Saints that you have known

Cecil Anderson, R.I.P., co-owner with his wife of a mom-and-pop Christian bookstore. Decades ago, he always let me know how he thought I was fine, young Christian man. And always gently questioned me about how my Roman Catholicism lined up with Scripture. I have a long way to go before I live up to his example – as you all know.

The professor who taught me Revelation in Seminary. Each day as he lectured, I knew that this elderly man loved the Lord and loved his word. An almost undetectable tear would form in the corner of one eye as he would declare the eternal gospel to us.

My pastor. A real sinner and a real saint.

Taught me what true freedom in Christ means.

Christ alone. No add-on’s. None.

I pray that more Christians would run into such saints in the faith as this.

By Biblical definition all those who trust in Jesus Christ for their salvation are saints and at the same time sinners. This truth is proclaimed at each divine service in the confession and absolution. The saints are called to gather together in the place where God serves them through Word and Sacrament “with angels and archangels and all the company of heaven.”

Nevertheless, there are those who have been important in reflecting the grace of God. I think of my parents, wife, children, etc.

About 15 years ago I was going to a “purpose” Church that was caught up in the fad, long before God granted me the discernment to know it was going off the rails.

In the midst of the internecine fighting and the bad theology, tragedy struck. One of the members had two daughters who, along with their grandfather as I recall, died in an airplane crash.

Although the sorrow was palpable all around, the joy of the Lord Jesus and the grace beyond understanding was evident in this man. Serenity does fully not describe his demeanor. In the midst of tragedy he was joyful in God, as he always had been, and as long as I knew him, always was.

It is difficult to articulate accurately as time passes and parts fade, but this man comes to mind as soon as I read your post. He will always in my view represent a saint.

My husband.

My father who taught me Christianity by quiet example, who sent be to Lutheran schools (LCMS) despite our conversion to Orthodoxy, who supported me when I decided to leave the Orthodox church to become Lutheran and a Lutheran school teacher who supported me in my calls to Lutheran schools, who loved to debate theology with me.

My father who fell asleep in Jesus on October 19th. Memory eternal.

I think of Leona Rupp, widow of Rev. Erhard C. Rupp, who had a special gift for intercessory prayer and was a rock for me during the sickness and death of my youngest son. Her children and grandchildren are living lives that bless so many. Like many of the more famous saints she died on her own birthday.

Kurt Marquart, Pastor in Texas and Australia and much loved Professor at Fort Wayne, self-motivated missionary to former USSR entities and to Haiti.

And the young man who just this morning drove away from friends and family to answer a Call across the state, not without some reluctance but because he thought it was what he had to do. He has on occasion described himself as a sinner; those who know him see a faithful Servant of the Word.

My grandmother who taught me hymns when I was three and was the first person I remember telling me about Jesus and how he loved me.