From Terry Meisinger
April 3, 2019
Dear Sandy and Family
During our childhood, my brother George was a father figure to me. Our step dad was very enthusiastic with his discipline. At around age 6 I still remember cowering in the corner when dad went on one of his rampage's and my big brother George holding his arm around me until the tempest calmed down.
When I was older, George attended my basketball and football games and always supported and encouraged me. At around age 13 while leaving basketball practice, an evangelist [Jimmy Johnson] was preparing the basketball court for an evangelistic meeting. I stayed for the meeting. To the refrain of "Just As I Am" I made the walk to the front and accepted Christ. Later, at home, I told my family and urged them to attend. One by one they attended the meetings and accepted Christ. Dad threw away his camel cigarettes and Budweiser beers and totally changed his harsh ways.
I remember a funny incident from our high school days. George was visiting a girl friend (sorry Sandi). I coincidentally drove by and saw George's car parked in front of the house. I decided to play a practical joke and push George's 47 Ford around the corner, making George think his car was stolen. Unfortunately, George's girlfriend had 3 very large brothers. They saw me and my friend pushing the car. They ran after us, grabbed me and was just about to deliver a "coup de gras" when George ran out of the house and yelled: "Stop! that's my brother".
A few years later, after I completed my active duty in the Marines, George and I settled in Hollywood with big dreams of pursuing musical careers. At one time during this period I was in Chicago, giving an accordion performance. Meanwhile George was still in Hollywood and became very ill. George later explained, "After returning from the hospital I had a temperature of over 100 and was swollen and miserable and thought I was going to die. By chance I noticed a Gideon Bible and opened it, the first verse my eyes came upon was: (Math 16:26) 'For what profit is it to man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul'. I got on my knees and rededicated my life to Christ. Almost as is by miracle, my temperature and swelling disappeared". That was the beginning of George's lifelong commitment to Christ.
A few years later when George was attending Biola he went to a tiny church located in a commercial building in Lynwood, California and preached his very first sermon. George was a little nervous and during the sermon a drunk wandered in off the street and started debating George. We got the drunk settled down and George completed his 1st sermon. Since then George has preached 1000's of sermon's.
During the 20 some years George preached in Southern California I helped with the music and other activities. I feel blessed to have been part of George's church, It was a wonderful time.
Unfortunately, I was the wild, reckless, risk taking brother while George was the dedicated, sincere intellectual. George always tried to direct me in more righteous ways. During my current mess George mailed me a letter that stated:
"Well brother, it looks like you got yourself into a real pickle, which is not surprising since scripture teachers that we reap what we sow. Reaping diving discipline does not mean, however, that God is through with you. It means on the one hand, according to (Hebrews 12:5-7) That He loves you:
'My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord,
Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him:
For whom the Lord loves he chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives.
If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons;
for what son is there whom a father does not chasten?"
In George's last letter he said:
"By God's all-wise planning and mercies, he has us both confined: you by the Feds and me by cancer. It was about 6 years ago the doctors said I had 18 months to live. The Lord obviously had a different blueprint in mind since I am still here, and the Feds are keeping you until the sentence runs it's course.
The apostle Paul reveals that the rapture happens in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound and the dead will be raised incorruptible"...."Death is swallowed up in victory'".
George finished by saying "Living righteously is continuing steadfastly in good works, whether it is being done while dying from cancer or locked up."
I miss my dear brother, George. I will miss his wonderful letters and guidance. But I know that George is reaping the many rewards for what he sowed during his time with us.
This is not a time to be sad, but a time to celebrate!
I love you brother.
Terry