Alverson Memorial
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Intro
Intro
We are here today to celebrate the life of Clarence Dale Alverson. He passed from this life on March 28, 2019 at the age of 92. He is survived by his loving wife of 26yrs, Lillie Alverson, His two daughters Gale and Jennie, His sister, and several grand children and great grandchildren. We are here today not simply to grieve, although we will miss Clarence. We are here to celebrate and rejoice because this was a life well lived. We are here to rejoice because Clarence is today in the arms of the savior he had dedicated his life to.
We are here today to celebrate the life of Clarence Dale Alverson. He passed from this life on March 28, 2019 at the age of 92. He is survived by his loving wife of 26yrs, Lillie Alverson, His two daughters Gale and Jennie, His sister, and several grand children and great grandchildren.
We are here today to celebrate the life of Clarence Dale Alverson. He passed from this life on March 28, 2019 at the age of 92. He is survived by his loving wife of 26yrs, Lillie Alverson, His two daughters Gale and Jennie, His sister, and several grand children and great grandchildren.
Clarence was a Veteran who served his country during World War II. He fought for our country and for, the last few years, he fought a more personal battle. One with sickness and disease. The last time I was able to speak with him I had the sense that he was a man who had fought hard, but he was tired and ready to go home.
Clarence was a man who loved his family and friends. He was straight shooter. You never had to wonder where you stood with him because he would just tell you like it was.
He loved nature and photography. If you visit His home you will see beautiful pictures of waterfalls on the wall - Pictures that he had taken.
Clarence was a Veteran who served his country during World War II. He fought for our country and for, the last few years, he fought a more personal battle. One with sickness and disease.
The last time I was able to speak with him I had the sense that he was a man who had fought hard, but he was tired and ready to go home. I sat on the stool in front of his chair and listened as he shared how tired he was. He had fought a hard battle over the last few years.
As I was talking with his wife, Lillie, this last week, she gave me a list of some of his favorite scriptures. As I looked over them, a theme emerged. I want to read just a couple of them now.
Transition to Text: As I was talking with his wife, Lillie, this last week, she gave me a list of some of his favorite scriptures. As I looked over them, a theme emerged. This is what I want to talk about briefly this morning.
One of His favorite passages, , is actually one of my favorite Psalms.
David penned this Psalm as he is in the midst of a battle. He is fighting for his life. He is on the Run from King Saul who wants to take his life. He is fighting a battle, yet in the midst of all the chaos, he writes these words:
David penned this Psalm as he is in the midst of a battle. He is fighting for his life. He is on the Run from King Saul who wants to take his life. He is fighting a battle, yet in the midst of all the chaos, he writes these words:
Fear not, for I am with you;
1 I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. 2 My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad. 3 Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together! 4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. 5 Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed. 6 This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his troubles. 7 The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. 8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!
Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
The theme that I saw from this passage was this: No matter what battle I fight or what situation I go through, I know God is present with me. He’s helping me. He’s delivering me from my fears.
There are a couple of things I think this passage shows us:
I will strengthen you,
10 fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
God is the one we look to when we face difficulty.
Yes, I will help you,
God is the one we look to when we face difficulty.Davis said, “I sought the Lord.” Notice he didn’t see a solution, he sought the Lord.In getting with the Lord, he finds peace in the midst of his trouble. God hears us when we call to him All throughout this Psalm, David says “God Hears” “God Watches” When we pray, God is listening! When we hurt, God is watching! Your pain does not go unnoticed! God is not a God who is far off and uninvolved in our lives.He is right here, present with usHe hears our cry, knows our pain
David said, “I sought the Lord.”
Notice he didn’t simply seek a solution, he sought the Lord.
In seeking the Lord, he finds peace in the midst of his trouble.
Clarence, like David, looked to God in the midst of his difficulty.
God hears us when we call to him
All throughout this Psalm, David says “God Hears” “God Watches”
When we pray, God is listening! When we hurt, God is watching!
Your pain does not go unnoticed!
God is not a God who is far off and uninvolved in our lives.He is right here, present with us
He hears our cry, knows our pain
I can’t help but think that in 92 years of Living, Clarence had been through a thing or two.
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’
He went through WWII, he had been through the deaths of other friends and loved ones, the last few years he battled with sickness and disease - And I’m sure there were other struggles and battles that maybe only he and God knew about.
His choice of scriptures revealed one thing - This was a man that, whatever battle he faced, he knew God was with him, that he did not have to be afraid because God was present with him. He knew that there was a God he could look to in the middle of the Battle. He knew that there was God who would hear him when he prayed.
Clarence was also fond of
4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.
10 fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
And delivered me from all my fears.
Clarence knew that he did not have to be afraid because God was with him.
He knew through all of life’s battles, that God was the one who would strengthen him. He knew that God was the one who would uphold him.
He could face difficulty because he knew who was with him!
The theme that I saw from these passages was this: No matter what battle I fight or what situation I go through, I know God is present with me. He’s helping me. He’s delivering me from my fears.
Thank God that Today, not only is Jesus present with Clarence, But Clarence is present with Jesus. What he held onto by faith for all these years, has finally turned into sight.
The one thing he seemed to be concerned about that day as I spoke with him, was that he didn’t want to leave his wife behind. He was very concerned that she would be taken care of. in fact, I think he held on and continued fighting until he had settled in His mind that she was going to be ok. This was a man who loved his wife. He wasn’t just concerned about himself, he was concerned about her.
I can’t help but think that in 92 years of Living, Clarence had been through a thing or two.
Like a good solider, he wasn’t just concerned about himself, he was concerned about those around him. He loved his wife and his family deeply.
As I was looking over these scriptures, I can’t help but think that Jesus was using Clarence to give us a reminder. I can’t think of a better gift for Clarence to leave with us - A gentle reminder that no matter what we go through, no matter what we are afraid of, Jesus is present.
He went through WWII, he had been through the deaths of other friends and loved ones, the last few years he battled with sickness and disease - And I’m sure there were other struggles and battles that maybe only he and God knew about - But his choice of scriptures revealed one thing - This was a man that, whatever battle he faced, he knew God was with him, that he did not have to be afraid because God was present with him.
Today, not only is Jesus present with Clarence, But Clarence is present with Jesus. What he held onto by faith for all these years, has finally turned into sight.
He was worried about his family, But the truth is the same God who had kept him and delivered him and strengthened him for all these years is the same God that will keep and strengthen us.
Adjusting to life without Clarence my not be easy, but we are not alone. We rejoice because he is with his savior. We rejoice because his battle is over. In the words of the Apostle Paul, Clarence fought the good fight, he finished his race.
As go home and work to adjust to a life without Clarence, you can rest assured of 3 things:
God is present with you
The one thing he seemed to be concerned about that day as I spoke with him, was that he didn’t want to leave his wife behind. Like a good solider, he wasn’t just concerned about himself, he was concerned about those around him. He loved his wife and his family deeply.
God hears when you call to him
If you know Jesus, one day you will see Clarence again.
I can’t think of a better gift for him to leave with us - A gentle reminder that no matter what we go through, no matter what we are afraid of, Jesus is present.
As Close this morning, I want to read . Take a moment as I read and close your eyes and be reminded of Clarence, his life, his love, and then be reminded that the same Shepherd that watched over Clarence for 92 years, is watching over each of us today. As you go home to a life that will now be different, be reminded that you are not alone. That the shepherd is with you.
He was worried about his family, But the truth is the same God who had kept him and delivered him and strengthened him for all these years is the same God that will keep and strengthen us. As you go home and work to adjust to a life without Clarence, you can rest assured of 2 things:
God is present with you
A Psalm of David. 1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. 3 He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 4 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. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
If you know Jesus, one day you will see Clarence again.
Another one of His Favorite Scriptures was . As we Close this morning, I want to read this. Take a moment as I read and close your eyes and be reminded of Clarence, his life, his love, and then be reminded that the same Shepherd that watched over Clarence for 92 years, is watching over each of us today. As you go home to a life that will now be different, be reminded that you are not alone. That the shepherd is with you.
At this point, Lillie’s granddaughter is going to come and lead us in Amazing Grace. Please join us as we sing together.
(She comes and sings)
A Psalm of David. 1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. 3 He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 4 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. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Closing Prayer
