Memorial Service for Daniel Edward Halliday

Though incredibly sad, the memorial service this morning for Daniel Edward Halliday was permeated with peace and a distinct feeling of God’s comfort and His nearness. The service was held at Calvary Baptist church with between 300 and 350 persons attending. Each of the three main speakers–Pastor Chad, Pastor Buxton and Mike Buxton–did a wonderful job. The music was beautifully presented, and during the song, I Can Only Imagine, Misty rose to her feet, and lifted high both her hands. It was most touching.

It was thought that Dustin would be released from the hospital in time to attend this service, but he has suffered a little set-back: He has developed a slight case of pneumonia, and a wound on one of his legs has become infected. Please continue to pray for him, and for George, who is doing well, and will probably be able to come home in a few days.

From eulogy presented by Pastor Buxton

Once when Dustin was commended for training his children in the house of God, he plainly spoke. “I want Daniel to be up there, someday. I want him on the platform wearing a suit and a tie, taking part in the services.”

–
Well, sadly, that is not to be, and while we have more questions than answers, we can look to God’s Word for direction. We can ask Job, can we not? We can emulate Job, can we not? For when all his children were taken from him, his houses and possessions were destroyed, his friends had turned against him, he was stricken with boils from head to foot, and his wife looked on him with contempt—Job, faithful Job, righteous and perfect Job, said, “Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”

–
Dustin and Misty, while because of the unfathomable and inscrutable intelligence of God, the life of our Daniel was allowed to prematurely end, I submit to you that he may yet have a profound ministry. Perhaps the lesson of his life and the lessons of his death may guide one—or two—who otherwise would not have followed Jesus, into the paths of righteousness. Could it be that the shadow of Daniel’s death will fall on one who will lift his head in sorrow, turn about and make his toward Calvary and toward the glory of the resurrection? Let us pray and believe it to be so.

–
And you, Dustin and Misty, your children, your families and friends can join with King David, who after the loss of a beloved child, said this: “While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: for I said, Who can tell whether God will be gracious to me, that the child may live?

–
But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.”

–
Little Daniel will not be back; he has gone to live with Jesus. But we have the opportunity for another happy day with Daniel…one victorious day, when having ourselves purified by the Holy Ghost, we will stand together in the rare and holy presence of God…and in the presence of Daniel.