Light -- Penni Crosland

Introduction

We all have our own memories of Penni - I remember her sense of humor even when she was in pain. She was very funny at times!

I remember her pain…it was almost always there. She really did suffer a lot. Nobody knows that more than Curtis. He suffered too…doing his very best to help her with everything she had to do.

Penni loved life…that’s why she fought so hard to live it. In the 7 or 8 years I have known her, I witnessed her fight harder than any MMA fighter.

I think the biggest motivation behind her drive to live life was her family…she tried so hard to be there for her children and grandchildren, not to mention the rest of her family.

One of the most beautiful things about Penni was her love for God — I watched her and Curtis grow so much in their faith. They became an essential cornerstone of our church family

Another thing most of us know about Penni is that she never put on a front for people — she was not afraid to share her joys, frustrations, hurt, disappointment, and pain. Sometimes her FB posts stopped me in my tracks and made me look in the mirror at my own heart and motivation. She made me think!! And I love her for that.

Penni was deep person — a woman of strong faith in God — I would say almost stubborn in how much she trusted and leaned on Him — Yet, on the other hand, she struggled with fear — she fought against it...it was difficult

Think about it though — the health challenges she faced — some of the heartbreaks of family life she had to take on — the every day concern about how much longer she had here with us — the almost constant pain she felt — NO WONDER SHE STRUGGLED WITH FEAR…WOULDN’T YOU?

But here’s the thing…even though she struggled, she didn’t let fear turn her away from her faith in God, her love for family, nor her defiant determination to live life with passion.

Penni’s love for the Lord, her passionate love for family, her desires to serve in ministry, and her relentless determination to help people in need stand out today as we take time to celebrate her life

PENNI’S GREATEST BATTLES BROUGHT THE GREATEST VICTORIES

As Curtis, Stormy, Kiara and I went over plans for today, they showed me this scripture…this passage could have been written just for Penni

Isaiah 41:10 The Message

Don’t panic. I’m with you. There’s no need to fear for I’m your God. I’ll give you strength. I’ll help you. I’ll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you.

What reasons did Penni have to trust God?

God promised to give her strength

God promised to help and uphold her

What reasons does Curtis, the kids, and grand kids have to trust God today?

What reasons do we have to trust God today?

God doesn’t change His mind

God doesn’t reject those who follow after Him

God stays committed to those who call upon Him

“I’m with you” (present tense)

“You don’t have to fear…I am your God” (present tense)

He promises He will strengthen you (future tense)

He promises He will help you (future tense)

He promises He will sustain you over the long haul (future tense)

PENNI’S HEART WAS FOR EACH ONE OF YOU TO KNOW THE AMAZING LOVE OF GOD

One of Penni’s greatest joys was when she was able to teach Sunday School

She did it for as long as she could...

She loved it…it brought such pleasure to her

She went out of her way to prepare the best experience possible each Sunday for those kids

Why did she love it so much?

She loves children

Even more…she wanted to have an eternal impact on their lives

Conclusion

Here’s what I know with 100% confidence about Penni:

She would want each and every one of you to have a personal relationship with Jesus

She didn’t just come to church or call herself a Christian…she loved Jesus because He loved her

She studied the Bible…she asked questions…she wanted to know Him

If you know Penni, I think you would agree with me…she wouldn’t be shy about telling you how important it is in this life to follow Jesus…in fact, there is nothing more important.

Her favorite worship song reveals her passion

You stood before creation — eternity in your hand — you spoke the earth into motion — my soul now to stand

You stood before my failure — and carried the cross for my shame — my sin weighed upon your shoulders --

my soul now to stand

So what can I say?

And what can I do?

But offer this heart O God, completely to you

WORSHIP TEAM — lead “The Stand”

Prayer — Steve