Why some, not others?

Early this morning we got a phone call from India that my first cousin was clinging for life on a ventilator after being found passed out on the street.  Late this evening, we received news that he passed away, likely due to severe liver damage.  For the past several years he had been fighting a losing battle against alcoholism and depression.  He was a bachelor in his early 40's, a pilot by trade, and was expected to go places with his life.  I remember him as a smart, handsome, charming guy who was always looking to make people laugh. 

I don't know the details of his life to know what started his downward spin.  But what I think about is that we both come from the same family.  In particular from the same grandfather who really loved and worshipped the Lord.  A prayerful man that would send each of his grandchildren off with a personal prayer and blessing before we would leave his sight.  A man that I distinctly remember praying for his future generations.

So in saying all this, it makes me think about why the Lord chooses to intervene in some lives, and not others? Why has he honored the prayers of my grandfather for a few of his grandchildren, and not all.
I'm not questioning the Lord, because I know His ways are beyond my understanding, but tonight I'm just wondering, why Lord did I hear your call, and not him?

Remembering 2 years ago today...

I'm waking up with the sun shining brightly through my window on this beautiful Saturday morning, and I think...what could be more fitting of a tribute than a beautiful day for a beautiful man that we lost 2 years ago today.

A loving man who truly came to serve his church.
A man who personified the words humbleness and graciousness.
A man of few words, but of larger more poignant actions.
A man who loved and led his family by example.
A man, who in is his short time in Philadelphia, impacted lives more than he probably ever imagined.

As painful as that time was when we lost him suddenly, I thank God for allowing us to come across a soul who so clearly loved the Lord.

Video from Matt

So I've come to know of this story from a friend's tweets (yes, I just said that...I knew there was a reason why I joined Twitter.)  The message in the video below is so simple and simply so powerful. I've never heard of this pastor (Matt Chandler) until I saw this, but listen to his whole powerful testimony if you can. 

Video from Matt

Things I'm convicted of as I listen to it for the the umpteenth time:

I'm a person who can easily let worry and fear get to the extreme, to the point where it can stop me cold in my tracks and literally incapacitate my life.  I've easily written it off as "I'm just a worrier, it's natural to think and dwell on the worst-case scenario...I'm just wired to get anxious."  When actually, I'm realizing how much of a sin it is on my part, truly a sin, to live a life that puts so little faith in the Lord and doubts His will during hardships.  I keep hearing the Lord say during those times, "Where is your faith?"  It's so freeing to watch this video from a man, who as he says stands to lose everything, and still says "I am not afraid" because nothing is better than HIM.

Transcending Human Understanding

Yesterday one of our church members sent a prayer request for a baby who was only a couple days old, and whose health was in critical condition. Today that baby passed away after only being on this earth for a few short days. She forwarded the father’s response to everything going on and I’m still in awe over his strength. 

He humbly requested for all to not be sad or worry about the situation because they had full assurance that she was going to a greater place. He expressed that while they are sad over the temporary situation, "it is with joy they release her soul to the great healer who He himself has resurrected from the dead."

Who else, and I mean who else, could give this family that type of peace that transcends all human understanding. They’re able to use this precious baby’s life and death as an opportunity to proclaim the truth, and be a testament to how great the Lord is in their life. How amazing is it that in her short stay here, this child fulfilled God’s role for her perfectly: bringing glory to God’s name.