July 2, 2006 "Not that we are competent in ourselves..."
"Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God." 2Cor. 3:5
"Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain." Psalm 127:1
We are so thankful that God is our Lord and that He is watching over us. We are nothing apart from Him. We have no super power or strength...our strength comes only from Him and His Holy Spirit who is within us. ALL praise is due HIM!!
Whitney has been enjoying a lot of good sleep for which not only is she thankful but so are we. This morning both she and her sister were able to sleep in. Whit has been waiting to be able to do this for a week and she savored every minute of it. We were able to take her away for the weekend again! So together we have enjoyed a very relaxing day.
After a lazy morning and eating a good breakfast…it was stretch those joints time, to which Whit rose to the challenge. She is the one that normally says, “Hey, can we work on my ankle or can we work on my elbow?” She doesn’t always like the stretch due to the pain but she knows it is a good thing for her. She keeps a stiff upper lip and counts along. Following that there were devotions…and getting ready for the day out. Today we had the chance to go and visit with some of Matt’s family. The drive wasn’t too long and the day turned out to be great…sun shining and the wind died down some. She was driven around on a golf cart at this Christian camp Matt attended in his formative years. She really enjoyed herself as did we all. Her spirits are very good right now…not having to think of therapy and a little distraction were just what she needed. The one thing she wanted to see was fire works but due to the wind it didn’t happen. Maybe Tuesday!
The family enjoyed the day outside after having been inside for much of the last several weeks. It is so good to see Whit smiling and having some fun. Then back to our haven of rest. After devouring some strawberry shortcake, for the second day, followed by a root beer float…and then some more stretching…all are fast asleep.
We are hope you get to enjoy the holiday. The fourth has always been a great time for us, we all like the fireworks. As we headed back from our visit away, the sun was setting in the west. It was spectacular! The clouds covered part of the sun as we looked in the sky…there were rays of sunlight shining out past the clouds, as we looked we remembered this was our first (seeing a sunset with Whitney) since the accident. It brought tears of joy to my eyes and also tears of sorrow for those who do not get to see it with their loved ones on this side of Glory. But what a sunset must be on the other side of Glory!! And I look with great anticipation to that first sunset and sunrise with God Himself, that some of our number have already gotten to enjoy.
In Christ alone, Whit’s family
"Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain." Psalm 127:1
We are so thankful that God is our Lord and that He is watching over us. We are nothing apart from Him. We have no super power or strength...our strength comes only from Him and His Holy Spirit who is within us. ALL praise is due HIM!!
Whitney has been enjoying a lot of good sleep for which not only is she thankful but so are we. This morning both she and her sister were able to sleep in. Whit has been waiting to be able to do this for a week and she savored every minute of it. We were able to take her away for the weekend again! So together we have enjoyed a very relaxing day.
After a lazy morning and eating a good breakfast…it was stretch those joints time, to which Whit rose to the challenge. She is the one that normally says, “Hey, can we work on my ankle or can we work on my elbow?” She doesn’t always like the stretch due to the pain but she knows it is a good thing for her. She keeps a stiff upper lip and counts along. Following that there were devotions…and getting ready for the day out. Today we had the chance to go and visit with some of Matt’s family. The drive wasn’t too long and the day turned out to be great…sun shining and the wind died down some. She was driven around on a golf cart at this Christian camp Matt attended in his formative years. She really enjoyed herself as did we all. Her spirits are very good right now…not having to think of therapy and a little distraction were just what she needed. The one thing she wanted to see was fire works but due to the wind it didn’t happen. Maybe Tuesday!
The family enjoyed the day outside after having been inside for much of the last several weeks. It is so good to see Whit smiling and having some fun. Then back to our haven of rest. After devouring some strawberry shortcake, for the second day, followed by a root beer float…and then some more stretching…all are fast asleep.
We are hope you get to enjoy the holiday. The fourth has always been a great time for us, we all like the fireworks. As we headed back from our visit away, the sun was setting in the west. It was spectacular! The clouds covered part of the sun as we looked in the sky…there were rays of sunlight shining out past the clouds, as we looked we remembered this was our first (seeing a sunset with Whitney) since the accident. It brought tears of joy to my eyes and also tears of sorrow for those who do not get to see it with their loved ones on this side of Glory. But what a sunset must be on the other side of Glory!! And I look with great anticipation to that first sunset and sunrise with God Himself, that some of our number have already gotten to enjoy.
In Christ alone, Whit’s family
posted by ncerak | 6:43 AM
103 Comments:
Praise God for another glorious report! I am so glad Whitney enjoyed her day away. I hope she gets to take some time off on the 4th and gets to enjoy those fireworks! God bless the USA, God bless Whitney Cerak!
How exciting for you all! It is such good news to hear that Whitney is doing well and working hard. I hope that you continue to find this time away relaxing! Have a great 4th!
D.
thank you so much for all of the posts. they are an absolute joy and bring so much goodness and encouragement to all that read! hang in there whitney and fam, ya'll are a joy to behold!
with much love and thanks!
I am amazed at how many more comments that there are about that "scumbag" person than about Whitneys progress. I do not know your family, Ceraks, but I will pray for you and the Vanryns. I read about you both, and just today read the blog. I am a psych nurse and am wondering about the effects of this on all of you. How amazing God is to help you all through such mind boggling circumstances. The scumbag is taking over the comments, people. Take it from a professional, he/she/it wants attention. Even negative attention is still attention. Please do not address it, Whitney and raising up our Lord and Saviour is the focus, not Satan. Please dont help this person by writing non christian comments back to him/her/it. Hugs and prayers to all
How wonderful to see the Lord's blessings in all things. It is really sad that an unregenerate heart like scruffbag has to cry out in his pain to tell us all of his anger toward God. Let us all pry that our Soverign Lord will use this time to grant him faith and a new birth and loving spirit.
I'm glad to hear that your daughter is doing so well. This is the first time coming to your blog but I've been praying for your daughter for a while. I don't know your family but a friend of mine does. It's awesome the progress that she's making and it's only a matter of time before God completely heals her. Have a great 4th and enjoy life. When you look around and stop to notice, God really made nothing else like it.
Newell,
Please do something about that guy with the comments. I went to school with Whitney, and his comments are sick. My mom has a blog, and she says if you go to the main page, and click on "Blogger Help", it tells you how to delete them, or there's even a way where you have to approve the comments before they're posted. But please do something, I know we shouldn't be giving him attention, but I can not come to this site anymore if I'm going to have to read his comments. It's sickning.
Dearest Whitney and family, prayers and blessings on you from Louisiana. I pray also for the VanRyn's and other families who have lost loved ones.
One of my favorite scriptures is--
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is'stayed on thee.
Isaiah 26.3
I pray for peace for you, dear ones.
Post away, sad person. We're still praying for you. HA!
Thank you so much for this blog. in a way it has saved my life. Since learning about the accident and Whitney's faith and life before and after the tragic events, I have come to know Christ. It was mainly through reading this blog, though, that made me realize the power of Jesus and through prayer have accepted Him. Thank you Whitney, and thank you Ceraks for your faith and witness. I just wanted to tell you how much I appreciate you all and that I will continue to pray!
Keep up the good work and thank you for the updates. You are such an inspiration to us all. We continue to pray for everyone involved and know that greater is HE who is in us than he who is in the world! The battle has already been won....keep the faith and know you are being covered in prayer daily.
Wow how intelligent are a couple of those blogers. I believe that can be taken care of real fast. We love the updates on Whitney and have been praying for her and all the others too. I guess we need to to add a couple more to our prayers list after reading all of there inteligent words.
It is so great to read of Whitney's progress! Thank you for keeping us updated. It means so much to so many people. God bless you Cerak's! You are in my prayers along with all the families involved. It is so amazing to see how even though we don't always understand tragedy that God has a beautiful ultimate purpose and there is a reason for EVERYTHING! God is so good even though we are so undeserving!
Ceraks, You are awesome. Your testimony is awesome, and your steadfastness in your faith in this bizarre adversity is a shining example. Blessings & love!
Whitney,
You are an inspiration to us all. I appreciate your constant desire to witness to others about God's love. Keep going strong - I have faith that you will get back to having the strength you had before.
OK...
People... please listen.
Number one. Person who stated that they will not return to this site because they refuse to read the post from Satan himself. Let me say this; you are letting him win by making such a statement! Please do not say stuff like that friends.
*You have two choices. One do NOT scroll back to read his comments (if you are so sickened) and just post a note to the Cerak's encouraging them with positive feedback. Or TWO. Read what everyone else is saying... but IGNORE what this person post. Continue to follow all the entries ONLY to again uplift the Cerak's with positive feedback and prayer.
It is a simple theory folks. Do you not see that this person is following this story? He is reading all the entries. THIS IS GOOD! Praise God he is seeing Jesus Christ and his work and hearing the word of the gospel!
NOW..... STOP COMMENTING ON HIM and MAKING REFERENCE TO HIM! HE IS UNWORTHY OF OUT ATTENTION.
That being said... every single time someone makes a comment BIG or SMALL about him... he is getting exactly what he wants.
LET THIS END.
Of course the Cerak's should not block him. Again... they would be letting Satan defeat!
IGNORE HIM PEOPLE!
Pray for him on your own... without posting that you are praying for him! Sometimes it is great to give things such as this without taking credit! Kind of like giving a large sum of money to a charity and leaving the "From" entry anonymous! He knows he is in prayer with God's people. Let that be enough.
Cerak's perhaps you could do this.... a suggestion. Visit the post a comment area on this blog and make an entry from your family telling us your wish in regards to this person!
Perhaps if both American's (and all of those posting from around the world) along with all of God's people; know your desire in regards to us dealing with the negatives of Satan trying to destroy this site... they will listen better.
I have posted SO MANY entries asking people to STOP acknowledging this evil. Begging them to stay focused on Whitney ONLY. It is obvious that I am not getting anywhere fast as most everyone continues to say something about this person in just about every post.
As a fellow born again Christian my belief is that you would rather other folks not give Satan the attention they continue to give; IGNORING his eagerness to destroy such a good thing for all of us to learn about Whitney's progress.
We know you want us to pray for those who are lost as you have said before.
Perhaps if you stated a clear message on the BLOG ONLY... we (those who are intelligent enough to understand) can quote you regularly for those who seem to be having trouble (instead of coming on with large entries such as this.) It would be nice to remind the readers of what it is that YOUR family wants us to do.
To be able to qoute your desire Cerak's... may be the ONLY way to keep readers focused. SO many folks want to reach out to you. Mowing your lawn is not an option for most. This is our chance to give you something more... This is a chance for us to take a stand on your behalf. Give us words. Please!
READERS.... DONT LET THIS PERSON WIN!
Please... EVERYONE. NEW VISITORS OR OLD FAITHFUL READERS... DO NOT SAY ANOTHER WORD ABOUT THIS PERSON.
Keep him in prayer.. but DO NOT give him recognition.
If the Cerak's give us their desire in dealing with this person... than let's qoute them instead of any additional comments. For every entry he makes ONLY acknowledge it with the Cerak's desire.
NO MATTER HOW MANY MORE TIMES HE MAY VISIT US HERE. NO MORE ATTENTION FOR HIM. LET THIS BE THE END to his visit down GLORY ROAD.
AGAIN... a famous quote (see this is where Id love to quote the Cerak's desire.)
"If you are NOT part of the solution, you ARE part of the problem." -Eldrige Cleaver
STOP BEING PART OF THE PROBLEM! ENOUGH FRIENDS. ENOUGH.
XO Chicago
This morning at church I was helping a 5th grade Sunday school class memorize Philippians 4:13. Most of them already knew the verse, but I had to think of Whitney. May this be her motto as she continues to strengthen her body and mind in the therapy process.
"I can do all things through him who strengthens me."
Praise God for His sovereign power!
The analagy of the sunrise and the sunset reminds us that we are on this earth just a short time, but that eternity if forever. I praise God for the witness of the Cerak's and also the families who experienced loss of a loved one. God is faithful through all situations--may His name be praised!
Thank you Ceraks for pointing us to Christ!! And thank you for keeping us updated on Whitney's progress. How awesome that you all had the opportunity to get away together. I think of you so often, how blessed you are to have another opportunity to share life with her.
Whitney - You are making wonderful progress!!
Family - I have a family member with a TBI and I know what you are experiencing. Know that I am praying much for you!!
GOD IS GLORIFIED!!!
Amen!! Praise Jesus!
Hallelujah for the Blood of the Lamb that washes away all sins!
So proud of you Whit!!
Thank you Newell for taking time to talk to us, to let us know how things are going so we can PRAY for Whitney and the family. That's what this site is all about - an opportunity for us to know how to pray and to give praise for what God is doing!!
Amen!
"For God so loved the WORLD that HE gave HIS one and only Son, that whosoever believes in HIM shall not perish but HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE!!!" John 3:16
Whitney, keep up the great work you are doing in therapy. Hundreds of bloggers are praying for you all around the world!!
Dear Ceraks,
May God be near you today! Know that you are being prayed for!!
Us too!! We pray for you often!
Thanks Mr Cerak!! Way to go Whitney!!
Ps. 40:28-31 KJV
Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.
He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.
Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:
But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint.
Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
Behold, all they that were incensed against thee shall be ashamed and confounded: they shall be as nothing; and they that strive with thee shall perish.
Thou shalt seek them, and shall not find them, even them that contended with thee: they that war against thee shall be as nothing, and as a thing of nought.
For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.
Ps. 41:10-13
KJV
Please, there must be a way to delete these offending posts before they are posted. It really is awful and hopefully can be stopped.
Robert said:
Dear OX Chicago,
Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 6:12
Satan is a bully and a coward, so it should be no surpise that he would come against this ministry to disrupt and hopefully destroy it. We not are just listening to a nutty person.
I doubt the person in question has much if any control over his actions and words, he has already given that up to the prince of darkness.
AND! we have seen testimony from dear souls who have given their hearts to Christ as a result of this ministry. That is something satan can not stand!
The call is up to the Ceraks as to what they want to do about this, as for me I promise you and every one else, this is the last reference I will make to it.
God Bless
God is sooo good! Praise your name Jesus! Happy 4th Whitney! Hopefully it is sunny in Michigan this weekend!
Thank you so much! Praise be to God! Please join us everyone!
XO Chicago
AMEN!!!
From Southern Illinois
God deserves all the honor and praise--we love you Lord!
I'm praying for you Whitney! Stay strong Cerak's!
I love reading your post everyday-they are so so inspirational! It's such a wonderful testamony to Our Lord! I continue to pray for all involved. Thank you Ceraks for being such a positive influence! Go Whitney!!
I don't know if Newell Cerak is aware of these profane postings or that blog responses can be controlled. The church has a direct link to this blog from their website. I have e-mailed the church with what is going on and hopefully someone there can contact him and make him aware of the situation.
Cerak family:
May God Bless you. There are so many people all over the world praying for you daily. You are doing an amazing job showing God to the lost through your tragic experience. Stay strong and continue to update us on Whitney's progress.
Gas City, IN
Do you know what bothers me most? Is to see "Christians" more concerned with shooing these people away like an unwanted animal rather than showing the love of Christ we so freely profess week after week in the comfort of our own churches. C'mon? Can't you see what's happening to the body of Christ? Jesus came here to seek and save the LOST. Not to spend His time planning fun social events among only those who fit within our comfort zones. What are we here for if not to reach a hurting and dying world lost to sin and it's destruction? Sin isn't pretty and it doesn't look nice. I've been where these people who are posting vulgarities are at and let me tell you, demons don't mess around. They're ugly and being a slave to their hatred is tormenting! These people need to know that God truly did create them for a purpose, LOVES them, and wants to SET THEM FREE! How will they see that if not through those of us who know that freedom? This is what the testimony of Christ is all about, this is what God wants to do here and how His glory is shown. Not by brushing His creation away as if they don't exist because their words make us a little uncomfortable. Trust me, God can take it. Jesus has heard much worse.. been spit upon.. and yet He sought forgiveness and showed love. PLEASE, I urge you, I would have self destruct had someone not come along to show me I was worthy of God's love and He hadn't abandoned me. I shed tears for these posters today in prayer. God LONGS to reach people just like these guys and His heart aches for them to know His love. Let's not let Him down. We're His vessel to the world.
Cerek Family,
Cerek Family,
Thank you so much for the updates! I have been so blessed by your family's testimony! One of my favorite verses has always been Joshua 24:15. Boy does your family live up to that verse-even in the midst of tragedy. You continue to be in our thoughts and prayers as well as the other families involved!
Praying for and supporting the Ceraks is very important through this blog.
No offense, but I feel that we should reach out to these people on their own blog.
Isn't there a way to preview these comments before they are posted on this site? We need a cyberangel to monitor the blog. :) I know, I'm giving this person attention by even writing this but thought I'd ask if there is a way to keep this stuff off the blog. I'm so afraid the Ceraks will stop doing the updates and that would be a shame because so many of us get so much inspiration from every one that is posted. :) We don't know why God takes people away is such tragic ways--maybe to save them from something worse--who knows. What we DO know is there is a plan. We don't have to understand it but as Christians we know God is in control and all is used for His honor & glory. Praise the Lord for all our circumstances good or bad. How we handle ourselves in bad situations says a lot about our faith.
Keep going Whitney! Love to your family as well.
Your sister in Christ from a little north of you in Indian River. :)
Yes please go to their blog and minister to them. Since you've been there maybe you can reach them. It's not that we want to shoo them away. We would love to help them if we could just talk to them without their spit all over our faces. Go to their blog try!
God Bless
This blog is about WHITNEY and HER PROGRESS!! THANK YOU GOD that we have this opportunity to keep updated and pray for her!! We REBUKE satan in the name of JESUS!!! Jesus came that man might live and have life everlasting.
We are celebrating life here! Let's CELEBRATE!!!
I have so much joy for you.
HUGE SUGGESTION!!!!!
The BLOG SITE is for you to read updates on Whitney's progress and then LEAVE a message of encouragement for the Ceraks. If you all are reading everyone's blogs, then it is like you are opening their mail and reading it. SO .... that should solve your problems of being disturbed by what you read.... DON'T READ OTHER PEOPLE's MAIL!!
God is working mighty miracles here!! Let HIM work!
man_in_the_rain@hotmail.co.uk
For those that want to reach out.
Have a wonderful week Whitney!! Glad you are getting closer to home.
Sincerely praying for you Whitney!
I don't plan to leave comments any more, but know that I will pray everyday, and I will read about your progress. To God be the Glory!
EVERYONE,
Please ignore him!!!!! He is getting all kinds of comments on here and his site from people here.
This is exactly what he wants and he's apparently loving it.
Until the situation is corrected IGNORE him completely.
If you left click his name when reading comments his will go away and you don't even have to see them.
PLEASE, dont read it, don't respond to it and don't go to his site. Let him be exactly what he is in life....A lonely pathetic person who only gets his thrills in hurting others.
And most of all, Don't leave here just because of him...Don't let him win...this is what he wants!!
Remember---->TOTALLY IGNORE HIM
Thank you,
A VERY regular visitor
PS: GO WHIT...WE ALL LUV YA!!!!!
It is to bad that an individual(s) who cries out like this can't find his way out of a brown paper bag let alone find Christ in his or her life. I have nothing but praise for the Cereks and especially Whitney for the courage and dedication in keeping up with the daily postings of her progress. May God bless you all. I know, as we lost our oldest Son in 1999 in an automobile accident. May God be swift in laying his hands on your family.
Have a wonderful 4th Whit! You are awesome and an inspiration.
I have been very uplifted by reading Whitney's blog. What a truly wonderful way to share the Gospel with the world! I have never followed a local story like this before, and it's very encouraging. Thank you for your amazing Godly spirit Mr. Cerak! I think of both families often. Praise God for Whitney's recovery!
Karyn from MI
To anonymous 4:08pm...
I heartily agree with what you are trying to convey to the rest here!
I say we are ALL CALLED by Christ to minister and to be a light of the world! It is just not a ministers job to put up with the ugly side of Christianity! This isn't a cream puff life, nor is it a cream puff world we live in! Let us not forget, we will be held accountable if we do not do as we are called to do, which is to show Christ like love in any and all circumstances , yes, even the most unpleasant ones, so that ALL may come to know God.
I too find the postings hurtful and disturbing, but what do you think Christ himself would do if he were here?? Would he approve of his followers for shooing away a person so obviously in need, or would he encourage those followers to reach out in love? He most assuredly would do the latter and reach out in love. We can accomplish so much more than we think when we simply follow God's word. Remember, people are reading this blog from all over the world, and lives have been changed by the faith that is so evident! Let us continue to encourage each other, and rejoice in the Cerak's miracle of having Whitney back!!! But, I personally will not be held accountable as I stand before God for "shooing" someone away from even the tiniest chance that someone will come to know Him! My heart is burdened for those who are lost... my heart is burdened by this world and all that is wrong! We are all sinners! I cannot imagine a life without the love of Christ, but imagine for a moment the torment so many people feel living without love what so ever! It breaks my heart!! And it should break yours! We don't know God's plan... but entertain the notion for a moment that God Himself is using this blog to reach Wobblingscruffbag! How GLORIOUS would it be that God has placed him in our path and is using all of us to plant the seed to help him find salvation and everlasting life!!! I find that the keyboard is like a tongue... it can do great damage, or it can do GREAT things!! It is our choice!! I for one will be continually praying for ALL who don't know Him to find salvation! God Loves us ALL!! And yes Wobbling, he loves you more than you can fathom!!! I earnestly pray boldly right here, that you will come to accept Christ as your Saviour, and i pray that you will be covered by His overwelming, wonderful LOVE!!!!!! Amen!!!
everyone whos reads these blogs whor not christians let me tell u this from a christian It is not GODS will for us to die DO NOT listen to this jackass who nos nothing about our lord and listen to what the ceraks have to say they r true stroung christians and im glad that ive gotten the pledger of having mrs.cerak as a gym teacher and a sunday school teacher she has broughten me closer to my GOD who awesome. And i love that my older sister was good friends with whitney cuz if she wasnt my sister wouldnt be who she is today. and i cant wait to get into high school to learn from pastor newell in our senoir high youth group. i can tell from this wobblingscruffbag's blog that he envies the ceraks and that he wish he has half as good of a relationship with as they do with our GOD. and he can by believing in him. he can help u with ur probelm son he can help all of u. i may be young but i no one thing no one puts down my GOD without hving to hear about him and hear from me. listen to me wobblingscruffbag if u hate all this posting stuff y r u reading no is forcing u ur doing it on ur own cuz u want to get to no GOD see hes already working on u by having u read what the ceraks have to say hes soing u that he cares give up give ur life to god and i dont mean by killing ur self i mean having him work through your life so he can have u bring more believers to him. thats y none of us christians have killed ourselfs becuz GOD put us on earth for a reason to bring more believers to him (people like this wobblingscruffbag who need GODS help).So let god guide your life. and other readers dont sink to his level its what satan wants u to do just say that ur praying for whit or encourage the ceraks or something that is about the blog the ceraks wrote not what this maniact says.
A Friend From Gaylord
NICE POST "FRIEND FROM GAYLORD" VERY NICE!!!
NICE POST "FRIEND FROM GAYLORD" VERY NICE!!!
May God continue to bless you, Whitney, and your family. Christ has a purpose for all of this - trust that and trust Him! I am a Christian resident of Fort Wayne who stumbled across your blog while checking some other news updates and was so encouraged by your family's strong witness to their faith and yours. To God alone be the glory, and thanks for letting us all see Him through you!!!!
So glad to hear the awesome updates on Whitney. While the media hype may have died down, thousands have not forgotten and are still praying for everyone involved, and those of us in gaylord are pulling for Whit to return home as soon as possible. We love you Ceraks.
Wow!! Out of the mouths of babes!! Such wisdom!
Bless You Sweetheart
I am humbled
Enjoy your week-end- We are so thankful that all seems to be going well with Whitney- We don't forget the others- We ask God to give them all the grace that they need- and we know that God will do that- He promisedd never to leave us- and our God is a mighty comforter.
we love you whitney. be strong, and keep up your strong faith. the ceraks are an inspiration to us all!! :)
Janice, excellent post and I couldn't agree more. In Luke 6 Jesus says,
"But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also...
"If you love only those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' do that...
But love your enemies, do good to them.. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because *he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked*. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
Cerak's, thanks you for the updates on your precious daughter Whit! I praise God with you for her life and thank you for showing the world Gods AMAZING, unfailing, without conditions, LOVE that nothing can separate us from!
-Heidi
To the young person who wrote-
You are so right- and God is using you right now- The seed is planted- Thank you for standing up for what you know about our mighty God.
You are doing what Jesus would do
I just wanted to let you know that I've been praying for your whole family as well as the other families involved for awhile now. I am so thankful that the name of Jesus Christ is being glorified through this situation. I cant imagine how hard it must be to go through this, but remember that you guys have a whole lot of people praying for you and who love and support you!!!
The LORD your God is with you. He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you. He will quiet you with His love. He will rejoice over you with singing.
~Zephaniah 3:17
1 Peter 1
In this you will greatly rejoice, though now, for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith, of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire-- may be proved genuine and may result in praise glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed."
I am a TU student and whit's story has sparked the attention of my non believing group of friends back home.
We have had more fruitful, spiritual, and seed planting conversation this summer than we have had combined in my 10 years of growing up with these girls. God is working, be encouraged.
4:08 PM, Janice, Heidi and whoever else that may agree with them. I think XO Chicago, Robert and many others are trying to convey one message ONLY. It is not to shooo away this person who continues to visit us here on this site. It is however to keep him in prayer; doing so without making reference on this blog. See... this person is being whitnessed to daily just by reading these entries. He is seeing the love of Christ through the outpoor of all God's children. It is not necessary to continue to make reference to him. We ARE called to whitness. This story within itself is whitness. What other readers on this blog are suggesting is not to "forget" or "shoo" this person from the love of God. They are suggesting you continue to pray for him but keep this site about Whitney and stop allowing Satan to take that away from her. I like what 5:11 PM had to say in regards to the fact that we all seem to go back and read everyone elses entries. This mail belongs to the Cerak's. When we read their mail.... we may as well be opening their packages. Why are we so nosey? Part is that we truly get a blessing by hearing others testimony. If we are going to be so wrapped up in past entries; It is vital to this site that we keep it about Whitney when responding. Those who are making an effort to clean it up... are only reminding you with good intention to try and keep the focus where it belongs. If a young child can fathom and acknowledge what it is that people are trying to say when they ask you to stop making reference to wobblewhatever.... why is it that the majority of adult readers find this so difficult? 4:17 PM said it best when they said to reach out to this person via their own blog! This blog is for Whitney.
Enjoy your 4th of July. It will mean soo much more this year!
Robert said:
I've broken my promise! Please forgive me!
Thank*You 10:29
I truly do have Christian commpassion for Wobbl- But this site is for Whitney. If not it will degenerate to being about him.
I have been to wobbl-s blog and have read it. He is very disturbed and desperately needs to come to know the love of Christ! And as the child said thats why he's here. But this is not the forum to interchange with him. Keep this about Whitney! Any one who wishes, including myself, should go to his blog and begin an e-mail exchange with him and try to help him. I will try! Will any one else take up the challenge? Just be prepared for what you will encounter. How about it 4:08 and Janice? Lets go to where he lives and pay a visit.
But just remember Jesus did not minister to demons, he told them to shut-up and come out!!
Adendum: We are not Jesus so don't try to cast out demons unless you know more than I do, remember the 7 sons of Sheva
To XO Chicago, who said: "It is a simple theory folks. Do you not see that this person is following this story? He is reading all the entries. THIS IS GOOD! Praise God he is seeing Jesus Christ and his work and hearing the word of the gospel!"
Fine, let him read. But, as several have already noted, there is a feature on the site that would prevent messages from being posted until approved. So, in other words, anyone could read this blog for Whitney but the posts made would be up to the discretion of the site administrator, who could ignore most of the idiotic content of the scumbags' messages since the ignorance he writes is quickly obvious. Read one word or the scumbag's title, click, and delete- that simple.
Ceraks, may you all have a wonderful 4th!!! Whitney keep up the good work. You and your family are an awesome family with great strength and faith!! You all are wonderful role models to everyone!! True inspirations to each and every one of us who visit this site daily!! Love and Hope out of Gas City IN!!
Thank you for this verse...reminding us that to God be the Glory...not just to our own strength and perserverance. My strength comes from the Lord.
You have directly helped me to come closer to the Lord....I now feel the close relationship with Him, that I only spoke about having before.
God Bless you all. There is an empty spot in Gaylord...until you all can come home and come back to church. We all miss you, are praying for you and truly love you.
Apparently the person who wrote about reading other peoples posts has been doing it, or else he wouldn't be commenting on what other people are doing!
And for the little gaylord gal, be very careful about calling people who don't know Christ names, such as maniac... it will only hurt your Christian witness. [note the last line in your post] Just a suggestion.
God is aware of every single soul so let us just say "Praise Him! He who gave His own Son for each of us!" Thank you again for such a wonderful witness to all He is about! Prayers continue for your whole family and each person brought into our paths! He is a most loving God who loves even the most unlovely! HIS SON DIED FOR ALL!
Life's choices are what will decide where we spend eternity. For those who do not believe there shall be eternal damnation but for those who decide to trust and accept God's gift of His Son there is great victory! Thank you Cerek's for being willing to be watched by the world at what our Savior is capable of. Praying daily for each of you and stand amazed at what God can accomplish thru "even this" For Laura's family to praise Him and know where she is spending eternity bring great rejoicing even though she is greatly missed. This life is "but a flick in time" and eternity awaits their sweet reunion!
The problem is is that children of all ages have access to this site. Its especially easy since the first page of the church's website has a direct link to this blog. By all means pray for this individual posting these degradative and obscene remarks. Would you want a pornographic bookstore opened in your neighborhood just so you could go witness to those inside? That is the same type of logic in defending this individuals being here so we can witness to him. I can't imagine anyone on this blogsite wanting their small children seeing the remarks he is posting or going to his website. Indeed, pray for this individual and go to his site if you want to dialogue with him. However, his extreme obscene comments do not belong here.
How can anyone say that Laura's death was in vain? Many have already professed that this has drawn them to the Savior. It is not for the wicked to understand but in knowledge of the Holy Spirit all things become clear! What a blessing to behold the sacrifice that God was willing to make for all. Just the simple acceptance of His gift can change a lonely and lost life. The wonderful thing is that living a life for Christ now puts us in the firing line for being used for His Kingdom but we are all willing. His plan is best and He will bring blessings even in the midst of great turmoil. Oh thee of little faith....do you not HEAR His calling? Thank you blog administrator! It is about time this blog was returned to one of "like minds" For those who thought they could invade? Know we will continue praying for lost lonely souls! We do not have to indulge our minds with unpure and unlovely things to know it is there! Let this be a place to hear about Whitney and the great joy our Jesus brings! JOHN 3:16!
AMEN AND AMEN!!!! Well said and thank you!!! Now on to the things that would be honoring to HIM! Praying for you Whit...and all!
I was curious if Whitney has been able to see her dog yet?
Cerak's.. Praise God who is STILL in control! I have to tell you this!! Friday I was at the salon and saw the people magazine with Whitney's story in it. I asked my hairdresser if she had heard the story and began to talk about it with her. We spent TWO hours talking about God and knowing him. She admitted her extreme fear of dying and I was able to talk to her about how she can have assurance through Christ's death on the cross and resurrection. God is using this in more ways than you can imagine and will continue to have his way. Keep looking up even when it may look dim and trust that HE truly is moving in this situation for His glory all over the world.
God Bless Your Family! We love you and rejoice with you as we read of Whitney's determination and recovery! Have a fantastic 4th together!
To 6:09am. a hurting individual posting hateful, disgusting comments on a message board is not acceptable but acknowledging them is, hardly comparable to wishing a porn store in my neighborhood.
And to the poster that said reading the responses here is like reading the Cerak's mail. Not the same thing at all. This is a public board and everyone who posts is fully aware that anyone with access to a computer has access to the comments posted. Private responses to the Cerak's should be done through email or snail mail.
As our Belize missionaries are leaving today, I ran across this from the book that Rick Warren said about a church and I felt that I needed to post this before I send it to Belize.
"It is sad that in God's flock, the greatest wounds usually come from other sheep, not wolves. Paul warned about "cannibal Christians" who "devour one another" and destroy the fellowship. The Bible says these kind of troublemakers should be avoided. "A gossip reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with a babbler." The fastest way to end a church or small group conflict is to lovingly confront those who are gossiping and insist they stop it. Soloman pointed out, "Fire goes out for lack of fuel, and tensions disappear when gossip stops." Rick Warren; pg +165 The Purpose Driven Life.
Beth
E-Freer
god bless
scruffbag, I'm so sorry for your hurting hardened heart. You're not fooling me and definitely not fooling God. I see your battle and pray you will seek to know God before it's too late. God has made a way back to Him but the choice is yours. You don't have to carry that heavy load of pain and hatred. Being controlled by sin gets so very tiring, I know. When you're ready, just ask God to reveal himself to you and He will. He'll remove the blinders from your eyes so you can see clearly. He did it for me. The hatred isn't you talking, but the demons you're allowing to control you. God can and will set you free from that. Where can you hide from God's presence? There is nowhere you could hide. When you're ready to give up the fight He will be waiting with open arms.
To the Cezak's family!
Is it not a beautiful day that our Lord has made? We in Upland continue to rejoice for what Whit is accomplishing both physically and spiritually. You are all a blessing to the world of which you continue to send Jesus message to those who are lost and alone. You and all those who have been involved since the accident, have accomplished more in a few months then most of us as Christian's have done in our lifetime. Continue to enjoy your weekend's away and when you see the fireworks on the fourth, I am sure those who have gone on before is seeing something more awesome then we can imagine here on earth. God Bless and continue to fill your hearts as you minister to our hearts. Love ya
Scruffbag, God is not to blame for what has happened to you and He is not the one who has turned his back on you. You're running from him. He will wait patiently until you exhaust yourself because the truth is we could run forever and NEVER escape his presence. He created you and loves you. He wishes good for you and not evil and wants you to find rest in him.
Ceraks, Please see past the "other" comments and continue to update us on Whitney. There are many Thousands of people out here who deeply care about her and your family and we don't even know you. Hope you have a wonderful 4th of July!
Cerak family, do not be moved! Your words speak higher than any evil thing could ever do. And please everyone, Jesus died on the cross for all of us, including the one posting this junk, they just need to make the choice to follow Him. So don't wish hell on them, just pray that laborers will come across their path to show them the Light!
This individual posting these obscene remarks has hijacked this site. These blogsites have controls. This doesn't have to be allowed. Simply deleting these obscene posts won't work. Please do something.
God bless your family! Thank you for continuing to update us on Whitney's inspirational story. I check the site several times a week and continue to be amazed and inspired. I find myself making more time to pray throughout the day for everyone who seems in need. Thank you for reminding me to bring God into everything I do. I continue to pray for the families of all involved and for families everywhere struggling to cope with the loss of loved ones. I know it can't always be easy to find the time to update your family in Christ, but we appreciate that you do!
With many prayers,
A
God bless you and give you strength! The witness that is coming out of this situation is truly profound. You are being upheld by an army of prayer. God works. Even in the most seemingly impossible situations and with the most hard-hearted people. He will speak more clearly in the stillness of the night than any words that come from man. Bless you Cerak family for the grace and dignity you have shown all along the way.
Greater is HE that is in ME then HE that is IN THIS WORLD!!!!! I have never posted on this site, and I just felt compelled to today! I am very moved by the testimony the Cereks and VanRyns pass on each day through this blog and would hate to see this blog disappear! Just remember Satans come to steal, kill and distroy but our Jesus is bigger!!! God Bless!
I hope you can see the fireworks Tuesday!
go whitney go! so glad you got to see the sunset. what a beautiful thing that so many take for granted! and praise you, cerak family, for keeping those who have lost so close you your hearts! god is with you always, and i am so greatful that whitney has such a beatiful earthly father (and mother and sisters) to be examples and caretakers on this earth until we are all reunited in heaven!
My heart feels so overjoyed when I read of "Whit" daily. There are thousands of people cheering and praying for Whit daily. Thank you for continuing to share a part of your lives, your child, with loved ones and strangers. As a mother, I am not sure I would be able to be as wonderful an example as you all have been. I feel like I can idenify with Collen as a mother, but mostly with Carly. I lost my best friend (my sister, Lisa) 4 1/2 years ago to a brain tumor and it was and still is difficult.
Today is my birthday and I hope that Carly and Whitney get to have a wish come true, they need it more than me.
Love to all,
Michele D. Fishers,Indiana
Thank you Heidi!
Have a great evening everyone!
Janice
Happy 4th of July to all of you....
the Lord has given us another day to think, pray , and strive towards being more like Him.
Your family is such a blessing to us who do not know you yet, love and pray for you.
Keep up the good work...you are pleasing God.
much love from a mom in mt zion.
To the Cerak family,
God bless you for such an incredible testimony. We know that God has His perfect plan in allowing this to happen, and how proud He must be of Whitney and you...her family, for glorifying Him through the good times, and the bad. It's such a joy to read the updates and see God's hand at work. Your an amazing family. Your love for Him shows with each email, and my husband and I will be praying for continued blessings on your lives. We know that this life will soon pass, and only what's done for Christ will last! God bless you, and keep you.
Kym
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