Legacy: James Albert Decker (11)

Remembrances by James J. Decker

24 June 2012

Conclusion

Papa introduced himself to my future mother-in-law this way: “I’m a Baptist, but I love to dance.”

When asked if he could play an instrument, what would he have played, and why?  “You’ve got to be kidding!  Tone-deaf people don’t play instruments!”

God gave Papa strong legs to run, and only when they gave out, did the Lord take him home. 

Papa was heaven-focused, right up to the end, evidenced by the book he was reading and re-reading: Heaven Is for Real. 

Now he’s there, with Jesus, and has new legs, a new voice, and new dance moves.

Papa didn’t like funerals. He intensely hated death. But even more, he hated to lose the opportunity to tell anyone about Jesus.

Jesus loves me, my family, Papa, Nana.  And Jesus loves you. 

Our human nature does us a disservice. We give ranks to the wrong things we do.  But with Jesus, sin is sin, no matter what it is. But here is the thing, no matter how “high-ranking” our sin is, it is not enough to disqualify us from his love.

Sin separates us from knowing Jesus. And we’ve all done it (Romans 3:23). And the consequences are dire - forever separated from God (Romans 6:23). 

                
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). Jesus loves you and me, his creations. And he went to drastic measures to reunite us.

So now, if you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 

I know that any of us that have spoken, myself, would love to tell you more, and walk you through these steps. And my grandfather, who loves Jesus more so now than ever before, would be ecstatic that you would begin this new life. 

Fabulous Friday - My 5 Favorite Statuses on Facebook in July

These are five favorite statuses that I put on Facebook in July 2012: 

• Question: If I have 10 ice cubes and you have 11 apples, how many pancakes will fit on the roof? Answer: Purple…because aliens don’t wear hats.
• The last thing I want to do is hurt you. But it is still on my list...
• I've had amnesia as long as I can remember...
• Most everyone would agree that trampolines are awesome. Except for kangaroos. They’re probably unimpressed.
• I went to a doctor and he told me I was overweight. I told him I wanted a second opinion. He said, “Okay, you’re ugly too.”

What was your favorite status that you put up?

Legacy: James Albert Decker (10)

Remembrances by James J. Decker

24 June 2012

Legacy he left for me

                

Proverbs 1:8-9 (ESV) “Hear, my son, your father’s instruction, and forsake not your mother’s teaching, for they are a graceful garland for your head and pendants for your neck.”

Proverbs 3:13-15 (ESV) “Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold.  She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her.”

My grandfather was my example of wisdom. 

              
When I had just started at Roberts Wesleyan College in Rochester, New York, I remember starting my first theology class.  I was at Papa and Nana’s house sitting on the couch and Papa was sitting on his comfy chair.  It was ironic that I was sitting on the couch because I never seemed to stay awake on that couch for very long.  Before the comfort of the couch took over, Papa leaned over and said “You know what JJ, people say that there are things in life that are either black or white.  In Jesus, there is NO black and white, there is only white and non-white.”

              
There was no issue too big, or thankfully, too small, that Papa wouldn’t stop to take the time to sit  - and listen - and offer his wisdom if asked. I always asked.

My grandfather was an example of having a passion for God’s Word. His Bibles were always worn, broken, tattered, ripped, but most importantly: read. When I would walk into their house, he would have a Bible on the kitchen table, end table, and his study. He was a relentless in his study of God’s Word.

He was sold out for Jesus. From his teachings in Sunday School, to his conversations with waitresses at family restaurants, it was unmistakable that he was in love with Jesus. In his conversations with Grace, Elizabeth, Joel and me, his passion was for Jesus. Beginning with his own personal studies, to sitting with Nana at the kitchen table before breakfast, he knew Jesus, and Jesus knew him.

He was my example of a faithful prayer life. Every morning, Papa and Nana would sit around the kitchen table, read through Our Daily Bread, and go through their prayer list. Their son, daughter-in-love, and grandchildren were always on their list. How do I know? Because Papa and Nana would tell us. They never let a moment pass without reminding us.

Personally, I knew I always could go to Papa and Nana if I needed prayer for something (it was as if they had a direct line with God).

              
Finally, he loved Marilyn. He has always been an example of a husband’s unconditional and faithful love to his wife.

He was always taking care of her, even when it was hard to take care of himself.  And it started immediately after he became a Christian. Whenever Papa would come home from work, whether bricklaying, teaching, or in college, first thing he would do is go find Nana. He would walk right past my dad (sometimes saying "Where is your mother?") - on purpose, every day, without fail.  Even as they grew older, he was always writing her cards and notes, never missing a birthday, Valentine’s Day, or Mother’s Day. It was because of a rock solid belief, that God had given Nana to him. It was the deep appreciation that God had put Nana back into his life. 

              
And for over 70 years, he loved my grandmother. And I know he still does. 

              
When asked about what marriage advice Papa could offer, he said this:

                                Ask forgiveness and forgive when hurt or hurtful;

                                Patience with one another;

                                Daily telling your spouse how much you them;

                                Always say ‘I love you’ daily;

                                Let money take care of itself, God has always met our needs;

                                Take time to kiss with passion, regardless of age

It was because of his wisdom, his passion for God’s Word and Jesus, his dedicated prayer life and his love for Nana that I always look to Papa as my example of what a godly man looks like. And I will continue to pursue this.

Fabulous Friday - My Favorite Five Hymns

27 July 2012

Sorry for the day delay - our family was at Mahaffey!

My Favorite Five Hymns

1.  May the Mind of Christ My Savior

2.  O Little Town of Bethlehem

3.  Blessed Assurance

4.  Come Thou Fount

5.  A Mighty Fortress Is Our God

Tell me your favorite five!

Legacy: James Albert Decker (8)

Remembrances

"We are so grateful to have known your Dad. His love of God, his humor and his way of life was an inspiration to us."

"We want to express our sadness that your father is no longer with you and your family here on earth, but to express our joy in knowing that his pain and tears have ended and he is 'being overwhelmed by it all' in his new home. What a legacy he left behind! May you continue to walk in his footsteps as he walked in the footsteps of Jesus. Knowing Jim will continue to be one of our 'prize possessions.'"

"Sorry to hear about the recent death of your father. I was recalling the 'spiritual' conversation I had with him at Joel's graduation party a few years ago. He was an educator at heart and had an ease with give and take conversation."

Legacy: James Albert Decker (7)

Remembrances by James J. Decker

24 June 2012

Legacy of His Legs

            
In 2 Timothy 4:7-8 it says:

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.  Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day – and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.”

Papa ran through high school (East in Rochester), setting records in Rochester for the 400 yd dash and cross-country. 

              
Every day as a child, he would ice skate.  He frequently spoke about his long runner speed skates and racing with them.

He loved to be outside until a virus in 1994 damaged his nervous system in his legs. Then just walking was never the same.

When Papa and Nana lived at 8135 Mill Road, Papa would walk up and down the hill, and would tell me that if he could pick up his legs and run, he would.  He loved to run.  He loved to race.

He never lost his desire to run.  And even when his body wouldn't allow him to physically run any more, his mind would.  He was in a race to know more about God, more about the Bible, more about Jesus.

He would study for Sunday School and would prepare pages of notes from his Bible study. 

His gift to me was his library, and as I flip through the pages, there are lots of notes that he made in the margins.  I wish he had better handwriting.

Poor Joel, has been tasked with typing up the pages upon pages of notes he has written.  Joel: fight the good fight, we will be indebted to you for this. 

The teacher was always in him.  Through his race to know the Bible, his eyes were always focused on the prize: Jesus.  He ran towards the finish line, right up until the day he died.

He was reading the book Heaven is For Real by Todd Burpo and Lynn Vincent.  When he would finish reading, he would read it to Nana.  And after reading with Nana, they would read it again.  And after, again.

              
Papa loved to run.  His legs loved to run.  His mind loved to run.  He ran so hard, in fact, that on the day he died, his legs gave way, and he fell.  His legs couldn’t hold him anymore.

Somehow, it seems a fitting ending for someone who spent his lifetime running after Jesus.

Legacy: James Albert Decker (6)

19 July 2012

Paul,

I read the blog of your Dad's legacy. It all rang true to the exposure I had to Jim Decker. I was surprised - yet not really surprised - to see my name listed as one he prayed for. I seem to remember he told me that he prayed for me regularly the time I saw him when the TCS choir sang at the school in Lima. That was 1998! He continued to be faithful after all these years. I am saddened to know I have one less prayer warrior upholding me. I guess you can say the same. I pray the Lord will fill the void that his departure created.

Sincerely in Christ, your friend,

Jim