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ORIGINAL: DeeAnnBailey

Over and over since this last battle began, the Lord has placed in my heart the message of His perfect healing. I believed it was to prepare me for today. However, nothing truly prepares you for losing a friend. Debbie, the children, his dad and his extended family are in my prayers. Scott and the group are also in my prayers, Scott has already been down this path of being on the road as a group member passed to glory, when Glen Payne died. This has to be so hard on him.

As I got into my van this morning after learning the news, the Hoppers were singing "God Already Knew" The words to this song were a tremendous comfort, as I listened to A Haven Called Heaven, The Applause in Heaven and He Erased It, I remembered what each of these singers is singing about and where our hope lies.

A few weeks ago I wrote this and sent it to Roger and Debbie

God gave me the chance to meet you
A chance to know your name
He knew that through your music
I'd never be the same.

He knew that during dark days
And when all hope seemed gone
That I would hear the music
And know I wasn't alone.

Like so many others, our paths they often crossed
We had a love of music with a message clear
We had it touch our hearts and minds
With the words we held so dear.

The days passed so quickly, I don't know where they went
The time we spend together, the music that we heard
We want to draw it back again
To hear each and every word.

Some have gone before us, we miss them more each day
Some are with us traveling as we go our pilgrim way
Some are fading from us, their fight is winding down
They are just awaiting the grand and glorious crown.

So if you go before me, or if I beat you there
Know that we will meet again in the land without a care
We'll see the ones who're waiting to meeting us in that land
We'll see our precious Savior - we'll touch the nail-scarred hand.

And one day soon is coming when no one else will die
No more sin or suffering, no more sad good-byes.
In that land we'll gather, the church He died to save
And we'll see the victory over death and the grave.

I can't wait my friend to see you here below
But if you beat me there we'll meet again I know.
So hold the memories close and promise me today
That soon we'll join that throng as time as flow away!

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ORIGINAL: L5FanLady

I must admit that for the last two years God has been preparing me for Roger's homegoing, though I wasn't really willing to hear of it; I KNOW God was doing that. I am so so thankful that God let me get a chance to meet Roger. I am so so thankful that God also let me get 3 pictures with him and myself, plus a myriad of L5 pics. I wrote Roger a letter, in faith that God would raise him up, telling him all the things I had thought to email him before, telling him all my heart, but I didn't do it because I felt it would be silly, only now I know that he will never read it. I was too late!!!

I have a precious picture of Roger and I on my piano, in a nice little frame. I will treasure that forever!! No more Roger. I can't believe it......[:(]

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ORIGINAL: DeeAnnBailey

One thing the last year has truly impressed on my heart - I've seen 4 young men that I loved go to glory before the time we would have thought as humans. Warren Parker, Doug Riley, Anthony Burger and now Roger, each of them went in different ways. Each of them touched so many lifes and today continue to touch lives.

God has a work for each of us to do, we know these men were busy about their Father's business, are we doing the same? And are we letting those we love know that we love them? Lord, help us to do Your will, help us to serve You and show Your love. Make us mindful every day that we should show appreciation to others. Help us to see the needs others have and strive to in Christian love meet those needs.

And today let us remember all those on the road that must do concerts tonight, many of them have travelled with Roger, he has been their friend, let's lift them up in prayer for strength and comfort.