Funeral for Isabelle Claire
Beloved baby daughter & sister.
September 23, 2008
Loved, treasured and taken up in mercy by Jesus.
(Our worship leader and ladies sang this at Isabelle's funeral, it was beautiful. We also sang "Open the Eyes of Our Heart, Lord". )
I Can Only Imagine by Mercy Me on You Tube - listen
Isaiah 35
1 The desert and the parched land will be glad;
the wilderness will rejoice and blossom.
Like the crocus, 2 it will burst into bloom;
it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy.
The glory of Lebanon will be given to it,
the splendor of Carmel and Sharon;
they will see the glory of the LORD,
the splendor of our God.
3 Strengthen the feeble hands,
steady the knees that give way;
4 say to those with fearful hearts,
"Be strong, do not fear;
your God will come,
he will come with vengeance;
with divine retribution
he will come to save you."
5 Then will the eyes of the blind be opened
and the ears of the deaf unstopped.
6 Then will the lame leap like a deer,
and the mute tongue shout for joy.
Water will gush forth in the wilderness
and streams in the desert.
7 The burning sand will become a pool,
the thirsty ground bubbling springs.
In the haunts where jackals once lay,
grass and reeds and papyrus will grow.
8 And a highway will be there;
it will be called the Way of Holiness.
The unclean will not journey on it;
it will be for those who walk in that Way;
wicked fools will not go about on it.
9 No lion will be there,
nor will any ferocious beast get up on it;
they will not be found there.
But only the redeemed will walk there,
10 and the ransomed of the LORD will return.
They will enter Zion with singing;
everlasting joy will crown their heads.
Gladness and joy will overtake them,
and sorrow and sighing will flee away.
Matthew 6:19-21
Treasures in Heaven
19 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Jesus told us what heaven would be like in Matthew 13: 31
31 He told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. 32Though it is the smallest of all your seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and perch in its branches."
What can be given to anyone that is a lasting gift? We want to fill the lives of our children and loved ones with gifts to remind them that they are special, precious and chosen. We live in a world where we do not stay for even more than a century. The Lord God Almighty, who created the heavens and the earth, says we are chosen, special and precious to Him. He calls to us to be the children of God. God reaches out to us in the love shown in Jesus and His words given to us in Scripture. He gives us the promise of His word that He wants us in heaven. He promises us heaven is open up to us in baptism in Jesus Christ.
On Tuesday, September 23rd: Anne Laurel, Edward and Isabelle began a journey that would begin and end Isabelle’s life. Doctors had already told the family that Isabelle had chromosome disorders and Isabelle’s life could be filled with pain. Isabelle received so much love in so many prayers. The love shown to the family, they have told me, gives them the remembrance to the end of the last day on this earth, the love that God gives to us. It is a sample of heaven. Isabelle was part of the church family in a strong way. Isabelle and the her family were blessed to have many people come over to pray and visit for hours. Many Christians called to say that more Christians were concerned and many prayers were offered. Friends of friends called to the Lord to express love and hope. Isabelle and Anne Laurel were picked up and taken gently in large vehicles to meet people at church to have group prayer. The Lord gave words of comfort and love to last a lifetime.
When Isabelle was born, she received the one gift that IS lasting. Isabelle Claire was taken and sealed in Jesus Christ’s love forever. Psalm 111 says: Hallelujah! I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, in the congregation.
On that day - busy, fear filled, fast-paced, unannounced day, this great congregation, this loving church family showed up, stayed, wept and provided their youngest Christian with baptism. As Isabelle was being born, her church family gave Jesus Christ to her. It was a time of tears, Isabelle would not fill the lives of her family with her life and their love. It was a time of mercy, Isabelle was born with a beautiful face and was blessedly, blessedly asleep in the Lord. The youngest Christian of the church family was going to the Lord with a look of love, baby joy and contentment all over her face. Her parents will remember that peace for a lifetime. They will wait for patience for the day the Lord brings them home and know one of the first voices calling to them on that day will be Isabelle reunited with her family. It will be a great day to walk with Lord in love and a great family reunion.
God’s promises of eternal love and life with Jesus Christ given to us are read today from our church family who participated in Isabelle’s baptism:
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Colossians 2
1 I want you to know how much I am struggling for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally. 2 My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, 3in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
Colossians 2: 6 And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him.7 Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.
Colossians 2: 12 For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with him you were raised to new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead.
20 You have died with Christ, and he has set you free from the spiritual powers of this world.
Acts 19:4 Paul said, "John's baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus." 5 On hearing this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them
Romans 6:8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9 For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. 10 The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.
Hear the words that Jesus speaks to us when we looked to him in faith:
Luke 23:43
Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."
A further conversation on grieving, a two year later perspective. Scripture for Today. Blogspot. Com 9/2010
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