Friday, June 5, 2009, Nashville, TN., 5:28 p.m., D.S.T.~

Dear Journal~

Pastor Bruce Bilkey here.  Just woke up not even fifteen minutes ago; have already started praying about things going on in my life, and in the lives of those who attend church every week.

Last night, I heard from Michael Kent, Kendra's husband; it seems that their adopted daughter, Holly, who has cancer, is slowly, but surely, slipping away from us; yet somehow, through God's infinite grace, she continues to wage the battle of her life.  Things still don't look all that encouraging; however, I've tried to offer support to them in any way I can, as only a pastor can.

Kendra and most of the family is in Memphis, near the hospital where Holly is at; either Michael or one of the older children have been keeping us abreast of what is going on with young Holly.  For a while it seemed that her cancer went into remission, but then she got terribly sick last week, and now the cancer has returned with a vengeance.

Now Holly lies in a bed in the pediatric ICU at St. Jude's Children's, in a comatose state.  Her condition, at present, continues to be "grave".  It is only a matter of time before she goes home to Jesus.

That is, if He decides to take her; then again, He may let her live.  There is still hope, as long as Holly still breathes and has life in her broken little body. 

I've seen situations like this countless times.  Just when things look their darkest, God pulls a miracle, and that person who was at death's door suddenly recovers without incident.  I mean, look at Kendra.  Or many of her children.  Or even the Sandusky family.  Or Dr. Wayne (Wright).  All have faced life-altering crises in their lives; however, even with all that was against them, they got over it, and now they've walked through the fire, and are now stronger, richer, more blessed, because of it.

It is not wrong to pray for a miracle for young Holly; but as I just reinterated, it is not up to us to decide whether Holly lives or dies.  It's just between her and Father God, nobody else.  All we can do is wait and hope (and above all, pray)!

Wednesday night, we held a special candlelight service/prayer vigil for the Kent family; the spirit of the Lord was very much felt; it was clear that He was in the house.  It was a powerful, emotional time; I am still wrung out from it!  I can only pray that God continues to give me the strength as I minister to hurting souls/families like the Kents.

It's not going to do them (or me) any good if I get sick!

I bind that off of me, in Jesus' Name!

Well, I am going to go now.  I am going to meditate on the Word, and get into my prayer closet as I lift up my requests to Father God.  I will write in here whenever I can; if I hear of any more news regarding Holly Kent or her family, I will be sure to get back to you as soon as possible.  Until then, this is Bruce Bilkey saying so long, and may God keep you in His tender care! 

~Sincerely, Pastor Bruce Bilkey, Christ Community Assembly of God, Senior Pastor.