time of bereavement

on aug. 8, 2007, my pastor, the late rev. dr. noel g. hyatt (for more information on this great man of God go to www.revnoelhyatt.com), went home to be with the Lord. and i was devastated.

i wasn't the closest person to pastor, by far. i was not his favourite person. we never went to lunch or breakfast like he did with so many other people, but he was my pastor...and i loved him. DEARLY. he was a true man of God. and his ministry was never once besmirched with the sort of cliche pecadillos of other ministers. he just humbly served God the best way he knew how. and i love him for that.

he was the only pastor i ever had. i was two when my family started attending my church and now, 27 years later, he's gone. no longer there. i will not be able to hear him tell a story again with his dry wit. i will never hear him preach a sermon again with the fire of the Holy Ghost. he will never announce my engagement with excitement. he will never officiate my wedding. he will never christen my children....

i miss him...

but i know that he is in heaven with the Father.

so rest well, my beloved pastor. i'll be there soon.

Remembering you...

Dedicated to the Late Rev. Dr. Noel G. Hyatt


I thank my God upon every remembrance of you
Every thoughtful word
Every careful deed
For your humble service, both faithful and true
To struggling souls
In desperate need.
I thank my God when I remember your life
Each day a new goal
Another height to attain
You devoutly demonstrated that to live meant Christ
And sorrow not needed
For dying was gain
I thank my God that you thought integrity key
Your daily walk
Honoured Christ’s name
Never a moment of weakness was seen
You lived a life
Without real blame.
I thank my God that your end was peace
Your life was love
Your conduct upright
Through the storms of life you found sweet relief
Walking by faith
Not by sight.
I give thanks as you join that great witness cloud
Cheering us on
As we run this race
Now with Abraham, Moses and the rest of that crowd
You made it through
By God’s grace.
I thank my God for the legacy you leave
A light that shines
So brilliantly
And I know that you would not want us to grieve
You are with the Father
For eternity.


~~by: josie james