Lindsay and Maria

This was a tough post to compose. Please make sure you read the entire posting and follow the links. There are two stories that could change your life.

Back in 1993, I was a 21 year old music minister, on the verge of being a new husband and then a daddy, studying piano for a master's degree, under one of the most hard-nosed teachers of our time, and grieving the loss of my 16 year old brother.

I had some great mentors--not the least of which was my Dad--but there were others as well. Jerry L'Italien, Guy Winebrenner, Earle Gould, and many other good men--but there was another one who had quite an impact on me and on our church.

Many of you probably don't realize this, but our church has historically had quite a connection to Sandy Cove Bible Conference. Sherry Bitler did some excellent foundational work for their children's program, and Paul Palmer's family founded the place. Back in 1993, many of the staff members of Sandy Cove attended GRPC. Just like today, back then GRPC was a wonderful place to be. Those were very special times. Sometime soon, I want to take a trip down memory lane and recall some of those days of the 90's. Maybe next week.

Bill Welte was the music director at Sandy Cove and also attended the church. He reached out to me and he too became a mentor in my life. He made a tangible impact. Once, he and I were at lunch and he encouraged me to consider listening to a musical. He felt we had the talent at GRPC to produce a major musical and he found one he really felt I should consider. It was about a man named Bill who didn't celebrate Christmas. The musical was a journey through Christmases past and made use of dance, lighting, staging, and singing. It would require vision and an huge undertaking. It was way out of my comfort zone. This musical would give an opportunity for many people to use gifts--both musical and non-musical. It was called, "A Time for Christmas." The rest is history. Fifteen years later, and after thousands have come through our church doors as a result, I am still thankful that Bill Welte invested in me. I was also able to share a musical with him that he would later direct at Sandy Cove called, "God with Us." Many of you perhaps remember the impact this musical had on worship, not just in our church, but on church worship in general.

Bill also taught me a lot about worship leading and planning. It wasn't until I heard him speak at a conference that I really understood that we had one of the more articulate, funny, talented, and bright worship leaders sitting right in our pews and humbly encouraging me in my growth. He moved out of the area many years ago, and became the CEO and President of America's Keswick Bible Conference.

I was so sad and stunned this past week to hear that Bill's two year old granddaughter suddenly died of a heart condition. Oh the pain of searing loss. This world is not our home. Many times it is hard to keep that heavenly perspective--WHY? I cannot imagine losing one of my little girls--those precious ones who have my heart and my love. Here is a link about little Lindsay so you can be praying for this family who has given so much to the church's ministry, both at GRPC and serving in mercy at America's Keswick:

http://lindsaykeswick.blogspot.com/

One of the musicals we did before "A Time for Christmas" was called "He's Alive." The musical included a song called, "For the Sake of the Call." It is a song about being willing to go where God wants you to go, and being willing to do the things He wants you to do. It was written by Stephen Curtis Chapman, one of the foremost Christian artists of our time. Chapman is one of those guys who emanates joy. I have seen him in concert and not only did he give an awesome musical performance, but he reflected all glory back to God. He and his wife, after having three children, felt called to adopt from China. This transpired, in part, because his naturally born daughter continually prodded her parents that they were "not being obedient to the Lord's will." Pretty bold. Read the story, and be prepared...

All told, they adopted three little girls over the course of several years. This past week, one of their adopted daughters, Maria, was accidentally run over and killed in their own driveway. We are promised trials and suffering in this misery-filled place--a place where we experience such great joy and such unspeakable loss.

Here is a link so you can pray for this family, who has given so much of themselves to the church's ministry. They have helped many families adopt, who would not otherwise be able to do so.

http://members.shaohannahshope.org/site/PageServer

This Memorial Day weekend, hug your children. Look them square in the eye and tell them how much you love them, that you are here for them, that they can tell you anything. Read the Scriptures to them and pray. It pays off. Tell them the stories about Jesus. Tell them about the brave men and women who have fought to protect our country--one that was founded by trusting in God's plans, "in God we trust." God is sovereign, and we can trust Him. Yes, he is in control of even the smallest detail.

We have an awesome worship service planned for Sunday. We are going to be hearing from a very special guest who will share how the Word going out from GRPC has sustained her through some very painful times. We will also be singing one of the great hymns of the faith, and one of my personal favorites, "Holy, Holy, Holy." The choir will be singing "I Bowed on My Knees and Cried Holy." This is a song that literally sustained my family during the painful 90's. It is going to be a great service.

Here is a very special video of Steven Chapman and his late daughter, Maria: