I find myself writing more about people I care about than theology, politics, or church growth. When you think about it, it’s people that matter more than anything else on this planet. People matter more than animals, careers, possessions, or pleasures. It’s people that help make this life a little more bearable and it’s people that God cares for more than anything else in his creation of the cosmos. When we lose someone we love, we hurt.

This past Sunday one of my brothers, Bill passed from this life, to life eternal in heaven. Bill was one of ten children of James and Fay Calloway. Bill was the third of us siblings to pass away. We had a brother, Ronnie that died as an infant and brother Mark passed away two years ago. On Tuesday evening I had the honor and privilege to do Billy’s funeral service. I spoke from John 8 on the woman caught in adultery and brought to Jesus by the religious leaders for condemnation. The event recorded in this scripture was one of forgiveness and salvation. Bill was not a perfect man and had been living a life that would not be pleasing to God according to scripture, but he was forgiven. During the service, my wife Julie sat with Billy’s son, Josh and comforted him. After the service was over, Julie motioned for me to come over to where her and Josh were and shared that Josh wanted to invite Jesus into his life and seek forgiveness of his sins. What a joyful moment during a time of sorrow!

Billy was a giving man and he loved his neices and nephews. They affectionately called him “Billy Bob” and he would make a goofy face for them that would put a smile on their face. That is the Billy I will miss. We will meet again dear brother.