Sunday, September 04, 2005

I guess I spoke to soon. The internal bleeding has begun again. There is a significant build up of fluid in his abdomen...esp. his right side. They have called the surgeon to come look at his chest tube (internal bleeding site) and look at his right side to see if it will be necessary to add another chest tube or determine what they should do. We pray for the Lord's guidance in these decisions.

Drew thank you so much for listening. You are a blessing and an inspiration!
What a sacrifice you made.

For those who have asked the "Why BJ" question, please know that we do not blame our God, nor hold Him in contempt for this. And, while we would never wish this to happen to anyone, we do have a small bit of understanding of the things the Lord allows in our lives to ultimately glorify Him. When you consider the writings from scripture of Job's life, Paul's life and others, you quickly see that as believers we do encounter trials, tests, and tragedies. These are not designed to defeat us, but rather to strengthen us and to bring glory to our Lord and Savior. It is no secret that God uses those closest to Him to accomplish great works. BJ has walked very closely with the Lord for about as long as I can remember. From the time he was in first grade, he was sharing his faith, and leading people to Jesus. Everytime he gives a speech in school, it is about the things of God. His passion...his heartbeat is for others to know Jesus. It is no surprise to us that satan would fight against such a believer. It is also no surprise that our God is Almighty...Powerful beyond measure or words. He reigns from the throne of glory! He alone is God!!! BJ's ultimate fate lies in the balance. Of course we want him to live and serve our God. But, should that not be the final outcome, we, his family, will do our very best to proclaim the Love of Jesus to all who will listen.

If we are asking "why BJ, when it should have been me?", perhaps the answer lies in the strength and depth, or lack thereof of our own walk. Please know this steps on my own toes first and foremost. I do not mean any disrespect. You have come together in Jesus name to pray for a brother in need. We would not have survived without your prayer support. We desperately need you to continue. But won't you join us in the fight for souls. After all, that is what this is really about.

We love each of you who have blogged, and the scores more who have not...but are praying. God is doing an amazing work, and we thank Him and you for helping to see us through.

BJ's dad

24 Comments:

At 11:15 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I'll be leaving for church in a few minutes. Know that we'll pray this morning.
love
Brittany A.

 
At 11:48 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Dear God,
I just want to thank you for this day that you have given us. I just want to ask you to put you Almighty Powerful Healing Hands around the doctors and just lead them through everything...give them the knowledge of helping BJ! God I just ask you to be with BJ's family as they go through this time. Be with them through everyday and just let them know that you are there all the time! Let them know that you will never leave their side and you are the Almighty God and know what you are doing and everything happens for a reason. I pray this is in your Son's Holy and Precious Name, Amen!

I just want you all to know that I am praying...prayer really works. God is so amazing! BJ you are in my prayers along with your family. I will be praying for the doctors also. Love always,
Hannah Duncan

 
At 12:18 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

My name is Lexi and I'm a friend of Michael Leaf from Missouri. We have had BJ in our prayers day and night, night and day. Mikey has told us what an amazing person BJ is, and I feel like I know him. May God's hand be upon you and the rest of your family. Our prayer will not cease.

 
At 12:26 PM, Blogger Christina said...

Ok--a set back. God is still in control and He still loves BJ and you all. God is using your heartache. BJ's love for the Lord and his willingness to tell others was what helped me teach a Sunday School lesson today about sharing your faith with those who don't know Jesus. If a teenager can do it, this 40 year old can do it!

I remain on my knees for you and for BJ!

In His love and care,

Christina

 
At 12:31 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I will be praying for BJ. You are right about the devil fighting against those who are the most powerful witnesses to God and i will be the first to admit that my spiritual level is no where near what I have heard that BJ's is. I know that I need to draw closer to him and BJ is a constant reminder of that. I will be praying and my church in IL is praying.
Heather

 
At 12:51 PM, Blogger Ashley Reagan said...

I continue to pray for you all. This is just another hurdle that has to be jumped. Keep your focus on Christ. Please know how much BJ's life has encouraged me. This trial that BJ is going through has brought me closer to Christ when I had been falling away from HIM for the past year and a half. I am just one of the lives changed by BJ and what he is going through. This is not for nothing. There is always a reason for the things we go through. May you find your strength in Christ.

Ashley Dawn (peru 04)

 
At 1:06 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hi Higgins Family,
We're still praying down here in Texas. Yes, for BJ's recovery, but more that God will do what is in His will to bring maximum glory to His name. We know that this is your heart's desire too, and for that we applaud and thank you. Please know that so long as we have breath to breath, so long as we have thoughts to think, so long as we have prayers to pray: breaths, thoughts, and prayers will be with you. We know you won't give up hope, and we won't either. Hang in there.

Love in Christ,
Kayla

 
At 1:18 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I can't think of a student with stronger faith and love for Christ.
I remember his 6 grade summer camp when he came home knowing he was being called to minister and that was exactly what he did.
But, even more remarkable then that is the first summer he came home from Peru and was no longer a boy but a very mature young man.(hairy face and all)He was so excitied about our God and just listening to him was enough to get the fire for Jesus started.
I know BJ has always had so much faith and love for our God and now the love that he shares for Peru is amazing we can all learn from this youngMAN adults and students alike.

Dear Lord, I want to Thank You so much for this wonder family that Loves you with all that they are and all that they have. Thank You for the obidence to you and the love for you that they share with so many people. Thank You that Brent and Deanna love you so much that they would instill that love in their 3 children. They have taught their children that you are first and formost. They have taken the time to obey you so they could teach other children (and people)of your unfailing LOVE and Grace.. Without people like this family I may not of ever known how much you loved me.I pray for this family, I pray that you give them new strength for each new day. For each new circumstance. I pray for your wisdom for each Doctor and Nurse that has any contact with them. I pray for comfort and guidance. Lord Ipray for comfort for BJ and that you will put your Hedge of protection around each of them and that you will cast Satan away from them. In your precious name Amen

Colossians 1:28-29 So everywhere we go, we tell everyone about Christ. We warn them and teach them with all the wisdom God has given us, for we want to present them to God, perfect. 29I work very hard at this, as I depend on Christ's mighty power that works within me.

When I think of BJ I think of this verse.

 
At 1:20 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

im crying but i will try 2 be strong 4 eveybody just remeber god is alwas their 4 u good news or bad i will always be praying for good news and for the bleading 2 stop soon!!!
julie meils

 
At 1:22 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Brent, Deanna & girls, how our hearts hurt with you at this moment. The ups and downs become harder to handle as time goes on and you grow wearier. Today, we pray for your strength, physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. We pray that you might feel the Father's arms holding you tightly against his chest and whispering "I'm here, I know what I'm doing." We pray for the bleeding to stop, the fluid to be absorbed and BJ's stats to stay up. We pray, along with you, that God be glorified in all that is said and done and that all who log on to this site will be challenged as we have been to truly "live our faith". You are on our hearts and in our prayers. Until we see you - carol

"Listen to Me, O Jacob, and Israel, my called: I am He, I am the First, I am also the Last. Indeed My hand has laid the foundation of the earth, and my right hand has stretched out the heavens; When I call to them, They stand up together." Is.48:12-13

 
At 1:47 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

STAY STRONG. We prayed for you this morning at Church. Hang in there.

Your Bro. In Christ
Jonathan Haag

 
At 2:03 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Dear BJ and family,
My name is Charity Veal. I went to Thailand this summer with awe star, i had the chance meet BJ during traning. I know i dont know him very well but i know that he is my brother in Christ, and my heart and prayers go out to him and your family
Your sister in Chirst,
Charity Veal

 
At 2:23 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

It's so wonderful that BJ has a family who understands the situation and knows that whatever happens it's for God's glory. I am praying for you all daily.

 
At 2:26 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

hi i go to sunnycrest baptist and we are praying for u we hopea that god would just put a blessing on ur body and thatu get better real soon.I hope whenu gt better that we can meet you or hear from you.God loves you and never forgit that! i hope that you loved all the letters that we sent you!we send all our love!!

 
At 2:41 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Dear BJ,
My sister and I prayed for you today. I admire you and your family's faith and I wish that I could be half the person that you are BJ. I hope that you get better soon so you can continue to tell people about the Lord. You have taught me so much. I know that everyting will turn out okay and I hope that God will bless you and your family. Thank you for teaching me about faith and that prayer is powerful. I will continue to pray for you.
Love,
A sister in Christ

 
At 3:02 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Still Praying in monrovia...:)

 
At 3:03 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hey you guys...I have had computer problems so I finally caught up on this today. But all of you have been in my prayers non-stop! I love you guys, and God is using all of you so much...in schools, in work places, in church... everywhere. God is using BJ's strength and your strength in the Lord to spread the word. God is amazing. and I love you guys so much!

-Lauren Bontrager-

 
At 3:17 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

We continue to pray and trust God for B.J.'s healing and your comfort. My husband I and have experienced so many of the same feelings, emotions, and hours on end spent at the hospital with our own son. My heart aches as I read the daily updates because we know the pain that you are going through as you watch your child suffer and you would change places with him in an instant. Romans 8:28 is a scripture that we have clung to for many years now "We know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, and are called according to His purpose" We serve a faithful God. One who loves us and cares deeply for each one of us. May you feel His loving arms wrap around you and hold you up during this difficult time. Youngstown, Ohio

 
At 3:29 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

It is such a blessing for me to hear of the updates of BJ, good or bad, because we know that God is there working through him, even as he lies there. Know that he is lifted up to Jesus day and night here in prayer. It is amazing to me how much He puts BJ on my heart, someone I don't even know! Lauren, I want to thank you so much for the excerpts from BJ that you put on here. You can't imagine what an inspiration they are to me. If you can, keep them coming. I feel like I get to know him more and more each day with all of your and BJ's dads' little insights. And they really help me and my walk too. I have gotten stronger because of this, and through BJ's wonderful writings. May God bless you all, strengthen you, continue to use you in your surroundings, and may His Will be done in BJ's life and healing. God bless all of you!

Linda Anderson
Willows, California

 
At 3:36 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Praying strong in Mooresville Indiana.

 
At 3:42 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

May the Lord bless you and may His face shine upon you. May He give you peace and be your peace. May His mighty right hand guide you in each and every step that you take.
We continue to pray and believe for BJ.

Lori Burkert

 
At 4:15 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Brent-
Sorry to hear about the reoccurrence of the bleeding and infection, will definitely be praying for healing in both of those areas. We are still praying for you, Deanna and the girls as this journey progresses. I know the days are getting longer and time is passing more slowly. It gets sort of surreal. I pray that you all continue to be comforted and strengthened by the many prayers that are being said for you. You are loved by many, many people. Also, thank you for being such a testimony for Christ. I know just me personally, I have strenthened my walk with the Lord by listening to what BJ wrote and really applying it to my life. BJ is an amazing kid and has taught this 40 year old a thing or two! Just think of the impact he has had worldwide. It is definitely a "God thing"! We are constantly thinking of you and wishing we could be there to help in anyway. Please take care of yourselves, we are praying.

Love, Nancy Reed

 
At 4:52 PM, Blogger . said...

Isaiah 40:28-31

28 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.

29 He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.

30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;

31 but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.

**************

Just to let you know I'm still praying. <3

 
At 4:56 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

hey bj, hope u get better, i'm praying for u and ur family. god bless

 

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