From rickyk@orion.cc.andrews.eduWed Mar 24 17:56:12 2004 Date: Wed, 24 Mar 2004 13:40:13 -0500 (EST) From: Richard Kearns To: sbkearns@absamail.co.za Subject: Letter to Papa. Dear Sharon! Could you please read this to our Papa. Thanks Your brother, Ricky Dearest Papa! There is no-one I will ever call Papa but you. This morning I reflect on a life well lived. I have had the greatest musical mentor money can buy, except I did not pay a cent to you. As a little boy I remember family worship as occasion for hearty singing. At the age of four, or so I am told, I would confidently accompany you on the bass line while sitting on your lap Papa. My bass was not as pristine as yours, but all the facial gestures that you patterned for me made me a true bass. The one song that called for the strong base line is "Will your anchor hold". The basses (you and me) were especially needed on "...GROUNDED FIRM AND DEEP.." and we would harmoniously conclude with "...in the Saviour's Love". Do you remember? Your voice is now but a whisper as you wrestle with a failing heart--that voice that once called me to attention like the disciplining von Trapp dad in "The Sound of Music". It also discipled me to sing songs of grandeur to God. Some of which I would love to sing to you right now. Songs like: "Our God our help in Ages past Our hope for years to come Our shelter from the stormy blast And our eternal home" Beneath the shadow of Thy throne Still may we rise secure Sufficient is Thy arm alone And our Defense is sure. A thousand ages in Thy sight Are like an evening gone Swift as the stop that ends the night Before the rising son." It was a great privilege to sing a song this morning to strengthen you failing heart. Eliana and Tobin have been already memorized the words. I wish that they were awake to sing it to you. My faith has found a resting place Not in a man-made creed I trust the ever-living one That He for me will plead Chorus I need no other evidence I need no other plea It is enough that Jesus died And rose again for me The Great Physician heals the sick The lost He came to save For me His precious blood He shed For me His life He gave Chorus Enough for me that Jesus saves This ends my fears and doubt A sinful soul I come to Him He will not cast me out. Chorus These are words that you failing heart needs. This is the song that a weakened soldier should march to. One last song comes from the deep in the recesses of my music heart: "Look and Live"--one that I would sing if I were at your bedside. "Here's a message from the Lord Hallelujah A message unto you I bring Tis recorded in His word. Hallelujah It is only that you look and live. Look and live, My papa live. Look to Jesus now and live Tis recorded in His word. Hallelujah It is only that you look and live. As I said this morning--the brightest songs are still to be sung. We will sing again--together. Jesus is coming to get us Papa. The sweetest song that will ring through the universe is recorded in promise in Zephaniah 3:14-17 Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem. The LORD hath taken away thy judgments, he hath cast out thine enemy: the king of Israel, even the LORD, is in the midst of thee: thou shalt not see evil any more. In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not: and to Zion, Let not thine hands be slack. The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing. Here is one concert I want to attend with you Papa. To hear God sing over you and for you. I love you very much. Your grandson and family, Skilpad