Christian Living
Larry Lilly's Letter Monday 25, 2007
Recent times have brought home to me again the variety of my life. Last month my friend of many years Jerry Falwell "broke the surely bonds of earth and kissed the face of God."
And then, and then Friday evening Sue sent a note via email, "Bill passed away a little while ago." She didn't say much, but I have known Bill for over thirty years and Sue for about as long. After Pastor Bill's first wife, Pat, went to be with Jesus and a Saint she was, the Lord in ways that He has, brought Bill and Sue together and I had the privilege of performing the ceremonial rite of Holy Matrimony and Bill and Sue have lived happily as one through the joy and pain of life.
Bill Cox has been sick for a long time. He founded and pastored the Maple Grove Baptist Church for over 40 year until his health faded and then for several years remained faithful in writing as he was able.
Bill Cox served in prisons and jails all over the place as helper, volunteer chaplain and touched many lives. Bill had the rare ability to actually get men and women who have received Christ behind bars to come to church and serve the Lord his ministry. On many occasions I have prayed with him and watched as tears streamed down his cheeks as he called many names of people who were struggling with the pain of life.
When Joyce and I lost what the world would call everything, Bill was right on the phone and took us in and was proudly my friend. He was one of the few of whom I say, "I don't know what I would have done without him and the Maple Grove church."
Bill was one of those "rare birds" who remained aloof to being called names by the clergy who, at least in there own opinion, reigned as the powers that be over the area.
"Rare Bird" is the name Bill chose as his moniker as he had heard one of the brethren referred to him by that name.
I put Jerry and Bill in the same article though other than their faith in Christ and calling into His service they were light years apart. They both played an important part in my life and the life of my family. Neither one was ever ashamed of me, to be seen with me and to acknowledge my presence publicly. This at time when Mom wanted me to use the back door, preferably after dark!
I think the highest numbers Bill ever ran in Sunday School was a little over three hundred and that for a short time. Jerry, well, his numbers are history. Yet they both loved Jesus and they were true friends to me in the biblical sense of "loving at all times."
One of my prayers for any young preacher is that sometime in your life you will have friends such as I have enjoyed over the years of my journey. As with Jerry, I feel certain that Bill "slipped the surely bonds of earth and touched the face of God."
Larry Lilly Copyright © 2007 Use with credit.
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