Good morning. Welcome. And on behalf of the family, I would like to say thank you for being here. Thank you for the love and support that you have shown during this difficult time. We're here this morning to celebrate a life, to grieve a loss, but also to rejoice in hope for our brother, Steve Manley. Would you bow with me? Father, we come to you and we thank you that

you are the God of all comfort. And so Lord, I pray that you would move through this service this morning, that you would bless the time that we have here. And Lord, that it would be a time not only of remembering a good friend, but Lord, as his desire would be a time to glorify you. And so Lord, move through this service this morning. In Jesus name. Amen. As you can tell,

the worship team is up here that Steve was a part of for so many years. And so we're going to start the morning with a handful of worship songs. This song, actually, Steve introduced to the fellowship on a Wednesday night. I remember during this time, Lord, remembering Steve, Lord God, the life he served for you. We know that's a promise you keep, Lord, so we can trust you in everything. We continue to look to

you, Lord, the author and finisher of our faith. Continue to bless now, strengthen and encourage.

Stephen Manley was born January 28th, 1954 to Charles G. and Mary E. Babb Manley in Winfield. He grew up attending schools in Arkansas City, graduating from Ark City High School in 1972. After high school, Stephen enlisted in the U.S. Army. He served his country proudly until his honorable discharge in 1975. Stephen then attended Ark City Junior College or Cowley

College. And on July 1st, 1978, he married Renetta Rent, who may I say was the love of his life. They married in Arkansas City. The couple made their home in Wichita for a short time before returning to Arkansas City. Stephen worked three years for Kansas Gas and Electric, then 17 years for New Era Mill or ADM, then worked for a power plant in Winfield for a few years, General Electric for several years,

and then Tektronix, where he worked on calibrating tools for jet engines until his retirement in 2021. Stephen was a devoted member of Calvary Chapel of Ark City, where he sang with the worship team for many years. He was known by his family as the fun uncle, who loved playing with all the kids. Stephen was a member of the Calvary Chapel of Ark City, where he sang with all the kids. Stephen was also an avid outdoorsman that enjoyed fishing, hiking, and camping. When he

wasn't outside, he'd be on the computer. Most of all, Steve cherished spending time with his family. Survivors include his wife, Renetta Manley of the home, sons Malachi and Andrew Manley of Arkansas City, sisters Ruth Ryle and husband Randy of Arkansas City, Susan Heimbach and husband David of Branson, Missouri, his mother Mary Manley of Arkansas City, 16 nieces and nephews, 17 great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Charles, his grandparents, and his two brothers, Mike and David Manley. As many of you know, Steve was in a singing group

called Three in One with Tim Durham and Charla Myrick. So at this time, I would like to invite Tim and Charla to come up and share a couple of songs with us. I'm going to say right now, we're going to miss Steve's sweet voice. He had one of the best tenor voices, and he's going to be greatly missed. This next song, Steve sang this one, and Renetta asked us to learn it and sing it today.

Steve was very happy that we as a group learned this song, and it talks about what the cross meant to him, how Jesus' blood washed us clean, took our sins, and bared them. He's one of the most faithful people that I knew, and he inspired me with his faith many, many times. I'm so grateful for that.

As we're gathered this morning, as I mentioned, it's first of all to celebrate a memory. And I know that many of you have memories that differ. And so if any of you would like over the next few minutes to take a moment to share perhaps a memory or a story that you have of Steve, please feel free to stand where you are. And share that with us. You have stuff to share.

There is so much that I'd like to say that's spanned many, many years. I got to know Steve Manley in the eighth grade band class, and we became fast friends. We loved camping out in the boonies and just kicking around. We both loved music. He went to church regularly. I seldom did. It wasn't long before I got to work. long before I was regularly at his house hanging out with his family. Of course, his dad, Charlie,

was just a beautiful guy, and we loved him. And Steve loved him, and he was a good dad.

Of course, that included his baby sister, Susan, who was about two or three years old, and his pesky, I must say flirty, sister Ruth. Steve had two older brothers, but they weren't around much at that time. They were pretty busy. Our relationship deepened even more when Steve returned from a mission trip in Alaska the summer of 72. I'd been raised a Methodist. He'd been raised in the assembly of God.

But God never rarely came up in our friendship. Back then. But everything changed when he came back to town. He was on fire for God. No longer just a churchgoer, but a fully committed child to God. For many years, Steve's name for me was Hippie. That's what he always called me for years. He finally dropped it after about 30 years, but that's what he used to call me.

And I've always loved him. fit the part i was a long-haired dope dope toking rock and roll loving sinner who was just so very lost soon after returning from alaska steve invited me into a bible study of teenagers out on the hill next to the methodist church the holy spirit through the simple very simple christian songs touched my heart and i made jesus the lord of my life that night and have served him in every way i could all the ministry i've been a part of as well as my marriage and my family since that day begin excuse me began with my friend steve steve got him a get fiddle as he used to call it and we started singing and expressing great joy that god had put in his soul

he even created we even created a few songs together but when he went into the army and later moved to alaska he started singing and expressing great joy that god had put in his soul to Phoenix, I really missed him. But the Jesus he introduced me to remained, as did his pesky sister and his loving dad. Things changed again when Ruth and I became romantic. He was the best man at my wedding, and I was the best man at his. As we lived our lives

and raised our families, we never lost touch, even though we seldom lived in the same town. He remained faithful. He was a great example of a godly man, not only to me, but to all of our city. Most men seek to be successful. Steve was certainly that in his career, even though that was never his goal. Steve's was something even better. Steve was significant.

His family, and to his church, and especially to the kingdom of God. Steve always used all the talents God gave him to serve the Lord he loved. Now, there was a time, maybe some of you remember, when Steve wanted with all his heart to get himself a hang glider and fly. When he finally got one, let's just say it didn't end well. But today, I'm thinking he's much more successful.

Anyone else? Absolutely. I have a lot of memories of Uncle Steve, and one of my earliest memories of my childhood is hanging on to him for dear life on the back of his motorcycle on a dirt road. I remember all the good times we had camping at the trailer out on the Walnut River. And I remember him making one of the best fried eggs I ever had in my life. And it's just

not going to be the same not seeing him at Christmas and Thanksgiving. Actually did fly in it for about 200 feet. And I think I'm the one that broke it. That's all I got to say. I have some fond memories of Steve. We hung out when we were younger. And I got to Marilyn's house. And I got to Marilyn's house. And I got to Marilyn's house. And I got to Marilyn's house. And I got to Marilyn's house.

Then I called Aaron next day. And I opened up the door. And there was Steve. He was sitting in a chair and he had a guitar. And that was my first introduction to Calvary Chapel, at Steve Manley, and Pastor Mark Frye and Alan and Maryann and Ian and Marie and Judy. And many of us. He loved to pray. And those few handful of people that would come to early morning prayer

when Pastor Mark was teaching and when Pastor Ryan was teaching, he would always come to early morning prayer. And on Wednesday night, we didn't meet in the sanctuary. We met back there. And on Wednesday night, there'd be Steve on the chair singing with Mark. I'm sure we can all still hear them singing. And on Sunday afternoon, after we would eat at Brick's,

which one of the restaurant ladies is here. There she is, Tammy. God bless you, Tammy, for coming. And after we'd all eat at Brick's, he would go to that nursing home up on the hill. I forgot. I forgot the name of it. And a handful of us would go. And Steve would play his guitar. And he'd pray. And then he'd read from the Book of Psalms. And I'm going to miss him.

We're all going to miss him. But his life, he loved Jesus. And it was all about praise and worship music and prayer. My name is Levi. My name is Wayne Howard. I didn't know Steve very well. I hadn't been here at Calvary Chapel very long. However, every time I saw Steve, he had a smile, a handshake, and a brotherly hug. And I just wish I could have got to know him better.

But the memories that I have of Steve will last forever. I had the pleasure of working with Steve for 20 years in the calibration lab. When I came down there, God just put me in the middle of three Calvary guys. David Imes, Steve Bliss, and Steve Manley. I didn't have a chance, you know. But the minute that you met Steve Manley, he just oozed Jesus. And he was so faithful.

And even when things got tense in the lab or stressful, he remained calm and faithful always. And one day I was visiting with him. And I said, I would like to learn something about the Old Testament. Nobody seems to teach the Old Testament. So the next day he comes in and he lays a tape. It tells how long ago it was. He lays a tape on my desk and I said, What is this?

And he said, Just listen to it. Well, I walked every night after I got off work. And I put that in my little tape player and put my earmuffs. It was in the book of Nehemiah. And I listened to that tape probably five or six times. And I said, Where can I get more? And Steve said, I'll bring you more. And every week he brought me more. And then finally he said to me,

If you call Pastor Mark, he can get you clear back to Genesis. And a whole new world opened up for me. And I mean, Steve Manley was so faithful. We prayed together. We laughed together. And we cried together. He was an amazing man that God brought into my life. And for that, I'll be ever thankful. I've known Steve and Renetta since 81. And met them at Home Fellowship at Robert and Diane's house in Winfield.

It's easy to remember because I was pregnant with my son, Michael. So, you know, you always remember your kids. But the main thing that I want to share about Steve Manley is he loved singing. He loved worship songs. He loved scripture songs. He taught us so many scriptures. Through song. That are still in my heart. And still in my children's heart. And the one thing I want to share is every baptism, no matter who it was that was getting baptized,

he was there with his guitar singing those worship songs. Praising God for every new believer in Jesus Christ coming out of that water. And it was such a blessing. So, if any of you here were blessed to be baptized with Steve just praising God, it's a sweet memory. From 1984 to 1996, I was started worshiping the Lord. I didn't know anything about church. Nothing about the word of God.

We attended the old church building up by the high school. Kind of was like a haunted house, if I remember right. Then we moved down here. For 22 years, Steve Manley and the worship group, Mike, Tim, ministered through the power of music to prepare this guy's prideful stone heart. To prepare me to listen to the word of God, which is a power of salvation that can save.

Music is powerful.

It can penetrate our hearts. And for that, I am forever indebted to my brother, Steve Manley, and how he worked in my life. May he rest forever in his Savior's hands. I didn't know Steve very well. I mean, I went to Bible study a few times, and I got to go in with Doc and Robbie, and he was a good man. Many, many years ago, I was privileged to go with the worship team to Indianapolis.

To worship a seminar down there, up there. And it was a lot of hours in a van. And, of course, Steve has a catalog of music in his heart. So it was many hours, two full days of getting up there, worshiping all the way up and all the way back. And so exhausted when we got back. But my best memory of that trip was we got there, and there was all these people there from other fellowships that we didn't know.

And we got out of our van and pulled out our equipment. And everybody would go in and start playing. People were in awe of Steve and his 12-string guitar. And by the time we left, all of a sudden, we were in awe of Steve and his 12-string guitar. And by the time we left, all of a sudden, we were in awe of Steve and his 12-string guitar. And by the time we left, all of a sudden, we were in awe of Steve and his 12-string guitar.

And all of the young men who were learning the guitar, learning worship music, were following Steve around. Where's the guy with the 12-string guitar? Just lead me to the 12-string guitar guy. And it was such a privilege and so much fun to see young people following after him to learn about the Lord. Well, I wasn't going to say anything, but that led me to say something.

And that is, I'm a Christian. And I'm a Christian. And when I was fossils, a week before Steve went to be with the Lord, we got to spend some time with him in worship. And we were talking about the old days. One of the things that came up was the fact of how the music that has been played throughout the years, how it touches the heart of the young people as well,

even to the point that my little granddaughter was listening to the songs that we were playing at church. I think it was after Mark's service, and she heard them, and she heard the women's parts. And she said, Grandma, I want to learn those songs, and they're God's word. And so she has now set her heart to learn those songs and learn the women's part and wants to lead them in youth groups someday.

So just the ministry continues, and the fruit remains always. And it's such a blessing. And I know Steve, when we talked about it, he didn't even recognize the lives that he'd touched. He was such a humble. He was such a humble brother. And so I just want to encourage his family to know how much he was loved and how much he was appreciated.

I came here in 2005 from Philadelphia. I remember coming to the church, and I came to look for a house. I didn't move here yet. I remember coming to the church with all these new people. And it was a small church back then. It was a small group, which was nice. I was introduced to Steve, and he started joking with me right away about my accent. Always about my accent.

Went back to Philly the following week. Came back in 07 to move, and I came to the church. And Steve remembered my name, gave me a hug, and said, Welcome back, sis. And I said, Thank you, bro. I've always called him my bro. He will always be my brother in my heart. Recently, when I started doing Farmer's Market, he started bragging to people about my sweet bread.

And throughout the summer, I would get people coming up. I heard your sweet bread was great. I said, Who'd you hear it from? The guy that sings. What was his name? I said, Steve. He said, Yeah, it was Steve. He was just... I'm going to miss him. I never found enough time to... There was never enough time to go visit with him. But he was always here when I came here.

He's with the Lord now, and he is singing his heart out.

Well, you guys went on long enough that I just couldn't sit anymore. I had to say something. The resounding thing that I hear from everybody, and I would agree, is Steve's faith and his music for music. And this is why I didn't want to stand up. But I want to call out two other things about Steve. I worked with him for a number of years. And the first thing is his patience.

Steve had the patience of Joe. He could take somebody who just knew nothing about what he was talking about, and he could teach them a skill that they never even dreamed of learning. And he was very kind. He was just patient and kind. But the other thing that I think I'd be remiss if I didn't mention it would be his sense of humor. Where we work, we have lots of Steve-isms, which are things that he used to say.

You could count on him saying, and we still will get in a situation and we'll pop off a Steve-ism. I think we always will. But I've got a jillion of them. But one of my... Very... One of the funniest things about his sense of humor to me personally is that when he started training me, I'd say something, and he'd say, how do you spell that? And I'd say, T-H-A-T.

Or no, I wouldn't. Oh, I just blew it. I would spell it out. I would spell it out. Okay, I would spell it out. Whatever it was. How do you spell that? It'd be some big, long word. I'd just spell it out. Well, I already told you the punchline. But one day, and it's only been probably, what, Kevin, maybe two or three years ago? So he'd been doing this to me for...

Probably, you know, seven years. I don't know. And one day, I said something to him, and he said, how do you spell that? And he grinned, and I looked at him, and I said, oh, my gosh, Steve. T-H-A-T. I can't believe you did that to me. You know? Because the whole time, his patience and his sense of humor, I would pop off the word, and he'd just go back to what he was doing.

And that day, somehow, it finally clicked into me, what he was asking me. And he never... He never got me on it again, because every time, I'd say, T-H-A-T. Shut up, Steve. So he was just really fun. He had lots of fun stories. And he's just greatly missed in the lab already, but he's never forgotten.

Yes. We've got time for one more here.

Thank you. I didn't have the pleasure of knowing Steve as well as a lot of you, but the times that I was around him, it was just a blast. A blessed time of conversation. And one thing we had in common was Jesus, and the other was music. And he would always ask me, when I'd bump into him anywhere around town, he says, Got your flute? I said, No. And he always asked me to come over and play some music.

And so I did one night, and I brought my flute and my acoustic bass. And we sat around his kitchen table and just had a good time and talked about the Lord and played music. And before I left, he drug out all his guitars and showed them to me. And I have to say that he's just one of the most pleasant, Jesus-filled people I've ever known. And he was always so encouraging.

And, you know, I wish I'd have gone by his house more now. But anyway, thank you. I know there's lots and lots more stories. And what I would like to encourage you to do is make sure that you take time to share some of those stories with Renetta and the rest of the family, because I know it'll be a blessing to them. At this time, what I would like to do is invite up Steve's family, Ruth, Randy, and Susan, to share a song with us.

To introduce this song, I wanted to read Psalms 23. Very familiar scripture. But when this song came out, it just seemed familiar to me, that part in the chorus where his goodness is chasing or running after me. The Lord is my shepherd. I have what I need. He lets me lie down in green pastures. He leads me besides quiet waters. He renews me. He renews my life.

He leads me along the right paths for his name's sake. Even when I go through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for you are with me. Your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies, and you anoint my head with oil. My cup overflows.

Goodness and faithful love will pursue me. All the days of my life. And I will dwell in the house of the Lord as long as I live. This time, the family has put together a slideshow to celebrate the memory of Steve. There's nothing too hard to see. There's nothing too hard for thee. There is nothing too hard for thee. There is nothing too hard for thee. There is nothing too hard for thee.

Just like me. You face temptation without. There's nothing too hard for thee. There is nothing too hard for thee. Tris and my straw. There is nothing too hard. There is nothing too hard. The sea. There's nothing too hard. There's nothing too hard. I seek you first. You promised to supply my every need. There's nothing too hard for thee. There is nothing too hard for thee.

There is nothing too hard for thee. No, there is nothing too hard for thee. There is nothing too hard for thee. Nothing too hard for thee. Well, as has been mentioned time and again in our time of sharing here this morning, music meant everything to Steve. With that being said, sit back, relax, listen to a couple more songs. They say it only watched an eagle fly, spread its wings and soar across the sky.

So gracefully he flew, I wanted to know, I wanted to know how to be free.

Fingers curled round mine, perfectly formed.

As I mentioned, we're here this morning, almost afternoon, to celebrate a life, to grieve a loss, but to rejoice in hope. I first met Steve in July of 1980. That was when I was born, so I don't remember exactly what our first meeting was like, but that's how long I've known Steve. And usually when I do a service, I have to sit down with the family and say, tell me stories so that you can paint the picture for me.

I sat down with Renetta the other day and I said, I don't need you to paint the picture. It's pretty clear. See, we all cry, buddy. Don't worry about it, man. As I was thinking about Steve, I thought about some words that I feel like best encapsulate who Steve is. I'd like to share a few of those words with you. The first word is joy. When I think of Steve, I think of joy,

because he exuded joy in every aspect of his life. He sort of brought it with him everywhere that he went, whether it was the attitude that he always carried around or the smile that seemed to be infectious. But the people that he brought with him, the people that were around him, the word joy always comes to mind when I think of Steve. Number two is the word ornery, because Steve was one of the orneriest guys I've ever been around in my entire life.

Whether it was singing a song about a dead skunk in the middle of the road, whether it was telling one of his many stories, which, by the way, I have no idea how many stories he had, but I definitely heard a good number of them, or whether it was telling a joke,

whether it was surprising two blind guys in a completely dark church and giving one of his stories a chance, or whether it was telling a joke, or whether it was telling a joke, or whether it was telling a joke, or whether it was telling one of them nearly a heart attack. Steve was ornery, and he loved to tease. Of course, the third word that comes to mind is music. I think there's been enough said about that.

Fourth word that comes to mind is the word family, because family meant a lot to Steve. I appreciated that one of the things that Renetta wanted to make sure that was mentioned is that Steve was known as the fun uncle. And that's how all the kids knew him. Everybody knew him as the fun uncle, because he was the one who seemed to have fun with all the kids, kids and the nieces and the nephews.

And it was because he loved all of them so much. It was because it meant so much to him to be with his family. That's why birthdays were so important to Steve. That's why everything about family was so important to him. The fifth word that comes to mind is really a few words, and that's Renetta and the boys. I got to tell you, the last real post I remember seeing him put on Facebook,

there was a couple after that, but this is the one that sticks out. It was on Christmas. And he was so sick. God love him. He was sick. And he said, I couldn't enjoy eating Christmas dinner this time.

But my boys were there. We prayed for so long for a reunion like that. And it happened. He loved those boys with all of his heart. But my gosh, his sweet little redhead Renetta, right? How many times did we hear that? His sweet little Netter May, right? Just meant the world to him. I've never seen anybody block out an entire week because his anniversary is that week.

Nope. Don't count on me doing anything that week. That's the week of my anniversary. And I'm not doing anything else that week other than celebrating my anniversary. I always thought that was just the neatest thing in the world. And that's because she was truly the love of his life. The person he wanted to spend all of his time with. He meant everything to him.

But the sixth word, somebody told me, make sure I had Kleenex up here. I said, no problem. Got it covered. The sixth word that comes to mind is the word Jesus. Because as the testimony has been given here this morning, the thing that meant the most in the world to Steve, more than any of those other things, was that he could glorify his Savior. Because he loved Jesus with every fiber of his being.

He wanted everything about his life to reflect, the salvation that he had in Jesus Christ.

It was a life that was well lived. It was a life that was well loved. And as we can see here, it was a life that has affected many. But we're also here to grieve a loss. Randy's already read Psalm 23 for us, which is what I was going to share out of. So he took care of that part for me. I appreciate that, buddy. Because Psalm 23 is what stuck out to me. Actually, a lot of Psalms, but this is the one that really stuck out to me the most.

And as I was thinking through Psalm 23, I was thinking about how hard it is to lose. Because actually, I think the season of grief is one of the hardest seasons that you'll ever go through in life. There's just nothing quite like that season of grief. Because as a good friend of mine once said, just because there's hope doesn't mean it doesn't hurt. And as you navigate this season of grief,

I think Psalm 23 speaks some things to us about our own Good Shepherd. And there's three things that we see that the Good Shepherd does for us. Number one, it says that he gives us peace. Psalm 23 says that he anoints my head with oil. If you know anything about sheep, which I don't, only what I've read. What I've read about sheep is that sheep with their thick wool on top of their heads,

see what I mean, I know nothing about it. With the thick wool that they had on top of their heads, the bugs would get up there and they would buzz around and they would cause a noise that would drive the sheep nuts. And so what they would do is, the sheep would begin to bang their head on the ground or against a rock because the noise of the flies buzzing around in their wool was too much for them. So do you know what the shepherd would do?

The shepherd would take his horn of oil and he would pour it on the head of the sheep and it would have a twofold purpose. Number one, it would kill the bugs. Number two, it would soothe the head of the sheep and it would bring peace. Isn't it amazing that that's what God is able to do with us when we go through these seasons of grief? He can anoint our heads.

He can anoint our heads with oil because he not only soothes the anxious thoughts that we have, but he then brings peace to our hearts. The second thing Psalm 23 tells us is that the good shepherd gives us his presence. It says, in the valley of the shadow of death, you are with me. And as you navigate a season of grief, there's nothing quite like the alone feeling that you can have when you're experiencing grief.

Amen? It's like you can feel like it's just you there in the middle of everything. Like, I don't know what to do right now because the feeling of loneliness is almost just so heavy. And may I tell you that in those moments, that's the time when God wants to surround us with his loving arms and give us his presence because it's the presence that he promises.

You may not always feel it at the moment, but if you can decide that by the power of the Holy Spirit, you can begin to experience that presence. I can personally attest to you the fact that God makes his presence known. Amen. In a way that is almost unexplainable in words. Yeah. Not only does the shepherd give us peace, but the shepherd blesses us with his presence.

But then number three, the shepherd blesses us with restoration. After all, this almost David declares, he restores my soul. That's exactly what God's able to do with us. He's able to bring restoration where there is now brokenness. He's able to bring restoration where there is now the loneliness. He's able to bring restoration where there is now oftentimes those feelings

of fear or anxiousness over the fact that you've just lost somebody that meant so much to you because he is the God who restores our soul. Yeah. It's good to have a good shepherd in the times of grief that we face. But brothers and sisters, as scripture tells us, we don't grieve as those who have no hope because we can also rejoice in the hope that we have in Jesus Christ.

I want to read to you out of second Corinthians chapter four versus, or excuse me, second Timothy chapter four verses six through eight. It says this, Paul, the apostle in his very last letter says, for I am already being poured out as a drink of hovering. The time of my departure is at hand. I fought the good fight. I finished the race. I kept the faith.

Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge will give to me on that day. And not to me only, but also to all who have loved his appearing Friday evening. That's Friday. When I received a phone call, I knew the call was coming. I'd been over there the night before. And so, Steve wasn't totally making sense.

And I always have a question in my mind. At what point in time do they cross over to the other side? At what point in time do they open their eyes for the first time in eternity? Because sometimes, and I could be wrong on this. I'm willing to be wrong on this. Sometimes I'm not sure that you don't open your eyes in eternity before you actually close them on this side of eternity.

Because when we were over that Thursday night, I thought it's not going to be long now. It's not going to, it doesn't seem like Steve's really here anymore. And when I received that phone call on Friday evening, I kind of sat back and thought for a little bit. Tried to say this about three times and had to get myself back together. Shocking. I know, right? I tried to say this about three times.

Two things. I thought, number one, I wonder how long it took him to go find all of his friends. Right? Like, is it showing up at the playground and you're like, where's my buddies? Oh, look here. They all are. I wonder how long that, that took. Second thought I had was, I wonder if they have a 12 string for him. That's all I could think. Those, those two things right there.

Because as hard as it, as hard as it is to know that a brother that meant so much to so many of us isn't here any longer. I also know that he doesn't hurt any longer because he did fight the good fight and he finished his race. And now there's laid up for him a crown of joy, a crown, which I'm completely aware that he'll throw at the future. The feet of his savior, but a crown, no less.

And now he's living with his savior, walking around cancer free. Amen. Right? We've all been praying for healing. Will God heal them? Because he's now cancer free. As I told my congregation Sunday morning, dude can hear it on both ears now, right? Like praise Jesus. Nobody's saying, Steve, did you hear that? Right? Because he can hear everything. That heart's beaten normally like it should because he had hope.

And the hope that we have is that we can hear everything. And the hope that we have is that we can hear everything. And the hope that we have is that Jesus has overcome death. But I want to share something with you because the hope that Steve has was not based upon who Steve is. I think if anybody could make a case for being good enough, we would all agree.

It's probably Steve, right? I mean, we've all shared what a wonderful guy he was, but I guarantee if Steve was here right now, he would declare to you wholeheartedly. I have hope because of Jesus, not because of me. Renata shared with me that one of his favorite verses comes out of the book of Romans chapter 10, verse 13. And it says, whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

And I think it's only fitting at the funeral service, the memorial service of a man who served God with his entire life that we use this last moment of remembering Steve. This last moment of celebrating Steve, by the way, on his birthday. I don't know if y'all know that or not celebrating Steve on his birthday for me to say, if you've been putting off having hope in Jesus, then today's the day for salvation. It would only be right for me to say, if you think that it's because you're good enough, you are dead wrong and you will stand before God and you will say, but I was really good.

And he'll say, I'm not good enough. I'm not good enough. I'm not good enough. Depart from me. I never knew you. But if you now today we'll come to Jesus and say, I can never be good enough. He'll say, well, whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. But in fact, Renetta played for me, uh, their answering machine message. She said, he put this on her answering machine.

Well, when it was cool to have an answering machine. And the first thing it says is for whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. You've reached the man lays brothers and sisters. Today is the day for you to call upon the name of the Lord and be saved because that's the only way you're going to get to see Steve again. We're told in the book of Ecclesiastes that it's better to go to the house of

morning than to the house of dancing because the living will take note and be purified. I'm here to tell you something. Life is made up of relationships. The relationships, the relationships that you have with each other and the relationship that you have with your creator. And I share this at every funeral service that I do. Life is too short for bad relationships.

Number one, life is too short for you to have bad relationships with each other. I am well aware because I do this a lot. I'm well aware of the fact that death brings out the worst in us. And sometimes it brings out bad relationships. And I'm here to tell you right now, life's too short for those. If you've been holding that grudge, if you've been holding that grudge,

if you've been harboring that unforgiveness, if you've been harboring that bitterness, and today is the day to set that aside and be reconciled with each other because life is too short for bad relationships. And if you've been putting off making sure that your eternity is secured in Christ, my brother Steve would tell you right now, life's too short for a bad relationship with your savior today. If you will hear his voice, don't harden your heart. Call on the name of the Lord for all who call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Amen. I'd like to invite my dad to come up and share one last song with us. A song that meant a great deal to Steve Manley. The way I was that blind guy that almost had the heart attack. We had so much fun. I'll tell you. Oh, I know I'm throwing that into this serious time, but Oh wow.

Or you see search for good and truth. Had its beginning and you take a little turn.

It's a sad thing.

Can't you see that I was looking who were searching just like what you're seeking.

Cause you'll have to move along some.

Would you bat with me? Father, what a wonderful time we've had sharing memories or celebrating a life. And Lord resting at hope. And so Lord, I pray that you would continue the work that you have begun in the lives of each of these friends and family that are here this morning. We praise you for a life that was well lived and well loved. We praise you for a soul that's back home.

Jesus name. Amen.