"In those days Hezekiah became sick and was at the point of death. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz came to him and said to him, 'Thus says the Lord: Set your house in order, for you shall die; you shall not recover.' Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall, and prayed to the Lord.... Then the word of the Lord came to Isaiah: Go and say to Hezekiah, Thus says the Lord, the God of your ancestor David: I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears, I will add fifteen years to your life...." (Isaiah 38:1-5).
Several years ago now, John's doctors told Margaret to put their house in order because he would not make it through the night, he was at the point of death, he would not recover. But there was no peace in their hearts that it was his time to go. They turned their faces to the wall and prayed to the Lord. Then Your word came to Margaret's heart that this sickness would not be unto death at this time. And John recovered. John miraculously recovered, as even his doctors had to affirm.
For many years beyond the place they said he'd passed the point of no return, we've enjoyed John -- his gentle spirit, his faithful prayers, his godly counsel, his steadfast love for You, for Margaret, and for all You brought across his path. For so much of his life -- spent serving as a Methodist minister and hospital chaplain, serving You and helping Margaret in her ministry as a spiritual director, spiritual mother, and mentor in prayer to so many of us -- John was known for his compassion, quietly firm faith, and unwavering devotion.
Then early yesterday morning, his spirit left this world to embrace the next. And we were so thankful to You to hear at Margaret's Tuesday Night Prayer Group the night before that John and Margaret were filled with Your peace, that the fullness of Your Presence filled their hearts and their hospice room. Thank You for Your gift of those sacred moments at the end of this sacred season of added years of life for John and added years of his love and ministry to all of us.
The witness of peace at the moment of death is such powerful evidence of Your goodness and Presence in our lives. It's a truth that can't be denied. And it's a truth that John has known and modeled with his beloved Margaret throughout their lives of ministry and love. That kind of peace -- the shalom of God to be at peace with God, at peace with one another, at peace within one's self -- can only come from a deeply personal relationship of trust and intimacy with You. You are the Prince of Peace, the One Who is "named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6). And Your Holy Spirit has abided deeply in John's heart throughout his life and now at the moment of his death.
John's life of steadfast love and faithful service inspires me. And John's death in the arms of his Everlasting Father and beloved wife, filled with the fullness of the Holy Spirit of the Prince of Peace, inspires me more. "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of one of His faithful ones" (Psalm 116:15). And our faithful friend, the Reverend John J. Therkelsen, was and is and always will be one of Your faithful ones. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.
Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays
Friends, please join with me in prayer for Margaret Therkelsen and thier family during this time of both celebrating the homecoming and greiving the loss of our friend and this godly man, John Therkelsen of Lexington, Kentucky.
Come to the Fountain This Friday Night! May 20th, our Messiah Ministries' monthly gathering for prayer, praise, and healing worship with the family of God as one, from many different churches and traditions under the name of Jesus. Come drink deeply from the Living Waters, to be refreshed and renewed in the Presence of God, as we worship Him and welcome Him to heal us and free us in spirit, soul, and body. We meet monthly in the Chapel at Centenary UMC, 2800 Tates Creek Rd, Lexington, Kentucky at 7 PM. We have various worship leaders from our area lead us in worship each month. This month, Lisa Baker will be leading in worship and I will be leading in prayer. We will be blessing the Marriage of Linda Dulin and David Moore, married last Sunday. Linda is our Pastor of Prayer Ministries at Messiah Ministries. We will also be blessing Gene and Lisa Baker on thier journey to the next season of life and ministry in Colorado. All are welcome!
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