Memorial Service for Janet Denise Denson

Psalms 34:17-18

‌Lets Us Pray-Almighty God, in your great love you crafted us by your hand and breathed life into us by your Spirit. Although we became a rebellious people, you did not abandon us to our sin. In your tender mercy you sent your Son to restore in us your image. In obedience to your will he gave up his life for us, bearing in his body our sins on the cross. By your mighty power you raised him from the grave and exalted him to the throne of glory. Rejoicing in his victory and trusting in your promise to make alive all who turn to Christ, we commend you for your mercy and Praise your creativeness of Janet Denise Denson And we ask that you place your mighty hand on the Denson family. Crown their heads with wisdom and knowledge that produces a spiritual understanding to your will and your way. Bless us o Lord in your mighty name we pray Amen.

We gather here today to honor and remember the life of Janet Denise Denson, a beloved mother, grandmother, sister, Aunt and friend. At 63 years old, she leaves behind a legacy of love, kindness, compassion and resilience. In moments like these, we find comfort in our shared memories and the love that binds us together. I hope and pray that before we leave this place today we can accomplish 3 things. first

‌✶ To give thanks for her impactful life;

‌✶ To commend God for what He has given us through Janet’s time here on this earth.

‌✶ and lastly To comfort one another in our grief. Look to your left and then to your right. We are here for each other.

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One of the amazing gifts that impresses me most about the God we serve, is His uniqueness and detail to the creation of mankind. According to the Scriptures, humans are not an evolutionary accident but a special creation. A unique individual created through the heart of God. We were purposefully produced by God to fulfill a preordained role in His world. We have peculiar qualities that somehow reflect the nature of God Himself that sets us apart and above all other created things. We know that he stated in Genesis how that he gave us dominion over everything. So we come today to admire and celebrate the uniqueness that God created inside of Janet Denson.

In Revelations, chapter 22. At the end it says this “I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book. If anyone add these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book and if anyone takes away from the words of this book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the book of life from the holy series, and from the things which are written in this book. Everything that God has placed in this book has happened or will happen. It gives us everything, even today at this moment, we are here at this memorial service. There is hope in this Bible there is joy in this Bible there’s love in this Bible, why because God said I wrote knowing the Denson family would need more peace more understanding as the questions arise as the days go on. As Janet’s absences becomes more and more evident in their daily lives. This void will need to be filled with substances that withstand all the unnecessary noise. We need what is between Genesis and Revelations. Just as we will see the dash on the tomb stones of our loved ones and the impact that they made in our lives, we need to realize the dash between Genesis and revelations gives us so much more substance and foundation and strength to be able to overcome the days that are ahead. The bible says go ahead and celebrate the creative Joy of Janet. The beautiful mind and craftiness that she was able to do with his hands. Her giftedness was surely from our almighty God. The memories her family would love to know that brings smiles to there faces and warmth to their hearts. We are here to say that Our God is Alive and He is able and that we praise Him and thank Him for Janet, We thank him for Janet’s heart, We thank him for Janet’s amazing gift of creativity. Janet could make a Picasso out of spray cans, She could upholstery look like a show piece. That’s the Janet we praise the Lord for today.

I want us to look at a scripture in the old testament. Psalms 34:1-5 as we see a story of David. The bible reads:

I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak his praises. 2 I will boast only in the Lord; let all who are helpless take heart. 3 Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness; let us exalt his name together. 4 I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears. 5 Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces. What prompted David to write this psalm?

So let me give you a little background of this story. This psalm written by david after he went through a storm. Saul had tried to kill david 3 times and was unsuccessful. Once David escaped he went to the tabernacle of Nod. He went there to get some food, but he also took the sword of Goliath. It was the sword he used to cut of Goliath’s head. It was kept there in David’s memorabilia section. Because Saul was out to kill him he had no place to go, rejected by his own people, Growing up our parents would tells us be careful who you hang around. Bullets do not have names. Just to put into to perspective the fear all had for Saul and that if your in his dog house then I can’t hang out with you. So David makes a stupid move and runs to his enemies for help. It gets even better He goes to the town of gath which was the home of Goliath. Which also was his enemies. Hanging from his side was the Goliath’s sword. He must have lost his mind. David was captured and brought to the philistine king. David began to play crazy, foaming at the mouth, shouting weird things, because he had given up. The king sent him back to the cave of adullum saying we have enough crazy people. So when you read this psalm it’s about the deliverance from Gath. God delivered David and even in our desperate times will do some stupid things and He still will deliver us. What does that matter hold on I’m going some where.

When I read this I could do nothing but Think of Janet and the horrible disease she had to struggle with. Ataxia which is a loss muscle control. As I listened to the stories from her family of how even while she was struggling she never stopped thinking of others. How she opened her home to anyone to lay there head, if they had been put out, how she didn’t judge anyone for what they had done. Even how she was taking care of family members while struggling with her disease.

The other day as I left the Deshawn Denson’s Home. A gospel song came on called You know my Name by Tasha Cobbs. As I was driving the words of the song began to peek my ears. I enjoy music but I don’t know many lyrics by heart. But this particular song stuck a cord with me. Phrases like “ He knows my name” “ Oh how he walks with me, Oh how he talks with me, and oh how he tells me That I am his own” So I began to think of Janet and David and wondering why is the spirit placing this in my heart?

The song goes on to say how he comfort me, oh how he counsel me” yet it still amazes me that I am your friend. In 1 Samuel 13:14 the bible says that David was a man after God’s own heart. I believe after David was delivered, he knew that God was his friend. Now of days you can’t call everybody a friend. I think we say “ acquaintances” but to be a friend or to have a friend that knows you. that walks with you, that tells you time and time again you are unique. Janet knew about this disease and how it would affect her family, yet she didn't run from it she helped others who had it. God had removed the fear from her and she knew that He was her friend. When things get tough, God gets the anger first.

God did not give up on David. But once David came to his senses just like us. When we experience deliverance through God’ power, it should be a natural response for us to praise Him and share the good news with others. We should praise him constatnly

Janet showed us her friendship with the Lord, She didn’t run to the enemy like david. She showed us that even during her difficult times she as it says in verse 5 she looked to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken her faces. Why because she knew that God was her friend.

When she came to church, she whispered in my ear you keep preaching the word. She didn’t ask me to pray for her, but to keep preaching the word. Because she wants her friend to be known to all mankind.

I leave you with a question: Can you call God your friend? Can you call Him your savior? Don’t walkout angry hurt and go do something stupid? He want to be your friend.

Let us bow our heads in prayer.

Heavenly Father, we thank you for the gift of Janet Denson’s life. We are grateful for the love and joy she brought into others lives. As we mourn her passing, we also celebrate the beautiful legacy she leaves behind. We ask for your comfort and peace during this time of sorrow. May we find solace in the knowledge that she is now in your loving presence, free from pain and suffering. We pray for strength and healing for her family and friends. May they find comfort in each other and in the precious memories they hold. As we go forth from this place, may all those who new Janet, carry her love and light in their hearts, living lives in a way that honors her memory. And now, may the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. That as we Go in peace, holding onto the love and memories of Janet, and may you find comfort and strength in the days ahead. Amen

‌Family, please remember Lean Hard on God’s Love. Know that He and this church family is here to see you through. We are so proud to be apart of this family’s life. We truly thank God for the relationships that have been fostered over the past few years.