Good afternoon.
This past friday we had a memorial service for my father. It was beautiful to hear so many words about the span of his life. My mother, my brothers and I were able to speak about him as well as a handful of close friends. I was touched to hear the ways that he had touched people and inspired and moved them. His legacy is an incredible one and I am blessed to be a part of it and every one of you reading this is also a part of this legacy. To those of you who were able to come and to those of you who were not thank you again for your support through this whole process. I can't say thank you enough. My family and I are so blessed to have had the opportunity to walk through this with all of you.
We have asked those who intend to send flowers that, in accordance with my father's wishes, you consider making a contribution to bethel express, a program benefitting inner city youth. It was started by Michael Peace. My father contributed greatly to the city of Rochester as a whole with his time and resources and he greatly respected the work of Mike Peace and Bethel Express.
The website is here: http://www.bethelexpress.org/
You can donate right on the first page.
I would encourage you to read the C.S Lewis book "A Grief Observed" if you would like. It was sent to me by a friend of mine and I will be reading and meditating on it this summer. I have immense respect for C.S Lewis and the book is his self examination of his faith and life in the course of grieving the loss of his wife.
I am still going to update the blog with the updates about my father and my family. Thank you again and again and again. You are beautiful people.
God Bless,
Didrik.
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Thursday, April 26, 2012
I am feeling how Joy can be deeper than happiness, and how it can transform the current of mourning. I believe with all my heart that Jesus has overcome the grave, but the grave in the moment is right here- My father is not with us anymore- He is in God's presence, in a place where sorrow, pain, and doubt are overwhelmed by an immensity of Joy and worship that is unimaginable. While I feel a deep sadness thinking about the reality of not hearing his voice around the house, not starting campfires with him, or not praying with him again on earth, I know that this is not the end of his story, and that it is not the end of our stories. He has begun something entirely new and beautiful in the presence of God, and until we join him there some day, we can know that our work is to glorify the same God her on earth. We are working alongside him to honor the Lord. That is a Joy, and it overwhelms sadness and reframes the mourning that we are in.
Didrik used the word immense in his last post. God's goodness is just that- It has enveloped us over the past three weeks like the space around us. All of the prayer, community, uncertainty, and love that encircled the last days of my father's life has been confusing, but it has been deeply beautiful. I feel honored and blessed to be a part of what God has been doing, and to join with all of you who have interceded and poured out love to my father and my family. God's Love is bigger than death, and Jesus has overcome the grave. Papa is integrated in to the fabric of that reality now in a way that is hard to imagine, and we are so blessed to see glimpses of it here on earth, where His kingdom is already and not yet present.
Didrik used the word immense in his last post. God's goodness is just that- It has enveloped us over the past three weeks like the space around us. All of the prayer, community, uncertainty, and love that encircled the last days of my father's life has been confusing, but it has been deeply beautiful. I feel honored and blessed to be a part of what God has been doing, and to join with all of you who have interceded and poured out love to my father and my family. God's Love is bigger than death, and Jesus has overcome the grave. Papa is integrated in to the fabric of that reality now in a way that is hard to imagine, and we are so blessed to see glimpses of it here on earth, where His kingdom is already and not yet present.
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Hello Everybody!
As Didrik wrote in the last post, on Friday my father went to be with the Lord.
My family wants to again thank you all so much for ALL your AMAZING love and support. You've truly shown me what it means for the church and other communities to love and take care of people. It has been, and still is, truly beautiful.
Thank you for all your prayers for healing for my father. The Holy Spirit was very thick in my dad's hospital bedroom and the prayers strong. Many had encouraging encounters with the Lord. There is a thing greater then healing though, greater then what we ourselves desire; and that is the perfect will of God. Since this is my earthly father's time to go to the heavenly father we both share, then, we will take this time with a deep joy.
Please continue to pray for my mother, my brothers, and I that we will take strength and joy in all the steps that come next. We will need that same strength from the Lord that we've been blessed with particularly the last two weeks.
The way the church community and kingdom came together over my father should not be an occasional thing I believe. I hope to be able to bless others the way you have all blessed my family and I in at least a small way every single day. Let us carry that same ferocity of prayers and that same love to all in need!
There will be a memorial service held for my father on
Friday, April 27th,
at 11am at
Bethel Christian Fellowship
321 East Ave Rochester N.Y.
In the old sanctuary.
Thank you all so SO much,
God Bless,
Ulrik Soderstrom
As Didrik wrote in the last post, on Friday my father went to be with the Lord.
My family wants to again thank you all so much for ALL your AMAZING love and support. You've truly shown me what it means for the church and other communities to love and take care of people. It has been, and still is, truly beautiful.
Thank you for all your prayers for healing for my father. The Holy Spirit was very thick in my dad's hospital bedroom and the prayers strong. Many had encouraging encounters with the Lord. There is a thing greater then healing though, greater then what we ourselves desire; and that is the perfect will of God. Since this is my earthly father's time to go to the heavenly father we both share, then, we will take this time with a deep joy.
Please continue to pray for my mother, my brothers, and I that we will take strength and joy in all the steps that come next. We will need that same strength from the Lord that we've been blessed with particularly the last two weeks.
The way the church community and kingdom came together over my father should not be an occasional thing I believe. I hope to be able to bless others the way you have all blessed my family and I in at least a small way every single day. Let us carry that same ferocity of prayers and that same love to all in need!
All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not full;
unto the place from whence the rivers come, thither they return again.
- Ecclesiastes 1:7There will be a memorial service held for my father on
Friday, April 27th,
at 11am at
Bethel Christian Fellowship
321 East Ave Rochester N.Y.
In the old sanctuary.
Thank you all so SO much,
God Bless,
Ulrik Soderstrom
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Hello Everyone!,
I have been thinking long and hard on what to say here. It is a confusing place to be in. My father passed away yesterday.
Yet the first thing I want to say is that prayer works. Do not believe for a moment that your prayers were in vain or that we lost a spiritual battle. My father's last weeks in this world brought so many people incredible strength and affirmation in their faith and energy in prayer. It taught many people how to pray and intercede. It cleaned the slates of so many people who had drifted from God or believed themselves drifting. This ordeal, though not created by God was used for his glory.
The first thought that many would have is that this would destroy the faith of many people and draw them from God and break them apart from each other. But we have seen and see that the true effect of my father's last two weeks on this earth was exactly the opposite. God did IMMENSE things here. My family has been drawn together and we still stand with God as our father.
Do not be discouraged by this news. I know I am not. I say that truthfully. Although I am mourning. My family is in mourning. But we are not torn in our faith. God is vast and his plans are so much more than we can understand. My father left behind a legacy of love and laughter and strength in his sons and wife and friends and family. He has had a long and satisfying life. I know that this very moment he is smiling down on all of us and thanking us all for our support. We must trust and stand on God's word. Stand together. Read and pray.
Thank you all for your prayers and your support. It has meant the world to myself and my family and my father. You have been the most beautiful of friends and I thank God for each one of you and the faith and strength you have shown.
Much Love to all of you,
Didrik
I have been thinking long and hard on what to say here. It is a confusing place to be in. My father passed away yesterday.
Yet the first thing I want to say is that prayer works. Do not believe for a moment that your prayers were in vain or that we lost a spiritual battle. My father's last weeks in this world brought so many people incredible strength and affirmation in their faith and energy in prayer. It taught many people how to pray and intercede. It cleaned the slates of so many people who had drifted from God or believed themselves drifting. This ordeal, though not created by God was used for his glory.
The first thought that many would have is that this would destroy the faith of many people and draw them from God and break them apart from each other. But we have seen and see that the true effect of my father's last two weeks on this earth was exactly the opposite. God did IMMENSE things here. My family has been drawn together and we still stand with God as our father.
Do not be discouraged by this news. I know I am not. I say that truthfully. Although I am mourning. My family is in mourning. But we are not torn in our faith. God is vast and his plans are so much more than we can understand. My father left behind a legacy of love and laughter and strength in his sons and wife and friends and family. He has had a long and satisfying life. I know that this very moment he is smiling down on all of us and thanking us all for our support. We must trust and stand on God's word. Stand together. Read and pray.
Thank you all for your prayers and your support. It has meant the world to myself and my family and my father. You have been the most beautiful of friends and I thank God for each one of you and the faith and strength you have shown.
Much Love to all of you,
Didrik
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
18 “Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be[e] bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be[f] loosed in heaven.
19 “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”
Matthew 18:18-20
We are praying for God's power and we are confident in His promise of healing and that Chris belongs to Him. Please continue to pray with us for what the doctors need to see- for Chris to wake and STAND UP. Healed neck and mind.
Hello Everybody!
The Soderstrom family wants to again thank everyone for their amazing support, love, and prayers!
The last two days and nights have been an amazing time of worship and prayer. We have officially broken our record of 16 people in the hospital room praying at once. Tuesday night many youth from the Monroe Park Vineyard youth group and many adults from a Bethel Christian Fellowship small group interceded around my father's bed in rotation. Many people received words of encouragement for my family and had amazing encounters with the holy spirit that is so thick in the room thanks to your prayers.
A few weeks ago a Pastor from Monroe Park Vineyard Church had a vision of God out pouring a golden pool of healing for others from my father's bedside. One Tuesday night, two youth in particular broke down during prayer and song and experienced inner healing for themselves. Others also had strong encounters. (They may write their own testimonies on this blog soon*) A women also had a burn on her hand totally healed! So God is doing truly beautiful things for His kingdom as we give our father to His protection.
*When Rachael was there she thought she saw your dads eyes open and he was looking around trying to figure out where he was. She saw blue eyes. She looked again and his eyes were closed. I don't know if she saw something in the spirit or not. Does he have blue eyes. ALso a young man in our church who has been having struggles with bitterness , it broke last night in your dads hospital room. He is a changed man!!! Gos is so good!!! Your dad is in my thoughts and prayers along with the rest of you!!
In the natural, the doctors have continued to say there is nothing they can do for more my father. This morning we discussed the option of dialysis to help his failing kidneys, but it was concluded that it would be far too risky a procedure for my father's delicate state. He is truly in the Lord hands now. My family and I are standing strong in faith in wait for the miracle promised from the Lord.
We wait for the Lord.
Christian has always said that his family and his house follow the Lord.
Bethel Church has been providing community members to spend the night with my father so my mother and I can rest at home. They have also been bringing dinners and food! Many others from the community have been bringing provision as well. I want to thank you all so much for your support again! It's been beautiful and incredibly moving for me to watch the Lord's provision and His faithfulness.
If you wish to come join in prayer anytime during the day you can contact my mother and I at:
585-739-4723
alwaysemanuel@gmail.com
The Soderstrom family wants to again thank everyone for their amazing support, love, and prayers!
The last two days and nights have been an amazing time of worship and prayer. We have officially broken our record of 16 people in the hospital room praying at once. Tuesday night many youth from the Monroe Park Vineyard youth group and many adults from a Bethel Christian Fellowship small group interceded around my father's bed in rotation. Many people received words of encouragement for my family and had amazing encounters with the holy spirit that is so thick in the room thanks to your prayers.
A few weeks ago a Pastor from Monroe Park Vineyard Church had a vision of God out pouring a golden pool of healing for others from my father's bedside. One Tuesday night, two youth in particular broke down during prayer and song and experienced inner healing for themselves. Others also had strong encounters. (They may write their own testimonies on this blog soon*) A women also had a burn on her hand totally healed! So God is doing truly beautiful things for His kingdom as we give our father to His protection.
*When Rachael was there she thought she saw your dads eyes open and he was looking around trying to figure out where he was. She saw blue eyes. She looked again and his eyes were closed. I don't know if she saw something in the spirit or not. Does he have blue eyes. ALso a young man in our church who has been having struggles with bitterness , it broke last night in your dads hospital room. He is a changed man!!! Gos is so good!!! Your dad is in my thoughts and prayers along with the rest of you!!
-Ruth Christianson
In the natural, the doctors have continued to say there is nothing they can do for more my father. This morning we discussed the option of dialysis to help his failing kidneys, but it was concluded that it would be far too risky a procedure for my father's delicate state. He is truly in the Lord hands now. My family and I are standing strong in faith in wait for the miracle promised from the Lord.
We wait for the Lord.
Christian has always said that his family and his house follow the Lord.
Bethel Church has been providing community members to spend the night with my father so my mother and I can rest at home. They have also been bringing dinners and food! Many others from the community have been bringing provision as well. I want to thank you all so much for your support again! It's been beautiful and incredibly moving for me to watch the Lord's provision and His faithfulness.
If you wish to come join in prayer anytime during the day you can contact my mother and I at:
585-739-4723
alwaysemanuel@gmail.com
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
As of right now we're praying that the Lord be glorified through this situation, praying for healing, and we are waiting on Him. The messages of hope keep coming in from all sides. Please pray that the family continues to receive peace and strength from the Lord. Your prayers are much appreciated!
Here is a verse from Philippians that was brought to us today:
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."
-Philippians 4:6-7
Here is a verse from Philippians that was brought to us today:
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."
-Philippians 4:6-7
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