Kristie is okay. She is not hurt physically. But you may have seen over the years that her mother has been to the hospital many, many times. She hasn’t been healthy for a while but somehow has continued to make it for the last ten years when she should have died many times. Her liver had been bad and her heart wasn’t doing any better. She is 70 years old and means the world to my wife. I have feared this day for quite some time. She died this morning.

I write this only because you are those who have prayed for her in the past and been there for her in an absolutely amazing way. But I have never seen anyone who loves life and fears death like her. I feel like she needs prayer, very badly. Death is a part of life, I know. But God has spared Kristie from feeling its sting so far. She teaches me continually about how death really is an enemy and it was not supposed to be like this. God hates death too. More than we know. But it will suffer its final blow when the last enemy is destroyed and Christ raises us, along with Sherry, Kristie’s mom, from the grave. I look forward to that moment more today than ever as I see the pain on my wife’s face.

Please pray for her comfort. Pray for her father as well. It is hard for him to mourn while Kristie is in such pain.

Also, I hate to bring this up. I really do. But the ministry needs $800 today. Really, we need the ministry to pay me $800 to pay rent that is due today. We have an odd situation with our house as we lease to own it. But if we are ever late again, they have the right to take it from us and we lose all we put into it. I know, it is a bad deal. But we made it 8 years ago when I was in a very bad place and made bad choices.

I am rambling. But you all have always shown your love for us in such incredible ways. So I guess you don’t mind me rambling too much.

So, in summary:

1. Please pray for my wife.
2. If you can contribute to our need you can support us on Patreon or give a one-time gift here.


We are very close to not having to ask for emergency support anymore! Patreon has been a blessing.



Thank you all so much for always being there.



Michael Patton


C Michael Patton
C Michael Patton

C. Michael Patton is the primary contributor to the Parchment and Pen/Credo Blog. He has been in ministry for nearly twenty years as a pastor, author, speaker, and blogger. Find him on Patreon Th.M. Dallas Theological Seminary (2001), president of Credo House Ministries and Credo Courses, author of Now that I'm a Christian (Crossway, 2014) Increase My Faith (Credo House, 2011), and The Theology Program (Reclaiming the Mind Ministries, 2001-2006), host of Theology Unplugged, and primary blogger here at Parchment and Pen. But, most importantly, husband to a beautiful wife and father to four awesome children. Michael is available for speaking engagements. Join his Patreon and support his ministry