5/2/2018
Thank you, Linda, for sharing your heart on this very difficult day. What a wonderful tribute to Chad and a sweet birthday gift to him! Prayers for you and your family as you remember Chad today. He was a fine young man with wisdom beyond his years. He would be proud of you! I love you. đź’ť
This is really a wonderful tribute. My heart and prayers go out to all of you. Love you so much.
What a sweet and wonderful testimony to the life of Chad and Courtney and what a testimony of faith in our sovereign Lord. Jesus IS truly enough and remembering is certainly proof of that. We can never miss him like you, Pastor, and your other children do; but, we do frequently tear up and truly miss them when we think of Chad and Courtney and what a joy and inspiration they were. Sometimes we want to ask God why, but when we consider that they are in the presence of the Lord, that question fades and our joy for them overcomes any question we might ponder. Thank you for so poignantly sharing your thoughts and for sharing the picture gallery! We love you all.
Linda, .Thanks for sharing your thoughts about today being Chad’s birthday. I cannot imagine how it would feel to lose one of my children. I will be praying for you and your family today. Love you and know that God’s grace will be sufficient for you each day.
Linda,
We all hurt with you and although it is a difficult day for you, know that Chad is having a very happy birthday!
You both come to mind and enter our prayers frequently! Thank you for your faithfulness to trust and serve the Lord even through this unspeakable pain and loss.
We cry with you and pray for the Lord’s extra comfort. Certain days are certainly more difficult than others. Thank you for sharing your heart. We were among the privileged who got to see Chad grow into the young man he was. May his life continue to impact the lives of others.
Courtney came to mind today randomly. We were both music majors back at BJU. She was the sweetest. I miss seeing her face and the joy she just brings to everyone around her. I was astonished when I found out what happened to her. We have to look up to Christ and trust that he knows it all and he is more than enough.
My prayers and love is with you as you remember your precious boy and his family.
We are only here for a little while. We will be united with Christ forever. There will be no more separation, sorrow or remorse! He lives!
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30 Years Ago Today We Received a Gift
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About Us:
What People have to Say:
- Caleb Phelps
- Daniel Phelps
- The story of “Fanning the Flame”Â
- Bus Accident Memorial
- Fanning the Flame Ministries
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Our son, Chad, was born 30 years ago today (May 3rd). How we wish we were making his favorite dinner and scrambling to find the right gift. For 25 years we were blessed to watch Chad grow physically, socially, academically, and spiritually. He will be forever 25 years old in our thoughts. Today we will cry; we will recall treasured memories; we will look at pictures; and we will hold each other, especially Chase, a little closer. We will allow ourselves to remember and smile through our tears.
Every day we miss Chad. Every day we long for him. Every day we wish he were here. At times life is empty without his laugh, his smile, his mischief, his spark. We had expectations for Chad’s life, of what his pastoral ministry would be like, of growing old and watching God use Chad and Courtney as they served others, of seeing how they would rear their children. At times it has been with great sadness that we have let go of our dreams. We are learning that joy and sadness can coexist. While Chad walked his earthly journey, he walked in truth. That continues to bring us joy (3 John 4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.).Â
God knew the days of the lives of our children, and He is in charge of our time here on earth. (Matthew 6:27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?) I am reminded of other young men who entered eternity before their 30th birthday—David Brainerd was 29, William Borden was 25, Jim Elliot was 28, and Robert Murray M’Cheyne was 29 years old. Just as God continues to use these men, we pray the prayer of the Apostle Paul found in Philippians 1:20. Our prayer is that God will continue to use Chad’s life and testimony to make a difference in the lives of others and magnify His name. (Philippians 1:20b Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.) The death of our children has changed us forever. Letting go is not a possibility. Less than a year before Chad was ushered into heaven, he preached a sermon entitled The Purpose of Suffering. His second point was “Always, suffering is to convince you that Jesus is enough (Psalm 73:26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.).” As Chad concluded this message he made the following statement. “There are many things I hope you remember from tonight, but first and foremost I want you to remember that against all the logic and against the background of the acknowledgment that God is sovereign and intensely providential, suffering in this world occurs in order for people to understand that Jesus is enough!” So today, as we remember the wonderful change that came into our lives 30 years ago, we are thankful for the ongoing changes the Lord is making in our lives. We want to be defined by the joy and peace found in Christ alone—not by the losses in our lives. Truly Jesus has been, and continues to be, enough. If we could converse with Chad, we would say, “Happy Birthday, Chad! We miss you. We are thankful for you. We are finding that Jesus is more than enough. We are rejoicing that your earthly ministry continues to make a difference in the lives of others.” Written by Mom (Linda Phelps) ​
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“We pledge on this day (Wednesday, July 31, 2013) to fan the flame of their (Chad and Courtney Phelps) lives and work . . . To be here tonight and listen to the testimony of this dear family is profoundly inspiring.”Â
– Mike Pence, Vice President of the United States |
“God takes an event like this and works in infinite numbers of ways and in countless numbers of lives.”
– Steve Pettit, President of Bob Jones University |
“This is a trage-tunity. It’s a tragedy but also an opportunity to declare the glorious gospel of Christ.”
– Joe Fant, Program Director at The WILDS Christian Camp |
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