WOULD GOD SEND SOMEONE TO HELL?

Psalm 95:7-11 refers to an incident in Exodus 15.  The children of Israel had just crossed through the Sea of Reeds!  They travelled into the widlerness, going for three days without finding a fresh water source. 

They came to a place named Marah.  There was a spring there, but the water was bitter.  They complained.

God directed Moses to cut a tree and throw it into the water.  The water became sweet!  As they drank, God made a regulation:    (Exodus 15:26  NASB)

If you will give earnest heed to the voice of the LORD your God, and do what is right in His sight, and give ear to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have put on the Egyptians;  for I, the LORD, am your healer.

Most of us know that the children of Israel repeated their complaining frequently after this incident!  They had a reputation for being grumblers and rebellious against God!  When God was ready to give them the Promised Land, they balked! 

In response to their rebellion, God let them wander in the wilderness for forty years until that generation of adults all died.  Then, God led their children into the Promised Land!

 The Psalm-writer recounts this as he speaks to his own generation:  [Psalm 95:7c-11  NASB]

Today, if you would hear His voice, do not harden your hearts, as at Meribah, as in the days of Massah in the wilderness, when your fathers tested Me, they tried Me, though they had seen My work.

For forty years I loathed that generation, and said they are a people who err in their heart, and they do not know My ways.  Therefore, I swore in My anger, truly they shall not enter into My rest.

THE POINT
God is full of grace and mercy.  However, if we continue in our obstinance and rebellion, God will judge us!  And He will condemn us. 

Many people find it difficult to believe that a loving God would condemn someone to Hell.  This passage reminds us that He will! 

If we harden our hearts against God, we earn His anger.  God expects to be able to direct our lives.  God wants us to be soft in His hands.  When we are, He will be our healer.  When we aren't, He will keep calling us and working with us;  but ultimately if we fail to respond, He will judge us justly!

IS YOUR CHURCH WILLING TO KICK YOU OUT?

I read a book by Joshua Harris last night, Why Church Matters.

In chapter five, he lists the ten things that matter most in choosing a church. 
Number nine is:  "Is this a church that is willing to kick me out?"  (pp.83-84)

When a person who claims to be a Christian lives in a way that blatantly contradicts all that it means to be a disciple of Christ, a faithful church's responsibility is to begin the process of removing that person from membership and to treat him or her like an unbeliever in the hope that he or she will repent and ultimately be restored (see I Corinthians 5;  II Corinthians 2). 

This practice is called church discipline and was instituted by Jesus (see Matthew 18). 

Why should you be excited about the potential of being expelled from a church?  I gain a wonderful sense of protection in knowing that if I committed a scandalous sin and showed no repentance, my church wouldn't put up with it.  They would plead with me to change.  They would patiently confront me with God's Word.  And eventually, if I refused to change, they would lovingly kick me out.

Radical, huh?

As a pastor, I've repeatedly been involved in this kind of activity.  It's always hard - never fun.  You're always accused of being judgmental - even though the actions you've taken are out of love for the person. 

The issue is:  Does a church care - or not? 

If a church (which is the people, remember, not a building or its leaders) genuinely cares, then the people will:

• pray for the person who wanders from God's ways,
• find ways to speak the truth in love to them (Ephesians 4:15),
• use God's Word to teach, reprove, correct, and train in righteousness (II Timothy 3:16), and
• not coddle, ignore, condone, or accept willfully sinful behavior!

Is your church willing to kick you out?

GOING TO THE PARK

For the last few days I've been spending a lot of time with my grandchildren:  Rylie (4) and Coltin (2 1/2). 

In spite of being in Connecticut for Thanksgiving, the weather has been remarkably warm.  So, every day, we've been able to walk to the park!  It's their favorite thing to do!

We wait for the cars to go by and then race across the street.  We have to hold hands until we get to the park because cars and trucks are dangerously close to the sidewalk!  Rylie (with help) likes to walk on the guard rail along the way!

Once we get to the park, we can run and play.  We climb all over the playground:

• going down the slides
• sliding down the fireman's pole
• walking on the balance beam
• climbing the steps, and
• riding the glider.

Then we go to the river and throw stones and sticks in.  We have to be very careful not to fall in!

We run and play in the field.  We even play with other children who join us at the playground!

We met some wonderful people the other day.  They followed us everywhere we went!  We couldn't shake them!  We waved - and they waved back.  We jumped - and they jumped, too!  We ran - and they ran with us!  Shadow people are a lot of fun!

Then, after a long time, we walk back home - because we're thirsty!

It's a wonderful time for Rylie, Coltin, Grammy and Poppy! 

Once home, we go into the backyard and jump on the bounce-a-line!  Uncle Troy is especially a lot of fun on the bounce-a-line!  But he has to have another adult there to keep the children safe (he gets carried away)! 

Going to the park is such simple fun!  It doesn't cost anything.  It's pretty safe.  It's nearby.  Yet, wonderful memories are made there!  Everyone should go the park occasionally!  It's better than television or video games or even playing with PlayDough! 

Try it the next time there's a nice day!  You'll like it!  Especially if you take your grandchilren with you!

GRATITUDE

A lack of gratitude is a terrible thing.  Good parents work with their children early to teach them to say "Thank-you."  I'm always amused when you give a child a piece of candy and the mother says to the child, "What do you say?"  After several promptings, the child says, "I'm sorry!"

A lack of gratitude leads to an attitude of entitlement.  And if left long enough, it turns into bitterness and anger.

Gratitude is so important!

One Christmas, a parent decreed that she was no longer going to remind her children of their thank-you note duties.  As a result, their grandmother never received acknowledgements for the generous checks she had given.

The next year things were different, however.  "The children came over in person to thank me," the Grandma told a friend triumphantly.

 "How wonderful!" the friend exclaimed.  What do you think caused the change in behavior?"

"Oh, that's easy," the Grandmother replied.  "This year I didn't sign the checks."

We all appreciate gratitude when it's expressed to us.  Don't you imagine that God also appreciates a thankful heart?

I spoke with a friend this week and asked him if he was having a good day.  He told me that every day he wakes up and can move his hands is a good day!  Do you feel that way?  Do you regularly give thanks to God for the blessings and protection that He's given you?

I send out thank-you notes.  I want people to know how much I appreciate their contributions to what we do at Free Methodist Community Church.  I am often thanked for these notes.  To be honest, I receive a lot of thank-you notes too.  They encourage me.  I keep them and look over them from time-to-time.

Have you noticed that when people are truly grateful it makes you want to do even more for them?

Wouldn't it be great if you could develop a discipline of giving thanks to God?

My childhood, bedtime prayer:

Now I lay me down to sleep.  I pray the Lord my soul to keep.  God bless Mommy, Daddy, Grandma, Jeannette and Lib, Tommy and Bobby, Beverly and Ira and everybody in the world.  Help Harold be a good boy.  Amen.

My prayers are longer and more thorough now,  and hopefully more meaningful. 

How about yours?  Does God know how grateful you are for all the blessings He's poured into your life?  Do we really need a national holiday to remind us to give thanks to God?  Don't you think He might like to hear it regularly?

The scripture says:  Give thanks to the Lord for He is good - His love endures forever!

THE SECOND AND THIRD AMERICAN THANKSGIVINGS

The Pilgrims didn't have an official Thanksgiving in 1622.  Thanksgiving was not a ritual for them.  It was not a date on a calendar to be observed.  For whatever reasons, they simply did not officially give thanks in 1622.

However, in 1623, they experienced a terrible drought.  The summer came and passed with no relief.  Governor William Bradford's diary reports that no rain fell between the third week of May and late July.  It was unbelievably hot!  Everything nearly dried up and died.  In response to this crisis they had a gathering to call on God's mercy.  It was a day of fasting and prayer in which they humbled themselves before Almighty God. 

Read Bradley's report:  (made contemporary)

...all morning, and the greatest part of that day, it was clear weather and very hot - not a cloud or any sign of rain to be seen.  Yet toward evening it began to become overcast.  Shortly after that it began to rain.  It rained with such sweet and gentle showers that they immediately rejoiced and blessed God.  The rains came without wind or thunder;  with no violence at all, and yet with great abundance so that the earth was thoroughly wet and soaked.  It revived the decayed corn and other fruits.  It was so wonderful to see, that it made even the Indians marvel.  After this, the Lord sent them consistent, seasonable showers, with interchange of fair, warm weather, so through His blessing, they enjoyed a fruitful and liberal harvest.  There was great comfort and rejoicing.  So much so that they set apart another day of thanksgiving and rejoicing. 

HAL'S NOTE:
It's interesting that they were thankful because there had been a hardship and because they had put their trust in God and because God had clearly answered their prayers and provided for their needs. 

Notice, the previous year had been a normal year, and they did not have a Thanksgiving that year.  But when hardship came, when drought came, when they were forced to depend on God, they became thankful!

Are you thankful to God even when times have been tough?

A Thanksgiving Poem for those who ate too much!

Artwork by Rylie Grace Kerstetter  
[Hal's granddaughter!  :-)

FIRST AMERICAN THANKSGIVING

At the turn of the 16th century there was a lot of unrest in England.  A group of believers emerged who felt the need to leave the influence of the Church of England.  This group, much later, became known as Pilgrims.  In 1607, they fled to Holland because their lives were being threatened in England.  From there - in 1620 - they boarded a ship called the Mayflower and set sail for the new lands across the ocean.  Their primary objective was to find a place where they could live and worship in freedom and without persecution.

The Mayflower was an old boat that was about 100 feet long.  It was quite crowded with 102 passengers (plus crew).  We know the names of all these passengers!  The journey was hard with many storms.  At one point, a main beam broke and had to be repaired with a giant screw.  After 66 days, they sighted Cape Cod and realized that they had missed Virginia where they had permission to settle.  But with food and water supplies low, they could go no further.

Since they were on land that had not been chartered to them, they all signed the Mayflower Compact which basically stated that they would all stay together and cooperate for common survival.  When they were able, they petitioned for a new charter for the land of Plymouth;  this charter was granted in 1621.

In December of 1620, a group went ashore to explore.  They found the land of Plymouth to be suitable for living.  However, the winter was harsh and they were unprepared for it.  Many became sick.  By spring, half had died!  The Mayflower returned to England, but all of its passengers stayed in the new land.  In April, Samoset, a Native American who spoke English walked into the sttlement and said, "Welcome!"

The Wampnoag people had lived in this area for hundreds of years.  They were acquainted with English explorers who had come to fish and hunt.  One of their strongest leaders was Massasoit, who lived 40 miles southwest of the Pilgrims in Rhode Island.  These tribes had suffered from new diseases that took the lives of many of their people!  Because of this, Massasoit was interested in forming alliances wherever he could.

In the early fall of 1621, the 53 surviving Pilgrims celebrated the first Thanksgiving in response to the harvest.  The 53 included:

• 4 married women
• 5 teenage girls
• 9 teenage boys
• 13 young children
• 22 adult men

Another ship arrived after this celebration, bringing more people to be part of the settlement.

King Massasoit attended the Thanksgiving along with 90 of his men.

The menu for that first Thanksgiving included:

• cod, bass, and other fish
• wild ducks and geese
• turkey
• lobster
• watercress
• berries
• dried fruit
• boiled pumpkin
• clams
• plums, and
• venison (Massasoit's men went out and killed 9 deer for the feast).

LESSON TO BE LEARNED
They thanked God even though they had experienced terrible hardship and great loss!  49 of their family and friends had died during that first hard winter!  They had said a final good-bye to mothers, fathers, friends, and children!  Yet, amazingly, when the Mayflower departed for England - no one left!  Their shelters were makeshift.  The Native Americans were friendly.  The game was bountiful.  The sea held food resources for them.  The gound was capable of bearing fruit.  But, most important, they had freedom!  They could worship God and express themselves to Him without interference from outside authorities!

FROM HAL
Enjoy your Thanksgiving!  Whether you've been blessed with much or with adversity, you can always find reasons to give thanks to God!

MATTHEW

We have three Matt's in our congregation.  If your name is Matthew, you have a pretty good idea where that name originated.

I have wondered why Jesus chose Matthew to be one of the Apostles?  He seems to be a good bit unlike the others. 

From what I can gather, tax collectors in first-century Judea were wealthy, crooked, and hated.  Did Matthew get excluded by the other eleven?  Was he treated with suspicion?  Why wasn't he appointed the treasurer of the group - he certainly had the experience?  Was it that they didn't trust him?

Did he - like Zacchaeus - made his wrongs right?

I'm sorry!  I've asked lots of questions that I don't have answers for. 

I do believe Jesus deliberately chose Matthew to be an apostle to show His power to transform even the most crooked and despised life!  No one is beyond the grace of God!  No one!  There are no lost causes!

The beauty of the story is that when Jesus invited Matthew to be one of His followers, Matthew pretty quickly threw a party at his house and invited all his friends.  Matthew was so impressed with Jesus, he wanted all his buddies to meet Him, too!  Apparently, the evening went quite well. 

Luke writes:  (5:29)

...there was a great crowd of tax collectors and other people who were reclining at the table with them.

He set a wonderful example of outreach for us!  He used his wealth to promote his Savior! 

How am I promoting Jesus among my friends and co-workers?  How are you?  Thrown any parties for Jesus lately?

DEPRESSION TACTIC

Satan is a bully!  He never hesitates to take advantage of circumstances.  If a few things fail to go well, he will fan the flames and try to turn it into a full-blown depression! 

Common triggers for depression are:

• a low inevitably follows a high
• disappointed expectations
• relationship complications
• long-term high stress
• anniversay dates
• holidays
• grief
• gloomy days
• losses
• anger

There are others, of course!

What can I do when one of these triggers threatens to undo me? 

Please don't tell me to pray!  Isn't there something practical that I can do that will help?

Chris Tiegreen gives an excellent recommendation in his book, Violent Prayer (pp.112-113):

...if you've never tried cranking up the volume on a rowdy song of praise, I strongly encourage it, espcially if you're prone to depression and discouragement.  It's almost impossible to maintain a sense of defeat when the power and victory of God are being shouted all around you.  Some of this is psychological, but I'm convinced there's more to it than that.  You have eavesdroppers who hate the praises of the kingdom, and their harrassment tends to diminish when you make "room temperature" very uncomfortable for them by praising God.  In addition, God honors the confessions of your mouth.  If your mouth is shouting about His power and majesty, power and majesty will become more real.  If, on the other hand, your mouth keeps taking about how difficult life is, difficulty will probably become more real.  "It shall be done to you according to your faith." [Matthew 9:29]

Tiegreen illustrates from his own experience (p.112):

I remember driving in my car one afternoon, feeling completely frustrated, and the CD I was listening to had the song "Awesome God" on it.  I decided to make a stand.  I turned up the stereo so loud the vibrations probably dictated my heartbeats.  I sang - no, shouted - the words in defiance.  God was awesome, and the problem plaguing me wasn't.  By sheer volume and brashness, I assured God, Satan, and my shamefully beaten-up heart that I had faith and I wasn't going to let it go.  By the time the song was over, the cloud had lifted.

The key words in his report are "I decided..."  Are you tired of being bullied?  Ready to push back? 

Get out those ear-buds or put that CD in the player - and let's start fighting!

TAKE CONTROL OF CHRISTMAS

I enjoy the Christmas season.  Years ago, I saw the stress-factor at Christmas time and decided that I would not add to it.  It has been my policy through the years to not add lots of activity to people's schedules.  Our leaders deliberately keep the church calendar light through December.

It saddens me to see the stress we bring on ourselves.  Most give gifts out of a spirit of obligation or exchange.  Many spend money they don't have.  We crowd our schedules with concerts, parties, family get-togethers, and shopping trips. We even cut our Thanksgiving short so we can get the best bargains.

Our pursuit of the perfect Christmas often leaves us empty, exhausted, and embittered.  But we repeat it annually like Bill Murray in Groundhog Day.  We too feel trapped in something we have no control over.

And sadly, one of the greatest opportunities for spiritual reflection and genuine family connectedness rushes by without gain.

There's still time to change all that this year - even though the Christmas hype has already begun (WalMart's already had several 'teaser' sales).  But you'll have to be deliberate.  You'll have to swim against the flow!

Suggestions:

1. Sit down and think about your giving.  Who would you really like to give gifts to?  What gifts are you obligated to give?  Speak to these people and explain that you're changing your approach this year - and you wanted to give them a head's up!  Afraid of their reaction?  They'll probably admire you;  and they'll probably be relieved!  They're as stuck as you are!
2. Along with the important people in your life, plan your December calendar NOW!  Write it down!  How do you want to spend your time?  Family nights?  Christmas movie nights?  A gift-wrapping Saturday morning?  When other opportunities come up, you can legitimately say, "I'm sorry!  We already have something scheduled for that night!" 
3. Plan ahead for a spiritual observance of the birth of Christ!  If you have children or grandchildren, they would LOVE to act out the Christmas story [video it for years of future enjoyment]!  Put time on your calendar to read a good book.  Richard Paul Evans has some great Christmas novels that would bless you:  The Gift, and The Christmas List are two good ones to start with!

You can add to this list yourself;  I've just tried to get you started.  But if you delay, you'll soon be caught in the vortex of former Christmases.  You're the only one who can change these patterns! 

EXERCISE

Every morning!  I learned these from Dr. Kenneth Cooper, the aerobics specialist!  He uses them himself.  He recommends them to maintain your health as you grow older.  I've been doing them for nearly ten years.  I take Sundays off.

• runner's stretches against a door-frame or wall
• extended leg stretches - putting each leg as far forward (while standing) as you can and holding it for a 20-count (I do this beside the couch - for balance).
• two sets of 50 push-ups (from the knee)
• two sets of 100 crunches (knees bent)
• while lying on the floor, draw each knee to your chest and hold for a 20-count (then, both together)
• while sitting on floor cross-legged:  reach each arm (in turn) straight up as far as you can then bring your hand down toward the center of your back and hold for a 20-count.
• while sitting on the floor cross-legged:  bring your feet together and gently press down on your knees to stretch your thighs
• while sitting on the floor, extend your left leg while putting your right foot against your left knee;  in this position stretch your arms out toward your left foot and hold for a 20-count.  Then do each arm separately - holding for a 20-count (then reverse legs and repeat).  
• on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, I drop the push-ups and crunches and work with a 25-pound weight.

I have found this plan of Dr. Cooper's to be everything that he promised.  I feel good.  It only takes me twenty minutes.  I am staying strong.  I have maintained good mobility.  It even helps to change my mood! 

Then, of course, I follow it up with a bowl of oatmeal (I add three teaspoons of ground flaxseed, a handful of pumpkin seeds, and blueberries, blackberries, and/or raspberries)!  Now, you're ready to start your day!  :-)

I also try to walk a brisk three miles every day (this has been hit-or-miss in recent months). 

I Timothy 4:7-8 (TM)
Exercise daily in God - no spiritual flabbiness, please!  Workouts in the gymnasium are useful, but a disciplined life in God is far more so, making you fit both today and forever.

TV GUIDE ROUTE

When I was young, I had a TV Guide route.  I delivered 50 Guides every week to neighbors, church friends, family, and folks all around New Brighton!

They cost $.15 at the time;  I got to keep $.04 for delivering them.

Every Thursday, I would walk down Penn Avenue, down the hill to the second level to deliver a few near the High School, then down the steps to the first level to deliver to my Aunt Peg and a few of her neighbors.

Occasionally someone would give me a quarter and tell me to keep the change!  I would usually stop at the Oak Hill Store and buy a candy bar for a dime!

I would take the money home and divide it up so I could pay the bill.  That usually left about $2.00 for me!

My mom taught me to give a tithe to the Lord!  I did so religiously!  My Dad spoke to our church treasurer and she issued me my own set of church envelopes.  Every Sunday, I proudly dropped my envelope in the offering - with two dimes in it! 

Starting then has made it easy to tithe ever since!  I have NEVER regretted it!  I believe tithing is the cornerstone of living a peaceful, contented, and happy life!

Leave a comment with your own story...

THE RESOLUTION FOR MEN

"Society is guiding boys to remain boys as long as possible – extending childhood into their thirties – while forcing girls to become women long before they are ready.  Instead of growing up, getting married, and courageously raising up the next generation, millions of young men are staying single, remaining emotionally and directionally dependent on their mothers while becoming addicted to entertainment, pornography, and video games.  They want the privileges and rewards of manhood but only the responsibilities and moral requirements of boys.  So when they become fathers themselves, they don’t know what to do, and they feel extremely ill-equipped."  [The Resolution For Men, p.15]

If the American culture is going to be awakened to renewed moral consistency and spiritual fervor, it will be because men wake up to their place of leadership in the home, church, and community!

Gracious God,
I commit myself to the training of godly men as You give me opportunity!
I will model a healthy marriage:  respect and love for my wife!
I will model appropriate language, avoiding all vulgarities!
I will model a life of intimacy with You - for all to see!
I will invest sacrificially in the men You bring into my sphere of influence!
I will pray for the men I know - to hear from You and obey what they hear!
I will keep my life pure so that my integrity remains untarnished!
I will do all of this out of my love for You - and I will do so for the rest of my life!
This I commit myself to - in Jesus' Name!
Amen.

If you are willing to make a similar commitment, leave a comment with your name!

I LIED

I was about five years old.  It happened at the dinner table.  I don't remember the details, but I lied.  It may have been the first time. 

My father told me to leave the table and go to the living room and sit on the couch.  That had never happened before.  I was frightened.

After dinner, my father and mother came in and stood across the coffee table from me.  My Dad did the talking, my Mom did the crying.  Looking up at them, they seemed like giants!  My Dad pointed his finger at me as he spoke.

He said something like:  "Son, now your mother and I will always wonder if you're telling us the truth!  There'll always be some doubt, 'Is Harold lying again?'"

I could see that what I had done caused them tremendous pain!  I loved them!  I felt bad that they were so disappointed in me!

I decided in that moment to be a truth-teller! 

The power of a parent - especially a father - is remarkable!  Use this authority - with godly wisdom - to shape the lives (and futures) of your children! 

LORD, TEACH US TO PRAY!

His disciples would wake up, but Jesus wasn't there.  Where did He go?  The earliest riser would go off hunting for Jesus.  Again and again, they would find Him off somewhere praying - talking with His Father!

Somehow, eventually, they connected the dots:

• He's remarkably calm because He prays so much!
• He has uncany wisdom because He prays so much!
• He is able to perform miracles because of this intimate connection He has with His Heavenly Father!
• He is able to heal because He is one with His Heavenly Father!
• He is joyful and positive because He's always off praying!
• He's consistent and faith-filled because of His intimacy with His Father!

Once they realized this, they asked Him:  "Lord, teach us to pray!"  You see, they wanted:

• peace.
• wisdom.
• to be able to do great works.
• to bless people by healing them.
• to be joyful and positive.
• to be consistent and faith-filled!

Sort of makes you want to learn to pray, doesn't it? 

Our granddaughter, Rylie, is learning to pray.  Turn your volume up all-the-way and click below to hear her:

Lord, if an almost four-year-old can learn to pray - so can I.  Please, teach me to pray!

BETTY PAUGH

She was my first Sunday School teacher!  I loved her and my times in her room.  She was so animated!  She told us Bible stories with energy and excitement!  The flannel-graph board came to life every Sunday morning!

I owe her a debt of gratitude.  She ignited a passion for God in my young heart.  She initiated a love for the Bible that continues today.  Her influence was enormous.

While I was in her class, she married.  Her husband, Andy, was a big guy - kind of scary-looking to us.  He sat by the door in her classroom and helped to maintain attention.  She didn't need much help.

She's still serving today - at 92 years of age - in the same church, the New Brighton Free Methodist Church!  She greets on Sunday mornings and passes bulletins. 

Thank you, Betty!  Your influence has held throughout 59 years of my life!  I still love Jesus;  and I still love His Word. 

And when we both get to Heaven - I'll be hunting for your classroom!

FOUR GENERATIONS

Generally speaking, a generation is twenty-five years.  So, to have four generations living at the same time means that they span nearly one hundred years.  It's a neat thing to happen in a family!

Dolores Elizabeth (Baumgard) Whippo was born in 1931.

Dolores' daughter, Deborah Lynn (Whippo) Haire, was born in 1950.

Deborah's daughter, Tracie Elizabeth (Haire) Kerstetter was born in 1981.

Tracie's daughter, Rylie Grace Kerstetter was born in 2007.

Imagine the differences between these four:

Dolores was sixteen in 1947.

Debbie was sixteen in 1966.

Tracie was sixteen in 1997.

Rylie will be sixteen in 2023.

Think of that in terms of wars:

Dolores grew up during the post-World War II period.

Debbie grew up in the midst of the Viet Nam War.

Tracie grew up with the Persian Gulf War.

Rylie will grow up with the War on Terrorism!

How about music?

Dolores grew up with teen star, Frank Sinatra.

Debbie saw the Beatles explosion!

Tracie witnessed country music becoming mainstream.

Who knows what music will characterize Rylie's life?

Yet, they're all one-family!  A strand of family that connects the past to the future!  Each unique!  Yet sharing many things. 

The blessing of the oldest extends to the youngest. 

And someday, many years from now, Rylie will be the oldest - and her picture may be taken with her daughter, granddaughter, and great-granddaughter. 

And God smiles!

EARLIEST MEMORY

I was three years old.  My family lived on Mt. Washington, in Beaver Falls, PA.  It was Veteran's Day and the city had planned a big parade! 

[It would have been 1955.  This post-war era had produced a great respect for our military.]

My Dad must have had the day off from work.  He took me by the hand and we walked down to the upper end of Beaver Falls to view the parade.  I remember that we walked through an old underpass.  I would have been frightened if I'd been alone.

It was chilly;  I had a little hat on.  My Dad held me in his arms while we watched hundreds of men march by.  Some were in uniforms.  There were some bands and other groups, but it was predominantly military!

Every time the American flag went past, my Dad taught me to take off my hat and hold it over my heart!  The flag went past us a lot that day!  By the end of the parade, respect for our flag and our military was deeply imprinted on my young mind!

God,
Thank You for those who have served to protect and defend our nation! 
Thank You for those who are presently serving;  including Travis and Jon.
And thank You for my Dad!
Amen.

THE RACE

Hebrews 12:1 (The Voice)
So since we stand surrounded by all those who have gone before, an enormous cloud of witnesses, let us drop every extra weight, every sin that clings to us and slackens our pace, and let us run with endurance the long race set before us.

Troy (our 31 y/o son) ran a half-marathon last week!  That's 13 miles;  he ran it in 01:54:36.  That's 13 consecutive miles at less than 9 minutes per mile! 

I'm pretty sure that he didn't carry a cell phone, a pen knife, his wallet, a spare pair of shoes, or even a water bottle with him.  I'm betting that he was slimmed down to the bare essentials - no extra weight!

When I leave to hike the Appalachian Trail, it'll be the same for me.  I'll pack and repack until I'm confident that I only have what I need;  no luxury items!  I'll have 300 mountains to climb before I reach Mt. Katahdin;  believe me, I only want to carry what I must have!

Our spiritual lives are similar.  We are here for one primary purpose:  to live for the praise of God's glory [Ephesians 1:6,12,14]!  Yet, it's so easy to get distracted.  It's easy to pick up extra stuff along the way. 

The author of Hebrews reminds us to pare down.  Hit the delete button.  Remove the distractions!  Restore our focus!  Set your mind on Heaven!  The promise of God's Word is that if you do this, you will be even happier than Troy was when he finished his race!

Happy running!  See you at the end!

WHY I CHANGED MY NAME

I was in the local pharmacy to buy a wedding card.  As I perused the racks of possibilities, I started reading cards that looked interesting.  One compared two men;  one was muscular and handsome, the other was old, ugly, and flabby.  The latter man's name was, of course, Harold.

Even Bill Cosby had a character from his early-life humor called Wierd Harold. 

All through the years, I noticed that the name Harold was usually given to strange characters, or made the butt of jokes.

But, it was my given name.  My father had named me after his best friend (from childhood days), Harold McNeese. 

I waited.

In 1981, my mother went to Heaven.  In 1992, my father went to Heaven.  In 1997, we moved to Akron and became involved in the Cornerstone Free Methodist Church.  Only two people there knew me. 

It was the opportune time!  I introduced myself as Hal (short for Hallelujah).   :-)

I've never regretted  this decision.  My kids struggled with it for awhile, but they've all adapted - they usually call me Dad, anyway  :-).

I never expected those who already knew me to call me anything but Harold.  It's still my given name. 

You can call me Hal.  You can call me Harold.  I even answer to Ira (my brother's name).  You can call me Rabbit.  Some used to call me Hairey Haire.  Many call me Pastor.  Just don't call me late for supper!

FIRST CAR - LAST RIDE

It was the fall of 1971.  I was a junior at Roberts Wesleyan College.  Debbie was living at the farm again and working.  Consequently, I made lots of trips home to see her (and my parents).

I worked till 2:30 AM at UPS, then picked up a friend who lived in Pittsburgh to give him a ride home for the weekend. 

We arrived at my house quite early.  He was going to call his family to come and get him.  I had my hand on the back door, when I made a snap decision:  I told him to get back in the car and I'd go ahead and drive him home.

Within an hour, I dropped him at his home and got on the Pennsylvania Turnpike to return to my house.  The toll of work and driving all night caught up to me.  I nodded off.

I awoke when I hit the guardrails on the right.  Then careened across both lanes to hit the rails on the left.  Then fishtailed violently to the right again where I finally came to a stop - 300 yards from the first hit.

I bounced back and forth in the front seat violently (pre-seatbelt era) and put my head through the windshield at the final stop. 

With blood blinding me, I tried to get out of the car.  Gentle hands pushed me back inside and told me that help had been called in by a trucker.  This man comforted me and gave me something to hold against my shredded forehead. 

[NOTE:  I never met this Good Samaritan, but was able to send him a thank-you note much later.]

Ambulance.  North Hills Hospital.  375 stitches in my forehead!  The doctor on-call that morning - just happened to be a plastic surgeon!  Hmmm...

I spent a couple weeks of convalescing before returning to school.  My '63 Chevy went to its final resting place after that ride!

FIRST CAR - SOUND SYSTEM

As a senior in high school, I had an eclectic assortment of friends.  One of them, named Larry Wean (We-an), had a head for technology.  He mentioned an idea to me for my car;  it involved lights that would dance to music.

I already had a really cool radio in the car with front and rear speakers.  This radio came with a key that, when inserted, caused it to pop out.  The radio then became portable (AM/FM), with an extendable antennae that could be used on the beach or wherever else you might be.

Larry went to work.  He used three wedge speaker shells and put glazed glass across their fronts.  Then he placed small, multi-colored bulbs behind the glazed glass.  He wired these lights to the radio in such a way that they came on and off based on various pitches.

Two were placed on the back shelf and the third rested on the glove box door to be viewed from the front seat.  It was an amazing thing to behold!  It made my car totally unique!  On dark nights the lights reflected throughout the car and created a surreal experience - especially with the help of the reverb I had added to the system.

Oh, you should have seen and heard this experience when the song "Crimson and Clover" came on!  It was like an out-of-body experience!

SAD ENDING
When I left for college, my dad drove the car to church one Sunday night - just to run the car for a short time.  Hoods broke into it, clipped wires and stole the whole system.  I was left with just a memory - but a sweet one!

FIRST ACCIDENT

There was an awkward, merging, stop-sign at the lower end of Beaver Falls.  I was heading home from doing one of my yard jobs.  I pulled up to the stop sign.  Then, I pulled out a little further and stopped again.

The guy behind me rear-ended me.  It felt like just a bumb.  He backed up, pulled around me and disappeared.  I got out to discover the back of my beautiful car was mangled.

I gave pursuit - with no success. 

I drove the car home and parked it in our driveway;  then waited for Dad to get home from work.

When he pulled in, he asked what had happened.  I told him.

He sat down on the ground and looked at the back of the car.  I sat down too.

Twenty minutes passed - without a word.

Finally, Mom called us to dinner.  Dad headed toward the back door - me following.  I asked him:  "Dad, what are we going to do?"

Now he spoke!  He spun around and said:  "What are WE going to do?  It's your car!" 

After supper, I asked him if he would help me get the trunk open.  He popped the lock out and showed me how to open it with a screw driver. 

That was the end of the matter.

MY FIRST CAR

I got my license a couple weeks after turning 16.

My Dad went out and bought a second car.  It had belonged to my Uncle Ernie, who was meticulous in caring for his vehicles.  Uncle Ernie had bought it new in 1963, and had driven it for almost five years.  Dad bought it in 1968, right after Uncle Ernie traded it in for a new car.

[Dad didn't try to buy it direct from Uncle Ernie.  He didn't want Uncle Ernie to feel bad if something went wrong with the car after we bought it.  He simply asked Uncle Ernie to let him know when he traded it in.  Dad then beat a path to Sahlie's and bought it outright!]

It was in immaculate condition!  Uncle Ernie rarely left new Brighton, so the mileage was low!  The car was pristine!

When I got my license, Dad handed me the keys and said:  "Son, you can treat this as your car.  But, any time your Mom needs it, she gets it."

I couldn't believe it!  I was dumbfounded.  My Mom rarely wanted the car.  I gladly drove her around town for groceries and bill-paying!  For all intents and purposes, it was my car! 

I can't even begin to tell you what it felt like to drive around town in that car!  It was amazing! 

More stories about this car coming - check back tomorrow!

IN MEMORIUM

His name was Bob, but I called him Lib.  His last name was Liberty.  He was my oldest sister's husband.  He died three years ago on November 2. 

My sister, Jeannette, is fifteen years older than me.  I have no memory of her - without Lib!  As far as my life is concerned, he was always there!  They always lived nearby.  I saw them frequently.

He came from good stock!  His mother and father were hard-working, compassionate people!  His brother had a reputation much like Lib's.  His sisters are two of the sweetest ladies on earth.  If you are a friend to the Liberties, they'll give you whatever they have and do anything for you!

He taught me to tie my shoes.  He encouraged me in sports.  He tried to get me to be a pitcher. 

He was a practical joker - you had to be on guard when he was around! 

There are so many side-splitting stories that will be told over and over when our family gets together.

Lib worked magic with kids!  He had unbelievable patience with them.  He would spin quarters;  if you could stop it on its edge, you could keep it!  He would drop a dollar between your fingers - if your reflexes were quick enough to catch it, you could keep it!  He knew card tricks and magic tricks and could entertain children for hours. 

When my kids came along, Uncle Lib was their favorite family member!  They LOVED him! 

His claim to fame:  he went to high school with Joe Namath! 

He loved to cook!  He loved sports!  He loved to hunt.  He loved to go fishing.  He was deeply committed to his sons, Tom and Bob.  He was equally committed to his grandchildren:  Brian, Nathan, and Ashley.  Nephews and nieces all adored Uncle Lib. 

He loved to get young people alone and then show a special interest in them.  He was rich in good counsel.  If he discovered that they had a dream, he would do what he could to facilitate that dream.

In his later years he developed a love for the Bible and for God. 

I loved him!  I miss him!  He made a huge impression on my life!

AUNT LIZZIE

She wasn't my aunt. 

I was a newly married, first-year student at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky.  I was 21. 

Debbie and I attended the Free Methodist Church in Wilmore where Clyde VanValin (later a bishop) was our pastor.

Pastor Clyde asked us - early on - if we'd provide transportation to and from church for Aunt Lizzie.  She was an invalid, elderly, native woman who had been hit by a car as a young girl - but received no medical care.  She lived in a small wheelchair the rest of her life with twisted and gnarled legs.

Aunt Lizzie loved the Lord, but was dependent on others to get to and from church.  The congregation loved her and cared for her graciously.

She lived at the end of a road that went from macadam to gravel to grass with two tire ruts.  Her house was more like a shanty - very small and very run down.

Because of the rough terrain in her front yard, I would literally pick her up and carry her to the car - then go back to get her wheelchair.  When I did so, she would wrap her arms around my neck and whisper thanks.  She couldn't have weighed a hundred pounds.  She was the lightest burden I ever carried.

Her gratitude was as large as the sky.  Her love for God inspired a whole congregation of highly educated college and seminary professors, future bishops, and know-it-all seminary students. 

She taught a newly married, first-year seminary student some much-needed lessons in humility!

Thanks Aunt Lizzie.  I know you're walking with Jesus today!  Remember me?  I'm one of your students.  Thanks for the lessons!

A PRAYER TO START YOUR DAY

Gracious God,

Help me to be surrendered to Your will as I walk through this day.

Help me to care more about Your agenda than mine.

Help me to make good decisions and to stay pure.

Help me to listen for Your voice and to be sensitive to even the gentle nudges of Your Holy Spirit.

Help me to keep intentional, scheduled, divine appointments with You throughout this day so that I can systematically hear Your voice and receive Your corrections.

Help me to be especially aware of Your purposes every time I am near others today so that I can fit in with Your plans for these people.

And finally, Lord, help me to worship You persistently as I move through this day.  When I put my head on my pillow tonight may I sleep in peace knowing I have been Your humble and obedient servant this day!

In the name of Christ, my Savior and Helper!

Amen.