"DEATH be not proud, though some have called thee
Mighty and dreadful, for, thou art not so."
--Death Be Not Proud, John Donne
Death, be not proud. There is no pride in anything you did today. You stole life from a great man, a beloved man.
Josh Larkin was a great man of God. I did not know him well, not beyond a few interactions during lunch or the occasional time I saw him on his floor. But even to me, his fire and passion were clearly seen. They warmed my heart. His presence encouraged those who knew him. He created music and movies. He worshiped God with every breath. He loved his Maker.
Death, be not proud.
Josh Larkin was a Media Comm major. His soul burned brightly with creativity. he played in Worship bands in Chapel, small groups, and Living Waters. He prayed with those in need. He gave of himself selflessly. He shone with the Light of his Savior.
Death, be not proud. For in your hollow supposed victory, you have lost. You have no power here. You may have taken Josh's life, but, poor Fool, you can never have his soul.
Within hours of Josh's death, the men of Sammy gathered in the Foundation lobby, praying for one another and grieving. When asked to go outside, they did without comment, silence reigning in respect and shock. News traveled quickly. By the time I returned to the dorm at 8:20, many people from all over campus sat around the dorm, praying for the men living inside and crying, sobbing, asking God, "Why?" Why did he die? What went wrong? What could we, could I have done? Josh was much beloved on campus.
Professors I knew and even the president of Taylor University, Gene Habecker, came to the dorm, meeting with us men, talking with us, hugging us, praying with us. There was and is nothing they could say to take away the sharp pain of losing such a wonderful man.
So, Death, be not proud. In your haste to snuff out the light of Josh's soul, you have failed extinguish the Light.
Tonight, many on campus came to a quick, small memorial service to process and pray. Songs were sung, verses from the Psalms and the Beatitudes we said, and Randy and Gene spoke to us as a body of believers. Students and faculty came to process the horror that Death had wrought. But in his death, we all remember Josh's light, the same light that made us love him. His honest, unassuming manner made us feel free around him. His light drew people to him, and ignited the wicks of their hearts.
"One short sleep past, we wake eternally,
And death shall be no more; death, thou shalt die."
Death, be not proud. Where is your sting? Where is your victory?
"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
--Romans 8:38-39
Rest in peace, Josh.
Mighty and dreadful, for, thou art not so."
--Death Be Not Proud, John Donne
Death, be not proud. There is no pride in anything you did today. You stole life from a great man, a beloved man.
Josh Larkin was a great man of God. I did not know him well, not beyond a few interactions during lunch or the occasional time I saw him on his floor. But even to me, his fire and passion were clearly seen. They warmed my heart. His presence encouraged those who knew him. He created music and movies. He worshiped God with every breath. He loved his Maker.
Death, be not proud.
Josh Larkin was a Media Comm major. His soul burned brightly with creativity. he played in Worship bands in Chapel, small groups, and Living Waters. He prayed with those in need. He gave of himself selflessly. He shone with the Light of his Savior.
Death, be not proud. For in your hollow supposed victory, you have lost. You have no power here. You may have taken Josh's life, but, poor Fool, you can never have his soul.
Within hours of Josh's death, the men of Sammy gathered in the Foundation lobby, praying for one another and grieving. When asked to go outside, they did without comment, silence reigning in respect and shock. News traveled quickly. By the time I returned to the dorm at 8:20, many people from all over campus sat around the dorm, praying for the men living inside and crying, sobbing, asking God, "Why?" Why did he die? What went wrong? What could we, could I have done? Josh was much beloved on campus.
Professors I knew and even the president of Taylor University, Gene Habecker, came to the dorm, meeting with us men, talking with us, hugging us, praying with us. There was and is nothing they could say to take away the sharp pain of losing such a wonderful man.
So, Death, be not proud. In your haste to snuff out the light of Josh's soul, you have failed extinguish the Light.
Tonight, many on campus came to a quick, small memorial service to process and pray. Songs were sung, verses from the Psalms and the Beatitudes we said, and Randy and Gene spoke to us as a body of believers. Students and faculty came to process the horror that Death had wrought. But in his death, we all remember Josh's light, the same light that made us love him. His honest, unassuming manner made us feel free around him. His light drew people to him, and ignited the wicks of their hearts.
"One short sleep past, we wake eternally,
And death shall be no more; death, thou shalt die."
Death, be not proud. Where is your sting? Where is your victory?
"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
--Romans 8:38-39
Rest in peace, Josh.
Beautiful post, Nathan. Thank you so much!
ReplyDeletethat was one of most beautiful tributes to a wonderful soul who clearly will be missed...
ReplyDeleteGod have mercy.. Thank you for sharing Nate. Praying for you TU. my heart hurts.
ReplyDeleteThanks for writing at a time when you heart had to be breaking. Death has no sting. He is risen.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful words. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this tribute.
ReplyDeleteThank you, from the depths of my heart, thank you!
ReplyDeleteNathan, thank you for this.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing. Josh is with the Savior he loved and worshipped. We will see him again in glory! May we rest in that peace together as we experience this loss.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this, especially during this Easter season when we celebrate God's victory over death.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Nathan. Let's continue to remember Josh this way.
ReplyDeleteThank you for posting this its beautiful. We will continue to pray for the men of Sammy!
ReplyDeleteThanks for writing this. I will miss Josh along with the rest of Taylor University, but I know God has a plan for all of us through this tragedy, and we will continue to praise Him for Josh's life.
ReplyDeleteThank you for fighting to defend and reflect the Light within Josuha's soul and life. Like all believers, and like my son, Joshua is still alive! "Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?' - John 11:25-26". I do! Joshua Larkin, we will see you once again! O death, where is thy sting? - From the Mother of a Taylor University student.
ReplyDeleteI MISS YOU JOSH!!!!! YOU ARE THE BEST!!!!!! I love you more than you ever knew
ReplyDeletephenomenally written brother.
ReplyDeleteAs I sit in Evansville, IN we are crying tonight. Josh was one of my son's best friends. Although we had only met him a few times, you could sense his love for the Lord, his desire to be used of God and his energy to live for God. The whole Taylor community has lost a son tonight and a SIIS brother. Your blog was wonderfully written. Thank you for putting it into perspective. While we mourn his death, we know we shall see him again. Our prayers go out for the TU family, Josh's family and girlfriend.
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful. Thank you. I didn't know Josh, but I know how much the men and women of the TU community changed my life and many of my friends are there now, hurting, praying, believing that God is in control and it is giving me the strength to believe that GOD IS IN CONTROL. Though this death is tragic and my heart breaks for this loss, I am still faithful and praying for all those who did know Josh because I know he must be an amazing man of God to have impacted so many people including one girl he never knew and never will know who is sitting nearly seven hours away. My prayers go out to the men in Morris who have felt this loss in inexplicable ways. There are no words...juts prayers...just God's comfort and the safety in grace. I love everyone at TU and my heart goes out to you.
ReplyDeleteThank you for writing this. I do not know who you are but I do know that my brother would be proud to see all the love(and attention :)) he is receiving. The only time I ever saw him mad was when someone was left out of anything. He made friends with just about everyone he made contact with. You are right that this is no victory for death, the most important thing to him was his relationship with Christ. I know where he is right now, something that some do not. He is in heaven, getting shown around by Grandma and both Grandpas and making new friends. And the most important thing to him praising God. Using his God given talent to praise the creator. I think that if we where to talk to him, he would say "Hurry up guys, your missing out." Even if he had the power to come back, he does not want to. He will have the rest of eternity with us. James 4:14 "Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes." No one knew that Josh's life would be over now, no one wanted it, but Josh would not change it and we will have the rest of eternity with him. To climb mountains, to go wake boarding, to go camping, or to just talk. And the most important thing, to worship our Savior. Thanks for all your prayers.
ReplyDeleteDear beloved of Christ. God has Josh in the palm of his hands now, and God's presence there will surpass anything here on earth. May the God of all comfort, comfort your family as you walk your journey out here on earth with expectation of things to come. You are loved and Josh will not be forgotten... not just for what he did in serving, but for who he was. Yours in Christ...
DeleteAnd that picture doesn't do him justice at all, he was never that serious. :)
ReplyDeleteNone of us know for sure what happened but the thing we know is hes with God looking down at us with love and joy.Hes dancing on the streets of gold.
ReplyDeleteBeautifuly written.....I met Josh only once..I will let his passing strengthen my spirit..and make me a better person both spiritually and physically..death be not proud..be steadfast in your faith...he restores my soul!
ReplyDeleteNow it is the mom's turn... it has been a difficult day and when I got a chance to read some of these posts today (and on those on FB) it gave me an emotional release to see that my boy was a blessing to so many. He was a terrific son who is missed already. We thank you for your prayers and pray that through this tragedy many will come to know and walk closer to Our Lord & Savior Jesus.
ReplyDeleteI am only the Mom of one of Josh's friends but I know from my son how he was a light on campus and a friend to all. You are correct in that thought that this tragedy will bring people closer in thier faith in God and the Kingdom he has waiting for us. He blessed us with your son and so lucky are those who knew him, he made the world a better place. Love and Prayers from the bottom of my heart to you and your family.
DeleteI went to High School with Josh. Like Taylor it was a christian Community. Because we were a small high school, we were also a small family. Josh was the same as he was in college, a young man for christ. I am praying for the Taylor Community, and I ask you to pray for the Southwest Christian High School Community as some have lost a friend from Grade school and/or our brother in christ. You are right. Death should not be proud.
ReplyDeleteCan't say how sad i am. He was a great brother with a willing heart to obey, learn, and follow directions. He told people about Christ and like little brother said he only got mad when others where left out of things. He was a fantastic person and we all hated the news of his death. Its true we can't endure it...by ourselves. Gods with us.
ReplyDeleteHeidi, I don't know you, but you have been on my heart these last few days. My son lives in Morris Hall and was with Josh at a concert last weekend. To try to imagine walking in your shoes right now has been very emotional and eye opening. My prayers for you, from one mother's heart for another, will continue. May it comfort you to read beautiful posts such as in this blog, words that give hope and affirm that Josh's life had an impact far beyond what you might have even known. And may you and your family experience God's very powerful and unexplainable peace. His mercies are new every morning.
ReplyDeleteWe just went to Indiana to have the service with the people at Taylor U. It has been hard throughout this tragedy. I say to myself that since Josh is above and watching us he would not want us to spend the rest of our lives morning over his death...he wants us to move on even though the pain will always be there is won't hurt as much as it does now. We need to fill our lives fully...like Josh did.
ReplyDeleteAmen, little sister! Love you precious one. I am grateful to see how the Lord is giving you, and each in your family, the promise of our eternity together. There is great hope in that. For now, we live well and fully, like Josh did. We must make cookies soon. Are you free tomorrow?
DeleteWow I haven't been on this site for awhile but it is so amazing to see how many people loved, knew, and cherished Josh. Where he got the idea to do such a thing I don't know but if I ever find out I will be upset to see people doing these things. If only Josh knew but he didn't. Unfortunately this is an experience that we will always remember. I have written a book about what I experienced how I felt and what I did. It may be only four pages long but things don't have to be long in order for them to be meaningful. This is a tragedy we must live through or do you want to stay and sit around on your chair or bed and mope? What would Josh do we may ask our selves... but the real question is...what would JESUS do?
ReplyDelete