Anthony,

When I found out about you, I didn’t believe it. I had to do at least two laps around the church (I was walking of course, at 26 I am not where I use to be physically) in order to, well I don’t know. It only took one person to ask me what was wrong and I lost it.

Anthony, you were loved. You were a good man, close friend and a brother. I shared a lot with you and grew closer to you over the years, and your family. All of you will always have a special place in my heart, always. There is never any way that we can be prepared to deal with death. Praise God for supplying our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! Who is able to deliver us from death and remove its sting. He is the ONLY way that I have remained steadfast to pray for your family. I truly do not know what I would have done without the foundation of Christ Jesus after losing you brother.

I remember conversations we would have over the phone while I lived in Hawaii. The loss of your father, Mark. Where your mind was, who Jesus is, who your father was. They still echo in my mind today Anthony, your voice is all that’s left, and pictures. I miss my friend and haven’t spoken about you, until now. I loved you man! I cared for you and fought a lot of battles with you (in your corner of course!) and now I remain here to fight battles with your family from afar. I will always be here for your mother, Liz and Ethan. This will never change Anthony. I can pray, talk, counsel, listen, whatever your family needs. I am family. I will relay this message to your son, Mark and your wife, Mandy. They are family, you were family. I am in it together with them brother, to encourage and fight, together, not as islands.

I feel compelled to share this: John 11:35 “Jesus wept.”

The context of this verse is He (Jesus) was lamenting over the tyranny and destruction sin has caused in every individual on earth that has been and ever will be born. (specifically in John 11, Jesus’ friend Lazarus has died) You see, we will all someday die. How, when, where, who can ever be certain? The one thing we can, however, know for certain is that we have access to eternal security and freedom from sins destruction available only in Jesus, period. There are a number of different ways to deal with the loss of a loved one, I can guarantee Jesus is the only One that permanently removes deaths sting. I love you Anthony. I love your family.

I am sorry I was not able to come to your memorial. My prayers to the Lord Jesus are with your family.

1 Corinthians 15:54-57

When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.