I just sent a personal email in answer to my brother-in Christ Cliff Jones; you’ve no doubt read many of his posts on this blog. Cliff was worried about me and wanted to know how the family survived the weekend. After sending him my reply, I realized it is a testimony to the magnificent and sufficient grace of Jesus Christ that John Lauten wrote of in my last post. Please rejoice with me:
I just updated it (my blog); there are no photos that I am aware of. I’m not sure thousands showed up, but definitely hundreds. There were probably 500-600 inside the funeral home; it was packed.
Tina, my ex, and I have always kept a civil if not friendly attitude towards each other. Her husband and I embraced and wept many times for Eddie; he was and is a great stepdad to my children. My wife Karen and Tina embraced and wept at the gravesite also; they were and are incredible mothers to my children.
The gravesite ceremony was the toughest for me; I completely lost it when they folded the flag covering the casket. The grief I felt was dark, grim, and overwhelming; I thought I was going to faint and suddenly I felt a strong hand pull me up and gently began massaging my shoulder. It was my younger brother Steve. My stepdaughter Tiffany was seated directly behind me, Karen was to the right of her, and Eddie’s other stepsister Amanda was to Karen’s right. Karen was consoling both of Eddie’s sisters and when I began to breakdown, Karen touched Steve’s arm and said, “Go to your brother.”
I just leaned against his strong body while sitting in my chair. My brother is a professional body builder and his physical strength was both commanding and gentle. I love my brother and it was so awesome to see him. My family has been praying that he would get saved because we know how awesome he would be; he is so disciplined and never half-steps anything.
Yesterday we went to church and all this past week I have been openly sharing the gospel with him and my nephew Mike (my late eldest sister’s son). They were both like sponges. Steve even asked for what he would read first if he was to begin reading the Bible, and Karen gave him a New Testament and he began reading the Bible. He was doing so yesterday morning on my patio when I got up.
A missionary who we support in El Salvador came and testified and preached about serving Christ, and at the end our pastor came forward and gave the invitation.
I had been praying about when I should finally approach my brother about giving his life to Christ (I had done so in the past), but I never felt the Spirit’s release to do so. As we were going to church I just prayed to the Lord and said, “Father, we have shared the gospel with Steve, he is reading Your Word, and now he is in Your house. You bring him to the altar.”
When Bro Dennis gave the invitation to come and pray privately at the altar, my brother broke for the altar like a man with a mission. The whole time during the service I purposely did not look at my brother and I remained out of his line of sight. When I saw Steve drop to his knees and began praying, then the Holy Spirit told me, go to your brother and lead him home.
I had the tremendous opportunity, less than 24 hours after burying my boy, the most horrible day of my life; I was given the tremendous privilege of leading my brother to Christ.
Someone want to tell me about MY Jesus?!
Wow. Dave, I’m sorry we couldn’t be there- but I am so glad you were surrounded by so many loving family and friends. I can’t imagine how much more painful this would be if you weren’t so strong in the Lord- and I thank God you and your brother were there for each other- you in your tremendous pain, and he in his newfound faith. God Is Great! You are always in my prayers. God Bless~ Carolyn
Dave,
It was very powerful to see you kneeling with your brother on Sunday. I didn’t realize he was your brother until you spoke to the congregation. I think you pulled at every fathers heart when you spoke of burying your little boy. Please let me know if I can help you as you’ve helped me since leading me to Christ.
Your in my thought and prayers.
Bill
What a mighty God we serve! I imagine Eddie has a smile beaming from ear to ear watching you leave Steve to Christ. Our Lord certainly does bring beauty from ashes.
“To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.”—Isaiah 61:3.
In Christ
Myra and Howard
Dave,
There is a lot of celebrating going on in Heaven right now. The angels are singing up a storm and the streets are full of saints having a heavenly party, singing the Hallelujah.Chorus, because your brother has given his life to Christ!! One of the lost souls is now in the fold and God is elated!!
Though we may not realize or be able to keep our perspective at all times, God also has declared that “Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.” We don’t always understand how God could feel this way, but I think if he said that it is “precious” I think there is a good reason. One good reason it is “precious” is because that life of that saint, in this case Eddie, was purchased because God sacraficed his son, which transmits great value to the ones he has bought, and paid for with the precious blood of Jesus, It is so nicely said about Jesus in Revlation 5: 8-10. “… because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.”
I tell you Dave, not many of has a real gimpse, even if it is minute, of what is might feel like to sacrafice a son for a good cause. As your son has died to help free the Iraqi people, you can even more appreciate the depth, the agony and the absolute and powerful love God demonstrated in the lavish outpouring of his love, is sometimes too much for our minds to appreciate. Needless to say, we serve and awesome God.
And I am sure that Eddie is experiencing God’s love and grace in ways we can only imagine. Imagine Eddie strolling down those avenues saying, “Wow, is this awesome.” His joy is complete, his mission in life fulfilled, and his tears and fears are no longer plague his mind, and his hope completely fulfilled, full of joy, and abounding in the Praise of our Lord Jesus Christ, King of Kings, Lord or Lords, The Lamb of God.
May the love of God spill out of heaven and into your life in ways you can’t even contemplate,
Cliff Jones
Dave,
How wonderful of you to have the strength to post the detail so quickly about Eddie’s service. I so wish Don and I could have been there to also hold you up. But I can tell God provided you with all the strength you needed. 2Cor 12:9 Amp says: But He said to me, My grace (My favor and loving kindness and mercy) is enough for you (sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear the trouble manfully); for My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and show themselves most efficient in (your) weakness. Our mighty God’s power is definitely showing in you and your family during this mournful time. Thank you for letting us in to see how He works. Love to you and Karen. God Bless!
David~
Our hearts go out to you and your loved ones right now.
God answers prayer and we’ve all been praying for Stephen.
Sheila and girls