Clyde's Column 7/11
· “I hope God’s glory is seen”—that was our theme for the celebration and commemoration of the godly life of Rita Fougerousse. Rachel and I are among the scores who have been very blessed by the faith and friendship of “The Fougerousse Five.” Through the pain of loss, it will comfort the heart of us all to remember Rita’s smile and how firmly she kept her hand in the hand of the Lord she loved so dearly. Some beautiful lines from one of my favorite poems come to mind when I think of Rita and the legacy she has left behind for her family and friends: “Thou'rt gone, the abyss of heaven/Hath swallowed up thy form, yet, on my heart/Deeply hath sunk the lesson thou hast given/And shall not soon depart,” (“To A Waterfowl,” William Cullen Bryant). Continue to lift up Mark, Lauren, Tanner, Erin and the Hill family in your prayers.
· R&C also recently lost Janet Brady (mother of Steve Sullivan, a former R&C member) when a small plane crashed into her home and took her life. Her husband of 30 years, J. V., had been attending R&C weekly with her for a long time. Talking with him, he cited her dedication to spending time in prayer and her love for reading her Bible. He praised her good influence, her heart that was so touched by the needs of others, and her faith. I remember her sweet spirit and how she squeezed my hand at the back door as she was leaving worship on her final Sunday morning in this world and told me they sure were going to miss me. Before the week was through, she herself was being missed by those grieving her tragic passing. As Proverbs 27:1 reminds us, “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth.” We need to live our lives closely connected to Jesus so that we will be ready when it is our time to go, or for His return, as 1 John 2:28 urges us: “And now, dear children, continue to live in fellowship with Christ so that when he returns, you will be full of courage and not shrink back from him in shame.”
I appreciate the positive feedback to recent sermons. It is always encouraging to hear how the preached word is a blessing in your life. I encourage you to pray for Togo missionary Marty Koonce who will be preaching this next Sunday morning (I will preach Sunday night). I will bring both the morning and evening sermons for