This afternoon has been quiet, and somewhat encouraging. The culture remains negative (for yeast infection), and we are praying that it stays that way.
He continued to be somewhat responsive as we talked with him. I played the new Casting Crowns cd in his ear with Big Johns ipod. He let me know when he had had enough.
Up to now, my daughter Lauren has updated you with BJ's writings. She traveled back
to Indiana Wesleyan (where she is a junior). So I thought I might share something from his Peru journal...not his on-line journal. He was studying John 15. He titled the subject "Remaining in Christ: love & obey...it's all to glorify God. (Subtitled): "Persecutions"
...Last chapter He makes a connection between loving God & obeying Him. This chapter He says how to obey: love others, love God, produce fruit, & remain in Him.
If we are truly His disciples, we WILL bear fruit. If we don't we will be pruned (trial, hardship, teaching) if we still don't we are not really in Him & will be cut off & burned.
If we stay joined to the vine & remain in Him (Love and obey), it is only natural that we produce fruit, but it is impossible to produce fruit unless it is Christ through us.
The greatest love, the greatest way to love & obey Christ is to lay down your life for Him...to lay down your sense of self & follow & obey Him in living...to die for Him.
Just as it is natural to produce fruit if we are in Christ, it is NATURAL to receive persecution if we obey Christ. If we aren't being persecuted, we aren't being obedient...just as if we aren't being fruitful, we aren't living in Him & pruning follows both.
You can't say you believe in God, but not Jesus (ie. Muslims) or say that Jesus is just a good prophet. His claims are too extreme.
BJ closes with the following prayer:
Father, help me truly clear the platform of my life & lay down my desires for You. Help me to be obedient without hesitation & to have the faith like those of Heb. 11. Continue to break my heart for my team, the Peruvians, & for North Africa. Please bring more clarity on this calling. In your Sons name, Amen.
The Lord did lay a fervent calling on BJ's heart for N. Africa. What He will do with that...remains to be seen...we cannot wait!
Loving Jesus,
Bj's dad
posted by Pray for BJ @ 3:51 PM
25 comments
25 Comments:
Thank you so much for BJ's thoughts. I enjoy them so much, and they strengthen my walk with Jesus. You have an extremely wonderful young man for a son....I know how proud you must be!!! We are still and always praying here, and it is a blessing to hear the fact that there is no yeast. Keep it up Jesus!!! You are SOOO GOOOD!! That is a blessed disciple of Jesus laying in that bed, affecting many hearts around this world with the love of Jesus! God bless you all!!
From Thomas Lamca (a 9 year old MK)in Quito, Ecuador
In 2004 BJ came to our house in Tumbes, Peru and they were practicing to show about the word of God and now God is helping him. BJ was cool becuase he showed me how to do the sword fights. Everyday I check about BJ and see how he is doing and I hope God will continue to heal him. Every day I pray for him in my class at Alliance Academy. I hope God will continue to bless your family and hope that you will not worry so much.
Love, Thomas
wow--what a hard story to read. I will keep him in my prayers...
IM GLAD 2 HERE HE HAD A QUIET AFTER NOON!!!O and thanku 4 reading his jurnal it made me feel all happy in side we all should follo jesus is path so when i go 2 school 2 morow i will tell everybody about brent and your family o and also im gonna tell everybody that they should follo gods path and trust in him!!!i will keep praying tell brent if u can that i love him and hes alwasys in my thoughts and prayers o and im Jack Meils is little sister Julie Meils IM GONNA GO 2 the church agin and sit by the cross and pray 4 u all love u all-JULIE MEILS
From Katie Lamca (10 year old MK) in Quito, Ecuador.
I pray for BJ every day in my class. When BJ came to Peru, he helped save many people (God saved them, but BJ told them about Him). I am glad that he is feeling better. Last night, all of the Baptist missionaries in Quito got together for a prayer time and we prayed BJ. I hope and pray that God will keep on helping you get better. I pray that God will bless you and your family.
Love, Katie
Buenas tardes familia de BJ, estamos muy pendientes de como esta evolucionando la salud de BJ, en la iglesia seguimos orando por un milagro del Señor para levantar a BJ sano de toda enfermedad. Siempre esta en mi recuerdo la entrega y la pasion de BJ al mostrar el Drama y luego cuando se acercaba a hablar a la gente de Cristo lo hacia con tanto amor y muchas personas conocieron a Cristo porque BJ les compartio de su AMOR. Creo que Dios recien esta empezando algo grande para la vida de BJ. y para testimonio del poder de DIOS en el Peru en el Africa y hasta lo ultimo de la Tierra. Dios les bendiga y hermanos mucho valor EN CRISTO SOMOS MAS QUE VENCEDORES.
TITO SEVILLA
Pastor del Peru
Wow! That was kind of hard to read! Convicting! I'm so glad to hear that the yeast remains negative and will continue to pray that it stays that way. God bless!
Ashley Dawn (peru 04)
STAY STRONG. Thanks for posting that from his journal. We will be praying for Lauren. And that the tests remain negative.
Your Bro. In Christ
Jonathan Haag
I love BJ's heart and his passion for the Lord. I'm praying that God will completely heal BJ so that he can be on the mission field in N. Africa with me next year.
Heather
Wow, i know i don't even know you or BJ, but i happened to read this site, and i will keep him in my prayers! its incredible to hear how about his walk with God, and how you all are trusting in Him so much! May God Bless You!
Brent, Deanna & girls. Praising God that the yeast cultures continue to return negative and that you continue to communicate with Beej. Have you told him about the pink shirt and wagon yet?? We have continued to keep you in our prayers throughout the day, praying for your strength and stamina and for BJ's lungs to heal. It's been a long journey for all of you with many ups and downs but God has continued to show his mercy and faithfulness. I think of how many families you have touched there on the 2nd floor of St. VCH. You will never know this side of heaven how many were encouraged in their faith or even brought to faith through your testimony during this time. What a blessing you are in our lives! Tell BJ we love him. We pray for a good night for all of you and send our love - " be strong and of good courage" - carol
p.s. tell Matt (L) that until he breaks down and wears a PINK shirt, there will be no camo gear! ha!
I do not know you or your son but found this website on a sight that belongs to a friend of mine. She was asking for prayer. I am doing that for BJ tonight. I have full faith that God will heal him. He sounds quite amazing. Praise God that BJ is allowing himself to be used by our Father! May God bless you and your family and give you peace.
Hello! My name is Kelsey, age 13, and I don't know BJ, but he is in my prayers. It was a very sad thing for me to read, but I know that the Lord will handle this well. My heart goes out to BJ ans his family. Please email me to keep me up to date. My email address is CrazyChuck23@aol.com! Thank You!
God Bless BJ,
Kelsey
It's so encouraging to read BJ's entries. Thank you so much for sharing those with us. He is truly an inspiration, and what he has written challenges me. Thanks again...Still praying.
I am so glad that the yeast cultures remain negative! God has BIG plans for BJ, his journal entries are so convicting to read. It's completely amazing (and totally convicting)to me that a fifteen year old young man has a far stronger faith and grasp on the Word of God than I do as a 26 yo. If all of us had a true heart for missions and witnessing like BJ does we would win the entire world over for in Christ in no time.
I also wanted you guys to know that even Cole and Jeremiah are praying for BJ. The other night Coley said our prayer before dinner and ended with "and please make BJ feel better- Amen-" We love you guys!
Love, Paul Brandie, Jeremiah, Cole and Ella
Now faith is being sure of things hoped for and certain of the things we can not see.
Hebrews 11:1
Thank you so much for taking time to blog and update us on BJ's condition. It is so nice to know specifically how to pray. You are constantly in our thoughts. May the Lord give you a peaceful evening.
I just want to say on behalf of FBC Youth Troup,Tx we keep BJ in our prayers daily and find it a privilage to pray for a fellow brother in christ
Just checking again before turning to my homeschooling lessons. It is great to hear the culture remains negative. Keep talking and communicating with BJ, let him know how many, many people are praying for his recovery. Hope you and Deanna can get a good nights' sleep. We are praying continually here for more progress with his lungs and getting off the life support. Love you guys and thinking about you all day long.
(Will tell Matt L. that "real men" do wear pink!)
Love, Nancy
The Lord laid BJ on my heart today, so I came back to your site to check up on him. Good to hear that he was able to communicate with you and that he is doing well.
It is amazing how God is working in his life, and the lives of others. Someday, BJ will get out of bed and walk out of that hospital and share his testimony, if the Lord wills. What a glorious day that will be! God bless you all, stay strong in Him.
Love, Your sister in Christ, here in Wisconsin.
About six years ago, my beautiful an intelligent daughter got very sick, in a matter of just a few hours she was in coma and life was abandoning her helpless little body, she had pneumococcal bacterial meningitis, a killer disease...doctors could not do anything for her, it was awful, it was hard, it still hurts to remember...I talked to God about peace, I thanked Him for her...she was in PICU in Arnold Palmer Hospital in Orlando, Fl, doctors said "if she survives she'll never be the same girl, she will have brain damage, blindness, speech problems, partial or total amputation of the limbs is to be expected as a normal sequel..." not a word of hope I heard, but I had hope in God. You have hope in God, He is taking care of BJ just as He took care of my Shamay, He restored her body, He will restore Bj's body, God has an amazing plan for your child and mine, God is pleased with your son, He is already rewarding BJ in a million ways that we cannot imagine, just have hope, let God take His time, ask for patience and peace, everything will be OK, and we will all rejoice in the day that God has marked for the complete healing of BJ. Oh, how He loves you and me! my heart goes out to you, I am crying for you, I am praying for you.
I'm so encouraged that BJ keeps taking steps toward recovery. Every little step he takes put us closer to our goal of having him whole again. We'll keep that yeast and his ECMO in our prayers.
BJ - God is doing awesome things trhough you! I've seen so many people learn how to pray better because of your experience. I know that you're doing a great job putting God first in your deeds and thoughts. Hang in there, we're praying.
Love in Christ,
Kayla
hello, praying for you, it's a blessing to see how you percieve reality... too often us 'smart' teenagers think we are capable of something... when all we can earn is damnation.... i pray taht you will be used in a God glorifying manner.. and your attitude remains in Christ.. hasta luego.
Wow! Very strong words from this young man..... I seriously that God is allowing BJ to minister to a whole bunch more people. He touched so many lives, and will continue to do so. You are a very close nit family whom love each other so much and that is awesome. Please please continue to lift Jesus' name up even if things were to go the other way. These children our not our they are God's and he can take them at any given time. We are just so blessed to get to know him. I pray that all of you have a peaful and restful evening. Thank you so very much for all of the updates, and thank you to Mercyme for seding out the message of urgency..... Thank you Father for this young man who has laid his life before you for you to do with as you want. God bless your family
BJ, With God you have come so far...I will continue to pray for you and your family.
Love in Christ, Cathy
WHAT AN AMAZING TESTIMONY THIS FAMILY HAS. YOU ALL ARE LIVING WITNESSES OF GOD'S LOVE, STRENGTH, PEACE AND JOY. I PRAISE GOD FOR HOW THE FAMILY IS ABLE TO PRAISE AND WORSHIP GOD AND UPDATE THE ENTIRE CHURCH BODY. BE STRONG IN THE LORD AND IN THE POWER OF HIS MIGHT. I PRAISE GOD FOR HOW HE HAS BEEN SO GOOD TO YOU ALL.
I KNOW THE ROAD HAS BEEN LONG AND WHEN YOU LOOK BACK YOU SAY I DON'T KNOW HOW I MADE IT AND YOU SEE HOW IT WAS NO ONE BUT GOD WHO CARRIED YOU. HOLD ON TO THAT FAITH AND MOVE FORWARD KNOWING THAT GOD IS IN CONTROL AND IS USING THIS FAMILY. THIS SPECIAL FAMILY FOR HIS GLORY TO BRING OTHERS TO HIM.
I TESTIFY THAT GOD IS ABLE AND WHEN IT SEEMS HOPELESS AND ENDLESS, JESUS STEPS IN AND MOVES ON OUR BEHALF. MY FATHER HAD A MAJOR SILENT HEART ATTACK IN JANUARY AND IN THE SAME WEEK HAD A FEW MINOR HEART ATTACKS. HE HAD A QUINTUPLE (5) HEAT BYPASS AND IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE SURGERY HAD A STROKE. HE COULD NOT WALK. BEGAN REHAB WEEKS LATER BEGAN WALKING AND GETTING TO GO HOME, WHEN HE LOST THE ABILITY TO WALK. THIS IS NOT ON THE MAGNITUDE OF BJ'S CONDITION, BUT I WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW THAT IT TOOK 2 MONTHS BEFORE MY DAD CAME HOME. BUT NOW HE IS THE SAME AS HE WAS BEFORE IF NOT BETTER. GOD RAISED HIM UP AND HE CAN WALK, TALK, HE HAS RETURNED TO PASTORING THE CHURCH AND HIS FAITH IN GOD IS UN-MOVEABLE. SO HOLD ON TO GOD AND KNOW THAT YOU ARE NOT ALONE. IF HE DID IT FOR MY FAMILY I KNOW AND BELIEVE HE WILL DO FOR YOU.
LOVE IN CHRIST,
TIFFANY WILLIAMS
(NEIGHBOR OF WESLEY CATE)
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