The Work In AugustI am continuing to teach and preach for the Bryan Ave. church of Christ. I finished a series preaching through the book of Ephesians. I started a new class on Sunday mornings and Wednesday nights. On Sundays, we are studying the events of Jesus’ life that were included in all four gospels. On Wednesdays, the men requested to study the book of Proverbs. We continue to make visits and Bible studies with the members. It has been very encouraging to me, as it is like studying the Bible with family. There was a new development this month. The church received a call from the local hospital. A patient requested a visit from a church of Christ preacher. I went and visited a man named Tom. He was 83, at the end of his fight with cancer, and was given only 30 to 60 days to live. He had been away from the church and wanted to make things right in his life. I began visiting him regularly and taking him the Lord’s Supper to him on Sundays. He was so thankful for the visits, Bible study, and prayers. He was released to go home for the remainder of his days. He lives in Challis, ID. It is up river from Salmon, about an hour. As I was leaving his home on my last visit to him in Challis, he said that he felt like he was ready and the Lord could take him any time. On the last Sunday of the month, I drove over to bring him the Lord’s Supper, and a neighbor informed me that he had passed. I have been praying for him and his spiritual life. In these moments, I like to think of Abraham’s commentary about God concerning judgment: “Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is right?” (Gen. 18:25). This is another lesson that it is never too late to repent and align our lives with God’s word. The sun set on Tom’s life; we pray that he will rise to a reward in Heaven.
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