Wednesday, August 16, 2023

Remembering Brent (1968 - 2023)

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
Revelation 21:4

It's with great sadness that I share the news of the heavenly homegoing of our dear friend and my former ministry partner, Brent Carl.  This faithful servant of God, beloved by so many, is now with Jesus, the One he adored and served.

Brent ministered faithfully over the years in churches, Samaritan's Purse, counseling, and creative ministry venues in NY and New England.  He was widely known for his gentle pastor's heart, ability to relate deeply to people of all ages, and giftedness in teaching God's Word in ways that were always practical and relevant.   

 
Dear readers, you blessed Brent and Bonnie and their kids with prayer and financial support through GoFundMe when I reached out to you back in January.  I am trusting that you will do the same for Bonnie and their beautiful children in the days ahead.  

And Brent, if you're listening, I know I speak for the many who grieve your suffering and death at such a young age.  You have shown us what it looks like to deeply trust Jesus in the valley of the shadow.  

Serving together on the same team for those 13 years was sheer joy even during the rocky seasons.  Thanks for introducing me to blogging ... and for all the biblical wisdom and encouraging words you shared along the way.  

I know you and Bob are having the time of your lives together again with your dearest Friend, Jesus.  Save a seat for me at the table, ok ...
Linda

38 comments:

  1. I will be praying for Brent's wife and children during this difficult time. I'm thankful that he is now healed and in heaven. So grateful for the many lives he touched while he was here, living the life and ministry God blessed him with.

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    1. The four of you would have had a whole lot to talk about ... you really would have hit it off.
      👫👫

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  2. Linda, I am so sorry for your loss. I will be praying for Bonnie and their family as God leads.

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    1. Thank you, Jeanne. She'll be so grateful ...
      🙏

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  3. Oh, Linda! I am SO sorry. Earth's loss is surely heaven's gain, but that doesn't stop the missing him here. May God comfort your heart and the hearts of his wife and children and all who mourn his homegoing. Praying for all of you this morning and sending love and hugs your way.

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    1. Cheryl, thank you for those prayers so very early this morning. I'm thinking someone needed a special touch from the Lord right at that moment.
      🌙

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  4. I am so sorry for your loss! He sounds like a wonderful man that enriched the lives of many.

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    1. Oh yes, he was. Words don't capture all he was ... and all he is now as he rejoices in heaven!
      🤲

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  5. I will pray for Brent's family. May he go from strength to strength in the life of perfect service.

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    1. 'Strength to strength.' That's beautiful Martha ...
      📩

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  6. Hi Linda,
    Thank you for this beautiful post about Brent. I am beyond sad that we are away this week and unable to attend the visitation and service this weekend. I am hoping to see Bonnie sometime within the next few weeks to be an encouragement to her as she grieves. I simply cannot imagine what she is going through and it breaks my heart.
    Sending you a hug and much love ...

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    1. Often it's those quiet visits after the crowds have come and gone that minister the most deeply. I'm sure that will be true for your time together. She is blessed to still have you in her life ...
      💞

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  7. I’m so sorry for your loss! I pray the Lord’s peace and comfort for you and his family!

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    1. Thank you ... He surely does whisper, 'peace, be still.' I'm so grateful.
      🕊️

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  8. Linda, I am so very sorry. Praying comfort and peace for his family and for you.

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  9. I am so sorry for the loss of your friend. Praying

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  10. So sad to hear Brent, another young, man of God leaving us and his family. I am so sorry for your loss too cause I know you both were comrades and fellow workers for our Redeeemer and King. 😢

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    1. Yes, I've been thinking recently of all those devoted servants of God who left us all too soon. Yet I have to believe that He alone knows the end from the beginning. All will be well. I trust His heart.
      😥

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  11. Oh Linda, I am so sorry for this loss. What a wonderful tribute here. Thank you for sharing his life with us. Prayers!

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    1. Jean, thanks. It was hard to find words. I know you understand ...
      ✏️

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  12. I'm so sorry for the loss of your dear friend, Linda. May God give you and his family grace and strength for the days and years ahead!

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    1. Trudy, you're right ... the prayers aren't just for Brent's family to get through this week but to find grace and hope and purpose in the years ahead. He adored them so.
      🏡

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  13. I'm so sorry for the loss of your friend. Sometimes it's hard to understand why God takes people young who are actively serving Him, when it seems they'd have so many good years left to keep doing so. But it's a reminder that none of us is promised another day. We just need to serve Him every day He gives us, and it sounds like your friend did just that.

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    1. Oh yes, Barbara, you're right. Brent and Bonnie's testimonies have been beautifully clear during these months of suffering. And I'm confident that hers will continue into eternity, just like his has ...
      🎶

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  14. He sounds like a good man. I'm so sorry for your loss, Linda.

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    1. Oh yes, Jeanie. He was exceptional and much loved by those who knew him well.
      🕯️

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  15. Beautiful Linda. This is a hard one. I keep thinking of him and Bob together too though! Brings such a smile to my face.
    Hugs to you.

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    1. I was just thinking of you today ... I knew you were thinking exactly what I was thinking. Some things never change. How fortunate we've been to serve with such godly leaders.
      ✝️

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  16. So sorry for the loss of your friend. Heaven sure is getting populated. 😘😘🙏🙏

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    1. I've never heard it put that way before, but am thankful you have offered that truth today! May more souls come into a personal relationship with Christ that will last for eternity. And may He help us keep our eyes on eternal things ...
      👓

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  17. I'm so sorry that you've lost your friend. :( Oddly enough, I am wearing a Samaritan's Purse t-shirt right now...

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    1. That makes me smile, Lisa. Brent would get a kick out of that for sure ...
      👕

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  18. Sometimes they will just leave us,
    like the fading echo of a song,
    without a hue or cry or fuss,
    and we realize that they are gone
    by the presence of their absence,
    an emptiness where none should be,
    no smiles of whispered gladness,
    and we in sorrow take a knee
    to place in God's kind tender care
    the fragments of our broken hearts
    that once with laughing joy did flare,
    but in this new day are torn apart,
    and handed up with plea for mending
    to make beginning from this ending.

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    1. I think you guys would have enjoyed chatting together, Andrew. He was the real deal ...
      😏

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  19. Linda, I'm so sorry for your and Bonnie's loss. Lifting you both up in prayer. What a blessed tribute to Brent.
    I appreciate you sharing about Brent with everyone here at Sweet Tea & Friends this month.

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    1. Please continue to pray for Bonnie and family. Thank you, Paula ...
      🙏

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