please pray

This is from my friend Stephanie's blog, who God has made very dear to me since we have moved to Kyle. Her husband Denbigh is a worship leader here in Kyle at their church and around central Texas mostly. Please pray for her brother Mike who at 36 has inoperable stage four liver cancer. We were with the Cherrys tonight and I would really love to see them surrounded by even more prayer right now.

Over the last few weeks I have torn throught some great books. I read Gods and Kings, a historical fiction novel (1 in a 5 part series) about the kings of Judah. It was fascinating. I read The Ever Loving Truth by Voddie Baucham. Excellent. I think every Chrisitian should read it. Right now I am in the middle of Family Driven Faith, also by Voddie. It is phenomenal. If you are looking for something to do in a small group, pick this up. It will rock your world!

In the mix of these was a book that my friend Anne lent to me. The name of the book is The Same Kind of Different As Me. This story is a powerful true sequence of events that impacted an unloved people group for the glory of God. It ministered to me in a beautiful way and peace just flooded my spirit. One of the characters in the story loses their life due to liver cancer. I had read this book in a few short hours on a Tuesday. The next day my mom tells me that my 36 year old brother has been diagnosed with liver cancer. God, what are you doing?

As I was reading Gods and Kings a verse stood out to me. That verse is Isaiah 43:2: "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned or scorched, nor will the flame kindle upon you."

I read the book in Colorado and returned home to a frame with the same verse made for me by Anne. Actually it was made for her pastor, but God told her to give it to me. Keeping with the same theme, I received a Christian article entitled When You Pass Through the Waters. It was about when a loved one gets cancer. God was preparing me. Why?

I am not altogether sure. I do know that God works in ways that I cannot fathom.

Please pray for my brother's relationship with Christ. I want him to be drawn to deep relationship with God during this time in his life. He has stage 4 cancer of the esophagus and liver.