HIGH MOMENTS - YOUTH

The last day of school each June.

The annual, school picnic at Idora Park!

Getting to canoe at Red House Lake and exploring the islands in the lake!

My first date! 

Getting my driver's license!

Youth group parties!

Sunday afternoons with Eddie Bischoff, Howard Smith, Paul Funkhouser, and Bruce Aiken!

Winter retreats!

Friday night football games!

Pittsburgh Conference Youth Camps!

Working in the kitchen at Family Camp!

The thrill of having girlfriends.

Nailing down my decision for Christ at age 17, and receiving my call to ministry!

Graduation from high school!

Leaving home three days after graduation to go to Philadelphia to live with my brother (and his wife and family) where I worked (as a helper) for Twitchell's roofing, heating and air conditioning company for $2.00/hour - amazing money for a 17 year-old in 1969!

Hanging out at Hot Shoppe Jr.'s that summer - feeling big!  :-)

HIGH MOMENTS - CHILDHOOD

The feeling of security when my Mom would tuck me in!

Christmas every year! 

Recess during 5th and 6th grades when I attended Thompson School on Mercer Road, outside of New Brighton, PA.  We'd play kickball in the pasture. 

Family Camp every summer - sleeping in the cottage and listening to the crickets!

Playing 'razzle-dazzle touch football' with Bob, Larry, and John up at Dr. Martsolf's after school.

Climbing the neighbor's tree at the end of the summer and eating cherries till we were full!

Playing 'kick-the-can' on summer nights with the Brighton Heights gang!  The smell of lilacs while I was hiding in the lilac bush!

Watching the Beverly Hillbillies with my Mom while eating popcorn!

Playing Careers on the porch in August when it was too hot to do anything else.

Sleeping out in the backyard on warm, summer nights.

Camping at the Red House area of the Allegheny National Forest near Salamanca, New York, every summer

Playing catch with my Dad in the front yard.

CYC Camp every summer!

My Mom tickling my hair while I laid on the pew with my head on her lap.

Dad carrying me into the house and then Mom putting me to bed.

TUNNEL HILL - FINAL

[Take note:  you are entering a story that has three previous segments.]

Tunnel Hill Free Methodist Church was all that I have said.  But the most wonderful thing about Tunnel Hill was the people!

Gene and Betty Conrad had us over to their home many Sundays for dinner, since we were sort of temporary dwellers in the trailer/parsonage.  Their family became our family!

Carl and Elizabeth Bean also took a special interest in us and we learned to love their family.  We returned after some years to visit and stayed at the home of their daughter, Carla, and her family!

Beatrice Robinson treated us like royalty!  Eating at her home was an amazing experience! 

Doug Benham was a young man who played the piano for us and worked with the youth.  He eventually became the pastor of the church!  His grandma, Fanny Benham, was also a very special lady with a great love for God!

I did my first two funerals while at Tunnel Hill.  Hubert Robinson and Cecil (I'm sorry, I've forgotten his last name.  His wife was Legaitha and she also played the piano for us). 

Debbie and I have lived in many places.  We've made many friends - dear friends!  Special people who contributed to our lives.  We're so grateful.  God has been good to us! 

We look forward to having a reunion in Heaven with these dear folks some day and singing "Living By Faith".  And while we're singing, Jesus will interrupt and say, "Come And Dine". 

Dear friends - it's all about people!  Keep that in mind as you travel through this day!

TUNNEL HILL - 3

[You're entering a story that is in it's third segment - just so you know...]

I've already mentioned:

1. My salary at Tunnel Hill was $47.50/week.
2. Many of our people worked in the lumber industry.

In the winter, the lumber industry had long periods of unemployment.  The church struggled during these times, however, I don't remember ever missing a paycheck.

Because of the shortage of money, the congregation periodically had a "pounding" on the pastor!  When we would arrive at our trailer, the porch would be covered with boxes of food - a "pound" of this and a "pound" of that.

Each time they did this, it was like a little Christmas!  Many of the items would be home-made or home-canned.  It included frozen portions of meat.  Their generosity was overwhelming! 

However, there was one item that we didn't quite know how to use.  With each "pounding", we received a frozen package of head cheese.  I still don't know what head cheese is, but it didn't look very appetizing.  Before long, our trailer freezer began to fill with head cheese!

Eventually, I got my own coon hound.  One day I cooked all the head cheese in a kettle in the yard and began feeding it to the dog.  He loved it!  But it was a good thing his house was a long way from our house! 

We are grateful for the kindnesses we were shown by the dear people of that church!  We have fond memories of picnics, special programs, youth adventures, and vibrant singing!

Their two favorite songs were:

• "Come And Dine"
• "Living By Faith"

Both speak of a dependence on God for His provision!  I've included links - just in case you want a blessing! 

TUNNEL HILL - 2 COON-HUNTER

[You're entering a story in process.  You might want to start by reading "Tunnel Hill - 1"] 

Gene Conrad invited me to go coon-hunting with him one Saturday night shortly after I became his pastor.  I've never been much of a hunter of any kind, but this sounded interesting.

He picked me up well after dark.  We actually went down over the hill behind the church with his dogs:  Rock and Sue-Sue.  He had a helmit with a carbide lamp on it and a spotlight.  I was in the dark (in more ways than one).

The dogs took off.  We walked down through the woods, casually talking and getting acquainted.  Then, he heard Rock hit on a trail.  Soon, Sue-Sue added her voice.  Gene started moving quicker.  Branches hit me in the face as I tried to stay up with him. 

Suddenly, he announced, they're treed!  A train was heading up toward Tunnel Hill.  He explained that we had to get across the tracks before the train;  then he took off at a running pace.  I was stumbling and tripping and dealing with swipes from branches.

We leaped across the tracks with the oncoming headlamp of the train bearing down on us!  I felt the strong wind of the train as it rolled by with ear-piercing noise!  Gene seemed to know where to go and quickly kept moving.

Soon, the train entered the tunnel and we could hear again.  We found the dogs trying to climb a big oak tree.  Gene quickly spotted a big coon in the fork of the branches.  A 22-shot rang out and the coon fell, wounded.  The dogs thrashed a bit with it in the creek, until Gene called them off.

He shot the coon, stuffed it in a sack, and we were off for more hunting. 

I went shopping that week for a carbide lamp!

TUNNEL HILL - 1

I was attending Asbury Theological Seminary.  For the first year-and-a-half, I held several jobs:  a UPS loader, pumping gas at a Phillips 66 service station, a prison guard, and a bellman at a Hospitality Inn. 

But then an opportunity arose that I couldn't turn down.  I became the student-pastor of the Tunnel Hill Free Methodist Church in English, Indiana.

The name?  Down over the hill behind the church was a train track that disappeared into a long, dark tunnell.  The sound of the train would interrupt our services until the engine hit the tunnel! 

English is located due west of Louisville, Kentucky in the Hoosier Mountains of southern Indiana.  In 1975, it was not a thriving area.  Many made their living in the lumber industry which fell off during winter months.

We would drive 150 miles from Wilmore, Kentucky to English every Friday or Saturday.  We lived in a very nice mobile home beside the church for the weekend. 

The building was a simple, wood-frame church with a basement.  It also had an outhouse.  The women appreciated Debbie's offer of making the bathroom in the mobile home available to them. 

I was paid $47.50 per week.  Don't ask me how they came up with that figure.  I was obviously in it for the experience - not the money!  After we'd been there for a year, the official board sent me out while they considered my salary.  They gave me an increase to $65 per week! 

I led worship and preached every Sunday morning and evening.  Then, we'd  return to Wilmore.  We'd leave around 8:30 PM, but since we'd crossed a time-line, it was actually 9:30 PM.  The three-hour drive got us home after mid-night!  I drove since Deb worked on Monday mornings. 

Two things kept me awake on those long, dark drives back to Wilmore:

1. I stopped in Louisville at a White Castle and scrimped up enough change for some hamburgers, french fries and a Coke.
2. I listened to a radio station that skipped in from Rochester, New York, that played episodes of "Mystery Theater" [I also listened to Herbert W. Armstrong who kept me awake because I disagreed with so much of his teaching]. 

NEIL CASTILUCCI

He was a big guy!  He was a truck driver.  He loved kids!  I was a kid!

I grew up in a growing church that bussed kids in from poorer areas of a neighboring town.  On Wednesday nights we had over one hundred kids in our Christian Youth Crusader program.

Neil was the CYC Director (along with his wife, Norma).  Neil drove the bus to get the kids!  Sometimes he would invite me to ride along - as his side-kick! 

To be honest, we were all a little afraid of Neil;  did I mention he was a big guy?  So, we wanted to please him!  And we knew that he had a gentle heart.

Neil and Norma would have the whole CYC come to their country house for outdoor parties.  I remember how fun they were! 

Eventually, I graduated into Neil's all-boy Sunday School Class.  He took every boy out on his birthday.  We were told that we could go anywhere we wanted - but Neil always managed to steer us to the New Brighton Hot Dog Shop where we could eat as much as we wanted!

Even though I had a great Dad, Neil still filled an important role-model need in my life!  I respected him and admired him.  At times, I envied his kids! 

I am who I am today, partly because of his influence in my life!  The world needs more Neils and Normas today! 

Dear Lord,
Help me to adopt kids unofficially.  Help me to give them attention and help them to know that Jesus loves them!  Help me to never overlook them or make them feel insignificant!  Help me to be generous with them.  Help me to live my life in such a way that I point children to You!
Oh Yeah!

A METAPHOR OF THE CHURCH'S BIGGEST PROBLEM

I was the pastoral leader of a small church in Jeannette, PA.  We lived in a 70' mobile home behind the church.  It was short on storage space.

The head trustee suggested that we build a storage shed to resolve our problems.  That fall, he and I worked together on this project.  I learned a lot working with Howard. 

When our "little barn" was all finished, we stepped back to admire our work.  My 1974 Mustang II was sitting right beside the new shed.  Our eyes went from the shed to the car.  Howard said, "Pastor, if we'd have built the shed two feet wider, it could have been a garage!"

Over and again through the years, I've struggled to help the church think ahead!  Our short-sightedness causes us to waste resources and miss opportunities. 

Someone has suggested that the Church tends to attract safe-minded, orderly, structure-loving people.  Creative thinkers and risk-takers are in the minority and get quickly frustrated with the resistance they encounter.  I think there's some truth to this postulation.

Radical, aggressive thinking is foreign to most church bodies. 

However, I think God is still looking for seas to part and temples to rebuild in three days!

MARITAL COUNSELING

[You're jumping into a story that began with the blog article, "SHE PACKED MY BAGS"]

After a few moments of through-the-door bargaining, I agreed that we would go for marriage counseling.  She let me in.

The next morning, I called a psychologist friend, Gareth Sweatman, who worked for the Youth Guidance Ministry in Pittsburgh;  he agreed to see us a couple of days later. 

I figured that he would straighten Debbie out, and everything would be okay.

However, to my surprise, he spent the whole first hour talking with me and leaving Debbie almost completely out of the session.  I was confused.  Inside, I was screaming, "Gareth, it's not me that's broken - it's her!"

But he didn't see it that way.  Our first session was two hours long;  he pounded me the whole time!  In our subsequent sessions he continued to keep the focus on me and my priorities.  Eventually, I was going to see him alone.

It was a valuable time for us;  for me, in particular.  In my first months in the full-time ministry, I was given the opportunity to learn about appropriate boundaries and priorities in ministry. 

I haven't kept my balance perfectly, but she's never put my bags on the porch again! 

SHE PACKED MY BAGS

I was twenty-four years old when I received my appointment to the Jeannette, PA Free Methodist Church.  Debbie and I had been married almost three years.  Travis was three-months old.

The congregation had just built a brand new facility on twelve acres of property outside of Harrison City - right in the middle of a new development of homes.  However, the congregation had divided over the building process and the pastor had left after preaching only a few times in the new building.

I had been pastor at a small, country church in the Hoosier Mountains of southern Indiana for a year-and-a-half.  I had a college degree and three years of seminary training.  I thought I knew it all!  I set out to grow the greatest church anyone had ever seen!

Evenelle Gess, a leading lay-woman, started taking me around to meet the members before our boxes were unpacked [we lived in a 70' mobile home behind the new church]. 

Since people were most likely to be home in the evenings, I was gone night-after-night visiting!  Days were spent at the church trying to prepare for Sundays and Wednesdays.  I was home very little.

I drove a 1974 Mustang II at the time.  One evening, returning home late, my lights flashed on the small, front porch - it looked like luggage sitting there.  When I approached the front door of our trailer-home, it was my luggage - packed with my clothes.  The door was locked.

I knocked.  Her angry voice from inside said, "What?"

I said, "Let me in."

She said, "No!"  Then, she lowered the boom:  "If you want to be married to the church, go live in the church!"

[More tomorrow]

OUR FIRST MOVE

When we arrived in Wilmore, Kentucky, it was early evening - just about dusk.  It had been a long drive with me leading the way in the U-Haul truck and Deb following in our old Buick!

I backed the truck up to the porch of 301 East Morrison Street and pulled the ramp out to the porch.  We hoped to get enough off to be able to sleep.

Suddenly, people started coming from every direction!  Young couples - our age!  Guys started hefting all of our belongings into our duplex apartment.  It kept me busy just unloading the truck.  As fast as I took it down, someone grabbed it and carried it into the apartment!

We met so many people that night, we wondered if we'd be able to remember them in the daylight.  Debbie stood at the doorway and directed traffic - telling them where to put each box and each piece of furniture.

Then, just as suddenly, they were gone!  And we were alone!

We walked through our new home - in disarray.  Yet we were very satisfied and excited!  We would be spending our first night together in our first home!

We opened the door to our bedroom and got a shock!

The bed was set up, made, and the covers were turned down!  Candles had been lighted.  The room was orderly with our new (used) bedroom furniture placed neatly in the room!  We giggled with excitement and surprise!

We later learned that this was an Asbury tradition!  We had the privilege of helping others 'move in' during our years in Wilmore. 

Interesting factoid:  we still sleep in that same bed today and still have the same (used) bedroom furniture - almost thirty-nine years later!

A PATTERN OF NOT TAKING TIME TO LISTEN TO GOD

It started in the beginning!  God spoke and made His directions clear.  Eve started listening to the serpent:  (Genesis 3:4-6 LB)

That's a lie!  You'll not die!  God knows very well that the instant you eat it you will become like Him...The woman was convinced.

After the disobedience, God reprimanded Adam:  (v.17)

...you listened to your wife and ate the fruit when I told you not to...

Abram had the same problem!  God had promised him (and Sarai) a son.  Twenty-five years passed - no son.  Sarai suggested that Abram raise up a son through her servant, Hagar. 

Genesis 16:2 (NASB) adds:

And Abram listened to the voice of Sarai.

Joshua had the same problem.  He had led Israel to defeat Jericho and a city named Ai.  The nearby Gibeonites were frightened that they were next.  They tricked Joshua by making him think they were from far off.  They made him think they had travelled long to make a treaty with him.  Johua fell for it and signed the treaty!  Then he found out that they were his next-door neighbors. 

Joshua 9:14 (LB) records:

Joshua and the other leaders finally believed them.  They did not bother to ask the Lord...

APPLICATION
If it happened to these patriarchs, it can happen to us!  It is probable that we will walk into trouble, make bad decisions, and take matters into our own hands - simply because we don't bother to ask the Lord!

Don't make that mistake! 

If there's a reason for daily prayer, it's certainly to get daily guidance!  Do you really think you know it all?  Do you really want to run the risk of going through this day (or any day) without the benefit of God's soveriegn wisdom?

Think again!

HOLY COW?

I was in the back seat.  My Dad and Mom were in the front seat.  We were on our way to Wednesday night church.  I must have been about 10 or 12 - the beginning of the daring stage.

I don't remember the issue, but I was incredulous that my Mom took the stand that she did.  My response:  "Holy Cow!"

I had never seen her move quicker!  She spun around, reached over the seat, and slapped me in the face!  Needless to say, I was shocked - this had never happened before!  Then, with a piercing look she added, "Only God is holy!"

I never forgot that!

I just read Joshua 6-8 this morning.  God told Joshua and the Israelites to defeat Jericho by slaughtering everyone and everything.  They were not to take anything for themselves.  The only things that were to be kept were silver, gold, bronze, and iron utensils - for the Lord's treasury!

Everybody obeyed except one guy - Achan.  He saw a beautiful robe imported from Babylon, some silver worth $200, and a bar of gold worth $500.  I wanted them so much that I took them (Joshua 7:21 LB). 

The Israelites lost their next battle - 36 Israelite soldiers were killed and their army was humiliated.  God told Joshua that this loss was because of the sin!  The next day, Joshua brought the tribes, clans, and families before the Lord.  God singled out Achan, who confessed his disobedience. 

Achan, his family, his livestock and his belongings were taken out of the camp and destroyed. 

The Israelites won the next battle!

APPLICATION
What makes us think that God will condone a little sin in our lives?  Remember, the Israelites were to sacrifice an unblemished lamb! 

God is a holy God!  He wants absolute obedience.  God does not allow us to keep hidden items in our closet. 

Sin always brings consequences that we will not like!  He forgives the sins, but rarely takes away the consequences!

Thanks, Mom!  I needed that reminder...

ST. PATRICK'S DAY LUNCH

A home-made invitation was hand-delivered several weeks in advance.  It was obviously made by children. 

Please attend a luncheon in honor of H.O.P.E Ministry and the STEWARDS in the fellowship hall on Saturday, March 17, 2012, sponsored by the children from the FMCC Junior Church!

I arrived at Noon and was greeted at the door by some of the kids who hung a green, bead necklace around my neck and wished me a Happy St. Patrick's Day!  Then I was directed into a classroom that was decorated for the occasion with two tables set in a lovely fashion for dinner!

After a few moments of visiting with the other guests, we were greeted by one of the adults.  The children introduced themselves to us and Emily Fagart led us in prayer.  Then, the children were our servers - dressed in white shirts with home-made green aprons.  They had been well-trained and served with excellence.  The meal was Irish stew and corned beef - it was delicious!  It also included a red and green coleslaw and a delightful, green, jello-salad.  My water glass was kept full.  My plates were quickly removed when I finished my meal. 

Following dinner, Pat Martin and Greg Gerner (two of the adult workers) gave us a brief, informative lesson about St. Patrick!  Emily Garret played an Irish tune on her flute - and Jessica Swartz even danced a bit of an Irish jig for us! 

It was explained that the three-leaf clover was a wonderful symbol of the Trinity:  Father, Son, and Holy Spirit!  Dessert was served - cupcakes decorated for the occasion.

All-in-all, it was a delightful occasion.  Two rarely recognized groups in our church were honored by our Junior Church children (aged 6-12).  I was VERY PROUD!!

Special thanks to Mitzie Paine and Kelly Garret for preparing the meal and providing much of the decorations!  Erik Wiley also assisted.  Ginny and Maddy Bredl also assist in leading Junior Church - but were unable to attend! 

We have such wonderful workers and leaders at FMCC!  I thank God for them regularly!

AN INNOCENT YOUNG WOMAN WITH HIGH HOPES!

He's 65 years old.  She's in her teens.  He went to a foreign country and brought her to the United States with the intention of marrying her.  She's a virgin.

Her visa gave her a certain period of time to marry - or return to her country.

Once here in the states, he declared his intentions.  As his wife, he expected her to meet his bizarre sexual desires.  She balked;  this was not what she had wanted or expected.  She was frightened and in a foreign country.

She met a woman from her own country;  they became friends.  She received support.  She was encouraged to return to her own country.  She had only a few days left on her visa.

The man stepped up and did the right thing;  he paid for her return. 

She's safe with her family again.

Don't turn your head!  Sexual slavery is rampant!  It exists in America!  Quite possibly in your town. 

The incident I've described happened within the last month.  It was a family member of ours that stepped in to support this young woman! 

Lift this situation to God!  Pray for those enslaved with no hope of release.  Support those who are trying to expose those who traffic in women and children!  Pray that our Great God will let justice roll down like a mighty river!

I STILL GET CALLED 'PREACHER'

One fellow has even shortened it to 'Preach'. 

It's one of the things I do as a pastor!  Every Thursday is sermon day!  I try to push everything else aside and focus on developing a message for Sunday. 

Three times a year (March, August, and December) I go to a retreat house for five days of prayer, study, and planning.  This is where I listen for God's direction for my preaching.  Developing a plan takes a lot of the stress out of the week-to-week task of preparation.  It allows God to work ahead in my thinking;  sometimes I'll carry ideas in my mind for weeks before I get them written down.

Most of the time, sermon writing is such a partnership with God.  However, occasionally I struggle.  There have been more than a few times when I've written three different sermons in a week - and still felt uncomfortable! 

Yesterday, I started on my topic:  LENTEN EMOTIONS - Weakness...Pontius Pilate.  When I started typing, my mind went a direction that I had not anticipated.  Five hours later I had a message that did not reflect my original intentions at all.  Those hours flew by.  I couldn't type fast enough!  And now, I can't wait for Sunday morning to preach it!

I have often felt that I can't accept credit for the end result.  So often, it just seems to flow from God through His Holy Spirit!  I am SO GRATEFUL for this - I can hardly express it!

Preaching is a big part of what I do.  It's the most public thing I do.  I hope that God is still using sermons to impact His people!

I Corinthians 1:21 (The VOICE)
[Paul writing] For in God's deep wisdom, He made it so that the world could not even begin to comprehend Him through its own style of wisdom;  in fact, God took immense pleasure in rescuing people of faith through the foolishness of the message we preach.

GIVE IT AWAY

Some years back the Gaither Vocal Band sang a song titled, "Give It Away".  The chorus includes the following words:

If you want more happy than your heart will hold
If you want to stand taller if the truth were told
Take whatever you have, and give it away
If you want less lonely and a lot more fun
And deep satisfaction when the day is done
Then throw your heart wide open and give it away

It was a lively song that really tended to work the crowd up.  Very enthusiastic!  In one video, Bill Gaither takes off his jacket and throws it into the crowd!  You get the picture...

I wonder how many people go home from those concerts and start giving their stuff away?

I'm betting no one does.

Within the next three months, we'll be leaving our present home.  We have no idea where we're going.  I have been advocating for a massive reduction in everything that we own.

Just two years ago, I reduced all that I personally owned by fifty percent.  It was fun;  a little hard when it came to my books, but I accomplished the goal.  Now, I'm trying to convince Debbie to do it across-the-board with everything we own.  No yard sales - JUST GIVE IT AWAY!

Last night, I was already asleep when she woke me and wanted to talk.  She propped pillows so we could look at her list.  One side of the page had a list of stuff she wants to keep.  The other side was a list of stuff she wants to give away!  They were equal in length!

She asked if I disagreed with anything - I didn't.  It's a done deal.  We added a few more things to each list and went to sleep.

Why are you keeping all that stuff!

I'm remembering something Billy Graham said:  "I've never seen a hearse pulling a U-Haul trailer!"  In other words:  You can't take it with you!

If you want to see/hear the song, here's the link:

WE'RE SPECIALISTS WHEN IT COMES TO THIS!!!

After all, we've done it twelve times!  The first time was right after our honeymoon!

We packed our U-Haul truck and moved to Wilmore, Kentucky (1).  After a year, we bought a small mobile home and moved into it (2).  A year later, we moved to Nicholasville, Kentucky (3).  Travis was born so we added a lot of baby stuff to our collection.

Then, I was assigned to my first full-time church - so we moved to Jeannette, Pennsylvania (4).

Two years later, I was assigned to the McClellandtown Free Methodist Church - so we moved to McClellandtown (5).  Troy and Tracie were born here;  moving became far more challenging after this.

Four years later, we moved to a small parsonage in East Liverpool (6).  Then we bought a house and moved into it for seven years (7).  Then I was told that I was moving to a new church, so I sold the house!  Trouble is, the move fell through!  We had to move into a rented house (8).  A year later, the owner sold the house and we had to move to another rented house (this one we affectionately named 'Maniac Mansion' #9).

Then, we moved to Spencerville, Maryland (10). We left there in crisis and moved several times that were so short that I don't count them:

• to the farm in Enon Valley
• to an apartment in Chester, West Virginia
• to a house in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
• and finally to a house on Kickapoo Avenue in Akron, Ohio (back to counting #11).

Then, we moved to New Middletown, nine years ago (12)!

And now, we're about to do it again!  Only we don't know where we're moving to!  Yikes! 

It's time to panic!

No!  It's time to trust!  God already knows where we're heading - He just hasn't let us know yet. 

We're on a need-to-know basis and I guess we don't need to know yet!  Anybody got any boxes?

WHAT'S NEXT?

I remember this delightful story that my friend, Rick Anderson, told me years ago. 

They had spent the first night of Family Camp in their cottage.  He and Regina were awake early in the morning.  Suddenly, their daughter, Natalie (probably about 10 years old at the time), sat straight up in bed and said, "What's next?"

I've lived much of my life with this spirit of expectation!  I need motivation!  I need something to look forward to!  Right now, I'm looking forward to going to visit Jon, Tracie, and the kids in about a month!  I love the trip, seeing our family, and the excitement of a break from my normal routines!

When that trip is over, I'll be looking for the next thing on our schedule that motivates me!  It seems to be the way I'm wired.  Like Natalie, I want to know what's next?

In 1976, I was ordained into the ministry and took my first full-time assignment in Jeannette, Pennsylvania.  That was thirty-six years ago - hard to believe!  I've been leading churches for all but about six months of that time. 

I've recently decided to end that run.  In June, I will no longer be responsible for leading a local church.  Big change!  I'm very nostalgic about this right now.  It's actually scary knowing that I'll be doing something radically different in the future.  What that is hasn't even been fully defined as yet!

I'm waking up every morning now, sitting up on the edge of my bed and asking God:  "What's next?" 

What an exciting question!  I can't wait to find out! 

KICKING AND SCREAMING?

I just published my lifeline presentation on Facebook!  I feel lost!  I haven't tweaked it completely.  I'm not sure how it works.  I'm actually quite confused by it all.

Have you noticed that every time Facebook makes changes, there's a major lashback by its consumers?  People demand to be given a way to keep the old format!  They grumble, growl, and grouse about having to adapt. 

The lifeline changes are probably the most significant yet!  It's a major make-over that will be forced on all Facebook users in a few weeks.  Early adaptors have been given the opportunity to "publish" the new form now.

Change annoys us and seems to make our lives harder.  Last August, I got a new computer and went from Windows XP to Windows 7.  Wow!  That was a challenge!  I thought I'd never get it figured out!  It was a steep climb!  Yet today, I navigate the new system without thinking about it.  The major disruption only lasted a few days.  My mind adapted!

I guess it's our nature to resist change!  Yet we live in an age of change!  Alfred
Perlman suggests:  “After you’ve done a thing the same way for two years, look it over carefully.  After five years, look at it with suspicion.  And after ten years, throw it away and start all over.”  [quoted in the table 2009, fall issue, p.1]

I think he's being very generous with those time-frames!

Proverbs 18:15 (LB) reports:  The intelligent man is always open to new ideas.  In fact, he looks for them.

I don't know about you, but I always want to be open to new ideas!

In Luke 12:49-50  ™ Jesus said, “I’ve come to start a fire on this earth – how I wish it were blazing right now!  I’ve come to change everything, turn everything rightside up – how I long for it to be finished!  Do you think I came to smooth things over and make things nice?  Not so.  I’ve come to disrupt and confront! …

I'm siding with Jesus on this one!  I've initiated some major changes in my life.  At this point, I'm not even sure where it's going to take me.  But, I'm definitely closing one chapter and opening another.  And I have to tell you, I'm experiencing three primary dynamics:  sadness, fear, and excitement!

Stay tuned...

IT WASN'T THE FALL THAT KILLED HIM - IT WAS THE SUDDEN STOP AT THE BOTTOM!

Acts 20:7-10  [The VOICE]

[After a week of traveling]  The Sunday night before our Monday departure, we gathered to celebrate the breaking of bread.

[Imagine you are celebrating with them:]  We are in an upstairs room, with the gentle light and shadows cast by several lamps.  Paul is carrying on an extended dialogue with the believers, taking advantage of every moment since we plan to leave at first light.  The conversation stretches on until midnight.

A young fellow named Eutychus, seeking some fresh air, moves to an open window.  Paul keeps on talking.  Eutychus perches in the open window itself.  Paul keeps talking.  Eutychus drifts off to sleep.  Paul continues talking until Eutychus, now overcome by deep sleep, drops out of the window and falls three stories to the ground, where he is found dead.

Paul joins us downstairs,  bends over, and takes Eutychus in his arms.

[Paul:]  It's OK.  He's alive again.

Then Paul goes back upstairs, celebrates the breaking of bread, and - just as you might guess - keeps on conversing until first light.

Keep in mind, the Bible is a boring, humorless book! 

Yeah, right!

By the way, try to stay awake in worship today!!!  In some churches you might leave with a mustache painted on...

SEVEN MEN RUNNING NAKED FROM A HOUSE!!!

Acts 19:11-20 (The VOICE)

God did amazing miracles through Paul.  People would take a handkerchief or article of clothing that had touched Paul's skin and bring it to their sick friends or relatives, and the patients would be cured of their diseases or released from the evil spirits that oppressed them.

Some itinerant Jewish exorcists noticed Paul's success in this regard, so they tried to use the name of Jesus, the King, in an exorcism they were performing.

[Imagine this:]  There are seven of them, all sons of a Jewish priest named Sceva, gathered around a demonized man in a house.

[One of the Jewish Exorcists:]  I command you to depart, by the Jesus proclaimed by Paul!

[Evil Spirit:]  Jesus I know.  Paul I know.  But who are you?

Then the man leaps up, attacks them all, rips off their clothing, and beats them so badly that they run out of the house stark naked and covered in bruises.

[Hal's commentary:]  And people say the Bible is boring and lacks humor!

Word of this strange event spread throughout Ephesus among both Jews and Greeks.  Everyone was shocked and realized that the name of Jesus was indeed powerful and praiseworthy.  As a result, a number of people involved in various occult practices came to faith.  They confessed their secret practices and rituals.  Some of them had considerable libraries about their magic arts;  they piled up their books and burned them publicly.  Someone estimated the value of the books to be 50,000 silver coins.  Again, word spread, and the message of the Lord overcame resistance and spread powerfully.

Lord Jesus!

Help me to exhibit Your power in my life every day in such an attractive way that lost people will want to tap in to You so they can get some of the benefits that they see me enjoying!

As an end result, may many come to faith in You - simply because they see Your power, peace, and presence so dynamically at work in my life!

Oh Yeah!

EXECUTE YOUR WIFE?

I just read Deuteronomy 13.  In this chapter God warns the people of Israel not to tolerate anyone who tries to get them to worship other gods.  The penalty for doing so is death!

(vs.6-9a  LB)  If your nearest relative or closest friend, even a brother, son,  daughter, or beloved wife whispers to you to come and worship these foreign gods, do not consent nor listen, and have no pity:  Do not spare that person from the penalty;  don't conceal his horrible suggestion.  Execute him!

Yikes!  That's strong!  This is a NO COMPROMISE situation!  Don't even crack the door open to the possibility of worshiping or serving another God.

Deuteronomy 5:7  (NASB)
You shall have no other gods before Me.

In the next chapter God talks about the foods they can and cannot eat.  Then He addresses the topic of tithing.  Verse 23 (LB) reads:  The purpose of tithing is to teach you always to put God first in your lives. 

TWO PRINCIPLES:

1. No compromise when it comes to serving God!
2. Put God first in everything!

A 'No' and a 'Yes'. 

NO  -  Don't even give a nod to other gods!

YES  -  Deliberately give a tenth of your earnings to God as an expression of your submission to Him and love for Him!  Let this giving catalyze His leadership in every area of your life!

EVALUATE:

Is your only allegiance to God?
     Can other people see that by your values and priorities?

Are you tithing? 
     Are you putting God first in every area of your life?

WHICH WAY SHOULD I GO?

It's comforting to me to know that the great Apostle Paul struggled to figure out which way to go. 

Acts 16:4,6-10  (The VOICE)
Leaving [Derbe and Lystra], they [Paul and Silas] sensed the Holy Spirit telling them not to preach their message in Asia at this time, so they travelled through Phrygia and Galatia.  They came near Mysia and planned to go into Bithynia, but again they felt restrained from doing so by the Spirit of Jesus.  So they bypassed Mysia and went down to Troas.  That night Paul had a vision in which a Macedonian man was pleading with him.

[Macedonian Man] Come over to Macedonia!  Come help us!

[Luke speaking for Paul]  This vision convinced us all that God was calling us to bring the good news to that region.

Paul seems to be wandering around.  Could it be that he was using good reasoning or logic and was trying to go where he thought he should go?  The text gives the impression that he is trying to find a place to minister.  Twice, the Holy Spirit distinctly stops him!  He continues to wander.  Finally, the Holy Spirit gives him a vision that directs him to Macedonia!

I don't know about you, but I've been in this position.  I'm using the brain that God gave me to the best of my ability.  I'm working hard to try to figure things out.  What's logical here?  What would make good sense?  What would be the best use of time and resources?  Yet, in spite of my best thinking and reasoning, things don't seem to take off.

Until God clarifies!

Oh, how sweet it is when God clarifies!

Have you learned yet that you can't rush God?

I've got lots of knots on my head from bumping into doors that wouldn't open. 

Sometimes the best thing to do is pray and wait!  When God's timing is right - you'll know!

In the meantime, trust Him!  He's already in your future!  He knows where He wants you and He'll get you there!

DEUTERONOMY - RELEVANT?

Excerpts from Deuteronomy 7-9:

(7:9-11 LB)  Understand, therefore, that the Lord your God is the faithful God who for a thousand generations keeps His promises and constantly loves those who love Him and who obey His commandments.  But those who hate Him shall be punished publicly and destroyed.  He will deal with them personally.  Therefore, obey all these commandments I am giving you today.

(8:3 LB)  Yes, He humbled you by letting you go hungry and then feeding you with manna...He did it to help you realize that food isn't everything, and that real life comes by obeying every command of God.

(8:10-14 LB)  When you have eaten your fill, bless the Lord your God for the good land He has given you.  But that is the time to be careful!  Beware that in your plenty you don't forget the Lord your God and begin to disobey Him.  For when you have become full and prosperous and have built fine homes to live in...and your silver and gold have multiplied, that is the time to watch out that you don't become proud, and forget the Lord your God...

(9:4-6 LB)  Then, when the Lord has [delivered you from your enemies] don't say to yourselves, 'The Lord has helped us because we are so good!'...It is not at all because you are such fine, upright people...it is only because of the wickedness of the other nations, and because of His promises to your ancestors, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, that He will do it.  I say it yet again:  Jehovah your God is not giving you this good land because you are good, for you are not - you are a wicked, stubborn people.

PICK YOUR FEET UP!

Ezekiel 47:1-12 (NIV)

The man brought me back to the entrance to the temple, and I saw water coming out from under the threshold of the temple toward the east (for the temple faced east). The water was coming down from under the south side of the temple, south of the altar.  He then brought me out through the north gate and led me around the outside to the outer gate facing east, and the water was trickling from the south side.

As the man went eastward with a measuring line in his hand, he measured off a thousand cubits and then led me through water that was ankle-deep.  He measured off another thousand cubits and led me through water that was knee-deep. He measured off another thousand and led me through water that was up to the waist.  He measured off another thousand, but now it was a river that I could not cross, because the water had risen and was deep enough to swim in—a river that no one could cross.  He asked me, “Son of man, do you see this?”  


Then he led me back to the bank of the river.  When I arrived there, I saw a great number of trees on each side of the river.  He said to me, “This water flows toward the eastern region and goes down into the Arabah, where it enters the Dead Sea. When it empties into the sea, the salty water there becomes fresh.  Swarms of living creatures will live wherever the river flows. There will be large numbers of fish, because this water flows there and makes the salt water fresh; so where the river flows everything will live.  Fishermen will stand along the shore; from En Gedi to En Eglaim there will be places for spreading nets. The fish will be of many kinds—like the fish of the Mediterranean Sea...Fruit trees of all kinds will grow on both banks of the river. Their leaves will not wither, nor will their fruit fail. Every month they will bear fruit, because the water from the sanctuary flows to them. Their fruit will serve for food and their leaves for healing.”

The angel is showing Ezekiel the harvest.  The message seems to be:

• You can be content to walk in water that’s ankle deep.  Dabble in spiritual things.  Stay minimally involved.  Do as little as is demanded.  Take no risks and make no sacrifices.
• Or, you can choose to walk in knee-deep faith.  Focus your life around the church.  Attend worship most of the time.  Live a basic Christian life.  Be a good person.
• Then, of course, you can commit to walking in waist-deep water.  This may mean that you begin to take scripture more seriously.  You’re more comfortable in God’s faith environment than you used to be.  You’re growing in your trust of Him.
• But then, there’s the water that’s deep enough to swim in!  And this is where the fruit is!  This deep water is transforming.  It brings deserts to life and transforms salt water into fresh.  It waters trees that grow fruit all year-round.  This is the life of faith in God!  This is the life that lifts your feet and takes you where God wants you to go!  It is the life that doesn’t look back at the shore.  It doesn’t long for the things of the past.  It lives for the moment – maximizing every moment for God’s glory! 

At which level are you living?

At which level would you like to be living?

Pick up your feet and go with the currents of God!

THERE'S NO OTHER WAY...

In Deuteronomy 5, God gives Moses the Ten Commandments.  In the following chapters God unpacks these commandments and emphasizes the importance of the people living in obedience to them.  Many blessings are promised if they obey! 

Essentially, God promises them good things if they obey and bad things if they disobey.  Chapter six ends with these words:  [Moses speaking - LB] "...it always goes well with us when we obey all the laws of the Lord our God."

Now, I'm well aware that we are no longer under the Law, but under grace. 

However, Jesus said, (Matthew 5:17 LB) "Don't misunderstand why I have come - it isn't to cancel the laws of Moses and the warnings of the prophets.  No, I came to fulfill them, and to make them all come true."

I have made a simple but clear observation:  when I live to honor God, He seems to honor me! 

As a consequence, when I willingly and knowing allow my life to drift away from God, I seem to deal with more sorrow, depression, problems, and dissatisfaction!

After sixty years of living and reading the Bible through many times, it all seems to come down to obedience!

MONKEY SUIT

Our whole family was home last week for a family wedding.  Our granddaughter, Rylie, slept on the floor in our bedroom.  Or at least that was the plan.

Several nights she wound up in between us in our bed.  At times, she had her head at the foot of the bed;  then she had her feet in my back.  Then she'd have her hand draped over my face.  It was quite an experience.

On Friday, I watched Rylie and Coltin a good part of the day while everyone decorated the church.  For a couple of hours we went to Burger King and played in the play area.  Before lunch I asked Rylie if she wanted to say the prayer.  She quickly and reverently recited The Lord's Prayer.  [To hear this, read "Lord, Teach Us To Pray" from November 14  :-)]

Last Sunday, she sat with me during our Connection Time hour.  She kept insisting that I button all the buttons on my suitcoat.

When we came home, I was changing into casual clothes for dinner.  As I left the bedroom, I told Debbie how glad I was to be out of that monkey suit!

Rylie turned to her and said, "Poppy wasn't wearing a monkey suit!" 

Debbie explained to her that I don't like wearing suits and that I just call my suit a monkey suit because it makes me uncomfortable.  She added her final thought:  "Poppy wasn't wearing a monkey suit, it was just a suit!"

Poppy and Rylie

THE GIRLS

When our kids come to visit, they always bring "the girls".

Tracie and Jon bring their Labrador Retriever.  Her name is Dakota - since that's where she was born.  But most of the time, she is just called Kota.  When the girls go outside to play, Kota often gets distracted by rabbit trails or cat trails!  If left unwatched, she would follow them until she would be out-of-sight!  She loves to lick your hand, and can't seem to let you pet her without it turning into a contest!

Travis bring his Saint Bernard.  Her name is Daffy.  Daffy is spoiled!  She comes with a laundry basket of her special toys.  And, of course, her own bed.  She is extremely lovable and gets lots of attention wherever she goes.  She is soft to pet and loves to run and play with the girls!  She gradually destroys all of her toys, so they have to be replaced at regular intervals.  You often catch her staring at you with her bloodshot eyes;  it makes you wonder what she's thinking...

Troy bring his Great Dane.  Her name is Ansley.  Ansley is tall!!!!  If you're sitting on the couch, she walks up to you and looks you right in the eye!  She can see everything on the kitchen counter.  Consequently, she is known to ravage food left on counters.  Last week she licked the icing off of Travis' birthday cake before anyone had a piece.  She gallops like a horse and loves to play with the other girls.  When she lays on the living room floor, it's difficult to walk through the room!

Debbie and I are learning to love "the girls".  Of course we already love their masters!  They bring a little chaos into our lives, but we're always happy to see them - because of who brings them!!!

Daffy, Ansley, Dakota

HE BECAME HER NEIGHBOR!

Thousands and thousands of children grew up with Mr. Rogers.  His consistent and calm spirit was reassuring to them.  He was predictable and simple.  He nurtured trust in them.  He explained things.  He created a safe place.

Mister Rogers

Our son, Travis, was one of those children.  He loved Mr. Rogers and would sit enraptured by his show on a daily basis.

My Mom was still living at the time.  She dearly loved Travis and wanted to be able to connect with him in any way that she could.  When she found out that Mr. Rogers was his favorite show, she started watching it every day.  She knew this would equip her with things to talk with Travis about.

Then, she started having heart problems.  In 1980, she went into Allegheny General Hospital to have a very serious (at that time) open-heart surgery.  She had a bad heart valve replaced with a pig's heart valve.  It was a critical time for our family!

The surgery went well, and Mom was eventually stepped down from critical care to intensive care, and then to a regular hospital room.

Now it's important for you to know that Fred Rogers was an ordained clergyman in the Presbyterian Church.  He often frequented Pittsburgh hospitals to minister to children and others.

One day, my Dad was in the hospital room with my Mom.  Suddenly, she told him that Mr. Rogers had just walked past her room.  She sent my Dad to see if he would step in so she could meet him.

He did!  He visited Mom for about fifteen minutes.  She told him all about Travis and his love for the television show.  He listened compassionately.  He prayed with her and then signed her hospital menu before leaving.  She was ecstatic!

Such is a man who found his purpose and lived it out to the glory of God!

GOD HONORED A KILLER!

The children of Israel were waiting for the disobedient generation to die off - before they could enter the Promised Land.

While waiting, some of the young men began going to wild parties with the local Moabite girls...Before long all Israel was joining freely in the worship of Baal (Numbers 25:1,3  LB).

God was NOT HAPPY about this disobedience.

Then, one of the Israeli men insolently brought a Midianite girl into the camp, right before the eyes of Moses and all the people...(v.6). 

In His righteous anger, God ignited a plague that started sweeping through the people of Israel.  Phinehas (grandson of Aaron the priest)...jumped up, grabbed a spear, and rushed after the man into his tent...He thrust the spear all the way through the man's body and into her stomach  (vs.7-8).

The plague was stopped - 24,000 people had already died!

Then the Lord said to Moses, "Phinehas has turned away My anger, for he was as angry as I, concerning My honor;  so I have stopped destroying all Israel as I had intended.  Now because of what he has done...I promise that he and his descendents shall be priests forever"  (vs.10-11,13).

APPLICATION
God will still honor men and women who will stand up for Him and what is right!  God will reward quick, decisive, action that defends His honor! 

However, we are to submit to the laws of the land according to Titus 3:1 and I Peter 2:13-17.  Any aggressive actions we take should be in harmony with the governing authorities - or we should be prepared to suffer the consequences of our actions! 

O God!
Courage is in short supply in the American church.  Raise up young men and women who will be angry about the things You are angry about!  Ignite a passion for You that will cause them to stand against all forms of evil - regardless of the cost.  Reward them with increased access to You and an enlarged influence in this culture! 
Amen!