Sunday, July 26, 2020
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In 2015, our family left our comfortable house in Arkansas near John Brown University. There I had been a research assistant to Dr. Habermas, spent hours in the library with Mrs. Habermas, and attended church with them. I was a youth minister, and became a pastor to the elderly with a ministry called Kind at Heart Ministries. In Colorado we began attending Bear Valley Church, and I approached the leadership about helping with the elderly. I was told there was a visitation ministry, something that I had regularly done and loved to do. I was assigned Larry.
To prepare to meet him I read his bio and I realized that we had some things in common. He had been the Librarian at John Brown University...just before I arrived in Arkansas. Mrs. Habermas had worked with him. I knew suddenly that there was no coincidence, that some larger things were afoot, and I began praying.
Larry is one of the most remarkable people that I have ever met. My visitations with him were prayer meetings. He loved God and was passionate about missions. Everything I cared about became a huge focus of his prayer life. We would talk about Scripture, and we would talk about his past work and his future desires. He was suffering from dementia by the time I met him, but his hallucinations were often spirit filled. I would listen in fascination and careful attention. He wanted to be a pilot for our missionary work in Central America. He couldn't do that, but he was a prayer pilot and co-pilot as we began our ministry.
I knew when I met with him that I was with a hero of the faith. Someone who only a long steady life of seeking God could bring me to belong with. The more I learned of the life God had given him, the more convinced I became that God had granted him a time devoted to prayer, experienced in a way that others do not often get to. Whether in the Spirit or in dementia or both, his prayer life and life with God was vivid and transformational. God delighted to hear Larry's voice raised in prayer. To have he and Evelyn partner with our mission changed everything. Praying with him allowed our family to follow God into our calling, and visiting Larry also helped connect his immense Christian experience to a present ministry outlet. He was vital. I believe he is vital.
It is certain that He is with Christ, conducting choirs of saints and angels, and praying fervently for the fulfillment of our Great Commission. Praying fervently for his children and grand children. Praying fervently for his wife. Nothing interrupted Larry's devotion to life, godliness, family, or Christian purpose. Certainly his absence from his body and presence with Christ have increased his life, godliness, love of family, and dedication to the Church's mission. He was not silent or helpless in life, and in the presence of Christ will continue to serve. How fitting that we shall meet again in the air, in triumph, as the conclusion of everything his humble spirit was set apart for.
He has found his way upstairs to the hidden second floor. He will be on his knees in that upper room.
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