My Best Friend Passed Away

I never thought I would pen this letter.

Just four short months ago, my best friend passed away. He was more than a friend, he was family.

I’ll never forget that evening. As we climbed into bed, I had several missed calls from my friend, plus a text message. It read, “Please call ***** or this number ***-***-****”. I knew something was wrong, he never calls that many times in a row. He certainly wouldn’t text me something like that.

So I dialed my friends number, and his neighbor answered. She said, “Brandon, I have some bad news for you.” I said, “Oh, no you don’t.” She replied, “Yes I do.” I can still hear the crack in her voice as she spoke, and the reminder still draws a tear to my eyes.

Out came the news.

My wife instantly burst into tears as I tried to grasp this realization.

My friend was only 63, how could he pass away?

He worked his entire life, to pass away just a couple of years before retirement. As I have come to learn over the years, we only have today, we only have this moment. Beyond that, nothing is promised to us. So enjoy today while you have it.

It’s been tough dealing with our loss. However, I know he is with our Heavenly Father, (Ecclesiastes 12:7, 2 Corinthians 5:8). I often find myself wondering, what do you see right now my “great friend”. Yes, he is the “great friend” you have heard me mention a handful of times over the years.

In the early years of this site, he would proof read my studies for errors and added insight. In 2014 when my wife came up with the idea for Bible Q&A, I told him, I wouldn’t do it unless he was there to help me answer questions if needed.

He was always there.

He was always a good friend, and he got me through some difficult times in life. I thank God for the good times we had and shared. I’m glad my family got to meet him, and spend time with him, even though he lived far away.

As you know, I typically do not present much of my personal life on this site, only when I feel there is a lesson to be obtained from it.

This is one of those times.

I met my friend 24 years ago in college. He was old enough to be my Dad, so all of our classmates gave him a bad time. We were unlikely friends who became the best of friends. Our college buddies, and later, co-workers said we argued like an ol married couple.

Then we argued over who was the man in the relationship.

Ironically enough, during our first day of college, I found out he studied with the same pastor my Mom did at the time. As the years went by, I began to as well. I remember thinking so many times, “This cannot be a coincidence.” I even told him that as the years passed.

In the end, I know that’s all it was.

Over the years, we went to about 12 annual church functions together. My friends beliefs were as hard core as mine. Then, last year with the release of my letter, our beliefs began to veer from where they once were.

His mind was not free to discuss it, and I was okay with that. We all have different beliefs and that’s okay. While I could see there were things I misconstrued in the world, they only emboldened my best friend.

Considering the events of the last two years, he was more emboldened than ever.

Simply put, my friend was a hard core prepper, and he always felt he was one of God’s Elect Saints, the 144,000. Even one to be brought before the Devil. He had many stories to share over the years about God’s protection. How God shows certain people things that are only meant for them.

That last statement is probably true, but I was always a skeptic.

I would explain, no one knows who the 144,000 are, not unless God spoke to them. Moreover, I never delved into the Elect business, but I saw what it did to him over the years. I have even witnessed these thoughts from many readers, through emails they have sent me.

I know there are many other people out there like my friend, who believe they were chosen by God for a very special purpose. Yet, I now know, without a doubt, my friend was wrong.

I watched my friend spend too many years letting the news, the doom and gloom consume him. I saw it rob precious years from him. Years that could have been spent doing more joyful and uplifting things. I witnessed him misconstrue Scripture with the news, especially over aspects of the pandemic.

I’ve always felt, it’s one thing to be aware of world events, it’s quite another to let it rule you. More often than not, it consumes us and many don’t even realize it.

Unfortunately, some churches foster religious beliefs and teachings that consume people. Some are taught to believe they have privileged knowledge that no one else has. My friend was a victim of that, even myself for a time in some regard.

I have seen this happen countless times over the years running this site. It’s just not healthy.

I’ve thought long and hard about even writing this letter. I mean no disrespect to my friend.

However, the one thing about my friend, he loved good people. He would want people to learn from his life lesson. He would want them to know, that even when you think you have it all figured out, you really don’t. There’s no shame in that.

I’ve shared this with you for a very good reason. I don’t want to see another soul stop living. I don’t want to see another soul waiting to stand before the Devil during the Tribulation, when, it may never happen.

We only have today…

This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

Psalms 118:24

We only have this moment…

Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.

Proverbs 27:1

Beyond that, nothing is promised to us.

I have never used my friends name on this site before. He was so very private, but I will today.

Heavenly Father, please tell Randy we love him. In Jesus name, amen.

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