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Today I wish to deviate from my normal blogging to pay tribute to the passing of a man of God.
Pastor William Straitwell was the kindest person I’ve ever met. I had the pleasure of meeting him when I became worship leader of Kingdom Life Christian church. There was never a man alive that deserved the title of pastor more than he did. He had a heart that longed to serve people. I did not have the privilege of working with him long, (approximately 2 1/2 years) but his loving heart made a high impact on my life.
He is the kind of person that you cannot help but love – because he always showed love. He also had a quick wit that would take you by surprise. I remember once when he was at a Christmas party at my house. He heard one of the other worship team members say God was telling them to become more transparent. Pastor Bill looked at them with the most serious face you can imagine, and said, “Well, I feel like God is telling me to hide a lot of things!” He would pause like Paul Harvey used to do; then, he burst into laughter that would always raise our spirits.
He loved to sing and was a major addition to our worship team. He had a booming bass voice that added much depth to our worship. He and I even talked about trying to start up a southern gospel singing group. It is a shame that our busy working schedules prevented that from happening.
Now, he is singing in the presence of the throne of God. He sees God’s plan much clearer than we do. Still, we miss him and celebrate his life here on earth. There are some people who walk through this earth and never touch anyone. There are those who pass through the earth and affect everyone in a negative way. Then you have that rare breed that go through this life and touched everyone in such a positive way that their influence will be remembered forever. Pastor Bill was such a person. So, worship God in spirit and in truth my friend. I will keep my voice warmed up and we will sing together again one day.
1 Thessalonians 4:13 – KJV – But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
1 Thessalonians 4:16 – 18 KJV – For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
The Eagle's Nest 