This morning I drove
downstate to the University of Michigan Hospital with Joshua Rupp, our Worship
Arts Director here at Gaylord E-Free, to visit a very special couple in our
church. The husband is battling acute leukemia
and, in spite of several chemo treatments and a bone marrow transplant, the
disease is still present and still multiplying in his body. It has been a long haul for this couple but,
as of now, the prognosis is a very difficult one that will require a Divine
miracle to offset.
As we sat in the hospital
room today with this faithful couple, I experienced what it is like to “stand on
holy ground.” After an hour of talking
and laughing together, Joshua pulled out his guitar and sang a beautiful and
powerful song to Bill and Robin called, “Not
For A Moment (After All).” The words
are amazing!
After all,
You are constant!
After all,
You are only good!
After all,
You are sovereign!
Not for a
moment, will You forsake me!
Not for a
moment, will You forsake me!
Joshua than moved into the
hymn, “Great is Thy Faithfulness.” I sat in my chair watching this couple’s
faces as they sang along with Joshua, tears streaming down my face as I
listened. As the song ended and Joshua
continued to “finger-pick” on his guitar, I read Psalm 139 aloud without any
additional comments, allowing the Word of God – the Word that never comes back
void - to speak for itself.
I then prayed for them expressing
my confidence in God’s power that He could heal (and if He were to choose to do
this, there would be no doubt that it would be Him that did it). As I continued to pray I also expressed my
confidence in the person of God, that His will is perfect and that He doesn’t
make mistakes. Joshua than also prayed
and sang one more song:
Oh, no, You
never let go! Through the highs and
through lows!
Oh, no, You
never let go! Lord, You never let go of
me!
I wish I could have had
the ability to freeze time and spend the rest of my live living within that
special hour with Joshua and this dear couple.
As a pastor, one of the hardest things I am called on to do is to come
along side of people going through some of the hardest struggles in life. But these times are also one of my greatest
privileges as well.
As I looked in this couple’s
faces and listened to them sing those amazing promises to a God they deeply
love and deeply trust, I was overwhelmed with the fact that these are not just
church members and they’re not just friends.
They’re heroes because in my book a hero is someone who goes through the
fire of adversity and stays faithful to God!
Today, I prayed with, sang
with, laughed with, and cried with two heroes as we leaned together into our
great God! Today, I stood on holy
ground!
8 comments:
I have no words... But to say thank you for being so gifted in writing that I could sit with you in that moment and see with my own eyes bill and robyn and you and joshua. I have the whole scene and am deeply moved and blessed by this account of the family of my Lord and His church. God be with you dear ones...much love to Robyn and bill! Remember it was less than a year ago that we featured Bill as an unsung man of courage...and then we didn't even know how much more he would fulfill that role.
Thank you so much for sharing this experience. I could feel the power of Our Heavenly Father and His presence in that room with the four of you.
Pastor, your quote is disturbing to me "(and if He were to choose to do this, there would be no doubt that it would be Him that did it)"
When you prayed to God "if you choose to do this" as if you don't know God's will for this situation. Says to me that your not even in tune with Gods will when it comes to healing. God's word reveals His will. 3 John 1:2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.
Pastor Please study the power of OUR words!! Your prayer should have been by His stripes you ARE HEALED!
We are to come boldy, Christ gave us HIS authority to cast out demons and to even raise people from the dead! Surly your prayer could have been more authoritive. Sorry, but I don't agree with your weak faith.
Thank you for sharing this with us. We love you and Bill & Robin.
Wouldn't it be wonderful if everyone could experience being on holy ground all the time or at least weekly? It is truly amazing to be in that place! Thank you so much to you, Scott and Joshua for ministering to Bill and Robin. PRAISE GOD!!!!
Thanks for your comment, Anonymous. I do appreciate your thoughts. However, I have to admit that I hold a different theological view. In my mind it is best to agree to disagree. Blessings to you!
Pastor Scott, I am always blessed by yours and Laura's humble spirit in which you reply to comments people give. I am also so very blessed that you openly share your life and ministry with so many.I am a life that is forever changed. I am thankful that your faith is not anonymous. When we disagree with something, it gives us the ability to study to show ourselves approved. We may not all agree, but it is evident once again how much you love the body of Christ!
Love and Prayers to you and Laura!
Alisa
Thanks, Alisa! You are always so encouraging! Much love to you and Mike!
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