He was a man in whose words I found refuge. In times of wilderness or joy, this mans very being spoke of something so much bigger. His life of ministry stretched behind him, long hard and not perfect - but even in the last months his plans and purposes, his steam and his passion never dulled. He spoke as if the world was not saved and he would do his best to touch, and speak and feel his way through the crowds of people that needed to know a loving Father.
He was a man whose words held the weight of a life lived in the presence of the Lord. Whose living room was a place of safety and open-ness and every word uttered spoke of a life lived in the throne room of God. He spoke of this Father with such passion, such depth, such compassion and such grace.
He was a man who gave a young girl like me, on her return to New Zealand an unexpected place of peace. And in a season of uncertainty, wilderness his very being, his welcome and enthusiasm brought a place to let the uneasy words rest, the experiences in ministry and life a place to be talked through and spoken into.
My homesick soul found solace and peace in his life - one which was spent on earth for people and for the Lord, but whose soul also longed for home. The home that was found in the eyes of his father.
He was a man whose life and death invites us to not just weep - but challenges us to keep going, to build upon all that he began, to press in deeper and know more clearly this God that he knew and speaks of. To love people, to break down the black and white and see grace in the grey.
He has been called home. He has been received home into the arms of his loving Father and dearest friend.
We mourn over the loss of this delightful soul.
But we ask that we be taken further.
Such beautiful and powerful words Jess!
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