Ridgell's Originals

 Mark Rogers and Fern Hill don't have much in common on the surface.

Mark died in a terrible car accident in Texas just short of his 40th birthday.  He loved Jesus, people, had incredible energy, and was a force for good in his community.

Fern died of a terrible disease in New York in her mid 80's.  She loved Jesus, people, had incredible energy, and was a force for good in her community.

Oh, and they both loved to sing.  Mark sang many times when I was preaching.  Fern sang over me several times.  I bet they are both singing in heaven.

So OK.  Maybe they had more in common than it seemed at first glance.  And I loved and admired both of them.  And I learned from them both.  Here is what I learned from Mark, Fern, and Jesus.

Death is real and it can happen at any time.  We live in a fallen world.  The wreck that took Mark's life was a result of another person.  Their sin costs Mark.  Fern died of cancer.  Fallen world where sin and disease result in death.

Death hurts.  Fern was so loved by so many.  So was Mark.  And Mark leaves a precious wife, three kids, and his parents.  Families, friends, and churches are grieving each of these.

They leave incredible legacies.  Both leave strong families.  Mark made an impact in his local church and by his work with Big Brother and Big Sisters.  Fern and her husband Jerry founded the Timothy Hill Children's Ranch.  Good has been done under their leadership that will last for a long time.

They both put their faith in Jesus.  So we believe they are now seeing God face to face.  And we believe we will see them again.  So we are hope grievers.  We grieve.  But not like those with no hope.

So maybe the world sees no connection or similarity between Mark and Fern.  But I do.  Jesus makes all the difference.

Fern wrote a book, Graduation to Glory, about the life, death, and legacy of her son Timothy Hill.  Now she has graduated to glory.  Just like I want to do some day.

There are tee shirts all over that say Make Your Mark motivating people to do like Mark did and leave a lasting mark in people's lives.

So God, thanks for these two saints that I love.  So different on the outside.  So alike in You.  So Father, help us make Your mark in this world until we graduate to glory.

# posted by Steve @ 5:00 AM