THE GENTLE GIANT HAS GONE TO BE WITH HIS FRIEND
"You are my friends when you do the things I command you. I’m no longer calling you servants because servants don’t understand what their master is thinking and planning. No, I’ve named you friends because I’ve let you in on everything I’ve heard from the Father". John 15:14-15 (MSG)
Few days ago, when the news about the demise of the great American country music legend - Donald Ray Williams filtered in, I said to myself "The Gentle Giant has finally gone to be with his friend". Don Williams, popularly known as "Gentle Giant" because of his 6-foot, 1-inch frame and smooth bass baritone voice was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2010. During his 50 years music career, he composed several wonderful country music hit tracks. My favourites of those hit tracks includes "He's a friend of mine", "Lord, I Hope This Day Is Good", "You’re My Best Friend", "Some Broken Hearts Never Mend", "Sing me back home" and "Why Lord goodbye".
Although Don Wiliams said "goodbye" to this sinful world at the age of 78, his life and songs will forever continue to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. While on earth, he used his talents and gifts to promote the agenda of his friend- Jesus Christ. Even when he has gone, his voice will continue to echo around the globe with the message of salvation and a closer walk with God. This fact was clearly expressed in the lyrics of some of his songs, one of which is written below:
HE’S A FRIEND OF MINE
You brought me down when I was up to see you
Then tried to tell me everything was fine
But in my heart I knew I never knew you
I knew your name and you knew mine
Chorus:
But there’s Someone I would like for you to meet
He’s a friend of mine
At home alone or in the street
He’ll stay much closer, closer to you than I can
Let me tell you of this Jesus Saviour man
The times you’re low and no-one’s here to please you
Or fear will freeze you when the night would fall
There is no other one I know to ease you
For He is love and loves us all
And He’ll help us, if we listen to the call
Beloved, we are all going to leave this sinful world one day like Don Williams. But before we bid the world farewell, we need to answer these questions: "Have you met the Saviour that Don Williams sang about", "Have you responded to His call of salvation?", "Have you find a friend in Christ Jesus", "Have you conquered the sting of second death?" If your response is "Yes", then, I rejoice with you and pray that God will keep you standing until Christ returns. But if your response is "No" or "Not sure", I urge you to please surrender to the Saviour - Jesus Christ today. Please don't procrastinate.
One salient thing we can also learn from the life of Don Williams is that we don't need a physical pulpit to preach the gospel. We don't even need ordination certificates as Deacon/Deaconess, Pastor, Bishop or General Overseer to share the good news. Our office, studio, workshop, car or phone (Social media platforms) can be our pulpit. We can use our gifts and talents to share the good news. Since soul winning is the key criteria for induction into the Eternal Hall of Fame in Heaven, I urge you to please engage whatsoever God has given to you to propagate the good news. If you do, great shall be your reward in the mansions above.
To the family of Don Williams and his fans, please don't sorrow over the passing away of the Gentle Giant of country music. According to 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, he's not dead but sleeps. And on the resurrection morning, when the roll is called up yonder, we shall see him again and never to part forever.
Good night dear Mr Donald Ray Williams. Keep sleeping in the bosom of your friend - Jesus Christ until we meet again.
Good morning and do have a fruitful week IJN.
Maranatha!
Bro Okanlawon Taiwo
For more articles please visit - http://okanlawontaiwo.blogspot.com
Follow on Twitter: @tammytaiwo
"You are my friends when you do the things I command you. I’m no longer calling you servants because servants don’t understand what their master is thinking and planning. No, I’ve named you friends because I’ve let you in on everything I’ve heard from the Father". John 15:14-15 (MSG)
Few days ago, when the news about the demise of the great American country music legend - Donald Ray Williams filtered in, I said to myself "The Gentle Giant has finally gone to be with his friend". Don Williams, popularly known as "Gentle Giant" because of his 6-foot, 1-inch frame and smooth bass baritone voice was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2010. During his 50 years music career, he composed several wonderful country music hit tracks. My favourites of those hit tracks includes "He's a friend of mine", "Lord, I Hope This Day Is Good", "You’re My Best Friend", "Some Broken Hearts Never Mend", "Sing me back home" and "Why Lord goodbye".
Although Don Wiliams said "goodbye" to this sinful world at the age of 78, his life and songs will forever continue to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. While on earth, he used his talents and gifts to promote the agenda of his friend- Jesus Christ. Even when he has gone, his voice will continue to echo around the globe with the message of salvation and a closer walk with God. This fact was clearly expressed in the lyrics of some of his songs, one of which is written below:
HE’S A FRIEND OF MINE
You brought me down when I was up to see you
Then tried to tell me everything was fine
But in my heart I knew I never knew you
I knew your name and you knew mine
Chorus:
But there’s Someone I would like for you to meet
He’s a friend of mine
At home alone or in the street
He’ll stay much closer, closer to you than I can
Let me tell you of this Jesus Saviour man
The times you’re low and no-one’s here to please you
Or fear will freeze you when the night would fall
There is no other one I know to ease you
For He is love and loves us all
And He’ll help us, if we listen to the call
Beloved, we are all going to leave this sinful world one day like Don Williams. But before we bid the world farewell, we need to answer these questions: "Have you met the Saviour that Don Williams sang about", "Have you responded to His call of salvation?", "Have you find a friend in Christ Jesus", "Have you conquered the sting of second death?" If your response is "Yes", then, I rejoice with you and pray that God will keep you standing until Christ returns. But if your response is "No" or "Not sure", I urge you to please surrender to the Saviour - Jesus Christ today. Please don't procrastinate.
One salient thing we can also learn from the life of Don Williams is that we don't need a physical pulpit to preach the gospel. We don't even need ordination certificates as Deacon/Deaconess, Pastor, Bishop or General Overseer to share the good news. Our office, studio, workshop, car or phone (Social media platforms) can be our pulpit. We can use our gifts and talents to share the good news. Since soul winning is the key criteria for induction into the Eternal Hall of Fame in Heaven, I urge you to please engage whatsoever God has given to you to propagate the good news. If you do, great shall be your reward in the mansions above.
To the family of Don Williams and his fans, please don't sorrow over the passing away of the Gentle Giant of country music. According to 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, he's not dead but sleeps. And on the resurrection morning, when the roll is called up yonder, we shall see him again and never to part forever.
Good night dear Mr Donald Ray Williams. Keep sleeping in the bosom of your friend - Jesus Christ until we meet again.
Good morning and do have a fruitful week IJN.
Maranatha!
Bro Okanlawon Taiwo
For more articles please visit - http://okanlawontaiwo.blogspot.com
Follow on Twitter: @tammytaiwo
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