It will be a little quieter here on earth...

A saint called home, today we heard that one of Peter's dear friends had died. Bill was a man that got Peter involved with a group of men that became his dear friends. Bill was a man who called Peter often after his stroke to encourage him to keep playing. In spite of everything,Bill was the man who got Peter out of the house and playing in front of people again. Bill was a banjo player himself, ever cheerful, ever encouraging - a great listener. He knew what music meant to Peter and helped him to keep on playing. I'm not sure how many people have friends like this, but it was special. As every phone call ended, I could hear Bill say, "I love you, brother" - he died in his chair, playing his banjo. It will be a little quieter here on earth...but, Bill "we love you, brother!"

Psalm 71

In you, Lord, I have taken refuge;

    let me never be put to shame.

In your righteousness, rescue me and deliver me;

    turn your ear to me and save me.

Be my rock of refuge,

    to which I can always go;

give the command to save me,

    for you are my rock and my fortress.

Deliver me, my God, from the hand of the wicked,

    from the grasp of those who are evil and cruel.

For you have been my hope, Sovereign Lord,

    my confidence since my youth.

From birth I have relied on you;

    you brought me forth from my mother’s womb.

    I will ever praise you.

I have become a sign to many;

    you are my strong refuge.

My mouth is filled with your praise,

    declaring your splendor all day long.

Do not cast me away when I am old;

    do not forsake me when my strength is gone.

For my enemies speak against me;

    those who wait to kill me conspire together.

They say, “God has forsaken him;

    pursue him and seize him,

    for no one will rescue him.”

Do not be far from me, my God;

    come quickly, God, to help me.

May my accusers perish in shame;

    may those who want to harm me

    be covered with scorn and disgrace.

As for me, I will always have hope;

    I will praise you more and more.

My mouth will tell of your righteous deeds,

    of your saving acts all day long—

    though I know not how to relate them all.

I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, Sovereign Lord;

    I will proclaim your righteous deeds, yours alone.

 Since my youth, God, you have taught me,

    and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds.

Even when I am old and gray,

    do not forsake me, my God,

till I declare your power to the next generation,

    your mighty acts to all who are to come.

Your righteousness, God, reaches to the heavens,

    you who have done great things.

    Who is like you, God?

Though you have made me see troubles,

    many and bitter,

    you will restore my life again;

from the depths of the earth

    you will again bring me up.

You will increase my honor

    and comfort me once more.

I will praise you with the harp

    for your faithfulness, my God;

I will sing praise to you with the lyre,

    Holy One of Israel.

My lips will shout for joy

    when I sing praise to you—

    I whom you have delivered.

My tongue will tell of your righteous acts

    all day long,

for those who wanted to harm me

    have been put to shame and confusion.