Brad is Gone
It is with great sadness that I must share with you that our friend, Brad, has died.
Tami called a few minutes ago, so say that an infection in Brad’s lungs had lead to arterial bleeding that the doctors could not stop. They thought for a short time that they could get him into the ICU or the operating room in critical condition, but he didn’t make it.
Tami was calm but clearly in a state of shock. I prayed with her over the phone for God’s grace for she and Katie and the rest of the family over the next few days. She asked that I share this sad news and notify a few folks here in Evergreen where Brad, Tami and Katie lived for a few years.
Brad had complete confidence in the fact that when he did die that he would enter into God’s presence for all eternity. That confidence wasn’t based on some false hope that he had done enough good things or gone through just the right religious motions, but instead on his belief and trust in what God had done for him by sending Christ to die to pay the price for sin.
Even when things were not going well, when he was feeling sick as a dog, worried about getting off of the pain meds and half delusional from the ones he was on, Brad never lost faith in God’s deep love for him, Tami and Katie. He would understand our grief at his passing, but would also want us to remember that he wasn’t afraid of dying and, while not wanting to leave us behind, knew that, for him, the best was yet to come.
There is so much more to write and to share about my friend, Brad, but for now, please join me in praying for Tami and Katie. We’re far away, but I know those of you who are close will wrap them up in your love on our behalf.
We’ll post the details on services here as soon as they are available. If you’d like to leave a note of encouragement for Tami and Katie you can do that by posting a comment here.
Mark Carlson (Evergreen, CO)
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. I Peter 1:3-5 (ESV)