I was very sad to receive a phone call from Clement and Mindy yesterday morning informing me of Jack's passing.  Although Jack was very elderly, there was little or no indication his departure into heaven would come this soon.   Clement and Mindy shared with me that Jack had attended a family dinner just this past Saturday.  He got sick and was admitted to the hospital the next evening, but the family thought he just had the flu.  The doctor checked in on Jack early Monday morning and even then he seemed fine.

But our Lord called Jack home to be with Him after many decades of loving, faithful, and sacrificial service for his family, our church family, and the community. 

I did not have the blessing many of you had of getting to know Jack more deeply.   But over this past year I have been at CCC, Jack impressed me with his warm smile and handshake, his faithful attendance and involvement at church, and his stamina and sacrificial service.   Jack was one of many of our seniors at church that amazed me with their endurance and hard work during the Joong making weekend last year.   I realized they were in better physical shape than me when I felt exhausted by the end of the weekend and Jack and other seniors were still going strong!

Yesterday I was with Clement, Mindy, Marty, and Curtis (Marty's son) at the hospital ICU room gathered around Jack just hours after he had gone into God's Presence.  It was a precious time as they shared several fond memories.  One memory in particular was a special blessing.   They remember Jack waking up early every morning to read his Bible, God's holy Word.

Last night I attended the Monday evening Bible study group at church (lead by Stan) because I knew Jack had been a faithful member of this study group for many years.    I appreciate Stan facilitating the group praying for Jack's family as well as a time of sharing fond memories of Jack.

Lets all continue to pray for Jack's family and all who were close to Jack.  May we experience the Lord's encouragement and comfort.   But may all of us also be challenged and encouraged by the life and testimony of Jack, our brother in Christ, who lived a long life of honoring and glorifying our Lord.  May we follow Jack's example of his faithful reading and study of God's Word, his faithful and loving service to others, and his faithful life of living for the glory and honor of our God.

I will miss Jack's warm smile and handshake at church.  But I thank God I will have all eternity to get to know my brother better when someday I join him in heaven with our Lord.