Please call Dianne Tomberlin at 478-955-4538 and let her know what food you plan to bring SATURDAY for the meal following Roger’s Memorial Service! This is important, so she can synchronize with Nachamu Ami.

Thank you much!

Your humble pastor!!

Mac

This afternoon, I drove Barbara and Kelli to Forsyth to the Monroe County Memorial Chapel so they could deal with the various things necessary when one dies—death certificate, obituary, social security, veteran affairs, the bill, and last but not least, pick up Roger’s cremains. I couldn’t help but notice that the funeral director gave them to me, not Barbara, and I was thankful he did. There is simply no way she could have prepared for that experience. The person she had known and loved, who fathered her children, who earned the bread, who loved her like no other, who knew her better than any other is suddenly reduced to a small container of ashes. Words are inadequate. Trust me on this one. I handed the container to Kelli, and then, as Barbara sat down in my vehicle, she handed it to her. Words continue to be inadequate. Strange? Out of the ordinary?  Out of her comfort zone? Sacred? Holy? Precious? Breath-taking? None are really adequate. Life as Barbara has known it for so many years will never be the same; however, it will continue and Roger would want her to LIVE—really LIVE. I am certain of that! Now, we move on toward Saturday afternoon at three o’clock. The journey has been a long one—hard, sweet, precious, difficult, bitter, joyous, sad, fulfilling, and, certainly, maturing.

Now unto Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen (Jude 24-25).

Following Roger’s Memorial Service on Saturday, we will provide a covered dish meal for everyone who attends. The Messianic congregation is joining with us to provide the meal. Please bring plenty of food, so everyone will have plenty to eat. I am aware that Jesus fed 5,000 + women & children with only 5 loaves and two fish, but He might not be planning on doing that this Saturday.

Service time: 3:00 PM this Saturday.

To be absent from the body is to be present with The Lord! My beloved friend, Roger Miller, is now in the Presence of The Lord. He exited his earth suit around 4:10 AM this morning!

Blessed is the name of The Lord!

~Amen

This afternoon Roger is obviously weaker—much weaker. I will be surprised, if he makes it through the night. Obviously, that call is not mine to make and that is a good thing—a very good thing. Even so, I will be surprised, if his physical earthsuit survives this night.

Thanks to copious amounts of morphine, he is not in pain. He is resting, yet working, as lots of energy is expended simply to inhale and exhale. His heart is racing trying to compensate for the lost energy. The peace of God rests upon Him, the peace that is the result of having peace with God. When a baby passes through its mother’s birth canal in its final effort to reach its new home, it is laborious for both baby and mother; however, when a child of God passes through the canal that leads Home, the transition is made with instantaneous joy—unspeakable joy filled with glory—and peace—the  peace that passes all understanding.

His family gathered around him today to say their “farewells.” It was, indeed, a time of weeping, but it was also a time of release—sweet release. Because of the grace of God they were finally able to see his Home-going as a blessing, as a gift from God. Faith really is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things unseen!

Goodbye was not the word I wanted to use, as it is too final; it implies that we might not see each other again. “Until we meet again” seemed more appropriate to me. For some reason, the Holy Spirit reminded me of Peter Marshall’s comment to his wife, as he was being taken out of his house on a gurney, never to return: I will see you in the morning. I do not think she realized just then that he was referring to another Morning, that Eternal Morning where time no longer exists. Goodbye must not have been fitting for him, either.

As I stood beside Roger, leaning close so he could hear me, I was tempted to repeat those words, those “I will see you in the morning” words. Instead, I simply said what came out of my heart, “I love you dear friend.” And summoning all the energy he could muster, he awakened from a deep, morphine induced sleep and looked me in the eyes and whispered, “I love you, too.” Those were what will prove to be his final words to me and mine to him, i.e. until we meet again on that Eternal Morning where time no longer exists.

And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude and as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty peals of thunder, saying, ‘Hallelujah!’ For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready (Revelation 19:6-7).

~Amen

While I was sitting with Roger this morning, he looked over at me and whispered “ice.” He wanted some ice chips. His mouth and lips are dry and thirsty. It was 11:55, as I gently spooned a very few chips into his mouth and watched as he began carefully to try to swish them around. I had this thought: People everywhere are getting ready to sit down to Thanksgiving feasts–turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, sweet potato souffle, cranberry sauce, cake and pie, along with who knows what else. Roger’s request was simple: “ice chips.”

I was reminded of Jesus’ comments to His disciples when they were trying to get Him to eat: “I have food to eat that you do not know about” (John 4:32), Rest assured that Roger has food to eat that we do not, yet, know about, not even close. He could care less about turkey and dressing with all the trimmings. As the deer pants after the water brook, so does his soul pant after God–the living God. His asking for ice chips, aka water, reminded me of that.

Have you ever had such a longing for God, that even Thanksgiving Dinner paled in comparison? Roger is living in that moment. Nothing compares with his longing for Jesus. Thankfully, he is almost Home. In the not-too-distant future, Jesus will greet him on Heaven’s shore. His longing will be satisfied. Thirsty no more, as he will be drinking from the fountain of the Water of Life–freely and eternally.

“Now there was a certain rich man, and he habitually dressed in purple and fine linen, gaily living in splendor every day. And a certain poor man named Lazarus was laid at his gate, covered with sores, and longing to be fed with the crumbs which were falling from the rich man’s table; besides, even the dogs were coming and licking his sores. Now it came about that the poor man died and he was carried away by the angels to Abraham’s bosom; and the rich man also died as was buried. And in Hades he lifted up his eyes, being in torment and saw Abraham far away, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried out and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool off my tongue; for I am in agony in this flame” (Luke 16:19-24).

The contrast is overwhelming. On the one hand, a man begging from hell for Lazarus to dip his finger in water and touch his tongue to cool it from the tormenting flame. On the other hand, a man fast approaching Heaven, about ready to sprint to the finish line, asking his pastor for a few ice chips to soothe his mouth that is dry from the running.

Roger wishes each of you a Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving Day! And, by the way, he really does want you to enjoy your turkey with all the trimmings. Really! That is just who he is!

~Amen

Tonight, as I sat beside Barbara next to Roger’s bed we both watched as he quietly breathed. One breath at the time. Slowly. In, then out. It seemed that his body was focusing every ounce of its energy on that simple, yet, so difficult task. We take it for granted. Every second of every day. God’s gracious gift of life–one breath at a time, day after day, until almost all of our appointed days have been used. Then those breaths don’t come so easily. What we once didn’t even notice, then we struggle with all our might, just to take one more. I do not pretend to know how many more breaths Roger has left, but I do know that whatever the number, they are slipping away–F A S T!

Tonight he is noticeably weaker than he was earlier this afternoon. Once he opened his eyes and said something that neither of us understood. We both stood to our feet and leaned close to his face trying to hear. If he wanted something, we wanted him to have it. His whisper was so quiet that it barely qualified as one. His friends, Mark & Cheryl, brought him some popsicles. Three flavors! Cherry, grape, and strawberry. He wanted one. We could tell by the expression on his face. It could only be a brief lick, as he cannot swallow. He coughed. I would have frowned. He smiled, as soon as his throat calmed.

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day. If I had my way, it would be Roger’s Homegoing Day, but who am I to have my way. This is what the Scriptures tell us about that: For Thou didst form my inward parts; Thou didst weave me in my mother’s womb. I will give thanks to Thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; wonderful are Thy works, and my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from Thee, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth. Thine eyes have seen my unformed substance; and in Thy book they were all written, the days that were ordained form me, when as yet there was not one of them. How precious also are Thy thoughts to me, O God. How vast is the sum of them (Psalm 139:13-16).

~Amen

Just after lunch I walked into Roger’s room at Pine Pointe and he was asleep. Increased morphine will do that. Every time. However, after a few minutes he opened his eyes and wanted some coke. Jerry baptized one of those swabs into some coke and gently put in into Roger’s mouth. He savored the taste, as if it were fine bourbon. When Jerry removed the swab, Roger whispered, “That was good!” It reminded me of what God said after He had created everything: “This is good!”

Actually, there is so much about Roger that reminds me of God and of things He has said and done. “It is finished!” is another of those things.

I asked Roger if he wanted to hear some hymns and he nodded in the affirmative. I tuned my cell phone to my itunes account and chose “I’ve Just Seen Jesus” with Larnell Harris and Sandi Patty singing. At one point in the song, I honestly believe that Roger got a clear glimpse of Him. The expression on his face told me so. That smile was one I will never forget. Never! His eyes were so focused. It was obvious that He did not want to miss one moment of what he was seeing. Then he dropped off to sleep. The peace of God was on his face, inexplicable peace. Abiding peace. Peace that looks forward to an even greater peace.

As I listen to the song, I remembered Mary rushing to Jesus’ tomb, in the hopes of finding His body, so she could properly dispose of it. What she found was not what she expected. Not at all! “Mary” was all He said. That was enough! They embraced. Love was expressed. Hope was evidenced! The kind of Romans five hope that does not disappoint. Not ever!

Then it hit me: in just a brief while, the events will be reversed. This time Jesus will be coming to the “tomb” seeking Roger. He will find Him and take him Home. There will be none of that “do not touch me, as I have not yet gone to My Father” verbiage. They will embrace and Jesus will escort Him to the Father. No more pain. No more tears. No more suffering. No more cancer. No more heartache. Never again!

“How blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered! How blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit (Psalm 32:1)!

~Amen

Morphine is a powerful pain reliever! It is a very controlled drug and rightly so. However, when someone comes to the place in which Roger finds himself, the controls are released somewhat, and it is freely given. As often as he needs it, it is pushed into his circulatory system. Slowly and diluted. Within minutes the results can be seen. Rest comes! Fitful agitation turns into quiet peace. Everyone, especially Roger, breathes more easily. I thank God for morphine. I thank Him that it is available to my beloved friend. I do not want him to have to endure pain, certainly not when such an effective analgesic is readily available.

The staff at Pine Pointe are so caring and attentive to his every need. No waiting. Almost immediate response. The way it should be. The way it can be. The chaplain, Mike Manly, is living out his calling. No doubt about it! Precious, caring, gentle man. The world needs more like him.

Tonight I saw Roger & Barbara’s son, Johnny, enter room 105 for the first time. I could see that he was uneasy. Unfamiliar place. He walked over to his Dad’s bedside, took his left hand, leaned down and kissed his forehead. A long, tender kiss. Then those incredibly wonderful words: I love you, Dad. Another bittersweet moment. On the one hand, very bitter; on the other hand, very sweet. Very bitter. Very sweet. A son’s love for his father. A father’s love for his son. Soft words. Never to be forgotten words. Powerful words spoken in utter weakness.

I said to Johnny: He taught you much didn’t he. He couldn’t speak, but the look on his face was a resounding “yes!” Then I thought: You will treasure everything he taught you for the rest of your life. Treasure of incredible worth! A father’s investment in his son.

As we sat together today, it was obvious to me that we were waiting and watching, as seconds became minutes and minutes became hours. Then it hit me: Before much more time passes, Roger will be ushered into that Place where time doesn’t exist. He will be seated in Christ at God’s right hand, where he will live in the Eternal Now. He will finally find himself in that place called Home.

Before I left his bedside tonight, he told me he loved me. And then he said the strangest thing: “Thank you!” I love you. Thank you. Powerful words. Power made perfect in weakness!

Not even morphine can diminish the power of love made perfect in weakness!

Amen.

I spent the majority of today (11/25/13) with Roger and Barbara at the Med Center. It was one of those days when I wish each of you could have walked along side me. You would have been blessed and then some! To put it mildly, in Roger’s extreme weakness, God’s power was perfected–time and time again.

The picture of his nurse bending down giving him his last shot or morphine before he left for Pine Point Hospice was one that brought everyone to tears. It was her tears that brought everyone’s tears!

I watched his grands kiss him and walk away with eyes brimming with tears, not really knowing what to say or do. The smile on his face for them was more than beautiful. It was obvious that they know what a grandfather’s love is all about. It was just as obvious that Roger knows what it means to be a grandfather and to be loved by his grands.

I watched Travis and Kathy sit by his bedside and struggle with their own emotions, knowing that this incredible friendship was about to come to an end on this earth. Travis and Kathy really love Roger & Barbara. Most of you probably do not know it, but Travis has been a true friend to them, and especially to Roger. He has served them–faithfully–expecting nothing in return. What he got in return was a whole lot of love!

I saw his beautiful daughters struggle with their own emotions, wanting to hold on but knowing that it is time to “let go and let God.” Those are easy words to type, but they are not so easy to express with sincerity.

I was able to connect Bob White with Roger via my cell phone after he arrived at Pine Pointe. Bob will never forget their conversation, not one word of it. The Whites and Millers are real friends. Only Heaven will reveal all that the Whites have done in service to the Millers, and all of it out of the stuff called love–the real kind of love. I watched Roger as he spoke with Bob and I am pretty sure I knew what he was thinking. I also think I know what Bob was thinking.

Barbara has had one of the toughest days of her life. Truthfully, it has been bittersweet. On the one hand very bitter, and on the other hand, very sweet. She was loved and encouraged today. It was good. Very good! She is precious. Very precious. She is counting on all of us to journey with her for the long haul. I assured her that we would. With Joy. Much joy!

I sat with Damian, the Miller’s son-in-law, for a while tonight. We talked. I love that Rabbi. More than he knows. The Spirit of the Living God rests upon Him. He love me. And I love the fact that he does. Together we will do what Rabbis and pastors do in times like this one. God will be glorified. You can count on that.

Roger wanted to hear a few songs before he left for hospice: He’s Been Faithful to Me; His Eye is on the Sparrow; and I Can Only Imagine. Now listen! While I played those songs on my cell phone, we, all of us, saw faith becoming sight. It was an incredible moment! His power was made perfect in weakness! And then some!

The smile on Roger’s face, even in the midst of terrible pain, was a glimpse into the face of Jesus. Really!

I am not the timekeeper but I do know this: Roger is taking his last few steps on his journey to Jesus and they are getting faster and faster. Soon he will be running. To Jesus! He will finally be Home. And he will hear what his heart has longed to hear: Welcome Home you good and faithful servant. Welcome Home! The angels will break forth in Roger’s favorite hymns and all of Heaven will rejoice. Jesus will take him by that hand and seat him at God right hand, where he will live forever in Christ. Redeemed! Redeemed! Redeemed!

I am blessed and then some!