June 5, 2011

The Shepherd's Corner

Joni Erickson Tada says, “In this world there are only two joys. One is having God answer all your prayers; the other is not receiving the answer to all your prayers. I believe this because I have found that God knows my needs infinitely better than I know them. And, He is utterly dependable, no matter which direction our circumstances take us.”Joni Erickson Tada says, “In this world there are only two joys. One is having God answer all your prayers; the other is not receiving the answer to all your prayers. I believe this because I have found that God knows my needs infinitely better than I know them. And, He is utterly dependable, no matter which direction our circumstances take us.”Last Monday at 11:25 pm God set the direction: He took Pastor John home! We were praying that the Lord would set the direction toward healing but instead, He chose another direction— homecoming. So, this week we chose to welcome the joy of NOT receiving the answer to our prayers.

Beginning from Saturday evening till early Monday morning Pastor John drifted in and out of consciousness. Then he went to a deep coma till that late evening when he finally slipped into eternity in the arms of his beloved wife, Tante Barbara.

On many occasions Pastor John quoted the words of St. Paul, “For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21). Pastor John always knew that death was looming on the horizon but he refused to live in the shadows of death. Instead he chose to live in the shadows of life—living with and for Christ!

Pastor John loved many people but the love of his life was his wife, Tante Barbara. He never ran out good words to say about her—her faithful partner. As a matter of fact in the recent days she was on his mind a lot. He knew life wouldn’t be the same for her. So, let us love her whom he loved the most. It is the least we can do for him.

Pastor PaulLast Monday at 11:25 pm God set the direction: He took Pastor John home! We were praying that the Lord would set the direction toward healing but instead, He chose another direction— homecoming. So, this week we chose to welcome the joy of NOT receiving the answer to our prayers.

Beginning from Saturday evening till early Monday morning Pastor John drifted in and out of consciousness. Then he went to a deep coma till that late evening when he finally slipped into eternity in the arms of his beloved wife, Tante Barbara.

On many occasions Pastor John quoted the words of St. Paul, “For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21). Pastor John always knew that death was looming on the horizon but he refused to live in the shadows of death. Instead he chose to live in the shadows of life—living with and for Christ!

Pastor John loved many people but the love of his life was his wife, Tante Barbara. He never ran out good words to say about her—her faithful partner. As a matter of fact in the recent days she was on his mind a lot. He knew life wouldn’t be the same for her. So, let us love her whom he loved the most. It is the least we can do for him.

Pastor Paul

More Shepherd's Corner Articles

Shepherd's Corner - March 22, 2015
To a lot of US Servicemen, Joel Moskowitz is a savior.  Moskowitz, who just passed away on March 15 in Orange County, was the man who manufactured light weight ceramic inserts for body armors donned by US troops.  Thanks to his ingenuity, countless lives have been saved.  Instead of going straigh...
Read More
The Shepherd's Corner - July 12, 2020
THE SHEPHERD’S CORNER Years ago, John Ortberg, a pastor and author, invited Dallas Willard, a professor and author, to come and speak at his church. After the service as they were walking out to the car in the parking lot, John saw Dallas sing an old hymn. He just walked and sang; he did not [&hel...
Read More
Shepherd's Corner - December 21, 2014
It is not every year that we can come and celebrate Christmas—the birth of Our Loving Savior.  This year Oom Djaja and Oom Ping Tiauw will have to miss it.  Oom Djaja had a fall a few days ago and fractured his left wrist.  He is fine now but he can’t go anywhere.  So, he […]...
Read More