***Loving Examples Of Jesus***

*Lovingly dedicated to*
My Pastor, ROGER (and others)
-of-
Shekinah Christian Center
Longview, WA



Pictured below are my Pastor, ROGER, with his wife and their youngest daughter. (the picture was taken years ago, but they still look much the same as they do here--except the baby is much bigger now. It's hard to believe she's now a teenager. Boy how time flies!)

Their two other sweet daughters are great also. The middle daughter is leader of the Jr. High group at our church now. The entire Lucas family is a real blessing to us all.

I've known Roger for half of my lifetime; I met him when I was a teenager myself. I was lonely, depressed, needing encouragement, love and support, and he gave it to me. Roger took time to share the love of God with me, show me I was worth something and that God hadn't forgotten me, but that I was special to Him and He could do something with my life.

I'll never forget a few years ago when Roger's wife told me that she and Roger always believed in me and knew that I could do anything I set my mind to doing. (something that still makes me teary-eyed thinking of it, because it touched my heart in such a special way). The Lucas family has touched many lives, not just mine. But I'll always be grateful for the tremendous love, care, prayers, support, and Godly character they've shown me by their constant example.
(Thank you so much. You mean a LOT to me. HUGS!)

I remember some firsts in my life that Roger shared with me, too. Things like my first bowl of split pea soup when we met for a counseling session at a local restaurant. (YUMMIE!)
Or the Carefree sugarless spearmint gum he got me into when he used to have it all the time to share with me and others.(now he's moved on to Extra sugarfree gum that can always be found in his desk at the church office-LOL). I even had my first entire orange at a Single's Bible Study meeting held at the Lucas' house when I was in high school. (Crazy, I know, but it's true).

Through the years, Roger's shown me what it's really like to have a personal, intimate relationship with God and how vital it is to know God and make Him known to others. Roger has been like a second father to me, especially since the death of my own Dad a few years ago. In the time I've known Roger and his wife, they've been caring, supportive, spoken encouragement and the love of Jesus into my heart & life. Roger's also been tough on me when I needed it. (Thanks again, Rog)

One good example of Roger's tough-love happened when I was in high school and I let myself get too dependent on him instead of on God for love and help I needed. Roger didn't let that go for long until he wrote me a tough, but loving letter saying I needed to depend on God more than on him. (He was right). I still have that letter around somewhere today. He's always pointed me (and others) to Jesus and not to himself and I really respect him for that. He's also been a very good example of a true follower of Jesus with a humble servant's heart. It's really evident that he regularly spends time with God in the Word and in prayer. Like Roger always says, "It's ALL about JESUS!".

Because of his true shepherd's heart, and love for God and others, it's really no wonder why Roger was recently named Pastor of the Year by Crossings organization, something he truly deserves and that we're really proud of as well.

(We need more people in this world like Roger and & his family. I pray God continues to bless them as they've blessed others in many ways.)


(background music is "What A Difference You've Made In My Life")