Blessed be the Name of the Lord

I received an email this morning, which I've included below if you'd like more details. This morning I am touched by a precious memory of Cathy Ng in our first days at Rogers Park Community Church. She passed away last night after being in a coma from the worsening condition of her brain tumor. She's rejoicing in the presence of the Lord, but I also remember a time of much rejoicing...

Tripp and I had been attending RPCC for just a few months. We were so enamored by the friends and quirky acquaintances we were finding among our christian brothers and sisters there. I believe Tripp knew of Cathy's brain tumor after walking by or being a part of a prayer meeting asking God for her healing. I knew Cathy as the woman who stood in front of me during worship with one hand wrapped around her little baby girl and the other lifted high in praise. For multiple Sundays we happened to sit behind them. And for multiple Sundays I could hardly sing because that woman just brought tears to my eyes. I think I even told Tripp that if we sat behind them again, I just wasn't going to sing.

My heart was broken by Cathy's unabashed praise because I knew her days may be numbered with that beautiful baby girl and she praised Jesus regardless. I was so humbled standing behind a woman in trial singing 'Forever You are faithful, forever you are strong, forever you are with us, forever...' Oh goodness, things haven't changed. That woman still makes me tear up.

I wanted to write this post just a day after her death and new life with God in eternity because as a mother, I don't know how she did it. I do know she did it with lots of tears, I saw those too. I guess I could also determine that she did it with LOTS of PRAISE! In the fiery trials of life, even in those that lead to death, blessed be the name of the Lord. He was my beginning, He WILL be my end.

Job 1:21 (KJV)

Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.

 

" Dear Brothers and Sisters of RPCC,

Tonight I received a phone call from our dear brother, Jason Ng.  Earlier today because the condition of his wife and our dear sister, Cathy, had become even worse as she remained in a coma, he and her parents decided that she needed to be taken off the life support.  Before doing so, her mother dressed her up very nicely!  Shortly after she had been taken off life support, praise the Lord that she looked beautiful and peaceful as she went to be with our wonderful Lord Jesus!  Consequently, Jason and her parents were really comforted to see her leave this world in that way!  Glory to God that she is now rejoicing in the presence of the Lord forever!  

Please pray for the Lord to continue to abundantly comfort and strengthen Jason and her parents due to their heavy loss! Thank you very much! 

Love in Christ,
Pastor Scott "

Called away, called here

This week we said goodbye to dear friends, Zach and Katie Byington as they go forth as missionaries in Liberia. Tripp and I are crazy about these guys and their friendship refreshes us in the Lord. We met Zach and Katie just as our close friends, Mark & Katheryn McCreary, were moving on from Chicago to Iowa. Then soon after we would bid farewell to long-time college buds, Jon & Clair Lee, as they settled in TX near family. Essentially, we had a lot of goodbyes in our life at the time we first said hello to Zach and Katie. In truth, we had said goodbyes to so many people, even more than I've included here, who were like family and loved us as brothers and sisters in Christ. In that season, we informed Zach and Katie of these great losses and told them that they better be stayin'. Oh what different and better plans the Lord has for us all!

So, as God would have it, He's called another close set of friends on. This time, into the mission field. So how can we argue?! Truly, we can't. I am so, so sad to see my brother and sister go, especially to a place we can't drive to. But I am so encouraged at how God loved us through them. Zach and Katie had not been attending RPCC long before stepping up as small group hosts. Katie relieved so many of my anxieties during this past women's retreat and she inspires me to serve selflessly at RPCC. They'll be greatly missed, like our other dear friends who have been called on.

I was reminded that we, all believers no matter the city, have been called as well. What an important thought and reminder from God. Perhaps we should be thanking Him for making a way for us to live in this transient place. Acts 17:26 says that He has determined the boundaries of our dwelling places, or in some translations 'the places that we should live'. And in God's sovereignty, according to Isaiah 61:1, we are here to proclaim the freeing and healing news of Jesus. This is our mission, and He has called us to it here. Glory to God.

Visit their blog at: http://zandkbyington.wordpress.com/

There is a very sweet children's bible song that sums up precisely what I'm sayin':

There were twelve disciples Jesus called to help him:
Simon Peter, Andrew, James, his brother John,
Philip, Thomas, Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus,
Thaddeus, Simon, Judas, and Bartholomew.
He has called us, too. He has called us, too.
We are His disciples, I am one and you!
He has called us, too. He has called us, too.
We are His disciples, We His work must do!

This version with someone singing with his kids is adorable (except the photos). He's called us regardless of how we sound singing his praises:

From the Mountains to the Valleys...

Saturday night was the 2012 Miss America Pageant and I confess - I watched just about the whole thing. Poor Bronco's were loosing so badly to the Patriots that Tripp let us flip back and forth. There was just something special about TV this night. Tripp and I were caught completely off guard by this precious commercial:

Diana Dreman
Miss Colorado 2011

Then at the start of the pageant, they eliminated at least 2/3 from the running. Before announcing the remaining 3 finalists, the host extended her microphone to Miss Colorado, Diana Dreman. She asked her what dialogue was happening in her head in these last moments. Diana replied (paraphrased), "It's in God's hands and this is all for Him."

TV is perhaps the last place I expect to see my Christian brothers and sisters talking about the Lord. And sometimes due to the disparity in the entertainment industry that so snugly surrounds us, I wonder where are the redeemed? More often, I'm blessed with stories of life-changing conversions by my sister in Christ and African missionary, Christina. When I sing the song, 'Hear Our Praises', I imagine peaks in Asia or valleys in Africa and nations like Uganda or India with voices crying out to Jesus. I tried to do more online research to verify Diana Dreman's faith to no avail. So, I'm taking her at her word and encouraged that there are praises on TV from the Rockies.

The video below is from Hillsong with Darlene dancing and singing her heart out. Some may feel uncomfortable watching this video because of some of the corruption that's turned Christian worship into another entertainment industry. I've got to say, I love Hillsong enough to look past the lights and suits - Glory to God for these anthems of truth.

may our homes be filled with dancing
may our streets be filled with joy.
may injustice bow to Jesus
as the people turn to pray.

from the mountains to the valleys
hear our praises rise to You,
from the heavens to the nations
hear our singing fill the air.

may Your light shine in the darkness
as we walk before the cross
may Your glory fill the whole earth
as the water o'er seas.

from the mountains to the valleys
hear our praises rise to You,
from the heavens to the nations
hear our singing fill the air.

hallelujah.hallelujah
hallelujah,hallelujah...
hallelujah,hallelujah
hallelujah,hallelujah.......

from the mountains to the valleys
hear our praises rise to You,
from the heavens to the nations
hear our singing fill the air