Thursday, May 15, 2008

This is the third time that I have tried to send a message out to you guys. The first one I wrote and when I went to send it.. I lost the whole letter. Shelly typed the second one and the same thing happened again. Now.. this is the third time, I am dictating to Shelly, and hopefully, we will get through to you this time.
I know that we are all disappointed with the results of the bone marrow test which showed still... 60 per cent cancer cells. At a time like this it feels like our hopes and prayers have just lost all their air...like withered balloons, but I want you to know that God hears every one of your prayers, He weeps when you weep, He hurts when you hurt and He understands your heart, as you labor in prayer for me.
We often feel disappointed or perplexed by why God does not answer our prayers, since there are so many of us , offering up the same petition. It seems reasonable that God would leave me here to preach and teach since He has prepared me for that and even used this experience to fine tune the instument.. Yet, He did not answer our prayer the way that we wanted it to be answered , which could mean a couple of things. 1. He is waiting for me to go through all this medical treatment , walk out of the hospital, be pronounced uncurable.. and then He performs the miracle...2.He has other ideas , after all the Bible tells us that His ways are not our ways, His thoughts are not our thoughts.. His thoughts are much higher than our thoughts, infact so high, who can fathom them...??When God has not answered the prayer of our heart , we have to keep in mind God's job.
He has to sustain and control a universe that is 156 billion light years in expanse. He has to allow for a mixture of human limited free choice, which results in sin and corruption and He is carefully moving every molecule and every event toward His measured end. To put it in laymen's terms, God is in absolute control ( He is sovereign)
So the reasons for miracles and the timing of them are therefore completely up to God.
This is what we need prayer for . I need to stop having infections. I need to have my own blood counts come up and if I can establish them at normal or near normal, I can come home to Maui, where I can spend some quality time with my family and maybe even give a message or two at church. I want you all to know whether you live a moment, or in to your 20's,40's , 60's or live to be 100, your life .. and everyday of it, was written down before you were created and the works that God had planned for you to do. It is not the length of your life , but the impact that you have on other people's lives, especially the impact of Christ upon their life. As you know, I have never been one to hold back on sharing the Gospel of Christ( perhaps too much so at times for some people). I have always had a great zest for life and for all of its richness and fullness. Some people would say that I have lived at least 10 lifetimes.. and it has been filled with great joy and wonderment. The Lord has blessed me with a beautiful wife, two God loving wonderful children who have filled my plate continually with unexpressable joys in the way that they do life.. they are such a blessing to me and they are a big part of my legacy. The Lord has blessed me with wonderful family members, friends, my church body and all the people that have been praying for me all over the world. So...I am content to know your love and I am not afraid to die and no Christian should be, because the sting of death has been swallowed up by the resurrection of Christ , our Lord and Savior!!!
I know that the thank you's seem redundant, but in this case... they deserve the redundancy... Your love, support and prayers have enabled us to get through this time as a family and you have been the lifters of my wings. Whether I live or die , I want to live or die as a warrior for Christ.
Love forever, Kit

38 comments:

Anonymous said...

Kit,
You truly are a warrior for Christ. Your strength is amazing to us and an amazing wonder of God's sustaining peace and love for all of His children.

Focus on your health. We will pray for your blood counts to return to normal, that no infections will delay your return home, and that God will allow you not only a message or 2, but many many many more.

We are waiting for your return, And one heck of a roof raisin' welcome home bash!

Will never stop praying!

Carrol Wilson

Anonymous said...

Kit,
You are an amazing man. Your faith and love for our Father has touched my heart. Every time I read your words I am inspired. Rick and I will continue to pray....We love you...

Rick and Vickie

Anonymous said...

Wow Pastor! Even now you minister to us and comfort our broken hearts. Thank you. Kit, it's still hard to write without tears, it has been a long journey and although I cannot fully grasp all you've shared I have peace because peace is what flows from your latest blog entry. Strange, I'm clinging to the coat tail of your strength Pastor in your circumstance. How funny is that!!?? I will continue to give thanks for you, and will be specific as you've requested, in my prayers too. It will be standing room only Kit when you're home to teach. Till your home again on Maui,
hugs to you,
"Freckles"

michaelandciara said...

I don't even think there will be standing room when you come home, Uncle Kit, they'll have to put a TV in the courtyard! Thank you for the amazing man that you are, and for sharing every bit of your beautiful life with us! We are extremely blessed to call you Uncle, and we love you more than words could ever express!!!

We are in constant prayer for you and pray that you will be able to come home to us soon! All our LOVE, HUGS and KISSES,
ciara, michael and mikaela

Lisa said...

I think the number of comments coming in had something to do with your first two post attempts not taking. This is my helpful hint of the day: once you type in all you want, select it all, copy it to notepad, then go back and press send. That way, if for whatever reason it doesn't go through, you'll just need to copy and paste from notepad. As Ben says, "smarter, not harder".

Thank you, Kit, for pointing us toward God at every turn. Keep ministering to us, because we need it desperately. If we take our eyes off God just for a second, we will despair for He is our only hope, the "Main Thing", our first love.

We are all so anxious to see you again! We miss you Kitrick. And you too, Shelly.

Love,
Lisa Bryant

Anonymous said...

Actually it's 10 lifetimes, no make that 100......

Anonymous said...

I am speechless....

Your words pierce the very depth of my heart. I am blessed by your friendship, and forever changed by your words....

Anonymous said...

Keeping you close to my heart, Kit, Shelly and family.

Thank you Lord for Kit and his most precious family. Thank you, that have a steadfast relationship with you and know that you will supply all their needs. You have given them rest and are healing Kit. They are trusting and fulfilling your many purposes through this time of being tested and tried and they continue to experience your protection and faithfulness. Your comfort and hope has come in abundance and they are blessed and grateful.

We don't know how or when God will complete this healing but, we do know that God will.

As we continue to trust Him bringing you home is another part of His plan for this assignment. Many have prayed as never before, many have had their faith elevated to higher ground, many have had victory in situation that they thought we're impossible for God. This journey is being woven into a beautiful picture of colors filled with joy, and branches of strength, that have been passed on, one to another. Thank you Kit, Shelly and family and thank you Lord.

Bless The Lord...
Love, Lucy

Anonymous said...

yea what tutu said!!!!
i still have faith! i know you can fight through this!


love you uncle kit!! and miss you aunty shelly!
love sash

Anonymous said...

Kit,
I don't think you will remember me but my name is Kelley and I used to work for Dr. Jeff Parham the chiropractor @ Lifestyle Chiropractic in Kihei, you would come in twice a week and on Friday you would always try to get me to come to Hope Kihei,you would always encourage me and just show love through your actions orwhat you said.Unfortunately at the time I did not take your wisdom to heart and No I never went to Hope Kihei. Now 6 or so years later I would like to share with you that I am Pastor Brent's assistant here @ Hope Chapel North Shore and that Jesus has restored my life. I was saved by His grace about 3 years ago and I just want you to know that I am praying for you everyday and I know you will finish strong in the arms of Jesus. Thank You Kit for sharing, you made a difference in my life.
Kelley

Anonymous said...

This could apply to leukemia as well

Mark 10:25-27
And they were greatly astonished, saying among themselves, “Who then can be saved?” But Jesus looked at them and said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.”

lorensaved77 said...

Dearest Kit
You have been the Best warrior for Christ I have ever met...You have touched my heart and sole by your example and words, I'll say again you truly walk the talk and we love you for that!
Keep on fighting strong!
We love you and adore your words of wisdom!
Love The Loren Family

Anonymous said...

Hi Kit,
Your message reminded me of this song of praise:
I once was fatherless,
a stranger with no hope;
Your kindness wakened me,
Awakened me, from my sleep

Your love it beckons deeply,
a call to come and die.
By grace now I will come
And take this life, take your life.

Sin has lost it's power,
death has lost it's sting.
From the grave you've risen
VICTORIOUSLY!
Chorus
Into marvelous light I'm running,
Out of darkness, out of shame.
By the cross you are the truth,
You are the life, you are the way

My dead heart now is beating,
My deepest stains now clean.
Your breath fills up my lungs.
Now I'm free. now I'm free

I hope we can all sing this when you return. It's been a while since we heard you & Buddy harmonize!

Anonymous said...

Dear Kit and Shelly,
My love and prayers are with you on this journey. It seems God in His Sovereignity chooses our journey for us. I think of the poem about the footprints where He carries us. I taught my Sunday School kids that God always ansers prayer, sometimes He says "Yes", sometime He says "No", and sometimes He says "Wait awhile", I have better plans for your life. We know He is holding us in His Loving Arms, even as He is weeping. Remember He is the One who raised Lazarus.

Love and Prayers, Barb Ranstrom

Anonymous said...

Dearest Lauers,
Love, love, love to you all...our hearts are with you. Thank you for your words of comfort and encouragement. Through our tears we continue to believe God's best over your lives and place our hope in His eternal purposes for you all in this situation. We pray His grace, peace and courage over you. Kit, thank-you for passing on the blessing of the message He's given you. I wish any discomfort you are experiencing could be divided up amongst us and we could literally share it with you. I think you know we share it in spirt. We love you and pray you feel the hugs. XOXO, Randy & Julie O.

Ron and Barbara said...

Kit,
How wonderful, that you are still blessing the family of God!
Thank you for being so faithful in your walk with the Lord and sharing your trials and joys with all of us...
And, we continue to pray for your needs and God's perfect will
Love from all the Crabtrees

Nicole and Naseem Aboudaher said...

Kit I didn't think I could respect you any more as a man of God a few months ago but the truth is today I respect you more. Through all you have been through your attitude is great. You amaze me! I have always admired and respected you so much for your knowledge in HIM. I love the way you teach theology. I told Naseem when he took me to see Ravi Zacharias that I had my own Ravi in Kit Lauer. ( this was before he met you, now he knows it true ) You are a great witness and I have no doubt when you go to heaven some day he will say to you Well Done My Good and Faithful Servant. You are my role model that I am going to always remember when I go through tough times. I hope I can do it with half as much grace as you have. I love you Kit and your family so much. I hope to see you home to Maui when I am there in the next few weeks. Love always, Nicole and Naseem

Anonymous said...

If I could only fly
I'd go up and look down from the sky
So I could see the bigger picture
And Lord if I could sit with You
At Your feet for an hour or two
I'm sure I'd ask too many questions
'Cause there's so much going on down here
That I must confess I just don't understand

BRIDGE
But I have prayed
And at your feet my whole life has been laid
So I wont worry I wont be afraid
'Cause my soul is resting on Your higher ways
Let the road ahead become unclear
I am Yours so what have I to fear
If my soul is resting on Your higher ways

CHORUS
Your higher ways teach me to trust You
Your higher ways are not like mine
Your higher ways are the ways of the Father
Hiding His children in His love

BRIDGE
So let it rain
And if my eyes grow dim with tears of pain
This hope I have will not be washed away
'Cause my soul is resting on Your higher ways

Someday I will fly and
Maybe then You will take me aside
And show me the bigger picture
But until I'm with You
I'll be here with a heart that is true
And a soul that's resting on
Your higher ways

song by Steven Curtis Chapman

Anonymous said...

We just have to say "thank you" Kit. You have been such a wonderful teacher to all who know you. Your unwavering faith is such a shining example to us all. We are stronger Christians for having known you. God created us for the sole purpose to bring Him glory, and you have truly paved the way for us all to follow.
We wanted to share something with you. We were watching Creflo Dollar give a message this week on TBN and it was called "Faith and Patience- The Power Twins". I really felt that God was putting it on my heart to share it with you. You can view the two part series on the following web address:

http://www.creflodollarministries.org/Public/Broadcasts/Daily-Archives.aspx

We found the message very inspiring and we hope it will be a blessing to you and your family.

Thank you Lauer's and God bless!

The Baltrus Family

Anonymous said...

Kit and Shelly, thank you so much for letting me share in the journey with the blog. Your words have been such a blessing to me and your ministry does not end.
God's word does not return void and you have continued to speak it!
how great for all of us to see your example of living fully for Christ. thank you thank you thank you.
much love, april

The Pat Blog said...

We are still praying for your various requests, and will continue to do so...

Luvin you von Germany,
Patric, Coco, Sophia, Francesca & Sam


P.S.
For the cutest darn puppy you've seen all day, go to http://creartsvideo.blogspot.com/ It'll make you smile.

Anonymous said...

Kit and Family
I have such a love for you because you share God's love so strongly. Prayers will never stop from here.
I drop to my knees in deep honest prayer for all your requests. Spring might finially be here is Colo. We are missing Maui sunshine! I saw an eagle fly so close to our home yesterday, it was such a treat from the Lord. Nick and Sharon

Anonymous said...

Brother Kit,

I'm still praying for you and your family.
Thank you for always showing me the way of the Lord.
And through this very difficult time in your life you are showing me so much more. Because of your life I am closer to the Jesus.

I love you Kit

Ben Anderson ( Bend, Oregon )

Anonymous said...

Kit,
You are one of the great warriors for Christ that has ever walked this earth! We will pray for your return to Maui where you can be embraced by your family and ohana at Hope.

Mike and Barb in Chicago

Anonymous said...

Jacqueline says:

My heart is stunned and quiet
My soul is waiting patiently
My eyes see the words before me
My whole being is still waiting for the miracle.
I am still praying through night and day.
My Love goes out to you and yours.
I know you are still fighting the good fight.
You are his and he is yours...

Anonymous said...

Kit,
We love you and continue our prayers for you to come home to begin a healing recovery.
We wish for you to sit on the beach,toes touching the sand and water splashing,marvelling at God's incredible creation of which we are a part.
LOVE
Jerry,Rosemarie and Mia

Maui Real Estate Resource said...

Kit,
Thank you for all that you are. God has an amazing vessel that has always ready to be poured out and used in a mighty way. We really miss you and how encouraging you have been to us and everyone you come into contact with. May the Lord Keep you and Bless you Kit.

Nickens

Angela said...

Kit,

Your humbleness and faith are truly inspiring. There is no question that JESUS is your best friend...Thank you for allowing him to consume you with his all consuming fire.

EVEN WHEN WE CAN'T SEE HIM
HE IS THERE...
EVEN WHEN WE CAN'T FEEL HIM
HIS LOVE CONSUMES THE AIR...
LIKE A CLOUD THAT COVERS AN ISLAND
HE SURROUNDS US WITH HIS EVERLASTING LOVE...
HE IS LOVE...
HE RULES THE CLOUDS...
HE IS OUR GOD...apaulson

We Love You Kit and Shelly
David and Angela Paulson

Anonymous said...

This song soothes my soul - hope it brings a smile to your face...

Amazing Grace - Chris Tomlin

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXV6HJxUebg/

Unknown said...

Beloved Brother,

You are such a shining example of faith to all of us. Our Showbird Ohana is praying for your healing Kit and that you will continue to cause praise as you add to the glory of Him who created all things. You are obviously stronger now than ever before as you continue to feed us all, even from your hospital room.

Know that you are loved and cherished by your Hope family and, even more so by our Lord and Savior.

We wait for your return to Maui Kit.

In Jesus,
Marv, Michele and the entire Snowbird Ohana

Liza on Maui said...

I pray for God's embrace to warp around you today. Love you dear Lauer family.

Liza

Anonymous said...

Hey Kit!
Here is a prayer I feel the Lord has placed on my heart for you.
Lord, I thank you for the mighty work that is taking place in the life, body and spirit of Kit. I thank you that you are an approachable God who loves us beyond comprehension. You said that by Your stripes we are healed! We ARE created in Your Image! You have purchased us by Your blood! So in the name of Jesus...I command all sickness to flea! In the name of Jesus I take authority over this infirmity and command it to go! In the Mighty Name of Jesus! I speak complete restoration and healing into the body of Kit! Lord, Your blood is pure, righteous and carries life! I declare that it is Your blood that runs through the veins and body of Kit! It is your blood that restores and brings life. I declare it done! For your glory, honor and praise! We give you thanks once again for the wonderful work you are doing, in Kit, through Kit and for Kit. I speak life, comfort, courage, strength, hope and joy into his spirit and into his family. In the mighty name of Jesus...AMEN!!!
Kit, your are love, missed and lifted up!

Anonymous said...

We love you and continue to pray day and night.
Lee & Renee

Anonymous said...

kitrick and family
checking in and wanting you to feel the love!!!!
we are praying for your blood cells to have the right stuff and freedom from infection. and of course the peace and love that pass all understanding to guard your hearts and minds in our precious Jesus.
LOVE
the nichols family

Anonymous said...

-I love you babe and I am always praying for you. It is amazing to me how many lives you have impacted...
It's obvious to me that God has a reason for everything he does. Some may not truly agree with that concept because it hurts, but I do and I now know why. This life for us as christains is a small window of opportunity(as you always say) to live life for him, some have longer than others, but this existence on earth is nothing compared to the eternal life that God has prepared for us in heaven. Fear for me is incapable of existing, when I have my eye on the Lord.
God, he's a smart guy isn't he!
Love you Dad.

P.S. Shae loves you too!

Anonymous said...

I love you so much dad and I am proud of you! :-)
it also makes me so happy to read what Mikey boy just wrote.
yours FOREVER!
ppug

Anonymous said...

DearKit

Paul did not take unnecessary risks as a Christian and he never shied away publicly,declaring his faith in Jesus Christ. His goal was not to play it safe and protect himself.Paul lived to finish his spiritual race with joy and to complete the task that God gave him.

Keep up the good fight!

We love you Mary Knowles

Acts 20:24 (New International Version)
24However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace.

Anonymous said...

Aloha Kit and Shelly,

You both are just amazing! Kit when I read your letters I am at awe at how your thoughts are so vibrant and vivid and so precise... God has really crafted you and He's not done with you yet so keep smelling the flowers and taking in the fresh air and the desire to get into that beautiful blue Pacific Ocean. We cant' wait to see you back home on Maui.

May He show more incredible wonders and miraculous powers today.

We love you,
art & deborah & regina manzano