Fr. Nigel Update 11:23 AM

Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 11:23AM
From: Elizabeth Strickland
Subject: Update on Fr. Nigel Mumford

Saturday 11/14/09

Fr. Nigel continues on the critical list but he is stable and improving — Thank you Lord! Although he is still on the ventilator, he is much more awake and recognizes his family and the different nurses and doctors. Even though he cannot talk, he has shown his sense of humor by making some very funny faces in response to questions. Although it is frustrating for him because he isn’t able to communicate (he is such a huge communicator) he is able to express a lot through his facial expressions. He is beginning to move his fingers, feet and shoulders so your prayers for the cleansing of his body of the sedation are working so well — please keep them coming. The difference of just one day is truly a result of your prayers and God’s everlasting presence.

All of his other vital signs are normal. His temperature went up briefly but went back to normal. All of his organs are functioning properly.

      Please pray for a rejuvenation of his lungs that they may heal and the ventilator can be removed.

      Please continue to pray for the washing of the sedation from his body.

      Praise be to our God who has healed Fr. Nigel and continues to heal him every day.

      Praise be to our God for Lynn’s continued strength — may He continue to give her His peace.

      Thanks be to God for all of you prayer warriors — from your lips to God’s ears!

Mohawk valley

Dear Jesus,
You are descended from the family of King David, birthed in the praise of the hosts of heaven. Upon You rests the mantle of wisdom and understanding, counsel and might, knowledge and the reverential and obedient fear of the Lord.
Stand over the Mohawk valley. Our understanding is dim, but we claim the promise that God’s word shall not return to Him empty. God’s word in the Mohawk valley shall accomplish what He desires and achieve the purpose for which He sent it. Jesus, smite the oppressor over the Mohawk valley with the rod of Your mouth and slay the wicked with the breath of Your lips.
Jesus, You are clothed in righteousness and faithfulness. Lift up Your hand to recover Your children in the Mohawk valley. Gather the poor, the meek, the downtrodden, and the outcast into Your arms. Bring them into the Church, the body of Christ.
Recover Your children! Recover Your children! Recover Your children!
At Your birth, the angels sang,

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”

Let Your favor rest upon the Mohawk valley this day. Let Your favor rest upon Nigel this day.
Recovery come to Nigel! Recovery come to Nigel! Recovery come to Nigel! Amen.
Isaiah 11, 55:11, Luke 2:14

Joel 3:14-17

Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision. (Joel 3:14)
      Jesus, please bring all those who are sitting on the fence to a decision for you.

The sun and moon will grow dark, and the stars will diminish their brightness. (Joel 3:15)
      Jesus, so much that seemed bright and hopeful in your church has a diminished splendor. Help us by your Holy Spirit to keep our eyes fixed on you where true joy and light may be found.

The Lord also will roar from Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; The heavens and earth will shake; but the Lord will be a shelter for his people, and the strength of the children of Israel. (Joel 3:16)
      Father, speak to your people; help us hear your voice. Shelter your people and restore their strength.

“So you shall know that I am the Lord your God, dwelling in Zion my holy mountain. Then Jerusalem shall be holy, and no aliens shall ever pass through her again.” (Joel 3:17)
      Holy Spirit, restore holiness to the Episcopal Church. Cleanse and purify it: it is filled with many who do not know Jesus and are alien to the Gospel. Have mercy on us. Thank you.

Saturday: 87, 90; 1 Maccabees 2:1-28 or Joel 3:9-17; Revelation 20:1-6; Matthew 16:21-28
Sunday: 66, 67; 1 Maccabees 2:29-43, 49-50 or Habakkuk 1:1-4(5-11)12-2:1; Acts 28:14b-23; Luke 16:1-13

      Notes from the Front Line

Pray for this Gospel initiative (from the Diocese of South Carolina web site):
      Seven Episcopal Dioceses Meet to Begin Missional Relationships
      Clergy and lay representatives from seven dioceses in The Episcopal Church, as well as six bishops with Episcopal jurisdiction, met in Charleston, S.C. on November 3-4, 2009 to consider ways they might assist each other in more effectively reaching their communities and the world for Christ. More specifically, in keeping with General Convention resolution B030, which encouraged domestic Dioceses within The Episcopal Church to enter into missional relationship, this meeting encouraged the dioceses to consider what resources they can share with each other and work more closely to further the Gospel mission. Evangelizing and reaching the unchurched; catechizing and discipling the converted; assisting members in generational faithfulness; renewing, strengthening and growing existing parishes; and planting new congregations to reach their communities with the Gospel were the areas of greatest interest.
      To this end, through the work of some of the Communion Partner bishops and rectors, along with others, these Dioceses in Missional Relationships will begin by hosting two initiatives for the purpose of encouraging and equipping missionally focused dioceses, congregations and individuals through:
      1. Establishing a website for sharing resources and networking for ministry and mission. It is their intention to have this ministry-networking initiative functioning in an initial stage during Epiphany 2010; and,
      2. Sponsoring a large venue three day event in Dallas, September 23-25, 2010. This event will be for the purpose of encouraging, empowering, emboldening and equipping missionally focused individuals, congregations and dioceses, as well as providing resources to assist each other to be more effective in reaching their communities for Christ and his Church.
      Dioceses presently involved in this Gospel initiative are Albany, Central Florida, Dallas, North Dakota, South Carolina, Springfield, and Western Louisiana.
Pictured in photo, from left to right, are: The Rt. Rev. James Stanton (Dallas), the Rt. Rev. John Howe (Central Florida), the Rt. Rev. Bruce MacPherson (Western Louisiana), the Rt. Rev. William Love (Albany), the Rt. Rev. Mark Lawrence (South Carolina), and the Rt. Rev. Peter Beckwith (Springfield).

Albany Intercessor

Fr. Nigel Update 11:06 AMFr. Nigel Update 11:06 AM

Fr. Nigel Update 11:06 AM
Friday 11/13/09
Fr. Nigel Mumford continues in critical but stable condition. He continues to be on a ventilator and his oxygen levels are stable. As he is moved around by the nurses, oxygen is used so his numbers go up and down in relation to that, but generally his numbers are stable.
He is awake and responding to questions with a slight nod, although the sedative is still lingering in his system. He is aware that Lynn is there and he even smiles at her. As the sedative works its way out of his body he will be able to concentrate more and begin to move. So prayer for the sedative to be flushed out of his muscles and tissues would be great.
He had a slight fever yesterday, which is not uncommon for pneumonia, but for two previous days his fever had been normal. The rest of his vital signs are good.
So let’s pray for:
His lungs to be healed expeditiously by the Breath of our Lord so that he can be removed from the ventilator
The sedative be rinsed from his body by the Living Water of our Lord
We praise you Lord that Fr. Nigel’s vital signs are all stable and that his organs are all working through Your healing touch
We praise and thank you Lord for all your prayer warriors who continue to pray for Fr. Nigel and all your children who need healing
Please keep Lynn in your prayers for strength and stamina for the long road ahead.
Blessings to you all.
Elizabeth Strickland

Matthew 16:13-20

When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” (Matthew 16:13)
      Jesus, please help your people in the Episcopal Church give a true answer to your question.

So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” (Matthew 16:14)
      Jesus, there are so many conflicting answers being heard in your church today. Restore to your people a true knowledge of you.

He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:15)
      Jesus, you are the Christ, the son of the living God. You are my friend and my redeemer.

Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the son of the living God.” (Matthew 16:16)
      Holy Spirit, please help all of us not only know who Jesus is, but also know him personally.

Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 16:17)
      Father, please reveal Jesus to all of us in this diocese and the Episcopal Church.

“And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:18 )
      Holy Spirit, we pray the church today will be built on the rock of apostolic knowledge and teaching with Jesus as the head cornerstone.

“And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” (Matthew 16:19)
      Jesus, you are holy and true and you have the key of David; you open and no one can shut and you shut and no one can open. (Revelation 3:7) Open the floodgates of heaven to us. Thank you.

Then he commanded his disciples that they should tell no one that he was Jesus the Christ. (Matthew 16:20)
      Jesus, please help us know when it is time to speak and time to remain silent. When it is time to speak, guide our speaking by your Holy Spirit. Thank you.

Friday: 88; 1 Maccabees 1:41-63 or Joel 2:28-3:8; Revelation 19:11-16; Matthew 16:13-20
Saturday: 87, 90; 1 Maccabees 2:1-28 or Joel 3:9-17; Revelation 20:1-6; Matthew 16:21-28

Albany Intercessor

Fr. Nigel Update 8:38 AM

Fr. Nigel Update 8:38 AM

Thursday 11/12/09
Fr. Nigel continues to make progress in amounts equal to a “mustard seed”. He is awake off and on and recognizes Lynn and is able to nod when asked a question. Because the sedation is still in the muscles and tissues and organs of his body, he has limited movement of his body but is able to squeeze Lynn’s hand. The nurses are moving his arms and legs to stimulate his limbs and get the oxygen and blood moving. His vitals are all steady and his temperature is normal – Praise the Lord!!
Please continue to pray for:
Complete healing of his lungs so that the ventilator can be removed
Flushing out of the sedation from his body so that he can regain movement and clear-headedness
Strength for Fr. Nigel as he begins processing all that is happening around him
Peace and strength for Lynn as she tends to Fr. Nigel, and for all of the Mumford family

Thank you all so much for your ever present prayers. It is through God’s Grace as He listens to your prayers that Fr. Nigel is where he is today.

Elizabeth Strickland

Matthew 16:5-12

Now when his disciples had come to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread. Then Jesus said to them, “Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees.” (Matthew 16:5-6)
      Jesus, please help us hear and respond to what you are saying.

And they reasoned among themselves, saying, “It is because we have taken no bread.” (Matthew 16:7)
      Holy Spirit, please help us turn to you for guidance and understanding rather than relying solely on our human reasoning.

      Jesus, the church has gone off the rails by its reliance on human reasoning. Please draw us back to you and your reliance on the Holy Spirit for guidance.

But Jesus, being aware of it, said to them, “O you of little faith, why do you reason among yourselves because you have brought no bread? Do you not yet understand, or remember the five loaves of the five thousand and how many baskets you took up? Nor the seven loaves of the four thousand and how many large baskets you took up? How is it you do not understand that I did not speak to you concerning bread?–but to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” (Matthew 16:8-11)
      Father, help us daily ask and thank you and bless you for our daily bread and provision. Father, help us look to you to provide for us.

Then they understood that he did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees. (Matthew 16:12)
      Jesus, help us to beware of rigid teaching of the law which cares nothing for the people it is being applied to, and help us beware of those who use church office as a place to exercise power over others. Thank you for the ministry of Bishop Bill and the leadership of this diocese.

Thursday: [83] or 23, 27; 1 Maccabees 1:1-28 or Joel 2:21-27; Revelation 19:1-10; Matthew 16:1-12
Friday: 88; 1 Maccabees 1:41-63 or Joel 2:28-3:8; Revelation 19:11-16; Matthew 16:13-20

Albany Intercessor

Pillars for the temple of Solomon

1 Kings 7:21 (Amplified Bible)
Hiram set up the pillars of the porch of the temple; he set up the right pillar and called its name Jachin [he will establish], and he set up the left pillar and called its name Boaz [in strength].

1 Corinthians 6:19 (Amplified Bible)
Do you not know that your body is the temple (the very sanctuary) of the Holy Spirit Who lives within you, Whom you have received [as a Gift] from God? You are not your own.

Oh, Lord, establish me–spirit, soul, and body–in strength. Amen.

Update on Fr. Nigel, Wed, 11 Nov 2009 08:37 a.m.

Date: Wed, 11 Nov 2009 08:37 a.m.
From: Elizabeth Strickland
Subject: Update on Fr. Nigel
Wednesday 11/11/09
      One quick note: I reported earlier that Fr. Nigel had H1V1 virus — my typo error — it was the H1N1 (Swine flu) virus that he had when he arrived at the hospital.
      Fr. Nigel Mumford continues in critical condition but he also remains stable. He continues on the ventilator as his lungs continue to heal. The REALLY GOOD NEWS is that your prayers once again have been answered — his temperature is back to normal. Thank you Lord Jesus for your healing touch! He continues to recognize Lynn but as you can imagine, he is very tired and disoriented. He is no longer receiving sedation, but because he was on it for so long there are remnants of it in his muscles and tissues and all parts of his body. We need to pray the sedation medicine be cleared from his body so that he can start to regain some muscle movement.
Please pray for:
*      Healing of his lungs so that he may be removed from the ventilator
*      Clearing of his muscles and tissues and organs and all areas of his body from the sedation medication
*      Peace and rest for Fr. Nigel as he slowly regains awareness of his surroundings
*      Rest for Lynn and the entire Mumford family
      Thank you Lord for listening to the crying out of your people and for the healing that is taking place.

Albany Intercessor

Veterans Day

A prayer by the Concord Pastor, and another on Irenic Thoughts.

Matthew 15:32-37

Now Jesus called his disciples to himself and said, “I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now continued with me three days and have nothing to eat. And I do not want to send them away hungry, lest they faint on the way.” (Matthew 15:32)
      Jesus, thank you for your compassion for us. Lord, give us hearts of compassion for the lost, the weary, and the poor–for all those in need.

Then his disciples said to him, “Where could we get enough bread in the wilderness to fill such a great multitude?” (Matthew 15:33)
      Father, help us learn from the book of Exodus your unyielding faithfulness to provide for your people in the wilderness. Thank you for being a father to us and for giving us a spirit of adoption.

Jesus said to them, “How many loaves do you have?” And they said, “Seven, and a few little fish.” So he commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground. And he took the seven loaves and the fish and gave thanks, broke them and gave them to his disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitude. So they all ate and were filled, and they took up seven large baskets full of the fragments that were left. (Matthew 15:34-37)
      Jesus, please gather up the fragments of our lives so that nothing is lost.

      Holy Spirit, please move in all those broken places in our lives and help us experience Jesus in them and find his healing and provision. Please move in the broken places of Fr. Nigel and Lynn’s lives. Thank you.

Wednesday: 119:97-120; Nehemiah 7:73b-8:3,5-18; Revelation 18:21-24; Matthew 15:29-39
Thursday: [83] or 23,27; 1 Maccabees 1:1-28 or Joel 2:21-27; Revelation 19:1-10; Matthew 16:1-12

Albany Intercessor

Fr. Nigel Update 7:48 AM

Fr. Nigel Update 7:48 AM

Tuesday 11/10/09
Your prayers are reaching our Lord’s ears and He is blessing Fr. Nigel and Lynn. Thank you Lord God and we praise you! Although Fr. Nigel continues to be in critical condition, he is stable and is improving ever so slightly. Although he is still immobile, he is now making eye contact with Lynn and reacting with expression to her soft words. He continues to be on the ventilator but his oxygen numbers are steady while his lungs continue to heal. All of his vital signs are stable. This is truly wonderful news and an answer to all of your prayers.
Please continue to pray for healing of his lungs, protection for all of his organs, a clearing of all the sedation from his muscles and tissues, and an elimination of his fever and healing of whatever is causing it. Please also keep Lynn and all the Mumford family in your prayers.
Praise be to God, and thank you for your continuous prayers.

Beth Strickland

Psalm 78

For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children; (Psalm 78:5)
      Holy Spirit, please establish your testimony in our hearts.

That the generation to come might know them, the children who would be born, that they may arise and declare them to their children, (Psalm 78:6)
      Father, please help us to be faithful in teaching your ways and your word to our children and grandchildren.

That they may set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments; (Psalm 78:7)
      Jesus, we bless you for the work you are doing in our children’s lives.

And may not be like their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation that did not set its heart aright, and whose spirit was not faithful to God. (Psalm 78:8 )
      Father, we have been a stubborn and rebellious generation; please set our hearts aright, and give us your Holy Spirit to empower us to be faithful to you. Thank you.

Marvelous things he did in the sight of their fathers, in the land of Egypt, in the field of Zoan. He divided the sea and caused them to pass through; and he made the waters stand up like a heap. In the daytime also he led them with the cloud, and all the night with a light of fire. He split the rocks in the wilderness, and gave them drink in abundance like the depths. He also brought streams out of the rock, and caused waters to run down like rivers. (Psalm 78:12-16)
      Jesus, we bless your ministry to Fr. Nigel and Lynn and to all those who minister to them of your healing arts. We thank you and bless you for what you are doing in their lives.

Tuesday: 78:1-39; Nehemiah 9:26-38; Revelation 18:9-20; Matthew 15:21-28
Wednesday: 119:97-120; Nehemiah 7:73b-8:3,5-18; Revelation 18:21-24; Matthew 15:29-39

Albany Intercessor

Reflection on Nigel

The reports of the incremental improvements of Nigel’s condition remind me of the dawning of a new day. One of the lessons to come from this experience is the value of perseverance.
JW

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight . . . . Philippians 1:9

And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. Romans 5:2b-4

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. Ephesians 6:18

Bright Morning Star

Jesus, we walk in a dark valley. Yet, we fear no evil for You are with us. Even when we can’t discern where You are, we know You are there. We claim the promise, Blessed are all who take refuge in You. You are the Good Shepherd.
You manifest the love that Your righteous Father has for You. May that love be in us. Help us in the Episcopal Church to hold onto Your love, to overcome by Your love, and to do Your will to the end. Help us to be obedient. Shine in our hearts, Bright Morning Star. Amen.
Psalm 2:12, 23:4, John 17:20-26, Revelation 2:24-28