TODAY I RECEIVED NEWS CONCERNING THE PASSING OF A DEAR FRIEND. At approximately 9:25 A.M. on Wednesday, July 29, I checked my email and discovered that the Rev. Mel DePeal had departed this world for a far superior one. He had served his Lord faithfully and was at last in the presence of his King. I can only imagine how thrilled he is to be home at last.
A song came immediately to my mind that was recorded by the Talley Trio, called, Life Goes On. The lyrics are as follows:
"When the world as you know it has ended
And the darkness won’t give way to dawn
In your hour of grief it’s so hard to believe life goes on
When you pray for a way to endure it. but a part of your heart is gone
Though you can’t see it now, still you know somehow life goes on
Life goes on, there is never an end, what was dead lives again
Jesus pro0mised that life goes on
For the ones who believe will live eternally
So don’t feat the great unknown, remember that life goes on
So say to the doubt that would keep you in a place you have never belonged
I have nothing to dread for my Father has said life goes on
And one day when death comes to call you, say farewell to this world you’ve known
As you leave earth behind you will wake up to find life goes on
Life goes on, there is never an end, what was dead lives again
Jesus pro0mised that life goes on
For the ones who believe will live eternally
So don’t feat the great unknown, remember that life goes on
Our troubles will end, all our trials will pass
And our tears will all be dried
When the struggle is over all sorrow will cease and death itself will die
Life goes on, there is never an end, what was dead lives again
Jesus pro0mised that life goes on
For the ones who believe will live eternally
So don’t feat the great unknown, remember that life goes on."
I must confess that my reaction to the news caught me off guard, emotionally speaking. I found myself shedding tears. I had just lost a mentor, a colleague, and a dear friend. There were also tears of joy because Pastor Mel was able to breathe again—breathe the fresh air of heaven and perhaps even run down those golden streets.
Not long ago, I visited him in the hospital and sensed immediately that he was a bit downcast about his physical condition. I was waiting for an opening so I could cheer him up a little. In speaking of Pastor Danny’s resignation, he told me what a good thing it was that I was where I was. He said, “Bruce, you have been a great help to Danny.” And I replied, “I have tried my best to support him and be of assistance in any way I could. After all, you set such a good example. Retired ministers can sometimes be a pain if they want the current pastor to do things they way they did them. But you were never like that, Pastor Mel. You were a gentleman and a great support to me and I wanted to follow your example.” He seemed to perk up a bit and I left the hospital feeling as though the Lord had helped me to lift his spirit, even if only for a moment.
Shortly before the DePeals moved back to Kalamazoo after retirement (it had to be over 30 years ago), I received a letter from Pastor Mel about their intention to relocate here and he wanted to know if he had my permission to worship with us. That says something about his character, doesn’t it?
It took some time before I bring myself to call him “Mel.” My parents had taught me well—to respect my elders. If respect is something one earns, Pastor Mel had been awarded that honor a long time ago.
It wasn’t long after he had been here before he became an assistant pastor at KWC, doing family and crisis counseling. What a joy it was to work with him! There were many times that I would seek his advice and counsel when I was faced a difficult issue or decision. I used his vast experience as a sounding board and before I left he would pray for me and I felt as though I was somehow translated for a few moments into the heavenlies. I tell you friend, Pastor Mel knew how to get a hold of God!
Jeanine and I have lots of precious memories with Pastor and Mrs. DePeal. I’ll never forget the evening service when he play the guitar and sang, the “Ezekiel Song.”
We used to play table games with them when they lived in the mobile home and enjoyed many fine dinners and of course it was always topped off with some of Marie’s home-made pie, which I still carry with me till this day.
One time the four of us went to Sea World down in Ohio. Lots of time to fellowship and laugh together and let our pastoral hair down a bit.
What a privilege it was to know Pastor Mel. We’ll all miss him greatly. There’s a hole in our heart, but God will fill it as only He can, partly with memories of his good life.
Robert Selle penned these words that I close with
Oh! Think to step ashore,
And find it Heaven;
To clasp a hand outstretched,
And find it God’s hand!
To breath new air,
And that celestial air,
To feel refreshed,
And find it immortality;
Ah, think to step from storm and stress,
To one unbroken calm:
To awake and find it Home.
(Robert E. Selle “Stepping Ashore”)
A song came immediately to my mind that was recorded by the Talley Trio, called, Life Goes On. The lyrics are as follows:
"When the world as you know it has ended
And the darkness won’t give way to dawn
In your hour of grief it’s so hard to believe life goes on
When you pray for a way to endure it. but a part of your heart is gone
Though you can’t see it now, still you know somehow life goes on
Life goes on, there is never an end, what was dead lives again
Jesus pro0mised that life goes on
For the ones who believe will live eternally
So don’t feat the great unknown, remember that life goes on
So say to the doubt that would keep you in a place you have never belonged
I have nothing to dread for my Father has said life goes on
And one day when death comes to call you, say farewell to this world you’ve known
As you leave earth behind you will wake up to find life goes on
Life goes on, there is never an end, what was dead lives again
Jesus pro0mised that life goes on
For the ones who believe will live eternally
So don’t feat the great unknown, remember that life goes on
Our troubles will end, all our trials will pass
And our tears will all be dried
When the struggle is over all sorrow will cease and death itself will die
Life goes on, there is never an end, what was dead lives again
Jesus pro0mised that life goes on
For the ones who believe will live eternally
So don’t feat the great unknown, remember that life goes on."
I must confess that my reaction to the news caught me off guard, emotionally speaking. I found myself shedding tears. I had just lost a mentor, a colleague, and a dear friend. There were also tears of joy because Pastor Mel was able to breathe again—breathe the fresh air of heaven and perhaps even run down those golden streets.
Not long ago, I visited him in the hospital and sensed immediately that he was a bit downcast about his physical condition. I was waiting for an opening so I could cheer him up a little. In speaking of Pastor Danny’s resignation, he told me what a good thing it was that I was where I was. He said, “Bruce, you have been a great help to Danny.” And I replied, “I have tried my best to support him and be of assistance in any way I could. After all, you set such a good example. Retired ministers can sometimes be a pain if they want the current pastor to do things they way they did them. But you were never like that, Pastor Mel. You were a gentleman and a great support to me and I wanted to follow your example.” He seemed to perk up a bit and I left the hospital feeling as though the Lord had helped me to lift his spirit, even if only for a moment.
Shortly before the DePeals moved back to Kalamazoo after retirement (it had to be over 30 years ago), I received a letter from Pastor Mel about their intention to relocate here and he wanted to know if he had my permission to worship with us. That says something about his character, doesn’t it?
It took some time before I bring myself to call him “Mel.” My parents had taught me well—to respect my elders. If respect is something one earns, Pastor Mel had been awarded that honor a long time ago.
It wasn’t long after he had been here before he became an assistant pastor at KWC, doing family and crisis counseling. What a joy it was to work with him! There were many times that I would seek his advice and counsel when I was faced a difficult issue or decision. I used his vast experience as a sounding board and before I left he would pray for me and I felt as though I was somehow translated for a few moments into the heavenlies. I tell you friend, Pastor Mel knew how to get a hold of God!
Jeanine and I have lots of precious memories with Pastor and Mrs. DePeal. I’ll never forget the evening service when he play the guitar and sang, the “Ezekiel Song.”
We used to play table games with them when they lived in the mobile home and enjoyed many fine dinners and of course it was always topped off with some of Marie’s home-made pie, which I still carry with me till this day.
One time the four of us went to Sea World down in Ohio. Lots of time to fellowship and laugh together and let our pastoral hair down a bit.
What a privilege it was to know Pastor Mel. We’ll all miss him greatly. There’s a hole in our heart, but God will fill it as only He can, partly with memories of his good life.
Robert Selle penned these words that I close with
Oh! Think to step ashore,
And find it Heaven;
To clasp a hand outstretched,
And find it God’s hand!
To breath new air,
And that celestial air,
To feel refreshed,
And find it immortality;
Ah, think to step from storm and stress,
To one unbroken calm:
To awake and find it Home.
(Robert E. Selle “Stepping Ashore”)
posted by kazookid | 4:35 AM
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