Brett Keiling

Brett was a fascinating musician and dear friend of mine of whom I dearly miss. I became better acquainted with his wonderful mom, Dar just prior and after Brett was called home. She was a lady of elegance. Good report and clearly a good mom whom Brett gave special attention to just before passing. These things I write are just brief to explain how I feel and the impact of such a neat person in my life. I had asked Brett to come stay with me before his move to the west coast. He said I will pray to see if its the will of the Lord. I knew that meant he had something else he was going to do. When I learned of his murder, I felt if he had stayed home in Indiana he'd be alive right now. I recall so many sad things during this time that ppl had to endure like the way he was beaten to death that disfigured him and his loving mom sitting next yo her son in his casket. As they played the music that Dar and Brett played together known as HE LOOKED BEYOND MY FAULT AND SAW MY NEED, the tune to Londonerry Air, a song that many talked about him singing and playing violin as his mom accompanied on piano. I recall times when I played alongside Brett and also beside his mom. But this recording would be the thing that made me always remember my own faults and how Christ sees us beyond error. I was 18. Brett was 15 when we first jammed together and we did things off and on through time . His biggest goal was to be influential to others through music. Brett influenced me in all the good ways we should be. Though his upbringing being of a religious and tougher on rules in pentecostalism from his Dad, Roger, I learned thru Dar that she was of the influence of just let me raise and love my family and I'm happy. Even more her love for Jesus was renderd when she stated , "we have to forgive this man who did this to Brett because that's what the lord taught us". I cry every time I think of this because she had not yet even buried her son and justice was left to God. I knew how to get Brett going by teasing. For example the preacher one night says NOBODY IS GREATER THAN GOD. I leaned over and whispered except for me I'm greater than God. Brett didn't talk to me for two weeks :) I just wish he and I had spent more time together because he was so talented on guitar, bass, violin, and voice with perfect pitch. The last time we played together was at a little tavern where we belted out some good gospel favorites mixed with contemporary radio hits. I believe I will see Brett again in Buealah land with all of the others before and after. We will play music and sing around a throne of ancient and modern times. What a day that will be when my Jesus I will see. Look upon his face the one who saved my by his grace when he takes me by the hand leads me to the promised land... All of that is possible because someone looked beyond my fault and saw my need. Grace, mercy, peace and thank you Brett, for being my friend.