Thank you for the beautiful celebration of a life well lived. I remember sitting in his office and Dr. Houston praying with me. He knew so much and loved so well. Rita, indeed was the holder of the kite string, but oh, how she let him soar. Praise be to God and thanks be to God for the testimony they leave behind for all of us.
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I have had the privilege of hearing Dr. Houston preach and also teach a Sunday school class. I have also read his book on spiritual friendship.
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Dear Family of Jim, so sorry for your loss and praying for you as you grieve, celebrate and remember Jim. I remain grateful for Jim consistent warmth and welcome.
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Dear Canadian Houstons, we send you all our love in this special memorial service for Uncle Jim. We keep our best memories from him. Lots of love from the Houstons in Argentina.
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Dr. Houston's life speaks deeply to me of what it looks like to live in the abundance of the Kingdom. This is not only about his generosity with material goods (the "courage money" described in his obituary), but also the grace that abounded from every interaction he had. The few conversations I had with him were less than a moment in time in 103 years of life, and yet they continue to have deep significance to me. What is remarkable to me is how many people must have had similar experiences with him--that even if they were not part of his "inner circle", every conversation poured forth the grace of God.
I thank God for the life of Dr. Houston, a parable of the Kingdom. May light perpetual shine upon him.
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Dear Penny and Wayman and family,
Andrew and I will always be grateful for the way your father and mother together loved and cared for Regent College students. There are so many truths that your father imparted to me both through spoken word and his example, both during my time at Regent and as we continued to connect in later years, that have blessed me vocationally and also in our family life as Andrew and I raised our children. One truth especially that stands out is him saying that "the primary place of Christian witness is the hearth” i.e. the home, and the importance of prioritizing our primary family relationships. One example of this was the way your mother patiently and lovingly was the "end of the string" that anchored the "kite" that was your father – together they were a blessing for us to witness and learn from. Thank you for "sharing" your father with so many; we know his wonderful legacy lives on in your family and the many lives he has touched through word and life.
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I shall forever be grateful for the gift of encouragement and friendship, from Jim and Rita, at Regent and beyond.
Over 12 years ago, Jim shared wise words with me which transformed my perception of deep trawling sorrow. I shall be forever grateful.
To the family, I thank you for sharing them. I cannot think of Jim without including Rita. And today we celebrate this legacy of loving grace and lives of faith. My sincerest condolences.
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In 2023, I was on a sabbatical. While I am not a Regent graduate, I learned Dr. Jim Houston had a social calendar. A couple of years previously, Dr. Houston had come to our church to share thoughts about life under God. I signed up for a visit and was blessed greatly. Later that summer, I asked my then 17-year-old son Cal if he would like to join me in visiting Dr. Houston. I said, Dr. Houston has been on earth for 100 years (or maybe it was 101 at that time!) Cal responded that would be amazing and even brought a journal and pen. I recall Dr. Houston looking intently at Cal, hearing his questions and asking him about his heart. He saw my son. I am forever grateful. Blessings and comfort to you dear Houston family.
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A great and faithful soul friend, Jim taught me wisdom for a lifetime into eternity: “we relate, therefore we are.”
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Thousands have been mentored by Jim, including me. His spirit of gentleness has impacted so many. We are grateful. Words seem not enough. Thanks to the Houston family for sharing Jim with the world!
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Back when Schloss Mittersill was offering theological courses to eastern European students under the leadership of Carl Armerding, Dr Houston came to give a course. Students came from all over Eastern Europe. They all had translators to help them learn. On the first day I noticed the translators shaking their heads. They could not understand Dr Houston’s Scottish accent! After the first day things got better and the students loved his teaching and they loved him! For many it would be the first time experiencing rich biblical teaching, In the courtyard just before leaving the Czech students danced for him and waved their handkerchiefs from car windows as they drove away. I have no doubt that he made a lasting impression on them as he did on so many including me.
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May the grace of God surround and sustain the family and loved ones in remembering, mourning, and celebrating. Toni and I join the parade of people who have been blessed by Jim and invited into a deeper friendship with God through him.
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I count my blessings to have done in Dr Houston's classes, and perhaps one of the most memorable being the "Cistercian & Puritans co-taught with Dr Packer. The class very fondly enjoyed a theological "Laurel & Hardy" show... Indeed, I was one of numerous students to have been well fed at Rita's Sunday lunches. Quite spontaneously -- a women's group met in the prayer room -- with the only male (aka Jim Houston) "prayerfully presiding" over our time every Tuesday culminating in a flow of tears from many a pair of eyes.
On a particular occasion, Jim & Rita came to my rescue following a non-remarkable car accident. It is forever etched in my memory the wonderful kindness of both.
How very kind and loving is the Lord to me through Jim & Rita.
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I am very thankful that I could join this memorial service.
I am also grateful that I was given the opportunity to meet Dr Houston and Rita in my life.
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It has been good for us, through the years, to observe both at close range and at a distance, Dr. Houston's influence on several generations of Christian leaders. Among other honors, he was the gracious and well-deserved recipient of the Leslie K. Tarr Award for Christian writing, presented by The Word Guild, a Canadian Christian writers' service association.
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Dr. Houston’s life is one well lived. He has been a channel of blessings to so many. My family is eternally grateful to Jim for being a resource of wisdom and godliness. Words are inadequate to express our gratitude for his presence in our life. May God’s comfort be with Jim’s family and all those who love him and are missing him.
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Sending love to all the family today.
From Belfast Northern Ireland
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Dear Penny and Wayman, I am praying for you and your family as you mourn the loss of your dear father. May you experience the everlasting arms of God holding you even as they hold him. May you find God as your refuge and strength your ever present help in time of need.
Love and prayers,
Ken
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Deep love to you all in this fear loss. Tammy loved the Israel trip with Jim. Ross had many lovely times with Jim that were mind-expanding and heart searching. What a blessing he was to me. One of his legacies is the college I am blessed to serve in.
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Special greetings from Eagle Lake. Its a beautiful day here although we did see snow flakes. We sadly did not meet your Dad, but we see his influence in the lives of his children and grandchildren. We have been Blessed by this association. Thinking of you all as you remember your Dad and his love for His Lord. sending love, Bruce and Marilyn Poidevin
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Sending love to the family during this period of grief. Thankful for your Grandpa and his incredible legacy.
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While mourning with you at the loss of this unique man of God who touched so many, many lives, I thank God for the significant impact Dr. Houston has had on my own life through his teaching and personal mentoring. And I rejoice with you in our Resurrection hope and our anticipated reunions for all eternity.
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Dr. Houston really took us under his wings when he married us in 1981. A true blessing in our lives. Bryan & Ellenor Fraser, Daajing Giids
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