January 12, 2013 - Funeral arrangements

For those of you who may not have heard, Bro. Dale was ushered into the presence of his Lord on Thursday around 8:30.  I'm sure that he heard our Master say, "Well done, good and faithful servant."  Mrs. Doug and the girls made it safely back to Vardaman on Friday.  Funeral arrangements are as follows:

Visitation will be Saturday from 5-7 at First Baptist Church Vardaman and the funeral will be Sunday in the Vardaman High School Gym at 2 p.m.  He will be buried at Old Bethany Cemetery in Webster County, also known as New Hope Cemetery.

Bro. Dale Easley was greatly loved by many.  He spent the past 50 years preaching and serving the Lord faithfully.  The past 26 years of his ministry were at First Baptist Church in Vardaman, MS.  His impact was not limited to only members of his congregation, but he was a pillar of the Vardaman community, and offered pastoral care and leadership to many all over Calhoun County.  He was active with the Calhoun Baptist Association's Executive Committee and encouraged his church to participate in ministry and missions both locally and abroad.  He loved football and supported the Vardaman Rams in the good times and bad times.  He was always at the games and led the community in prayer every week before the game began. 

Bro. Dale's passion was for people to remain true to the Lord and His Word, and experience love for and from Christ.  A theme in his sermons was, "Christ in you, the hope of glory."  (from Col. 1:27)

Like the apostle Paul who penned these words, this whole passage describes his ministry, and in particular, the past year and a half:

^"24 Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church. ²⁵ I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness— ²⁶ the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people. ²⁷ To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
²⁸ He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. ²⁹ To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me." Colossians 1:24-29

Bro. Dale was a compassionate person and understood the trials and griefs of life.  His favorite song was, Jesus Loves Me.  With childlike faith, but depth of wisdom, he lived and testified to the love of Christ.  His desire was for others to reach their potential thru Christ.  A testimony to the impact he has made on those he served would be for us to remain true to the admonition Paul went on to make in Colossians 2:1-7:

"I want you to know how hard I am contending for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally. ² My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, ³ in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. ⁴ I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments. ⁵ For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how disciplined you are and how firm your faith in Christ is.
⁶ So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, ⁷ rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness."

Jason and I were personally blessed to have served alongside Bro. Dale and Mrs. Doug at FBC Vardaman.  They both served us as partners in ministry, faith, prayer and friendship.  We love them dearly and will miss Bro. Dale immensely. 

In the days ahead, please continue to pray for Mrs. Doug and his daughters and grandchildren as they will miss Bro. Dale so much.  We thank God for this family and for their support of his ministry to the rest of us.  May God keep them and strengthen them for the days ahead.  We look forward to our Homecoming where we can be together with the Lord and all His saints. 

January 8, 2013

Tammy spoke with Johanna this morning and the report is the same.  There is no change in Bro. Dale other than more medicine is being given to keep him peaceful. Mrs. Doug is doing really good, but very tired. Please continue to keep them all in your prayers.

I usually post Scriptures as encouragement, but this song came to mind this morning and I decided to share it.  It is certainly founded in Scripture.  

My Father Watches Over Me by William Martin

I trust in God where ever I may be
Upon the land or on the rolling sea
For come what may from day to day
My heavenly father watches over me.

I trust in God
I know He cares for me
On mountains bleak or on the rolling sea
Though billows roll
He keeps my soul
My heavenly father watches over me.

He makes the rose an object of His care
He guides the eagle through the pathless air
And surely He remembers me
My heavenly father watches over me.

The valley may be dark, the shadows deep
But on the shepherd guards His lonely sheep
And through the gloom He leads me home
My heavenly father watches over me.

I trust in God
I know He cares for me
On mountains bleak or on the rolling sea
Though billows roll
He keeps my soul
My heavenly father watches over me.

Update: January 7, 2013

There is no change in Bro. Dale this morning.  He is being kept comfortable.  The family appreciates and covets your prayers.  The blog will be updated as we hear from the family.

33Jesus' father and mother were amazed at what Simeon had said about him.  34Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, "God has chosen this child to cause the fall and rise of many in Israel.  He will be a sign from God that many people will not accept 35so that the thoughts of many will be made known.  And the things that will happen will make your heart sad, too."
Luke 2:33-35

January 6, 2013

Please pray as Bro. Dale's older daughters arrive in FL today.  Joan is due to arrive at 10 and Janice is due to arrive at 12:30. 

Currently, Bro. Dale has no brain activity and the doctors have told the family that there is nothing that they can do.  Bro. Dale has requested to not be put on life support or to be resusitated.  The doctors have given him up to two days. 


"²⁹ “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
    you may now dismiss^[d] your servant in peace.
³⁰ For my eyes have seen your salvation,
³¹     which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:
³² a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
    and the glory of your people Israel.”  Luke 2:29-32

January 5, 2013 - Urgent Update

On Wednesday, January 2, 2013, Bro. Dale & Mrs. Doug traveled to Pensacola, FL to see his daughter Johanna and her family and to be there for their newest grandbaby's dedication.  While he was in FL, he began having a severe seizure and was taken by ambulance to the hospital.  It was determined that in addition to the seizure, he also had another hemorraging stroke, this time on the right side of his brain.  (The original stroke happened on the left side of his brain.) 

Currently, he is in the care of hospice and the family has been called in.  Please pray for this precious family during this time. 

"²⁹ He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength." Isaiah 40:29

"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
    and saves those who are crushed in spirit."  Psalm 34:18