Day 5 - June 20 - Hold Fast
My God is good. He blesses me with hope even in the darkest night. For those who do not know, I have a tattoo on my left forearm. It's comprised of two words surrounding the symbol "pi". The pi sign represents the constancy of my God, and binds me and my memory closely to Him and to my daughter. The two words embracing the pi sign are "Hold Fast". It's an old nautical term that loosely means "grab onto that rope and don't let go, even if you think it means your life. Because it probably does mean your life if you do let go". I've been fascinated with the phrase for years, and finally turned sailor long enough to get a tattoo of it.Last night, I heard the song of that name (by Mercy Me) on K-Love. The lyrics have always meant much to me, but it was exactly the perfect song to hear at that particular moment. Here are the lyrics -
To everyone who's hurting
To those who've had enough
To all the undeserving
That should cover all of us
Please do not let go
I promise there is hope
Hold fast
Help is on the way
Hold fast
He's come to save the day
What I've learned in my life
One thing greater than my strife
Is His grasp
So hold fast
Will this season ever pass?
Can we stop this ride?
Will we see the sun at last?
Or could this be our lot in life?
Please do not let go
I promise you there's hope
You may think you're all alone
And there's no way that anyone could know
What you're going through
But if you only hear one thing
Just understand that we are all the same
Searching for the truth
The truth of what we're soon to face
Unless someone comes to take our place
Is there anyone?
All we want is to be free
Free from our captivity, Lord
Here He comes
To those who've had enough
To all the undeserving
That should cover all of us
Please do not let go
I promise there is hope
Hold fast
Help is on the way
Hold fast
He's come to save the day
What I've learned in my life
One thing greater than my strife
Is His grasp
So hold fast
Will this season ever pass?
Can we stop this ride?
Will we see the sun at last?
Or could this be our lot in life?
Please do not let go
I promise you there's hope
You may think you're all alone
And there's no way that anyone could know
What you're going through
But if you only hear one thing
Just understand that we are all the same
Searching for the truth
The truth of what we're soon to face
Unless someone comes to take our place
Is there anyone?
All we want is to be free
Free from our captivity, Lord
Here He comes
I pray it blesses you as it blesses me.
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posted by Eric Williamson @ 11:18 AM
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A Conversation in Heaven
And God said to Satan, " have you considered my servant Eric Williamson?" And Satan said to God, "you have blessed him time and again, no wonder he is faithful and strong. He goes about declaring your saving grace and mercy to all he meets because you have sheltered him all these years".
And God said to Satan, " remember how faithful and strong he was when his own father was almost killed?" Satan replied, " I admit that although his strength wavered at times, in that crisis he glorified you and his strength increased. However, if I can afflict one of his own children, he will turn against you."
And God said to Satan, " have at it.
Dear Williamsons,
We are praying daily for you and Connor. Thank you for keeping us updated so we know what to specifically pray for. This last Wednesday night 35 young adults gathered at Bible study and prayed through your specific requests for Connor and your family. It was a wonderful time of prayer as we cried out to the Lord through pleading and crying and at the end were encouraged because, "Perfect love casts out fear." He is trustworthy, never-failing, always faithful.
Love,
Dan and Lisa Laguna and the young adults of West Hills
Eric, you are bearing your soul my friend, and it is beautiful. And the silence of your strong tower, Cherie is beautiful. God is so amazing, using people, songs, words, scripture we've heard before but held little- or different meaning at the time. Bigger things are at work here, I know you know that. You have no idea how you are affecting us in such a positive way, causing our own faith to grow, our walks to strengthen. I know you may not have the capacity to even care right now about anything or anyone outside of the immediate situation you are in, understandably so, but I wanted you to know this. We love you guys so much, our prayers are our days highest priority. Hold fast, you are not alone.
More words of encouragement for you and your family as you walk through this trial:
Even though the journey's long
And I know the road is hard
Well, the One who's gone before me
He will help me carry on
After all that I've been through
Now I realize the truth
That I must go through the valley
To stand upon the mountain of God
~From the Third Day song "Mountain of God"
Praying in San Antonio
Family and friends.
I called my son Chris yesterday, as I posted. He just called and wanted me to relay this.
I'm scared as I write this, but to not write this is to be disobedient....
After I asked my son to pray, he went to his knees, and began. Unlike prior times when we've all prayed for someone we don't know, and it's somewhat generic, he tells me that as he opened his mouth to say "Dear God....", he was suddenly overcome, and began weeping uncontrollably....he has no idea how long it lasted, but he feels the Holy Spirit just took over, interceding. He is as certain of this as of anything he's been in his life - Connor will walk!! He didn't get the Word on when, but it WILL happen.
I was reluctant to write this, fearing giving false hope, but I just called him back, and his certainty is palpable.
I have been reading about Connor and you and everything that's been going on since the beginning of this tragedy and as a parent my heart is aching for you. Tho the women likened your circumstances to Mary and Jesus, Abraham also came to mind. God asking him to sacrifice his only son and old Abe's obedience without hesitation. His heart being torn from his chest and praying for anything but this. Your humanness is natural, your obedience to God is supernatural. No wonder He has chosen you. If we were permitted to add a book to His Word, this would be it. The Book of Connor. With his father at the forefront setting the example of a human father, a humble servant, running the race, perservering. With all the support, love, encouragement, praise and glory from all the saints standing shoulder to shoulder, putting on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes, not giving Satan or any of his demons even a fraction of an inch.
The Holy Spirit keeps taking me back to Jeremiah 29:11-14 "For I know the plans I have for you" DECLARES the Lord,"plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Most saints are familiar with this verse to this point. The word DECLARES means He is talking, not thru Jeremiah, but directly to you. The word DECLARES is a thunderous voice from Heaven, one that stands strong enough to withhold the universe in His hands. It is His promise!!!! A covenant promise cemented in stone miles long, miles deep, miles thick, that cannot be shaken or altered. But wait, believe it or not, there's more.) "Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you (you can feel Him listening, I know you can). You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," DECLARES the Lord.(you have found Him Eric, He has allowed you to find Him. How few have been in your shoes)"and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you," DECLARES the Lord, (look how so many have come back from captivity thru this tragedy already, countless more will be touched and moved)"and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile". Your promised land. Your's, Connor's, your families...He promises Eric and He cannont break His promises or we could not call Him our God. He believes you can do the task He has given you, and He will be with you all the way through to a glorious conclusion.
I look forward to next summer at Hume Lake and seeing Connor on that stage....it will be PHENOMINAL!!!!
Peace be with you Eric, you and your son and your family, not as the world gives peace, but as Christ does....keep looking up!
With my deepest love
A sister in Christ
Williamson family,
I saw your post on "hold fast", so I am compelled by the Spirit to share my favorite verse with you. It carried me through my dark times.
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. Heb 10:23
We serve a faithful God. He will not leave you or forsake you.
We will continue to make appeals to our Mighty God for Conner's restored health and for the peace of Christ to rule in your hearts.
-Rich Rice and family
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