As They Went...
By Michael Q. Pink
February 10, 2010“And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go show yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.” Luke 17:14
Today, I am ecstatic. I am sitting in front of my computer writing to you, trying to give expression to the profound work God is doing on the inside of me. I have praise music blaring, tears of joy running down my face and a smile that just won’t quit! It feels like life could not be better. That, despite the fact that I have endured unbearable loss just a few short weeks ago.
I am pressing into God and He is watering my soul in unbelievable ways. I find myself dancing while sitting in my seat in front of this keyboard, interrupted by times of flat out adoration and worship face down on the carpet. Where does this joy come from? How is this possible? It’s not complicated really. I have chosen to rejoice now and drink deeply from His well, before I am completely healed. You see, a very dear friend came alongside me in Colorado and showed me how to breathe again. Life had dealt me a blow so strong that the wind had been completely knocked out of me, but in one act of extraordinary kindness and compassion, I found myself breathing again, and the air was good!
Now that my breathing is restored, I am aware of my bruises, my tender places if you will, but oxygen is flowing again and I can see the discoloration fleeing. I can feel the strength coming back. It’s scary good! I am using my strength to get back in the game, beginning with exuberant, heart pounding, reckless worship. As the song says, “All of my life in every season, you are still God and I have a reason to sing... I have a reason to worship.” This is incontrovertible and I will not miss the joy that comes only in His presence! I am drinking so deeply and getting so intoxicated in His love that my spirit is soaring far above reason and I don’t want it to end. And it is in this place that I am finding strength upon strength.
I am not in denial of what happened, but I am denying that pain permission to define my future. It will not. I know many of you are wondering if I am putting on a brave face to somehow provide encouragement to you. Worry not my friends… I have been nothing but real and vulnerable with you all along. I am not about to change now. I have wept openly in front of you and now I am rejoicing openly. My life is a living epistle being written to my generation and I simply invite you to read, if you so desire. I invite you to drink what He is pouring into me as I serve it up fresh and freely as God enables. With love and peace always…
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Comments (48) - Post a Comment
Blessings to you Michael....I know the place you are in and your words hit the nail on the head....thank you Lord for giving Micheal words to express your unfailing love when we put our heart in your loving care. He truly is the lifter of our heads and I know this love and exhuberance you are talking about in the midst of such great pain....you will indeed be healed and so will your children...Praise to the King of our heart who is always good no matter what!!!
cheryl at 6:18am EST - February 11, 2010
Dear Bro,I greatly rejoice with you in you emotional healing and, indeed, great breakthrough all at once. I has something similar, though my loss was not as deep as yours. Still I know the rewards of pressing thru, and in human terms...my heartiest congratulations. In Christian terms, praise be to the great name of the Lord for the rivers of living waters flowing thru you.Alan Tan
Alan Tan at 6:43am EST - February 11, 2010
Thanks be unto God for HIS unspeakable gift!!!
Melvin Tisdale at 6:56am EST - February 11, 2010
Hi MichaelI'm blown away by what you are feeling right especially after everything you have been through. I thought to myself that i have the right to mourn my unborn baby for as long as i want and i cannot rejoice until i'm through with. I though there has to be this long period of unforgetfullness and unforgiveness.The day i had my miscarriage i thought to myself God must have a better plan and i thought oh, ok i can move on, itis not as bad as i thought it woul be. I find that i blame myself for the abortion i had when i was 20. I think to myself what if i don't get another baby or what if this happens again. I think about it and i cry to the point that i don't even know how to communicate to God. What your going through seems so unreal, it feels like ordinary people like uscan never get to that point of peace and joy.I thank you for all your encouragement. May the Lord bless you beyond what you can imagine. I know this is very early but i pray God blesses you with love the second time around and not to say that you want to replace your wife but to say that God wants you to live your life abundantly with someone who loves you.Your a blessing
Charmaine at 7:26am EST - February 11, 2010
Dear Michael: I rejoice with you to be invited to drink and drink i will. Thank you for pouring it out as the Holy Spirit pours into you with songs of praise and worship.
Terry at 8:11am EST - February 11, 2010
I feel for you and thouroughly understand where you are coming from. Here are a couple of songs that ministered to me. God bless you. Jamie Slocum/ FragileJamie Slocum/ My dependence
Jacki Hamlin at 8:16am EST - February 11, 2010
Bless you Michael for always being REAL. Your newsletters are ALWAYS such an inspiration of Gods grace in His people and that He can get us through ANYTHING. He deserves our worship and praises and no matter what our circumstances, we DO always have a reason to sing. Yes, we are living epistles written by God and open books to this generation. This generation needs realness and transparency like any other. People are looking for that and tired of masks and hungry for the REAL. You have such a tremendous gifting in the area of finances in the marketplace and that is how I hooked up with your ministry. In the days since you began going through the trial with Brenda though, your ministry became more apparent to me and that is the ministry of being transparent and real. The Body of Christ needs that so desperately! Thanks be to God who is able to pour out to you such a great and awesome love and grace so that you can share with all who are searching for the REAL God and His nature. He is REAL. God is transparent with us. That is part of His NATURE. Thank you! Leisa Coburn
Leisa Coburn at 8:18am EST - February 11, 2010
This is an awesome post, Michael. Please do a book with more of this.
Peggy Scarborough at 8:58am EST - February 11, 2010
You are showing the wonders of our God in the midst of great loss and the wonders of what happens, in loss and pain, when we follow His Word with worship and praise and thanksgiving. Revelatory. God does not "demand" worship, praise and thanksgiving for His benefit... but for ours. What a wonderful God and Father. If we could only get a full grasp of His love for us! Then, we could pass His love to others and they would surely flock to Him!!!
Carole at 9:00am EST - February 11, 2010
Thank you so much for being real and sharing. I was wondering and wanted to know- how did you friend show you how to breathe again? I also need the strength to get back into this game of life. Thank you again for sharing your heart and how God is healing it!
three at 9:00am EST - February 11, 2010
Michael, I woke up this morning and felt overwhelmed by all that was ahead of me. I had too much to do but saw your email and gave a quick click. It was my breath of fresh air today and a gentle rebuke in reminding me that God is still on the throne and worthy to be praised. Thank you for sharing your journey. Blessings, Crystal
Crystal Langdon at 9:12am EST - February 11, 2010
Praise the Lord! "...Peace that passes all understanding..."
Elizabeth at 9:27am EST - February 11, 2010
HALLELUJAH!!!!! GOD is GOOD! Thanks from the bottom of my heart for sharing your journey. There is much I can learn from God through the work He is doing in your life. Many, many joyous blessings, my brother.
Patti H at 9:37am EST - February 11, 2010
Hi Michael!I like a lot to hear about your encourage, I appreciate a lot because you encourage me too. I'm in a very desperate situation too, I lost everything, no money, no home, no job, please pray for me.
Martha Dominguez at 9:47am EST - February 11, 2010
Michael,What a wonderfully inspiring message thiis is!!!! I am in awe of the spirit of God that is so alive in you taking you to new heights and new depths at the same time! Isn't it awesome that the Spirit can do that!! Thank you for the incredible encouragement...that friend must be someone who knows the pathway you are on...! Be blessed this day in all you do!Sherron
sherron lane at 9:50am EST - February 11, 2010
I rejoice with you - He is faithful - no matter what the circumstance - I am so proud of you receiving his love and joy and peace instead of locking down because of the pain! Blessings!
Joy Brandstetter at 9:53am EST - February 11, 2010
I feel the wind! I hear the song! Thank God He is giving you divine resuscitation. His breath, His life, His strength, His restoration. In Him, For Him, By HIm. Hallelujah!!!
Beverly Lewis at 10:01am EST - February 11, 2010
Michaell,I continue to pray for you, I thank God for your heart! I will continue to pray for and be in awe of your restoration!Peace and God's Love be with you!Patricia
Patricia at 10:11am EST - February 11, 2010
God is sooooooooo amazing. It is ok to continue to live, even when we have lost a loved one, especially when we know that they have just moved on to Glory a heartbeat ahead of us. Praying for God's continued infilling and blessings.
Karen Eve at 10:18am EST - February 11, 2010
Hey Michael;Thank you for being so open and honest with us. I am so happy to see Father healing you and am excited about your future for we know WHO holds our future. I am greatful for the difficulties He is allowing me to go through in my business and although it is painful and scary I have decided to send more time with Him instead of focusing on my lack of work. I ask that He will mold me into what He wants me to be and where He wants me to serve Him.You are a blessing;Ken Neill"Ken the Bell Man"
Ken Neill at 10:21am EST - February 11, 2010
I am rejoicing with you, Michael, and my soul prospers as I read your email. I'm at my office but if I were at home I would be dancing and praising God! Psa. 21: 3a - "For You have met him with the blessings of goodness4a - He asked life from You, and You gave it to him6-- For You have made him most blessed forever; You have made him exceedingly glad with Your presence"HALLELUJAH, Praise the Lord forever and ever!
Anita at 10:47am EST - February 11, 2010
Your words bring hope upon hope for amazingly difficult situations! Thank you for being so transparent:)
Sandy at 10:54am EST - February 11, 2010
Michael, WOW! I am so amazed at what a great, wonderful and all sufficient God we have and I am so blessed to see His work in the life of one who is wholly open to Him doing all that He is capable of and wanting to do for us when we suffer, if we just let Him. Your suffering is not diminished, but His grace, comfort and wonder are so magnificent that they can encompass anything we face. Thank you for sharing with us. You are blazing a trail that every one of us will face at some point. In His Grip, Phyllis Nelson
Phyllis Nelson at 11:25am EST - February 11, 2010
I to know the joy of which you are speaking. Perhaps it would be more correct to write Joy, because it is the person of Jesus. I recall the joy that almost knocked me off my feet as I held the body of my first granddaughter moments after she died. She had only lived 25 days, never leaving the hospital. At the moment I held her, I felt the joy of heaven at her arrival. There are no words to describe it properly, but it is something never forgotten! The Lord continue to bless you with Joy, with HImself!
Adelaide at 11:31am EST - February 11, 2010
Michael - quite simply... thank you. Your impact upon my life over the past several months has been inspirational and brought me closer to Christ.
Chris at 11:38am EST - February 11, 2010
YOU GO MICHAEL! This is the Lord's doing! And it is marvelous in our eyes!
Rita Young at 11:51am EST - February 11, 2010
Thank you for your open transparency about everything you have experienced with this. Not only is it healing to you, it points to the Lord as the remarkable Healer that He is.
Susan at 11:59am EST - February 11, 2010
I am with you!! I know and understand what you mean.. I giggled when you talked about wiggling in your seat.. I too have had that happen and a few times it has been while in line at a store.. .. :)Lyn
Lyn Sorensen at 12:06pm EST - February 11, 2010
Michael: As someone who does not even know you or have ever met you, and is 3000 miles away, I stand with you brother! You are an inspiration!!God bless!
Greg at 12:20pm EST - February 11, 2010
Michael, Through all the time I have been receiving your messages they have encouraged me and helped me continue to move forward, even when I thought I could go no further. I would read your message and feel that I was not going alone. That somehow, you and I were walking the same road even though our experiences were different. Although I have not had the devastating loss in my life that you have just experienced, I have had difficult on-going things that try to shut me down. Again, your words, your willingness to share so openly has again helped me to keep going and not quit. I know the joy of the His Presence and when circumstances and pressures of this world take my attention, it is your words that remind me where I need to be. To leave the cares of this world behind and run to Him, my high tower, where I am safe. Thank you for sharing so openly with us Michael. May God take you to higher heights with Him. I read Hindsfeet in High Places a couple of years ago and the one thing that remains with me is that when she didn't think she could go on, somehow she did. What she found was worth all the hardship, all the doubt, all the fear she experienced. As she followed after Him she became a new creation. We are all becoming new creations as we follow hard after Him and the things that fall away, unnoticed by us at the time, lighten our load and make our journey easy.May God continue to fill you with His presence and give you words to share it with others. You are touching many lives of people you will won't meet except in heaven. Like a song I heard once, this is your reward, Michael. All of us who will meet you in heaven and say, "Because of you I stayed true to God's call on my life".
Gail Watson at 12:52pm EST - February 11, 2010
Thanks Michael for pursuing His presence and demonstrating for us how rejoicing in Him gets us through every situation. May you continue to be blessed in Him. ShalomI rejoice with you as you rejoice even as you shared with us the mouring and we have mourned with you. Now the joy of His presence that you are experienced is a reminder that we can do the same and experience His joy. thanks again.
matthew at 1:38pm EST - February 11, 2010
fly my brother fly!!!!!
kathie kinney at 1:51pm EST - February 11, 2010
He's soooooooooooo amazing. Send some of that over here brother Michael! "Lift up your heads O ye gates, And be ye lifted up you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, The lord mighty in battle......The Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory. Psalm 24SELAH
Priscilla Mitchell at 2:43pm EST - February 11, 2010
Michael you have been in my prayers and I am sure you have been exhausted. I am curious, what was the "one act of extraordinary kindness and compassion," that lead you to "breathing again."
Howard at 4:52pm EST - February 11, 2010
God is so good!! Thank you Michael for all that you are sharing. Every daythe power of His Word - becomes more and more alive and true. You are living proof that the joy of the Lord is our strength. Amen
Margaret at 6:16pm EST - February 11, 2010
"..... exuberant, heart pounding, reckless worship. As the song says, “All of my life in every season, you are still God and I have a reason to sing... I have a reason to worship.” This is incontrovertible and I will not miss the joy that comes only in His presence! I am drinking so deeply and getting so intoxicated in His love that my spirit is soaring far above reason and I don’t want it to end.....". This Michael, is what I have been praying for. Praise God! and I believe Brenda also had her 'exuberant, heart pounding, reckless worship' moment as well. 'GOOD' IS'NT GOOD ENOUGH TO DESCRIBE GOD! But as in a song I learnt in High School over 40 yrs ago, He is 'INEFFABLE' . Rise Michael, rise. The only way is "UP".
Hal Brown at 7:27pm EST - February 11, 2010
HALLELUJAH!! He is intimately acquainted with all of our ways; Psalm 139.for 'surely He has carried our sorrows and our griefs.' What an answer to prayer; which was that God would use someone in Denver to speak healing into your life. We rejoice with you, Michael. Psalm 45:1 "My heart is overflowing with a good theme; I recite my composition concerning the King. My tongue is the pen of a ready writer." What a gift!
Pat Baldridge at 9:04pm EST - February 11, 2010
Awesome!!!! God is Awesome!!!! I love what He is doing in your life.
Adam Pendleton at 9:25pm EST - February 11, 2010
Michael,I have only a few words to express what I am feeling deep within my heart. They are: Run the race that He has set before you Michael, you are gathering your strength by just worshipping the King of Kings. You go guy, he has much more than can ever be imagined to show you, to teach you, and to knock your socks off in blessing. Keep it up, I will be on the sidelines encouraging you. Thanks so much for sharingLorraine Hawkins
Lorraine Hawkins at 9:33pm EST - February 11, 2010
God Bless You...God Bless You!
Susan at 10:32pm EST - February 11, 2010
Michael, you are in a rare place, one that sadly many believers never find as they cling to unforgiveness and anger and turn from the Healer. But you have gone through the door and in your worship have climbed into the high tower of His Name, which being above all Names takes us above all things and circumstances. Oh, the love of Jesus cannot be fathomed! Bless you heaps!
Chrissie - NZ at 4:39am EST - February 12, 2010
Thank you, Michael, for sharing these moments of glory with us! Thank you for inviting us to drink from this powerful, amazing, glorious fountain of the Lord! May God fulfill His heart's desire in you and us. Many blessings!
Beth Gunsalus at 9:11am EST - February 12, 2010
MT 7:24 "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash." MT 7:28 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 29 because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.JN 14:1 "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. JN 14:12 I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.JN 14:19 Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20 On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. JN 17:21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: 23 I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. JN 17:24 "Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world. JN 17:25 "Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. 26 I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them."Michael,The Holy Spirit lives His life through you. God is encouraging me by His words, as He uses your hand to pen them. You are experiencing the Lord's Love and His Glory in some measure, but Brenda right now is experiencing God's Love and Glory in ALL HIS FULLNESS. Wow!Praise Jesus, King of Kings!Chris
Chris at 9:52am EST - February 12, 2010
Congratulations Michael. It took me 2 years to get where you are after my husband died. God is good and he gave me 2 scriptures to help me day by day - Psalm 23 and Romans 8:28. It has been 9 years now and every day I press in harder. The pain is still there but it is duller now and God's grace is in abundance. Hang in there. It does get easier.
Isabella at 11:43am EST - February 12, 2010
Micheal,There is a supernatural annointing on your post. It brings great strenght and encouragment. Oh to face Goliath, not denying he exsists but denying him the right to remain. I praise God for His faithfulness to you and to us all!
Tamara Kuchera at 5:21pm EST - February 12, 2010
Michael: I have wept with you and am so blessed to see you revived in worship and joy unspeakable. Thank you for sharing deep unto deep with your friends and business partners who appreciate you. My sister lost her husband and I visited her six months later to find grief lines deep into her face. It will be three years in March for her and she has the Lord to comfort her as well as grief groups and other support emailers. But I see God's hand on you without measure. He has answered my prayer so beautifully to restore you. Love, Jan
jAN wYBORNY at 6:28pm EST - February 12, 2010
May God continue to bless you and replace your ashes for garments of Joy.
Mary Price at 1:27am EST - February 14, 2010
Keep pouring it in, Michael. Your testimony in this blog is a living example of what scripture says, "In His presence there is fullness of joy and on His right hand, there are pleasures evermore!..."Joyfully, Benjie@Manila
Benjie B. Caballero at 6:16am EST - February 17, 2010