Hold Fast.

Peace withers.             
Order explodes.
Culture devolves. 
Hold fast.

Justice fails.
Virtue punished.
Truth hidden.
Hold fast.

Love lusts.
Innocence lost.
Hope vanished.
Hold fast.

God our stronghold.

He is exalted.

Cease striving.
Hold fast.

Help is on the way.

bN tGit

Will. Power.

I am reminded throughout the Scriptures about "the sacrifice of praise." 

When I discipline my will to offer my sacrifice of praise to Him, without exception, I experience a "breakthrough" to worship, where a dynamic exchange takes place; Kingdom authority--His power working in me, for authentic Worship. 

This is why we see so much conflict around "worship" in the church today. Failure to worship prevents Believers from experiencing His empowering flow, from the throne of God to the people of God; as a consequence we underachieve and never fully appropriate "His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think."

Ephesians 3.20

Start this week in Worship to say "no" to any attitude that prevents you from turning your full focus on God, who loves us with an everlasting, undeserved love. Don't focus on the environment, the music, the clutter created by leadership, the squasma of life--just look up and offer your sacrifice of praise; watch what God will do in you, then through you.

This is one sacrifice where God's people get much more than we give.

bN tGit

Politics as industry.

Father in  heaven...

Politics has become a growth industry in America, this is a problem; too much ambition and too little service.  It didn't start this way.  The noble has become dishonorable.

Regardless of party affiliation, the pursuit of power, wealth, celebrity too, has become the focus of many who have been elected to serve "the people" in Washington.  Congress has been sullied by gridlock, the "love of money", sexual scandal, graft and abuse of privilege.  Democrats, Republicans, sully their sworn oaths.

I pray this 2016 election cycle breaks toward leaders willing to make tough decisions, without regard for how those decisions poll: that, will be patriotism.

...Deliver us from evil.

bN tGit

Dear Mr. President

"WE the PEOPLE in order to form a more perfect union...do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."

Preamble to the Constitution

"...to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among men deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed; and whenever any Form of Government becomes destrutive to these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or abolish it, and to institute new Government."

Declaration of Independence

Dear Mr. President...

I know you get it; what's troubling is your presumption that because you believe America needs to be fundamentally transformed--you have the right, your opinion, to exercise the power of the Presidency in ways that violate the trust given to you in 2008. You don't own the Presidency, the People lend our Presidents power and expect they will use but not abuse it.

You have described a classic American experience, people helping each other up the ladder--part of what makes our culture exceptional. Then it became clear as you continued, that you don't get it at all. In your vision of our country, "behind every successful entrepreneur there stands a successful government (Rich Lowry)."  Nothing could be further from the truth.

The truth is, Mr. President, that behind our government--the oldest most successful democracy on earth--stand exceptional citizens, who believe in a big idea birthed in the crucible of revolution, which make it great. It's this "citizen DNA" that makes democracy work. "We the people" build those bridges, dams and roads, that "infrastructure;" our engineers vision and design them and our labor force contructs them; our hard earned tax dollars pay for them. Government has a role, but make no mistake: the People preceded the Government and it is this Nation's People that make her great, government possible and dreams come true.

Mr. President, the People did not anoint you to Federalize mentors, teamwork and pro bono benevolence. That's not a function of government, never has been, never will be; it's part of the character of our People and has marked every generation for 239 years. The genesis of this kind of generosity is the goodness of our People and our willingness to help each other; our passion for helping others improve their lot in life, realize a dream, move across socio-ecomic barriers and beat the odds. That's just what we do; we give back and we give generously without concern for what "our fair share" might be. That's why America is the most generous Nation on the planet; this is a place where in spite of evil, goodness does eventually prevail.

Please, Mr. President, reconsider your campaign to reinvent America in the image of collectivism. That sets the bar far too low and will surely relegate us to the backwaters of the 21st Century. The world will be a far less humane place if that becomes our destiny.

Mr. President, like many politicians, you often conclude your prepared remarks with a simple yet profound blessing; "God bless America." I pray that you will be energized by the possibilities contained in that simple phrase; that you will lift your eyes from the horizon, to the heavens and be gifted with a fresh vision much bigger than "a fair share." A vision rooted in grace, driven by faith and powered by obedience.

Mr. President, may God bless you.

Respectfully,
Ben Baier


bN tGit

From another perspective.

"Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or imagine, according to the power that works within us, 21 to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen." Ephesians 3.20,21

This is a capstone of worship and benediction to Paul's prayer for the Ephesian Church in his letter to the same. The prayer, and this benediction, are perhaps my favorite text in the Newer Testament.

I've come to another perspective over the last few months about this promise in vv.20,21.  The optimist in me always sees the glass half-full.  These words "...abundantly, beyond all that we ask or imagine..." always brought great joy to my heart as I contemplated--then experienced--God's blessing on His people,  His provision on a "just in time" basis--rarely early but never late.

But recently I've connected the dots in a different way; "...abundantly, beyond all that we ask or imagine..." can sometimes come to us through the portal of pain, suffering and loss.  It isn't that I don't understand that God uses suffering in our lives.  It isn't that I've never personally experienced that process.  I'm 62 years old--who hasn't suffered in 62 years? God has always been a ROCK and walked though all the squasma with me.  I simply have never connected THIS verse to THAT process.  

Reflect on this with me for a moment--applying the text, "...abundantly, beyond anything we can ask or imagine," to the crucible called suffering.  This promise is a deep well of hope for those between a rock and a hard place.  God wastes nothing that comes into our lives.  I believe that most of what we suffer is simply the result of the ebb and flow of life impacted by a world wrecked by sin.  Imagine (though the text says it's beyond our ability to imagine) God meeting us "abundantly, beyond anything we can ask or imagine" in those hardest of hard "life-loss" moments--NOT removing the suffering or restoring the loss, but using it to transform us.

This--the hardest of hard-- is where I've lived since February 19, 2015 when we learned our 13 grandson, Braden, had a very serious cancer.  God has met me in this barren place...abundantly, beyond anything we could ask or imagine.  

Braden is not cancer-free, and we have no guarantee, though his prognosis is good.  The way to his current status has been difficult, he has suffered and lost too much.  Yet, through it all, God has inhabited my fear, my anger and my tears.  He has changed me, made me more dependent, forged a more profound faith in me; He has changed Braden.  He has changed our family...abundantly, beyond anything we could ask or imagine.

I have witnessed abundance through Braden's parents--their resolve and leadership; through Braden's transformed adolescent attitude;  through younger brother Kellen pitching in, doing all he can to bring comfort and ease the load.  I have witnessed abundance through answered prayer.  I have witnessed abundance through the hundreds of people who are investing there time, energy, love and faith in us--generously, constantly.  I have witnessed His abundance in my "dark night of the soul" moments...abundantly, beyond anything we could ask or imagine.

I know this: God is. God is acting. God is acting for us. God is acting for us abundantly beyond anything we can ask or imagine--in celebration and through suffering.

Loss isn't abandonment. It isn't the death of hope. It's an "intersection" where one can step back and see life not just for what it isn't, but for what it is; it's at that place, in that moment, we see the goodness of God...abundantly, beyond anything we can ask or imagine.

Sometimes, joy comes in the MOURNING.


bN tGit

Keep your eye on the ball.

The cardinal rule of good hitting--baseball, golf, billiards--is of course, "keep your eye on the ball." 

That said, my mission as a follower of Christ--to proclaim the truth about God, His love for humankind, His provision for our redemption--does not require me to fear a culture filled with souls who "are like sheep without a shepherd."  It does NOT require me to win the so-called "culture war."

Jesus saw the crowds of distressed people and was "moved with compassion" all the way to the Cross where He crushed the power of sin, once-and-for-all.  God's Word makes it clear who the enemy is..."For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places"  Ephesians 6.12

God's Word tells me what it is I must do to engage these evil adversaries and prevail...

"10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 14 Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, 19 and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak."  Ephesians 6.10-24

Note that this passage does not instruct Christ-followers to revile the sinner, legislate a solution that protects my family, leave the Union, or disengage from "life in the world--not of the world."  This is not a political war, not a culture war--it is a Spiritual battle that calls for weapons fashioned by God for taking down, taking back, strongholds.  Our weapons?  See...truth, righteousness, the Gospel of Peace, faith, salvation, God's Word, intercessory prayer, wisdom from God to speak the truth in love with boldness behaving as an Ambassador/Doulos for the King.

When we allow ourselves to be drawn into a "culture-war" mentality, we lose; people yet to trust Christ and experience spiritual re-birth lose.  We allow the "the rulers, the powers, the world forces of darkness, the spiritual forces of wickedness" to pick the time and place of the struggle; we lay the Armor of God aside--and we are impotent in the face of such evil. It's high time believers figure out "who and where" the enemy is and the rules-of-engagement; then take the fight to the enemy as per Paul's instruction in Ephesians 6.10-24.  Only then will we see the tide of evil begin to recede. 

We will not prevail in the long-term by building higher walls around the spiritual reservations we have fashioned our churches into,  by asking Focus of the Family to lobby our politicians, by finding conservative-too often shrill--politicians to write laws and pack the courts; cursing-the-darkness won't win the battle. 

Choose God.  Love people.  Know who the enemy is and "10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil."  Ephesians 6.10   

Our battle is NOT against flesh and blood.  The stakes are infinity higher than a culture-war; eternity hangs in the balance for those yet to embrace Christ with effective faith.  

Keep your eye on the ball.

bN tGit

Grace wins.

June 23, 2015... I need to periodically remind myself about my mission in life--perhaps you need that too.  So, I repost this from just a few years ago...

"'Huffington Post...'WASHINGTON -- The Defense of Marriage Act, the law barring the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriages legalized by the states, is unconstitutional, the Supreme Court ruled Wednesday by a 5-4 vote.'

'The federal statute is invalid, for no legitimate purpose overcomes the purpose and effect to disparage and to injure those whom the State, by its marriage laws, sought to protect in personhood and dignity,' Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote in the majority opinion. 'By seeking to displace this protection and treating those persons as living in marriages less respected than others, the federal statute is in violation of the Fifth Amendment.'

An urgent letter to my friends who identify themselves as followers of Jesus...

'Yesterday (June 26, 2013) The Supreme Court published its opinion on United States v. Windsor.  The sun came up this morning, as it always has.  A new day.  Here's the reality: nothing has changed.  As believers we are called to love the world as Christ loved the world, unconditionally, and be instruments of grace and healing.  

If history teaches us anything, it's that culture, people, tend to go the way they're going. The Court's opinion simply affirms what history so clearly demonstrates.  As a believer my mission has not changed one bit.  This ruling serves to underscore the urgency (NOT to fall back and counterattack) of what God has called me to do personally, within my spheres of influence, and corporately, through my community of faith; seek to demonstrate the love of God in tangible ways that will move people closer to personal faith in Christ. This means I must do everything I can to make hard lives easier--regardless of the spiritual outcome.

My church (the community of Christ-followers regardless of religious tradition) must understand that it is not about us; about making the world bend to what makes us comfortable and secure.  It's about the world.  We should expect that people who have not embraced the reality of God's love, will choose to live in ways that do not reflect that reality.  This fact should not repel us, it should compel us to resolve to love those not like us in the same way that God loves them--generously, redemptively, graciously. This is faithfulness to God's vision for His church, and His world.'"

GRACE WINS.

bN tGit

Amazing Grace.

My choices will shape my character. 

Good character will empower me to be the kind of person God uses to make hard lives easier.

Making hard ives easier is a legacy that will transform my world, one needy--and often underserving, person at a time.

This is the miraculous power of amazing grace.

bN tGit

Today.

Today a gift; time, breath, life.  Now what?

Horizon indigo-blue dawn.

Sweet slumber, my retreat.

Moments with God, my hope.

Today wished away?

Sundance East.

Love's gentle touch, my confidence. 

Grands smiles, my delight.

Today mine to squander, make great?

Sun blazes zenith, Noon.

Disapointment, my challenge.

Sweet fragance, my respite.

Today spent, invested?

Moon reflects suns glory, sublime beauty.

Kind word, my comfort.

Quiet reflection, my strength.

Today, something of significance to last?

Here, gone.

All I have, all I need.

I will rejoice and be glad.

bN tGit

Praying through Cancer, June 2015

June 10, 2015...

Father-in-heaven, we are grateful...for respite, for healing; grateful for tender words, fervent prayers; grateful for this BraveHart community; grateful that You understand us, that you embrace us regardless of circumstance. Give us clarity--especially in our distress--to remember Your great faithfulness, You are there when we can't take another step, there when rest renews us, there when fear threatens us. You restore our hope, give us vision for life. Now give us confidence that whatever comes next, we can trust You to carry the day for us; wisdom to focus on "today." Make it a GRACE day for Braden, Kellen, Erin and Matthew. Through Christ, let it be.

June 9, 2015...
'After our whirlwind hospital stay last week and over the weekend we had a great check-up today! Braden's counts had fully recovered, his mouth looked almost completely healed, and his pain level was at a 3. All of these were as good as they have been in the last month! We are hopeful that this continues and that he has a restful and relaxing week of recovery. No chemo until Monday!'  Matthew

June 8, 2015...
"Feeling kind of down because my youth group is at camp this week, just looking forward to when I can participate again."  Braden

"Because if you Braden, I have been praying more than I have in a long time. Thank for inspiring me, by being a great role model and being an example to the power of prayer. Praise the Lord!"   Thom Herskowitz, Belize

"You will son, my prayers are always for you."  Craig Brizendine, TN

"Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken." Psalm 62  Ryan Claudin, San Diego, CA

June 6, 2015...
"Been meditating on this verse for quite a while, and find myself praying this over you this week. I'm so grateful we have a God who knows all your fears, anguish, pain, knows exactly what you need and will accomplish all that concerns you. Grateful to pray for you, sweet Braden....'What are you, mighty mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become level ground. Then he will bring out the capstone to shouts of ‘God bless it! God bless it!’ ” Zechariah 4:7  Karen Dickson, Santa Barbara CA

June 5, 2015...
"My mouth seems to be slightly better today, but I still feel broken, and I still feel unable to enjoy the normal everyday blessings that I would normally treasure, such as eating and being with family... It doesn't seem fair. I understand that I should find joy in suffering, and in fact I do, at least afterwards, when everything gets physically better, but right now my suffering is so immense and so strong that at feel like I'm never going to get better. I have never experienced such physical pain in my entire life than I have in the past two days and continuing... Right now I feel like God isn't answering my prayers regarding pain. I can strongly feel God when I pray to him, I know he is there. But I am growing weary, I am tired of this, I'm ready for it to be over! I have showed great strength throughout my treatment and I have proven to handle my pain very well, but the suffering that I am going through at this moment is far worst than it has ever been, and I have spent hours crying out to The Lord for relief, but it has not come to me. I feel lost in my own faith, and i feel stuck in this hospital, since they won't let me out until my pain wares away. Why does this treatment seem to get worse? Why do I have to suffer this much? Haven't I already learned to be humble and learned to enjoy the blessings in life that normal people don't? I need relief and I need healing, Jesus, please listen to me and please heal my mouth! I need you more than ever right now! I want my life to go back to normal. Please, god, I want this to be over. I have already been humbled. I now need relief, but I don't know what to do."   Braden

"I know this stinks buddy, but think of the amazing songs and chapters that you will soon be able to write once this is all done. You are a living testimony and I'm so proud of you! Keep pushing through! We can and will get through this! You will be able to understand all those that are hurting just like you are. I love you!"  Matthew"There are hundreds, if not thousands, of people walking in spirit with you. I so wish we could each be given a hundredth of your pain, so we could help it go away. We will pray, and lean on God to reveal Himself to you in ways you couldn't have imagined. Peace and lessened pain on you today, brave one."  Donna Wallace Hilldebrand,  Medford OR

"I am confident God will bring you through this and this time next year things will look VERY different from today. You will have such a unique testimony to share with your peers on appreciating life and the things that become mundane to us. So sorry you're suffering now."  Alysha Rachelle 

"I'm confident God will bring you through this and this time next year things will look VERY different from today. You will have such a unique testimony to share with your peers on appreciating life and the things that become mundane to us. So sorry you're suffering now."  Rob-Amy Haworth Elkhart IN

Thanksgiving for Deliverance from Death: Psalm 30
A Psalm; a Song at the Dedication of the House. A Psalm of David.

"I will extol You, O Lord, for You have lifted me up, And have not let my enemies rejoice over me.
2 O Lord my God,
I cried to You for help, and You healed me.
3 O Lord, You have brought up my soul from Sheol;
You have kept me alive, that I would not go down to the pit.
4 Sing praise to the Lord, you His godly ones,
And give thanks to His holy name.,
5 For His anger is but for a moment,
His favor is for a lifetime;
Weeping may last for the night,
But a shout of joy comes in the morning.
6 Now as for me, I said in my prosperity,
“I will never be moved.”
7 O Lord, by Your favor You have made my mountain to stand strong;
You hid Your face, I was dismayed.
8 To You, O Lord, I called,
And to the Lord I made supplication:
9 “What profit is there in my blood, if I go down to the pit?
Will the dust praise You? Will it declare Your faithfulness?
10 “Hear, O Lord, and be gracious to me;
O Lord, be my helper.”
11 You have turned for me my mourning into dancing;
You have loosed my sackcloth and girded me with gladness,
12 That my [d]soul may sing praise to You and not be silent.
O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever.

'...A shout of joy comes in the morning.' Hang on dearest Grandson. Healing will come. 'Read David...he is a man who suffered much and brings us great understanding in our suffering."  Gpa Baier

"Braden, I'm so sorry for all of this. It's not fair. Somehow we live in a universe where some really, really hard stuff. Honestly, I don't believe God gets up in the morning and decides to "lay" junk on folks. But I believe God loves you like you can't imagine. God's love is with you every easy and tough moment. And God wins in the end....."  Mark Fenstemacher, Bloomington IN

"Honest agonizing before God and us, your support team! You're a man after God's own heart, just like King David in the Psalms! We're with you!"  Sharon Parker, Ventura CA

"Hey Braden Hartman time for a pep talk. You know that I recently beat cancer ‪#‎5monthsout‬ !!!!! I didn't have a aggressive cancer I had what was known as a easy cancer bhahahhah if there is even a easy cancer.it just meant highly cureable. But no it put up a fight. I didn't eat for 4 weeks!!!!! Not to mention the nights I laid on the ground on a hot night setting my heating blanket to 9 trying not to puke or ya all over my self. What about the night I was laying in bed and my mouth felt as if it were broken. I couldn't talk or anything! Or benadryl I went to sleep fine and woke up ready to puke my guts up and unable to even sit up! I lost 55 pounds in 3 months from my cancer...... That's not healthy. But can I tell u something? God didn't give u this. God would never punish or harm his people however, I believe science. maybe DNA did mess up and cause it however, I believe Jesus will stand by my side. I believe he created me.but he doesn't believe that just because my body malfunctioned that I was a mistake Jesus doesn't make mistakes.Jesus walked beside me behind me carrying me in thorns and its a thick bush so I got stuck at times by the thorn. When you are when, you are at the end. I didn't understand why I was so sick (longest time at the hospital was 3 weeks and 6 days!) I began feeling as if my body became undone. Unwrapping myself and its just cancer biting one last time. Its like a mean spider you go to smash it and u miss and it bites you putting poision in you just so it could win it doesn't do it again yet hides in the same place waiting for you to return.but once you know you spray the house of spider repellent and heal from the wound you will be free again. I also believe its Jesus saying Braden I don't feel like you feel the same way torwards food friends and etc u may like it but something is missing and let me tell you! When u beat cancer and u get those small milestones its beautiful I mean I have pictures of me when I had barely any hair but it was there..... I took a pic of pizza lol I did everything! Point is Braden only the strongest get weak cry and beg but the survivors find ways to beat it. Pretend (well not really bcs its true) that cancer is a person who is trying to kill you and fight until you can't any more dream of your victory dream of what it would or should look like. Its possible braden . you just have to fight 

Hugs 💝 from a survivor to a fighter."  Kerry Kopas, Indianapolis IN

"May the HOLY SPIRIT ... the 'Comforter' ... indeed comfort you Braden. Thank you for sharing your heart Braden. You may not realize it now, but your words are very powerful for those of us who read them. You are so GIFTED Braden ... GOD has EMPOWERED you in ways we don't yet understand. I do know this ... your words are also empowering many others who are suffering, who are broken hearted ... your words are bringing so many of us to our LORD in prayer for you Braden. Bringing us closer to HIM ... which pleases HIM for sure. I'm so sorry for your pain, but Braden, Oh so very happy you are sharing this moment in your beautiful, long blessed life with us. You ROCK Braden! May our LORD GOD continue to bless you and all those who love and care for you."  Connie Maxey, Redding CA

"Braden, this is why you surround yourself with people who pray. We will petition God for relief for you. What you're experiencing doesn't make any sense to you, to your family or to anyone else who might hear of it. You did nothing to deserve the pain. I admire your courage to admit your brokenness. It allows us to be your strength when you cannot. God is hearing your name from hundreds. I hope you can find some comfort in that."   Julie Keith Smies, Granger, IN

June 5, 2015...

Father-in-heaven, come to us with relief. Come to us with courage. Come to us with endurance. Come to us with joy. Grant to us more than consolation, bless us with delight in knowing that Your strength is made perfect through our weakness. We cry out to you in our weakness, asking for mercy to stand firm, to bear up under this suffering, to heal and restore Braden. Do not allow our distress to diminish our faith--may our gaze be transfixed by the suffering of the Savior and in this season of our intense suffering, may that vision bring us to a deep, profound and bold understanding of Your love for us--its depth, mystery and power. May that understanding empower us with a compelling, effective voice that speaks of Your love to a world without hope, a world without love, a world without a future. Give us a big vision, not in spite of our suffering, but BECAUSE of our suffering. May this prospect fill us with resolve to endure until Your plan achieves its perfect result in our lives. Through Christ, let it be.

June  4, 2015...
"Swelling is down dramatically and no fever since late afternoon yesterday. Lord, grant us all strength, rest, and continued improvement today!"   Matthew

June 4, 2015...
"Came across some pics of Braden that made me smile. Praying for you bud!"  Uncle Kevin Hartman  Elkhart, IN

June 4.2015...
11.22pm "Today I have experienced to worst pain I have ever endured, the entire onside of my mouth and throat feels like triple the pain of a canker sore, please continue to pray for me."  Braden

"Well I guess tomorrow is the last day of school, and I wish i could be there so much. Honestly I wish I didn't have cancer and I wouldn't be in the horrible suffering that I am in now. Heavenly Father, why have you brought this trial to such an extreme extent? Why do I have to endure so much pain? Haven't I already gone through enough? Well, I know your overall plans for me are good, and I just ask, Lord, that you would take the pain away, and let me eat normal again without pain. Lift me out of this hospital and restore my health, and let me enjoy family and school. I will serve you. With my life and my body, and so I ask that you would heal my body, as it is your holy temple. Father, please give me strengh to finish this, and lord, please make this the last of mouth sores and oral suffering that I endure throughout this process. In your holy name I pray, Amen."  Braden

"You are loved with an everlasting love. I take great comfort in knowing that you know this. He will carry you through this, moment by moment. Celebrate the good days, lean hard into him on the difficult days--and keep looking up. Through Christ, let it be."  Gpa Baier

"Every day I pray, Braden. No one can really know how really difficult this is for you. Your strength and faith gives us all hope. It's plenty OK to cry out to God. Didn't Job? I think you've just added another chapter to Lamentations and a righteously good one at that. God be with you, son."  Terry Beall, Houston TX

"You've have so many prayers coming from Santa Barbara area of Southern California and now specifically for your mouth and throat to feel such relief you will be asking for cheese cake very soon. Keep reaching out to your Bravehart prayer warriors, as you just did, so all can know your needs. God Bless you Braden."  Debi Lee, Solvang CA

June 3, 2015...

7.46am Father-in-heaven--endurance. Through Christ, let it be.

11.41am "The following is not an attempt to speak for God, but rather an attempt to share the encouraging heart of the our Father that I have come to know.  I love you. My love is sometimes difficult to feel, but feelings are fleeting and my love is not.  I know that I ask much of you, but not more than I myself have given.......all that I have is yours.  I want you to know that nothing you sacrifice or endure as you trust in me is in vain, or will be forgotten. You are my son, you are my daughter, and even now you share in my glory.  Look just ahead. The darkness of this night is giving way to the morning I have prepared for you. Be hopeful in these few remaining hours. My glory and the things to come, no one has imagined."  Ryan Claudin San Diego, CA

12.38pm "Father in heaven, You are all-knowing, all-powerful and ever-present. Your word promises that "those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength...." You know that Braden and his entire family have their eyes on you and their hope anchored in You. Amaze them today with Your peace, presence and power. Amen"  Leonard DeWitt, Ventura CA

"I just prayed what Pastor DeWitt prayed. Amen, and amen."  Donna Wallace Hilldebrand

4.39pm "Braden has been admitted again. He is having some swelling in his mouth and now has a fever. Pray for the fever and swelling to subside quickly and for the doctors to figure out what's causing the symptoms."  Matthew

June 1, 2015...
"Braden, we prayed up a storm for you this morning at 6:00 am, Vancouver time. Love and blessing to you and your entire family. Love from Canada."   Tanya Scardera Surrey BC, Canada

June 1, 2015...

"Enjoying my sketchbook from Mrs. McKee's class while waiting for the MRI"  Braden

"You know I still have those drawings you made for me when you were so much younger. I'm going to bring them with me next time I see you, so you can sign them. They will/are priceless. I think you were about 5 or 6. They are amazing and you are even more amazing now. Love you."  Aunt Tamara Baier Manna

"Is that a picture of an anti-cancer drug??"  Bob Brownlee, WA

"A testimony of God's faithfulness at many levels! Braden's gift in art, God's faithful and sovereign plan, His healing hand, His strength and courage, giving hope, to name a few..." Karen Hayes, Sylmar CA

June 1, 2015...

1.33 pm "Prayer warriors we need your help! Braden has had some numbness return in his cheek. As a precaution, doctors have scheduled an MRI for this afternoon. Please pray for a clear MRI and for the numbness to be caused by radiation recall, scar tissue, or something else minor."  Matthew

5.02pm "Update: MRI results are in and the doctor is pleased with the results. The tumor has shrunk from all angles. Within the remaining Tumor, there is evidence of necrosis(dying tumor). This is obviously very good! Although the doctors were pleased, we are a little disappointed that it's still there at all. We need to continue to pray that the tumor continues to react to treatment and that the radiation is continuing to take affect. I am reminded of the fact that God is rarely early, but never late!"  Matthew

7.34pm "I am going to keep speaking death to the tumor, and abundant life to Braden, and family. Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty!"  Danny Young, Denver CO