Chris Fabry's Blog, page 18
October 20, 2010
Ellie Update, 10/20
Thanks to those of you who have been praying for little Ellie. She is now home from the hospital! Here's the latest from her father, Peter. Please continue to pray for a complete recovery for Ellie.
Just wanted to quickly let everyone know that we got out of the hospital today. We've been settling in, relaxing a little. She's been ok, but she has been crying a decent bit, which is unusual for her.
Thank you so much for everyone's prayers. Ellie has survived major brain
surgery again, and hopefully will be better for it. She hasn't had a seizure since the night of the surgery. That was eight days ago, which is her longest stretch since April!
We're holding our breath.
Thank you all,
Peter with Alana, Katie, and Ellie
Just wanted to quickly let everyone know that we got out of the hospital today. We've been settling in, relaxing a little. She's been ok, but she has been crying a decent bit, which is unusual for her.
Thank you so much for everyone's prayers. Ellie has survived major brain
surgery again, and hopefully will be better for it. She hasn't had a seizure since the night of the surgery. That was eight days ago, which is her longest stretch since April!
We're holding our breath.
Thank you all,
Peter with Alana, Katie, and Ellie
October 18, 2010
If You Could Live Anywhere
If you could live anywhere, where would you live? Would it be in the mountains where the air is fresh and crisp every morning? Would it be beside the beach where you could walk in the sand and listen to the water lapping at the shoreline? Would it be somewhere in the mountains near a lake where you could fish all day and take long walks?
Some people are energized by the city. They love the lights and movement and the crush of people hurrying and scurrying about their busy little lives. Others want the solitude of a farm and to dig their hands into the earth.
I've been thinking about this question, particularly after a phone call I received today from a struggling writer who is, like me, not in the top tier of the publishing world. We can see the top tier because we look at the bestseller lists, but the dreams we had of writing "full time" have been just that, dreams. So we struggle and we hammer out words each day and we pray those words will somehow reach the intended audience.
He asked me, as someone who has been down the road further, some questions about how to approach his craft. I found the questions exhilarating and I spoke wisdom into his life. But he didn't need the wise words as much as I did. Halfway through the conversation I realized that I needed to hear what I was saying more than he did.
Out of all the places in the world to live, I would not have chosen the desert. It's hot. There are snakes and spiders. The cactus needles are sharp. It's an unforgiving, inhospitable place to call home. I want deciduous trees. I want waterfalls. Instead, I have dust storms and tumbleweeds.
The more I thought about that, the image came to me of Jesus, hunched over a table and chair he was making in Nazareth. Dusty sandals and dirty feet. Dry and hot and not very hospitable. He left heaven for that. I don't know how you picture heaven, but I don't picture it like first century Israel. There was pain and death and human debris all around. A brutal government ruled. Liars and thieves populated the religious landscape. Prostitutes, beggars, lepers, the sick and hungry and lonely were all around. God gave up the comfort and bliss of heaven to come to that?
After the conversation with my friend, I again asked myself, "Where do you want to live?"
The answer came like a shout. Right here. Wherever God has placed me, with whatever duties he has assigned, with whatever people and problems that surround us. My desert reminds me that this is not all there is to life. If I were on an island, isolated from the pain and trouble in the world, I might be happy for a while, but I would not be serving where I am needed the most.
Where do I want to live? Lord, keep me from anything less than here and now.
Some people are energized by the city. They love the lights and movement and the crush of people hurrying and scurrying about their busy little lives. Others want the solitude of a farm and to dig their hands into the earth.
I've been thinking about this question, particularly after a phone call I received today from a struggling writer who is, like me, not in the top tier of the publishing world. We can see the top tier because we look at the bestseller lists, but the dreams we had of writing "full time" have been just that, dreams. So we struggle and we hammer out words each day and we pray those words will somehow reach the intended audience.
He asked me, as someone who has been down the road further, some questions about how to approach his craft. I found the questions exhilarating and I spoke wisdom into his life. But he didn't need the wise words as much as I did. Halfway through the conversation I realized that I needed to hear what I was saying more than he did.
Out of all the places in the world to live, I would not have chosen the desert. It's hot. There are snakes and spiders. The cactus needles are sharp. It's an unforgiving, inhospitable place to call home. I want deciduous trees. I want waterfalls. Instead, I have dust storms and tumbleweeds.
The more I thought about that, the image came to me of Jesus, hunched over a table and chair he was making in Nazareth. Dusty sandals and dirty feet. Dry and hot and not very hospitable. He left heaven for that. I don't know how you picture heaven, but I don't picture it like first century Israel. There was pain and death and human debris all around. A brutal government ruled. Liars and thieves populated the religious landscape. Prostitutes, beggars, lepers, the sick and hungry and lonely were all around. God gave up the comfort and bliss of heaven to come to that?
After the conversation with my friend, I again asked myself, "Where do you want to live?"
The answer came like a shout. Right here. Wherever God has placed me, with whatever duties he has assigned, with whatever people and problems that surround us. My desert reminds me that this is not all there is to life. If I were on an island, isolated from the pain and trouble in the world, I might be happy for a while, but I would not be serving where I am needed the most.
Where do I want to live? Lord, keep me from anything less than here and now.
Update on Ellie
Many of you have been praying for a little girl named Ellie. Here's an encouraging update on her condition, received yesterday, 10/17. Thanks for continuing to remember Ellie and her family in your prayers.
Hello friends,
Wanted to give everyone a quick update on Ellie. She's making progress, slowly returning to her normal self (or how she was before the surgery). We transferred from ICU to the sixth floor last Tuesday.
She's moving her left side with same mobility as before the surgery, which is great. It's the side most effected by the disconnection of her right brain. Her head and faced swelled tremendously following surgery, (giving her a black eye) but it's gone down enough for her to open both of her eyes. Most of the week, she's seemed to be in pain (she rarely cries, but just acts agitated) and that seems to be improving as she's started to smile a little and play with her blanket and favorite bear. She was sleeping almost non-stop and was generally lethargic, but that's started to improve.
We may soon be discharged! However, there are a few issues that she's still dealing with that may affect when we'll be able to go.
Ellie wouldn't be as far along without everyone's prayers. Thank you so much, all of you, and a special thanks to those who've organized the prayer schedules. You've been incredible!
Peter with Alana, Katie, and Ellie
Hello friends,
Wanted to give everyone a quick update on Ellie. She's making progress, slowly returning to her normal self (or how she was before the surgery). We transferred from ICU to the sixth floor last Tuesday.
She's moving her left side with same mobility as before the surgery, which is great. It's the side most effected by the disconnection of her right brain. Her head and faced swelled tremendously following surgery, (giving her a black eye) but it's gone down enough for her to open both of her eyes. Most of the week, she's seemed to be in pain (she rarely cries, but just acts agitated) and that seems to be improving as she's started to smile a little and play with her blanket and favorite bear. She was sleeping almost non-stop and was generally lethargic, but that's started to improve.
We may soon be discharged! However, there are a few issues that she's still dealing with that may affect when we'll be able to go.
Ellie wouldn't be as far along without everyone's prayers. Thank you so much, all of you, and a special thanks to those who've organized the prayer schedules. You've been incredible!
Peter with Alana, Katie, and Ellie
October 14, 2010
New Interview!
There's a new magazine out and I'm in the debut issue! Slap my face with jam and tie me to an anthill! I'm sure Karen Kingsbury is honored to share the spotlight for a few moments.
Click on the cover and go to Page 14 to read the interview and hear a bit more about the story of Almost Heaven. Thanks for your support!
Click on the cover and go to Page 14 to read the interview and hear a bit more about the story of Almost Heaven. Thanks for your support!
October 13, 2010
Prayer for Ellie
I mentioned on the program yesterday a little girl named Ellie and her family. She went through surgery yesterday. This family has been through the wringer. I believe Peter works with Campus Crusade. Here's an update from him and a picture of Ellie.
Hello friends,
I wanted to give you a quick update. As may have already heard, the doctor said Ellie's surgery went well yesterday, with no complications or surprises. Our subsequent excitement and relief was dampened a bit by a 20 minute seizure Ellie suffered at about 9:30 last night, followed immediately by a smaller seizure.
Our doctor said post-op seizures are 'not uncommon', and that it may be due to trauma from the surgery. There's a lot going on in her head right now, a lot of 'rewiring'. Hopefully, she won't get any more seizures. We're cautiously optimistic.
We are overwhelmed by how many people have been praying for us. How do you thank so many people in one simple email? It isn't remotely possible. Nonetheless, thank you.
We'll be at the hospital for another six to ten days, depending upon Ellie's progress.
With much love....
Hello friends,
I wanted to give you a quick update. As may have already heard, the doctor said Ellie's surgery went well yesterday, with no complications or surprises. Our subsequent excitement and relief was dampened a bit by a 20 minute seizure Ellie suffered at about 9:30 last night, followed immediately by a smaller seizure.
Our doctor said post-op seizures are 'not uncommon', and that it may be due to trauma from the surgery. There's a lot going on in her head right now, a lot of 'rewiring'. Hopefully, she won't get any more seizures. We're cautiously optimistic.
We are overwhelmed by how many people have been praying for us. How do you thank so many people in one simple email? It isn't remotely possible. Nonetheless, thank you.
We'll be at the hospital for another six to ten days, depending upon Ellie's progress.
With much love....
October 10, 2010
Day 40 of 40 Days of Prayer
For our final entry in the 40 Days of Prayer, I want you to read something from my friend, Robert Sutherland. I've appreciated his thoughts over the past few weeks. Here's his final entry.
Hi Chris,
Hope you are well, and the family.
Sorry about the latest discovery of mold. Don't know what to say. Haven't a clue what God is doing. Hate to drop a hit-and-run Bible bomb and say, "Don't worry! God's in control! And remember, God will use your pain to bless others. Gotta run! Buh-bye!"
One of my prayers for you is that God would kindly bring this season of pestilence in your family to a healthy end. And that all you have learned would benefit others.
* * * * * * * *
My daughter, Sarah, said something to me today that – as G. Campbell Morgan might say – arrested my thoughts.
She's been praying for me to find a better job. Very kind of her.
Had a rough day at work today. Texted her about it, as compared to whined to her about it. Got an almost simultaneous reply: "Do you believe God will bring you a new job?"
As you know, the last thing any dad wants to do is discourage a beloved daughter – especially about spiritual truths.
Instead of simply saying "No," I told her I believe God will work all things for my good, whether or not I lose my current job or God makes me the next Chris Fabry (without the mold, please).
I don't recall the decade that I abandoned what I perceive to be the nonsense of "claiming" verses in order to persuade/intimidate God into doing my will, at the probable expense of receiving His perfect will.
I don't recall the decade that I abandoned the certain nonsense of giving God suggestions as to how He could work things for my good – replete with step-by-step directions, helpful guidelines to follow and a timetable that would help Him keep me informed of His progress in accomplishing the tasks I set before Him, so I would not have to waste too much time blindly trusting Him.
I don't recall the decade that my prayer life morphed into "Whatever, Lord." No, not in the mega-Christian sense of absolute trust/faith/surrender. More along the lines of "I give up trying to figure out what to ask you to do." Again, not with the most spiritual of attitudes. Not nihilistic hopelessness. Not angry frustration. Not a lack of faith that God really does answer my/our prayers.
More like, "Your ways are above my ways as the heavens are above the earth," and I look forward to how you resolve the impossibilities I/we face in life.
(How DO people survive without God? It's hard enough WITH His blessings?)
Sure, I ask for victory in battles with intransigent insurance companies, imperfect family members/coworkers/politicians and applying limited funds to my limitless needs/wants/desires.
Is it faith or foolishness to think I never have to pray again? That God loves me so much that He will accomplish good for me and through me to others whether or not I ever ask Him to?
At the risk of creating God in my image, my family – two wondrous daughters, two dedicated sons-in-law, two terrific grandsons and The Princess: my almost ten-year-old granddaughter – has taught me about the heart of God.
Primarily, no matter how much I love my family, He loves them more. My prayers for them? Mostly that God will express His love to them in convincing, gracious ways. No matter what.
Before my mom died a decade ago, few things made her as happy as a call from me or my girls. Our voices delighted her soul.
My dad will celebrate his 90th birthday on Christmas Eve. I call him at least three times a week. Does us both a world of good. We love to chat. About anything.
My daughter, Esther, vacillates between calling several times a day and calling every several days, but hearing her voice say, "Hi, Dad!" is the essence of joy.
The ringtone I use for the joyous calls from Sarah and The Princess is the voice of The Princess saying, "Grampa! Pick it up! It might be me!"
The Princess Ringtone
Perhaps only a parent or grandparent can fully understand how my heart leaps with joy when I hear my beloved grandchild's voice at random times.
I don't know how to put this, so bear with me.
I don't care WHY my family calls me. The topics are far less important – even if the topics are VERY important – than the fact that they called me.
Contact with them revitalizes our relationship.
That's where I am with prayer. I think/feel/believe God likes to hear the sound of my voice – even if the stuff I talk about with Him is comparatively insignificant compared to the "Lord, please save the life of my wife/husband/child/parent" prayers that ascend to the Lord every moment of every day from every corner of Earth.
Again, God is not a doting grandfather quick to overlook all our faults/sins/behavior. But He is delighted to hear us call upon Him in prayer. [See Proverbs 15:8]
Conversing with God is what I do … more than praying to/at God. Praying without ceasing is easier … as I habitually talk with God.
Back when such things mattered to me more, my "life verse" was that portion of I Samuel 7:12: "Thus far the Lord has helped us."
I still believe that with all my heart.
You probably do too.
But it's easy to forget.
Thank you, Chris, for all you and your team do to bless listeners country-wide and world-wide. You are a blessing. Thanks for letting me pitch in; very kind of you, brother.
God says to pray in secret. In spite of that, may I pray for you publicly, please?
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for all the witnesses in the Old Testament who knew you so well that they said you are "compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness."
Thank you for how Jesus is the perfect example of compassion, grace, patience and sacrificial love.
Please forgive our sins and deliver us from evil.
Please be gracious to us. Please direct our paths and please glorify yourself through us.
Lord, we ask you to provide for Chris and his family. Please bring healing to Andrea and the kids.
Please glorify yourself as you deliver them from all that afflicts them. Please.
Please restore the years that mold and illness have taken from them.
Please give Chris favor … strength … and wisdom as he seeks to honor You through his writing and on the radio.
I pray that you will bless more people than he can imagine through his new book.
Lord, I thank you for Moody Broadcasting, Chris, his teammates, the stations that air his program … and all the people who use dollars dedicated to you … to make it all happen.
Lord, I pray that what we've begun during these 40 Days of Prayer would become a habit that endures from generation to generation in our families.
Thank you that Jesus ever lives to make intercession for us.
Thank you for being delighted by our hearts and voices when we pray to you.
We love you, Lord.
Please forgive our unbelief.
And bless us, Lord.
For your glory and honor.
In Jesus' name.
Amen
* * * * * * * *
Amen, Robert. Now let me turn the prayer back to you.
Father, thank you for the good heart you've given Robert. You've given him a lot of pain and heartache and difficulty. You know the struggle he had in loving his mom in her final days. You've seen his tears and his sins. And you love him even more than I do.
In your sovereign plan for his life, I pray you would give him an amazing week at his current job and renew his love for the people there. Prepare him for the next step. And providentially send a new task his way, a new job, or a redirection in the current one.
And give him peace in the midst of all of this. And joy. Don't bless him because he's the best Robert there is or because he is always kind, because he isn't. But he is your child and you love him. Show him the depth of your love today.
And for my other friends who have followed along, take the hurts, cares, difficulties and problems in life and turn them into something beautiful. Selfishly we would pray for all of that to be lifted, but we know it's there calling us closer to you, making us long for our eternal home.
Thank you for being who you are, Lord. We praise you for the gift you've given us in Jesus.
In his name we pray,
Amen.
Hi Chris,
Hope you are well, and the family.
Sorry about the latest discovery of mold. Don't know what to say. Haven't a clue what God is doing. Hate to drop a hit-and-run Bible bomb and say, "Don't worry! God's in control! And remember, God will use your pain to bless others. Gotta run! Buh-bye!"
One of my prayers for you is that God would kindly bring this season of pestilence in your family to a healthy end. And that all you have learned would benefit others.
* * * * * * * *
My daughter, Sarah, said something to me today that – as G. Campbell Morgan might say – arrested my thoughts.
She's been praying for me to find a better job. Very kind of her.
Had a rough day at work today. Texted her about it, as compared to whined to her about it. Got an almost simultaneous reply: "Do you believe God will bring you a new job?"
As you know, the last thing any dad wants to do is discourage a beloved daughter – especially about spiritual truths.
Instead of simply saying "No," I told her I believe God will work all things for my good, whether or not I lose my current job or God makes me the next Chris Fabry (without the mold, please).
I don't recall the decade that I abandoned what I perceive to be the nonsense of "claiming" verses in order to persuade/intimidate God into doing my will, at the probable expense of receiving His perfect will.
I don't recall the decade that I abandoned the certain nonsense of giving God suggestions as to how He could work things for my good – replete with step-by-step directions, helpful guidelines to follow and a timetable that would help Him keep me informed of His progress in accomplishing the tasks I set before Him, so I would not have to waste too much time blindly trusting Him.
I don't recall the decade that my prayer life morphed into "Whatever, Lord." No, not in the mega-Christian sense of absolute trust/faith/surrender. More along the lines of "I give up trying to figure out what to ask you to do." Again, not with the most spiritual of attitudes. Not nihilistic hopelessness. Not angry frustration. Not a lack of faith that God really does answer my/our prayers.
More like, "Your ways are above my ways as the heavens are above the earth," and I look forward to how you resolve the impossibilities I/we face in life.
(How DO people survive without God? It's hard enough WITH His blessings?)
Sure, I ask for victory in battles with intransigent insurance companies, imperfect family members/coworkers/politicians and applying limited funds to my limitless needs/wants/desires.
Is it faith or foolishness to think I never have to pray again? That God loves me so much that He will accomplish good for me and through me to others whether or not I ever ask Him to?
At the risk of creating God in my image, my family – two wondrous daughters, two dedicated sons-in-law, two terrific grandsons and The Princess: my almost ten-year-old granddaughter – has taught me about the heart of God.
Primarily, no matter how much I love my family, He loves them more. My prayers for them? Mostly that God will express His love to them in convincing, gracious ways. No matter what.
Before my mom died a decade ago, few things made her as happy as a call from me or my girls. Our voices delighted her soul.
My dad will celebrate his 90th birthday on Christmas Eve. I call him at least three times a week. Does us both a world of good. We love to chat. About anything.
My daughter, Esther, vacillates between calling several times a day and calling every several days, but hearing her voice say, "Hi, Dad!" is the essence of joy.
The ringtone I use for the joyous calls from Sarah and The Princess is the voice of The Princess saying, "Grampa! Pick it up! It might be me!"
The Princess Ringtone
Perhaps only a parent or grandparent can fully understand how my heart leaps with joy when I hear my beloved grandchild's voice at random times.
I don't know how to put this, so bear with me.
I don't care WHY my family calls me. The topics are far less important – even if the topics are VERY important – than the fact that they called me.
Contact with them revitalizes our relationship.
That's where I am with prayer. I think/feel/believe God likes to hear the sound of my voice – even if the stuff I talk about with Him is comparatively insignificant compared to the "Lord, please save the life of my wife/husband/child/parent" prayers that ascend to the Lord every moment of every day from every corner of Earth.
Again, God is not a doting grandfather quick to overlook all our faults/sins/behavior. But He is delighted to hear us call upon Him in prayer. [See Proverbs 15:8]
Conversing with God is what I do … more than praying to/at God. Praying without ceasing is easier … as I habitually talk with God.
Back when such things mattered to me more, my "life verse" was that portion of I Samuel 7:12: "Thus far the Lord has helped us."
I still believe that with all my heart.
You probably do too.
But it's easy to forget.
Thank you, Chris, for all you and your team do to bless listeners country-wide and world-wide. You are a blessing. Thanks for letting me pitch in; very kind of you, brother.
God says to pray in secret. In spite of that, may I pray for you publicly, please?
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for all the witnesses in the Old Testament who knew you so well that they said you are "compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness."
Thank you for how Jesus is the perfect example of compassion, grace, patience and sacrificial love.
Please forgive our sins and deliver us from evil.
Please be gracious to us. Please direct our paths and please glorify yourself through us.
Lord, we ask you to provide for Chris and his family. Please bring healing to Andrea and the kids.
Please glorify yourself as you deliver them from all that afflicts them. Please.
Please restore the years that mold and illness have taken from them.
Please give Chris favor … strength … and wisdom as he seeks to honor You through his writing and on the radio.
I pray that you will bless more people than he can imagine through his new book.
Lord, I thank you for Moody Broadcasting, Chris, his teammates, the stations that air his program … and all the people who use dollars dedicated to you … to make it all happen.
Lord, I pray that what we've begun during these 40 Days of Prayer would become a habit that endures from generation to generation in our families.
Thank you that Jesus ever lives to make intercession for us.
Thank you for being delighted by our hearts and voices when we pray to you.
We love you, Lord.
Please forgive our unbelief.
And bless us, Lord.
For your glory and honor.
In Jesus' name.
Amen
* * * * * * * *
Amen, Robert. Now let me turn the prayer back to you.
Father, thank you for the good heart you've given Robert. You've given him a lot of pain and heartache and difficulty. You know the struggle he had in loving his mom in her final days. You've seen his tears and his sins. And you love him even more than I do.
In your sovereign plan for his life, I pray you would give him an amazing week at his current job and renew his love for the people there. Prepare him for the next step. And providentially send a new task his way, a new job, or a redirection in the current one.
And give him peace in the midst of all of this. And joy. Don't bless him because he's the best Robert there is or because he is always kind, because he isn't. But he is your child and you love him. Show him the depth of your love today.
And for my other friends who have followed along, take the hurts, cares, difficulties and problems in life and turn them into something beautiful. Selfishly we would pray for all of that to be lifted, but we know it's there calling us closer to you, making us long for our eternal home.
Thank you for being who you are, Lord. We praise you for the gift you've given us in Jesus.
In his name we pray,
Amen.
October 9, 2010
Day 39 of 40 Days of Prayer
Thank you for going on this 40-day journey with us. Tomorrow, we'll present one more blog from my friend, Robert. Today I want to encourage you to make a phone call or send a message at some point and let us know what God has been telling you over the past few weeks. Your perspective might encourage someone else. Our feedback number is 1 866 953-2279. Or you can email us at chrisfabrylive@moody.edu.
Joni Eareckson Tada joined us Friday and here's a message we received after the program:
Chris and Joni--
I'll type quickly because my darling 18-yr-old daughter is waiting for a drink. She has cerebral palsy and epilepsy, doesn't walk, talk, or feed herself, and still wears diapers. Had you told me all this before her birth, I would have thought she would lead a miserable, empty life. Instead her frequent smiles gladden our hearts every day. Of course, we would grab hold of a cure if there were one, but she is a great blessing to our family just as she is.
Thank you for this show,
Susie
I'm grateful for Susie and the love she has for her daughter. Those with special needs are a great blessing to those who care for them. Yes, there are difficulties and it's a lot of work, but no one embodies the verses we've been looking at more than the people who tirelessly care for those who can't care for themselves.
Perhaps today you want to read Philippians 2:1-11 and think of it in a different way. In what way has someone else shown you the love of Christ? How have they put your needs before their own?
If you think of someone as you go through the verses, be sure to call them or tell them how you feel.
God bless you today.
cf
Joni Eareckson Tada joined us Friday and here's a message we received after the program:
Chris and Joni--
I'll type quickly because my darling 18-yr-old daughter is waiting for a drink. She has cerebral palsy and epilepsy, doesn't walk, talk, or feed herself, and still wears diapers. Had you told me all this before her birth, I would have thought she would lead a miserable, empty life. Instead her frequent smiles gladden our hearts every day. Of course, we would grab hold of a cure if there were one, but she is a great blessing to our family just as she is.
Thank you for this show,
Susie
I'm grateful for Susie and the love she has for her daughter. Those with special needs are a great blessing to those who care for them. Yes, there are difficulties and it's a lot of work, but no one embodies the verses we've been looking at more than the people who tirelessly care for those who can't care for themselves.
Perhaps today you want to read Philippians 2:1-11 and think of it in a different way. In what way has someone else shown you the love of Christ? How have they put your needs before their own?
If you think of someone as you go through the verses, be sure to call them or tell them how you feel.
God bless you today.
cf
