Remembering Rick Bauer

Behold, 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. Revelation 3:20

Today as I write this (Monday Oct 2nd) I am remembering our friend Rick Bauer, on this the 14th anniversary of his passing on to heaven. Rick was among the finest men I have ever known. Rick was a loving husband, devoted father, loyal family member, compassionate physician, gifted athlete, talented drummer, encouraging friend, a faithful follower of Christ and he and his wife Cindy along with daughters Tara and Tessa, were the first of the 14 people to step through the storefront doors of Celebration Community Church as we gathered for the first time on a Thursday night in late August of 1996. Rick is so well remembered and is still so greatly missed.

I read that C. S. Lewis, the popular author of the Chronicles of Narnia series said, “that while on this earth we are on the wrong side of the door." But he added, "All the leaves of the New Testament are rustling with the rumor it will not always be so."

Jesus doesn't leave us "on the wrong side of the door." It is because of Him that we anticipate what’s on the other side; heaven. The hope He gives us is not due to our good character, selfless service, generous giving nor because we have earned the right to enter heaven by any of our own efforts. No, we will see our Savior only because of our faith in His supreme sacrifice on the cross for our sins.

When we reach heaven, we'll understand the far-reaching implications of the Apostle Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 2:9, "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him."

Rick Bauer lived each day preaching, not with words but rather by modeling his life after the One who gave him life and life eternal and who now stands at the door of our lives and knocks. I encourage you to invite him in daily.

Your pastor and partner in ministry,

Kyle