Ike Thomas Tribute to Tom:

5/27/05

First I want to tell Sandi that I am honored more than you can imagine that you asked me to talk about Tom.   It truly is an honor to speak about a very dear and wonderful friend and Brother in Christ. 

Trisha and I first met Tom and Sandi at a fund raiser for the Brazos Pregancy Center at Granbury Live, …hosted by Tom & Sandi and his sister,,, Sister

Many have said and many will say that Tom McRae truly lived life, that he lived it  to the fullest, as Sandi would say, “he lived life large”.   You could say he was the personification of the saying “if you’re not living on the edge, you’re taking up too much space”   Let me tell you, Tom was  never accused of taking up too much space. 

You May have heard the story that  when Tom first met Sandi, that he literally swept her off her feet,  only Tom could get away with something like that (when he was first introduced to her?).  Tom had the ability to figurativley sweep most anyone off their feet and often used that ability. 

You know if you had a problem with hugs and kisses and I love you’s: then being around Tom and Sandi, & Sister as well,  you were going to be subjected to just that, you were going to have to grow because they were going to do that and more.   I say more; because if you ever did anything for them they would would respond with more excitement and thank yous than  you can imagine.

In addition Tom lived on top.   He lived on top of the world so to speak, on top of any troubles that came his way.  And he wanted you on top with him, in fact while you were in his company, he would not permit anything less.  Tom liked being on  top so much that he even lived in the “up top ranch” on top of Granbury Live, leading and hosting the uptop Bible study. 

Speaking of the uptop Bible study, Sandi, Tom’s helpmate would write and  arrange the study, and Tom would lead it every Thursday at high noon at the Uptop Ranch. 

     I think it’s interesting what study God ordained for Tom and Sandi last week as Tom’s last Bible study to lead here on earth.

The study was on loss, and having “good” grief.

I think God through Tom’s words was providing the outline for this celebration of Tom’s life!

Here are some quotes from Tom’s last bible study:

                   “ Have you ever been to a funeral that was a real celebration of life…where memories and joy filled the room and hearts, because everyone knew their loved one was in heaven?

How wonderful…as Christians…our life goes on. We can rest in the Lord in whose hand our future is secure on earth and in heaven.”

“He will solve our every problem in His way,  in His time.  And when He’s ready… He’ll solve the greatest one of all as we are delivered from life unto life everlasting.”

In another quote he said:

“Christians, have to come to grip with death. They have to permit the departed to leave, the surviving to grieve, and themselves to live. Wise and reassuring words are not necessary to the grieving; your presence and prayer are usually sought. Crying for the deceased is not a cry for help or attention, but a cry of love and affection. The Bible says in Pa 30: 5, “Weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.¨ 

Now lots have been said of Tom being an entrepreneur, a businessman, a visionary.   He was all of these, but most of all, he was a Christian evangelist, he seldom if ever missed an opportunity to share the Gospel with others.  He truly loved to “Tell the Old Old Story” He would tell it in the work place, he would tell it the jail ministry.  He would tell at the BTC School as a mentor.  Just a few months ago, Trisha and I traveled to Washington DC with Sandi and Tom for the National Prayer Breakfast.  And over the course of a few days we took several cabs and no matter where the cab driver was from or what religion, before the end of the ride he had heard a double barrel presentation of the gospel of Jesus Christ from Tom and Sandi.   Not overbearing, but tenderly and kindly presented.  They were truly poetry in motion.  

 Now we have said lots of wonderful things about Tom McRae, and about how he along with Sandi was a perfectionists, but Tom readily admitted that he was not near perfect, that he was indeed a sinner and he would testify how he was sooo appreciative of the A m a z i n g Grace Christ rained down upon him.  

Tom knew everything he was blessed with was a gift from Heaven and therefore he readily gave God the glory for all of it.  As one of his favorite verses was II Cor. 10:17 “But, let him who boasts, boast in the Lord!”

Speaking of Amazing Grace, as you know Gby Live was always closed with the singing of Amazing Grace.  Tom loved to sing it because it meant so much to him.  Well there was just one problem with that, Tom like myself could not carry a tune, so he was required to only lip sing.  Well folks,  I can guarantee you, Tom, with a beautiful voice and in perfect harmony; is singing now!

And as Tom would say Halleluiah!