Remembering Mr. Buckner

On June 30, 2012, I lost someone very dear to me. Mr. Buckner was one of my heroes in the faith. He was someone that I admired and looked up to. He was one of the most kind and God-driven men I have ever met. He is one of the reasons I am where I am today. Even in his 90's he had more spunk and vigor than anyone in the whole Church. Anytime I ever needed someone to help out or if I asked if anyone had a testimony to share, he was always the first one to volunteer. His passion and love for the Lord was so evident in his life.

Even after he got so sick and unable to walk, I would visit him in the rehabilitation center and he was always so upbeat and determined that he was going to get better and be back in Church. I would go in hopes of bringing him some joy but in all reality, he was the one that gave me joy on my visits. He always asked about my family, about the Church, and then he would start talking about the Lord. He always told me that he was ready if the Lord decided to take him but he was also willing to keep pressing on if he was going to stay around.

I was sitting in my living room talking to my wife about Mr. Buckner when my phone rang. It was his son telling me that his father had just passed away. I had mixed feelings really. I was very sad that my dear friend was gone but I was also overjoyed that he was now in the place he always longed for. I never knew his wife, she had past away before I knew him, but he talked about her often. He would point to a picture of her beside his bed and tell me about her. I can only imagine what a reunion they had together when he arrived in Heaven.

As I was speaking at his graveside service, my mind kept going back to all of the times I heard him pray out loud at Church. He had such a beautiful way of praying, as if he was standing beside God and talking to him like a friend. He would end his prayers by saying "and this is our prayer, Amen."

There will never be another man like Mr. Buckner but just in the short 6-years that I knew him, I like to think that he helped shape and mold me into the kind of pastor that God would have me to be. The world sure could use a lot more Mr. Buckner's...

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Lilies for Mr. Buckner

The fine looking gentleman in the attached picture is one of my heroes in the faith, Mr. Edd Buckner. I snapped this picture of him at the graveside service of his sister that passed away a few weeks ago. During this sad occasion Mr. Buckner told me that the Lord sure had been good to him during his 93-years on earth. I couldn't help but look at him with great admiration. I know I'll never make it on this earth as long as he has.

Tonight while the choir was singing, the spirit was extra sweet. We had just sang 2 choir specials, Let's Just Praise the Lord, and City of Gold, and after we finished Mr. Buckner called out from his pew in the congregation; "sing page 51 in the Inspiration hymnal please." I didn't even have to ask what the title of the song was because it's the one he always requests, Consider the Lilies. Unknowing to him, I had been working on that song with the choir in our last practice session because I knew that he always wanted to hear it but I never felt that we did a very good job on it. Well, tonight I think we finally did it justice. I think it was the best I've ever heard our choir do on it. I think Mr. Buckner really enjoyed it. You can give it a listen in the still video clip below:

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Following in the footsteps

Recently, through the power of the internet and Facebook, I have made acquaintance with a family member of Mr. Buckner (one of our deacons). Turns out his niece, Gail, went to Holston high school and so did my mother. So, through that connection, they knew each other, and when I saw her post a comment on my mother's Facebook wall that said Edd Buckner was her uncle, well, one thing led to another and now I'm writing this post.

She sent me some old photos that she had, and much to my amazement, there was Mr. Buckner leading the music! Since he turns 93 this December, that would've made him 52 back in 1968. That's only 8-years oder than I am now. I've always known that Mr. Buckner had a great love for the church music because he and I have discussed it many times, but, for some reason he had never told me he used to be the music leader. I can't wait to see him tonight and tell him that I know his secret!

Thinking about all of this has me appreciating all of those old saints from the past that have done their part to keep the church going and spread the Gospel. I feel honored to follow in the footsteps of such wonderful folks as Mr. Buckner. There are only a handful of the long-time members that are still around these day, Mrs. Haire, Mr. and Mrs. McMillan, the Grishams, all of those folks have been around nearly since the church started. I look up to them and appreciate all that they have done in the past. I am trying to do my part and I hope and pray that the younger generation behind me has the same desire.

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