Tad Carlisle Funeral

Introduction

Over the years Tad and I had become close friends and I came to know him quit well. We sent many hours drinking coffee and talking across the street in Radina’s. We spent time both in his house and in his orchard, and Tad was the most inquisitive member of our Sunday school class.

When I think about Tad I am reminded of probably the most over looked individual in the entire New Testament. His name was Barnabas. Barnabas’s character was completely overshadowed by the Apostle Paul, but without Barnabas, Paul might never have become the prominent person we read about. Like Barnabas, Tad was often overshadowed by more prominent people, but, also like Barnabas, Tad often played a prominent role in their lives. Today, I’d like to share with you three things that standout out in my mind as I think of Tad.

Tad was a kind and gentle person.

Like most of us, Tad had his passions. One of which was his orchard. One day, I went out to visit Tad and he was in his orchard lovingly prune his fruit trees. “Hey Tad, what can I do to help you/” I asked. Tad put his shears and asked, “Have you ever pruned before? “No” I replied but it doesn't look that hard. I grew up a city boy and didn’t know an apple tree from a fig tree.

Tad handed me a pair of gloves and shears and began to teach me something about pruning. Now I’m not known as a slow learner, but tree pruning is not something to be taken lightly. Knowing which branches to trim, how to trim, and where to trim, takes time to learn. Tad probably could have finished in half the time without me, but in a calm and gentle manner we spent the afternoon pruning in the orchard.

Speaking of Saul, who later became known as the Apostle Paul, scripture says, “And when he had come to Jerusalem, he was trying to associate with the disciples; and they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple.But Barnabas took hold of him and brought him to the apostles and described to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had talked to him, and how at Damascus he had spoken out boldly in the name of Jesus.” Acts 9:26,27

With calmness and kindness it was Barnabas who introduced Saul to the apostles in Jerusalem. With calmness and kindness, Tad introduced me to the art of tree pruning.

Tad was an encourager.

For any of you who have served in the teaching field, you know that feeling of discouragement, wondering if your students are really learning anything at all. You pour your heart into your lessons and some students just sit there with a blank stare on their faces.

Tad was not one of those students! In our Sunday school class Tad was always ready with a question or comment. He had an insatiable desire to learn more about Christ. And I can’t count the times he would come up to me after class with a statement like, “Bill, I’ve learned more about the bible in your Sunday school class than ever before.” I have known more than one teacher who was ready to threw in the towel, but went on joyfully because of an appreciative comment from a student.

Tad was a godly person.

That’s not to say Tad was perfect; he had his rough edges too. But he was a growing christian. He loved the Lord and strived to be the kind of man God wanted him to be. And that’s all God asks of any of us. You see, God does not wait for us to become perfect; He takes us as we are and then molds and shapes into the man and woman He wants us to be.

Jesus said, “I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him, and dine with him, and he with me” (Rev 3:20). Tad heard His voice and opened the door and let Christ into his heart. Jesus also said, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me shall live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die” (Jn 11:25,26). This is the promise God gives to everyone, who, like Tad, opens the door and lets Jesus come into their heart.

Today Tad sleeps, but we’ll not say “Good-bye,” rather “Auf Wiedersehen” - till we meet again . . . .