Hymns With A Message: HOME FREE

Sunday, May 16, 2010

HOME FREE

This has been an emotional week as we passed the first anniversary of my brother Terry's graduation to heaven. There is no question that he is missed by many and he is deeply missed by me. He was always there to encourage me when I encountered challenges. His smile and his spiritual wisdom will never be forgotten. During his final year of life he frequently sent out updates on his journey through the battle with cancer. I wish that these would have been saved and published. I have kept the final one that he sent out to his close friends and prayer partners in April of 2009, two weeks before he was taken home. Here are a few excerpts. … "They gave me a transfusion of six units of platelets an hour before the procedure and they were able to drain 1.8 liters from the left lung. When I returned from having the procedure, I was breathing much easier and felt much better. They had to give me six more units of platelets before they could perform this procedure the next day on the right lung and drained .575 liters from that lung! Oh what relief!!!!! The doctors are continuing to run tests, but feel this was caused by the aggressiveness of the cancer. We saw God working in many different ways in getting me to the hospital and in my treatment while I was in the hospital! Life is hard but God is good! … If the blood counts don't improve, I probably will not be able to have any more chemo treatments. We continue to "Trust is the Lord with all our hearts and lean not on our own understanding' because we know "He will direct out paths." … Psalm 42: 5 and 7 says: "Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again – my Savior and my God!" At times it becomes easy to get discouraged – BUT – I need to get back to God's Word and praise Him for what a mighty God He IS! Each of you have been a real encouragement to us and helped us to keep our focus on God! The support of the family of God has been TREMENDOUS! … Isaiah 8:11-14 (NLT) "The Lord has said to me in the strongest terms: Do not think like everyone else does. Do not be afraid that some plan conceived behind closed doors will be the end of you. Do not fear anything except the Lord Almighty. He alone is the Holy One. If you fear Him, you need fear nothing else. He will keep you safe." … The following song has been very inspirational and I hope you will carefully looks at the words." Here are the words of the song that Terry shared with us.

Oh I know you are never unkind

But Heavenly Father

Since you know my heart

Surely you can read my mind

Good people underneath the sea of grief

Some get up and walk away

Some will find ultimate relief

Home Free, eventually

At the ultimate healing we will be Home Free

Home Free, oh I've got a feeling

At the ultimate healing

We will be Home…Free