I have a friend who is dying

I know this should go in the prayer request section, but most everyone I interact with on this site is in the lounge.I have a close friend named Randy who was diagnosed with cancer a couple weeks ago. It's so advanced (in his liver, throat and lymphnodes) that they are not even going to try kemo... they put him right on morphine.Randy is 42, and we coach football and wrestling together. He and his wife have 2 boys ages 13 & 10, and a 2 yr old daughter. I know he claims to be a Christian, but I dont consider him to be a strong one. One foot in the world type. We're getting together for coffee tonight or tomorrow night and I am going to make real good and sure that he is ready to meet the King of Kings face to face.Pray for his family! Please!There are a bunch of us Christian guys involved in sports and coaching and work out together who have promised Randy that would will take his boys under our wings. Pray that God will help us bring these young men up to be men of God in Randy's place.Also pray for me... I havent been able to get much sleep since I found out about his condition. He a good man, and good friend... and I'm not a man who cries easily, but I have over this. I'm gonna miss him. Even Jesus cried when one of His best friends died.Thanx y'allKrispy

May the Lord give you wisdom. I understand your not being able to sleep. These are precious times to hear from God and get His perspective on what lies ahead.I am going to pray for healing, as the Lord leads me. I have (just this minute) passed this thought by the Lord and feel no check against it in my spirit. But, what is really on my heart is that you have enough time to establish Randy's relationship with God, as he is able to take in and process the things he should face.A friend of mine works in a hospice and though I know very little about the 'how to' of preparing a person for death, it has come through to my understanding that it is important to deal with what is bothering the sick person, in their order and at their pace. Perhaps you know all this already and perhaps those who post next will have much more insight than I, but I guess I can identify with turmoil of issues which press for consideration at a purely human level, at a time like this.Thank you for mentioning the promise you have made on behalf of the boys. This is a big, big challenge, with built-in longevity. May the Lord clarify the form which support and friendship should take and may the division of labour which emerges be pleasing in the sight of all. Most of all, may the boys be made to feel completely acknowledged as individuals and accepted in your hearts.

Thank you... and you're right... it takes wisdom to know how to handle a situation. Randy and I are close enough that I know I can speak bluntly with him as far as being prepared to meet God face to face. I dont know all that will come up when we go for coffee... but I know the Holy Spirit will give me the words.As for his sons, my boys play on the same teams, and as long as Randy's wife doesnt move out of the area, I'll have contact with them for long long time. Coaching involves much more than teaching a kid how to play football or win wrestling trophies. It's about shaping a kid's character. I appreciate your prayers on that, dorcas. I cherish your prayers, actually.Krispy

Oh how these things just go beyond our understanding. Thank God that we do not have to rely on our "understanding" to trust in Him. There is such a sadness to this, yet I can tell God is in it. All flesh is destined for the grave. God's main concern is that then death of the flesh comes, regardless of age, that His life will be there to sustain us forever and ever. Sometimes it is these kinds of things that bring people face to face with the need to place all their eternal hope in Jesus Christ. While we sorrow at our loss, God rejoices in heaven's gain. So do the saints. We live in this mess of sin and sickness, life and death because of Adam's sin. But the door is yet open to whosoeverwill to enter into life everlasting. This is so much more important than healing of physical illness. Do we pray together for physical healing. Of course we do. But I pray that the healing will not take precident over the eternal healing that God desires.Brother, God is in this. I know by the time you read this, you will have already had your meeting for coffee with this brother. You are God's chosen vessel in this hour and need. I pray that you are totally yielded to His hand to lead you and guide you, speak through you and love through you in this man's life. Please keep us posted on it's progress. God bless you real good today. In Jesus' Holy Name we all pray. Amen and amen.Lahry

I know by the time you read this, you will have already had your meeting for coffee with this brotherThanx for your encouragement, brother. Actually I have to call him back tonight to set up a time when we can get together. I'll keep ya posted on how that goes.I'm hoping to do this in the next 48 hours because the way things sound he may only have a month or so left... unless the Lord has it in His perfect will to perform a miracle. Either way, I know Randy's healing is coming... just dont know if it's in this world or in the next.Krispy

Nellie,Thank you for your encouragement. :-) No one has ever accused me of not being bold, so you can bet if he isnt saved when he stands before the throne, it wont be my fault. Krispy

Drew, I will hold you up in prayer too, my friend.Krispy

my dear S. (Krispy) (I didnt want to "out" your first name, but I like it so much better than "Krispy")I pray that God heals dear Randy, and I pray for his family, his boys and the girl, that if our Lord heals this precious brother by calling him home, that He strengthen ya'll to handle that.I pray that God continue to bless you with a precious ministry of tears, thank God for tears, the well of revival, the well of salvation has been replenished by the tears of the saints.I pray that God give you, the Word of Christ, and fill you so intensely with His Holy Spirit that when you hug this old boy, He feels the Lord Jesus Who lives in you, hugging him.Lord Jesus, right now, my brother and I plead Your Blood over these three children and we claim them for You Jesus, we ask dear God that You save them from this crooked and depraved generation, and grow them up straight, and as a shining example of the Love of God living in mortal man.I ask that You pour Your sensitivity over the men who have committed to mentor these precious children. Lord I pray for strength to fill the frame of our brother's wife, may she draw from the Well of Living Water, how precious each Drop is. Lord I feel privledged that my brother S, felt trust to come here, to this cyber church, and let his needs be known, I pray that nothing be allowed to destroy the unity of the Body of Believers, the Church of Christ.Oh Jesus, we love You Sweet Saviour, and we ask for this in Your High and Holy Name......amen.and finally Lord we have two last things to ask, I ask that you heal dear Randy, and we praise You for this healing, and we also ask that bring Randy to a saving Knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. amen and amen.

I called over the other night... his wife said he had a bad weekend, and had been in bed since Sunday. I'm gonna probably call over this evening (Thursday) and just invite myself over.As soon as I get to see to him, I'll update everyone.Krispy

Krispy,As soon as I get to see to him, I'll update everyone.Been waiting for news. Is there anything you can tell us?

My apologies...I still havent seen him, but what I do know is he is terminal... it's in his liver, lymphnodes, stomach and throat. Probably caused by smoking. Even tho he is a Christian, he chain smoked (see my other thread called "Smokin' Church").He is doing kemo, and they have shrunk some of it, and are hopeful that they can prolong his life for a little while. Some in his condition have lasted 4 or 5 years. But it could also turn real ugly on short notice too... His attitude is upbeat, and he is determined to get thru this ordeal.Krispy