Mary Helen Garbacki 9.6.1917-7.26.2009

A short post to honor my dear grandmother, Mary Helen Garbacki. She died at 9:27pm on Sunday July 26, 2009 in the company of her sons Robert and Peter Paul.

She helped raise me when I was a child and I have many fond memories of her. If not for this dear woman I would not have had much appreciation for my Savior and my God, Jesus.

She was placed in Hospice back in 2005 by Dr. Robert Blackburn- a quack in Spring Hill, FL. He did not even bother seeing her before placing her there. She made a fool out of him by living about four years more than he expected.

As I prayed concerning how I felt about her passing, I was reminded of David when his son from Bathsheba (Uriah's wife- the one David stole from him and had him killed over) died:

After Nathan had gone home, the LORD struck the child that Uriah's wife had borne to David, and he became ill. 16 David pleaded with God for the child. He fasted and went into his house and spent the nights lying on the ground. 17 The elders of his household stood beside him to get him up from the ground, but he refused, and he would not eat any food with them.

18 On the seventh day the child died. David's servants were afraid to tell him that the child was dead, for they thought, "While the child was still living, we spoke to David but he would not listen to us. How can we tell him the child is dead? He may do something desperate."

19 David noticed that his servants were whispering among themselves and he realized the child was dead. "Is the child dead?" he asked. "Yes," they replied, "he is dead."

20 Then David got up from the ground. After he had washed, put on lotions and changed his clothes, he went into the house of the LORD and worshiped. Then he went to his own house, and at his request they served him food, and he ate.

21 His servants asked him, "Why are you acting this way? While the child was alive, you fasted and wept, but now that the child is dead, you get up and eat!"

22 He answered, "While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept. I thought, 'Who knows? The LORD may be gracious to me and let the child live.' 23 But now that he is dead, why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me." (2 Samuel 12.15-23 NIV)

I prayed for my dear grandmother as she was alive, and hoped for her then. However, now she has gone on and my time of grief is only about missing her. As David asked, I ask, "Can I bring her back again?" Obviously, no. Perhaps we will meet again in heaven. That is my hope.

Remembering Angelia

I wrote this back in 2001 after finding out a young lady I ministered to as a youth pastor was killed by a drunk driver. I do not know why I feel like posting this from my old website, but I post it basically as it was. I will try to find a picture of her. I do not know where my old pictures are. She was a gem. She embodied the following Scripture:

Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. (I Timothy 4.12 ESV)

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I miss you Angelia...

• Who she was to me
• How she was taken from us
• Peace even in this loss

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Who She Was To Me:
Angelia was a wonderful girl I met when she attended the youth group I led in Lakeland from 1994-1996. She was the first teen I ever had in a youth group that was really dedicated to Christ. She was very involved in ministry. Angelia (actually her name was Angela, but I originally misspelled it and she liked how I spelled it: "Angelia") was always very supportive. Angelia was often a clown as she ministered (literally).

When I heard she was killed by a drunk driver I was devastated. Angelia was an inspiration to me. I wished so much that I could have been there for her during her last hours. I would have gladly taken her place. She meant that much to me. I will always miss her until I see her again in heaven. I look forward to that reunion.

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How She Was Taken From Us:
September 24, 1998~~ The day I wish never happened.

Angela Marie Sharpe, 18, was struck from behind and thrown into a ditch after midnight on Sept. 24, 1998, as she walked north on Lakeland Highlands Road near construction of a Polk Parkway overpass.

"The pedestrian was walking in the roadway, and she was walking with traffic, as opposed to against it," Fisher said. "The driver apparently was not alert and failed to perceive and react to the presence of the pedestrian. . . . If the Jaguar had moved nine-inches to the left, the pedestrian wouldn't have been struck."

The driver had a blood alcohol level of 0.15 five hours after the incident -- nearly twice the legal limit of 0.08, said Assistant State Attorney John Kirkland. An expert estimates it would have been between 0.19 and 0.26 at the time Sharpe was hit, he said.

Source: Lakeland Ledger

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Peace even in this loss:
We know that as a Christian, Angelia is now with the Lord in heaven. It hurts to not have her here. I had not spoken to her in two years, but I always thought we'd see each other again sometime. I know we will, but unfortunately not here. Angelia's faith in Christ has led her to a far better place. My faith in Christ will reunite me with her someday. Her many Christian friends will see her again as well.

Will you ever meet her (or if you knew her, will you ever see her again)? The question I am asking, is if you died right now, do you know for sure that you would go to heaven? If not, please either email me, or go to "the Way" page and read through the Scriptures. It can point you toward eternal life. Check the Scriptures in full at ESV.ORG.

I was not the only one whose life was touched by Angelia. There were many. I hope that people will look at this story and realize that drinking and driving can cost many people a great deal.
Even though the driver was convicted, it will not bring Angelia back. I will never forget Angelia, I will not stop missing her until we meet again in heaven.

I Remember Diane... (2008)

My dear sister, whom I miss as much today as ever, would have been 33 today. Today I cannot celebrate with her, but I am overjoyed for her. She had a difficult life, but God rewarded her with what was dearest to her: a family. Robbie, her husband (who is like a brother to me), her son Gabriel and her daughter Charisma. She also had Robbie's family- a nice large group- to make up for the family she did not have growing up.

I can rejoice in the fact that she was dedicated to Jesus. Her life was a testimony to her love for him- especially as she battled cancer.

The picture on the right was taken in Lakeland, Florida as Diane was battling cancer. We had such hope that she would beat it- and I guess in a way she did. She is free from cancer now, praise God!

Two links to posts about her follow:

Diane Orchard Hubbard 5.1.75-11.29.2004

A Soul's Journey

Remembering Diane 11.29.2007

It was in the early afternoon on November 29, 2004 that my dear sister went to be with Jesus.

I sometimes feel deserted. I miss her and regret every moment I could have spent with her and did not. I desperately wish to have another conversation with her.

There are still times when I will think of something in the past- especially from our college days- and not quite remember exactly how things happened. Then I will think, "I will just call Diane and..."- that is about when I remember that she is no longer a phone call away.

I pride myself on not crying. However, I cannot hold back when I begin to speak of my dear sister. She was married with two beautiful children. Her husband, Rob, is now like a brother to me. He is remarried to a wonderful woman, Kristine. She treats the children like they were her own while respecting the memory of Diane. Kristine is quite a woman. I have the utmost respect for her. It cannot be easy to take two children as she did, but I think she is doing well with it.

As I close this post I am thankful to my dear Lord for placing Diane in my life. I also thank Him for taking care of her children and Rob by giving them Kristine.

Related links:
Diane 5.1.75-11.29.04
A Soul's Journey

Dr. D. James Kennedy 11.3.1930-9.5.2007

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing. (2 Timothy 4.7-8 ESV)

From his tribute site:

“Now, I know that someday I am going to come to what some people will say is the end of this life. They will probably put me in a box and roll me right down here in front of the church, and some people will gather around, and a few people will cry. But I have told them not to do that because I don’t want them to cry. I want them to begin the service with the Doxology and end with the Hallelujah chorus, because I am not going to be there, and I am not going to be dead. I will be more alive than I have ever been in my life, and I will be looking down upon you poor people who are still in the land of dying and have not yet joined me in the land of the living. And I will be alive forevermore, in greater health and vitality and joy than ever, ever, I or anyone has known before.”

D. James Kennedy, Ph.D.

The thing that bothers me is that I have only seen the story about his death on baynews9.com.  CNN, Fox News, DrudgeReport- all silent.  What is the deal?

Dr. D. James Kennedy lived his life as a shining example.  He did not find himself embroiled in scandals, but did an effective job in proclaiming the Gospel.  I rejoice that he is now in the presence of our Savior.  The world has lost a great voice sharing the Gospel in power and truth.

Maybe the lack of coverage reflects on his ability to keep a clear testimony.  No sex scandals, no fraud, no notorious slips of the tongue and retractions.  Just a man living out a walk with Christ and preaching the Gospel without compromise.  He was into politics, but, unlike others, politics was not into him.  I thank God for Dr. D. James Kennedy's influence in my life. 

Anyway, there is now one less television preacher to watch.  How many are there left?  For me, one or two.  

UPDATE: Washington Post article