Go buy the kids and Dad a Frosty this weekend : )
Something a bit different today... This is a good excuse for getting a treat this weekend... And it's a great cause, caring for orphans! close the the Chapman's hearts!
Info and an easy and fun way to pass this along to others at this link.
Participating Wendy’s stores will be donating 50¢ of every Frosty product sold June 14th & 15th to the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption. The funds are being used to help the foundation find permanent, loving families for children in foster care, "so they can find rockin' Dads" as Wendy's celebrates Father's Day in a unique way. : )
Just can't bare to share today, please pray for the Chapmans and Steven especially on this very, very hard weekend. May God be glorified.
The Chapman family continues to be at the forefront of my mind and in my prayers daily. I pray God's comfort and blessing this Father's Day weekend. Thank you for your continued updates. I wish you a blessed Father's Day as well.
In Christ,
Phyllis
Posted by: Phyllis | June 12, 2008 at 02:53 PM
Still praying for all of you - those within the family and within the family's circle. Denver loves you all!
Posted by: Cory | June 12, 2008 at 03:02 PM
Thank you so much Jim! Every word and emotion you share is so appreciated!
Having the whole Chapman family and all of you make such a difference and touch SOOOO many lives without ever even knowing it is an unseen for all of you...but we're hoping that you all feel the love and goodness of our God! Prayers and thoughts have been with each of you constantly since this tragic accident!!!
Trying to figure out how it will ever feel any "better" is just beyond comprehension...but we are praying for Gods peace to fill hearts and that His unending, unconditional love will in some way heal in whatever way it can.
Maria is in Heaven with God...at peace and free...and wanting to help with the hurt. Just seeing the joyful, spunky little soul that she was, it really seems that she would want for everyone to know that they are so loved...and that she wants that hurt to heal. How would we ever survive in this world with out Gods love & peace?
Thank you for continuing to share Gods awesome love through the website!!!! (..and that story about the website-wow!!! Thank you for listening to that voice...you make a difference!)
Posted by: Cindy Koester | June 12, 2008 at 03:05 PM
Thank you for all the updates on the Chapman family. You do a great job keeping us informed.
The Chapman's are being prayed for constantly and will have 'extra' (if that's even possible) prayers this weekend. They are greatly loved!
Posted by: Paige | June 12, 2008 at 03:19 PM
It's amazing the burden the body of Christ feels for the Chapman family! God does truly care, as He gathers His body to pray for the Chapman's. I'm praying constantly during the day and night and I'm so heartbroken and I don't even know the Chapman's. I feel as though I do. If I'm this sad, I can't even imagine the brokenness they are feeling. I'm praying especially hard as Father's Day approaches.
Let them know they are loved and we won't forget.
Love you!
Cynthia Y.
Posted by: Cynthia Y. | June 12, 2008 at 03:23 PM
have already been praying for several days now in anticipation of sunday coming. maybe we should all just celebrate God's Fathers Day. And focus on all the children He has now because of changed lives thru the various chapman ministries. no telling how many souls have been won for the kingdom because of them. and someday because of the current road they walk many more countless lives will be won. Our only hope is that thinking on these things would easy the pain and loss.
appreciate your sensitivity to releasing tmi but can't help but wonder how the brother is doing and why MB's portion of the blog doesn't show up anymore.
faithful to pray each time the spirit prompts...
Posted by: justpassnthru | June 12, 2008 at 03:25 PM
In the last few blogs you've written I'm sensing much pain with the Chapman family.......kicking it in extra gear.....praying HARD!
We don't know you personally, but we love you ALL!!!!
Susan
New York City
Posted by: Susan Taylor | June 12, 2008 at 03:25 PM
Praying... ever praying.
Posted by: Emily | June 12, 2008 at 03:28 PM
Chapman's and you Jim are still in thoughts and prayers!
Posted by: Joanna Shaw Rose and Family | June 12, 2008 at 03:34 PM
Jim,
Thank you so much for your constant updates. I am praying for the Chapman family often. I can't imagine the grief that they carry each day. Thank you for sharing your heart through all of this as well. I pray for each of you especially now when the pain is so deep you can't even find the words to express it. Each time I look at one of my precious nieces or hear one of Steven's songs, I pray for the family and all of those who had the honor of personally knowing Maria.
Thank you for giving us this avenue to rally around all of you and show our love, support, and prayers.
Posted by: Karise Pagano | June 12, 2008 at 03:39 PM
Jim,
Thank you so much for sharing with us the prayer needs of the Chapman family. You are doing a fabulous job at sharing your heart and their needs with so many.
This weekend is hard for our family as well. We lost my father to cancer May 7th. This will be our first Father's day without him. Wednesdays are hard here too. We made it thru the first few weeks of "formalities" of funeral, getting eveything together, paperwork and going thru personal belongings. Then reality of moving forward was so difficult even though we had time to prepare (as much as possible). Everything causes tears, even crying out to God in prayer. It is very hard some days more than others.
The Chapman family and all those close to them are in our prayers. We are praying that God would heal their broken hearts and that they may see God abundantly in their healing. Praying special prayers for WF that God would reveal to him that it was His will that Maria be in heaven. Also for Steven Curtis and Mary Beth.....if God had not given Maria to your family, she may have never known the love of Jesus. What an awesome God we serve!
Posted by: The Bizzells | June 12, 2008 at 03:42 PM
Praying without ceasing.....
Posted by: Clay, Tanya, Corinna, Matthew, Carmen, and Harry | June 12, 2008 at 03:48 PM
Our thoughts, prayers and hearts are with you all, now, and each day moving forward.
Posted by: Rita Soronen | June 12, 2008 at 03:50 PM
Thinking about you today...
Please let the Chapman's know that I think about Maria and Will everyday and pray for strength for Will and great peace.
Posted by: Deana Marie Watson | June 12, 2008 at 03:52 PM
Dear Mr. Jim,
This weekend will be awfully tough not just for SC, but probably even more so for WF. I want to remind my brothers & sisters our there reading these posts to continue to rebuke the enemy from this family in the Name of Jesus. ABBA, Father, please allow Your Spirit to guide our prayers. You are the perfect Father and every day is Yours.
And Jim, I hope you take your wife and your Cinderella out for Frostys, too. You certainly deserve a time of refreshing.
Love from NC.
Posted by: Cindi M. | June 12, 2008 at 03:54 PM
I am still praying daily for the Chapmans and all of you close to this heartbreaking loss, but I will definitely increase the prayers and petitions this weekend. I know how anniversaries of occasions (esp. the tragedy) and holidays can cut especially deep.
When I pray I ask that God comfort all of you, especially Steven, Mary Beth, and Will, as only He can...and that He will overwhelm you all with peace that passes all understanding. This scar will forever be on this family, but time WILL ease the pain. As with most things of value, it requires patient waiting and trusting.
Wish I could say more to comfort and encourage...
A sister in Nashville.
Posted by: Cherish | June 12, 2008 at 04:05 PM
Justpassnthru --
Re: your question about Mary Beth's blog, it's still there. I can see it.
http://chapmanchannel.typepad.com/marybeth/
There have been no new entries since May 6th, but if you click on one of the pictures on the right it takes you to the old entries.
Hope that helps.
Posted by: Karen B. | June 12, 2008 at 04:15 PM
Even saying you don't have words speaks volumes. I'll be praying, and I'll be buying a Frosty if I can. :| Hugs to Steven on Father's Day. I'm sure he needs them.
Posted by: Beka | June 12, 2008 at 04:42 PM
Sorry to post again. If anyone wants to read MB's blog, you can click on a picture or on the archives and select a blog there...
Posted by: Beka | June 12, 2008 at 04:43 PM
we will definatly be having frosty's this weekend..thanks for letting us know! We will be lifting everyone up in prayer especially this weekend. I have another friend who 6 years ago lost their precious 10 week old baby boy on Fathers Day...they reminded us that it is hard when people say "how will they ever live thru it" and their response is "Without the Lord, we would not" that is how all of us are, completely helpless without HIM. God bless you all and thank you for the updates.
Posted by: Miller family | June 12, 2008 at 05:20 PM
I wish I could deliver a round of Frosty's to the Chapman household... even if it just made them smile for a brief moment.
One week after Steven & MaryBeth's tragedy, our friends lost their little boy... every time I pray for them (which is several times a day), my mind and heart always wanders to the Chapmans... and I once again pray for them. Their circumstances are so different, yet so similar. Praying for God's Perfect Peace all around.
Posted by: K | June 12, 2008 at 05:21 PM
Other than reading this blog daily, I hadn't been hunting around the web recently to see what other bloggers, etc. had been writing in the last week - 10 days about the Chapmans and their tragedy.
Tonight I found two awesome links I thought readers here would want to know about.
1. From About.Com -- an interview with SCC by Kim Jones, all about Steven's role as a dad. Perfect for Father's Day. I hope many will find it and share it. The interview was done sometime in late April or early May (after the Music City Hall of Fame ceremony, but before Maria's death)
Steven Curtis Chapman on Being a Dad and Enjoying the Cinderella Moments
http://christianmusic.about.com/od/specialeventsmusic/a/sccfathersday.htm
2. If you want to hear the voice of the faithful and amazing brother behind this blog, Jim Houser did a radio interview this week for WRBS, sharing about how the Chapmans are doing, and the outpouring of support for Shoahannah's Hope since the tragedy. Listen here:
http://www.wrbs.com/podcast/mp3/611houser.mp3
Posted by: Karen B. | June 12, 2008 at 05:36 PM
Jim, thank you again for your silent update. Please know that I have and will continue to pray for the Chapman family. Steven's love for Shaoey and her story is how God spoke adoption into my life. And a concert in February 2005 is how God spoke it into my husbands life. Steven's daddy's heart has prompted my very loving husband to continue to pour out more. Steven set the bar high for dad's and I think that is why I am so very heart broken for him.
I wish cookies or lasagna or simply anything would take away their pain because I believe I would be one in a long line of "love" offerings.
Praying Hard, Stephanie
Posted by: Stephanie | June 12, 2008 at 05:47 PM
Prayers for all of you, especially Mr. Chapman and Will Franklin, as this Father's Day approaches. May the peace and love of our heavenly Father comfort Mr. Chapman and his family everyday as well as this special weekend.
Love in Christ Jesus,
Holli
Posted by: Holli | June 12, 2008 at 06:00 PM
Jim, Thank you again for your Faithfullness
As a father of three adopted children my thoughts and prayers will be with the Chapman Family and especially Steven on Father's Day this Sunday.
Will check out the Wendy's info.
Kevin
Posted by: Kevin C. | June 12, 2008 at 06:13 PM