Purely & Graciously His

  We do not grieve as those who have no hope. We encourage one another with these words. (1Thess. 4:13-18)   I am currently watching so many collectively mourn the death of a man they never met, yet who greatly impacted their lives for the better. I am one of those people.  How is it possible to so acutely feel a loss that isn’t “close to home”, the loss of someone whose face I have never seen (aside from a picture) but only heard his voice and seen his words typed out? I have been crying on and off since I found out, and I anticipate that will not stop soon. The world is darker because he is gone.  And that proves that he was a bright light, not only in my life but I know in countless other’s lives as well. The world desperately needed his gentleness, his compassion, his love for people, for truth, and for Jesus. He was a balm to the soul and an oasis for many, myself included.  He helped me to see that not all pastors are the same. That not all men are the same. Social media is a ces