Thursday, October 30, 2008

Election Contemplation

Obama vs. Scott and Janet Willis


Reverend Scott and Janet Willis, whose six children were killed in a tragic accident involving a truck driver who had obtained his commercial drivers license through bribery, drive three hours to the state capital in Springfield to testify in favor of a “Choose Life” license plate; proceeds from the specialty license plate would be used to help fund adoption expenses. Echoing pro-abortion groups, Obama calls the issue “contentious.” NARAL calls it "aggressive propaganda," and the vice president of the Illinois National Organization for Women calls it "a violation of free speech." Reporters fill the hearing room, eager to record the expected emotional Willis testimony; Obama calls only his friendly witnesses, ignores Scott and Janet Willis, and then abruptly adjourns the hearing. Obama reconvenes the hearing the next day, after the reporters have returned to Chicago, listens to testimony, and then has his Democrat-controlled committee kill the legislation. [412,413,414]

We need to somehow get this out to the voting public.....

Friday, October 10, 2008

A Gathering

Please see thebrokeringfamily.blogspot.com for details regarding Warren's funeral. In short, the viewing will be on Monday, 4-8 p.m. (ha--good luck getting us all through THAT line in just four hours), and funeral on Tuesday from 1-3.

The services will be held in Terre Haute, IN, just 2 hours from my house. I know that there could possibly be a great number of people traveling from Wisconsin and other parts of Northern Indiana and Illinois. Jeff and I would like to open our home in case someone needs a place to stay on the way. Because our son Bryan is flying in to Indianapolis on Monday, we most likely will not be attending the viewing, but our plan is to leave sometime Tuesday morning to attend the funeral. We have a guest room with a queen size bed, and a basement with a very comfy couch. Either place is open to anyone in need, so please let us know if you'd like to stay over. I am anticipating a Maranatha alumni gathering the likes of which we've not seen in a long time. It is painful that we should meet this way, but let's face it, Warren would love it! My guess is that he would probably come up with some kind of skit and silly outfit to wear just for the occasion! So don't hesitate to contact us if you'd like to stop by. We'd love to have you!

Finally Home

The wait is finally over for Warren. Please keep the rest of the family in your prayers.

From the Brokering's blog.....

Warren Brokering, husband, father, pastor, and friend went home to be with his Lord this afternoon, October 10, 2008, at 2:55 p.m. (ET). He was surrounded by his wife, Tana, his family, and dear friends. He is no longer in pain, and he is now face to face with Christ his Savior. Although his passing is painful, we are rejoicing with him as he enters a new, eternal life with Jesus.

At this time funeral arrangements are being made, and will be posted as soon as they are finalized. The family is asking that you respect their privacy and refrain from directly calling. Comments on the blog and emails are welcome. Please feel free to call Brett Marker with condolences and requests for information. Brett can be reached on his cell phone at 734-968-5135, and through email at brett.a.marker@jpmchase.com.

Thank you for your love and prayers during this difficult time.

2 Timothy 4:7-8

“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”

From Jeff Estes

"I just got off the phone with the hospital. Warren is sleeping comfortably, but still with us."

Whence Cometh My Help

Still no news.


I Will Lift My Eyes

God, my God, I cry out
Your beloved needs You now
God, be near, calm my fear and take my doubt
Your kindness is what pulls me up
Your love is all that draws me in

I will lift my eyes to the Maker of the mountains I can't climb
I will lift my eyes to the Calmer of the oceans raging wild
I will lift my eyes to the Healer of the hurt I hold inside
I will lift my eyes, lift my eyes to You

God, my God, let mercy sing her melody over me and
God, right here, all I bring is all of me
Your kindness is what pulls me up
Your love is all that draws me in

I will lift my eyes to the Maker of the mountains I can't climb
I will lift my eyes to the Calmer of the oceans raging wild
I will lift my eyes to the Healer of the hurt I hold inside
I will lift my eyes, lift my eyes to You

'Cause You are and You were and You will be forever the Lover I need to save me 'Cause You fashioned the earth and You hold it together, God so hold me now

I will lift my eyes to the Maker of the mountains I can't climb
I will lift my eyes to the Calmer of the oceans raging wild
I will lift my eyes to the Healer of the hurt I hold inside
I will lift my eyes, lift my eyes to You
I will lift my eyes, lift my eyes to You

God, my God, I cry out
Your beloved needs You now

3:22 a.m.

Berkeley received a text message saying that Warren was in the final stage, and to pray that he be taken quickly. Nothing since then.

Thursday, October 09, 2008

7:39 p.m. ET

Jeff Estes is on the phone with Tana right now. Warren is still very much aware of his surroundings when he is awake. She says, "this man is such a fighter, and he is not going down easy"! But so far, still not much of a change from before.

Some news

I just spoke with Berk, who just spoke with Brett Marker. Brett is there in the hospital with Warren and Tana. Warren is in and out of consciousness. When he wakes he is anxious and agitated. They are giving him morphine and Adavan (forgive the spelling) for his pain and breathing. Unfortunately, with each time his breathing dips, they try to get him back up to the level he was previously at, with no success. He is only breathing about 20 respirations an hour now. It will not be long. Please pray for Tana. She had tried to get some sleep, am not sure how successful it was, but at least she rested for a while. I will update as I receive news.

CORRECTION--Warren is breathing 20 respirations per minute, NOT HOUR. So sorry about the typo. Was trying to type too fast!

Wednesday, October 08, 2008

Please Pray

Please pray for my friends, Warren and Tana Brokering. Warren has been battling lung cancer for some time now, and it appears that he may be in the last few hours of his life. I just spoke with Tana on the phone and was able to share some verses and pray with her. What a blessing she was.....even through her tears. I am sure it is all very surreal. They have three children under the age of eight. Please be praying for them. They knew that he was declining, but had no idea that it would come this quickly.

Warren is awake and aware of what is happening. He was told just today that he will most likely not make it through the weekend. He is taking it well. Dave Martins and his family are on the way from Minnesota, but it is a 16 hour trip. Please pray that if it is God's will, they will make it in time.

Tana said to me, "God is good". And he is.

Look Familiar?


Friday, October 03, 2008

Shoulder to Shoulder

This has been a time for adjustment in our family. The addition of two children into the daily routine of our family has been a wonderful change, and, at times, a serious challenge. Jack went from being an “only child” to being the “middle child” in a very short amount of time. I daresay that the change has been hardest for him, but because he is only 2 (almost 3!) it is more difficult for him to truly voice his feelings. And so he acts out, making an already crazy household that much more crazy. I have often thought to myself, “What would I do without Jeff”? I know women who have done it, either because they’ve lost their husbands to death, or they are in the military, or have simply been abandoned by their husbands. If you were to ask each one how they are possibly getting through life, they would tell you that is not in their own strength.

Recently, I have had several friends going through deep waters. One I will mention by name, Lisa, who is experiencing extreme physical difficulties, life-threatening even. Please pray for her, her husband, and two small children, who have physical difficulties of their own. I have other friends making a stand for Christ, and facing difficulties because of it. Some of the things my friends are experiencing has had me plain old mad at Satan, and so I went out this morning to work out some aggression on the ornamental grass that has taken over the plants in my retaining ring. Earlier I had read an email, and was struck by the phrase “stand shoulder to shoulder”. As I worked, I began to think about that phrase, and was truly grateful that I can say that through the adjustment trials we have been experiencing I have my dear husband standing shoulder to shoulder with me. But what if there was no one? The phrase is defined “to support one another at a difficult time”. It made me think of a modern phrase, “got your back”. This has a combat meaning, where two soldiers, surrounded by the enemy, stand back to back to ward off attack. What if no one had my back?

Psalm 16:8 says, “I have set the LORD always before me. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken”. In the battles of our daily lives, and in the extreme trials assigned to us by God, there is One who stands shoulder to shoulder and back to back with us. Jesus Christ. Because He is standing at my right hand, and all around me, I will not be shaken or moved. He is the King, the ultimate Bridegroom, the Victorious Warrior.

My prayer today for my friends would be that whatever giant they are facing, they would know without a doubt that Jesus Christ is standing shoulder to shoulder with them, and as others fall away, He will remain unchangeable, unshakeable, and unstoppable.

In Christ Alone

In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand

In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
‘Til on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt of life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life’s first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
‘til He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand