Inspired Lyrics

This song just came across my iPod and I had to write out the lyrics.  Just thinking about my previous post concerning Mike and Ubaldo.  These lyrics just seem to say what I’m thinking and feeling about my two friends. 

Baby Take Your Bow, by Chris Rice

We’re gonna miss your song and dance
The way you made us laugh
And we’re so glad we had the pleasure for a while
But on the other side you’ll find a better audience
Just be yourself, and you can’t help but make the angels smile

Baby, all the world’s a stage
Playwright pens your final page
And then he brings your curtain down
So blow us your kisses and drench our eyes
We’ll rise to our feet to wave goodbye for now
So baby, take your bow

The world is lovelier because you had your moment here
And we could see a friend of heaven in your face
And in your song we heard the longing for a distant shore
And now your time has come to go, and so be on your way

Baby, all the world’s a stage
Playwright pens your final page
And then he brings your curtain down
So blow us your kisses and drench our eyes
We’ll rise to our feet to wave goodbye for now
So baby, take your bow
Your show is over now
It’s time to lay your burdens down
So baby, take your bow

Tribute

When I began writing this blog, my intention was to examine what it means to follow Jesus.  Honestly, I never thought that I would write the following entry.  When we think about following Jesus, we think about what it means to LIVE for Jesus.  As a minister, I spend my time teaching people about how to glorify Jesus with a life well lived.  We tend to spend to much time thinking about this life that we forget about the end of the journey. 

Within the past month, two of my fellow ministers have finished the race and earned their reward.  Please allow me to pay a meager tribute to two men who made a tremendous impact with their lives.

I first met Ubaldo Gonzalez about nine years ago.  My second mission trip to Mexico was to visit Ubi and encourage him in his work in Monterrey.  He was one of the most genuine, funny, and caring people I have ever met.  Over the years, I had the privilege to visit Ubaldo in Mexico four times and have him as a guest in my home once.  Eventually, Ubaldo moved to Queretarro to work with the National Bible Institute.  Every other year I would spend a week or so teaching at his college and laughing during the other times.  Ubi was a cancer survivor and eventually lost his long battle with scleroderma.  All the years that he was hurting physically, I never once heard him complain or even question why he was afflicted with the disease.  He was a true gentleman and perfect host.  I will miss his laughter, jokes, translating abilities, and most of all seeing him when I visit the beautiful city of Queretarro.

While we knew that the inevitable was quickly approaching for Ubaldo, a sudden shock accompanied the passing of my fellow Harvester Christian Church minister Mike Merold.  Mike was our pastoral care minister and died suddenly of a heart attack while exercising on his treadmill.  If there was ever a born comedian, it was Mike Merold.  His quick wit and ability to make people laugh served him well in a very difficult ministry.  Mike primarily ministered to those with benevolence needs, those in the hospital and nursing homes, and those dealing with the death of a loved one.  He made countless visits to those needing a kind word and encouragement.  He would often stop in my office for a Beatles Break and bring Dilly Bars from Dairy Queen.  Mike’s ministry of comfort and caring truly exemplified the ministry of Jesus.

I’ve told countless people that when we cannot understand God’s timing or plan, that is exactly when we need to trust Him the most.  It is much easier advice to give than receive.  I’ll never understand why God took two of his best servants home when He did.  I do know that Heaven is certainly a much livelier place now that Ubaldo and Mike are there bring smiles to those around them.  They both demonstrated a life well lived.

If you have any memories or stories about either Mike or Ubaldo you would like to share with the fine readers of this blog, please share a comment with the rest of us.

A Life Well Lived

This past week I attended two funerals.  Being a minister, that is not completely unusual.  I’ve found that one of the greatest opportunities to minister to people is at the time of a death.  However, I was a complete observer in both of these funerals.  The first funeral was for the mother of my mom’s husband.  The second funeral was for the father of one of my coworker’s wife.  While I was acquanited with the lady who passed, I had never met the gentleman.  However, I found several similarities and differences in their funerals. 

First, both were elderly and had been sick.  While it is never easy for a loved one to die, it is sometimes a relief when an elderly person dies, especially when they have been very ill.  Their deaths were the natural ending to their lives.  Death always catches us by surprise, but it is part of living.  As Solomon says in Ecclesiastes 3:2, “There is a time to be born and a time to die.”

Second, both funerals were well attended.  This may sound like a superficial observation, but it seems like fewer people attend funerals than used to.  More people seem to attend a visitation than a funeral.  A large funeral speaks to the life of the person, if not their own life then their influence through their family. 

Third, each person came to Christ at different times in their life.  One was a life-long believer while the other seems to have come to Christ later in life.  This reminded me of the parable of the laborers in the vineyard that Jesus told in Matthew 20.

Last, each person went to their eternal home to inherit their eternal reward.  Because of this, these funerals were more of a celebration than a sad event.  While we still mourn, Paul says that we do not mourn as those who have no hope (1 Thessalonians 4:13.)  We have the assurance that we will see both again in eternity.

Riding back home from the second funeral, I realized that I had been priviledged to celebrate the lives of two of God’s saints.  Both were celebrations of a life well lived.  In the end, that is exactly what God wants from us.