Ralph and Kathryn,
 

When I heard the news, it shocked me. It struck me and touched me more emotionally than I expected. I did not know Joel very well, but I guess what I did know about him contributed to the tug at my heart. I cannot imagine what you must be going through during this time of loss. I am writing though, in hopes of encouragement.

I spoke with my mom on the telephone last night and she relayed the news. It has sent ripples though the community of believers. I began to ponder how this made me feel and I turned to scripture and read about Joel and his message to the people of God.

"The coming day of the Lord," was the message, both comforting and convicting. Comfort to those in the covenant community who believe and yet at the same time convicting to those who must turn and repent. In reading this, I have thought about how sudden Joel's passing has been and how sudden the day will be when our Lord returns. I am comforted by the knowledge of Joel's resting place and our reunion with him in the future. I am likewise convicted about my time spent here and the message that others need to hear, yet our repentant hearts are sanctified by our actions. Others need to know.

My reactions on Joel's life? -- He was detached from this world--so in love with his Lord and Creator that he was unaffected by its trappings and influences. Surely, he had his struggles as all of us do, but I saw a purity of intent and an undaunted pursuit of his Lord. What a legacy! Praise the Lord. His presence was an encounter with true inner joy, a visible expression of the invisible.

His love for the outdoors and God's magnificent creation--completely intoxicating. I wish that I could have shared that with him as I am sure you did.

His passing has brought the end of his terminable period of eternity. He has no bounds, no longer growing older. He will remain twenty two. Yet, he is eternally living. No more sorrow. No more pain. No struggles. No shame. He resides in our eternal resting place among streets of gold. He is fully in the presence of the Lord. Incredible. Fully glorified. His life was short among earthly standards, yet equal to all children of God--eternal. Wow.

Why? He was sure of foot. Temperate. Not prone to irrational risks. I know that the Lord has opened windows of enlightenment to ease his passing. From me, though, know this. I will be forever changed by this day--a day of the Lord when I have pondered and asked myself with certain countless others, am l living a life with a heart bent toward the Lord? -- not in the outward display seeking to earn the Lord's favor, but an inward disposition ever longing for the Lord and his work in my life. I saw that in Joel. He has heard the words, "Well done, good and faithful servant." I long to hear the same. His life, and now more importantly his sudden passing will have a more profound impact on my life and others' lives, than otherwise. This does not bring Joel back, nor lessen the pain of his absence, but know this. From afar, this experience has changed me. I will share this with others. I already have. Teammates will hear and their lives will likewise be impacted. 

For further and hopefully more consoling thought, consider the life of Christ. How monumental. Now, consider His death. Nothing in the course of history has ever been as profound. Nothing compares to that, but Joel's passing will likewise profoundly impact the lives of many... many who knew him and perhaps even more who did not. May his life and death be to God's glory and may those who hear of this loss gain their own life--eternally.

With tears of sorrow and joy, Jed. Psalm 139