They say it was a photographic mistake, the picture above.
But from what I read of Jim Housers Blog, I think it was meant to be.
Jim Houser is the manager for Steven Curtis Chapman. Jim has been doing a beautiful job of keeping us updated on the Chapman family as we all wonder how they are doing after the loss of their youngest daughter, Maria.
I check Jim's blog frequently, just to know how I can continue to pray for this family - and how these prayers are being answered. Today I read this entry, and I was so encouraged.
It feels like we've strung a few hopeful days in a row together here. I almost don't want to say it out loud... but it's the truth. There are still tears, but there are some smiles too. And the counseling appointments continue, progress it seems is being made. And tick tock... time is passing.
The Good Morning America and People Magazine interviews are now behind us... and though they were HARD, I'm feeling so sure that these have been God honoring and correct choices He led us to. In my opinion, Good Morning America came at just the right moment in time for Will I think. One of the stories I heard that day, I had not heard before. If it isn't told on the final piece, I'll share it here.
Regarding GMA and the piece they are doing, to have a 5 or 6 minute piece is very unusual. In a morning show setting like this, 3 minutes or shorter is the norm. To have this length is really unusual. We're thankful. Some of you have asked, so let me say this... In any correspondence you might decide to send to the show, I think our tone would be that we're grateful for the extended segment, that we're grateful for the trouble they went to to make the Chapmans comfortable, and that if possible additional content on a future date or in some other area of ABC media would be so exciting and compelling. I can't say enough about Robin Roberts and the producer Janice. I'm very confident the piece will be all we're hoping.
Circle your calendar and pray for August 5th and August 7th, the 5th when it looks like Good Morning America will air and the 7th when the family will be on with Larry King Live. Pray that the Chapmans' story of faith through this will point to our Savior and will bump into people that would not normally hear or see. Pray that God will continue to redeem this loss. Pray for courage and God to give each of them words to speak while Live! with Larry. And then People Magazine... hitting newsstands that next day on the 8th and in waiting rooms (i always read it at Super Cuts) for weeks and weeks to come. Who knows who will see it and where that will go? Asking God to go before us and be all over it in His plan in His timing with His providence. I suspect He's writing quite a story here and I am trusting we will all see someday.
The photo (above) here was taken by our lighting director, Cannonball a few shows back. I chuckled when I saw it. The camera lens was tricked by the lights in this shot and makes Steven look a bit like I picture Moses must have appeared after He had just encountered God on the mountain, bright white from God's glory passing by. Though it's a photographic mistake, the picture does exhibit what I know Steven strives for... reflecting God's glory. Lets continue to pray for it to be so... and we're grateful you are! and that you are walking alongside this family holding them up on this journey through the valley.
Steven Curtis Chapman will be in town on Saturday, September 20th at the Puyallup Fair along with Michael W Smith. Tickets are available now. I, for one, am counting down the days to show my support for this man and his family.
2 comments:
I love Christian music and its positive message to my family. my girls found this video the other day on youtube. beautiful song and i think the artist is a spirit one. (video is a bit too much, but still positive message)
http://ca.youtube.com/user/weloveyoubritney
Hello, my name is Heather Bryant. On June 17th my little 14 month old was killed when my 15 yr old daughter accidentally backed over her.
It is an incredible thing to have a child die, but it is also an incredible thing to be carried by God during such a time. Speaking for myself,this has been the hardest thing that I have ever had to endure and yet I have never felt so held and protected.
I remember at the scene of the accident breathing a prayer and asking God to help my children especially my eldest daughter knowing full well that their would be places in thier/her heart that I would not be able to touch as a parent. Then, the next evening, my daugher shared that when she got out of the car and realized what had happened she immediately heard a voice speak to her and tell her "not to panic, I have been doing this a long time and I know what am doing." I asked her if she thought it was God speaking to her and she said,"yes." HE WAS THERE!
Also, the first police officer to show up was a guy that had tried to give me a ticket in December of last year. I had prayed to God shortly after he pulled me over to make it so he wouldn't give me a ticket. Somehow during the process the policeman lost my license! Consequently, he couldn't give me a ticket! Long story short, through a series of circumstances we became "good acquaintances." I ran into him a couple of weeks before the accident and we were in the process of arranging for him to come and preach at our church because he used to be a full time minister.
So, when I saw him arrive at the accident I was so relieved! Usually, police means jail and tickets but because of our previous encounter I didn't see a policeman I saw a friend! After I left to the hospital he took time to talk to all my children to help them see that it was an accident and things like this happen. He even came after he got off work to pray and read scripture with us. Later, I was talking to a fellow co-worker of his and he told me he was the best guy that could've been there. God gave us the best!
In the past, I have asked myself on more than one occasion if I really love and trust God and through all this I have learned that I do. It is a good feeling. He allowed my little girl to die and yet I love and trust Him more now than ever. I KNOW that the angels that take care of the little children are the only ones that see GOD face to face so I know HE KNOWS about my little Hannah.
In fact, the next evening after the accident I sort of got a peek. It was a clear evening and the sun was setting when my little 4 yr old son came running in yelling,"Momma, Hannah is in the sky and I tried to get her to come down but she won't come! Come and see!" I raced outside with tears in my eyes looking to where he was pointing. I couldn't see anything but I knew that he could. He exclaimed, "See, there she is, she is flying!" I never got to see her for myself but I did through the eyes of my son and because of that I knew that God had her.
From the get go I realized that this was not all about us losing our little girl but that we are part of a much bigger picture and that God's ways are not our ways. And believe it or not, even in the face of death there is peace in knowing that. I could tell you SO MUCH MORE but the bottom line is that God DOES work for the good of those who love him. I have first hand knowledge and therefore considering the circumstances I cannot complain one bit!
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