(James is on the right)
James came to our school last year. He was the fourth grade teacher. He worked so hard. He used to stay at work so late and he would come to school every Saturday. One time I saw his lesson book out on his desk-I think he was a perfectionist! Every square of his lesson plans was written in perfect pennmanship. I used to tease him that no wonder he was at school so much, it must take him forever to write out his plans. He would just smile.
I didn't know him that well. It has become evident that he was a man of prayer. While he was in the hospital these past two months they said he never asked for prayer for himself but constantly was praying for other: his students, the teachers, the parents.
Last night we had a memorial service at church and this morning we had one here at school for the school community. As was his goal, Christ was glorified here on earth and continues to be glorified in the testimony he left behind.
Today we closed with the song, In Christ Alone. Here are the words:
In Christ alone my hope is found,
He is my light, my strength, my song:
This Cornerstone, this solid Ground,
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
When fears are stilled, when striving cease!
My Comforter, my All in All,
Here in the love of Christ I stand.
In Christ alone! who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe!
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save;
Till on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satsified-
For every sin on Him was laid;
Here in the death of Christ I live.
There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain;
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again!
And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me,
For I am His and He is mine-
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.
No guilt in life, no fear in death,
This is the power of Christ in me;
From life's first cry to final breath.
Jesus commands my destiny.
No power of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home,
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand.
