I HAVE FOUGHT A GOOD FIGHT

I have finished my course !

     Today we bury my brother Dexter, and in doing so we honor and celebrate his life. He was not a perfect person, and if there were do-overs in life, I am sure there are several places he would like to revisit. One thing I do know, for all his bluster, he was a tenderhearted person.  Something he tried to hide from the world.  He was faithful in his living for Christ, and for the last 50 years he has served the Lord as, a Preacher, in the Jail Ministries, RU (Recovery Unanimous) Ministries, in Soul Winning, and as a deacon. He was uncompromising, unbending, and unapologetic about his believe in the Bible and Life everlasting.

     To Jeff, Pam, Peg, Mark, Gayle and I, he was our brother, the one who was an instigator, teaser, ornery as the day was long, and determined to prove he could do what people said he could not. Perhaps that is what made him such an unyielding servant for the Lord, because no matter what the world threw at him, he would brush it off, and remain steadfast in his faith.

     He was also a loyal friend. If he befriended you, he was your friend for life. Which meant he included you in his daily prayers, as he prayed for each one of his children, grandchildren, and the rest of his family and those on his prayer list.  Regardless of what any relationship was like, in this he never wavered. He spent time every day reading his Bible and talking to the Lord, asking for protection, love and guidance for his friends, family, and especially his children, and for God’s will in his own life.

     He was one of my biggest supporters and encourager concerning my blog. He wanted me to tell the world about my beliefs in the saving grace of Jesus Christ.  That is why, as we lay his earthly body to rest, we can do so with joy and happiness, because we know he is now in the presence of the Lord.

     As parents, we need to teach our children to spend time daily in the Word of God, so they will have, a lamp unto their feet and a light unto their paths. Psalms 119:105.  Life is hard enough for children with everything the world is throwing at them on a daily basis, having a light to illuminate their way through the maze is imperative.

     We as authors, must stand firm and refute what the world is trying to pass off as truth. God made man and women, and not a Heinz 57 variety. Many more of our beliefs are being compromised, but thankfully we can say: Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Hebrews 12:1

     Dexter is now one of those witnesses who has gone on before, fighting the good fight, finishing his course and keeping the faith, right up to the very end. We can only aspire to do the same with our own life.

I have fought a good fight, I have finished [my] course, I have kept the faith:

II Timothy 4:7

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Hebrews 12: 1-2

But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

Acts 20:24

I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:14

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

Galatians 6:9