Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
John Hodges Drake 6th
"Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints, O LORD I am your servant."
-Psalm 116:15,16
There are some things that preachers cannot preach. Some things that sermons cannot speak, and even music that can hardly communicate. When speaking about the glory of the Son of God, Jesus, the only thing that comes close is a complete life of a saint. In my eyes my grandfather was like an early church father full of wisdom, history, and the Holy Spirit. He was a soldier, a husband, father of 5, a grandfather, and an amazing singer who spent part of his life traveling around the globe singing gospel music with his wife who played the piano. More importantly he was a lover of God who influenced and led an entire family to the throne of the living God. A few weeks ago I was in Cincinnati to say goodbye but was amazed to see how many people this simple man had influence over. In 1972 after serving with P&G for over 20 years he decided to step in as administrator of a nursing home with my grandmother. From 1972 to 1997 they both found their purpose in ministry as directors of a nursing home, ministering to people who were in their last chapters of life before stepping into eternity. One of my last conversations with my grandfather consisted of him updating me on his ministry. They had both grown older and was ironically residence of a nursing home as they could not live on their own due to poor health. In the midst of aging bodies my grandfather told me that they had begun a Sunday service at the nursing home with a local pastor preaching and my grandfather singing and my grandmother of coarse playing the piano. He continued to tell me that the service was so well attended that he decided to start a Thursday night Bible study in the nursing home which many more attended. The amazing part of his last days was that he could hardly walk 2 feet without his wheelchair and helping my grandmother who is now unable to see clearly enough to play piano but continues to do so by memory. But they still both ministered to those around them up to his last days on earth, glorifying God with all they had even when their very own bodies would not permit it.
I am not sure if you have ever read the book, "Don't waste your life", by John Piper but it's about living for the glory of Jesus Christ all the days that He allows you to be on earth. I have read it and love it, it's very biblical! However, I have now seen it in the life of my grandfather and rejoice that there is such an example in these days for me to follow. I will miss him dearly.
"Can you hear me when I sing, you are the reason why the music is in me."
-Psalm 116:15,16
There are some things that preachers cannot preach. Some things that sermons cannot speak, and even music that can hardly communicate. When speaking about the glory of the Son of God, Jesus, the only thing that comes close is a complete life of a saint. In my eyes my grandfather was like an early church father full of wisdom, history, and the Holy Spirit. He was a soldier, a husband, father of 5, a grandfather, and an amazing singer who spent part of his life traveling around the globe singing gospel music with his wife who played the piano. More importantly he was a lover of God who influenced and led an entire family to the throne of the living God. A few weeks ago I was in Cincinnati to say goodbye but was amazed to see how many people this simple man had influence over. In 1972 after serving with P&G for over 20 years he decided to step in as administrator of a nursing home with my grandmother. From 1972 to 1997 they both found their purpose in ministry as directors of a nursing home, ministering to people who were in their last chapters of life before stepping into eternity. One of my last conversations with my grandfather consisted of him updating me on his ministry. They had both grown older and was ironically residence of a nursing home as they could not live on their own due to poor health. In the midst of aging bodies my grandfather told me that they had begun a Sunday service at the nursing home with a local pastor preaching and my grandfather singing and my grandmother of coarse playing the piano. He continued to tell me that the service was so well attended that he decided to start a Thursday night Bible study in the nursing home which many more attended. The amazing part of his last days was that he could hardly walk 2 feet without his wheelchair and helping my grandmother who is now unable to see clearly enough to play piano but continues to do so by memory. But they still both ministered to those around them up to his last days on earth, glorifying God with all they had even when their very own bodies would not permit it.
I am not sure if you have ever read the book, "Don't waste your life", by John Piper but it's about living for the glory of Jesus Christ all the days that He allows you to be on earth. I have read it and love it, it's very biblical! However, I have now seen it in the life of my grandfather and rejoice that there is such an example in these days for me to follow. I will miss him dearly.
"Can you hear me when I sing, you are the reason why the music is in me."
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