The Church at Brook Hills

Pray for Jonathan B.

February 18, 2011

Since Monday February 7th, after a very helpful and informative meeting with our neurosurgeon, Dr. Markert from UAB, we have been waiting to schedule a test called a Magnetoencephalography (MEG) that will provide cortical mapping for the proposed surgery in order to remove as much of the tumor as possible. The results of this test take about 2 weeks to compile and analyze. The sooner we have the results of this test, then the sooner surgeons can make a more informed and comprehensive plan for surgery.

We just found out this afternoon that the MEG machine at UAB is missing a part and may not be operational before the end of the month. Due to this indefinite delay, we are now seeking to have the MEG test done elsewhere as soon as we can find an available MEG machine and schedule an appointment.

Please be in prayer that God would open up the doors for us to have this test done soon so that we can move forward with the plan for surgery. We trust that God is in sovereign control of all things including this machine malfunction and the delay in our timeline. Pray that we would make wise decisions on where to go from here. Pray that God would continue to place people to guide us as we navigate this new world of medical care and procedures.

We are thankful for your continued prayers and have truly sensed God's sustaining power and presence as we walk forward in faith on this new journey he has placed before us.

Jonathan

*Jonathan now has a website where you can read his blog, get current updates and specific prayer requests from him and his family. Please visit jonathanb.net to keep up with Jonathan's journey.

 

February 9, 2011

Thank you again for your continued prayers. Jonathan and his family covet your prayers and encouragement as they continue this journey. There is not much to update on, but we did want to let you know how Jonathan's appointment went on Monday. Jonathan met with Dr. Markert and was able to get answers to many questions he still had about his case. Dr. Markert ordered more detailed MRI's and told Jonathan that he would most likely be having surgery in the next 4-6 weeks. He also told Jonathan to prepare himself because this would be more of a marathon and not a sprint. This is the new reality Jonathan's family is focusing on this week and ask that you pray for them as they move forward.

- Continue to pray for Jonathan's healing to the glory of God.
- Pray for the tests to reveal new things that will help the Doctors be able to formulate the best treatment
- Pray for wisdom for Jonathan and Karla as they process this and that God would help them with how to order their next steps

Thank you again for your prayers. We will continue to update you as we know more.

If you would like to send a note of encouragement to Jonathan you can do so by emailing Callie Priest at calliep@brookhills.org or by sending a note to the church office at 3145 Brook Highland Parkway, Birmingham, AL 35242.

We will keep you informed as frequently as possible here on our church website, at our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/brookhills), and through the Brook Hills Twitter account (@Brook_Hills).

 

February 7, 2011

Thank you again church for your continued prayers. This week will be pivotal in the direction doctors will want to take with treating Jonathan's tumor. In fact Jonathan and Karla are headed this morning at 11:00am to meet with Dr. Markert, a UAB neurosurgeon. Here they hope to get more definite details about the tumor and get a comprehensive plan for the next steps of this journey. Here is how you can pray:

* Pray for clear guidance from the doctors on how to treat the tumor.
* Pray for doctors as they evaluate Jonathan's case and formulate the best plan for the best outcome.
* Pray for opportunities for Jonathan and Karla to share the gospel with those they are in contact.
* Pray for Jonathan to be steadfast in these next days of discovery.

Once again Jonathan and Karla covet your prayers. We will update you as soon as there is one.
If you would like to send a note of encouragement to Jonathan you can do so by emailing Callie Priest at calliep@brookhills.org or by sending a note to the church office at 3145 Brook Highland Parkway, Birmingham, AL 35242.

We will keep you informed as frequently as possible here on our church website, at our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/brookhills), and through the Brook Hills Twitter account (@Brook_Hills).

 

February 4, 2011

A note from Jonathan:

The Essential Guide to Life with a Brain Tumor

My travel clothes are hanging next to my bed along with all of the travel essentials: ear plugs, chewing gum, and travel guidebook.  This morning I was supposed to be jumping on a flight out of the country with a group from our church to serve in Thailand and China for two weeks.  I have the privilege of serving as Pastor for Global Disciple-Making at The Church at Brook Hills in Birmingham, Alabama.  In this role I mobilize, facilitate and equip our faith family to make disciples of all nations through short-term mission trips and long-term church planting teams.  My bags were all packed; the team had been trained; passport, immunizations, and visas were all in order; but I am not going to be able to make this mission trip. 

Up until a few days ago, I was a healthy and adventurous 36-year-old husband and father of three, full of dreams and hopes for the future.  My perspective and expectations about life were suddenly rocked Monday afternoon, like the ground shaking uncontrollably in an earthquake or when you are in a sudden car accident.  While on a conference call to arrange the logistics for an upcoming trip to northern India, my head began to spin, and I felt like I was going to faint.  Tunnel vision set in, and I completely lost all sight out of my left field of vision.  At the same time a bright light began to flash repeatedly just where my vision had gone out.  I was taken to the emergency room and in the waiting room began to loose all sensation in my left fingers, then my left hand, up my left arm, across my chest, down my left leg, across my face and finally my mouth and tongue.  A few hours later I was informed that a CT scan and an MRI revealed a large mass in the back of my brain that the doctors believe to be a 6 centimeter brain tumor sitting on my occipital lobe. 

If you have ever been through a traumatic event or natural disaster, you know that there is an immediate feeling of disorientation that occurs until you can regain your bearings.  The worst disorientation for me came in the form of fears and concerns for my family.   What will happen to my wife and kids when I am gone?  Who will raise my children in the fear and admonishment of the Lord?  Will we be able to cover the medical expenses related to this condition?  The fog of these questions and doubts began to descend upon me, but in the middle of hearing the ER doctor explain what they found, I heard a voice, as clear and true as any, and it was coming from my mouth, but the words were truth from the Heavenly Father, not my thoughts.  Even as they came out of my mouth the disorientation and confusion began to subside and greater clarity set in.  The ER doctor stopped in mid sentence as he heard these words: “I know that God will use even this for my good and for His glory.  I don’t know how it will happen, but I know that God is in control of all things and I will trust Him.”  I will trust him with my family, my finances, and my future.  I will not fear what this world may bring.  I will trust in God. 

The brain tumor did not catch God by surprise.  God has known it was there long before the doctors discovered it.  I am finite and fearful.  He is infinite, all-knowing, and all-powerful.  At it’s most basic element, Biblical faith is trusting in God.  This is the Good News, the gospel, at its core.  We turn away from ourselves and our control and trust in Him.  We are unable to rescue ourselves from this life of sin and death, but God through the provision of his Son, Jesus Christ, has paid the price for our sin and restored us to right relationship with the Father.  Faith is fleeing from self-sufficiency to Christ-centered dependency for salvation and for life.  We often think about faith as a one-time event.  There is an immediate reality to salvation that comes the moment we are justified before the Father.  But my earthly father once told me that learning to trust God is what life is all about.  This is learning to walk by faith.  So I am thankful for this opportunity to continue to trust God and walk by faith.  God is already using this brain tumor to transform me more into the image of Christ.  I will submit to his plan for my sanctification.  In the grand scheme of life, not much has really changed since Monday, I am just more aware of my dependence on God’s sovereign control over all things.   I will continue to trust and depend on God’s plan for my life.  I am His and He is mine!

So instead of getting on a plane to Southeast Asia this morning, I turned over and glanced at the reading material I had been given at the hospital and one of the titles caught my eye:  “The Essential Guide to Brain Tumors”.  So, I decided that I would begin to journal about this new journey that God has us on.  I am entitling it “My Essential Guide to Life with a Brain Tumor”.  I am inviting you to share in this journey with us as we learn to trust God through the challenges and the adventure. 

Jonathan

We are in the process of setting up a blog that will host Jonathan’s thoughts during this journey.  We will link you to it once it is up.  Until then, keep checking in on recent updates and how to pray here at www.brookhills.org/prayforjonathanb.

 

February, 4, 2011

Thank you for your prayers. Jonathan had a clear and informative meeting yesterday with a neuro-oncologist. Today he has another meeting with a neurosurgeon to talk about mapping the tumor. This will hopefully give a better understanding to what Jonathan’s options are for the future.

How to pray today:

*Pray for good connection and clear conversation with the doctors they meet with today.
* Pray for wisdom as doctors evaluate Jonathan's case and formulate the best plan for his treatment.
* Pray for peace and perseverance for Jonathan.

Thank you church for your overwhelming support. God is sovereign and Jonathan is thankful for the wisdom He is surrounding them with and the prayers of the body of Christ.

 

February 3, 2011

Church, first let us say how good it is to be overwhelmed with conversations and questions about how Jonathan is, how people can help and to hear that you have been praying for them. What a blessing you are. Please keep sending your emails and letters. It is a great encouragement to Jonathan and his family. They are so grateful for you.

Today Jonathan and Karla are meeting with doctors at UAB to discuss future plans. This is an important doctor's appointment because it will be the first of many to get started on a journey of treatment. Please be in prayer today for Jonathan. Here are some specific ways you can be praying:

* Continue to pray for Jonathan's healing to the glory of God.
* Pray for good connection and clear conversation with the doctors they meet with today.
* Pray for wisdom as doctors evaluate Jonathan's case and formulate the best plan for his treatment.
* Pray for peace and perseverance for Jonathan.
* Pray for rest for Jonathan and his family.
* Pray that Jonathan and his family, as well as our faith family, might glorify Christ and spread the gospel in the midst of all of  this.

We will continue to update you as we know more. Once again Jonathan and Karla send their love and gratitude for your prayers and support. They still request not to have visitors at this time and want to reassure that their needs are being cared for by family and close friends.

If you would like to send a note of encouragement to Jonathan you can do so by emailing Callie Priest at calliep@brookhills.org or by sending a note to the church office at 3145 Brook Highland Parkway, Birmingham, AL 35242.

We will keep you informed as frequently as possible here on our church website, at our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/brookhills), and through the Brook Hills Twitter account (@Brook_Hills).

 

February 2, 2011

Written on Jonathan's white board in his hospital room is a quote from Charles Spurgeon, "The star of hope is still in the sky when the night is blackest". This is what Jonathan is clinging to. God is truly glorifying Himself as the hours of this journey progresses. After a night of rest, Jonathan and Karla were able to get good news from the doctor this morning about what the next steps are. What we know is that there is a tumor in Jonathan's brain and that the solution for it is unclear at this time. However, current progress for determining the solution is taking place with more tests and consultations with other neurosurgeons. The good news is that Jonathan's symptoms have subsided and he is feeling like himself. Therefore he is able to go home today and get further rest. We ask that you continue to pray for Jonathan and his family as they move forward with the help of Jonathan's doctors. Jonathan and his family are so grateful for the overwhelming amount of support you have shown them. The emails and letters that have poured in have been a tremendous source of encouragement for their family. Words cannot express how grateful Jonathan and Karla feel towards you, their faith family. Thank you for being an expression of God's love as you intercede on their behalf. Jonathan's continual prayer is that God would use all of this for His name's sake in all nations.

If you would like to send a note of encouragement to Jonathan you can do so by emailing Callie Priest at calliep@brookhills.org or by sending a note to the church office at 3145 Brook Highland Parkway, Birmingham, AL 35242.

We will keep you informed as frequently as possible here on our church website, at our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/brookhills), and through the Brook Hills Twitter account (@Brook_Hills).

 

February 1, 2011

Dear Faith Family,

I want to make you aware of a need for prayer in our church pertaining to our Global Disciple-Making Pastor and his family.

Yesterday afternoon, while in a meeting, Jonathan suffered a loss of peripheral vision and began to feel light-headed. Some fellow staff members took him to the emergency room at St. Vincent’s Hospital. There, a CT scan revealed an area of his brain that was inflamed.

Following this test, Jonathan was admitted to the hospital and further tests were performed, including an MRI. Last night, the doctor informed Jonathan and Karla that there is a 2-inch tumor on Jonathan’s brain. This morning, they have met with various other doctors to discuss the state of this tumor and potential avenues for treatment. Jonathan is still undergoing various tests to determine the best course of action from this point.

Amidst a variety of “unknowns,” we obviously cling to many “knowns.” God is sovereign. He is not surprised by any of this, and He is in control of all of this. God is loving and wise, and He will direct every detail according to His good, pleasing, and perfect will.

Obviously, we want to join together as a faith family in praying for Jonathan, Karla, and their three children, Joanna, Daniel, and David. Here are some specific ways you can be praying:

• Pray for Jonathan’s healing to the glory of God.
• Pray for peace and perseverance for Jonathan.
• Pray for comfort and strength for Karla.
• Pray for Joanna, Daniel, and David as they process what is going on in their dad’s life.
• Pray for doctors and nurses who are caring for Jonathan – that they would have discernment and that they would see Christ in Jonathan.
• Pray for wisdom for decisions that need to be made in both the short-term and long-term.
• Pray that Jonathan and his family, as well as our faith family, might glorify Christ and spread the gospel in the midst of all of this.  

I know that you all want to support Jonathan and in his family during this time, and the best way you can do this is by praying. Because of his need for rest, we are requesting no additional visitors to the hospital at this time. Be assured that they are surrounded by a wealth of support from our faith family. Beyond praying for them, if you would like to send them a note of encouragement, please feel free to do so by emailing Callie Priest at calliep@brookhills.org or by sending a note to the church office at 3145 Brook Highland Parkway, Birmingham, AL 35242.

In the hours and days ahead, we will keep you informed as frequently as possible here on our church website, our Facebook page, and through the Brook Hills Twitter account. Obviously, we ask that you please communicate information about Jonathan and his health with integrity and avoid speculation. Only God knows all that lies ahead, and He can be trusted.

Please know that Jonathan and Karla send their love and gratitude for the prayers and support of our faith family. Jonathan’s continual prayer is that God would use all of this for His name’s sake in all nations.

I love you, church.

In Christ,

David Platt