"Adelphos mou"

Yesterday, heaven became that much sweeter to me. A long time friend and fellow Pennsylvanian, Bob Kramp, passed away at the age of 77. The newpaper has many statistics about his life; but that is not the Bob I will remember.

The Bob of my eternal memory will always have on a bright red blazer, a very brilliant necktie and a smile that could light a small village for weeks on end. His hand will always be stretched out towards mine; but not for a traditional handshake. No, Bob always seemed to end up with one hand clasping yours and the other around your shoulder. "It's good to see you!" was always said in a way that communicated so much more than the trite phrase others have turned it into.

For years, Bob and I would greet each other uniquely: "Adelphos mou!" While I was studying Greek in seminary, Bob's first question was how to say 'my brother' in Greek. From then on it became our greeting to each other.

I spoke with Bob a few months ago, right before Easter. He called just to let me know he was praying for me and my ministry. I cannot tell you how honored I was to receive that phone call. He asked what books I had been reading; we discussed what our minds had been pondering, and then he asked if I had read a particular book that he had just finished. "No, Bob, I haven't read that one yet" was my reply. "That's OK. I'll send you a copy. It is a good one!" Sure enough the book arrived about a week later. I've thumbed through several pages, but haven't jumped in with the ferocity I should. Now representing my last contact with "adelphos mou", it has become one of my prized possessions.

In Greenville, SC today a wife misses her husband of 37 years and 3 children terribly miss their dad. I join them in grief because he was also my friend. I can't wait to meet him in glory and hear the streets of Heaven ring when we recognize each other and echo through the hallways of eternity "Adelphos mou! It's good to see you!"

Interesting quote

In researching for Sunday's sermon on John 13, I found this quote describing Judas. More to the point, it may describe any one of us from time to time:

"When men can sin knowing that God sees it all, it shows that the heart is fully set in them to do evil and that nothing will restrain them." - Albert Barnes

Judas was made aware of the fact that Jesus knew of his plans to betray Him, yet decided to continue with his plans. How often are we guilty of the same practice: knowing full well that God is not pleased with our plans, yet not allowing that fact to deter us from our 'freedom of choice' to act against the Almighty.

Light in the Darkness

It has been my extreme pleasure to take part in the Fundamental Baptist Fellowship International national conference this week. Meeting for the "first time in a long time" (if ever) on the West Coast, the weather and seismics cooperated wonderfully to give East Coasters a taste of ministry in the West, California, and San Francisco. It was my joy to re-connect to friends I hadn't seen in years, and especially to learn that several of them live a lot closer than I ever imagined.

By far, the blessing of the conference was the preaching. I am still digesting Chuck Phelps' exposition from Acts 7 on "Bringing Joy to the City" and it will impact my ministry for a long time to come. An additional 'pick-me-up' was to hear so many preacher's voices singing enthusiastically. The rafters of our host church were almost in danger of parting company with the rest of the building! Perhaps my favorite quote of the conference came after a soul-stirring singing of "How Great Thou Art" when the host pastor stepped to the microphone and exclaimed "The wonder of it all is that we serve One Who is deserving of exactly this kind of praise!"

But for the story of the incredible behind the scenes San Francisco experience, you will have to ask Tim Sneeden! His reward for being a faithful reader of this blog (and how hard can that be, considering how often I post? Really, folks, Tim is setting the bar here!) is that he gets to tell his story in his way and in his time. It's a great story - full of ups and downs, but not necessarily in that order.