On behalf of the Crook family, I want to say thank you to all of you. You are such a comfort.
On behalf of the Southside family, your presence here means much to us.
To us, Ray's life was a big deal. Your being here today means that you knew that his life was a big deal too.
To the Crook family, you are always ministering to everyone else. Thank you for letting us minister to you today. We are honored to walk beside you today.
Have you ever heard of a preacher who struggled with knowing what to say? You're looking at one... There are no words that can adequately express the thoughts in my heart. No words seem good enough at this time, except for the words that Ray loved so much, the words of God.
"Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" (Romans 10:13-15)
I've been thinking of all the places those feet have walked, and I continue to be amazed at the mighty influence he's had in his lifetime. His walk was a walk that I admire and want to imitate.
The last sermon he preached here - in August - on Friendship.
A friend is one who stands to share Your every touch of grief and care. He comes by chance, but stays by choice; Your praises he is quick to voice. No grievous fault or passing whim Can make an enemy of him. And though your need be great or small, His strength is yours throughout it all. No matter where your path may turn, Your welfare is his chief concern. No matter what your dream may be, He prays your triumph soon to see. There is no wish your tongue can tell But what, it is your friend's as well. The life of him who has a friend Is double-guarded to the end.
A Walk of Compassion. Those feet have walked beside many of us in some of the darkest hours of our lives.
Such an amazing compassion for the elderly and for children.
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. (Colossians 3:12)
A Walk of Family. Ray taught us all how to love and cherish our families. We saw how he loved and cherished his. He knew the rare talent of how to balance the demands of ministry and still show his family that they came second only to God… not to the elders, the church, or the needs of anybody else.
Your preacher has been my son-in-law all these years. He has been an inspiration to my family and everything a mother could hope for. We love him as our own. I have been truly blessed that Reta chose Ray. - Agnes Thompson (1995)
A Walk of Evangelism. How could we not talk about his evangelistic walk? It was that walk that carried him to ACC, Iredell, Shamrock, McGregor, Madras Oregon, Graham, McGregor, Mineral Wells, Graford, Santo, Santo, Santo… You loved him! He loved you.
I didn't appreciate this part of his walk as I should have until I went to LCU in 1987... I just thought that God's love and grace were preached from pulpits across the land. Not so.
Note from Jim Jones
Ray loved to fish for fish, but not near as much as he loved to fish for men! Have you heard any preacher anywhere be able to get more sermon illustrations from fishing stories?
He used his lures more for people than he did for fish.
"If you don't understand the Gospel, you probably wouldn't understand my dad." - Russell
Without an understanding of the Gospel of Jesus, he'd probably just be a good man. One of the things I love about Ray, he wasn't concerned about job descriptions… He loved wearing any hat if it meant being a blessing to the church. Darlene's story…written upon his retirement in 1995.
A Walk Toward Heaven. Put all of these steps together, and you see where Ray's been headed all along.
You've heard the old saying, "I'd rather see a sermon than hear one any day." That's the neat thing about Ray, you could hear one a few times a week, but you could see one every day.
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me--put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. (Philippians 4:4-9)
(prayer)