I got word early this morning that Dad left this world for the next. My brother, one of my sisters and my mom were all with him.
Last week when I wrote my post “God is Good,” I had no idea that a few hours after it posted I’d hear that my dad was involved in a terrible accident.
At first we thought he might pull through. He looked good, especially in comparison to his car. Yet as piece of news followed piece of news, the hope of his recovery faded. There is only so much damage the human brain can take – and Dad’s took plenty. Yet he stuck around long enough for almost everyone to visit his bedside and pray, sing and say goodbye.
Thank you all for the prayers, the donations, the thoughts and the kind words. I will miss Dad terribly but I know he is with his Lord. And I stand by my post last Sunday. In all things, God is good, even when we do not understand why He has done something.
He sees all ends and has an infinite perspective. We can only see with our earthly and fallen eyes.
For us, losing Dad leaves a huge hole and we mourn him. Yet in the eternal perspective, Dad is in better shape than he has even been. He was a good and faithful servant and I know all is well with his soul. One day we shall meet again.
I pray you also are granted a place in the Book of Life. If you do not know the ultimate destination of your soul, call on the name of the Lord and ask that He reveal Himself to you. Jesus Christ has covered the debt of our own failings and sin, our secret deeds and our public actions, our pride and our depression, everything – it’s covered – all we need to do is accept his perfect life and sacrifice for us and call upon His name.
Each day takes us closer to the grave.
Are you ready?
Dad was.
And I give thanks for that more than anything else.
Love to you all and your families. Kiss your kids.
-DTG
* * *
My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
Why are you so far from saving me,
so far from my cries of anguish?
My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer,
by night, but I find no rest.
Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One;
you are the one Israel praises.
In you our ancestors put their trust;
they trusted and you delivered them.
To you they cried out and were saved;
in you they trusted and were not put to shame.
But I am a worm and not a man,
scorned by everyone, despised by the people.
All who see me mock me;
they hurl insults, shaking their heads.
“He trusts in the Lord,” they say,
“let the Lord rescue him.
Let him deliver him,
since he delights in him.”
Yet you brought me out of the womb;
you made me trust in you, even at my mother’s breast.
From birth I was cast on you;
from my mother’s womb you have been my God.
Do not be far from me,
for trouble is near
and there is no one to help.
Many bulls surround me;
strong bulls of Bashan encircle me.
Roaring lions that tear their prey
open their mouths wide against me.
I am poured out like water,
and all my bones are out of joint.
My heart has turned to wax;
it has melted within me.
My mouth is dried up like a potsherd,
and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth;
you lay me in the dust of death.
Dogs surround me,
a pack of villains encircles me;
they pierce my hands and my feet.
All my bones are on display;
people stare and gloat over me.
They divide my clothes among them
and cast lots for my garment.
But you, Lord, do not be far from me.
You are my strength; come quickly to help me.
Deliver me from the sword,
my precious life from the power of the dogs.
Rescue me from the mouth of the lions;
save me from the horns of the wild oxen.
I will declare your name to my people;
in the assembly I will praise you.
You who fear the Lord, praise him!
All you descendants of Jacob, honor him!
Revere him, all you descendants of Israel!
For he has not despised or scorned
the suffering of the afflicted one;
he has not hidden his face from him
but has listened to his cry for help.
From you comes the theme of my praise in the great assembly;
before those who fear you I will fulfill my vows.
The poor will eat and be satisfied;
those who seek the Lord will praise him—
may your hearts live forever!
All the ends of the earth
will remember and turn to the Lord,
and all the families of the nations
will bow down before him,
for dominion belongs to the Lord
and he rules over the nations.
All the rich of the earth will feast and worship;
all who go down to the dust will kneel before him—
those who cannot keep themselves alive.
Posterity will serve him;
future generations will be told about the Lord.
They will proclaim his righteousness,
declaring to a people yet unborn:
He has done it!
You can have greener thumbs by this weekend!
53 comments
Prayers for your family David . What a beautiful writing . May you all find peace in the days ahead . Sending lots of love .
David, I don’t think you would remember me but I lived in Ft. Lauderdale for a time in the 1980’s and attended LCC while there. My deepest condolences for your loss; but at the same time I rejoice with you that your dad is present with the Lord!! What a time he must be having!! His “eyes” have seen what we all can only imagine! I long for that day! Know that your family is in my heart and in my prayers in the difficult days ahead. God continue to bless you all.
Well written as always.
Thinking of you this morning.
Grace today brother
What a legacy your dad has left to continue! He didn’t just finish, but raced across that finish line! Will miss him tremendously.
Dear Jaye and David, Thinking of you. May time’s passing somehow help to ease your loss and sorrow, although no words of sympathy can ease the loss you bear. He is not dead, he is just away. Think of him faring on, as dear in the love of there as the love of here. Think of him still as the same.
With warm thoughts and sympathy.
Aunt Ruth and Family.
I am crying for Bill, my spiritual father at LCC. I have known him since my college days. He and his wife Jenni encouraged me to become a nurse and give my life to the prolife cause. For some reason neither Bill or Jenni would take my calls for prayer. They told me to go to my own (Catholic) and seek solace there. Now he is gone and because I am Catholic we can talk forever without a phone. Right now he is talking to the Lord and getting privately busted out. And I don’t want to overhear what is said…….
Try to control yourself, Sandra. This is not a good time for weird outbursts.
Bill has always been my friend and mentor. I will miss him in this life but rejoice because he has been freed from this temporary place an is with the Lord.
Dear David, My heart is overwhelmed this week! May the Lord give you and your family great strength to carry on in your Dad’s footsteps. HIS NAME is being lifted high!! Love, Judy
David,
Every time I read one of the family’s blogs, I cry with you all.
Trent and I send our heart felt condolences to you guys.
Sorrow that he is no longer with us but true joy that he’s with our Savior.
Sending our love and prays.
Andrea & Trent
My condolences on your loss, David. I can’t think of a better tribute to the man than your Father’s Day post. May you and your family know peace.
You and your family are in my prayers. Your father was with me the day my husband Tom went to be with the Lord and having Bill there was such a comfort.
David,
So sorry to hear of your fathers passing. Our prayers are with you and your family.
Craig
David, Anna and I are so sorry for your loss, I am sure he is without pain and reunited with loved ones. I can only imagine how hard this must be for you, Rachel and the kids. If there is anything we can do to help you, or if we can send some financial support or flowers to your mum please let us know. Fred & Anna Tice from England.
P.S. Please contact me at this address and I will give you my mobile number or call you at a number of your choice. I understand if you would rather not be bothered. You are all in our thoughts.
Hi, David:
I am so sad and shocked by the news. Tears were still in my eyes. Your dad is my spiritual father. Through him, I was saved. So did my family. We will miss him. He is in our heart forever. And yet we are very sure that he is in the Heaven with Lord.
Oh David we have no words that are adequate to express our sadness for each of you at the loss of your dad. We love you, your Rachel, and all your kids so much. I don’t think we have any of your contact info and it was too crazy to ask for it while with the family. We are praying for you.
BILL PERRY filled so many voids in my life. I realized had I not accepted Christ I would not have met him in the capacity I did. When Bill baptized me he said. WELCOME TO THE NEW SMART.
Bill was instrumental in my walk. He is personally responsible for me being the man I am today. GOD knows we need strong role models and leaders that lead by example.
WILLIAM PERRY was that. I can hardly wait to build off the many conversations and wise counsel Bill spent with me. I recently shared with him my plans to teach and work in an orphanage (HAITI). He was pleased and we prayed. YOUR MY BEST FRIEND THAT I EVER HAD. ISAIAH 42 servant of the LORD…. GOODBYE FRIEND XO
Our prayers are with your family in the Homegoing of Bill. He left a BIG mark on this world in his service to his Lord Jesus. I knew him from Florida Bible College.
Prayers are with you and yours. Thank you for sharing about both your dads recently, and for your ongoing sharing about our heavenly father too. God bless.
David,
I am praying for you and your family. Sorry for the loss of your dad. He seemed like a great man of God. “Well done thy good and faithful servant.”
Blessings,
Jay
Amen. May the Comforter do His work for you and your family.
David, my family stayed with you several years back. That connection came through your dad (my longtime InterFACE colleague). Your dad blessed so many in ISM. Just wanted you to know you all are in our thoughts and prayers.
I’m sorry for your loss.
David,
I am sorry for your Dad’s passing too soon. We can rejoice in knowing he is with Jesus!
Karl
I’m sorry for your loss, Dave. I hope you and your family find comfort and solace in the great memories of your father.
David, I am so sorry for your loss.
Linda Townsend (Cruey)
Ocala, Fl.
I am sorry….. Praying for you an your family.
I did not check the site yesterday, so I am just now hearing about it. I was out in the gardens this morning, thinking of all I have to be thankful for and I thought about my many blessings and you were one of them.
Please accept my wishes and prayers for you and your family.
I lost my Dad 13 years ago during what was supposed to be routine surgery… he lasted a week… and he was gone.
I only say this because as you know we all will face loss…all loss is painful….it is difficult but knowing we will see them again is a comfort. With the way the world is going, my thought is that it will be soon.
If you ever need anything…let me know. I know it may sound like a silly thing to say because my wife and I only met you once… on a foraging tour… but the offer stands nonetheless.
To David & Bill Perry Family:
Sorry for your loss of my dear friend and colleague Bill Perry. Our loss is Heaven’s gain. Then, we look forward
to that Happy Reunion of the redeemed around the Throne of the Lamb of God, Lord Jesus Christ. Meanwhile,
let us keep our faith alive in Him and active for Him while we are still on this planet earth.
I personally appreciated his friendship, smiles, workshops, and caring service training our volunteer tutors for more effective service. Praise the Lord for such a gifted, humble, joyful, and faithful servant of God. He will
receive many honorary rewards from the Master Jesus. With love in the Risen Lord and Coming King Jesus,
Joseph (Joe) Sabounji,
Former: ISI – staff-NYC, PSC- staff-Boston, ISMC -staff Toronto, ACMI member-life time
David, I do not know you, yet I know of what you speak. In our family, it was our 18 year old son. I believe God sent Angels to surround us during this time and they still watch over us. The presence of our Lord was felt stronger than ever. There were hard times, there still are. To be able to lean on Him and His Word has gotten us through. God Bless you and your family.
I don’t know what to say. I was in shock over the news. I had spent the previous two weeks eating three meals a day sitting next to Bill. He talked so lovingly of family and the Lord. His new style of sharing bible stories had all the kids engaged. He loved God, family, these kids, ministry, life, etc. I believe he was a man after God’s own heart. I have recently started a new ministry hear in the Bryson City area called Recon which God placed on my heart years ago. Amazing how God had put us together.
My heart is broken over the loss of a friend and brother yet it pales in comparison to your loss. “Dear father, please comfort Bill’s family and myriads of friends.”
I’m very sorry, David. It’s a tough thing to go through. We are praying for you and your family.
My prayers are with you and your family my Christian brother.
My prayers are with you and your family.
In times like these, faith, prayers and memories are all we have.
Thank God that is all we need.
David and family, I Am sorry to hear about your Dad. I am keeping you and your family in my prayers. Yes. God is good…
Condolences. http://www.truthaboutdeath.com ISA 55:11
Wow, that’s tough. It’s times like these our faith is truly tested. I have lost those near and dear to me over the years, as well. Hold tight to family and friends, they will help you weather this storm. God bless.
David we are so sorry to hear about your loss. My dad has been gone for 30+ years and I still ask him for advise. You and your family are in our prayers.
May the Lord wrap His arms around you and your family and comfort y’all
I am so sorry for your loss, praying for you and your family.
JMJ
David, I am so sorry for your loss. I pray that Holy Spirit will comfort you during this time. I am so thankful for you and all you do and you will be in my prayers
Is 52 1-2
David, I am sorry for your loss. May the Peace and strength from our Lord Jesus Christ comforts you all as you mourn for your dad. I believe he is in Heaven and watching down at you all now.
Floria, Houston, TX
Dear David, Rachel and family.
I am so sorry to read your news. I lost my Mum some years ago. Your Dad has to have been a good man because he encouraged David to follow his dreams.
I find these words helpful. I hope they help you.
Death is nothing at all.
I have only slipped away to the next room.
I am I and you are you.
Whatever we were to each other,
That, we still are.
Call me by my old familiar name.
Speak to me in the easy way
which you always used.
Put no difference into your tone.
Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow.
Laugh as we always laughed
at the little jokes we enjoyed together.
Play, smile, think of me. Pray for me.
Let my name be ever the household word
that it always was.
Let it be spoken without effect.
Without the trace of a shadow on it.
Life means all that it ever meant.
It is the same that it ever was.
There is absolute unbroken continuity.
Why should I be out of mind
because I am out of sight?
I am but waiting for you.
For an interval.
Somewhere. Very near.
Just around the corner.
All is well.
Nothing is past; nothing is lost. One brief moment and all will be as it was before only better, infinitely happier and forever we will all be one together with Christ.
by Henry Scott Holland
I will light a votive candle in your Dads memory at Church. And I will say
“Eternal rest grant unto him,
May he rest in peace”
Thank you for including us.
David,
With all my heart and soul I mourn with you…yet not only that, though he is gone he rejoices in heavenly places. Thus I rejoice with you as he is at this moment!
I did not know him and have only known you through your books and youtube videos beginning several months ago. The beauty and joy you have brought to the world is a testament to caliber of your father’s life. I pray he rests in peace and your family is empowered to weather this storm.
Thank you for all that you have given the community. I stopped by to ask you some questions and saw this post so I shall give you the time to attend to yourself and your family. I can only leave one comment that you have given me much through your books and empowered me to create my own food forest. Hopefully one day I can tap your wealth of knowledge.
Be well my friend and know that many are mourning with you…yet also joyous!
Greg McClain,
Northeast Florida
I am so sorry for your loss, my condolences to everyone.
I Just read this. As usual, I’m late to catch up on the news of your life through this blog and YouTube channel.
You are right… each day takes us closer to the grave. James summed it up: “Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.”
And then, there is the eternity that awaits us. In Christ we can have the hope and peace of a blessed eternity. I’m so thankful for that.
I call upon His name daily, and I’m deeply sorry for your loss.
Herrick Kimball
Thank you all so much – very appreciated.
I’ve been out of the loop lately. So sorry to hear about the loss of your dad. My sincere condolences. Praying for the peace of you and yours. God bless.
I’m deeply sorry for your loss. You and your family are in our prayers.
Thank you, friend.
I am so so sorry for your loss. He, as you said is most certainly in God’s presence.
I too have lost my dad and miss him terribly.
Faith
Hope
Love
Thank you for introducing us to your father. He was surely a man of God and knew that it all comes down to replicating. We are sorry for your loss. We were made for eternity so the temporary pause is painful. The good news, is that those trusting Jesus will be reunited one day.
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