Month: April 2009

  • Awake, O Sleeper

    Our pastor is so pastoral.  He is always there to bear the burdens of his sheep. Here are words he sent to our congregation as we continue to pray for Isaiah. The next 12 hours are crucial. 

    We are called on to shoulder a great and serious burden with [Isaiah's family].  Our Isaiah is fighting for his life. He rests in bed with eyes closed and many tubes coming from his body, but inside he is at work struggling to regain his wits. The doctors say he can hear us and so many verses of scripture have been read to him. [His dad] started reading Luke’s gospel, so each time we go in we read a little more.

    This whole thing is a part of a great tragedy. One life lost and some injured and still in question. We must pray for all involved. God has sent [Isaiah's family] more reasons to fall on their knees. [Isaiah's mom] is saying out loud to herself. "God is sovereign…That is all I can say." You know what? They cannot bear it. They are not living on any strength of their own. It’s long gone. They are living only on God’s grace and that abundantly.

    The news of Isaiah’s situation is grave. He must wake up. As I pray with him, I see such a strong young man and I hope that he can be given more life. Pray for life. Pray that he wake up. I went in and thought, I should be telling him "Rabbits" and listen to his laugh. ["Rabbits" is a game our pastor plays with a ton of people.  On the first day of the month you try to be the first one to remember to say "rabbits".]

    As you all know so well, we are not speculating on the whys; at this point we are praying. The scene is still in motion and we respond accordingly. I was so heartened to hear of the prayer meeting tonight.. I was in the chapel [Catholic hospital] earlier praying and a Nun came up to me and asked if I wanted communion. I thanked her deeply for her compassion but I thought, what is communion if all alone and not with the saints?

    Tonight as we pray together we will share communion of heart and purpose. Remember that while there is breath there is hope. Psalm 107 tells us of sailors on the sea who fighting the waves and storm came to their wits' end. It says THEN, they cried unto the Lord and he brought them out of their distress. He calmed the storm so that its waves are still (v.28-29). We are at our wits' end; let us cry out to the Lord.

    We are entering a long trial, and at times you can feel the weariness setting in. But if God has called us to this, then He has His reasons. It will be good for us. Let us learn from Him as we take this yoke.

    Waiting is the name of the game. Wait and pray. Ask the Lord to awaken Isaiah as He has done for His people so many times before.  Thank you for your prayers.

    Addendum added Friday afternoon:  Hopeful news - Isaiah tried to open his eyes and move his mouth.  There is also some arm movement.  We rejoice to hear this and keep praying.  Our God reigns.

  • Please Pray for Isaiah

     

    A young man in our church, Isaiah, is in critical condition.  He is in a coma with head injuries.  If nothing changes in the next 24 hours, the family will be faced with the decision to take him off life support.  Isaiah is a faithful Christian, ready to go home.  But we're really not wanting to lose him. 

    Lord, give us strength; give us a miracle, if it be Your will.  Help us to trust You and to trust Isaiah to your care.   

    More on the accident:

    http://www.wallowacountychieftain.info/main.asp?SectionID=9&SubSectionID=61&ArticleID=18427&TM=68645.2

    Thank you for your prayers. 

     

  • Horrific Accident

    We are waiting for news on the status of passengers in a vehicle that rolled over a steep ravine yesterday.  A local youth pastor took a group of boys on a trip in a remote wilderness area.  He was killed in the crash.  Most of the passengers sustained serious, some critical, injuries. 

    A young man from our church, Isaiah, was life-flighted to another hospital.  One single mom has two sons in different hospitals (3 hours apart).  Agony. 

    This is a tragedy for the small community of Enterprise, Oregon.  The loss of the youth pastor is huge.  He was a rebel when he was in our high school Sunday School class.  But God grabbed him and gave him a servant's heart and he has impacted many lives. 

    Waiting.  Praying.  Lord, have mercy. 

    I waited patiently for the Lord;
    he inclined to me and heard my cry.
    He drew me up from the pit of destruction,
    out of the miry bog,
    and set me feet upon a rock,
    making my steps secure.
    ~ from Psalm 40

    Trust in him at all times, O people;
    pour out your heart before him;
    God is a refuge for us.
    ~ from Psalm 62