Rest in peace, Mike!

Encouragement!

Another one of my friends passed away today of cancer. He went with me on various missions trips to Nicaragua and was health a year ago.

As I was reading another friends blog I saw this:

I was saddened when I heard that Larry Norman passed away early Sunday morning.
He was my favorite singer during my teenage years -- and I learned guitar by playing his music.

His last word to his friends were this:
"I feel like a prize in a box of cracker jacks with God’s hand reaching down to pick me up.
I have been under medical care for months. My wounds are getting bigger. I have trouble breathing. I am ready to fly home."

We need to remember, in Larry's words -- "We're only Visiting This Planet"

Remember, one day we will see our friends and family that put their trust in Jesus!

ET Ramblings

We love you

In the valley, Calling on the Name of the Lord!

I just got this email, seconds after emailing my friend and co-short term missionary to Nicaragua:
**********************************************

To Family, Friends, and Customers:

Mike passed away at 2:00 a.m. this morning at home surrounded by his son's, Corey and Kyle, their loving companions, Daphne and Alicia, and me.

He fought the process of death just as he fought the battle against his cancer, with complete bravery and fortitude.

He is finally pain free.

Mike will be cremated and we will plan a service/party here in Wallace in his honor to be held some time at the end of the week. We will post details as they are finalized.

In lieu of flowers, we ask that donations be made in Mike's honor to the Humane Society of Duplin County, PO Box 88 Kenansville, NC 28349.

We thank you for your friendship, love, understanding and joy that you shared with him during his short journey here on Earth.

Love,
Colette

***************************************************************

Yet another friend dying of Cancer!! OH HOW I HATE CANCER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My fondest memory of Mike, who I have only been with in Nicaragua, is of his smiling face and knowing he's is thinking of something smart to say next. His generosity was unlimited. I had a need in a village in Nicaragua for a metal fence to secure the church and He came forward with another person and paid for the fence. His love of the children was outstanding as he worked in the Pharmacy. He will be missed!

The greatest victory is that He is with His Lord and Savior!

I lift my eyes to the hills...who can I depend on...THE LORD!

ET Ramblings...

Mountaintop

Well yesterday I attended Brooklyn Tabernacle Church's staff meeting with Jim Cymbala, met with a man named Bishop, who spent 51 years in prison and attended the 4 hour prayer meeting (5-9 pm). Besides the obvious time alone with God and hearing Jim speak about our fellowship with God, I was considerably blessed by two things:

1. My time with Bishop. Back in 1956, Bishop killed a man on the streets of Louisiana. He was sentenced to death. While in prison, a chaplain prayed for him like this..."Lord do not heal his body and flesh but heal his soul." Bishop went on to tell us that that night in 1963, he went on to pray to God and if God was real, He needed to show him or else he was going to kill himself in his cell. At that moment, bishop felt a large rush of wind and He felt his heart melt and accepted Jesus as his Savior. Ever since, Bishop led the church ministry in the Prision. God interviened and for some reason his death sentence was changed to life in prison and then He was released 6 months ago. 51 years in prison! He was released with $20 and a bus ticket. God's grace. He said God could not use a murder, He could not use Moses the murderer, He could not use David, the murderer and God could not use Bishop, the murderer but God could use all these men who repented!!! He continued to believe even in the pit of Satan's people! God protected him and now He is preaching to young men and old about Jesus. He had over 1,200 men accept christ in the prison ministry that he had. BTW, Bishop killed a preacher!!! How God works.
2. The second was the Prayer time. People kept on coming in. With all the cares and troubles in the world, especially in Brooklyn NY. They needed to meet with God! most people in the Anglican churches want to do their time and leave, yet they people were hungry for God. they wanted to be with him. Being there was different. I have been in St Patricks Cathedral and other big churches but this was different. It seemed that God lived there! The house is definately a house of Prayer. we prayed and worshiped and prayed and annointed and prayed and heard the word and then Prayed more. Together, alone, in small groups, in holy huddles...lifting our voices to praise His name for what seemd like seconds but turned out to be 5 hours.

On the mountaintop, I wondered if we could sustain the praise when we were in the valley. Do we hunger to be with God? I mean really hunger it! thirst for it.

When we get down to it that is all He wants!

ET Ramblings

Brooklyn Tabernacle!

I am on my way to NYC to meet and pray with Jim Cymbala and his staff at Brooklyn Tabernacle Church. Later I will get to hear and maybe talk with Rick Warren.

What an opportunity to talk to two men who wrote books that have encouraged and inspired me. I can wait!

I will give you an update when I get back!!

ETRamblings...

Glenn Sturman

I have just come back from Central Montgomery Hospital in PA and am extremely saddened to inform you that Glenn Sturman has lost his fight with cancer this morning at the age of 25. He leaves behind his wife of a year and a half, Faith; as well as his parents brother and inlaws.

In Isaiah 61, God says that He will comfort all who morn and provide for those who grieve. He will bestow on them a crown of Beauty instead of ashes; the oil of gladness instead of mourning and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.

Our prayers need to be lifted for Faith and Glenn's family (Dad, Mom & brother) who are struggling in the heaviness of this news. I got to share with Glenn's parents from Psalm 22, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from the words of my groaning? 2 O my God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, and am not silent. 3 Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One; you are the praise of Israel. 4 In you our fathers put their trust; they trusted and you delivered them. 5 They cried to you and were saved; in you they trusted and were not disappointed."

While it may seem that God did not hear our prayers He did! And He heard Glenn's prayers. Last night, Glenn told Faith that He believed and trusted in God. Psalm 22:8 "He trusts in the Lord; let the Lord rescue him. Let him deliver him, since he delights in him." God heals completely !!!!

I remember praying with Glenn in the hospital and for the first time he responded at the end of my prayer with a hearty AMEN. Faith, who exemplified the unconditional love of Jesus, was an inspiration and rock to Glenn and his family. She had asked Glenn to think about praying for himself as it seemed everyone else was praying for him. He prayed with her!

What faith it must have taken for Glenn to stand in our congregation and come and get anointed with oil per James 5 (even while he had no strength). Glenn loved our church and even invited his friends who were moving to the area.

While my heart is heavy, my spirit is being renewed with hope. 'Why does bad things happen to good people' is not the correct question to ask. the correct question to ask is...Who is your Lord, when bad things happen to good people.

Glenn really appreciated and coveted your prayers. They made a large impact on him. Please continue to pray for the family and let us be prepared to act in response to any need that is presented as the body of Christ. I will let you know what needs to be done in the hours and days ahead.

That depends on the meaning of "IS"

Ok, so it is 6 am and I have been awake for 3 hours as I am coughing out some mean stuff in my lungs. Last weekend, I had the privlege of hearing Pastor Jackson from Spring Lake and he openned my eyes to something in a Psalm that is usually read in Funerals.

Lets look at the verbs:

The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not be in want;
He makes me lay down in green pastures
He leads me beside quiet waters
He restores my soul
He guides me to righteousness for His name sake
Tho I walk through the valley of the shadow of Death
I will fear no evil becaue you are with me
Your staff and rod comfort me
You prepare a table for me in the presence of my enemies
You annoint my head with oil
my cup overruns
Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever!

It is quite obvious to me that my God cares and Loves me and that

HE IS SOVERIEGN!

ET RAMBLINGS...

Sick Again!

That's right, I got enough flem in my chest to mold a miniture King Kong! Or is it Godzilla?

Oh Well, God always has a way of slowing me down. I left work yesterday after lunch and just veggied in the couch with around three blankets on. My kids and wife left me alone which is always a good thing when Dad is sick. (I am a big Baby!)

Although I had a restful but sleepless night I feel pretty good right now. I can't wait for Sunday!!!! No not the Superbowl, but our game...

THE WORD vs COVENTIONAL THINKING

Just like the college sports motto...

I LIVE FOR THIS!!!!

ETRAMBLINGS