Thrill Ride of Life

This past week was one of those weeks of ministry that are not easily forgotten.

It all started last Saturday with a birthday celebration for our long-time Chapel treasurer, Ed Frye. He turned 75. It was a great time of fun and friends, and a great time to rejoice over what God has done in his life and his work for so many years. Praise God for him!

The following day I went to go visit someone very close to my heart. James Griffin is a young man who has been best friends with my brother-in-law, Brian, for years. I've had the privilege of seeing him grow up over the past 5+ years...what a class act. The day after we all had dinner together for Brian's birthday a few months ago, he was on his way to work from William Paterson University and was involved in a very serious car accident. He was actually pronounced DOA by the first people to arrive, but it turns out he survived. His back was broken in two spots, his neck broken, he had massive head injuries, a torn diaphragm, and bleeding in the brain. Through a lot of prayer, we have seen him go from coma to thumb wrestling with me. He has a long way to go, but praise be to God!

Last Sunday was also our annual meeting--all told, it was one of the best in Chapel history and certainly the best one I have ever been to. What a spirit of unity! I tell ya, if you weren't there, you missed a great one! Praise God! If you're not a member, you can still come, but if you aren't a member, the bigger question is 'why not?' I won't go further on this topic, because it isn't the focus of this post, but check this post out from a blog I check out from time to time. Good points there. (In other news, there's a membership class starting the first week of April... how convenient!?!?!)

Tuesday I had an early start and went in for a cardiac MRI and kidney ultrasound. I mentioned my past heart problems in an earlier post and this was a test to check and see what damage was done. I don't mind medical tests, but this one was more than I bargained for. To make a long story short, it was a rough morning, but it is so great to be going to a doc who is doing the work to find out all he can. Praise God!

Thursday evening I had the privilege of leading worship at one of the best memorial services I have been to. Bob Krenitski was 50 years old when he died of heart failure while driving with his wife, Dinah, to the hospital. I won't go into major detail, but this has been an excruciating time for the Krenitski family. Bob and Dinah have two very gifted children in college, and the loss was evident in all of the 500+ faces in attendance at the memorial service Thursday night. I wish I knew Bob before all of this, but one thing I do know about him--he was an amazing man of God. I say this not only because of the testimony others gave about him, but because of the way his family has handled this entire situation. He led his family well... he loved his family well... and he left a legacy that I can only hope I can come close to leaving with my small life here on the earth. It was a spectacularly peaceful night. The Holy Spirit was so obviously being the "Comforter" that Christ promised He would send in John 14. I praise God for His comfort and for the life of Bob Krenitski.

Services were great this weekend, with Baptisms spread throughout. Tonight, 34 people were baptized in response to the Nxt-Gen Winter Retreat. That makes nearly 40 people baptized this week.! PRAISE GOD!

Amazing how in both the ups and downs of this roller coaster life we can find so many reasons to praise God.

I made a little comment to Dave last night on the platform that it is so odd to have such a week of new life and death and how diametrically opposed they are. I caught myself quickly and realized how wrong I was.

Ed's life is bearing fruit...
James has been given a second chance at life...
God has spared me so many times...
Bob is experiencing the eternal life he always dreamed of...
Nearly 40 people testified today of the new life they have in Christ...

No opposition here--God is at work. Just open your eyes and catch a glimpse of His glory.