My friend Wally is close to going home to be with His Savior. I think he's around 50, and his earthly tent has Pancreatic cancer, which at this stage is causing him to starve to death.
This is man who will leave a "Jesus-shaped" hole in the world. He has been an example to me of what a Christian business man should look like. He's not a perfect man, today, but will be in just a few days.
My heart rejoices with Wally in his completion of the race and aches with his family, as they remember what a great dad and husband they were blessed to have for this short time here on earth.
Ps. 112 is men's directive as Prov. 31 is to women.
Psalm 112
1 Praise the LORD.
Blessed is the man who fears the LORD,
who finds great delight in his commands.
2 His children will be mighty in the land;
the generation of the upright will be blessed.
3 Wealth and riches are in his house,
and his righteousness endures forever.
4 Even in darkness light dawns for the upright,
for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man.
5 Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely,
who conducts his affairs with justice.
6 Surely he will never be shaken;
a righteous man will be remembered forever.
7 He will have no fear of bad news;
his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD.
8 His heart is secure, he will have no fear;
in the end he will look in triumph on his foes.
9 He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor,
his righteousness endures forever;
his horn will be lifted high in honor.
I have been listening to Nicole Nordeman lately and this song makes me think of Wally and also what Legacy will I leave when my days here are complete. I hope you are encouraged.
Legacy
I don't mind if you've got something nice to say about me
And I enjoy an accolade like the rest
You could take my picture and hang it in a gallery
Of all who's who and so-n-so's that used to be the best
At such'n'such ... it wouldn't matter much
I won't lie, it feels alright to see your name in lights
We all need an 'Atta boy' or 'Atta girl'
But in the end I'd like to hang my hat on more besides
The temporary trappings of this world
I want to leave a legacy
How will they remember me?
Did I choose to love? Did I point to You enough
To make a mark on things?
I want to leave an offering
A child of mercy and grace who
blessed your name unapologetically
And leave that kind of legacy
I don't have to look too far or too long awhile
To make a lengthly list of all that I enjoy
It's an accumulating trinket and a treasure pile
Where moth and rust, thieves and such will soon enough destroy
Not well traveled, not well read, not well-to-do or well bred
Just want to hear instead, "Well Done" good and faithful one...
When people remember us, what will they remember most?
Pray for the Carruthers family for continued peace and for their faith to remain strong in a very difficult time.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Friday, August 29, 2008
Shocking News :)
Grant is fine and he just has a little more experience than he did yesterday morning.
We knew it would happen sometime, and yesterday was the day. When you have a device implanted, your expectation is that that device will work when it is needed, work towards the intended result and hopefully continue to remain dormant until the next event.
Grant was playing soccer with the team, though not doing all the running drills, he said that he had some discomfort in his abdominal area, put his hands on his knees and then his defibrillator went off. He said it fell like someone kicked him in the back, but told Teresa, "It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be". What a trooper.
When Teresa tried to call me 3 times in one minute, as I was talking to an architect that I had just hung up on, I knew it must have been somewhat serious.
Teresa was of course more shaken than Grant was, but she's supposed to be since she's the mom, and she isn't interested in partaking in any more heart related excitement. She is fine now.
Thanks for all your prayers for her comfort and trusting the Lord.
I guess Grant has decided to stick more closely to golf, rather than soccer.
God is good to remind us how precious every heart be really is.
I went to the Tri-Cities yesterday, so had some time to listen to sermons on the ipod and a little music as well. I was listening to Nicole Nordeman's song "I am" and was reminded how fast he time goes and of the nearness of God. I hope you're encouraged by the lyrics.
Pencil marks on a wall, I wasn't always this tall
You scattered some monsters from beneath my bed
You watched my team win
You watched my team lose
Watched when my bicycle went down again
And when I was weak, unable to speak
Still I could call You by name
And I said, Elbow Healer, Superhero
Come if You can
You said, I Am
Only sixteen, life is so mean
What kind of curfew is at 10pm?
You saw my mistakes
And watched my heart break
Heard when I swore I'd never love again
And when I was weak, unable to speak
Still I could call You by name
And I said Heartache Healer, Secret Keeper
Be my best friend
And you said, I Am
You saw me wear white by pale candlelight
I said forever to what lies ahead
Two kids and a dream, with kids that can scream
Too much it might seem when it is 2am
And when I am weak, unable to speak
Still I will call You by name
Shepherd, Savior, Pasture Maker
Hold onto my hand
You say, I Am
The winds of change and circumstance blow in and all around us
So we find a foothold that's familiar
And bless the moments that we feel You nearer
When life had begun, I was woven and spun
You let the angels dance around the throne
And who can say when, but they'll dance again
When I am free and finally headed home
I will be weak, unable to speak
Still I will call You by name
Creator, Maker, Life Sustainer
Comforter, Healer, my Redeemer
Lord and King, Beginning and the End
I Am
Yes, I Am
We knew it would happen sometime, and yesterday was the day. When you have a device implanted, your expectation is that that device will work when it is needed, work towards the intended result and hopefully continue to remain dormant until the next event.
Grant was playing soccer with the team, though not doing all the running drills, he said that he had some discomfort in his abdominal area, put his hands on his knees and then his defibrillator went off. He said it fell like someone kicked him in the back, but told Teresa, "It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be". What a trooper.
When Teresa tried to call me 3 times in one minute, as I was talking to an architect that I had just hung up on, I knew it must have been somewhat serious.
Teresa was of course more shaken than Grant was, but she's supposed to be since she's the mom, and she isn't interested in partaking in any more heart related excitement. She is fine now.
Thanks for all your prayers for her comfort and trusting the Lord.
I guess Grant has decided to stick more closely to golf, rather than soccer.
God is good to remind us how precious every heart be really is.
I went to the Tri-Cities yesterday, so had some time to listen to sermons on the ipod and a little music as well. I was listening to Nicole Nordeman's song "I am" and was reminded how fast he time goes and of the nearness of God. I hope you're encouraged by the lyrics.
Pencil marks on a wall, I wasn't always this tall
You scattered some monsters from beneath my bed
You watched my team win
You watched my team lose
Watched when my bicycle went down again
And when I was weak, unable to speak
Still I could call You by name
And I said, Elbow Healer, Superhero
Come if You can
You said, I Am
Only sixteen, life is so mean
What kind of curfew is at 10pm?
You saw my mistakes
And watched my heart break
Heard when I swore I'd never love again
And when I was weak, unable to speak
Still I could call You by name
And I said Heartache Healer, Secret Keeper
Be my best friend
And you said, I Am
You saw me wear white by pale candlelight
I said forever to what lies ahead
Two kids and a dream, with kids that can scream
Too much it might seem when it is 2am
And when I am weak, unable to speak
Still I will call You by name
Shepherd, Savior, Pasture Maker
Hold onto my hand
You say, I Am
The winds of change and circumstance blow in and all around us
So we find a foothold that's familiar
And bless the moments that we feel You nearer
When life had begun, I was woven and spun
You let the angels dance around the throne
And who can say when, but they'll dance again
When I am free and finally headed home
I will be weak, unable to speak
Still I will call You by name
Creator, Maker, Life Sustainer
Comforter, Healer, my Redeemer
Lord and King, Beginning and the End
I Am
Yes, I Am
Monday, August 25, 2008
It's about time
Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.
Refrain
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!
Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.
Refrain
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!
Well, it's been a long time since I have posted, and to me it seems crazy, but people ask me all the time when I am going to post, so here you go.
Summer is almost in the bag, school's about to start and it's already been 5 months since the event that has changed our lives from top to bottom.
We have been prayed for, served, loved and taken care of by so many of you, and we love your care for our family.
Grant is doing well. He and Garrett both worked at PG most of the summer. The guys in the shop love having them, as they work hard and are generally fun to be around. Grant is putting on some weight, he looks great and his arms are getting big. He's a man now. It seems so strange to have him be taller than me. For the first time in my life it was fun for me to lose at golf, as Grant beat me a couple of weeks ago. He really has a nice swing and is getting to be quite a good shot-maker. Good stuff:)
Kimmy spent a month in Berlin with the Green family. She got to stay with the youngest 5 kids while the parents went to Israel with the older 5 for 2 weeks. She loved it, even though the kids were sick with flu like symptoms for a few days.
Garrett is as funny as ever and has been working hard at PG, soccer training, shooting baskets and just being an all around great kid.
God has blessed us, so much more than we deserve, with 3 great kids who love Him. Life is good.
Teresa is working hard around the house, being a great mom, weeding like a machine, cleaning and being a friend to many ladies. She is still very funny, but is more emotional than previous. I think that's ok considering what she's been through.
We did get some AED's, Automatic External Defibrillator, but haven't tried them out yet. We need some instruction, and will get it from a family whom we have met, from Grant's event. They lost their 16 year old son/brother 4 years ago on the 16th of Sept.
We have met so many people and have shared God's love and care because of Grant's event. We try to make the most of every opportunity to share His faithfulness, as many wouldn't see this kind of a thing as a blessing, though we certainly do.
I don't want to go on too long.
God is Good. He is Faithful, even when we aren't. He doesn't give us more than we can handle and gives us exactly what we need to strengthen our faith.
Hallelujah, what a Savior.
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.
Refrain
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!
Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.
Refrain
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!
Well, it's been a long time since I have posted, and to me it seems crazy, but people ask me all the time when I am going to post, so here you go.
Summer is almost in the bag, school's about to start and it's already been 5 months since the event that has changed our lives from top to bottom.
We have been prayed for, served, loved and taken care of by so many of you, and we love your care for our family.
Grant is doing well. He and Garrett both worked at PG most of the summer. The guys in the shop love having them, as they work hard and are generally fun to be around. Grant is putting on some weight, he looks great and his arms are getting big. He's a man now. It seems so strange to have him be taller than me. For the first time in my life it was fun for me to lose at golf, as Grant beat me a couple of weeks ago. He really has a nice swing and is getting to be quite a good shot-maker. Good stuff:)
Kimmy spent a month in Berlin with the Green family. She got to stay with the youngest 5 kids while the parents went to Israel with the older 5 for 2 weeks. She loved it, even though the kids were sick with flu like symptoms for a few days.
Garrett is as funny as ever and has been working hard at PG, soccer training, shooting baskets and just being an all around great kid.
God has blessed us, so much more than we deserve, with 3 great kids who love Him. Life is good.
Teresa is working hard around the house, being a great mom, weeding like a machine, cleaning and being a friend to many ladies. She is still very funny, but is more emotional than previous. I think that's ok considering what she's been through.
We did get some AED's, Automatic External Defibrillator, but haven't tried them out yet. We need some instruction, and will get it from a family whom we have met, from Grant's event. They lost their 16 year old son/brother 4 years ago on the 16th of Sept.
We have met so many people and have shared God's love and care because of Grant's event. We try to make the most of every opportunity to share His faithfulness, as many wouldn't see this kind of a thing as a blessing, though we certainly do.
I don't want to go on too long.
God is Good. He is Faithful, even when we aren't. He doesn't give us more than we can handle and gives us exactly what we need to strengthen our faith.
Hallelujah, what a Savior.
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