Joshua Steven Eddy, Go with God

 On May 5, 2012, the Lord called 19-year-old Joshua Steven Eddy Home. He was the second oldest of 9 children. He was a faithful servant of Christ. He had just graduated from the International ALERT Academy & wanted to be a EMT/Paramedic. He was an avid photographer & was filming his first film, with his brother & best friends. He was going to be the best man in his brother's upcoming wedding. They had just purchased their tuxedos.

 "Do not let anyone look down on you, because you are young,
but set an example for the believers in speech,
in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity."

- 1 Timothy 4:12

But all of that changed on May 5th. On a hiking trip with friends, along the Rouge River (Raine Falls) in Oregon, Josh decided to snap a photo on the edge of the gorge. He slipped, lost his footing & fell to his death.

The photo above was taken on the hike, just minutes before his death. He was about to turn and aim for the shot that would be his last. He was a minutes from death, and he didn't know it. He was ready... are you?

" He will wipe away every tear from their eyes,
& death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning,
nor crying, nor pain anymore,
for the former things have passed away.”

- Revelation 21:4

I didn't know Josh & had never heard of him before his passing. But his testimony has greatly impacted my life in this past month. His story has given me a LOT to think about.

Namely, he was so young when he died. Yet he had accomplished so MUCH for the Lord. And his testimony has affected so many people. He was living a righteous life, right til the end. What will my testimony be, when my time has come??? Him dying so young has also reminded me- we don't know the time nor the hour of our passing (James 4:13-14). Our time on this earth is short. Don't wait until it's too late to repair that broken relationship. Don't put off salvation til you've had your fun. "If you tarry till you’re better/ You will never come at all..." The time is now. What are you waiting for??? Don't become the tragedy of a WASTED life. 

"So we do not lose heart.
Though our outer self is wasting away,
our inner self is being renewed day by day. 
For this light momentary affliction is preparing
for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,
as we look not to the things that are seen
but to the things that are unseen.
For the things that are seen are temporal,
but the things that are unseen are eternal."

- 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Josh lived & died to glorify God. His death was not in vain. He will not be forgotten. And his legacy will continue to inspire people around the world, for years to come... RIP Joshua Steven Eddy. 

"For where your treasure is,
there will your heart be also."
- Luke 12:34

 In Josh's honor, his sister Mariah wrote a song in his honor called "To Surrender a Precious Dream." His good friend Ariel recorded it soon after his passing. Hearing it made me cry... WOW. It's so raw, fresh & passionate... I can only imagine what his sister & dear friend were feeling when they wrote/sang it... You can hear the song & view the lyrics here- http://arielstrom.bandcamp.com/ . All proceeds from the song go to Josh' ALERT scholarship fund. 

 "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him,
who have been Called according to His Purpose."
- Romans 8:28

For more information about this great man of God, please visit-

His facebook tribute page- https://www.facebook.com/JoshuaSEddy
His Blog- http://joshyeddy.blogspot.com/
A tribute by his (soon to be) sister-in-law- http://tiannalovesandrew.blogspot.com/2012/05/my-brother-joshua-eddy.html

Another tribute- http://ghettotime.blogspot.com/2012/05/i-tweeted-recently-about-my-boss-loss.html
A local news article- http://www.rogueriverpress.com/archives/RRP05092012.pdf

 "To surrender a precious dream is a fearful thing, but to pursue anything but the full measure of the glory of God's love is a wasted life." - Josh Eddy 

 "For I know the plans I have for you,'
declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you & not to harm you,
to give you a future and a hope."
- Jeremiah 19:11

* Note: All photos courtesy of the Eddy family (taken from Josh's facebook tribute page)