Received shocking news today of an old family friend who passed away from a heart attack.
He was close to 55 years old.
Dave Bell was the worship pastor at my original home church in San Antonio. My family moved to East Texas when I was 5 so I can't really say I knew Dave....Ok, not at all but my parents did. We moved to East Texas to be the pastors of a small church in East Texas where Dave's father and grandfather had grown up. That's some back history, but whatever.
Dave Bell's music is the first worship 'tape' I remember having. I know every song on that album inside and out. I know them on the piano, I know them in my sleep. We listened to his tape/CD "The Lion of Judah" like nobody's business. Remember this post where I shared about Saturday morning cleaning? This CD was always the music we'd listen to.
This morning, before I'd heard the news, I was getting ready for church and thinking about how short our lives are. Really. We've got, on average, about 80 years here on Earth before we pass on to the next life (and I believe in Heaven and Hell- and that we will spend eternity in one or the other.)
To get the news of Dave Bell's passing affirmed what I'd been thinking earlier this morning.
But then.
I went to iTunes to purchase "The Lion of Judah" album since it has been YEARS since I had heard it. As I opened up the files, with EACH SONG, there was no doubt I knew every word- every rift- every ad lib- every inch of those songs.
But it took me back. It took me back to being 8 years old. (The album came out in 1992) It felt like AGES ago since I was an 8 year old girl singing along with those songs using my tennis racket as my 'guitar.'
How is it that at times our life feels SO SHORT and that time speeds past us- but at other times we feel as though we've been around forever?
Friends. Make your life count.
If you have 10 years to live or if you have 110 years to live. Make it count.
Dave's lyrics are lyrics, that over the past 20 years, I have sung to myself during different seasons of my life. There are songs of joy on that album, songs of faithfulness, and songs of adoration to a King who is deserving of all we can give. Dave was the first worship pastor I ever sat under. I may have only known him when I was 5, but his songs made a difference in my life. Thanks, Dave, for teaching this girl how to worship a King.
He was close to 55 years old.
Dave Bell was the worship pastor at my original home church in San Antonio. My family moved to East Texas when I was 5 so I can't really say I knew Dave....Ok, not at all but my parents did. We moved to East Texas to be the pastors of a small church in East Texas where Dave's father and grandfather had grown up. That's some back history, but whatever.
Dave Bell's music is the first worship 'tape' I remember having. I know every song on that album inside and out. I know them on the piano, I know them in my sleep. We listened to his tape/CD "The Lion of Judah" like nobody's business. Remember this post where I shared about Saturday morning cleaning? This CD was always the music we'd listen to.
This morning, before I'd heard the news, I was getting ready for church and thinking about how short our lives are. Really. We've got, on average, about 80 years here on Earth before we pass on to the next life (and I believe in Heaven and Hell- and that we will spend eternity in one or the other.)
To get the news of Dave Bell's passing affirmed what I'd been thinking earlier this morning.
But then.
I went to iTunes to purchase "The Lion of Judah" album since it has been YEARS since I had heard it. As I opened up the files, with EACH SONG, there was no doubt I knew every word- every rift- every ad lib- every inch of those songs.
But it took me back. It took me back to being 8 years old. (The album came out in 1992) It felt like AGES ago since I was an 8 year old girl singing along with those songs using my tennis racket as my 'guitar.'
How is it that at times our life feels SO SHORT and that time speeds past us- but at other times we feel as though we've been around forever?
Friends. Make your life count.
If you have 10 years to live or if you have 110 years to live. Make it count.
Dave's lyrics are lyrics, that over the past 20 years, I have sung to myself during different seasons of my life. There are songs of joy on that album, songs of faithfulness, and songs of adoration to a King who is deserving of all we can give. Dave was the first worship pastor I ever sat under. I may have only known him when I was 5, but his songs made a difference in my life. Thanks, Dave, for teaching this girl how to worship a King.
Is that confirmed??
ReplyDeleteDave Bell has past away?
Yes, you can see more information here: http://news.destinychurch.cc/davebell.html
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for sharing this. I came across your page while searching for info about Dave Bell's church in San Antonio, as I may be travelling into the area. So sorry to hear of his passing. I trust he is with the Lord now. I really relate to alot of what you said. I have listened to his 'Lion of Judah' CD many times over the years. Really good stuff. I probably even tried playing some of those songs on the piano a few times. Even though I never met him, I could tell that he was an uncommon guy. I really hope that his legacy of exceptional worship and prayer will continue on.
ReplyDeleteHave a great day,
David L.
Salem, Oregon
David,
DeleteThanks for stopping by the blog. Hope your time in San Antonio is/was fantastic. And I have no doubt his legacy will continue on. :-)