It's All Good

This week I led one of the more difficult funerals of my life.  Yet I would say it was one of the most wonderful as well.  The funeral was for Bruce Boomsma.  Several years ago I began meeting Bruce and a few other friends for a discipleship/accountability men's group.  It was something I always looked forward to.  We would talk about life, business, marriage, kids, the economy, and whatever else the Spirit of God would lead us into. 

I thank God that in my life on earth I was able to intersect with Bruce's life.  He was unique, special, fun, intense, and a visionary.  It was based on those times together that I was able to share at the funeral a message called "It's All Good.'  I'll share the main points of my message.

1. Bruce often said, "It's all good."
2. Bruce's death was not at all "all good" to us.
3. From God's vantage point, and from Bruce's, it is all good because Romans 8:28-30 says:
   1. it's all good because we are predestined by God to receive His love;
   2. it's all good because we are called by God to receive Jesus and gain a purpose for living;
   3. it's all good because we are justified by Jesus;
   4. it's all good because we are glorified in death with Jesus
4. We received these things by way of love from God, to God, through Jesus (verse 28).
5. The result: It's All Good!

At the service, Joel Norman sang a song that Bruce gave me that was a testimony of his life in recent years.  The song was "I've Been Searchin' So Long" by Chicago.  A couple of years ago Bruce gave me a CD of "The Very Best of Chicago" which a note saying, "Bob, song #14, that's me!"  Here's an excerpt:

As my life goes on I believe
Somehow something's changed
Something deep inside
Ooh a part of me

There's a strange new light in my eyes
Things I've never known
Changin' my life
Changin' me

I've been searchin'
So long
To find an answer
Now I know my life has meaning

Excerpts from “(I’ve been) searchin’ so long”
Words and music by James Pankow
Copyright 1974 Make Me Smile Music and Big Elk Music

 

We will miss Bruce, but in Jesus Christ, it is truly "all good!"

Comments

[Dante]

Bob,
I just wanted to say thanks for your inspiration and leadership of this flock. It is a privilege to be part of God's Kingdom and to be serving with you. My heart and prayers go out to you and the families that have been impacted by these recent deaths, job losses, hardships and stressful times.