"I need a bigger box..."

...Then He [Jesus] got into the boat and His disciples followed Him. Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke Him, saying, "Lord, save us! We're going to drown!"

He replied, "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?" Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.

The men were amazed and asked, "What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!"... [Matthew 8:23-27, NIV]

Imagine Christ turning to you - as you are overwhelmed with fear in a moment of great adversity, struggle, or difficulty and He says..."oh you of little faith!" Not the kind of encouragement we might expect- but talk about needing a bigger box! This is exactly where the disciples find themselves early in their relationship with Jesus. They are in the midst of a raging storm, overwhelmed with fear, and the cry out to Jesus! And where was Jesus? Physically, right beside them - asleep! And notice how they cried out to Him...it was not "teacher", "master", "Jesus", "friend" or "brother" - but "Lord".

And the opening word of this scripture gives us a glimpse into why they cried out "Lord, save us!" For the word then signifies a transition. Something just happened...and that something was profound! The disciples just experienced Christ delivering the Sermon on the Mount; His healing of a man with leprosy; His healing [from a distance] the servant of a Roman Officer - because of his faith; His healing of Peter's mother-in-law and those who were demon possessed. But the moment immediately preceding this raging storm was Christ instructing the disciples to get in the boat and cross over the lake to get away from the large crowd that was gathering. I say it again...Christ instructed His disciples to get into the boat, and cross the lake to get away from the crowd! Why...because there was work to be done! And that work is not only in the non-believer! But to those who cry out..."Lord"! A bigger box needed for the believer - for what lies ahead! Remember - he is the author and finisher of our Faith, and many times...we need a bigger box to allow our Lord to grow, shape, and mold our faith - of who He is in our lives! Without faith - it is impossible to please God [Hebrews 11:6] - for faith is the bridge that closes the distance between what we "believe" and what we "experience".

I know it has been awhile since I have written [can't believe it has almost been a month, but for that I am very thankful!] The last three weeks, Christ was expanding - more like blowing out - our box as we continue to dive into His Word and Walk by Faith! Expanding our box in ways that I never thought imaginable as He reveals more and more of Himself - by both revelation, but also reality in His creation! It has been absolutely awesome - I must say - ...and I am so thankful for the time alone with the Word! So many times in the midst of the miracles and ministry, in which He calls us...we run out of fuel. And I shared last time that our sails were tattered by the storm that was raging! And in the moment of crying out "Lord, save us!" He showed up powerfully! He is, was, and forever will be right beside us! And that is not my promise or word - but His! And here is the question that continues to blow up my..."Do I believe IN God?...or do I Believe God?" These two questions are profoundly different! Do I seem Him just as Savior? Or is He Lord of my life? Are my eyes fixed on Heaven and Eternal Life? Or on the relationship I have with Christ? Profoundly different...and over the last three weeks it has been absolutely amazing to receive to His encouragement and truth as the Holy Spirit continues to correct, teach and equip through the Word - as He promised in 2 Timothy 3! And can I just share how excited we are for what He has in store...but we will continue to wait in His timing and rest!

So...I am sure you are wondering? How is the little man...

Well...at yesterday's weekly hospital visit with our Cardio Thoracic Team at Children's Hospital in Pittsburgh - Jackson received a wonderful report! He is doing great! He truly is beautiful - and I can't begin to share how amazing it is to hold God's miracle in our arms everyday! Our team of nurses and doctors continue to provide incredible care - and continue to love on Jackson (and our family) in ways I have never seen inside the medical world - but their incredible care of holding Jackson throughout the day for the first month of his life in the CICU and Cardiac floor - has become a bit of nightmare at home over the last month. He is not sleeping much through out the day, and only wants to be held! Our arms (Kelly's more so than mine) are getting quite the work out...but the miracle of life is so worth the exhaustion of the holding!

Jackson is now weighing in at 10lbs 5oz! It took awhile for the little man to figure out the whole "eating" aspect of life, but once he did - boy does he ever love to eat! He is taking anywhere from 2.5 to 4oz every two to three hours during the day, and is going down at night - in his crib (Praise the Lord!) - anywhere from 8 to 10pm and then sleeping for an extended time until 2 or 3am for a mid-night feeding, waking again around 5 or 6am for an early morning feed. It took Kel and I a few weeks to adjust to his schedule - but once we transitioned, things have gone really well! Kel takes the mid-night feeding, and I have been taking the early morning feeding - which I have to share has been a real blessing! It has been so awesome to have some quiet time with the little man, and there have been many tearful mornings as I am overwhelmed with the joy of our Lord in His precious miracle and promise of full and abundant life! Jackson has amazing eyes...and one heck of grin...that just captures your heart and reminds you of how precious life truly is! It is so awesome...and many mornings I just find myself caught up in the "wonder" of our Heavenly Father as I hold His miracle and creation!

Kel is great! She is absolutely amazing! Her faith and strength overwhelm me! She has been through so much over the last 9 months, and continues to stand strong and hold firm to the promises of our Lord and Savior! Even in the moments of exhaustion, pain, frustration, disappointment and weariness...Kel continues to demonstrate and express the Seriously Ridiculous Love of Christ through the ways she supports and lays the foundation for Carter, Jordyn, Jackson and myself! She truly is a rock...and continues to run with great endurance this race the Lord has set before us!

And speaking of Carter and Jordyn...you want to talk about amazing! Jordyn continues to skip through the house singing "Oh no! You never let dough...Lord you never let dough of me!" It is absolutely hilarious - wish you could hear her! She truly has a passion for life - along with herself right now as a 2yr old! She continues to be mommy's little helper in taking care of Baby Jack Jack - as she affectionately refers to him!

And Carter...unbelievable! He continues to demonstrate compassion in ways that shock and awe us! He is an absolutely incredible big brother to both Jordyn and Jackson! And one of the most incredible moments of the past three weeks was this past weekend, when Carter and I had the opportunity to spend the weekend together just the two of us - as I was preaching/speaking at a youth conference/retreat. It was the first "ministry trip" that Carter has joined me on...and it was absolutely awesome! We had some very special moments...and God is stirring in Carter's heart in some very deep ways! Carter is asking some very profound questions, like this one he hit us with last week on our way home from Jackson's appointment at Children's Hospital..."Daddy, do bad people believe in Jesus?" Tough question...and one that is/will shape his theology/perspective at a very young age. And so after a few moments of prayer and thought here was my response..."Bubba, there is a difference between believing and obeying. Bad people do not obey Jesus, but I know many people who have done some very bad things that now believe in Jesus." And with out hesitation...Carter jumps in and says "and now they have new life?"
"Exactly!"
What an amazing understanding and great insight for a 5 year old! It is an awesome blessing to see How God is moving in and through Carter! He is so inquisitive right now...and is asking some extremely deep questions! Definitely an exciting time...

I trust that the Holy Spirit continues to lead you in your prayers, and thank you for your continued support, encouragement, and provision your prayers provide! Kel and I have always believed in the power of prayer - but now are experiencing the promise of prayer in unimaginable ways! I don't know how people unite, and walk through storms together without faith through the power and promise of prayer! Keep wearing those knees out, and continue to fix your eyes on Jesus!

We love you...and thank you again for running this race with us!

All Eyes on Jesus...


Specific Prayer Requests:

• Preparations for Jackson's Glenn surgery (the 2nd open heart surgery of the 3) - which is currently scheduled for March 11.  [Details to follow...]
• Focus and discipline in our "new norm"
• Rest, Strength and Energy
• Wisdom and discernment as we continue to seek the Lord's Will. 
• Opportunities to share God's story through Jackson's life...speaking of which - Jackson made his media debut yesterday!  He was highlighted briefly in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette as his fetal surgeon, Dr. Emery of Magee Women's FDTC program, was interviewed last week.  Here is a link to the full article:  http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10034/1032910-114.stm?cmpid=news.xml