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Kimball Matkins...
- a friend to so many who read this blog
- an ultra encourager
- an elder, deacon, unofficial youth minister, Bible school teacher
- on the board of a christian academy
- York College director of financial aid
- always wanting to stretch, grow, improve
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Kimball lost his battle a few days ago with ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease). Thank you, God, for putting him in our lives!
Kimball (1955-2009) loved people to know that he believed that no matter what the circumstances, GIGATTAATTGIG! Kimball lost his first wife, Debbie, seven months after finding out that she had cancer in 1999. Left with two young adult children, Kimball eventually remarried Melinda and became a father to her three young boys. Then, in 2006 Kimball was diagnosed with ALS. Despite his weakened state, he was a constant source of encouragement to family, church, friends, co-workers, and to those who heard him speak in church and college assemblies. Kimball will long be remembered for his joyful spirit, his love of hugs, his willingness to serve others, and his passion for God. Last year, speaking at a chapel assembly at York College where, he said, “It’s not about you”. He reminded the students about God’s purpose for their lives even when it looks like He’s not there. And as he said on a daily basis, “God is good… all the time.”
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I find it extremely inspirational that this friend of mine and Steve's, who we have known since 1975, lived by the words: God Is Good All The Time And All The Time God Is Good. Kimball headed HOME within 24 hours after I started the new blog: http://GIGATTAATTGIG.blogspot.com
His life will remain a testimony to just that!
.Hebrews 12:1-3
"Do you see what this means —
all these pioneers who blazed the way,
all these veterans cheering us on?
It means we'd better get on with it.
Strip down, start running — and never quit!
No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins.
Keep your eyes on Jesus,
who both began and finished this race we're in.
Study how He did it.
Because He never lost sight of where He was headed —
that exhilarating finish in and with God —
He could put up with anything along the way:
- cross,
- shame,
- whatever.
And now He's there, in the place of honor,
right alongside God.
When you find yourselves flagging in your faith,
go over that story again, item by item,
that long litany of hostility He plowed through.
That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!"
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(from THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language © 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. All rights reserved.)
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You may see more about Kimball at http://www.york.edu/ (Finishing the Race!_
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1 comment:
His life is an inspiration! What wonderful wisdom to pass on -- God is good all the time and It's not about me! I am eternally grateful for both those things!
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