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Thursday, March 31

I'm Married to a Broken Vessel Who Rarely, if EVER, Lets a FIERY TRIAL Go To WASTE

"If there's one thing we ALL know something about, it's PAIN! ..."
*Based on Paul's experience written in  2 Corinthians 12:5-11*

NEW Podcast *NEVER LET A FIERY TRIAL GO TO WASTE! -- The Benefit We Gain from Suffering in the Flames is GETTING to Glorify God's Holy Name!*

Listen In... Pass It On @ http://directory.libsyn.com/episode/index/id/4261070

Who hasn't suffered broken dreams, moments of doubt or weakness, growing pains, anxiety, panic attacks, insecurities, injustice, lost hope, passion for a turning point, feelings of hopelessness, loss, worries about the future, needs that went unmet, lost opportunities, fear of failure, unanswered prayers, rejection, ...(your experience)?!
Most of our trials and tribulations come because of our own bad choices, but we keep PRESSIN' IN and keep on learnin' and growin'.

 "Between The Lines Video Podcast" on our Vimeo Channel 



One week ago today, this was the miracle that began and promises great progress and returns over the next week, 3 months, and 365 days!Praise The Lord for His divine appointments and answering our prayers!



      We are IN the flames, and IN pain, but we won't let it be the END of us.  Instead, we're doing our best to offer up a sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving to God.  Each prayer and word of strength and encouragement from our faithful friends means more than you can ever know! Keith's pain is much worse than I thought it would be at this point. I know that one thing we ALL know something about is PAIN. Each one of your experiences that you share with others can be such a tremendous inspiration! It has been a tough week here! Keith and I have to keep reminding ourselves that his healing neck wound from, what we didn't exactly think would be such, extensive surgery is not like a "simple paper cut!"  And the blood, bruising, unexpected intermittent swelling, and pain that is taking much longer than we expected to improve in his broken body, is part of it all. Whew! We're hangin' in there and in constant prayer until things get settled down... in time. Patience is a virtue, right?? It's a daily development here. Thank you to all who took time to send us your love, prayers, and words of encouragement and strength!!  If you have any favorite Scripture or advice you might offer, for waiting patiently in faith and rest, please do share.  Thank you, in advance!!

(BEFORE 3-hours in surgery)                         (AFTER 3-hour surgery)







We soon became very encouraged by facebook comments and direct messages that kept coming.  I was charging my phone as much as I could in the hospital, so I could check in more often and read to Keith.  What I saw really helped lift him up as he suffered in post-op pain, so terribly.  Every one of those kind comments, emails, and direct messages, helped take our minds away from the draining effects of the physical condition Keith's body was in, and of the raw emotions (worry, doubt, sadness, sorrow, ...) we seemed to work hard to overcome, and remain optimistic. Have you been in a place in your life when your glass seemed unusually half empty? How did you handle things and what was the result? To share a testimony with us, please  e-mail us. Also feel free to write a letter and mail it to TOWARD THE MARK, P.O. Box 1152, Yorktown, VA 23692-1152.

The waiting room attendant, very nice lady, with great character qualities for doing a job like hers, was finally able to tell me that Keith was in post-op recovery and I would be able to see him, soon. I decided to look for something unique that might cheer him up.  Look at this cute little "Air Walker Balloon Puppy" I found in the hospital gift shop. I simply named him "Buddy for Keiffy."

     We so appreciate you, your friendship, prayers, and generous contribution to us here at this small ministry!  Each of the notes, cards, calls, and words given to Keith in prayer and for strength and encouragement means more to us than you'll ever know. In our every day prayers, we make sure to stand with each friend and/or acquaintance who has let us know about a trial, pain, or tribulation they are in.  And we also make sure to stand with each friend in their heart's deepest desires, that they be fulfilled by our Most Holy, Wonder-full, Living, Loving God and Heavenly Father. Jesus Christ is returning soon and very soon! Hallelujah! Amen!


*Although Keith and I were having a good time with our new Air Walker Buddy, MarGirl didn't share our sentiment. She managed to tolerate his presence with us. We love this faithful little companion, and her flexible character we've been enjoying now for 8 fabulous years!*
We hope you are able to take joy this beautiful day that the Lord has made. What a day to do some of our best thinking, singing, and talking with The Lord.

Keep PRESSIN' IN!


            Read more messages, twelve of them, based on God's Life-Giving Scriptures and how it has been applied to Keith in his life, in our book, "XII Smooth Stones" available on our website at TowardTheMark.com.

            Would you write and let us know if this, or another particular blog, message has fanned the flame in your heart for Christ Jesus, His wonder-full Ways, and His Plan and Purpose for you in this life? To place a special order for "XII Smooth Stones" or another Keith Shealy and Toward The Mark book or original music CD,  click here to e-mail your request or write us a letter and mail it to us at the address below, or  as shown on our website.

Toward The Mark, Inc., P.O. Box 1152, Yorktown, VA 23692-1152

XII SMOOTH STONES by Keith Shealy and Toward The Mark is a 12-message collection:
No Matter What!
The Magnetic Mantle...Cats Should Have Kitties;
Fire, Pressure, and Them Slithery... Snakes
The Ultimate Home Gym
Vampires In The Church
STOP...
The Great Deception
The Invisible Man
God Is So Much Bigger Than You Think!
Die Empty!
Building Godly Friendships
The Secret To A Happy Life


We pray God uses this message to fan the flame in your heart for Christ Jesus, His wonder-full Ways, and His Plan and Purpose for you in this life. If you have any questions about our work, or if you would like to make a special tax-deductible donation, place a special order for any of our books, magazines, or CDs, or to share a testimony or prayer request with us, please  e-mail us. Also feel free to write a letter and mail it to TOWARD THE MARK, P.O. Box 1152, Yorktown, VA 23692-1152.
May God bless you greatly as you carry this truth in your heart. We are eternally grateful for our loving Toward The Mark Family of sponsors who make this blog, and all of our resources, possible by their faithful prayer and monthly financial support!

Your friends and servants in Christ,

    
To Show GOD BIG in a World that Sees Him small… 
sums up the reason Keith stepped out in faith to focus on reaching the lost and strengthening believers everywhere, through Toward The Mark, Inc.  Keith and Brenda's prayer is that you will be encouraged and edified by the Secrets from God's Word that Keith recounts in our written and recorded products.

We couldn't do this without the help of our friends!
This blog message, along with the complete collection of original podcasts, music, blogs, books, CDs, and other Bible-based resources of Toward The Mark, Inc. is made possible by the faithful prayer and financial support of the TTM Sponsorship Family. We'd like to invite you to come on-board, to become a part of the TTM Family as well by becoming a monthly financial partner? Your support will go toward fulfilling our God-given calling to help provide effective, contemporary outreach tools that are available to everyone, the churched and un-churched alike, who desire to know more of the love, truth, and salvation of Jesus Christ. We invite you to partner with us as we "press Toward The Mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:14)



We INVITE You ... to follow and share these resources that are also available, for helping build your faith in God, His Will, and His Ways: 


Let It Go





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Mail tax-deductible contributions by check or money order made out to:
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Thank you in advance for sowing your financial seed into the fertile soil of this ministry! We pray God bless you with a 100-fold return for your generosity!



Keep PRESSIN' IN!




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