-
A picture began circulating in November. It should be “The Picture of the Year,” or perhaps, “Picture of the Decade.” It won’t be. In fact, unless you obtained a copy of the U.S. paper which published it, you probably would never have seen it.
The picture is that of a 21-week-old unborn baby named Samuel Alexander Armas, who is being operated on by surgeon named Joseph Bruner. The baby was diagnosed with spina bifida and would not survive if removed from his mother’s womb. Little Samuel’s mother, Julie Armas, is an obstetrics nurse in Atlanta. She knew of Dr. Bruner’s remarkable surgical procedure. Practicing at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, he performs these special operations while the baby is still in the womb.
During the procedure, the doctor removes the uterus via C-section and makes a small incision to operate on the baby. As Dr. Bruner completed the surgery on Samuel, the little guy reached his tiny, but fully developed hand through the incision and firmly grasped the surgeon’s finger. Dr. Bruner was reported as saying that when his finger was grasped, it was the most emotional moment of his life, and that for an instant during the procedure he was just frozen, totally immobile.
The photograph captures this amazing event with perfect clarity. The editors titled the picture, “Hand of Hope.” The text explaining the picture begins, “The tiny hand of 21-week-old fetus Samuel Alexander Armas emerges from the mother’s uterus to grasp the finger of Dr. Joseph Bruner as if thanking the doctor for the gift of life.”
Little Samuel’s mother said they “wept for days” when they saw the picture. She said, “The photo reminds us pregnancy isn’t about disability or an illness, it’s about a little person” Samuel was born in perfect health, the operation 100 percent successful. Now see the actual picture, and it is awesome…incredible….and hey, pass it on! The world needs to see this one! -
What Traveling Around The World Looks Like in 1 Minute
-
Supercute baby preacher…he even knows to move across the stage :).
-
Prayer Chain for Lilly
Hey Everyone,
Lilly has been on my heart for a year now, but it wasn’t until recently that God placed a burden on my heart to start a prayer chain for her. This past week was especially tough for her, and there are more than a multitude of burdens in her life from many aspects. And as architorture (Lilly’s a USC architecture student) commences soon, I believe it’ll be good to have this chain for 1 week. Pray for comfort and releasing of burdens at the Cross. Pray for His supernatural peace in her heart. Pray for guidance and wisdom as she faces and makes big life changes. Pray for the transition to school life, and for her immune system as she’ll be lacking sleep. Pray for total reliance on the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit.
If you have been moved to pray for her, please reply to this post. *Know that you can keep a simple prayer in your mind for whatever hours you choose, and also that there will be multiple people praying.* Thank you, guys.
Psalm 91:15 - He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him.
Matthew 18:19 - Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven.
-
(via christinegracie)
-
isaiah 40:29-31
I needed this badly tonight.
He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint. -
Emergency Bible Numbers →
When you are sad, call on John 14
When you don’t feel loved, call on Romans 8:38-39
When you have sinned, call on 1 John 1:8-9
When you are facing danger, call on Psalm 91
When people have failed you, call on Psalm 27
When God feel far from you, call on Psalm 139
When your faith needs encouraging, call on Hebrews 11
When you are scared, call on Psalm 23
When you are worried, call on Matthew 6:25-34
When you are hurt, call on Colossians 3:12-17
When you feel no one is on your side, call on Romans 8:31-39
When you are seeking rest, call on Matthew 11:25-30
When you are suffering, call on Romans 8:18-30
When you feel you’re failing, call on Psalm 121
When you pray, call on Matthew 6:9-13
When you need courage, call on Joshua 1
When you are in need, call on Philippians 4:19
When you are hated because of your faith, call on John 15
When you are losing hope, call on 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
When you are seeking peace, call on John 14:27
When you want to do good works, call on John 15
When you want to live a happy life, call on Colossians 3:12-17
When you don’t understand what God is doing, call on Isaiah 55:8-9
When you want to get along with others, call on Romans 12:9-21
-
I second Joshua’s sentiments. Hurrah for VBS Week! Thankful for great drama team + for Eunice’s leadership :).
VBS is tomorrow! i am still sinking in that. butbutbut i am excited and ready :)
-
This photo is magical!
-
TMI (we just don't care)
Shannon Lee: how was your bathroom trip?
Matthew Ide: i feel like i gave birth
-
:)
[10:13:09 PM] Matthew: but what else have you been up to?
[10:13:16 PM] Shannon: cooking ;)
[10:13:25 PM] Matthew: alllright
[10:13:28 PM] Matthew: that is pretty hot
[10:13:39 PM] Shannon: what’s pretty hot?
[10:13:42 PM] Matthew: you
[10:13:44 PM] Matthew: cooking
[10:14:26 PM] Matthew: i like it
-
(via arcticstory)
-
Expressiveness (Skype)
[after a series of really blatant, unattractive expressions]
Shannon: I don't need emoticons
Matthew: you really don't
Matthew: you have them on the screen
Shannon: hahaha
-
One person + God = the majority
– Rock Harbor Pastor (via followinghim) -
“Because the Spirit is holy and dwells in us, our bodies are holy sanctuaries from God’s vantage point. Too often we disdain our bodies as the source of sin and our fallenness; yet they are precisely where God the Spirit chooses to dwell.” -Francis Chan, Forgotten God
