Tuesday, December 04, 2001
REMEMBERING DENNIS LOH
Remember senior year of high school? Thoughts of homework, life, anything even remotely serious were the further things from your mind. In fact, the most important things were who you were going to take to the prom, what you were going to do for senior ditch day, how you were going to "leave your mark." Thinking about anything serious? Gimme a break.
Not so for Dennis Loh. This guy was bowled over by God's goodness his senior year of high school. And funny thing was that God was probably the furthest thing from his mind at the time. He was the epitome of high school coolness - baggy shirts complete with white "wife-beater" underneath to cover up his lean body (after all, he was on the varsity track and cross country team), faded hair cut with perfectly-placed combed back hair with just the right amount of gel, and a great personality to complete the package. Girls wanted him, guys wanted to be like him. You think a guy like that needed God? You better believe it!
He started coming to CEFC's Alpha fellowship, in part because of my sister, who was his friend at Schurr. He asked a lot of questions about Jesus, faith, the Bible, etc. He asked everybody and soaked it up like a sponge. He was skeptical and wasn't afraid to question. But ultimately, that inquiring mind allowed him to believe wholeheartedly in Jesus as his personal Lord and Savior. He fell in love with Jesus and suddenly was filled with good news. His life's focus and priorities had changed, forever. He was so passionate about his faith that he invited his parents and brothers to come to church. But they refused. But he was persistent and wasn't afraid to share his newfound faith with them. He didn't understand why God wouldn't allow them to come to church, but he remained faithful. You see, God had a plan.1
That summer, I had the privilege of driving him and others to the Emmanuel retreat at Takewitz Pines in Idyllwild. During the drive, the song "Meet Us Here" came on and he explained how he loved the song. And on the last night of the retreat, Danette led the group in some extended worship and was taking requests. I quickly requested "Meet Us Here" because I wanted to let Dennis know how much his passion for God has inspired me to love Him in the same way. He turned around as if to say, "Thanks" and I pointed back at him, gave him "the nod." I'll never forget it.
Later that summer, Dennis, who was scheduled to begin his college years at USC in a few weeks, was killed in a car accident when he fell asleep behind the wheel. I was devastated to find out the news. He, as a recently born-again Christian had jump-started my spiritual life more than anyone else, was gone, but certainly not forgotten. And that was evident when we began seeing his father and brothers sitting in the middle pews during Sunday service. Yes, God had a plan. It wasn't necessarily the one I had expected. But, He most certainly had a plan.
And still does.
Remember senior year of high school? Thoughts of homework, life, anything even remotely serious were the further things from your mind. In fact, the most important things were who you were going to take to the prom, what you were going to do for senior ditch day, how you were going to "leave your mark." Thinking about anything serious? Gimme a break.
Not so for Dennis Loh. This guy was bowled over by God's goodness his senior year of high school. And funny thing was that God was probably the furthest thing from his mind at the time. He was the epitome of high school coolness - baggy shirts complete with white "wife-beater" underneath to cover up his lean body (after all, he was on the varsity track and cross country team), faded hair cut with perfectly-placed combed back hair with just the right amount of gel, and a great personality to complete the package. Girls wanted him, guys wanted to be like him. You think a guy like that needed God? You better believe it!
He started coming to CEFC's Alpha fellowship, in part because of my sister, who was his friend at Schurr. He asked a lot of questions about Jesus, faith, the Bible, etc. He asked everybody and soaked it up like a sponge. He was skeptical and wasn't afraid to question. But ultimately, that inquiring mind allowed him to believe wholeheartedly in Jesus as his personal Lord and Savior. He fell in love with Jesus and suddenly was filled with good news. His life's focus and priorities had changed, forever. He was so passionate about his faith that he invited his parents and brothers to come to church. But they refused. But he was persistent and wasn't afraid to share his newfound faith with them. He didn't understand why God wouldn't allow them to come to church, but he remained faithful. You see, God had a plan.1
That summer, I had the privilege of driving him and others to the Emmanuel retreat at Takewitz Pines in Idyllwild. During the drive, the song "Meet Us Here" came on and he explained how he loved the song. And on the last night of the retreat, Danette led the group in some extended worship and was taking requests. I quickly requested "Meet Us Here" because I wanted to let Dennis know how much his passion for God has inspired me to love Him in the same way. He turned around as if to say, "Thanks" and I pointed back at him, gave him "the nod." I'll never forget it.
Later that summer, Dennis, who was scheduled to begin his college years at USC in a few weeks, was killed in a car accident when he fell asleep behind the wheel. I was devastated to find out the news. He, as a recently born-again Christian had jump-started my spiritual life more than anyone else, was gone, but certainly not forgotten. And that was evident when we began seeing his father and brothers sitting in the middle pews during Sunday service. Yes, God had a plan. It wasn't necessarily the one I had expected. But, He most certainly had a plan.
And still does.
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