A Life Celebrated - Now More Gloriously Appointed

Finally, at last, my life complete,

I, my Savior, dwell with thee.

Absent from the body and present with God

Now, before the Throne, to sing His laud.

Though life strains and tries,

I will not faint. I will not grow weary.

True, my precious LORD,

I have mounted on wings like eagles'

And flown, nay, soared

Above the Heavens; my goal reached.

To have finished the race

And in such a way to keep integrity and face

But more so than these

To give honor, glory, and praise

To Thee, my Maker, mine eyes whom now have seen.

In all Thy glorious omnipotent self

Thy power radiating in, around, and through

Your spared lambs before the seat

From which all mercy, love, and justice flow

Freed from angst, trials, and pain

From work, sickness, death, and stain.

Never to return to the world I knew

But with my brothers and sisters in faith

We anxiously wait for you

To learn the joy we now know

Liberated from the Earth below.

As I await our joyous union soon,

The crystal sea is mine to partake

The streets of gold, the pearly gate

My mansion prepared and its estate.

Loved ones, do not mourn

For I have risen with the dawn

To meet the Creator of all things

My pain, no more, death without sting.

Live life well, love, and grow

And if nothing else,

This one thing know.

God is good,

Both now and then

Your one True Love

And closest Friend

Your Ally, Shield, and Shepard bold

Whom fought the lions you now hold

Against your heart they do strain

To leech life's precious joys to sorrow and pain.

Take rest, my loves, to comprehend that these

Are but futile, temporary things.

No more than a speck in sight

Of eternity's awe-inspiring light.

God bless thee and keep thee well.

Remember the times that were ours to share

In this life, yours, take care.

But look forward to those yet to become.

I love you all,

Ron.

Brothers

Today was too beautiful a day to spend indoors. Thus, after a long meeting and a long weekend, several guys and I went on a bike ride around Manhattan. Fighting steep, uphill runs and flying down near vertical slopes at break-neck speeds that pushed the limit of both our bikes and nerves, we circled the sights of the Flint Hills.

While pushing through the pain of climbing those hills, I found myself being motivated by the perseverance of my brothers, struggling to make it up the hill alongside me. I felt a connection between both the bike ride and the hills we climb in life. I know that this year would have been much more challenging and difficult - nearly impossible - if I had not had my brothers carrying my burdens and struggling up the hill right there with me. I am thankful for the trials God has deemed me to experience this year and am even more thankful for brothers that have spurred me onto growth and continued trust in God and in His perfect will for my life.

To say, "thank you" would be nowhere near great enough an expression of gratitude for all the things you have done for me. I love each and every one of you and thank God every time I remember you. God sent you into my life to save it.

In brotherly love,

Jared