A Celebration of LIFE not Death… Imagine That!

1 Thessalonians 4:13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope.

Last Thursday brought news of the death of my beloved brother-in-law, also known as Ron Eppley – also known as “Chief” though I never called him that!

We knew it was going to happen, he had fought a valiant fight against odds that would have made me give up long, long before he did. He was indeed a man of courage!

He was also ONE OF THOSE whom you depended on to bring a smile to your face whenever you were around him. He loved life and packed it full of GOING and DOING. More importantly he loved people. I don’t think this man ever met a stranger that he didn’t turn into a friend.

He wasn’t one to brag nor judge. He didn’t talk much about his beliefs, yet he wore them with honor.

James 2:18 But someone may well say, “You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.”

But, it’s not just about his works – we KNOW that works alone won’t get anyone into heaven –  Ron professed his faith in God and His Son Jesus Christ. And I know he loves his Master… Jesus Christ.

One can’t love his neighbor like Ron did without the love of Christ living within him!

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 

Yep… this is Ron’s brand of “Play Ball!”. Not perfect (although he IS now) but definitely always “in the game”. His family wrote on his memory page… “He is remembered, especially by Air Force friends, with the motto “you prepare, you do, and you put away.”  Ron preferred “no big deal” to be his final thought.”

I WILL be stealing (using) the motto… but…

No big deal… I can only imagine!

I’m sure the first words he heard from Jesus were, “Well done, good and faithful servant!” (Matthew 25:21)

And then I imagine He said… “You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; (you see there is a reason he was known as “chief”) enter into the joy of your Master.”

“When the Saints Go Marching In”… I can only imagine that Ron Eppley is definitely marching in – maybe even leading the troops!

1 Corinthians 2:9 but just as it is written, “Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, and which have not entered the heart of man, all that God has prepared for those who love Him.”

So, we are off this weekend to CELEBRATE a LIFE well lived. (You knew I’d come back around!)

As a Jesus Freak, I don’t grieve like someone with no hope. To some, death is the end because they cannot see beyond the physical. For those who know Jesus, we KNOW God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. (John 3:16-17). 

Saved for eternal life… LIFE with God… We can only imagine what Ron is up to now!

Though there is still grief – real, painful, and long-lasting – there is also the comfort of knowing that when it is our turn (not one minute too soon and not one minute too late), when our ordained day (in Your book were written the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them Psalm 139:16) is done, we too will be partaking of all that God has prepared for those who love Him.

In the meantime… I can only imagine AND celebrate the LIFE not death of our beloved Ron Eppley. I know some (most) of you never got the chance to meet Ron and have not had the privilege I have had… but I’m sure he will introduce himself when the music starts and we go marching in.

Once again I have shamelessly used this blog to SHOWCASE someone I love… but… Praise God… the Holy Spirit still uses it (the blog) and me to make His point. 

It’s enough to make this Jesus Freak SHOUT FOR JOY and say THANK YOU!

Imagine THAT!

**All Scripture quoted comes from the “Bible Gateway” app and is the NASB version of the Bible