An Up and Down Month - James

Talk about a time of ups and downs. It's hard to know whether to laugh or cry.

Just over a week ago we learned that Steven Curtis Chapman and his wife Mary Beth lost their youngest daughter in a tragic accident. It hit me especially hard since we also have an adopted daughter named Maria. I can't imagine the pain each member of their family is going through. They definitely need our prayers.

Then this past week Nicol Sponberg (former member of Selah) lost her two month old son to what they think was SIDS. It seems like our web site is filling up with black wrapped photos.

Meanwhile, on the up side, our former Network President and current Board Chairman, Herb Roszhart, and his wife Ardys recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. What an inspiration, especially in a day and age when commitment to a spouse is becoming more and more rare.

Brenda and I will be celebrating our 20th anniversary early in June. The longer I live with her, the more I realize how blessed I am. I first saw Brenda during a radio photo shoot my Junior year in college. I was struck by her outer beauty then but have since had the privilege of learning that she also has a great inner beauty. She truly is a blessing from the Lord.

One other change affecting our lives involves our oldest daughter. It's hard to believe but our little girl is now old enough to drive. And she's really doing pretty well at it. I praise the Lord for drivers ed instructors. I don't think either of us would make it through if I had to teach her.

As I said at the beginning of this post, it's been a time of ups and downs. But the good news is that, during this same time I've been studying Ephesians. Paul's words have reminded me over and over that it's not the circumstances around us that should dictate our moods or attitudes; it's the God we serve, who is at work in us, who is leading and guiding us (if we'll get out of the way and let Him), and who gives us the ultimate joy of knowing that, as His children, Heaven is in our future. If Paul could "count it all joy" writing from a prison cell chained to a Roman guard. If he could ask for prayer, not for deliverance, but that he would run a good race in the location God had placed him, then I should be able to as well. I'm still learning. Satan still drags me down more often then I'd like to admit. But I am learning. I guess the new title to this post should be: "A Month Of Running this Race Called Life in the Service of the King"

Chapman Tragedy - Becca

Well, I've been wanting to post a blog for a while, but I try and wait until I'm inspired to actually say something. I wasn't thinking something like this would be what would do it.

Tragedy hit popular Christian music artist Steven Curtis Chapman's family yesterday afternoon as his 5-year-old and youngest adopted daughter from China, Maria Sue, was accidentally hit and killed by an SUV that was driven by one of their teenage sons as he was driving in the driveway of their home. I found out this morning when I arrived at work when James (my boss) told me of this. It so saddens me, as I, and so many others have come to really respect and appreciate the Chapmans for their love for the Lord and for orphans. They've been used as instruments of the Lord to proclaim His heart for those without fathers and many have been moved to adopt or to reach out to the orphans.

If you haven't heard their story, here it is in a nutshell, from what I've learned from hearing/reading several interviews in the past. The Chapman's oldest daughter, Emily, had a burden for adoption, and through her prayers and persistence of encouraging her parents to do so, the Lord moved on Steven and Mary Beth's hearts to adopt. Their first child they adopted was Shaohannah from China. They later adopted two others from China, Stevey Joy and then Maria Sue.

Taken from www.stevencurtischapman.com, where you can also see a video clip of Steven and Maria taken two months ago...
"Maria Sue Chapman, adopted and youngest daughter to Mary Beth and Steven Curtis Chapman, was killed Wednesday night in a tragic accident in the family driveway on Wednesday evening. She was LifeFlighted to Vanderbilt Children's Hospital but for only reasons God can explain she went home to Him... not to Franklin as we all so desperately wanted.Your prayers are needed for all in the Chapman family.

This is a family who has so generously loved and given to so many. Just hours before this close knit family was celebrating the engagement of the oldest daughter Emily Chapman, and were just hours away from a graduation party marking Caleb Chapman's completion of high school. Now, they are preparing to bury a child who blew out 5 candles on a birthday cake less than 10 days ago. These words are unthinkable to type."

What else can one say at this time? I can't imagine what the family must be feeling right now, especially the son who hit her. Especially the father who adored her. Especially the mother, who at one time didn't know if she could love an adopted child like her own, only to find she could love them deeply. Especially a sister who prayed for her. Especially sons who joined in cheering their parents to adopt again, and had already decided they would one day adopt their own.

Not even popular Christian musicians are exempt from pain in this world, but where there is pain, in Christ, there is still hope and comfort. Thousands, I know, will grieve and pray with the Chapmans.

Romans 12:15b "mourn with those who mourn."
John 16:33b "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

Find out more, including how to send condolences to the family and gifts to Shaohannah's Hope, (the organization the Chapmans started to help people who want to adopt) at www.stevencurtischapman.com.