This Week – Starting: 09/09/2024

My Request:

I’ve mentioned the struggle I’ve had recently. A few weeks ago I found out I need another Brain surgery. Back in December 2020 I was diagnosed with an Epidermoid Brain tumor. I had two surgeries in 2021 for this. Due to complications I had after the second surgery I did not have the third planned surgery. My surgeon has been watching it with annual MRIs. This past Tuesday was my year three checkup (hard to believe it’s been three years). It was found the tumor has grown in the past year and my surgeon suggested operation again. There’s no concern with this type of tumor being cancerous but the Epidermoid tumor is like skin cells in the brain which grow like skin and has caused some trouble. I’m not experiencing any kind of negative effects of this right now as I was in 2020. The doctor is hopeful this surgery will be more ahead of the tumor than behind it like we were in 2021.

Here’s my request:

PRAY please. I have three specific prayer requests right now:

• Pray I stay in a positive head space leading up to this surgery which is sheduled for October 9.
• Pray for my family as we go through this.
• Pray specifically for the surgery on October 9 and that I do not have the same type problems I had before. Please pray I get back to life fairly quickly like I did in my first surgery.

Thanks!

-Michael

This Week’s Posts:

Silage Tarp

Fall plantings

Zinnia Photography At Sunset

Star Trail Photography Attempts

Encouragement This Week:

My encouragement this week came from the book of Ezekiel. I’ve mentioned the Bible reading plan I’m doing with my church right now, The Bible Recap. In the plan we just finished the book of Ezekiel. As several of the commentaries I’ve read says chapter 37 is one of the most popular parts of Ezekiel. At the beginning of the chapter Ezekiel writes the “The hand of the Lord was on me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the Lord and set me in the middle of a valley;” – Ezekiel 37:1. Then he continues, “it was full of bones.” Ezekiel writes then the Lord walked him among the bones and asked if he thought The Lord God could make these bones live. Ezekiel replies he doesn’t know but then says you’re the Lord. As we read in Daniel “Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes“. Here in this valley of bones he chose to raise the bones to reform an army. What I needed to hear in this is he can use anything even old dry dead bones to accomplish his goals. I don’t see it coming usually but he can and he will.

So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I was prophesying, there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone to bone. -Ezekiel 37:7

As I read this I thought of this song:

“Since when has impossible ever stopped you?”

Do you know him?

I believe salvation is as easy as ABC. Admit You’re A Sinner, Believe Jesus Is Lord, Call Upon His Name (Confess).

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. Romans 3:23-24

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9

My Favorite Photograph This Week:

Wish to support future content here on my blog? I have this beautiful canvas print available for purchase:

Thanks so much for stopping by to read my ramblings! I have a few requests:

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Thanks!

-Michael Gilbert

Michael Gilbert: This blog is a personal project of ramblings from me on a variety of subjects. This blog is a personal project of ramblings from me on a variety of subjects. My focus here will be a life outdoors (mostly in South Arkansas)…looking for beauty from my heavenly father in as many moments as I can find myself in. Of course I scatter in some other stuff as my life is so scattered most days. Sorry if I ramble too much!

If you’re curious on who this rambling redneck from south Arkansas is you can read my story here.

Thanks for stopping by to read my ramblings!

-Michael

Here’s a link to my story in case you’re curious: