I am amazed at God’s great love for us. Yesterday morning in our service God showed up in so many ways. We cried over losing Karlee – especially the beautiful tribute video by WNDU TV – rejoiced with those who got baptized, and comforted each other with big, important truth from the Bible and lots of hugs.
I have been hearing from other pastors in our area who want us to know their churches are praying for the Bylers and our church. I am so grateful. God hears those prayers.
I had the opportunity to spend more time yesterday afternoon with Jay, Kelly, and Brooklyn. They are beginning to experience some important healing from God and are so thankful for your love and prayers.
Here are the arrangements for Karlee:
Visitation will be Tuesday 2:00-4:00 and 6:00-8:00 pm at Zion.
The funeral will be Wednesday at 10:00 am at Zion with burial at Violet Cemetery.
Memorials may be given to Zion Layette Ministry (for new moms in the area) or West Goshen Food Pantry.
Keep drawing on God. He is loving and powerful.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Losing Karlee
How can you even absorb such a loss? I’m writing this in the early morning hours having awakened with my thoughts and heart going out to Jay and Kelly Byler and their family. To experience the loss of a seven-year-old child is beyond comprehension, a parent’s worst nightmare. Karlee was a sweet, loving little girl that is now in the presence of Jesus.
Jim and Joyce and Ronda and I sat with the Bylers last night. Mostly we just sat and cried and prayed. We reminded ourselves that God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. (Psalm 46) And this is trouble. And God is there for us.
During the coming days the loss of Karlee will probably hit us like waves crashing on the shore. We can’t seem to take it in all at once. Maybe God has mercy by keeping that from happening.
Pray a lot for the Bylers. But don’t fear the loss of your children and those you love. Just hug them every chance you get and enjoy them every day God blesses you with them.
Jim and Joyce and Ronda and I sat with the Bylers last night. Mostly we just sat and cried and prayed. We reminded ourselves that God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. (Psalm 46) And this is trouble. And God is there for us.
During the coming days the loss of Karlee will probably hit us like waves crashing on the shore. We can’t seem to take it in all at once. Maybe God has mercy by keeping that from happening.
Pray a lot for the Bylers. But don’t fear the loss of your children and those you love. Just hug them every chance you get and enjoy them every day God blesses you with them.
Saturday, February 12, 2011
I am really cranked up about our church!
First, we had a great response in January to praying and fasting to start the New Year. People came out for special prayer meetings and, in general, increased their prayer time and fervency.
Then our prophetic meetings at the end of the month were outstanding. Attendance was as high as ever, God showed up, and we heard his voice. The prophets, Ben Goodman and Michael Cotten, were relaxed, relational, and right on with speaking for God. Our church loved their banter back and forth as they tag-teamed their way through the weekend.
I was amazed how God spoke to our church, reminding us of important things said long ago. A word about us being an Antioch church harks back to the early 1970’s! Then vision was given about planting churches and the harvest that almost duplicated what was said in 1991 by another prophet. To top it off, five people came to Christ during the weekend. That’s harvest!
We are excited about our future and the ripe harvest God has for us. The fact that God repeated these things so clearly indicates how determined he is to bring this harvest about. In 1991 the word included an urging to expect it and go after it. That’s exactly what I and our leaders intend to do. Join us for a great ride ahead.
First, we had a great response in January to praying and fasting to start the New Year. People came out for special prayer meetings and, in general, increased their prayer time and fervency.
Then our prophetic meetings at the end of the month were outstanding. Attendance was as high as ever, God showed up, and we heard his voice. The prophets, Ben Goodman and Michael Cotten, were relaxed, relational, and right on with speaking for God. Our church loved their banter back and forth as they tag-teamed their way through the weekend.
I was amazed how God spoke to our church, reminding us of important things said long ago. A word about us being an Antioch church harks back to the early 1970’s! Then vision was given about planting churches and the harvest that almost duplicated what was said in 1991 by another prophet. To top it off, five people came to Christ during the weekend. That’s harvest!
We are excited about our future and the ripe harvest God has for us. The fact that God repeated these things so clearly indicates how determined he is to bring this harvest about. In 1991 the word included an urging to expect it and go after it. That’s exactly what I and our leaders intend to do. Join us for a great ride ahead.
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