David Lipscomb update

David lost his battle with cancer this week... or should I say he is now victorious with Jesus...

I got the news yesterday morning and have taken a day to gather myself and decide what to post. I have only met the family on a couple of occasions, so I don't really know them. I have emailed back and forth with Robi and their son DJ concerning a concert with The Following. That is pretty much the extent of our interactions over the last couple of years. Robi and I conversed over the web a little about David. Mostly just updates, but since the Caring Bridge site went active, that was where I was updated more.

I am affected by this family. David's testimony in the face of such a horrible thing as pancreatic cancer is an inspiration. The way he affected and influenced so many others in his consistent witness - that his desire was to see Jesus' fame spread through his suffering - I find this to be incredible. I don't know that I would be able to show this reflection of Christ in the same situation.

Much to ponder and pray about.

Here is the most current post from David's Caring Bridge site posted yesterday around noon:

10 days ago David was enjoying Coke floats, Coke in a bottle, talks with friends and family. In the past 48 hours David has been unable to even drink from a straw or chew ice chips.
The past few days have been gut wrenching.

This morning at around 10:30 AM David left here and joined the best celebration ever and I could not be happier for him.

Don't get me wrong, my heart is broken and I am bawling my eyes out, but I am soooo glad David is no longer suffering.

Last night was a long night. David's breathing was labored and difficult. At around 5 AM he had a high fever, but was still in a deep sleep. When I got up this morning, I talked to my Mom and she encouraged me to tell David it was OK for him to go. I hung up the phone and went into our room and told David how much we loved him, that we know how much he loved us. I told him I knew this part of the journey was hard for him and it was hard for us too. I told him we were all ready for him to go so he should go when ever he was ready to be in paradise. Just then the phone rang and it was DJ. We talked for just a few minutes. I walked back to the bedroom and waited for David to breath. And waited and waited.. then I realized he was gone.

I have to admit we are sitting around right now playing funny stuff on utube. I guess I will make a list some of those at some point now that I said that. Anyway what I meant to say is here is some general information you may be wondering about.

We are planning to have a celebration of David's life here in the Nashville area and a second one in Houston Texas. I will update with the details soon.

Prayers:
Please thank God for His mercy, His kindness and His blessings. Pray for our family. Pray that David's life shines on in the thousands of children he helped get sponsored, the dozens of Chin'o girls who have families thanks to his influence, the kids who look at their Bible on a regular basis thanks to his time at Teen CBS.... OK this list could go on for days - yeah just say thanks.

Thank you for your prayers this day.

Love from Robi and all the Lipscomb family.

Pray for the Lipscombs!!

Thanks to Kelby for letting me know about this.
I am saddened to read this message from Geoff. I've only met David and Robi on a couple of occasions, but I have seen the work that they do and can testify that the love of Christ is strongly evident in their lives. Please pray for David and the family. This is a dark valley they are travelling.

This message from Geoff Moore:

Friends,

As many of you know, I’ve had the pleasure of knowing and working alongside David Lipscomb for the past ten years. We have shared many victories and challenges together as we focused our efforts on providing management and mentorship to artists and ministries. David has been has been a dear friend and a great source of encouragement to me. He and his precious wife Robi now allow me to do the same for them.I reflect back on this time a year ago, when David received the news that he had pancreatic cancer. The journey through surgeries, chemotherapy and radiation was a long and difficult one. Throughout this journey, I have had the hard blessing of walking with my dear friend. I have seen first-hand the pain and suffering, but much more than that, the Herculean courage that he has demonstrated. David Lipscomb’s faith is the real deal. In those hard, quiet moments when, to be perfectly honest, doubt has washed over me, he has never, ever wavered. He may say otherwise, but I am an eyewitness.A few weeks ago, the doctors confirmed David’s cancer had returned, and was present not only in his pancreas, but his liver as well. We would ask you to pray specifically that God would heal David in a way that would let him remain here with us. However, if God chooses a different road for David to walk, we ask that you would pray for peace and courage for the Lipscomb's. David wants most of all for Jesus’ fame to spread from his story.I think most of us might have a hunch about the cost of fighting a disease like cancer. In fact, some of you have had first-hand experience. While I knew the treatments were expensive, I honestly had no idea just how financially overwhelming the illness could be. Though David has health insurance and has continued to work to provide for his family, living with this illness for over a year has devastated them financially. Co-payments alone for the doctors’ visits, treatments and procedures have run into the tens of thousands of dollars. The cost of medications is staggering. The Lipscomb's made the difficult decision to sell their home, and Robi is now working two different jobs in an effort to make ends meet. Unfortunately, David is now at a point where he will no longer be able to work while he battle's the cancer.These are wonderful people who have given so much to so many of us. I ask you now to step in and give back. A special website allows you to give a financial gift to the Lipscomb's and share your personal messages of hope and encouragement. And there is good information about pancreatic cancer It’s my prayer that we can all work together to help eliminate the medical debt they are carrying and provide financial support so that Robi can focus her energies to caring for her husband and best friend.Most of all, by ministering to them financially, you help bring peace to an area that I know is a very real concern for David - that his family will not be provided for while he wages this personal war.

I would ask you to forward this email and link to anyone you feel would reach out to the Lipscomb family. I know many may receive it multiple times from different sources. I hope you will only see it as a confirmation that people are responding to this need.

Please give whatever you can, as soon as you can.

On behalf of these dear friends, thank you.
Geoff Moore
http://www.carefordavid.com

Long Time...

Thanks to Jenni (friend of Emily) for helping me find (yet another) time suck...
There's always something on the internet to kill time with. LOL!

Enjoy!

The Eyeballing Game