Lonnie Flemming Memorial

Welcome/ Prayer

Obituary

Scripture Reading

Psalm 23 ESV

A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Slide Show

Eulogy

Larry Thomas

Scripture Reading

Psalm 103:2–4 ESV

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,

Message: Finish The Race Well

I was blessed to be Lonnie’s pastor for the last eight years

I met him on an Easter Sunday on the Cabrillo field

He rarely missed after that

Not too long after he became a deacon and was serving all over the church

He was there with a great attitude

That’s the one thing that always stuck out to me was his positive attitude

He was always joking around and asking me question

That never changed once he started battling cancer

I would see him at church or visit at his house and he would have the best attitude

Even when he was talking to me about stopping his treatment and was frustrated with his doctor it was because he didn’t want it to change who he was

Lonnie finished his life better than anyone I have ever witnessed

In my line of work I have seen a lot of people succumb to cancer and how he handled it blew me away

It reminds me of what the Apostle Paul said

2 Timothy 4:7 ESV

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

Did you the know the fastest man in the world Usain Bolt, never was the first out of the gate?

He was notorious for his slow starts but he was the strongest finisher

It’s not how you start, or even how the race goes, it’s how you finish

Most people give up

Others cross the line angry and bitter

Lonnie was filled with the joy of the Lord and he wasn’t going to let a disease that ravaged his body take that away because he knew what was to come

Paul not only knew what came with finishing the race

2 tim 4:8

2 Timothy 4:8 ESV

Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.

Lonnie recieved his crown of righteousness a week ago

He heard the wonderful word well done good and faithful servant

When you die what is going to happen?

Will you enter heaven and hear those wonderful words Lonnie did?

If the answer is no you can change that right now.

Remember, its not how you start, or even what you’ve done along the way, it’s how you finish.

You can have the same joy and peace that Lonnie lived with

It all happens by putting your trust in Jesus

He removes that old life and gives you a new one

He forgives your sins and gives you a clean slate

Most importantly your eternal destination is secured.

You can make that choice today.