Praise You In This Storm

Lance has loved music from a very young age.  I remember the first bass guitar purchase - shopping for the guitar, selecting an amplifier, and of course one must have a case to protect the instrument - wondering, in the days before Christmas....how many days after Christmas it would be before it was just another old  toy.  Well for Lance it was a wonderful toy that was constantly  in his hands being practiced and mastered.  In fact, the next Christmas, Gena and I purchased another guitar, this time a 6 string, so that he could expand his musicianship.  He enjoys making music and listening to music from multiple genres.

He used both of those guitars(and others since) to play worship and praise music in many churches and other settings.  We have discussed our friendship with Ted Gilbert as we have kept updating the blog(this is Shannon's dad).  The friendship started when Ted and Holly were attending Fly Branch Church of Christ while Kevin Angel(husband to Rayetta), another old rock and roller, served as minister. Gena, Chelcee, Lance, Brock and I were also part of the congregation at that time.  The boys were teenagers at the time; Brock was a beginner drummer and Lance was learning fast.  Kevin, Ted, Lance, Brock, and I started spending our Saturday mornings practicing so we could play for worship services.  We played hymns, contemporary Christian songs, and a few songs that were modified for learning about or glorifying God.  We all learned alot through that experience, made friendships with one another, and most importantly used our time and talent for the Lord and His Kingdom.  (I've always expected that I was in the band only because I owned some of the equipment and transported two very important band members to practices.)  The greatest thrill of all, as a dad, was to get to spend all those hours over a 3 year time frame with my sons.  I had always thought that as a father of two sons, I would be in ball parks and gymnasiums as they were growing up.  Wow, was I wrong!  They were not like me; all I had been able to think about,during my young years, was sports.

What a gift Lance and Brock gave me - their music.  We spent time at band camp and competitions, at concerts, practicing around the piano.....time with Ted and Kevin and others just learning how to play.  The band, Joyful Racket, had lots of chances to play at church camps,  youth events, and at other churches in the area.  Brock continues to develope his mutiple music talents; he and I have prayed, from the first days after the accident, that Lance's music - playing the guitar as he jumped around in his bare feet - would be a part of his future.  Thank-you, Brock and Lance for such a special memory - getting to praise God though song with both sons.  More praise after update......

Lance was very busy on Monday; speech therapy was very exciting as Heather showed us how he was positioning his lips and tongue to make certain sounds.  At this point no noise comes out, but this is a first step.  As the day progressed he just seemed to notice his surroundings and people more.  His long looks with those big brown eyes seem to be communicating alot, but it is up to those around him to interpret the meaning.  One of the difficult daily(especially during the evening and nighttime hours) occurrences  is storming.  This is a symptom of many patients who experience brain injuries.  During the "brainstorm", the patient will usually sweat profusely, appear agitated or uncomfortable; sometimes the pulse and blood pressure elevate.  These storms are part of Lance life (and part of our life) for the immediate future.  We just do what we can to comfort him and cool him down - pain meds and cooling off techniques - as you would any patient with an elevated temperature.  A song comes to mind that combines praise and storms.  It is written and performed by Casting Crowns; several of their songs were favorites of Joyful Racket.

Praise You In The Storm

I was sure by now

God you would have reached down

And wiped our tears away

 Stepped in and saved the day

But once again, I say "Amen", and  it's still raining

As the thunder rolls

I barely hear Your whisper through the rain

"I'm with you"

And as Your mercy falls

I raise my hands and praise the God who gives

And takes away

 I'll praise You in this storm

And I will lift my hands

For You are who You are

No matter where I am

Every tear I've cried

You hold in your hand

You never left my side

And though my heart is torn

I wll praise You in this storm

I praise God tonight for the Vanceburg Christian Church, our home congregation.  But I praise God for THE CHURCH.  I thank God for letting me see it in action.  I feel its presence in our lives.  I learn daily of how groups of believers around the world continue to pray to God and lift Lance up to Him through their prayers.  The church is God's Kingdom; we are a part of something great, something big and powerful.  Many have made me realize God's abiding presence through their love, prayers, visits, cards, emails, and other ways.  We have visitors that often make me feel like I've been in revival after they leave - such as today.  Guy Priester (of First Baptist of Snellville) and our new friend Sarah Ott(Passion Church)  were both in Lance's room at the same time today; we all joined in prayer as we gathered around his bed.  Yesterday's visit from Jennifer Barnes, so warm and so genuine, brought so much of God's comfort to us.  These people, who we didn't know before this event, are being sent by divine ordination.  All I can say is we will continue to praise during this storm, and the next, and the next.  One day, we are promised, that the storms will cease.  If we desire to follow Christ, we can claim all the promises of scripture.  Our lives will have storms; it may even seem that you have a stormy life - all the time.  Please know and trust that peace is promised.........then, take the next step - seek God with all your heart......that is when we will be truly blessed.  That is when we can claim all the promises!

-John