Preachers & Teachers

This has been a heavy week. Three of the teachers that have been in varying parts of our lives through the years have all gone on to heaven - first Jenny Burdick, then Pastor Reeder and Tim Keller. I had planned to write about France this week but must put that off to recognize these great servants of God and man.

At the core, they were each teachers. Though not a teacher by trade, I get teachers. I imagine that the good ones are all also givers. To me, teaching is about giving - giving knowledge and inspiration to others. Each of these were gifted teachers and our lives have been touched as a result. I am very grateful for the marks that each left on our lives.

The best teacher is not the one who knows the most but the one who is most capable of reducing knowledge to that simple compound of the obvious and wonderful.

A good teacher is like a candle - it consumes itself for the benefit of others.

Teachers often are planting trees that they will never see fully grown.

A teacher affects eternity; they can never tell where their influence stops.

By learning you will teach; by teaching you will learn.

We all teach and are taught. What are parents but teachers? Children come into the world without knowledge of how to do anything. We are their teachers.

I have probably learned more spiritually from Pastor Reeder and Tim Keller than anyone else over the past 20 years. I don’t have the words to communicate my gratitude for their influence. Their loss leaves a big hole in the Christian community that must be filled by others.

I am thankful for those that dedicate their lives to teaching - our preachers, authors, professors, kids teachers etc… We owe them more than we can repay. Words of appreciation and encouragement will go a long way.

Stay hungry,

Big E

Matt. 5:6