Teaching people about God. Teaching people about the Bible. Teaching people about the gift of salvation. He started Bible study groups on his lunch hour at Honeywell. He taught adult Sunday School classes in church. He had family Bible study time after dinner. He would invite Jehovah's Witnesses into the house to discuss the Bible.
I was so used to it, I didn't realize how special he was. He dedicated much of his life to being open for opportunities to enlighten people about the beauty of what Jesus Christ did for us.
You may remember that my Dad passed away very quickly and unexpectedly a few months ago. It was the day after his 78th birthday. I had a great conversation with him on his birthday. The next day was a Sunday and he was set to be a substitute preacher at my home church.
My brother, Kevin, after talking to Dad on his birthday, decided to come hear my Dad preach....since he hadn't heard him in a while. My Dad was a great teacher....a bit long-winded for some....because he always backed everything up with scripture. He would have you flipping back and forth all over your Bible....even if you just asked a "simple" question. My mom would frequently remind him not to talk to long when he was teaching. But, many times, he got so excited about what he was trying to get across to you....he couldn't stop himself.
Kevin, at the last minute, decided to grab his video camera and film my Dad.
My Dad passed away that afternoon.
My siblings and I also decided that we wanted to video tape my dad's service....partly because, at the time, everything was such a blur and we thought maybe someday when things weren't so raw, we would like to remember what was said....and who was there.
In case you are interested.....here is my Dad's last sermon on this earth. I have not been able to watch it yet.
His title for it was Healing Covenants.
The end of my Dad's sermon is in Part 2, below. My brother also split my Dad's service into smaller parts....
This is me and my sisters, Karen and Kandi, singing one my Dad's favorite songs. He had actually told us for years that he wanted us to sing at his funeral....and what songs he wanted us to do. (It starts at about 11:00 minutes) The end of this section is the start of my brother's sermon (at about 20:00 min)
This is end of Kevin preaching.... just like my Dad. My sisters and I sing another of Dad's favorites at about 13:30 minutes in.
My sister, Kandi, and I were able to share a few memories of Dad. They start at about 17:30 (above - Part 3)...and finish up in the last segment below (Part 4).
I would like to be able to end this post with something deep and profound....but I can't seem to come up with anything.....other than, I loved my Dad and really miss him.
I will end with what ended up being our verse/theme for Dad's service:
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
He leads me beside quiet waters,
He restores my soul,
He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
For you are with me,
Your rod and your staff they comfort me
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies
You anoint my head with oils,
My cup overflows,
Surely goodness and love will follow me
All the days of my life,
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord.....forever.
Psalms 23
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