Good-bye, Mitch

I'm currently reading a book called "Good-bye, Mitch." It's by Rebecca Chepokas and Ronald M. Stanchfield, and it's the story of Mitchell Chepokas (Rebecca's son). In April 2001, Mitchell learned he was a victim of a genetic disorder called Marfans Syndrome, and in June 2002, he learned that he had cancer, which would take his life.

On pp. 56-57, an interesting scene takes place in a hospital room:

While I (Rebecca) slept, my mother came to her grandson's bedside. Responding to God's urging, she held Mitch's hand and began to pray. She thanked God for the gift of Mitchell in all of our lives. She thanked God for His grace and mercy, for His sovereign love, for the many friendships that brought great comfort, and for meeting each and every need during such a time of crisis.

'Thank you, Lord, for your ministering angels...' she prayed. Then she heard it -- the melodic chorus of harps. She looked about the room for the source. The music expanded over Mitchell's bed and soon filled the room. 'Do you hear the music, Mitch?'

He responded, 'Uh-huh.'

'I do, too,' she said, and asked, 'Isn't it beautiful?'

Again he said, 'Uh-huh.'

'Thank You that Your angels are here,' she prayed. Then, as quickly as it began, the music was gone. People soon began to enter the room.

It's amazing how fleeting yet powerful God's presence can be. Perhaps that makes it all the more special when He touches us.

Finally

Have you read "Beautiful Outlaw" by John Eldredge yet? It's an excellent book that reminds us of how bold, generous and humble Jesus was.

Eldredge recently shared in a letter how Jesus spoke to him about the launch of "Beautiful Outlaw" finally arriving:

In fact, 'Finally' is what Jesus said to me, in January, as I was praying about this beautiful book. I was asking Jesus for 'advance words,' words to guide me through the writing and through the launch of this fantastic message. I expected to hear things like, 'I am with you,' or, 'Lift up my holy name,' that sort of thing. Instead, Jesus says, 'Finally.' It cracks me up. I love his sense of humor. There was also a gentle rebuke in the word, because this should have happened a long time ago.

Eldredge mentioned in the Ransomed Heart podcast that his previous publisher did not want to publish a book about Jesus, saying that there wasn't enough appeal and interest. I'm glad that his new publisher understood that this new perspective on Jesus needed to be told.

Going into the darkness

I recently watched an intense documentary called "Furious Love." It's by the director of "Finger of God," Darren Wilson. Wilson described God's role in creating "Furious Love":

I started the journey to make 'Furious Love' when I was still filming my first movie, 'Finger of God.' I was in Istanbul, Turkey, and Heidi Baker began to pray for me. At the time, I was only worried about how I could possibly put this crazy movie about miracles together, and a sequel was the furthest thing from my mind. But when Heidi began praying, she immediately saw me filming the occult. I wasn't sure if that was a good thing or not! Then she said the words that started this epic journey: 'The Lord says you have to go into the darkness to show the light.'

In "Furious Love," Wilson travels the world to some of the darkest spiritual climates on the planet. I highly recommend it.