It amazes me that the release of this Lauren Daigle song is falling on the day that I wrote about this song “Dry Bones” and how it had become such a part of our hospital soundtrack. Approximately 28 hours after writing about this song, our family had our final visit with Mike — all four of us.
We knew that we were holding onto each other, walking through the valley of those eleven days, relying on the Power of God to take hold of our fears. Then, the song took on new meaning, and the kids and I have held each other, as we have had to “step into the valley unafraid” and walk through this new valley — being Brave.
I’ve come to the reality that true Bravery is not void of fear. It is an active step that in SPITE of the feeling of fear, we walk through that situation anyway.
And guess what? The fear … subsides.
We’ve had a lot of daily practice on being brave this year. It is not easy, but The Present Help of God always arrives.
Always.
We had no idea that the images that Mabyn would soon take on December 1st would be our final family photo shoot. *She just HAPPENED to decide that morning to be my personal “latté fairy” and was there when the nurse snuck in our children to see him, saying, “I don’t care if their daughter is only eight; this man NEEDS to see his baby girl!”
As soon as she told us that we could call in the kids, Mike was like a little kid on Christmas morning, asking me, “Please make sure I look presentable.” And every ten minutes, he’d ask, “Are they almost here?”
I share that bit now, because our prayers, and our family’s prayers ran deep and around the clock, and I couldn’t think of a better image for this post.
Soon, I am going to write in smaller/topical posts about this song, The Church [a community of sacrificial Christ-followers, rather than an organization], Prayer [what it is, what its for, how to respond when it seems to go unanswered or given a “wrong” answer] — I have have much to share about so many things, and what this song and the scripture it comes from has come to mean to us — then… and today.
But for now, I am going to simply share with you my actual Facebook posts I made from the hospital about this song, this man, and our love for The Body of Christ to Awaken with the Life and Breath of God…
Just before 5:00 a.m., I posted this:
“I’ll give a detailed ‘here’s where things are physically’ report after we see doctors later in the morning.
Today, so many of you have celebrated Mike and an army is rising up with prayers riding on winds from all over the globe.
WhoEVER would have thought?So I want to close my eyes tonight on the tiny palette on the waiting room floor by telling you two things about my husband that I believe are happening before my eyes, because of and in spite of these circumstances that are eluding logic, knowledge, and reasoning:
1) my name means “beloved follower of Christ” and when I was an itty bit, and ppl asked me my name, I’d say, ‘Ami Christina Sandstrom—beloved little follower of the Lord!’
I’ll never forget when we first were preparing for pregnancies, talking with Mike about his own name. He didn’t like the meaning of it (it’s awesome though btw), and the reason for that… Well let me tell it to you, and you’ll figure it out.Michael Robert means ‘bright famed one.’
If someone said the phrase ‘bright famed one,’ would you immediately think of Mike?
Perhaps, but probably not.I can tell you though that there is no one better I can think of for seeing through the convictions of ministering Christ to the family. The support he offers, the writings he has in his computer, there is MUCH in this man that I have believed someday will rise from shadows into the open to perhaps help many many more than he already does. His passion, if you know him you’ll agree, is the HOME. He fights hard for the home, whether ppl stick around him… or need his help for a small season and then leave. His ideal for what could be—a Camelot of sorts in living Community where everyone matters—never diminishes. His hope for your healthy home is strong. And if our homes become strong, then everything does. ‘Home’ beginning with each individual-person-home (one life finding himself/herself whole in Christ) to each family-home all the way to …. I see the home and church colliding in such a way that families are…. more.
Awakened.
Alive.
And the church with a big ‘C’ is renewed. I don’t know why this time of battling illness would happen, but as far as Mike’s personal life, I see him standing ground and holding on, and I believe that this is his defining moment. He has a world of things to say, but has always been hidden while serving the top leadership guys. And I know with absolute certainty that his interpretation of ‘bright famed one’ really is to reflect the True Famous One with and give Him glory and honor, not take it for himself.
So, I don’t know how or why, but I believe God is taking his voice while He’s about to give him a voice. Crippling his hands before He uses those hands for greater service, and cramping his feet in order to rebuild them to handle the roads and paths he will soon be walking in a destiny that matches the full meaning of his name somehow.
2) this movement happening with prayer right now is unexpected to our family. We are right now hearing the most beautiful prayers from people in Zimbabwe, Australia, Brazil, from right here down the road, and from all over the USA. As we just feel the need to keep asking ppl to lift up Jesus [not Mike per se], the army of people praying multiplies.
So many people that have given up on God are praying; people who have been hit with their own losses or stopped praying for whatever reason are praying again. We’ve read phrases such as, ‘thank you for getting me to pray! I’m addicted to this now, and I find myself praying for everything!’
People close to Mike will know that there are times when he uses this phrase, ‘I just want to take the Church and give it back to Jesus.’
When he has said those words, people look at him funny, like, ‘Aaaaaaallrighty then,’ and don’t really know what it means. As his WIFE, I’ve been uncomfortable with that phrase, not understanding why he keeps wording it that way.
I’m telling you now, I am beginning to see what that means, because all of the messages we keep getting from everyone are just that! There is only One Church — One Community — and people are uniting through prayer. It doesn’t matter if it is the ‘sending you good vibes Mike’ or the experienced and seasoned veteran charismatic, the heartbeat of everyone is alive, and as everyone focuses on Jesus, it keeps growing.
It’s as if a stage is being set, using the fight/struggle/pain over Mike, in order that people will call upon the Name of Jesus without fear or insecurity [even over the internet].
The longer the delay to the prayers being answered, the bolder people are becoming to shed fear and lift up Jesus.
I had a thought here on my palette through the night:
Tomorrow starts the season of Advent [when people await the coming of the long-expected Messiah], and the first candle that churches all over the world will light tomorrow is the candle of HOPE.When you go about your day tomorrow, whether in church or not, will you please, with a renewed Hope, let expectation for Jesus rise up in some way?
Churches all have different programming, right? But there is only One to praise. So because I have NO CLUE what tomorrow holds, and with this determination each day, I am fueling my joy with expectation… Please, for one Sunday, let’s get back to the simple.
Praise Jesus.
Hold onto Hope; light it up if you need to.
If we raise ONE voice to praise Jesus together, then Mike’s biggest desire that no one—not even his wife—understands fully when he says it the same way every time, just may carry along a reality of truth.
And wouldn’t that be beautiful?‘Come, thou Long-expected Jesus…’
Today we give You praise and we let it rise.
Let’s ‘take the church and give it back to Jesus.’
Today it’s not about your show, your desired perfection, any antics or creative wow-the-people-who-come moments.
You are the Church.
I am the Church.
We are a Community.
A Community of Homes.
And today, I give my all to Jesus.
In sickness and in health.
For better or for worse.
To get my way or to give up everything.
Nothing is worth my highest praise, but Jesus.
Only Jesus.
And then about 3 hours later, I shared these words along with the YouTube video link of “Dry Bones”:
“As I’ve mentioned, this song is one of the main anthems we’ve heard over and over and have sung in the room. It played in me throughout my entire rest on the floor palette. Dry Bones has become what Mike’s body looks like, but we are praying for both his body and The Body every time.
Dry Bones, come to life!”
Full Song Lyrics
Dry Bones (Come Alive)
By Lauren Daigle
Through the eyes of men it seems
There’s so much we have lost
As we look down the road
Where all the prodigals have walked
And One by one
The enemy has whispered lies
And led them off as slaves
But we know that you are God
Yours is the victory
We know there is more to come
That we may not yet see
So with the faith you’ve given us
We’ll step into the valley unafraid, yeah
As we call out to dry bones
Come alive, come alive
We call out to dead hearts
Come alive, come alive
Up out of the ashes
Let us see an army rise
We call out to dry bones, come alive
God of endless mercy
God of unrelenting love
Rescue every daughter
Bring us back the wayward son
And by Your Spirit breathe upon them
Show the world that You alone can save
You alone can save
As we call out to dry bones
Come alive, come alive
We call out to dead hearts
Come alive, come alive
Up out of the ashes
Let us see an army rise
We call out to dry bones, come alive
Breathe, Oh Breath of God
Now breathe, Oh Breath of God
Breathe, Oh Breath of God now, breathe
Breathe, Oh Breath of God
Now breathe, Oh Breath of God
Breathe, Oh Breath of God now, breathe
Breathe, Oh Breath of God
Now breathe, Oh Breath of God
Breathe, Oh Breath of God now, breathe
Breathe, Oh Breath of God
Now breathe, Oh Breath of God
Breathe, Oh Breath of God now, breathe
As we call out to dry bones
Come alive, come alive
We call out to dead hearts
Come alive, come alive
We call out to dry bones
Come alive, come alive
We call out to dead hearts
Come alive, come alive
Up out of the ashes
Let us see an army rise
We call out to dry bones, come alive
We call out to dry bones come alive
We call out to dry bones
Come alive
Oh, Ami. Such a beautiful version of this song! You guys did an amazing job! I definitely wasn’t ready for the ending and instantly started crying. What a gift. Thank you. ???
Thank you, Donna.
We love you.
Thank you for being in our lives <3
It’s amazing how many of the words that have come up in my Facebook “on this day” memories have taken on a totally new meaning that is both beautiful and heartbreaking one year later. I am remembering how I prayed and fasted and cried and cried out and longed to be there with you as I read words like:
“So, I don’t know how or why, but I believe God is taking his voice while He’s about to give him a voice. Crippling his hands before He uses those hands for greater service, and cramping his feet in order to rebuild them to handle the roads and paths he will soon be walking in a destiny that matches the full meaning of his name somehow.”
and
“You are the Church.
I am the Church.
We are a Community.
A Community of Homes.
And today, I give my all to Jesus.
In sickness and in health.
For better or for worse.
To get my way or to give up everything.
Nothing is worth my highest praise, but Jesus.
Only Jesus.”
and played this song over and over on the other side of the country, sobbing while I watched Mabyn’s video of Mike’s last visit with the kids (not believing their words and prayers could mean what it sounded like they could mean because THAT outcome wasn’t even a possibility in our minds and hearts).
We know Mike’s greatest longing was to see the people, the families, the homes, the Church return to Jesus, and we watch you and the kids rise so powerfully and bravely through the pain and fear. We wonder at how you’ve been able to do all of this during such a difficult year (not in spite of but because of), and we see this great purpose and beauty coming from the ashes. Do we realize that such purpose and beauty is possible through each one of us – that it isn’t just for the special few who have a certain life or position or platform or calling? One year later, do we see ourselves awakening and being the Church in the ways we were inspired to be before we knew the devastating and tragic outcome of the story? Do we still believe with all our hearts as we did then? We see you doing these things that are amazing. What if we each followed all the way, no matter what the cost?
It’s time, isn’t it? Now it’s time for Mike’s writings to come out of that computer. As these songs become our anthems and renew our hope, it’s time for those words to inspire action and change. I feel a burning “now what?” rising and know that painful, difficult next step is coming when you’ll embark on tackling the curriculum part of this Web site. I’m praying for you, and I’m praying for all of us, too, who are all lined up around the sidelines but need to stop being spectators. I’m praying for the Church to be mobilized and impassioned and fueled to help … speak … love … sing … do … believe … praise … glorify … make a difference. The things Mike envisioned are coming true and will come true. It’s all true.
God took his voice but is about to give him a voice. He crippled his hands before He used those hands for greater service. He cramped his feet in order to rebuild them to handle the roads and paths he is walking in a destiny that matches the full meaning of his name. (Chills!)
You gave and continue to give your all to Jesus. In sickness and in health. For better or for worse. To get your way or to give up everything. Nothing has received your highest praise, but Jesus. Only Jesus.
These songs and this Web site are evidence, and they are and should be convicting to all of the spectators who watched Mike’s life and death and family’s journey this past year. I know you just want to shake us sometimes and tell us to “Wake Up!” and “Do Something About It!” Some of us are rising, too. Oh, the stories. Such beautiful rising. But I believing a much larger rising, a resurrection, is coming. The cultural turmoil around us is rising, but we are the ones, the Church, who must lift Jesus higher and be the evidence of Truth, the hands and feet of Love.
“You are the Church.
I am the Church.
We are a Community.
A Community of Homes.”
Dry bones, come alive.
Crystal!
Thank you for pouring all of that out with such authentic passion and conviction!
When you said, “I’m praying for you, and I’m praying for all of us, too, who are all lined up around the sidelines but need to stop being spectators. “…
I about jumped up and down with shouts of “YESSSSS! and AMEN!!!!!”
For THAT reason, more than any…. I kneel.
I know. You and Mike have told us this so many times! People are listening. I believe people are ready for this message!
❤️❤️❤️!!!!!!!!!
Yes!!!
❤️❤️❤️?
Oh Ami, what a beautiful voice you allowed me (us) to hear again! It took my breath away and made the tears flow once again.
What a blessed way to start the day – hearing Mike’s message! As if the song was not message enough. Thank you – a million times- Thank you! ❤️️
You’re so welcome. I’m thrilled that you were comforted in hearing him.
Oh Ami…so powerful and beautiful. My tears flowed this morning. Jesus is using you and the kids in mighty, powerful ways, and I pray peace and comfort over all of you.
Thank you, Mollie! <3
It was a joyous surprise to hear his voice!!! To hear Mike praying, brought me such peace!!! And a huge heart smile, and leaky eyes!!! :’ ) How wonderful that you included this prayer!!! So glad you have these recordings to listen to!!! I’d love that too!!! I can’t help but use all the exclamation marks…..I LOVE this WHOLE BEAUTIFUL song and prayer!!! And your BACKUP!!! ? LOVE YOU!!!
Thanks, Peggy!
I am planning to do some special things from here forward with the little we do have recorded.
I’ve had some re-ignition of this ministry journey, and he certainly will be a part in some ways.
I have loved each of the songs you’ve shared with us. This song though, I can’t stop listening to it. The message, maybe it’s this season I’m in, my family is in, it’s a personal prayer. To hear Mike’s prayer at the end what a blessed peace. And again your back up singers sound amazing.
Thank you ?
Thank you!
We had myself and two others recording BGVs and then we recorded some WONDERFUL friends with their kids, and laid down a mixed-generation choir together. I think that may be my favorite thing about the project.
Seeing each other and knowing the roads we’ve all walked, and having our kids singing their hearts out together like they did — it was such an honor!
thank you, ami. <3 sooooo very beautifully sung and proclaimed.
i will be reading ezekiel this month and am excited to study the context of this crazy vivid vision that God gave the prophet. wrapping my head around what He wanted to/wants to communicate about His desire to heal/raise up/breathe life into our brokenness.
the song from this passage is anointed!! i am so glad that God gifted you this lyric from His Word to breathe life into those eleven excruciating days as they continue to speak into how you are walking out these days a year later…and…they are for the family, the home…the church!!
so, i know you guys listen to recordings of mike all the time, but it's been many months since i've heard his heart in prayer. it was soooo good to hear his voice. <3 a strong voice for the family and home and for the church. he saw the big picture…and now, more so than we can even think or comprehend. he's SO alive. i pray this for MY family and home and for the bride of Christ, the church. <3 <3 <3
Thank you for those beautiful words!
Wow, powerful!
<3
Ami you all are such a gift. This was Beautiful! They all have been. Thank you for sharing you.
Thank you, Michele!
Thank you for everything you did last year for us to help the prayer spread all over the world!
Oh, Ami. Now I’m just bawling. I read your words early this morning, but it took me several hours to work up to being able to listen. Hearing Mike’s voice and those words – those perfect words that you chose – is so hard, but so good. Thank you.
<3
Oh. My. Word. Chills and tears heating his voice at the end of this song. I could not add anything else to what Crystal so eloquently and accurately stated. I remember just weeping when I heard this song and watched the video one year ago and said to the kids that Mr.Mike was going home soon just like JM stated but not the home we had all expected. A couple of months ago as 2 of my sweet co-workers and I were preparing a beautiful teenager girl for the morgue this song came on at the nurses’ station. Her bones so dried up from cancer. We all talked about the previous day when these dry bones will come alive physically but for now we the Church need the breath of God breathed into our hearts with fervent desire too makea difference in our family and our world. You three song this song like I have never heard before and I can just imagine Mike saying, “Yes, what man meantfor evil, God meant for good,and just look at all the good that is coming out of this already.”
Sorry for all the grammatical errors in my post. Swiping text does not always type what I want it to.
I love your comments! Thank you!!!
The look passing between Mike and JMichael…takes my breath. Like Mike is passing wisdom through his eyes. I know that sounds odd, but that’s what I see.
It was a short but very special visit and time.
The kids were afraid and shocked at how much he had changed in just a few days. But they were amazing with him, prayed over him, and I’ll never be thankful enough that they were able to have that time with him.
It’s good that we have the moments captured, too.
They’ll never forget how hard he fought, for them.
Ami, I am completely undone. Tears are pouring down my cheeks. To hear Mike’s prayer at the end was perfect. I don’t have the ability to express myself the way Crystal did but, yes, it is time for Mike’s words to be shared with more than those who spent time at Cre8 together.
My tears are not just for you, JMichael and Sadey but also for Jacob and Zac who Mike spent so much time with building into them both. There will never be anyone that will be able to take his place.
Thank you so much for sharing your journey with us. It is truly a God blessed gift.
<3
Oh my Ami that was so powerful! Thank you for doing this !
The memories of the time spent in fervent prayer and fasting last year, seeing your original post of this final family gathering input ecdisblief of what appeared to be happening.
I was so glad that Sadie and J Michael were allowed in.
This recording is so very powerful, and hearing Mike’s words and prayer for direction and purpose absolutely awakens som thing in me that Ned’s to go forward.
Chrystal said it so eloquently above. I am so wanting I hear all that is in his recordings and writings and yours and your beautiful children’s.
I love you all so much and am so blessed to be part of Cre8. ❤️
So sorry for the typos above. Hoping the thought made its way thru.
So I prophesied as I was commanded; and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and suddenly a rattling; and the bones came together, bone to bone.