BJ had a quiet, restful night. His numbers remained stable. They did not start to reduce his blood pressure meds until after 5:30 am. He has remained very sensitive to one of the two(not a good thing). A second fungal culture has come back positive. So coming off ECMO today is going to happen. We do not know when, yet. We do know the thoracic surgeon will come in this afternoon to go in and remove the blood clot in his chest cavity.
Coming off of ECMO is not a little thing at this point. The doctor said he thinks that BJ may handle it, though.
We have so much to be thankful for. The Lord has delivered him through much. He has "walked in the valley of the shadow of death" and the Lord has blessed him. His testimony has sounded a uniting battle cry to believers across the world. God has called you to prayer and you have responded in staggering numbers. The Lord alone has not allowed him to leave your minds...and we are greatful, and God's heart is blessed.
Back in August the Lord caused these words to jump off of the page as I was reading:
"Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days.
Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life." Rev. 2:10
Today is day 10.
May God belorified in what is about to happen! He has lifted up his servant BJ, and we are blessed.
Beej's dad
posted by Pray for BJ @ 8:37 AM
49 comments
49 Comments:
we are praying hard here at iwu, and taking care of lauren until she can be back down with you. may God continue to work His plan out. much love *kim (lauren's suitemate)
Brent,
I love how you ALWAYS keep God as the focus and you NEVER stop giving him the glory. You are so faithful. Thank you for your example.
So glad he had a restful night. We will be praying today for good things to happen. God is in control, he is there with BJ and your family.
We love you all and we are in constant prayer for you all.
Hang in there.
Our God is so big,
so awesome and mighty
there is nothing our God cannot do.
Philip
I JUST finished my morning devotions..."Believing God" by Beth Moore and she had us look up 2nd Corinthians 1:8-11, which says, "We don't want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired eeven of life. Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God,k who raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many."
AMAZING!!!! His timing is incredible.
Then she asked us to "pour out your heart to God over someone you love who could use a miracle of healing. Tell God the desires of your heart and ask Him how He would have you pray. Ask Him for the faith to believe that He is God; that He can do what He says He can do; and that if He does not grant the requested miracle, He will grant a GREATER one."
"Lord, if it is your will please heal BJ in an obvious, miraculous way that ALL who witness it will know without a doubt that it was You and You alone. May BJ become a modern day Paul"
Exodus 14:13-14
13 Moses answered the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again.
14 The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still."
Praying today!
Brent & Deanna,
My heart is aching today for what you are going through. I know it will be a very tough day. I pray the BJ's body is strong enough and healed enough to handle coming off the ecmo and that the doc's can get a hold of the infection. You all have gotten this far, I know God has a plan. Please know that our thoughts and prayers will be with you all day long.
Love, Nancy
En El Servicio anoche en la iglesia, oramos como unico motivo por BJ. Sentimos la presencia del Señor y creemos que Dios empezara a mostrarnos su poder en todo su explendor. Seguimos en la lucha y esperamos en nuestro Señor.
Dios los guarde
Tito sevilla
pastor peruano
I'm praying. I donn't know really what else to say except that your faithfulness in updating us is amazing and your faith in God is even more amazing.
In him,
Sister in Christ
I'll be praying today!
I just called the prayer chain at College Wesleyan Church in Marion and asked that everyone be reminded especially to pray for BJ today.
Brent & Deanna -
We are praying specifically that BJ's body will be able to handle coming off the ECMO. God is an awesome God. BJ is strong & tough! We love you!
Jes, Todd & Andrew Y.
My prayers are with you and your family through this time. Your example of faithfulness is such an encouragement. May God continue to use BJ to further His kingdom. Praise be to Him.
Praying hard for Gods healing hands to be on BJ today.
Love and Prayers
Misti
Lord,
Please keep your hand on my brother and friend BJ as he comes off of the ECMO today. Sustain him. Glorify your name today in all that happens with him. Please bring more people into a saving knowledge of you through BJ. You have used him in miraculous ways already and he has chased after you with all that he has. For that I want to thank you. Thank you for the encouragement that BJ has been to me to just be covered by the dust from Jesus' feet. I love my friend Beej and I want your will to be done in this situation.
Amen
Praying for ALL of you . . .our children ask about BJ every morning when we meet for Bible time. May God continue to fill BJ with His Spirit and power for all things by His glory in Christ Jesus. . .
Pieper family in SC
your faithfulness in updating us and your faith in God is so powerful. So many people have joined with you and God is at work here. I am moved to tears each time I read this because of how awesome the body of Christ really is! Keep the faith everyone...God is good!
Praise God for your faithfulness to Him at this difficult time in your family. Thank you for your transparency throughout this time. It has touched many as many continue to pray for your family. We'll be praying for BJ today as we do daily and look forward to what God will do in and through him.
Stacy Daniel-K.C.
We're still in prayer for you and the whole family. We pray that the Lord will pull BJ through this when the doctors take him off of ECMO. We're praying with you for healing and recovery. Know that we are commited to going through this with you, even when we can't be there in person. You've been doing a great job keeping us all posted on what is going on through the blog.
Dear Ones,
We continue to trust our God is in control. As Brent has shared, it is awesome the way God has brought specific scriptures to us. He gave me these this morning.
Psalms 119: 169-175
May my cry come before you, O LORD; give me understanding according to your word.
May my supplication come before you; deliver me according to your promise.
May my lips overflow with praise,
for you teach me your decrees.
May my tongue sing of your word,
for all your commands are righteous.
May your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen your precepts.
I long for your salvation, O LORD,and your law is my delight.
Let me live that I may praise you,and may your laws sustain me.
KPO
Elsie Jay
how great is our God!
amen, for the restful night, and i pray that the peace from our Lord and Savior that passes all understanding covers you today. bj, i know you are strong, because when we are week then our Lord is strong, He is strong for you , and we will continue to fight alongside you. to the fam. i love you, and you have grown to be near to my heart. thank you for your son, and your faith in this fight. i am praying as always, and will not stop. it is a new day with new mercies, grace, love, and pure joy. may you be blessed today.
Translation of Pastor Tito's blog:
In the service last night at the church, we prayed for BJ, as our only motive. We felt the presence of the Lord and believe that God will begin to show us his power in all his splendor. We keep on in the fight, and are hoping in our Lord.
God keep (guard) you,
Tito Sevilla, Peruvian pastor
Brent, Deanna, and girls, It is so awesome to read your updates and the blogs that follow each day. Thanks so much for allowing all of us to participate with you, by keeping your postings current. We're praying always, and check on BJ a few times each day, through the website. We can only imagine how tired you must be, but think of your prayer partners as being like the ones who held up Moses's arms at the Red Sea, when he didn't have the strength left to do it himself...You obviously aren't being forgotten--we could never do that!
Lots of love,
Jolene and Dan
May God continue to be glorified in all that's happening with your family. It is so amazing how God is using BJ to touch so many lives. I pray for BJ often through the day and night. Thank you for letting us be a part of this great work of God. Praying God's presence will continue to sustain and comfort your family.
praying in NC
Karen
Still praying
This (meaning what God is doing through BJ) is amazing! No, wait, that's just God! (who is amazing)
God works in astounding ways sometimes, now being one of those times. I mean, think about it - people all over he world, even people BJ has never seen before in his life, all praying together for him! If that isn't cool, then what is?
We will be praying for you and BJ
Your sisters in Him,
Corrie and Ellie Fillio
I will continue to pray for all of you. A former co-worker sent me an e-mail asking me to pray about this situation and then was kind enough to send me the link to see how he is doing. I have found myself praying several times a day now. I feel closer to God now then I did before. It is wonderful to see the power of prayer at work. May God bless you all.
Brent and Deanna, Nate and I are praying that BJ's body will be able to handle coming off of the ECMO machine today. We are also praying for wisdom and insight for the Dr.'s as they work to help BJ. May His strength and comfort be closer to you today than ever before. We love you!
Lauren and Whitney, we are praying that you will feel His comfort and peace today as you attempt to keep your mind in class while your heart is at St. V's. Please let me know if you need anything! We love you.
Beej, today is going to be tough for you! We are praying for strength in your body and your lungs. May His healing presence be all around you today as you are taken off the ECMO. May His spirit fill every inch of your body, and may you feel His love and comfort today--especially. We love you loads.
Hugs and kisses to you all.
Nate and Amy
"..If I had the gift of faith so that I could speak to a mountain and make it move, without love I would be no good to anybody. If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it, but if I didn't love others, I would be of no value whatsoever. Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastfulor proud or rude. Love does not demand its own way. Love is not irritable, and it keeps no record of when it has been wronged. It is never glad about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance." 1 Corinthinas 13:2b-7
I love you!
We are all praying hard and interceding for BJ everyday. God is taking care and him and it is not only how BJ is coming through this that is uplifting and encouraging to believers and unbelievers alike. But how you as BJ's parents have stuck right by his side and have continued to pray night and day, never giving up on God either. And even though you are going through this trial in your lives with BJ, you are still praising God and being a great family that personally I would think God is very proud to call you His children and friend.
You, BJ, and everyone is always in my prayers and may God continue to bless you. Remember, God will never leave us,nor forsake us; and Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Love in Christ,
Ray Davis (HLG Student)
We are praying here in bakersfield, ca. We all have been so touched by this young man. You as his dad has shown us a great deal of faith that you have for the Lord. We are very thankful that you keep us updated throughout the day. Thank you for how strong your faith is, coz its definately an example that we all can follow. I know right now is very crucial for BJ, as alot of changes are happening. Remember we are all here for you and are praying all throughout the day. Continue having your faith and lifting up our God, for he only knows what the outcome is. Your son has touched so many lives around the world. He is a witness even in the hospital. Don't ever give up faith no matter what the outcome is. Thank you for such great faith. We love you and are praying for you.
This website produces many tears. Tears of hope and faith for B.J. and tears of joy at the number of brothers and sisters who join you in prayer. May God continue to bless you as you keep us informed about B.J.'s progress. Our God is an awesome God, and with him nothing is impossible. We're praying daily for your continued strength in the midst of this storm. "Weeping endures for the night but joy comes in the morning." May this be a joyous day for your family in that B.J.'s body sustains him as he comes off the ECMO machine. He has much work to do for our God and we pray that this is one step closer to the miracle of his recovery.
In Christ's love,
The Dickerson's
James 5:14-15
Is there any sick among you?let him call for the elders of the church:and let them pray over him;annointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:
And the prayer of faith shall save the sick,and the Lord shall raise him up:and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.
Paula
May we be on our knees today as never before. You're not alone. We're with you, but more importantly, He is.
Love in Christ,
Kayla
Stay in there BJ, if God has the will you be be healed and return to your family in a miraculous manner. You're all in my prayers. Stay strong.
Colossians 1:3-6, 9-14
3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you,
4 because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints—
5 the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel 6 that has come to you. All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God's grace in all its truth.
9 For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding.
10 And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,
11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully
12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.
13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves,
14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
We continue to lift BJ up in prayer, especially today. We pray that his body is ready to come off ECMO, and that the healing hand of the Lord will touch every organ, tissue, and cell in his body.
We also have experienced the frustration of a fungal infection when our Sam had a central line. I still remember how disheartening it was at that time to feel that we were taking a step back and prolonging healing. Remember that the course is slow and steady. Press on, and don't lose hope.
BJ will continually be on our minds and in our prayers today. We continue to pray for insight and widsom for BJ's medical team that the Lord would reveal to them exactly what needs to be done for a full and complete recovery.
The Harley family
The scripture that God has given me at this critical hour is "to be still and know that I am God." May the Lord do what only He can do. We love you.
Lori Burkert
I am glad to hear that the doctors feel BJ can handle being off the machine. Keep your heads high. I loved the passages you and Lauren shared. God is so using you and your family. Thank you for giving me the joy of praying for you all.
In His Love,
Christina
I also am so moved by so much that the Lord is doing in and through BJ and your family.
Lord I pray that you would continue to give BJ and his family strength, peace and comfort. Lord BJ has been such a powerful witness to the name of your precious Son, Jesus Christ, both on the mission field and through his sickness. Lord I ask that you restore to him, his health so that he may continue to glorify your wonderful name. Grant the dr's wisdom and give them guidance as they treat BJ. May BJ and his family be covered with the warmth of your arms in the evening,have the comfort of your presence in the days and the knowledge of your wonderful love.
Praying continually for BJ.
In Christ's Love
Linda Ronne
We are continuing to lift up BJ, the family and the doctors to the Lord in prayer. One of my favorite verses is Psalms 9:10 Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you. I think it's obvious who BJ was seeking. He is a faithful Father loving his children more than we can imagine.
I was showing Devin pictures of BJ this morning. He looked up at me and said "Papa, BJ's an awesome kid!" I have to agree.
Love,
Gregg, Nina and Devin
Praying for BJ in CT!
I am praying for BJ. I saw the notice on the MercyMe sight, and his story has really touched me. Continue to be strong. I will keep all of you in my prayers.
God Bless
Robin (Utah)
Father,
I lift my brother BJ up to You. You alone are in control. I pray for another miracle today as BJ comes off the ECMO. All of this is more than I can even begin to understand, but Your wisdom is beyond our understanding. Lord please be the Doctors and Nurses as the care for BJ. Be with his family, give them strenght, peace and understanding. It is obvious that You are at work here Lord. You have a plan for BJ and all he has touched. Thank you Father for sending this teenager to teach me more about You. I have a deeper understanding of what it means to give it all to You. Bless this family, heal this child, touch this world through this.
In Christ's name I pray - Amen
Higgins Family -
You haven't left my thoughts or prayers since I heard about BJ. Today on this 10th day know your family in Christ loves you and are lifting you in prayer. Thank you for being great christian parents and sharing your love for God with your children. Reading BJ's and Lauren's postings has touch me so deeply. I only pray God will use me and I can give my children waht you have given yours. Thank you for sharing BJ with us.
Much love to you
-Cherie
"May grace and peace be yours to the fullest measure". 1 Peter 1:2e We are interceding on your behalf. Youngstown, Ohio
Your family has brought so many people together in prayer and thanksgiving. I thank the Lord for BJ and his ministry. May the power of prayer be as overwhelming as the lives BJ and your family have touched and brought closer to our Lord. Brent and Deanna, we all thank you for sharing this time with us -- we hear your cry for prayer and do so diligently throughout each day and night.
Lord, please place BJ in the palm of your healing hand so that he may continue to minister. We pray that you will strengthen his body this day especially as he is taken off the ECMO. Breathe life into his lungs, his heart and his family. Lord, we lift BJ to you and ask that you cradle him in peace at Your will. We are thankful to You for Your glory that you have sent BJ to share Your word and Your grace. In Your name we pray.
The Ward Family--
I went on a mission trip with awestar last year. I never met BJ, but ever since Danielle forwarded me this link, I haven't been able to get him and his family out of my mind. Praying for you all...
Brent & Deanna
Sam and I pray daily for BJ and the family. Our God is so awesome! There is no telling what He can do and how He can use this situation. I marvel at your faith and pray for strength for you as the days go on.
Love to you and the whole family,
Sandy (Hurley...now Calhoun) and Sam
praying for BJ in monrovia
We're here with you, with all of the beautiful brothers and sisters in Christ who will not stop holding BJ up to our Father for His healing touch. We also continue to petition Him for your comfort, peace and rest.
As Always in Him...
Praying for you now. God is faithful and will deliver you. Bless you. Love in Christ. Stephanie in VA
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