January 7, 2008

Prayer for Dr. Cook

Thank you for praying for Dr. Cook. His white blood cell count is now back to normal, and this means that he has been cleared to begin his chemotherapy this week.

He will start treatment today and will continue every day this week on an out-patient basis.

Will you continue to pray for him that this will be the final round that he will have to go through?

We also wanted to share this brief story with you.  Growing up in Arkansas, Dr. Cook learned to play the piano and served his church as a pianist.  On a number of occasions over this Christmas break, he went back to the piano and played through some of the great hymns of the faith, drawing encouragement from the tunes and words that helped to establish and build his love for Christ.

One song particularly ministered to him, “How Firm a Foundation.”  The tune by Joseph Funk brought a continual smile to his face, and the words by John Rippon helped him to hear God’s promises.

In the second verse, Rippon reflects on God’s Word through the prophet Isaiah (41:10).  We thought that you would also gain encouragement, as Dr. Cook has, by reading Rippon’s rendition of this incredible Word.

Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed,
For I am thy God and will still give thee aid;
I’ll strengthen and help thee, and cause thee to stand
Upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand.