New Site; Same Blog

I’m moving my blog from WordPress to Blogspot. I hope you follow me. Check out my new site; same blog here.

following todd through unfamiliar waters

Todd Hamilton, Jimmy’s best friend, is starting a blog called “Unfamiliar Waters“. I can’t think of a better person to give us insight on lessons that Jimmy taught through his example, his words, his life.

Jimmy’s legacy will continue to live on in so many ways. This will be one of the best and most personal. Whether you knew Jimmy or not, follow Todd into the unfamiliar waters ahead and learn some great lessons about faith, family and friendship (and probably fishing).

making the most of every moment

Something hit me today while I was working out. It wasn’t the first time this hit me. And it’s not some ground-breaking revelation. It’s something we all know. But it’s one of those things that, if we take enough time to think about it, makes life even more precious.

No moment in time will ever be repeated. Not one. Each is unique. And God has given us each moment to enjoy.

Over the last several days, the preciousness of life has become blatantly clear once again. Does that mean I’ve completely changed the way I live my life? No. Have I made the most of every moment this week? Sadly, no. I’ve missed the mark a lot – with God, my wife, my kids and my friends.

But my prayer is that as I continue to move forward, I will make the most of more of those moments. And I pray that I never take a moment like any of these for granted.

a reminder in the valley

Yesterday was a great day! We all celebrated the life of our friend Jimmy York. And for those of us who heard it, Todd’s eulogy for Jimmy was absolutely perfect. I don’t know exactly how hard that was for him, but I know it was the hardest thing he’s had to do. But God used him during that message, and it spoke volumes about Jimmy. I am so proud of the job Todd did in remembering his friend. What an honor to hear it!

Yesterday was also a very crappy day. Because for many, it marked the beginning of a life without a friend who meant so much to each of us. That beginning actually occured Saturday night. But yesterday, it became real for a lot of people.

Yes, Jimmy is home in heaven. Yes, we can have joy in knowing that he is on that mountaintop. But now, there is going to be a valley for us. For some, that valley is going to be easily traversed. For others, that valley is going to be deep and dark.

For Tricia, Braxton, Auston, Jimmy’s parents and family; for Todd and Trena, Jeff and Ginger, Steve and Kim, Wayne and Jill, Mark and Libba, Carissa and me, Ray and Jazen; for Josh, Dan, Justin, Tianne, Sara, Kara, Mark, Deana, Carlotta, Terry and the entire Fellowship family; and for countless, countless others – the valley is going to be rough.

But I want to encourage all of you to continue looking up, even in the midst of the shadows; especailly in the midst of those shadows. That’s not something that I think you need to be told. But a reminder can’t hurt. Because each of us will greive in our own way, in our own time. Maybe you’ve gotten to the point of beginning that process for yourself. But as you face each day in this new life, trust that God will lead you. Because, as the Scriptures say:

He restores my soul.
       He guides me in paths of righteousness
       for his name’s sake. 
 Even though I walk
       through the valley of the shadow of death,  
       I will fear no evil,
       for you are with me… (Psalm 23:3-4).

Jimmy and Todd

I was supposed to go hunting today with Todd. The day was going to hopefully end with a cooler full of meat and some good memories of a nice hunt. Instead, I’m ending this day praying hard for Todd. Because last night, Jimmy died.

Maybe you know the story. Maybe you don’t. But Jimmy and Todd were great friends. They worked together, ministered together, fished together, and (if there had been indoor plumbing at Todd’s lease), they might have ended up hunting together. Though Jimmy probably would have just shown up to tell jokes more than actually hunt.

I can’t put into words what this feels like tonight. Jimmy and Todd. To me, you don’t get one without the other. They were together when I met them over 6 years ago. They were together when they took the chance to hire Carissa over 4 years ago. They were together when they led. Together when they laughed and joked. They were always together. Even when job responsibilities changed, they made the time to be together. They were the picture perfect definition of close friends.

And now, Jimmy’s gone.

Although, Todd would be the first to tell you that Jimmy isn’t gone. He’s home. It’s a shocking statement to say about someone who was just 33. And for the first time, as I write this, the tears are flowing. I guess I’ve been in shock. But I cry, not for Jimmy. He’s better off than any of us. I cry for his wife, Tricia, and his two sons, Braxton and Auston. Of course. But I also cry for Todd and the many, many people who had a relationship with Jimmy that was just as special. 

Jimmy was one of the most generous, caring people I’ve ever known. He was willing to open up and share anything with anyone. He was a great leader.  A great man. A great example of what a deep, personal, intimate relationship with Jesus can do.

Jimmy will be missed. By Todd and so many others. But there’s no doubt about it. The friendships that he left behind will continue to shine light on a dark world. And Jimmy’s influence will continue to resonate through Fellowship Church and every single life he touched.

And although there won’t be any more Jimmy and Todd together on earth, there’s a special fishing hole in heaven waiting for Todd. And I bet Jimmy’s got a line in the water already.