E   mmanuel from Pastor Kurt Busiek

Pray for:  Frank Davis, Frances Stump, Gene Weaver, Rubin Ahlborn, Karen Cox, Geraldine Cox, Wes Thomas, Hannah Drennon in France, Becky Isaacs, Matt and Violeta and James Lewis in Serbia, Andrew McCune, Angie Palmer, Glenna Smith, Evelyn Wade, Bob McVay, Mary Jo Barnette, Steve Cooper, Rick Kalt, Bob McHenry, Bob Howard and Lisa Whirtley.

Our sympathy to the family and friend of:  Eugene Morris, Jack Poe, Pauline Toothman and Katherine Stilgenbauer.

Jack Poe went home to be with the Lord this last week at the age of 85.  Jack was a good friend and mentor.  He was loved by his family, our church, and the entire community.  My funeral meditation was a reflection on the many practical things I learned from our friendship.

Top ten things I learned from Jack Poe:
1-If you want to have friends, be friendly.  The large number of people who came to Jack’s viewing and funeral speak of a man who was good at making friends.  Jack’s handshake was always firm, his eyes sparkled with a mischievous smile and his attitude and words were positive.  He took time to be with people.  Often, it’s the little things that make a difference.  Jack took time to attend my son’s football games and always made sure to greet Kurt Jr., Becca, Steph and Mona at church.  He remained young at heart and this made him attractive to people of all ages.  My family and personality tend to be more socially withdrawn,  I’ve learned from Jack about how friendship begins with friendliness.

2-If you want to live a long time, stay active.  Jack had a daily routine that got him up and out with people.  Jack reminds me of Brett Farve, the Green Bay quarterback who just retired.  Farve played the game with passion and he never stopped having fun.  He got up and played the game no matter how he felt.  275 career starts is an amazing record for the NFL where QBs are injured weekly.  Jack got up and got out into the game of life even when he was injured and didn’t feel good;  he refused to stay home and have a pity party.

3-Always look for creative ways to serve others.  As Jack made his daily rounds, not only  was he making friends and staying active but he looked for people to serve along the way:  a wife struggling with cancer,  handing out food baskets from our food pantry,  serving lunch pizza to the PHS kids, World Hunger Fair details to complete,  Kiwanis projects, etc.  One day, there was a tired and struggling pastor who just needed someone to pray for him.  Jack was there.  Jack took time to serve people as he walked along.  In this way, he was very much like Jesus who said, “As you’ve done it unto the least of these, you have done it unto me.”

4-If you’re going to sing, sing with all your heart and try to harmonize with the people around you.  Jack knew the old hymns by heart; he  sang in the choir and in men’s choruses for years.   Recently we got chairs for our chapel.  Jack usually sat near back of the chapel but more recently he chose to sit on the padded chairs up on the front row because of his back.  He complained the view was worse up front but his health demanded it.  For the first time I could hear Jack singing, loud and strong, rarely looking at the hymnal, and always singing harmony and bass counter melodies.  If you’re going to sing God’s praises, sing out strong because you’re singing to a great God.

5-After the creation of woman, garage sales and thrift stores are God’s greatest gift to mankind.  Jack stopped by the church almost every day on his way home and many days he would bring in his latest find.  Jack was always finding in a great bargain and he loved to share his treasures.  And if he didn’t bring in an item, he would tip me off about some item the thrift store just got in and how I better get by before it’s gone.   It occurred to me that the World Hunger Fair may have been JoAnn’s way of spring cleaning all the bargains that Jack brought home and stored in closets and the garage. 
I can imagine that as they were preparing to put a crown on Jack’s head in heaven he pulled back and with a suspicious look asked:  “How much did you pay for that crown?”  The angel mutters the going heavenly retail price to which Jack responds with a horrified look:  “That’s way too much.  I found this used crown on the way toward the Pearly Gates, it’s older and better made and I got it for only $1.50.”

6-If you dish it out, you better be able to take it.   Jack attended our Men’s Breakfast and it was the perfect time to give him a hard time.  Jack loved friendly banter and if you kidded him you better prepare for a better come back.  I never got the last word in any of these exchanges.   A favorite running joke was how Jack would bring his own tea bag to Bob Evans with him and I would comment that regular people don’t have to impress others with fancy, foreign tea bags.  His response:  “Well, ever since we got this new preacher, I’ve been trying different teas to find the ones that are better at keeping me awake through the long, boring sermons”… and so it went. 

7-Love everyone and seek unity with others on earth because “In heaven we’ll all be United Brethren…”  Jack often quoted this line as a reminder of the United Brethren church where he grew up.

8-Stand up for what you believe in and believe in God for big things.   Jack was a person who spoke his mind and some people were occasionally put off by his strong opinions but I enjoy and respect someone who speaks with passion about what he believes in.  His comments were always thoughtful and thought- provoking.   I appreciated Jack’s sincere compliments when I did well and his honest criticism when I came up short…And Jack believed that God could do great things if we would just trust him.  Throughout our Capital process, Jack was always the one who called us to move forward and trust God.  

9-No matter how difficult life becomes, stay positive because God is in control.   My final conversation with Jack was hours before his stroke and days before he died.   He commented that he had been blessed with a wonderful life and family.  And he said:  “I am a child of the King.  He is holding me close.  No matter what happens, I am his child and he will bring me home when my time comes.”   Jack knew where he was going because Jack knew and loved his God.

10- Jack often quoted a simple verse that he had to memorize to play in a basketball league as a boy.  Whenever I think of Jack, I think of this verse:  1 Peter 3: 15-16:  “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.

My family was able to say good-bye to Jack last week.   He was too weak to open his eyes but he squeezed each one of our hands.   His grip on this life was weakening as he moved into the firm grip of his heavenly Father who holds him close as we gather to celebrate his life.