Three miracles that have already happened
By Stovall Weems
First, it was a miracle that I even felt led to go at the age of 40 to fly halfway across the country (at a very busy time) to the Cooper Clinic in Dallas, TX to get a thorough physical that included heart scans that regular physicals do not perform. I have never had any health problems and have been in great shape all of my life. I even had my heart checked earlier last year in the spring when it felt weird because I pulled a muscle in my ribcage near my heart when I went waterskiing. I couldn’t tell if it was my heart hurting or the muscle near it I pulled. Anyway I went to the hospital and they found nothing, no murmers, etc. I did a follow up with the doctor and he found nothing also. He did want to do some more tests but I was so busy I never got around to it. Also, I constantly exercise and eat well and was experiencing no symptoms whatsoever. I even did P90X this summer! But all of a sudden I just thought hey I’m turning 40, I think I will go get one of these types of physicals. I knew a couple of guys who had gotten one (they were older than I) so I just did it. This condition I have with my aortic root has gone undetected all my life until this physical. The very fact that I went and they found it is a MIRACLE!
P.S. – I went to this physical in the middle of a 21 day fast and never broke my fast even after I got the news. Thank you Jesus for your grace!
Second, the fact that I have had this enlarged aortic root all my life basically means I have been at risk for a possible fatal rupture probably most of my life. The doctor told me that there are 2 things you don’t want to do as a young person if you have this condition I have. If you do these things you elevate your risk in a major way. Don’t play contact sports like football and don’t lift heavy weights. I said, “Are you kidding me? These are the 2 things I have basically done almost all of my life!” I played football for basically 10 yrs as a kid and in high school and have lifted heavy weights for all of my life. Then you compound that with my crazy drug usage in college that elevated my risk for rupture even more! The doctor said, “Stovall, it’s like basically your whole life you have been running around on a busy freeway not really paying attention and it is just a miracle you have not been hit. You were an accident waiting to happen.” The truth is the hand of God has protected me my whole life even when I was running from Him. It is a MIRACLE that nothing has happened to me. Proverbs 2:8 says “The Lord preserves the way of His saints.”
Third, it is a miracle how quickly they were able to hook me up with a great team of doctors who specialize in this type of surgery. It has only been 16 days since we found out about this and I am headed to Mayo in Minnesota on Tuesday for the surgery. I am so grateful to God for all He has done and His favor and protection in this entire situation. I am so grateful for all the love, support and encouragement me and my family have received from so many of you. Thank you for all the letters, emails, texts, calls, and comments. I receive and read all of them. I read all your comments on my blog and facebook.
Thank you Celebration Church for being such an incredible church family. I love you so much.
Stovall
Comments
38 Responses to “Three miracles that have already happened”
Leave a Reply
-
Recent Comments
- Raj and Ruth, INDIA!: Great, Pastor Stovall! Thank you so much for the blog. Thank you for your regular blogs.We are...
- Lin Holyfield: I don’t, but I have a few friends that attend Celebration…they’v e shared a few CD...
- Jesse: Wow – great insight. Thank you. Enjoying your blog immensely. Jesse
- Tina: Great response doing these 2 things. Thank You
- Tina Kirby: Thanks Pastor Stovall, I’ve been praying for God to help me say and do the right things. I pray for...
- Alisa H.: Great info! Thanks Pastor, will help me with preparing for Hardee Sisterhood!
- Jill Dykstra: Ameeeeeeeeeen Amen Amen
Tis encourages me to loose weight!
A friend just sent an email that her teenage son was diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. I was able share your testimony, and also the miracles of God. Thank you for being such a blessing.
Just checking in on Pastor Stovall, letting him know we continue to pray for progression in his recovery every single day. Uh-oh….another song for Pastor Stovall….didn’t Chicago sing, “Feelin’ Stronger Every Day”?!!? We miss you, but take your time and do this rehab well. We’ll see you soon, Champ!!!
i just wanted to say that i have not been involved in church for many years, my father was a monk for several years and unfortunately did not lead in a way that i wanted to follow, i was turned off, until i met a family just before christmas that invited my husband and i to a service at celebration, they said “come as you are” ( i also am a recovering addict from pain killers)that said they made me feel like i would not be judged or that i did not have to put on a problem free face, we went to the christmas eve service and all i can say is WOW!!!! i now go 2 to 3 times a week, i cry and sing during all the songs, and love everything about the church. when you told the church about your surgery my heart went out to you and i just wanted to tell you that i don’t know alot of verses to send your way other than i now know that miracles do truly happen and you really are a remarkable man of GOD and i thank you for touching my life today and many more days to come and my husband and i send you well wishes and you are in our thoughts and prayers. hurry home to us!!!!!!
Stovall and Kerri
The prayers of the Wascom family as well as those of Celebration Church San Angelo Texas ( a new ARC affiliated church plant)are with you.
Craig, April, John, and Gabriel Wascom
Pastor Stovall, Kerri, and Weems Family,
I have been praying each day for you, Stovall, and your family. Thoughts and prayers have been here and St. Augustine up to Chicago where my family is. I’m glad to hear the surgery went well. I’m thankful that everything happened when it did. You are very lucky. I can relate to how you and your family feel since in November 2007 my mother received a heart transplant. My thoughts and prayers will continue…we at Celebration miss you and wish you the best. Praise be to God.
-Heather Stout
Pastor Stovall & Kerri,
Our family is lifting you up in our prayers for continued miracles and recovery. We appreciate that heart that God has given you for your ministry, his hand is on you and all that you do….you have blessed our family very much!
“All things do work together for the good of them that love the Lord and are called according to His purpose. Roman 8:28 Pastor Weems,I am one of the new kids on Celebration block. I am from Marilyn and Wally Hickey Ministry out of Denver, Colorado. I moved to JAX 3 months ago. No one invited me to Celebration, I was wondering literally in the “wilderness” and was lead by the Holy Ghost to Celebration after becoming “lost” trying to find another congregation. God has a plan in all of our lives if we will just put him first “seek ye first the kingdom of God and all these things will be added to you”. I am blessed having been led to Celebration by the Holy Ghost. I have been blessed in my spiritual walk through the 21 day fast and at this time captivating on what God has for me in the missions field. Pastor Weems, thanks for the awesome, annointed word of God. It can only get greater. God is Love, Virginia
Pastor Stovall – AKA – HM2
I had you in my thoughts this morning as I was getting ready for work. As the hour drew nearer to 9am I held my breath and prayed for God to intercede on our behalf (the church family) and restore our leader to good health. The one, who has ministered to so many, healed so many broken hearts and weary souls now needed his repaired. I suddenly felt a warm rush in my soul somehow knowing that God would be guiding the hands that held the heart that heals so many … and I smiled.
I cannot wait to have you back on stage dramatic, real, and personable, preaching from your knew bionic heart. Be mindful of the healing process and come back to us soon. Thank you for being there to reach out to those in need… Reciprocity is a beautiful thing… God’s blessing on you and his grace is with your family.
With respect
Rebecca Lopez
PRAISE BE TO GOD! WHY SHOULD I BE SURPRISED?!!? Man, the wait for an update was killing me; was about to check myself into Mayo alongside you to eavesdrop! SO, I called the Church office, and they tell me with a smile on their face (I could actually hear the smile) you nailed it!!!! Jesus nailed it!!!! Surgery I understand was a SUCCESS! God is so amazing. AGAIN…He knew the needs, the concerns, heard every prayer…EVERY prayer, every spoken word, every thought, everyone’s heart, YOUR heart, and He so had you and yours (family) covered! Man our God is good and a BIG God, and He’s OUR God! And how good is that?!!? Looking forward to your Post Game Report, Pastor Stovall! Who needs a Grande Xtra Shot Americano, when this news just amp’d me up for the rest of the week, Hallelujah, Praise be to Jesus, God Wins Again!!!
Stovall, wishing you a healthy and speedy recovery. You and your family are in our hearts and prayers this and every day.
Jeremiah 29:11
The Rijos
Hey Pastor Stovall! I have been following Pastor Kerri’s tweets all day & praying for you! It sounds like things have gone fantastically! Praise God! You guys mean SO MUCH to your church fam.!
Dear Pastor Stovall,
I just heard of this news, and my husband and I will be praying for you and your family! You’re a strong warrior of God, and He sure is good to His people
God bless you and the Weems family!
With Love,
Bobby & Corinna Hoffman
“For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.” – Matthew 18:20
Pastor Stovall & Kerri – Praying God’s mercy and grace on you during this time. We are praying for a speedy recovery for Pastor Stovall and as long as you do what the doctors tell you, you’ll heal fast!
We love you guys and can’t wait for you to return to the pulpit!
We are praying for you and your family! Many more miracles are headed your way!
In His Name,
Frank & Mari
Praying for you Pastor from Atlanta!!!
I didn’t know how much I love my pastors until I heard the news. God was able to trust you with this to show off His character to us all and to those that have yet to know Him.
I too have always said that He kept me throughout the years when I was harming myself and He didn’t let serious consequences creep up on me..and then I got saved.
Tips for recovery…glicerine suppositories, gas medicine, Bengay or Icy Hot for back (or where muscle pains creep up). Do not leave the hospital unitl you are absolutely sure you have ALL organs in working order (:P)…try not talk a lot once awake.
I love you Pastor..blessed are those that come in the name of the Lord! and this is you and your family
Be healed!
Pastor Stovall, I will continue to pray for you and your family. I know that you know God is a healer and he will see you through this time. He brought it to the light so that he can fix it and get it pumped up for 2010. Because for 2010, he is going to need that heart to be ready to reach the lost like we never tried to reach them before and I am on board. Just know that you are LOVE&SUPPORTED by many and we will hold it down while you recover. Love Ya and May God Bless “High Maintance” lol
Stovall,
We are Praying 4 you and your family this morning!
We love our pastor and can’t wait for your return.
Love, The Luce Family
Thank you for your service to God. He loves you and your family so much. We are happy to be a part of Celebration Church. Praise Jesus our Healer!
Pastor Stovall & Pastor Kerri,
Celebration Church is so full of LIFE, determination and earnest, tender devotion to Christ, that I have already been deeply affected by coming here for just a few short weeks. Hope renewed. Thank You for your part in making that possible. I have desperately needed to commune with other purpose driven Spartans, like me.
May your recovery be gentle and swift and your family enveloped in His beautiful Peace.
(p.s. no bionic parts please God, if possible
Pastor Stovall, I’m of an expectant mind set, that by Tuesday Night, you will have led by the example thru this procedure, He wanted from you all along. I’m certain some OUTSTANDING ministering has been done from you, for those He had in mind, in so many impactful ways, ways we might never know. How incredible is it to be used by Him! Please give us all an update when you feel up to it, but in advance we all know Jesus nailed this procedure for you, and what peace He will have now brought you and yours! We all love ya brutha!
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. We look forward to your return.
God Bless you, your family and all of the great people at Celebrations for all of the wonderful things you do and all the many you have helped.
We love you pastor! Your surgery will go great and we can’t wait to see you back! We have never worried for your surgery because we truly trust God about His great plans for your life, your family, and our church.
We love you, we love you, we love you!
Amen Pastor! God’s grace is enough. The doctors said my mom was a walking time bomb. On Jan 8, 2008 her aorta was dissected and formed an aneurysm. No doctor would operate. She was on a ventilator for months – never expected to come back. But we believed and had faith even when what we saw wasn’t good. My mom’s aneurysm was discovered in her brain only because she fell. People said, “what luck” but we said, “what a blessing”. We discovered the aneurysm. So with a chest aneurysm and brain aneursym she surely was like you, a walking time bomb, but God kept her safe and we never lost faith. Another miracle was the God healed her aorta. Drs said it rarely happens but that it is healed. AMEN to our healer! The aneurysm were fixed just last year and to God be the glory. So believe me when I say our family is standing FIRM in faith believing for your miraclous healing. Just as we are believing for my moms kidneys to be healed in Jesus Name.
Pastor Stovall, My Family and All the Celebration Church Families You and Pastor Kerri have Touched in so Many Ways are Praying and Fasting for Your Speedy Recovery, and also for your Children, during this Time of Fixing The Awesome Heart You Have. Words can not Express How Much We Love You All. The Entire P.U.S.H. Ministry Will Be Praying and Fasting in Your Name All Day Tuesday, especially. May God Continue to Bless and Cover You and Your Entire Family!!
God is amazingly kind and gracious to all of us.
He truly enjoyes seeing His children happy and giving good things to them. We can never underestimate the miracle of health. It’s a gift that when it’s taken away can turn our lives upside down. God is GOOOOOOOOD. SOOO GOOOOD.
We are praying for you and love being a part of Celebration! Love The Hendry’s
I have been reading Esther. Slowly and absorbing His word. Even back to the tragedy of the death of Esther’s parents, and Uncle Mordecai coming to adopt, to the issue with Vashti and Xerxes, to going to the harem, to Hamman hating the Jews, to Esther becoming Queen, and so on, ALL this was His plan from the beginning of time! The fact that you have been sustained thus far is His plan, for our salvation and for the spreading of the Good News. ‘For such a time as this’ and for the final commission – ‘Go into the world and make disciples’. You could have ignored God’s call, like Jonah. You could have been reluctant, like Moses. But instead you walked like David, imperfect and yet with a willingness to serve and chase after God’s heart. Thank you for following Him and taking us along for the ride. I stand on His word and know that ‘ALL things work for the good for those that love Him AND are CALLED to His purpose.’ Keep being a blessing as your are blessed.
You are an amazing Man of God. It’s as if I was brought to Jacksonville to hear you preach the word of God just for me. I understand what you are saying, and I’m able to apply it to my life.
In just a few short months at Celebration I have reached a whole new level in my faith. I am grateful to you for helping me.
You are in my prayers, and God has his hand on you.
God is so GREAT. Very thankful that the 3 miracles came into your life. Your work for the Lord is not complete. You are awesome man of God and my family is happy to have you, Kerri and Celebration Church in our lives.
The fourth miracle may be that they open you up for surgery and there is in fact no enlarged aorta. That the diagnosis was correct initially but the Lord performed a miraculous healing within you. Amen.
All I can say is WOW! God is so good! What a great God we serve. Thank you Lord. You are in the right Hands Pastor. We will keep you in our prayers daily. God bless you and your family.
Be blessed. Good thoughts and prayers for you and your family!
Simply God’s favor keeping you safe Pastor Stovall, for His HUGE purpose He’s had in place for you since before your beginning, and how moving is that?!!? I thank God for looking after me all my life, when I wasn’t smart enough to keep myself out of harm’s way all too many times, but He had me covered. How good is His Grace?!!? Thank you Jesus. He’s our MVP!
Christy is the name of my friend who works at Mayo. She said she would stop by and make sure you were in good hands and taken care of. Praying for God to use you in a mighty way in Minnesota…even on morphine
Love you and your family and stand beside you in spirit every step of the way!!
Weems Family,
We love you all so much and praise God’s Holy Name for His Goodness and Favor shown upon you and our church family!
Kelli Broadfoot
GO SAINTS!!!
Pastor, we are going to be fasting and praying
for you this Tuesday. God’s hand is obviously on
your life and we trust that he will see you through this. Thank you for your service.