A Preacher Died Today

I know most of my friends didn't notice and perhaps they shouldn't be expected to have noticed, but today a preacher died. To be sure his family has taken notice and feel that inevitable sense of loss. Because of his calling they had to share him with the church he served and the community in which he lived and now a terribly all too common disease has done its worst and left an empty place in their hearts. Friends and congregants weep today but as surely as the sun will rise tomorrow they will continue their lives and that is exactly what they should do. From the world's point of view . . .

I am certain as Jim began his journey with the Lord as a preacher he had little idea where that journey would lead. But some how in the economy of God we were both chosen by God to be pastor of the same church though he managed to out tenure me by many years. That by itself impressed me. However, we did not meet until I had been gone a number of years. If memory serves me correctly we first met at a reunion of the popular youth music group Shinning Light and the next time was at the funeral of one of my Youth who died a tragic death. Then when I retired we moved back to the area and he became my pastor. Today, on the day of his home going I offer my gratitude to God for allowing Jim Sliger to become a part of the tapestry of my life. 

There is an old hymn that says, "trials dark on every hand and we cannot understand all the ways that God would bring us to that blessed promised land." The years of ministry, as with all of us who serve under the "calling of God,"  had their share of joys and sorrows but never a sense that God did not call us. Jim wanted nothing more and nothing less than to faithfully fulfill God's calling on his life. And today, I am confident that this morning one of the first things, if not the first thing Jim heard, was "Well done thou good and faithful servant."  Oh, and the day will come when we will pick up our conversation. 

I remember hearing the story of an old missionary who spent his entire life in Africa and because of advanced age was returning home. As the ship docked he saw a great crowd gathered and heard a band playing. He did not realize that Theodore Roosevelt was on his ship and the band and crowds were there to welcome him home. By the time the missionary reached the dock the crowds had dissipated and the band was gone and the person from the mission board was not even there to meet him. He complained to the Lord that he had labored his entire life for the Kingdom and not one person greeted him as he came home. Then as he paused in his aloneness he hears a still small voice say, "My son you are not home yet."  

But mark my words . . .  today a preacher didn't just die. His transition from life in this world to life in the world beyond has not gone unnoticed. Jesus has noticed. After all it is He that has said, "Come up higher . . . .Good and faithful servant."  So let the bells of heaven ring for there is joy today.  I knew him first casually over a number of years and then as my own pastor for the past several years. He preached with a sense of urgency; he ministered to other while he, himself, battled the terrible disease of cancer. Humbly he carried out the assignment God gave him when He called him "to preach." Then today, the Father called him home.

Going to miss you my friend but . . . .  

I'll meet you in the morning by the bright riverside
When all sorrow has drifted away
I'll be standing at the portals when the gates open wide
At the close of life's long dreary day.

I'll meet you in the morning with a how do you do
And we'll sit down by the river and with rapture old aquaintance renew
You'll know me in the morning by the smile that I wear
When I meet you in the morning in the city that's built four square.

I will meet you in the morning at the end of the way
On the streets of that city of gold
Where we all can be together and be happy always
While the years and the ages shall roll.

I'll meet you in the morning with a how do you do
And we'll sit down by the river and with rapture old acquaintance renew
You'll know me in the morning by the smile that I wear
When I meet you in the morning in the city that's built four square...

A Mighty Prince Has Fallen

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It seems that just a few days ago I was writing a tribute to one of the finest men I have ever known, Floyd Dees, and today I am reading the obituary for his son, an equally fine man. You can read what I said about Floyd Dees on my blog entry at the time.  

At any rate, at the time, I stated that Floyd Dees was a good man . . . .and he was. Indeed, there was no finer example of what a man should be than "Mr. Dees."  In fact everyone I knew, with the exception of myself, his son and a few intimate friends always referred to him as "Mr. Dees."  It was a title he earned based on his character. 

After I learned of Eddies' battle with Pancreatic cancer I wrote a small blurb on his FB page using the old saying, "The nut never falls too far from the tree." I jokingly added that I didn't mean he was a nut . . . . and I didn't. What I meant is that as he got older, and lost weight due to his cancer he was looking more and more like his father.  

To look like Floyd Dees is not a bad thing but the even better thing is that he has demonstrated many of the same qualities that his father had. He was loyal to his friends; polite in conversation; caring in the midst of need; wanted to fix what was broken if he could; and friendly with everyone. That's how Eddie was.  

I saw Eddie in a number of ways and I appreciate them all. He was a fabulous teacher; he was a great coach and motivator; he always wanted to position people so they could do their best. Not only that, he loved his family, friends and hometown of Hope Mills. He was honored that they allowed him to be mayor and he was proud of the roll he played in the restoration of the town lake.  Floyd Dees, the man whose life was the pattern for Eddie was, as I said earlier, "Mr. Dees" but Eddie Dees was "Mr. Hope Mills." 

Eddie knew every street, creek, trail, and building in Hope Mills but he loved the people who drove on those streets, fished in that lake, played golf on the nearby courses, and worked in those buildings. For Eddie it was all about the people in His community and helping make their lives better. I am not sure he realized that through that whole process of making the community better he was making himself better. 

I saw Eddie as a son and a stepson. I saw how he cared for his father and how he was patient with my mother-in-law. I watched him under stress of all kinds and knew that he was made of the stern stuff that makes men both gentle and strong. 

A mighty prince has fallen and his absence will be felt by many but most of all it will be felt by his girls Casey & Carey.  One thing I have learned over the years is that life is not always fair but God is always good.  

Generations yet to be born will benefit from the life of Eddie Dees. His legacy is in his students, his athletes, and his family. 

I offer these words from Michael W, Smith to those of us who called Eddie Dees, "Friend."

Packing up the dreams God planted
In the fertile soil of you
I can't believe the hopes He's granted
Means a chapter of your life is through

But we'll keep you close as always
It won't even seem you've gone
'Cause our hearts in big and small ways
Will keep the love that keeps us strong

And friends are friends forever
If the Lord's the Lord of them
And a friend will not say never
'Cause the welcome will not end
Though it's hard to let you go
In the Father's hands we know
That a lifetime's not too long
To live as friends

And with the faith and love God's given
Springing from the hope we know
We will pray the joy you live in
Is the strength that now you show

We'll keep you close as always
It won't even seem you've gone
'Cause our hearts in big and small ways
Will keep the love that keeps us strong

And friends are friends forever
If the Lord's the Lord of them
And a friend will not say never
'Cause the welcome will not end
Though it's hard to let you go
In the Father's hands we know
That a lifetime's not too long
To live as friends

And friends are friends forever
If the Lord's the Lord of them
And a friend will not say never
'Cause the welcome will not end
Though it's hard to let you go
In the Father's hands we know
That a lifetime's not too long
To live as friends

To live as friends

Though it's hard to let you go
In the Father's hands we know
That a lifetime's not too long
To live as friends

No a lifetime's not too long
To live as friends