"Pain and Suffering"

In Memory of My Father

Pain and suffering, pain and suffering, was all some of the pages said. I go through page after page, most giving praise and thanks to God. This is a man that is going through horrible pain. Every day he would hurt, yet he praised his God and cried out with thankfulness. He loved the Lord with all his heart. He believed for healing and restoration. At the same time he would pray "Your will be done Lord and not mine." No matter what would happen to him, he knew he had victory. He knew what his rewards were. This man is one of the greatest worship leaders there ever was. Not because he was famous, nor did he have any known songs . He was the best because he walked the talk. He lived what he preached. He was not a perfect man, but he loved God. He loved to lead people into worship. He loved to raise people up, people that would get told that they are no good. He still loved them and taught them. He had a passion to lead God's worshipers into worship. He had a powerful anointing placed upon him. It was a gift of God that he honored. My father, David Gartrell, never sought a title. He was just a worshiper. He started with the kids in junior church. Then he eventually became a "Worship Leader". He went through a lot to get there and a lot when he arrived. Through it all he loved and worshiped his Lord. The Lord did take this legend away from us, yet he has left so much behind.

I am going to show some of his private journal entries and as you read ask

yourselves, do I have this kind of love and faith.

Jan 2-10- Pain and suffering

Jan 11- I am suffering so much pain in my back and shoulders, but I know Christ suffered more than I can ever think of when he was hung on the cross.

I am looking forward to a good year, Lord willing. I will get through the trials and tribulation ahead of me.

Today was a great day in the Lord. Will did an excellent job leading worship, that was ever so anointed.

You see even when he was not leading, he still worshiped. He still felt the anointing. He was not thinking of ways he can play better.

I know that You are turning all my sorrow into joy. I am healed in the name of Jesus.

I am in pain in my neck and shoulders, but God is meeting my needs. He is the great healer.

It was not a very good day, but I still love the Lord with all my heart.

I felt better today and read the word. I need to straighten up and walk in faith. I need to get still before the Lord, walk in His love, and get renewed of the Holy Ghost!!!!

Lord I know you allowed this sickness, and I know that it will make me stronger in you, and the word. Lord I truly want to be a man with the caliber of faith, hope, and love, as my brother Oral Roberts has in you. What a living word he is in Jesus. Lord may I process that much anointing and love for you, as I see in that great man of God. I strive to be more like you Holy and precious Jesus. Sorry I don't spell good, but I will the more I write about my Savior. Lord I am going to take this time of healing and rest to get closer to you. To go high on the mountain top with you. And when I come down, may the radiance and glow of the All Powerful God rest on my face forever. AMEN!

My father was greatly anointed but, HE WANTED MORE! You can never have enough of Gods anointing on you. My father was a humble man that would serve the nobodies before the somebodies.

I was pain free! The Holy Spirit moved mightily, God is so good. I love leading these kids to Gods throne room. Thank you Jesus.

(He had woke up this day in a lot of pain. This was going to be his first night at youth for a long time, yet when he got there all his pain was GONE

Matthew 26:42

42He went away a second time and prayed, "My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done."

Some probably ask, "So if he loved your Lord so much and you Lord is so great, why did he take your dad." I say that the Lords will was for him to leave early. You see we have to learn to submit unto the Lords will, like Jesus did (Matt 26:42). If my god wanted to he could raise any dead man up from his grave. He can say, "Pick up your mat and walk" (John 5:8). Yet, God had to shut a door to open one. He worked it out for his good! Don't get me wrong, I would love for my father to still be here. Yet if he were, I would not be doing anything I am doing. My fathers anointing is still on this earth. His anointing has been passed on. Not just that, it has been passed on as a double anointing. A triple anointing! Forever until the day I die, I will have my father's mantle, which was given to him by his heavenly Father, and now to me.

Double, No Triple

I have received my dads blessing double. Better yet I believe triple! I am going to carry his songs and voice through me till the day I die. I will strive to be like my dad because he was always trying to be like his Heavenly Father. I miss him dear. He went out before me and knocked down giants for me. He cleared a path for me to run. He set me up with a clear shot. I am going to lead like him and I am going to teach about the wonderful things of worship. It is our passion and desire. Forever it will live, burn within me.