Passion for God’s Word – One of my earliest memories of my grandfather was sitting on the church's
back pew with his open bible. I recall him being one of the first people to open God’s Word with me. He
carefully took the time to open to the chapter and verses the pastor was reading and helped me follow
along with what was preached. I squirmed with uneasiness as that was something new to me and
something I wasn’t accustomed to. While it was uncomfortable for me, Grandpa showed me from such
an early age that he was a man that took God’s Word very seriously. While I didn’t know at the time why
he was so passionate about God’s Word, this was a visual for me from an early age letting me know that
it was a holy book that was worthy of being analyzed and for lack of better words, torn apart, as his
bible evidently was (in the best way imaginable). As Spurgeon once stated, “A Bible that's falling apart
usually belongs to someone who isn't.” It isn’t ironic that the same man who showed me from an early
age that he took God’s Word seriously would give me another visual for his evident passion for God’s
Word. This passion went beyond merely reading it. From a young age, I actually had the privilege of
watching him distribute bibles. It’s something I’ll never forget. I was casually walking up the sidewalk in
elementary school. It was a warm day where my friends and I had just finished playing some pick-up
basketball games at recess. As we all walked alongside one another I saw this well-dressed man walking
from the parking lot towards the school. As our paths crossed by God’s providence from sidewalk to the
front of the school near the entrance, my eyes lit up as I discovered that it was Grandpa Willard! What
was he doing at my school? I wasn’t at the nurse sick and needing a ride home. The last I checked, it
wasn’t Grandparents Day. As I got nearer and nearer I witnessed that he had multiple boxes in his hand.
The same man who carefully opened up God’s Word to follow along with what the pastor was preaching
at my local church was at my school delivering New Testament bibles. Serving The Gideon International
organization for over 58 years, one of his roles, in addition to evangelizing, was distributing copies of
God’s Word. There I was witnessing first hand my grandfather distributing The Word of God to me and
my friends. Many things are lacking in this world and one of them is a lack of passion for what God’s
Word says. How many do you know who truly cherish the words of Christ? Is it not true that faith comes
from hearing and hearing by the words of Christ (Romans 10:17)? A young man showed me what he was
currently reading days after my grandpa's death. He was holding a small, new-testament Gideon’s Bible.
It was a reminder that my grandpa’s work was not in vain and that God’s Word never returns empty or
void. Words cannot express my gratitude for the Lord providing me with a grandfather who had such
passion for God’s Word.
Dedication – It was evident to my congregation that I was emotional Sunday morning throughout
the service as my grandfather passed away the morning before. Before the call to worship
scripture reading I looked out amongst the congregation. I saw a fellow Gideon attending the
worship service in honor of Grandpa Willard.
Some verses were read through tears, thinking of how grandpa served the Lord with other
faithful men such as the one in attendance. The prayer was articulated with a cry in my voice.
While that was special and surprising for me to observe, I spoke with my wife Hailey about why
it’s so easy for me to get even more emotional in the church building than in other places.
The reason for such emotion (as if I needed more reason to cry), for nearly thirty years I have
witnessed my grandfather dutifully, faithfully, and sincerely walk through those church doors
eager to worship the Lord. My grandmother died in 2001 from a long battle with Alzheimer’s
and when I would witness grandpa making his journey to church, it would often be when he was
all alone. How frequent it was from my perspective watching my grandpa make his journey to
the church building with no one or nothing but his bible. The circumstances in my grandfather’s
life didn’t hinder or alter his attendance or his engaged heart in corporate worship. Whether he
was alone, in pain such as the latter years of his life, experiencing heartache, or otherwise, his
dedication for the Lord in this regard was off the charts. One of the many types of evidence
displaying his true and genuine faith in Jesus Christ. While many are quick to use every excuse
in the book to not attend corporate worship on the Lord’s day (perhaps revealing their true
spiritual state) and ignore the passage from Hebrews that states, “not neglecting to meet together,
as is the habit of some” (Hebrews 10:25), grandpa was committed to the gathering together of
the saints for corporate worship as God designed. The last several years grandpa served as a
greeter at church. It was so honorable to see him arriving every morning early so he could show
hospitality and make others feel welcome. He put into practice, “I would rather be a doorkeeper
in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness” and displayed a heart that
portrayed “For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere” (Psalm 84:10). It was an
honor to witness such dedication and heart felt love towards the Lord from my grandpa. As I
grew in years and stature, my little eyes observed this passion for God’s Word and this unique
dedication to the Lord. I will always have such rejoicing in the Lord having witnessed such
faithfulness displayed towards the Lord. It is my hope and prayer that others are inspired to
demonstrate their saving faith by having this kind of dedication and passion for God. Suppose
others do not have such saving faith. In that case, I pray it sparks a desire to open one of those
tiny New Testament Bibles and read about the offer of God's forgiveness for themselves.
Humility – It was in the afternoon of March 25th, 2012. Ten years ago now. Early that afternoon the
church held an ordination service for me to be ordained as one of the pastors. One thing in particular
sticks out to me about this day. I will hold one thing near and dear to my heart as long as the Lord allows
me to have a memory in this temporary, earthly body. After the ordination service, I walked outside to
the parking lot. Many people had already left and I recall a moment where it was just me and grandpa.
There had been a challenge presented to me from scripture, a time of questioning where I stood in
terms of doctrine, and a time of prayer for me as I responded to the call of ministry. For reasons that
only the Lord knows, the moment with my grandpa was unexpected but forever embraced. While it was
just me and my grandpa alone, we embraced each other in the parking lot. This embrace was unlike any
I’ve ever encountered in my life. As we were hugging each other, my grandfather and I were
overwhelmed with emotion for reasons that might surprise others. We embraced each other and with
tears streaming from our eyes, one of the only things we could say to one another was speaking of our
unworthiness. In comparison to God’s holy and righteous standard, the thing captivating our hearts and
minds was our fallenness. On a day that others might discuss future ministry plans, what the Lord is up
to, what happened with other previous faithful shepherds, etc. I was able to hear from my grandpa
describing his wretchedness. In his arms he shared with me how fallen he was compared to God’s holy
and righteous standard. He stated how he had done a lot of bad things in this life. Likewise, the tears
were running down my cheeks as I related to my grandfather in what he was saying. Together, with
tears of regret and shame, we echoed the words of the apostle Paul, “Wretched man that I am! Who will
deliver me from this body of death” (Romans 7:24)? Our words were in harmony with the apostle who
said, ““None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside;
together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one” (Romans 3:10-12). I was so
thankful in that moment to have a grandfather who I could relate to, who echoed the same cry of my
wretchedness and my desperate need of God’s sovereign grace. Paul reminds the church as Colossae,
“Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility,
meekness, and patience” (Colossians 3:12). The wisdom literature honors such a heart in saying, “One's
pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor” (Proverbs 29:23). May we all
humble ourselves before the one living, holy and righteous God who we must repent and believe in for
the forgiveness of our sins.
Words cannot express how grateful I am to the Lord for getting to share even a fraction of this life with
such a special grandpa. He modeled a love and passion for God’s word, a dedication to God that is rare,
and humility as he was unashamed to admit his desperate need of Jesus Christ and His grace that none
of us deserve. May God grant us to be grandparents, parents, friends, and co-workers who model such a
loving faith and walk with the Lord Jesus Christ.
back pew with his open bible. I recall him being one of the first people to open God’s Word with me. He
carefully took the time to open to the chapter and verses the pastor was reading and helped me follow
along with what was preached. I squirmed with uneasiness as that was something new to me and
something I wasn’t accustomed to. While it was uncomfortable for me, Grandpa showed me from such
an early age that he was a man that took God’s Word very seriously. While I didn’t know at the time why
he was so passionate about God’s Word, this was a visual for me from an early age letting me know that
it was a holy book that was worthy of being analyzed and for lack of better words, torn apart, as his
bible evidently was (in the best way imaginable). As Spurgeon once stated, “A Bible that's falling apart
usually belongs to someone who isn't.” It isn’t ironic that the same man who showed me from an early
age that he took God’s Word seriously would give me another visual for his evident passion for God’s
Word. This passion went beyond merely reading it. From a young age, I actually had the privilege of
watching him distribute bibles. It’s something I’ll never forget. I was casually walking up the sidewalk in
elementary school. It was a warm day where my friends and I had just finished playing some pick-up
basketball games at recess. As we all walked alongside one another I saw this well-dressed man walking
from the parking lot towards the school. As our paths crossed by God’s providence from sidewalk to the
front of the school near the entrance, my eyes lit up as I discovered that it was Grandpa Willard! What
was he doing at my school? I wasn’t at the nurse sick and needing a ride home. The last I checked, it
wasn’t Grandparents Day. As I got nearer and nearer I witnessed that he had multiple boxes in his hand.
The same man who carefully opened up God’s Word to follow along with what the pastor was preaching
at my local church was at my school delivering New Testament bibles. Serving The Gideon International
organization for over 58 years, one of his roles, in addition to evangelizing, was distributing copies of
God’s Word. There I was witnessing first hand my grandfather distributing The Word of God to me and
my friends. Many things are lacking in this world and one of them is a lack of passion for what God’s
Word says. How many do you know who truly cherish the words of Christ? Is it not true that faith comes
from hearing and hearing by the words of Christ (Romans 10:17)? A young man showed me what he was
currently reading days after my grandpa's death. He was holding a small, new-testament Gideon’s Bible.
It was a reminder that my grandpa’s work was not in vain and that God’s Word never returns empty or
void. Words cannot express my gratitude for the Lord providing me with a grandfather who had such
passion for God’s Word.
Dedication – It was evident to my congregation that I was emotional Sunday morning throughout
the service as my grandfather passed away the morning before. Before the call to worship
scripture reading I looked out amongst the congregation. I saw a fellow Gideon attending the
worship service in honor of Grandpa Willard.
Some verses were read through tears, thinking of how grandpa served the Lord with other
faithful men such as the one in attendance. The prayer was articulated with a cry in my voice.
While that was special and surprising for me to observe, I spoke with my wife Hailey about why
it’s so easy for me to get even more emotional in the church building than in other places.
The reason for such emotion (as if I needed more reason to cry), for nearly thirty years I have
witnessed my grandfather dutifully, faithfully, and sincerely walk through those church doors
eager to worship the Lord. My grandmother died in 2001 from a long battle with Alzheimer’s
and when I would witness grandpa making his journey to church, it would often be when he was
all alone. How frequent it was from my perspective watching my grandpa make his journey to
the church building with no one or nothing but his bible. The circumstances in my grandfather’s
life didn’t hinder or alter his attendance or his engaged heart in corporate worship. Whether he
was alone, in pain such as the latter years of his life, experiencing heartache, or otherwise, his
dedication for the Lord in this regard was off the charts. One of the many types of evidence
displaying his true and genuine faith in Jesus Christ. While many are quick to use every excuse
in the book to not attend corporate worship on the Lord’s day (perhaps revealing their true
spiritual state) and ignore the passage from Hebrews that states, “not neglecting to meet together,
as is the habit of some” (Hebrews 10:25), grandpa was committed to the gathering together of
the saints for corporate worship as God designed. The last several years grandpa served as a
greeter at church. It was so honorable to see him arriving every morning early so he could show
hospitality and make others feel welcome. He put into practice, “I would rather be a doorkeeper
in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness” and displayed a heart that
portrayed “For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere” (Psalm 84:10). It was an
honor to witness such dedication and heart felt love towards the Lord from my grandpa. As I
grew in years and stature, my little eyes observed this passion for God’s Word and this unique
dedication to the Lord. I will always have such rejoicing in the Lord having witnessed such
faithfulness displayed towards the Lord. It is my hope and prayer that others are inspired to
demonstrate their saving faith by having this kind of dedication and passion for God. Suppose
others do not have such saving faith. In that case, I pray it sparks a desire to open one of those
tiny New Testament Bibles and read about the offer of God's forgiveness for themselves.
Humility – It was in the afternoon of March 25th, 2012. Ten years ago now. Early that afternoon the
church held an ordination service for me to be ordained as one of the pastors. One thing in particular
sticks out to me about this day. I will hold one thing near and dear to my heart as long as the Lord allows
me to have a memory in this temporary, earthly body. After the ordination service, I walked outside to
the parking lot. Many people had already left and I recall a moment where it was just me and grandpa.
There had been a challenge presented to me from scripture, a time of questioning where I stood in
terms of doctrine, and a time of prayer for me as I responded to the call of ministry. For reasons that
only the Lord knows, the moment with my grandpa was unexpected but forever embraced. While it was
just me and my grandpa alone, we embraced each other in the parking lot. This embrace was unlike any
I’ve ever encountered in my life. As we were hugging each other, my grandfather and I were
overwhelmed with emotion for reasons that might surprise others. We embraced each other and with
tears streaming from our eyes, one of the only things we could say to one another was speaking of our
unworthiness. In comparison to God’s holy and righteous standard, the thing captivating our hearts and
minds was our fallenness. On a day that others might discuss future ministry plans, what the Lord is up
to, what happened with other previous faithful shepherds, etc. I was able to hear from my grandpa
describing his wretchedness. In his arms he shared with me how fallen he was compared to God’s holy
and righteous standard. He stated how he had done a lot of bad things in this life. Likewise, the tears
were running down my cheeks as I related to my grandfather in what he was saying. Together, with
tears of regret and shame, we echoed the words of the apostle Paul, “Wretched man that I am! Who will
deliver me from this body of death” (Romans 7:24)? Our words were in harmony with the apostle who
said, ““None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside;
together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one” (Romans 3:10-12). I was so
thankful in that moment to have a grandfather who I could relate to, who echoed the same cry of my
wretchedness and my desperate need of God’s sovereign grace. Paul reminds the church as Colossae,
“Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility,
meekness, and patience” (Colossians 3:12). The wisdom literature honors such a heart in saying, “One's
pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor” (Proverbs 29:23). May we all
humble ourselves before the one living, holy and righteous God who we must repent and believe in for
the forgiveness of our sins.
Words cannot express how grateful I am to the Lord for getting to share even a fraction of this life with
such a special grandpa. He modeled a love and passion for God’s word, a dedication to God that is rare,
and humility as he was unashamed to admit his desperate need of Jesus Christ and His grace that none
of us deserve. May God grant us to be grandparents, parents, friends, and co-workers who model such a
loving faith and walk with the Lord Jesus Christ.
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