Warren Richard Gander

Left to mourn and cherish forever his wonderful memory is his best friend, soul mate, and wife, Linda Taylor Gander, his loving children, Maureen Vohora and Michael Gander, grandchildren, Shalin, Alisha, and Arya Vohora and Athena Giesbrecht, his loving mother, Hilda Gander, brothers Edward Gander and Raymond Gander, father-in-law, Don Taylor, mother-in-law, Irene Taylor, brother-in-law Gary Taylor, nephews, and numerous special friends and neighbors. Warren was predeceased by his father Jim Gander and his sister-in-law Carol Gander.

His career included working as a military police officer for 3 years, a probation officer and program manager in the provincial government for 7 years, and 27 years as the Executive Director of a registered private vocational school – Edutech Training Centres. Edutech was his passion, and his leadership was instrumental in assisting hundreds of adults, both personally and professionally, at improving their lives and developing their careers. In the past 10 years, he had owned and operated a small cottage rental business with Linda, as well as doing a variety of handyman and carpentry jobs. His work ethic and pride in a job well done were always evident. Many happy years were spent at the cottage where he also enjoyed special “lake” friends.

Warren had a joy for life, and he was well known for his quick wit, sense of humor, and kind deeds. His Christian faith became a very significant part of his later life, and he loved and cherished his church family. He has now gone from this world to his heavenly home. His memory will live on in those that were fortunate enough to know and love him. Well done thy good and faithful servant!

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of choice.

A celebration of Warren’s life was held at Ness Avenue Baptist Church, 2700 Ness, on January 29, 2011 at 1:00 P.M. Interment followed at Chapel Lawn.

Arrangements under the direction of Thomson Funeral Home, Winnipeg, MB.

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Eulogy for

WARREN GANDER

By Linda Taylor Gander

January 29, 2011

Left to mourn and cherish forever his wonderful memory is his best friend, soul mate, and wife, Linda Taylor Gander, his loving children, Maureen Vohora and Michael Gander, grandchildren, Shalin, Alisha and Arya Vohora, and Athena Giesbrecht, his loving mother, Hilda Gander, brothers Edward Gander and Raymond Gander, father-in-law, Don Taylor, mother-in-law, Irene Taylor, brother-in-law, Gary Taylor, nephews, and numerous special friends and neighbors. Warren was predeceased by his father, Jim Gander, and his sister-in-law, Carol Gander.

As you can imagine, this has been the most difficult and tragic time of my life. I wrote this eulogy, for my darling husband; but I am not sure how much I can read of it, so I have asked Warren’s and my dear friend, Verna Guenther, to read for me, if I cannot continue.

It is very difficult to capture Warren’s life and who he was, in a few paragraphs. He was always wider than life; but I’m going to attempt by giving you an overview of: Warren’s work life, our work life together, the change in our relationship that evolved to an amazing love - marriage - and a wonderful married life together, Warren as the carpenter and fixer of anything, Warren’s family and his great love of family, Warren’s service to others, his love for others, and Warren’s Christian faith.

As a young man, Warren was interested in becoming an RCMP officer; but to his dismay, he was a half inch too short for that career. The next best thing related to that career was to be a park police officer at Bird’s Hill Park and then join the military police. During his 3 year career in the military, he was required to carry a gun. Being the non violent type of person he was, who could talk himself out of anything, he was known to carry cookies in his holster. Warren always loved his cookies!

After 3 years in the military, Warren decided he did not want to continue with a military career. He then went to the University of Winnipeg, got his degree in sociology and psychology, and became a probation officer for 3 years. His ability to calm situations, with his quick mind, proved very helpful in that line of work. After working as a probation officer, he became a program manager with the Manitoba Government for 4 years. There, he coordinated group counseling interventions, within all the programs in the Department of Health and Community Services.

The next position he took became his legacy and lasted for the next 27 years. He became the Executive Director, on July 4, 1978, of what would become a registered private vocational school– Edutech Training Centres. Edutech was his passion; and his leadership was instrumental in assisting thousands of adults, both personally and professionally, at improving their lives and developing their careers.

As well, during his time at Edutech, he was involved in, chaired, and co-founded several national and provincial organizations and committees, all relating to the development and efficacy of educational practices and interventions. He travelled across the country from British Columbia to Newfoundland, working with various educational groups, and even had an opportunity to address the Senate in Ottawa. He was so well respected by these groups and often took on a lead role on various committees that were formed. Warren was never afraid to say what was on his mind; but what was said was always with the motive of improving the situation.

The first day of the rest of our lives together, in some form, began on July 2, 1980, something that neither of us would ever have foretold. On that day, Warren became my boss, at what was called Youth Business Learning and Development Centre Inc. The name later changed to Educare Business Centre and finally operated as Edutech Training Centres. Initially, Warren and I were very different in our styles, but even though that was the case, we always had an amazing respect for each other as people, in our abilities, and values. We did not always agree, but we respected each other’s opinion and could come to a mutually agreeable solution. Warren was way ahead of his time, in so many ways, including people management. He never played the “boss” role and very much believed in “pushing on the rope”, not “pulling on the rope”.

Warren believed that everyone should be treated equitably, regardless of what their background was. He had such compassion for people. He would be quick to come to the aid of someone who was less fortunate and help them in whatever way he could. Whatever way he assisted, be it financial or in deed, he would not look for recognition or expect anything in return.

After approximately 5 years of working together, our work roles changed as the school expanded; and for the next 20 years, we ran the school as business partners. We both loved what we did. We were running a school, a business, and most importantly helping people. It was very challenging and so rewarding. Our greatest rewards were the appreciation hugs that we would get from our students, upon their graduation, and hearing of their new found happiness and success. Our students were like “our children” to us, no matter what their age was.

As Warren’s career progression shows, he was a talented man, who could assume many roles. However, more importantly, he had traits that left most everyone who knew him in appreciation of his quick inquiring mind, sense of humor, compassion, generosity, and kind deeds

With his humor, Warren could disarm most any tense situation, or group of people, and have laughter break out. He was responsible for a lot of laughter in his time, in many different settings. He was always very quick to give a hug or handshake, to anyone at anytime. He wore his heart on his sleeve. Warren could be tough in a situation, if that was what was required; and he could certainly stand his ground. At the same time he had such a tender heart. At many of the Edutech graduations, Warren’s eyes would fill with tears, because he was so proud of each student’s accomplishments. He never took credit for their success and tried to make each student feel special.

Quitting in the face of difficulty or diversity was not in Warren’s make up. If there was a problem, he would tackle it face on and never give up until the situation was resolved. Because of Warren’s care free style, it may not always have been obvious; but he was very observant and intuitive and knew how to judge situations very quickly and accurately. He therefore was able to resolve most problems, before they got out of hand. He liked to be proactive, not reactive. He always looked on the positive side of how things could get done.

The work phase of our lives together bonded an amazing friendship, but neither of us ever would have predicted that after knowing each other for 20 years as business partners, we would become marriage partners on October 28, 2000.

Approximately five years, prior to our marriage, both of our life circumstances changed.

During that five year period, as well as being business partners, we became closer friends. To our total amazement, we discovered so much about each other that we had not known, in all the time we had previously worked together; and we started to fall deeply in love. We did worry that we might spoil a great friendship and working relationship, but we were willing to take the chance. That is a decision that neither of us ever regretted.

Our shared love of music was a strong bonding force. We always were listening to some form of music. To my surprise, Warren was an incredible dancer and had once taught and called ball room dancing. He taught me to ball room dance, and we just came alive when we danced. We were once sitting by the water at Lake of the Woods, and Warren started to hum a tune. We got up and danced a two step to that tune on a rock. We always loved to be spontaneous! We didn’t realize there was a boat going by, and the people in the boat stopped and clapped for us. We got a big laugh from that. He could also whistle beautifully and sing, and often did so when he was working. We recently took up square dancing and were enjoying all that came with that, and the great people we met. Gospel music is very much a comfort to me now.

Warren also did a variety of handyman and carpentry jobs, through the years. I had no idea Warren was so handy, at so many things. What a bonus that was! After Edutech closed, he completed a carpentry training program, graduating with honors, at the top of the class. He loved to build decks and built several for different people. They were built so an elephant could walk on them! His work ethic and pride in a job well done were always evident, in whatever he undertook to do.

Warren quickly became part of my immediate family, for whom he felt great love and respect. In return, he was loved so much by my mother, father, and brother, Gary. They each had their own special times and activities that they shared with Warren. He was the life of the party. He loved going to see my parents and Gary at the family farm, and he loved to help in whatever way he could. Warren was so curious about everything; and he liked to touch things, to see how they were made. He also liked to “play farmer” and drive any piece of farm equipment with which Gary would trust him.

Gary had a German Shepherd dog named Ranger. Ranger and Warren also shared a special relationship, and he was always excited to see Warren. Warren had a love for animals and especially dogs. Anytime our neighbors walked by with their dogs, if Warren could get there in time, he always wanted to give them a pet. We got to know a lot of our neighbors that way, which was a bonus, and became “auntie and uncle” to Mojo, Jazzy, and Abby. We were so fortunate to have so many great neighbors.

Warren has two amazing children, of whom he was very proud and loved dearly – Maureen and Michael. When they were young, they used to come into the office to visit their Dad. Warren’s eyes would just light up, and he always wanted to show them off to all of the students and staff. Since Warren and I married and I got to know them better, I certainly could appreciate why he was so proud of them. I can see special traits of Warren in each of them, which make them very special to me. His last words to both Maureen and Michael were “I love you”. I got to meet and know Maureen’s partner, Shawn, this week. I know I felt love for him very quickly, and I know Warren would have, too. They spoke on the phone but did not get a chance to meet. Warren would have been so touched and happy to see how Maureen, Michael, and Shawn have come along side me and supported me, as we grieve together.

Warren also was very proud of his 4 grandchildren – Shalin, Alisha, Arya, and Athena and enjoyed every moment he got to spend with them. We never got to be parents together, but we got to be grandparents together. Warren and I also had many happy times with Warren’s Mom, Hilda, and the rest of his family. I never knew Warren’s dad, but I could always see where the Gander humor and tenaciousness came from, when I spent time with Hilda. Warren and his brother, Ed, spent more time together in the past year then they had been able to do for many years. He so appreciated and enjoyed the time he spent with his big brother. Warren also spent a lot of time this past year caring for his mother’s health care and personal needs, and I was very proud of him for the way he tirelessly did that.

Through our work at Edutech, Warren and I were so blessed to become a part of the Philippine community. Our “adopted sister”, Dory Mapola, who is currently in the Philippines, worked with Warren and me for 15 years; and through that relationship, we developed a very special love for her and her immediate family, which also included a large extended family. We spent many happy hours together, at various family functions and special occasions, with Dory and Eddie Mapola, as well as with Jun and Vicky Vargas and their extended families. Dory’s sister, Yolly, brought some lumpia today, which are Philippine egg rolls; because Warren always enjoyed that special treat. Dory’s children, Tracy and Roy, flew from Calgary to be here today. Warren was their “adopted” uncle.

In the past 10 years, we have owned and operated a small cottage rental business which kept us very busy over the summer months. We also spent many happy hours at our own cottage and were part of a special “lake” family at our beautiful Clear Lake.

When Warren and I first became closer as friends, the first birthday gift I gave him was a Bible and a rose. He was very touched by that gift; and because of that, he had a gold pendant customed designed for me of a Bible with a rose on top of it. I will always cherish that pendant. That would be the start of many very special touches Warren would bring to our relationship. He was always the romantic and loved to treat me like his princess, and he was my prince. We had so many happy times together that I will forever treasure. We lived life to the fullest and packed a lot of living into our time together.

In Warren’s last week in this world, we attended church, at Ness Baptist, for one last time on January 16th. I can remember saying to him, as we walked toward the church, that he was my rock; and I so appreciated how he was helping attend to my mother’s needs, as she has been very ill in Portage Hospital. Last week, we were travelling back and forth to Portage, on a daily basis. Warren did everything in his power to help my mother, including running to heat her soup in the hospital cafeteria, because she likes really hot soup.

Wednesday night, January 19th, we attended Bible study together, with our Life Group, which Warren always loved doing. We both had grown so much spiritually, because of those studies. As we studied the Bible, we always sensed a closer presence to God.

On Friday, January 21st, the day before he died, Warren said what would be his last goodbye to my mom. He bent over her, in her hospital bed, kissed her, and held her hand. They had a special moment together. It was so touching, it brought me to tears. We earlier had eaten lunch in the hospital cafeteria; and as Warren often did, he took my hand, said a word of grace, and asked God to take care of my mom. We came back home Friday afternoon, after visiting mom, and decided that we would go to our square dance club Friday night. We had so much fun that night, spending a lot of time laughing, as we often did. That would be our last night together.

The next morning, January 22, 2011, we had our usual early morning hour long chat, as we enjoyed our coffee. Warren then got ready to go to Oak Bank, to help his mother. He kissed and hugged me goodbye. I waved at him out the window, when he drove off, as we so often did. He died later that afternoon, at his mom’s home in Oak Bank, of an abdominal aneurism. He said he wasn’t feeling well, lay on his mother’s bed, and past away peacefully. The medical people said he would not have suffered. God had quickly taken him to his heavenly home.

Through our 10 years of marriage, Warren and I were able to share our Christian faith that became stronger, because of our wonderful church family at Ness Baptist. It became the focus of our lives. Our faith is built upon the teachings of God’s holy word, the Bible. When I was trying to understand why God would take Warren so suddenly from me and all his loved ones and friends, the only conclusion I could come to was that by Warren’s sudden death, others might stop, reflect, and investigate where they are going to spend eternity. I have seen the impact already.

Warren had accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Saviour, so according to the Bible, he will now spend eternity in the glories of heaven, described in the Bible. Our earthly minds cannot conceive what that glory will be like. This past week, I have lived the closest, I know, of what it might be like to experience hell. It is not a place where I would want to spend eternity. I’m certainly not perfect, Warren was not perfect – not one of us is perfect; but because of the shed blood of Christ, all our sins can be forgiven, if we just ask for forgiveness.

My heart is broken, and I will always deeply love Warren and miss him from the depths of my soul; but I claim God’s promise that one day we will be reunited in heaven for all of eternity.

Thank you all for coming, for your expressions of condolences, your prayers, and for showing your great love for Warren. Your prayers have sustained and lifted me up this past week. I always knew he was well liked, but I don’t think I ever realized the extent to which he was loved. I just know how much I loved him.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16.

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Funeral for Warren Gander

Opening Remarks -

Good afternoon and thank you for coming. We’ve come to share in the loss of Warren Gander. We’ve come to weep, to anguish and to remember.

My name is Pastor Jeremy Olfert and I am the Pastor’s here at Ness Ave. Baptist Church. I had the privilege of knowing Warren for a number of years and grew to appreciate him in so many ways. As you will hear testimony of today, Warren was the kind of guy that was known as a giver rather than a taker. Time and time again, I observed Warren quietly responding to needs. He never looked for glory or for any kind of payback; he gave simply because he loved doing it – God had given him that unique and special gift. I was blessed by it on more than one occasion.

We don’t come today with any easy answers. This is tough stuff.

It might be difficult to believe, but the Bible says that it’s actually good for us to be here today. In Ecclesiastes 7:1-2, the bible tells us this:

A good name is better than precious ointment, and the day of death than the day of birth. It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting, for this is the end of all mankind, and the living will lay it to heart.

In other words, God says that it’s better to go to a funeral than to a party. The day of death the author is referring to is not our own death but rather the death of someone else. Grieving, while painful, is a more effective prod to growth in spiritual wisdom and maturity than the joy one feels over a newborn child. I think there are at least three reasons for this.

First, this is a time for us to celebrate the life that God gave to Warren. We’re sad but we also want to remember Warren’s uniqueness and his contribution to each of our lives. We also celebrate because we know that Warren – though no longer with us – is now with the Lord. We have this promise in 1 Thessalonians 4, that those who believe and have accepted the message of Jesus Christ, are now with him in glory.

13 And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope. 14 For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died.

15 We tell you this directly from the Lord: We who are still living when the Lord returns will not meet him ahead of those who have died. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the Christians who have died will rise from their graves. 17 Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever. 18 So encourage each other with these words.

Second, it’s a time for us to say good-bye to Warren. As hard as it is, this service will help us begin the process of letting go but not forgetting. The grieving process is just beginning for those who were close to Warren and this service will help to guide that process.

And, third, it’s a time for us to take a look at our own lives. We are all going to die someday. We are not guaranteed any amount of time here on earth; each breath could be our last as Warren’s life and death has taught us. Warren seemed to be the picture of health, working hard right up until the last moments of his life. The suddenness of Warrens passing causes all of us to consider life and how fragile it is.

James 4:14 says, “What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.”

Proverbs 27:1 reminds us: “Do not boast about tomorrow because we don’t know what a day will bring.”

It’s an important time to ask some tough questions. Questions like, “Am I ready to die?” and “Where will I go when my life is over?”

And so, we’re going to remember, we’re going to say good-bye, and we’re going to reflect on our own lives.

Prayer – Almighty and Sovereign Lord of the universe. We are assembled to acknowledge that the breath of the Almighty gave life. You sustained it, and now it is gone. We anxiously await the glory of the Resurrection. May your presence comfort those who mourn and those whose minds are filled with memories of past days. We have loved Warren. We knew him as a Husband, a Father, a brother, a son, a Grandfather and as a friend. It is so hard to let go Lord. May we find peace in your all wise providence. Give us ears to hear your words, “Come to me all you who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest”. We pray this in the name of Jesus, our victorious Lord and Savior. Amen

Special Music – Patricia Guenther-Smith

Song – How Great Thou Art

Scripture Reading Psalm 23

Eulogy – Linda Taylor Gander

Reflections on Warrens Life – Michael and Maureen – son and daughter of Warren

- Tribute by Dennis Kawa –( friend of Warren)

It is a privilege, and an honour to share some thoughts about my dear friend Warren. It was always a pleasure being with him.

Anyone who knew Warren would have experienced his humour and quick wit. What Sandra and I enjoyed about Warren’s humour is that it was never degrading. He was funny, but in a very kind and respectful way.

Warren was compassionate and personable. He loved all people.

He was caring, kind, generous, and was always eager to help.

We never heard him speak negatively about other people. He was always enquiring about the well-being of others.

He was very generous. One of his love languages was gift giving. Sandra and I were the recipients of this love language. He would pick-up on things you might enjoy (or need), and next time you saw him, there he was, with an appropriate gift just for you. These ranged from a special T-shirt when I started to work out, to bakery treats, containers of nuts, and even piggy puffs which he also enjoyed.

Warren lived each day to the full. He always made time for people. Warren and Linda manned the coffee bar here at Ness where they could meet and greet people each Sunday morning. Warren was available to help-out wherever he saw a need. Many of us have experienced his help and use of his truck. His help and generosity in Pastor Bob and Sharron’s move was greatly appreciated by them. (He even rigged hi truck up for me up so that I could haul 12 foot gyproc sheets in its 6 foot box.)

For more than 40 years, Sandra and I have travelled the same highway that Warren and Linda (in their 10 years of marriage) have travelled to their Park Vista chalets at Clear Lake. I can’t tell you how many places we stopped en-route in the last few years, because Warren told us about the wonders they discovered as they travelled the back roads, where they stopped to smell the roses.

Then there were the times we would be out together and people would come up to them and thank Warren and Linda for the impact on their lives through their work at EduTech where he was very supportive, and dedicated, to improving the lives of his students.

A number of years ago, we were privileged to begin a Bible Study in our home with Warren and Linda and two other couples. This was such a blessing for us! The richest blessing for me was that, in one of our studies, I went into detail explaining the “Good News of the Gospel”, God’s love, His justice, and our need for forgiveness, and how Jesus paid the awful penalty for our sin. After asking many questions and more explanation, Warren said “now I get it” when he understood why Jesus died for him. We also spent time discussing the beauty of heaven and the horrors of hell. What a blessing to know for certain, that today, Warren is in heaven with Jesus.

In closing, I would like to share these words that I can only imagine Warren would like to say to you today:

You can shed tears that I am gone, or you can smile because I have lived.

You can close your eyes and experience a loss, or you can open your eyes and see all that I have left behind.

Your heart can be empty because you can't see me, or you can be full of the love you shared with me.

You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday, or, you can be happy

for tomorrow because of yesterday.

You can remember me, and only that I am gone, or you can cherish the memories and let them live on.

You can cry and close your mind, be empty, and turn your back. Or you can do what I would want: smile, open your eyes, love, live, and go on until we meet again.

Warren – thank you for being my friend!

Slide Show

Message:

It’s very difficult to believe that we are here today, saying good-bye to Warren. As I stand here in this position, I am so used to looking over and seeing Warren and Linda sitting somewhere in that area, smiling with their arm around each other. I’ll let you in on a little insiders secret this afternoon; as someone who does a fair amount of public speaking, there are always those people in your audience that you always find yourself looking at. Warren was one of those people for me. No matter how boring I was feeling my sermon was becoming, or how long winded it was, or how badly my last illustration may have bombed – Warren was sitting forward in his seat, with his eyes firmly gazed on me and that big, wonderful smile on his face. I loved seeing his face when I was speaking.

I think there was always something about my illustrations that I would use that Warren could relate to. My sermon illustrations often have to do with lessons I have learned by being the kind of person who often speaks or acts without thinking it through fully. As a result I have found myself putting my foot in my mouth, almost blowing up my house and being chased by moose, to name a few. Warren always let me know how much he loved those illustrations – I think he could also relate to them a little bit.

One particular Sunday I mentioned how much I loved peanuts – and not just any peanuts but peanuts in there shells that are heavily salted and of the highest quality. I think I really struck something in Warren that day because the next time that he and Linda went down to the states for a getaway, he brought me back the biggest bag of salted peanuts, in the shell, that I had ever seen. It was absolutely hilarious and I couldn’t believe he had remembered that. That’s just the kind of guy Warren was. It has all been so sudden.

When circumstances such as death are in front of us, it is natural to consider life, the meaning of it and how God factors into it. Time has a way of blowing past us and the business of life and commitments takes up most of our waking hours. It’s not often that we slow down and consider the big questions. For Warren, he did consider those questions and as a result, he began his relationship with Jesus what doesn’t seem like that many years ago. Warren had a hope for his future and an assurance of his salvation – he was faithful to God and he is now being rewarded for his faithfulness and his constant service for his names sake.

There is a reason for our hope and there is a reason for our faithfulness to God. I would like to read a passage of Scripture for us this morning that speaks of this faithfulness and perseverance that we are called to, and the reason we have hope. The passage is 2 Corinthians 5 and I will begin in verse 1.

2 Corinthians 5 - Our Heavenly Dwelling

1For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, 3if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked. 4For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.

6So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, 7for we walk by faith, not by sight. 8Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. 10For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

There are three principles that I want to draw out from this passage, principles that our true for everyone of us here and principles that were true for Warren.

Principle #1. We all long for glory. V. 1-4

In the first 4 verses of this passage, the Apostle Paul expresses a universal truth that we all face on a daily basis. These earthly bodies that we have are mortal, they are deteriorating and one day they will die. In these bodies we groan and we are burdened. He refers to our earthly bodies as a “tent”. An image filled with meaning as tents were always made to be temporary dwellings – ones that deteriorate with age.

I can personally attest to this fact. My wife Tanya and I lived in a tent for 3 months while we were tree planting in Northern BC. By month 2, our tent had began to wear thin from the rain, wind sun. Half way through the summer we were forced to cover the entire tent with tarps to keep ourselves safe from the elements and most importantly the rain. By the time we took that tent down at the end of the summer it had literarily deteriorated and was turning to powder.

One night in the middle of summer, a bear literally ran into the side of our tent as we were sleeping – fortunately the camp dogs chased it off before it mauled us but it left us longing for a permanent shelter. By the time the end of the summer came, we could not wait to get back to living in the warmth and protection of a real home. We longed for a permanent shelter.

It’s no secret that our bodies are limited in what they can do and as we grow older they let us know exactly what our limitations are. You may be experiencing these effects yourself, I suspect you are to some degree. One of the small consolations we have in this time is that Warren never had to experience much of that pain of illness and aging that most of will or are going through. He certainly did experience the pain of life as we all do through the ups and downs that life brings our way. Warren was aware of the mortality of his body but he did have hope.

Because what Paul says in verse 4 that what is mortal (our bodies) will be swallowed up by life. That means that these bodies which we now find ourselves in will be made new and will be given true life when we die. This is a promise that is given to all who believe in the name of Jesus and who have called on him as their saviour. Because Warren knew Jesus as his personal saviour, his body no longer groans with the pain that all of ours do, he is now with Jesus and all is well.

The good news for us is the next principle.

Principle #2. God has given us the way to attain this glory. V. 5

This verse begins with a very important statement - that God has prepared us for heaven. We were all created by God to be in relationship with God so that one day we could live for eternity with him in heaven. King David gives praise to God because of this fact in Psalm 139:

13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. 14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. 15 My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, 16 your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

It is because God has loved us so much that made a way possible for us to have eternal life. John 3:16 tells us that he gave His only Son Jesus to come to earth and to die on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins so that we could be made acceptable to God. It is all because of his love for each of us.

It is the love of God that that sustains us through difficult times like the times this family has just walked through. This passage tells us that it is God’s Spirit that is at work in our lives to draw us to Himself.

Warren knew this life that we are talking about. Warren had given his life to the Lord and accepted Jesus as his personal saviour. When Warren made that commitment his body was healed of a disease that is worse than heart failure, worse than cancer, worse than any other sickness that has ever been discovered; that is the disease of sin. Warren believed Romans 6:23 which states that the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Because of that, Warren received the healing that has now allowed him to be with Jesus in paradise. And so now though we mourn, we don’t mourn without hope.

Paul tells us in 1 Thess 4:13; 13 And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope. 14 For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died. That means that all who have died believing in Jesus’ death and his resurrection, are with Jesus right now.

The funny thing about the hope that the Bible talks about, is that it’s not like the hope that the rest of the world offers. When we think of hope we think of it in terms of things like, “I hope we make it to the movie on time, I hope it doesn’t snow today, I hope Warren brings me back some of those peanuts he got me last time he was in the states. It’s nothing more than a mere wish.

But the hope that the Bible gives us is a strong assurance; it’s something you can take to the bank, it’s a done deal. Hope is something that will happen in the future that we can be sure of, no questions asked. That is the hope in Jesus that Warren experienced and the same hope that sustains us in this time. So while we grieve, we grieve with the hope – the strong assurance – that Warren has finally found rest in the arms of Jesus.

The third principle that this passage teaches us is that

3. God blesses the faithful. V. 7-9

You see what this verse is telling us is not that we believe the un-believable but that living by faith and not by sight means that we live our life based on confident trust in God’s promises for the future, even when we can’t see the fullness of that coming glory – when our present circumstances stretch us beyond what we think we can handle.

Isn’t it awesome that God has made it possible for us to do this? That even though the situation’s before us may look hopeless, God provides hope, he makes it possible for us to be faithful and he blesses us for that faithfulness – we will be rewarded for it.

Walking by faith and not by sight is a difficult thing to do, it doesn’t come natural to us. But God blesses and rewards the faithful. When I think of the countless amount of hours that Warren put in to helping others in need, I think of that blessing and those rewards that God promises. You see when we serve others only to receive a reward or a pat on the back from them; Jesus says in Matthew 6 that is all the reward we will receive.

But if we work and serve others in secret, without looking to get something in return – then Jesus says that our heavenly Father who sees in secret will reward you. Oh, I can hardly imagine the rewards that Warren is receiving in heaven right now. His life truly typified this. Warren served his family, he served his friends, he served those he didn’t even know; he was serving when he passed away and he always did it out of love. He never made you feel like you were in-debted to him. What an inspiration that is to us. This is what God blesses and what he rewards.

God also blesses us and will reward us when we persevere through difficult times because we trust in him. There are times in life when we are faced with insurmountable challenges and we can see no way beyond them. It is a faithful person who in the midst of that challenge or that pain says, “God, I don’t know why you have allowed this to happen to me, I don’t know why you think I’m strong enough to persevere through this, I don’t know what purpose this affliction might serve, but I will remain faithful to you.” It is that attitude of the heart that God blesses; it is to that person that God will say, “well done my good and faithful servant”.

It was just in the chapter previous to the one we have been reading from, 2 Cor. 4, where the Apostle Paul gives us this further call to faithfulness;

…this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 16Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

As we have come here today to celebrate Warren’s life, we have before us the hope and the promise that one day we will have these mortal bodies with all of their pain and troubles transformed into perfect bodies that no longer feel pain, that no longer groan for something better, that are ultimately in the presence of Jesus. Until that time, we must accept the message of Jesus and his forgiveness and we must remain faithful in pleasing God with our lives so that we too may receive the blessing of God to those who are faithful.

So back to our original thesis statement this afternoon based on 2 Thessalonians 5 – there is a reason for our hope and there is a reason for our faithfulness to God. We all long for glory – God has given us a way through his son Jesus to attain this glory - and God blesses our faithfulness to him. May we take this message to heart and be comforted by it but also be challenged by it – that the most important thing in life is our faithfulness to the God who created us. When a loved one passes from this life into the next, it allows us the opportunity to consider these things, to consider our own lives.

There are few things that are certain in this life, but one of them is that one day and it may be soon, we will all walk through the door that Warren has just walked through. What more important thing is there than to prepare ourselves for that moment.

Pray

Song – Because He Lives – CD

Let’s just take a few moments in silence as we listen to one of Warren’s favorite renditions of the song, “Because He Lives”.