The Dash
For none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself. For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. Romans 14:7-8
Last Monday I shared with you that my longtime mentor, friend, Dad, Pastor Van was having open heart surgery on Wednesday. The gist of my blog that God has always been faithful – God is faithful – God will be faithful.
On Wednesday morning, Ed Weiss, our Director of Guest Services, Chaplain Bill Pruitt and me gathered around Pastor Van’s bedside in pre-op to laugh, cry, and pray. Pastor Van shared with us that whether he came through the surgery or whether the Lord took him home – he would win either way!
Little did we know that the Lord’s will was not to heal his damaged heart but to give him a new heart the next day. Surgery did not go well, and on Thursday evening, the Lord called Pastor Van home.
Everyone of has three things in common. All of us have a birth date. If you don’t, please call me as soon as possible. Someday we will all have a death date. The Bible says “it is appointed for man once to die, and after that the judgment.” Hebrews 9:27 ESV.
But in between our birth and death dates – we all have a dash. Pastor Van used his dash to serve God with all of his heart. He served for years as a pastor of several churches. He was a teacher, educator, school administrator, and Christian counselor.
He loved to teach. He loved to use puppets to communicate spiritual truth. He wrote hundreds of poems to teach and communicator biblical principles. He was an avid reader.
His 82 year old mind was a repository of wisdom. When in his presence you’d always hear a story that had an application to life.
He lived life to the fullest and he was prepared to go home to be with the Lord. His life was a living testimony to today’s verses: For none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself. For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. Romans 14:7-8
I was privileged to call him Pastor, friend, counselor and Dad. His legacy is huge. If I learned nothing else – it would be to live my dash like his – living for Jesus! Thanks, Pastor Van for the example you lived before us and for the legacy you’ve left us. We love you.
Running the race with joy,
Bill Welte
President/CEO America’s Keswick
Daily Bible Reading: Leviticus 23-24; Revelation 2
Quote of the day: God requires the duty. If its performance brings no return, that is God’s affair not yours. The soldier who has obeyed every order comes back from defeat, as from victory, with honour. George Scott Railton
Bible Memory: “Your hands have made and fashioned me; give me understanding that I may learn your commandments. Those who fear you shall see me and rejoice, because I have hoped in your word.” Psalm 119:73-74 ESV
Freedom Fighters 
I remember him so well from the Morning Devotions the men do during the summer. Guests are invited to attend as the men who serve at AK share the Word. Pastor Van was there for most of the times that Jim & I were able to attend. He often shared words of wisdom that revealed his deep love for the Lord, his lifelong study habits, and his dependence on the grace of God, always in a spirit of humility.
The saying “Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for a while and leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never the same. “ is very true with George Van Sandt. I met him 8 years ago. Even before I met him he was a friend. He wrote a poem before I arrived called “When Ohio Meets NJ” I am the one living in Ohio. It told me a lot with the poems he would share. They all were Christian based. In the 8 years knowing him and his wife Laurel they have touched my heart and have left footprints that will last forever. They say that “ family is not always blood.” Both Van and Laurel “adopted” me as a niece. I have since called them “aunt and uncle”. They were closer than my blood family and I was able to share things with them that I did not feel I could share with my family. I will always remember Uncle Van’s gentle nature. He always remained in control and I never saw him get upset when things went wrong. He was a distant uncle and a pastor to me. I only had the previledge of seeing him preach a sermon once with his puppets. I am glad I had this opportunity. I saw a poem about 30 years ago, It was called “ I Rather See a Sermon” I just looked it up and it says it was written by an Edgar Guest. This poem is a good example of how he lived his life. He did not just tell people but he lived it. I think he would appreciate this poem also:
I’d rather see a sermon
than hear one any day;
I’d rather one should walk with me
than merely tell the way.
The eye’s a better pupil
and more willing than the ear,
Fine counsel is confusing,
but example’s always clear;
And the best of all preachers
are the men who live their creeds,
For to see good put in action
is what everybody needs.
I soon can learn to do it
if you’ll let me see it done;
I can watch your hands in action,
but your tongue too fast may run.
And the lecture you deliver
may be very wise and true,
But I’d rather get my lessons
by observing what
you do;
For I might misunderstand you
and the high advice you give,
But there’s no misunderstanding
how you act and how you live.
Sometimes in life we can meet someone just once or twice and they can leave such a wonderful impression on us. I knew George Van Sandt a couple of years and only met him in person twice but it was as though I knew him all my life. Some people you can know all your life and others you meet once or twice and they leave such a wonderful impression on you. He had such a peace about him that you felt when in his presence and I know what was the Lord. His poetry and words and wisdom touched many over the years and will continue to do so. He planted seeds of the Lord that will continue to grow here even as he is with the Lord now. God bless all who knew and loved him.