My Big Brother, Tom

My biological brother, Glenn, died at birth, so I never had the blessing of knowing him. But somehow, I imagine that he would have been a lot like Tom Green...an endearing mix of annoying older brother with wise confidant and encourager. Tom and Sherry are precious friends and have walked with me through so many phases of life. I would even go so far as to say that their prayers and encouragement saved me during some of the darkest days of my life. For that I am eternally grateful.

God gave Tom amazing insight into the Word of God and he shared it with so much clarity. I was privileged to sit under Tom's teaching ministry for many years in South Florida. I was raised in a very performance-oriented home and had a skewed concept of God's expectations. I could never measure up to my own expectations, let alone God's. But hearing the Truth of how Jesus lived a sinless life for me, because I could never do it on my own was enlightening. The realization that He had to become a man and die a cruel death...taking the punishment for my sin and making me whole and blameless before God seems obvious now, but was a new revelation 40 years ago. I had never known such freedom and began to understand why Jesus said, "I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly." (John 10:10)

And so to my big brother, Tom Green, I will always appreciate the amazing gift of your friendship, but most of all, I am grateful that you shared the Truth of The Gospel with me in a way that changed my life forever. I know that Jesus is welcoming you with open arms saying, "Well done, good and faithful servant."