We lost another good man and my heart hurts. Maybe you can relate. Of course, when a good man dies, it seems we all suffer. Perhaps you knew David Stiles, too, (shown left with his family and ours). Maybe, like us, you are feeling the loss with his beloved family.

Conversational Adventures with Neighbors

Amazingly, when David Stiles found out he had cancer, he responded in a unique way. He bought dozens of Bibles and knocked on all the doors in his neighborhood to tell people that a Savior cared for each one of them. In fact, he didn’t think this was a surprising way to act at all; he was just sorry he hadn’t thought of it sooner. This past year has been just a continuation of David’s habitual lifestyle of caring for others; there are so many stories like the neighborhood story in David’s life.

Naturally, when I heard about his latest conversational adventures with all his neighbors, I couldn’t resist asking him for Gideon Bibles for my neighborhood. I copied David’s letter and stuck it in all the Bibles he got for me. I’m still trying to find anyone who wants a Bible, so I can get rid of them all! I’m not the only one who reacted that way; others asked him for Bibles and copied his letter (which you can find at the end of today’s blog.)

David Stiles had that affect on everyone. A good man’s life has ripple affects throughout the lives of everyone around him. David had a way of inspiring us all to be better Christians than we ever really intended to be.

When a Good Man Dies

Just a few days ago, when the last alarms sounded on the machines in his hospital room, a friend announced: “That’s the door bell telling them it’s time to open heaven for David!”

“Is he dead?” asked a quivering voice of a beloved young person.

“Oh, no! He’s more alive than he’s ever been!” announced a wise friend. We’re picturing him hitting the greens with his Irish ancestors in a friendly rivalry of golf, right after he sits at Jesus’s feet for a spell. If you knew the man, such images are easy to imagine.

A Good Man, A Good Woman, A Good God

We really need good men in our world. We feel the loss whenever one moves on to heaven. If you are a good man yourself, may I encourage you to keep the faith. Thank you for inspiring us all.

If, on the other hand, you struggle to live a life you feel good about, then let me encourage you to turn to Jesus. He is the One who brought all God’s creative, redemptive power to earth to establish for us a relationship with Himself. Jesus understands your sorrow, your failings, your sense of what you’ve lost. He can restore your life, starting with your broken heart. As He has done for so many, Jesus restored my broken heart and He can do the same for you.

God is good. He can help you be a good man or good woman, no matter what’s in your past.

Our friend is not dead. Instead, he is home in the company of the Creator he loved with all his heart. May you, too, find your way home.

May I pray for you?

Dear Father in heaven, you’ve just welcomed your son David home where he belongs. We miss him here, Lord. He is in good company with many who have gone before us. We all feel the loss when a good man or a good woman dies. Please grant mercy and comfort to those of us left here. For those who do not know your Son Jesus, reveal the hope of eternity spent with you. He is the Good One, who inspires the rest of us to try to be like him. Many of us miss loved ones this time of year especially; we ask for comfort. Thank you for the warm companionship you offer now and forever. In Jesus’s name we pray. Amen.

We love to hear from you!

How are you honoring God with your own conversational adventures? When the door bell rings for heaven, are you ready? What would you like to know about salvation and heaven?

More Stories and Wisdom to Bless Our Hearts!

If conversational adventures in your family or neighborhood inspire you, too, check out the podcasts we’ve done with Alise Cortez, Dawn Franks, Colleen Long, and Benjamin A. Simpson. Next week, I have a special video for you to bless your heart. Then, we’ll be starting the New Year with a bang, including a visit with Dana Goodrum, author of Open with Your Broken and Charlotte Canion for wisdom on parenting your parents. So, stay tuned for more conversational adventures here! Or, you can sign up for our blog by clicking here (and we sure hope you do!!!)

Please keep reading to find David Stiles beautiful letter!

Cathy Krafve, Columnist, Speaker, Blogger, Podcaster, and Christian Writer, invites your stories, ideas, and questions at CathyKrafve.com. Truth with a Texas Twang.

David Stiles’s Letter:

My name is David Stiles. I am your neighbor! I have just been diagnosed with lung cancer and God has impressed on my heart to share with you the love of Christ, the way to receive forgiveness for your sins and salvation through Him.

Please earnestly read the verses below on how to become a Christian. I would love to talk to you in more detail if you have more questions or if you would like to pray together. If you are a Christian, please pass this on to someone else who needs to know about the saving grace of our heavenly Father.

May God Bless You,

David Stiles

Please accept this New Testament as my gift to you.

GOD LOVES YOU

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. – John 3:16

ALL ARE SINNERS

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. – Romans 3:23

As it is written, “none is righteous, no, not one.” – Romans 3:10

GOD”S REMEDY FOR SIN

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

But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. – John 1:12

ALL MAY BE SAVED

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. – Revelation 3:20

“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” – Romans 10:13

But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ the son of God and believing you may have life in his name. – John 20:31

PRAY

As a Christian you can talk to God through prayer and share your heart with Him. No matter where you are in your spiritual journey, He is faithfully listening for you to call on Him. To begin your new life in faith, pray this simple prayer:

“God, I confess that I am a sinner and need salvation. I believe Jesus died on the cross for my sins and rose again to bring me new life. I ask to receive your forgiveness and grace and choose to follow you as my Lord and Savior. Amen.”

SEEK

The church is the body of Christ, designed to bring Him glory through worship, to teach Biblical doctrine, and to equip its members for evangelism. After making your decision to receive Christ, we encourage you to prayerfully seek a healthy Christian community in your local church that will help you continue to grow in your walk.

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. – 2 Peter 3:18

FIND

Assurance for the believer comes directly from God’s Word. The Gospel tells us that because Christ died for us, anyone who trusts Him may know that their sins have been forgiven, once and for all.

Because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is the Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgement, but has passed from death to life. – John 5:24