Warm hellos to you dear brethren, co-workers, and spiritual family on the Coast of the Gulf of Mexico and scattered children of God, from our offices here in Spanish Fort.
Time. It’s an interesting phenomenon. Yet we all are subject to it physically. How quickly another week has passed. How quickly this year is flying by! Here we are the second Sabbath in February! And how quickly our lives speed on into the future. My wife and I were discussing our spring-summer here, and it appears our schedule will be as busy.
In spite of our busy lives, there are events that take place that cause us to pause and take note of what is important in life.
It is easy to take family and friends for granted. When they are suddenly taken away by that enemy death, we are prodded to give thought about what is really important, especially our relationships.
This year has brought many deaths to our family. Not a day goes by where I don’t pause to reflect on memories of loved ones, now resting, awaiting that glorious resurrection.
Less than two weeks ago, my wife received a call from a longtime friend and fellow pastor who I had not talked with for a while. I put on my “to do” calendar to call him this last Monday. He mentioned “coming down for a week to visit”. Well that never happened, and won’t. Sunday, February 2nd he died in his home unexpectedly.
My wife and I had worked with him for years both in our ministerial service to congregations and at youth camps, and I was privileged to work under him as my pastor for many years in the Dakotas and Canada.
We’ve discussed how he played in several of the Big Bands put together to perform for the Family Dances at the Wisconsin Dells Feast site. His saxophone, his booming voice and his impersonations of Elvis Presley are unforgettable. My wife and I attended and served many years in the Dells while we lived in Wisconsin. He sang in the Wisconsin Dells Feast of Tabernacles Choir as well. I enjoyed some heartfelt conversations over the years with Herb. He was a caring, giving person and was a multi-talented musician as well. It’s been inspiring to hear from others who knew him well and can relate facets and experiences about him beyond what we knew.
My wife and I also spent a fair amount of time with him during many winters, traveling to Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Manitoba and the memories are fresh. The prayer requests that went out regarding Herb Teitgen described him as a man of faith, strength and courage. We pray for encouragement and comfort for Herb’s Daughter, Son and their families. Herb has successfully run the course of life and endured faithfully to the end. We need to focus on that, and not be troubled by the fact that God chose not to heal him and others in this life.
Our faith will be tested and strengthened as we review God’s promises and accept the place for trials, tests, losses, and sorrows in this life. The apostle James presents a challenging admonition, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” (James 1:2-4)
I am still working on that “joy” and “patience” that James speaks of. Many things take place that are beyond our control and are part of this imperfect world.
Also, too often we bring trials and painful experiences on ourselves. It can get us down when we are brought face to face with some lessons to be learned and changes that need to be made.
The apostle Peter refers also to the working of God to build our faith by experiencing trials. “In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1Peter 1:6-7).
Faith remains, it transcends beyond time, and comes from Christ living in us (Galatians 2:20).
May you be encouraged this Sabbath by reviewing God’s precious truths, promises, and plan for you and me, and holding on to that vision of Christ’s return! Arms up friends!
Our prayers and thoughts are with you daily. Please do pray for us as well.
