(Note: Last names have been intentionally deleted from the text of this message.)

Prelude: Pre-recorded Nature Sounds

Recorded Song: "Home Free"

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, as the song has just said, "Sometimes the good die young, it's sad, but true. Though we pray for one more heartbeat, the real comfort is in You." It is that comfort we seek today as we have gather together to remember. Please be with each one in this room and comfort us with the assurance that Casey is now there with you. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Obituary

We've come to this place to remember Casey, loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and sister in Christ. She joined her Lord in eternity this past Saturday, May 16^th after a battle with cancer. She was 50 years old. Some of you who knew her as a business associate knew her as Kay. Others of us, myself included, knew her as Casey. Either way, she was one-in-the-same sweet friend whom we already miss dearly.

Casey was born Kay on June 4, 1947 in Fauirbault, Minnesota. She moved to Portland, Oregon as a child. She worked for Great Western Chemical in Portland for four years as an account manager and sales representative. She was a district manager for the company's Eugene branch since 1981. Casey was baptized in this church, the Hwy 20 Church of Christ in 1987 and was most recently a member of the Monroe Church of Christ.

Casey is survived by her husband, Brad, her daughter, Debra of Molalla, brothers, Larry of Brush Prairie, Washington, and Dick of Oklahoma City, sisters, Barbara of Camden, Delaware, Marlus of Shadyside, Ohio, and Darlene of North Carolina, and one very dear grandchild, Cassidy.

Most of you know that Casey loved everything having to do with horses. She was a skilled horsewoman. That was her saddle you passed by as you came in the back door. "Bury me as a cowgirl," she instructed us. She dearly loved the outdoors. The recorded nature sounds that were played as you were coming in reflect her special love of outdoor places. Casey enjoyed shooting, as you'll see in some of the pictures on the back wall. One of my fond memories is her taking "the Preacher's Wife" (my wife) trapshooting on a number of occasions. They shared a special friendship. Casey collected Western memorabilia and antiques. As the home of Brad and Casey testified to any that visited there, she had a gift for interior decorating. She was a dedicated wife to Brad as well as an accomplished businesswoman. She served as head of the women's ministry of this congregation for two consecutive years where her keen organizational skills were a great benefit. She was a generous person who was friendly to all she met - a "giver" in every sense of the word. Casey would go out of her way to help if she knew you had a need. She was an encouragement to be around. I have always appreciated her kind, forthright manner.

One of the ladies in the Monroe church wrote the following note about her. It is called simply, "Casey."

(Read Tribute)

Here is another note about Casey, signed by one "Miss Mouse."

(Read poem)

Casey was a Christian and considered her faith to be the central part of her life. I had her in my classes and Bible studies many times over the years. She was always an avid student of the Scriptures. The many markings in her well-worn Bible and the several Bibles she literally wore out testify of her diligence in learning and applying what is written there. I can remember numerous times she called me aside and asked my opinion on certain subjects from the Scriptures. Not content with just a simple answer, she always wanted book, chapter, and verse. We always had a good time of fellowship as we studied together. She was faithful in her attendance to the services of the church and when she promised to pray for you, I know that she did just that.

I know we all miss her today. Her absence is felt sharply. Some of us are very sad. While this is understandable because she is absent from us, may I remind you from the perspective of a Christian minister that she has attained what we all should be striving for - eternal life with her God. This privilege isn't available to all - only those who are faithful to Christ until death. Now that she has attained her goal, she will never need to cry again. Her recent suffering is over and will never return. She is reunited with her beloved mother. Eternity stretches out before her. Because she was a faithful Christian, there will be no more death for her.

Casey made most of the arrangements herself for this service and was very clear with me that she did not want it to be a sad and somber time. Her words to me were, "I want it to be upbeat and cheerful 'cause I'll be in a much better place."

Yes, Ma'am. We'll do our best.

Several people are going to say a few words on Casey's behalf. We'll do that at this time beginning with Warren Vasey, one of the elders of this congregation. You may either come to the front and use the podium on the right side here or you may speak from where you are.

Warren speaks

Martha Speaks

Arlen Speaks

(Open for anyone who wishes to add to these things.)

The song we are going to hear now was one Casey requested that we play for this service. It had particular significance for her and Brad. It is called simply, "One."

Song: "One"

Sermon

King David of Israel wrote the following words, recorded in Psalm 116:15: "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His Saints."

Thousands upon thousands of people die on this earth every day. Death is commonplace in the experience of mankind. With something so widespread and common you might get the idea that the death of an individual from God's perspective is insignificant, seeing as He deals with so many - just another number. But according to the Bible, this is not the case. The very same God who takes note when the sparrow falls to the ground says that when one of His own dies, it is special in His sight.

How is it special? I can think of several reasons.

First, let me say that the death of one of God's people is precious to God probably because

It Is A Testimony that there are Still People Around Who Live the Christian Life Consistently and Complete It

A certain Christian minister was making a wooden trellis in his front yard to support a climbing vine. As he was pounding away, he noticed that a little boy was watching him. The youngster didn't say a word, so the preacher kept on working, thinking the boy would leave. But he didn't. Pleased at the thought that his work was being admired, the preacher finally said, "Well, son, trying to pick up some pointers on gardening?" "No," he replied. "I'm just waiting to hear what a preacher says when he hits his thumb with a hammer."

You see, there is a cynical attitude out and about that suspects that nobody really lives up to what he or she claims. Put him or her under the right kind of pain or pressure and what he really is will come out.

Many are understandably skeptical about religious people today. Who out there doesn't know a handful of people who don't practice what they preach? It may be that some of us here harbor that kind of skepticism. In a time when it seems like so few are really sincere about living for anything but themselves, it's easy to miss the fact that there are still people around the world who, like Casey, quietly and consistently live out the demands of their faith in Jesus Christ. None of them is perfect of course, but they do their best to live what they believe day after day, week after week. They don't swindle their neighbors. They don't cheat on their spouses. You can count on them to be trustworthy. When they make a mistake they stick around to clean up the mess. They'll open up their lives and share with you if you have a need. And yes, you might even find that what comes out of their mouths when they hit their thumbs with hammers is a little bit different than what you might expect.

All true Christian people share one common goal: To be true to their Lord and Savior right up until the end.

The Apostle Paul, perhaps within months or even weeks of his own death wrote: "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith…"

It is the goal of every true Christian to be able to do that - to keep the faith and finish the course they have begun. It is my goal. It is the goal of many in this room, and I can tell you with absolute confidence it was Casey's goal. Now she has accomplished it, so the next time you find yourself slipping into that old saw that says "the church is full of hypocrites," remember that you know at least one of them personally who wasn't that way. Casey's faithfulness is proof that people still do live for and serve God in the sincerity of their hearts.

Secondly, the death of one of God's people is precious probably because,

It Provides A Time To Reflect and Realize What Really Counts In Life

In one of my visits with Casey once she was confined to her bed, she said she wanted to tell me something in the hope that others would perhaps hear it from her when they might not listen me. (Since I'm used to people ignoring me, that sounded like a pretty good deal!) She told me how her perspective on life had changed since she received word that the cancer was terminal. She told me that in the weeks prior she could go to an auction or a tack store (places she really enjoyed being) and look at all the things she use to want so badly. Now, she said, it was strange. These things so desired only months ago, now held no value to her whatsoever because she wouldn’t be here to enjoy them. She told me that from this new perspective, the only things that really mattered were the relationships she had with God and all of you. She left Brad and me a list of people to call - longer than any notification list I have ever seen. She wanted all of you who have become dear to her to know that she was moving on and that she prized the relationships she had with you.

It's really easy to get sidetracked into thinking that what counts in life are the things we possess - our cars, our houses, our bank accounts, our property holdings, that next promotion we want so badly. Such things are greatly desired and prized. We spend our lives in pursuit of them. To be very frank with you, I like those things, too - except for one thing that keeps me from loving them too much. Just as Casey expressed to me, one of these days they'll all belong to somebody else and they'll be of no use to me or you.

If only for a little while, let's remember Casey's lesson.

The Bible says something about that. In the eighth chapter of Mark, verse 36 it says, "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and loose his own soul?"

I've attended and officiated at a lot of funerals and I've never yet seen one where a person's possessions were extolled. No, what is always mentioned is the relationships they had with God or others.

Casey's words to me were these: "Dave, you be sure you tell them clearly what I lived for."

Yes, Ma'am. I will.

It would seem that the death of one of God's people is precious to God because it is one time when everyone can see, if only for a moment, what is really important in life.

Why would God say that the death of one of His people is precious? Perhaps a third reason might be that

It Is an Encouragement to Others to Join the Race

In these recent months I couldn't go visit Casey without coming away encouraged myself. It was a funny mixture of sadness and encouragement.

I had lunch with her not long after the diagnosis of her lung cancer. She made it clear to me that while she hoped she would continue to live here on earth, she intended to either live or die as a faithful Christian and that she hoped that whatever happened, it would have a good effect on others. There was no duplicity in her words.

Let me share with you a true account that has some parallels to what I'm talking about.

A few years ago a linguist with Wycliffe Bible Translators was kidnapped and then murdered 48 days later in Bogata, Columbia. His name was Chester Bitterman and he was just 28 years old. "What good could ever come out of such a tragic thing?" a person might be inclined to ask. "How could such a thing be within the will of God?" You would think that such a tragic death would have been demoralizing to the 4000+ members of the Wycliffe organization who work in 35 countries with 750 languages. Yet William Cameron Townsend, the 84-year-old founder of Wycliffe and its Summer Institute of Linguistics, said in an interview that Chet Bitterman's death had caused Wycliffe to make, in his words, "a tremendous advance. Young people have been awakened in a new way."

Since Chet Bitterman's murder, about 100 students at the Bible College in North Carolina, where Chet was graduated, have pledged themselves to missionary service. Chet's widow, Brenda, has vowed to return to Bible literacy work, and his younger brother, Craig, 21, has applied to Wycliffe, hoping to be a Bible translator.

Others were encouraged to get in the race because of one that died faithful to Christ. Strange that it would be that way.

Most Christian people I know want their life to count for something. They want their death to count, too.

Casey's confidence was that, though she did not understand the "why" of her suffering, God had a purpose in allowing her death at this time. She shared with me her hope that others might see her confidence in facing death and the bold attitudes reflected at her funeral and realize that what she had was real.

I dropped in on Casey one afternoon a few weeks ago to find her busy working on a stack of Bibles. When I asked her what she was doing, she told me that she intended to leave one of these Bibles to each of her family members with passages marked that she hoped they would read. "What would you think of marking this passage or that passage?" she asked me, totally absorbed in her project of wanting her death to count in the lives of those she loved.

I don't really have to preach you a sermon about it. I just invite you to look at what Casey  lived for and what she died for and the sincerity of the faith that she had in the face of death. What she had was worth living for and worth dying for.

Fourthly, perhaps the death of one of God's people is precious to Him because

It Reminds us that He Wants To Bring His People Home.

In John Bunyan's Christian classic, PILGRIM'S PROGRESS, one of the characters named "Mr. Standfast" said these words as he was dying:

"I am now going to see that head that was crowned with thorns, and see the face that was spat upon for me. I have formerly lived by hearsay and faith, but now I go where I shall live by sight, and shall be with Him in whose company I delight myself."

Ultimately, God wants to bring His people home to be with Him. That has been His intent from the beginning. Jesus said before he was crucified, "In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also."

The anticipation of every Christian is to be with God. It is what we live for. But God also anticipates being with His people. It's what this whole thing called life is about. It's what the story of the Bible is about. From the Garden of Eden to the Apocalypse the theme is the same - God preparing men and women to live with Him.

He wants us to be with Him, but we must want it, too. He will not force us if we don't want it. It is a choice we must make. Casey made that choice. Some of you have, too. My fondest wish is the same one Casey had, that those she loved would come to God so that she could be together with them for eternity. This can only happen when we come to God on His terms according to His instructions. I encourage each of you to do just that while you have the opportunity.

Casey has lived out the life of service and the days that God had ordained for her and now she has gone to be with Him. He has welcomed her in that place where He is. Though her final hours were a difficult struggle for her, that struggle is over. She is in that place near God where she will be forever. God is happy about that and at this moment I can tell you most assuredly that Casey is too…

Will you bow with me in prayer?

Father, Thank you for the life that Casey lived before each of us. Thank you for inspiring her faithfulness. Thank you for all that she was to us. Help us to learn well the lessons that her presence taught us while there is still time to profit from them. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Ladies and Gentlemen, internment will be in the Rest Lawn Memorial Park in Junction City. Those of you who wish may follow the funeral coach over to that location for the conclusion of our service today. If you cannot join us there, may I express thanks on behalf of the two churches represented here and also Casey's family for your presence.

There will also be a lunch served at the Monroe Church of Christ building after the conclusion of the graveside service. We hope you will all join us for that.

Please remain seated until the ushers dismiss you. Thank you all for coming.

Graveside

Sing first verse of "Amazing Grace."

As we draw our time together to a close and pay our final respects to this one who was so loved by family and friends, may I offer some words of comfort from the Scriptures? It is obvious by your presence that Casey will be greatly missed. Many of you will understandably continue to grieve for a time.

As I have already pointed out, Casey was a Christian. The very same Bible that she believed in speaks of a day yet in the future when this grave that is sealed today will be reopened and this body that is committed to this spot today will be resurrected.

Listen to the words of the bible:

1Thes 4:13-18

13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve, as do the rest who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. 15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, and remain until the coming of the Lord, shall not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of {the} archangel, and with the trumpet of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.

All of us, unless the Lord should return within our lifetime, will come to a place such as this. It is imperative that we be prepared for it. In order to do that we must commit ourselves to Jesus Christ who said,

"I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me shall live even if he dies."

Today we commit the body of Casey to this resting-place until such time as God chooses to blow the trumpet and raise it once again to life everlasting.

Shall we pray?

Dave Redick is Minister of the Hwy 20 Church of Christ in Sweet Home, Oregon and Editor of The Preacher's Study. He may be reached at pstudysupport@comcast.net.

Copyright © 1996-2008 by The Preacher's Study. Permission is granted to subscribers to use this document in total or in sermon preparation in the context of the local congregation only. Publishing it in a book, on the Internet, or anyplace beyond the local congregation is prohibited.

All Scripture quotations and references are from the New American Standard Version unless otherwise stated.

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