Yesterday was a Celebration of Life for Jim’s cousin’s grandson, Carl Clark. He was 24!

This young man took his own life.

Many friends and relatives attended the church service; a place which was not foreign to Carl or the rest of his immediate family.

The event was truly a celebration, but the service did not shy away from the reality of what had happened. The family knew there were problems and was attempting to get Carl help. Along with music, Bible readings, and a sermon, those in attendance were told, “If you need help, tell someone!”
There was a time for ‘Confession and Forgiveness’, as we confessed our own thought processes which aren’t always good!

One of the two Bible readings was taken from Romans 8:31 – 39.
 

“For I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from His Love.
Death can’t, and life can’t.
The angels won’t, and all the powers of hell itself cannot keep God’s love away.
Our fears for today, our worries for tomorrow,
Or where we are---high above the sky,
Or in the deepest ocean---
Nothing will ever be able to separate us from the love of God
Demonstrated by our Lord Jesus Christ when He died for us.”
~ verses 38 & 39
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Another memorable part: when both of his brothers got up to tell of their good times with their ‘little brother Carl!’