John Goynes Funeral

Song

Obit/Prayer

John Edward Goynes was born September 21, 1938 in Carmona, Texas to Ed and Bertha Fleming Goynes. Mr. Goynes was a barber for many years and retired from TDCJ. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Elkhart and Masonic Lodge 400. He loved working on the home place and raising a vegetable garden.

Mr. Goynes was preceded in death by his parents, a sister Evelyn Churchwell, and a brother Charles Goynes. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Bobbie C. Anders Goynes, daughters, Kathy Wilson, Teresa Woodall, Patricia McSwain, and Susan Anders, sons Dennis Goynes, Doug Anders, and Michael Anders, and one sister Shirley Holesworth, numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.

The relationships he built in his work career were deep and lasting. On more than one occasion when I was visiting Mr. John and Mrs Bobbie someone he used to work with stopped by just to visit or check on him.

His children were his pride and joy. You sit still long enough and he’d start telling you about them. Family should mean the world to us. You are blessed with great memories. Let them bring you together as you walk through this season of grieving. Would you pray with me?

Song

Message/Prayer

There is no better reminder of God’s work in our lives than the 23rd Psalm:

Psalm 23 ESV

A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 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. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

This was a verse that John knew well. Everyone who accepts salvation and enters a relationship with the Lord grows in their understanding of Him as a shepherd. We learn to follow Him as we surrender our will to His.

As shepherd He always has our best interests at heart. Romans 8:28 tells us He works everything for the good of those who love Him. If He leads us on rocky paths, He first puts good shoes on our feet.

This psalm says there are seasons of life where we are led to green pastures and by still waters. But He also leads us through the valley of the shadow of death. This is where you are walking today. But take encouragement from His words. Even though you are there, you have nothing to fear when you belong to the Lord our Shepherd. Because, as it says, He is here with us.

When God is present, so is his peace, strength and comfort. We receive the peace of God when we make peace WITH God. Elsewhere in scripture it is referred to as peace that passes understanding. It may seem like we’re in the middle of chaos, but we have an internal peace that defies explanation. Making difficult decisions and simply putting one foot in front of the other requires His strength in times like this. But Jesus promised us the presence of God in the form of the Holy Spirit, whom He called ‘another comforter, to be with you forever’. The ever-present comforting of the Holy Spirit gets us through this season. This valley.

The psalmist closes this chapter with the certain hope: Surely, Certainly, goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. A great promise for everyone who knows Him as Savior and Lord. Do you know Him today?

John has now stood before His maker. He has bowed before Him and given Him his heartfelt Hallelujah, which simply means ‘glory to God’. After having seen all he has seen if there were one thing he could come back and tell you. If he could only tell you one thing I think it would be “it’s worth it!”. Living your life on His terms is worth it! Believe in Jesus. Surrender to Him.

Can I pray for you about this?