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THE BEST AND WORST OF TIMES

Published on 11/22/2009, by Cory Kent in Baby Kent 4.

It was the best and worst of times…

On Monday, November 9, my wife and I unexpectedly discovered that our unborn fourth child had transitioned to heaven. It was just weeks ago I posted the ultrasound video of a very healthy baby boy. I wrote about our journey to accept the reality that our #4 was not going to be the little girl we had hoped and prayed for. I had no idea what we were about to walk through.

I can’t begin to cover all the ensuing details surrounding an unexpected obstetrician appointment, a hospital visit and delivery, a graveside service and then all the “firsts” we would encounter as we grieved and began to heal. But, I can tell you this:

God has been so faithful to us.

In the midst of the most devastating experience of our lives, we have experienced an outpouring of God’s goodness that rivals the brightest highlights of our life. The calls, texts, emails, facebook posts, twitter posts, prayers, our pastors, family, friends, hugs, gifts, flowers, visits, food… they all ministered to us in profound ways that I am not yet even able to articulate. Truly, it has been “the best and worst of times”.

And life goes on...This picture encapsulates what I mean when I say “best and worst of times”. After the graveside service concluded, Ali and I and our three boys remained for a moment to care for each other. I had picked this particular grave plot because of the little hillside leading up to it. After we’d had our family moment (the boys each placed a rose on the casket), they asked, “can we run down hill now?” It was just the thing to break the tension. Ali said she envisioned our little one running and playing in heaven. If I were to title this picture, I would name it: ‘and life goes on’.

Hours after we learned the painful news of our baby’s passing, my wife Alison suggested we name our baby, Jude Elliot Kent. Jude means “praise”. Elliot means “God on High”. I believe we were able to recognize God’s goodness amidst the storm because “praising God on High” protected our hearts from becoming hardened to God and to the situation at hand.

I am able to report that we are doing well; grieving in the protection of God’s grace and celebrating a little boy who went straight from the warmth and protection of the womb to the indescribable reality of God’s unbridled presence. We will see Jude again in heaven, and I hope you are there too. Today is the day to allow Jesus to live in your heart and become the focus of your life. He is the only One who can carry us through situations like these.

Cast your burden on the LORD, And He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved. (Psalm 55:22)

We love you, Jude.

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WISDOM, LEGS AND YOUR PROMISED LAND

Published on 11/08/2009, by Cory Kent in Faith.

GavelI need to work this issue out a bit more, but I thought I would start here…

We can mistakenly view God as a judge, with gavel in hand, waiting for us to appease Him. And if we appease Him, He just might ‘drop the gavel‘ in our favor. As uncertain and impersonal as this sounds, it may be preferable for those who would sooner shirk personal responsibility than ask for directions to the place where God’s provision is found.

Q: What if His promises are really “yes and amen!” (2 Corinthians 1:20)? And what if “yes and amen” comes with a condition?

“If you are willing and the obedient, you will eat the good of the land.” (Isaiah 1:19)

Ouch.

I was talking with a friend today who had been believing for a miracle in a health-related situation. He had prayed for healing. Confessing the promises of God’s Word over his situation, he also followed the wisdom of his doctor as it concerned his diet. This friend was elated to tell me about the miracle that was confirmed moments before some scheduled surgery last week. The surgery was canceled. My friend’s doctor even affirmed him, saying “I can’t believe you actually followed my directions!” Hmmm… interesting parallel.

A thought began to crystallize in my head: the promises of God are confirmed in past tense (e.g. by His stripes we ARE healed). That means they already exist in the spirit realm. The issue hanging in the balance is whether we are going to use the wisdom of God to unveil His promises in this natural realm. Like my friend experienced, there is a prescribed order of willingness that precedes “eating the good of the land“.

MapQuestdeSo maybe we should stop praying for God’s provision, and start asking for His wisdom. (But it doesn’t end there)

Wisdom, then, needs a pair of legs called willingness that will bring us to our “promised land”.

And that’s where I want to be: at the intersection of my willingness and God’s ability. We really can get there!

What do you need wisdom for today? And what does that wisdom’s [pair of legs] look like for you? ck

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INTRODUCING BABY KENT #4

Published on 10/30/2009, by Cory Kent in Baby Kent 4, Family.

Because in the Kent family, you are “not just a number“…  (see below for ultrasound video!) Read more…

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Amazing Love (I Am Free)

Published on 10/26/2009, by Cory Kent in Audio. 
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(c.) 2008 Jeremy Jongejan



[Vocals/Guitar/Drums: Jeremy Jongejan // Bass/B-3: Cory Kent]

This is a song that my brother-in-law, Jeremy Jongejan, wrote a while back. Though he had most of the song written before we’d tracked this version, we collaborated on the chorus (“this I know… I am free“) and the arrangement (introduction of some subtle B-3 and percussion). We both picture this song underscoring the closing scene of a movie as the credits begin to roll. Some day.  : )

Jeremy is an amazing musician, solid believer, and great friend. I look forward to working with him on future projects!  ck

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See You Great

Published on 10/23/2009, by Cory Kent in Audio. 
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(c.) 2008 CoryKentMusic

In August of 2007, I was worshiping at an Integrity Music ‘Seminars 4 Worship’ conference in Indianapolis, Indiana. The preceding days had been insightful, encouraging…and overwhelming. In a worship moment, it was as if everything external faded away, and I heard the Lord say, “I want you to see Me great this year“. I understood that I needed to see Him with the eyes of faith,  expecting to thrive in situations where I would NEED to see Him great. On the way home from the conference I began to sing this chorus- almost exactly as it remains today. It took until January 2008 to finish it in time to share a message of the same title to my church, where I am on staff as Assistant Pastor, Music Director, and Production Coordinator. The song has become an anthem for our team. It has become a part of the language of our church. Every time we sing this song in our church, I can’t help but hear the sound of multitudes declaring His greatness over their situations and circumstances. “You are greater, than the mountains I see…”


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© 2012 Cory Kent // www.corykent.com