Today is the day that was my father’s birthday; he would have been 59. For those who don’t know, my father passed away on 1/28/98. While in seminary, my good friend, Brad Russell, wrote a poem to remember my father’s passing on to glory. It is loaded with excellent theology and a fitting thing to remember today. It’s entitled “To The Glory of God.”
To the glory of God, his life was created,
In the providence of God, living a grace unfading,
In the love of God, husband, father, son and friend,
In the word of God, each step firmly waiting,
In the sovereignty of God, always hoping,
In the power of God, touching hearts with compassion,
In the holiness of God, always rejoicing,
In the mercy of God, each moment a vapor passing,
To the glory of God, with Him now reigning,
To the glory of God, we hope in the blood unchanging.We now and forever worship; in Spirit and Truth
In praise of the providence
love
word
sovereignty
power
holiness
and mercy of God.
Praising God for you…
Living and living forever…
To the Glory of God!
My father was not a perfect man nor a perfect pastor (he pastored churches as long as I can remember, but before he married my mother traveled as a full time evangelist). But I can see him now in my mind’s eye, rejoicing in his Savior’s presence to God’s glory. Thanks Brad for this piece that directs me heavenward. And, I’m thankful to God for the heritage of a father who loved God’s Word, loved people and lived in a way that made the Gospel attractive.