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Daily Program

Time is Terribly Short

Series: Death Is Not Dying (with Rachel Barkey)

Monday, June 15 2009

Leslie Basham: Rachel Barkey has been given a unique perspective on suffering and God’s goodness.

Rachel Barkey: The worst moments of each day are the ones right when I wake up, the moments when I’m just coming out of a deep sleep, and I’m becoming aware of what time it is, what day it is, and then I remember that I’m dying.

My frustration and anger are normal. They are even right—some would say. But at their root, they are unbelief. They are my sinful heart saying, “I don’t believe that this is the right thing for me, God. You must not know what You are doing, or if You do, You are not good.”

Leslie: This is Revive Our Hearts with Nancy Leigh DeMoss for Monday, June 15.

Nancy Leigh DeMoss: Just a little more than three months ago now, Rachel Barkey addressed a group of several hundred women at an event sponsored by her church in British Columbia. Rachel doesn’t consider herself a public speaker. Actually, she has a fear of getting up in front of crowds, but on that day this past March, this young wife and mom had a lot to say about the gift of life and the reality of death.

I was so touched when I heard this powerful message that we decided to rearrange our broadcast schedule so that you could hear it as well.

I want to encourage you, if at all possible, to take a break from whatever you’re doing right now so that you can just listen to this testimony. I promise it will be well worth your time, challenging you to consider what really matters.

Here’s Rachel Barkey:

Rachel: Although there are many, many friendly faces among you, most of you don’t know me, but I would gather that most of you know that I am dying.

Six weeks ago I was given the news that my liver and bones are full of cancer. Just this past week I found out that it’s spread to my skull, and today even I went for an MRI to see if it’s gone to my brain. Estimates vary, but barring a miracle, it is likely that I will not be here in six to eighteen weeks, or 42 to 126 days. It sounds like a long time when you’re waiting for Christmas or something that’s on back-order, but when it’s the time that you have left to cuddle with your kids or spend with your husband, it’s terribly, terribly short.

Cancer’s been a big part of my life for several years now.

I was diagnosed with breast cancer nearly five years ago. Quinn, our son, was just two years old, and Kate, our daughter, was only seven months. I was just weaning her when I found the lump. I always wondered how you’d know when you found a lump, but when I found it, I knew.

Because of my age, I was 32, things moved quite quickly. I had a partial mastectomy within two weeks and then began six rounds of nasty chemo. Right after finishing chemo, I had more surgery, this time a bilateral mastectomy—removal of both breasts—and reconstruction. A few months later, I discovered that my cancer was genetic, and so I opted to have my ovaries removed in an effort to prevent the cancer from returning or new cancers from developing.

I have taken medication every day for the past four years to reduce my chances of occurrence.

In short, I did everything I could, and more than even my doctors recommended, to avoid the situation I find myself in today, but for some reason, what bothered me was the fact that all of a sudden people were defining me by my cancer. I was a cancer survivor—and I am. Well, I was. But cancer does not define me. Neither does being a wife or a mother.

All of these things are a part of who I am, but they do not define me. What defines me is my relationship with Jesus, and that is why I am here tonight, to tell you why Jesus defines me, to tell you what I have learned about what is really important in life, and to share the four things, the four principles that have helped shape me into who I am today and give me hope.

I have shed many tears over the past week as I grieve the reality of my death, and I will no doubt shed many more. But in the midst of my sadness, there is a deep and abiding peace and hope, a peace and hope that I would like for you to have, too.

So here’s the things I have learned, the important truths I want my kids to know:

  1. Know God.
  2. Know yourself.
  3. Know the gospel.
  4. Know your purpose.

In Romans 12, verse 2, it says:

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect [which is to say we are changed by what we know]."

Before we go any further, I want to establish something as a starting point. I am going to quote from the Bible, and I am doing that because I believe it to be the very words of God for you and for me because, as charming as I’d like to think I am, what I say means very little, but what God says means everything. So here we go:

The first thing I’ve learned: Know God.

Now, I don’t even like to admit this, but I am a bit of a celebrity hound. I have to admit. When Neal and I were first married, we lived downtown Vancouver, and many evenings we would go for walks on Robson Street. Of course, of all the places in Vancouver where one is likely to see celebrities, it’s Robson Street. Neal likes to tease me because I often think I see someone famous only to find out it’s not.

Case in point: There was this one man that I would see often, and he was the spitting image of Tom Selleck. Remember him—Magnum, P.I.? Anyway, this guy looked exactly like him. He was tall like Tom Selleck. He had the thick mustache like Tom Selleck. One day we—me and Tom—were standing in the lineup at London Drugs, and I got a really good look at him. I still thought it might be him, and then I heard him speak—and it wasn’t him.

We often do this with people, don’t we? I think I kind of know Stephen Harper. I have friends who work for him. I have friends who are friends with his wife. I read what other people have said and written about him, and I make assumptions about him about what I think he is like—mostly based on my political leanings. Your opinion of him may be completely different than mine, especially if our political preferences differ. But in either case, it may or may not be who he really is because the reality is, neither of us know him personally.

On the other hand, I know my husband Neal. I know what is important to him. I know what he likes and doesn’t like. I know his character. I know his strengths, which are many, and I know his weaknesses, which are few. I know him because I want to know him. I spend time with him. I observe him. I ask him questions.

There is a natural tendency within us to try and make God who we think He is or who we think He ought to be. If all is well in our world, our view of God is unchallenged. He is good. He is loving. He is fair. But when things start to go awry, that is when our true view of God is revealed.

We think God is not good or that He is unjust, or that He is not in control because hurricanes destroy whole cities. Children are mistreated and abused. Wars break out and innocent people are killed, or women get cancer and die, leaving their children without a mother and their husbands heartbroken. We try to fit God into who we want Him to be rather than seeking Him for who He really is.

As someone said to me recently, “Rachel, I don’t believe in your God. I don’t believe in a God who would let this happen.” The problem is, there is only one God, and we can’t make Him who we want Him to be. He is who He is.

In His book, Made in His Image, Steve Lawson agrees saying,

Whenever we lose a right view of God, everything else gets out of perspective. Essentially, our view of God will inform our view of everything else. It will be the lens through which we perceive reality, and it will shape our thoughts, worldview, attitudes, and perceptions.

God has revealed Himself to us so that we can know Him, and He has done this in two ways: He has revealed Himself through nature. Psalm 19 says,

The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims His handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. There is no speech, nor other words, whose voice is not heard. . . . [Their voice] goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world (Psalm 19:1-4). 

All of nature speaks to the amazing character of God.

I always laugh when I read news articles or when new animal species are discovered or some major scientific breakthrough shows again how complex and amazing our world is. We think we know it all when in actuality we know very little.

Just as art is a reflection of the artist, nature is a reflection of its creator. So God has revealed Himself in nature.

He has also revealed Himself through Jesus. The book of John begins like this, speaking about Jesus:

In the beginning was the Word [Jesus], and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him was not anything made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men (John 1:1-4).

And in Hebrews 1,

In these last days [God] has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed the heir of all things, through whom also He created the world. He [Jesus] is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of His nature (verses 2-3).

That is Jesus. Jesus is God.

When we learn about Jesus, we are learning about who God is. The whole Bible points to Jesus and teaches us about who God is.

God, of course, has many characteristics, but the one I will mention here encompasses many others and describes Him and only Him. He is holy.

Charles Hodge, the Princeton theologian defines it by saying,

The holiness of God is not to be conceived of as one attribute among others. It is rather a general term representing the conception of God’s consummate perfection and total glory. It is His infinite moral perfection crowning His infinite intelligence and power.

This is to say that He is perfect, and because He is moral perfection, He is separate from us because none of us—no matter how much we volunteer, or how much we give at the office, or how much we sacrifice for our kids, or how much we convince ourselves that we are good by saying, “Well, I’m not a bad person because I’ve never killed anybody,” none of us can claim moral perfection much less infinite intelligence and power.

Which leads me to my second point: Know yourself.

Here is where I hope you’ll permit me a few minutes to rant. I intend for it to be a gracious rant, but it’s going to be a rant nonetheless.

Everyone has pet peeves, and mine are very well known to those near me. I’m very particular about smells, so people who drench themselves in perfume and cologne—not my favorite. So I’m particular about smells.

Other pet peeves: I really have to bite my tongue when I get poor customer service. When someone in the service industry is thoughtless, lazy, or just plain rude, everything in me wants to get in their face and say: “People, this is your job.”

But my current pet peeve, the one that makes me rant, is the lie of self-esteem. It is everywhere. Oprah is its champion, but what distresses me most is how prevalent it is in the church today.

The lie of self-esteem is this: If I believe that I am good enough, or that I am worthy enough, I will be happy.

  • In the secular world, it sounds like this: Believe in yourself. You deserve it. Learn to love yourself.
  • In the Christian world, it sounds like this: If you just believe that you are loved by God, you will be happy. Or, accept yourself because God has already accepted you.

They all sound pretty good, actually. Nothing wrong with that—right? But there is. Do you hear it? Me, me, me. The lie of self-esteem is that I need to do something. I need to believe something, or I need to accept something in order to be happy or complete.

Several people have asked me lately: “Why would God take you away from your family when a murderer or a rapist gets to live a long life?”

The implicit assumption there is that I am a good person, and I deserve better. But I am not a good person, and I do not deserve better. Bear with me as I explain.

I have done wrong things—we all have. True, I have not murdered anyone, but I have done things that are wrong. In Romans 3:23, it says, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

I know that if I did not get praised or avoid punishment for doing good things, I would choose to spend all of my money on me. I would make decisions about how to spend all my time and activities around what was best for me. Isaiah 53:6 confirms this: “All we like sheep have gone astray. We have turned everyone to his [or her] own way.”

The sad thing is culture tells us that this is a good thing. “You can do whatever you want if it makes you happy.” And sometimes, but not always, we throw in the caveat, “and doesn’t hurt anybody else.”

Left to our own devices, our sinful nature cannot help but express itself. Sure, we try to do the right things, but doing things on the outside does not change the inside. Our hearts are still the same. Be honest with yourself. Our natural tendency is not to do good things.

I’ll use my kids as an example. Since last fall I have thought that I really need to be a nicer mother. Now most of you who even know me fairly well would say, “You’re always so nice to your kids.” Not true. Just ask them. I have found that I say, “No,” an awful lot, and when I took an honest look at myself, I realized I was saying, “No,” because it was inconvenient to me.

  • I don’t want them to jump on the bed because that means I will have to tidy it again.
  • I don’t want to give them a snack because that means I have to get up from checking my email to get it for them.
  • I don’t want to do that craft right now because it will be another mess for me to clean up.

Hear it? Me, me, me. And now when I know that the days I have with them are few, I find myself saying, “Yes,” a lot more.

It is a subtle difference, but it is one I encourage you to listen for because the focus of life is too often ourselves when it should be God, and this is the essence of sin.

I am already unable to be out of bed for more than a few hours a day. This evening has required a full day in bed, which was disrupted by the fact that I had to go and have an MRI, and a lot of drugs to make it possible for me to stand here right now, and that frustrates me.

The other day Kate asked me to pick her up. She’s five. This doesn’t happen very often by the sheer fact that she’s just too big. But there she was, standing in front of me with her arms outstretched, asking, “Mommy, will you pick me up, please?” I thought, hoped, rather, that she was asking for something else, something I could do, because I couldn’t pick her up. I had to tell her so because if I do, the bones in my back, which are riddled with cancer, are so weak that they will collapse onto my spinal chord. I understandably got frustrated and angry. I reel against the fact that I can’t do what I want to do.

The worst moments of each day are the ones right when I wake up, the moments when I’m just coming out of a deep sleep, and I’m becoming aware of what time it is, what day it is, and then I remember that I’m dying.

My frustration and anger are normal. They are even right—some would say. But at their root, they are unbelief. They are my sinful heart saying, “I don’t believe that this is the right thing for me, God. You must not know what You are doing, or if You do, You are not good, or You are not in control, or You are just being unfair because I don’t want this, and You are not giving me what I want.”

That is what my heart naturally says, and what yours does, too, when faced with circumstances we don’t like—when someone at work is making things difficult, when someone in our family doesn’t do what we would like them to do, when accidents, natural disasters, or disease happen. But God is good. He is in control. And He is fair. When I try to make Him into a God who serves me, I sin. Our natural bent is to sin, and it is our greatest problem.

Nancy: Rachel Barkey has been giving us a biblical perspective on God’s goodness and our sinful nature. Tomorrow we hear the rest of Rachel’s story and how she has found hope for the problem she was just describing.

You see, Rachel realizes that her greatest problem isn’t her cancer—it’s sin, a problem that plagues every one of us.

If you’ve never dealt with that deepest problem, don’t let today go by without making it right. After leading a sinless life, Jesus died to deal with that problem once and for all. He took the punishment for your sin and mine, and He offers us His forgiveness. If you’ve never asked Him to forgive your sin and make you right with God, would you do that today?

Oh, Lord, I believe that You have been speaking to the hearts of many of our listeners today, some who don’t know where they will be when they stand before You after death, where they will spend eternity, some who’ve never dealt with that sin issue through repentance and placing their faith in Jesus Christ.

I pray that today would be the day of salvation, that many would turn to You and say, “Oh, Lord, I cannot save myself, but I know that You can.” And that You would give to them eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord, in whose name we pray. Amen.

When you go to our website, you’ll find a link to Rachel Barkey’s website where you can get updates on her condition, and you can also watch this complete message on video. Again, that web address is ReviveOurHearts.com.

We’ll hear day two of this message from Rachel tomorrow, and I know you will be challenged and inspired as she shares how she is trusting God to finish well.

Join us tomorrow for Revive Our Hearts.

Revive Our Hearts with Nancy Leigh DeMoss is an outreach of Life Action Ministries.

All Scripture is taken from the English Standard Version.

 

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*The following comments do not necessarily reflect the views of Revive Our Hearts. We reserve the right to remove comments which might be unhelpful, unsuitable, or inappropriate.

 

"Thank you Nancy and Rachel I was actually on on the website to get back to you about the 30 day pray for your husband program when I stumbled into Rachel's story. It is very true we are too seasonal and too human with God. Clearly like he says in the bible my ways are not your ways and let alone not even at our best do we think like God.

Stunned by what you have said Rachel and wha tyou are going through I shut my eyes and said Lord do what you must do.
I am thinking of call an optomertrist because I discovered a pimple in my right eyelid.
and even being the every Sunday church attending staunched believer that I am , I was stressing the whole morning and now I feel I should relax.
May God bless you as you fulfill your purpose by telling the world about his goodness and greatness"

Leah (on Monday, June 15, 2009 at 7:06 AM)

"W.O.W.

What an exquisite testimony. I'm in awe and I cannot wait to hear tomorrow's program.

Rachel, you are an inspiration and a blessing. God be with you, Dear Sister."

Mrs. (on Monday, June 15, 2009 at 9:06 AM)

"I feel so blessed to have been able to hear Rachel's story today. Many times in life, we are so busy and caught up in our own selfish worlds-our wants and desires that we feel we need or deserve; but in reality, God is our all in all-everything we need. This message is a wonderful and very accurate reminder that what we should want is God's best for our lives, not the best that we or others think is best for us. Only real joy and purpose for living is found in a relationship with Jesus Christ.

In truth, we are all dying according to God's perfect timetable. He knows where we should live, how we should live and as Rachel reminds us, how long we should live. It's funny how human perspective makes us think we deserve to live to be 100 years old, when in reality-there is a heaven and a hell, and we will either live with or without God billions of years from now. So you see, we will all continue to "be" after death, our time does not end with an earthly death and if we choose to allow Jesus to be our Lord, then we will have the awesome privilege of living with and praising Him forever in Heaven."

Cristina (on Monday, June 15, 2009 at 9:19 AM)

"Thank you very much for this awesome testimony. This is going to help me when I say no to my grandsons often. It is not about me. God is truly in control. My prayers to you and your family.rnrnGod Bless"

Charlene (on Monday, June 15, 2009 at 10:29 AM)

"Speechless, humbled and deeply touched. Rachel has spoken truth to my inner most being. Recovering from a week of vacation, privileged beyond words by my Lord and still so self-focused. I admit that my fears of 'what if" overshadow my faith in God's plans for me.
Rachel you have spoken more life into me and so many others...your purpose is being fulfilled and you are glorifying our Lord as no other could! I am rich for your sacrificial giving and the truth of your words and our Lord's goodness. Your truth is my truth...we are all dying, you have been asked to do it more obviously before those you love...you are doing living and dying in a way that magnifies our Lord's own words. I love you for being so honest and raw about this calling we each must go through. May God bless your dear family...bless you!
donna"

Donna (on Monday, June 15, 2009 at 11:12 AM)

"There really aren't words to say how much I appreciate Rachel's total transparency. Rachel, your testimony meant so much to me. You have given me the perspective that I have forgotten lately. Thank you, Rachel. Your words have blessed me more than you even know."

Tiffany (on Monday, June 15, 2009 at 11:27 AM)

"Humbled beyond measure........I can hardly wait for tomorrow's program. I must have the DVD to share with the girls in my Bible Study.
Thank you Nancy for sharing this wonderful servant of God's testimony. You have taught me more in this thirty minutes about my walk with our Lord than I have had lately. My prayers are with you Rachel, your husband and most especially you children. I look forward to meeting you in eternity.
Blessings,
Georgia"

Georgia (on Monday, June 15, 2009 at 11:30 AM)

"Thank you for your willingness to allow Christ to give you the Strength to stand today and deliver this message! I was blessed by it and am grateful God has used you to touch and revive so many hearts. From this moment on, I am going to say YES more than I say no. May God continue to richly bless you as He uses you for his plans and purpose! My heart was revived so God's plan and purpose must have been fulfilled."

Debra (on Monday, June 15, 2009 at 11:33 AM)

"Thank you so much for airing Rachel's testimony. I was very moved because I also lived with a fatal chronic disease when I was in my twenties. I know what it is to know that you will not be there to raise your children. I don't know why and I know that I did not deserve it, but God chose to heal me after two years of fighting the disease. It was a true miracle and an amazement to my doctors and family. I know that God is good in what ever way He chooses to heal His children, here on earth or in heaven. My heart goes out to Rachel and I will be praying for her and for her family."

Linda (on Monday, June 15, 2009 at 11:50 AM)

"I was driving in my car with my kids when I came across the beginning of Rachel's testimony. As I was listening, my eyes started to tear up. I pulled over to be able to listen more. My kids were quiet, and listening also, which rearly happens. I was very touched by what Rachel had to say when we always say "no". I find myself doing that all the time. Her testimony touched my life today, to be a better mommy and wife. God has used you and is still using you to be a testimony to those who come in contact with you. Thank you for sharing your life with us."

Joy (on Monday, June 15, 2009 at 11:53 AM)

"Thank God for His lovingkindness, mercy, and grace and thank you for your testimony which has come to us with urgency in this season of life. My sister in law was recently diagnosed with cancer. She will be going through many drastic changes that will disrupt her life. She is devastated by the news of this illness and it will be difficult for her and her family to deal with it. My heart goes out to encourage her and her family as she faces this season with God's help.. Thank you again for continuing to encourage us with your words and for giving God the glory in all things. May God's love bring you comfort and cover you with His amazing grace."

Gift (on Monday, June 15, 2009 at 11:55 AM)

"As many already said it, I am also so HUMBLED by Rachel's testimony and clear understanding of WHO IS GOD and about His holiness...wow, thank you for choosing to share your thoughts in your last earthly days even in the middle of your emotional challenges! Our hearts are with you and your family ,Rachel in our prayers ....it is hard to say more words....I guess we all are speechless before your story!

Love in Christ,
Luminita"

Luminita (on Monday, June 15, 2009 at 12:49 PM)

"My prayers are with you Rachel, I hope others join me in praying for God's will in your life."

Evie (on Monday, June 15, 2009 at 1:00 PM)

"Rachel,
Finally as a mom at 46, I am in touch with my own mortality and your story brought tears to my eyes and cast a light on my fear that I will die before I see my daughter as an adult woman.

Your story has helped me acknowledge that this world is not enough, my time here is not enough, and my time with my daughter is not enough. But that's OK; it only guides me to God's time and His kingdom. I look forward to meeting you there and will accept God's timing for when that happens.

Thank you, so much, for sharing yourself with us. Your honesty brought me to tears."

Kimberlee (on Monday, June 15, 2009 at 1:18 PM)

"I reaIIy appreciated hearing RacheI's new testimony. It gave me a new outIook on my own struggIes in this Iife. My prayers go out to her for her courage and strength. Thank you so much for your testimony."

Jaynie (on Monday, June 15, 2009 at 1:33 PM)

"Rachel,
When I started hearing your testimony on ROH this morning, I almost started tearing up. I just finished a event at Elgin Community College called Relay 4 Life. It is in help trying to find a cure for all kinds of cancer. I was very moved by the story that I heard today on ROH. My prayers will be with you and your family and hope that the love of Jesus will be watching over your family in this time."

David (on Monday, June 15, 2009 at 2:15 PM)

"Thank your for your testimony Rachel, you are in my prayers."

Cathy (on Monday, June 15, 2009 at 2:18 PM)

"Dear Rachel,

I was gripped by your story this morning as I too have breast cancer, a recurrance after 3 years. Sometimes I just can't believe it, but most of the time, because of so many people praying I'm doing well physically, emotionally and spiritually. However, there are moments when I'm so sad and I can't believe God allowed this to return. Your testimony of your deep faith in Christ is beautiful and it inspires me to perservere and allow the Lord to work in me and whatever He wants to do, but I admit at times its very hard for me to say whatever your will is Lord. I printed out your story and will be reading it again-you are very dear and you are walking in my shoes-your faith inspires me to persevere and keep my eyes fixed on my precious Jesus-its when I look at the what ifs, the why's and the frustrations that I begin to sink down. "Lord please help us to turn our eyes upon Jesus and stay there"

In His care"

Debbie (on Monday, June 15, 2009 at 2:22 PM)

"Thank you, Rachel, for sharing your story. I am very touched by your determination, strength, honesty, love of GOD & others, and the courage to speak out about the real reason of our very existence. What a testament for us all to grow from! With tears rolling down my cheeks I can hardly wait to hear the rest of your story tomorrow.

May I ask you to seek out my daughter, Karla, when you arrive at heavens gate., Karla went through a very similar situation, and she went 'home' 2 yrs ago at age 41. I look forward to seeing her again, and to meeting you there at HIS feet also.

In HIS love & Hope!"

Kay (on Monday, June 15, 2009 at 2:22 PM)

"What a gift you are... thank you.
2 Cor 4 16-18:
"That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don't look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.""

Rachael (on Monday, June 15, 2009 at 2:42 PM)

"Rachel Dear, Your testimony and honest sharing is a beautiful blessing and offers the challenge to put aside the easy self pity patterns we sink into too easily. I am absolutely thrilled to hear you hold up Jesus and to say that God is holy and that He is good. Sometimes I struggle with truly believing in His goodness, in my heart, not just in my mind. My son has been coping with a mental illness for 20 years and my prayers for his relief have not been answered as I thought a loving God would do, but I know that He is good, in spite of miserable disappointments and pain. You have reaffirmed it with your very words.
God be with you and give you peace!"

Florence (on Monday, June 15, 2009 at 4:08 PM)

"Thank you Rachel for your story today. I have to go for a diagnostic mamiagram tomorrow since my first one show an abnormallity. You have encouraged me to keep trusting no mater what. May God bless you. In His Love."

Sherry (on Monday, June 15, 2009 at 6:28 PM)

"You are an inspiration to others through your testimony. Thank you for sharing your life with others. I am praying for you and your family."

Carla (on Monday, June 15, 2009 at 7:33 PM)

"Rachel - you have taught me what a cross-centered life is...Your testimony is a trophy of God's amazing grace... God must be so pleased as you declare His Sovereignty and goodness esp. in the midst of suffering; and therefore He is glorified!

I will pray for you Rachel and your family. May the blessing syou've brought will be returned to you a 100folds.

Hallelujah to the One Who is mighty to save!!!"

Jessica (on Monday, June 15, 2009 at 10:03 PM)

"I think you should wash all linens in"

Lours (on Monday, June 15, 2009 at 11:01 PM)

"What a blessing. I am so speechless as this testimony has touched me on so many levels. I thank God for you Rachel and the the work He has done in your life. This is not our home and we are just passing through. Oh how I wish that our roots did not run so deep, but than if they didn't the influence of God would not be so powerful.
Many blessing Rachel to you and your family. Your husband and children are blessed beyond measure to have you in their lives."

Elizabeth (on Monday, June 15, 2009 at 11:03 PM)

"I am very touched by your story. I feel you should try a few things that might help in healing. Use laundry detergent that is free of dyes, phosphates or bleaches. Fabric softener sheets should be free of dyes and perfumes. Shampoo your hair every other day with a pure castile soap. Also, this soap can be used for bathing."

Lours (on Monday, June 15, 2009 at 11:09 PM)

"I was so touched by your story today. I can relate to you in dealing w/your kids. God bless you and your family."

Cathy (on Tuesday, June 16, 2009 at 1:07 AM)

"Hi, I so love the teaching on this site. Every day I download the talk to my mp3 player and listen on the way to work. Thank you so much, Nancy, my walk with God has strengthened so much through all I learn from you!

Just one question - I live in the UK and your teaching used to be downloaded to the site a bit earlier than it is now. It's about 8am here and I leave for work just after. Is there any chance it could be done just 15 minutes or so earlier?

God bless C x"

Christine (on Tuesday, June 16, 2009 at 2:50 AM)

"Rachel Barkey...she is inspirational! I am encouraged by her strength, her love, and the fact that she knows the truth and holds it close to her through this most diffucult experience. You have truly touched my life and helped to put things into perspective. Thank you!!!"

Deana (on Wednesday, June 17, 2009 at 6:54 AM)

"Dear Rachel,
You are a blessing and inspiration for all those who suffered or still are strugle with a terminal disease, or even those that should know how a real Christian, that walk with Jesus, is supposed to do in such situation: "Keep you eyes upon Jesus".
God is using you to touch so many hearts!
Yes, it's possible to live Psalm 23.
Thank you!
Celita Polsgrove"

Celita (on Wednesday, June 17, 2009 at 8:55 AM)

"Thank you Rachel - Your story has been a wonderful blessing and shows your strength that God has given you, I am praying fou and you family. Your cousin Susan."

Susan (on Wednesday, June 17, 2009 at 9:53 AM)

"I really want to thank Nancy and Revive Our Hearts for airing Rachel's message. Otherwise I never would have heard it and would have missed out on this blessing. I want to pass it on to everyone I know. Especially those who are all too familiar with pain and suffering. Thanks again"

Cindy (on Wednesday, June 17, 2009 at 1:24 PM)

"Dear Rachel,
"Thank you for your open, touching testimony. How it blessed me. I will never forget it or you. I can't wait to meet you in heaven. I pray your last days will bless all around you, and let them know that it is not goodbye. God bless you and your family."

Debra (on Friday, June 19, 2009 at 3:15 PM)

"You articulated so many things that I know, but could never seem to express...this was, without question, a Spirit-led testimony; as God never wastes anything, I am certain that He will use this for His Glory, no matter the final outcome. You will be in my prayers, and I know that we shall speak at length in eternity.
May God continue to bless you and your family in this trying, but purposeful time."

Spg (on Sunday, June 21, 2009 at 5:36 PM)

"Dear Rachel,
I am reading your testimony a week after it aired. I am a 54 year old grandmother who was trying to find her quiet time this morning before two grandchildren got up and in the Lord's leading, looked up your article, remembering that I had heard about five minutes of it in the car last week and wanted to hear or read the rest of it. Thank you for sharing your story and reminding us of the truth of our God that should permeate our being hour after hour. I cried for you as a mom facing loss and just want to encourage you that God will take care of your family. My son's wife left him and his children and he has now lived with us for over a year. It was hard in the beginning, just having my youngest of three in college and enjoying the empty nest. After a struggle of such a changed schedule, the Lord worked in my heart to see my situation as a blessing. I can't be their mommy but I can show them the wonderful things about God and love them through His strength. I will pray for you and your family. Thanks for the encouragement, my sister in Christ!"

Sherry (on Monday, June 22, 2009 at 7:52 AM)

"This is the 2nd message I have send you, Rachel I believe that You are going to HEALED. The Lord has put it in my heart to pray for you, a whole day I weeped as I interessed for you. I went home and asked the Lord for a scripture for you and He gave me Luke where the man had been by the pool waiting to be healed for 38YEARS. Jesus asked him "DO you want to be healed?" Rachel I believe the word of God when it says that By His Strips He has Healed you and With Long Life He will satisfy you and show you His Salvation(Zoe Life-nothing missing and nothing broken). I am still praying for you and I believe that you will have a GREATER testimony to give. Bless You"

Dora (on Wednesday, June 24, 2009 at 11:12 AM)

"Dear Rachel, I can't hold back the tears and the lump in my throat, my heart feels like it's about to break. Why? Because all you have shared is a testimony to the truth, to the Word of God, our Lord Jesus Christ.
I would like to share 1 Corinthians 1:3-9 NIV with you, "Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus.
For in him you have been enriched in every way - in all your speaking and in all your knowledge - because our testimony about Christ was confirmed in you. Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed.
He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful."
When the Holy Spirit leads us to truth, we receive a "spiritual knowing" we feel it within ourselves; it's beyond human knowledge; it stretches through the "dimensions" of this world, and Christians, Believers' in Christ, know, and understand this, like you do, - have been given a "gift" , if I can use that word.
It is a relationship between you and God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit, given to you. Yes, there is much more, but space is limited here, and I feel you understand what I am saying to you. This is to you Rachel,
1 Corinthians 2:9-13 "No eye has seen,
no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him''
but God has revealed it to us by his Sprit.
The Sprit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man's spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.
We have not received the sprit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us.
This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words."
You are Blessed Rachel. You, and your family will be in my prayers.
"He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart." Psalm 91:4
"For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways;
they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone."
Psalm 91:11&12"

Barb (on Wednesday, June 24, 2009 at 5:24 PM)

"Rachel. Thank you for sharing the truth, for sharing your heart. I was on the phone to my mother this morning, who has lymphoma. It has come back after only a year after hardcore chemo. She's saved, but struggling so much with 'why, God?' Someone sent me the link and I sent it to her today without reading this first. I think it's exactly what she needs to hear today. As I sit here, bawling my eyes out, I thank you for your commitment to the Lord and the far-reaching ministry that your life, and I assume your death, will have. May the Lord be with you and your family."

Kari (on Tuesday, June 30, 2009 at 11:35 AM)

"I am blessed by this story and sad to, so many people get one thing wrong, God would never ever take anyone, that is a lie from the devil himself, God is light and in Him is no darkness at all, the advisary lucifer, stated in genisis was the angel of light, and he wanted to be like the most high, he got the boot and along with him went a third of the angels. according to genesis, remember there were three arch angels now there are two Gaberial the messanger and michael the worrier they were all incharge of a set amount of angels under them, everyone has free will, including the angels, lucifer choose to be a dark force and when he caused one of the biggest darkest days in history, he is at work in all the negative situations, he along with the angels that caused high treason, are now the dark spiritual forces at work who have a motive to steal, kill and destroy, and a method, to see to it that God gets the blame. well thats the truth death is from him, he wants to get people to stop believing and then fight about the truth rather then get its deliverance, so hes one more, jesus christ is the son of God, not God who is spirit, jesus christ was a man, who died for our sins was dead 3 full days and 3 full nights then God raised him from the dead, if jesus christ was God then who raised him from the dead, he can raise himself and if he was not raised we would all be in big trouble. but he was raised from the dead, the greatest thing we can do in this life no matter how short or long is to believe that God is health, healing, and until our very last breath on this earth it is never to late to tell others about the truth, and to believe it our selves, we who are born again will all be at the gathering and we will be as he is, no more sickness, sorrow or tears, that day will be like your next waking moment when the last breath is taken, we have no consiousness in the grave so the very next thought as you take your last breath, will be how did i get here so fast, and whats even more amazing is that you will be with those you love for all eternity because they will be there too. God promises, when we have our facts right, our beliveing lined up with the word of truth, then we have no fear and we have life to live and give. share it with all your heart. peace to you and your family, my mother in law was given 3 months and she lived for almost 4 years stage 4D ovarian cancer, what kept her going was her belief that God wanted her to live for as long as she could, when her suffering became to great she gave up this life sorrounded by her loved ones. my grandmother also, and my aunt and her daughter, cancer is so crappy but love and peace, giving and loving life added to all of there time here on this earth. the doctors were all wrong about how much time they each had left, so just for the fun of it out live what they say and keep speaking the word of god and beliving that your life will be extended. with love and believing. your sister in christ"

Bonnie (on Sunday, July 19, 2009 at 1:22 AM)

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