tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5735492301392760996.comments2009-05-14T12:45:32.221-04:00Roger Clark: Uploadedangeroohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16803270859979142749noreply@blogger.comBlogger222125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5735492301392760996.post-66770008264153238222009-05-14T12:45:00.000-04:002009-05-14T12:45:00.000-04:00THANKS for posting the video.....it helps with the...THANKS for posting the video.....it helps with the grief<br /><br />We just had our first mini church meeting on Tuesday withOUT your dad. Oh it was hard to meet. He led usually with grace, tenderness, and a firm hand towards no foolish wandering or gossiping. This night we ate, we processed life without your dad and checked in with each member. We spoke of your words Andrew...how inspiring and wonderful they are...we are comforted each time we read them.<br /><br />Thanks Clark family for sharing your dad. He was pithy, real, loving, godly, un pretentious, earthy, authentic, passionate, emotional without shame, a manly man, LOVED his wife, committed to his church, loved those who came into his home, and served his LORD.<br />I am richer to have lived in the borders of his life for the last 5 years.Pennyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07408611109764553785noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5735492301392760996.post-89530796671672210492009-05-12T13:57:00.000-04:002009-05-12T13:57:00.000-04:00Thank you Andrew for such an eloquent , moving and...Thank you Andrew for such an eloquent , moving and stellar memory of your Dad.<br />Love the PowlisonsAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5735492301392760996.post-66819354452953133512009-05-12T09:27:00.000-04:002009-05-12T09:27:00.000-04:00As a young man in the church I began watching Roge...As a young man in the church I began watching Roger early on. I watched him as he greeted visitors. I watched him put his arm around people and lovingly pray for them. I watched him look people in the eye and sincerely ask how they were doing. I am grateful for his shepherding example as an elder.<br /><br />I later had the privilege of praying with Roger many a Friday morning at men's prayer. I remember like it was yesterday the morning Roger came in 6 years ago and tearfully shared the news that he was diagnosed with cancer. We all cried that morning. His honest struggle left a very large impression on me. <br /><br />Jim SpauldingAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07864952004379834123noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5735492301392760996.post-82683131282984424702009-05-12T08:33:00.000-04:002009-05-12T08:33:00.000-04:00Thank you so much for posting the slideshow and th...Thank you so much for posting the slideshow and the many updates. Although we couldn't be there with everyone to remember the blessing that Roger was we were lifting up and continue to pray for the family from over here.<br />L. and M. BrownAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5735492301392760996.post-55296061947847406452009-05-10T19:09:00.000-04:002009-05-10T19:09:00.000-04:00We talked in an earlier post about the limit of wo...We talked in an earlier post about the limit of words - that there are times when groans must do the job that words cannot. <br /><br />But words do have power; your reflections on your dad's life show that unmistakeably. Thank you for every last sentence, every weighed phrase, every specific word, every last remembrance. You gave voice to the essence of who he was. You let us all in the circle to grieve, and smile, and nod, and worship the God Who made Roger the man he was. <br /><br />We miss him terribly, but it's no wonder. He was at his essence a man after God's own heart, and he transparently lived out of that. To be undivided in his love for God and to imitate His heart for the hurting was both an encouragement and a challenge to me. I found myself reexamining my own priorities as a result hearing about his life. There was comfort in hearing his life so richly reviewed. Thank you for that gift to us. And for sharing your husband/dad/son with us -- we are richer for having counted him as a friend.Becky Wilsonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5735492301392760996.post-24281460710256013642009-05-06T21:22:00.000-04:002009-05-06T21:22:00.000-04:00It was an honor to be with you all as we said good...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!<br />BGAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5735492301392760996.post-81614383036348714502009-05-06T13:21:00.000-04:002009-05-06T13:21:00.000-04:00Roger, years ago when he was the Director of Chris...Roger, years ago when he was the Director of Christian Education at New Life, helped me a lot when I was teaching the Friendship Class.He would check in with me and the students. He was also concerned that, due to space limitations, we had to meet on a landing. He advocated for us have a classroom when New Life moved to Glenside. When New Life relocated, we did indeed have our own classroom.<br /><br />I also remember sitting next to Roger during a church seminar. He mentioned a Christian brother we knew who had been psychiatrically hospitalized. He had been to visit him. He cried as he bemoaned the broken appearance of our brother. I was impressed by Roger's obvious compassion for his friend.<br /><br />My wife said that Roger was "a can do person who listened well." We agreed that you don't always see those two traits together. I always had the sense that Roger, when he talked with me, genuinely cared how I was doing. He listened aggressively, empathetically and non-judgmentally. He was transparent and genuine. He would try to help, but without being preachy. I could trust him.<br /><br />He was a visual expression of Christ's love for me. He was a good friend. Although I will miss seeing him in this life, I am glad that his pain is over and that we will meet again.Rick Hadleynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5735492301392760996.post-9422493717457209682009-05-05T11:00:00.000-04:002009-05-05T11:00:00.000-04:00Roger, the man of prayer. Roger prayed for the co...Roger, the man of prayer. Roger prayed for the congregation while he was ill. We recently, within the last few months, received a post card from him stating that he was praying for the congregation and letting them know through postcards. What a wonderful gift that was. He truly was a man of integrity, prayer and unpretentious. We are so thankful to have known him and we are also thankful that he is at home now with Jesus. No more pain, no more chemo, no more exhaustion, no more being uncomfortable. We hope he is dancing and singing with Jesus.<br />Much love to all the Clark family.<br />The Hagerty'sAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5735492301392760996.post-80588670687753582702009-05-05T10:59:00.000-04:002009-05-05T10:59:00.000-04:00Dear Clarks,
It was a beautiful service! We were ...Dear Clarks,<br />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!<br />Love, MeheraMeherahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00859636697869943860noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5735492301392760996.post-52277409300727417312009-05-04T23:04:00.000-04:002009-05-04T23:04:00.000-04:00It's been an honor for Penny & I to be par...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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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. <br /><br />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. <br /><br />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.<br /><br />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. <br /><br />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.<br /><br />John FreemanPennyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07408611109764553785noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5735492301392760996.post-52961467450749430842009-05-03T20:27:00.000-04:002009-05-03T20:27:00.000-04:00Roger stories? Let me condense a few.
He never cea...Roger stories? Let me condense a few.<br />He never ceased to ask for our children. He prayed for each and celebrated their accomplishments and cared to know how their souls were. All three of my children will attend his memorial service, not because they are forced to come; but because they chose to honor a man who prayed and looked them in the eye and asked them how they were doing each time he was in their presence.<br /><br />He prayed me through comprehensives, a dissertation, and finally the license exam. All terrified me. He celebrated them each with a party at his house with our beloved mini-church. <br /><br />He kissed me me when I walked in the door, his eyes lighting when he saw me. It is rare to have another person other than your spouse really look at you and enjoy your presence. He led our mini-church meetings affirming each person for their uniqueness. He never had a critical thing to say; and rebuked us often if we wandered into mindless gossip.<br /><br />I am a richer woman because of Roger. My husband is down one friend because Roger is no longer here. We grieve his presence in our midst. We knew this day would come: we chose to walk this path knowing he would leave us, but we are thrilled to have known him so intimately.Pennyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07408611109764553785noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5735492301392760996.post-71196656453765515862009-05-03T17:52:00.000-04:002009-05-03T17:52:00.000-04:00Always a smile and a question; "how's Dave"
whenev...Always a smile and a question; "how's Dave"<br />whenever I would see you no matter how much you were hurting.<br />We had some nice times of prayer on Mondays these last few years.<br />Thanks for always welcoming me.<br />I mowed the lawn on your dying day knowing you would love to be outside doing that, doing a project and rejoicing in Springtime. That was you!! Roger B.<br />Que Dieu tu Benisse<br />Avoir, Nan (and Dave) PowlisonAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5735492301392760996.post-36380391528926358402009-05-03T17:10:00.000-04:002009-05-03T17:10:00.000-04:00There are so many special moments that it is hard ...There are so many special moments that it is hard to pick just one. I remember coming home from lunch out with Karen on one of our visits. David was a preschooler, and, well, let's just say he was God's gift to me to prove that I was anything but a perfect parent. Walking in from lunch, I was surprised to see David sitting on the couch, glaring at Roger. "I'm afraid I'm not too popular with him at the moment," announced Roger cheerfully. "He's had a spanking. He needed it."<br /><br />When I read about Roger's homegoing, that same David took me in his arms to comfort me, and prayed, thanking God that our college visits allowed him to have special time with "Uncle Roger" last June. "Uncle Roger" is not just precious to us, but also to our kids. <br /><br />Lest you believe Roger only coolly administered discipline, another story demonstrates to me the depth of Roger's love and the priority relationships were in his life. It seemed that every time Roger and Karen would save money to visit us in Berlin, some major catastrophe would take their savings. I still remember Karen's call. "We once again won't be coming, Lyn. You would not believe it, but our ceiling caved in!" <br /><br />But in spite of Roger's illness, they were finally able to make the trip, Noni juice arriving before they did, Karen totally organized according to Rick Steve's travel suggestions. :) That evening, we sat together at our table after dinner. Thinking of the Berlin Wall, the German Parliament building, the site of Crystal Night, of a former concentration camp not far away, and myriad fascinating places they might be interested in seeing, I posed the usual question. "So!" I said brightly. "What would you like to do while you are here?"<br /><br />Roger looked at me directly, his eyes filled with love. "I've got everything I came for--right here."<br /><br />Thank you, Jesus, for Roger--<br />Lyn and TimAn Ami in Berlinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09124134158509620382noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5735492301392760996.post-61987723301225466112009-05-03T07:43:00.000-04:002009-05-03T07:43:00.000-04:00Hmm, I think the Statute of Limitations has expire...Hmm, I think the Statute of Limitations has expired on this one, so I'm safe.<br /><br />I was teaching fifth-grade Sunday School back in the gym in the early eighties. (This was part of the Leadership Training plan: you finish the course, and find somewhere to serve.) The girls and boys in class always sat apart from each other, and I asked, "Why do you always sit on opposite sides?"<br /><br />"Who would want to sit with <I>them</I>?" one of the girls replied. A boy quickly responded, "Well, who would want to sit with you dogs?"<br /><br />Bad idea: I was standing right behind him. Without thinking, like a real knee-jerk reflex, I slapped him on the cheek. "You will <I>never</I> speak that way of a girl, not here, not anywhere." <br /><br />Later that day, I told my wife about the incident. She had a degree in elementary education, and was horrified. "You <I>touched</I> a child in class? You'd better talk to Roger about it." (Roger was then the Sunday School superintendent--I believe that was the title.)<br /><br />Roger asked, "Who was the boy?" When I told him, he replied lightly, "Him? Oh, his parents will thank you for it. Don't worry!"<br /><br />Over the years, Roger kept me up on that boy's status: model student at his school, "poster child for recruitment" at college. I met the young man fifteen or twenty years later, and he said it had been a turning point in his life. <br /><br />A few months after he and I met again, a friend introduced me to the young man's mother at a wedding. On hearing her name, I told her what a good job she had done, for I had seen how her son had turned out. Roger had been right, though. When I explained how I knew her son, she exclaimed, "Thank you!"<br /><br />blessings,<br />ronRon Luskhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14973801863306533808noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5735492301392760996.post-74083912857010438542009-05-03T05:29:00.000-04:002009-05-03T05:29:00.000-04:00Roger was the very first person to welcome us to N...Roger was the very first person to welcome us to New Life Church when our young family arrived in the area back in 1989. So many other times over the years, I would go back to him just to receive again and again that genuine smile, that same sense of welcome. You could always tell that Roger was "for" you-- and in this way, he showed us the love of Jesus.<br />Kurt WoodKurthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10337058373854885765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5735492301392760996.post-43559527872953011582009-05-01T08:37:00.000-04:002009-05-01T08:37:00.000-04:00Sorry to hear about your Dad, I am in Joanie's Bib...Sorry to hear about your Dad, I am in Joanie's Bible group and we have payed for him a lot. May God walk this road with you and please give my regards to your family. <br />Katie HafnerAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07594287442586383385noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5735492301392760996.post-27636034459959930442009-04-30T19:39:00.000-04:002009-04-30T19:39:00.000-04:00Thanks Andrew and others who have been faithful to...Thanks Andrew and others who have been faithful to keep us in the loop. Gess, Anne and I will be leaving for PA tomorrow late afternoon. Your blog on your Dad's last day was sad and beautiful. Thanks<br />BGAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5735492301392760996.post-92162725177528747702009-04-30T11:23:00.000-04:002009-04-30T11:23:00.000-04:00love you guys muchlove you guys muchjoshhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07587984610404736259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5735492301392760996.post-81004361748127134832009-04-30T09:14:00.000-04:002009-04-30T09:14:00.000-04:00thank you for sharing what is truly a personal and...thank you for sharing what is truly a personal and holy moment. we grieve at the loss of such a wonderful man, yet we rejoice because he's met up with jack, ron, ben, al, bill, young jake, and nancy and they are all gathered around Jesus. <br /><br />love<br />judi and ronAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05232301464905900632noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5735492301392760996.post-54997826494786293262009-04-30T08:30:00.000-04:002009-04-30T08:30:00.000-04:00The pain is palatable. Your family has mean so muc...The pain is palatable. Your family has mean so much to mine. The loss of Roger is huge, but his gain is even bigger. Our families prayers are with you in this time. I look forward to the day when the tears are wiped clean and we all feast around one big tableCognitive Dissonancehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09673510587850318887noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5735492301392760996.post-71669135527378488682009-04-29T22:42:00.000-04:002009-04-29T22:42:00.000-04:00Karen, Christine, Julie, Daisy, Katherine, Sandy, ...Karen, Christine, Julie, Daisy, Katherine, Sandy, Cara, and Andrew,<br /><br />Our hearts are so heavy for you as you are walking through the valley of death. We are praying that each of you will feel the Lord's rod and staff as you grieve.<br /><br /><br />I always loved being a guest at Clark family birthday dinners. I always left with my muscles strained from laughing so hard and a belly full from delicious food. Can you imagine the banquet that is before Roger??!!! Your husband and dad is face to face with Jesus. He is touching the hands that were pierced for Him and He is tasting eternal life. <br /><br />Luke 14: 16-23<br /><br />Love<br />Ashley and DaveAshleynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5735492301392760996.post-46888835463443142622009-04-29T22:41:00.000-04:002009-04-29T22:41:00.000-04:00Karen, Christine, Julie, Daisy, Katherine, Sandy, ...Karen, Christine, Julie, Daisy, Katherine, Sandy, Cara, and Andrew,<br /><br />Our hearts are so heavy for you as you are walking through the valley of death. We are praying that each of you will feel the Lord's rod and staff as you grieve.<br /><br /><br />I always loved being a guest at Clark family birthday dinners. I always left with my muscles strained from laughing so hard and a belly full from delicious food. Can you imagine the banquet that is before Roger??!!! Your husband and dad is face to face with Jesus. He is touching the hands that were pierced for Him and He is tasting eternal life. <br /><br />Luke 14: 16-23<br /><br />Love<br />Ashley and DaveAshleynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5735492301392760996.post-69377865511405570232009-04-29T21:51:00.000-04:002009-04-29T21:51:00.000-04:00thank you andrew for sharing this,
praying for pea...thank you andrew for sharing this,<br />praying for peace,, mercy, and rest for the family,annehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13252654315261037243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5735492301392760996.post-55258189090126912982009-04-29T20:53:00.000-04:002009-04-29T20:53:00.000-04:00Do not fear, for I am with you;
Do not be dismayed...Do not fear, for I am with you;<br />Do not be dismayed, for I am your God.<br />I will strengthen you and help you;<br />I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.<br />--Isaiah 41:10<br /><br />We will never forget how Roger and Karen ministered to us after we married. We were so blessed and never forgot their counsel and love. Will be praying and we will see Roger again.<br /><br />Love in Christ, Dave and Susan KellyAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00038275100722465584noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5735492301392760996.post-56311684451258999192009-04-29T20:51:00.000-04:002009-04-29T20:51:00.000-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00038275100722465584noreply@blogger.com