Embrace the Struggle
Posted in Michael's Updates on 11/25/2009 01:39 pm by Michael
Last week when the Ziglar family heard about the struggle Brenda is having, Tom Ziglar offered to send Brenda an autographed copy of Zig’s brand new book, Embrace the Struggle. Although Brenda is not able to read well at the moment due to the disruption in her brain, she is more than able to appreciate the generosity of heart from our friends in the Ziglar household. When I brought her the signed copy of that book, she looked at it, held it close to her chest and told me she was reading it with her heart!
She went on to tell me what she was getting from the book just by holding it to her heart. It was as though the eyes of her understanding were being enlightened to see and comprehend the big ideas in the book and she was so very grateful. It was a moment to treasure for sure. Thank you Tom and Zig for your kindness!
One of the things that has unfolded from our current struggle is an incredible sense of gratitude and thankfulness Brenda now has. She is often saying, “I am so thankful. I am so blessed.” It’s hard for me to imagine someone overflowing with thankfulness during the most difficult, life threatening trial of her life, but she is and she means it.
With Thanksgiving just a few hours away, my inclination was to ignore the holiday, but when I see the demonstration of true thankfulness in the midst of struggle being lived out right in front of me, I choose to do no less. I have much to be thankful for and so much more is on the way. May I never lose sight of the goodness and kindness of God, even in the midst of the storm and may I always remain thankful.
When you think about it, the bad things that happen in life do not disannul the good things, so we would be wise to give thanks in everything because as the Scripture says, “Now thanks be unto God, which always causes us to triumph in Christ”. There is something about thankfulness that leads to victory. It is the path Brenda has chosen, but in her case it is not an act of discipline, but rather a genuine response to the hand of God on her life. More about that in future posts.
Until then, may you find fresh reason to be thankful tomorrow and always! It might just save your life!
November 25th, 2009 at 2:35 pm
Dear Brenda and Michael,
You are in my prayers and thoughts everyday! I believe with you for your recovery Brenda and I am looking forward to a time when we can be in each other’s company again! Michael, I appreciate each update and your words describing your journey are an encouragement to my soul while I am praying for you to be strengthened during these trying times.
I wish you both a special Thanks Giving Day and I rejoice with you for healing and full days.
Blessings,
Wilhelmien
November 25th, 2009 at 3:29 pm
Dear Brenda and Michael,
Our prayers are in one accord with yours for complete and perfect healing. We say yes and Amen to this healing and it is finished! God is the perfecter of our faith and we rest in His grace and mercy. May you find rest and the full peace of God tomorrow and the days to come.
We are ever so Thankful for you both, for your living example every day of faith, perseverance and complete trust in our heavenly Father.
God is moving and bringing miracles of healing throughout the nation. We have several people we are praying for healing miracles including Brenda. We are trusting Him for each one and we are seeing His hand reach down from heaven. Our prayers continue for Brenda and we are rejoicing and thanking the Lord for her healing, sowing seeds of prayers and thanksgiving every day.
God bless you both and thank you for sharing this journey with us.
In Christ’s love,
wende
November 25th, 2009 at 7:04 pm
Brenda and Michael,
My prayer are with you and I am standing in agreement for your complete healing. Stand firm. The devil is a liar and you have the victory. No matter what it looks like in the natural realm. The battle is going on in the spiritual realm with all your faith friend on this blog and beyond. I stand side to side with you with the sword of the spirit, claiming your victory and mine. You will live and not die and proclaim the works of the Lord.
I am Thankful this Thankgiving for the victory you already have and soon it will manifest in the natural. Amen
At his feet
Michele Tokiwa
November 25th, 2009 at 7:15 pm
come to our spanish service the presence of god is so powerful and we went to hospital girl given 3 days to live and she walk out of the hospital and you never know god has divine appointment the pastor does spanish church and spanish radio and business background so pray about it . victorious life church old pasco rd wesley chapel fl 33544 and ivvchurch.com 2pm pastor gilbert and he and i talking about market place minstry
November 25th, 2009 at 9:30 pm
My dearest Michael and Brenda,
Greetings in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, the Alpha and Omega, the Healer of healers, and the One with whom all things are possible.
I recently coined these words during a personal situation of which I am still going through “Since GOD is the Alpha and Omega, there is nothing that can outlast HIM, which means that all problems have an expiry date and at the end of them, HE STILL IS”!
I trust that these words will provide additional encouragement for you both as you remain steadfast in your faith in our eternal GOD who is our refuge.
Blessings to you both. I continue to pray for you
Wil
November 25th, 2009 at 11:09 pm
I am thankful for your lives. An awesome, living example of the way “the life we now live” is to be lived.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Victory!
Adam
November 25th, 2009 at 11:21 pm
God Bless, I don’t know Brenda,but God does. I also believe in God’s word which states ask anything of me in my name. And in Jesus’s name I am asking our wonderful Lord to heal Brends in Jesus’s name. He was able to heal all those that were not in his presences at the time of healing, and I believe God and our Lord Jesus will work in Brenda’s health. I also pray for Michael,that God and Jesus would continue to give him strenght and comfort in these hard times. Nothing is impossible to do in God’s sight.
I believe in the chain of prayer, and I and my family will continue to pray for Brenda and Michael. God Bless!
November 25th, 2009 at 11:24 pm
Please, lets all come together as one and pray for Michael and Brenda in these hard times. Where there is two or more, God will be in the mist of them!
November 26th, 2009 at 12:43 am
“I used to believe that life was hills and valleys… I think life is more like a railroad track with two rails, and you have them both at the same time. There is always something good in your life, and no matter how good things are going, something bad is in your life. And then there are bad things in your life and no… matter how bad things are, there’s always something good you can thank God for, too.”—Rick Warren (Purpose-Driven Life)
You can read about Rick and Kay Warren’s battle (and victory) over her cancer here:
http://www.familylife.com/site/apps/nlnet/content3.aspx?c=dnJHKLNnFoG&b=3781067&ct=4921219
I’m praying for courage and your ability to truly “hear” God’s living Word this Thanksgiving Day.
In Him,
e-Mom @ Chrysalis
November 26th, 2009 at 4:31 am
What is astonishing is the way that both of you handle this. Your own thankfulness and gratitude and especially Brenda’s, is so inspiring. You mentioned before how incredibly happy Brenda is. It is so beautiful and so precious and so uplifting. It boosts my own faith. It is only a child of the Most High that can react this way. It is such a testimony.
You need not worry – the Lord is going to pull Brenda through. It will be used to bring glory to His kingdom.
November 26th, 2009 at 7:23 am
[...] encouragement from you might make all of the difference. We have some good friends, Michael and Brenda Pink, who are going through a health struggle right now. Would you remember Brenda in your [...]
November 26th, 2009 at 6:14 pm
Dear Brenda and Michael, There is no doubt in my mind that it is God’s will to heal Brenda, and bring glory to Himself. Father God, I ask that You give Brenda and Michael eyes to see, ears to hear and a heart to understand what the Spirit is saying to them at this very moment. Cause the power of agreement to prevail over the attack of the enemy. According to Your Word, be it unto Brenda right now. In Jesus Name.
November 27th, 2009 at 7:13 am
Brenda, Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground and after you have done everything, to stand. Ephesians 6:10-13 You have stood so strong in the past struggles of your life, I know this will be no different. As we gathered yesterday at Linda’s for Thanksgiving we lifted you in prayer and will continue to do so throughout this struggle. Love and prayers, Mamie
November 27th, 2009 at 1:05 pm
I just read your post and want you to know I am standing w/you in believing for Brenda’s healing. I think many times the struggle is within our selves to come to a place of letting go and completely trusting our Papa for ALL He has provided through Jesus. He is so good and faithful. Remember Ps.40:1-4; Ps. 103:1-5; Ps.118:14-17. Also there is a scripture that says that “…until the Word of the Lord came, the word tried him (I’m not at home so I can’t look up the reference. God bless you richly in all ways each and every day and I will join the host of others in prayer and thanksgiving for Brenda’s complete restoration.
Blessings, Rachel Beeson
January 8th, 2010 at 10:26 am
Hey Folks
Was at Mt Pinos Ski .
Have the crowds gone?
Further east ,
never missed a season at, like Snow Creek Ski and Hidden Valley Ski Missouri
Enjoy