“Today you
will be with me in Paradise” Those are
the words Jesus spoke to the thief on the cross next to him. Tuesday Duane Vedders was taken home to
paradise. I’ve been thinking all week
about what I could say about him.
I had a
whole slew of thoughts. But today as we
gathered to celebrate his life, only one phrase seemed worthy. He was a man of God.
I didn’t
know him as a pastor or as a mentor or father or leader. He was my friend, and I’m grateful that God
blessed me with the honor of calling him friend.
If you
knew Duane then I don’t have to tell you about him. I pray that my life is half as fulfilling and
touches a fraction of the lives that Duane touched.
There was
a passage Duane wanted preached as his eulogy. I’ll share it here and nothing
more.
“Oh, that my words were written!
Oh, that they were inscribed in a book!
24 That they were engraved on a rock
With an iron pen and lead, forever!
25 For I know that my Redeemer lives,
And He shall stand at last on the earth;
26 And after my skin is destroyed, this I know,
That in my flesh I shall see God,
27 Whom I shall see for myself,
And my eyes shall behold, and not another.
How my heart yearns within me!"
Oh, that they were inscribed in a book!
24 That they were engraved on a rock
With an iron pen and lead, forever!
25 For I know that my Redeemer lives,
And He shall stand at last on the earth;
26 And after my skin is destroyed, this I know,
That in my flesh I shall see God,
27 Whom I shall see for myself,
And my eyes shall behold, and not another.
How my heart yearns within me!"
