Speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him, who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by that which every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love. Ephesians 4:15-16
One day the doors slid open and I stepped into eternity. As I walked down the corridor, I heard her laughter, a sweet music of joy. This was present in a place that usually mutes these peaceful sounds with the dissonance of despair.
Before I walked through the door of her hospital room, I could feel the warmth of her spirit. As soon as she saw me, she spoke my name and my heart felt the embrace of God. In spite of pain and a long battle with cancer, she only wanted to hear about how others were doing. In her, I did not see a small fragile body, but a giant soul.
Elsie was one of the kindest persons I have ever met. God’s grace seemed to flow effortlessly from her life. Each time I visited her in the hospital, time seemed suspended because Elsie was now living on God’s doorstep.
God used Elsie to reveal to me that regardless of my circumstances, God is composing in my life a melody of His love. This is a song I am to share and harmonize with others. Then the beauty of Christ can be heard and seen in my life. I have no doubt that one day I will step into eternity and hear Elsie’s laugh, and heaven will be brighter because of her smile.
I am blessed beyond measure by the people God has brought into my life. Each person is a unique gift from God. Through each person, God teaches me about Himself and molds me more into His likeness. I have found that God uses each person’s life to illuminate His path to intimacy with Him.
While on a tour of California's giant sequoias, the guide pointed out that the sequoia tree has roots just barely below the surface. "That's impossible!" I exclaimed. "I'm a country boy, and I know that if the roots don't grow deep into the earth, strong winds will blow the trees over." "Not sequoia trees," said the guide.
I offer God thanks for the extraordinary gifts of ordinary people who have been used by Him to build my life of faith. Hundreds come to mind, here is a sample of just a few.
Missionary and martyr Jim Elliot wrote; “Wherever you are, be all there.”
Paul is a veteran of three wars. This sacrifice alone brings my deepest thanks and respect. Even more importantly, Paul is still actively serving in God’s army. Paul has a true servant’s heart and stands ready for any mission God has for him. Paul is now in his late 80’s and always reminds me of Caleb’s courage and zest for following God (Joshua 14:6-14). My prayer is that God might find me faithful and passionate in all the days He chooses to give me.
It is not great talents God blesses as much as great likeness to Jesus. A holy minister is an awful weapon in the hand of God. Robert Murray McCheyne
It is not difficult to understand why so many loved Pastor Dub. God’s love seemed to radiate from his heart. Jesus described Himself as “gentle and humble of heart.” After spending a lifetime with Jesus, these words also describe Dub’s character and ministry.
Jesus also told us that in Him we might know His rest. Whenever you talked with Dub, God’s calming Spirit flowed through him and you would experience some of God’s rest. My hope is that as I spend time with The Good Shepherd, I might be used to care and minister to others as I try to follow Dub’s example.
No one person has had a greater impact on my life than my best friend Rick. Rick was responsible for getting me involved in church and leading me to accept Christ. God used him to introduce me to my wife Debbie. Rick helped me to believe God could use me in full-time Christian service.
When Debbie and I left home almost 30 years ago to join a church staff in Washington, I asked Rick to keep an eye on my younger sisters. He took my request seriously because a few years later, he married my sister Debbie.
Rick was the friend of my youth. Together we learned to follow Jesus. Our hearts were in one accord about the essentials in ministry such as servanthood, discipleship and missions. Rick was one of the most genuine sold out Christians I have known. He was willing to serve in places many others would not even consider.
When God took Rick home at age 45, he left this world a wealthy man. Not by the standards of this world, but rich in the lives his life had touched.
One day the doors slid open and I stepped into eternity. As I walked down the corridor, I heard her laughter, a sweet music of joy. This was present in a place that usually mutes these peaceful sounds with the dissonance of despair.
Before I walked through the door of her hospital room, I could feel the warmth of her spirit. As soon as she saw me, she spoke my name and my heart felt the embrace of God. In spite of pain and a long battle with cancer, she only wanted to hear about how others were doing. In her, I did not see a small fragile body, but a giant soul.
Elsie was one of the kindest persons I have ever met. God’s grace seemed to flow effortlessly from her life. Each time I visited her in the hospital, time seemed suspended because Elsie was now living on God’s doorstep.
God used Elsie to reveal to me that regardless of my circumstances, God is composing in my life a melody of His love. This is a song I am to share and harmonize with others. Then the beauty of Christ can be heard and seen in my life. I have no doubt that one day I will step into eternity and hear Elsie’s laugh, and heaven will be brighter because of her smile.
I am blessed beyond measure by the people God has brought into my life. Each person is a unique gift from God. Through each person, God teaches me about Himself and molds me more into His likeness. I have found that God uses each person’s life to illuminate His path to intimacy with Him.
While on a tour of California's giant sequoias, the guide pointed out that the sequoia tree has roots just barely below the surface. "That's impossible!" I exclaimed. "I'm a country boy, and I know that if the roots don't grow deep into the earth, strong winds will blow the trees over." "Not sequoia trees," said the guide.
I offer God thanks for the extraordinary gifts of ordinary people who have been used by Him to build my life of faith. Hundreds come to mind, here is a sample of just a few.
Missionary and martyr Jim Elliot wrote; “Wherever you are, be all there.”
Paul is a veteran of three wars. This sacrifice alone brings my deepest thanks and respect. Even more importantly, Paul is still actively serving in God’s army. Paul has a true servant’s heart and stands ready for any mission God has for him. Paul is now in his late 80’s and always reminds me of Caleb’s courage and zest for following God (Joshua 14:6-14). My prayer is that God might find me faithful and passionate in all the days He chooses to give me.
It is not great talents God blesses as much as great likeness to Jesus. A holy minister is an awful weapon in the hand of God. Robert Murray McCheyne
It is not difficult to understand why so many loved Pastor Dub. God’s love seemed to radiate from his heart. Jesus described Himself as “gentle and humble of heart.” After spending a lifetime with Jesus, these words also describe Dub’s character and ministry.
Jesus also told us that in Him we might know His rest. Whenever you talked with Dub, God’s calming Spirit flowed through him and you would experience some of God’s rest. My hope is that as I spend time with The Good Shepherd, I might be used to care and minister to others as I try to follow Dub’s example.
No one person has had a greater impact on my life than my best friend Rick. Rick was responsible for getting me involved in church and leading me to accept Christ. God used him to introduce me to my wife Debbie. Rick helped me to believe God could use me in full-time Christian service.
When Debbie and I left home almost 30 years ago to join a church staff in Washington, I asked Rick to keep an eye on my younger sisters. He took my request seriously because a few years later, he married my sister Debbie.
Rick was the friend of my youth. Together we learned to follow Jesus. Our hearts were in one accord about the essentials in ministry such as servanthood, discipleship and missions. Rick was one of the most genuine sold out Christians I have known. He was willing to serve in places many others would not even consider.
When God took Rick home at age 45, he left this world a wealthy man. Not by the standards of this world, but rich in the lives his life had touched.
In 1522 at Zwickau, Martin Luther pronounced a simple but expressive eulogy upon a pastor named Nicholas Haussmann: "What we preach, he lived."
This is certainly true of Rick, and I ask God to make it so in my life.
"Not sequoia trees," said the guide. "They grow only in groves and their roots intertwine under the surface of the earth. So, when the strong winds come, they hold each other up." There's a lesson here. In a sense, people are like the giant sequoias. Family, friends, neighbors, the church body and other groups should be havens so that when the strong winds of life blow, these people can serve as reinforcement and can strive together to hold each other up. Unknown source
I could fill notebooks with the names of those that have blessed my life. These are not perfect people, but people that have walked with God. If you want to see God at work, remember this Thanksgiving the people He has used to build your faith. Treat each person as a gift from God. Find God’s example in each life and follow them all way to your eternal home.
Thanking God for You,
Dan
1 comment:
Dan, you are such a blessing in my life. I can tell you walk with the Lord... It is evident in the strength and the peace I see in you. I'm lifting you up in prayer. Looking forward to that time you will walk through the office doors again ( I initially wrote "walk into the office doors"--oops!).
--Janice
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