The Songstress at News from the Great Beyond needs your prayer and support.
Her incredibly well written post, This Sucks, is absolutely heart breaking. I don’t think I’d ever be strong enough to write a post like that under such terrible circumstances.
Please visit, read the entire post, assure her of your support, then tell someone close how much you love them.
I’ve just read the sad news that Larry Norman has passed away at the age of 60.
I’ve been listening to his music for over 30 years. I had the privilege of seeing him in concert twice when he visited Perth. The first time when I was about 15, the second back in 1988 when the photo above of me with Larry was taken.
Larry was known as the Father of Christian Rock and he paved the way for many musicians who came after him who wanted to use contemporary music to tell others about Jesus.
He had been in declining health for many years and yesterday the time came for him to head home.
The following statement was issued from his brother Charles.
Hello everybody.
Our friend and my wonderful brother Larry passed away at 2:45 Sunday morning. Kristin and I were with him, holding his hands and sitting in bed with him when his heart finally slowed to a stop. We spent this past week laughing, singing, and praying with him, and all the while he had us taking notes on new song ideas and instructions on how to continue his ministry and art
Yesterday afternoon he knew he was going to go home to God very soon and he dictated the following message to you while his friend Allen Fleming typed these words into Larry’s computer:
________________________________I feel like a prize in a box of cracker jacks with God’s hand reaching down to pick me up. I have been under medical care for months. My wounds are getting bigger. I have trouble breathing. I am ready to fly home.
My brother Charles is right, I won’t be here much longer. I can’t do anything about it. My heart is too weak. I want to say goodbye to everyone. In the past you have generously supported me with prayer and finance and we will probably still need financial help.
My plan is to be buried in a simple pine box with some flowers inside. But still it will be costly because of funeral arrangement, transportation to the gravesite, entombment, coordination, legal papers etc. However money is not really what I need, I want to say I love you.
I’d like to push back the darkness with my bravest effort. There will be a funeral posted here on the website, in case some of you want to attend. We are not sure of the date when I will die. Goodbye, farewell, we will meet again.
Goodbye, farewell, we’ll meet again
Somewhere beyond the sky.
I pray that you will stay with God
Goodbye, my friends, goodbye.Larry
________________________________________Thank you to all of you who were so nice to my brother over the years. Kristin and I will post funeral information in the next day or two. Right now we’re not able to function very well, but the whole family is here … our mother Margaret, our sisters Nancy and Kristy, Mike Norman and his new wife Tiffany, and Silver.
We miss him beyond words. Thank you for everything.
Peace to you all in Christ,
Charles Norman
Larry gave me many, many hours of enjoyment. His songs have not only provided enjoyment, they’ve caused me to think, they’ve given me hope and inspired me.
The world won’t be the same without Larry Norman but I’m sure there’s a great concert just getting underway in heaven.
I’m shedding a tear or two tonight because he’s gone but I’m so pleased that he can now enjoy paradise without all the pain he’s experienced over several years.
Thanks for all the good times, Larry, and goodbye.
Did you see the news that an 81 year old man from Chile shocked his friends and family by waking up in his coffin at his own wake?
When Feliberto Carrasco’s family found his body limp and cold, they were convinced his time was up. Instead of calling a doctor to confirm their suspicions, they immediately called a funeral home. They had the funeral home dress him in his finest suit for the wake and his relatives gathered to bid him a final farewell in the small Chilean village of Angol.
Feliberto’s nephew Pedro told the Ultimas Noticias newspaper, “I couldn’t believe it. I thought I must be mistaken and I shut my eyes. When I opened them again, my uncle was looking at me. I started to cry and ran to get something to open up the coffin to get him out.”
Feliberto said he was not in any pain and only asked for a glass of water.
I suppose when he finally does die they’ll just tell him to stop kidding around. At least they’ll get a doctor in next time.
Mind you, I think he’s had a privilege that not many of us get. He’s been able to see just who would turn up at his funeral. I’ve sometimes wondered who would turn up to see me off when my time comes. Looks like he got that opportunity.
Have you ever wondered who would shed a tear at your passing?
I only hope that the surprise of seeing Feliberto alive wasn’t too much for his friends and relatives. The last thing you’d need is for the shock to cause another funeral.