Hope Alive!
So if you’ve been on this crazy journey with us this week, maybe there was some reason for the date mix-up after all. As fate would have it, this arrived in our inbox right after last night’s post.
Louie,
A High School Senior in our community was tragically killed in a car accident this week. Several of the kids in my student ministry were friends with him. It has been tough for the community, especially his friends and family. I was trying to think of what to speak on last night, and what came to mind was Hope. Then I remembered I had a DVD of Hope – When Life Hurts Most. So, instead of me doing the talk – I let you.
7 students trusted Christ as Savior and another 10 or so recommitted their life to Christ.
Kids received Hope.
Just thought you might like to know.
B.R.
Tennessee
As we all know, this has nothing to do with a DVD, and everything to do with a cross that is the only thing on earth that makes sense when the bottom falls out on life. And, once again, Ashley and her family are touching the world.
B.R., Hope it’s OK to post your message. We are praying for all in your community who’s hearts are breaking with this loss, and for those who through the pain have reached out for God.
Louie Giglio
April 23
April 23rd, 2009 at 4:08 PM
My heart simply breaks for this teenager’s family and friends. I can imagine how they feel and I know personally how hard this time and the coming weeks and months are going to be. I cried a set of fresh tears for my daughter after reading this post, two years later when I did not believe there were fresh tears left. But I am so grateful that God is all his infinite and amazing glory and wisdom has used my Princess in ways that we simply can not understand. To the family and friends of this young man. The Summs family will be lifting you up in prayer.
Love Anna Summs
April 23rd, 2009 at 4:09 PM
God uses even our mistakes – what a great God we serve!!!
April 24th, 2009 at 1:16 AM
this just blows me away.. first of all how a life can simply change lives around the world. (ashley) but then how a dvd in the right hands can present itself in the right mannor.
Im so thankful for the little things in life and pray and hope for the best of this family!
April 24th, 2009 at 10:17 AM
Amazed…again…by GRACE and REDEMPTION…even in the midst of tragedy and heartache….
April 24th, 2009 at 11:02 AM
I am in a Bible study group with an awesome group of ladies. Last week we watched the Hope DVD and I cried. It is a gracious God who sometimes puts His loving arms around us and takes us over for a peek at the canvas He is painting. Our son, Nick, went away to College to get a degree in engineering. After 2 years an $30,000 he had not made the grades to stay in the school of engineering. My husband was upset because he knew that our son was capable. I was disappointed. Nick was crushed, mad and thought life was over. What was worse he had to come home to continue his education. We have a major University in our city so it did not seem that terrible… It gets worse. His grades were not good enough to transfer into the university. He had to go to Jr. College. Everyone was so down. I told myself that God had brought him home for a reason. He had not been attending church at school and was not hanging with Christian kids – not bad kids but not Christian kids. I figured that God brought him home to get him straight. Well, he spends a year in Jr. College where he makes the President’s list and is accepted to the University in their accounting department. He got involved in the college group at church and even got an old friend going with him. This guy’s mom has been praying for about 5 years for someone to come alongside her son and bring him back to Christ – little did she know it would be a friend from elementary school. Everything was going great for Nick: 3.4 GPA, joined a professional fraternity, registered for next semester, things were super. We got to spend a great Christmas break together as a family. Dec. 26, he and his buddies were going to go really early to the electronics store (campout til they opened) but Nick never made it. His Dad found him upstairs that morning. He died getting ready to go meet his friends. He had a medical condition that had not really been a issue but was always looming there. God has put His arm around us and took us on a tour of that canvas that He has been painting – from Nick coming home so that we would have those 2 years of him at home to his chance meeting with an old friend. In that friend’s letter for missions support he says ” my good friend Nick started taking me to church. After his sudden death I realized that I needed to start serving God” There were over 600 people at his funeral to hear the Gospel. I have had the opportunity to witness in thank you notes! Every parent needs to KNOW that their child has made that committment to Christ. Don’t just assume that because they were in church they are saved because it will haunt you if something happens and you are not sure. Kids, let your parents know. Nick had his brief testimony on a facebook-type site so we have it in writting forever! We are so sad, but even in sadness we know that we have an awesome God.
April 24th, 2009 at 2:11 PM
i want to encourage you with a reflection ive written down a while ago, because the cross is always standing, and so is the love of God.
Hope.
When everything is lost
i have hope
When everything fails
i have hope.
So strong;
as an anchor for my soul;
knowing that Your love never fails.
Because when i see the cross,
all that it had cost you;
Your struggle against
Your own people;
Your own flesh and blood
who wanted to kill and destroy
Oh how sacred your bleeding body,
a heart that became flesh
The greatest mystery of deepest romance,
exposed there on the cross;
a dying and naked lover, hanging there for us.
A hardcore yes;
to have and to hold
for better, for worse
for richer and poorer
in sickness and health
to love and to cherish
And death cannot do us part.
For this is the love of God
undying
unending
its all from Him to us.
What to say in response
A thousand thank you’s can’t repay
A million hallelujahs can’t phrase
We know it wasn’t anything from us
It was your hardcore yes to us
Forever
Amen
April 24th, 2009 at 2:52 PM
WoW!
I am so sorry to hear of the loss this family and community has suffered…
But, so thankful for our Great God and His loving-kindness!
Will be keeping them in my prayers…
Karahly
April 25th, 2009 at 8:02 AM
Thank You so much for the prayers all.
If you could see the Facebook status’ light up with messages of hope you would be amazed.
Anna, I can’t imagine the pain you have felt ove the last 2 years. Your Princess has impacted the lives of people all over, thanks for letting Louie tell her story.
- Brad
April 26th, 2009 at 7:55 PM
Events like Ashley’s death and the recent accident though tragic beyond belief bring about wake up calls that are often needed. God has his ways even through tragedy and mistakes. God planned Louis’ little mistake for his purposes to show just how in the midst of everything he is. Anna, it is so brave of you to remain encouraging in the midst of your loss.
I hope this is not disrespectful, but I have a question that is totally unrelated to the above topic, and have no idea how else to get in touch with your ministry. I am from Australia. We just ran our 17th Easter Monday Funday for the community of Ipswich near Brisbane. The aim of this event is to present the message of a God who wants to reach people with his love and salvation. This event staged by Christians from across the churches in our community, is aimed at the unchurched. We use many different ways through many activities to present God’s offer to mankind.
One was The EMF Theatre Tent where we showed part of your ‘How Great is Our God’ DVD.
My question to you is, do you have a short and punchy version of that or Indescribable, something that is geared to the unchurched, is only about 15 – 20 minutes long and would be suitable to use for occasions such as this. This event attracts up to 15000 people. We run it completely free to the community, including free funpark, food, balloons and lots of activities. Its sole purpose is to keep the message of Christ alive in our community, and to bring people who are touched through the activites into the Kingdom.
I would love to hear from you or someone in your ministry about options available, so that we can prepare for next year. We love your DVDs but they seem to be geared for those who are in the Christian scene and understand Christian language and are too long for this kind of event. Please email me back about options or ideas if possible.
Ruth
May 24th, 2009 at 12:53 AM
This feels weird, I don’t have any idea who might read this. All I know is I need help and Ashley’s story came to me when I have had my world shaken to it’s core. My husband and I lost our own Ashley 16 days ago in an auto accident. She was 16 yrs old and our princess. 9 days ago we lost our 21 yr old son, Andrew, also in an auto accident. Life as we have known it, which was truly wonderful, is over. This is all I can say for now. Please pray. Amy Ford
March 19th, 2010 at 10:08 AM
I just want to cry. All of these tragic stories make me realize the good things, and to appreciate everything I have, instead of ask for more. Thanks for opening my eyes!!! :(