He's 59. I would have guessed he was a lot older. He's very educated, and very smart.
He's the pastor of a Bible Church, and a friend of mine. In about 2 years, he'll no longer be able to walk, and probably not be able to breathe.
He knows this - I've seen him go from a healthy active man a few years ago, to a stooped-over older seeming man shuffling around on a walker.
He still preaches, and his congregation loves and supports him. I can't pronounce - let alone spell - the disease that's destroying him, but it's similar to Lou Gherig's, but on steroids. And his own immune system is attacking his nervous system.
I pick him up the first Thursday of every month for our Rebel Alliance pastor meeting, and I notice each time he has more difficulty getting in and out of my mountaineer, even with it's magic automatic fold-down running boards. Yesterday was painful to watch. But he keeps on. He keeps trusting and praising God. He tells some of the best preacher jokes (most of which I've heard, but I let him tell them anyway).
When I have an ache or pain, or hear somebody else complaining about their health issues - I think of Pastor Bruce. He reportedly preaches with a little more urgency, since he knows in a year or two his preaching will be done.
It makes me look at ministry in a whole new way.
He's the pastor of a Bible Church, and a friend of mine. In about 2 years, he'll no longer be able to walk, and probably not be able to breathe.
He knows this - I've seen him go from a healthy active man a few years ago, to a stooped-over older seeming man shuffling around on a walker.
He still preaches, and his congregation loves and supports him. I can't pronounce - let alone spell - the disease that's destroying him, but it's similar to Lou Gherig's, but on steroids. And his own immune system is attacking his nervous system.
I pick him up the first Thursday of every month for our Rebel Alliance pastor meeting, and I notice each time he has more difficulty getting in and out of my mountaineer, even with it's magic automatic fold-down running boards. Yesterday was painful to watch. But he keeps on. He keeps trusting and praising God. He tells some of the best preacher jokes (most of which I've heard, but I let him tell them anyway).
When I have an ache or pain, or hear somebody else complaining about their health issues - I think of Pastor Bruce. He reportedly preaches with a little more urgency, since he knows in a year or two his preaching will be done.
It makes me look at ministry in a whole new way.
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