“Gentle words bring life and health; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.” Proverbs 15:4
I cannot express to you the sisterly God love I have for Brother Collins. Brother Collins is a man who truly oozes out Jesus from every part of his body. He has one of the deepest, most sincere loves for our Heavenly Father than I have ever seen in any human before. He is one of those men of God that make you wish you could sit at his feet and listen as he speaks God’s word. All while hoping just hoping that some of his knowledge and wisdom will fall directly on you and into your heart.
As I sit here and type these words and ponder on the thought of this amazing man of God, tears are streaming down my face just as they were at church today.
Today we were beyond blessed to get to hear the wisdom that embodies his very soul as he filled in for our Pastor-Brother Tilley. I just have to say I have a lump the size of a boulder in my throat! Not because I am sad, well yes I am sad, but because this man moves me to the place of awe, adoration, and a hunger to grow up and be filled with as much love and passion for God and people as he has, and because He is fighting an illness that is robbing him of almost every breath.
As I sat there absorbing and soaking in every word that came out of his mouth today I was captivated by the grace which was being poured out on him every second by the Lord. Grace to speak, grace to not cough, grace to endure, and the grace that filled him with laughter, love, and joy as he spoke of the one thing he loves more than life itself, his Heavenly Father.
At one point during the sermon I glanced over at his wife sitting on the front row, and those few seconds/ minutes I watched her, I never once saw anything other than a smile on her face. It was almost as though she was getting to hear him preach for the first time, and she wore proudness and love all over her as she sat and listened.
With my eyes back on Brother Collins I thought of a sermon I just watched his grandson Ryan preach and I realized the impact, example, and love Brother Collins set for his family, and it made me realize Ryan too is growing into a man of God just like him. Oh, my goodness how similar the two are, even though they are generations apart. We are blessed brethren to have these two men bless us with the God given ability to speak God’s word.
I love this family; I love this man, more so than anything I love the Jesus that consumes him. His words are gentle, life giving, enriching, and each one is from God Himself.
I am blessed because of you Brother Collins; I am blessed and honored every time I get to hear you preach God’s word. You are a man who possesses Jesus in a way that is contagious and the light that radiates off of you lets us know just how present God is in your life. Thank you for allowing me to bask in that light for almost four years.
I look forward to many more sermons, but more so, I look forward to worshipping with you forever in Heaven! You my brethren are amazing, absolutely amazing!
“Our bodies now disappoint us, but when they are raised, they will be full of glory. They are weak now, but when they are raised, they will be full of power.” 1 Corinthians 15:43
Prayer: Father thank You for the grace You poured out over Brother Collins today. You are so evident in his life, and his family’s life. Lord You know every need he and Linda have and today I ask Lord that You would double the sufficiency and grace so much that they sit in peace until the day You return. Lord thank You for allowing all of us to experience more of You through Him. Amen
