Please Join Us in Prayer

Sometimes the words don't come when I sit down to type...the tears do. This is one of those times. They are not tears of sadness but of thanksgiving...for God's plan, for God's timing and for the life that He gives...and especially the life He has given to my dad.

While my dad was in surgery for the removal of his appendix...his heart did some funny things for a few minutes. Those "funny things" turned out to be a mild heart attack and He was taken yesterday morning to Portland for some additional testing. Those additional test revealed that he needs triple bypass heart surgery. Truly, God used his appendix to save my dad's life.

I would lie if I told you that the unfolding of the last few days has not affected me at all...it has. I know that our days were planned out by God before the foundation of the world...and I have spent plenty of time the last few days reminding my children of that as they have been quick to fear when it comes to their beloved Papa. But I also have realized there are so many times that I live life without thought of death, without thought of life being a vapor, without living life in light of eternity. The Lord gives and the Lord takes away, death is not a possibility...it is a reality, each day is a gift from the Lord...our very breaths are acts of grace and mercy.

I have struggled with selfishness this past week...wanting a break from children who I spend each and every day with. I was forgetting Psalm 118:24, "This is the day that the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it," and wishing instead for my day to look differently. The idol of "me" had grown in my heart and and God and His precious gifts seemed small. God has ways of waking us up, huh? Truth is, though, none of this is really about me...it's more about my dad...but mostly, it's about God and the glory that He will not give to another. It's taking what we know in our mind about Him and His character and hiding it deep in our hearts so that it overflows into all that we think, say and do.

Part of that has resulted in an overflow of thanksgiving...for all that God is for us in Christ Jesus and for all the promises that He has given to us that cannot be broken...not even by death. And my heart has overflowed with thankfulness for my dad. If you know him...you know why. Each year he becomes even more precious to my heart as, each year He becomes more and more like Jesus. He's a godly man and a pastor who proclaims God's truth week in a week out with a shepherd's heart, a husband who truly does call his wife his best friend and favorite person to be with, a loving sacrificial father who has blessed us with his wisdom and council more times than I can even count and a Papa who is adored by his grandchildren.

My thankfulness gives way to prayer on behalf of my dear dad and I would ask for your prayers on his behalf as well! He sent out an email to explain a little bit more clearly what has taken place this past week...and I thought I would include it here for you to read!

Dear Family and Friends:

I wanted to send a summary e-mail to as many as possible to give you an update on what has transpired this week. The Word of God says, “The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps” (Prov. 16:9). Well, my steps have been redirected this week and for months to come. I am writing this from Providence Hospital in Portland after just enjoying a shower and feel OK right now. After reading this you will understand why I am still grateful to be alive.

Sandy and I would appreciate your prayers as we have encountered a most unusual week. It all started on Tuesday when I noticed pain in the area of the appendix. That evening I went into ER to get checked out and all tests showed that I was suffering from appendicitis. They removed my appendix on Wednesday morning. During the operation the EKG also revealed irregularities with my heart. Further tests showed that I had suffered a very mild heart attack during the surgery. On Thursday morning I was transported by ambulance to Providence in Portland and admitted for further testing. My angiogram revealed extensive blockages in all major arteries. Fixing the problem will require open heart surgery, perhaps a triple or quad by-pass. While they thin my blood in preparation for the surgery, they must walk a delicate line as they need enough coagulation to heal the wounds from the appendectomy. God’s in control!

The surgery is scheduled to take place on Monday unless unexpected complications develop over the weekend. My surgeon is a believer and very skilled at what he does. He has an excellent reputation in his field and loves the Lord and His church. We believe God has placed us in excellent hands and has guided this whole week’s procedures for His glory and our future good.

Currently, I am in very good spirits, though still sore from the appendectomy. I believe the Lord providentially allowed all of these circumstances so that I might live and continue to serve Him and you for many years to come. However, if it His will is to take me home while on the table, I pray I will see you in heaven (trusting Jesus for forgiveness of your sin is the only way we can be sure that we will be reunited in glory). Sandy has been a blessing to me this week and it’s good to have her by my side. Sleep has been hard to come by as they wake you every so many hours for blood tests and medications, etc.

Please do not feel like you need to make a special trip to Portland to visit. Just keep us in your prayers. We are being well-cared for by the staff at the hospital and Sandy is a great companion. Also, everyone in the Providence system has been wonderful. The care we are receiving and the kindness shown to us is excellent.

We miss and love you all, and, Lord willing, we will see you on the other side of surgery.

Blessings to you all,

Bruce Parker



"You keep Him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You because he trust in You. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock." Isaiah 26:3