Missing Dad
Twenty years ago on 8.8.88 my Dad--Roger Chambers--died of a massive heart attack while at Hillsboro Family Camp. He died while taking a nap in the camper of dear friends. I'm comforted by the fact that my Dad was with people he loved when he died and with the One he loved when he woke up.
Death is a mortally wounded monster.
Death has been defeated, but he's still claiming victims as he flounders towards his ultimate demise.
God hates death. He hates death so much that he sent his son to a cross so that all people could have the chance to live forever if they put their faith in him.
On the cross Jesus defeated death forever and all who choose to stand with him on his side of the conflict find themselves standing with the victor.
When we face life and death in Christ we're not fighting for victory, but from victory.
I love God.
I hate death.
I like hope.
Death is not the final word for Christians.
If Christ doesn't return in our lifetime we are all going to die.
Have a good day! :)
But--praise God!--everyone who dies in Christ will never die again.
My Dad was a Christ follower, so he is now with the Lord.
That hope has sustained me and my family for the past 20 years and will sustain us for as long as we breathe.
. . . but, I still miss my Dad.
I miss his smile.
I miss his sense of humor.
I miss his preaching and teaching.
I miss his wisdom.
I miss hearing him play his harmonica.
I miss seeing him laying on the couch on Saturday evenings with his eyes closed as he listened to, "A Prairie Home Companion."
I miss eating dinner with him.
I miss playing H.O.R.S.E. with him on the basketball court in front of our house.
I miss wrestling with him.
I miss seeing the glimmer in his eye as he told some story about a dead Persian who did something significant.
I miss walking into the kitchen and catching him kissing Mom.
I miss his parenting advice.
I miss him desperately and I can't wait to see him again.
"Lord, thank you for blessing me with such an amazing father. Because I knew Roger Chambers I feel like I know you more. Thank you for giving me 19 years with Dad. I cherished every moment. Thank you for using Dad to minister to so many people and for giving me such a godly role-model from which I could learn how to minister to people as well. My life is yours because of Dad and Mom's ministry for you to our family. I love you, Lord. I really miss Dad. It still hurts profoundly. I'm not sure how this works, but I humbly ask that you let him know that his family still loves him, but--and this would be even more important to Dad--can you also let him know that every one in his family is still loving you, too. Amen."
posted by Arron Chambers @ 11:14 AM
4 comments
4 Comments:
Thank you Arron for those pointed memories. This has been a pensive day. Amazing that he still is teaching so many after all these years. He was so authenic and real. So many of his ideas were way before their time but so revelent for those days as well as these. Preaching without notes was totally unheard of but he did it. He talked to the congregation and they talked back during services. He walked out into the congregation where he could touch them. He loved the new music (Gaither choruses) and sang them in Sunday worship without issue. He loved changing the order of service around just so it would be fresh and alive. He loved the church family and they loved him. I love seeing him in you children. Mother
This was a very moving blog. I just wanted to let you know that I gave you an "Amen!" at http://www.AmenMe/AmenMe/
I agree. Death isn't good to me either, but we have life to look forward to and it is everlasting life.
Arron, I really honor your dad; even though, I've never met him. I'm not sure how much of my story you know, but your messages at Southside around the year 2000 really helped bring me out of the mire and your preaching of the Bible with a passion that brought me to being born again! I'll never forget your passion for the kingdom and the times it brought you to tears before everyone at Southside. Just Last night, I read up through the first chapter of your book "Remember Who You Are" and after reading this post, I'm convinced that these dates and recent circumstances in my life are more that mere coincidence. I read in your book how your dad would say "Remember who you are" and about the implications of being a son and grandson of a few generations of preachers. It is evident that these fathers of your's have paved a way for fruitful endeavors. Although, I didn't have the same preaching passion in my past growing up, I am looking forward to leading my boys closer to God and developing their identity in the Lord while I continue building mine. I'm looking forward to learning more from your book! Thanks for this post! It has really meant a lot to know there's possibly a greater power here bringing me back from a long running comfort zone! Did I mention my parent's 38th anniversary was yesterday 08-08-08?
By the way, my wife is being encouraged by hearing the faith stories you've combined in your other book "Scripture to Live By".
"Thanks" is really an understatement and I know you're a man of a humble heart. So, for what it's worth, my next prayer will be a request for the Lord to thank you for me some day!
Thanks for the thoughts. I miss your Dad too. He made a big impact.
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