“Lazarus our friend has fallen asleep, but I go that I may awaken him from slumber”— John 11:11.
Recently two incredible saints of God, Lucy Riethmiller and Janet Sudduth, have passed into glory. Today I want to briefly honor their legacy, as well as the legacy of a dear friend and board member who passed on unexpectedly two years ago today. Lets start there first.
I saw Rodger Ekenberg for the last time two years ago in Washington State. Which was unsettling, because he actually passed on in Maryland. It was so sudden. When I heard the news, I retreated to a dusty trail in back of a ranch where we were staying.
A Vision
As I wrote two years ago… “Lost in thought, tears, anger and prayer, the last thing I expected was to actually see my friend again. But there he was, sitting by the side of the path. Rodge was wearing a purple tee shirt, a jean jacket, matching blue jeans. He looked at me and broke into his hallmark smile, ever mischievous and poignant at the same time.
“Almost immediately, the scene changed—and so did his wardrobe. Rodge was suddenly clothed in white, I guess a tunic or a robe. A golden rope—signifying a great achievement–cascaded from his right shoulder to his left side. Rodge’s head shot up as he peered into the sky—his smile grew bigger, brighter—and he was gone.”
Counted Among the Overcomers
I don’t know how God can make a vision so real. Holy Spirit later spoke to me, “Rodger Ekenberg is counted among the overcomers.” I knew my friend was somehow considered a martyr–that he died unjustly–and that what he lived for and died for would bear incredible fruit for us all. This by no means abates the grief we, or especially his dear wife Sue and family still feel at his passing. But there is a knowing that energizes our hearts even as it terrorizes the enemy. God is faithful. And there will be a martyrs’ harvest for the martyrs’ seed.
Lucy & Janet–Two Extraordinary Overcomers
And that’s the exact sentiment I feel over our two friends who recently passed on. Lucy Riethmiller and Janet Sudduth both succumbed to cancer after a vicious battle involving a whole lot of prayer. Lucy, the precious sister of Cindy Jacobs, and Janet, wife of deliverance teacher Bill Sudduth, were both vibrant and powerful themselves in fulltime ministry.
Jolene and I knew both Lucy and Janet primarily through the tender affections of their families. We were honored even to pray for them. Given their incredible legacies, and the loyalty that Lucy and Janet both inspired through their fierce love, we feel really undeserving even to share a simple impression from the Lord.
So at the risk of stating the obvious, let me simply say we sense that Lucy and Janet are counted among the overcomers, who quite literally gave their lives for Christ.
A farmer can always tell the coming harvest by the precious seed He has just sown. And in Christ’s hands, the lives of Lucy and Janet have become as seeds, quite literally destined to possess the gates of their enemies.
Praying for our Friends
We grieve today with their families and our precious friends. Please keep Bill Sudduth and family, as well as Cindy and Mike Jacobs and family, close to your heart and before God’s throne continually. Please pray for our dear friend Sue, who is honoring her husband Rodge’s homegoing today.
Father God we thank you for the tremendous courage that resonated through Lucy Reithmiller and Janet Sudduth. Even from a distance, their light shined in such a way as to pierce our hearts! We pray that You continue to comfort their families and friends, helping them draw strength from You and each other.
And we ask together that all that Lucy and Janet lived for in Christ, and sowed their lives into would find life and expression now and for generations to come. Lord we ask the same for our friend Rodge. After the order of Jesus Christ Himself, grant the earth for each of them a martyrs’ harvest for a martyrs’ seed. In Jesus’ Name, Amen!
