Often, when I awaken early, say 4:30 to 5:00 a.m., I find it hard to get back to sleep but also find it a special time of prayer and planning for Bible studies, devotionals, or sermons. Just recently, as I lay there, I reflected on some of the people who have had a spiritual impact on my life. As Tabatha Vargo beautifully wrote: “Some people come into our lives, and quickly go. Some stay for a while leaving footprints on our hearts…and we are never, ever the same.”  One person, in particular, came to mind that morning–Claude Hemphill. 

     One of our members at Three Lakes Community Bible Church, Gayle Wohlwend (Ware) drove a bus taking workers to and from the ASARCO mine near Troy, Montana. She was instrumental in leading Claude to faith in Christ. He began attending Three Lakes and we became close friends. We did many things together, such as hunting, getting firewood, hiking, riding horses, or just sitting and discussing God’s Word. The book of Job was Claude’s favorite because he could identify a lot with Job’s many challenges in life. You’ve heard the cliche, “If it weren’t for bad luck, I’d have no luck at all!” Well, that pretty well described Claude’s life. If I rode with Claude in his old pickup, for example, we could expect to have a flat tire or other mechanical problems. That was just “life with Claude!”  Trouble just seemed to follow him around. 

     He and I made quite the pair. Claude was at least 6’3″ and around 300 pounds in contrast to my 5’7″ 140 pound frame! Oh, and Claude also had a very dark complexion from his Native American background. Claude put on a gruff exterior but had a very gentle, tender heart. He tried to pretend he didn’t like children (he was a bachelor), but in reality, loved them. He was definitely a “gentle giant.”  

     Claude worked hard and for a while was a sawyer in the forest–a very tough job physically. He once told me when I mentioned how beautiful the snowy landscape was that “There is nothing beautiful about snow!” When you have to work in it in the cold, it gives you a different perspective. Claude was physically very strong and spent time in the martial arts. Once when he accompanied me to our landfill with a load, he turned the crank on my tailgate window and cranked it right off the tailgate!  We did some archery hunting together for elk, and he had learned to bugle just using a PVC pipe. We often heard bulls bugling in the distance, but when Claude bugled back, I think they left the country quickly, having never heard such a big, powerful bull!   

     A friend of Claude’s, Penny Ray, who now attends an evening Bible study that I teach, gave Claude art lessons and even though he told her he would never be able to do it, he became a very gifted pen and ink artist. I have several of his works which I framed and have displayed in our home. He also wrote many lyrics for songs. I have copies of them in my file. With a “cowboy flair,” they expressed his love for the Lord and the spiritual struggles he often faced with depression and discouragement.  At one point Claude even tried to “no longer be a Christian,” but discovered that when Jesus gets a hold of your life, He never lets go. He experienced the truth of I Pet. 1:3-5: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” 

     In addition to his “propensity” for bad luck, Claude struggled with a lot of pain at times from fibromyalgia.  He sometimes would take (because of his size) as many as twelve Advil at a time to cope with the pain, and I believe it eventually took its toll on his heart.  One day in late winter or early spring of 1999,  his heart just stopped. He was only 46.  At his memorial service at Three Lakes Community Bible Church, we had a rocking chair on the platform with a very large teddy bear sitting in it–that was Claude!  Claude’s friendship and observing God working in and through his life, impacted my life. I thank God for bringing Him into my life and very much look forward to our reunion in heaven. His new life in Christ also had a positive impact on his sister, Judith, who attends the same evening Bible study that Penny Ray attends which is hosted by another “horse” friend of Claude’s, Betsy (and Jack) Myers. 

Forever His,

Pastor Dave N

“Expressions of the Heart”

by Claude Hemphill

               I’m not a man who can say what he feels

               I keep what I think deep in myself.

              The love that I have buried deep in my heart

              never finds its way to the words of my lips,

              so I have to tell of my love in the words of this song.

              They’re the light of my joy,

              my shout from the roof was whispered to me.

              All of the world will know by the words of my love for the     

              Son.

              He carried my shame and bore all the wrath waiting for me,

              wrath earned by my sin.

              But He died on the cross and washed the filth of my sin,

              so that I could live until eternity’s end,

              and spend all my days worshiping HIm.