Danger Ahead!

Pray for Jon Cardwell and his family

I took the liberty of posting this email that was sent to Jeff Peterson and myself. I didn't ask Jon if I could do this, so forgive me brother, if I have overstepped my boundaries. I want others to know a little about what you go through on a daily basis so that they will pray for you when God brings you to mind. You are one of my heroes...not because of your many talents and preaching skills, but because you live for the Lord Jesus Christ on the battlefield. You have held to your calling when others would have taken the next helicopter out of there. You have been a great encouragement to me and I mean this when I say, it is an honor to know you. If not for my blogging, I would have never "met" you. You have been a big part in my life. It was great talking to you over the phone while I was in the States. May God use this to grip readers with the ministry of intercession for you and your precious family. 

hello my dear brothers,

i know that you pray for me often. today i sent an email to one of the pastor's wives in the sovereign grace baptist fellowship that sends out a list of prayer requests for the ministers in the fellowship.  thought you might like to read it to pray with understanding on our behalf. here is the email below--

dearest sister greta,
thank you for your oft prayers for us.  we are thankful for the prayers of those in the fellowship on behalf of my family and me. i have been remiss in sending this to you because i see the serious nature of those who have greater physical ailments than those i suffer. linda webb, colleen liddle, larry's brother, and so many others. nevertheless, i also realize that those who have been sincerely praying for us might like to hear how i am doing.
although i have been able to do more visitations to our church membership and attenders, and more visitations to homes in the neighborhood surrounding our church, my muscles have had some intermittent, but excessive, fatigue, cramping, dexterity and coordination loss.  i average approximately 2 or 3 nights of sleep each week (even with the help of non-narcotic medication), usually going without sleep for 2-3 days at a time.  i have been keeping myself well hydrated with water and taking all my vitamins and meds (lisa sets out all my medication and vitamins for the week every week). although i'm a service-connected disabled veteran, changes in government medical aid have cut out my vision and dental, and they will no longer allow me any further neurology referrals. sometimes i cannot walk becuse of the weakness in my ankles and wrists cause me to fall even with the crutches. when my wrists are weak, it is actuall worse

my spirits are high and my joy unspeakable, however, as a merry heart doeth good like a medicine. my sermons, i'm told, have been more powerful than ever, and i know that during pulpit preaching and in visitations the lord has been so very gracious and merciful, providing me with a power from on high that is no less supernatural, no less than his own blessed and divine equipping and nourishment as he has promised in supplying our need.

i do covet the prayers of the saints because there is such a great opportunity for the work of the ministry; there are so many sick and infirmed in our little congregation that it has kept me much in the homes, hospitals, and on the phone in prayer for many. despite our light and momentary afflictions, it is much better to be spent for christ's kingdom than to be sitting in reserve for a physical relief that may never come. i realize that were it not for the grace of these ailments given me by god's sovereign providence, i may still have an overwhelming tendency toward pride and a propensity toward being puffed up in mine own righteousness, rather than where i should be-- trusting daily alone in christ's righteousness, being nourished with daily hope by his majesty as lord of all, and relying by faith upon his faithfulness to will and to work his good pleasure.

thank you for allowing me this opportunity to fill you in. it matters not any more that ther are still those who may criticize, and i'm thankful for that. in the past, and possibly still in the present, i have been rebuked as one full of self and pride for making any mention of mine infirmities; while at the same time i have also been rebuked for not making mention of mine infirmities as being full of pride because i have not let others know so that they may pray for me and for the saints whom christ has given me to feed and tend. for both criticisms, i answer, guilty as charged. apart from the grace of god in jesus christ, apart from his blessed blood, his sufficient sacrifice, and his precious propitiation, i have no lot at all in heaven; i am nothing but a wretch and the chiefest of sinners; and the best that all i do, until the blessed day of his coming, will never attain unto the honor by which christ's glory and majesty deserve.

please forgive my exclusive use of the lower case and sparse use of punctuation. the past cuple of days i have had some dexterity difficulties; and please forgive any typos as even if i do proofread this it is really not so easy makeing the corrections.

may the lord continue to bless you and keep you,

by god's grace and for his glory,

jon

Sovereign Grace Baptist Church
5440 Alabama Highway 202
Anniston, Alabama 36201
(256) 689-1283

Prayer Update for Craig Boyd

I talked with Craig Boyd today, over the phone, as he was recovering from hip surgery in his hospital room. He and his son Michael were crossing a busy street, and as he usually does, he jogged a little at the finish. He tripped on the curb and broke his hip. His head hit the metal box on the crosswalk pole lacerating his ear.

He appreciates all the prayer he can get. He has weeks of physical therapy to undergo and this has affected his work as well. 

 

He may be a "stranger in a strange land" but to our Calvinistic blog community he is a much loved brother in Christ. 

The greatest healing therapy is friendship, love and plenty of prayer.

Please Pray for Craig Boyd

 

Michael Boyd, Craig's son, emailed me yesterday about an accident which left Craig (His blog is Stranger in a Strange Land) with lacerations and a fractured hip. He is undergoing surgery, as of this writing, and will need extensive rehabilitation in the coming months. I will talk with him tomorrow and find out what details I can share. Just know he and his family need plenty of prayer and encouragement. Please take a few minutes to pray and maybe a comment on his blog that will lift his spirit. (The link is above and I have his blog listed on my blog list in the right column.)

Thanks in advance for your intercession on his behalf. He's a great brother.

Prayer Alert

Our dear brother, Joel Garner (Joel the Immerser) needs our prayers right now.
Please stop and take a few minutes to lift him up in prayer.


This is from his blog:


"I continue to suffer from dizziness, and it is continually wearing me down. I am very tired, and my mind is quite racked. Hence, I do not know when I will be back to regular blogging; I am doing quite poorly. I have never had constant dizziness last this long - and, I hope I shall not again. In this and all things, though - blessed be the Name of the Lord. No matter what.

Prayers are very, very much appreciated. I will be back whenever I recover/improve (hopefully in more ways than one). God bless you.
In Christ,
Joel Garner ><>.
2 Chronicles 7:14; Romans 5:8."


You might consider posting some encouragement on his blog site also. It would be great to bump up his followers list. That always brings a smile to a blogger's face. Thank you.

Sandstorm!

This short video is just a small portion of what is happening RIGHT NOW as I am typing. Thank God, that my wife and I were home. I looked out my 10th story apartment and saw the sandstorm coming just like what you see here. The roaring wind is shaking the windows and doors and sand is getting in the rooms. I can't see the building across the street anymore. It's there...just can't see it. There is a fine, moon-dust like sand that can blow in from any small opening or between the sliding doors or windows. You can smell and taste it. I can rake my finger on any surface in the house now and there is this "sand dust". It's a little hazy as I view my computer monitor. I'm sure our cars will be covered in sand by tomorrow. The storm has been going on now for hours and I don't know when it will let up. I have never seen anything like this. That's the Kuwait update. Please remember my wife in prayer. She has asthma and this is a monster sand storm.

On the Level

My computer crashed on October 27th. I lost everything. Well, almost everything. I had made a backup disk in August with some of my ideas and posts. But, I no longer have the large volume of resources. If you have ever had this experience, you know how it feels. It's like a Texas tornado ripped through my trailer park blog
and destroyed my home. 

I couldn't make this announcement until the "Hiatus" post appeared because it would have spoilled the joke. You see, I have everything pre-scheduled until January 1, 2011, with an additional post on January 8. I like to work far in advance, because ideas don't always come to me on a daily basis...and in emergencies, like this one.

My son-in-law has been the biggest help to me. He reformatted my computer twice to no avail. He literally spent days trying to at least get my computer on crutches so I could work. (My computer died while I was doing a free-lance job for my brother-in-law in Houston) My son-in-law has now loaned me a computer from his office. It's an old, large tower that won't even fit in my computer desk. It has some concerns...it has just cut off and rebooted three or four times, in the last three days. I don't have internet connected yet. I hope to get that fixed today. 

Here is what I would like you to pray about, if you would be so kind:

Pray that I get a permanent job soon. (I should be getting my work visa shortly, under my son-in-law's company) I have been doing free-lance -- but that is few and too far between. Getting a permanent job would allow me to buy a computer (they are like twice the price here) with my first paycheck.

I am not able right now, to check CC daily - but, please continue to comment. I will comment when I can and will let everyone know when I land a job and/or get a new, reliable computer.

Thanks for your prayers in this matter. 

Glory to His Name! 

The Bible Spells it Out for You

Arminian Antics #16

No Atheists in Hell

Believe it or not, there are no atheists or agnostics in Hell! The only atheists are here on earth.  There is a "Great Awakening" for those who deny the existence of God. Some of the celebrites pictured above are no longer atheists. They are believers - believers like the demons who believe. For those pictured above who are still living, God's command to repent is still in effect. Depravity, being what it is, is total, and without spiritual revelation and saving grace, there is no hope for the "earth time" atheist. I, myself, claimed to be an atheist in my teen years. Someone was praying for me. God predestines the ends as well as the means, so if you are prompted to pray for a celebrity, by "all means" do it! Atheism is, and will always be, a temporary delusion.

Great Quote from Watson

To Start Off Your Day

Found this ad in an old Saturday Evening Post Toasties magazine from 1951. I did some research and found out that, even though they had good intentions, most people were just too hungry to stop, read and pray over each mini-wheat. The energy cereal lasted only six months and was replaced by a new cereal called,
Mr. Ed's Bag of Oats.

Use Daily

click to enlarge so as not to get a headache

My Daughter is Cancer Free!

Just got word from the pathologist that Tammy is now cancer free!!! The chemo and the surgery cleared her! I can't tell you how much I appreciate all your prayers on her behalf! She still has reconstructive surgeries ahead but this is the best news I could possibly have heard today! Thank you all and many blessings to everyone! God has been gracious to us. I am rejoicing and crying at the same time. Give God a shout of thanksgiving. He has blessed us again!

Christian Candies are Life Savers!

Daughter Update

I will post any updates on my daughter, Tammy Osborn, here. We are awaiting results to see if the cancer is continuing to spread. Please take a few seconds to send up a prayer for her. If you met her you would never forget her. She is facing her giants with the faith of a true saint of God. I am trying to call in an "air strike" of prayer by asking those who read this to mention her in your prayers. Inside, we can all "Stop, drop and pray!" God's rich blessings on all who do.

Update

Well, thought I would let everyone know I have my computer up and running with Photoshop CS4. I had CS2 in the states - so I am slowly learning how to navigate and use this entirely new interface of digital wonder. If any out there know of a good site for tutorials and tips please let me know. I feel like someone has rearranged my house and hidden new tools in the attic! And in Kuwait, you don't find many computer books on the subject. And if you do, it costs about $10 more than it would in the states. My computer had to be reformatted but it still crashes from time to time.
Also, I have met my first Calvinist here. He actually came and knocked on my door. Chris Freeman and his wife Stephanie (who are both teachers) wanted to welcome my wife and I to the neighborhood. We both live in the same building in Salmiya. It houses teachers only. We got to talking and the conversation, of course, worked its way to Christianity, and Calvinism in particular. I was thrilled that my prayers had been answered (with the help of those out there who have prayed for me) and he told me that I was the first Calvinist he had met as well. We went to the Lighthouse church two Sundays ago. It is a church with multiple congregations of over 50 nationalities, that meet on Fridays and Sundays. (the work week in Kuwait is Sunday through Thursday, Friday and Saturday being their weekend)
I am still looking for a job. Need lots of prayer for that. It has a whole different set of challenges. Every American here is either a teacher or in the military.
My wife has been in Colorado taking care of my daughter, Tammy. We couldn't afford to both travel like we originally planned. And of the two, there is no question who is the "angel of mercy". A daughter needs her mother in times like these. My wife, Mary, will return Sunday night. I have been sick (literally) ever since she has been gone.
I will give everyone an update on my daughter tomorrow. Please continue to pray for her in this time of chemo and surgery. God is doing great things through her. Her testimony during this is nothing short of amazing! She actually wore pink boxing gloves to her first chemo treatment. She is going to fight this and would love to have your prayers in her corner.

Urgent Prayer Needed - My Daughter has Cancer

My adorable daughter Tammy Osborn

To my friends and spiritual family who read this blog. This has all transpired in literally, a matter of days. My daughter was told that she may have had cancer for the last several years. She is trusting God for everything and she knows this is part of his plan for her life. And she wants to glorify Him and she needs your prayers to do that.
I asked her last night if I could post this letter from my son-in-law. I hope you will not only pray for her but that you will put her name on your Church's prayer list or lift her up in prayer in your Bible study groups.
I will return with humor soon. Right now, every thing seems rather trite in comparison to what my daughter is going through.
Her name is Tammy Osborn. Her husband is Justin. Her precious children are Hunter and Brooklyn Faith.
Here is the letter:

"I would like to thank all of you for the e-mails and messages that we have received. We can't tell you how much we appreciate all the thoughts and prayers.

As you may know, the tumor was removed from Tammy last Friday. We got a phone call last night from the doctor saying that the results were in, and it looks like the cancer has spread to her lymphatic channel, and that he recommends chemotherapy.

In order to get another opinion, we lined up an appointment today with the oncologist. She said very similar things as the other doctor, and in her exact words..."this is the worst of the worst".

In order to confirm these findings, we have an MRI scheduled for this Friday, and a Pet-scan and Sentinel Lymph node Biopsy scheduled for next Tuesday. During this procedure, a Portocath will be inserted in Tammy, and that is how the chemo will go through her body. If those procedures show that the the doctor is correct in his findings (that the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes) then were are dealing with a stage three invasive breast cancer, which is some really serious stuff.

Tammy will be starting Chemotherapy on Thursday, September 17th. This will be a 4 month long process, with the last dose being on 12/23. She will go in every other Thursday for treatment. Once treatment is over, she will be getting a bilateral (double) mastectomy, with reconstructive surgery. Radiation may proceed.

As you can imagine, she is staying amazingly strong through all of this. She has requested a robe like Rocky wore in his boxing movies, only pink....So if anybody knows where I can find one those, let me know. She also has requested the soundtrack to the movies, so that she can constantly hear "Eye of the Tiger". She's ready for the battle that is about to be thrown in the ring with her and she knows that with God on her side, she can knock this thing out."

Eddie here again. One more thing, my wife and I will be flying to Colorado on September 17th and returning to Kuwait on the 26th to help out. This is a difficult time for all involved so prayers are needed all around.

I close with a quote from Spurgeon:
We do not come in prayer only to a place where God dispenses His favors to the poor. Nor do we some to the back door of the house of mercy to receive scraps, though that is more than we deserve. When we pray, we are standing in the palace before God's throne. We are on the glittering floor of the great King's reception room, and thus we are place on advantaged ground.
Shall we come with stunted requests and a narrow, contracted faith? No, for it does not become a King to be giving away pennies. Our God distributes pieces of broad gold. Oh that we always felt this way when we came before the throne of grace! Then He would do "exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think." (Eph.3:20)

Farewell 4 A While

Dear friends, followers and fans,
This will be the last posting for a while.
Today is my last day at Electronic Data Systems in Plano, Texas and I will not have access to a computer until I reach Kuwait. The container, with my computer, will arrive about two weeks after I do. So it might be hit and miss (as far as any communication or posting is concerned) for the next several days.
My wife and I will be staying at a hotel starting Monday. Our flight leaves Dallas on Wednesday, August 12. It's a 19 hour flight and a quantum leap in our lives. Stepping out of the boat of comfort and security is always a little nerve-shattering, but we all need our nerves shattered if it helps us to focus on the Lord Jesus Christ. I am going through a gamut of emotions, but excited all the while.

Please keep tuning in. When you see nothing new has been posted, don't jump to another blog so quickly. I would ask you to view these photos as a reminder to pray for us. God has already written my journey before I was born and I know it will have a great ending...or beginning.

Eventually, Lord willing, all the Photoshop postings will reappear: T&G; Chic & Gumbo; Caption Contests; Funny Ads; Calvinistic Cartoons and more. New features are in the works.

So remember His grace and mercy and send up a prayer ever once in a while. (My wife probably needs your prayers more than I because she has to endure my humor)

You might even check out my other blog, Facets of Grace.

There are blessings there waiting to happen.

In His eternal service,
David "Eddie" Eddings

The Journal of Cotton Adams #24

September 30, 1739

I had been assigned an outdoor amphitheater to preach the Doctrines of Grace that was next to a heavily wooded forest. A company of revelers and dancers had, in the afternoon, taken possession of the place knowing full well of my intentions to preach there. Some advised me to go to another area, for many of the revelers were rough looking, brawny and muscular with scars and broken noses…and that was the women. The men were even more so. I wouldn't hear of it. When I stood on a block of wood and announced the sermon would begin shortly, a burly, barrel-chested man pushed his way through the crowd and threatened me with a beating. I said I would pray for his soul and closed my eyes to begin my intercession. Not more than a second into my prayer, I heard the crowd yelling. I opened my eyes to everyone running frantically toward the town of Bee Bonnet. I can only attribute this miracle to the power of God and to the large black bear that came out of the woods. I made the decision to depart as well.
My sermon, an hour later, inspired by the events mentioned, was entitled, "God bears with the sinful so that his Word can spread."