MEDITATION:  Pastor Perry Kallis 
For I am already being poured out like a drink offering and the time has come for my departure. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day--and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:6-7
Note the word "departure." (ana-lees’-us) That word was used with many meanings in the Greek that help us understand not only how Paul was referring to his “soon departure” into the Kingdom; but as I went through them... I realized how appropriate they were for the testimony of Dale Prohaska life. 
1)	It was a term used by sailors to describe the unmooring of a ship so it could depart the harbor and set sail for its destination. Paul had taken many ships on his missionary journeys... so he was intentional about what that word meant to sailor. Keep in mind that no ship “unfastens” from the dock without having a destination in mind. Paul is clearly indicating the anticipation of his coming death also involved a “new destination” – adventure laying open before Him. Remember that when a ship would unhook its mooring lines and slip out of the harbor, people would stand in that harbor and they would watch that ship sail over the horizon. No doubt some watching as that ship slipped out of sight... someone might remark there she goes. But somewhere, there’s another destination harbor as that same ship appears on the horizon and those people waiting for its arrival might say... “Here it comes”. 
a.	Having been a sailor... Dale knew this meaning for “departure” first hand. Life had taken him on many adventures, not only as a young sailor, but then as a husband, father, church leader and man concerned for the next generation. You see, Dale did not always know Jesus as His savior... but there was a time when he repented and trusted in the saving grace of Jesus’ death on the cross... and that is why Dale’s “last departure” is something for which he had prepared, and upon which we base our assurance of his salvation. And Dale would want anyone here today to know that there is no greater joy in life than submitting to Christ, accepting His Lordship, and living for Him. And trust me when I say that as much as Dale believed and lived that in front of all of us... at this moment he is enjoying the presence of His eternal Lord as never before. 
b.	I love the story of how his finance, Doris had given him (as a young sailor) a Bible before he departed on one of his deployments. He spent so much time reading that Bible onboard ship that one of the officers thought he was a chaplain and he was asked to lead a Bible study. 
c.	But even after the Navy and after getting married... Dale continued to prepare for his eternal “departure” by living out God’s Word. One of his motivations for where to live throughout his life was how he could help start or be involved in churches. What a model for us about how to journey through life on the way to eternity.
2)	But “departure” was also a military term in the Bible. When soldiers would fold up their tent and move on to another campaign, the very taking down of the tent, was called a “departure”.  It all sound quite familiar with that verse we read earlier from Paul in 2 Cor. 5 (Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.) Paul viewed his last “march” out of earthly life into glory ... not as a walk into another battle, but as a welcome home parade away from this earthly conflict into the presence of His Lord and Savior. 
a.	Dale knew what it was like to be discharged from service. He knew what it was to experience the victorious end of WWII; but his welcome home last Wednesday was unlike any other, because His Lord and Savior would be welcoming Him home with... “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Who wouldn’t want that kind of a departure away from this conflict to the peace of eternity?  
3)	Not only was it a term that sailors and soldiers used, but it was also judicial term us to describe the setting free of a prisoner... a departure from prison. Jesus’ redemption of our souls is also a wonderful gift of “departure” from the eternal effects of sin. (Gal 5:13) but we all still struggle with our sinful nature trying to rise up again and on this side of heaven that is part of burden we bear.  We often talk at memorials about how blessed it will be to be “freed” from the prison of physical and earthly trials, but sometimes we forget that for the believer, death will free us from the daily battles we all personally face against temptation, selfishness and sin. Dale was a wonderful Jesus-follower, but like the rest of us, he still battled with the challenges of living in a sinful world. He’s been freed from that prison... Praise God. 
4)	It was a merchant term used to describe a cloth-maker; a weaver who unloosened, or untied threads. A reminder that what we work to accomplish physically on this earth will have to one day be left undone in order that we might become a greater trophy of God’s grace. It brings to mind a couple of things:
a.	I am reminded that Dale was an artist. He even took up oil and water colors painting after he retired. (I was told by someone that Doris once asked him to paint the house and he replied; ‘That’s not the kind of painting I do). He loved creating picture of things he found beautiful. A number of his paintings hang in their home; he painted what he loved and remembered. Lots of flowers and even a picture of Holstein (that’s a cow) that no doubt reminded him of his college training in animal husbandry. But behind his love for nature and painting was a greater love for His CREATOR. A love he passed on to children as recently as weeks before his “departure” when in early Nov. he took some children on a nature hike at Lodi Lake, even while he was in a wheelchair. (Front page Lodi New Sentinel)
b.	This definition also reminds me that old poem... The Weaver; 
My Life is but a weaving -between my Lord and me; -I cannot choose the colors -He worketh steadily.           
Oft times He weaveth sorrow –And I, in foolish pride, -Forget He sees the upper,-And I the under side.                
Not til the loom is silent -And the shuttles cease to fly,-Shall God unroll the canvas-And explain the reason why.
The dark threads are as needful -In the Weaver's skillful hand,-As the threads of gold and silver - In the pattern He has planned.         He knows, He loves, He cares, -Nothing this truth can dim. -He gives His very best to those - Who leave the choice with Him.

5) Finally, “departure” was a farmer’s word. When the farmer would unburden the ox at the end by taking off its yoke; It was call a departure or a “laying aside of the yoke”.  Only a farmer could appreciate what it must have seemed like to a faithful ox, to come to the end of a long day... pulling a plow, only to have the heavy yoke removed, and anticipate the contentment of rest. (Matt. 25:21)"His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'
A departure, unburdening of care. It was this blessed gift of rest to which Jesus is referring 
So, if we were to reflect Apostle Paul’s heart... we might say about Dale that like a grand ship, Dale has finally sailed into another blessed port. And like a soldier, Dale has pulled up the pegs, folded the tent, gained another home not built by human hands. And like that released prisoner, Dale has been set free from the cares of the world. And like a merchant, the threads of this world have been loosed to complete the tapestry of God’s intended plan, and finally like the laying aside of a yoke, Dale has laid down the burden of this earthly life to receive a final rest. 
And Paul even adds this encouragement... there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day--and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
Some of the last sermons Dale heard preached were when we began the series Cat and Dog Theology...  which is based on the simple truth that we are designed by God’s grace to reflect glory to Him and enjoy Him both now and forever... I can’t complete that sermon on this earth... but Dale did as he begins the “forever”. We are grateful for the model he left behind of one who persevered in serving God. It reminds us of Paul’s words in ... 
Message: Philippians 1:20-24 “I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”
God’s purpose for our lives is His glory. Dale is enjoying the eternal GAIN of God’s full glory... we who remain must continue to live the “for Christ” aspect. We are after all – each only a moment from eternity should and we should live in light of that. 
Does it not therefore seem infinitely appropriate to close with a song of victory?!