3 Months!

It's really been a long time since I've been here! Guess I haven't had much to say. Maybe that will change soon. I kind of miss this.

I do want to share the SCC has a new recording out as of this week: Beauty Will Rise. I'd say that this could be some of his most stripped down and emotionally open work yet. Totally understandable when considering the place he had to go to experience this. Such agony and anguish... losing a child in an accident involving another child... I don't think I could be this open this quickly. The witness to the faithfulness and love of God provided by the Chapmans is what walking the talk is all about.

SCC News!

I've been gone a long time! Facebook has just about killed my blog... lol!

I know some (or most) of you probably already know about the new SCC album, but I wanted to spread the news here as well.
























New disc is scheduled for release on November 3rd. Titled "beauty will rise", this one promises to be just as inspiring and personal as all of Steven's work. Maybe even more so considering the place in his life where he has been when writing it. I don't know. All I know is that I will definitely be in line to buy it as soon as I can. First single to be released is called "heaven is the face". I've included the lyrics below. Very personal stuff here. Can't wait to see how this ministers to so many!


























“Heaven Is The Face” by Steven Curtis Chapman:

Heaven is the face of a little girl
With dark brown eyes
That disappear when she smiles
Heaven is the place
Where she calls my name
Says, “daddy please come play with me for awhile”
God, I know, it’s all of this and so much more
But God, You know, that this is what I’m aching for
God,You know, I just can’t see beyond the door
So right now
Heaven is the sound of her breathing deep
Lying on my chest, falling fast asleep while I sing
And Heaven is the weight of her in my arms
Being there to keep her safe from harm while she dreams
And God, I know, it’s all of this and so much more
But God, You know, that this is what I’m longing for
God,You know, I just can’t see beyond the door
But in my mind’s eye I can see a place
Where Your glory fills every empty space
All the cancer is gone
Every mouth is fed
And there’s no one left in the orphans’ bed
Every lonely heart finds their one true love
And there’s no more goodbye
And no more not enough
And there’s no more enemy (no more)
Heaven is a sweet, maple syrup kiss
And a thousand other little things I miss with her gone
Heaven is the place where she takes my hand
And leads me to You
And we both run into Your arms
Oh God, I know, it’s so much more than I can dream
It’s far beyond anything I can conceive
So God, You know, I’m trusting You until I see Heaven in the face of my little girl


Here is SCC's announcement of the new recording! Very special stuff here!

It's been one year today...

Praying for this young man today. Maria is no longer in this world, but Will has to stay for a while. I have no idea what or how he is feeling. I have never lost a sibling, much less had one die as a result of an accident I was involved in.

Several of the blogs I read regularly feature posts today about this wonderful family.

I didn't expect to read this one, but apparently she is using her blog and other writing avenues to help in the healing. Pray for her. She is mom to both and hurts in ways that few can comprehend. And yet, her witness is strong!

Mary Beth Chapman


I am thankful for the writer of this other blog. He also lived through the event last year (although it was in a very different way and from a very different perspective). He has given a window into the world of the Chapman family that I would never see if not for his postings. Thanks Jim!

Jim Houser

And then there's Kelby. My source for all things SCC! She hasn't been able to post about this recently. She has a heart of gold and it is broken along with the rest of those who have followed Steven over all these years. Go there anyway and read through some of the archives. Look at the pictures, too. It will make you feel better. Thanks my friend!

Kelby (apostle)



Keep praying folks. It really does help.

I'm still here

Seems like forever since I've posted... Facebook has taken its toll.

Not a whole lot of new stuff happening.
Still working as many hours as I can get away with and not sleeping enough. Private school and college tuition tend to have that effect. Many who follow me on Facebook know that I am a grandfather. I love watching the changes in my oldest daughter as a result of having her own child. I love her (same as I always have) and praise God that He has protected her all these years. She is becoming a great mother. It's a lot of fun to watch.

I missed the tour that SCC and MWS did this year (and last year). Real sorry that I couldn't get out to one of the dates. Closest was in Baltimore, but I was working (big surprise!). From what I've read, the tour was a great success. I'm real happy about that. It's something I've been pushing for for years. I always felt that those two would make a great combo.
I recently went to Kelby's blog and found lots of pictures and commentary from recent days in the life of our favorite artist. She has continued to keep close tabs on the Chapman family and all the neat things that are happening for them.

Cudos to SCC for his recent awards. He definitely deserves all the acclaim that the world can give. His talent is well documented and a true gift to us all. Hopefully I will be able to get to Nashville this Fall to visit with the Chapmans a bit and extend my congratulations in person. With the upcoming wedding of Caleb, this will make two weddings they have had in quick succession. So happy for both Emily and Caleb - that they could find someone of like mind and spirit to spend their lives with. Truly a blessing!

Quickly approaching is the 1 year anniversary of the tragic death of Maria Sue Chapman. I still feel their pain for this tremendous loss. Glad that there is some joy in May to help offset the despair that will inevitably decend in a little over a week. I don't know how they have been able to hold up. As I watch the blogs and twitter, I see only Marybeth staying "out there". The rest of the family are keeping quiet (except for SCC on tour as he speaks from the stage). Wish they would share, as this helps us all. I still pray for Will. I know he will forever struggle with everything surrounding the event. I hope my readers will continue to lift the Chapmans to the Throne often.

Hard to believe that we are already in May. Time sure does pass quickly as we get older. I'm hoping to take some time off this Summer and play with my kids and vacation a bit. We surely need the break!

Until then, I will continue to work as many hours as the Lord allows so that I can keep finances controlled. We are so blessed In so many ways!

I'll try to update more often in the next weeks. Being on day shift at work for the last 20 weeks has killed my computer access during work hours. I miss night work for some of that freedom. I'll probably stay on days for another 13 weeks as that shift allows for more overtime on weekends and nights. Too many bills to pay, but grateful for the means to pay them.

Maybe I'll even post some pictures soon...

Hard to Believe...

It's been almost a month since I've posted to this blog. I've been busy to be sure, but not THAT busy.

Recently, a friend of mine showed me a picture of four Indian siblings who are in need of adoption (preferably together). I really felt that I needed to inquire about them. Unfortunately, India will not allow our family to adopt them. They don't want the family adopting to have more than 6 children total (including the adopted ones). Not fair. I really would have liked to bring them home.

I also have spent some time reading Kerry Hasenbalg's blog. How sad that they are having to walk this road. But praise God that Kerry can see with eyes that are on the Lord. Yet still, I can see her pain and she is allowing us to share in her suffering. What an honor to lift this woman (and her family) to the throne.

Some of my readers have asked if we will ever have our 12th. I have always replied that we are not trying but will accept any and all that the Lord sends our way. A few weeks ago, my wife shared with me that she thought she was pregnant. We struggled with this reality for a few days and then, just as we are getting adjusted to the miracle that is conception, it appears that we may have lost this little one. Please pray for my wife. We're not positive that the baby is gone, yet, but there are indicators that this is the case. I really don't have a clue (never having carried a child). I have gained a bit of insight through reading Kerry's blog, but still know nothing. We figure the baby was somewhere around 10-12 weeks. Still very early in development (some would say just a blob of cells - but we know better). I'm not sure how I feel. Either way. I'm saddened, but maybe just a little relieved. Hope that doesn't sound wrong. I would never hope for a child to not survive. Sad. Yeah, I'm sad. Maybe even a little depressed. That may be more a reflection of the distance I have allowed to open up between myself and God than anything else, though. Pray for me. I need to spend some time with the Lord.

SCC and MWS interview

Thanks to Jim Houser for releasing an interview done with Steven Curtis Chapman and Michael W. Smith. Fun stuff listening to these friends chat back and forth. Makes me wish I'd seen them on the United Tour.
Anyway, go and listen here if you're interested.

David Lipscomb update

David lost his battle with cancer this week... or should I say he is now victorious with Jesus...

I got the news yesterday morning and have taken a day to gather myself and decide what to post. I have only met the family on a couple of occasions, so I don't really know them. I have emailed back and forth with Robi and their son DJ concerning a concert with The Following. That is pretty much the extent of our interactions over the last couple of years. Robi and I conversed over the web a little about David. Mostly just updates, but since the Caring Bridge site went active, that was where I was updated more.

I am affected by this family. David's testimony in the face of such a horrible thing as pancreatic cancer is an inspiration. The way he affected and influenced so many others in his consistent witness - that his desire was to see Jesus' fame spread through his suffering - I find this to be incredible. I don't know that I would be able to show this reflection of Christ in the same situation.

Much to ponder and pray about.

Here is the most current post from David's Caring Bridge site posted yesterday around noon:

10 days ago David was enjoying Coke floats, Coke in a bottle, talks with friends and family. In the past 48 hours David has been unable to even drink from a straw or chew ice chips.
The past few days have been gut wrenching.

This morning at around 10:30 AM David left here and joined the best celebration ever and I could not be happier for him.

Don't get me wrong, my heart is broken and I am bawling my eyes out, but I am soooo glad David is no longer suffering.

Last night was a long night. David's breathing was labored and difficult. At around 5 AM he had a high fever, but was still in a deep sleep. When I got up this morning, I talked to my Mom and she encouraged me to tell David it was OK for him to go. I hung up the phone and went into our room and told David how much we loved him, that we know how much he loved us. I told him I knew this part of the journey was hard for him and it was hard for us too. I told him we were all ready for him to go so he should go when ever he was ready to be in paradise. Just then the phone rang and it was DJ. We talked for just a few minutes. I walked back to the bedroom and waited for David to breath. And waited and waited.. then I realized he was gone.

I have to admit we are sitting around right now playing funny stuff on utube. I guess I will make a list some of those at some point now that I said that. Anyway what I meant to say is here is some general information you may be wondering about.

We are planning to have a celebration of David's life here in the Nashville area and a second one in Houston Texas. I will update with the details soon.

Prayers:
Please thank God for His mercy, His kindness and His blessings. Pray for our family. Pray that David's life shines on in the thousands of children he helped get sponsored, the dozens of Chin'o girls who have families thanks to his influence, the kids who look at their Bible on a regular basis thanks to his time at Teen CBS.... OK this list could go on for days - yeah just say thanks.

Thank you for your prayers this day.

Love from Robi and all the Lipscomb family.

Pray for the Lipscombs!!

Thanks to Kelby for letting me know about this.
I am saddened to read this message from Geoff. I've only met David and Robi on a couple of occasions, but I have seen the work that they do and can testify that the love of Christ is strongly evident in their lives. Please pray for David and the family. This is a dark valley they are travelling.

This message from Geoff Moore:

Friends,

As many of you know, I’ve had the pleasure of knowing and working alongside David Lipscomb for the past ten years. We have shared many victories and challenges together as we focused our efforts on providing management and mentorship to artists and ministries. David has been has been a dear friend and a great source of encouragement to me. He and his precious wife Robi now allow me to do the same for them.I reflect back on this time a year ago, when David received the news that he had pancreatic cancer. The journey through surgeries, chemotherapy and radiation was a long and difficult one. Throughout this journey, I have had the hard blessing of walking with my dear friend. I have seen first-hand the pain and suffering, but much more than that, the Herculean courage that he has demonstrated. David Lipscomb’s faith is the real deal. In those hard, quiet moments when, to be perfectly honest, doubt has washed over me, he has never, ever wavered. He may say otherwise, but I am an eyewitness.A few weeks ago, the doctors confirmed David’s cancer had returned, and was present not only in his pancreas, but his liver as well. We would ask you to pray specifically that God would heal David in a way that would let him remain here with us. However, if God chooses a different road for David to walk, we ask that you would pray for peace and courage for the Lipscomb's. David wants most of all for Jesus’ fame to spread from his story.I think most of us might have a hunch about the cost of fighting a disease like cancer. In fact, some of you have had first-hand experience. While I knew the treatments were expensive, I honestly had no idea just how financially overwhelming the illness could be. Though David has health insurance and has continued to work to provide for his family, living with this illness for over a year has devastated them financially. Co-payments alone for the doctors’ visits, treatments and procedures have run into the tens of thousands of dollars. The cost of medications is staggering. The Lipscomb's made the difficult decision to sell their home, and Robi is now working two different jobs in an effort to make ends meet. Unfortunately, David is now at a point where he will no longer be able to work while he battle's the cancer.These are wonderful people who have given so much to so many of us. I ask you now to step in and give back. A special website allows you to give a financial gift to the Lipscomb's and share your personal messages of hope and encouragement. And there is good information about pancreatic cancer It’s my prayer that we can all work together to help eliminate the medical debt they are carrying and provide financial support so that Robi can focus her energies to caring for her husband and best friend.Most of all, by ministering to them financially, you help bring peace to an area that I know is a very real concern for David - that his family will not be provided for while he wages this personal war.

I would ask you to forward this email and link to anyone you feel would reach out to the Lipscomb family. I know many may receive it multiple times from different sources. I hope you will only see it as a confirmation that people are responding to this need.

Please give whatever you can, as soon as you can.

On behalf of these dear friends, thank you.
Geoff Moore
http://www.carefordavid.com