I didn't know Kyle Lake, pastor of UBC, Waco, TX (David Crowder's church) but have been deeply grieved by his tragic death - electrocution in baptismal waters, the morning of Oct. 30, 2005. Story

Kyle Lake, Ben Dudley, David Crowder (Jan. 2005)

Found this at Christianity Today:

"We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28 NRSV

The New American Standard translates Romans 8:28 in this way: "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose" (emphasis mine). In other words, the passage has a different feel because, in the verse, God has been placed before "all things," rather than "all things" being placed before God.

"Good" does not always mean "good" by our standards. Instead, "good" by God's standards has to do with the continual process of becoming a learner of Christ where our lives are being formed into people of humility, compassion, self-control, respect, patience, contentment, etc. It has to do with learning the very best way to live. If we open our eyes and our hearts during the most difficult times in our lives, then even in those times, God can bring about some of the most beautiful things within and around us.

So in light of chapter 8, I would interpret Romans 8:28 as saying this: "Disappointment, failure, and suffering are simply facts of life. But for those who are actively following God, He can turn disappointment and tragedy into new life."

from Understanding God's Will: How to Hack the Equation Without Formulas (Relevant, 2004) by Kyle Lake.

Manuscript of the sermon Kyle was to deliver that morning:

I think God is saying to each of us, "Abandon your plans of escape. And Be where you are. Plant gardens and live and live well." I don't know what your planting gardens may look like but let me end there by trying to provide a glimpse into what that may be like: 

Live. And Live Well.

BREATHE. Breathe in and Breathe deeply.
Be PRESENT. Do not be past.
Do not be future. Be now.

On a crystal clear, breezy 70 degree day, roll down the windows and FEEL the wind against your skin. Feel the warmth of the sun.

If you run, then allow those first few breaths on a cool Autumn day to FREEZE your lungs and do not just be alarmed, be ALIVE.

Get knee-deep in a novel and LOSE track of time.

If you bike, pedal HARD… and if you crash then crash well.

Feel the SATISFACTION of a job well done—a paper well-written, a project thoroughly completed, a play well-performed.

If you must wipe the snot from your 3-year old's nose, don't be disgusted if the Kleenex didn't catch it all… because soon he'll be wiping his own.

If you've recently experienced loss, then GRIEVE. And Grieve well.

At the table with friends and family, LAUGH.
If you're eating and laughing at the same time, then might as well laugh until you puke.
And if you eat, then SMELL.
The aromas are not impediments to your day. Steak on the grill, coffee beans freshly ground, cookies in the oven.
And TASTE. Taste every ounce of flavor. Taste every ounce of friendship.

Taste every ounce of Life. Because-it-is-most-definitely-a-Gift.