This Man of Mine

 This man of mine is extra-special,

well loved and admired,

and exactly one month ago,

honoured for a life-time of ministry,

44 years to be exact.

 News of his impending retirement had shocked many,

how could he leave now,

when he was still so effective?

They gathered in the lobby of the building to surprise him...

...and surprise him they did!!!

He was walking in obedience,

God making it very clear that now was the time to take the next step

even though it's into the unknown,

and so they gathered to honour him,

and share what he had taught them.

 Several staff that had left came back to share,

and one shared this acrostic that seemed so perfect...

I asked if I could have the verses which seemed so fitting.

D Delight. Proverbs 11:20. He delights in those with integrity - people are always watching what Christians are doing and saying ...there is no doubt that Dave walks his talk, a man of integrity

A Abundance. Matt 13:11-12. Because you Have an abundance of knowledge and wisdom... Dave is known for asking for prayer for wisdom, wisdom to know what God wants, wisdom to know what the right step is, the right decision will be.

V Valuable. Prov 8:11. You are more valuable than rubies... to his family, to staff, so people literally all over the world.

E Encourager. Romans 12:8. Your gift is to encourage others...Dave is well known for his phone calls, notes of encouragement, bouquets of flowers just because. He listens and encourages.


B (Birkman) Blessed. Deuteronomy 2:7. The Lord your God has blessed you in all the work of your hands. ...Dave is known for the many people he has guided through the Birkman assessment but even beyond that we are so blessed with our family, our children and our grandchildren.

E Endures Mark 13:13. One who endures to the end will be saved ....over 44 years in the ministry we have seen the best and the worst of times, and as one person said, there have been many times when Dave was the person with his finger in the hole in the dyke. He was willing to take on new challenges right to the end, and go where he was needed.

C Crown. Hebrews 2:9. Crowned with glory and honour .... there is no doubt that he will definitely be crowned with glory and honour for his faithful years of service

K Kindness. Rom 12:8. If you have the gift of kindness for other and thoughtfulness. ....Giving bouquets of flowers to celebrate, maybe a birthday, returning from an illness, returning from a honeymoon, etc Dave is known for building into others and showing them kindness.

Philippians 1:6. And I am certain that God, who began the good work in you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Jesus Christ returns. 

 This man of mine,

now retired from full time ministry

but still encouraging,

enduring,

showing kindness

and blessing others.

I just had to share this

because I am so blessed

by this man of mine.