BJ's fever has subsided for the time being, for which we are grateful. At 10 am his blood gases were slightly better, but nowhere near where they need to be. Dr. Williams explained that, though they have turned down his oxygen, that may be decieving because they've increased the pressure. He said this may be the real reason BJ's X-ray looked better this morning. We hope not. BJ's kidneys still are not functioning.
To be honest, the medical staff are really not expecting too much at this point. They are encouraging us to wait to see how BJ does until Monday, but these minor positive signs are not the giant leaps BJ really needs to truly get better. Obviously, Our Father is entirely in control and capable of healing BJ, but the reality is that we do not know if that healing will take place here or in Heaven. God may be glorified in many different kinds of suffering in our lives, as this journey has taught us. So please continue to cry out to God on behalf of my brother. He is so brave.
More of his words:
Hello all! I thought I'd give an update of what God has been doing since I've been back in the States.
Well, on my flight to Atlanta from Dallas, I got to sit next to a young woman and talk to her about some of my experiences and how Christ is the meaning and should be the center of all life, and just wittness to her, so that was a cool opportunity.
That night (Friday) I spent sharing what God did and what He taught me with my family and our summer missionaries.
Saturday, I got my new guitar (an Alvarez Acoustic/Electric) and went to band practice.
Sunday I shared some of what God did in front of my church and set up a meeting with my pastor on Thursday about teaching and leading more in my youth group.
Monday I went to an Indianapolis Indians game with our summer missionaries and shared more about what God has been doing in my life. One of them, Karen now feels called to go to Germany with AweStar (really cool story), and several of the others are considering and praying about going on a mission trip, maybe with AweStar next year.
Tuesday night I was able to lead my friend Zach to Christ, which was an incredible thing to wittness. He was honestly one of the seekingest souls I've seen. Not very often does someone say "I want to give my life to Christ, but how?" That was amazing.
Today I will be going to my friend Drake's youth group, and hopefully and prayerfully I'll be able to share there as well.
Tomorrow I have my meeting with my pastor, the following two days Heather will be over for much of the time, then I start work next week at my first official job.
Praise God! Well, thats all for now.
In Christ's Love,
Brent
Beej, bud, I love you so much.
Lauren
posted by Pray for BJ @ 11:37 AM
63 comments
63 Comments:
Checking often today, and still praying...
Will keep praying. Love you guys.
As I drive to Little Rock we will praying...
Walker and David
I am praying for you BJ and your family as well. "May He be the peace that passes all understanding" as you continue to let Him hold you all through this time.
If you guys would like to see some of BJ's character, click here:
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-9/1081941/brent9.JPG
Have a good laugh, and rejoice.
Through him, all things are possible
Still praying.....
God will make a way,
Where there seems to be no way
He works in ways we cannot see
He will make a way for me
He will be my guide
Hold me closely to His side
With love and strength for each new day
He will make a way, He will make a way.
By a roadway in the wilderness, He'll lead me
And rivers in the desert will I see
Heaven and earth will fade
But His Word will still remain
He will do something new today.
God will make a way,
Where there seems to be no way
He works in ways we cannot see
He will make a way for me
He will be my guide
Hold me closely to His side
With love and strength for each new day
He will make a way, He will make a way
We will continue to pray that Our God will make a way especially when there seems to be no way. Father God please hear the fervent prayer of your Body.....We turn to you as the doctors have done all they can. Show us your mighty Hand. We wait on you Holy Father. Make your presence known in a new and mighty way to Brent, Deanna, Lauren and Whitney. Words right now are inadequate. Holy Spirit please intercede for us to the Father...We love you family...
Phil and Paula
we're still praying for you all.
-Brittany A
Your family is truly one of the strongest I have ever heard of. You have touched my life in a way that I can not explain. I will continue to pray for BJ. Our GOD is and Awesome GOD and has the power to truly amaze us daily.
Continuing to pray and also checking often for updates.
Hampstead, NC
Still praying in Florence, Kentucky!
Still continuing to pray for BJ and you guys.....
I am praying fervently for BJ!!!
Kim
Hannibal, Mo
HLG
We speak life and not death into BJ's body. Life and not death in the matchless Name of Christ and by the blood of the Lamb.
Still praying through flowing tears...again, knowing God's will WILL be done, He knows our hearts' desires and He will provide our strength for His answers.
Oh Lord through faith we continue you to implore You, may Christ deliver our prayers...You know best, You will do the best & You still call us to pray in faith for miracles - oh, sometimes it is too much for my mind to understand all the aspects, but I know You are calling us to pray. I ask Your spirit to teach me what to pray. I love you Lord and have joy in waiting to see more of Your work because it will be magnificent.
In Him,
Still praying for BJ and your familiy. Praying throughout the day. Steph Thielen
This is truly a sad story, but God will carry him through it one way or another. It's great to see the strength the family has had throughout this entire experience. My heart goes out to you guys and I will pray for a full recovery for BJ.
-patrick, st. louis mo
Watching and praying
Cathy Moore
Tulsa
My heart is aching for all of you. Your steadfast trust in the Lord and His will is inspiring and encouraging to those of us who couldn't fathom being so strong. Even though your human side aches and longs for BJ to remain here with you, and I"m sure you're experiencing all of the emotions that go with that, your faith has remained steady and trusting in God's ultimate plan. You have all been such a blessing to so many. BJ's purpose of seeking those to know the Lord has certainly been fulfilled through the body of Christ coming together through his suffering. Praying for you all and for BJ. Grace and peace be yours this day.
BJ has been such an inspirtation to me, and he's a complete stranger. I've been struggling with my faith over the past year, and from reading this Blog and the faith that BJ has is really encouraging and teaching me along the way as well.
God works in mysterious ways, and I am praying that whichever way He shows his good and perfect will, He will provide you all with peace.
*hugs to all*
A sister in Christ
This site is not leaving the screen of my computer today, as today is critical and I desire to see the updates as they are posted. I pray that God will work in mighty ways today to heal BJ. I also just want to lift the whole Higgins family up to the Lord and just pray that a sense of comfort will fall over them, even in this horrible time, Lord be with them!
We are checking often, praying constantly...
zionsville, IN
your story really touched me, all of you are in my prayers
praying.... just praying....... ever so much more
bf in sc
praying in Folsom, CA
This is the first chance I've had to check on BJ today. I've been praying all morning while doing some chores.
God's goodness fills all his creatures and all his blessed works full, and endlessly overflows in them. For he is everlastingness, and he made us only for himself, and restored us by his precious Passion and always preserves us in his blessed love; and all this is of his goodness.
Praying all day.......
Ed, Carmel
B.J.
YOU HAVE THE STRENGTH FOR EVERYTHING THROUGH HIM WHO EMPOWERS YOU!!!
PHIL 4:13
YOU ARE NOW THROUGH THE DESERT (40 DAYS). IT IS TIME TO HEAL.
YOU CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHO STRENGTHENS YOU. GOD IS IN CONTROL, AND HE HAS THE POWER!!!
WE ARE ON OUR KNEES PRAYING FOR GODS POWER AND HEALING!!!
FROM A FAMILY WHO LOVES YOUR FAMILY VERY MUCH
Fishers, Indiana
Phil 4:6 HAVE NO ANXIETY AT ALL, BUT IN EVERYTHING BY PRAYER AND PETITION, WITH THANKSGIVING, MAKE YOUR REQUESTS KNOWN TO GOD. 7 THEN THE PEACE OF GOD THAT SURPASSES ALL UNDERSTANDING WILL GUARD YOUR HEARTS AND MINDS IN CHRIST JESUS!
WHATEVER IS TRUE, HONORABLE, JUST, PURE, LOVELY, GRACIOUS,
IF THERE IS ANY EXCELLENCE, OR ANYTHING WORTHY OF PRAISE THINK ABOUT THESE THINGS!!!!
PHIL:4:8
I am praying for B.J. I hope that God comforts your family as well as you go through this time. It is so inspiring to hear of a teen who is so in touch with God.
praying, praying, praying...
philip.
Be Still And Know - Steven Curtis Chapman
Be still and know that He is God
Be still and know that He is holy
Be still, O restless soul of mine
Bow before the Prince of peace
Let the noise and clamor cease
Be still
Be still and know that He is God
Be still and know that He is faithful
Consider all that he has done
Stand in awe and be amazed
And know that He will never change
Be still
Be still and know that he is God
Be still and know he is our Father
Come rest your head upon his breast
Listen to the rhythm of his unfailing heart of love
Beating for His little ones
Calling each of us to come
Be still
************
Still praying....
My prayers are with you, as is our Lord and the Spirit. Hang in and God Bless you
You all are in our thoughts and prayers today. Praying for your comfort and strength and for God's will for BJ. We love you all.
Love, Nancy
Praying that BJ will play that new guitar again.
Carole Hutto Guevara
West Monroe, Louisiana
Praying for your family, and for God's clear direction on BJ's continued care. Hang in there. Carol
Praying for BJ and for all of you.
"Be still and know that I am God." It's so hard. We want to do something...anything to fix our child. Finally we say...God it's in your hands...funny thing...It ALWAYS has been in His hands.
He knows what to do.
Love from GA
I remember that day at the Indians game.... BJ was a lot more interested in sharing than watching the game. I sat beside him and we talked almost the whole time about his trip... BJ, I learned so much from you that day, and you continue to teach me ever more through this whole ordeal. God is using you to glorify Him, and I pray that he will contimue to use you in that way... Still praying for all of y'all!!
Pensacola, FL
Thought of this verse while praying for BJ today...
Romans 8:26 "In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words."
The whole body of Christ is groaning with you - waiting to see what God will do. May He heal BJ completely.
-Barbara
Praying, Praying, Praying!!!!
In Ohio
praying that never ceases.
in krum, texas
hey i am stil tinking about you and i hope that u get better! god loves you
A few minutes ago I noticed that our chapel speaker next Tuesday is Heather Mercer, who with her friend and co-worker Dayna Curry and others, was imprisoned in Afghanistan several years ago. Some time ago I was given the book, Prisoners of Hope, that chronicles the story of their captivity and ultimate release. I also was given a CD of songs that they sang during their time of captivity.
The words of several of the songs not only apply to their situation but also to the circumstances BJ and your whole family are in.
By the way, Heather Mercer's first experience with missions overseas was with AweStar back in 1997.
Here's a song by Dayna Curry, entitled "My Times Are in Your Hands."
She writes about it, "Although our circumstances looked dim, our hope was in God alone--our future was in His hands. This song was inspired by Psalm 31."
"My Times Are in Your Hands"
by Dayna Curry
It seems I've lost most everything
All my plans have fallen through
The future is unclear
And I'm not sure what to do
But, Lord, I trust in You
I say You are my God
So I lift up my hands to You
And say once again
Refrain:
My times are in Your hands, Lord
I surrender all to You
My times are in Your hands, Lord
Yes, I belong to You
My times are in Your hands, Lord
I give everything to You
My times are in Your hands, Lord
Jesus, all I have is You
This waiting seems unbearable
Not knowing what's ahead
I'm feeling insecure
With nothing to hold on to
But Lord I trust in You
I say You are my God
So I lift up my hands to You
And say once again. . .
(Repeat refrain)
As you all wait and trust in our loving, heavenly Father, may you find peace in knowing that God holds the present and the future in His almighty hands. He is good and faithful in all of His works and He will be glorified.
I have thought so many times since all of this started how blessed my dad would have been to see and hear the testimony of BJ and all of your family in the midst of the fire. He would have been so proud of all of you and would have expressed it in his own special way. He and so many others are cheering for you from the stands. "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." (Hebrews 12:1-3 NIV)
Praying for God's love and grace to permeate room 2001 as it flows from within each one of you. My thoughts and prayers are with you as we pray for God's healing touch.
Love,
Becky
Wilmore, KY
Dear Heavenly Father, I come to you today with my heart aching for the Higgins family...
Lord, will you please wrap your loving arms around each of them and carry them when they become weak ...
Lord, I lift up your faithful servant BJ to you and ask if it be your will to heal him so that he can continue to share your love that dwells deep within him...
I pray that the Holy Spirit will dwell deep within this family throughout their days...
I thank you Father for your loving grace and your faithfulness....
I pray this in Jesus name, Amen.
Your Sister in Christ,
Mary
Praying , Praying and tears, Praying. We love you . Marlene and Bill
Continuing to pray for BJ and his family!
Jenny Allison, Bristow OK
I will be praying for you BJ! I hope the doctors are wrong and you will make it through this trying time! The Lord bless and keep you all the days of your life!
Anxiously awaiting an update in Texas.
I am awed at how the Lord preserved Him through all those trials yesterday. God has given BJ a strength that is amazing. I praise God for the wisdom and heart He's given all of you. Even if we often feel bewildered, His love and grace is shinning through. I love you all and am praying all today.
Rachel Long, Tulsa
thank you for your amazing testimony. i'm the sister of Kayla, who went with BJ on his mission trip this summer. i heard so much about him, even before his illness. i pray for him and you every day, for God to heal him, and i praise Jesus for the people BJ will touch in his life after this illness. WHAT A TESTIMONY HE WILL HAVE!!!!
thru the mercy of our Lord,
~Julie Terrall
I am praying for BJ, his family and friends. May all of you feel God's love,comfort and peace through this difficult time.
Beej,
Those days that I spent with you in Indiana were incredible! I loved being able to serve with you on the mission field this summer...but I really enjoyed being with you at your "home". You had just as much passion for Christ there as you did all summer. I am praying that I can spend many more days with you. You truly are my best friend. Keep fighting bud! We're fighting too! I love you dearly!
Heather
BJ,
You will live and not die! You will LIVE to declare the WONDERS of the Lord.
Still speechless, awed at God's work in BJ's life, praying hard in Charleston, SC
Pieper Family
I will continue to pray. The words from Third Day's song Cry Out for Jesus symbolize what I have seen on this blog.
Here are the words:
Cry Out To Jesus
Words by Mac Powell / Music by Third Day
To everyone who's lost someone they love
Long before it was their time
You feel like the days you had were not enough
when you said goodbye
And to all of the people with burdens and pains
Keeping you back from your life
You believe that there's nothing and there is no one
Who can make it right
There is hope for the helpless
Rest for the weary
Love for the broken heart
There is grace and forgiveness
Mercy and healing
He'll meet you wherever you are
Cry out to Jesus, Cry out to Jesus
For the marriage that's struggling just to hang on
They lost all of their faith in love
They've done all they can to make it right again
Still it's not enough
For the ones who can't break the addictions and chains
You try to give up but you come back again
Just remember that you're not alone in your shame
And your suffering
When your lonely
And it feels like the whole world is falling on you
You just reach out, you just cry out to Jesus
Cry to Jesus
To the widow who struggles with being alone
Wiping the tears from her eyes
For the children around the world without a home
Say a prayer tonight
Still praying for all of you...
Julie Meils-
I will continue 2 pray
for your hole family!!!
I also hope that u liked
the gift. love u all!!!
want some good advise
never get in the car with
Ryan.
Your sister in CHRIST
Julie Meils
Praying strongly!!!
We are still praying and lifting you up before the throne.
Youngstown, OH
STAY STRONG!!!
still praying long and hard in knightstown, IN. you are always in my thoughts and heart.
BJ, You are such an encouragment and inspiration to me. Your story has truly touched me. Praying for you in Greenwood, IN
We are praying for B.J. and your family in Zionsville, IN, and if it is God's will, we pray that God heals B.J.
WILL NOT STOP PRAYING!
UTAH
I will keep your son Bj in my prayer as well as the family. god bless you all during this time. I will be praying for strenght and hope.
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