In Memoriam

[Roland Hearn]

William Bradford Mercer
born June 4th, 1956 - Gary, Indiana
died December 13, 2007 - Brisbane, Australia

A life well lived.

Shortly after 11:00 pm this evening Bradford moved his walk with Jesus a little closer. Farther up and farther in.

My mate walks with our mate tonight. I'm going to miss you Brad. God is God and love is enough.

[Ian Gentles]

Oh Lord i never wanted to hear this news, crying!
Love to all the family, and yours. Thanks for being his mate.

[Sara Sheppard]

These are not the words I wanted to read this morning....yet I rejoice in knowing that Brad is in the eternal worship of our Lord. He lived a life of great example to us and he also died that way. Heaven is an even greater place today.

God bless all of you Roland.

Sara

[Mark Metcalfe]

May God envelop the family with His comforting love and the embrace of all that Brad was to them. Bless the Lord! Bless the Lord! We shall all be reunited!

[Barbara Philipp]

May the Lord Bless and keep this family surrounding by loving memories. I thank God for the Mercer family and Hearn family sharing this time with us. I give you my sincere sympathy at this loss and pray for you all during this time.

Well done good and faithful servant, well done.

[Andrea Larabee]

Thank you all so much for sharing your lives and experience with us on a public message board. You all have been a great witness of our Lord's love.
Praying God will grant you the peace the passses all understanding this moment.

I am rejoicing Brad is with the Father too. No more pain, no more tears, kissing the feet of Jesus, seeing His nail scarred hands, and experiencing Jesus' resurrection in its absolute fullness!

Praying for all of you!

[Hans Deventer]

Lord, thank you indeed for a life well lived. For showing who You are through this "poor Arkensas kid". He meant more to me than I probably realise right now.
I guess saying goodbye is what we always dread to do, and this isn't much easier. But I know, we do not mourn as those without hope. We'll meet again, and I'm looking forward to that moment with all my heart!

[Cindi Hammons]

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow
The sun forbear to shine
But God, Who called me here below
Will be forever mine

My chains are gone
I've been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy reigns
Unending love, Amazing grace

Last night I was driving the 2 hours home from school and praying for Brad and everyone. I was listening to the radio and this song came on. The chorus really hit me when thinking about Brad. His chains are gone....

[Cecil Wallace]

So sorry to hear this news, even though in recent days, it appeared to be inevitable.

I only met Brad once.. in Mineola, Texas, when Pete V. was holding a revival in 2003, and Carolyn Franklin invited me to attend.
Brad came from the Dallas area to attend.

I have so much appreciated reading the heart-touching posts about Brad's journey over the past months.

My heartfelt sympathies go to Brad's family and close friends during this time.

There is rejoicing in Heaven today.
No more pain for Brad.

Love,
Cecil Wallace

[Scott Hilton]

I never got to meet Brad, I only know him as a kind soul who had nothing but nice things to say to me on my home site of Naznet. He displayed a love of God in his writings that I only hope to reach someday in my relationship with the Lord. My words won't do justice to the life of Brad, I just know that God has someone with Him now that I consider a good man. In this life of which we live, a good man is hard to come by.

In Jesus is our hope
Scott

[Marsha Gupton]

Words always fail me in times like this. My sincere sympathies to the entire Mercer Family and to the Hearn Family as well. Jesus wrap your loving arms around those that mourn. We thank God for Brad Mercer and life lived in service to the kingdom of God. We cherish the memories and rejoice through our loss as Brad is walking the streets of gold.

I met Brad at the 2001 General Assembly naznet fellowship. I think we just briefly said hello. Today, perhaps he and Craig Whitlach (naznetter who died a few years ago) are having a naznet meeting in heaven.

Marsha Gupton

[Barbara Phillips]

I hardly know what to say.

Heaven is rejoicing in a new person joining them.

I know it is sad for those left behind.

I don't recall meeting Brad in person but I know he will be missed. I'm glad he was able to be on earth for a little over a half century.

I know the memory of him will live on.

I'm praying for his family and close friends at this moment that they will be able to get through these difficult days of losing a special person.

[Jean Johnson]

I'm so grateful this morning for having had the privilege of knowing this godly man via the internet. What a legacy he has left! May the strong arms of Jesus truly wrap themselves tightly around his family in these days of grief.

Jean

[Ian Gentles]

Christine and I met Brad with Roland, Hans, and Hans son in London. We visited Wesley's chapel that day, good memories!

[David Pettigrew]

Oh Lord, I thank you that Brad no longer sees through a glass darkly...
That he has joined the communion of saints...
the hall of witnesses...

We rejoice at his graduation, knowing he is now hearing the words "Well done" from the lips of his Beloved.

At the same time, Lord, this really, really stinks. Why didn't you choose to heal him, and bring glory to Your name? Why did you take somebody who was doing so many things for the Kingdom?

Nevertheless, we know that you give and take away, and we bless Your Name.

We don't know how to pray for those Brad loved. But we do have the promise in Romans 8:26 that the Spirit helps us in our weakness, and intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. Holy Spirit, pray for us. Pray for Karen and her children. Pray for Roland and Emmy. Pray for River City church. Pray for Naznet.

*****

I did not know Brad in person, and we often fell on different sides of the thread here. But my heart is broken today.

[Ian Gentles]

Our love surrounds Brads family, and Rowlands. Words are hard to pray, just tried it, but if our love are prayers, and they are, then theres a lot!

[Anita F. Henck]

There is both sadness and joy in seeing the new category -- In Memoriam to Brad Mercer. There is sadness in our loss of a beloved brother in Christ who taught us much about Him, but also about enjoying life to its fullness. There is sadness for the Mercers -- on both sides of the world -- who have lost a much-loved husband, son, dad, brother, uncle. There is sadness for his adopted brother and family -- Roland Hearn, Emmy, and children. There is sadness for an Australian church plant that won't benefit from the joy of his spunk, teasing, and profound belief that "God is God and love is enough".

But, there is joy that, even in this process of dying, God has been glorified. There is joy that Brad is free from pain. And, there is total joy that Brad has "fought the good fight and finished the race." Brad taught us about crawling up in the lap of his Abba Daddy. We have no doubt he is doing that.

Now, our responsibility is to continue to share His story as Brad shared it, to love deeply, to hope greatly, and to continue our race well.

Love to all who mourn Brad's earthly departure, including those who only knew him through the virtual world of Naznet. But love and prayers are especially extended for those with whom he shared his heart and his life.

Crying on the outside but praising in my heart,
==anita==

[Pete Vecchi]

I'm praying for Brad's family even as I post this.

I don't know how to appropriately respond, but something tells me to share this:

We were in the hospital room when my mother-in-law passed away this past February. While we were all saddened, we'd been watching her suffer for such a long period of time, that I think the first words that came out of my wife's mouth were, "You made it, Mamma!"

As the tears are welling in my eyes, I can't help but need to say,

"You made it, Brad!"

[Gary Swartzlander]

The Swartzlander family extends it's love and sympathy to the family and friends of Brad. We have lived life with Brad and family and have now experienced death gracefully with Brad and family. Thank you for who you are and what this experience has ment to the Naznet family.

Just like Marsha, I also thought of Craig Whitlach among others who we have grown to love and appreciate as part of our own family with out having the pleasure of meeting them face to face here on earth, but, we know this is not the end, we will all meet someday and be able to personally say "Thanks" for setting such a valuable example for all of us.

I didn't realize until this morning that I am only 9 days older than Brad. Life is short and there is so much more to do and only God knows how much time that is. We must make the best of the time God gives us, Brad certainly did that. His life and legacy shall live in many of us and many people in Texas and Australia for years and years to come.

To the Mercer family our sympathy and love, also to Roland and family for your amazing love of this man and family, we should all strive to follow your examples.

Our prayers are with you.

[Sue Pyles]

May Brad's family feel God's Comfort, peace and grace at this time.
Not knowing him, but by reading his post, I am sure there are many precious memories to cherish. Everyone involved in Brad's live will be in my thoughts and prayers .

[Dennis M. Scott]

love.

[Dana Grant]

There was a Naznet meeting in Phoenix a few short years ago, and I sat across the table from Brad and listened as he told the story of meeting Roland and the events that led to the beginning of NewStart Frisco. It was so fascinating to hear how God had worked in helping establish such strong bonds between these two men and their families and how God was working in their lives.......I'm so thankful to have had that opportunity........


My heart and prayers go out to Karen, your children, your family, and to the Hearn family, as well..........We all wish that we could wrap our arms around you and comfort you.....please know that we are doing that with our prayers and our love from all over the world.

[Gord Evans]

I'm sorry for your deep loss Roland. But I rejoice with Karen and you and Emmy that Brad is no longer struggling and tied to this earth.

"... to live is Christ, to die is gain."

Thank You, Lord, for grace and mercy.

[Karen Mercer]

We ARE feeling "God's comfort and peace and grace at this time." I was thinking tonight about all the people that have been extraordinarily loving and kind to us these months and was again overwhelmed to tears by people's responses to us. The posts and prayers on Naznet are just a fraction of what we've received. I have a very incomplete list of nice things people have done for us and it's already 2 pages long... single spaced, small print. Thank you for your prayers. I'm a little numb right now but I've felt cushioned and held for months now. I love you people!!!

[Gina Stevenson]

... words don't come easily here at a time like this, knowing they can only do so much ... knowing how we were all praying with Brad's family for his "miracle" [our human version of that, I guess] ... for his earthly life to continue.

As this brings back so many memories, it also makes my imagination go to a thing or two that might be occurring even now in heaven ... Brad & Danny, both with a heart for reaching others with the Gospel, meeting up and having much to talk about upon meeting (they did both live in AZ at one time, too, for one thing) ... interrupting each other, both being such talkers .... ;)

Saddened here, because we, too, expected a different outcome ... expected to see how God works in different ways with different folks ... but, I guess, in the end He tho't it was OK for their two paths to be similar in the end.

Luv'n {{{ hugs }}} to you, Karen, Wesley, Charlotte, & Jacob; Janet and your mom, dad & siblings; Roland, Emmy and children ... and all of us who held Brad as a special brother here at NazNet and elsewhere.

[Scott Daniels]

Our prayers are with you and the families. It was such a privilege to serve with you both in Dallas. The peace and hope of Christ to you.

[Charles W Christian]

Please add my tears and prayers to everyone's here. When I first met Brad I had only been a pastor for a few years, and I remember being so overwhelmed by the passion he showed for reaching new people for Christ. His partnership with Roland and the Hearns in Texas and in Australia was transforming for those to whom they ministered, and for those who got the privilege to observe and pray for the work.

I simply cannot believe he has died, though I know it's a reality. I can believe that we can indeed be "hope-filled grievers", and that the greater reality is yet to come.

May God comfort his family and those of us who got to call him "friend" during this time.

Thanks, Roland, for keeping us posted....

In Christ,
Charles

[Alisa Stoll]

Roland, Karen, or Janet,

I met a young lady through my Bible Study who lost her father to ALS a year or so ago. She is a singer/song writer and has a CD with songs I would like to share. God had been bringing her conversations to mind recently and today I caught up with her to ask about her CD. Wouldn't you know that God worked it out such that she had a box with her and gave me one to send to you.

So if you could send me a private message or an email so I could send it to you, I would appreciate it.


From my Bible Study today:

Jude 21: Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. and 24-25: To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy--to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.

Alisa

[Dave McClung]

William Bradford Mercer
born June 4th, 1956 - Gary, Indiana
died December 13, 2007 - Brisbane, Australia

A life well lived.

Shortly after 11:00 pm this evening Bradford moved his walk with Jesus a little closer. Farther up and farther in.

My mate walks with our mate tonight. I'm going to miss you Brad. God is God and love is enough.

Brad's family and the Hearn family continue to be in our prayers. Roland, thanks for being such a friend to Brad.

[Linda Bechtold]

We ARE feeling "God's comfort and peace and grace at this time." I was thinking tonight about all the people that have been extraordinarily loving and kind to us these months and was again overwhelmed to tears by people's responses to us. The posts and prayers on Naznet are just a fraction of what we've received. I have a very incomplete list of nice things people have done for us and it's already 2 pages long... single spaced, small print. Thank you for your prayers. I'm a little numb right now but I've felt cushioned and held for months now. I love you people!!!

I love you Karen!! I will be praying for all of you especially Wesley and Charlotte as they make this long trip to be with you.

[Jamie Wayne]

"'There was a real railway accident,' said Aslan softly. 'Your father and mother and all of you are - as you used to call it in the Shadow-Lands - dead. The term is over: the holidays have begun. The dream is ended: this is the morning.'

And as He spoke He no longer looked to them like a lion; but the things that begun to happen after that were so great and beautiful that I cannot write them. And for us this is the end of all the stories, and we can most truly say that all lived happily ever after. But for them it was only the beginning of the real story. All their life in this world and all their adventures in Narnia had only been the cover and the title page: now at last they were beginning Chapter One of the Great Story, which no one on earth has read: which goes on for ever: in which every chapter is better than the one before."


...say hello to Reepicheep for me, Brad.

[G R 'Scott' Cundiff]

All of our lives are richer for having known Brad. His journey is complete and his victory is won through the blood of his Lord Jesus, I will continue to pray for Brad's family and friends.

Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

[Gina Stevenson]

There was a Naznet meeting in Phoenix a few short years ago ...............

Yes, I recall that first-ever meeting with some NazNetters when I still lived in Phoenix. Was wishing even then that we'd known about it before Danny died; they could've met here rather than "up there."

We ARE feeling "God's comfort and peace and grace at this time." I was thinking tonight about all the people that have been extraordinarily loving and kind to us these months and was again overwhelmed to tears by people's responses to us. The posts and prayers on Naznet are just a fraction of what we've received. I have a very incomplete list of nice things people have done for us and it's already 2 pages long... single spaced, small print. Thank you for your prayers. I'm a little numb right now but I've felt cushioned and held for months now. I love you people!!!

... which is normal ... 'remember calling it "God's anesthetic" to help one get through such a time as this, Karen. {{{ hugs }}}

[Roland Hearn]

Over the last few months as this time has gotten closer I have asked God over and over again, "why did you open the doors so Brad could come to plant the church and then allow death to take hims so quickly?" I haven't slept tonight at all but about an hour ago I got the most incredible answer, it was a God moment.

"I sent him to live out his last days with you. I gave you the gift of having every day with him for fifteen months, you laughed, cried, praised Me, ranted and raved about problems and frustrations, dreamed, wrote, were goofy together, struggled, sharpened each other and your dream and you shared in his passing. You now have something to take you through until you join him that you wouldn't have had if I had not opened that door." (or something like that)

My response: "(silence)...You are right, thank you, wow - what a gift."

[Gina Stevenson]

My response: "(silence)...You are right, thank you, wow - what a gift."


And such a quick answer, too, Roland .........

Blessings as you all go through this together as family.

[Jeremy D. Scott]

Brad taught me to love better. And isn't that the point?

Further up & further in...

[Gary Swartzlander]

Over the last few months as this time has gotten closer I have asked God over and over again, "why did you open the doors so Brad could come to plant the church and then allow death to take hims so quickly?" I haven't slept tonight at all but about an hour ago I got the most incredible answer, it was a God moment.

"I sent him to live out his last days with you. I gave you the gift of having every day with him for fifteen months, you laughed, cried, praised Me, ranted and raved about problems and frustrations, dreamed, wrote, were goofy together, struggled, sharpened each other and your dream and you shared in his passing. You now have something to take you through until you join him that you wouldn't have had if I had not opened that door." (or something like that)

My response: "(silence)...You are right, thank you, wow - what a gift."

"Our God Is An Awesome God"

Roland, thanks for sharing an amazing perspective.

[Gord Evans]

Roland, I think that each of you ... you and Emmy and your children, and Karen, Charlotte, Wes and Jake ... will each discover a new 'gift' from God this Christmas, as you each ask this and similar questions?

There is a reason ...

I pray that you will each find, unwrap and embrace the gift that He has given you through this time and these experiences with Brad.

My prayer is for Janet and Mom, too, asking questions back home ... hear from the God of Wonders this Christmas.


Over the last few months as this time has gotten closer I have asked God over and over again, "why did you open the doors so Brad could come to plant the church and then allow death to take hims so quickly?" I haven't slept tonight at all but about an hour ago I got the most incredible answer, it was a God moment.

"I sent him to live out his last days with you. I gave you the gift of having every day with him for fifteen months, you laughed, cried, praised Me, ranted and raved about problems and frustrations, dreamed, wrote, were goofy together, struggled, sharpened each other and your dream and you shared in his passing. You now have something to take you through until you join him that you wouldn't have had if I had not opened that door." (or something like that)

My response: "(silence)...You are right, thank you, wow - what a gift."

[Jim Franklin]

I can say like the ending of a popular program memorializing police officers who have fallen in the line of duty that like them, "It is now in how they died that made them heros but how they lived." Truly Brad fell in the line of duty. For truly and forever Brad will always be a hero to NazNetters everywhere. The magnetism of his walk with God and personality that showed through his posts will forever be a magnetism for us all to join Brad where he is now. I pray that on this day and the days to come that we all will feel that special drawing power toward Heaven and may we live to be so fit.

Our Mens' Bible Fellowship had special prayer for Brad, Roland and your families last evening. Thank you, Roland for your steadfastness in keeping us all updated on Brad's journey Home.

[Ian Gentles]

I just hope someone will rise up to take Brads place. And also that someone will take Rolands bests mates place so he can go on!

[Steve Hendrix]

As so many others have said, words just don't do right now. Sounds aren't much better. What does aching sound like? How can you articulate that piercing pain in your throat when tears can't fall fast enough? On the flip side, absolute silence seems the best way to describe the peaceful calm that comes from knowing that Brad's pain is finished and his joy is indescribable.

The first time I remember meeting Brad was after a service in the church I pastored in Irving, Texas. I had invited the new church plant pastor to speak to our congregation. In typical fashion, Brad came along for the ride in support of his friend and brother. As was also his style, Brad sat in the back, preferring to let Roland get the attention. As we all served together on the Dallas district, my respect and admiration for Brad grew. I got to know Brad best when he attended a few classes I taught in the district's ministerial training program. Rarely have I ever had a "student" teach me. But anyone who really knows Brad knows that he was an incredible teacher. . . . AND a gifted communicator. One of the things I'm grieving the most today is that his voice has been silenced. As one who shared in (and truthfully was inspired and nurtured by) Brad's passion for engaging the world with the story of God's love, I know that I will not let his memory fade.

Brad told me a story one time that I have treasured and used in numerous sermons. Several of us were eating together after one of those district board meetings (probably ministerial studies). Brad described how he and Karen were sitting on their front porch drinking coffee on a recent morning. He said that he asked Karen to close her eyes and picture God in her mind's eye. She complied and after a few minutes Brad asked her to describe what she saw. She said that she saw God leaning over her, hands on His hips, with a scowl of disapproval on His face. Brad responded, "That's not God . . . that's your mother!"

We all know that Brad (nor I) meant no disrespect to Karen's mother. For I imagine more than a few of us would have described a similar image as WE visualized God. But in that story, I got one of my first glimpses into the commitment Brad had to help everyone see God as the God of love and grace that we see portrayed in Christ. The one comfort I take from Brad's passing today is this: he has now seen the face of God and has no doubt uttered the words: "God is God and love really IS enough!"

You will be missed, Brad! Our love for you carries on.

[Roland Hearn]

Steve,
I love you - I consider you one of my closest friends. I wish we could have coffee today in Starbucks. Thank you for writing so eloquently. I hope to see you soon.

[Christine Josephson]

I am happy for Brad and what he is experiencing with our Lord. He is at rest.
My prayers are with Karen and children, Lord surround them with your great arms of love and peace. Prayers also for Brad's extended family.
Lord be with Roland, Emmy and the church, give them understanding, comfort and peace.
Love and prayers to all of you.
Chris and Don Josephson

[Steve Walsh]

It takes a lot for me to cry - I guess it has something to do with my culture but a lot more to do with my upbringing - but now I find myself crying. Crying with sadness that we are now separated from Brad (for a while), crying for Karen, Wesley, Charlotte & Jacob, Janet and the rest of the Mercer family, crying for Roland & Emmy & the folk at New Start River City Church. Crying that I won't be able to discuss a recent book I gave Brad with him.

I am comforted this morning by the life Brad lived - his example, his friendship, his sacrificial willingness to come to my country to be faithful and to serve both the Lord and us here - far from home and friends back in the USA. Brad made a tremendous impact on our little church here at Capalaba. Our church loved him and knew that Brad loved us. We were privileged for Brad & Karen & Jacob to become members here in July and for Brad to preach for us twice - the most recent only on 18 November. God used that message but more especially used Brad's life.

Our church is struggling to get things back to order after a fire here last Friday (and now to see if it is feasible to hold the memorial service here next week), but the loss of Brad will be more of a blow. In a little while I will begin phoning our folk who have been praying daily for Brad since his diagnosis in March.

My personal commitment is to see that the vision that Brad & Karen & Roland & Emmy have will continue. I am privileged to be Brad's mate, and am privileged also to be Roland's mate. I rejoice in that this morning.

On behalf of the Capalaba Community Church of the Nazarene, and from Fiona, my mother Gae, and myself (who were privileged to have had Brad in our home several times), we extend to Karen & Wesley, Charlotte & Jacob, Janet & the the rest of the Mercer clan, Roland & Emmy & their family & the folk at New Start River City Church of the Nazarene, our deepest sympathies, our frequent prayers, and our commitment to continue to do all we can to support you - not only in the difficult days ahead - but in the years until we are all reunited with Brad.

Yours and HIS
Steve

[Steve Walsh]

I just hope someone will rise up to take Brads place. And also that someone will take Rolands bests mates place so he can go on!

No one will ever be able to take Brad's place, but I understand your desire. My desire and commitment is to be and do all I can to stand in the gap.

[Emmy Hearn]

Steve Hendrix wrote:
"As so many others have said, words just don't do right now. Sounds aren't much better. What does aching sound like? How can you articulate that piercing pain in your throat when tears can't fall fast enough? On the flip side, absolute silence seems the best way to describe the peaceful calm that comes from knowing that Brad's pain is finished and his joy is indescribable."

Thank you so much Steve - I have so needed to cry during the last week. Your post put into words the ache in my heart and helped me find that place.

I really loved Brad. He, Karen, Roland and I always talked about how fun it would be to share a house once all our children left home - I have never known people who were so like family to me. We dreamed we'd have four rocking chairs on the front porch where we'd sit and drink tea and Brad & Roland would rant together while Karen and I rolled our eyes and looked at each other knowingly :) There was a moment in time about 3 weeks ago - when it became obvious healing looked unlikely - where it took everything in me not to rush out and buy 4 rocking chairs for our back porch here so we could at least have a little time rocking together.

Whenever we parted, Brad would hug me and whisper, "You're a good one, baby sister". He was the truest brother I have ever had. I'll miss you bubba.

[Bob Evans]

I only knew Brad from the board and as a recent newcomer not long enough. It didn't take me long to realize the depth and knowledge that the Lord gave him. I always felt like what he brought to the board was genuine and based in love.

There are a few naznetters that you always hope to weigh in on an issue. Brand was one of them. And usually after Brad spoke then any conflict or doubt was usually put to rest. If he had that impact on a typed board I can only imagine the presence he brought in real life.

It seems like the Lord is calling people out of the world to work full time in his kingdom. About half the staff here at the mission fit that description. Brad was one of those thoughtful people that combined his experience of work in the secular world with a deep faith,genuine love, and a desire to learn.

He will be missed.

My prayers will be with All of you

Bob

[Steve Hendrix]

Emmy - Thank you for your kind words. I usually try to steer clear of inciting a woman to cry - but perhaps this is a good time for an exception.

And about those rocking chairs, it would bring a certain joy to my heart if I knew you had a couple extra chairs tucked away for us . . . whether for a visit or perhaps longer. :basic01

As I've told Roland many times, especially recently, we wish we could be there with you all right now. Please know that our arms are holding you close, even from thousands of miles away.

[Paula Karr]

Brad was the first NazNetter I ever met -- at the General Assembly in 1995 in San Antonio when we had a huge breakfast get-together. He had us smiling from the beginning, and kept us smiling much of the last 10 years. Even though he was younger than I, it was I who learned from him how loving God really is.

After that first meeting, we were blessed with several other opportunities to meet with Karen and Brad (in Texas and in Arizona). We have stood back amazed at how God has used the Mercers and the Hearns to live as an example of what He can do in ordinary lives that are simply, fully given to Him.

I thank God for sharing Brad with the world for 51 years. And I know that we will see him again.

Paula Karr
Sun Lakes, AZ

[Mike McVey]

I rarely look at the forums outside of the theology forum...

I'm not so sure that I'm glad I did this time. It was by accident, and now I think my night is ruined. There are so many responses on other threads that I was about to write... and I really do think those words become mostly meaningless now.

The way I met Brad is an interesting story, at least to me. About 5 years ago, maybe even to the the day, I was questioning many things about church and authority and stressed myself out. When I get stressed out, I start looking at church websites (I have no idea why). A pastor I respected on the Dallas District had given his pastor's report earlier that year from his palm pilot. In his pastor's report he mentioned a dream of two people, one in Australia and another in Dallas, TX to start a church that the district never gave a chance. With virtually no support from the DAB, and competing with Chuck Swindoll's church, Frisco Newstart was about one of two or three churches on the district that actually was reaching more than a few non-Christians. I remember several at the district assembly that were put off by this Australian pastor's report. For some reason, I remembered this report when looking at church websites and sought out Frisco's website.

I was amazed at what I saw. First of all, the website was pretty kick-butt compared to other church websites of the time. It was one of the few that actually let you download sermons. But the thing that was most interesting was the "How We Started" page. I didn't know who this Brad Mercer character was, but I was very intrigued with his version (sorry Roland, Brad's just a better writer :)). I was amazed that a church could literally be started from the internet.

In May 2004, I was waiting for my name to be called to be interviewed for a renewal of a district license. There was a guy sitting there waiting as well. We had some small talk and then introduced ourselves. He knew me because of my father (like everyone on the Dallas District) and I knew only by the web page he helped create. We talked about history, church planting and evangelism in those ten minutes before his name was called. We never did finish that conversation on church planting...

That fall, I met a punk kid (:)) named Wes at SNU. Wes was/is an awesome kid. I found out Brad was his father, and we had a good connection about it. Every time we saw each other, we talked about his dad. But as a security officer for the university, I kept an eye on Wes (not that he needed it) because of my respect for Brad. Wes is just an outstanding person. I gained more respect for Brad because of how well he raised his son. I am a firm believer that apples don't fall too far from their apple tree roots.

Back in May of this year, I was doing a search on a couple former professors, and ended up reading some NazNet posts. I decided to join so it would make it easier to read the threads. To my surprise, Roland and Brad were regular posters! This made me feel at home even though I was in the foreign state of Pennsylvania and they in Australia.

Over the past few months, I realized how much I disagree with them on several issues, but I also remember that when I got stressed out about a meaningless subject here, Brad promised to pray for me and the church I'm at whenever he thought of me and read a post that I "thanked" or responded to. All my life, several people have said they will pray for me, but it didn't ever mean much to me. But for some reason, I believed Brad. He wrote me emails occasionally to check up on me... My tears are falling, and my little girl wants her cup of milk right now.

Several have already mentioned this, but the one thing that I always agreed with Brad and I believe has been displayed in his life, as evidenced by at least his son, is: if it is about God, it's all about love. We both are fans/practitioners of Wesleyan/Wynkoopian relational love, even though our systems of thinking are so completely different. But reading the thousands and thousands of responses (or so it seemed :)) that Brad wrote, encouraged and argued; he always seemed to bring it back to love where it needed to be.

My regret is that in my life there have been way too few saints that have visibly encouraged my walk in Christ. And my heart is torn because now there is one less.

[Emmy Hearn]

And about those rocking chairs, it would bring a certain joy to my heart if I knew you had a couple extra chairs tucked away for us . . . whether for a visit or perhaps longer. :basic01

"Perhaps longer" would be a dream come true, Steve. We'll save a couple for you and Sherrie :fav14

[Kathy O'Connor]

This poem has been a comfort to so many; it is my hope it will be some comfort to the Mercer family.

I haven't done an attachment before, so I hope this comes through.

With love and prayers for all who are missing a loved one this Christmas,

kathy o'connor

[Beth Steele]

We are so sad to hear this news. We have been praying for you and thinking about you all week. We have been walking down memory lane of our time in Dallas with you all and have of course cried many tears.

In memory of Brad our family tonight has begun to read the Chronicles of Narnia together. We each have read the books separately but want to do it as a family now, as I know Brad did with you all.

Karen, Wes, Charlotte, Jake, Roland and Emmy we are praying for you, and we love you so much.

I know it's not the time for regrets, but please allow me say that I'm sorry we haven't kept in touch with you. We only found out this week about Brad, and it has saddend us to no end that we could have been praying sooner.

We will continue to uphold you in our thoughts and prayers.

Love,
Beth, Brad, Joel and Lindsey Steele

[Gary Swartzlander]

This poem has been a comfort to so many; it is my hope it will be some comfort to the Mercer family.

I haven't done an attachment before, so I hope this comes through.

With love and prayers for all who are missing a loved one this Christmas,

kathy o'connor


Kathy, for those who may not be able to read this poem for lack of Microsoft Word, I have produced it in a pdf file which most everyone can read. Thanks for passing it along.

[Randy Wise]

I really didn't know Brad other than what I read on Naznet. I think it would be ok with those in heaven if we added Brads signature to the following verses this day.

Randy

For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. 7I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

Signed Brad

[Laurie Florence]

Prayers and love.

[Kathy O'Connor]

Thanks, bro!!!

[Bob Woolley]

To the family,

It was so hard for me to create this background tonight (tears welded up many times and I had to stop) but it is my wish that it will be a comfort to you that Brad was greatly loved here and with everyone he came in contact with. His vision is our vision that Christ will be glorified in all things and many will come to know Him!

God bless you all at this time...Brad is near to our hearts and you are in our prayers! Love, Bob, the PowerPoint guy in Canada

[Eugenia Whitten]

Bob,

That is absolutely beautiful.
My condolences to the family and to Brad's many, many friends.

[DA Weaver]

I didn't really get to know Brad as many of you did. I saw his occassional post, but didn't realize the extent of his illness until only the past week or so. My heart ached as I read the posts about someone who loved the Lord so much that he was willing to leave behind his home land and family to share the word of God and go to where the Lord had called him. It sounds as if he was a missionary in every sense of the word, he was willing to lay down his life to be where the Lord had called him. My heart goes out to his family at this time.

As I sit here this evening, I find myself reading about the loss of Brad while dealing with the beginning stages of cancer and chemo therapy treatments for a beloved friend, Pr. Terry Berry. I don't want to sound selfish in wondering what I can do for Pastor Berry, but from what I've read about Brad, I don't think he would look at it as "selfish", but rather ministering to a brother (Terry) and sister (Tina) in Christ.

As I sit here this evening, my heart goes out to the Mercer family, as their loved one has ended his battle with cancer. As heart breaking as it must feel, I can only imagine that there's some comfort in knowing Brad's walking with his Lord and Savior. Then I begin to think of Pr. Berry and wonder where his battle with cancer is heading, and pray that some how I can minister to his family, that I'll be the friend to Tina that the Lord has called me to be over the past 12 years. That some how I'll be able to be 1/2 the blessing to them as they have been to me over the years.

[Bob Evans]

Da

I think Brad would do the same thing as your doing.

[Peter Teolis]

My heart stopped for a second when I heard the news. Even though it seemed that the time for Brad to go home to our Father was near, it is hard to accept. Part of me still thought I would meet Brad in person, but part of me knew I would have to wait to see him in heaven. I am saddened, I shed a few tears as I read all the posts. Well done good and faithful servant. May I be as good and faithful a servant as you have been.


I have posted this on Facebook

Brad's journey on earth has ended. We are better for having known Brad, whether or not we met him in person.

Sadness and joy, mixed emotions.

I never met the man in person, but I am looking forward to visiting his mansion in heaven to meet him for the first time. Eternal rest grant unto him, o Lord. We know perpetual life is now shining upon him. May Brad's work continue on in all of us who know him.

Lord, be with Brad's family, comfort and protect them in this time of sadness and joy. Thank you for giving Brad life so that we can all learn from it. God is God and love, especially now, is enough!


May God be with you, Karen and with your children and Brads family back in the USA. And you, too, Roland and your family in Australia. May His peace be with you and may His love be enough!

[Karen Mercer]

[QUOTE=Beth Steele;153165]We are so sad to hear this news. We have been praying for you and thinking about you all week. We have been walking down memory lane of our time in Dallas with you all and have of course cried many tears.

In memory of Brad our family tonight has begun to read the Chronicles of Narnia together. We each have read the books separately but want to do it as a family now, as I know Brad did with you all.
******************

Thanks so much, Beth.........
Brad would be tickled to no end to know that's how your family is remembering him. Reading those books together as a family is one of our sweet memories.

[James Riggsby]

Sitting here almost in disbelief, praying for the Mercer family and thanking God for letting me cross paths with Brad before he went home.

[Thomas Cook]

Sorry from the human and earthly standpoint to hear of Brad's passing.I never had the privilege of meeting him but corresponded with him and felt like I knew him.
Every exchange I had with him was Christlike and thoughtful with a bit of wit.He was one of the first to welcome me to Naznet.Until we finally meet at Home some day,I wll miss reading his posts and just knowing he's there.
To Karen and all of the family,my prayers are for sure, with you.
Tom

[Joel Merrill]

I also don't know what to say. The most elegant words and the voice of angels would not be good enough. I went through Dallas once and tried to get in contact with Brad but we just missed each other. We both loved good food. I show it more then he did. I am thankful for Brad's life and for the lives he touched. I can't help but wonder why, but my faith is God tells me that God knows what is best even when it doesn't seem right to us. We will all miss Brad here on Naznet. I will continue to pray for Brad's family.

Joel

[Greg Farra]

Brad was certainly an inspiration to us all. My deepest sympathy and condolences to his family.

[Wilson L. Deaton]

My deepest sympathy to all those mourning this loss.

This is the Scripture passage that God impressed upon me when my dad was near death. It seems fitting here:

Psalm 116:15 Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.

Wilson

[Ryan Scott]

While I can intellectually affirm the idea that God works miracles, I've known a lot of people who were convinced God would heal them; I've never seen it happen. I've never really expect it to. This time was entirely different. I just assumed Brad would be around for a long, long time. I wasn't exactly expecting a miracle, but I just sort of assumed that God would hold it off until he'd had a chance to live a little more. It really makes me think about how the end is always arbitrary. I can't think of a better possible example of how to make the most of what we've got.

[Marg Shurtliff]

Saddened beyond words when I saw the " In Memorium " thread . Tears flow freely as I read what others have said and agreed with them . Brad was a friend , even though we never met nor actually had any personal connection . I always enjoyed what he shared . It was uplifting and he was such a peace loving man . He truly was a saint !
Be assured of prayers for Karen and the Mercer family and Roland and the Hearn family and also Steve Walsh and family . I am sure there are many things in each of our lives that we would never have heard of or experienced had it not been for " knowing " Brad . He truly was a blessing ( and will continue to be as we think of him ) . There is a Brad - shaped hole here in our hearts but we are filling it with our memories of his life and words .

[Mike Wooldridge]

Kathy, for those who may not be able to read this poem for lack of Microsoft Word, I have produced it in a pdf file which most everyone can read. Thanks for passing it along.

Thanks Kathy and Gary. This is Mary's first Christmas in Heaven, too. :thanks)

[David van Beveren]

But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. 1 Peter 3,15
This is what Brad has done not only with his words, but with his whole life.

I am thankful for Brad and for all the precious thoughts that he shared with us. It made the world a better place.
My thoughts and prayers are with Karen and their children, with Roland, Emmy and their children, and with the Mercer family in the US.

[Andrew Henck]

I too was a part of the "original" NazNet meeting back in San Antonio at GA and remember meeting Brad among the many others that I'd encounter on NazNet. As I continued to test out articulating opinions and sharing perspectives on a whole host of issues as a then middle schooler and now college student, I was always appreciative of and grateful for Brad's words that would often teach and guide me to look from a different angle or consider a new thought on a matter being discussed.

I'm not with a lot of words right now, but have been singing the words of a song that I've been listening to a lot lately and find the lyrics particularly poignant as I think about Brad's life as I've known it from this place. I posted these lyrics on here a while back, but am reminded about them tonight as I think of Brad's life...

When the Saints by: Sara Groves

Lord I have a heavy burden of all I've seen and know
It's more than I can handle
But your word is burning like a fire shut up in my bones
and I cannot let it go

And when I'm weary and overwrought
with so many battles left unfought

I think of Paul and Silas in the prison yard
I hear their song of freedom rising to the stars
And when the Saints go marching in
I want to be one of them

Lord it's all that I can't carry and cannot leave behind
it often overwhelmed me
but when I think of all who've gone before me and lived the faithful life
their courage compels me

And when I'm weary and overwrought
with so many battles left unfought

I think of Paul and Silas in the prison yard
I hear their song of freedom rising to the stars

I see the shepherd Moses in the Pharoahs court
I hear his call for freedom for the people of the Lord

And when the Saints go marching in
I want to be one of them
And when the Saints go marching in
I want to be one of them

I see the long quiet walk along the Underground Railroad
I see the slave awakening to the value of her soul

I see the young missionary and the end of the spear
I see his family returning with no trace of fear

I see the long hard shadows of Calcutta nights
I see the sisters standing by the dying man's side

I see the young girl huddled on the brothel floor
I see the man with a passion come and kicking down the door

I see the man of sorrows and his long troubled road
I see the world on his shoulders and my easy load

And when the Saints go marching in
I want to be one of them
And when the Saints go marching in
I want to be one of them

What a blessing to be a witness to Brad's journey from a distance. I read these lyrics and hear the song this evening and have a heavy heart but a joyful spirit knowing that a saint that was among us has joined the hosts and is marching in heaven right now.

[Hans Deventer]

It was so hard for me to create this background tonight (tears welded up many times and I had to stop) but it is my wish that it will be a comfort to you that Brad was greatly loved here and with everyone he came in contact with. His vision is our vision that Christ will be glorified in all things and many will come to know Him!

Bob, this is awesome. Thank you so much for capturing in an image what many tried to convey with words. Thanks for being our artist.

[Karen Mercer]

Today my brain is a little numb. Partly that's from lack of decent sleep for an extended time and partly it's just because I can't believe that Brad's gone from here. It feels like he's out for the night and will be home later.

Y'all know Brad from your own experiences with him and from reading his words. He was the same at home with his family as he was with y'all on Naznet (except that I'm not nearly as interested in theology so we talked about other stuff here. :basic03) It's been an interesting life with Brad. When I met him I was 17 yrs old, had just moved from the place I'd lived my whole life to Bethany Nazarene College where I expected to find new friends, new freedoms and maybe a husband....... oh, and an education. Brad and I never dated. We went from really good friends just hanging out with the group to pen pals while we stayed out of school in our 2nd year of college. We fell in love somehow while we were writing and phoning each other. Brad asked me to marry him on October 6, 1975 when he came to visit me. We married in March of 1977 and every single valentines day from then to last year he wrote me an original love poem and gave me a flower. He was a romantic in that way.
Our kids all inherited their daddy's sense of humor. Some of my favorite memories are from car trips we've made. Somebody would make a statement and Brad would turn it into some kind of a tongue twister and then each kid would try to add a word to it till it was nearly impossible to say. Or we'd have a competition where one of us would name a word and everybody in the family had to come up with a line from a song that contained that word. Brad consistently won the competition. We'd all end up laughing. We've done a lot of laughing together.

Jake said today that it doesn't seem like Daddy's gone. He said that it won't seem like it till the first time he has a history question. Brad always knew the answers to the history questions. And he always knew just the right word for what you were trying to say. You'd just give him the idea and he'd say the thought consisely. He's always been amazing that way.

I'm going to miss my sweetheart. He's the only man I've ever loved. We shared 3 wonderful children and a lot of really good times. It just doesn't seem right without him here. I'm so grateful to have had him in my life for over 30 years.

[Belinda Y. Edwards]

Today my brain is a little numb. Partly that's from lack of decent sleep for an extended time and partly it's just because I can't believe that Brad's gone from here. It feels like he's out for the night and will be home later.

Y'all know Brad from your own experiences with him and from reading his words. He was the same at home with his family as he was with y'all on Naznet (except that I'm not nearly as interested in theology so we talked about other stuff here. :basic03) It's been an interesting life with Brad. When I met him I was 17 yrs old, had just moved from the place I'd lived my whole life to Bethany Nazarene College where I expected to find new friends, new freedoms and maybe a husband....... oh, and an education. Brad and I never dated. We went from really good friends just hanging out with the group to pen pals while we stayed out of school in our 2nd year of college. We fell in love somehow while we were writing and phoning each other. Brad asked me to marry him on October 6, 1975 when he came to visit me. We married in March of 1977 and every single valentines day from then to last year he wrote me an original love poem and gave me a flower. He was a romantic in that way.
Our kids all inherited their daddy's sense of humor. Some of my favorite memories are from car trips we've made. Somebody would make a statement and Brad would turn it into some kind of a tongue twister and then each kid would try to add a word to it till it was nearly impossible to say. Or we'd have a competition where one of us would name a word and everybody in the family had to come up with a line from a song that contained that word. Brad consistently won the competition. We'd all end up laughing. We've done a lot of laughing together.

Jake said today that it doesn't seem like Daddy's gone. He said that it won't seem like it till the first time he has a history question. Brad always knew the answers to the history questions. And he always knew just the right word for what you were trying to say. You'd just give him the idea and he'd say the thought consisely. He's always been amazing that way.

I'm going to miss my sweetheart. He's the only man I've ever loved. We shared 3 wonderful children and a lot of really good times. It just doesn't seem right without him here. I'm so grateful to have had him in my life for over 30 years.
What wonderful words to speak of one to whom you have lived for over thirty years. Your words were especially meaningful to me today. You are equally a blessing as Brad has been to us. Thank you. You and yours remain in my prayers.

[Bob Woolley]

Bob, this is awesome. Thank you so much for capturing in an image what many tried to convey with words. Thanks for being our artist.

Thanks, but actually it was the Lord's work! I was trying to create another background at the time when Brad was on my mind. Somehow, a couple of images came into view and it was put together in a matter of a few minutes. I don't usually have that happen...it takes me quite awhile to sort things out in my mind! I want to also show Brad's vision....you will notice the earth and the continent of Australia in view. I believe personally that the Lord wanted us to know that He does care about how we feel. Regarding the background, it is what the Lord would want us to know..safe in the arms of Jesus!

I pray that years to come that Brad will be remembered for the start of wonderful things for the Lord in Australia and I believe that was the Lord's mission for Brad to go there.


Most wonderful and happy time for Brad and for us all one day! We will surely miss him!

[Charlene Clevenger]

My sincere condolences to Brad's family and many friends. I never met him, but look forward to a meeting in heaven.

[John Martin]

Last Saturday, December 8th, I watched as Brad's son, Wes Mercer, walked across the stage at Southern Nazarene University to accept his Baccalaureate degree. I was so proud of him because I remember Wes as a freshman at SNU. He was in my family group of new students that year! Even as I rejoiced with him, my heart ached for what may be happening with his father. I join countless others is praying a special measure of peace and blessing to Wes and the entire Mercer family. May God's presence be especially near as we all reflect on a life well lived for Christ and try to sort out this veil of tears. Fly to Jesus, Brad.
-- John Martin

[Marsha Lynn]

Like others, I first met Brad (along with those others) in San Antonio in 1997. I was pleased to meet him in person, but the real highlight of Gen. Ass'y. for me was meeting Emmy Hearn. We had formed a friendship via NazNet and email. She's the one who introduced me to Vegemite by sending me a sample. What a thrill it was to finally met her and Roland in person. Internet friends from Australia! Besides the joy of finally meeting long-distance friends in person, it made this mid-continent, monolingual, stay-at-home American feel so wonderfully international.

A year later, my son was part of the teen World Bible Quiz at SNU. Somehow I talked my family into driving down to Frisco for dinner with the Hearns, who were living in Texas by then. I think Karen may have been working, but Brad joined us for dinner. Then he brushed aside our plans to find a motel room and insisted on taking us home with him. Karen graciously welcomed us in and we had a wonderful visit.*

As much enjoyment as there was in the face-to-face meetings, however, I realize that written communication was integral to my friendship with Brad. It wasn't that NazNet (and occasional emails) had to suffice because of the geographical distance between us. On the contrary, the in-the-flesh exchanges were simply 'extras' to our 'real' relationship, which was fully sustainable without physical presence. Although I always enjoy NazNet meetings, I find that as often as not they involve less real communication than what comes naturally here. There are disadvantages here (e.g., no body language or instantaneous response), but we also can more easily focus on dialog without the distractions that often derail in-the-flesh exchanges.

So, for those of you who are sorrowful that you never managed to meet Brad in person, I just want to assure you that, in my view, his personality always translated well into print. The Brad we know and love here is the 'real' Brad. Except that we miss the wonderful southern accent. The one thing that meeting him in person did was drive home the point he sometimes made here (and that this 'Yankee' needed to hear) -- that it is never right to base any assessment of another person's intelligence or worth on the accent (or speech patterns) with which they speak.

Marsha

*Note: Internet safety advisories recommend that one NEVER enter the home of someone one has met on the internet. This post in no way is intended to set aside such warnings. (We were just lucky that Brad and Karen were not your normal, everyday internet ax-murderers.)

[Hans Deventer]

As much enjoyment as there was in the face-to-face meetings, however, I realize that written communication was integral to my friendship with Brad. It wasn't that NazNet (and occasional emails) had to suffice because of the geographical distance between us. On the contrary, the in-the-flesh exchanges were simply 'extras' to our 'real' relationship, which was fully sustainable without physical presence. Although I always enjoy NazNet meetings, I find that as often as not they involve less real communication than what comes naturally here. There are disadvantages here (e.g., no body language or instantaneous response), but we also can more easily focus on dialog without the distractions that often derail in-the-flesh exchanges.

So, for those of you who are sorrowful that you never managed to meet Brad in person, I just want to assure you that, in my view, his personality always translated well into print. The Brad we know and love here is the 'real' Brad.

True, Marsha, very true! I have to add though that a one on one meeting, or having Brad and Roland sit on my couch or in my car and discuss stuff, has little of the disadvantages and many of the advantages. I've been blessed.

[Bruce Carriker]

We were all blessed by the walk of Brad Mercer among us. God used him to touch all our lives in a special way. Though I never met him in person, I feel a tremendous sense of loss.

My prayers are with Brad's family and friends.

[Jim Franklin]

A Wiseman went back Home after he had seen and been with Jesus.


We did, Brad, we really did. When I think of the words of the song "May all who come behind us find us faithful" We all have found you faithful and our deepest desire is to be found fit to meet you at your new address.

[Martijn van Beveren]

But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. 1 Peter 3,15
This is what Brad has done not only with his words, but with his whole life.

I am thankful for Brad and for all the precious thoughts that he shared with us. It made the world a better place.
My thoughts and prayers are with Karen and their children, with Roland, Emmy and their children, and with the Mercer family in the US.

Also from this side of the family,

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Mercer and Hearn family, even though my only experience with brad is from Naznet, I know he has made a difference in many lives. Grief overwhelmes me as I am reading these posts. The wonderful things, the laughter the hurt, they will be missed.
May God's love keep you and comfort you.

Martijn van Beveren

[Anne and Dwayne Hood]

If each of us could have only met Brad, we would have been so enriched by him.
The word says fo us "To be you also ready, for in such an hour, as you think not, the son of man may come." Don't we all know that Brad was prepared for His coming, a very long time, but was enjoying serving Him so much, he hated to leave. Also, he wished to stay with his wife and family, and some day, be able to see his grandchilren. But, "we can only imagine" the joy he is having kneeling at the feet of Jesus, with peace, joy, love, and how he will be feeling as he suddenly very often meets up with
someone he knew on this earth.
What I like to do, is go out under the stars, and look toward the heavens, and imagine loved ones that have gone before, and think about what they may be doing at that very moment. Then, I say, if dwayne or one of the children happens to be around-"For all we know, they might still be kneeling at the feet of Jesus." He may kneel there ten thousand years or more, and still have eternity to see all of the rest--that he will know them, and they will know him. Our minds are not capable, of actually, imagining one spec of the glorious there, awaiting us.

[Mary Oberer]

I don't even know how to begin. I doubt that Brad had any idea how much he affected my life when I was more active at NazNet. I always enjoyed reading his posts, though some were too deep for me. His sense of humor was great!

I'm glad he started the whole vegemite-in-America thing! We had fun serving it up to our NazNet friends. Along with Brad, I personally like the stuff, especially on buttered toast (that puts us in the minority of Americans, though).

I'll be praying for Brad's family & friends. I know he will be greatly missed. I respect Brad for the way he lived his life. Although we haven't communicated in a very long time, his death has hit me more than I expected.

~Mary

[Janet Mercer]

"'There was a real railway accident,' said Aslan softly. 'Your father and mother and all of you are - as you used to call it in the Shadow-Lands - dead. The term is over: the holidays have begun. The dream is ended: this is the morning.'

And as He spoke He no longer looked to them like a lion; but the things that begun to happen after that were so great and beautiful that I cannot write them. And for us this is the end of all the stories, and we can most truly say that all lived happily ever after. But for them it was only the beginning of the real story. All their life in this world and all their adventures in Narnia had only been the cover and the title page: now at last they were beginning Chapter One of the Great Story, which no one on earth has read: which goes on for ever: in which every chapter is better than the one before."


...say hello to Reepicheep for me, Brad.
No matter how many times Brad told of his favorite quote by reepicheep his voice would crack each time and he'd get tears in his eyes as he said it. Thank you for this post. It touched my heart.

[Terri Knoll]

Brads life and death has affected me so...like losing a loved one.

I knew it was over as I was awakened during the nite with an urgent "pray for Roland, Emmy and Karen"
Having learned never to disobey :rolleyes: I did just that. On my knees before our Abba Daddy as Brad went to meet Him. What peace and joy in my soul.

As for my "self" conciousness, sadness (Mandy alluded to it in her post) but remembering all that was dear about Brad (mostly his humor) helps.

So I stay in unceasing prayer just now for Brads family both biological and christological. And find great joy in reading here as I have always loved, tho how I miss Brad.

blessings,
Terri

[Roland Hearn]

Bob, thanks for doing there have been so many people I have been trying to reply to, through email, private messages, phone calls and on Naznet that this one slipped but it is important for me to say a couple of things that came to mind. The image of Jesus hugging someone is pretty close to how I imagine it might look. From the back that even looks a little like a younger Brad Mercer. The "Well done, Mate" absolutely blew me away, I just know that is what Jesus said to Brad as an honorary Australian.

Thanks Bob that is wonderful.

To the family,

It was so hard for me to create this background tonight (tears welded up many times and I had to stop) but it is my wish that it will be a comfort to you that Brad was greatly loved here and with everyone he came in contact with. His vision is our vision that Christ will be glorified in all things and many will come to know Him!

God bless you all at this time...Brad is near to our hearts and you are in our prayers! Love, Bob, the PowerPoint guy in Canada

[Roland Hearn]

Like others, I first met Brad (along with those others) in San Antonio in 1997. I was pleased to meet him in person, but the real highlight of Gen. Ass'y. for me was meeting Emmy Hearn. We had formed a friendship via NazNet and email. She's the one who introduced me to Vegemite by sending me a sample. What a thrill it was to finally met her and Roland in person. Internet friends from Australia! Besides the joy of finally meeting long-distance friends in person, it made this mid-continent, monolingual, stay-at-home American feel so wonderfully international.

A year later, my son was part of the teen World Bible Quiz at SNU. Somehow I talked my family into driving down to Frisco for dinner with the Hearns, who were living in Texas by then. I think Karen may have been working, but Brad joined us for dinner. Then he brushed aside our plans to find a motel room and insisted on taking us home with him. Karen graciously welcomed us in and we had a wonderful visit.*

As much enjoyment as there was in the face-to-face meetings, however, I realize that written communication was integral to my friendship with Brad. It wasn't that NazNet (and occasional emails) had to suffice because of the geographical distance between us. On the contrary, the in-the-flesh exchanges were simply 'extras' to our 'real' relationship, which was fully sustainable without physical presence. Although I always enjoy NazNet meetings, I find that as often as not they involve less real communication than what comes naturally here. There are disadvantages here (e.g., no body language or instantaneous response), but we also can more easily focus on dialog without the distractions that often derail in-the-flesh exchanges.

So, for those of you who are sorrowful that you never managed to meet Brad in person, I just want to assure you that, in my view, his personality always translated well into print. The Brad we know and love here is the 'real' Brad. Except that we miss the wonderful southern accent. The one thing that meeting him in person did was drive home the point he sometimes made here (and that this 'Yankee' needed to hear) -- that it is never right to base any assessment of another person's intelligence or worth on the accent (or speech patterns) with which they speak.

Marsha

*Note: Internet safety advisories recommend that one NEVER enter the home of someone one has met on the internet. This post in no way is intended to set aside such warnings. (We were just lucky that Brad and Karen were not your normal, everyday internet ax-murderers.)


Thanks Marsha, those early days of Naznet and getting to meet people so quickly after joining was probably one of the reasons that Naznet has worked so well. Your warning tickled my funny bone, thanks. I smiled. It was such a fun part of the early meeting with Brad for us that we met him and stayed in his home after such a short time of knowing him on the internet. He said that he told someone at work he had people from Australia coming to stay with him that he had met on the internet and the first response was, 'what, how do you know they are not ax-murderers." I'm so glad we all turned out to not be homicidal maniacs, it makes the board so much easier to be a part of :basic05.

[Roland Hearn]

No matter how many times Brad told of his favorite quote by reepicheep his voice would crack each time and he'd get tears in his eyes as he said it. Thank you for this post. It touched my heart.

Oh Janet, now you have done it, I am crying openly now. I have never met anyone that could be moved as deeply and sincerely by the same things over and over again. I loved that about Brad, he could tell a story like as a master but there were certain stories that he always got choked up at the same points on and the tears would come into his eyes and he never tried to hide them - blast!! I miss him.

[Orbin Crouch]

In Memory of Brad
I'm so sorry to hear about Brad.

[Janet Mercer]

Oh Janet, now you have done it, I am crying openly now. I have never met anyone that could be moved as deeply and sincerely by the same things over and over again. I loved that about Brad, he could tell a story like as a master but there were certain stories that he always got choked up at the same points on and the tears would come into his eyes and he never tried to hide them - blast!! I miss him.
Me too big brother, me too. ...and everytime Brad got choked up I got choked up. He could make the retelling of a story more moving than the original. At my request, Christer has gone to the trouble of finding 32 recordings of Brad's messages at Newstart between 2001 and 2005 and is making me a CD of them. Very sweet of him. I will be sharing those.

[Roland Hearn]

Me too big brother, me too. ...and everytime Brad got choked up I got choked up. He could make the retelling of a story more moving than the original. At my request, Christer has gone to the trouble of finding 32 recordings of Brad's messages at Newstart between 2001 and 2005 and is making me a CD of them. Very sweet of him. I will be sharing those.

Please send me one Janet, that is wonderful.

[Roland Hearn]

In Memory of Brad
I'm so sorry to hear about Brad.

I'm a little shocked to see photo evidence of me wearing a tie when Brad wasn't.

[Karen Mercer]

thanks for being there to watch my sweet son walk up for his diploma. I'm sorry to have missed that but it's nice that you and others stood in the gap for us. thanks!

[Karen Mercer]

Thanks, Teri. It's nice to know that God put Brad and us on people's hearts at the exact moment when Brad needed to take Jesus' hand.

[Roland Hearn]

blast!! I miss him.

I typed this phrase deliberately to reflect Brad's "cuss" word. He always said "blast" when someone else might put a cuss word. But I was just thinking about what that represented and how much it said about Brad I thought I needed to share it.

Brad was a man of words. He loved them. Every word out of his mouth was chosen to convey a specific meaning. I often tried to catch him out as I have a similar love for words but a much more limited capacity to use them. He would say something and I would try and show him how he might of said it differently, almost always I discovered a depth of reasoning behind the words he used that I had not thought of. Incidentally, usually a person of well chosen words uses few of them, that gives them time to think about the next word. Brad didn't have to, he used lots of them, all the time, and still every one was well chosen. He chose "blast" as his cuss word many years ago because it sounded like it could be a cuss word without actually being one. I've never met anyone that deliberately thought through the process of developing a word to use in such circumstances.

The funny thing was when we first met he said it with a short "a" sound but as a southerner would. After knowing him for awhile I, unlike him, without thinking adopted the word simply because it was convenient. I said it with an Australian long "a" sound like "blahst". He very deliberately molded his pronunciation so that in the end he said it like I did so that every time he said it he was saying a cuss word, honoring his love for me, and amusing himself at his ability to work with his accent. So he would say it, I would mimic it because it sounded funny to me too and he would say it again with emphasis in his mock Australian accent - it would go like this blahst (Brad), blahst? (Roland) blaghhst (Brad). :basic05

[Karen Mercer]

yep, Roland, well said. Brad couldn't have said it better himself!

[Hans Deventer]

At my request, Christer has gone to the trouble of finding 32 recordings of Brad's messages at Newstart between 2001 and 2005 and is making me a CD of them. Very sweet of him. I will be sharing those.

Oh wonderful! Will there be a place where we can download them?

[Ron Pruitt]

I too want to say something although I havent' been around much recently to know Brad that well. When I first came to Naznet in 1998 I very much appreciated Brad's posts. I don't know that I would very often post in the same threads that he did, for I didn't find myself disagreeing or feeling I could add much to his point of view in the theological discussions and certainly couldn't match wits with him. :-)

I was glad to have had the opportunity to meet Brad and Roland in the NPH booth at GA in Indianapolis, but like my sister Marsha said, I can sometimes find expressing myself online to be advantageous over the personal exchange. Being a person of quiet nature there didn't seem to be much to talk about beyond the cordial greeting when we met.

None-the-less I find an emptiness in knowing I will not be reading new words from Brad here on Naznet.

And I just think it's unfair that he may be able to share witticisms with Craig Whitlatch and we don't get to be there to ROFLOL. I'm looking forward to the day when I just may be priviledged to be around both of them for just such an exchange.

Love and prayers

Ron

[Lee Branum]

Our hearts are sad and glad at the same time as we read of the passing to Glory of Brad. We'll continue to lift the family to the Throne room, and remember the "Brad" we remember so well...


LeeB

[Hans Deventer]

I'm a little shocked to see photo evidence of me wearing a tie when Brad wasn't.

I'm shocked to see you wear a tie at all! :M)

Great picture though, Orbin! Thanks a lot for posting it.

[Jamie Wayne]

No matter how many times Brad told of his favorite quote by reepicheep his voice would crack each time and he'd get tears in his eyes as he said it. Thank you for this post. It touched my heart.

I didn't know that Brad quoted Reepicheep, Janet. I don't really know Brad very well, to be honest.

What I can say, though, is that one of the few things in this world that can cause me to become teary eyed is thinking about the love of those mice who would take off their own tail for Reepicheep - and the love of the Lion in restoring Reepicheep's tail to him.

I don't know if I cry because of the thought of those mice at the ready to cut of their tails - and how the Lion honoured their love, or because of the joy of seeing Reepicheep whole again...maybe it's both.

One thing that I do know, though, is that Brad has his tail back! Hallelujah!

Thank you, Janet; your words have been a blessing to me...

What, if I may, was Brad's favourite quote from Reepicheep?

[DA Weaver]

I don't even know how to begin. I doubt that Brad had any idea how much he affected my life when I was more active at NazNet. I always enjoyed reading his posts, though some were too deep for me. His sense of humor was great!

I'm glad he started the whole vegemite-in-America thing! We had fun serving it up to our NazNet friends. Along with Brad, I personally like the stuff, especially on buttered toast (that puts us in the minority of Americans, though).

I'll be praying for Brad's family & friends. I know he will be greatly missed. I respect Brad for the way he lived his life. Although we haven't communicated in a very long time, his death has hit me more than I expected.

~Mary


I hadn't heard of "vegemite" until reading the posts on this thread. Now I'm curious... where's the reciipe?

[Cecil Wallace]

I hadn't heard of "vegemite" until reading the posts on this thread. Now I'm curious... where's the recipe?

There is actually no "recipe". It is an extract from yeast.
Go to this site to learn more: http://www.vegemite.com.au/vegemite/page?PagecRef=1
You may click on "Heritage" to learn more, or check the other tabs.

And if you are like me, I wouldn't want to try it again. Once, at Belinda Edwards' suggestion, I tried it. I even have pictures of that encounter.

Sorry 'bout that, you Vegemite lovers.

[Ian Gentles]

It cant be bought in USA anymore i beleive?

[Roland Hearn]

Denise,
Vegemite is a staple iconic food substance in Australia, probably as much if not more so then peanut butter in the US. I think I said once before that probably nine out of ten Australian homes would have a jar of Vegemite in them and the other is down the store buying his right now. It is a spread for toast and bread. Many children are given Vegemite to eat before they eat anything else. It has loads of good stuff in it. It has been banned in the US because it has folate in it, which is a b vitamin essential for cell reproduction, and the US govt only allows it to be added to bread and cereals.

The reason it is a curiosity in most of the world, and that is what makes it unusual you have not heard of it before, was because a band called "Men at Work" had one of the biggest hits of all time back in 1983 with a little number called "Down Under" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n577vbu_Gds). The famous line says, "I asked "do you speak my language?" and he just smiled and gave me a Vegemite sandwich." Brad really liked the stuff it appealed to his Southern tastes because it is a strong salty flavor. He like the reactions most Americans have to eating it even more, however. It looks like it might have a sweet chocolate flavor because of it is a thick black spread but of course it hasn't. If you do a Youtube search you will probably find some videos of people eating for the first time.

[Roland Hearn]

Brad was a man of grace. That doesn't just mean that he was one that gave grace freely and liberally, which he did, but it also means that he was a product of grace. It is easy when some one passes to think about them in terms of all the good that was their life because that is what love does. I have a concern however, and I know Brad so well I know he would have the same concern. Our image of people in such situations can begin to become distorted so that they take on almost hero status. Their understanding of God, and expressions of faith become almost a super power and we who remain are able to say, "I wish I could be like that but I am so weak and human I never could. God did something for him that he could never do for me." Brad would say, "You need to know the real me."

It is a part of the paradigm of grace that Brad and I came to understand that we believe the good that is in people is placed there by God, the bad stuff arises out of our defense mechanisms to protect ourselves from fear and pain. What grace does in our lives is slowly step by step, if we will let it, allow us to lower our defenses so that we become the people that God created us to be. God is not in the process of making us something we are not but making us who we were intended to be. It is the image of God within being restored to its fullness.

When I first met Brad I loved him immediately. He was funny, witty, intelligent, articulate, and had a passion for God that drew me to him. However as I got to know him and watch him in various circumstances I saw other parts to his life. He could be flippant, dismissive, argumentative, hard headed, stubborn and harsh. He had no time at all for the inadequacies of others. He saw the world as made up of two types of people, stupid and not stupid and the former group way outweighed the second. He had no peer in a verbal stoush (Australian for battle). I never ever saw him beaten in an argument. He could reduce his opponent to the status of blithering idiot in no time at all, that was if they were smart enough to know what he said. If they weren't he would dismiss them contemptuously. But all of those things were not the real Brad. They were his defense mechanisms arising out of his temperament and talents. Brad came from a world of pain. He grew up in poverty, moved frequently and endured the death of his beloved sister at a young and formative age. Brad was completely impervious to the pain of others, he had one thing on his mind - right and wrong. He could not get signals from people at all, if you wanted Brad to know something you had to tell him. Bit by bit as we explored love together the real Brad Mercer began to take over from the defense mechanisms. The one we have all loved from the beginning. There were times he would say things to me that were down right hurtful and deliberate. I would not take them and would show him how they had hurt. And this is where the real Brad shone. He would say to me that he didn't get it, he didn't understand and we would work through it together. A light would go on and he would then determine never to do that again. There were times he was in tears of frustration at himself suggesting he could never be the person God was calling him to be. I knew he could because he already was. BTW he helped me through much of the same process helping me to see the places in my life where I looked less like love then I should. The Bible talks about iron sharpening iron and that was what we were doing.

When Brad was diagnosed with cancer he would say with tears in his eyes and on his cheeks, "I don't want to die, it has taken me 50 years to get this stuff worked out and I have only just begun to understand. I want to have some of my life where I live out of this truth."

Brad's greatest legacy to us is not just the wonderful way he lived out grace but the challenge he is to all of us that grace transforms. He would ask us not to put him on a pedestal but walk the same road as he walked. God's love truly does transform and Brad is the proof. The Brad we know and love was fast becoming the Brad God created him to be, you and I can be the same.

[Janet Mercer]

I didn't know that Brad quoted Reepicheep, Janet. I don't really know Brad very well, to be honest.

What I can say, though, is that one of the few things in this world that can cause me to become teary eyed is thinking about the love of those mice who would take off their own tail for Reepicheep - and the love of the Lion in restoring Reepicheep's tail to him.

I don't know if I cry because of the thought of those mice at the ready to cut of their tails - and how the Lion honoured their love, or because of the joy of seeing Reepicheep whole again...maybe it's both.

One thing that I do know, though, is that Brad has his tail back! Hallelujah!

Thank you, Janet; your words have been a blessing to me...

What, if I may, was Brad's favourite quote from Reepicheep?
"My own plans are made. While I can, I sail east in the Dawn Treader. When she fails me, I paddle east in my coracle. When she sinks, I shall swim east with my four paws. And when I can swim no longer, if I have not reached Aslan's country, or shot over the edege of the world in some vast cataract, I shall sink with nose to the sunrise..."

[Janet Mercer]

Please send me one Janet, that is wonderful.
I will. I'll try to get several sent that way.

[Janet Mercer]

Oh wonderful! Will there be a place where we can download them?
I'm sure Christer can lend me a hand with such a thing. I'll be happy to ask or figure how myself.

[BobHunt]

Never saw him in person, but I feel like I have lost a brother! He had so many great qualities and I think maybe he was like Elijah when he walked with God and got so close to Heaven that God just reached down and took him home!
God Bless his family, we will remember them in prayers! Thank God for great men such as this one who we will always remember as our dear friend!

[Renae and Herb Tolbert]

I have no words other than, Brad is with his Abba Father, his Daddy, who Brad loved with all his heart, all his mind, and all his soul. His body is perfect now, there are no more tears, no more pain. Praise the Lord. I pray for those loved ones still here on earth and will continue to do so each time they come to mind, until they day they meet their Abba Father, Daddy. Herb and I pray for and cry with you all.

[Roland Hearn]

Renae,
I'm glad you found your way here, it is really good to hear from you, thank you for this thoughtful post.

[Charlotte Mercer]

One thing that I do know, though, is that Brad has his tail back! Hallelujah!

It's good that he has his tail back, because as I recall, he never did have much of a tail in life. But maybe he just lost it before I was born.

[Marsha Lynn]

One thing that I do know, though, is that Brad has his tail back! Hallelujah!


It's good that he has his tail back, because as I recall, he never did have much of a tail in life. But maybe he just lost it before I was born.

Ah... a literalist. Welcome to NazNet, Charlotte. I suppose you know that you are loved here by default, but it will be nice to get to know you as the person you have become and are becoming if you decide you can put up with this place and decide to stick around.

No tail, eh? Another revelation about your father for those who never had the privilege of meeting him in person.

:)

Marsha

[Gina Stevenson]

Charlotte, as Marsha Lynn said, we look forward to getting to know you; wasn't much other than greetings while stopping through your town years ago, and then y'all were off to school, I guess, before I was even up.

Sorry about your daddy, too.

{{{ hugs }}}

[Charlotte Mercer]

To DA Weaver: I'm sorry to hear about your pastor, but know that God still can heal him. "God is still God and love is still enough." Don't lose faith. I'll be praying for Pr. Berry. And thank you for your love for our family.

[Hans Deventer]

Brad's greatest legacy to us is not just the wonderful way he lived out grace but the challenge he is to all of us that grace transforms. He would ask us not to put him on a pedestal but walk the same road as he walked. God's love truly does transform and Brad is the proof. The Brad we know and love was fast becoming the Brad God created him to be, you and I can be the same.

I'm very grateful for this post. It's almost like the way we look at Jesus. Our Lord has two problems: those who don't believe in Him can't see Him as God, and those who do can't see Him as human. But by doing so in practice (surely we'd never deny His humanity in theory), we dig a canyon between Him and us that we can never cross and thus we "of course" know we can never be like Him. I don't think that was the purpose of the incarnation. Athanasius said that God became man, in order that man could become God. I think indeed that this is the very point.

So thanks for painting the dark side of Brad that he had been overcoming. That is a great encouragement!

[Roland Hearn]

I felt a little awkward doing it, I did not want to detract in anyway from our sense of the uniqueness and wonder that is Brad, but I just know Brad would want people to see him as human, with his struggles, because then we know that God desires to do great things in all of us.

[Charlotte Mercer]

Thank you so much, Uncle Roland. It's important that we remember the faults that God was helping him work through. You're right. He wouldn't want us to put him on a pedestal, but to look to his life for inspiration and encouragement that God really can work in and through every one of us. If we all look at him as if he were a good person all on his own then we take away the impact that his life can make.

"To live is Christ and to die is gain." He has the gain now, and I can't speak for all of you, but I know I for one am still working on living like Christ.

[Hans Deventer]

"To live is Christ and to die is gain." He has the gain now, and I can't speak for all of you, but I know I for one am still working on living like Christ.

You're speaking for me.

[Steve Walsh]

Brad was a man of grace. That doesn't just mean that he was one that gave grace freely and liberally, which he did, but it also means that he was a product of grace. It is easy when some one passes to think about them in terms of all the good that was their life because that is what love does. I have a concern however, and I know Brad so well I know he would have the same concern. Our image of people in such situations can begin to become distorted so that they take on almost hero status....

Brad's greatest legacy to us is not just the wonderful way he lived out grace but the challenge he is to all of us that grace transforms. He would ask us not to put him on a pedestal but walk the same road as he walked. God's love truly does transform and Brad is the proof. The Brad we know and love was fast becoming the Brad God created him to be, you and I can be the same.

Roland
This is such an eloquent exposition of what you and Brad have been preaching/teaching/living. You really have a wonderful gift to "be real" and to put a brake on our tendency towards hagiographic excesses.

Steve

[Steve Walsh]

I'm very grateful for this post. It's almost like the way we look at Jesus. Our Lord has two problems: those who don't believe in Him can't see Him as God, and those who do can't see Him as human. But by doing so in practice (surely we'd never deny His humanity in theory), we dig a canyon between Him and us that we can never cross and thus we "of course" know we can never be like Him. I don't think that was the purpose of the incarnation. Athanasius said that God became man, in order that man could become God. I think indeed that this is the very point.

So thanks for painting the dark side of Brad that he had been overcoming. That is a great encouragement!

Hans

Today at our church we celebrated the 300th anniversary of Charles Wesley's birth (18 December 1707) by singing some of his hymns on the advent and on the nativity. We also remembered the life of Brad and prayed for his family and the extended family (including the Hearns and the Crowthers).

The sermon focused on how will we be remembered -using Charles Wesley and Brad Mercer as examples. Charles - always remembered for his hymns (almost completely ignoring his preaching and formative role in the Methodist movement), and always in the shadow of his more famous sibling.

In referring to Brad, I mentioned the comments on NazNet - the reminiscences, the anecdotes, the impact of Brad's life. I've also received messages asking about a memorial for Brad. Its obvious folk want a way to ensure his memory endures in some way. I believe Brad's memorial is in the lives of those he touched through his life (If there is to be a memorial, I've pointed folk in the direction of giving to the New Start Rivercity Church).

In looking at Wesley's Hark! the Herald Angels Sing (and others) articulate poetically the wonderful truths of the incarnation - sojourning, humbling, kenosis, perichoresis, theosis without using any of these theological terms - I emphasised (as did Charles and his brother) Athanasius' explication - Jesus became like us so that we could become like Him. I also reflected that Charles' hymnody is a more lasting legacy than his or his brother's sermons.

Also, privately relecting on the Charles-John dynamic, I cannot help thinking of Brad Mercer & Roland Hearn - how synergistically they complemented one another while remaining very different personalties.

Steve

[Anne and Dwayne Hood]

The half cannot be fancied, this side the golden shore. Each day HE grows still sweeter, than HE was the day before. Listen, people. Brad has ARRIVED! He is, now, glorified!

[Roland Hearn]

Today I will begin to put together the ingredients for the memorial service for Brad. To try and capture the essence of his life, celebrate his faith and invite people to open their hearts to grieve and to grace seems a huge challenge this morning. I've got two and a half days to pull it all together, I'd appreciate your prayers.

[Karen Mercer]

He was funny, witty, intelligent, articulate, and had a passion for God that drew me to him. However as I got to know him and watch him in various circumstances I saw other parts to his life. He could be flippant, dismissive, argumentative, hard headed, stubborn and harsh. He had no time at all for the inadequacies of others. He saw the world as made up of two types of people, stupid and not stupid and the former group way outweighed the second.
He could not get signals from people at all, if you wanted Brad to know something you had to tell him.

When Brad was diagnosed with cancer he would say with tears in his eyes and on his cheeks, "I don't want to die, it has taken me 50 years to get this stuff worked out and I have only just begun to understand. I want to have some of my life where I live out of this truth."

Brad's greatest legacy to us is not just the wonderful way he lived out grace but the challenge he is to all of us that grace transforms. He would ask us not to put him on a pedestal but walk the same road as he walked. God's love truly does transform and Brad is the proof. The Brad we know and love was fast becoming the Brad God created him to be, you and I can be the same.

Roland, I'm in tears at this. You exactly captured Brad here. This is the Brad I knew as well. Thank you.

[Grandma Carolyn]

So sorry to hear this news, even though in recent days, it appeared to be inevitable.

I only met Brad once.. in Mineola, Texas, when Pete V. was holding a revival in 2003, and Carolyn Franklin invited me to attend.
Brad came from the Dallas area to attend.

I have so much appreciated reading the heart-touching posts about Brad's journey over the past months.

My heartfelt sympathies go to Brad's family and close friends during this time.

There is rejoicing in Heaven today.
No more pain for Brad.

Love,
Cecil Wallace

Thanks Cecil for your words and nearness as we all grieve. I haven't posted anything because I just didn't think I could say anything adequate enough during this time. I, too, feel the love here and I, too, will miss Brad.

GC

[Steve Walsh]

Roland, Let me know if there is ANYthing I can do to help. Steve

Today I will begin to put together the ingredients for the memorial service for Brad. To try and capture the essence of his life, celebrate his faith and invite people to open their hearts to grieve and to grace seems a huge challenge this morning. I've got two and a half days to pull it all together, I'd appreciate your prayers.

[Roland Hearn]

At this stage I think it is under control. You have already done a lot by getting the venue squared away. If I need anything else I will let you know.

[Diane Likens]

I don't know what to say --

I grieve for Brad's family. This is such a tremendous loss.

I grieve for his Naznet friends. He shared so much and nothing will ever replace his knowledge, his insight or his irrepressible faith.

I cheer for him. He stands forever in the light of God's all-encompassing, amazing grace.

[Billy Cox]

William Bradford Mercer
born June 4th, 1956 - Gary, Indiana
died December 13, 2007 - Brisbane, Australia

A life well lived.

Shortly after 11:00 pm this evening Bradford moved his walk with Jesus a little closer. Farther up and farther in.

My mate walks with our mate tonight. I'm going to miss you Brad. God is God and love is enough.

I followed Brad's thread on the Prayer forum and found that the only 'speech' I could manage was via the 'Thanks' button.

That's all for now.

[Carmen Harrison]

Even though I have not been very active on NN this year, I have read Brad's Blog and emailed encouragments to him.
My heart has ached for the Mercers, Hearns and NN this week... especially Karen and their children.

There are so many things we cannot understand this side of the cross, but we can trust God to be in control even when everything seems out of control. Yes Roland, God's love has to be enough. What else is there?

[Stephen Lehr]

Roland,

I am thankful that Brad had such a great friend in you. It was obvious to me that there was a special relationship that he was able to be part of when meeting you. Your collective ministries represents the essence of what he felt called to be involved/engaged in.

Brad was my brother, 1 of 6 accountablity partners that met many years ago and helped me through a particularly challenging time of my life. He was frank to the point of maybe hurting a feeling or two but always remembered why we were meeting...we needed accountability. The truth works! It was important to all that we could share openly and honestly without fear of getting "ousted" for revealing an ugly side of ourselves, that which the world had convinced us to accept as good. He usually had great things to offer and was biblically sound in his guidance. We were careful to intentionally address the important areas of being a godly man in the face of current day challenges. Brad seemed to have [it all right] such that I will never forget when he had to confess something and all 5 of us looked so shocked that we needed a moment to remember that he also needed accountability. I prefer to believe that he was simply waiting for his turn because our needs were more urgent.

I learned many things about being a real man from Brad during the time that I was fortunate to call him my friend and accountability partner. Without a doubt, he will be missed by many. I am clinging to my memories of him and he lives in my heart. I look forward to the day when we are able to once again share the love in realtime. Blessings upon your continued ministry.

[Genevieve Boller]

All I can say is that I wish I had known Brad in person before it was time for him to go home. I know there is so much I would have learned and gained from him.

I look forward to meeting him some wonderful day.

I will continue to keep all of you who loved him dearly (especially the Mercer and Hearn families) in my prayers.

[Christine Josephson]

There was two things that Brads life urged me to do.
1. Get a colonoscopy
2. Retire from my regular job to do more for the Lord.

Both of them have been done this year. Thank you Brad

And I have accepted the fact that God is God and Love is enough even if it hurts to let a dear person go home. Thank you Brad for giving us yourself for the time that we had you here.

Blessings of peace for Karen and the Mercer family, Roland and the Hearn family and the churches that are involved in the memory of Brad.

I read that our God is not the God of the dead but He is the God of the living. Live on Brad thou good and faithful servant. We miss you here on Naznet but know that you are having the time of your life celebrating Jesus. I can only imag