Got word Thursday that Matt Chandler, pastor of the Village Church had a seizure where they found a mass in his frontal lobe.
Got word in between services that Thomas Young, pastor of Sanctuary Fellowship (both the Village and Sanctuary are Acts 29 churches) died suddenly.
Please pray for Matt and Thomas’ family.
Jason
The YMCA is a buzz of activity, mainly from people trying to lose their turkey weight. I know I am trying to.
Listening to David Crowder, talking with my brother, getting ready to lift, later getting stuff for work day together.
And to think…I got to sleep in until……….9.
Yeah, I’m pathetic.
But in all of it….I want to appreciate grace more.
Jason
Today is a day where we as Americans take a day out of the year to memorialize and celebrate this idea called Thanksgiving.
Now, as jaded as I have the potential of being, I can easily slip into easy, familiar, and far-too-often lines of thought……
-we celebrate thanks by stuffing ourselves silly.
-we go to bed late to wake up early to stuff our carts silly with stuff that “uncle bob” will either re-gift or never use. And we show that “thankfulness” by being rude to our fellow shopper and the store workers we force out of bed at hours that I’m not sure Jesus himself would be “Christian” in the early morning.
Yet…I am reminded amongst the turkey, dressing, pumpkin pie, football games with playoff contenders vs. hapless and helpless losers, and incessant ads for early-morning savings for presents we neither need nor will appreciate……..
I should be and can be thankful to God for a myriad of blessings.
-My old church: Fellowship Bible Church. What a great group of people.
-My old pastors: Bill, Dave, Dave, and Woody, still at it, serving God, being examples of steadfastness, service, and Christ-honoring love.
-My best friends: Nick, Thomas, Rob, Chris, the HUB guys. They help me, encourage me, point me to Christ, and correct me.
-My wife: Mandy is the perfect person to be my wife. God knew what he was doing when setting us up.
-My family: I’m presently at my sister’s house alongside her children, husband, our mom and step-dad and her husband’s children. My dad and step-mom are in Florida, younger sister in Kansas City, and I have numerous non-blood related family all over the place.
-My daughter: I’m never bored. I’m always amazed. She by her very presence forces me to rely on the power of the Holy Spirit.
-Southway: She was a beautiful bride. Now, since February 1st…I’ve only begun to see her beauty…..and her potential. I still am in awe at how a church would welcome such a guy. (Not self-deprecating…just serious)
If I left you out, please don’t feel slighted. But I’d be remiss if I didn’t say…
-Jesus: Thank you for the cross and the empty tomb. Through you I have life forever AND now.
from a thankful person,
Jason
Like I said earlier, Wandra Cook and Frank Hiatt didn’t know one another, at least to my knowledge.
Frank Hiatt was born in 1942, one year before my dad was born. Unlike Wandra, I had an up-close and personal view of Frank’s life, at least during one part of it. He, his wife Pam, and their two children Catherine and Ross lived in Kingwood and were instrumental in the youth group back when I was in high school.
Pam died of cancer 15 years ago, and we were crushed by her death. She was a very looming example of grace under trial. I can only imagine how hard it was for Frank, Ross and Catherine during that time.
I can only imagine now how hard it is for Ross and Catherine to be going through this again.
While I don’t know how many people were there, my guess was at least 200. The room was packed. Pastor Dave led one part of the service while Bob Dewalt eulogized Frank. Bob stated that Frank was generous, always ready for a laugh (and often the butt of the joke) and loved God.
Verses used during Frank’s service included: Revelation 21:1-4, Psalm 73, I Thessalonians 3:7, Job 19:21, John 14, and Romans 8.
PD (Pastor Dave, actually it’s Dr. Dave) quoted C.S. Lewis’ work “The Problem with Pain” in saying:
“God speaks in our conscience, he whispers in our comfort and he shouts in our pain.”
True that.
It was almost like a family reunion. Almost.
I’ve come to see that you can partially tell the measure of a man by his funeral. what’s said, who shows, and how what they value is seen by the service.
While not a perfect man. Frank was a man who strived to follow Christ.
Jason
Wandra Cook and Frank Hiatt didn’t know one another, at least to my knowledge.
But they both have, as my old Pastor Dr. David Slottje would say, “Graduated” to be with Jesus Christ, within a week of one another.
Wandra passed away after a long issue with cancer on Saturday, November 14th. Frank passed away after a fairly lenghty issue with cancer on Friday, November 20th. Both of their funerals were held within three days of each other this past weekend/into Monday.
The difference was night and day. And the similarities were also striking as well.
Wandra Cook was born in 1946. From all accounts she was the glue that held her family together. Even in her weakened state most of the last few years of her life, she held onto the faith she had in Jesus Christ. Wandra’s family has had a rough go of it for the last few years with turmoil, strife and in-fighting. Yet, when I was given a note about her from her family, all they wanted to say was how she “kept them together” and how she was such a demonstration of grace based on her walk with Jesus Christ.
I had the privilege of meeting Wandra once as she mustered up enough strength to go to SCC once. She was the belle of the ball and the star of the show. Not because she wanted to, or requested. But there was just something about her that garnered respect, admiration, and love. And that something is Jesus.
I wish more people would have been at her service on Friday. More people needed to know the type of person she was so that by God’s grace they could imitate her as she followed Christ. Despite some pre-service histrionics by someone in attendance, (somehow, being drunk AND stoned doesn’t muse well for quiet reflection at a funeral) her memory and God’s glory was honored.
And while I was wrapping up that funeral……..I heard about Frank.
Jason
After reading some comments posted from my last post, I realized that I didn’t completely clarify myself, leading to mis-interpretation, leading to me not making myself clear.
I believe fully that God doesn’t need my or anyone else’s situation to get glory. He does receive it, and will make sure it happens, regardless of whether I participate or not. Yet he invites me to participate, and has graciously provided opportunities to do so.
I also don’t believe that God always answers the “why” question often….if at all. I think the better question to ask in times of trial (whether your own or one of a loved one) is “what.” What does God want to teach me about Himself, his nature, character, etc. I’m not asking why, and to my knowledge neither is the friend I wrote about.
And I do believe that it was God that I was INITIALLY mad at. After reading the comments, and talking to a friend, I realized that ultimately, I was angry at sin. My anger with God dissipated in light of my friend’s gentle-but-necessary correction.
Please continue to pray for my friend and their family. While it’s more strategic to know names and situations, for now…..pray.
Jason
If so, I’m good.
If not, I’m in trouble.
Theology has taught me to think that God is in control. He knows all, sees all.
I believe that.
I’m just trying to reconcile how God will get glory from a situation that seems to just stink like a big pile of skubalon. The situation is large. Consequences are huge for all involved. (I’m being secretive on purpose, but this situation has nothing to do with me, Mandy, SCC or Fellowship).
I really do believe Romans 8. I do.
I’m just trying to see that truth.
Pray hard.
Jason
Well, so much for my excellent “benefits” Plan.
But God’s plan is much more complex, entirely frustrating and ultimately more fruitful than what I had in mind.
The question now is: Do I believe that and will I wait for that? For it’s all a matter of belief. Like Piper has written, it’s a battle of unbelief that God’s promises are not enough or belief that His promises are enough.
Always,
Jason
I know, I know, some strange silence. Well, don’t worry that won’t last long. I’m re-calibrating my schedule, and will be back to daily postings next week.
Here’s why i’ve been a bit absent recently:
-I’ve been applying to work out at the pearland y. One shift a week, four hours a shift. There are two big pluses: One, I get to help people with fitness, which is a growing passion of mine. Two, there’s a good chance I’ll get benefits, which is absolutely crucial with my current stuff.
Once I get the paperwork done, and etc. I’ll be back.
Promise.
Jason
Spent three great days with Dad, Nelly, Kristina, Nana and all the aunts, uncles, and cousins you can ask for.
T’was good to get away and equally as good to be back.
Now…about that blog series I’d stated I would finish…
Jason
Half Twit….ter