Prayer:

Father, now is the time for tears. Now is the time to remember. Now is the time for all that we have in us to come out. Sadness, Humor, Fear, Anger, Joy and Tenderness. Our hearts are full and we offer them up to you. Our tender hearts are all we have. We ask that you hold us gently and care for our hearts as we remember Jack this morning.

Jack loved the Water, boating, being on the river.
He raised a family on the Fox River, and ended up living in Punta Gorda by the Peace River. Punta Gorda, Florida lies on the south bank of the tidal Peace River and the eastern shore of Charlotte Harbor, an arm of the Gulf of Mexico.

In a sense, Jack Brown was like the rivers he loved.

God created rivers to be amazing forces of nature.

Rivers are mysterious

Typically a source of a river starts in very discreet place, unknown to most, then as it flows it gets bigger - it moves toward action, carving out it’s place where it can flow easiest - sometimes creating beautiful results, sometimes damaging results.Mysteriously powerful.

Each river has its own song which changes with each season. Rivers in the UP after winter snow melts or in the fall when they start to die down. If you listen to a river enough, you can hear the whispers, the roaring, the mellowed sounds that are consistently never the same.

Jack was like a mysteriously powerful river

Smoked cigars. He kind of laughed in the face of life. Tough as nails - always looking forward to getting better. Kept on going.
Had to do it on his own - Marine, Construction. Working on High rises - keep on going. That takes a certain kind of grit.

Rivers are resourceful.

We benefit from rivers and their power every day. In the past they’ve helped us transport goods and protected us from enemies. They will change course if an obstacle gets in the way. You don’t know where they might go, but they keep flowing.

Jack was resourceful like a river.

A curiously resourceful person. Loved history and science and how things worked. Tinkering. Fixing engines. He enjoyed getting the most out of something. And he was a helpful tinkerer. He even tinkered in delivering babies - three of them.

Presented himself as strong and positive, but had a big heart - cared deeply about people. Helped others when they needed. His friends got the benefit of his heart. He showed his heart by helping others. He put his heart into his actions. He was a helpful resource.I asked Jack’s children - what was one resourceful characteristic - you got from your dad

Danielle - perseverance, drive and positivity, talking

Kim - Independence, fun loving and enjoy life

Michael - Humor - sense of humor

Rivers have those qualities as well.

Rivers are fun.Whether it’s boating or just a gathering places, rivers represent an exciting and fun reward from the long week of work.

Jack could be a river of fun. Sense of humor - was great - even in suffering - always joking around in the face of diversity. Used humor as a tool. Makes everything lighter. Adventurous guy - on a canal Loved the sun - ended up in Florida.

Sometimes he babbled like a brook - if you’d ask Jack a question, he’d answer you, it would just take a long time. He couldn't control himself in explaining how things work. His homework help with the kids would turn into a five min explanation - into a 1.5 hour explanation.

He loved to play and be silly.

Rivers have a peaceful end.

Ultimately, a river flows to its end - a bigger place than before. It gives itself up to join the bigger, expansive place it was destined to go.

He got tender with illness. He really connected with his kids and grandkids. Came up to be with his kids and family. And Anne, bless you for being a blessing to him. What a servant heart you have to do that.

Jack in his battle with cancer, brought his family back together. Maybe that wasn’t the way he planned it or the way you planned it - but it was the way God brought you together.

Sometimes adversity in relationships can bring unity, growth and bonding. Relationships are more restored, answers to prayers might not be the exact way but they are answered. Love covers all.

Sitting by rivers can bring peace and sense of purpose.

Rivers are mysterious Rivers are resourceful Rivers are fun

Rivers have a peaceful end