Dec
04
The last seven days have been some of the most interesting of my life. I have felt anxiety, fear, sadness and a deep and unmovable joy simultaneously and in deeper ways than I have felt before. I am grateful for this heightened sense of things. Today at 10:45 a.m. CST I will have a good portion of my right frontal lobe removed. I head into that surgery with a heart that is filled with gratitude and hope.
Here are some of the things I am thankful for in no particular order:
- I am thankful for the thousands of you who have prayed and fasted for my health. It has brought far more tears to Lauren’s and my eyes to receive this kind of attention from the Church universal than this tumor has.
- I’m thankful for health insurance because I’m guessing they aren’t doing my five-hour surgery for free!
- I am thankful that I have deep, real friendships at The Village with Michael Bleecker, Josh Patterson, Brian Miller, Chris Chavez and Beau Hughes. They have been such a comfort to me and my family this past week. Pastors should have good friends on their staff. It’s risky but worth the risk.
- I am grateful for the men of God in my life, namely John Piper who taught me to hold my life cheap and to join with Paul in saying “I don’t count my life of any value or as precious to myself if only I might finish my course and complete the work that He gave me to do to testify to the Gospel of the grace of God. I’m nothing, I just have a job. God keep me faithful on the job and then let me drop and go to the reward.” Without this strong view of God’s sovereign will, I’m not sure how you don’t despair in circumstances like mine.
- I am thankful for my wife Lauren. “Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: ‘Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.’” “Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.”
- I am thankful for my children. Audrey the Beautiful, Reid the Valiant and Norah the Joyous. Being a daddy to these three is one of the greatest joys of my life.
- The privilege of seeing and appreciating all of life through the grid of a heightened sense of my own mortality.
- I am thankful for brilliant doctors and surgeons who have been given a real gift by our great God and King to repair things as complex as the brain.
- I am thankful for The Village Church. If there is a place that loves Jesus more, takes sanctification as seriously and wants to see the lost love the great King deeply I am unaware of it. These last seven years have been a spectacular joy!
- More than anything else I am grateful to my King Eternal, my Lord Immortal, for my God invisible. He alone is God. All Glory and Honor, Forever to You O God. I am overwhelmed in these moments by God Himself and the assurance of a future inheritance of a Kingdom that cannot be shaken and where all things are made new (Hebrews 12).
Christ is All,
Matt Chandler
Thank you for the privilege of walking through this with you. Praying!!!
[...] Matt Chandler, Pastors, Prayer, spiritual growth Update—Over on the Village’s blog, Matt Chandler’s posted some thoughts on what he’s thankful for in this season. Particularly noteworthy: More than anything else I [...]
Thank you, Matt, for suffering well.
Praying for you in Michigan.
You are in my prayers Matt.
Thank you for your amazing teachings, I enjoy your podcasts here in wyoming.
You have helped me in my pursuit of being Christ-like.
Brother and Pastor,
You are in HIS hands, and those are the BEST hands to be in. See you soon. All prayers are with you.
“Overwhelm me, shake the ground I walk on, I want to be dependant on You… on only You.”… and you are. Love, the Reggio Family.
You are an amazing man Matt. God has blessed you in so many ways and with so many talents. He will lead you victoriously over this stepping stone in your life. Jim and I are praying for you and your family just as you have prayed for all of US for so many years. We love y’all and look forward to celebrating a victory over Satan once again!!
Praying for you and your family!!!!!
Thank you Pastor Matt for sharing your thoughts. We are praying for you and the family.
Matt,
You are in my prayers…our prayers…and thousands of Anglicans across the country. Bless you, brother.
Let’s ‘do lunch!
D
Matt and family,
We are from TX but live in the UK right now- we are praying for you and your family today! Also for your doctors/surgeons.
Marc and Charity V.
My prayers are also with you as you undergo this surgury. May God’s faithfulness be more and more evident to you and your family as you walk this hard path.
Blessed be His Name.
Weeping with you. You have challenged me over the past 6 yrs at the village and more this week than ever. Jesus light shines brilliantly through you. Love and prayers.
God has used your ministry for His kingdom in incredible ways. My prayer is that you have many more years ahead of you. God has used you in my life. Thank you.
We are lifting up Lauren, Audrey, Reid, and Norah. His will…
Praying for you and Lauren this morning. Proud of your example in this trial dear brother.
Ricky J.
May the peace of God which surpasses all understanding guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus, for you, your family, your church…God is obviously doing a great work in your heart and mind as you look death in the face. I think with Job you can say, “Though He slay me I will trust in Him.”
Praying & praising God for you. God is in control. God is gracious & loving. God gets all the glory!
Our Prayers are with you and your family. We are thankful for Our Lord God Almighty and for you opening our eyes even more, than before we joined the church. You are an incredible gift from God!
Wow! raching for my tissue.
[...] by Brian Thornton on December 4, 2009 The following is a post, in its entirety, from Matt’s blog as he prepares to go into surgery and have part of his brain removed. May God grant Matt and his [...]
You are my brother, my pastor, and my friend. The Lord has used you to change my heart, challenge my mind, and love with my soul. I love you more than you know. May the Lord’s will be done. I will see you after!
“God is so great, greater than we can understand! No one know how old he is.” Job 36:26
We are praying for you and your family! Thank you for all you do!
Matt, thank you for the opportunity to pray for you from afar to our sovereign Lord. It’s been my pleasure.
May the Lord bless you and keep you and give you and your family rest in Him at this time.
Here in Atlanta, praying for you and your family! Thank you for continuing to lift up the Lord, to walk in faith and love Him with all your heart. I can’t wait to see how He glorifies Himself in your life and in the life of your family and the Village Church.
Lisa
Matt,
as I read your blog. my heart wells up as do my eyes. You are truly a man of God doing Gods work and not boasting on yourself. I have watched the Village Church
grow over the years and being blessed. I have added you to our prayer chain at our church here in Katy Texas: The Fellowship at Cinco Ranch.
I am also continuing to pray for complete healing. I can not wait for the day that I can come back to Lewisville and come and listen to you preach the word of God with all of your glory.
Be Blessed.
Beverly Carpenter
former member
How do we live through something like this?
“Yes, and I will rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death.
For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me.
Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account.
Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.” (Philippians 1:18-26)
Praying that, for our progress and joy in the faith, so that we may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, that your coming again to the pulpit will be soon…
matt, thank you for suffering well. truly, you are bearing His image to others today. God be with you, your family, and all those who love you.
“nevertheless, i am continually with You; You hold my right hand. You guide me with Your counsel,
and afterward You will receive me to glory. whom have i in heaven but You? and there is nothing on earth that i desire besides You. my flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
(Psalm 73:23-26)
Matt, I had the privilege of attending the Village while in college in Dallas, and the community and teaching I found there greatly defined those 4 years. We are praying for you and your family today. To God be the glory…
Matt,
I thank God for the grace he’s given you to be such a tremendous example through all of this.
Know that in praying for you this past week, a spirit of prayer has been growing and multiplying in me like never before.
May peace and healing be visible today for you and your family.
Matt-
God has used you GREATLY in my life. I am thankful for you growing & stretching me. “do not let your hearts be troubled & do not be afraid”.
God keep you!!!
Tania
[...] He goes on to list 10 things he is grateful to God for. [...]
When I was 15 I thanked God for sending you to lead me to Him. When I was 20 I thanked God for your words that shipwrecked my prideful heart, and set my course straight. At 22 I thanked God for your teachings leading me into a deeper understanding of The High King. And today, I thank God for your soul. For what I pray He will continue to use you for. And above all else, I thank God that out of 6 billion people on this planet, I am privledged enough to call you a mentor, Though we have never met this whole time.
Simply put. Thank you Matt.
We are filling this city with prayer today, For we have the courage to believe that He fills all things, and will complete the good work He has started in you.
Matthew Vaughan, Okc, Ok
[...] Surgery is scheduled for 10:45 a.m. Friday, Dec. 4th. Click here to read Matt’s blog post written the morning of the surgery. I was especially moved by the reminder in #4 to “hold our [...]
I thank God for you, Pastor. The Lord continues to teach me through your struggle that He is our ONLY HOPE and that when we are weak He REALLY IS STRONG..nothing in this world compares to the amazing life that awaits us in heaven with Him (face to face)! May the Lord continue to bless you through this trial, brother, for His glory and our joy. We love you…He loves you so much more!
You have suffered well! Looking forward to my visit to the village church upon your recovery!!! God is sovereign and ALL over this… Praying…
Christ is all! Well said Matt and thanks for sharing your thoughts with us as you approach your surgery. You are a comfort to us as we hold you high to the King in prayer. And Lauren, Audrey, Reid, and Norah too. These past four years at the Village have been a transforming time for Gary and I. We look forward to 40 more! We love you Matt. Terry & Gary
Overwhelmed and praying…
We are praying for you today as God holds your hand and leads you through this time. So much love is being sent your way!
Matt, Of all of the messages that you have delievered about God’s love and faithfulness, the one that speaks the most clearly is the one that you are ‘preaching’ through the way you are walking THIS road. – In HIS grace and with HIS hope.
Brock, our nine year old, has been joining us in prayer for you and your family every morning and night. God gave us a ‘snow day’ in Midland today so that we can pause and be on our knees on your behalf.
All for HIS glory and fame,
Donna Watson from Midland, TX
Matt, we are so thankful God led us to Texas and The Village to be saved. Through you, God has saved Meg and has opened Zanes heart to want it. God is with you and holds you. Thank you for showing your strength, weakness and most of all your complete surrender to the great Lord. We love you brother and are with you in Christ. See you soon.
Holly, Noah, and I have been praying for you and your family since getting the news. We love you guys and thank you for all you do!
Jonathan
Matt you have been such a blessing and influence just by your daily walk in my families lives. We are praying for God wisdom with your Drs. Gods peace and comfort for you, Lauren and your precious children. I pray for a speedy recovery and Gods grace in your life. Thank you for holding the light and showing us the way
Praying for you! We love you much!
The Ormesher’s
My prayers are with the Chandler family. I am an ordained minister as well and one thing that I’ve learned is this-the greater the trial, the greater the anointing. My prayers are with you and your family.
The LORD bless thee, and keep thee:
The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:
The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.
Numbers 6:24 KJV
Matt you are in all of our prayers. It has been my expierence that God uses these expierences (as painful as they may be) for His purpose and His will and it is good. I know God will reveal it to us in His time and once again woo our hearts with His glorious splendor. I take joy in this and am thankful we have a God that loves us so much.
Matt,
Thank you from the depths of my heart for your personal commitment to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and to The Village. You are truly a bondservant of the Lord, and I have been blessed by the messages God has laid on your heart time and time again over the last two years. Before I came to The Village, I had never known a place where it was so easy to kneel at the feet of Jesus and be amazed and satisfied in Him and Him alone. I am grateful for you, Matt, and my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
praying for you in kc!
I love you and the message you proclaim. I hear in your blog that your purpose will never change despite your circumstances. I feel your faith. You are a beautiful creation of God. I pray for your health.
Matt, I don’t attend your church since I live in Brooklyn, NY but I do listen to your sermons and I tweeted you a couple of weeks ago to pray for my nephew, Charlie who was having open heart surgery. You responded to my tweet and it warmed my heart. Thank you for being an obediant servant. You have no idea what you are teaching me through your experience. God is in control and sovereign. I am learning that. And your response to this has been very encouraging to me.
I am praying for you and your family and for a speedy recovery. Meg.
Matt, I have never met you, but have listened to you on-line. Vicki Courney brought you to my attention. I have been praying ever since I heard this news. Your blog today is an inspiration to all believers! I am praying for you, your family and your Church family (especially today)! I am blessed to be a member of fabulous families too! God bless you!
Thanks Matt for your courage and heart for God. We are praying for you today.
My first grade students have been praying for you. One scripture we like is, Isaiah 41:10, “Fear not, for I am with you.” We will continue to lift you and your precious family up to the Lord. Love and blessings from first graders at Grace Community School in Tyler.
Matt, we are praying for you. Thank you for staying true to the Word, and for trusting in God’s sovereign hand in this, no matter the outcome.
As you have said, these situations, though difficult, are a gift because they remind us that we are not home. Thanks be to God that He is at hand. Come, Lord come, and reconcile this broken world to Yourself by making all things new.
We love you, brother. We’re praying and faithfully expecting a full recovery that speaks to His glorious Name!
Matt,Greeting for Telluride, Colorado! I can’t help but think it pleases the Lord to hear your heart of gratitude this morning. You are truly one-of-a-kind!! I believe God has already been gloried through your experience as we are all spurred to self examine our own life. I thank you for preaching the Gospel so boldly, because of your raw real teaching you are revered by many…..My heart is thankful for you this morning!
Many prayers to you and Lauren and may God give you His peace that passes ALL understanding this morning! Looking forward to hearing you soon!
Monique Gorman
Matt and Family, You are all loved more than you can imagine. We are praying for God will in your lives. Thank you, we love you!
Chris and I are praying feverishly for you today. Unrelenting, celebrating, pleading. You and Lauren are loved by many and you are held in his hands.
You are in our regular prayers. We love you and your family.
Praying for you this morning and looking forward to spending the next 40 years praising God with you.
You and your family are in my prayers, my you feel God’s strong arms around you all
Matt, words cannot say how you have changed so many lives by hearing Christ speak through you. We are praying unrelentlessly for you here in Virginia.
[...] is a blog post he posted this morning before he headed to the hospital for surgery [...]
Matt,
You have been a breath of fresh air to our lives.
Thank you for allowing our Father to use you the way he has these last seven years that I have followed your teachings. Keep it up brother. I look forward to seeing you and listening to you teach very soon. We are praying for you and Lauren.
Matt,
I do not know you, but I would like to tell you
that your testimony, faith and perseverance
have inspired me, and impressed me.
My wife and I, will now, and continue to lift you
and your family up in Prayer.
Health, Healing and Strength..
May God provide you with all that you need,
abundantly, so that there is no room to contain it.
Your faithfulness overflows, and affects all those around you, and I pray that his blessings to you, flow as abundantly..
Yours in Christ..
James M Berman
My family has been praying for yours daily. My 3 yr old prays for “Chandler” to get better. My own brain is somewhat fasting today, as I can concentrate on nothing other than today’s surgery. We will be in prayer for you, your family, and every doctor, nurse and technician that comes in contact with you. May they feel a miraculous sense that they are working on someone very special today, causing them to look upward for strength, endurance and wisdom.
I’ve lived in China for the past year and half. It’s been one of the most difficult and amazing experiences of my life. I was concerned about my spiritual growth with the removal of the many resources I’d been used to in America. A friend told me about your teaching. Our Father has used your heart, your wisdom, and your teaching to encourage my heart, to expand my wisdom, and to better my teaching. Thanks for being wholly His, so that your life, even in hardship reflects His glory.
Matt,
Pray for you, for your wife and children, and the church. Thank you everything you have done and for carrying out God’s will in such a profound way. You have touched the lives of many. We love you and will be praying.
Matt,
I have not slept much at all this week. Every night, about midnight I sit back and listen to your messages. Last night I listened to your recent one on prayer, it really hit home to me, and I can see the power through the the hundreds of thousands that love you. I feel at peace that you will get through this and that Christ will be right there holding your hand. Wanted you to know, that I am re-dedicating myself to Christ, and have been led to do so, through my recent prayers for your healthy recovery. Thank you, you lead me even when you suffer. Love, Emily
Over the last year we have walked an unusual pathway as brothers. I rejoice that Village Church Dallas Northway has been birthed in the power of the Father. Now may that same unstoppable Power, the Spirit of Christ, do all that He wills in and through your life to His Greatest Glory. You would seek nothing less and we ask for nothing more.
Tearfully prayer for you, Lauren, our church, God’s power. Today my faith is increased again by seeing you do life, righteously. Thank you Chandler family for your example.
Go get ‘em Matt! The whole world is praying for you, your family, and your surgeon. May our awesome and divine Surgeon, bless and anoint you with a fast and speedy recovery!
Matt,
I listen to you podcast every week.. I am a 20 year old Bible College student, and God has chosen to bless me with great men to listen to and be taught by. I thank God for your ministry and your life. My whole campus and I are praying for you.
Thank you for being open and sharing.
We are praying for you all continuously.
thank you for allowing God to work through you…it has strengthened my faith and love in Him, the King.
thanking Him today for you & thanks again for the reminder that ‘God is enough.’
Matt,
I just read this story online at dallasnews.com. I just felt a compelling need to you know that me and my family are praying for you….may God be with you.
God Bless
Connie and I have been praying for you, your family, your doctors and your congregations daily. I was up at 3am this morning and prayed once again. And just now.
Your post is wonderful and meaningful in so many ways.
John Strange
Connie Gonser
Daphne, AL
Praying for you Matt. You are a great blessing. Thank you for your walk and your gratefull attitude during this time.
Thank you for jumping in to the ocean of God’s greatness with all your heart, soul, and brain.
It’s okay to not be okay.
We, your congregation who came to you not okay, are His, and we are confident.
Thank you Pastor Matt for the unwavering hope and faith in your suffering. We have been praying for you.
The Ha Family
Houston, TX
Matt, words cannot say how you have changed so many lives by hearing Christ speak through you. We are praying relentlessly for you here in Virginia.
I can’t type
Relentless, rather. Praying nonstop for you Matt!
[...] The words of Matt Chandler written just before brain surgery today Jump to Comments http://hv.thevillagechurch.net/blog/hvpastor/?p=357 [...]
Praying for you & your family brother!
Praying for you in Auburn, AL.
Praying for you and family knowing God is in control. Here in Houston I hear great things of The Village and your work for Him. PTL!
Mighty man of God you I give thanks to Almighty God for your faithfulness. You have helped me in my walk as a man and as a Pastor. We stand with you now and in the battles to come. The facts are that you have a mass on your brain but the Truth has already healed you and set you free. Restored Community Church in Wichita loves you and is waiting and praying. 1 Peter 5:10
You are a highly blessed man. God be with you & your family today and always.
You are in our prayers, all of you.
We are praying for y’all!! Much love & Prayer coming from the LBK!!
Matt, Thank you for suffering well and teaching us how to suffer well. As the body of Christ, we are to “rejoice with those who rejoice, and mourn with those who mourn”. Know that tears and prayers are being poured out to our Sovereign Lord on behalf of you, our dear brother in Christ. We love you and are praying for you.
Matt, we are praying for you and your family fervently today, and for your coming recovery. We will miss you at the FloMo campus this weekend! We know that God has a purpose in all this, and for that we give Him glory.
Sarah and Daniel Delwood
Matt,
The wisdom in your words has made an undeniable impression on my husband and I and continue to deeply impact us even through your trials. Our family has spent time every day humbly praying for healing, strength, comfort and peace for you and your family. We will continue to do so through your miraculous recovery. “We love you more than you know”.
The Caines
Matt – I am saying a prayer for you now as you head into surgery. I had 12 hour brain surgery 1 1/2 years ago and can testify to God’s amazing goodness, faithfulness and His peace that “passes all understanding”
Ephesians 3:20-21 “Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us,to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.”
He will do FAR more abundantly – BEYOND all that we ask or think and HE will get ALL the glory. Praise God for what He has done, will do, and is doing in your life. Praising our Father with you. In Christ, Tracy Kamprath- Texas
Thank you for everything that you’ve been – for Christ’s namesake – at The Village. I am so very grateful for your ministry, Matt. I’m praying this morning at work!
One of the songs we sing with the kids in preschool comes to mind; I cannot help but find peace in the truth behind it. The same God that holds the stars in the sky in place, that formed the mountains, the provides the streams – He also holds you in His hands with kindness and love. Praise Him!
“Our God is so big, so strong and so mighty, there’s nothing our God cannot do!
Our God is so big, so strong and so mighty, there’s nothing our God cannot do!
The mountains are His, the rivers are His, the stars are His handiwork too.
Our God is so big, so strong and so mighty, there’s nothing our God cannot do!”
Matt,
You are and we firmly believe will forever be considered one of the most amazing teachers of the Word in the 21st Century.
Your gifts of combining deep understanding of the Gospel, delivered with the uncanny and comedic timing of a brilliant Christian stand-op comic, is truly a Blessing from Jesus.
A gift that makes you very special to so many.
We pray for you Lauren and your lovely kids and I KNOW everyone at the Village and worldwide that have been touched by you pray you will be around for the next 40 years.
But I rest assured that Our Good Father has had this entire plan mapped out before we were all born.
And one thing we know for sure is that your amazing body of work and preaching as it stands today, will continue to be a blessing for hundreds of thousands for decades to come.
And few will ever be able to say that about their own lives.
We LOVE You Matt, Lauren and The Kids…… And God Speed us all to a fuller understanding
Earlyne and Joe
Matt-
Your upward focused thoughts have encouraged me and thousands of others…
Praying for you, your family and the church.
I am praying for you even right now my friend, and thank God often for you. I join you in a heightened desire to make life only count for His sake, and not my own. While I miss the days of HSU Leadership, I rejoice for today, and how God is using your physical struggle to encourage believers worldwide. Love ya bro..
Simon and Heather Keizer
[...] is clearly seen in the words below. Matt Chandler , Pastor at Village Church, has over the past week come face to face with his own mortality. His [...]
Matt,
I am joining thousands of others praying for you and Lauren daily. You are loved.
Matt,
What a testimony in trial. Thank you for encouraging and inspiring me through YOUR painful and trying circumstance. I would hope and pray that my heart would have such peace in a time like this. Thank you for all you have done and continue to do through Him. You’ve changed my walk and I appreciate your heart more than you’ll ever know. Take care, and we’re all praying.
Rachel
Heart felt prayers to Matt and family. And for all of us who have felt the anxiety, sadness, and stress for Matt.
Matt,
Prayers to you and your family during this time.
Alan
[...] Here is a post from Matt going into surgery about the things for which he is thankful. [...]
Lots of prayer and Christ’s love to you and your whole family.
Matt
[...] I am grateful for the men of God in my life, namely John Piper who taught me… (click here to read the full statement) [...]
Praying for you Matt and your sweet family! I’m reminded of how God taught me such a valuable lesson not too long ago. Why we pray. In this time we pray because prayer allows us to be involved in something eternally greater than ourselves! God is doing something far beyond any mortal being and we believe He is faithful and all-knowing! His character doesn’t change or waiver! He is the Solid Rock we cling to and in the Him we have our hope! We are confident as we abide in Him! Prayer changes things! Our friends, family, and extended family all around the country and world send our love and earnest prayers for you and your family!
Matt,
Thank you, sincerely, for the faith and trust you’ve displayed by the power of the Spirit. It has been such a testament and encouragement to me. I will continue to pray for you and your family as you go through the coming days.
Grace,
Kaitlyn Dugan
What a testimonial and trial you’re facing. Thank you for taking the time to write this blog and share your thoughts with us. Thank you for all that you do through Him, you’ve stretched and challenged myself and my family constantly. We are forever changed by your constant call to live for Him and not ourselves.
We are praying for your strenght, faith and health at this time. Your family is also in our prayers. We love you!
Matt,
You have been a strong voice in a culture that hates Jesus and the Gospel. You have encouraged many in pop Evangelicalism to throw away the materialism that comes with it and many have embraced the the true Gospel from your preaching. You have also inspired many men to man up and lead their families! I am one of those who have benefited from your teaching. May God give you grace, peace and joy through this. We will be praying for you and your family. Many of us in the PCA will be pleading your case before the Father!
Grace to you brother!
Praying for your healing, and God’s sovereign, sustaining grace.
Through your preaching you have given me new ways in which to view the beauty of the Gospel, and your angst for knowing Jesus Christ as He is in Scripture has compelled me to know Him more.
May God be with you and your wife Lauren and your kids and the Village in this time.
God is good and God is sovereign all the time,
BJ Stockman
You don’t know us, but we are praying for you in Memphis!!
Psalm 91:14-16 includes a great promise that I have more than often found encouraging – praying for you and your family
[...] Pray for our brother in Christ. God’s gifted the man. But ultimately pray God’s will be done. What a beautiful picture of the Church that we can pray for a dear brother we have never met personally. You can also find the post here. [...]
Pastor Matt,
Thank you for leading a life of courage.
. . . A life that owes no man, but God Alone.
Thank you for just being, You.
. . . Decreasing and letting Him Increase.
Thank you for challenging us all.
. . . Loving until it Hurts, Bad.
Thank you for Awakening sleeping Giants.
. . . For He says Salvation is Now!
Thank you for being Thankful.
. . . Infectious Gratitude just boots our pride.
Thank You, and hope for many years of Thanks and Giving!
Jeron
Matt,
You don’t know me personally, but I have attended The Village since I moved to Dallas in July. You’re words have inspired me and opened my heart to a God I might have never known. I found myself listening in church for the first time, and ending each day with a positive attitude about Christ’s willingness to redeem and forgive. To restore me. I have to thank you for that because without your wisdom and God’s undeniable love for us, I might not be at the place I am today. I am praying for you and your family. That my prayers to you will be lifted up and heard.
Take care,
Signe
The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
He restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness
for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death, [a]
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.
I consider you a brother and a source of encouragement to my ministry even though you do not know me. Our church here in little Cowiche, Washington will be praying for you Matt. My personal study in Psalm 34 made me think of you and pray for you…
Pastor Marc of Highland Community Church, Cowiche Wa.
Praying for you from Mexico. God is sovereign and in control!
God Bless you and your family in this trying time. You will come through with Angels lifting you up.
Praying for you, Matt. One thing I know, God is good.
Thank you for modeling such faith amidst suffering. You are pointing many to Christ.
[...] This morning he writes of his thankfulness and gratitude during this experience. You can find his brief blog post here. [...]
My introduction to you came while I was searching for church websites to use as an inspiration for designing a website for our church. I found your churches site and was impressed with the design and also noticed that you had a podcast. The first sermons I downloaded was a 3 part series on sex. I have listened to this same series many many time over, along with the others that are available.
God has a plan for you. We don’t know what it is and once we do we may not align with it. BUT none the less, He has a plan.
I have gone through my share of “trials” in my life and the one thing that ALWAYS rings true is James 1:2 “consider it pure joy my brothers whenever you face trials of many kinds”. It took me a long while to wrap my head around that verse and I’m not sure I have full y done so. But looking back on my personal trials, I can see the truth in it.
Matt, I look forward to hearing your first sermon after your recovery. Man it’s going to be a great one!
Erik Curtis, Woodland Hills, Ca.
Matt-
Our gracious King is already at the end of this surgery and knows it’s result – He planned it didn’t He? I confess, in my weakness i still feel afraid for you. God ‘increase our faith’ and accomplish His perfect sovereign will in you this day. you are loved, my friend, more than you know.
Hopefull in Him -
Wesley.
Vancouver, BC Canada
Matt and Family,
We praise God for you! And we have been and will continue to pray for you all.
You have made a huge impact in our lives, and we are grateful and blessed by you and your willingness.
I have learned so much through the village and I have grown immensely from being a part of the community.
Thanks for all you do and have done!
May God’s grace and love and comfort be with you all today.
-Tara
Podcasting the Village for many years now. Thank you for being faithful to the Word. Prayers from Nevada…
matt, through you, the glory of God is radiant and truly tangible. the Lord has gifted you abundantly and the gospel is extended to His children all over the world through your teachings. i have attended the village for the last few years and without fail, your unwavering passion for living life authentically, genuinely, and openly as you trust our Lord and Savior has spurred me on to love and good deeds. i was raised Jewish and as Christ’s love has infused my heart since i became a believer i have been so confused by “church”. i praise the Lord for your humble surrender to Him and i thank Him for your life. without knowing me specifically, you have helped me trust, have faith, and breathe freely under the covering of Christ. i have prayed for you, am praying for you, and will continue to pray for you.
“be strong, and let your heart take courage.” psalm 31:24
peace and glory.
natalie singer
[...] Matt Chandler Jump to Comments Matt Chandler is the head pastor of a large church in the Dallas area. And Matt has a tumor in his brain. Today they are removing the tumor, but Matt is still thankful. You can read 10 things he is thankful for here. [...]
Matt,
We are praying for you and the doctors as well as your family. Your ministry has impacted my husband and I in the last 2 1/2 years, in more ways than we could have imagined, through your sermon podcasts and blog. We are grateful to God that through you He has given us more of Him. Praying for God’s glory through your trial.
Debra
Matt,
We are praying for you, Lauren, your kids and our church. We have been so blessed in our marriage to have been able to hear your messages every week. God has spoken through you each week to transform our life to a life that seeks Him and Him alone.
May God’s will be done through all of this and may he be glorified every step of the way.
We love you and thank God for your ministry.
Ben & Rachael Taylor
You are in our prayers and, more importantly, in God’s hands. His grace and strength will be sufficient for you.
Prayers coming your way from the Music City. Blessings to you, the doctors, and your family at this time.
Matt we are praying for you and you and family.
[...] My Heart is full…I am Thankful | The Village Church : From Our Pastors. AKPC_IDS += [...]
We are on our knees.
Praying for you in Grand Rapids, MI
My family and I are praying for you and your family as often as I can Matt. Hearing my 4 and 6 year old girls pray to God for you has brought tears to my eyes. We love you so much.
Praying for you for healing and you and your family that God will continue to be all you need. May you continue to draw from His strength as He carries you in His will. Thank you for being a light in the darkness-so many may see the glory of the Lord. We love you all!
From Wyoming-
The Simmons
Matt,
You are deeply and profoundly loved by an amazing God who will see you through. I will be in constant prayer for you and your family, for a successful surgery and full recovery, for The Village staff, and for all who grasp the profound work of His mighty hand on these (and all) moments.
We look forward to your return.
Lord, You are God. You are in control. We faithfully trust in You.
Psalm 2:12 Blessed are all who take refuge in Him.
Matt, we are praying for you and your family here in Wichita, KS. May God continue to be glorified through all of you.
[...] An hour ago he posted these thoughts on his blog…. [...]
I praise God for you. Praying for you today in Fort Wayne, IN
Matt,
You do not know me. But I praise God for you! And I have been and will continue to pray for you and your family.
You have made a huge impact on my life, and possibly saved my marriage.
I have been extremely convicted and grown so much through listening via podcast.
Thanks for all you do and have done!
May God’s grace and love and comfort be with you all today.
Your devoted listener
In Christ Alone,
Melanie Dusseau
Praying for you! God is faithful, and knowing that, I smile for your family :O)
I created a Wordle from Matt’s Post.. I think it speaks for itself ..”Thankful”
http://bit.ly/5NMqz2
Matt,
From a blizzardy and cold Edmonton, AB, I want you to know you are in our prayers. I consider you one of my pastors (through the podcase) and a great encourager of my life and ministry. Thank you for your faithfulness to the Gospel and I know that God is with you and he is able. May peace rule.
Matt, we are praying for you from Los Angeles. Thanks for being such a great leader and example of trusting in Christ alone.
Matt, you are an amazing, anointed son of God. I’ve rarely heard a pastor who delivers the Message of Christ with such knowledge and conviction. You have impacted the way I do ministry, as I’m sure many others. I am praying for you and your family right now. May He keep you and bless you as you walk through this fire. With much love and prayer, your brother in Christ.
Matt,
As I was driving home yesterday to South Dakota from Oklahoma, you were on my mind. While my wife and kid slept I was praying for you and your family. Praying for strength for Lauren and that your kids might see the true church in all of this reaching out to help their family in their time of need. Praying that the same church which demands so much of your time, would now minister to them during this time, and that your family would experience the love of Christ and her church in full. Praying for Lauren also, that God would show herself to be the God of all comfort and Father of mercies. Praying for you….now..during your surgery. Thank you for your faithfulness to God and his calling on your life. May He be in exalted in all of this and through all of this.
-Luke (Parkston, SD)
Praying for you from Poland, Matt.
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you, your family, your friends and your church in those times of trouble and forever. He is good, sovereign and loves you.
Praying from Lakeland, Florida. Be strong and rest in Christ.
Lifting you up in prayer today from Kentucky. Isaiah 54:10-12
I love that regardless of the outcome you will be met with arms wide open and love will abound.
Pastor Matt, you are truly inspirational. We came to a service once with family, during our visit to Texas, and were deeply moved. We wish there as incredible a service here. Praying for you in Granby, CT.
Matt…I’m standing we are standing with you here in NC. God is victorious. May the King of Kings bless you and your family.
[...] Read the rest here [...]
Pastor Matt,
You are a man after God’s own heart and the witness God has given you during this suffering has increased the faith of the Church. Christ has redeemed even the suffering of His children. Romans 5:1-5
Praying for your healing, the will of God, and that God’s glory will burst forth through this to a dead and dying world.
You are a blessing to us Matt. Love you brother and praying deeply through tears…
With Love and Peace,
Tom Murphy
We are praying for you in Tyler, Tx. I’m 29 and had lymphoma this year. Prayer works and God is good. Trust in Him. Keep preaching Christ crucified, my brother.
[...] a settled peace in God, it speaks volumes to those around us. Read the comments of Pastor Matt Chandler as he wrote this blog just hours before facing brain surgery for a tumor. Note the impact he is making in the [...]
Matt and Lauren,
God has and continues to use you in marvelous ways. I pray that all goes well, and you are up sharing your knowledge with others again soon.
Matt….I just love you so very much! When I think of you….I am always reminded to sip from God’s Grace everyday….to love Jesus/Others passionately…because that’s how He loves me…even though I am a mess….and to enjoy the fellowship and richness of life…He is the sweetness…without Him…all is vanity. Thank you dear brother in Christ Jesus!! I am praying and fasting for you! I pray for recovery 100%…as you have said….for His kingdom….for His glory. He loves you most!!
Thank you…my life will never be the same because of you!
“red”
Мы молимся за вас здесь, в России. We are praying for you here in Russia. Our church will gather again this Sunday and pray for your recovery and for Lauren and the kids. May our Great King be glorified, and your family’s faith deepened through this. Слава Богу! (Glory to God)
Praying for you and for your family. Thank you for being you.
Paul and family
Wichita, KS
Your bravery and calmness in a time of trial has been an incredible source of strength for me and my son. We are praying for you and your family, and the doctors/surgeons for strength and healing.
Tears of Joy and Thankfulness in my eyes right now as I read this. We are so completely grateful for you, Lauren, & the kids! Love you Matt and praying for you!
[...] http://hv.thevillagechurch.net/blog/hvpastor/?p=357 [...]
Matt, more prayers left up for you here in Decorah Iowa. Thank you for allowing your great preachings to be available through podcast.
Your passionate proclamation of the gospel came as a lifeline from God at a time when all seemed dark. I continue to be challenged and prodded to drive deeper as a result of it now. My life and that of my family has forever been impacted. I hope that the generations to follow will feel it too. My deepest gratitude for your commitment and sharing your life and family with all of us.
[...] morning, he blogged, reminding us all (and I think himself) of God’s sovereignty and power. I am convinced [...]
Matt,
from a fellow pastor over here in Scotland. Praying for you and the family. Thank you for your example as a disciple of Jesus and as a preacher of the unchanging gospel.
Matt, prayers from Fresno, CA. Our bible study group and leaders listen to your sermons and are inspired by His word and your teaching. Thank you for all that you do for the Body.
[...] Words From Chandler.. please read.. very encouraging! [...]
I love you my brother in Christ. xoxoxo. We all do need to count this life as cheap. Right now you are under going surgery and I am keeping you close in my heart and prayers all day. Trusting God as your trust in Him resonates to me. Thank you.
Praising God for the finished work on the cross. By Jesus’ stripes you are healed. His hands are guiding the Dr.’s hands. Thank you for being who you are in Christ. Ron and Denise love you and so do I!!
[...] My Heart is full…I am Thankful. [...]
Thank you Matt & Lauren,
For enduring as good soldiers in the lord’s army, we know that all things work together for good to them that love God,& to them who are the called according to his purpose. Even in this trying time Glory to our Great God and King Jesus Christ. I praise him because eyes have not seen, ears have not heard neither has it entered into the hearts of men,of the good things God has for you and your family on the other side of this trial. Praying always for you!
God Bless,
Sherry M.
It’s a shock to hear what you are going through – and your family. I live in Europe but I get challenged and encouraged by what you preach. Thanks for how you live out a ministry that gives the supremacy to Him. Get back on your feet soon as your sermons make you a brilliant running partner!
Thanking God for you as I read this through the tears Matt… you have no idea! We are praying here in Ohio. God has been made to look GLORIOUS through your life and through this circumstance.
Chandler family, you are in my prayers. Thank you for your strong leadership and encouragement through The Village. May God bless you for your faithfulness.
Matt,
I thank God for you and your family! I am praying for all of you as well as surgeons and all caregivers. May God in his tender mercy meet all of your needs.
Donna
Fasting and praying for you, your wife & kids, and for God’s glory all around this country and the world through this opportunity for Him to put it on display by what He is doing & is going to do through this. Be strong in the Lord.
We’re praying for the Chanders and The Village Church as you all walk through this. I recently lost my wife to a brain tumor and know first hand how God can be glorified in situations like these. Our prayer is that Matt’s body would respond to treatment and that God would heal him. Even more than that, we pray that Jesus would be glorified throughout this…as He has already.
[...] before the surgery, he was able to blog about his gratitude in this entry which I urge you to read: http://hv.thevillagechurch.net/blog/hvpastor/?p=357. It is amazing how someone, despite an illness and an upcoming surgery, could still thank those [...]
Praying for you Matt….and Lauren!
May God be your constant source of comfort and strength!
Big hugs from Indiana
You are amazing Matt Chandler…I just wanted to let you know that the students at Liberty Christian School in Argyle have been lifting you, your family and friends up in prayer all week and all morning. You are loved greatly. May God continue to bless and keep you!
Matt-
150 students and I joined hands the past Wednesday and prayed for you and am praying for you right now as you’re in surgery.
Thank you for the example you’re setting for all of us mortals and allowing the beauty of God’s grace in your life to shine for us to see.
-Dave
Matt,
You are truly an amazing man of God! We may never meet but i want you to know how truly inspiring you are. May my life reflect Christ as much as yours does. Your teachings have taught me much and Christ has changed my life! I am warring and praying for you, your family, and church! Know that you are loved!!
In chains of grace,
Michael
Pastor Chandler, Lauren and children…and the flock of Village….
Praying fervently for you and trusting in our Sovereign Lord to take perfect care of all of you. My heart is full and when I tend to fear for you, God swoops in and lifts my spirit on wings like eagles.
I will continue to pray for you in the days and weeks ahead for complete and total healing.
So thankful you have Christ…and He has you.
Just another branch on the vine,
Ivory
south Florida
We are thanking God for you and your faimly, for in the way the Lord has used you in our’s and so many others life, Thanks for being a rock in Him, we will be praying until we hear how you are doing…
Peace and Grace to you, Brian, Villa Rica Georgia
Matt,
Thank you for allowing the Lord to use you for His purpose and glory. The Hazzard clan is praying for all of you.
You are an inspriation and encouragement. Praying for you and your family.
Matt,
Praise our mighty Lord who allows our suffering to bring us closer to Him! I pray that your work for His glory and our good is not done, but that this will simply be a means by which He can use you in greater ways. Praying for you and your family from Los Angeles. Thank you for impacting my life!
I am grateful to God for Him calling you to The Village and look forward for the next 33 years (40-7…I can do math) together if God grants me that long. I love man!
jolowe
God has used your heart, mind and soul to move a generation closer to Him. We say thank you! We’re praying for you, to a God who never fails.
Matt ~ thank you for teaching us how to suffer well. You have not only opened our eyes to the truths of God…you are living them out and doing it well. We love you and Lauren and we are praying for Gods greater glory in your life.
[...] My Heart is full…I am Thankful My Heart is full I am Thankful. [...]
Pastor Matt is a great inspiration to me as I lead a church in a proccess of replanting here in Brazil. Once without knowing what to do I e-mailed him and he took the time toi send me some cd’s with some of his thought on church that I keep dearly with me. We are praying for him from Brazil, and I believe God has so much to do with you life. I hope someday we will be able to meet each other personaly. If not in earth we will in heave. God bless you my brother!
Christ is your treasure. Thank you for sharing this.
Matt, you have been such a blessing and encouragement to me in my pursuit of Christ. I’ve been in continual prayer for you and your family and I will continue until you are restored.
From Canada, we are praying for you, your family and church. We’re grateful for your ministry and I’m thankful for your godly perspective through trial. Bless you as the Lord brings you through.
Beautiful. Thankful for Pastor Matt Chandler’s ability to teach through example in even the scariest of circumstances.
Praying.
Our church is praying for you in Charleston, SC, Matt!
Let me join the throng in assuring you of my continuing prayers. May God bless you and sustain your family. I am thankful for your ministry and example.
You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Praying for you brother! God will provide and protect! Thanks for being a great help to young pastors like me. Your attitude in trials helps us alot. Paying for you here in Detroit, Michigan! From all of us at Northwest- God bless and We are praying for you and your family.
Matt,
May you find comfort in the fullness of the Spirit as he feeds you and your family during this time. God willing, you will be back teaching us how to live authentic lives for Christ the way you and Lauren do. To HIM be all Honor, Glory and Praise.
Peace,
Adrienne and Marc McFayden
I am laboring in unceasing prayer for you, Matt. God will be faithful!!
Blessings and prayers from North Africa! We are praying for you Matt and have been blessed (via the web) by your teaching!
Matt, Thank you for your example and your fearless trek into teaching of the word as it is written, not as you think the congregation might want to hear it. We have never actually met, though you did walk up once and give me a smile and a hug when I was standing alone in the hall. Only God knew how I needed that! But more than that because of your teachings and faithfulness to God, I have a greater desire for the Lord in my life than I have ever had. Now, I plead the blood of Jesus over you and thank the Lord for your healing in Jesus’ mighty name!
Praying for you at Bethel Church in southeastern Washington. We thank God for your faith and pray for healing now, but hope in our resurrection to eternal life.
May the God of all comfort fill your hearts and minds with peace, joy, hope, and faith.
Grace & peace,
Metcalfs r praying for the Chandlers..
Matt,
My wife and I listen to you frequently via podcast on our 20min commute to Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA, everyday, as well as on our trips to visit family over breaks. Your sermons are filled with bold truths from Scripture and God has used you as a life-molding “shepherd from afar” in our newly wedded lives. Our prayers go out to you and your family today and many of our fellow students at Liberty are also praying for you all today and over the past week and the weeks to come. I praise God for you and thanks to your family for giving us the opportunity to hear from you even from such a great distance! God be with the doctors and nurses as well
One of your brothers and sisters,
Lee and Kristine Sandy
(on behalf of much of the Liberty University student body)
Praying for you and your family. May God be glorified through your faithfulness.
Matt,
I have listened to you speak since my sophomore year in high school when you were doing “Grace” on Thursday nights in Abilene. You challenged me spiritually then as you do now twelve years later. My husband and I listen to you frequently and there is no question God is using you powerfully and mightily!If we lived in the DFW area, there is no question we would be attending “The Village.” Thank you, even as you face this trial, for your unwavering faith and sharing that with us. You have caused my husband and I to search our own hearts and put into perspective what really matters in life and that is living for Christ alone! Our family has and will continue to lift you, Lauren, Audrey, Reid and baby Norah up as you all weather through this storm. Keep hanging on to the hem of His garment!
Praying for you in Stewartstown, PA!
Love, The Yates Family
Gus, Kimberly, Cole and Luke
Matt, praying for you know and wondering how surgery is going. If God ever moved because of the prayers of His people, now would be the time. I have been so affected by the initial news, then even more affected by the prayer notices of people all over the world who are lifting you. I am a podcaster, but drive over from Plano as often as I can. Waiting to hear about your recovery and how you will lean on our God through that too.
Bless you!
We are continually praying for you, Lauren, and the kids. May Christ be your all sufficient savior during this time. Love you brother!
We’re prayin for you here at Indiana Wesleyan University.
Matt, You have been a turning point in my Christian walk. Thank you for all you have done for myself and family (even though we’ve never even met). You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. From Oregon (Podcaster), The Altmans
Blessings of peace to you and your family-
May the mighty and sovereign Lord bless and keep you-
Many prayers from Washington, DC…
peace,
jh
Praying for you Matt and for your Family……
from Wales UK
Matt,
My heart burns within me everytime you unfold the Gospel in your podcasts. I appreciate your diligence to accurately handle the scriptures. I am praying for you and your family during this time. You can trust the Father.
When you go through a trial, the sovereignty of God is the pillow upon which you lay your head.” – Spurgeon
That helped me get through cancer; may it also help you.
Praying for you Matt, Lauren and kids. You have taught me more about who God is than any other man. I am so grateful to the Lord for your faithfulness, and I join you in praying that His will be done…
Thankful for your ministry that stretches across the States and the world. Your sermons have been played in our house and have brought much love for the gospel. You and your family are in our prayers during this time.
Katherine-Eastern NC
“I thank my God for you every time I think of you, in all my prayers for you, I always pray with joy.”
Praying for your healing, your family’s comfort and joy in Christ and for your faith to be strengthened with inexpressible joy in God!
Matt and family,
I want to encourage you that God is in the miracle business. My 30 year old son-in-law, Travis Black, was diagnosed with a Grade 3 Astrocytoma December 2007. He underwent a 13 hour surgery, most of it while awake! He then received 30 treatments of radiation therapy. Praise God his most recent MRI “looks great” (doctors words). We are reminded of Acts 4 and we cannot help but speak about what God has done and is doing. And 1 Corin (I think) God is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine. Silly us – we just wanted him to live but God intended for him to have a testimony like none other. If you are interested his blog is http://www.travislb@blogspot.com. Know that there are sisters in Christ, who you don’t even know, who have gone before the throne on your behalf. Love to you all.
Matt,
I was in a car accident and suffered traumatic brain injury about 4 years ago. Had brain damage that should have definitely resulted in death but the Sovereign Lord created me with an unimaginably robust brain. In the deepest prayer that miracles will be given to you and comfort will reach those you love in this time. It all works for His glory, without doubt.
…Christ, bless this faithful follower of Yours with healing and strength in this time. I know that You repair all things in Your timing, Your will above all else.
Jesus reigns,
-David
awesome. amazed at how you and Lauren are hoping in and magnifying God. praying for you today!
Praying for you from Oklahoma. Your messages have stirred and grown some of the faith I’ll use to ask for your restoration. Thanks.
Praying for you and your family Matt. You’re a gift from Christ.
Lifting you, Lauren, your children and the Village Church up in prayer. Praying that God will continue to lavish his grace and mercies on you.
Praying in Minneapolis. The Lord has done a work in my life through you.
Matt,
I am praying even as the Doctor’s are performing God’s great miracle on your life! We believe that He is not done with you yet and He is the great physician using the docs hands.
We love you greatly.
Chad
May God be with you Matt. Thank you for the hope you bring even in these hard times. You have been a great inspiration and I know God will use this hardship to glorify and expand his kingdom. I will be continually praying for you, Lauren and your kids.
We are praying for you Matt and your family! I’m grateful to be under a pastor who truly lives for Christ and in so doing, considers it all joy when facing tests and believing to die is gain. It was refreshing to read of your trust in God’s soveriegn will during this time in your life. Your faith and teachings have strengthened and encouraged our own walks with Christ and challenge us to constantly pursue Him on a much deeper level. May God continue to bless you and watch over you! We love you, your family, and The Village! To God be the glory!
The Steadman Family
Dear Brother,
The prayers of Covenant Grace Fellowship, Calgary, Canada are with you, your family and your congregation at this time.
“The eternal God is your refuge and underneath are the everlasting arms” Deut. 33 v 27
Strength and blessing
In Christ,
David Fletcher
Matt, we have all said many prayers for you and your family and will continue to do so. I know that God is taking care of you and I cannot tell you how much I can’t wait to see you back in church and this is all over with, your knowledge and way of teaching has changed my way of seeing God and brought me closer to him. Thank you, take care and see you soon.
Dear Matt and Lauren,
Grace Heritage Community Church in Argyle is praying for you. Our sovereign God is too loving to ever be cruel, and he’s too wise to ever make a mistake.
May he comfort you and give you strength and courage.
In His Grace,
Jack Wyman
Pastor
[...] My Heart is full…I am Thankful – Matt Chandler reflections prior to surgery today where he has a good portion of his right frontal lobe removed. He has a heart that is filled with gratitude and hope. [...]
Matt and Lauren,
Many in Illinois are praying!
From California: Praying for the Chandlers, the medical team, and the entire church community. We lift you up together to bring healing and recovery.
We are praying…
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with us. You continue to teach us and to be such a witness during your trials. We praise the Lord for you and your love for the Lord. We are praying for you and your family.
My husband and I have been prraying for you all week, Matt. So grateful for you and the ministry God gave you. We pray that it is His plan that it will continue!……..All glory, honor and praise to our great God!
Teri Dufilho
Houston
Love and prayers from Wyoming. Four years ago, I went thru a major overhaul as God transformed me into His daughter. At about the same time, I search for a radio station that would align with my heart and found Pilgrim Radio that transmits from Carson City, Nevada. They introduced me to your God given talents and gifts of ministry and it was awesome. I couldn’t believe how you spoke to my very heart and soul. I am thankful for your boldness and deep love for our God. I am thankful for Pilgrim Radio that transmits your sermons.
God has you in the palm of His hands,and there, you will be cared for. Receive His peace.
Love in Christ Jesus, Mary
Matt,
We thank God for you and your beautiful family, for ministering the gospel of Jesus Christ so profoundly to many of us here in Orange County, CA. We don’t know you, but it’s strange how in the body of Christ, we really feel like we do know you very well as we’ve listened to so much of your teaching along with the Village Church.
You are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses right now… cheering you on in this deep test of faith. We are praying for your comfort, for your kids to see God’s love and goodness somehow as you suffer, and above all, that Christ would be glorified.
In the deep, deep love of Jesus,
Julie, for the Warner Family
Matt, you are one special man of God. We hold you dearly in our thoughts and prayers!
I am humbled and honored to have read this post by you Mr Chandler. It’s not often that one see’s God’s eternal kindness and glory in every season of one’s life and you have given my renewed zeal to serve our eternal God and king.
Thank you and praying for you,
Abhi
Matt,
Your faith in our amazing Lord and Savior has touched me deeply. Your testimony of faith outlined above has moved me. God Bless you and your family. I pray for your quick recovery.
Tyson
praying for you in wa.
Praying for you, Lauren and the family. Love you brother! Psalm 103, Psalm 91
What a true inspiration you are to those facing difficulty and life changing events. Thank you for sharing your life with those around you, and allowing us to pray for you and your family during this time. God is the miracle worker, and we’re trusting that He will guide the surgeons hands, protect you throughout this time, and bring quick healing to your body.
God bless you!
B. Slater
Seattle, WA
Matt,
I was a Covenant member at the Village, and although the Lord has called me elsewhere, I love and am so thankful for the work that He is doing through you guys there. I am/have been praying for you and your family during this time. Praise our Lord and King for being so sovereign, and for those times when He reminds us that we are not invincible.
In Him,
Chris Matallana
What a blessing you are and a blessing to read this.. We are praying for your surgery and that the Lord be glorified in this all. We lift up your family and your friends as well.. We all need support and they are and will be that for you in the next coming days and weeks..
Our handling of each obstacle, setback, and victory in life can either be seen as a series of chance events or as a means of deepening our faith and trust in God. It can be difficult to see every situation -conversations, conflicts,opportunities,choices – as intentional building blocks in our relationship with Him. Seeing life through such a lens, however, is a huge step forward.
Once we understand that we are engaged in an unending battle for our souls and recognize that God is sovereign and Satan is active in seeking to thwart His sovereignty, we can recognize that there is no such thing as coincidence. Every incident in life, no matter how minor it seems, has a purpose that relates to the invisible grand scheme that is unfolding around us.
Without sufficient trust to faithfully persevere through all the just and unjust difficulties we face, our love for God will lack the depth that is possible and transforming.
-from Think Like Jesus by George Barna
This quote was given to me when my son, David, who is now 24, had a similar assault on his frontal lobe when he was 20. God performed a miracle and that miracle not sits in a seat on Sunday mornings next me at The Village Church. With God, nothing is impossible.
My family and I are praying for your church body, your health and you family. Thank you for reaching us out here in OC, CA.
Matt, your faith has always amazed me, and as I read this most I am more amazed and inspired than ever. God brought you into my life 10 years ago when I needed it most, and your teachings have been such a blessing ever since. I have been praying for strength and comfort for you, Lauren and the kids since I heard the news and today I am also praying that God will guide the hands of the surgeons and wrap your family in the biggest hug of comfort they have ever felt. He is with you today, and will continue to display His greatness through you, just like He did with this wonderfully moving post. God bless you, Lauren and the family.
Praying for you brother, the lord has blessed you with a ability to speak his words and through your ministry, more lives then I can count(in El Paso Tx) have benefited and come closer to Jesus. There are no accidents, no coincidences, everything has a purpose, GLORY TO GOD!
Have been praying for a good report and miracle recovery. You are a blessing to the sheep and Kingdom!
Wanna hear the craziest thing? I thought the surgery was at 12, but in the middle of church this evening (in Cairo we go to church on Fridays and work on Sundays) I felt impressed upon to pray. I remember looking at my watch, seeing it was 5:45, and calculating that it was 10:45 in Texas. A little early, I thought, but took some time and stopped and prayed for Matt and his family. Crazy that it was in fact, the actual time it was starting!
Matt, praying for you and your family thru this walk along God’s path for you. God enriches our lives through each experience as long as we remain teachable. Thank you for your wisdom, compassion and love for God and His church.
Matt, Although I have never met you, I feel that I personally know you. You have been an inspiration to me as I have listened to your pod cast almost every working day as I work out. The things you say and teach tremendously touch me like no one else has. You definitey speak truth. I am praying for you and your family during this time. May God be glorified in all this! Can’t wait to meet you! Bill Borger, Texas
matt, I attend Mars Hill church in seattle and as you probably already know you have had and will have a huge congregation in the pacific northwest praying for you. I am thankful for your service and desire that the Lord has given you. I am also thankful for what Jesus has taught me through you. Thank you for being so honest and transparent. We will continue to pray for you up here in Seattle for a speedy recovery and most of all for Our Lord and Savior to be glorified through all of this. Suffer well and remember that He is all we need.
much grace and peace to you and your family!
Matt,
We are praying for a complete and speedy recovery. Thank you for modeling Christ in even these most difficult of times. You are most certainly bringing God glory. We love you.
Mitch, Marsha, Will, Sam & Claire Porter
You don’t know me and I don’t know you. However, I too was diagnosed with a similar brain tumor two weeks ago. It has been a rough ride. Thankfully, I am able to wait on surgery until after Christmas – the doctors think it is stable.
I am so thankful for this post and will be reading it before I go under myself. I share your joy of theology, good church family, and God. It’s the only way I could survive something like this.
Praying for you today.
Matt,
I am from Central church in St. Catharines Ontario, Canada. I heard you were in surgery today and want you to know that my girlfriend and I have been praying for you and your family during this time.
Scott Trapasso & Erin Baker
Central Community Church
St. Catharines, ON. Canada
Matt and Lauren, you have no idea the expanse of people your lives are touching. thank you for setting the standard for truth high and always always taking it back to the message of the Gospel. Our prayers here in Cedar Rapids Iowa are with you.
God bless you Matt Chandler. Lifting you and your family up in prayer today. May God wrap His loving, healing arms around you and heal you. In Christ!
Matt and Lauren,
My wife Hailey and I are praying for God’s will, peace and comfort for your family. You touched my life in a big way many years ago at Houston’s Metro Bible Study. What a blessing you guys were to share your ministry with us in Houston. Hope to see you sometime when Hailey and I are in Dallas.
Blessings,
Jaron and Hailey Hall
Praying without ceasing. Thank you for modeling what it is to live for Him.
Matt,
“We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God”! We are praying for you, Lauren and your family.
Prayers have been lifted for Matt’s surgery as well as your church. I thank God right now (at 5:45 p.m. on friday night) that he has blessed the doctors with knowledge and skill, protect Matt from infection and may the surgery leave no ill effects. Come alongside Lauren and the children and comfort them as they wait. God works in profound ways and may His Glory be seen in this trial. I will continue to pray from this corner of the world in St. Paul, MN.
Matt,
Like yours, my name is Matthew. Like you, I have the incredible privilege of serving as a pastor in Christ’s church. Like you, I went through my own fight with cancer one year ago.
Unlike yours, my cancer was of the “garden-variety” type. Though it would have killed me by now had it gone untreated, my situation never reached the direness that yours has.
Like you and your dear wife, Kimberly and I were carried along on the waves of God’s grace, resting in his good and wise sovereignty even as tears of pain and sorrow filled our eyes. Like your church family, ours entered into our fight, shouldered our burdens, and were the hands and feet of Christ for us. They mowed our grass, cleaned our gutters, cooked our meals. I am still amazed at the grace of God through them.
Like you, we have three children. Unlike you, ours are all girls. Like you, I was willing to go through whatever the doctors recommended in order to live and be their daddy another day.
Unlike you, I am now on the other side of cancer–at least for now. Like you, though, my days have already been numbered (Ps 139.16).
Which leads to our greatest similarity: like me, God’s goodness and steadfast love will hunt you down all the days of your life. And when your life and mine have run their courses, we will dwell in the house of our Lord forever.
What mercy is ours!
Blessings to you and your family,
Matthew Hoskinson
P.S. Matt, I don’t know if you’ll ever read this, but if there’s any way that I can serve you or your family, please don’t hesitate to call (864.292.6100).
Weeping with hope and praying with joy for you, your family, and our church. You are dearly loved.
Pastor,
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Rom.15:13).
Believing with you,
John Calderon
Day3 Church
Los Banos, CA
Dear Matt,
We have prayed continuously for you over this past week. Although we have never spoken directly we thank you for your teaching. You my brother have truly laid up for yourself treasures in heaven that shall not pass away with this world. Our prayer is that you may continue to press on toward the prize.
May God richly bless you and your family as you pass through this trial.
In Christ,
Paul & Venka Lewis
Matt,
I just found out about this and am praying for you and your family with tears in my eyes. You have an incredible gift and have been monumental at key times in my life, through your preaching in Abilene when I was in high school to Metro in Houston when I was first out of college. May God continue to bless you and others through you.
praying for you Matt,hope to meet you one day,heard great things about..
Matt,
We are praying for a swift and strong recovery for you. My wife and I love you more than you will ever know. We were only at your church for a few months before we had to move back to San Diego, but you challenged us and helped us go deeper with God and further in our marriage than we ever knew possible. Thanks, and may the Lord keep you.
Don Durham
Praying to the one true God who can do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine, and waiting on the Lord to see the amazing work He is going to accomplish in your life, the life Of your wife and children, and the lives of all who have been touched by your continued steadfastness in the Lord.l
Aloha! We are praying for you at Calvary Chapel South Maui. May the Lord be a rock of refuge for you and your family during this time. May His grace be sufficient for you and His peace that passes understanding strengthen you.
Matt,
My daughter is a new member of your church and I feel as though I know you through the words of my daughter and friends who have attended your church. My Dad was once the Minister of Music of Northway Baptist Church (now your Northway Campus) for almost 22 years. My daughter now attends the Northway Campus – the place where I was married, where we dedicated her as a baby and the place we came to heal following an unexpected & unwanted divorce. Little did we know that this would once again be her church home. When she called me and asked me to pray for her Pastor, we did so immediately and we continue to do so. Though I’ve never met you, your ministry is far reaching and has touched my daughter and my friends who have visited your fellowship. It is our honor and blessing to stand in the gap for you and your family in the days to come. Thank you for your ministry and for your dedication to the King and the Kingdom’s work. God is able to do exceedingly great things . . . that’s what I’m praying for in your life and the life of your family. God bless you, my friend.
Matt, you have been a mentor for our son, Josh,an inspiration for our whole family. We, all our family and all our life group are lifting you up today and till the Father accomplishes His will in this. In all things, give thanks.
Our family is praying for God’s blessings on you and your family. God has touched my life, wife’s life and friends through your words. May God bless you and keep you.
You and your family are loved.
All of God’s blessings.
Matt,
You continue to lead and challenge us even during this season of suffering. Thank you for modeling what you have preached to us and for loving and trusting Jesus in the most difficult of times. We will continue praying for you, Lauren and the kids.
Matt,
Praying for you my brother in Christ…you have been such an encouragement to many young “churched” men like myself the last few years all the way up here in the Midwest. You are loved bro. Thank you for being most satisfied in Him so He is most Glorified in you (Piper).
Jeff
Amen
Pastor Matt,
I am praying for your speedy recovery. You are a huge blessing in my life but don’t know it. God bless you and your family.
Matt,
I’ve never met you. I’ve never heard a sermon nor read you’re blog until right now.
But, I’ve already learned a lot about you and you are LOVED by many!
I have been and will continue to pray for you!
Blessings to you and your family!
Luke
East Coast Canada
Casas Por Cristo is praying for in El Paso, TX. God is sovereign!
Matt & Lauren,
As the day comes to an end and our 3 boys rest quietly, my heart and mind are free to pray more intensely for you both now than it has been all day! I am grateful for this night, as I will be calling out to our great Lord on your behalf.
Already praising Him b/c you are doing well in surgery even now. Praying that God would guide Dr. Barnet’s hands and his staff with wisdom. Thanking the Father for your lives and your faithfulness to love Him and point us to Him in everything. Thank you for loving us, The Village Church, and allowing us to walk so closely with you during this time. May God’s grace draw us ever closer to Himself.
Heal and recover quickly, Matt. Be comforted with unspeakable peace, Lauren. And, may you “praise the name of the LORD your God, who has worked wonders for you;” Joel 2:26
Love and grace,
Charelle Raybuck
[...] However, read Matt’s Post… MY HEART IS FULL… I AM THANKFUL [...]
Continuing to pray for you and your family…
My family has been blessed with God speaking Truth through you. First in Texas and now in New Hampshire through the podcast. My family is in constant prayer for yours.
Matt Chandler,
The Bitgood Family is praying for you.
I first started to go to your church when I was an intern at the Honor Academy and have to thank-you for something that has changed my view on The Lord and who I am in the Lord. You have showed me that having a relationship with the Lord in ‘not wanting to go to hell’ but ‘a relationship’. Your Luke series changed everything.
I thank-you for teaching the Bible, know matter what.
His Disciple,
Alisabeth
Please call our anything if we can be of service to you! 423-285-5086 God Bless You!
[...] Chandler blog as he approaches brain surgery http://hv.thevillagechurch.net/blog/hvpastor/?p=357 Published [...]
Matt,
I am a 43 year old collegiate Sunday school teacher on the MTSU campus and have been for the last 6 years. Without realizing it, your teaching has effected me and the 400 plus students we have involved in our college ministry profoundly. I jog and listen to new and archived podcasts of yours about 5 days a week. Your teaching moves me, my family, and the ministry God has allowed me to be a part of.
I just want you to know that I am praying for you, your family, the doctors, and The Village Church.
Thank you for your commitment to the Word, the Church, and thank you for sharing your heart during a very difficult time.
You are loved and appreciated,
In Christ,
Charles
We are praying for you here in Stillwater, Oklahoma.
God Bless you and your family Matt.
my pastor,
you are constantly on my mind throughout the day. you are a great man of God and i have felt God dive deep into my soul throughout the course of this struggle. i pray and fast for you in knowledge of His will being completed. i can not wait to see you preach again. until then, i pray for peace for you and yours.
in grace,
josh.
Praying for you and your family from the bay area CA. I don’t think there has been any other man that has stirred my affections for Jesus than you.
Even today in reading your blog my heart is warmed for God’s goodness and the reality of living for Him above all else.
Can’t wait to see how He’ll use this tumor removal for His glory and people’s reconcilliation.
Through the Village I have been continuously able to gain better knowledge of how to live out and breathe in the Gospel. In keeping track of this situation, I have been able to witness beauty through you, your friends, and your family. The ability to remain steadfast in Him is overwhelming and inspiring.
Praise God for the peace He provides in the heaviest of storms.
Lifting you up in prayer,
Jessica
Matt – A brother in Christ whom I have never had the priviledge to meet, but am greatful to know has been blessed by by our Lord and Savior, to be a tool for so many in this world to find hope in Christ. I have listened to your sermons for years now and know God will continue to use you to further His kingdom. Praying for you and your family now.
In HIS Grip – Bennett Family – San Antonio, Tx.
reading this has more than an impact on me, God has shown many things throughout many peoples lives and such. durring a time like this many people would fall weary of the faith they have in God. You set an example for those who lose that faith in him. durring a time like this you teach us children of God to yet still have faith in him. knowing that he will never give you more than you can hanndle. Thank you so much you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. God Bless you for having such faith.
[...] My Heart is full…I am Thankful | The Village Church : From Our Pastors [...]
Dear Matt –
My community group @ Marshill Church in Seattle has been listening, reading and praying for you.
Please know you and your family are deeply loved and are on our hearts. Thank you so much for sharing your heart with us – such encouraging words – in such a tough time. Thank you for showing us the Lord in action.
We’re praying!!
By His Grace,
Ann
Dear Matt,
My fiancé and I are praying for you from Kamloops and San Francisco. Thank you for your dedication to Christ and for illuminating God’s word in ways we’ve never seen it before. May God bless you and may his peace stay with you throughout this trying time.
He who pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor.
It is an honor to pray for you.
Godspeed,
David & Adeola
[...] http://hv.thevillagechurch.net/blog/hvpastor/?p=357 [...]
pastor matt,
from me and my friends in the Manila, Phils who have been blessed by your teachings, we keep you and your fam in our thoughts and in our prayers. It was great to read your letter today- that gives us more reason to rejoice at our good sovereign God.
pastor matt,
me and my friends from Manila, Phils who have been blessed by your teachings are keeping you and your family close in our prayers and in our thoughts. It was great to read your thoughts before surgery- it made us rejoice all the more in the GOd who is ever good and sovereign. always.
Matt — just one more couple you don’t know who love you and who pray for your entire family. Your sermons, via podcast, have meant more to me than you will ever know. And, likely to the Bible class I teach here, since I borrow so much from you … with attribution! Thanks be to God Almighty — and we rest secure in His purpose.
Matt, we give thanks for you and for your family and friends and for your ministry that He has given you!
“But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.”” Lamentations 3:21-24, ESV
“Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, 25 to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever.” Amen. Jude 24-25, ESV
Praising our almight God and loving Lord this morning for all He was, is and will always be.
Matt,
Thank you so much for your faithfulness to our Savior. I have been very ill for the past two years, unable to go to church most Sundays. The Lord has used your teaching of the Word (through pod casts) in such a transforming way in my life! I will never be the same because of the way the Lord has used your teachings to confront and encourage my life! There have been days through this trial of sickness in my life that is was very hard to persevere, and then God would use your speaking of the Word over my soul to be exactly what I needed to press on! Thank you so so much for loving our Lord by loving so many in delivering TRUTH! Praying for you!
I am praying for you Matt….I visited your church twice and thought you were an amazing Pastor….I’m looking forward to hearing the great news of your recovery.
Praying in Charlotte, NC.
Your experience, “Jesus wants the rose,” has blessed me so much, and all who have seen it on my site. I thank God for you, and trust the LORD who is Sovereign over every brain cell to care for you and your wife and children abundantly above and beyond what you could have ever imagined. God bless you.
Praying and fasting for you Matt.
Thank you for showing me another joy of our Creator. I had never fasted before and thought I would for Friday. Every time I felt hungry I prayed, every time I prayed I felt peace and not hungry.
Great is our God, who continues to teach all his children through these difficult situations. God Bless, Luke (Syd)
You responded to my tweet and it warmed my heart. Thank you for being an obediant servant. You have no idea what you are teaching me through your experience. God is in control and sovereign. I am learning that. And your response to this has been very encouraging to me.I am praying for you and your family and for a speedy recovery.
Matt,
You are such a wonderful blessing from the Lord. We love you and continue to pray for you Lauren and the kids.
I was really encouraged reading this, as well as the great news that Matt’s recovering well. Praise God for how He continues to demonstrate His sovereignty and goodness in this and in all situations.
Pastor Matt,
I have never had the blessing of meeting you but God has shown me thru you even more what a Mighty God we serve.
You made an impact on my son who experienced your preaching and teaching at Falls Creek several yrs ago. He has encouraged me to listen to some of your sermons online which I have.
I have MS but am doing well. What a courageous witness you are. Thanks for ministering to me.
Holding you and your family dear in my prayers. Lifting you to the MIGHTY physician.
Matt, Lauren – I am praying for you in Carluke, Scotland. Your podcasts and sermons have been used by the Holy Spirit to bless me in an amazing way. I promise to pray daily for healing for you, and strength for your family and church. Ephesians 3:20-21 remind us how great our God is, and anything is in his power. May God gove you peace and strength at this time.
Melissa and I are praying for you at the Journey here in St Louis.
Matt, thanks for doing your job and putting yourself in a place where God’s power in the Gospel can flow through you in way that has brought much fruit. Been a life changing experience through many things you have taught. The sermon you preached at the Reform and Resurge conference (Gravity) rocked me. It just so happened as I listened to your message I was inpired online to hear Darrin Patrick for the first time and carry on a long stream of events God brought us back to Melissa to St Louis to labor and plant roots here. God’s secret hand. I thank God for His work in you.
So much joy in this suffering and stories of such being spread throughout the church right now and we can share this as report of that here in St Louis.
All truly is Christ and seeing you embrace this a true evidence of God’s grace.
Pete & Melissa Weseloh
Hi, Matt! My name is Ivan Helmus. I am a friend of Mike Evans, a pastor in Earlham, Iowa. I followed his blog as he went through brain surgery just months ago. I will keep you and your family in prayer!
Matt, My family is so grateful for your service to our Lord, we praise Him for you and for your family. I heard your words of gratitude this morning, but I searched your eyes and saw the overwhelming sense of love He has poured over you. Thank you Matt, for always being transparent, for letting this congregation see HIS mighty work here on earth.
Hi Matt and family, prayers coming your way from Potosi, Wisconsin. May God carry you through this season and bring you out of it with even more clarity and gratitude than you already have (if that is possible)! God bless you! Amy & Mark Siegert family
Dear Matt and Lauren,
You all do not know us. We go to Denton Bible Church
had have heard of your situation. My husband is a 2 time brain cancer survivor. The last time in 2002 it was a GR4 glioblastoma. For 7 1/2 years now he has
been tumor free totally by God’s grace. He was 35 when he had his first tumor in 1985 and he will be 60 in January. Never ever give up hope. You have the Greatest Physician taking care of you and your family. You are in His total care and there is not a better place to be. We have been and will continue to pray for you and your family. Come boldly before His throne.
My dearest Matt and the Village Church family –
Ah, Coffee with Grand Daddy. I have been forever changed by your podcasts. I am so grateful for your service to Christ and his beautful bride. May we all do nothing less than to be of service to you and your congregation, whatever you need, please ask. You have made my heart full of Christ. May you sleep tonight with the paece that passes all understanding. We all love you dearly. God bless you and be well.
[...] Matt Chandler: My Heart is full…I am Thankful [...]
Though I am a member at The Village, I attended the morning service at Prestonwood Baptist Church with my parents this morning. I was overwhelmed with joy when the Pastor spoke about Matt’s condition and invited the church to pray for Matt and his recovery.
It is because of Matt’s teachings that I have been reborn as a Christian. My younger brother led me to The Village when I was a lost soul at 23. I can honestly say that if it wasn’t for Matt’s lessons of honesty and his reflections of the gospel and mostly his perspective of realism that is conveyed with each sermon, I would not be the Christian I am today. I have stood in the church unemployed and with only a dollar to my name, and I am now standing in the church employed and giving God all the credit for allowing me to put all my faith in Him.
My family’s thoughts and prayers are with you during this encouraging time. I will be forever grateful of the Lord leading me to The Village.
We love you in Arizona too, Matt! Through God’s grace, we know of you through our son, Nick Stevens who attends Village Church and shares your sermons with us through itunes. You are on our family’s prayer list from Baltimore to Seattle to Phoenix back to Dallas. Rest up and God Speed… let the Lord heal you and come back stronger than ever doing what he has prepared for you from here on forward!!!
Many, Many Blessings,
“The Rusch Family”
Thankful for all the preaching and teaching from Pastor Matt. This last message touched me in a profound way. I am praying for you and your family. (From Rome, Italy)
Matt and Lauren….We pray for you here in Boise Idaho. We love you and wish we could come and clean your house and make your food and do whatever you need to get done while things are going on BUT i know that your church body has probably already taken care of all that;) We are so proud of yall and really know that you are synced with Christ in these hard times. You are an example to the world and we thank you for all that you do. YOUR WORK WILL NOT GO UNNOTICED. We love yall…Josh and Green, Mason and Ezekiel.
Fell in love with your heart the first time we had lunch together shortly after your arrival at the Village. The gift God has given you to speak so boldly and graciously have blessed us over and over. You have touched me and my family throughout numerous hard journeys through your words and love. We were praying before the surgery and continue to pray for your speedy and full recovery. Peace to Lauren and the kids as well. May God be glorified. We love you Matt.
Randy Black
[...] I thought it was interesting that in his last blog post he specifically mentioned his gratitude for health insurance and for skilled doctors. It was a reminder to me to be thankful for the same. See his blog entry from December 4 — and look at #2 and #8. http://hv.thevillagechurch.net/blog/hvpastor/?p=357 [...]
[...] Pastor Matt Chandler undergoing brain surgery. To see a blog that Matt wrote hours before surgery, click here. Matt has been an inspiration to me as a pastor, as I have benefited greatly from his teaching [...]
Matt, Our pastor announced about your illness yesterday in church. I felt like someone had hit me in the stomach. You have raised my level of maturity in the Lord greatly even though you are my son’s age. I have been listening to your Ipod messages for several months now.I have a very strong respect for you and your teaching. I know you are strong and will recover completely, coming through even stronger for the our Father God. We are praying for you at Colonial Church in Wichita Falls. With His love, ~tina~
thanks matt!
Good Morning from Southeast Indiana, I am a Cousin of one of your Parish members, Betty Gay Fox. She forwared your video message to me. I am a Stage IV cancer survivor and have also recovered from the repair to 2 anyeurism repairs. Yes, God does have a plan and he has chosen to keep me here for whatever that plan is. My prayers and thoughts are with you and your family as you make this journey, knowing that our time here is for his purpose. I pray for God to guide the hands of your medical team, as I did and continue to do daily. Place all of these tasks into God’s guiding hand as he will continue to carry us along his path.
God Speed My New Friend,
Denny York Aurora, IN
I got your link from a friend that attends your church. I am going through my own heart wrenching struggles at the moment also, however letting the Word wash over me and feed my spirit is what is bringing me to the exact realization you are at…that Jesus is the prize. He is all we need, He is our strength, no matter what we are facing. I will pray and ask the Lord to put on my heart what He wants me to pray for you. May the great comforter be with you and your family.
Just wanted you all to know that we are praying for you and your family from here in Surprise, Az. We had the privilege of attending your church last November and have continued to follow your blog and listen to your messages online. Thank you for being so transparent and preaching Gods truth. Its been a blessing to hear you teach.
Matt and Family,
Matt,
You have blessed my life through your faithful exposition of God’s Word! Thank you!
I am praying for you and your wife and children, and know others in Montgomery, Al, who have been blessed by your podcasts and will be praying for you as well.
Blessings!
Scott Estes
[...] He also posted a blog post on the morning of the surgery that made me weep all day. You can read it here: http://fm.thevillagechurch.net/blog/pastors/?p=357. [...]
[...] close with a reflection point from Pastor Matt himself; be impacted and grown by his perspective – I am grateful for the men of [...]
[...] My Heart is full…I am Thankful. [...]
We are praying for you and the church, His body… We Know God is holding you.We claim comfort for you.Be still and KNOW that I am God!!
I was diagn. with stage 3b breast cancer 7-2007.. hubby fulltime minister, church said cancer would be in the way of ministry..What they did not know…
My husband took a leave from the min and took care of me drove me everywhere! I had four teens at the time, 39 years old. I was loved by my wonderful FATHER during every step… lease
KNOW THIS IS THE TIME YOU WILL BE USED THE MOST !!!!
You will be the Warrior For Christ!!!!!!!!!!!!!Love toyou and your family,
Debbie Flower Mound Tx