Encouragement
from Emails
"Encourage one another and build each
other up." 1
Thessalonians 5:11
Excerpt from an anonymous handmade card:
S = Sensational, Serving, Christian Sister who really knows how to care.
A = Awesome angelic artist whose music fills the air.
N = Nice and Nifty Neighbor meeting many Needs.
D = Dear Devoted Daughter of God going where her Heavenly Father leads.
I = Interesting Individual with many facets to her life.
K = Kind, Karing and Konsiderate, a devoted mom and wife.
L = Loving and Loyal Listener who takes time to lend an ear.
U = Unusually Understanding to those her Lord brings near.
T = Talented Terrific Teacher Touching many a girl and boy.
H = Happy Home builder with love, Holy-Hope and joy!
May He pour out the blessing from heaven
May you cast your cares on Him and daily call-
May you live to see your children’s children;
May the Lord Jesus be your all in all...
Excerpt from an email from our Milwaukee and Colo Springs friend, Linda Brueggemann
"...Our kids came up with the idea of praying for Sandi and all of you at dinner time, so you have been prayed for several times. I hope you both feel the peace of God continually through all this. I keep thinking of Sandi and praying that God would choose to give her LIFE and life more abundantly than ever before. I love you guys so much and all of this just breaks my heart..."
From Brian's good college friend, Ed Moy, who is a Special Assistant to President Bush in the White House (the Bible says laughter is good medicine)
"I saw the website...who's the ugly guy next to Sandi and the kids?"
A 2:38am email from Marilee Cater, a dear friend from our church
...I have a (quote by Chuck Swindoll) that hangs as a cross stitch on my wall. This quote has been a real blessing to me through many things in my life:
"We are all faced with a series of great opportunities, brilliantly disguised as impossible situations." Sandi's cancer seems like an impossible situation but is a great opportunity for the Lord to do some great miracles in her life, the life of your family and the life of the church...
From Ione Dropp, a dear friend in Milwaukee and former colleague at CSA
"...Your family has had the highest highs and the lowest of lows of anyone I know. But with each new trial your friends and family have come behind you like no one else I know either. A man with a lot of friends is blessed indeed. I know your friends will come through to support you in this one as well. Brian, you remind me of George Bailey (in "It's A Wonderful Life"). I'm sure you've never wished you'd never been born, but because of your generosity, kindness and total unselfishness to others, you are the richest man I know. Remember the many times the Lord has performed miracles in your life and that of your family. He is still in the miracle business and can choose to perform one in Sandi's body if we all put our full faith in Him and petition Him to do so. Sandi has the sweetest and gentlest spirit. She has been a great example to me of someone who daily surrenders her desires to the Lord. Her life has been a living example of Prov 3:5-6. I'm certain the Lord will use her rock solid faith and gentle spirit to bring others to himself as she copes with new circumstances..."
From a phone conversation with Donna LeGrand, Sandi's best friend
"Sandi, you've always underestimated how wonderful you are!"
An email prayer from Eric & Kara Coe, missionaries in Siberia
"Father God, I praise you this evening for Brian and Sandi - for the role that you have called them to at First E Free, and the way that you have used them to breathe life into that church. I praise you for their leadership, that they are Your chosen instrument for the leading of your body at First E Free. Father, I praise You by faith for Sandi's cancer - as you have called us to give You thanks in all circumstances. I thank You for how You have already used this to reveal Yourself to them, and for how You will continue to reveal Yourself in the days to come. I ask that You would draw Brian, Sandi, and their wonderful children closer to Yourself through this, and that they would in no way believe lies about You. Draw them to the truth. I praise You that You are working even this to their good. I ask that You might provide healing - You are our Physician, and we lean on You and trust You for healing. Bless them with great doctors, with relationships that You would transform for Your glory. I pray that You would shine through them, to show those around them what it looks like when Jesus has cancer. For You live and reign in them, and are showing Yourself to the world through them. Be honored and praised, for You are worthy to receive all glory and honor and power now and forevermore. Amen."
From Dr. Don Robbins, pastor of our previous church, Harvest Community Church in Milwaukee
...A few years ago, when a close friend was killed in a car accident, God reminded me of the words of a hymn that have always been a comfort to me whenever I have had to face trying circumstances. One verse goes this way: "I am not skilled to understand, what God has willed what God has planned, only know, at His right hand, there is One who is my Savior."
Excerpts from an email from Colleen Jost, a special friend at our church
God will be with you in your going out and your coming in from this day forward and even forevermore. Psalm 121
God will work something good out of this all. Romans 8:28
God will strengthen and help you. Isaiah 41:10
God will hold you up with His righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10
God will go before you and be your rearguard. Isaiah 52:12
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