Honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedoms
Honoring Tim Keller who went to be with Jesus on May 19th, 2023
I’m taking a one-week break this week because I know holiday weekends are not the best time to begin a new series, therefore we will start on the first Sunday in June. (Next week). In honor of Tim Keller, this summer we will do some of my absolute favorites of his many sermons, which are now all free at Gospelinlife.com
I’m so excited at how this will impact our hearts.
But this week feel free to come on and share:
A way God has met you
Prayer requests and answers
The memory of someone you loved who died defending our country
A favorite Keller quote, in memory of him. Or, and there are so many things on You-Tube or on social media, tell us one thing Keller told people at the end, for he knew it was coming, and important things are said when time is running out.
Hope to see you next week for a great summer of “The Best of Tim Keller”
105 comments
I will start! Tim Keller made a video for pastors and leaders in his last days, and important things are said when time is running out. He quoted this verse:
Do you seek great things for yourself? Seek them not.
Jeremiah 45:5
May I live this out, Lord!
I just listened to that message yesterday and was also struck by that same verse! How much it goes against our prevailing mindset. How sweet to seek His face, His kingdom, and His righteousness, rather than our own greatness. God help me, too!! I’m so happy about your choice to highlight Tim Keller’s sermons. I have been feeling so sad over his loss which is surprising to me. It just seems that this world is so full of evil men and he was a bright light amongst the darkness. I didn’t agree always with everything he said, but I adored his preaching style and his intellectualism combined with grace. He always made me think and see things from a different perspective. He showed me such a different way to deal with others instead of the fiery, often mean, fundamentalism I grew up in. I followed him on Twitter also and saw a profound difference in what he said as he neared the end of his life. He became more direct, not pulling any punches, yet he spoke the truth always with a beautiful graciousness. Many people pounced ferociously on his tweets at the end, but my heart thrilled that someone was not afraid to speak the truth even if it caused people to be angry. I marveled that people could be so angry at him when he only spoke truth with love. But they did the same to Jesus. I think it’s very interesting to see how a man behaves and speaks as he nears a certain death. Would to God I could have that boldness now, coupled with great love for God and the souls of men. I live in such a fear of man and what man can do to me. God help me. I remember a saying from the past, “God buries His workmen, but carries on His work.” It’s time for Tim Keller to rest after a job well done. God is able to raise up other Tim Keller’s as we see the Day approaching. Thank you for highlighting this man of God, Dee!
Amen to all you wrote, dear Missy!!
Another deep loss was that of Charles Stanley. I listened to his radio program In Touch faithfully as a new Christian and learned so much from him. He always said, “ Obey God and leave all the consequences to Him.”
As he got older, I loved to hear him and watch his weekly sermon on TV as he spoke much more slowly and it was like he was just talking to you as a friend. He could just preach without looking at any notes.
That is another big loss, perhaps overshadowed by Keller’s death. I love that quote: Obey God and leave all the consequences to Him.”
I love that quote, Susan. I read something sweet that Charles Stanley said the night before he died, but I cannot find it. I did find a wonderful reminder in this post:
Charles Stanley wrote that he had just preached on Isaiah 43 (in August of 2022) and the next day was told that he had cancer of the esophagus. If suffering returns, what then, Lord? I knew what He would say: “I brought you through the waters of depression when you were 17 years old. I led you through the fire of cancer when you were 63. One day I will carry you through the flood of death itself. Fear not, for I am with you. You are precious in My sight, and I love you.” That’s all I ever need to hear.
Adapted from “The Bigger Story of Your Suffering,” by Matt Woodley
Missy: Loved your whole post but will highlight this:
I followed him on Twitter also and saw a profound difference in what he said as he neared the end of his life. He became more direct, not pulling any punches, yet he spoke the truth always with a beautiful graciousness. Many people pounced ferociously on his tweets at the end, but my heart thrilled that someone was not afraid to speak the truth even if it caused people to be angry. I marveled that people could be so angry at him when he only spoke truth with love. But they did the same to Jesus. I think it’s very interesting to see how a man behaves and speaks as he nears a certain death.
Oh, Amen to this dear Dee! “May I live this out, Lord! “
Dee, Amen to Jeremiah 45:5 and to “may I live this out, Lord!” I am so happy to read that we are going to do Tim Keller’s sermons for the summer! There are so many things clamoring for my attention. Staying here with our group will help me stay on course and what a joy it is to have you and Tim be our teachers. I thank God for you and the women in this blog.
So glad you like this direction, Bing!
Jeremiah 45:5 came up on my phone in a quote from Charles Spurgeon this week so it must be my focus verse for the week. Which goes along with my desire to seek humility this year.
—I am re-reading the devotional book I used for the 40 days of Lent because it was so rich in its teaching. It is called “Abiding Dependence” and was written by Ron Block who is a contemporary of Andrew Peterson. He has been playing, singing and writing music with Peterson for over 20 years. These are some thoughts I read this morning from Day 10 that greatly encourage my heart.
“The gospel goes much deeper than feelings or behavior; it is deeper than who we think we are. The good news flows down to our self-concept, soaking into the hard places where our self-image is at odds with our true, God-given identity in Christ. C. S. Lewis wrote, “God made us: invented us as a man invents an engine. A car is made to run on petrol, and it would not run properly on anything else. Now God designed the human machine to run on Himself. He Himself is the fuel our spirits were designed to burn, or the food our spirits were designed to feed on. There is no other.” The life of the Father in Jesus flowed through His attitude of childlike dependence; Jesus had strong emotions, but His Father held the reins of His heart.“
Appreciate your thoughts Dee. “And do you seek great things for yourself? Seek them not,…….” —Coupled with what I read from Block today this so speaks of Jesus. He lived out childlike humility. Oh that I would continually give God the reins of my heart.
I love “God designed the human machine to run on Himself.”
Thank you for this excerpt, Bev. He is an unusually deep thinker and I love it. It’s because of your recommendation that I also bought the book.
This is so good, Bev! I am going to save this! Amen! Yes, Lord! May I continually give you the reins of my heart!
A beautiful quote from Ron Block, Bev. Thank you for sharing. “He Himself is the fuel our spirits were designed to burn, or the food our spirits were designed to feed on. There is no other.”
A memory of my patriotic dad ~
Dad instilled patriotism in me from as far back as I can remember. He was a Korean war veteran and he was a story teller. I’m so grateful that my sister (and author) Terri Meeker Garrett, compiled and edited many of his stories and published a wonderful book and tribute to dad titled “Storyteller”. In it dad tells many of his true stories about serving in Korea. As kids, my siblings and I would often ask him to tell the same stories over and over. I remember as a young girl thinking how my dad had come close to being killed while serving and how I wouldn’t have been born if my dad had died. So grateful that God preserved his life.
In my dad’s final years on earth as Alzheimers was robbing him of his memories, I took dad to our small town parade/celebration. And as the military guard with flags marched by, my weak and frail dad stood up to salute. In those last years with him, sometimes when I went to visit dad and it was time for me to leave we would salute each other. I miss my dad.
This link to his book shows a photo of my very young and handsome soldier-dad on the cover:https://www.amazon.com/Storyteller-Autobiography-Wes-Meeker/dp/1091821674
What a delightful post about your wonderful dad, Nila. They don’t make them like that anymore! I ended up buying your dad’s book! I don’t have much time to read these days, but hope to in the future.
Nila — I think you got his poetic genes. What a wonderful dad.
What a lovely memory of your patriotic dad, Nila. I looked up the “Storyteller” on Amazon. He was a handsome soldier. It sounds like an excellent book, historically and personally… and a wonderful heirloom for all of your family members. These stories are treasures. I am so sorry that he was robbed of his memories ~ Ahzheimers is not a kind disease.
Nila, what a gift to have. Thank you for sharing.
Nila, thanks for sharing about your Dad. I checked out the link and it sounded like you sure had a wonderful Dad!
Happy Memorial Day blog sisters! Although I never lost someone close, to war, my father had a war story that was interesting. As the family story goes, dad was to be with his squadron when they stormed the beaches at Normandy. The night before, he got sick and went to the infirmary. He was diagnosed with strep throat and missed the raid. He was the lone survivor of his squadron. Every year for about 10 years (when I was first married) I got strep throat at Thanksgiving. My family would all go to my sister in laws house and I would stay home sick. I used to get it very bad. Hallucinations and such. One time I had to get a shot of penicillin and completely bypass the oral medicine. I have taken to sleeping more and drinking more water, both of which seem to really help me stay well. I haven’t had strep in a very long time. Have a wonderful week!
What a miracle for your dad, Laura!
Wow, Laura! Your dad’s war story just gave me goose bumps!! I’m so glad God saw fit to spare him. He knew this world needed Laura!
I found this article from TGC and was thoroughly blessed by reading quotes from Tim Keller. https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/50-quotes-tim-keller/
Thank you for this, Bing.
I saved that one, too, Bing! I’m such a fan of his.
I just came on tonight to read about this week, and I am thankful for the chance to just say hi to all. I miss being here and hope to be back soon.
A way God has met me–OHH. He has been so incredibly generous with His grace, doing the most beautiful work in my husband and me and our marriage. It has been painful, and pulling out 30+ year old roots is messy, but I have never seen Him work more deeply, authentically and so sweetly that even while still in the transformation I can say I am so thankful for this storm, all because I can already see His hands, the fruit of His Spirit.
I was surprised by how sad I was over Keller’s death and honestly, though I was listening to his podcasts every day before Friday, I haven’t yet been able to go back. I will, it just seems to bring tears each time I see him or hear that voice. So of course I couldn’t pick just one. Some of my favorite quotes are these that I still need to work deeper in–
“If you were a hundred times worse than you are, your sins would be no match for his mercy.”
“To be loved but not known is superficial. To be known but not loved is our nightmare. Only Jesus knows us to the bottom and loves us to the sky.”
“The only person who dares wake up a king at 3:00 a.m. for a glass of water is a child. We have that kind of access.”
“When Jesus Christ was in the garden of Gethsemane and the ultimate darkness was coming down on him and he knew it was coming, he didn’t abandon you; he died for you. If Jesus Christ didn’t abandon you in his darkness, the ultimate darkness, why would he abandon you now, in yours?”
Oh what a joy to see you Lizzy and hear what is God is doing. I’ve been praying and wondering. Love the quotes you pulled from Keller.
Lizzy, I especially love this quote: “The only person who dares wake up a king at 3:00 a.m. for a glass of water is a child. We have that kind of access.”
Oh, Lizzy! It is so good to see you back! So thankful for all that the Lord is doing in your marriage! His ways are always for our good. Oh, I love reading this. I love every quote that you selected above!
I, too, have felt crushed by Tim Keller’s death. It is helping me to read his biography, which was just released very recently. His ministry was always so “other” directed. He never sought the limelight, but always enjoyed talking about God with small groups, even in college. Reading about him, made the quote Dee selected even more meaningful to me. (Jeremiah 45:5) Love the quote about the child waking the king. How blessed we are by our Father God.
I do hope you are able to be here more, Lizzy. You always have such insight.
I’ve been missing you here, Lizzy! Heartwarming to hear how God is working in your life. Love the Keller quotes!
I join all of you in being so happy we are doing Tim Keller’s sermons for the summer. I just listened to “Praying Our Tears” (thank you for the recommendation, Nila). It was so helpful for me in this hard chapter of life. There are so many meaningful quotes from Tim Keller that have been life changing for me, I have filled journals with notes and quotes from his sermons. I am so grateful for Keller’s life and ministry. I just started reading his biography, Timothy Keller, His Spiritual and and Intellectual Formation, by Collin Hansen. It is excellent.
He approached the scriptures with such a loving heart and great humility, that he could draw out a deep and profound truths of who God is, in a very few words.
In his introduction in Encounters With Jesus, Keller tells a story of being at a conference for Bible Study leaders, where each person was to spend 30 minutes studying Mark 1:17: “And Jesus said to them, ‘Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.'” They were instructed to write down 30 things they saw or learned from that verse. He thought he was finished and bored after ten minutes, but he continued and was surprised that he discovered his best insights after 25 minutes. (Wow, there is a lesson there for me.) Then he writes: “those initial experiences with patient, inductive study of the biblical text changed my life.”
I liked the bio as well, Patti. I appreciated too how often he spoke of learning from women.
I so appreciate your thoughts and quotes here, dear Patti! And you reminded me to listen to that sermon again, Praying our tears. I’m so sorry for your tears now as you watch your precious husband decline and must feel so helpless at times. Much love and prayers for you!
Patti, I love “Praying your tears” as well. I listened to and watched one early this week. Seeing him and knowing he was gone was hard for me. I have to stop and cry some.
Just a comment for Patti and a question for Bing. Patti, I downloaded the Kindle version of “A Journey of Sea and Stone”. I just read the first chapter and it is the kind of book I enjoy reading. Thanks for recommending it to me. I know I will learn from it.
Bing, I have wondered about your friend Deb who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Do you have a sense of what her prognosis is at this time and how she is doing? I will keep her on my prayer list.
I am so happy you are enjoying the book. I loved your recommendation for Ron Block’s “Abiding Dependence” and I am ordering it. 🙂 Would love to hear an update on Deb, as well. So thankful for this Blog.
Thank you both for asking for an update on Deb. She is undergoing chemotherapy and the doctors think they have discovered it early enough to warrant a good prognosis.
This is wonderful news, Bing. I will continue to pray for her.
Excellent!
The gospel says you are simultaneously more sinful and flawed than you ever dared believe, yet more loved and accepted than you ever dared hope.
God will either give us what we ask for or give us what we would have asked if we knew everything He knows.
both Tim Keller
Both so good, Judy.
Thank you for the quotes, Judy! Love them!
Although I am an American citizen now, I grew up in the Philippines and studied our country’s history including the devastation of World War II. My father’s uncle was a lieutenant in the army working with the US forces (General McArthur) when Japan invaded the Philippines. There was a hunt for him and because they couldn’t find him, the enemy killed his first wife and two children. He later re-married and had six children. He didn’t talk much about the war but my grandparents told us how horrendous it was then. My father’s uncle later became a successful man in the Philippines and lived very generously. I remember him being a kind and gentle man to me, to our extended families, and to his employees while serving as a national government official. I am thankful to God for him and for all the Filipinos, Americans, and Allied forces who served so we can be free. And for Jesus who gave us true freedom.
What an amazing story, Bing. It is heartbreaking, yet he was faithful and never bitter. Thank you for this perspective. What a wonderful man, who lived his life so well and so generously gave so much! There are so many who served that we never know about. The gift of freedom certainly had a price. And yes, Jesus paid our price for true freedom.
Bing, thank you for sharing this story…what your great uncle sacrificed for freedom is very humbling. A stark reminder of what Jesus sacrificed for our freedom, as you said, “thankful to God!”
What a hard but beautiful story, Bing! I’m very thankful for all the Filipinos who served in wars with and for our country!
Thank you, ladies, for your kind words. Some memories are just bittersweet. I think of my father-in-law as well. He was not on the frontline but served as a guard. He was the most kind and generous father-in-law. God has blessed me with him and my mother-in-law who loved me like a was their own.
Love this story Bing. Thank you for sharing.
I was in the middle of Hansen’s biography of Timothy Keller when Keller passed from this world to the next. Having just recently read about Tim and Kathy’s relationship turned marriage I was especially touched by the fact that he waited till they were alone to pass on – I have always viewed passing as an extremely vulnerable and intimate event and so for him to share it with just her was just so fitting and manifest of their special relationship. I have always cherished Timothy Keller’s teaching (thanks, Dee, for introducing me to him here on your blog <3) but his words are even more precious now than before as there will be no more. I’ve been listening even more and praying for the change to be deep as it was in Keller.
His words are more precious now that there will be no more! So true, Jill! Good to “see” you here.
I love your post, Jill. I am doing the same. I agree, his words are more precious now. I am listening to a podcast or message every day. I pray for that very change. Lord give me a deeper and closer walk with You.
Jill, I had a similar thought when I read about Tim passing with only Kathy present. I love to hear the tinge of love and joy they exude whenever they say each other’s names.
I have missed y’all and am so looking forward to listening to Keller’s sermons. Reading testimonies from different people one common thread they all touched upon was how humble Tim Keller was and that he always pointed people from himself to Jesus.
In an article by Stephen Witmer from Desiring God he put in this story which reminded me of pastor Keller and I pray would be my hearts desire…
”The biographer Arnold Dallimore records a story about Charles Spurgeon, in whose day streetlights were gas-lit. Each had to be lit individually. One night, Spurgeon observed a line of streetlights being lit that went right up a hill, from its foot to the summit. He later described that moment:
How beautiful from Spurgeon, Sharon — and how good it will be to have you back!
Thank you Dee…good to be back😊
Sharon, you have been on my mind so often lately. It is so so good to see you back! I love this meaningful quote and how I pray that this will be my heart’s desire, as well.
Thank you Patti…so appreciate you! 😊
So good to hear from you, Sharon! I needed that quote as I get so caught up in the evil in the world and forget that it is not my job to be angry about evil but to be a lamplighter in the darkness, caring more for the souls of men than for their evils deeds. Wow! Do I ever need a transformation!
Thank you Miriam…we are all definitely a work in progress😊
Sharon! So glad to see you back here. I so love the quote about the lamplighter. Oh, that my life would be like his!
Thank you Bing…have missed being here among such encouraging and godly women. 😊
We have been busy selling our house and just found a home closer in to friends and family. We close in a month so it’s packing time!
I’m glad that we get to listen to Tim Keller’s sermons this summer! I need this. I think Tim Keller’s quotes below, among many others, God has used to shape me.
“Religious people find God useful. Growing Christians find God beautiful.”
“What is an idol? It is anything that absorbs your heart and imagination more than God, anything you seek to give you what only God can give.”
Oh I love that quote:
“Religious people find God useful. Growing Christians find God beautiful.”
A wonderful answer to pray that you found a home closer to friends and family, Rebecca! Praying that your move goes smoothly.
Love these quotes too. His ministry changed my heart in so many ways. Thank you, Dee, for introducing Tim Keller to me too.
Rebecca, happy to hear you found a home closer to friends and family!
A shout-out to my dear sisters for prayer. I am giving 3 talks on the next 3 Friday mornings at a small auditorium where I live and I have invited many pickleball players who don’t know the Lord. I so pray they will come and God will meet them. This Friday I speak at 10 central time. Thank you!
This gives me good chills, Dee. I will be praying for you, daily and especially at 10 (your time)! Lord, be with Dee as she plans her talks for this audience of her neighbors and pickleball players. Father, I pray that You will inspire Dee with the perfect messages for this group. Anoint her with Your peace, confidence and loving words to draw many to know and love You, as Dee loves you. We pray that you will fill Dee with Your Holy Spirit and let Your words flow gently from her soul. Lord, please take charge of all the details and the technical aspects too. We ask this in Your Mighty and Powerful Name dear Jesus.
I know you’ll be praying dear Patti. Thankyou!
You know, Dee, you are a lot like Keller in my opinion. You’re always seeking to relate to people in order to bring them to Jesus. What an inspiration you are to me and I will pray.
Well that’s an over the top encouragement, Miriam. So undeserving but thank you!
Will be praying that He will soften and prepare hearts for the message He will be speaking through you…I also agree with Patti’s prayer!
What a wonderful opportunity.
Love, love, love this, Dee! Got my alarm set at 10 CST for the next 3 Fridays. So exciting! Lord, pour out your Spirit of understanding and humility at this meeting. Use Dee mightily as she points others to Jesus.
Prayers they come and their hearts are open to all God has for them.
I am praying! 🙏🙏🙏
Praying with all of you right now. 7:15am (9:15 am CST)
Glad to be here
Glad to have you, Amy!
Welcome, Amy!
This is a good place to be, Amy. 😊
Hello, Amy! Welcome!
Welcome, Amy. Happy to have you. 🙂
Just reading through the recent comments and again blessed by Keller quotes and Bing your amazing story of your dad’s uncle. What a wonderful Memorial Day tribute. My father-in-law served in the Phillipines in WWII. We are traveling this week. We are meeting our youngest daughter and her family to see the Ark tomorrow in Kentucky and then on down to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee to spend next week at an Air BnB
Good to see some voices back here like Sharon and Jill. And Dee will be praying for you tomorrow as you speak. What a wonderful God given opportunity.
Oh Bev, I am so jealous of your trip to the Ark!! We are really wanting to take our grandsons there in the near future. Would love to hear how your trip went and am so excited for you…have fun!!
Same here! Please let us know about the Ark.
Bev, I just met a veteran who was in Subic Bay in the Philippines. He is the roommate of one of our church members who just moved into the local nursing home. We got to visit some. Thank you for your father-in-law’s service as well. I have heard the Ark is a beautiful place to visit. Have fun with your daughter and her family.
Every day at work (The Signatry) since Keller passed, I put up a quote of his on the white board in our hospitality corner.
Oh, Rebecca! How fun! Such a great idea.
What a lovely idea, Rebecca. You are always an inspiration!
Thank you! I wanted to upload a picture but wasn’t able. 😉
I was listening to and watching a sermon by Tim Keller yesterday titled “God-shaped Life.” There were several things he shared that stood out to me which were not a surprise. He has so many good things to say whenever he speaks. Honing on Titus 2:11-12, he said, “The gospel (the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people) withers our desires for ungodliness and empowers us to say No to sin.” … and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives… This is not verbatim. It might take me a while to not cry whenever I hear or see Tim Keller. And if there is anything “withering” in me, let it be my desires for ungodliness and sin, Lord.
Great words from a truly great man.
I’ve been focusing on humility this year. This week has been chock full of times when I realized that I want to say either, “I’m the one who did ‘whatever'” or “I would never do what this person did.” I’m thankful for the realization that my sinful nature wants to make it all about me/ how good I am and not to see the grace of God in my life. The Gospel In Life podcasts that I have been listening to on Spotify have been addressing this issue even though they are randomly appearing in my feed. I see this as God wanting me to know that He sees me and wants to show me that He cares about me, individually and as a person.
I have been busier than ever these last days of school…some thoughts:
Welcome back to the veteran bloggers!
Welcome to the new sisters.
TK was an amazing preacher and who, I think, introduced me to C.S. Lewis? A quote of Lewis’ that he would use (and of which I have on my refrigerator) went something like this, “Look for yourself and you will find loneliness and despair. But look for Christ and you will find Him and everything else.”
In reading some eulogies about Tim Keller online, I was taken to (unfortunately) some of his critics as well (I never realized he had any!). I didn’t want to read them, but was curious as to why some didn’t like him. I read a bit but decided to put it away until another time. Tim Keller helped me through with his beautiful preaching. He helped me understand the Bible so well. I am thankful that you, Dee, shared him with us here, or I would never have grown so much in my walk with Christ. Boy did he have a way of picking apart scripture and making it make sense to me!
A way God met me this week was with a colleague who is not a spiritual person, or doesn’t believe in God (I’m not sure which).
This person had surgery yesterday, and as I was praying for her I decided to only pray that God would reveal Himself to her. I had nominated her in March for a special award (Outstanding Educator of the Year), and we were waiting for the announcement. I hadn’t heard anything and had almost given up since it was so late in the year. Wouldn’t you know that we received the word that she won for NE yesterday afternoon? Oh my! Was she excited and thankful to boot. It was a treat for me, and I know God played a part in the timing. He is so good and people don’t even know it! She could have received word any day, but it was this day that she did. He is perfection, isn’t He?
This is such a wonderful story, Laura! God is never early, never late~ He is always on time! Thank you for sharing this!
Laura, so good to hear about your colleague and the timing of God’s answer. Yes, He is ALWAYS perfect in His timing.
Thanks for sharing this Laura…God is so good!
How thrilling! Yes, He is! 🙂
Actually, it would have been amazing if he didn’t have critics, for he was so the fragrance of Christ — a terrible aroma to those who are perishing.
Just thinking about how Keller must be in complete and total awe, bliss, and the most complete and happy he’s ever been. Way more glorious than he could ever imagine. I found these quotes from Keller’s short book “On Death”.
“If we live to old age we can feel our bodies (and our beauty) fading, yet if we are growing in God’s grace, our souls, as it were, are becoming stronger and more beautiful. At death this reversal becomes complete. Our bodies disintegrate and we become blindingly glorious. Comfort yourself with these words. (80)”
“The world can only give us peace that says, “It probably won’t get that bad.” Jesus’s peace is different. It says, “Even the worst that can happen—your death—is ultimately the best thing that can happen. We all long for a “place” that is truly home. Jesus says that it awaits you. (82)”