in loving memory of Dr. David Kilmer

If you ever see a great work of God,

something joyous,

alive and real,

something of Christ,

something that is Christ,

something enduring,

then you may be certain of one thing:

some lonely saint

silent, alone

went to the cross,

suffered, died

and fell into the earth.

And for what did that someone die?

for that lovely harvest,

that work of God

which now you see

and declare to be so beautiful.

There must be another day,

and another body of believers.

A day when someone else

must fall into the earth

and die.

And that someone may be you.


Dr. David Kilmer was a leader who reflected Christ, he led in humility and was not a seeker of power and authority. He was husband, father and brother to many. His faith, which had grown strong in his last years, sustained him in his final days and hours, and was an encouragement to many of us who walked that time with him. This he took to his own heart:



Now you must step into your place in the body of Christ, and you must receive and you must bear some segment of the suffering which is Christ's - that is, that part of Christ which is the church.


So that we may be encouraged in our own trials:


If you cannot cherish what it is the Lord is doing in your life, at least do not waste what He is doing in your life. Lay down the self-pity, and with all the strength and grace that He allows you, yield to His work. If you cannot make it up within you to yield totally to your Gethsemane (most of us can't) then at least yield up to the Light the dark feelings of resentment and bitterness that are trying to hatch inside you.

One day you are going to come to the conclusion that serving the Lord is mostly crying ... and suffering ... and agonizing. What can you do in that sad hour? Nothing really, except bend over double and absorb into your being those sufferings, sufferings which really belong to the church. In that hour, bear her sufferings for her. And if you happen to look up, you will see her going on her way, gloriously rejoicing. She will be oblivious to the fact that she is, at that moment, so very glorious because you have suffered.



Luke 22:41-44

41He withdrew about a stone's throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, 42"Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done." 43An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. 44And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.


2 Corinthians 1:6-7

6If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. 7And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.


"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me."

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. "

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

Thank you Jesus, that somehow in the midst of our trials you bestow the abundant life on us. That somehow like the Apostle Paul we too can rejoice in all things, as Your own Love, JOY and Peace fill our hearts.

Bennacht De Ort, Mitakuye Oyasin - God bless you, all my relatives!

AMEN.