David Fisher at Pilgrim Scribblings posted excerpts from an article by Mark Thoma on the Angel’s website. Just as Pitcher Paul Byrd held it together during this game…I know that Chuck would challenge each of us to do the same. Even in our grief…we need to keep our eyes on Jesus, turn to God…and know that He has a good plan that will come to fruition in His perfect time.

During the game, he learns team chaplain dies of cancer
By Mark Thoma / MLB.com

ANAHEIM — Just before throwing his first pitch Sunday afternoon, Angels starter Paul Byrd turned toward center field and raised his arms over his head to form an “O,” so Chuck Obremski would see on his TV that Byrd had the ailing team chaplain in his thoughts.

Obremski had been battling terminal cancer all season long, but after visiting him in the hospital Saturday night, Byrd decided he would make a public show of support before every inning Sunday. His timing couldn’t have been more appropriate.

Obremski succumbed at 1:05 p.m. PT — the exact moment that Byrd took the field — something Byrd wouldn’t learn until the fifth inning. When he found out, though, Byrd heeded the chaplain’s advice to “finish strong,” remaining sharp on the mound in his final innings and earning his 12th win in the Angels’ 5-3 win over the Tigers.

As he walked off the field to a standing ovation, Byrd offered one last “O,” dedicating the win and his perseverant performance to the man who helped keep his spirits up as Byrd’s first year as an Angel got off to a rocky start.

“I had a real tough first outing of the year. … He called me and said, ‘Hey, you’re gonna come back from this. We’re gonna fight together, and we’re gonna win together,’ ” Byrd said after the game. “He was encouraging me, and I should’ve been encouraging him.”

“These guys know we have to grind every game, every out,” Scioscia said, “and we did a good job of holding on today.”

And Byrd did, under difficult circumstances, with his thoughts on Obremski.

“We’ll miss him. We’re sad for us, but it was time,” Byrd said. “He was ready, his family was ready. … It was a good time.”

In today’s sermon…”Facing God’s Will” Dave Dunn shared some insights into something that was hard to understand. Pastor Chuck was suffering so greatly…that towards the end, many were praying that God would just let him pass and be home with his Lord.

While we didn’t understand why Chuck continued to live in great pain and suffering…we made the choice to trust God and know that he was bring good, even from Chuck’s suffering.

Dave shared the story that while visiting Chuck at the hospital, he exited his room and stopped by the nurse’s station. He exchanged a hello with one of the nurses present. Dave asked him what his thoughts were. The gentleman stated that he had been a nurse for a number of years…prior to working at St. Joseph’s where he had been for about 6 months. He said in all his time as a nurse he had never seen such love exhibited through the love and care poured out from so many for Chuck, Linda and the Obremski family.

So even in Chuck’s great suffering at the end of his life…God was able to use this time as a witness to others on His great love for us, poured out through his servants to one in great need.

One other insight that was shared with me today was from Doreen at church. In reflecting on all that God has done during this time…one message that she took comfort in and shared with others is that God loves us all equally. He doesn’t spare his favorites from difficult times and sickness…and only sends it to those whom he hates and are evil. It brought to mind the scripture from Matthew 5:45 – “He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”.

2 Peter 3:9 – “He is not willing that any should perish but that all would come to repentance.” What a merciful God we serve.

Thank you to my dear friend Dan…sending his condolences on Chuck’s death. Dan…I greatly appreciate you kind words and reflections on “keeping the faith”. You are very eloquent…and have some keen insight…that seems to have increased with your years. Thank you Daniel…and by the way congratulations on your new job…and good to have you back in California! Susan

I was sorry to hear about the passing of Pastor Chuck. While I did not have the pleasure of knowing him personally, from what I have read about this man on your blog, we were indeed fortunate to have a man such as him.

Reading the notice of his passing, I was struck by the following words, “he fought the good fight, he kept the faith” Truly that is something to aspire to and to have that said of one at their passing. Keeping the faith is so difficult at times as life brings us many challenges, but to keep your faith in spite of all is something to be proud of. To fight the good fight, to do what is right, to not take the easy way out, but to struggle and persevere is something that many call old fashioned in these times, but as I age, the words have more and more meaning and more and more focus in my life.

My sincere condolences to his family and his congregation.

Dan H.

Today’s Kindred Update brought the news that our beloved Pastor Chuck Obremski has made it home…and is resting in the arms of his loving Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

He finished the race at 1:05 PM on Sunday, September 18, 2005…game time for the Angels as it so happens. In reflecting upon his death…his passing into eternal life…my lips pour forth praise and thanksgiving for so much.

I thank God for leading me to this wonderful pastor…who so boldly preached the gospel of Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

I am thankful for his open and transparent life.

I am thankful for his open and teachable spirit…and willingness to let God continue to mold him and transform him into the man that God would have him to be.

I am thankful for Chuck’s straightforward, no nonsense style of preaching…my kick-butt Pastor….as I lovingly refer to him as.

I’m thankful for Chuck and Linda’s willingness to step out into the unknown…and start our church, Kindred Community Church.

I am thankful that Chuck, Linda and Kindred Community Church elders…have been so committed to spreading the gospel message that they give away the CD’s and tapes from the sermon messages.

I am thankful…that Chuck and Linda were so open and transparent through the whole experience of his ride on the “Cancer Coaster”. Willing to let God use it…what Chuck went through, Linda and the family…and in turn our church family. They didn’t hide it…but instead turned it over to God to let Him use it to get the gospel message out there and bring many to a saving faith in Jesus Christ.

I am grateful for the example I saw lived out in the life of man that reflects Jesus Christ.

I am thankful that God let Chuck remain with us for two years after his diagnosis of cancer.

I am thankful for the life I saw lived out in the example of Chuck…of not quitting…and not resting until Jesus called him home.

I am thankful that Chuck and Linda have remained committed and faithful to their Lord and Savior in spite of and in the midst of great pain, suffering and loss.

I am thankful that there was no bitterness or anger or hatred towards God for this wretched disease.

I am grateful, thankful and most blessed to have seen a living example of someone so committed and sure of God’s love that even when dealt the hand of terminal cancer at such a young age, there were no questions as to why, only what. What God are you going to do through this?

I am most thankful for my beloved church family…the members of Kindred Community Church.

I am thankful that God has unified us with strong bonds of love…with roots that have grown very deep over the past two and a half years.

I am thankful and eager that when I get to heaven…I will get to hear Chuck preach the message that he was unable to preach on 9/11/05, The Influence of the Genuine Servant.

I am grateful and humbled to know that I too will one day go to heaven and meet face to face my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

I am thankful…that there too welcoming me to heaven will be Chuck and my friends Hugo and Neil who recently passed away.

I am thankful that God used the time from Chuck’s diagnosis of cancer until He took him home…to allow us time, give us His grace and enable us to trust Him and accept His will.

I am thankful that today…even this very day, in which my heart is breaking…my lips sing forth praise for my great God and Savior Jesus Christ.

I am thankful that I have a hope, joy and peace…that nothing and no one can ever take away…not even the death of a loved one.

I am thankful that Chuck is no longer suffering.

I am thankful to know that God continued to use Chuck…even in these days when his life was wanning…to witness to others about Jesus Christ.

I am thankful…that I will not taste the bitterness of death and hell…since I have received Jesus Christ…who paid my sin debt that I might be forgiven and join him in heaven.

So…even as I wipe tears from my eyes…and I am most grateful to God and sing forth is praise loudly.

Waiting

From unimaginable,
To Lord, if that’s Your will,
To please Lord, don’t let him suffer.

Waiting for news,
Prayerful and silent,
Hearts and minds focused on St. Joe’s 391.

A glimmer,
A flicker,
A hope passes by.

He’s able,
Not willing,
We know not why.

We wait,
We pray,
We look to our Lord.

He strengthens,
He comforts,
And each step He guides.

No breath,
No word,
We bow before our Lord.

We surrender,
We are humbled,
All trust in our Lord.


By Susan Bunts 9/17/05

As we await word on our beloved Pastor, Chuck Obremski…I find throughout the day…my mind, heart, thoughts and prayers are focused on Saint Joseph’s Hospital and what God is doing there. Each e-mail that comes I tremble when I open it and read slowly to take it in.

I hold my breath, focus…and look to Jesus…and make a decision to trust Him in and through all things.

“Lord, help us in this time. Amen!”

The Kindred Prayer Update reported that the above prayer was uttered today by Chuck Obremski as he is looking towards the finish line of this race. Please keep this precious man of God in your prayers as he is suffering greatly. His family is also in need of your prayers too. An exhausting time…and they are sustained, strengthened and comforted by their Lord and Savior. They are touched by the outpouring of love and prayers from so many. Daughter Dana reports the nights are especially tough…so keep those prayers coming.

“Never will I leave you; Never will I forsake you.”

Hebrews 11:5

We’ve all heard the story about Todd Beamer and other passengers on United Airlines Flight 93…who in a heroic fashion upon being informed of the high jackers true motivation and plans…attempted to regain control of the plane.

Who among us…when imagining themselves in a similar situation…doesn’t hope and pray for the courage to do likewise. The story of Todd and his fellow passengers really captured an American spirit…and helped bring courage to others in wake of September 11th.

Below are excerpts from an article found on Focus on the Family’s website. To read the full article…please click on the above link. Also to note…Lisa Beamer is carrying her husband’s example and has started a foundation to help children effected by tragedy, Heroic Choices.

Airfone Operator, Lisa Jefferson recounted how in a calm and businesslike voice, Todd told her the details: three hijackers, two with knives; 10 passengers in first class, 27 in coach, five flight attendants. The passengers were discussing ways to overpower the hijackers. “It’s what we have to do,” Todd had said.

The hijackers, in an apparent effort to thwart these plans, sent the plane diving and swerving to try to knock the passengers off their feet. For a moment Todd’s voice showed fear. “Jesus, we’re going down,” he said. Then he steadied. “We’re coming back up.”

Jefferson told Lisa that Todd had talked about his family, and he asked her to call his wife if he did not make it home. “I don’t think we’re going to get out of this thing,” he told Jefferson. “I’m going to have to go out on faith.”

Todd asked Jefferson to pray with him, and together over the phone they recited the Lord’s Prayer. “Our Father, who art in heaven . . .” He then recited the 23rd Psalm. “The Lord is my Shepherd. I shall not want . . .”

“Jesus, help me,” Todd said.

Then Jefferson heard him say: “Are you guys ready? Let’s roll”—a phrase he used often with his boys. Sounds of struggle, then nothing.

“I just heard that!! NOW it has really impacted me. Barbara Olsen was a bright face with the words of truth and logic. She will be missed. Somehow, when you put a face to this horrible event, it humanizes it. We must continue to lift up all the people who are now suffering loss. Pray for our leader’s like never before. I know American’s will all band together…today will go down in infamy like never before. Another reminder that every day counts. Another chance to do the right thing. God …bless our land.”

The above quote was taken from the Free Republic website from one of their contributors called Neeneh…posted on 9/11/01 at 12:28 PM.

Barbara Olson, wife of Solicitor General, Ted Olson. She was on the plane that crashed into the Pentagon.

“For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” – 2 Timothy 4:6-8

This picture was taken on the first day, we as a church moved into our church home, Kindred Community Church in Anaheim, California. It was snapped as Chuck was welcoming everyone. As it so happened, it was also our second anniversary as a church.

It was a time of excitement, anticipation and expectation as to what our God would do in and through our church, it’s members…and how He would continue to use this man of God whom He had raised up to preach His Word to a weary and dying world. We had already seen Him move His hand and bring forth miracles…and spread the gospel message through the life and suffering of His humble, willing and obedient servant.

Until we get to heaven…we won’t fully comprehend why God is choosing to take His servant home from assignment so early. We won’t be aware of all the people whom God has touched through the faithful teaching of His word. We won’t have the full picture on how we’ve all been changed, not only through some awesome preaching…but also as witnesses to a man fully committed to his Lord and Savior…and finishing the race strong.

Please join our church was we pray for our Pastor Chuck, wife lovely wife Linda, the entire Obremski family…including his mother Pat and their children Dana, Ryan and Krista. Chuck is in the hospital…and struggling to breath and is not always coherent. His family is by his bedside.

Dear Heavenly Father…please touch our precious Pastor, Linda and the Obremski family. Shower Your peace upon them, comfort them…and reveal Your love for them. Please still any pain that Chuck is having…and ease his breathing. Let him have clarity during his remaining moments with his family this side of heaven. May You give him visions of the joy and beauty that he will be entering into. May it bring him peace and joy. We thank You for giving us this lovely man and letting him be a part of our lives. We ask that even now…that You will continue to be honored and glorified through the life of our Pastor.

Luke 11:9-10
“So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.”

Philippians 4:5-7
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Father…you tell us in your word that we are to be anxious about nothing…but instead come to you with praise and thanksgiving and lay before you our prayer requests.

Tonight…we do just that. Jesus…just as the friends of paralyzed man tore through the roof to lower their friend before you for your healing touch…so too we lay our beloved Pastor before you tonight.

We give you thanks that the doctors were able to disgnosis what caused Chuck’s fever and shaking. We thank you that a possible blood match with the needed antibodies may soon be available. We thank you that the swelling has gone down. Most importantly we thank you for your presence, peace and strength sustaining your much loved servant.

Father we pray that your hand would be upon Chuck that you would enable him to breath without pain. That you would keep the swelling down and that you would remove the infection from his blood. We pray that you would allow him to start receiving nutrition and that it would cause no ill effects. We pray that you would guide the doctors…give them great wisdom in their treatment plans. That you would allow the chemo treatment at just the proper time…and that it would do that which it is designed to do.

May your hand of comfort rest upon Chuck and Linda…and may you help them to bear that which has come upon them. May their faith remain strong and solid…and may the enemy be defeated soundly and swiftly.

We thank you for the salvation that you have offered through your precious Son Jesus Christ. We pray that you will continue to use this to reach out and bring others to a saving faith in Christ. We pray in the precious name of your Son. Amen and amen.

Some reflections on September 11th…from a personal standpoint.

Prior to September 11, 2001…I use to think I’d really like to know what’s going to happen in the future. That it would be a good thing know what’s coming down the pike.

And now…in fact shortly after that day…I realized I’m glad I don’t know what tomorrow will bring. Heck, some days…it’s a challenge just getting through the day. God knows what the coming days and future holds…I just need to hold tight to Him. I need to live my life…and let God be God and trust him. Trust Him based on His character…and who He’s revealed Himself to be in and through His Word.

My love for my country…the United States of America grew exponentially. While we do have our flaws…we have a strong foundation to build on and grow on. One that allows individuals to achieve that which they focus on and work towards.

I was conservative in my politics prior to 9/11…but took a hard turn to the right. Any naivete left over from my liberal past died on that day. I was wide awake and aware of what real evil was and what the perpetrators were capable of doing.

The sight of a fireman, police officer or military personnel kind of gets me choked up. My heart swells with love and appreciation for their hard work and service to protect and defend our country and it’s citizens. When I see a member of our military…I want to give them a hug, shake their hand and thank them for their service.

Seeing an American flag…makes me tear up or cry. I can’t sing our National Anthem or God Bless America or say the pledge of allegiance without wanting to bawl like a baby. And sometimes I do just that.

Each night…I turn on a light in my window that highlights the small flag nearby.

I have a real tender spot in my heart for family and friends that have touched my life. I appreciate as never before good people. Not perfect…but just good.

I don’t avoid painful feelings or subjects. They are part of life. And pain and hurt doesn’t make life bad…it may make the moment bad…but that moment changes…and good returns once again.

I love truth and clarity.

Ever since September 11th…I’ve had the hardest time reading books or even magazine articles. I love to read…and feel like that love was robbed from me that day. And I’m not sure why. My ability to focus and concentrate on a book is short lived…and I loose interest. It took me a year before I picked up the book I was reading on September 11th and finished it. I hope I get this love of reading back again…I miss it. Oh don’t get me wrong I do read…but nothing equivalent to before.

I’ve seen only a handful of movies at the theater since that day. I have a hard time sitting in a theater and watching a movie for two hours. I feel anxious…and would rather be doing any one of a number of other things. Oh I do watch movies…mostly at home on DVD now. And I’m a lot more choosy on what I watch. I have a zero tolerance for stars that denigrate our country…and I won’t see their work.

And mostly…dying and heaven seem like a pretty good thing some days. With each time I receive word of friend dying…or someone whom I respected passing away…the world seems a little more cold and a lot less desirable. I’m not afraid to die…and do look forward to going to my heavenly rewards…and leaving behind a world filled with too much evil, pain, death, and destruction.

September 11th is a day I hold near and dear to my heart. I thank God for the good that has come from that day.

Below is a timeline from September 11, 2001. That fateful day that changed America and united Americans…if only for brief period of time. Now four years later…in some respects we are more divided. But there was a day…in which we stood shoulder to shoulder, set aside our differences and united as Americans while we sang God Bless America.

While the stats below tell the cold hard facts on what happened…that day remains incomprehensible in many respects.

8:46 a.m. – American Flight 11 from Boston crashes into the North Tower at the World Trade Center.

9:03 a.m. – United Flight 175 from Boston crashes into the South Tower at the World Trade Center.

9:45 a.m. – American Flight 77 crashes into The Pentagon.

10:05 a.m. – The South Tower at the World Trade Center collapses.

10:10 a.m. – United Flight 93 crashes in a wooded area in Pennsylvania, after passengers confront hijackers.

10:28 a.m. – The North Tower at the World Trade Center collapses.

Number of Fatalities:
WTC — 2819 NYC Medical Examiner

Pentagon — 189

United Airlines Flight 93 / Shanksville, Pennsylvania — 44

NYC Firefighters — 343

Port Authority Of New York And New Jersey Police — 37

NYC Police — 23

Total — 3052

My boss Doug has honor of being born on a date that would become most hallowed in our country…September 11th.

I didn’t know Doug on that fateful date…but met him a couple of years later. I was most intrigued when hearing him tell what September 11, 2001 was like for him…being that it was also his birthday.

Some of the elements that we are privileged to see in his his leadership of our department were reflected in one of my earlier posts “Reflections on Leadership”.

Happy Birthday Doug!

May every one of your birthdays for the rest of your life be uneventful…and even a wee bit boring!

c) 2001 The Record, (Bergen County, NJ)
Thomas E. Franklin, Staff Photographer

From the Ground Zero Spirit website…I learned the following about this famous photo. Please click on the above link to learn additional details.

Sept. 11, 2001 — the end of the world as we knew it. But in the chaos and rubble where the World Trade Center no longer stood, Record photographer Thomas E. Franklin captured an unforgettable image of hope — three firefighters raising the American flag.

Standing defiantly against the gray and white landscape of devastation, these dust-covered men and the vivid red, white, and blue of Old Glory instantly became a symbol of American patriotism.

The Record’s photo of these three heroic rescuers – Brooklyn-based firefighters George Johnson of Rockaway Beach, Dan McWilliams of Long Island (both from Ladder 157), and Billy Eisengrein of Staten Island (Rescue 2) – also became a global message that life, and America, would go on.

The photo, which appeared Sept. 12 in The Record, has since graced the pages of many other newspapers as well as national newsmagazines. Network television has repeatedly displayed the photo during its round-the-clock disaster coverage, comparing it to the famous image of Marines raising the flag on Iwo Jima during World War II.

Franklin, an eight-year veteran of The Record, took the photo late in the afternoon of Sept. 11, after spending hours at the scene. He was walking toward the debris of the World Trade Center when he spotted the firefighters.

“The shot immediately felt important to me,” Franklin said. “It said something to me about the strength of the American people and about the courage of all the firefighters who, in the face of this horrible disaster, had a job to do in battling the unimaginable.”

This photo is forever among my favorites. It so captures the goodness of America…the spirit within us as American’s. May God Bless…my beloved country.

9/11 A Film…by Jules and Gedeon Naudet and James Hanlon

This DVD is quite extraordinary…and I recommend it highly. I like to view this 9/11 DVD, as painful as it is, at least once a year. I want to make sure that I never let the images from that awful day fade from my memory.

You know, it’s funny…but the media frequently brings awful images before us…and repeats them time and time and time again. They inundate our senses with that which they think we should focus on. Just think how many times you saw the video from the Rodney King beating. Whether it’s a man made tragedy or that caused by natural disasters such as Hurricane Katrina, the main stream media seems to revel in focusing on these images.

The one notable exception are the images from 9/11. I know in some respects the media may have good intentions in deciding to not air that video anymore. But I can’t help but think that because those images were yanked from the TV screens shortly after 9/11, the impact of that day will continue to decline. And it shouldn’t.

9/11 was a day in which the undeniable evidence of true evil and it’s impact on innocent human beings was made visible in such a way that no one could deny it. My fear and concern is that when we stop seeing evil for what it is and loose our ability to speak the truth about evil, we will also loose our desire to fight and defeat it.

An example of that attitude is the people who go around and what to understand why the terrorists hate us. They care more about why the terrorists feel that way than they do about defeating them. They think the terrorists must have come from impoverished backgrounds and were spurred on to commit acts of terrorism as a result.

Call me naive, but I’m a black and white thinker. The only value in understanding why terrorists commit these acts, is if it gives us a tactical advantage in defeating them.

For as long as I live…I want to always remember what happened on 9/11. I want to remember what happened to my fellow American citizens and people from other nations who happened to be on one of four planes or working in three those buildings. Or those men going into burning buildings in the belief that human life is precious and when threatened every attempt should be made to rescue those victims. What a contrast to the views of the terrorists on human life…especially that of American and Israeli life.

That’s why I want to remember…and will make time this weekend to view this 9/11 video. You can order it yourself on Amazon by clicking on the above link.