Rachel, Barbara Ann and BJ...he just couldn't help himself.


A good friend of mine passed away this morning. He had been ill with an apendicitis attack that landed him in the hospital. While his body tried to fight, he had a heart attack and slipped home to be with his Father in Heaven.

We had logged thousands of miles together from the saddle of our bicycles. We had stood side by side in prisons across the state of Indiana, and brought worship and ministry to those who were incarcerated.

He was a very kind soul, who loved on people, and brought encouragement by his presence.

I had not spoken to him since moving to Tulsa. We traded an email or two in an attempt to keep up. He was the kind of friend you thought would always be there.

We are finite. A vapor that comes with a purpose and then we are called home. He brought such encouragement to friends, while fighting significant battles himself, yet he didn't let on. He never judged, he loved.

We used to meet each week for coffee. He wanted to do more to further the Kingdom of his Lord. I don't think he was aware of what a witness he was by how he learned to love.

Not enough of us just love. Too many of us want to tell others about our problems. We're a bit too caught up in our own scenarios. Craig saw through to the heart. He was there not to enable, but to point you back to the main thing...Jesus. Most of the time, he wasn't even aware of how gifted he was at this.

More of us need to follow Craig's example, who followed Christ's example. We need to love other people through the stagnancies and infections of life. When we learn to "consider others to be better than ourselves," we are putting Christ first, which allows us to put others out in front of our own issues. When we do this, He ministers to the depths of our own need.

There are many who need to be loved today. Many who need words of encouragement. Craig's wife, Nancy, needs to be lifted up. This is unexpected. He was only in his fifties.

There are many whose lives we can bring a shard of light to, by being willing to take a moment and invest in them...like Craig did... like Jesus does.

Sometimes, words are aren't enough. Love is demonstrated by action. Brighten someones life unexpectedly today, by loving...by taking thoughts and putting them into action. If you desire to be a better witness, write on the page of someone's life, by caring for them...taking the time to show it.

Craig showed a great number of people how much Jesus loved them, by caring. He reached out, because his Savior did. Let's follow His lead.

Craig, my brother, we often raced on bikes...when it didn't matter. You have fought the good fight and won this race. You have won when it counts, and blessed the heart of Christ. I will stand beside you again one day soon, and we will celebrate the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Your life mattered. You made a difference for Him, in the lives of others.

Please Craig, there is one thing I would ask you to do...you know what it is...

your friend,

brent