In 1972 I asked Swan to write a poem for me to enclose in a graduation card.
Tonight I would like to dedicate "The Best Friend" to the author of that poem---- Swan Loften.
The Best Friend
The world is full of friends so good and true,
They try to help each other in everything they do.
Kindness costs so little, love is given free.
You're a very special friend whose smile means much to me.
I met a friend in years gone by, His love I can't explain.
I know that you have met Him too; Christ Jesus is his name
He is a man of sorrows; He always seems to care,
His name is sweet as music, his love none can compare.
And that's the very reason you mean so much to me
Because when we're together, the love of God I see.
(Swan Loften)
I have many fond memories of Swan, but will only share a few. I remember as a teen going hunting with Swan and Dad in Swan's Volkswagen Bug. I sat in the back seat with Swan and Dad in the front seats. They did get a deer and Swan did bring it home on the back of that little car.
Then there was the time that Dad had heart surgery. Swan came out to the house many times and he and I cut and chopped wood for winter fuel. We had lots of conversations He helped haul alfalfa from Spearfish to the "farm" so that the goats would have plenty to eat. He was always helpful.
Lastly, I remember Swan as a very friendly person that always talked about his Best Friend, the one that "sticks closer than a brother". (Proverbs 18:24 A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.) When Swan accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior so many years ago, there was much rejoicing in Heaven. Today as we grieve at the physical death of a dear friend , there once again is much rejoicing in Heaven as Swan entered his Heavenly home.
Tonight I would like to dedicate "The Best Friend" to the author of that poem---- Swan Loften.
The Best Friend
The world is full of friends so good and true,
They try to help each other in everything they do.
Kindness costs so little, love is given free.
You're a very special friend whose smile means much to me.
I met a friend in years gone by, His love I can't explain.
I know that you have met Him too; Christ Jesus is his name
He is a man of sorrows; He always seems to care,
His name is sweet as music, his love none can compare.
And that's the very reason you mean so much to me
Because when we're together, the love of God I see.
(Swan Loften)
I have many fond memories of Swan, but will only share a few. I remember as a teen going hunting with Swan and Dad in Swan's Volkswagen Bug. I sat in the back seat with Swan and Dad in the front seats. They did get a deer and Swan did bring it home on the back of that little car.
Then there was the time that Dad had heart surgery. Swan came out to the house many times and he and I cut and chopped wood for winter fuel. We had lots of conversations He helped haul alfalfa from Spearfish to the "farm" so that the goats would have plenty to eat. He was always helpful.
Lastly, I remember Swan as a very friendly person that always talked about his Best Friend, the one that "sticks closer than a brother". (Proverbs 18:24 A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.) When Swan accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior so many years ago, there was much rejoicing in Heaven. Today as we grieve at the physical death of a dear friend , there once again is much rejoicing in Heaven as Swan entered his Heavenly home.
