The Gentle Giant

A very moving service of thanksgiving and tribute for a dear member of our church congregation who passed away suddenly last week.

Several hundred family, friends and colleagues came together to celebrate his life. He was a highly regarded theologian, author of dozens of books, and loved to preach and teach about the word of God. He loved people, and had a gentle and encouraging word for everyone he met. Uplifting hymn singing, and a beautiful guitar solo based on the hymn "Dear Lord and Father of Mankind".

When visited by a close friend during his final hours, he said he had been told his condition was now terminal. "But we know the doctors have got it all wrong ... my condition is transitional". He knew he was going home to a better place.

I have chosen to Blip the words from one of the Bible readings, Psalm 116. I have used the Thomson Chain Reference Edition of the New International Version. This edition belonged to my late Father in Law, who would have been 83 years old today. It is now more than ten years since he left us.