A Friend

[John_Smith]

I’ve mentioned a friend twice now in the prayer area of the forum.

Have you ever heard a sermon about how people should be able to see the Holy Spirit in us? That the love of God should have an outward affect which others would notice?

I have, lots of times. But never once did I actually see what this was like. Until I met this guy. There’s a genuineness in his faith, something that crosses over. Faith wasn’t just about following rules for him, nor mere fanaticism. He’s the kind of person who would hold a Bible study at five in the morning, and would come running at eleven at night if you called. The kind of person who would go two miles when you only asked him to go one.

Obviously, I have a lot of respect for him, and right now he could use some prayer. His mother has terminal cancer, one of those kinds that we won’t know if she'll last a year or two months. She was set to be released from the hospital yesterday (she’s been in and out for a while now) but instead of that happening, his father was admitted because he fell after having low blood pressure. When they tested his father, it turns out his kidney isn’t working properly and his heart has muscle damage. Last I heard, he was doing better, but they’re monitoring him.

So, the run down is, he has both parents in the hospital for different reasons. While this is going on, he’s also newly married (about three years) and has two kids to keep track of.

Now, thankfully, both his parents are saved. Spiritually, where they’re going isn’t a question. But obviously this family is going through lot right now. Please take a moment to pray for them. Thank-you.

[TheChocolateGamer]

A terrible thing has happened to him (and to you, because you are his friend) indeed . But I'm sure that with God's help, his parents
will be back on their feet in no time. Have faith in that!

[John_Smith]

I have happy news to report: His dad is back home! It seems everything was caused by medication which was prescribed way higher than it should have been.
Thank-you, Chocolategamer (also, welcome to the forum!) , and thanks anyone else.

Update: seriously, as I finished writing this, my friend texted me and said they were going to pick up his mom!


Chocolategamer, I dub thou a prophet.

[TheChocolateGamer]

No problem. I'm no prophet, that was just faith Oh and congrats to your friend John

[ClaecElric4God]

Sorry I missed this while things were going on. And I know what kind of person you mean. Often it seems like those people are the ones who go through the most, as well. I will continue praying for him.

[John_Smith]

Thank-you guys. Unfortunately, I learned that the mother passed away this week. Please keep this family in your prayers.

[IPv4]

I think its common that people who die having cancer feels "better" for a short period just before they die. There is an explanation for it, not sure what it was.

[TheChocolateGamer]

I think its common that people who die having cancer feels "better" for a short period just before they die. There is an explanation for it, not sure what it was.

I think she will feel better for all eternity (if only she has accepted Christ as our Saviour of our sins) . Let's hope it's that

[IPv4]

I think its common that people who die having cancer feels "better" for a short period just before they die. There is an explanation for it, not sure what it was.

I think she will feel better for all eternity (if only she has accepted Christ as our Saviour of our sins) . Let's hope it's that

After re-reading what John wrote, I couldnt see that the mother felt better, I must have assumed it based on context. A possibility is that the mother didn't want to spent the last time of her life in a hospital.

[TheChocolateGamer]

I think its common that people who die having cancer feels "better" for a short period just before they die. There is an explanation for it, not sure what it was.

I think she will feel better for all eternity (if only she has accepted Christ as our Saviour of our sins) . Let's hope it's that

After re-reading what John wrote, I couldnt see that the mother felt better, I must have assumed it based on context. A possibility is that the mother didn't want to spent the last time of her life in a hospital.

It's most probably due to old age, we must remember that every person has an appointed time of death. An illness cannot increase nor decrease the length of how much would anyone live.

[IPv4]

It's most probably due to old age, we must remember that every person has an appointed time of death. An illness cannot increase nor decrease the length of how much would anyone live.

It was clearly mentioned that the mother had terminal cancer. I dont think God wants people to die (Ezekiel 18:23 "Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord God: and not that he should return from his ways, and live?").

[K. Ayato]

Hang on a minute. The important thing is this friend's mother has and is experiencing the ultimate healing. She is forever with the Lord, free of any pain and difficulty.

It's rude to presume why God decided to call her home when He did. Also to assume you know what she was thinking or feeling before she went home.

[IPv4]

It's rude to presume why God decided to call her home when He did.

I havent presumed anything about God.

[John_Smith]

I think you all have right points, you’re just missing each other.
It’s true that God knows the very hour that each of us will die—that sort of goes with omniscience; though it is also true that He doesn’t desire any of us to suffer. That sort of goes with Love. Though this leads us to aground to metaphysical/spiritual versus the physical… which maybe there's a time to discuss that, for now let's leave God to sort it.

It’s interesting, because I hesitated to add the word “Unfortunate,” in my previous post. This woman did have terminal cancer, and in a sense we were waiting for her to die. She was suffering and in pain, yet still showed a remarkable level of enthusiasm the entire time. She was the kind of woman determined to glorify God with each and every passing second.
To give a better idea of what this family is like, when I first asked my friend how he and everyone else was, he said they were good, and that his mother would be mad at them if they weren’t.

I think its common that people who die having cancer feels "better" for a short period just before they die. There is an explanation for it, not sure what it was.

I am aware of this phenomenon, though I believe it refers to a period of an hour or even just a few minutes before death. Her coming of the hospital had nothing to do with it. She had been in and out for the past year, depending on her chemotherapy rounds and how strong she was at the time.


Take note, the father also has a terminal illness... though for the life of me, I can't remember what it was. I think Huntington's (this is why he was on medication). So again, if you guys could just pray for this family, that joy (I mean the Biblical joy) doesn't leave them during this time, and they continue to grow closer to God.

EDIT: It's Parkinson’s.

[K. Ayato]

You got it, buddy. I'll also pray the impact she had on those around her in life is not forgotten.

[ClaecElric4God]

Continuing to pray. Truly sorry to hear about your friend's loss, but it's awesome and encouraging to see God being glorified even in this hard time, and that the mother was given the grace to handle it with a joyful spirit. It sounds like she was truly a strong woman. I look forward to meeting her someday.
Definitely praying for the rest of the family.