Monday, May 4, 2009
For tonight:
Just a few logistical points. We hope to start promptly at 6:30 this evening, and to keep the service itself to 1 hour. There will be a receiving line, but our hope is that folks will move quickly through it, greeting the family but not lingering too long, because there will be several opportunities to share your memories of Dad. Our plan, after most people have had a chance to get something to eat and the receiving line ends, is to open up a microphone for those who are so inclined to share publicly their thoughts and memories of Dad and how God used Dad in their lives. There will also be notecards available for the meeker among you, or those who need more time to collect their words; these can be left in a basket there or mailed to the Clark home. And there is of course this forum as well, where you can continue to leave comments after Joe's posting. Thanks, and we look forward to seeing everyone tonight. There is much to celebrate.
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4 comments:
It's been an honor for Penny & I to be part of Roger & Karen's small group, home group --- whatever you call it, for the last four years. (It's always been 'un-official'. I think it doesn't exist on paper.) We're a kind of rag-a-muffin band, diverse bunch in that we are, now, from different New Life Churches (Glenside, Bridge & Dresher). We enjoy each other's company so much , just being with Christ, in each others presence, that we've continued to meet. This is the context in which I grew to know and love Roger.
In John 1, Jesus calls his disciples. Verse 43 says that Jesus found Philip and said, "Follow me." Then it says, Philip found Nathanael and said, "We have found the one Moses wrote about ... Jesus of Nazareth." "Nazareth ! Can Anything good come from there?" Nathanael asked. "Come and see," said Philip.
When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, "Here is an Israelite, in whom there is nothing false." This is also translated..." in whom there is no guile". No guile means, literally, no deceitfulness, no deviousness, no duplicity. This isn't at all the kind of response you might expect from Jesus, commenting on such an off-the-cuff, non-filtered, joking, bordering on cynical comment-----about Him! The important thing is that Jesus commends Nathanael's honesty, his authenticity, his accuracy. He affirms that Nathanael is a what-you-see-is-what-you-get man. (Andrew alluded to this in his talk at the service.) Nathanael was a, don't have to worry about where he's coming from -- where he stands --- what's going on with him, kind of guy.
To me, Roger was this kind of 'no guile' man. Now I've known 1000's of men in my lifetime. I can count on one hand, maybe 5, men I'd describe like this. Roger was one of those 5.
Now I'll admit, maybe I'm a little jaded. In the ministry I work in as my 'official job', I'm often surrounded by men whose hearts & lives have become characterized by -- and steeped in, well, just the opposite; in deceit, deviousness, and duplicity--- as a way of life.
Maybe that's why it was so heart warming and infectious to see, experience and be around this man Roger was. That's why I always found it so encouraging and refreshing to be in Roger's presence-- to see an experience Jesus in him.
I think I am going to miss him terribly. But the Jesus in him--- to us, is what I admired and what I'll miss the most.
John Freeman
Dear Clarks,
It was a beautiful service! We were so glad to be there and so sorry to have to leave right afterward! The time we've spent with you has been so special. We send you love and comfort as you move forward. We were all so moved by the grace and strength you exhibitted during this painful time. We love you so much!
Love, Mehera
It was an honor to be with you all as we said goodbye to Roger for awhile. I generally have limited emotions at times like this, but I was able to grieve in my own way as I processed images of a full rich life. God has given me a useful gift and it was great to be able to use it this weekend. What a tribe this family is. Thanks!
BG
Thank you Andrew for such an eloquent , moving and stellar memory of your Dad.
Love the Powlisons
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