A Double Celebration

March blog
(I know it's already April, I'm a little behind the time.)

A Double Celebration

The month of March opened for me with a trip to Boca Raton FL
where friends and I attended a "Global Celebration" conference.
This was a six-day conference which included three meetings
a day.
The main speaker was Georgian Banov. He and his wife Winnie
travel the world loving and sharing Christ with the poor.
Teachings presented by the various speakers provided a new
depth of understanding of what being co-crucified with Christ
and living a life fully possessed by the Holy Spirit means.
Benjamin Dunn led worship and taught from a collection of 30
different Bible translations. The joyful message of the gospel
was intoxicating.
Other speakers included Charels Carr who spoke on the
Kingdom of God and the believers authority over demons.
Will Matthews, an NFL football player, spoke briefly along with
Jerry Anderson, a businessman who successfully trains
correctional officers. His accounts of the changes in the
prisons in Columbia were extraordinary.
Bill Vandenbush was a surprise addition. He taught those
in attendance how to "treasure hunt", among other life
changing revelations he presented, revealing a new debth
of the workings of the Kingdom of God.
Sid Roth, John Arnott and Patricia King also were among
the speakers.
The C.D.'s, D.V.D.'s and books that we brought back continue
to add to increasing awareness of Christ in us the hope of Glory.
This includes a newfound freedom to share the depth of the
love and compassion of our happy God. These revelations
and teachings are at an atomic, nuclear, life altering perspective.
After only a few days of rest back home, the call came that
my father had died. Terry and I packed the car and drove to
West Virginia. The flowering trees and new spring colors were
breathtaking on the drive.
It was not a sad good by to Dad. I know he had finished his
course and that he and Mom were now celebrating with Jesus.
Friends and family that I had not seen for 30 years arrived to
give condolences. Some family friends that I was not aware
were still living came to say goodbye. Dad was 101 years old.
His last remaining brother attended. My mother's brother proceeded
over the funeral service. My brother came from California. My
brother David, who has cared for our father for the last 20 years,
was the one who needed the most encouragement. It will be an
adjustment for him to live alone again after so many years as Dad's
faithful care giver.
I close with a poem that I wrote and read at the funeral.

My Father's Day

Father's are one of God's
best ideas
Being a father himself
He knows just what
they need
Unlimited patience
a kind of love that can
overlook spilled milk
Wisdom that sees over
childish pleading
yet gives a better gift
then what was asked for
at the time
Dad had it all
He could look that look
that made me run
to please him
And when I'd mess up
big
he stayed close by
to help me pick up
all the pieces
Father God
I take this special day
to thank you for my Dad
You picked him out
of all the choices
placed me in his arms
and stood by close
to guide him
Always looking forward
to this place in time
when You look at him
and say
Well done
my good and faithful
servant.