Our Friend Joe

But none of these things move me; neither do I esteem my life dear to myself, if only I may finish my course with joy and the ministry which I have obtained from [which was entrusted to me by] the Lord Jesus, faithfully to attest to the good news (Gospel) of God’s grace (His unmerited favor, spiritual blessing, and mercy). Acts 20:24

Saturday was a tough day for our Keswick family. We all lost a very good friend in a tragic motorcycle accident on Saturday morning.

Joe was a graduate of the Colony of Mercy.  Addiction dominated his life at an early age. His was a life of despair and misery until Jesus came and set him free!

What impressed me about Joe was that even in the midst of his struggles, he always cared about YOU. His life touched so many and in so many different ways.

Someone called him “Waldo.” He’s seemed to appear in everybody’s pictures. He was the kind of guy who when he was in your presence was just easy to be around.

He had a passion to help guys who struggled like he did. He called. He texted. He visited. He went out of his way to point a struggler to the Cross and share the Gospel with them.

He touched my son, Zach’s life. He never treated Zach as the “President’s” kid. He truly cared for Zach and Zach really loved Joe as if he was his flesh and blood brother.

Humanly speaking, this seems like a senseless tragedy. Why at 31 when he was doing so well, on top of his game? Why Joe when so many other guys seem to thumb their nose at God?

There are no answers. Speculations – things said to make us feel better? Maybe in eternity we will understand – maybe not. Maybe it doesn’t really matter apart from God loved Joe so much that He wanted him home.

I do know this: Acts 20:24 sums up Joe’s life. Joe, you finished well. It’s a good reminder for us – will we finish well? That’s my desire. How about you? – Bill Welte is President & CEO of America’s Keswick

Team YOU: Esther 3-5; Proverbs 21; Acts 5:22-42

Motivations: The important question is not how much you enjoy religion, but whether you will whatever God wills. Humbly confess your faults; be detached from the world, and abandoned to God; love Him more than yourself, and his glory more than your life; the least you can do is to desire and ask for such a love. Francois Fenelon

Practice to Remember: Level 1:Philippians 1:21; Level 2: Philippians 1:19-26

Powered Up:  Perhaps the most blessed element in this asking and getting from God lies in the strengthening of faith which comes when a definite request has been granted. What is more helpful and inspiring than a ringing testimony of what God has done? – Rosalind Goforth