Honoring

One of the most difficult aspects of living is watching close friends die, some much too early. Those moments also cause us to pause and consider the impact they may have had in our lives. In this blog I want to honor those that have helped me become the person I am today and also to scold those that for many years told me I "shouldn't live in my past". My past is the reason I am who I am. I don't live there but neither do I diminish the importance of it. The religious response to honoring these folks is always the same: "we should never put our trust in men but only God".

Let me explain the fallacy in the above statement that ignores one important element. When an individual has for years demonstrated their faithfulness in loving the Lord and serving Him with all their heart, they are people I can trust. When these people have my back and when they have prayed for me and shared the heart of God with me, I will honor them. Unfortunately there are those that have plenty of charisma and even God-given talent that I wouldn't trust with my pet cat.

I looked at the Royal wedding yesterday and was reminded again of the men and women that have gone before us. History surrounded the events of the day, including the venue called Westminster Abbey. I have walked in that church and just touched the white walls inside, imagining the things those walls would tell me if they could talk. As I write this blog I also wonder what will be said of me 100 years from now. Will I have made a difference in anyone's life? Will I be remembered as a good man or one that used others to get what he wanted? Will people have seen Jesus in me or will they have seen my flesh so many times that Jesus was just a faint memory?

Kaljo Raid (KR) was my pastor for the first 16 years of my Christian walk. He was a talented musician and a pastor that taught me what it means to be a peacemaker.

Fred Peipman was my mentor in those early years. He was a missionary in Papua New Guinea that quickly realized that Baptist doctrine and theology wouldn't be enough to deal with witch doctors and demon-possessed people. He taught me how to hear the Spirit of God.

Allan Laur was my mom's pastor, my dentist and my friend. He more than anyone else encouraged me to prepare for ministry when no ministry was in sight. He was an example of someone that laid aside his own comfort to make a difference in Estonia. He became the voice of the evangelicals in Estonia and he died much too early.

Robert Mearns was a prophetic voice in my life when I most needed it. He has ministered with and to some of the most influential Christians of our time and yet most have never heard of him. And God brought him into my life and the life of our church when nobody else would. He remains a good friend and a real role model to me when it comes to Marketplace Christianity.

There are a few that lived what they preached and because of it, impacted my life with their friendship. Hennie Keyter, who has led thousands to the Lord in the most remote areas of Africa, often putting his own life on the line. Ian McKellar, who is one of the most intelligent Christians I know and someone that makes scripture come to life. He also lives what he preaches, now in Singapore. Then there are my peers that I love and trust, not because they are perfect but because they are sold out to the Lord. Ken Kaasik, who has led a church in Estonia since 1990 after arriving from Canada. Paul Westerink, my Dutch friend that has led a church in Germany, planted churches in various nations and run businesses with his Type AAA personality. Then there is the other Type AAA personality, Tom Rudmik. He has taught me that being a visionary is not always easy but never boring. And finally my wife of 35 years. Anne is one of the strongest believers I have known in my 39 years as a Christian. That she loves me is incredible!

Needless to say there are many that I would include as good friends. Some are in full-time ministry and others are not and probably never will be. There is also Erika, Luule, Kaarin and Maire, who have prayed for Anne and me for the past 20 years. They are precious.