I think now is that God is allowing him to feel the love of Christ, the love that you - who don't even know him - are praying for his life, for his ability to get up again, smell the flowers and enjoy the goodness of life. I am assured he feels the indebtedness of love to you.
The Body of Christ is a miracle itself. The power of love moves more than mountains! Again, thank you for taking time to pray. For I can tell you that you ARE changing both of our lives!
With all my heart,
Annie
I just picked up a small book of promises, asking God to give me a scripture to help convey to each of you how much your prayers mean to me. I want to type almost the whole book! Phil 1:3 continues into verse 4 & 5, as it says,"In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now."
It is your partnership, your love, that has sustained me this week as I seek to serve my family and pray for my father. I cannot type with enough sincerity my gratefulness for you and your prayers.
As for an update, my dad is making astounding progress. My younger step-brother (Jason) is a technology-nut and has created a website for my dad. If you are interested, he has typing a daily journal of events. http://skipcrist.blogspot.com/
What I can share is more of the incredible grace and mercy being poured out on my dad and on my family. First let me share that God impressed Psalm 37:4 on my heart Tuesday. "Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart." My heart was/is assured that all of this will be for good, and that my dad will experience the fulfilment of his heart's desires. To me, this is about his children coming into peace with one another, restoration and love that will be the fruit of this trial. And, prayerfully salvation for my dad and others, as time continues.
A dear friend reminded me that my dad has had wealth to buy most all of his flesh desires, but only GOD can bring about the fulfillment of his heart desires. When I shared this with my dad on Tuesday, he nodded his head and squeezed my hand. I believe God has and is continuing to reveal Himself to my dad.
Each day, I lay hands on his head and pray for the hemorage to lessen. I also pray other things for his heart and peace, but he squeezes my hand the tightest when I pray for the hemorage to clear. He also squeezes when I ask him if he knows that God is there with him. Beside my knowledge of all of you and your prayers, THIS is my daily bread, the very thing that causes my heart to understand the ministry of Jesus. When I get that moment to be and pray with my dad, all the insecurities I felt for the day - all the antagonism of the enemy - is forgotten. I believe my dad has a testimony that is being created each day, and I can't wait to hear it!
Also, I am watching miracles each day in the dynamics of my family! Often when there is a "combined" family, there are unresolved issues. My first petition was for all of this to be put aside for the honor and service to my step mother. Instantly, I saw humility and gentleness pour forth from both my two brothers. Hearts of service and encouragment has been streaming from all my sister-in-laws. My young step brother, Jason, rising up to comfort his mom and bring us all together. The timing of who can be where seems to be a perfect orchestration of God. The beauty of watching God bring forth the treasure & uniqueness of each family member as they interact with my dad. My list goes on.
In only four days, I can say that I believe (at the very least) both my dad and I have been transformed. The spiritual battle has felt intense, especially yesterday (Thursday). But, by the day's end, when I was able to watch my dad lift his head to smell a daisy, assurance that our Lord IS the victor over death flooded my heart. The overwhelming joy at my dad's desire to write his name, know the time, and see the pictures of his grandchildren assured me that God has moved over my dad's soul.
Finally, in closing, I want to share that when I told him about all of you praying by the advances of email, he whinsed. At first, I worried that the news caused him pain. But, instead, what I think now is that God is allowing him to feel the love of Christ, the love that you - who don't even know him - are praying for his life, for his ability to get up again, smell the flowers and enjoy the goodness of life. I am assured he feels the indebtedness of love to you.
The Body of Christ is a miracle itself. The power of love moves more than mountains! Again, thank you for taking time to pray. For I can tell you that you ARE changing both of our lives!
With all my heart,
Annie
posted by Jason Crist at 7:01 PM
1 Comments:
SKIP:
NO ONE IS LIKELY TO EXPRESS HOW SO MANY OF US FEEL BETTER THAN ANNIE. WHAT A BLESSING FOR HER TO BE BY YOUR SIDE. LET ME KNOW WHAT I CAN DO IN ADDITION TO REGULAR (IF NOT HOURLY)PRAYER.
HANG IN THERE !
HIPPO
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