Harold Barker Funeral (He Is My Strength)

Obituary

Harold Deed Barker, husband of Mrs. Della Jean Cole Barker and the son of the late William A. and Bertha Tackett Barker was born in Louisa, Kentucky on October 17, 1935 and departed this life in Lexington, Kentucky on July 7, 2018 at the age of 82 years, 8 months, and 20 days. Harold was a former Oil Well Driller, a member of the Miracle Missions Church of the Living God, and loved fishing and deer hunting. In addition to his wife, Della of Beattyville, Kentucky, Harold is survived by two nephews, David Barker and wife Canza of Richmond, Kentucky and Edward Barker and wife Cindy of Lancaster, Kentucky; one great nephew, Brent Barker of Richmond, Kentucky; and two sisters-in-law, Loretta Barker of Richmond, Kentucky and Carlie Barker of Lancaster, Kentucky; and a host of other relatives and friends. Harold is preceded in death by his parents; their twin boys; and four brothers, Jim, Gene, Eddie, and Billy Barker.

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A Courtship Begins

About 69 years ago a spark began a consuming fire between two people that was planned before either of them was born.

I know I am here to preach the funeral of Harold Barker but as I spoke with his wife my Aunt Della it became perfectly clear what the Lord was calling me to do.

I must tell the story based upon the word of a miraculously loving God who called the two of them together to a walk of holiness.

I must tell the story based upon the word of a miraculously loving God who called the two of them together to a walk of holiness.

I must tell the story based upon the Word of a miraculously loving God who called the two of them to leave their fathers and mothers and cleave to each other to walk a walk of holiness. Because of his great Love, grace and mercy he created a plan for them.

You see the Bible tells in the Book of Jeremiah Chapter 1 verse 5 that the Lord KNEW us before he placed us in our mothers womb. It later tells us in the same book chapter 29 verse 11 that he has a plan for our life a plan for good and not disaster a plan to give us a future and a hope. It tells us in the book of Genesis that it is not good for man to be alone.

The story I must tell you is one of strength and of weakness. You see the Lord knew when he placed my Aunt Della in her mothers womb that as a child a sickness would come upon her that would cause a lifelong weakness. But that same God knew as he was placing my Uncle Harold into his mothers womb that he would grow to be a man of the stature and strength of Sampson. The Lord took these two and wove a story of strength and weakness. The Lord knew that when her weakness was combined with his strength that he would fulfil a scripture. 1st Corinthians chapter 12 verse 9 tells us that our strength is made perfect in weakness and then in verse 10 it tells us when we are weak we are made strong.

Uncle Harold told me stories of his youth where his strength was both a blessing and a curse. The Bible tells us that he who hangs on a tree bore the curse for us. By combining these two hearts through that spark 69 or so years ago two curses were bore upon the shoulders of Jesus Christ.

If i asked any of you under the sound of my voice right now about Harold Barker you could each tell a story of Harold’s great strength but I am also just a sure that you could tell us a story of the gentleness of a lamb.

If I ask each of you about my Aunt Della you would all report that the infirmity that came through the childhood illness brought a certain weakness to her right side. A weakness that cause Harold in all of his strength to always walk on her right side. I am also positive that no one here would ever call Della Barker weak, well at least not where she could here you. There it is the fullness of that scripture brought to life in these two.

A life that was lived out constantly allowing strength and weakness to combine through Grace and Love creating one flesh.

I so loved watching Harold make sure Della was perfectly taken care of. I remember a time when I was leading a Bible study at church and Harold had to make sure Della could get inside. He pulled the truck up to the basement door while it was still daylight and he helped her in. When Bible study was over it was getting dark. As he backed his way from around the back he turned a little to far in one direction and his truck went over the hill a bit too far. He was stuck because one wheel was off the ground. As we went out to see how we could help, Harold was there behind the wheel mashing the gas pedal with all of his strength and Aunt Dell was right there beside him “encouraging” him by telling him exactly how to get it out with all of her strength which certainly strengthened his resolve. Because the more she “encouraged” the stronger he got and the harder he pushed that gas pedal. We eventually got him Aunt Della and the truck safely out. Sometimes in marriage especially in ones that last as long as this one did strength meets strength and you get stuck until eventually someone has to become weak so you both can remain strong.

Ephesians 5:25–33 KJV 1900

Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.

Ephesians

The Book of Ephesians chapter 5 verses 25-33 tell us a story of Strength and Weakness. The story describes how a strong man must become weak and tender and love his wife Just as Christ loves the Church. A story of how that weakness turns the weaker vessel into a vessel of honor. Just as Jesus Christ turns us his bride from the weakness of a life of sin into a strong vessel of honor. Harold Barker lived his life out in a manner that truly reflected these verses in the book of Ephesians.

The Lion and the Lamb

I would like to share one more story of strength and weakness this one affects all of our lives. This story is of a Lion and a Lamb, a story of God and Man. In the beginning God created all that we can see, every place we put our foot every thing we can touch came from God not just any god BUT an ALL Powerful, All Knowing, All Places God; The God Almighty. A God who hand made the greatest of all his creation us. A God who gave his one and only son to come into this world as a lamb prepared for the slaughter. A baby who would grow to become the payment for all of our sins. A man who chose a cross to show his love for us his creation. A story that for many seemed to end at the cross and for the lamb it did, but as Harold knew the story did not end there. That lamb who died for our sins first descended into the depths and became the Lion of Judah who took the keys of death, hell and the grave to assure that the price he paid would always be sufficient that as Harold knew that Saturday night when he spoke his last words to aunt Della that he was just going to shut his eyes. Harold knew sure as this world exists that in just a little while he would see her again. For in heaven there is no tears, nor sorrow and there is no time. As Harold rejoices in heaven Praising God with his hand raised he knows that in just a little while it will all be over and those who gave there life to Christ and were born again would be rejoicing with him.

A Family Reunion

A family Reunion is in progress right now inside those gates of pearl. On the streets of Gold there is rejoicing and family is reunited with those that closed their eyes before them. I am sure Harold would want to know that all of his earthly family would seek to come to that reunion. Its just this simple you admit that all have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God. We must admit the only payment for that sin is death and if we pay our own price then the end is here for us, but if we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior and die to our flesh and be born again just as Harold did many years ago the we can just shut our eyes. Won’t you accept this invitation to the Family Reunion.

Closing Prayer