A Christian is a person who through faith begins to pass out of this life into heaven as soon as he leaves Baptism. For him Christ is already The Way, The Truth, and The Life and does not cease to be these things til his last hour. Indeed, a Christian always proceeds on this way, led by the truth, to the goal of eternal life. [Martin Luther]
Today, I bury a friend and a colleague, Rev. Lowell Boettcher (emeritus). I have to admit that when I received the call to Peace Lutheran Church in Rapid City, SD I was intimidated--not by the size of the congregation (it was quite a bit larger than my church at that time in rural Iowa); not by the prospect of having to start over in a place I didn't know, among people I didn't know; but by the fact that this church had not one, but two retired pastors. I was foolish to fear this, as both men have been extremely helpful to me these last three years. I had to say goodbye to one of them my first year here. Today, I say goodbye to the other one.
Lowell did so many things for so many people that it will be extremely difficult to fill his shoes. You cannot replace a Lowell Boettcher. We will miss you Lowell, but those who have faith in Christ Jesus will see you again in the presence of Christ our Savior! Rest in the peace of Christ my friend!
That time of year thou mayst in me behold
When yellow leaves, or none, or few, do hang
Upon those boughs which shake against the cold,
Bare ruin'd choirs, where late the sweet birds sang.
In me thou seest the twilight of such day
As after sunset fadeth in the west,
Which by and by black night doth take away,
Death's second self, that seals up all in rest.
In me thou seest the glowing of such fire
That on the ashes of his youth doth lie,
As the death-bed whereon it must expire,
Consum'd with that which it was nourish'd by.
This thou perceiv'st, which makes thy love more strong,
To love that well, which thou must leave ere long.
[William Shakespeare-Sonnet 73]
Thanks for reading and God bless you!
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