1-11-24 Bobby Wayne Aultman

Psalm 42:1

Message:

As we begin this part of the service,,, Mr. Bobby Wayne,,, as I called him,,, was a faithful member of Seminary Methodist,,, and his presence will be missed!

Just as he will be missed by the family,,, but he doesn't want today to be a sad day,,, it should be a day of celebration,,, because,,, we know,,, that he has obtained his mansion,,, and he's,,, like I told Cindy earlier in the week,,, I'm sure,,, that he's bouncing around like he used to do!

So,,, today,,, is a day to celebrate a life well lived,,, a life of love,,, and a life of accomplishment,,, by a man,,, that was loved by many!

These are some things that the family wrote down for me yesterday,,,

First,,, he was a man of few words,,, but when he spoke,,, you listened!

Loved nature,,, loved being outside,,, some days,,, you could find him sunning on a bench,,, or on cool days,,, sitting in his truck!

Loved animals,,, at 4 PM the horses would be watching for him,,, ready to neigh if he didn't come soon enough,,, or running if they heard his truck!

The family would laugh because even the birds and squirrels would gather in the backyard,,, waiting their turn!

He was given a deer feeder for Christmas,,, they told him,,, now you won't have to go outside in the cold,,, (you know since it was run off of a timer),,, just put the cracked corn in it,,, you know,,, let it work,,, but,,, nope,,, the birds and squirrels expected him to be out there,,, scattering the seed,,, so he still was out there,,, even though the deer feeder was there,,, he still was as well!

Psalm 42:1 (NIV) — 1 As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God.

These words meant a lot to him!

He saw them every day,,, since this was hanging there by the back door

And he knew that this was important,,, not only to him,,, but to his family,,, which he did his best to pass that own to each of them,,, and now,,, it's important that you remember it as well!

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Have you ever wondered,,, how was this world created?

Job 12:7–10 (NIV) — 7 “But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; 8 or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you. 9 Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? 10 In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.

He knew from being outside so much,,, and loving God the way that he did,,, that if we just pay attention,,, nature will teach you that God has created all that we know and enjoy today!

Every day was a gift,,, he believed that!

And they started,,, with coffee in the kitchen looking out the window over the field!

With questions like,,, did it rain,,, was there a big frost,,, all asked while he enjoyed the color of the sky,,, the early morning coming alive!

In the evening,,, they would sit on the front porch,,, watching the sunset,,, Karen said that she told him,,, "That is the same sunset that Granny and Pa Burl watched for many years. It never got old!" (And it never will)

He loved nature because it told him so much about God,,, things that some scholars would do themselves a great favor,,, if they would just listen too!

If we can just pay attention to the legacy that he left behind,,, we can understand so much about him,,, and his love for God!

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We can go on and on about the many things that he loved,,, his time spent playing ball with friends,,, fishing,,, hunting,,, the farm.

And don't forget cutting grass,,, (and I was told that he had lots to cut),,, his,,, Cindy's across the road,,, Dimples,,, the farm,,, he was kept busy!

But he knew what was important!

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Psalm 29:4 (NRSV) — 4 The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is full of majesty.

God spoke,,, and the world,,, and everything that we know was formed,,, all from a spoken word!

Jesus spoke,,, and a storm was calmed,,, again,,, all from a spoken word!

The voice of the Lord,,, "is" powerful!

As Karen wrote,,, the beauty of nature is accompanied,,, by the power and glory,,, of God!

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Are we listening to these words today?

Not just you,,, but myself as well!

These are not my words,,, these are the words that he has left to his beautiful family,,, these are words to you and I,,, words that hopefully we remember after today,,, as we struggle with the things that this world throws our way!

Words that can help us through the days ahead,,, if we just let them soak in!

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A clipping was found in his Bible,,, and I felt led to read it to you,,, hopefully they will teach you some more of Bobby Wayne's philosophy about life,,, the way that it did me!

It was titled,,, "Embrace Easter enthusiasm" by Rodney Sessions

Easter season is upon us. Easter Sunday is the most attended church service of the year. It would be good if our enthusiasm for our faith was as strong everyday as it is on Easter morning.

My own daily relationship with my faith is founded in my life experiences and a few simple and straightforward scriptures from the good book.

I have found a personal relationship with God preferable to any one body of theology. I leave the debates inherent with a “formalized” theology to those better suited to the task.

Be yourself

I am who I am. That is to say, I am a product of my “raising” and influenced by all my life experiences and relationships. Aren't we all?

In regard to the Bible which my mother always referred to as the good book, I have found some wisdom and comfort in many of the scriptures there. In the Old Testament the third chapter of Ecclesiastes pretty much lays out life as it is. The 23rd Psalm brings me the comfort of believing that I do not have to face any of life's challenges alone.

I am grateful for the New Testament message found in John 3:16, but I am drawn to the teachings of Jesus. During Easter season we are mindful of the death and resurrection of our Lord, but every day faith focuses on the life of Jesus.

The beatitudes speak to me personally. As a would be storyteller myself, I admire the way Jesus uses the parables to convey a message.

Knows it Alls

As for my personal theology, Jesus sums it up; love one another as I have loved you and judge not lest you be judged. I am reminded by the words of Paul, found in first Corinthians chapter 13 verse 12, that all of us know only part, and that none of us have all the answers. I just can't abide someone who claims to know the only “way” to have a good relationship with God.

Jesus called upon those who followed in his footsteps to “bear good fruit” and to “go into all the world” to share his message and his love with all men. He speaks quite plainly of this in Matthew 25:31-45.

In James, we are reminded that “faith without works is dead”. James also calls upon men to “be doers of the word and not hearers only”.

I have fallen short many times and living my life in such a flat fashion as to reflect my faith and beliefs, but I keep working. Fortunately, I follow one who forgives my shortcomings, lifts me back up when I stumble and fall and one who has not given up on me.

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This was kept there,,, possibly to remind "us" today,,, the way that we should live our life,,, as we go forward.

His choices have been made,,, we have heard the word that he left us,,, It's up to us now to make the same choices that he's showing us to make.

Choices that decide whether it will be heaven or hell,,, eternal consequences that must be made today!

And the right choice can only be accomplished,,, by accepting Jesus Christ as your Savior!

John 3:16 says: “For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.”

He loves you that much,,, but it’s a choice that you will have to make,,, no-one can do it for you!

So make sure that you make the right choice today!

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For the family,,, for his wife,,, Cathey,,, his daughters,,, Cindy,,, Karen,,, and Lisa,,, along with their husbands,,, the grandchildren,,, the great grandchildren,,, all of you,,, the family and friends that are here,,, the days ahead will not be easy.

But you know that Bobbie Wayne would want you to remember the good times,,, and forget the bad,,, because that's the way that he was.

We've seen that from the very beginning,,, the way that his love of nature shows us all that God has done,,, so he has left us an example to copy,,, a way to live our life,,, as we finish our time here on earth!

The days ahead won't be easy,,, and they will take time,,, but eventually the good memories will keep coming to mind,,, and they will crowd out the bad,,, and then,,, once again,,, he will bring smiles to your faces,,, when you remember the good times that you had,,, and God will help you along the way,,, just trust Him,,, and follow His guidance through the journey that's ahead for each of you.

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Let us pray:

“Eternal God,,, we praise you for the great company of all those who have finished their course in faith and now rest from their labor. We praise you for those dear to us whom we name in our hearts before you. Especially we praise you today for Mr. Bobby Wayne,,, whom you have graciously received into your presence. To all of these,,, grant your peace. Let perpetual light shine upon them; and help us to believe where we have not seen,,, that your presence may lead us through our years,,, and bring us at last with them into the joy of your home,,, not made with hands,,, eternal in the heavens; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”

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Special Music:

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Grave side:

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As we go through our daily activities,,, it seems like there are times when we are surrounded by death,,, and we wonder,,, who will help us?

Mr. Bobby Wayne knew where his help came from.

Listen as I read these scriptures again!

Psalm 42:1 (NIV) — 1 As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God.

Job 12:7–10(NIV) — 7 “But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; 8 or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you. 9 Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? 10 In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.

Psalm 29:4 (NRSV) — 4 The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is full of majesty.

He knew where his help came from,,, and he knew who was responsible for the creation of our world today,,, and he knew that God was powerful and merciful,,, and loves us forever!

As I told you earlier,,, we know that this isn’t the end.

His choice has been made,,, and it's up to us to choose wisely now.

So that we can spend eternity in heaven,,, just as God wants for each of us,,, but we must each make that choice on our own,,, God won't force Himself upon us,,, it's ours to make or ignore,,, either heaven or hell,,, and I'm sure that he would tell you to please make the right choice today,,, and that choice is to make Jesus Christ,,, your Lord and Savior,,, today!

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Let's bow our heads in our closing prayer,,, and as I end the first part of the prayer,,, please join me as we end with the Lord's prayer together.

Almighty God, as you once called our brother Bobby Wayne Aultman,,,

into this life,,, so now you have called him into life everlasting.

We therefore commit him to the elements. In the hope of resurrection unto eternal life, through the promise of Our Lord Jesus Christ, we faithfully and victoriously give him over to your blessed care.

You have shared with us the life of Mr. Bobby Wayne,,, - Before he was ours,,, he is yours. For all that Bobby Wayne has given us to make us what we are,,, for that of him which lives and grows in each of us,,, and for his life that in your love will never end,,, we give you thanks. As now we offer Bobby Wayne back into your arms,,, comfort us in our loneliness,,, strengthen us in our weakness,,, and give us courage to face the future unafraid. Draw those of us who remain in this life closer to one another,,, make us faithful to serve one another,,, and give us to know that peace and joy,,, which is eternal life,,, We ask these things in Jesus's name,,, who taught us to pray, by saying the Lord's Prayer together:

Our Father, which art in heaven,

hallowed be thy name;

thy kingdom come;

thy will be done;

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation;

but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom,

the power and the glory,

for ever.

Amen.

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Numbers 6:24–26 (NRSV) — 24 The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you; 26 the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace.

He would want that for each of us,,, so remember all of these words,,, as we continue our journey,,, towards our heavenly,,, home!

We thank you for your attendance,,, your prayers,,, and ask that you continue to lift them up in your prayers in the days to come.

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