Esotropiart

I know, it sounds kinda dumb to preface someone's name with a title like "elder". I do it because my great friend of many years has the same name. So I have to distinguish somehow between the two. Of course, "elder Dave", I also count you among my friends. At any rate, I want to mirror a shout of thanks to elder Dave for his big part in my recent spiritual growth (and going forward). This little ditty doesn't really adequately credit the value of the work Dave has done... but it's a start. For the context of why I wrote this particular response, visit his blog post.

Thanks for sharing, Dave. I was hoping stuff like this might find its way to your blog. I'm not much for politics, so peering into your mind on things spiritual is very much appreciated :)

Regarding encouragement... I've heard people subtly gossip about what you refer in yourself as being a bit critical or cynical. I want to dispel those sort of light accusations and encourage you in your progress, if you want to call it that. I don't know if those were issues with you before... maybe yes, maybe not. I wasn't really around.

Regardless, I don't really see it. I see a very encouraging person in you already. Even if it doesn't feel natural for your personality type, you have been an amazing encouragement to me. Let me encourage you that. If you had not been at Ethnos at the time you were, and had you not been willing to accommodate a relative stranger like me in your midst by letting me share my story and my confession... I might still be lost in sin and darkness. I say this with tears - because of your obedience in Christ and tender-heartedness... I am a restored brother! God bless you and your family! I should make this thanks more public and known, for your servant-hood has helped change my life.

Our conversations since then have been very fruitful. Sure, we've had a few scrapes... I'm sure my baggage has been a burden, and for that I'm sorry. I pray God richly reward you for your good work and cancel out burden I pass on with a thousand blessings!

Your sermons lately have been piercing. I see the Holy Spirit very alive and working in and through you. I don't really care if anyone criticizes you in any fashion because of personality quirks. We all have them. Mine are probably the most strange - makes me a bit hard to approach. You have chosen to take your whole life - quirks and all - and place it all in God's hands... to serve Him and the rest of us.

Thanks for doing that. Thank you very much, brother.

As time progresses, only God knows how much people in my life have influenced and encouraged me for the better. There should be lengthy descriptions made public here for just about everyone in my life. God is the only One that can adequately describe the profound effect these sacrifices have made in me. I only hope some day I will add such "credits", not to my own name, but to the work and Name of God through my life as well.