Well, here we go again as I attempt to regain the heart and time to become a blogger par-excellence. Many people have asked me to pick up this blessed habit because they seem to get something out of my musings. So, here I go again.
So much has happened since I last posted in May. One of my heroes in the faith, and a man I have written about before, Pastor Larry James Brice has graduated to heaven after a painful battle with colon cancer. Larry passed quietly into the Presence of the living Light early on the morning of September 6. His struggle and death have had a profound impact upon my life. Larry was one of the best men I have ever known. What made him that way was Christ within! Larry's life was a picture of Christ being formed on the inside, and working His way to the outside for others to observe.
Larry was gentle, strong, joyful, deep, contemplative, funny, caring, skeptical, hopeful, and real! Larry was a wonderful contradiction of humanity struggling with divinity within. Larry could at times be negative, but he was never hopeless. I loved spending time with him because he was willing to be honest about the difficult subjects of life in a way that was non-religious.
Larry reminded me of men like David and the other Psalmist's who said how they really felt, and complained openly to God about it while maintaining a posture of trust and thanksgiving to God. Larry was a pleasure to know, and I am privileged beyond words to have been able to call him my best friend!
I now embark upon the journey of pastoring at Grace Harvest Church without Larry at my side. I never really prepared for this contingency, but I am confident that God was not surprised, and that He has already gone before us to meet our need. In some ways, I feel that I am not only starting over again at blogging, but that I am starting over again at pastoring. In both areas, I am counting on the God who holds my future, and the future of His people to give fresh manna for each day and to enable me and others to travel down this path that we have never traveled before. May God help us all.
I want to conclude by making the last sermon Larry preached at our church available through a link. Last November, just before Thanksgiving, while I was in the Philippines on a mission trip, Larry preached a message titled, "BE THANKFUL!" It is powerful and ironic in a God-kind of way. I have also included an article from the Columbia Basin Herald that was carried the day after Larry's Memorial Service.
"BE THANKFUL" - SERMON BY PASTOR LARRY JAMES BRICE
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD ARTICLE
I do miss your blog-- It encourages me!
ReplyDeleteI find it interesting that as we continue to mourn from Pastor Larry's death, that another man of God has gone to be with our saviour.
I went to Loren Fitting's funeral today, and the similarities between the two men were striking. Both went to be with the Lord at the young age of 51. Both you could see the fruit of the Spirit in their lives. Both touched many hearts and lives in their short lifetimes.
I pray that our community heals from the loss of these "giant" men who impact our lives.
Louise Stehr
Good to see you back in the blogosphere! It was amazing to see how many people turned out for Larry's memorial. We were off in a secondary chapel watching the service on a video screen, and I'm told even that filled up eventually and the overflow had to stand outside. It says something about a man when there isn't a church in town big enough to hold his funeral in.
ReplyDeleteWe still ought to get together one of these days. Give me a call when you get some time you're not doing anything with. (Like that ever happens to a pastor!)
Great words here Doug.
ReplyDeleteStill hard to believe he's gone. Even harder to put into words how much I'm going to miss that brother. Hard even now to simply hold back the tears.
He was Jesus with skin on......I know, I know, he was just a human. But man that guy was a good man. A good man.
Such a stellar example for the rest of us. And by the way Doug, you're no slouch yourself. I know you and Larry were never in a 'competition', so it's not like you're better than him, he's better than you.
The church is lucky to have you, and was lucky to have Larry as well. I really don't think most of the congregation there REALLY realizes just how lucky.
Both of you are awesome men of God and true pillars of the faith. Saints in every sense of the word. I think that's why I'm going to miss Larry soooo much. And would miss you as well should roles have been reversed.
I look up to you guys. You're true 'examples' of how Christians should be. You're grounded, approachable, honest, and full of the Lord. People are drawn to you because of it, and the Lord shines through you as well.
You know man....when I think of him I'm reminded in Hebrews how it says, "...and the world was not worthy of them." We had a gift in our midst, and what great gift it was. I'll never forget the man, and the impact he made, for the rest of my life.
I'm going to miss him.
Blessings to you brother; I pray for you. Mostly because I know my sense of loss doesn't even compare to what I'm sure you've had to endure and will continue to endure for many years to come. I'll bet he was a great friend. Truly one of the best friends anyone could ever ask for.
Blessings to you and yours.
Hang in there man.....don't worry, you're still accomplishing MUCH for the kingdom!!
Just when I think I have cried the well dry...
ReplyDeleteHe was one of my heros too.
I can't say anything that hasn't already been said about him, or that isn't already known. I can say this, Doug ~ You are God's man. Larry believed in you, he saw God's anointing over your life. We believe in you too. I know that you have wondered and questioned God's purposes and direction. You are no less the anointed of God now than you were at the beginning.
There is no doubt in my mind ~ or in my heart.