Tina, know that we continue to pray that God will work miracles in Ty's life and body and we believe that anything is possible in terms of healing and recovery because of the endless ability of our loving God.

Amy, tell Nate we are praying for him too - I remember well his discomfort, and his presence at the hospital in spite of it, when you made one of your many visits to St. Vincent's while BJ was there. I am so sorry to hear that this has recurred and while my surgery was up a lot higher, I have experienced the blessing of symptom relief that comes with a fusion. I haven't listened to Larry's message though I would like to soon.

Lord, we are so grateful that we can come to you over and over again with our petitions, and we lift these up to you and pray for your intervention in their circumstances and the best possible outcomes in accordance with your will for their lives. Provide every need Lord and if it is your will, heal these men and restore them to good health. In Jesus name we ask, Amen.


For most of my life music has been important to me in one way or another and certain songs have always served as instant time machines back to particularly happy, sad or poignant moments that my mind somehow associate with the particular tune in question.

During BJ's hospitalization there were a number of songs that became bookmarks in that part of my life. Many of you shared song lyrics with us to encourage us through those difficult days as well...it is interesting how we can find some degree of solice in the words born from the trials of others. For me personally the song that instantly pulls me back to August and September of last year is "Lifesong" by Casting Crowns. Carol, a co-worker of mine had given me a copy of the CD and a copy for Brent and Deanna. It took up residence in my car's CD player and was almost always what I listened to each day going to and from the hospital. Since that song is the first track on the disc, I heard it at least 80 times while driving during those weeks.

I also heard it in the hospital - either from the laptop on the desk they graciously accomodated our taking over (an unused information desk for the floor BJ was on) or from the player in BJ's room, though this was usually reserved for "his" music and this cd was released after he was sedated. Every time I heard this song I realized just how it fit Beej, his lifesong was singing to hundreds as he lay their unconcious, pointing them toward Jesus Christ. He was still planting seeds and going about his Father's business as he lay there "useless" in his illness and sedation.

There were other songs that make up the "soundtrack" of that chapter of life, songs by Billy and Cindy Foote, Mercy Me, Natalie Grant (oh how we didn't want that one to "fit") and others. There was almost always worship music playing in his room and at the desk thanks to a very accomodating medical staff, even during some of the surgeries. This song will always be special.

Of course, our lives are not movies and don't really have soundtracks as such, but there are "tells" in our lives that reveal parts of us to ourselves or others when they become known. And since music is a gift from above (well, some of it anyway) as well as a form of praise - I pray that the songs you identify with, or that mark the pages of your life, do so in as clear and positive a way as this song does with BJ's life.

Let your Lifesong sing to Him today,

Brad