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October 19: Cervical Spine Disc Fusion Surgery

I have not been as visible as usual at Stonecreek in recent weeks, and I wanted to give you an update to some medical challenges that I am facing that have required me to "lay low" in recent weeks.

September 18, I began having significant pain in my neck throughout my right shoulder, tricept, arm and hand. Thanks to my primary doctor's insight and quick response on September 19, I was able to see a spine specialist with x-ray and MRI in hand to assess the problem. These reports revealed a significant disc herniation on my cervical spine (C6), with some degeneration, arthritis and spurring at my C5 and C7 vertebrae. The herniated disc is pinching the nerve root, causing the pain and numbness I'm experiencing in my right shoulder, arm and hand. In addition to the pinched nerve, the herniation's close proximity to my spinal cord brought reason for caution. After two spinal epidural steroid injections and further consultation with my spine specialist, primary care physician and neurosurgeons, it was evident that surgery would be the best solution to my problem.

I am scheduled for surgery (ACDF C6/C7) on Wednesday, October 19, 10:45 a.m. We are so very thankful for God's provision every step of the way, and are confident in the medical team providing us care. We have been encouraged and lifted by our family, staff family, elders, church family, neighbors and friends.

Thank you for joining us in prayer. Here are some ways you can pray for us:

Pray for God to glorify Himself through every relationship He brings our way through this journey.

Pray for the skillful hands of my surgeon, anesthesiologist and medical team.

Pray for the protection of my vocal cords, as there is potential for damage.

Pray for emotional and physical strength for Kim and the kids.

Pray for complete restoration and healthy progress throughout my recovery.

Daily Prayer | Declaring New Things

Stonecreek Church is uniting together to pray one prayer each day over 40 days, asking God to declare new things in our lives, families, church and communities. The emphasis is in conjunction with the teaching series, "This or That," taking a look at how Jesus introduces us to a new way of living to replace the former things in our lives. October 10, 2010 will be a great Day of Declarations, as we conclude our prayer journey and celebrate the new things God is declaring for us.

Isaiah 42:9 says, "See, the former things have taken place, and new things I declare; before they spring into being I announce them to you." (emphasis added, NIV)

Below is the Daily Prayer. To receive a daily email that includes a new challenge and response each day, register here. It is not too late to begin!

Daily Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I come to You now to renew my place in You. I acknowledge that You are the Creator of all things and the Provider of all I need. You are the Great I AM. The First and the Last, the King of kings and Lord of lords. You alone are life. No one comes before You, and today, I will pursue life in You as my greatest passion.

Father, thank You for ransoming me with the life of Your Son. Jesus, thank You for being my substitute and paying for all of my sins. I believe in Your resurrection, and it is through my faith in You that I can now approach my Heavenly Father with freedom and confidence. I claim the power of Your resurrection in my life and I now bring every aspect of my life, including my family [name your spouse and/or children] and my work under Your authority and Your Kingdom. 

In You, Jesus, I have received a new life and have been raised to walk in the newness of that life. I ask that Your Holy Spirit search me, know me and reveal to me any aspect of my life that is not pleasing to You. Show me the things in my life that prevent me from knowing Your will, and give me the strength to repent. Holy Spirit, I also ask you to awaken my heart to everything You want to do through me and the steps You want me to take for You. Jesus, I believe You have new things to declare for my life and I ask in Your name that You make them known to me.

Jesus, I also ask You to reveal to me in every way possible those in my current relationships for whom I should intercede in prayer and reach out to in Your name. I pray today for opportunities to be Your light in their life so they will grow in the knowledge of You.

Father, I pray for all of the leaders at Stonecreek Church who join with me for this time of prayer. Search us, break us and unify us as men and women of the one true living God so new things can be accomplished for Your Kingdom in our homes, our community and around the world. 

Holy Spirit, fill Your church with the strength and endurance to bring spiritual revolution in these times. Stir our hearts to pray as never before and to have discernment and a boldness to share the life we have in Jesus.

Now, Father, I pray for 10/10/10 and every new thing You will bring about in me, my community and our church. You are able to do immeasurably more than all I can ever ask or imagine. To You be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! In Jesus' name I pray these things, Amen. 

Easter: The Glory is the Lord's, Forever

Prayer for John Gibbs - Update

I spoke with Steven about 1:40 p.m., and his voice was encouraged and confident in God's grace and provision for John. To quote John's surgeon (to Steven and Debby), the surgery went "extremely well."

This is beyond "extremely good news," as prior to surgery, the doctors indicated that John's injuries were so rare, that they had never seen this type of injury and that there were no case histories to reference. Prior to surgery, they shared with Steven and Debby that they would be taking "baby steps," and to prepare themselves for "multiple surgeries." In fact, John's injury is so rare that medicine now has a new name for the injury to his air passage and throat (and I won't attempt to spell it!).

Today, the surgical team was able to remove scar tissue in John's throat and reposition his epiglottis  (a thin, valvelike, cartilaginous structure that covers the glottis during swallowing, preventing the entrance of food and drink into the larynx) without having to perform a tracheostomy (the construction of an artificial opening through the neck into the trachea, usually for the relief of difficulty in breathing). John is recovering in ICU, and the plan is to extubate tomorrow, and follow-up the surgery with a laryngoscopy early next week.

John's recovery from the surgery will be very painful, so please pray for his healing and recovery. His 9th birthday is Saturday, and will be one I know he and his family will never forget. Please continue to pray for John, and for his surgical team as they determine objectives and courses of treatment to bring healing!

Steven will be updating his blog later this evening, but gave me permission to share this with you all!

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Prayer for John Gibbs - Update

Check out Steven Gibb's blog, for the most recent update on John's medical transport to Ohio for surgery.

They lifted off around 10:30 a.m. this morning from Atlanta. Please continue to pray for John's surgical team as they map out a course of action for John's medical needs.

Prayer for John Gibbs

This a picture of two great friends: John (left) with my son, Miles (right).

Please pray for Steven's son, John, as he is being admitted to Scottish Rite ICU / Atlanta for overnight observation, and transported tomorrow for surgery in Cincinnati, OH.

John has had difficulty breathing over the last 24 hours, and it is evident to his doctors that the solution is surgery. Steven and Debby knew that surgery was in their next steps, but were hopeful that some other preparatory measures could have been taken. After a visit with their physician today, relieving John's difficulty in breathing has become their immediate priority.

The doctors had discovered earlier in September that John's voice box is broken. This is restricting his airway a bit, as well as causing problems with his ability to swallow. His medical team considers this a "very unusual" injury, and God has provided a leading Airway Specialist in Ohio to perform John's surgery.

Please pray for John in any way the Spirit leads you. Check Steven's blog for posts and updates.

Out-of-the-way Places

As often as possible Jesus withdrew to out-of-the-way places for prayer. Luke 5:16 (The Message)

Took some time today to get away to a place of solitude to worship God, pray and seek Him. Jesus modeled this for us, and we really do need to get away often. Not for "vacation," but specifically to worship God and hear from Him. The time flew by. I long for more!

Here are some photos I took from the Indian Seats Observation Deck at Sawnee Mountain Preserve. Ryan Martin, Stonecreek's Director of Operations, told me about  this spot. I tried the timer button on my camera to see if I could snap a shot with me in it. It actually worked! (Click the photos for a larger view.)

What I Chew On And Pray

Sometimes the best start to a day is to simply pray Scripture. Psalm 19, from The Message, is my guide today:

7-9 The revelation of God is whole
      and pulls our lives together.
   The signposts of God are clear
      and point out the right road.
   The life-maps of God are right,
      showing the way to joy.
   The directions of God are plain
      and easy on the eyes.
   God's reputation is twenty-four-carat gold,
      with a lifetime guarantee.
   The decisions of God are accurate
      down to the nth degree.

10 God's Word is better than a diamond,
      better than a diamond set between emeralds.
   You'll like it better than strawberries in spring,
      better than red, ripe strawberries.

11-14 There's more: God's Word warns us of danger
      and directs us to hidden treasure.
   Otherwise how will we find our way?
      Or know when we play the fool?
   Clean the slate, God, so we can start the day fresh!
      Keep me from stupid sins,
      from thinking I can take over your work;
   Then I can start this day sun-washed,
      scrubbed clean of the grime of sin.
   These are the words in my mouth;
      these are what I chew on and pray.
   Accept them when I place them
      on the morning altar,
   O God, my Altar-Rock,
      God, Priest-of-My-Altar.

Silence When I Pray

Sometimes God seems to be silent when we pray. Last October I gave a message about my own personal encounter with God's silence. Why does God seem silent when we pray so earnestly for His intervention in our situations and circumstances? Does God's silence mean He is distant from us or uninvolved in our situation?

I hope "Silence When I Pray" will encourage you as you pray. (click to listen) 

Get Steven's latest update on John, here.

How to Pray

Remember to pray for John Gibbs . He was scheduled to have an endoscopy, or "scope," this afternoon. The surgeon who has been with John since his arrival will perform the endoscopy to check his esophagus (passage to the stomach), trachea (windpipe) and vocal chords.

When you don't know what to pray, ask God. Listen. The Holy Spirit was given as our Helper to lead us into all Truth. He will lead You how to pray.

Psalm 84 will lead you in a time of personal worship as you pray. Agree with Scripture in your prayers that God is who He says He is, and He can do what He says He can do.

Jesus, you are our Light and Protector, our Sun and Shield, and grace comes from You. I pray for your light to be upon the surgeon today, Lord, and that You would be the Protector of John's life and body. We ask that You release the fullness of Your goodness upon John's health and his family. We trust in You, God, and we give You glory and honor in everything. In Jesus name I pray, Amen. (Praying Psalm 84:11)