A VIEW FROM HEAVEN'S SIDE!

In case you don't realize it, Heaven is already quite populated.  God drops hints of this in Revelation chapter five where He tells us of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand (v.11).  To help you grasp this grouping of angels, let me remind you that ten thousand times ten thousand equals one hundred million!  Quite a crowd!  And, they are not all alike.  Some are angels, others archangels, still other are seraphim or cherubim!  

It's difficult to imagine what a normal day in Heaven must be like, but I can tell you about a day in Heaven that was NOT normal.  It was the day that the angel visited a young, Jewish girl named Mary. During his visit, the Holy Spirit came over Mary and she conceived a holy son.  In that instant, Heaven was changed in a way it had never been changed before!  It had always been inhabited by the triune God:  Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  But for this season, the Son willingly vacated the halls of Heaven and took up residence in the womb of a virgin girl in Nazareth.  

That's right!  The Lord and Creator of the universe...[Philippians 2:6,7]

Who, being in very nature God,
    did not consider equality with God something to be grasped;

but made himself nothing,

    taking the very nature of a servant,
    being made in human likeness.

Just like you and me!  The same process.  Totally dependent on the mother!  Little wonder that this young girl has been so elevated in history:  Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear!  [Luke 1:42].

As difficult as it is to imagine, Heaven was changed for a season.  For a period of nearly thirty-four years it would experience the absence of the Son of God!  Was there mourning in Heaven at this absence?  We know there are no tears in Heaven, but surely there must have been a different feel for this period of time.  

But I'm particularly intrigued by a line from Luke chapter two that rarely gets explained.  I think there was a moment in our well-known story that brought all the inhabitants of Heaven to alert.  Let's review the story. 

• Mary is visited by an angel and conceives through the Holy Spirit!
• Joseph is visited by an angel and is told about the immaculate conception!
• Ceasar Augustus issues a decree that causes Joseph and Mary to have to travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem.
• While they were there, (probably living in a cave or stable, since there was no room in the inn)  the time came for the baby to be born...  [Luke 2:6]
• At or near the time of the birth, an angel appeared to shepherds in the fields outside of Bethlehem announcing the birth of a Savior!

Aha!  Now comes a divine moment often under-emphasized!  

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." 

Here's the way I envision it with my childlike mind and faith.  I think there had been a lull in Heaven for nine months!  I think all the angels, seraphs, cherubim and Godhead had dearly missed the presence of the Son!  But they knew the plan and the purpose of His mission.  There was a growing sense of excitement and anticipation for what this all would mean!  They knew that an intricate plan was unfolding on earth that would impact millions of lives for endless millions of years!  They knew an angel had been dispatched to make a vital announcement to a group of shepherds - although they certainly did not understand why.  The containment of all these feelings and emotions was difficult even for the heavenly host!  

But what's this?  Suddenly, God opened a fissure between Heaven and earth and gave a nod of permission for them to join their angel messenger.  And in an instant, millions of angels rushed through the fissure to join a massive angelic choir singing praises to God with hearts overflowing with love!  It was for every inhabitant of Heaven, a moment to remember!  They were only visible to this group of lowly shepherds.  No one else heard or saw their presence!  It was a DIVINE MIRACLE!  Excited, exuberant faces glowed down from the heavens on these humble men who epitomized the role of the One just born!  Like them, He would care for His sheep - each and every one - especially the lost ones!  

It didn't last long.  Upon the conclusion of their message, they rushed back through the opening and returned to the eternal glory of Heaven!  Imagine the excitement as they talked among themselves of what had just happened!  This had been the first time some of them had visited earth!  The chatter must have lasted for a long time as they reflected on this moment of glory!

But the shepherds...they were left standing in the dark!  What had been a brilliance indescribable and a scene beyond imagination, was suddenly renewed with the blackness of the night - except for the STAR!  Like three others who were making a journey, they too made a journey just as they had been instructed by the angel.  So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.  [Luke 2:16]

Even Steven Spielburg would be challenged to portray the magnificence of these moments!  Events like this are best left to the imagination - itself a gift from the awesomeness of God!  

Do yourself a favor.  At some point today when the turmoil and excitement has concluded, take a moment to envision what the shepherds saw and heard.  It's the most downplayed moment of the Christmas story; yet it holds tremendous fascination for those who will meaningfully reflect on it!  As you do so - let YOUR "Glory to God in the highest" join in with the song of all the heavenly host!  

Have a blessed Christmas!

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO THE HAIRE'S

I'm kind of a sucker for those Christmas stories where gifts show up at the last minute to make the day special.  I love the one from 'Little House On the Prairie" where Mr. Edwards shows up almost frozen with tin cups and candy for the girls.  I also love the old 'Walton's' movie where the father makes it home at the last minute with a big bag over his shoulder and simple gifts for each family member.  Last night we watched a mini-movie on Pure Flix about a poor family who was trusting the Lord for a package to arrive before Christmas.  Lo and behold, numerous crates arrived after the post office closed.  In the midst of a blizzard the postal worker and his son delivered the crates to a family that was praying and trusting.

We have our own story that has some parallels.

In our younger years, we were not very financially stable.  I attended seminary in Pittsburgh part-time for over ten years.  It was expensive.  Then, after graduating, I attended Franciscan University for a second Master's degree.  Unfortunately, my pay was never adjusted to reward all the education I had attained.  I remember after getting a fifteen dollar-a-week raise one year, a friend commented that I could now buy a pizza every week.  :-)  Add to the mix raising three kids and being unwise financially, and we had some tight times.  I suppose many others have faced similar situations.

Like our own parents, Debbie and I didn't buy a lot for our kids during the year;  but Christmas was a time for delivering everything they would need for the next twelve months.  So, as a result, we tended to spend a good bit in December.

I should note here that God was repeatedly faithful to us in regards to our finances.  We have quite a few stories of His deliverance for us at critical times!  We have been and are grateful to God for His bountiful and timely financial provisions!  We're also thankful that today we are more stable and need His help in other areas...

One year was particularly difficult for us.  Two years earlier, we had sold our house because we were told we were being moved.  We didn't move!  We had to rent a house three blocks away and move everything we owned!  Then, after a year, our landlord sold that house and we had to move again!  We were given access to a massive house with four huge columns and three full stories!

We affectionately nicknamed this house:  MANIAC MANSION!  After getting our first gas bill, I went to the basement and shut off one of the two furnaces.  Travis lived in a back section - where the kitchen was - that remained heated .  The rest of our bedrooms were in the main part of the house with minimal heat.  Debbie and I woke up one morning and our bedroom was forty degrees!

As we approached December, we had very few gifts purchased and were without reserves to see us through.  Needless to say, we had cast our need before the Lord and were looking for (and hoping for) His provision.

As was our custom, we were having our evening meal together in our massive dining room.  This was a special time for our family when we caught up on one another's days and shared stories and laughter.  We often spent upwards to an hour together around that table.  [Today, Tracie's family eats around that old Haire-loom oak table every evening!]  ;-)

In the midst of our meal, we heard a knock at our front door.  I got up to answer the door but found no one there.  I looked up-and-down Fifth Street - no one in sight!  That's when I noticed the envelope taped to our door!  I removed it and returned to the table where I opened it and read it to our family.  It simply said:  "MERRY CHRISTMAS TO THE HAIRE'S!"

That's when ten crisp, new, one-hundred-dollar bills fell out of the envelope!  My jaw dropped and our kids eyes popped in disbelief!  Was this a dream?  Could these be real?  They were real!  All ten of them!  Christmas was going to happen at the Haire house without going into further debt!  Hallelujah!

Like so many other similar gifts that God sent along, we never found out who His messenger was.  But we thanked God for them and for their obedience and generosity!

Of course, we explained our need to our three T's and then explained how Debbie and I had entrusted our need to God in prayer.  Then we explained that God had heard our prayer and answered it!  And, of course, we lifted a prayer of gratitude to God together!

Interesting, I don't remember any of the gifts we bought for the kids that year.  But I sure do remember God's kindness to our little family.  He loved us then;  He loves us still.

If you have a need of any kind, get into a right relationship with God and then cast your cares on Him.  He loves you and will answer your prayer and meet your need!  Have a blessed Christmas!

A WONDERFULLY UNCOMFORTABLE EXPERIENCE

Since Debbie was away overnight, I got up early and attended an Episcopal worship service at 8:00 AM in a nearby town.  I frequently attend two (or more) worship experiences when we travel.  I enjoy discovering different worship settings and environments.

Let me say right off that attending a new church is an intimidating experience!  As a pastor, I was always sensitive to the fear that newcomers faced when they attended churches that I led.  One of the churches I served had its main entrance in front of the church, however most of the parking area was behind the church.  There were significant physical obstacles to be overcome to get guests to the sanctuary.  These barriers can usually be overcome with excellent signage and the appropriate placement of greeters.

This morning, I found the parking area quickly and entered a 'side door'.  Fortunately, two women greeted me and handed me a worship folder.  Then, excellent signage led me through a maze of hallways and stairways that eventually brought me into the 'front' of the sanctuary.  Unfortunately -through my inadequate guess at travel time - I was only a couple of minutes early.  Consequently, I didn't have adequate time to review the worship folder.

The sanctuary was very large and quite beautiful!  It is an old church with elegant wooden pews and ornate features - even without the many Christmas decorations.  I had a sense of awe as I gazed at my surroundings.  It was quickly apparent that the gathering of about thirty worshippers were sitting exclusively at the far side of the sanctuary.  I joined them, feeling quite conspicuous.

Within moments the priest called us to worship.  Her voice was crisp and clear and she used a microphone that helped some.  [Hearing is a huge problem for me in worship!  We only attend services that provide hearing devices - otherwise the experience is purely frustrating for me.]  I was immediately lost!  We were clearly using a liturgy, but I had difficulty finding my place in the folder [which included an abbreviated order for the 8:00 AM service and an expanded order for the 10:00 AM service}.

Shortly, a gentleman sitting behind me noticed my situation and handed me the Book of Common Prayer opened to the appropriate page.  What a wonderful act of kindness!  I was warmed by his sensitivity.  For much of the liturgy I was able to stay connected.  Many of the words were very familiar to me from my past experiences and readings.  However, I was repeatedly caught off guard by not knowing when to stand and when to stay seated [later, I realized that these notes were included in the bulletin order].  It's embarrassing to suddenly realize that you're the only person still standing.

The congregation was largely made up of very elderly people.  During the passing of the peace I was greeted warmly by all those sitting nearby.  The priest made her way around the congregation greeting every worshipper.

I was deeply moved by the ancient words, prayers and scriptures that were shared by the priest and various readers!  Liturgy can be very welcoming and meaningful when you are familiar with it.  Earlier in my life I used the Book of Common Prayer regularly in my personal worship.

The pastor's message was short and relevant.  She spoke of Mary and her experience of bearing the Son of God.  She noticed that Mary went from being a young, common girl to being a theologian through the delivery of the Magnificat.  I was interested and intrigued by her observations.  She left us with a challenge to overcome the things that occur to us in life by dedicating them to God and allowing Him to guide us through them.

Then there was the passing of the peace and announcements.  It was a welcome relief for me and an opportunity to get my bearings.  Next, we entered into the observation of the Eucharist.  The beauty of the environment deepened our experience of this most precious act.  I responded with the other worshippers by taking my place at the altar.  The priest came with a broken wafer which I accepted and immediately consumed.  Then a lay-helper approached me with the cup.  That's when I realized that I was supposed to dip my wafer into the wine.  [Blush!]  I passed on the wine!  I was obviously VERY embarrassed and wondered how many noticed my faux pas.

Upon returning to my seat I wanted to pack up and leave before I made any more mistakes!  But, I remained for the closing prayers and scriptures and the final benediction.

I tried not to hurry away [not being sure I would even be able to find my way out].  As I left the sanctuary, I exchanged a few words with the priest.  She led the service with grace, authority and meaning.  I appreciated her and felt that I would love to sit and talk with her.  She was intrigued to find that I was a retired Methodist pastor and shared that her father-in-law and husband were pastors in that tradition.

I must confess that I was greatly relieved to get into my car and drive away.  Curiously, I would be willing to return.  If I do, I will be sure to arrive allowing myself appropriate time to get acquainted with the order for worship.  I would likely return for the 10:00 AM service to see what the fuller experience might be like.  It was odd to encounter a worship service that included no music whatsoever.

I arrived at our church well in advance of our service giving me ample time to get familiar with the order for worship!  :-)

DECLARE WAR ON DEBT

Every year around this time I like to post something on this topic because SO MANY people struggle with debt issues.

At an earlier time in our lives, Debbie and I struggled with enormous debt.  It drove chronic depression in me for years!  I was personally convinced that we would NEVER be out of debt!  I dreaded retirement because I knew it would be horrible!

Then, God (and a few friends He directed our way) awakened me to new truth based on His Word!  I acquired new teachers to help me grow in knowledge:  Larry Burkett, Dave Ramsay, along with a couple of wise men that God brought to my side.  Eventually, we entered into a planned process to eliminate our debt.  It took about nine years and we completed the process while we lived in New Middletown, Ohio.  The completion of this process is what allowed us to go to China for three years!
 
Two years ago, we deliberated obtaining a Capital One card to take advantage of the cash-back perk.  We had been taught by our instructors to 'declare war on debt'!  Taking on a credit card did not fit in with the plan we had set in motion.  However, we had maintained no debt for nearly ten years and the benefits seemed worthy.

At first, we charged everything on this card in order to qualify for the promised bonus and to maximize our 'cash-back' incentive.  However, after two months we morphed into just using the card for major purchases.  [Charging everything was just too scary for us!]  We've done fine and have appreciated the benefit of hundreds of dollars returned to us!

We've enjoyed owning two brand new cars during our marriage:  a 1974 Mustang II, and a 1979 Ford Fairmont.  Other than that, we've driven used vehicles.  Currently, we own a 2003 Toyota Camry (which was given to us when we returned home from China), a 2005 Toyota Camry (which I purchased in January to be my Lyft car), and a 2008 Ford F-250 (to pull our 2001 Forrester 5th-wheel camper).  :-)

Having older vehicles suits me fine, however, occasionally they call for repairs.  This fall was one of those times!  All three vehicles made trips to Schultz's garage for repairs and maintenance.  Actually, each of the Camry's had to go twice!  We wound up charging over $2,000 on our Capital One card!  Uh-oh!  We were in debt again - for the first time in years!

Now, I confess, we have reserves that we could have used to liquidate that debt, but we are VERY cautious about dipping into that pool!  After using what was left from our 'emergency fund', we still owed a sizeable amount on our Capital One account!

So far, we have managed to make sacrificial payments on the account that have prevented us from paying any finance charges.

To further advance our cause, I have been Lyft-driving almost every day for the last two weeks.  Two days this week, I was on-the-road for over eleven hours!  As a result, we now have sufficient funds to pay off the card and (once again) eliminate our debt!  Woo Hoo!  PTL!

Debt has phenomenal power to rob you of your joy and destroy your life!  We must declare war on debt!  Don't use 'charge cards' this Christmas!  Better yet - don't overspend!  Your children won't remember the things you bought them, but they WILL remember the time you spent with them!  Do family projects.  Bake cookies and decorate them!  Play games.  Take walks.  Have snow-ball battles!  Build snowmen!  Watch movies!  Play video-games together.  Read books together!  Talk while sharing a meal!  Put a puzzle together!  Make home-made Christmas decorations!  String popcorn!  Play 'Hide-n-Seek'.

If you're in the process of paying off your debts - STICK WITH IT!  You will feel so much satisfaction and freedom when you've reached your goal!  Don't sacrifice your tithe to pay off your debts!  Honor God and He'll honor you!

MY FAVORITE HOLIDAY

Community Thanksgiving services were part of my childhood.  In the early 1960's they were held at 10:00 AM on Thanksgiving Day.  They moved from one church to another as the years unfolded.  It could not have been convenient for the women who were trying to prepare feasts for their families.  I remember a couple of years that just my father and I attended.  We would worship that day with many of our neighbors, expressing our gratitude to God for His blessings and gifts!  Depending on what church was the host, we would experience different styles of worship.  I was always quite impressed with the pipe organs in a few of the churches - so majestic.  Their swells of tympanic music seemed to carry our thanksgiving hymns to the heavens in a far more appropriate manner than at other times.
The corporate reading of scripture was an expression of our unity.  The responsive readings caused us to breathe in unison.  The hearty exchange of greetings on a national day of giving thanks to God was filled with meaning and sincerity!  I remember clearly being moved by these experiences!

Over the years I always chose to participate with the local ministerial groups that represented the communities where I served churches.  I've helped plan the unity services and along with my people have also hosted them on many occasions.  I always tried to make them as special as I could.  Typically the communities observed three times of combined focus:  Thanksgiving, Holy Week and the National Day of Prayer.  Few communities still share these times of emphasis.

This year, Debbie and I attended the Mohawk Area Church Association Community Thanksgiving service at the Westfield Presbyterian Church.  It was held on Sunday evening.  I enjoyed the experience immensely!  It included a community choir of sixty members who gave us three musical treatises that lifted our spirits.  A local group of capable musicians - called Edelweiss - accompanied the choir (along with a drummer);  they also provided pre-worship music that helped focus our thoughts.  The Westfield Faithful Bells presented two magical bell songs that thrilled us with their skill and passion.  A very young lady sang "The Lord's Prayer".  A middle-aged man with an amazing tenor voice sang "Bless This House".  The hymns we sang (with pipe organ accompaniment) gave voice to words that many of us have sung for decades!  It was all very familiar - which can be a good thing, right?

The scripture readings were appropriate and the message was stimulating.  Host (Interim) Pastor Chris Carlson challenged us with inspiring thoughts.  I was particularly moved by his comments (based on Deuteronomy 26:1-12) about giving of the first fruits.  He pointed out that this instruction from God caused the people to act in faith!  They were to give the first fruits of their crops as an offering to the Lord.  They were to give these first fruits without any assurance that the rest of their crops would come with abundance or in good condition.  They were to exercise their faith by putting God first!  We were challenged to do the same!

All in all, the service was wonderful and was attended by a fair group from at least ten different congregations.  We were Methodist, Presbyterians, Catholics, Baptists, Covenenters, and probably a few others;  but Sunday night we were all just people who are grateful to God for His many kindnesses!  I was blessed!  I am blessed!

Personally, I have much to be grateful for!

•   Though deaf in one ear, with the help of hearing aids I can hear.
•   Though I had a torn retina in my right eye about seventeen years ago, I can see with that eye.  Every time I have an eye exam the doctor marvels that the eye still works!
•   I enjoy amazing good health;  typical, age-appropriate aches and pains, but strength and health abound!
•   God faithfully meets all our needs according to His riches in Christ Jesus!  Debbie and I love our retirement home.  After many years of living in parsonages, we can now put a nail in the wall anywhere we want to!  :-)  His provisions through the Social Security system and the Free Methodist pension program allow us to meet all our monthly needs.  We are abundantly blessed with material possessions!
•   We have friends from literally many nations around the world!  Living for three years with the Changchun University International students built a base of friendships with students from China, Russia, Mongolia, Viet Nam, Korea, the Philippines, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekastan, Ukraine, Myanmar, Thailand, India, Cambodia, South Africa, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Togo, and others.  We still keep in communication with many of these friends!  
•   We have family connections that are deeply meaningful to us!  Deb's family have been a support system for us through the years.  Her siblings are integral to  our lives!  My family has also always been a blessing to us.  We gathered recently for a weekend to make apple butter together.  What a wonderful time we had!
•   We have our children and our precious grandchildren (along with an awesome daughter-in-law and two incredible sons-in-law)!  They mean the world to us!  Our time with them is the most treasured thing we have on this earth!  We live for those moments!
•   We have our faith!  The most intimate thing Debbie and I do together is to pray!  Often it's done late at night or early in the morning as we lay with our arms around each other.  We enjoy sharing our faith with our family, our church and others!  It clearly gives purpose and direction to our lives!
•   And we have each other!  Today, our Thanksgiving meal included turkey, stuffing, corn, sweet potato cassarole, cranberry salad, and mashed potatos.  Later, we'll have some of Debbie's 'blue-ribbon' apple pie!  For the first time in forty-six years it was just the two of us at the table!  And that's okay.  I love her and she loves me.  We love being together!  She's God's greatest blessing to my life!  

So, we're thankful!  Truly thankful!  We came from godly homes and have replicated - by God's grace - that faith into the homes of our children!  What more could we ask for?  

Thank You, Father,

for the grace and mercy You've extended in our direction!

Thank You for filling our cups so full!

Help us to faithfully live to Your honor!

Help us to make a difference in our world!

Help us to love people with abandon!

Help us to be generous!

For Jesus' sake.

Amen.

I FINALLY WAS LOCKED UP!!!!!

I procrastinated and failed to get our 5th wheel camper winterized.  I was worried that the cold weather we surprisingly had over recent weeks might have caused some damage.  Then, the good Lord sent us several days of 50-degree-plus temperatures!  Woo Hoo!  

So, Tuesday morning I pulled the camper from New Middletown to Heron Woods where we could work on it with electric.  My good brother-in-law, Charlie came over to walk me through the process for the second year.  Troy also showed up as my faithful back-up!  In short order, we had the lines flowing with antifreeze!  What a great feeling!  

Debbie wanted to pack some items for our mid-winter trip to Florida, so I let it sit overnight.  After loading lawn chairs, blankets and a few sundry items, I pulled it back to the storage facility.  It was late afternoon and due to a stop at Ace Hardware, I was losing sunlight as I arrived.  The wind was gusting significantly!  

I must have backed it up and pulled it forward over twenty times trying to get it exactly where it is supposed to be!  In-and-out of the truck repeatedly to check distances and line-up!  It goes much faster when I have someone to help!  Finally, I got it where I wanted it.  Then came the unhitching and securing everything before I could leave.

   

When I pulled the truck up to the gate and entered my code - nothing happened!  I entered it repeatedly - with no results.  What in the world?  The mechanism didn't seem to be working...what could be wrong.  Now it's dark and the wind is atrocious!  

As I sat at the closed gate with my headlamps on, another truck pulled up from the outside.  We each got out and walked to the gate.  I told him that I couldn't get the gate to open.  He smiled and said, "I know.  And you're not going to get it to work for a good while!"  

"Why?" I asked.  He then reported that the Salem electric (which powers this stretch of Calla Road) was out!  I felt like a prisoner!  He asked where I lived.  I told him Enon Valley.  He told me that if I could climb the fence, he'd be glad to take me home.  I thanked him and told him that I'd call my wife.  Turns out he was a brother to one of my former parishoners from Free Methodist Community Church in New Middletown!  :-)

I called Deb and she told me she'd leave right away.  I parked the truck and sat in it briefly.  Then, I decided that I'd rather scale the fence with no one watching.  It's an eight foot cyclone fence that I could have climbed easily when I was in my twenties.  Not so easily at sixty-seven.  I hoped no cars would go by and think I was trying to escape after stealing from the storage units.  

First, I was able to pull myself up onto a large steel box that housed the motor for the gate.  From there it became more challenging.  The gate is topped with spikes (think Trump's wall).  The fence itself was topped with razor wire!  There were really no footholds for me to use to get over the top.  I decided to try a point where the gate and fence met.  As I vaulted over the top - trying to get my large foot into the small squares of the fence - something let go and pitched me into the barbed wire!

I was in a PREDICTAMENT!  I had no foothold and was feeling the barbs through my good down jacket and piercing my arm, I had very few choices.  I ripped my arm loose and dropped myself to the ground,  Somehow, in the process my jeans had also been shredded below the knee and were whipping in the wind.  Quite a few cars had gone by during this escapade and I expected the police to arrive at any moment!  I was disgusted, wounded and my self-esteem was flagging significantly!  

Did I mention that it was dark - and the wind was blowing - and the temperature was dropping fast?  It sure seemed to take Deb a long time to get here!  I never imagined that Calla Road had so much traffic on a Wednesday evening!   I must have looked VERY suspicious!

Anyway, she finally arrived and took me home where I nursed my wounds and settled into my chair for the evening.

The evening was uneventful until I crawled into bed.  I take supplements three times a day:  morning, noon and night.  I take them with a full glass of cold spring water from our tap.  I've been known to walk away from the sink leaving the water running.  Once, I did it with the hot water;  when I discovered it - it was running cold!  

Anyway, as I was about to drift into a comfortable, healing sleep, Debbie stepped into the room and asked:  "Do you have the water running in the kitchen for a reason?"  I began to giggle and couldn't answer or stop!  She began to laugh too!  Needless to say, I went to bed happy - in spite of myself!  

A NAVY SEAL'S PRAYER

This story will require me to unpack some details.  I don't have daily encounters with Navy Seals.  My son, Travis, did when he was with us, but I rarely meet these guys.  I used to think they all looked alike;  that is, until we attended Travis' memorial service in Honolulu four years ago.  He worked with a seal team at the time and MANY attended the service and greeted us afterward.  Some were tall - others short.  Some were thick - others thin.  Some were bulky and muscular - others were lean and toned.  In this particular scenario, the thing they all had in common was that they respected and admired Travis Haire.  :-)

When Debbie and I arrived in Boston Friday to meet our son-in-law, Josh, he introduced us to his friend, Nicholas R.  Senior Chief Nic is a Navy Seal who is enthusiastic about life and passionate about supporting the families of our fallen heroes.  Our whole purpose for being in Boston was to be spectators at the Spartan Stadion at Fenway Park where both Josh and Nic would be running the 5K obstacle course along with 10,000 others!  By the way, Nic is the tall, thick, muscular type.  ;-)   Through our discussions with him, it became quickly apparent to us that Nic was a Christian - a strong one!

We enjoyed watching Josh and Nic on Saturday as they completed the race.  It was a cold day, but sunny.  Then, Josh had arranged for Tracie (our daughter and family), Jon, Rylie and Colton to come up in the evening to join us at a local steakhouse for a late supper.  Eating out raises major concerns for Coltin due to his extreme dairy/egg allergies.  Josh had cleared the location with Tracie who had contacted their corporate office regarding the handling of food for people with allergies.  She had been assured that he would receive a special menu and his food would be properly handled.

We arrived at the restaurant and were seated and served our beverages.  Our waitress was acquainted with Jon and Tracie's home area and a good relationship was established.  She was very patient with Coltin - who by-the-way was using his best 'eat-out' manners (he announced early that he had placed his cloth napkin on his lap)!  :-)  This was a steakhouse a good couple clicks above the kind that Debbie and I tend to frequent.  Very nice!  It took over an hour to get settled and place our orders.

When our drinks arrived, to our surprise, Nic called for our attention and proposed a toast to Veteran's Day dedicating it to Travis' memory and using an old Irish proverb as its form:

"There are good ships and wood ships, ships that sail the sea,          but the best ships are friendships, may they always be!"

Although we didn't realize it at the moment, our toast was overheard by those at tables near us...

Finally, the food was all served within a couple of minutes and we began to enjoy our amazing steaks and extras.

Then it happened!  I looked up and Coltin was in tears.  Jon and Tracie reacted like first-responders, leaping to his side!  I immediately bowed my head and began to pray in my whispered manner.  Debbie also began to pray.  Once or twice, I looked up to see how things were evolving.  I saw the Epi-pen in Tracie's hand.  She and Jon were having him drink some Benadryl.  I continued to pray.

That's when I heard it!  It was a strong voice crying out to Jesus for intervention for Coltin.  The voice asked for Jesus to protect him and to cover him with the Holy Spirit!  It was not a short prayer, but continued in stride with the prayers that Debbie and I were also offering.  I was so immersed in my own intercession that I can't tell you great details about the prayer I was hearing in the background.  Debbie told me later that it was Nic, who was seated at the end of the table right next to Coltin.  They had enjoyed several friendly exchanges during the course of the evening.

You know how this ended, right?  Coltin ended up - after a bit of time - being ok.  His Uncle Josh walked him to a nearby drug store and eventually brought him back with a bag of chips and a bag of jerky!  Obviously, those around us were aware that we had experienced a bit of a crisis - as were the restaurant managers.  Our waitress stood with tears streaming down her face during this episode.

We finished our meals as best we could (they were amazing).  When it came time to fold up and leave, our waitress informed us that the restaurant had extended a significant discount as an expression of their concern.  Then she went on to tell us that the people at a table near ours had overheard our toast and some of our dialogue.  Realizing that we had several military personnel at our table, they paid the rest of the bill.  Although we never saw our bill, I'm guessing that it was in the $300-$500 range!  Yet they never identified themselves!

There are generous people in this world who practice the biblical exhortation to not let the right hand know what the left hand is doing!  I was encouraged by their kindness!

I am also encouraged to know that there are bold, courageous, strong men and women of faith who populate our military!  Today, on this Veterans Day Weekend, I give thanks for two of these men:  Master Chief Jon Kerstetter and Senior Chief Nicholas R.  May God continue to bless them and use them for His sovereign purposes - and may God bless the United States of America and and allow us to continue to be an instrument of blessing to the world in His hand!

PASTOR APPRECIATION

Debbie and I both happened to be awake early this morning and so we wound up spending some time praying.  Among many people and situations, we prayed for our pastor and all pastors who were preparing for this Lord's Day worship.

I recalled how excited I used to be on Sunday mornings.  Sometimes I could hardly wait for the worship team to sit down so that I could share what God had helped me put together for that Sunday!  There were Sundays that I literally trembled with anticipation!

We currently attend the Bethel Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Enon Valley.  Our pastor is Jerry Dodds.  He is a humble, mild-mannered man - except when he's preaching!!!!!  When he begins to deliver the message he takes on a boldness, confidence and authority that drives the message into the hearts of those who are listening.

His messages (and prayers) are biblical, theologically accurate, and instructive.  He holds strongly to the traditions of the church and passionately presents Jesus foremost!  I don't believe I've ever heard him reference an Old Testament passage (or story) without connecting it in some way to Jesus.  I think most of the adults even listen carefully to his children's messages which embody the same characteristics on a simpler level.

I suppose I could be considered a responsive listener.  I have a tendency to respond to the message with quiet amens, laughter (at appropriate places), holy giggles, and other signs of agreement.  These were probably learned in my growing-up environment when Free Methodists were a good bit more verbal in their responses.  I honestly don't want to disturb others, but I can't seem to help giving assent in some (hopefully) quiet way!

Pastor Jerry's current series is on the five solae of the Reformation.  Today's message was on "Sola Gratia' or "by grace alone".  It was grounded in the stunning revelation of Ephesians 2:4-7,

But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

He began the message with a wonderful picture of grace!   Richard Nixon had stepped down from his presidency in humiliation after the Watergate investigation revealed his guilt.  He lived in isolation.  However, upon the death of Vice President Hubert Humphrey, Nixon attended the funeral   He stood alone.  No one spoke to him or greeted him - until President Jimmy Carter entered the room.  President Carter quickly assessed the situation and almost spontaneously moved toward Mr. Nixon.  He put out his hand in greeting as he spoke loudly saying, "Welcome home, Mr. President!"

What an extension of grace!

I wonder many Sundays if the people in the congregation are actually listening?  I can hardly keep quiet!  Honestly, if you show up on Sundays and listen carefully, you will consistently be educated in the truth of God's Word, the traditions of the church and the way to live pleasing to God!  Thank you, Pastor Jerry!  We appreciate the work you do to prepare for our worship times!

I've been blessed by so many pastors over the years!

• When I was young, (on the way home form church) I told my parents that Pastor W. P. Jones had five different benedictions that he used to close the service.  They were astonished!  Even more so when I then quoted all five of them word-for-word!
• While attending Roberts Wesleyan College I was mesmerized by the preaching of Elwin Cutler and V. J. Mannoia!
• While attending Asbury Theological Seminary, I was inspired by Paul Rees, Bishop Earl Hunt and Dr. Donald Demaray!  I tried to emulate them in my early years!
• During my six years in Akron, Ohio, I often slipped in to hear Brenda Young's messages again during the second and even third services!  :-)

I took preaching seriously during my years of leading the church!  I worked hard on messages with the belief that God could use them to grow, inspire and correct His people!  Those messages always convicted me long before anyone else had a chance to hear them!  I miss that part of my role now that I'm retired.  

I throw a two-fold challenge out there:

First, to pastors:  Plan ahead and prepare with passion!  Your people need it and deserve your best efforts!  Preaching inspires, teaches, comforts, strengthens and encourages believers and calls the lost to a better way of living that offers hope and eternal life!  Invest and reap!

Then, to parishoners:  Listen actively and expectantly!  Pray specifically for your pastor as s/he prepares messages!  Make it your goal to take something home every week to focus on:

• a new truth,
• an action point,
• a thought to meditate on.

And for those of you who struggle with what to say to your pastor when you greet them while leaving the service - just shake their hand, look them in the eye and say "Thank you, pastor!"  

HAVING A MORAL CODE

The news is often troubling to me, as I'm confident it must be to many others as well.  Last night I was listening to David Muir's ABC Evening News when he gave his report on freshman congresswoman Katie Hill's affair with a female staff worker from her office.  These incidents have lost their shock value since we now hear of them with increasing frequency.  However, as I listened to David's reporting there was one word that was missing, and it bothered me.  The emphasis of the report was that she had broken the 'House Rules'.  There was no mention of her behavior being immoral.

It seems apparent to me that we - as a country - are losing (or have lost) our moral code.  For centuries it was clear to most (though debated by some) that our moral code was based on the 'Ten Commandments' that are frequently observed (along with other recognized historical references) in our nation's capital.  This moral code was a foundation for behavior toward God and toward others that gave hope to a peaceful and ordered society.

Debbie and I lived in northeast China for three years.  China is officially an atheist nation.  However, historically they followed the teachings of Confucius which have some parallels to the teachings of Jesus.  For instance,

"The Master’s ideal was the chun-tzu or what Westerners would call ‘the gentleman’. The chun-tzu practised daily to attain excellence in the following noble memes:

– chih or integrity
– i or fairness
– chung or loyalty
– shu or co-operation
– ren or compassion.

If a ruler exemplified these virtues in all of his ‘five relationships’ then his rule would be a success and his people would be happy."

http://schoolofthinking.org/who-dr-michael-hewitt-gleeson/about/training/10-dfq/the-lord-and-the-master-jesus-and-confucius/

I had many discussions about this with my students.  When I asked them about modern China's moral code, they had no idea what I was speaking of.  Confucianism has been discarded by the Communist Party.  Consequently, there is now no moral code being taught in the culture.  The results are obvious. All apartments on lower floors have bars on them to prevent burglary!  Cheating is common.  Acts of kindness are restricted to one's closest circle of family and friends.  Driving (which is an exponentially growing phenomenon) is an exercise in aggression!  

My purpose here is not to denigrate Chinese culture!  Our time in China was a highlight of our lives!  We found the Chinese people to be generous, kind and intelligent!  We made friends that we will cherish forever!  My intention is simply to observe that when a nation has no active moral code, it's collective behavior disintegrates.

This is my fear for the United States.  As we continually diminish the influence of Christianity on the development of our culture, we seem to move further from a central definition of appropriate behavior.  It seems that today's standard has become the Constitution and its interpretation by the nine justices who currently sit on the Supreme Court.  Is the Constitution now our moral code?  

I fear a progressive collapse for any culture that attempts to move forward with no definitive guide for appropriate and inappropriate behavior.  The original commandments left no room for violation.  They began with the words, "Thou shalt not..."

With no designated, agreed-upon guide for behavior, we face a future of chaos and increasing violence.  This is not the world I want my grandchildren to inherit.  

Something must define our morality!  

Personally, I'm not comfortable placing that responsibility into the hands of nine individuals regardless of whether they were appointed by a Republican or Democratic president!  

Obviously, my belief system enters into my personal purview.  As a Christian, I felt very comfortable living within the parameters of the 'Ten Commandments' which were written by the hand of God on stone tablets (twice)  [Exodus 31:18;  Deuteronomy 4:13]

Like so many others, I wonder where we're headed.  Will remnants of Christian teaching continue to influence the development of our culture?  I hope so!  Or, will secular, humanistic thinking prevail?  This quandry guides my prayer life on a daily basis.    

LIFE IS LIKE A ROLLER COASTER!

[This letter was written October 19, 2007.  Since then, Coltin Eugene Kerstetter has happily become part of the family.  He is now 10.]

I offer the following letter as instruction for those beginning families, as encouragement for those in the midst of 'family life' and as comfort for those who have gotten off the ride and are reflecting.  For everyone else - just enjoy it!  🤣

_______________________________

Dear Jon and Tracie,

It occurred to me early this morning that life is like a ride on a roller coaster!  J

The day you guys met, your dating life, your engagement period, and these early years of marriage can be likened to:

• selecting the right roller coaster,
• waiting in line,
• choosing your seat,
• getting strapped in,
• coasting down the ramp and around the first bend,
• and then climbing that first, long hill.

Have you ever been in the front seat of a coaster?  You actually crest the top of the hill and hang on the down-side for a few moments before the final car lets go!  That’s where you guys are right now – with the birth of your first child being just three short weeks away. 

On that day, your car will let loose and the real ride begins! 

There will be thrills!  Probably an equal number of highs and lows!  Fortunately, God has wired us to remember the highs and forget the lows! 

Imagine the pride you’ll each feel the first time you hold this little girl in your arms!  She will be a unique blend of the two of you.  Interestingly, she’ll include good points from each of you (and bad points from each of you).  You’ll have so much fun determining the similarities. 

One of the things your mom and I have noticed is that God has an unusual sense of humor.  He tends to mix the genes in such a way that our children quite frequently come out looking nearly identical to one of our siblings.  [For his first ten years, Troy could have passed for Uncle Tommy’s son;  some even say so now.]

This little girl will be TOTALLY dependent on you two for her life!  Your work load will double!  You’ll continue doing everything you do now, but somehow, you’ll find the time to do everything for her as well!  You’ll comfort her, feed her, change her, play with her, talk to her, and watch her sleep.  You’ll marvel over the perfection of her features – right down to the toes! 

And she’ll grow.  Faster than you think!  Have you noticed how long it seems to take to get to the top of that first hill?  Then, wow!  Before you even know it, you’re pulling into the station again!  


From someone who got on the ride ahead of you: "Enjoy the trip!"  Savor every moment and deliberately tuck them away in your mental files!  Mark the moments!  Treasure the time with your tots!  Take pictures, of course;  but take them with your mental camera – that way you’ll have them with you no matter where or when!

• You’ll be delighted when she can hold her own bottle. 
• You’ll giggle with delight when her babblings produce a tone that sounds remarkably like “Mama” or “Dada”!
• You’ll be happy when she takes her first step!
• You’ll be excited when she can hold a spoon and feed herself (especially if number two has already arrived). 
• You’ll be pleased when she can dress herself.
• You’ll be relieved when she can get herself ready for bed.
• You’ll be proud when she celebrates her first day of school.
• You’ll see her school and church programs with one eye – through the lens of your video camera!
• You’ll be proud of her achievements and accomplishments.
• You’ll delight in her slumber parties and other fun times.
• You’ll tremble when she gets her first boyfriend.
• You’ll sit in an auditorium someday and wonder when she turned into such a beautiful young lady!

It’s right after that that she’ll ask for the car keys!

The stages of her growth and development will be fascinating!  More than likely, someday she’ll be a big sister!  As a first-born, she’ll likely be a good reader.  She’ll be highly motivated and fairly responsible.  She’ll likely be an achiever.  She’ll be rather independent and will probably value being alone. 

Her personality will be fully formed by the age of seven!  That makes those years VERY IMPORTANT!  Your influence will almost totally form that personality.  Calls for some introspection, huh? 

Her understanding of God will be largely formed by her relationship with her daddy!  Her spiritual sensitivities will be similar to yours. 

Inevitably, there will be pain.  Every roller coaster ride has its dips!  There’ll be:
     Ö        colds and flues
     Ö        broken bones (just ask Tracie)
     Ö        disappointments
     Ö        lost games
     Ö        failures
     Ö        bad grades
     Ö        betrayals by friends
     Ö        rude boys
     Ö        bad attitudes
     Ö        rebellions
     Ö        abandonment
     Ö        loneliness

You’ll be there through all of these!  You’ll comfort, encourage, pray with, hug, caress, support, serve, instruct, counsel, distract, and just generally BE THERE!  If you haven’t figured that out yet, that’s the main job of a parent.  We’re to BE THERE!  Always!  The chronic, cosmic problem of the children of divorce is that pervasive nagging need for parents who simply aren’t always there!!!  Maybe one or the other is always there, but kids need both parents to be there!  Always! 

She’ll love you!  It’ll be one of the most satisfying things you’ll ever experience!  The love and trust of a child is one of life’s highest highs!  My proudest moments in life were simply walking down the street with Troy on one hand and Tracibeth on the other!  J  My favorite pictures of myself are the ones that include my kids: 

§  laying double-decker on my back

 §  playing with me on the trampoline
 §  swimming with me
 §  wrestling
 §  selfies

Her hugs will make your day!  Her kisses will heal your weariness!  Her antics will make life worth living! 

You’ll be willing – in an instant – to lay down your life for her!  She will quickly become your greatest earthly treasure.

Part of the challenge will be the time and attention that she’ll require (along with any siblings that may follow).  Jon, you’ll lose some of Tracie due to this change.  She’ll be very focused on this new little girl.  Some of the attention that you’ve been used to will be re-directed.  If you’re at all like me, you’ll feel that.  But, somehow, we adjust to this and make up for it in new ways.  But mark this:  EVERYTHING’S ABOUT TO CHANGE!

Remarkably, Debbie and I are at the other end of the spectrum.  We’ve been de-nested now for several years.  It’s been a joyful time.  We are now able to pick up where we left off back in 1976 (when Travis was born).  Our focus is on one another again!  We’re getting reacquainted!  It’s fun!  Our little girl is now a big girl who’s getting ready to have a little girl of her own!  Oh my!  But don’t think about this too much – it’s a good 20-30 years away for you.  J 

You stay focused on enjoying the ride!  You’re in for the time of your life!  Chuck Swindoll tells a wonderful story of going for a ride in a speed-boat with former Oakland Raiders quarterback, Kenny Stabler.  When Chuck settled into his seat he looked up and saw a sign in front of him:  “GET IN, SIT DOWN, SHUT UP, HANG ON!”  Not bad advice for the ride you guys are on!

One last thought:  If you haven’t learned to pray yet – now’s a good time to start! 

I love you guys!

Dad