2014 Tennessee Valley Youth Rally & Spring Revival

   We at Hillside are thrilled that we are starting to see signs of Spring.  With Spring approaching, this means that our Youth Rally and Spring Revival is just around the corner.  Recently, our young people had the blessing of attending two Youth Rally's, one that was hosted by my brother, Randy Cape, and the Cornerstone Baptist Church, in Marietta, GA, where he serves as the pastor.  The other Youth Rally we attended was hosted by the MT. Zion Baptist Church, in Whitesburg, GA, where Bro. Dexter Landers serves as Pastor.  

   Our young people, as well as our workers left both meetings excited, convicted, challenged and stirred to give Christ their all.  As we left the first meeting, our young people challenged me about our Church hosting such a meeting as well. We already had a Spring Revival scheduled with Evangelist Allen Domelle, so I contacted him about the possibility of arriving sooner for a Youth Meeting, and he agreed to do so.  We are praying much for the meeting and would love for you and your Church to be able to attend.

   The Youth Rally will be held on Saturday, April 12, from 4:00 pm - 7:30 pm.  As with most of our Churches, Saturdays are always busy with Soul-winning, Bus visitation, etc., so we are trying to keep that into consideration.  We will begin with a delicious BBQ dinner for all to enjoy starting at 4:00 pm, so please contact us by Wednesday, April 9, to let us know an approximate number of people you will be bringing, so we can best serve you. The main service will begin promptly at 5:00 pm, with some fun and exciting Gospel songs, (that you can you trust), we will have some games and competition, plus have a Bible Quiz on the first 5 chapters of the book of Acts.  Bible Quiz competition will consist of teams of 2-3, or individuals will also be able to participate in a separate category.  We will also have a Giant game of Big Ball Volleyball for everyone in attendance.  


   Our desire is to please the Lord with this meeting and to be a help to you and your young people.  Many have asked what the dress code is for this meeting, so casual dress attire will be fine.  Most all of our Churches have new believers in our congregation and if you are like me you desire to see them grow Spiritually.  We are asking that modesty on both boys and girls be followed, skirts below the knee and modest tops for the young ladies, and long trousers and a collared shirt for the young men will be fine.  


   Our theme for the Youth Rally and Spring Revival is the "Fullness Of The Holy Spirit," and we are praying for this generation to become THIRSTY for the things of God.  Isaiah 44:3, "For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, " and Matthew 5:6, "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled."


     Our people have been challenged to pray 4-12 ( 4:00 pm or 4:00 am, and 12:00 pm or 12:00 am) everyday from now until April 12.  Please pray with us that the Lord will move upon hearts and that lives will be changed for His honor and glory.

May was filled with A-MAYzing Blessings!

Praise the Lord, after 50 days in the hospital, Heather, our daughter, came home on May 3!  There were many trying days in the hospital, with many serious setbacks that Heather had, but The Lord was good as usual.  Thank God for the A-MAYzing Grace of our Lord!

     Many of you prayed for Heather as well as our entire family throughout Heather's hospital stay and we are  all forever thankful.  Five weeks have now passed since Heather was discharged, but she has many more difficult days still ahead of her.  After 19 years of health problems, God's A-MAYzing grace is still sufficient.  The third verse of John Newton's song, "Amazing Grace" says, "Thro' many dangers, toils and snares, I have already come; 'Tis grace hath bro't me safe thus far, And grace will lead me home."  Thank you Heather for living out God's grace in front of our very eyes.

                          

      The weekend that Heather got out of the hospital, was the same weekend that I celebrated 15 years of being the Pastor of the great Hillside Baptist Church.  We had alot of rain on that Sunday and the day before, but the Lord did a great work in all of our hearts during both the morning and evening services. Not only did our family feeled loved throughout Heather's hospital stay, with many special kindnesses and gifts that were sent our way, but there were also several special things that were done for me personally on my anniversary.  Thank you Hillside folks for loving your Preacher and his family!  What an A-MAYzing Church!

     Heather had several Doctor's appointments over the next few days, but by Thursday afternoon our family took off for some much needed R & R.  We arrived in the Smoky Mountains Thursday eveing and made our annual/semi-annual trip around the loop of Cades Cove.  We enjoyed veiwing the wildlife and beautiful scenery, which included a mama bear and her three cubs, a coyotte hunting down a wild turkey, and a couple hundred deer grazing on the open fields.  The next night we enjoyed a dinner together as a family at the Dixie Stampede.  So thankful for an A-MAYzing family!

     We then drove from the Smokies on Saturday afternoon to Richmond, Kentucky, where my wife spoke and my daughters sang for a specially planned ladies meeting held at the Faith Baptist Church, where Dan Bottrell is the Pastor.  We left from Richmond, KY and drove up to Valpraiso, Indiana, where I would teach in Sunday School and preach in both services on Mother's Day, at the Bethel Baptist Church, where our good friend, Jeff Hawkins is the Pastor.  The Lord met with us in a wonderful way in both services with several saved and baptized and the altars were full, with many making Spiritual decisions for the Lord.  What an exciting Church this is!  So thankful the Lord allowed our family to be used again in another A-MAYzing Church service!

     Our daughter Jenah, son-in-law Andrew, and grandson Baron, live in Hobart, Indiana, about a 20 minute drive from Bro. Hawkin's Church, so we all enjoyed a bite of lunch together and went back to the hotel where we were staying.  This was Jenah's first Mother's Day since Baron was born last Fall and my wife's first Mother's Day as a grandmother.  Baron gave his Nona her first Grandmother's card and boy was she ever excited.  What an A-MAYzing Mother's Day!     

     On our trip home from Indiana we stopped over at the Creation Museum & Botanical Gardens in Petersburg, Kentucky, and I snapped this photo of my wife and daughter Hannah.  Our trip was truly blessed of the Lord and we saw many answers to prayer, along with several opportunities to share the Gospel with others.  We have been so A-MAYzingly blessed of the Lord!  

     Several other events have taken place at our Church throughout this month, but one of the special things that has taken place was hosting a ladies singing tour group, from Commonwealth Baptist College, in Lexington, Kentucky.  Dr. and Mrs. Jim Jorgensen are again traveling with the Voices of Melody this summer, as they represent the college.  They were with us on a Friday evening and after the young ladies sang and Dr. Jorgensen gave us a challenge from the Word of God, all you can eat pizza was served and a game of Big Ball volleyball was served up.  Over the last few years we have had a few of our young people attend Commonwealth and this past year I had an opportunity to preach in chapel, at the college, and the atmosphere and spirit was exciting.  What an A-MAYzing opportunity it is to train young people to serve the Lord!    

     Many other events took place this month, graduations, music recitals, Memorial Day services and our Ladies Mini-Spring Spectacular was held on May 31st, the last day of the month.  A delicious meal was served by our men, pictures were taken, special songs were sung, and a hilarious skit was put together by a few of our faithful ladies.  I asked my wife to be the main speaker and she did a wonderful job.  The month of May, really was a month filled with A-MAYzing Blessings!    

Advocating For Heather!

     Over the last two weeks our oldest daughter, Heather, has been in the hospital. On March 15, Heather had a total hip replacement on her left side, at a local hospital here in Chattanooga. We opted for Heather to have the surgery here because Heather's Neurologist is here. 

     Dr. Rankin got saved back in 2007 when Heather was in the hospital having over 100 seizures a day. He watched her recover after each seizure with the grace that only The Lord could give, and his heart would melt each day. Since that time, Dr. Rankin has truly become Heather's Health advocate.
 

 

     I have heard that word "advocate" used several times since Heather's surgery by several medical personnel. Each time the word was used, it was directly addressed to my wife and I about Heather. My wife and I have realized the importance of being our daughters' advocate for almost 19 years since she was just a child. Since we know Heather and her special needs, better than any, the Doctors look to us in helping them make decisions. It is so uncanny to have the medical staff say to us, "We are not sure what to do, what do ya'll think, you know her better than us." What a responsibility, but yet what a trust The Lord has placed in us in making sure Heather is cared for correctly. It is extremely sobering and at the same time sombering.

     The word advocate is used only one time in our King James Bible. I John 2:1 states, "My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:"

     An advocate is one who pleads and defends the cause and case of another. As a child of God we have a command to not sin, but when we do sin then we have an advocate, Jesus Christ, who pleads and defends our case before a holy and righteous God. Christ is the only One who saves from the penalty of sin and the power of sin.

     When Jesus does something it's always right. I remember years ago, reading a little sign that stated, "God don't make no junk!" When He redeemed me, He did so, not just for eternity but I am being preserved daily. I am eternally safe and secure by the payment of God's precious Son on Calvary's cross.

     He paid a debt, He did not owe, I owed a debt, I could not pay, I needed someone to wash my sin away. And now I sing a brand new song, Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound. My Jesus paid a debt that I could never pay.

If Jesus pleads and defends my case before God our Father, how can I not plead and defend the case of my daughter's health before the highest authorities in the medical field. We know Heather and have studied her problems for years now, not to outwit, or outsmart or play act practicing medicine, but to plead and defend her case.

     My wife and I are extremely grateful for every person in the medical field that has contributed to the health of not only our daughter, but also to all the other special needs individuals that are around.

Update of Heather's health condition (March 26):

 

     Just wanted to bring you up to date about Heather, so you would know how to continue to pray for her. She has had several complications since her total hip replacement (Due to a collapsed hip over a year ago, because of Avascular Necrosis, caused by heavy doses of Prednisone and Solu-medrol over the years, for inflammation in the brain) on March 15.

     Her heart rate is still way above normal, avg 120, normally 85. Praise the Lord, her lungs are sounding better after pneumonia in lower lobes, and her seizures are better controlled, but still having severally daily, 5-10. She was moved to Siskin Rehab Hospital late Friday night, but no strenuous therapy has begun. Some Resp. Therapy and Physical Therapy while in bed.

 

      Heather has a very bad infection at the incision, that they are treating with powerful antibiotics. They believe it is strep and not staff, but they are watching it closely. Heather has an extreme high tolerance for pain, but she is complaining of hurting a lot. She looks as if she has been burned badly. Please continue to pray about this.

     Her white blood count is high, and she has continued to have a low grade fever, which of course is due to the infection. Pray that the infection doesn't go deeper or she would have to go back into surgery.

     They are estimating 3-4 weeks of in house therapy after the other things get back in control and then months of out patient therapy.

     The Lord has again used our daughters' health problems to give us an opportunity to witness to others we would not have otherwise met. Blessed be the name of The Lord!

Thank you for your friendship and your continued prayers, for they help to sustain us.

Sufficiently Supplied With God's Grace!

    I am not sure why, but I continue to be amazed at God's grace.  I was saved almost 45 years ago and I completely understand His saving grace, not because of who I am or what I have done, but simply because of the goodness of God.  But this matter of living grace has been taught to me over and over again, upclose and personal through the life of our oldest daughter, Heather Sharee. 

    Heather celebrated her 28th birthday just a few weeks ago, but almost 19 years ago, she began to have some health problems.  A couple of years later she would be diagnosed with two rare disesaes, Parry-Romberg Syndrome and Rasmussens.  The two disesases combined are even more rare.  Both of these diseases were diagnosed after an onslaught of seizures began in the summer of 1994.  Her first seizure lasted about 30 minutes, but the next seizure she would have almost two months later, lasted over 6 hours.  Over these last 19 years Heather has had ten's of thousands of seizures, but God has given Heather a Sufficient Supply of His Amazing Grace.     

 

 

    I took this picture yesterday morning around 11:00 am, as Heather was sitting in Dr. Rankin's office awaiting an appointment with him.  Heather helped to lead Dr. Rankin to Christ back in September of 2007, when she was in the hospital with having over 100 seizures a day.  By 11:00 am yesterday, Heather had already had about 15 seizures just since she had awaken around 8:00 am.  By the time the day ended yesterday, Heather had seen Dr. Rankin, had more lab work done, an x-ray was completed on her chest and neck area, plus she had an ultrasound done on her legs, as well as having over 30 seizures. 

    Nineteen years of appointments with many different doctors, medications, MRI's, EEG's, seizure after seizure, grand mal seizures, petit mal, focal, drop seizures, Ketogenic diet, drug induced coma, feeding tube, brain surgery, plastic surgery, VNS surgery, shunt surgery, core decompression surgery, immunoglobulin, high doses of steroids, battery replacement surgeries, fall after fall, broken teeth, Avascular necrosis, collapsed hip, broken ankle (twice), hospitalizations, ICU, walkers, broken nose, wheelchairs, hospital bed, chair lift, pull-ups, cpap machine, nebulizer, damaged peripheral vision, electro lodes, oxygen 24/7, video monitoring, and test after test after test. (She will have a total hip replacement on March 15)  

    Heather truly is a miracle, but God has and still Sufficiently Supplies Heather with all the Grace she ever needs.   II Corinthians 12:9, "And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."

 

    Please be much in prayer for Heather and about a new ministry that we are desiring to start up to share lessons that we have learned and continue to learn about God's Grace. 

    Heather's life has been included in a book that has been written and is awaiting printing.  My wife and I are also currently involved in writing a book about Heather's life so please keep us in your prayers about that as well..