Memorial Service For A Firefighter

• He was very devoted to his work. His actual title was driver/engineer/firefighter/paramedic. Firefighters always have more than one job to do. Keith has been a firefighter for 14 years, since 1999. He is a member of the Pasco Rescue honor guard.

• He loved cars, especially Mustangs. He owns 2. Works on them. And his favorite is the Shelby Mustang which is where his daughter,Shelby got her name.

• He and other friends enjoyed an app called Chive. He used it frequently. Also facebook.

FACEBOOK COMMENTS

I asked LeeAnn to give me a few words that describe Keith. This is the list. Kind. Very loving. Enjoyed practical jokes. I asked LeeAnn, is there more? She said yep, stubborn. Liked to be right. He was always sure about things even if he was mistaken. Someone else at the table with us said he was selfless. The most selfless person they have ever known. He always thought of others even if it inconvenienced him.

The Bible reminds us that for those who believe and place their faith in Him that we will have a home in heaven and will receive a new body. He assures us that in this home in heaven…

* there will be no more sickness

* no more death no more funerals to attend

* we will never grow tired or weary

* no more hospitals

* no more Rx to fill

* no more need for doctors

* no more tears

* no more darkness

Grief counselors will tell you that there are at least 3 things that we must do or pay attention to when we go through the valley of the shadow of death. Three things that can help us.

(1) time -doesn=t usually happen quickly...the grief process takes time…..so don=t try to rush it...sometimes a few months....sometimes a few years. It is different with each person.

(2) Tears- when Jesus learned of the death of His friend Lazarus, the scripture tells us that Jesus wept. Tears are good.

(3) talk- share memories, stories, talk is therapeutic. So as you have occasion in the future, anniversaries, birthdays do not be afraid to talk about Keith.

Through the years, I have conducted funeral services for people of all ages...those who are much older and also for those who are much younger. …...one of the things that I have discovered is that regardless of age we are not ready to give them up. We cannot help it but we ask why things happen as they do. Paul the apostle said Anow we see thru a dark glass…..it=s as though we are in a fog, not clear, but one day we will see face to face. He was saying it is not all clear now but one day it will be. One day the fog will clear…. The mist, the smoke will clear. There are things we simply do not understand right now but one day we will.

Most of the time when death comes we don’t expect it. We are surprised. We are completely caught off guard. We like to think our loved ones will live forever and that we will also. But that is not what the Bible teaches. James tells us that our lives are like a vapor…a mist…like smoke…. here for a moment and then gone. And as we grow older we all realize just how true that is. It goes rapidly. And so today we must find the strength to entrust these things to a God who is much bigger than us who loves us and will see us through.