FABcast

FABcast #618 - 9.11 20yr Reflection by RBAR

How should you approach praying about getting or rejecting the COVID vaccine? I recommend spending time in prayer and fasting rather than watching the news and social media. Spend time in God's presence and see what happens when the peace of God surpasses your understanding.

Ending Song: What a Friend (backyard jams with Gary).

If you're considering getting the vaccine, I recommend going into that decision in fasting and prayer. Isolation is not the worst thing we do but it is how we do the worst things. Lone rangers are dead rangers. Do life in gospel-centered community and watch the clarity and peace of God come like never before.

I Had my friend Colin Heinrich on the show last March. Finally got this one cut/uploaded. He released an album that speaks to the politics of the heart. Colin knows that the heart of every issue is an issue of the heart.

For more about Colin: colinheinrich.com and @colinheinrich

Here are the links to Dad's Service and the video presentations.

Full Memorial service in HD: www.vimeo.com/rbar/dadcol

SCARS IN heaven (mom and dad tribute) www.Vimeo.com/RBAR/scars

Well done tribute. www.Vimeo.com/RBAR/welldone

Full slideshow. www.Vimeo.com/RBAR/dad

Dad’s paddle out memorial: www.vimeo.com/rbar/paddleout

Dad’s burial at sea service: https://youtu.be/ftIzdhXOXCA or www.Vimeo.com/Rbar/dadbas

Memorial Chaplain Message only: https://youtu.be/UkZNrvru2BQ

Memorial Chaplain Message audio: www.soundcloud.com/forallbelievers/conducting-my-dads-memorial-service

This is a short clip about Marked Men for Christ to those who wanted to know what my dad was involved in in the last year: https://youtu.be/cQKWjFEb9GQ

Pray about it and join us for the next conference on 22-24 October in Wrightwood, CA. https://www.markedmenforchrist.org/signup/?eventid=1497

Please post/share.

It was the most glorious memorial service I had ever seen! We experience the presence of God and the power of family.

Here are the links to Dad's Service and the video presentations.

Full Memorial service in HD: www.vimeo.com/rbar/dadcol

SCARS IN heaven (mom and dad tribute) www.Vimeo.com/RBAR/scars

Well done tribute. www.Vimeo.com/RBAR/welldone

Full slideshow. www.Vimeo.com/RBAR/dad

Dad’s paddle out memorial: www.vimeo.com/rbar/paddleout

Dad’s burial at sea service: https://youtu.be/ftIzdhXOXCA or www.Vimeo.com/Rbar/dadbas

Memorial Chaplain Message only: https://youtu.be/UkZNrvru2BQ

Memorial Chaplain Message audio: www.soundcloud.com/forallbelievers/conducting-my-dads-memorial-service

This is a short clip about Marked Men for Christ to those who wanted to know what my dad was involved in in the last year: https://youtu.be/cQKWjFEb9GQ

Pray about it and join us for the next conference on 22-24 October in Wrightwood, CA. https://www.markedmenforchrist.org/signup/?eventid=1497

Please post/share.

Come to the Altar (Backyard Worship w/ Gary Rea) by RBAR

This was the hardest memorial service I've ever conducted, and the most joyous. I've never experienced such an amazing celebration of life ceremony. Every word and every memento given served to remind us of the Kingdom of God here on earth as it is in heaven.

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Full Memorial service in HD: www.vimeo.com/rbar/dadcol

Message only: https://youtu.be/UkZNrvru2BQ

Message audio: www.soundcloud.com/forallbelievers/conducting-my-dads-memorial-service

SCARS IN heaven (mom and dad tribute) www.Vimeo.com/RBAR/scars

Well done (Ryan’s tribute) www.Vimeo.com/RBAR/welldone

Full slideshow (made by Janette) www.Vimeo.com/RBAR/dad

Dad’s paddle out memorial: www.vimeo.com/rbar/paddleout

Dad’s burial at sea service:

This is also a short clip about Marked Men for Christ to those who wanted to know what my dad was involved in in the last year: https://youtu.be/cQKWjFEb9GQ

Pray about it and join us for the next conference on 22-24 October in Wrightwood, CA. https://www.markedmenforchrist.org/signup/?eventid=1497

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"I can't even describe the love I felt watching your mom and the roses. Your family is phenomenal...I have never seen anything like it or a tribute that expressed so much love..." Scott Mills

"Thank you for inviting me to celebrate your Dad's life. Your family's celebration is where I needed to be today. I have never witnessed such a moving tribute to faith, family and service. What a life Leo lived -- and what an example he is for all of us....Indeed a life well lived!" A.G. Wilcox

"Thank you for the opportunity to attend your Dad’s Celebration!! Through the wonderful, beautiful, and amazing stories of your family, it helped me grow as a Son (for our Heavenly Father), Husband, Father, and yes, Grandfather! This growth will be felt everywhere in my life.

Thank you again!" - Bret Ropelato

"The celebration of life service for your father passing, Deb and I attended yesterday was an event we will remember the rest of our life. Thank You Brother for the invitation and Honor of attending.

You really have a Beautiful Family, and it was because of your Father and Mother and their Love For Jesus Christ. "

Aloha Brother 💪

Tom & Debbie

Nan and I were really moved and inspired by the life of your father. Nan even said this is the first memorial service she's been to where she came out encouraged, especially to share the Good News to the hospital where she works and her family.

Art “Bong” Gaerlan

"Your comments on your father's passing were very deep, moving, and inspiring. As a soon to be 65er (and with prostate cancer that is possibly advancing faster than I want it to) your words were great to read."

Thank you

John Price

What a beautiful Celebration of Leo's life. Everyone who participated in sharing did an excellent job. I was touched by so many of the sweet memories and stories that were shared. The dance to the Hawaiian Wedding song was so moving. Ryan did a fantastic job from the moment he started talking to the sharing of the many ways people experience grief and reminding us that each way is okay. Your arranging the roses while talking about the garden excerpts from the Bible was especially moving.

I had another event for which I needed to leave so I didn't get to the enjoy the wonderful lunch you and your beautiful family provided. I am sure I missed a real treat!

My heart was so full of all that was shared.

I pray that God's comfort and peace will flood your heart and that your knowing where Leo is will help during this hard time. You are in my prayers.

My heart is full of love for you and your amazing family.

Linda Fisher

It rocked my world when I walked into dad's hospital room not realizing he had departed this world. Mom looked at me and said, “He’s been promoted to glory.” I responded, “here’s gone!?” Then I wept uncontrollably. I was in shock and disbelief. My brother-in-law, Alan, was standing next to me and just held me. I felt robbed and discombobulated.

A few days passed and I realized how gracious God was in the midst of all of the shock, pain and grief. The fact that I got stationed in my hometown (San Clemente, CA) next to Pendleton and spent the last two years hanging out with my dad, shooting together, fishing, men’s Bible studying, going on the MarkedMenforChrist.com retreat together, talking about stocks, developing a deep friendship, bringing my kids over every week, etc... It’s all a gracious gift from God in his perfect timing.

At 66 years young, he served Jesus and lived a life of freedom in Christ. He lived life to the fullest. Died with nothing pending. Put everything on the table and lived fearlessly and free. He was forced to retire at 57 when the nuclear power plant was shut down. That disguised blessing allowed him to travel with my mom, Have breakfast with her every morning in their garden, conduct missions trips, and invest in the grandchildren for over a decade! What a gracious gift from God.

Dad evaded death and overcame illness several times in his life: Motorcycle crash on the I-5 freeway, Guillain–Barré syndrome, prostate cancer, COVID-19, pneumonia, etc. All those things couldn’t kill him. But as Dad always reminded me, “it is appointed once for man to die and after that to face judgment.” This was his time.

This is giving me an entirely new perspective on my job and calling as a pastor and comforter to those who are grieving. I’ll be back in the saddle with the pedal to the metal, just like my dad would encourage me to do.

The words of Isaiah 57:1 have given me tremendous peace! I reflect on it daily.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/nvcuMrubb8jPWG5A9.

Grief recovery playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGoyPpwPotkVwh80eyyaJQjGtJDbrtJ4m

One of the biggest lies in the Church... "being late."