I am very moved by the big hearts of bloggers and twitter friends who have shared the story of Randy Miller of The Myriad linking to his video or mentioning how people can pray and help.  If you do not know his band, they are fantastic.  However, I first got to know Randy as a concrete contractor who played drums in my church’s worship team.  I know his wife, kids and my family loves the Millers!  They are family to us.

So, as an encouragement to them, I am showing how many of you bloggers have linked and are praying for them. Today there are 520 LINKS, so I am gonna just give you a sample of 12 blogs…

Ragamuffinsoul.com

Evan Courtney blog

Independent Music

Consuming Worship blog

Sarah’s So Bored Since She Stopped Drinking

Leif’s Blog

Rock Dirt

Mike Dalton

VIva Cecelia

RamblingsOfABoyMom

Tony Chavez Blog

Stereo Truth

**UDPATE: Some MORE sites keep popping up with support and prayer (12/5/08)

A Renewed Revolution of Hope

Maxgrace.com

MyWorshipRevolution.com

BabuLife

RockTheCross.net

Also, those of you who Twitter (twitter.com) have been generous to spread the word. Please pray. The prayer is working. Medi-Cal has been approved and Randy starts chemo treatments this Monday.  Here is the link to help.

Hey readers of RKWL… PLEASE watch this short video put on by Randy Miller’s band, The Myriad.  Randy is an amazing person who really needs help in his battle for cancer.  Go to www.themyriad.net to support Randy and his family.

Personally, I have learned more, seen more and done more out of brokenness than out of my talent, experience or skill.  During times of weakness it seems God makes Himself more real to me.  When you are a leader–fill in the blank like being a dad, a pastor, a music director, a worship leader–you never quite measure up to the task.  At least, that is what I think of myself when I am broken.  This includes the all important leadership of self.

One example was when I was able to lose over 50 pounds in 2006 and keep most of it off–until moving and gaining a bit of it back recently.  I had the threat of cancer, and the impending surgery and my failing thyroid apparently made this all that much harder emotionally as well as physically.  With the help of my wife, friends, prayer I realized that I really could not accomplish this with my own resources. Results began to be visible and real.

It takes a huge effort to change.  Leadership at its best effects change in yourself and in others. When I am humble enough to see my weaknesses and lack of resources without God’s intervention I am ready to lead.  I can listen better, speak better and think more clearly.  My skills, talents and experiences actually come into focus.

God’s strength indeed manifests when I am weak. (2 Corinthians 12:9)  Only then can I lead.  So, when the temptation to boast about my accomplishments rears its head, the game plan is to see that accomplishments of worth originate from God’s showing up in my ineptitude.

Does this make sense in your experience?  Do you see God as more real when you are “with it” or when you are weak?

Those who already follow The Myriad or who are friends and family with Randy Miller have most likely already heard the sad news that Randy had surgery to remove a tumor on his torso and was found to have cancer. Randy and Kristyn are amazing friends. This picture was the last time I got to play music with Randy on my farewell worship service at Neighborhood Church in Redding. My friends who served on that worship team with Randy know how much of an inspiration he is and how wonderful his family is. Tammy and I are asking you to please pray for him and his family as he has immediate financial needs.

**Update (11/2/08) The name of the cancer is chondrasarcoma.  Stage is unknown at this time.  Pray for this to be lower stage.  One scary thing is they said is it is possible that amputation of shoulder and arm may be needed.  Please continue to pray.

Two ways to help: His current church The Stirring has setup a way to give on their website.  All you have to do is sign up at this link where you will see a Randy Miller fund set up. Obviously, prayer is very important, too.  So, please keep him and his family in your prayers.  The diagnosis had to be sent to Harvard since it is a rare form of cancer.  Pray for their physical, material and emotional needs to be met and for God’s healing.

If you are in with me on this, please leave a note here and I will pass on the encourgement to Randy!