The Loss of a Dear Friend

Al was a dear friend and I shall surely miss him. He took his life, and there was nothing I could have done to prevent it from happening. It was quick, in the privacy of his home, and in the middle of the night. The evening before, he and another friend had dinner together at their favorite restaurant. There was no indication to any of us that Al had formulated his plan. Nevertheless, the details had been made, even to leave his important documents on the table.

Al was loved in our community. He often helped several elderly widows in one way or another; getting their groceries, taking them to doctors’ and hair appointments, planting their shrubs and cleaning their eves. I loved to work with him, removing overgrown shrubs, digging out the rocks so new shrubs could be planted, chopping out roots, laying sods and putting up Christmas lights. Sometimes, from his garage workshop, he'd find me the bolt or a hook that I needed. There were shelves full of model cars that he built over the years, and hanging from the garage ceiling were either scale model planes or flying models with gas engines. Several tall ships adorned the shelves.

After we laid a neighbor's sod, I remember saying to Al that I knew he must have Jesus in his heart because we worked so well together. Besides, I told him, I knew because he loved to help the widows in our small community. I invited him a couple of times to attend a men’s fellowship dinner at the church, where there'd be a guest speaker. He enjoyed those events. When we invited a number of people from our community for dinner, a neighbor lady was talking so loudly that he politely asked her to “-be silent so Keith can ask the blessing.”

During his lifetime, he had attended church, but discontinued going because of a breakdown in his marriage. To help him overcome his discouragement, his two sons introduced him to the hobby of building model cars, planes and ships. He must have built them in earnest because there were so many. He lived alone and was obviously very lonely, except for the times when he was helping others. During those times, he was happy and would work until the sweat ran from the end of his nose. We'd take a break for lunch on the patio and Al would tell us about his sons whom he loved and for whom he was greatly concerned for their success and good health. Then, we'd go and finish our project in a neighbor’s garden.

I noted those things about Al because I know a person has to be right with God to be with Him after death. Al had a Christian’s faith. I'm sure he did, even though he didn't loudly proclaim it like some others do. Because Al accepted my comment, that he must have the spirit of Jesus in his heart, it assured me that he was right with God and would enjoy eternity in Heaven. By his love for helping others, his radiance when working on a project with others, and his ability not to use the Lord’s name in vain, I knew he loved God. I am reminded of the Scribe who asked Jesus, "What commandment is the foremost of all?" Jesus responded by saying, “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength and the second commandment is to love your neighbor as yourself.” Al loved God and he certainly loved his neighbors. He'd do anything to help them. Although we'll miss him very much, it is our hope that he is with God in Heaven.

Today's Hymns On Pipes

The old hymns are wonderful for their Christian messages and melodic quality.  Many of them have been arranged for the pipes.  As one would suspect, in recent years new hymns have been written that are beautifully suited to the bagpipes after transposition and arrangement.  Specifically, hymns written by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend are a delight and lend themselves perfectly to playing call to worship on a Sunday morning.  These two Irish musicians instill their creations with native culture, to give them a Celtic lilt familiar to Irish and Scottish music.

In my repertoire, I have been playing, “In Christ Alone,” by Keith Getty and “How Deep The Father’s Love For Us,” by Stuart Townend.  Now, having had Keith & Kristyn Getty’s “In Christ Alone Songbook” to enjoy, I’ve added three more of their hymns to my repertoire, namely, “See, What A Morning!” “Speak, O Lord,” and The Power Of The Cross.”  My notes will enable a person to select them for the occasion upon which each may be played.

“See, What A Morning!” is a song to be played at Easter or a morning worship service, because it is exciting and triumphant, proclaiming the truth of Christ having risen from the grave.  It is a marvelous hymn for a piper to lead a congregation in praise of our Saviour.

“Speak, O Lord,” is a prayer asking God to continue speaking to us through Scripture and by His Holy Spirit.  His Word is powerful, and by it, God spoke the world into creation and inspired writers to record His instructions for all generations.  It has transforming power to improve life’s quality when people listen humbly and respond.

“The Power Of The Cross,” was written for Easter and Communion and is an ideal choice for the piper.  It reflects upon Christ’s suffering and challenges people to renew their lives as they wonder about the significance and power of the cross.  One observes and acknowledges the awful price Christ paid to redeem us from our sins.  As terrible as His crucifixion was, it was nevertheless God’s plan, designed long before Christ sacrificed his life and suffered for us.

“In Christ Alone,” was the first hymn that Keith and Stuart wrote together; simple yet powerful.  We will sing, “No guilt in life, no fear in death, this is the power of Christ in me.”  Christ was God sacrificed on the cross.  Only Jesus could have such power to be returned to life because He was God in human flesh.  Even death could not have power over our Lord.  He is God and we believe in Him.  He affects us all and we know He desires to have a personal relationship with each one of us.

A church piper will do well to build his or her repertoire upon Keith Getty’s and Stuart Townend’s compositions, and be ready to respond to requests for leading a congregation in worship.

Keith MacDonald