Ricks Thoughts

I work with a lady that goes to church with Rick and she always speaks of what a wonderful person he is. I have never met him and I can say that I believe every bit of it. And from what I have heard and read, I can tell that he has amazing family and friends. I have been praying for him and his family since I found out about him and he is on the prayer list at our families church.
My family and I send out our hearts and love to each and every one of you and we hope that the Lord will bring comfort to Rick in however he sees fit.

Candi,

I have thought about your blog from this morning all day long - about how you felt God looking down on you and in my daily reading of the Psalms, I came across verses that speak of God looking down from heaven on us, so I wanted to share them with you to confirm that. He is aware of everything that is taking place and Praise God!! he knows us so intimately and so personally that he knows what we need even before we realize it. Yes, he is always good and always faithful - "no good thing does he withhold!" Your faith, your strenth and your posts are inspirational and you have a beautiful way of worshipping our great and awesome God through your posts.

I hope that you are encouraged by God's words:

"For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him." 2 Chron 16:9

"God looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God." Psalm 53:2

"From heaven the Lord looks down and sees all mankind; from his dwelling place he watches all who live on earth - he who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do." Psalm 33:13-15

"Who is like the Lord our God, the One who sits enthroned on high, who stoops down to look on the heavens and the earth?" Psalm 113:5-6

"The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to thier cry." Psalm 34:15

What an awesome thing to think that the creator, sustainer of the universe is always watching over us and his ear is "bent" to hear the prayers of his children.

Praying for your precious brother and your whole family.

In His Love,
Michelle

I was driving today and wondering why this is all happening. Then I realized that is something we will never know, but the things that are coming out of this are mind blowing. To see so many people RUN into the arms of the Father is astonishing. I know that personally I have never prayed for something so much as the healing of Rick, and through that, I have found myself constantly wanting to spend time with God. Not only to pray for Rick, but to seek His will for my life. It has become to clear to me that we have no idea where life will lead us, but in the here and now, we need to live for God's ultimate glory and bring praises to HIS awesome name. Rick, as well as the rest of your family, are amazing example of what that means, and I thank you for constantly seeking the Lord in your lives. You have no idea what an impact you are making on thousands of peoples lives.

I love you all.
Leah

Dear Family,
I sit at this computer often, reading the updates and the comments. I listen to Rick sing and it brings tears to my eyes, and then I pray. I have been praying all along, as many have. My son just returned to Moscow, Russia where he is a missionary, and he took prayers for Rick with him. Also in Uganda, Africa where my grandaughter was. My third son is in Alaska and I know many prayers are being offered up there. Rick you are certainly loved all over the world. People who don't even know you have been brought to there knees at Jesus' feet. What Glory you have brought to the Master. Praise be his Name.. Martha

I can't imagine the feelings you are having, but I know God sees your pain. Suzanne, you have a lot of people in Auburn that love and care about you. We haven't all met Rick but we love him because you do. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. May God work in ways we can not imagine.

Like many others, listening to the song brings tears streaming down my face. What a true man of God Rick is. A son who has an incredible faith in our Lord, whatever the days may bring. I am both encouraged and heart broken at the same time. You are an amazing family with an amazing passion for our Father. Thank you for being a source of encouragement in my life.

rick im still praying and you are still fighting and i was asking everyone at school today who new you and who did not it seem like half of our school knew you man you are more popular than i am and everyone is praying and wishing you the best and I hope everything goes good tonite
Number 1 STUD

Candi, Your faithfulness and courage and your family's strength in God have done more to minister to me and countless others than you will ever know. Reading your updates, the beautiful way you look at life in the hands of our Saviour, and the wonderful comments have been life changing. I was in a restaurant in Gainesville (Ga) today and there was Rick's name on a whiteboard of prayer requests! It truly is a small world when you realize Who is in control.

I have seen such an outpouring of God through Rick and his life. God has truly used him to change many and we look forward to seeing Rick impact many through his life and music. WE miss him greatly at Mountain lake. He brings such a spirit of worship.

God honors those who honor HIM.HIS WAY is perfect.

Yes the lord is great and VERY powerful and the best thing is that he is the healer of the sick! Thats what God is doing with Rick!! Healing him and that makes me sooo happy to see God at work! You guys are in my thoughts and prayers!!Oh and how is Maggie?!?! I'm still praying for her too!!
God Bless
Sarah

Rick and Family,
Man, what a powerful and awesome song it just says everything.I had forgotten how powerful Rick's voice is,it makes me miss you guys even more.Billy,Elaine,Candi and Haley we are with you standing in the gap for great things to continue to happen.GOD BLESS that precious person sleeping in that hospital room saving his energy so when he walks out he can testify what GOD showed him. We love you all very much.
Jennifer

Candi, your brother has touched all of us...He would be amazed and humbled at what he has done and I hope he gets to see how he has changed all our lives...As a church body to come together and pray as consistently as we all have done this past month...I will continue my vigil as will everyone else...God has a plan, we just don't know what it is yet, but it will be revealed to Rick and God's Will will be done.

Oh Holy Father, hear our cry! As we live day to day, thanking you to be alive each day, the hearts of the Pearson family, Suzanne, and other loved ones bears on my soul. What a family in Christ! To see how much they glorify you each day Father is true love and faith. Father, if there is any family out there that models such strong faith in you Jesus, it is certainly this family. Hard times are real, but anything is possible with you. A true miracle is prayed for each day for Rick, and Holy Jesus i pray that that be your will. I thank you for letting Rick rest and be at peace throughout this whole situation. I pray your angels are surrounding his bed, and that he is smiling and singing praise to You father! The light that shines through Rick, even as he sleeps is so radiant! I continue to pray for Rick and loved ones, and that you will put them at peace in their hearts, and caress them in your loving arms as they place their complete trust in you, as we all are doing as well. Father God, i love you and give you my entire heart as we all pray for Rick daily! Let us shine for you Lord! Let your presence continue to be felt all around! I love you Lord, In Jesus Christ's name we all pray, Amen.

I just wanted all of you to know that while I am not at all gifted musically ,each day God has placed new songs in my heart. I don't even know when or where I have heard them all, but nonetheless, they are there and I feel the need to sing them all day long. I pray dozens of times throughout the day for Rick, like I have never prayed for anything in my life. I am so thankful for what your family has done to bring us all closer to one another and closer to our awesome God. I stay up late into the night reading all these entries and realizing God already has done such an amazing work on behalf of your beloved, and I believe with all my being that the biggest miracle is yet to be revealed. God bless you all.

Much love,
Stephanie

Candi,
Like I said to your mom, even though I have never met you I think of you so often. I pray one day I get the chance to meet you!

I am a "big sis" to my younger sister Alyson. My first year of college, she had a terrible illness much like what little Maggie is going through and the doctors thought she had leukemia. I rarely left her as she was in the hospital and there were many scary days as she went through test after test but Praise God, she didn't have leukemia after all. I have thought about that time in my life a lot lately because of you. If you love your brother as I love my sister, I have to think that this is an unbearable burden at times. I am so thankful that you and your family have such a strong faith in God. You know that even when things are scary or sad, He will never leave you and He is much bigger than anything we face here on earth.

As much as I pray for Rick, I pray for you too. Thank you for keeping us updated and sharing your heart with us. I pray you rest well tonight. I stand with you and I will keep praying!

In Him,
Pam

o my gosh rick, i fell so sorry for u right now. i feel like i have to do this! god is telling me too.right now iam talking to a friend who is trying to make fliers to sell for you to rasie money.tonight i will pray my heart out for you. tomarrow i am going to help my friend raise money for you!i hope you win!but you will any ways becuase god is watching over you and you will allways have a place in heaven! i know you are sleeping and you cant read this but if you get well you can read every thing that people have written to you! soon everybody will know how you are and how you are felling, know everyone in different churches knowabout you and your diagnoses, i think that is amazing cuz some people dont even know you and they are praying for youwrite now as i type!but god knows what to do and how he wants, and feels for you to be. i am tellingyou right now that everyone loves you and they are praying for you! i hope and pray you get better and you can come sing with us again at mountian lake church! please get better!
love allways,
anna paige prosser

I was just thinking about how God takes our broken hearts and all our torn and shattered pieces of our lives during a time like this and holds them in his calm and restful hands for a time. With our tears and broken pieces, He forms a ball of new clay and remolds us, never to be the same, but to be stronger, more faithful, richer in spirit and in love. It is evident that God is creating even richer spirits among you than you had before. It is overwhelming to imagine the lives that have been touched through your faith and love. Elaine, I love you, my dear friend, and I stand in awe of your dependence upon God to bring you through this very difficult and incomprehensible time. I pray for you and Rick, Billy, Haley, Candi, and Suzanne every day. God's amazing rest and peace I pray for you all.

Alison

Candi, I've heard you sing countless times at NPCC and have always been so inspired. Tonight, as I went to my first new community group meeting...I was told about your brother and the website. Now, here I sit, crying while reading...at how God is so good. I see him in every word you write, in every smile Rick has in his photos, in all the joy you and your family take in HIS presence.

God restored MY brother who had a brain tumor. I KNOW He will restore yours. Thank you for sharing this special times with us!!!

P.S. I've read the C.S. Lewis books a million times...and still do. They're my FAVORITES!!!

Abba, Father, we can call You that because we are Yours, related by blood, Christ's blood, shed because of Your love for us. Help us to trust in that Saving Love now as we seek Your face and listen for Your voice. Abba, hear our cries to You as we fall to our knees and then to our faces at the foot of Your Throne through Your Son, our Brother and Savior Jesus interceeding for Rick and his family. We pray that the our voices be a sweet sound to Your ears and we find favor in Your sight as You draw near to us in this time of uncertainty. Be glorified, Father as You bind Your people together in love and hope, drawing so many into the "family" through Your amazing work in and through our brother, Rick and his family. We ask rest and protection for the night, strength and mercy for the morning. We trust in You, Father may Your will be done. Amen

Dear Family,
It was so encouraging and refreshing to be able to pray with you all on Sunday night. It is amazing the "peace that passes all understanding" that He gives to His children in time of need. I was so thankful that my children were able to be a part of that night in prayer with all of you. They had so many questions on the drive home and Kevin and I had so many opportunities to teach them about God's grace and peace that comes to us. The boys both commented that they too wanted to pray for Rick but were overwhelmed by the crowd. What sweet prayers they prayed that night before bed lifting Rick up to the Lord and for all of you Thank you so much for continuing to "let your light shine". Your testimony will forever ring in the hearts of our boys. I know they have a clearer picture of the BiG God we serve. We love you!

sweet Candi...Rick is running the race with his eyes fixed on Jesus and no doubt he is running to win...may our God of all comfort, wrap His arms around you and draw you to His bosom and comfort your heart.

I just wanted to let Suzanne know that my roomates and I and my girlfriend Gail have spent time praying specifically for you and for God to give you the strength and courage to keep fighting. Suzanne you have taught me a lot about love as I hear the many stories about your faithfulness to Rick. Ya'lls relationship truly reflects 1 Corinthians 13 and encourages me to pursue this type of love in all of my relationships. We will continue to pray for you and Rick.

praying...trusting...praying....hoping...praying...believing! I can't tell you what an inspiration your family is to me and I second every one in saying that this has definately changed my life...I now know the true meaning of praying without ceasing. We love you and are here with you, waiting on that miracle!

Dear Rick's family - we only know you because of someone sending us an e-mail. Our whole family has grown to love you all and Jeffery & Shannon. You have consumed our lives lately and we can't stop praying for you, thinking of you and wierd as it may sound- loving you. We have cried so many tears of different kinds of emotions for your family and the only way we know how to explain it is the power of GOD! We have posted comments to you of encouragment and feel as if we know you personally. Our heart is so full and burdened for Rick yet we see the awesome things that are happening and we have to say - thank God for Rick because now more souls are going to be in heaven, more families restored, more people brought closer to our Lord because of his situation. Last night as our family listened to Rick's music it was so strange - because here we were being encouraged by the voice that we are praying so hard for. You see God used Rick to help us see who is in control here.

We want to thank you for being a living testimony to our family. Your faith is absolutely amazing. We know you are human and have tears and probably momentarily fears (we know the fear doesn't last long because you always seem to be praising God!!). However you keep pushing and pushing and fighting this race as if you know you have already won!! There is such a peace when we fight from victory instead of fighting for victory. You are such a living example of what we are all suppose to be doing. Thank you for sharing and exposing your family to us to encourage us on our daily walks! Keep running the race for Rick and we are running along side of you with our prayers. The victory is God's!!!

We love you Rick's family - we don't know why - we just do!

Love, Howard, Karen, Joey, Joshua, Jacob & Madison Forman

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

We trust in the hope of Christ! He is the one who holds us in the balance. Rick comes from awesome people. Your family is wonderful. It is so incredible to see the ministry that has been taking place through this journey.

We love you so much and are continuing to lift you up to Jesus with every breath.

God is still in the miracle business!

Bless Him Who Is Able!
Jen

Candi, Jonathan and Family,

While driving to work this morning, I was praying for Ricky and for each of you. It was a beautiful morning (even in Alpharetta traffic) and song lyrics kept coming to mind of children's songs that we've done through the years at North Point. All of a sudden I could see Steve Fee singing "My God is so big, so strong and so mighty - there's nothing my God cannot do. The mountains are His, the valleys are His, the stars are His handiwork too." Then I had pictures of being in Students in the Cafe years ago of "The name of the Lord is a strong tower - the righteous run into it and they are saved." (yes, I envisioned this complete with hand motions - those were the days.) And it made me realize that I don't understand all that is going on - but I tend to go back to childlike faith in situations like these. As much as I would love to say it all makes sense - it just doesn't. But what I do know - that I learned as a child, and I know each of you did - is that God is still King over Heaven and earth. And that I was taught that no matter what happened, God will always be there, ready to hold us, comfort us and give us the strength we need for any situation. And that there is no task too big for God.

So, once again I sing - with a hopeful heart for Ricky and a grateful heart for what an incredible family you are and what a true picture of faith you have been - "My God is so big, so strong and so mighty - There's nothing my God cannot do - the mountains are His, the valleys are His, the stars are His handiwork too. My God is so big, so strong and so mighty - there's NOTHING my God cannot do!

Love,
Colette

To all the creatures on this earth in common have one thing - to trust that God will set the sun and rise it once again .
To trust in it is valiant , to assume it is pure vain , to loathe it is to hate onself for not being self sustained .
To seek is gain ,for Wisdom's Name will always show His Face -To excuse oneself from 'reason why'When Sovereign's Hand is placed .
To grasp at clouds that float on grace seems lost as grasps of air , Yet when the Cloud consumes His Own ,the ground is stable there .
And as we wait for His own Hand to give us each day's light - we know regardless of the dark , we'll never walk in night .

Hi. I just heard Rick sing for the first time. I am on a different computer than I usually am so that might be why it played and I heard it this time. What a song and what a voice! It took me right into the presence of God. What amazing lyrics for the present situation - it's like as Rick is in this deep sleep he is singing to God and worshipping Him in his sickness and "even when" we don't know how all of this will turn out. The hope that the Lord offers is priceless, I know. What other place is there for our hearts and minds to go? I will pray that there will be no leukemia found when they do the blood tests. I feel as though the Holy Spirit is interceding for the family and for Rick in groanings we could not even begin to express. After listening to that song - twice now - my spirit senses the Lord's presence so strong. It's like even as I'm writing this the Holy Spirit of God cries out on behalf of Rick. I'm drawn to my knees as the story doesn't end here. I know the Potter's hand is still on Rick's life. What beauty we have already seen unfold.

I haven't written anything in awhile, but it's not for lack of God speaking in my life through Rick. These last few weeks have been a new beginning in my walk with Christ, I've started to thirst for His word like never before, and seek Him every day, not only when I need Him to "fix" something, but just to say thank you God, for even the smallest answers to my prayers. When I was fasting Monday for Rick, I was talking to my pastor's wife and telling her that I just hope God hears our prayers, and that He answers us soon, and she said that God will always answer our prayers in the way that He knows is best, now necessarily how we want Him to. So my prayer the last few days has been that God will just do His will in Rick's life, and that He will continue to strengthen everyone that's trusting in Him. God is so amazing, and so powerful, what seems impossible to doctors is nothing to Him, He performs miracles every day in Rick by giving him air to breathe.

I don't know God's plan, but I do know that years from now I'm still going to look back at this time and say it was a major turning point in my life. Because for once I've been convicted of my weakness, and completly humbled. Thank you Jesus, for all that you've done, and for the answer to our prayers that I know you will give in your own precious time.

I also just wanted to say thank you for putting Rick's song on the website, it's so amazing to hear him sing those lyrics just a few months ago. Even though none of us knew how much that song would mean today, God did! I'm praying for all of you. Tell Suzanne I love her, and I'll see all of you at the concert.

We are praying for all of you and hoping for a miracle. You all are so special to our family.
I think of Rick constantly and catch myself not even being able to focus on everyday tasks. Thank God for all the strength he has provided for your family. Remember we love you and if you need us please do not hesitate to call.The Cooper's In Bratt!!!

Before I leave the website and head to bed I wanted to say one other thing... I've felt a nudging of the Lord over the past year, but stronger in the last couple of months to volunteer for the Praise Team at my church. This is waaay out of my comfort zone but I'm doing it because I believe God is leading me to. I set up an appt to audition tomorrow at 6:30 pm. My husband is auditioning too and I'm so excited! So, I was thinking. Even though Rick is sick right now and can't exactly physically sing in his present state - I'm going to be one voice for him. I don't know if that makes sense. I'm going to follow my call to Praise God in worship and I'm going to sing even louder because I know Rick can't right now. I don't know what that is worth...but I just thought I would share that. May our prayers and our voices ring out to God as we wait and hope for a miraculous intervention on Rick's life. O, Great Physician, work your wonders upon Rick's body and we pray for a miracle that will bring even his doctors into a saving knowledge of You!

Tara-

I too find myself praying for Rick and his family more than I have ever prayed for anyone or anything. My heart is heavy but my faith is strong, way stronger than it ever has been. My personal time with our father has grown and Ricks condition has grown my relationship with our Father due to the constant prayers throughout the day. Candi, your family is a blessing in itself. Your trust and faith in God in this desperate time is so encouraging. As times grew hard in my past I didn't have this relationship with God. Your family is a awesome example of faith in God and worship. Thank you for teaching me how to rely on God for my future struggles in life. In the past I have failed miserably when God has tested my character. I trust God with your hearts as we all do with Rick also. It is comforting to know that God knows the end results of this situation and it is perfect. My family and I will continue to hold up our shields for Rick. We love you all.

Ed Collins

Family,
We continue to pray fervently for you and for Rick.
Please, Father, as things may look status quo right now, we pray that Your intent is to capture the attention of the medical community, cynics, and skeptics. We pray, Lord, that once you have sufficient eyes on this situation that you will lift up our brother, Rick, and heal him in a way that nothing short of Your miraculous love could explain.
Lord, be glorified through this amazing healing - restore Rick's mind back to its former condition, restore his liver and bones back to their former condition. Heal his body to the confusion of those who doubt and to the glory of Your name. Protect his family from harm and from the enemy. Strengthen their resolve and keep them vigilant, bringing their prayers and all those listed here to Your magnificent throne. Let Your name be known and Your will be done!!!

Just wanted to you to know that I'm praying for Rick. I'm in Iraq right now, and I think about him often. I went to Mountain Lake while I was in college and admired the talent God gave Rick greatly. May God continue to be glorified through his life.
In Christ,
Justin

Good morning.....I just wanted to say I love you all and your faith is so incredible. I believe you have given us all more strength and faith throughout this than we ever expected. You are an incredible family. Thank you for loving our God so much and having so much faith in him. My prayer everytime is for Rick to be completely healed as everyone wants. We want this to happen on our timing and I remembered this morning that God has the perfect timing. It is hard to remember that sometimes when we want something so bad to happen. Have a wonderful day and may God give you all strength and the words that you need.

Isaiah 40:31 "Those who wait on the Lord will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint."

Hebrews 6:11-12 "Show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope to the end. Be not lazy, but followers of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises."

Much love-
Shannon

Good Morning! Happy Birthday Haley!!!
Father, you are our hiding place; you do preserve me from trouble and you surround me with a song of deliverance. you will instruct me and teach me in the way which I should go. Father, you say that you will counsel me with your eye upon me. Ps. 32:7-8.
By the word of the Lord the heavens were made and by the breath of His mouth all their host. He gathers the waters of the sea together as a heap; He lays up the deeps in storehouses. Let all the earth fear the Lord; Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him. For He spoke and it was done!
Father, breathe on Rick and give life to every part of his being. just a small breath and Rick could walk out of the ICU and kiss the nurses, shake the doctor's hands and say "thanks" but God breathed and I have life!! Ps. 33: 11 - The Lord nullifies the counsel of the nations and frustrates the plans of the people. vs. 13, The Lord looks from heaven He sees all the sons of men from His dwelling place He looks out on all the inhabitants of the earth!
Praise God! Sweet family, God is looking down and He sees your faithful heart. He hears your prayers and He enjoys your sacrifice of praise to Him. A host of angels I'm sure are dancing around the throne as you sing praises to Him over Rick and as scripture says that His eyes are on you . please look up because as I woke early this morning and once again He allowed the sun to rise I couldn't help but see that He was winking at you! when Stephen was stoned Jesus stood up from sitting at the right hand of the Father and looked down and I believe as many prayers that have gone up for Rick and as many scriptures that have been read I wonder did He get up and smile at you? I don't know but one thing I do know and that is He's smiling at you! Well done thou good and faithful child!
I love you! and I'm facedown today for you and Rick!
dot

Candi,
I think about you and your family evey moment of the day,how Rick has made such an impact on my life and eveyone.I do beleive that GOD is working through all of us and that what you said yesterday is very true, Candi he has been working through me like crazy.I have seen GOD more in the past week then ever.It is amazing and so wonderful.Rick is an ANGEL sent from HEAVEN to us and GOD was thinking about all of us when he made Rick.I know that everything happens for a reason and I really didn't believe it until now at this moment when is seems that everything is going wrong! I work with alot of great people from NAMB,Crown and many more and they are praying for Rick and your family.God is speaking through Rick to me and since Sunday at chruch I my self have made and going to make alot of changes in my life and I want to thank you and your family for everything that you guys do.I know it has to be very hard to do this everyday.We LOVE YOU GUYS from the bottom of our hearts.Thank you so much for the Love that you give us.Dear God please let this family get through everyday and keep your hands on them for they need you more then ever and please heal this wonderful Angel you have sent to us.He means so much to everyone and he has brought people together that has never prayed before and brought other's closer to you.I know that is is in your hands now and it is all up to you I know that he is under your wing now and I know you will do what is best.
GOD BLESS Rick and his family,
Amen

I bow in awe.

We found out about Rick through Connie Anderson (Rodney's mom) who works with my husband Sean at Providence - Although we don't know you personally, your family has ministered to us through music and through this pain. I have cried with you reading your words. I was awakened many times throughout the night last night praying for Rick and we will continue on praying for him and your family. Love, Mandy Chapman

wow i remember first going to big stuf camps and seeing Rick out there praising God with all he was worth. When my sister was on the computer and found out that Rick had passed away to live with God it really upset me but not until I came to Bifstuf again this year did I realize what an honorable, Godly man he was. When Lanny and Jared started talking about his life and his hope and faith in God it made me really emotional. I felt God working through me from Rick--giving me so much for faith and trust in God. May God continue to bless Rick Pearson's family. We all love you and are praying for you. (By the way, Candi, we all really missed you at big stuf this year. You are also a wonderful person) In His name, Lauren