Life and death – A Writer's Daughter

Remembering My Mother

Today is the last day of June and I am back home. On June 1st I flew to Florida to be with my mother who seemed to be struggling. Six days later, several of us in the family, including a new great-grandson and Craig, celebrated Mom’s 94^th birthday with her, in the hospital. A few days later Mom was released from the hospital for palliative care to the CCRC where she and Dad lived for over 15 years. On Tuesday morning, June 16, she took her last breath on earth, departed her mortal body, and entered eternal life with her Savior, Jesus Christ. Here are the words I shared at my mother’s Memorial Service last Saturday:

“Good afternoon. I’m Brenda Lee Kucharsky Proulx, my mom and dad’s firstborn, which sounds better than oldest! My siblings and I want to express our thanks to Rev. Jim Davey for officiating this service – it means so much to us to have our long-time family Pastor from the Arlington, VA days, and it was a specific request of Mom’s. It is good for my siblings and me to be here together today, along with some of our family. We were all gathered together with Mom just a little over a year ago to remember Dad and express our love to her.

To The Springs residents and staff, thank you for everything. Mom enjoyed calling The Springs home for the past 8 years. She relished knowing and loving on people here as you know, and they felt safe and well-cared for here.

Today I’ll share a variation of what I shared at Dad’s memorial service. Mom and Dad’s lives were uniquely entwined, so much of it is their story. I hope you will see how Jesus’ promise proved true in their lives: “Seek first his kingdom and righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6 v 330

Like I said, I’m the family’s firstborn which is special. Mom and Dad proudly shared my birth with an announcement that was a replica of the Christianity Today magazine cover, stating “New Edition,” that is edition with an E. Dad took a reporter position in Washington DC soon after their marriage, when CT was just getting off the ground. Together, Mom and Dad had decided to commit Dad’s career to Christian journalism. For two decades, his time at Christianity Today brought exciting experiences including travel and coverage of significant world events. Living in the DC area was equally exciting and our parents provided special outings for us through these years. With the upcoming 250^th U.S. anniversary, I am recently remembering how we celebrated the Nation’s Bicentennial: we visited Mount Vernon, rode the inaugural leg of DC’s Metro subway, and walked over to the Washington DC mall area from the Pentagon to enjoy the National fireworks! Dad appreciated memorable opportunities; Mom happily joined the adventures. Later, just she and Dad travelled. This included a trip to Switzerland for the World Congress on Evangelism, which was especially delightful to Mom because her favorite childhood book had been Heidi, the children’s novel set in Switzerland. Dad’s years at Christian Herald moved the family to the suburbs of New York City, and again provided many adventures. There Mom and Dad kind of became NY savvy, and it was also our introduction to Redeemer Presbyterian Church and Rev. Tim Keller, whose sermons greatly enriched our lives. In fact, Jon and Anabelle are now active members at Redeemer.

As I mentioned earlier, Mom and Dad were an exceptionally close couple, always enjoying being together whether it was washing and drying dishes side-by-side during which time we kids were banned from the kitchen OR on long road trips in their empty nest years. Mom said that she was attracted to Dad partly because he could talk about anything, meaning on many subject matters. But I think Dad was a good listener too, if you know what I mean. Dad always made Mom laugh even in his last years with his good sense of humor and I recall them breaking into song together in our home. As we’ve been looking through pictures to share, I have noticed that Mom’s best smiles were when she was photographed with her sweetheart of 68 years, Gene.

Dad and Mom were committed to ministry. Mom studied Christian Education in college and held ministry-related positions, volunteer and professional, throughout her lifetime. She was gifted with tremendous organizational skills and lots of energy. Mom and Dad’s commitment to the local church was unmatched! And that’s exactly what Christian believers are called to do – exercise their gifts, apply their personal resources of time, energy, and money to participate in God’s kingdom here on earth. What a legacy that is for me, and for all of us. Mom, together with Dad, opened our home to friends and newcomers for meals, and hosted overnight guests. Meeting pastors and missionaries through time in our home made a lasting impression on me. Mom often sought out singles and young couples who found themselves far from home in the DC area. This included a young Canadian couple having their first baby, other newlywed couples, military recruits, and government personnel. Mom generously reached out to them and several remain in touch with the family to this day … that’s more than 50 years of remembering her kindness. Theirs was a team vision for life and home.

One of the things you do is clean out things: they shared a lovely assisted living apartment the last 8 years.

Let me back up a bit here to share briefly about Mom’s childhood. She was born and raised in Hamilton, Ontario. She was the youngest child and only daughter in her family. She was close to her older brothers, our Uncle Harvey and Uncle Jack, gaining two sweet sisters-in-law in her teens. We stay in touch with our remaining Canadian cousins, especially since the Bartons acquired a cottage in the beautiful Muskoka lake region of Ontario – a region where we and the Pattersons vacationed in summer. Mom had an adventurous childhood ice skating outdoors in the winter, picnicking at the Great Lakes of Ontario and Erie, and summertime swimming and boating in the lakes up north. Her teen years were active with friendships through the church youth group. She probably spent time hanging out and helping at Patterson’s, the business her father started, which eventually became a lovely furniture store. Throughout childhood and to this day, Mom’s dearest friend was Marilyn Maxa. They met at church and were schoolmates and neighbors. Interestingly, both Mom and Marilyn went to college in the States, and both married Americans. They also both ended up in Virginia to raise their own families – small world, rich blessing. In the decades of their adult lives, they maintained their lifelong friendship through sending cards and letters.

When Dad passed away in February of 2025, my sisters and I watched a Sunday morning worship service with Mom. The guest preacher, a familiar minister to Mom and Dad, mentioned the passing of “Oaks of Righteousness” who had displayed God’s splendor. The phrase is a quote from Isaiah 62. I noted at Dad’s Memorial that he could be remembered as an “oak of righteousness” – not because of his good and upright life but because of his full trust in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The very same is true of Mom. We knew her as an energetic lady, an out-going friend, and a devoted wife and mother, who found great joy in serving her Lord Jesus Christ. As the Bible says of Daniel, in Daniel chapter 12, verse 13, “But you, go your way till the end; for you shall rest, and will arise to your inheritance at the end of the days.” AMEN

Some of you know my family. My sister-in-law was unable to attend due to their teen boys’ schedules.

Votary of the Blue Flower

There aren’t many truly blue flowers. Most lean a little purple. This is Evolvulus, currently blooming in my yard. “He hath set eternity into the hearts of men.” Ecclesiastes 3 v 11

C. S. Lewis called himself “a votary of the blue flower.” I came across the Lewis quote in a book I read this spring. The quote caught my attention because I did not know the meaning of the word ‘votary.’ I wondered if it had anything to do with a similar word, votive. A votive is a receptacle, usually glass, for a short stocky ‘votive’ candle, the type left by parishioners at a vigil or an altar. It turns out that a votary is a person; an adherent or follower, dedicated to a calling — even a nun or monk. Both words have religious overtones, from a Latin base meaning vow.

So why would C. S. Lewis call himself a “votary of the blue flower”? As author Jennifer Rothschild explains, the blue flower symbolizes longing in English literature (Heaven, 2025). She writes, “it symbolizes a desire, yearning and love of the eternal.” Lewis was a scholar of English literature, well familiar with its deepest imagery. Lewis committed himself to real Christian faith at the age of 33. He wrote of his love of the eternal in an autobiography, “Surprised by Joy,” twenty-four years later. I think Lewis loved deep and symbolic literature, loved God and His timeless truths, and began to yearn for heaven, his forever home.

I found it interesting to be reading Rothschild’s “Heaven” (a topical Bible study) so soon after my Dad’s passing and through a season of planning a remembrance of him with my family. His Memorial Service is this coming weekend. We would appreciate prayer for everyone’s travel and that our efforts would honor my father and point us all to his legacy of faith in Jesus Christ. Thank you.

He hath set eternity into the hearts of men. Ecclesiastes 3 v 11

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David E. Kucharsky

In a prophecy concerning the coming Messiah we read this: “to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion– to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor” (Isaiah 61 v 2-3). Because of our hope in Jesus, my family is comforted, not despairing, at the recent death of my father, David Kucharsky. He was an “oak of righteousness,” God’s name of blessing for all who believe. It is our opportunity to “display … His splendor” as my dad humbly did. Below I share his obituary which the family collaborated on, but was first drafted by my sister, Sandy Barton, also the writer’s daughter. Thank you, Sandy.

David Eugene Kucharsky
August 3, 1931 – February 21, 2025

“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” Micah 6:8. This scripture captures the essence of the person and life of David Eugene Kucharsky.

Gene entered the presence of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Friday, February 21, 2025. At the time of his death, he was a resident of Shell Point Retirement Community in Ft. Myers, Florida. Born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA, Gene was the only child of recent Ukrainian immigrants Leon and Marie Kucharsky (née Dachko). He graduated from Duquesne University in 1953 with a bachelor’s degree in Journalism and as an ROTC commissioned officer in the US Air Force. He served in the Korean War, stationed in Newfoundland, Canada.

He married Patricia Patterson in Hamilton, Ontario, on August 31, 1957. They lived briefly in Pittsburgh where Gene was a staff correspondent for United Press International. The following year they relocated to northern Virginia when he became News Editor of the newly formed periodical Christianity Today, headquartered in Washington D.C. He remained there in various editorial positions, concluding as Senior Editor in 1977. During his long tenure, he covered religious events throughout the world, with particular reporting on Billy Graham crusades across the globe. As a member of the national press corps he accompanied President Richard
M. Nixon on the Moscow Summit of 1972.

Four children were born to Gene and Pat during their years in Virginia. In addition to being a devoted husband and father he pursued a wide variety of interests and activities. This included support of land conservation in Arlington, Virginia, and participation in the initial Lausanne Congress on Evangelism in Switzerland. He faithfully served his church, Arlington Memorial Church (Christian & Missionary Alliance) in multiple capacities. He tirelessly lobbied on behalf of five C&MA missionaries who were kidnapped and disappeared during the Vietnam War. He sought to draw national attention to their plight and fate, most notably in an interview by
Barbara Walters on NBC’s The Today Show.

He is the author of The Man from Plains—The Mind and Spirit of Jimmy Carter, published in 1976 by Harper & Row.

In 1977 he became Editor of Christian Herald magazine, headquartered in Chappaqua, NY. As Senior Vice President of the Christian Herald Association, he oversaw numerous ministry and publishing ventures in the New York metropolitan area, including The Bowery Mission. He was
a Trustee of The King’s College in Briarcliff Manor, NY, and served on the Board of Christian Publications (the publishing arm of the C&MA). He took a keen interest in the ministry of Ridgeway Alliance Church and often provided sermon research and editing on behalf of his friend and pastor Art Robertson until retirement in 2010.

Mr. Kucharsky is survived by his wife, Patricia; four children, Brenda Proulx (Craig), Debbie Endean (Rick), Sandy Barton (Andrew), David Kucharsky (Pari); ten grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. He will be laid to rest in Ft Myers, FL. A service will be planned at a later date.

Tragedy on the Potomac River, Again

I had in mind to post an end-of-January piece focused on a fun photo of me. With this week’s horrific air collision in Washington, DC I won’t write so lightheartedly. News of the deadly crash hit hard when I heard it late Wednesday night, not just because I don’t like flying but because it reminded me of a previous Potomac River air disaster.

Until my husband and I relocated to North Carolina four years ago, I had lived in the DC metro area my entire life, except for college. Over those decades, I recall several airplane tragedies. During my high school years, a passenger jet crashed into a small mountain in bad weather on approach to Dulles Airport. All 92 occupants died in the accident. Most recently, prior to this week, all are very familiar with American Airlines Flight 77, originating from Dulles Airport, which terrorist hijackers slammed into the Pentagon on September 11, 2001. The crash killed the 64 people on board and another 125 people in the Pentagon. It was an intense experience being in the Washington area during that time. My husband had occasional work meetings in the Pentagon, but he was not there that day; we knew folks who were. The next day schools were closed, and I remember driving to a meeting with my kids, seeing black smoke still spiraling from the crash site.

The more vivid memory I have, however, was the passenger airliner that crashed shortly after takeoff into the frozen Potomac River during a snowstorm on January 13, 1982. I was a young teacher living in the Maryland suburbs then. A family hired me to take care of their kids and home while they took a short winter getaway to Florida. There was news of a plane crash, so we turned on the TV. Live coverage showed a partially submerged airplane and heroic rescue attempts in blizzard conditions. In the end, five passengers survived but there were 74 fatalities, including four motorists who were killed on a bridge as the plane stalled out of the sky due to a deicing failure. Watching that disaster unfold in an area I was so familiar with left an indelible impression.

National Airport, as it was called then, was not far from the Arlington VA home where I grew up. My Dad’s journalist career required travel not infrequently. Usually, we dropped Dad off or picked him up from the airport as it was so close. A scenic parkway parallels the Potomac River and goes directly to the airport. Across the river is the iconic Washington DC skyline including the Washington Monument and the US Capitol. At the end of the airport runway is a riverfront park where folks gather to watch planes takeoff and land right overhead! I went many times as a child, and we took our own kids there too.

But this week that beautiful spot became the site of a tragedy again. We hear the stories of those on board who were lost, and it is heartbreaking. We lost three active-duty military too. As in all such tragedies, there is the ‘why’question, even why did God let this happen? I have no easy answer. Where I must rest when the incomprehensible happens is in the sovereignty of God. In His providence, God provides goodness and blessing that are above expectation, but in God’s sovereignty there comes that which is tragic and unfair. I do not think we will understand all that God allows this side of eternity, but I try to view it as Job did, “Shall we indeed accept [only] good from God and not [also] accept adversity and disaster?” (Job 2 v 10, Amplified Bible). Jesus left us with this promise, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16 v 33

Gravelly Point is a riverfront park at the north end of the runway at Reagan National Airport. We enjoyed the amazing experience of planes landing or taking off overhead. This is my husband at that spot.

Our God Is A Consuming Fire

As footage of the devastating California wildfires filled our screens these last two weeks, these words of Scripture came to mind: “Our God is a consuming fire” (Deuteronomy 4 v 24 and Hebrews 12 v 29). Thinking of those Biblical words, one might think that God is burning up California for some reason, possibly judgement. It is true throughout Scripture that God judges sin and disobedience, but we cannot confirm God’s intent in this natural disaster. The statement “Our God is a consuming fire” must be considered with the entire text of the Bible, Scripture’s whole counsel.

The Bible is a long book, a collection of sixty-six books actually, written over a lengthy period of time by men inspired and directed by God to encode His Word. One (or two) verses isolated without context and without the study of related Scriptures can lead to erroneous conclusions. It is equally important not to dismiss a Scripture, tossing a truth out as irrelevant when it seems misplaced. Both are dangerous extremes. So how does a reader of the Bible understand its right meaning? See my blog Pages tab, How to Read the Bible, for suggestions.

So, what about God and fire? Fire can be, as I mentioned earlier, God’s judgment of sin. God also used fire as a protection against cold and danger (Haynes). God’s powerful glory sometimes manifests itself in a blaze. Eternal separation from God, hell, is a “lake of fire.” Burning is also a cruel form of persecution, from New Testament times continuing even today. God’s word promises “when you walk through the fire, you will not be burned” (Isaiah 43 v 2) but Christians were torched in Roman times, burned at the stake in more recent centuries, and today are burned out of their homes or bombed during worship services. Martyrs lose their earthly lives but gain eternal glory in Jesus’ presence. It is a reality I struggle with, but we should be aware as Scripture warns: “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you” (1 Peter 4 v 12).

We visited the Martyrs’ Memorial in Oxford, England honoring three ministers burned at the stake in 1555.

The loss of life and property in California saddens us, as did Hurricane Helene’s destruction in the eastern US last fall. We know the winds “obey” God as they did for Jesus on the Sea of Galilee. Therefore, we lean into His Sovereignty in disasters with compassion and generosity.

Haynes, Clarence L. “Why God is a “Consuming Fire”? The Meaning of Hebrews 12:29.” BibleStudyTools.com October 13, 2023.

Open Doors (opendoorsus.org) and Voice of the Martyrs (www.persecution.com) are excellent Christian resources to keep abreast of current persecution.

Tetelestai

Blurry, gothic lettering on a dark t-shirt in front of me stole my attention. I couldn’t avoid the sight as the young man wearing it sat in the church row directly ahead of me. Eventually, I deciphered “Suicide Boys” and beneath that, “Your soul is about to be rec …” on his back. The rest faded too dark to read. Not such a great prelude to worship! Ironically, the congregation sang, “Death was once my great opponent, fear once had a hold on me,” as the service progressed.

Suicide is a grim reality in our fallen world. I question that musicians take such a name, possibly promoting that which is sick and sinful. God alone commands life … and death. The upside of the young man in the swag shirt is that he was in church! Suicide Boys may falsely depict life and death issues, but good Bible teaching rightly informs. And he sat with a wonderful family who will disciple him well.

After the service, I searched online for the t-shirt’s missing word. The full word is ‘recycled’: “ Your soul is about to be recycled.” How odd that Suicide Boys misses the mark again. Not only is suicide not God’s plan, but there is no recycling of the soul, no reincarnation.

Reincarnation is still a belief of some. On a recent trip through central Ontario, I noticed many miles (they’d say kilometers) of new fencing. I asked our host about it and the purpose is to keep the deer and moose off the highway. But the local resident added that the bottom portion of the fence is a different material and gauge. A smaller screening is used to keep turtles and snakes off the road. The Indigenous peoples of the area hold to a belief in reincarnation; this reptile protection honors their ancestors or descendants. Reincarnation cost the Ontario highway department a lot!

The beautiful Muskoka lake region makes a great vacation spot and is home to deer, moose, turtles and snakes.

As I mentioned, one of the songs in our worship service addressed death. A lilting tune carries a story of transformation from fear of finality to victory and joyful confidence in the end. Why? The lyrics continue:

“Death was once my great opponent

Fear once had a hold on me

But the Son who died to save us

Rose that we would be free indeed.” *

Our freedom flows from the work on the cross. Jesus finally and forever finished that work of salvation for us! “Tetelestai – It is finished,” Jesus declared with his last breath (John 19 v 30).

*“It Is Finished Upon That Cross” Words and Music by Jonny Robinson, Rich Thompson, and Nigel Hendroff. 2021 CityAlight Music

It Was Finished Upon That Cross

Refreshment in July: Thankful for Waiting Rooms

It’s an odd thing to be grateful for, waiting rooms. Specifically, waiting rooms in a doctor’s office or clinic. Though some doctors offer plush lobbies with a stack of great magazines, that’s not the ones I have in mind. I am referring to ones with sterile styling and plasticized upholstered chairs. Though there may be light chatter, more often there is a serious quietude. In these anterooms, one observes unfiltered humanity. It’s like people watching at an airport but with far more pathos. So why would I be grateful for waiting rooms? It’s not the patience factor.

I featured this waiting area photo in a previous blog Hindsight Is 20/20 Pt 2

Experiencing waiting rooms evokes gratitude in me first because I usually see folks who are going through so much more than me. Whatever I may be dealing with that brought me to this place, it is clear that others are suffering and facing more serious, even life-threatening illnesses. It is hard and humbling to see sick people or those going through extreme treatment.

During one wait, my husband noticed a frail, elderly woman come in alone. She checked in and was handed a clipboard of forms that appeared to overwhelm and confuse her. He asked if she wanted help, and he was able to read and write for her until she was called back for her appointment. Another time we ran into a friend of mine and her husband. We greeted each other but didn’t ask any questions; later I found out her husband had advanced cancer. I thank God for the reminder, the wakeup call, about my many blessings, including my health.

I also welcome the opportunity to witness the goodness of mankind in medical lobbies. In the waiting and watching I observe care and concern between families, between friends. I have noticed elderly sisters; husbands and wives, young and old; adult children with a parent; paid caregivers; and other companions accompanying patients. There’s so much to admire and appreciate in the compassion and sacrifice of one to another. One young woman, clearly experiencing difficult illness and treatment, came in with her uncle who lived several states away because her husband had to be out of town on business – heartwarming and heart wrenching all at once. But it is good to see goodness.

Theologians call this goodness “common grace.” It’s the capacity God gives His human creation to do good, as He Himself is good. Doing good is not to be equated with salvation however: salvation comes through faith in Jesus, God’s grace-filled gift to us. The Scriptures say, “ … He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to His own mercy …” Titus 3 v 5 But our disposition for goodness, despite our sinful selves, uplifts us and ultimately lifts us to acknowledge God, the provider of goodness, compassion, and salvation.

We are grateful for God’s encouraging presence during a recent medical journey.

References on gratitude: Psalm 136, 1 Thessalonians 5 v15 & v18. If you receive my blog via email, thank you. The posts are best viewed at “A Writer’s Daughter”

January Sundays

On a local errand this fall, I noticed several large birds perched on the roof of a house. I can often identify birds, but I wasn’t sure about these. They weren’t black enough to be vultures. They weren’t shore birds either. My guess was turkeys, but the rooftop landing seemed odd. Shortly thereafter, I came across an article on turkeys in the December issue of my favorite local publication, Wrightsville Beach magazine.

The article confirmed that turkeys live in the wild in this area. It described their social construct of small flocks and their roosting habits, as well as showing photographs that matched the color and shape of the birds I saw. And just last Sunday we saw two more flocks of turkeys grazing alongside a highway. Yes, as the piece noted, turkeys are “frequently observed” in our wooded, coastal area!

The article, “And Then There Were Some,” mostly focused on the resurgence of the turkey population in North Carolina. Apparently, wild turkeys were becoming scarce in the state in the early 20^th century. Conservation efforts were made to protect and promote turkey life. These were successful and a flourishing turkey population has been restored. I enjoy hearing that native species thrive in their natural habitat and I will look forward to recognizing wild turkeys roadside and on rooftops.

Today is designated as Sanctity of Life Sunday and sadly, America’s human population is not protected and fully valued. Not every little person is promised the opportunity to thrive in our country. Instead, parents may opt to extinguish the life of their unborn baby. It’s a glaring contradiction to think that our society values the whales and the wolves and the wild turkeys yet wavers when it comes to human beings. Yes, there are rights but there are also undeniable responsibilities: to manage sexual behavior, to commit to family relationships, to honor human life. Regardless of what our laws permit or do not permit, our hearts must yearn for the dignity of all life, celebrating the creation of new life, and grieving the destruction of the same.

We are celebrating new life in our family!

Following a calamity that took all his possessions and children, the Biblical ancient, Job, rightly acknowledged the sole sovereignty of God over life and death, saying, “The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away.” (See full context of Job 1 v 21 and also Job 12 v 10 and Job 31 v 15)

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A Friend Remembered

Two years ago, one of my several Susan friends texted me this photo of her garden bouquet. She and I regularly sent texts, and shared visits and calls over decades of friendship. This past Saturday, I attended her funeral. To quote her published obituary: “Many will know Susan for her love of Jesus, people and conversation … She loved the Lord Jesus Christ… She never hesitated to genuinely ask… how she could be praying for (you).” She and I often exchanged personal prayer needs and that is probably what I will miss the most. Deeply loved by many, we gathered to remember her life, celebrate in Christian faith, and lay her to rest. Her healed lungs now inhale the glorious airs of heaven!

Because of her saving faith in Jesus, Susan lived and died as Ephesians 6 v 13 commends: “that you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.” The Scripture words prove relevant for our nation too.

We were invited to wear an accessory of yellow, her favorite color. I found the pictured earrings for the occasion and carried this ‘wrap’ given to me by another Susan friend.

Dr. Timothy Keller: My Personal Legacy

The Christian community lost a giant yesterday. Tim Keller, preacher and author, died of pancreatic cancer at the age of 72 – we would have wished for another decade or two of his unparalleled contributions to The Church. He pastored a church in New York City for 28 years and wrote over thirty books.

Dr. Keller significantly impacted me and three generations of my family. My parents, who lived in the suburbs of NYC, began attending evening church services to hear Keller preach in the 90’s. As different family members visited my parents, they joined in the late afternoon trip to the city and to Keller’s church. Once, while with my parents on that very outing, my husband and I ran into Dr. Keller, who was leaving the coffee shop we were entering, catching a meal between church services. The five of us had a brief chat and he was gracious in speaking to us though he had to continue on to preach again. We expressed our appreciation for his ministry. Dr. Keller’s intellectual giftedness and logic, his unbelievably wide scope of reading, and his keen understanding of culture and thought, brought an unmatched depth and applicability to his Biblical teaching. My father, an intelligent and widely read man who was selective with words and not prone to exaggeration, described Keller’s influence on his own life-long faith as profound.

Tim Keller’s congregation consisted of young NYC professionals, and he was able to connect with that age group. His preaching and writing resonated deeply with the third generation of my family. Our family rarely took a road trip that Tim Keller didn’t join us on, as we listened to his sermons either on CD or online while we drove. My kids have read more Keller books than I have! So yesterday was a day of shared sorrow in our family at the news of his death.

We grieve because we feel a loss and an end, but we also know well that this is a beginning and a victory for Tim Keller. Followers of Christ look forward to seeing and spending eternity with Jesus, the Savior they served. Dr. Keller said recently of his expected death, “There is no downside for me leaving, not in the slightest.” We shed tears but all is not lost. Thankfully, he left a legacy of sermons and writings that will continue to challenge and inform us. I trust that God will raise up others who will rightly continue to inspire His kingdom on earth … bearing the torch until Jesus returns! AMEN

Here is a link to one of Tim Keller’s sermons “Christ the Final Word.” It is classic Keller: his depth of Biblical insight, his humor, his connection to culture and the modern mindset, and landing on the Gospel! I hope you will listen to it through to the end (and it begins with a Scripture reading by someone else). If you get lost a little, hang on. You’ll catch up; he goes deep, but it is real! His website is http://gospelinlife.com

Rev. Keller’s memorial service took place on August 15, 2023 in St. Patrick’s Cathedral, NY A Worship Service of Praise to God for the Life of Tim Keller