James Riley Bailey

Uncle James

To the Family

Kids: Chloe, Bria, Evan-

Siblings: Aunt Lee, Aunt Ruth, Uncle Clyde, My Katherine

Wife: Cheryl Blanchard Bailey

We feel the pain and hurt; this is a huge loss for the family as well as our city. . . however the pain you feel, all those names i called; is a pain only you can understand. For children to sit and think of all the memories/ siblings (who have memories from childhood and adulthood)/ and for a spouse to think of recent memories.

It is much to bear; however the God of all creation will sustain you and strengthen you for your journey

my text just 2 verses and i will be on my way from 1 corinthians 9:

1 Corinthians 9:22–23 ESV

To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.

Weak-Weary-Winning

There are many passages I could use to speak over the life that was James Bailey; however, the one i just read offers us a great deal of encouragement.

When you think of someone who devoted his life to psychology helping people understand what’s going on in their mind and their heads. . . i could have quoted matt 10-16

Matthew 10:16 ESV

“Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.

yes, i am certain there are many days Dr. Bailey felt like a sheep among wolves. Trying to help people work through issues and problems is not an easy task; yet Uncle James gave his life to it.

His work was difficult because by nature; all of us individuals are Psychosomatic. Simply put: We SEE things with our eyes and internalize it intellectually-this then causes us to FEEL a particular way about this with our hearts- which causes us to physically ACT on what we FEEL!

This Psychosomatic component of our lives keeps us at an imbalance that can passionately push us to greatness or lead to destruction.

Good

Michael Jordan- in the last dance used this for greatness as he wins 6 championships. He saw the comparisons made by other players, he internalized it for motivation, and it fueled him to have a passion for winning and dominating his opponents

Negatively

Bernie Maddoff- sees the wealthy lifestyle he wanted, internalize it and developed a master ponzi-scheme to achieve this wealth, then executes the plan to take advantage of people’s trust and hope for economic gain.

Bible example

David a married man- sees Bathsheba, internalizes her beauty, and then acts by seizing her for his pleasure.

we all deal with this on a daily basis; most of us error on the negative side of this; and I’m sure most of Uncle James work revolved around seeing people through this major component of our lives.

SO, before mental wellness was the buzz-word, hashtags, and other things to bring light on this matter. . . Uncle James was on the frontlines helping people pursue greatness despite the issues they faced.

It brings me to my first point- weak

Weak

Paul says in the text to the weak he became weak. Paul was able to empathize with people regardless of their situations and viewpoints. His goal was to build them up so they could be productive in their walk with Christ.

Likewise, Uncle James had to become weak, had to become so familiar with the issues his clients faced in order to help individuals become productive with their lives.

I believe we can learn from his life the importance of pushing people through their issues so productivity can be the outcome. All of us have the opportunity to empathize with others and help them become great.

Weary

The weak are Weary and need to strengthened. It takes a special person to be able to build up someone who is not living out their full potential. Paul says, He became all things to all people. . . to Save some. To save suggests someone is lost or in trouble.

We see this daily, our world is plagued with Issues. For some, life has hit them so hard that it feels impossible to live.

I’m sure many weary sat on his sofa, I’m sure he was able to save some.

Today, someone may be sitting here and you are weary. . you are seeking fulfillment in the things in this life, you are chasing after the pleasures the affirmations of this world trying to get rest. Come sit on the sofa, Uncle James would tell you to seek the Lord. Jesus gives us his words: all who are weary can come to Him and have rest! Peter tells us we can cast our cares and anxieties on the Lord, because he cares for us.

Weak, Weary

Lastly

Winning

Share in the blessings

Philosophy and Psychology are interesting when merged together. Especially as it relates to happiness and pleasure. The two most prominent ideas for happiness/pleasure are Hedonia(Hedonism) and Udime-A-Nia.

Hedonia (Head-Donia) is experiencing enjoyment, doing what feels good. Momentary pleasure.

on the other hand

Udime-A-Nia is what philosophers, Plato and Aristotle and them describe as happiness derived from seeking virtue and meaning. Seeking pleasure from value and purpose. Udime-A-Nia is a constant state of being differentiating from Hedonia which is temporary.

While on earth, Uncle James lived and worked from Udime-A-Nia. He found his constant state of purpose and virtue in his family: Loved his devoted wife, loved his children. . . But also in his Work of helping others.

And on June 9th, He began to experience a constant state of joy and happiness as he took his last painful breath in this life; only to take his first breathe in his eternal life and hearing the Winning Words well-done. . . my good and faithful servant.

graveside:

introduction

recognize family

Forasmuch as it hath pleased Almighty God of his great mercy to take unto himself the soul of our dear brother here departed, we therefore commit his body to the ground; earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust; in sure and certain hope of the Resurrection to eternal life, through our Lord Jesus Christ; who shall change our vile body, that it may be like unto his glorious body, according to the mighty working, whereby he is able to subdue all things to himself.