Prayer requested

Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2005 6:31 am

Hello all. I am asking that you remember a woman by the name of Nikki in your prayers. She is suffering from cancer which she has been battling for over a year. She is the leader of our Praise Worship Band in our service. She has 2 children. She has been through the entire routine of treatments, and now the doctors have basically dropped back to pain killers. Last Sunday, even though she could hardly walk up the 4 steps to the musicians platform, she led the band for the entire service from her keyboard position as she has for years. It is always hard to understand why things like this happen to such wonderful people as this family. She and her husband are teachers in the local school systems here, and are outstanding at what they do. Thanks all.

Site Admin/Owner Joined: Aug 27, 2002 Posts: 17088

Our Father, we are so dependent upon thee for Thy love and mercies! We come before you this morning lifting up Nikki in our prayers. This dear servant of yours has suffered so much, yet we know it is but a drop compared to what Your Son Jesus suffered for us. We know that You know the grief and sadness that her family and friends are experiencing. We thank You for knowing and loving her as one of Your children. Father, if it be Thy will, we ask that You would touch her body and remove the cancer. Send it into permanent remission we ask. However, if it be not Thy will, then Father we ask, by the Blood of Jesus Christ, that You would alleviate her pain and allow her to live out her days without the pain. Grant us this petition we pray, in Jesus' Holy name, which is above all names, Amen.

Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2005 8:23 am

Quote:

It is always hard to understand why things like this happen to such wonderful people

Keep this in mind, when we are at our weakest is when he is at his strongest within us.

I lost my mother last year to cancer and it was a terrible struggle for me in my Christian walk...trying to understand why someone who lead a life so strongly for the Lord could be taken at such a young age. It seemed a pointless end. The Lord really witnessed to my heart and spirit during that time. I am not really sure why i am sharing this other than to say to you that even when things happen that seem cold and pointless our Lord is in control even then. Rest in that knowledge and he will give you peace.

I will be praying!

Posted: Sun Jun 12, 2005 9:26 pm

Not considering myself to be a great theologian, but the only answer I have ever gotten out of situations where death is involved that I could actually understand was this one.

Quote:

Isa 57:1 The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth [it] to heart: and merciful men [are] taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil [to come].

I find it both comforting and disturbing - the possibility that God calls the righteous home to spare them from the evil that is yet to come.

All I know is that in all things- irregardless of our perceptions, our feelings, our beliefs - God is good.

sting

Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2005 4:55 pm

I just was called and notified that Hospice has been called into the home and she has been given 3 to 4 days left before going home to be with Jesus. Her oldest son is really angry about it, his name is Adam, please keep him in prayers for understanding and guidance. It is nice to know that she will be given a perfect vessel to live out eternity in, and she won't hurt any more. I will miss her, but I know she will be in a much better place.

Posted: Sun Jun 19, 2005 11:34 am

We were called early this morning that Nikki had gone home to be with Jesus. I will miss her greatly as will many of us, but we rejoice also in knowing that she is where she is, and hurts no longer. The service today was tough, but we were there to praise God for all He is. Please add her husband and her sons to your prayers for continued guidance. Thanks all for all you did, and continue to do.

Posted: Sun Jun 19, 2005 10:49 pm

It's good to know that He gives us the strength we need in our time(s) of need. Rest well.

Posted: Sun Jun 26, 2005 3:00 pm

I just had to let you know. The memorial service was so inspiring. There was 500 people who attend and cram the space. What a statement on the type of lady she was. We sang and praised for 2 hours while seeing different ways she had touched others lives. From former students to current ones, from other musicians to just regular every day people. There was pictures of her in different stages of her life on the 2 screens. The songs were her favorites and ones she often had in the service. I have never been at a more uplifting spiritual service. You could just feel the Spirit leading the way. I was floating as I walked out of the doors. Smile

I was a little angry I guess when I went in, but afterwards, I thanked Him for allowing me the short period of time I had with her. I hope to one day touch as many lives for God as she did. Just thought I would let you know.....thanks all

registered · Regular Joined: May 28, 2005 Posts: 90

i love you guys. really.

Posted: Sun Jun 26, 2005 10:29 pm

FireATST,

Thanks for the follow-up. It's always good for the soul to hear the Praises that God gives us in times like these. I am often reminded of the story behind the great hymn "It is well with my soul". First the story behind the hymn and then the words of the hymn.

Quote:

It Is Well With My Soul
A beautiful hymn of peace and praise, incredibly, this song was penned from grief borne in the midst of the most tragic of circumstances.

Paul Harvey's radio program The Rest of the Story gives interesting but little-known details about the lives of famous people, and unusual background information behind well-known events. Hymns also sometimes have interesting and encouraging stories as to how and why they were written.

Their hearts were comforted and strengthened by the truth of the resurrection.

Horatio G. Spafford, a 43-year-old Chicago businessman, suffered financial disaster in the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. He and his wife were still grieving over the death of their only son shortly before the fire. Spafford realized they needed to get away for a vacation. Knowing that their friend and well-known evangelist Dwight L. Moody was going to be in England that fall for a campaign, he decided to take the entire family to England. His wife Anna and his four daughters sailed ahead on the S.S. Ville du Havre. Urgent business delayed him so he planned to follow shortly.

The ship was struck by an iron sailing vessel and sank in 12 minutes in the cold waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Two hundred and twenty-six lives were lost. Mrs. Spafford miraculously survived the accident, but their four daughters Tanetta, Maggie, Annie and Bessie drowned in the tragedy. On reaching the European mainland, she cabled her husband with the sad message, "Saved alone."

Stories differ as to when the hymn, "It Is Well With My Soul," was written. Some believe it was later when Spafford was on a ship to rejoin his wife in Cardiff, Wales. When the captain informed him that they were passing over the scene of the accident, what depth of pain-filled grief must have flooded over him. The Holy Spirit inspired him to pen these words, "When sorrows like sea billows roll; whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say, it is well, it is well, with my soul."

Others feel Spafford wrote this hymn about two years later when Moody and his music evangelist Ira Sanky were staying at the Spafford home. Friends can be a comfort and encouragement during difficult circumstances. Spafford, in spite of his anguish, could say along with the apostle Paul, "I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances" (Philippians 4:11).

This bereaved, loving father longed for the day when he would see his four beautiful daughters and son again. "And Lord haste the day when the faith will be sight, the clouds be rolled back as a scroll; the trump shall resound and the Lord shall descend, even so, it is well with my soul." The hope of being reunited with their beloved children gave these parents the courage to keep on living in faith. Their hearts were comforted and strengthened by the truth of the resurrection.

This hymn is a beautiful expression of worship—"Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord, O my soul." Each verse contains wonderful expressions of faith and truth. In spite of the horrible tragedy, the comfort that comes from a strong faith in God shines brightly through the gloom. This hymn echoes of pain and suffering but also of the eternal hope that all believers have.

Our compassionate heavenly Father gives us comfort, hope and peace in His Son Jesus Christ.

Although the words "it is well with my soul" are not found in Scripture, Jesus did say, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened … and you will find rest for your souls" (Matthew 11:28-29). Our compassionate heavenly Father gives us comfort, hope and peace in His Son Jesus Christ.

One day God will wipe away every tear and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain. To all parents who have lost a child and to anyone going through the loss of a loved one, may you be comforted and encouraged by this hymn. The Spaffords had two more daughters born after the shipwreck tragedy and then the family moved to Jerusalem. Horatio Spafford died in the faith of malaria in 1888. And now you know the rest of the story!

Quote:

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Refrain

It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

Refrain

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

Refrain

For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life
Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.

Refrain

But, Lord, ‘tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
Oh trump of the angel! Oh voice of the Lord!
Blessèd hope, blessèd rest of my soul!

Refrain

And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.

Refrain