2022-6-21, Mike Marnix Memorial
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Prelude
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Prayer
Obituary & Eulogy (Tom Lowber)
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Mike had a lot of interests, things he gave his time to.
Guitar- He took lessons as a kid and he was always very good about practicing. The main reason is that Opal Reynolds, his teacher, made her kids practice all day on Saturday if they did not practice during the week.
Camping- The Marnix family grew up camping. Mike as older than the others so he got to have a one-person tent all to himself. Fast forward several years and camping was still a favorite pass time. Mary told me a story about how Mike and her late husband Jim learned that they needed each other. On one camping trip they were canoeing and Jim told Mike to get out. Mike objected and then obliged and his end of the canoe went up, up, up and Jim went down, down, down.
Being a good big brother- Every now and then through life Mike would be real considerate of his younger siblings.
Give money to them when they had need.
Help when there was a need.
Give a complement to the chef
Working on trucks- Mike gave 30 years of his life to T&W Tires. Working there was something he felt he was good and he enjoyed it.
Models- Mike loved to work on models. First, he really enjoyed the NASA lunar-landings. I don’t blame him. Those were engineering marvels, so to work on the models must have been remarkable and meaningful. You can see some of Mike’s handywork here.
But he liked nothing more than train models. Mary felt trains would be a good theme for today given Mike’s love for them. You’ll notice the songs today have a train theme threaded through them.
Trying to keep with the train theme, the passage of Scripture that came to mind was Eccl 3:1-8. Trains and the time schedule are linked at the hip. So I feel a passage about our time is worth our attention.
1 For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
2 a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
3 a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
4 a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
5 a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
6 a time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
7 a time to tear, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
8 a time to love, and a time to hate;
a time for war, and a time for peace.
We attribute this wisdom to Solomon. This passage tells us that there are proper times to do different things. The difference between right and wrong to whatever we do is based on the occasion. I like how the passage oscillates back and forth like a clock, “tic-tok-tic-tok.”
This passage is interesting because it raises the question, “Who is to say one action is appropriate at one time but not at another?”
The answer it gives is that God decides the moral value of our actions. He sets the standards. He determines if something is right or wrong, proper or inappropriate for the occasion. A few verses down we read (Only the first sentence)...
11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.
So, this passage isn’t just about time. It isn’t just about the stuff we do. It’s actually about the One who determines the worth of our actions.
In it is understanding that we are created free to pursue the things that interest us. However, we do so with the looming thought that there is a God in heaven who has decided the worthiness of the stuff we do.
This passage charges us to look beyond the stuff we do in this life and look up. It tells us to live our lives considering the one who will judge us.
In this thought, Solomon tells us about the meaning of life. It is not in the stuff we do, but in the honor we give to the One who determines right and wrong, proper or inappropriate.
According to the Bible, the life well lived is not based in the stuff we do, but in our love, devotion, and obedience to God.
13 The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.
The message is simple, “Love and respect God first. Do things which He has called good.”
33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Do the things which honor him.
31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
The passage tells us we are free to go and do. We do what is right at the proper time, but we keep God in view.
In train stations, everyone had to be sure to keep the rules and wishes of the station master in mind.
As you go and do, there is one particular thing God wants you to keep in mind.
He wants you to live your life with Him. He wants to give you the fullest of life. He wants you to believe in something.
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