Monday, February 9, 2009

Passing of a dear friend, Greg VanHouten

It has been a tough past couple weeks. Greg VanHouten, a friend and pulling comrade, passed away suddenly of a massive heart attack, Saturday January 24th. Greg had touched so many lives in the pulling world, snowmobile racing world and in his world outside of those. He always found and spoke of the good of all those he came in contact with. I had the privilege to have quite a bit of conversation with him last summer. He helped me so much with the taking over the reigns of the Kent City Truck and Tractor pull which he had initiated in 2007. In that conversation with him, I realized his love for his bride to be, Julie. He loved her tremendously. It challenged me in my relationship with my "bride". He also loved and trusted in his Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and he would talk about that with a smile from ear to ear.

Gal 2:16 nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we may be justified by faith in Christ, and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law shall no flesh be justified.

Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.

1Thess. 4:13-18 And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died. We tell you this directly from the Lord: We who are still living when the Lord returns will not meet him ahead of those who have died. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the Christians who have died will rise from their graves. Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever. So encourage each other with these words.

There is such peace in knowing that our friend is spending eternity with his Saviour only because of his belief and trust that the required judgement of his sin was taken and paid for by his Saviour Jesus Christ. What a call of consideration we all must do in preparation before we step into eternity. I know it has caused me to consider this in my life. I too share in this love and trust in Jesus Christ as my Saviour as well.

We will miss Greg and his many abilities, what huge shoes to fill.

We miss you Greg!!

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