Jason's 32nd birthday...

Jason, while working at Rock-N-Water, Summer 2004

Jason would have turned 32 today! I still find myself thinking about him & Lindsay often because I always think of their passion for serving Christ as something to live up to. They literally devoted themselves to serving Christ and I am challenged to live my life in the same way. I confess that I have a long way to go but I do feel like this year, in particular, is one in which God is challenging my like crazy to "step up to the plate," so to speak.

I am so grateful to God for His promise of heaven! Living in this world surrounded by tragedy and heartbreak makes me long for it... but I know that I am still here for a purpose. I just pray that I don't miss out on what it is! I love that Jason & Lindsay both knew early on how to serve Christ and still fulfill their passions for the outdoors and working with kids and young adults. They were so happy and content to give up material things to serve God. I could only hope to live up to that!

The lesson I've learned... and one that I hope and pray that others will learn from their story... is that life here on earth is so short! You have no idea how long it will last. In the blink of an eye it can be over with. So don't wait until "later" to choose to follow Christ! Don't waste your life on earthly passions that are completely unfulfilling and just plan on getting "right with God" later. You never know if you'll even have a "later." And besides that... there is SO much freedom and peace in choosing to repent and follow Christ! Your whole perspective on life and eternity changes! Any Christian who has lived in the bondage of sin and chose to follow Christ at some point can tell you that it was life-changing for the better in ways you could never imagine! To know and rest assured in God's sovereignty and His promises is such a weight lifted from your shoulders! There is peace you just can not even fathom.

So today, I am giving all glory to God for the amazing things He has done through Jason & Lindsay's story!!! They were murdered by a coward who thought the outcome would give Satan victory... but by God's grace, just the opposite happened. God is awesome! My prayer is that their story will continue to change hearts for Christ. My prayer is also that their killer will be brought to justice on this earth. If it never happens here, it will happen ultimately. We are all going to be held accountable for what we have done. Only through Christ can we be pardoned. Even their killer would receive that pardon if he/she chose to follow Christ. It is a gift available to EVERYONE... no matter what they have done. I pray for that as well!

The following is a poem that Jason's mom wrote in 2005... eight months after Jason & Lindsay were killed. I think it is so beautiful and a perfect tribute today for Jason on what would have been his 32nd birthday:

The Absence of Their Presence They lived their lives for Christ, Not questioning God’s Plan. He chose them for their hearts, He knew they’d take a stand. He planned from the beginning, Before the earth His pleasure; Two families He would choose, To sacrifice their treasures. A little boy was born in May, A baby girl September; Their lives to give in service, Their testimony to be remembered. He grew so strong and active, She so sweet and wise. God made them for each other, Love took them by surprise. Early on He called them, Established in their hearts Passion for God’s gift of nature, Passion for the young and lost. God led them to the wilderness, Determined, they worked the river. They counseled hearts of troubled teens Their message, “Christ will deliver.” A quiet yet brilliant sunset, Upon a hidden beach. They worshiped God at end of day, And softly went to sleep. Arise! Arise! God took them home Gathered them in His arms. No more to suffer ridicule, No more to suffer harm. Alive! Alive! In God’s presence, They bow before the throne. They walk with Jesus face to face, Their work on earth is done. What Satan meant for evil, God has meant for good. He is the victor of the night, He is the mighty Word. Before you die, you must consider, Who is the God you serve? Who is the one who holds your heart? Who leads you on this earth? God holds the keys of destiny, He longs to have your love. And if today you would surrender, His home awaits above. And so we mourn for our loss, For lonely is their absence. But cry for joy and gratitude, They’re in our Father’s presence. By Delores Allen April 4, 2005 Written for our son, Jason Allen, and his beloved Lindsay Cutshall.

Happy 32nd Birthday Jason! ♥