My Dad...

My Dad directed many people to the Lord. He was the evangelist in our family… just as Katie is the evangelist in our family today. There are two events that I am most familiar with. Both were during the last few months of his life… one was when he actually died.

Story number one. Dad was at Duke Hospital at Duke University. Chemotherapy was in its early stages of development so the only treatment available to my dad was cobalt radiotherapy. At this point all of his medical team was in agreement that he would not survive much longer. The lead physician was concerned that my dad did not understand, or at least was denying the reality of his impending death. The team asked the medical resident in Psychiatry to speak to Dad. The psychiatrist visited with Dad and it was a life altering time.

Obviously, the words my dad spoke to the resident caused some soul stirring. Later that evening, the psychiatrist called my Dad. He asked, “Mr. Brock, do you mind if I stop by after my rounds and visit with you again? I have a few questions. You see, you have something I don’t have and I want to know what it is.”

The psychiatrist came by Dad’s hospital room. They talked; the doctor asked his questions… “you have such a peace about your death. Where does that come from?” By the end of their conversation, my dad led him to Jesus. The last I had heard, that resident had developed a wonderful Christian-based psychiatric practice.

Story number two. About two years ago, Mary and I were south of Raleigh in N.C. visiting some dear friends. While there, I asked Mary if she would mind stopping to visit a close family friend who lived in the same area. Her name is Trudy. Trudy will always have a special place in my heart. She was the chief technician in the radiology department of High Point Hospital. Because of her position, she had gotten to know my parents very well and had taken a keen interest in my Dad. There was something about his faith that drew her.

When we stopped by her house, it was great catching up on old times. Finally I asked, “Trudy, were you with my dad when he died?” “I was,” she said. “Your mom and grandparents were there as well.” I asked her if she minded sharing the story with Mary and me. By her own admission, Trudy was not a believer at that time, but the event that took place that night gave her a deep desire to know Jesus Christ personally.

Everything was very quiet in the room. It was Saturday evening. From her experience, she knew death was near… the deep, shallow breathing, the lowering blood pressure, the slowing heart rate. The body was shutting itself down. My Mom was crying as well as my grandparents. Grandpa always told me that my dad was his very best friend. Grandma told me that they were more like brothers than father and son.

Trudy then said “All of a sudden, I saw Jesus! He was literally standing at the head of Mack’s bed.” The way Trudy tells the story; you wouldn’t doubt her for a moment. She continued, “I literally saw Jesus standing before Mack, ready to take him to heaven. The peace and presence in the room was indescribable.” She looked around at everyone else… they were all crying. “No one saw Jesus but me… and of course Mack.” Trudy didn’t understand why no one else was looking at Jesus.

At that moment, my Dad’s heart stopped. His physical body was dead. Trudy escorted the family from the room. Then she said, “I rushed right back into the room to see Jesus again… but he was already gone.” Forty-three years later and it was just like yesterday. I cannot do justice to her description. But my heart and mind believes everything that she experienced that night.

Trudy later gave her heart to Jesus and has been following him every since. She loves the Lord dearly and will always have a special place in my heart. And one day, Jesus will be standing by her bed… ready to take her to Heaven.

My dad left a legacy of changed lives. Even when facing death, he was thinking of others.

Live your life in such a way that when you face your darkest moments, the only thing that people see is Jesus.

“The death of one that belongs to the Lord is precious in his sight.” (Psalm 116:15, NCV)

“The Lord cares deeply when his loved ones die.” (Psalm 116:15, NLT)

Experiences

I haven’t written a blog lately for a specific reason. I recently finished a forty day fast with two wonderful brothers at Gateway. We embarked on this journey not knowing what God was going to teach us. All we knew was that God was calling each of us to an extended fast.

It all started back in January. I had begun to sense from the Holy Spirit that I was to enter into an extended fast. I tried to put it off… coming up with plenty of excuses. Then I received an email from one of my friends saying he was feeling directed by God to a forty day fast. He asked me if I had some information about an extended fast. He ended his email with “… and why don’t you join me on the fast?” Well that settled it. We agreed to meet for chicken wings (always begin a fast with chicken wings!). He invited a close friend and we all agreed that God was calling us to this endeavor.

Over the next forty days we encouraged each other and prayed for each other. We each had different experiences on the journey. But that’s how God works. He always personalizes our journey with him.

During the fast, I decided to refrain from writing. I didn’t want to be diverted.

Now as I reflect on my time during the fast, let me share just a few thoughts. Keep in mind that these thoughts are incomplete…

• God revealed to me that I had slipped into replacing faith with experience.
• God reminded me that he was not impressed with my experience.
• God desires faith… it’s the only way I can please him! (Heb. 11:6)
• It’s easy to allow your experience, education and knowledge to supersede God’s word.
• It’s easy to spiritualize your experience beyond God’s truth.
• Not all experiences are valid. Just because I experienced something does not mean that it is truth.
• All of my experiences must be measured, gauged and interpreted by Scripture.
• Ultimately I learned that I must be passionate, enthralled, captivated by God’s compelling purpose for my life.
• I’m the only person who can live God’s purpose for my life! (Ps. 139:16)
• I must live to please God, not people. I live to serve people, but I exist to please God! (1 Thess. 2:4)

What has God been teaching you?

Pastor Don

Easter Sunday Reflections

• Worship was inspiring. Barry, the choir and praise team lead us in wonderful worship in the first service.
• Congratulations to Barry and Cheryl Cavin for faithfully serving Gateway since 1986. They celebrate 24 years this Tuesday. Give them a BIG THANKS!
• Thanks to Judd and his worship team. They were hitting on all cylinders in the second and third service.
• Thanks to Judd, Alan and the band members for working long hours to complete the worship CD you used as an invitation for Easter.
• I love the passion of those that lead us in worship!
• I appreciate each of our worship team members. They spend hours every week getting ready for Sunday worship. They learn their parts individually. They give up an evening from home to rehearse at church. They come in as early as 7:00 on Sunday morning for one last rehearsal. Be sure to thank them for leading us with heart and passion.
• You did your part! You invited your friends. We had over 1,400 on campus.
• Thanks for making our visitors feel at home.
• Thanks to Barry and his team for having the grounds and buildings well prepared.
• Thanks to Sam Reynolds for having the parking lot re-striped and cleaned in time for Sunday.
• Thanks to David Gold and his team of 50 volunteers for each aspect of welcoming our guest.
• Thanks to Marie Boozer for preparing the gift baskets for our guest.
• Thanks to our team who prepare the connections week after week.
• Thanks to Joseph Gold for washing down the sidewalks from all the pollen at the last minute.
• Thanks to Paige and Cretia and their extensive team of volunteers who work with our preschoolers and children each week.
• Thanks to our coffee team. They come very early to get coffee and refreshments ready for you!
• Thanks to our entire church family for loving your Savior; his church; and this community.
• Thanks to our entire staff for their prayers, hard work and passion to make Sunday happen.
  Thanks for your faithfulness in giving.
• One last thought… I am praying that there will be Krispy Kreme doughnuts in Heaven!
  
  I love being your pastor!
  
  don