From LifeDate - Winter 2007.

No, no, no! A new book of Scripture has not been discovered in an Israeli cave along the Dead Sea, nor did the Holy Spirit inspire Saint Paul to write a book named Max. But, yes! There is a book—a story, a life—named Max written by the very hand of God. Eighty-five chapters of this man’s life testify to the work of those mighty hands.

In 2002, my father-in-law, Max Bartlett, (shown at right with my husband, Paul, at Phoenix, Arizona, in February of 2007) was very sick. Nocardia (a bacteria) infected his brain. Max could do nothing but rest in the hands of His Creator. Miraculously, he was rescued by the mighty hands of God. By faith, Max clung to the promise of hope written in blood by the hands of God. Max knew his need for a Savior. The hands of that Savior, Jesus Christ, were faithful to lead Max for five more years on the journey toward his heavenly home.

The hands of God could be trusted. One week before his death, Max said to me, "We’re starting on that [last] journey you and I’ve been talking about, aren’t we?" On August 7, 2007, Max was lifted by mighty hands that carried him home.

Was the journey without difficulty? No. Was it the path of choice? No. Was it convenient for family members? No.

Can you imagine how the attitude of a dying man can impact those around him? Max knew he was in his final days, but that did not give him freedom to complain or demand. He used his freedom in Christ to think of others. He brightened the day of a tired nurse with compliments. He bragged on the skills of doctors. Before leaving the hospital for hospice at home, he invited all who could fit into his room for prayer.

Can you imagine conversations free of fear? One evening, a few days before being released from the hospital for palliative care at home, Max kept me standing by his bed until late. He wanted to talk about the hands of God at work in both our lives. Whether God wanted him to stay here with us. . . or go on before us—either was just fine with Max. Once settled at home in his hospice bed, Max asked me, "How will I die?" I could respond, "Peacefully." Then, I began to describe to this son of Adam and tiller of the soil how seven perfect angels would carry him to be with the Lord in a place where corn and bean fields of bright green stretch straight and tall with not a weed to be seen. Tilting his head toward my husband, his son and partner on the family farm, Max said with a crooked grin, "I’m skeptical." (OK, maybe I got a little carried away.)

Can you picture friends and relatives coming to "cheer" this man as he neared the finish line? One evening, Max was comforted by a fellow elder from his congregation who had come to offer encouragement. Suddenly entering into a mostly one-sided conversation, Max proclaimed with clarity and focus, "I’m ready to take my vows." My father-in-law was not Lutheran, but I was reminded of my own liturgical response in the Divine Service: "I will pay my vows to the Lord now in the presence of all His people, in the courts of the Lord’s house, in the midst of you, O Jerusalem." Or, perhaps Max was thinking of the vows to be taken when Jesus comes for His bride, the Church.

Can you grasp the significance of countless mentoring moments? The hands of God shaped an "older" vessel in ways that would be of help to this "younger" vessel. Max, like many others, didn’t see himself as a mentor. But his responses to various challenges and circumstances did, indeed, instruct me in one way or another.

Max was famous for saying, "It’s destiny!" Like King David, I think Max knew he could enjoy his lot in life because God is the One who marked out boundary lines for him in pleasant places. (Psalm 16:5-6) God does not take pleasure in evil. Instead, He gives us good counsel and makes the path of life known to us. I believe that Max prayed every night something like this: O Lord, I fall asleep in peace the moment I lie down because You are the only one who enables me to live securely. (Psalm 4:8) In the morning, I believe that Max started his day with words similar to these: I lay my needs before You God . . . and wait. Lead me in Your righteousness. Make Your way smooth in front of me. I will enter Your house because of Your great mercy. (Psalm 5:3-8) Such a prayer is true! It should be my prayer and yours.

Max had confidence in knowing he was made by the hands of God—and that every day of his life was recorded in His book before any one of them began. (Psalm 139:16) It’s true.The life of Max was precious, not because of anything he did, but because he was hand-made by God! Max was precious because his very life was purchased and won by the blood of Jesus Christ! God knew everything about Max. No matter where he traveled, God was already there. No matter what situation Max found himself in, God was already there. The God in whom Max put his trust is the God of amazement. This is the God who loves you and me—and knows everything about us.

Max was a pitiful man who, like King David, cried out to the Lord every time he stumbled or was afraid. The Lord hears those who call out to Him. In fact, we are told that the angel of the Lord [makes] camp around those who fear Him, and He rescues them. (Psalm 34:4-7) It’s true. Max acknowledged he was a poor man—a poor, miserable sinner. He knew that, without Jesus Christ, he was nothing. Without Jesus, you and I are nothing. But with Jesus, we are everything! We are forgiven sinners and people of hope!

In the wee morning hours of August 7, as Max was taking his last breaths here on earth, there was a storm with loud thunder and sharp lightening. That storm is significant to me. I think Satan fights God for our souls—right until our last moment in this world. At almost the same time the storm subsided, Max was delivered to God—safe and victorious!

My father-in-law never raised sheep on his farm; nevertheless, I believe the last chapter of the book of Max reads: "I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." (John 10:9-11 NIV). It’s true. This was Max’s confidence.

It is our confidence!