I HAVE KEPT THE FAITH , NOW DO YOU LIKEWISE

Photo provided by Chris Wiebe

Today a dear friend of ours passed away. 

Dale Dozier came into my families life

in Andrews Texas where he took a church 

that was nearly dead and brought it to life. 

That little church began to grow and has 

steadily just kept growing.  While he was 

pastor the walls of the building began to pull

away and it looked as if the building would

fall apart. He talked with my father who was 

a carpenter and they agreed to add 

three crosses to the front of the sanctuary

and to run huge beams out to the other side of 

the building.  Not only did this hold the walls

in place but it is a constant reminder to me

that it is truly the cross of Jesus Christ that

holds the church together. There are 

many sweet memories of fellowship and

love for my family at that church where

Dale and June gave of themselves that we 

might see Christ exemplified in their lives.

Dale was a man that preached the word 

and gave hope to people who needed it.  

He encouraged people to use their God 

given talents and would find a place 

within the body of Christ to place 

them where they could grow and mature.  

As I was thinking about him passing 

from this life into heaven today I could 

only think he would leave these 

words for us in the scripture below
found in II Timothy.

Before he passed away he was unresponsive
for a few days, didn't open his eyes or
communicate with anyone. A moment
before he passed from this life, he sat up
in his bed, fixed his eyes toward heaven,
stretched out both arms toward heaven,
laid back down on the bed and took his
last breath.  Dale knew where he was
going and he was ready to walk onto
the streets to meet his Savior. 

 I charge thee therefore before God, 

and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge 

the quick and the dead at his appearing and 

his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in 

season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, 

exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

For the time will come when they will not 

endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts 

shall they heap to themselves teachers, having 

itching ears;  And they shall turn away their ears 

from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, 

do the work of an evangelist, make full 

proof of thy ministry.  For I am now ready to 

be offered, and the time of my departure is 

at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have 

finished my course, I have kept the faith:

Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown 

of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous 

judge, shall give me at that day: and not to 

me only, but unto all them also that love 

his appearing.

II Timothy 4:1-8

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