Turn to God

Honoring Uncle E.D.

To the family and guest who are gathered here today in a dual disposition. One of grief and pain and the other of joy because we get to honor the life of Ed Dezelle Banks. E.D. as his family referred to him. A life best described by his wife Jeanette, “The sweetest and kindest person you would ever meet. A person who would give you the clothes off his back” I know we are not supposed to say we have a favorite uncle but for many of us that is who he was. He was “Uncle E.D. When you look at your family you can learn a lot about yourself. He lived here in Jonesbore but most of his social contact was family. The people he enjoyed the most where his family. While Uncle E.D. is my assignment, I think it would be Spiritual malpractice not mention the chaotic state of our current world. Here me on this: Even with the emotional experience we are experiencing today let us not forget that we are in the middle of a crisis and also a growing tide of frustration across this nation as I speak. For the pain you all are experiencing along with the painful realities in our world their are truly no words Family God would have us to know when there are no words to express the suffering in your life keep the right attitude. YOU CAN ALWAYS TURN TO GOD. If Uncle E. D. could preach for us his morning he would tell us that during his sufferings he he turned to God.

Introduction

James in this passage of scriptures takes a survey of the audience that would qualify everyone here today . Is anyone suffering let him pray. James encouraged his audience to turn to God. but the real question that begs for an answer is “Why should we turn to God?”. It doesn’t take a long life to find yourself in a place where you needed help and simply can find it. We need to understand there are days when mama can’t help you, daddy can’t help you and those so-called friends you have don’t have any answers for you. There is a time when those people posting like on your social media pictures can’t help you and you will have to depend on a trust God. I’m glad Uncle E.D. didn’t think that turning to God was old fashioned.

What is turning to God?

There is a separation between God and man that occurred before you and I even got here. Adam’ sin brought about this separation. One of the writers in scripture describes this when he says, he was born sinful shapen in iniquity. Uncle E.D understood that the only way to turn to God was through Jesus Christ. A life partnership begins.

Illustration: Sort of like the partnership Lady Luck and Nightstalker had driving across this country for many years. For those of you who don’t know “Lady Luck” and “Nightstalker” those are the CB handles for Ed and Jeannette. They were business owners and they road together through all 50 states and Canada. Some of us have only seen a few places but this couple traveled for years and when they came home for our family became a festive celebration.

What comes with turning to God?

We can expect another celebration to come. A time when we will all of God’s children will be together again celebrating in the glory of God when we turn to God.

Illustration: When Marzella asked me to speak today, “I gave her a quick answer,”Yes. This goes against the best practices and standards of the minister God has called me to be. We have learned to check our motives and in everything make sure what ever you do it is done for the glory of God.

There is nothing selfish about desiring to see your family turn to God. God is glorified when families turn to God.

Where is GOD?

I am reminded of a young man who found a cocoon and took it home. Day after day he watched the cocoon in expectation of the day a beautiful butterfly would come forth. One day the butterfly open up a small hole. The struggle to come forth began that day. The young boy just couldn’t stand to see the butterfly and he tried to help the butterfly and opened the hole a little bigger. When the butterfly came forth it’s wings were not strong and it could barely fly. Because the young boy didn’t allow the butterfly to struggle on its on it’s wings didn’t grow strong.

Some of you all are here today hurting and you wondering where is God? Just because God doesn’t step in a stop everything that goes on in our lives doesn’t mean he’s not there. God listens and he watches. There are times there are no words or actions from God but know this family. He is watching over the whole process and I trust that he knows what it takes for him to accomplish his work in our lives.

It had to have been hard for him to watch the nails placed through the hand area of Jesus but he didn’t move.

It must have been hard for him to watch the whipping at the whipping post but he didn’t move.

It must have been hard for him to see them rip his son’s clothes off his back but he didn’t move

God didn’t move because he had a plan to accomplish in all of our lives. I know its hard today but I serve a God that I believe brought Uncle E.D out of the hospital in order to bring him into his kingdom and then brought home