Posts Tagged ‘Psalm 56’

The Blessing of Your Prayers
Hannah with her brothers, David Jr. & Jon

Hannah with her brothers, David Jr. & Jon

Yesterday I told my mom that Hannah was doing better, that we saw improvement. She responded by saying, there are so many praying, so heaven is being stormed with prayers for Hannah. To God be the glory! The thought of heaven being stormed with prayer encouraged me. It probably isn’t a surprise when I say my family and I could use all the encouragement we can get right now.

The Lord is hearing our prayers!

Wow! It has filled our hearts to see the overwhelming response on Facebook, on this blog and through the many texts and phone calls. Yesterday Hannah had 15 visitors! Friends who came by to love on Hannah and pray for her.

I can’t mention all the visitors, but some of them were three pastors, Stephen Phelan, Danny Kim and Jaime Rodriguez from our partner church, Bridge. A pastor’s wife, Liz Castro from another partner church, Grace Renewal. One of Hannah’s closest friends and mentor, Heather Stevenson. Heather brought a friend of hers, Kate. Kate brought her guitar, and they were singing and worshipping with Hannah. When we went to see Hannah after their visit, it was the best we’ve seen her since she entered the hospital!

God is doing an amazing Work!

Keep Praying – The Battle Continues

Yet the work is not finished. Hannah needs to keep improving, to keep getting better so she can be healed and come home. Please do keep storming the heavens with your prayers.

Our family also needs your prayer of your loving support. Dawn has been spending long hours at the hospital every day, and it is physically and emotionally exhausting. David Jr. and I are tired from trying to juggle work and visiting Hannah. It’s also hard on Jon, being so far away while his sister struggles.

I’ve just been through three of the heaviest ministry weeks I’ve had in a while. I feel spent today, but the fact that Hannah is doing better does lift me up. It gives me hope!

Thank You for Your Love

I speak for our whole family when I say thank you for the outpouring of love and prayers. It’s an emotional time. Sometimes the tears come. We at times are afraid. We keep running to our Father’s arms. He holds them open wide, and he comforts us. He meets us where only he can. He also brings tangible expressions of love through you – through your texts, your messages on social media, your hugs and your prayers!

Thank you so much and to God be with glory!

Hannah with her mom and one of her friends, Hilary Salinas

Hannah with her mom and one of her friends, Hilary Salinas

One of Hannah’s favorite verses is found in is found in 2 Corinthians 12:9:

…”My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ rest upon me.

We are weak, but God is strong. Like the simple children’s song goes, “Jesus loves me this I know for the Bible tells me so. Little ones to him belong, they are weak but he is strong.” And Psalm 56:3 reminds us what to do when we are afraid. “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.”

Wonderful promises of God’s grace and rescue in our time of need.

Continue to approach the throne of God, and storm the heavens with your prayers for Hannah!

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

There is Hope
David, Hannah & Jon with Daisy having some fun

David, Hannah & Jon with Daisy having some fun

It’s been hard to write about ministry happenings while we’ve been going through this trial. I’ve found it hard to focus, and believe it our not, it’s emotionally draining.

The good news is that things are getting better. We are not out of the woods yet, but there is greater hope! Thank you Jesus for your faithfulness.

Encouragement from Our Friends

I met with my good friend and the lead pastor of Harbor Mid-City church, Stephen Phelan today. The time we spent together was a real encouragement to me. I’m finding as I travel this road that knowing that he and many others are concerned for us and praying for us lifts me up.

The day before I saw Stephen I spent some time with one of my close friends, Tom Steller. Thank you Lord for the special friends who help bear our burdens and walk on this journey with us.

When I was with Stephen I shared with him that we’ve seen the Lord bless us more and bring us more fruit in ministry this last year than we’ve experienced in a while. On the other hand, we’ve also had some huge trials in our family over the last several months.

The Battle & Greater Perspective

It shouldn’t be a surprise that we are in a battle. Our enemy doesn’t play fair. It is also true that we live in a broken sin filled world.

Another friend sent us a couple of inspiring verses that go a long ways in giving us a greater and more positive perspective.

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. —Deuteronomy 31:6

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world. —John 16:33

Dave, Hannah and Dawn

Dave, Hannah and Dawn

One of the things I like about Jesus’ words in John is that the trials aren’t a surprise to Jesus. He says we will experience tribulation. It’s just a part of life, but he doesn’t leave it there. There is hope, because Christ overcame the world.

Jesus gives us hope. When you feel pummeled by the trials that come your way remember the risen savior. Look to Jesus.

Lord, whenever I am afraid I will trust in you (Psalm 56:3).

God is building his church, and things are looking brighter.

My family and I are grateful for all the support and prayers we’ve received. We definitely do need others. Thank the Lord for the great friends he has given us.

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

Dawn & Dave with the San Diego Harbor in the background

Dawn & Dave – The San Diego Harbor in the background

On Sunday when I was leaving church at Aisquith Presbyterian, just outside of Baltimore, a friend of mine discreetly handed me a crumpled ten-dollar bill. I stuck it in my pocket, and didn’t pull it out until later, because my friend acted like he didn’t want everyone to know about it.

When I got to a place where I could pull it out, and look at it, I saw that it wasn’t a large amount. Yet I felt like the Holy Spirit spoke to me and ministered to me through that gift. He reminded me that He loves me and my family, and that He’s going to take care of us.

You see we’ve got a lot on our plate right now. I’m traveling on the east coast, involved in ministry with World Team this week, and working on fund development on the weekends. Our house is under contract. Sunday morning I received the inspection report before I went to church.

The inspection report was on the discouraging side. It seemed like the buyers were asking for the moon. I had a hard time not thinking about it during the service. It’s hard not to fear that the deal is going to fall through. We are hopeful, looking to the Lord, but we don’t know what’s going to happen.

There are some challenging things going on in our family too. The move has stirred up all kinds of dust. On top of this we are working hard to get the rest of our financial support raised before we move.

In times like this it’s easy to get our eyes off the Lord, and focus on what appears to be a mountain of difficulties. I needed something. I needed the Lord to sweep in and minister to my hurting heart. That’s just what He did!

I don’t know what’s going to happen with our house. I’m hoping and believing that the sale will go through, but we do have some obstacles to overcome. We don’t know how the buyer will respond to our offer.

We do know God loves us, and He cares for our every need. He is more concerned about our family and our ministry on the border than we could ever be.

Psalm 56:3,4 is a great source of comfort in times of need.

“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise , in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?”

Thank the Lord for His enduring love and His faithfulness.

Pray for the Lord’s wisdom and direction as we negotiate with the buyers. We will most likely give them a response later today to the things they’ve asked us to do as a result of the inspection.

Ask the Lord for His provision as we seek the raise up the final funds we need to be fully funded, and freed up to focus on the ministry on the border. If you would like to partner with us financially, you can give online . Just click on the donate button below: 

In His Grip, Dave

P.S. For updates on Petra Anderson go here…

DiasoLifeontheBorder.org