I am approaching 70! I officiate many, many funerals. When I officiate a service of a young person, I ask the Lord sometimes why he or she, and not me, Lord?
The last months of 2024 and into January of 2025 were very rough for me. I had a breakdown in the chapel in my home Church, the American Lutheran Church in Windom, Minnesota, crying at my best friend Mike Fisher’s funeral. I officiated Mike’s service and it was a blessing to do so. God gave me peace and I delivered the message God gave me.
I would talk to Mike about every day, but that slowed down in 2024 as his health failed. Some days I would just stop and think, I’ve got to call Mike, but……..
My brother-in-law, Paul Rogers, died suddenly in 2023 of a farm accident. I went home for the service and also paid tribute to Paul. My dear sister Deb sure misses her Paul. Paul was such vibrant man, loved by so many. He was an awesome family man and a servant to his community.
Then in the latter part of 2024, two of my best friends passed onto glory, Frank and Alice Haley. I preached at Frank’s funeral and officiated the graveside service for Alice.
I also was officiating funerals of others in between the passing of my awesome friends. It took a toll on me. I have recovered. I officiated a wedding last month and that really perked me up. My doctor also gave me a ‘reset plan’ to get my health back.
I tell folks, “there is no looking back, this is your life. If you don’t like it, change it, starting today!”
Let us pray. Heaven is a prepared place. Are you prepared for heaven? I could die today. You could, too. God could call us home right now. Are you prepared? I love my Lord, my Sharon and kids, and my grandchildren so much. I strive to be a better servant of my Lord and to Sharon and the kids every day – and to you, the readers here at FGGAM.
I am still under construction by my Lord. It will completed when the Lord calls me home. For now I will do my best to serve Jesus, Sharon and the kids, and you.
Back in the late 70’s we would read the obituaries on the radio at KGCX in Sidney, Montana. It would really touch my heart when I had to read them.
Sometimes, I am told I talk about death too much. I understand that, but the Lord has shown me to make sure people have accepted HIM as their Lord and Savior before they die. I want to make sure they have been baptized. I try to get them connected to a Church. So many people do not attend Church. On the street and road ministry, like Sharon and I do, is so very important, we reach out to all people. FGGAM is a Great Commission ministry.
At times I preach about death. I do not think enough Preachers do. I have a sermon I’m now delivering, titled “To Die is to Gain.” My mentor, 89 year-old Dr. Claude Cone, helped me put it together. I heard him preach it at Alice Haley’s funeral. By the way, Dr. Cone still preaches most Sundays!!! He is such an amazing man of God. What a legacy!
What will be yours?
The Christian Post
By Dan Delzell, Christian Post Contributor
Do you ever browse the obituaries in your local newspaper? Just imagine if your obituary was published next week. Would your immortal soul go to Heaven or Hell? Are you truly prepared for Judgment Day?
The Bible declares, “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints” (Psalm 116:15). But just how “saintly” must a person be in order to make it into Heaven? How “good” is good enough?
Thankfully, the gift of everlasting life in Heaven is just that — a gift from God! While following Christ often involves rejection, adversity and various difficulties, receiving Jesus as your Savior and being forgiven of your sins is easy! The Savior paid in full the agonizing penalty for our sins on the cross so that we could freely receive the eternal benefits of His loving sacrifice. More Here
