IMPLICATIONS OF JEREMIAH 4 FOR US TODAY

 Jeremiah 4

This is NOT a happy chapter!

Most people know the chronic pattern we find throughout the Old Testament prophets. In short: the people are fickle and prone to sin and rejecting God. God imposes fearful threats in hopes of getting them to repent and return to His ways. Often, they do repent – sometimes in response to God’s threats, other times after experiencing the wrath of God. But their repentance never seems to last long. Often it is contingent on the faithfulness of the reigning king and his regard for God!

This chapter doesn’t veer from this pattern.

In verses 1-2, God makes a strong appeal for the people to come back to Him: “put away your detested things [idols] from My presence, [NASB] and do not wander away from me anymore [TM].

Then, in verses 3-18, God initiates action against Israel by inciting a northern nation to come against her with incredible destructive power! But in this threat is still God’s appeal in picturesque language: “Plow your unplowed fields, but then don’t plant weeds in the soil! Yes, circumcise your lives for God’s sake, plow your unplowed hearts…Prevent the fire – the fire of my anger – for once it starts it can’t be put out. Your wicked ways are fuel for the fire” [vs.3-4 TM].

Let’s be clear! God wants repentance, obedience, and changed lives!

But the belligerence of the people assures them of impending violence! God – through Jeremiah – warns them to sound the alarm, weep and wail. Their leaders have failed them! The warring hordes have already begun to sweep into the land of Israel! News comes from the north: “Invaders from far off are raising war cries against Judah’s towns. They’re all over her like a dog on a bone. And why? Because she rebelled against me.” GOD’S Decree” [vs.15-17 TM].

Jeremiah then seems to speak the pain of the people! He speaks of his hopelessness! He speaks of;

o PRE-Genesis chaos [v.23 TM] - widespread destruction?

o Not a star to be seen [v.23 TM] - because of the smoke?

o Mountains trembling [v.24 TM]

o No people or birds in sight [v.25 TM] – everyone is dead or has fled!

o All gardens destroyed [raided by the enemy?] [v.26 TM]

o All the towns are ghost towns [v.27 TM] – complete devastation!

Jeremiah describes the terrifying fear of the people who remain! “They hide in ditches, they climb into caves” [v.29 TM].

The chapter ends with a pathetic scene: Jeremiah hears a woman crying out in childbirth [v.31]. She knows she will die – as will her baby!

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What are we – in the 21st century – supposed to take from this?

We live in a time of great division! In the last several years, our confidence in firmly established and long respected governmental structures has been significantly undermined! Our two greatest enemies ally against us! Many doubt the strength and cohesion of our military. We've distributed much of our weaponry and ammunition to a distant war that we are - supposedly - not involved in, Our long, imperial financial leadership shows signs of crumbling. The sacred security of our election process has been fractured! Lying has become the standard operating procedure of our leaders! It seems that many from our younger generations know little or nothing of these realities and don’t seem to care. It’s like they live in a trance!

Christianity is mocked. Churches are in decline! The growth we do see is often simply reshuffling the kingdom of God. The Church is divided by denominationalism and bitterness.

Wow, you’re wondering…did Hal take a negative pill this morning?

No. I’ve read a sobering passage from the Bible and have tried to present it faithfully and honestly. The above description of our culture may be inaccurately described – you be the judge of that. But I think I hear God issuing His final warnings! We dare not be distracted. Why waste time assigning blame?

God’s desire hasn’t changed. In verses 1-2, God makes a strong appeal for the people to come back to Him: “put away your detested things [idols] from My presence, [NASB] and do not wander away from me anymore [TM].

It’s likely that is still His desire for America today! Will we respond?

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TRANSITIONS

I retired in June, 2017.  For the next year-and-a-half, I enjoyed working around our new home every day: putting in a lawn, landscaping, building a garage [with Troy], and just general ‘other’ stuff. 

Then, I found myself watching the news for several hours every morning – which led to feelings of depression.  One day, I simply said to Debbie, “This has to change!”  A month later, I started to drive for Lyft and have enjoyed it for five-and-a-half years.  In July, I lost that job.

Since then I tried being a Spark driver, but it doesn’t seem to be working for me.  So, it seems to be ‘transition time’.  Deb is leaning hard on me to just retire again. 

The idea is not offensive to me.  I’ve dreamed of being able to write daily.  I also have a ‘to-do’ list that I never seem to be able to get around ‘to-doing’  😆. 

If we do this, our lives will change rather dramatically.  The loss of income will demand strict adherence to a budget! 

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TRANSITIONS!

We all face them!  They tend to require focus and determination.  Transitions bring rewards and sometimes challenges.

o   My FIRST transition was leaving home in 1969, to live with my brother in Philadelphia and work on a roofing crew!  I lived in his attic for three months, worked hard every day, made decisions about the money I was making, and exercised some independence in managing my time.

o   My SECOND transition was heading for Roberts Wesleyan College that fall to start my undergraduate studies.  This introduced a whole new wave of novelties: cafeteria meals, living in a dormitory, having a roommate, attending classes, studying, exams, papers, balancing social life, cleaning bathrooms (a part-time job), and eventually working at UPS and doing weekend night-watch to increase my income!  [There was also a stint when I gave breaks at Chili Plastics from 2:30-4:30 AM!!!!!].  🙄

o   My THIRD transition was getting married in August, 1973 (after graduating).  Debbie and I immediately moved to Wilmore, Kentucky, where I was enrolled at Asbury Theological Seminary.  A whole lot of good came with this transition!  J

    · Enjoying my new wife!
    · Seminary life!
    · Our first apartment.
    · Gathering furnishings.
    · Classes, study, papers, exams – again!
    · Working at UPS – again!
    · We moved three times during those three years! A harbinger of things to come!
    · My last two years I began ‘student-pastoring’ a small church in English, Indiana, on weekends!

o   Then came our FOURTH, huge transition in 1976!  Our bicentennial baby was born and Travis Wilson Haire became a huge part of our lives!  What fun that was! 

o   Our FIFTH transition was moving to Harrison City, PA, and pastoring the Jeannette Free Methodist Church.  It was 1976.  Travis was six months old.  We lived in a 70’ mobile home behind the church [The winters of ’76 & ’77 were brutally cold and snowy!]  I made $100/week.   The congregation had just built a brand new sanctuary, but had divided in the process.  They had an enormous debt of over $70,000 – and about forty people!  Yet before we left – two years later – the numbers had doubled!

o   Our SIXTH transition was moving to McClellandtown, PA, in 1978.  This ended up being a major period of change since it was while here that Troy William Haire and Tracie Elizabeth Haire joined our family!  Debbie became a VERY BUSY, young mother!  McClellandtown was a coal-patch-town.  It was very small and the congregation averaged around seventy people.  We had two dogs while there:  Rock, my coon-hound, and Chipoo, a fun little Chihuahua/poodle mix.  Again, significant growth occurred during these four years. 

o   Our SEVENTH transition set us up for a fairly long season in East Liverpool, OH.  I was appointed to the Oakland FMC in 1982, at the age of thirty.  Travis started and finished school during our thirteen years at Oakland – lucky for a ‘PK’!  I was driving to Pittsburgh 3-4 times/week to attend classes at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary to finish my Master of Divinity degree.  During these years, the church grew from seventy to over two-hundred.  I also acquired a Masters degree in Counseling at the Franciscan University of Steubenville [full-time for two years while leading a growing church].  Debbie watched kids in our home and then when Troy and Tracie began school – she worked as a teller at a credit union.  These were rewarding, growing, busy, and fascinating years! We travelled across Ohio following the sporting activities of Troy and Tracie and the East Liverpool Christian School.  Travis left home during this transition to attend college.

o   Our EIGHTH transition included a major move away from the Pittsburgh Conference to Spencerville, MD, where I became pastor of a small-but-stable church.  I needed a rest after all the educational pursuits and stress of leading a growing church!  Travis quit school after one semester and joined the Navy!  After being enlisted for a year-and-a-half, he ended up at the Naval Academy which was 26 miles from our new home!  He came to visit on lots of weekends since we were just within the limits of his travel restrictions!  I think that helped him survive the stresses of his ‘Plebe year’!  The church responded to our leadership and began to grow!  However, a family crisis arose that caused us to make one of the hardest decisions of our lives.  I quit at the church mid-year and we moved back to live on the farm with Deb’s folks.  We needed a loving environment to coddle us as we healed our family!  It was late fall, 1998.  After a few weeks, friends provided an apartment for us in Chester, WV.  For months we had no income.  We managed to buy each of our kids one gift for Christmas that year.  When Travis came home, he took Troy and Tracie out to buy a small Christmas tree and a few decorations.  [All our furniture and belongings were stored in the garage of the parsonage in Spencerville.]  It was a hard time!

o   Our NINTH transition became an amazing blessing!  After months of being told that I was ‘over-qualified’ for jobs, we were hired by a social-serving agency in Akron, OH, where we ran a licensed home for behaviorally-challenged children in Summit County!  They provided the home and a healthy income!  We attended the Cornerstone Church where a couple we knew from Asbury were leading this growing congregation!  Charlie Young had become Ohio Conference Superintendent and Brenda was now leading the church (of over 400)!  Within weeks, I was hired as a part-time associate.  By June, I became the Lead Associate Pastor.  During the next five years, the church grew to well over 700!  It was an incredible time of learning, excitement, development and financial recovery!  Fruitful years!  Troy and Tracie both launched their independence during these years! 

o   Our TENTH transition involved a painful departure from Cornerstone, but an adventurous [and somewhat shocking] beginning in New Middletown, OH, where I began leading Free Methodist Community Church!  After a rough start, the church responded wonderfully to our leadership!  Within three years the growth began, taking us from a congregation of seventy to eventually bouncing over two hundred!  Many new converts!  Exciting and innovative programs and involvement!  Debbie thoroughly enjoyed her job of working with Cindy Marchese in the Springfield Local School District!  We lived in the parsonage on the church property from June, 2003, until June, 2012.  Tracie and Troy were each married during this season: 2005 and 2012 respectively.  We welcomed Jon Kerstetter and Missy Noel to our family!  Tracie and Jon also gave us two wonderful grandchildren during this time:  Rylie Grace (2007) and Coltin Eugene (2009).  J 

o   Our ELEVENTH transition was undoubtedly our BIGGEST!  In late August, 2012, we left for three years in the city of Changchun, Jilin Province, People’s Republic of China!  We taught English at the Changchun University of Science and Technology!  I don’t dare start talking about this experience here; it deserves a book [yet to be written]. 😉

o   Transition number TWELVE was HARD!  Upon returning to America, we had no home, no income, no cars, and we were struggling with reverse culture shock!  I, particularly, felt lost!  We lived in a trailer at the farm in Enon Valley for over a year – courtesy of Debbie’s brother, Walt (and his wife, Lyn).  I was appointed back to the Pittsburgh Conference to serve the Kittanning, PA FMC as a part-time-commuting pastor. I began in September, 2015.  In October, Travis died!  We were devastated!  Then, on Christmas night, Deb’s dad – Ken Whippo – died!  We were overwhelmed with grief!  In spite of these losses, we secured a lot at Heron Woods in 2016, bought a manufactured home and had it placed on the lot.  It’s our home to the current day!  I retired in June, 2017 – being a commuting pastor just wasn’t working - although the church had been growing.  A year-and-a-half later, I began to work for Lyft.

o   And now we’re facing transition THIRTEEN!  I hope it’s not unlucky!  😂  It will certainly have its challenges, especially in the area of finances.  However, the ONE who has accompanied us all along the way, will not leave us!  Perhaps He has a plan that we can’t see yet?  No one knows what tomorrow holds.  We’ll cling to Him and take joy from the journey!  You do the same! 

GENEROUS CHURCHES GROW!

As we finish out the book of Philippians, the Apostle Paul – who has just spoken eloquently about contentment – issues messages of gratitude to the churches that have supported him.  He especially singles out the Philippian church for being the only one that supported him during his time in Macedonia.  They also sent him several gifts while he was at Thessalonica. 

Then, he affirms them for a gift he has just recently received from the church at Philippi – carried to him by Epaphroditus.  His comment: “I am amply supplied.”

He seems to pick his words carefully here by saying: “Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the profit which increases to your account.”  This phrase is more important than you might think and has been exaggerated by many teachers.  THE MESSAGE paraphrases it: “Not that I’m looking for handouts, but I do want you to experience the blessing that issues from generosity.” 

Hmmm.  Generosity leads to blessing.

Then the apostle puts the capstone on his message: “You can be sure that God will take care of everything you need, his generosity exceeding even yours in the glory that pours from Jesus.” 

Maybe you’d recognize that verse if you heard it from a more familiar version? 

“And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” [v.19 NASB]

Hmmm.  Generosity leads to all your needs being met by Jesus. 

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It pains me to confess this, but most churches are receivers, but not very efficient givers. 

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I have two wonderful memories!

FIRST

While pastoring the Oakland Church, we discerned that God wanted us to give $100,000 to missions one year!  That was roughly twenty times what the congregation had given in a year previously!  Many thought it was IMPOSSIBLE! 

We made it a major prayer focus throughout the year!  There are too many stories that emerged for me to tell here.  But, just one:

And older member who never spoke out in a service, got up one Sunday and told us a story.  Ellen Wilson was watching the 700 Club.  Pat Robertson was praying.  In the middle of his prayer, he stopped.  After a moment of silence, he said: “There’s a church out there that is trying to raise $100,000 for missions.  God wants you to know that He’s going to do it!” 

At the end of that year, we had a special ‘watch-night’ service on December 31.  We were still $26,000 short.  The church was packed!  After a powerful worship time, we took a praise offering and exceeded our goal! 

It was during the next year that the church saw many converts and saw attendances consistently over 200!!

SECOND

At a request from the World Missions Department, I asked the Ministry Council at Free Methodist Community Church in New Middletown to pray at every meeting that God would send someone (or a couple) into full time missionary service in the Free Methodist Church.  For over two years, we held hands at the close of every meeting and lifted this prayer to Almighty God!

One Wednesday evening, Corey and Connie Persing asked to talk with me.  We met at the parsonage and Corey reported: “I think we might be the answer to the Ministry Council’s prayers!”

After collaboration with the World Missions Department, it was decided that they should go to Thailand for a couple of weeks to see if they would fit into that context.  FMCC paid for that trip.

Next, it was decided that they should go as ‘interns’ for a year.  FMCC paid most of the $85,000 needed to make that happen! 

This was a breakthrough event that catalyzed a wave of new conversions and caused us to start a second Sunday service.  Attendance began to exceed 200 as a result!

NOTE:  Corey and Connie are still significant leaders of International Child Care Ministries and mission’s training in Thailand today!

 Paul taught it:  GENEROSITY LEADS TO BLESSING!

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A FINAL THOUGHT AND A QUESTION:

Final Thought:

The context of Paul’s teaching here is the local church!  That does not mean that this principal doesn’t work for individuals (or couples) – I believe it does!  However, we should note that the context is focused on local churches!

Question:

With all the books and conferences that have been presented on the topic of church growth, could the defining factor be as simple as GENEROSITY?

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Lord of the Church,

Unlock the purse strings of our churches!  Help us to see the significance of building churches in needy areas instead of building cathedrals for our comfort! 

Open our eyes to see that generosity is the key to Your heart!  If we are generous, You will meet all our needs and grow Your Kingdom as a result!

With eyes and hearts of hope, we pray.  Amen!

FEARLESS, JOYFUL, TRIUMPHANT LIVING

We’re moving through the last (4th) chapter of Paul’s letter to the Philippians.  Yesterday I wrote about contentment (vs.10-12).  The day before that the topic was what we think about (vs.8-9).  Now, we embrace the crowning thought of Paul’s challenge (v.13).

“I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”

Ten words in the English language!  Ten absolutely phenomenal, extraordinary, exceptional words! 

But let’s not just snag these words from the text because we happen to like them!  These words apply to those who are Paul’s beloved brethren (v.1). 

Those who Rejoice in the Lord always (v.4).

Those who are anxious for nothing (v.6), but instead turn everything over to God in prayer!

Those who purposely dwell on things that are:

·         honorable

·         right

·         pure

·         lovely, and

·         of good reputation. (v.8)

Those who have learned to be content (v.11) in any circumstances!

DO THESE QUALITIES DEFINE YOUR LIFE?  [Maybe you ought to read them again?]

If this is the way you are living, then Paul’s ten audacious words apply to you! 

“[You] can do all things through Him who strengthens [you].”

Most of my readers know by now that I love Eugene Peterson’s paraphrase, THE MESSAGE.  Here’s how he phrases it:

“Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am.”

Are there any more encouraging words in all of scripture? 

It doesn’t matter what you’re facing:

·         terrible loss

·         financial crisis

·         loss of job

·         death of a loved one

·         a health crisis

Imagine the worst and add it to this list! 

If you’re following Paul’s formula for healthy spirituality - “[You] can do all things through Him who strengthens [you].”

THE GREATEST VALUE I LEARNED FROM MY PARENTS

Leonard (born in 1912) and Hazel (born in 1913) Haire were good and loving parents.  I was blessed to be the youngest of their four children [Jeannette, Ira, Beverly and me]. 

The Great Depression was from 1929-1939.  My dad would have turned seventeen in ’29. 

He quit school after the eighth grade and applied for a job with Townsend Company – lying about his age, saying he was sixteen.  My brother and I calculated that he was probably hired in 1928.  He worked for this company for forty-eight years before retiring.   Therefore, he worked consistently throughout that desperate time!  

They were married on August 17, 1934 – smack-dab in the middle of the Great Depression!  My Grandma Walton [who I never knew] gave each of her three daughters a house on Mount Washington in Beaver Falls, PA.  My parents were given her house with the condition that she would live with them until her death.  My two oldest siblings remember her.

Therefore, when they were married – in the middle of the depression – they owned a home that had been gifted to them!  Jeannette was born February, 25, 1937.  Ira was born April 10, 1940.  Beverly was born July 25, 1944.  I am the only baby boomer of the family – born in 1952. 

God was clearly watching over them throughout these challenging years! 

As best I can tell, my mother’s background was Welsh/English.  She was very frugal!  My dad was an excellent money manager.  Jeannette remembers that dad would give my mom money to use on ‘dollar days’ in Beaver Falls.  He would stash it away for these special times.  She ALWAYS used coupons and shopped on 'triple-coupon' days!  She collected books of saving's stamps and redeemed them for the things the family needed!  

Growing up, I never received gifts nor did they buy me things throughout the year.  However, at Christmas, I received everything I would need for that next year.  Mom would wrap pens, underwear, notebooks, school clothes along with toys for that special day.  It took all morning to open all my gifts! 

In 1956, they purchased a brand new home in New Brighton for $11,000.  My dad enjoyed nice cars and managed to save his savings’ bonds from work to purchase them.  They never had a problem with debt.  My first memory of eating out was at a new McDonald’s in Beaver Falls somewhere around my thirteenth birthday [you ordered at a window and ate in your car]! 

Later in life – while I was still at home - they bought a small camping trailer.  I was a little embarrassed about this ‘no-name-brand’ camper, but they absolutely loved it.  Later, they purchased a used Shasta camper and travelled widely in it.  Those in their ‘camper’s club’ had much bigger, nicer campers; but mom and dad were 100% content with their little Shasta. 

I never heard a word of envy from either of them – only gratitude to God for what they had!  THE EVENTS OF THEIR LIVES HAD TAUGHT THEM THE SECRET OF CONTENTMENT. 

I wish I could say that I learned immediately from their example, but it took me a while to discover the secret that they had learned.  Debbie and I weren’t so wise in our youth.  We made mistakes and struggled with low pay and high school debts.  But eventually, God got our attention and we began to operate according to His standards.  Life has been much better since. 

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The Apostle Paul speaks of this discipline in Philippians 4:10-14 [TM].

Actually, I don’t have a sense of needing anything personally. I’ve learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I’m just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I’ve found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am. 

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My parents had a legacy of contentment.  I now have grown into that legacy.  I owe them a great debt of gratitude for their excellent example.  I’m especially grateful for a wife who has travailed with me through rough and lean years to get to where we are today. 

Please don’t read-in what’s not here.  We’re not wealthy.  Not affluent.  Just content!  Have you learned this ‘secret’ that Paul spoke of? 

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Gracious God,

You stuck with us through our years of learning.  You gave us partners to advise us and guide us.  You sent help every time we needed it!  You delivered us time and time again!  How can we ever thank You enough?

And You don’t love us any more than the people reading this blog!  You will do for them what You’ve done for us!  Guide them through Your Word and Your Spirit.  May many of Your followers find peace even in the midst of trial and want. 

You are faithful!  And we praise You for that!  Amen!

REPURPOSED

 Prologue

Brad was just beginning his gap year after graduating from high school in June.  He was planning on doing an extended road trip using his graduation money, but hadn’t left yet.  His pattern was to sleep in, rise around 8:00 AM, and come down for breakfast with his mom. 

She enjoyed cooking each morning for Brad and his younger sister, who had already left for school.  Connie was fifteen and glad that her big brother was no longer attending school.  He was overprotective and crimped her lifestyle.  But she loved him just the same and missed riding to and from school with him.  She hated riding the bus and couldn’t wait to get her own driver’s license.

The Shanksville-Stoneybrook School District was one of the smallest in Pennsylvania.  Its residents numbered around 2,500 and the school had less than four hundred students K-12.  It’s nestled along the slopes of the Allegheny Mountains about eight miles northeast of Somerset, Pennsylvania and 30 miles northwest of Cumberland, Maryland.  The three main occupations in this rural area are farming, lumbering and strip mining. 

Brad’s mom had the kitchen television on, as she did every morning, watching Fox and Friends.  As she plopped Brad’s plate before him there was a special report on about a plane that had crashed into one of the towers of the World Trade Center in New York City.  This first report was sketchy with little detail.  However, within the next fifteen minutes, more information became available indicating that it could be an act of terrorism.  They watched with rapt attention as live video reports emanated from the city.  Then, to their shock, another plane crashed into the other twin tower and flames burst from the building.  The realization that they had just witnessed hundreds of deaths in an instant brought tears and fear upon Brad and his mom.  They moved to the living room to watch the family television. 

Forty minutes later, a report came on that the Pentagon had also been hit.  Gradually, it became apparent that the United States was under a carefully manufactured attack – probably masterminded by Osama Bin Laden.  Most Americans were glued to their television sets consuming real-time news via live-feed cameras.  It was a momentous hour!

It wasn’t long before a report was given indicating that another airplane may have been hijacked and was possibly heading toward Washington D.C. with either the White House or the U.S. Capital as its target.  Both buildings were being evacuated to brace for the potential assault. 

Brad and his mom had barely been aware of how much time had passed when their entire house shook!  They looked at one another in fear!  What could possibly cause such an enormous tremor? 

Brad leaped to the window and spotted a massive plume of smoke and dust about a half-mile west of their home.  He told his mom to keep the doors locked as he ran to the barn to mount one of the four-wheelers.  He flew down the country road and was one of the first to arrive on the horrendous scene. 

A huge gash in the ground and mounds of dirt were the only evidence of a downed airliner – later identified as United Flight 95, out of Newark, New Jersey.  Brad and a few other men stood in shock at the brink of the gap, covering their faces to protect themselves from the thick, black, acrid smoke.  Brad had never felt so helpless.  He didn’t know what to do or where to begin.  He circled the area and saw no sign of life and heard no cries for help.  Sirens blared as first responders began to arrive.

Brad stayed on the scene for several hours until a perimeter was set and he was cleared away from the crash site.  He remained until the sun set and watched as great spotlights were set up to illuminate the area for rescue workers who worked to no avail. 

When he arrived home, his family was still gathered in the living room watching the day’s unbelievable events unfold on Fox News.  Gradually, painfully, he sorted through what he had witnessed.  He had no appetite.  Inside, he was angry!  He couldn’t believe that we’d been assaulted on our own turf!  Almost as many lives had been taken today as at Pearl Harbor nearly sixty years earlier! 

Brad’s hiatus year ended two days later when he visited the local recruiter’s office and joined the Marines. 

MY HAPPY-FACED GIRL!

 50th ANNIVERSARY TRIBUTE

 It started with a date in 1968.  [That’s the only line that’s going to rhyme!]

We knew one another from camp but we’d never had much more than a casual conversation.

The Pittsburgh Conference used to have a ‘Senior Banquet’. 

Deb was a senior.  She had a friend – Ann Smith – suggest that I ask her to go.

I did, but have always maintained that she asked me out on our first date!

Actually, I felt fortunate!  She was pretty, fun, athletic, had great legs, and was popular! 

We continued to date – off-and-on – for the next five years.

I first told her that I loved her in the front seat of my ’63 Chevy while sitting at an intersection very near Enon Valley [where she lived].

 

She’d grown up on a farm.

She’d bailed hay and worked with her dad when she was young.

She’d helped her mom raise her younger siblings – all eight of them!

She could run like the wind!

 

In 1969, we both wound up at Roberts Wesleyan College; we had not been together for a few months.

Gradually, we got together again.  [Her biggest adjustment in going to college was learning to drink regular milk instead of raw milk!]

We were both largely paying our own way at college – it was expensive. 

After getting two years in, she went back to the farm and began working at Kaufman’s in hopes of paying off her school debt. 

We entered into a period of a long-distance relationship. 

I hitchhiked that 250 miles MANY TIMES over the next two years!

I spent my summers working for a roofing crew in Philadelphia.  I made trips home for Family Camp and other special events [like our good friends’ wedding – John and Joan Mitchell]. 

On September 3, 1971, I took Debbie to Conneaut Lake Park and proposed to her during our picnic lunch!  Two years later, on August 11, we were married in the New Brighton Free Methodist Church in front of a packed house of family and friends.  All of Debbie’s sisters stood up with her.  My guys were my two nephews – Tom and Bob Liberty, and my two best friends – Bob Creese and Larry Householder!  It was a joyous day – except for whoever smeared our windshield with Crisco and put Limburger chees on my engine. 

We honeymooned in a chalet in Marian, PA – courtesy of Debbie’s Aunt Dorothy!  Then, we spent several days at the Summit Inn near the Poconos. 

Back to New Brighton to open all our wonderful gifts, pack a U-Haul truck and head for Wilmore, Kentucky – our home for the next three years while I attended seminary.  On February 24, 1976, our Bicentennial Baby came to join our family – Travis Wilson Haire – weighing in at less than five pounds. 

We returned to the Pittsburgh Conference and I began to lead the Jeannette FMC – we were there for two years.  In 1978, we moved to McClellandtown, PA where we stayed another four years.  Tray and Tracie were born during this appointment.

We were a family of three for exactly four-and-a-half years until Troy William Haire came to join our family.  After waiting four-and-a-half years, we thought it would be a while, but within eleven months, Tracie Elizabeth Haire came along to make our family complete! 

In 1982, we moved to East Liverpool where I led the Oakland Church for thirteen years.  Travis started and finished school in East Liverpool.  We owned a home overlooking the Ohio River for seven years. 

You’re probably getting the picture that we moved a lot!  Actually fifteen times!

1.                   to a cement-block duplex at 301 East Morrison Street, Wilmore, Kentucky - after our honeymoon!

2.                  to our first real home:  a 40' x 8' mobile home at 20 Chapelview, Wilmore, which we paid $1,800 for and sold for the same a year-and-a-half later.  Travis was born while we lived here.

3.                  to another, nicer duplex at 104 Stephens Drive, Nicholasville, Kentucky. On weekends we lived in a 70' mobile home behind the Tunnel Hill Free Methodist Church in English, Indiana.

4.                  to 112 Oak Lane, Harrison City, Pennsylvania.  Here we endured two horrendous winters in a mobile home in 1977 and 1978.

5.                  to Blaine Avenue, McClellandtown, Pennsylvania.  Troy and Tracie were born while we lived here and Travis went to Kindergarden.

6.                  to 315 Hill Boulevard, East Liverpool, Ohio.  A very small parsonage that we grew out of! 

7.                  to a home we purchased at 316 Thompson Avenue, East Liverpool, Ohio.  Debbie bought the house - I bought the view!  

8.                 to 285 Bradshaw Avenue, East Liverpool, Ohio.  We were told we were moving, so we sold our house!  Had to rent this one and move.  A year later it was sold and we had to move again!  

9.                  to 500 West Fifth Street, East Liverpool, Ohio.  We nicknamed this place 'Maniac Mansion'.  It was HUGE!  There was a Bruno's pizza shop on the corner that sold big slices for $.50 - we ate a lot of pizza while there with three teenagers!  Travis left for college from here (He hated his semester there!  He called me one day and said, "Dad, they're stricter here than you were!").  

10.              to 2100 Spencerville Road, Spencerville, Maryland.  Travis was at the United States Naval Academy while we lived here (25 miles away).  

11.               to?    We lived in several places for a few months:  the farm in Enon Valley, an apartment in Chester, West Virginia (courtesy of our friend, Heidi Dietz), and a house in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio.  This was a transition during a time of family crisis; we ended up running a licensed home for severely behaviorally challenged children in Summit County for six years!  

12.              to 962 Kickapoo Avenue (my favorite address - very poetic) where we worked for the Shelter Care Agency.  I also joined the staff at the Cornerstone FMC.  Troy and Tracie both left the nest while we lived here.

13.              to 4350 E Calla Road, New Middletown, Ohio.  

14.              to room 1237, Hua Yuan Hotel, Weixing Liu, Changchun, Jilin Province, PRC.

15.              to 273 Gilmore Road, Enon Valley, Pennsylvania (after a disastrous one-month in a duplex in New Castle, Pennsylvania).  

16.              to 190 Rusty Trail, Enon Valley, Pennsylvania - hopefully our last stop before Heaven!

 All this with the love of my life!  She’s been an endure!  Moving is HARD WORK!  We stayed up all night packing more than a few times. 

I was describing my girlfriend to one of my college professors many years earlier.  Prof Magill finally figured out who she was and he expressed himself emphatically: “Oh! That happy-faced girl!”  “Yep!” I answered, “that’s the one!”  It captures her spirit!  She’s still my ‘happy-faced girl’!  And I intend to hold on to her until we go to meet Jesus!

Make no mistake when you look at her!  She’s tough!  She’s resilient!  She’s a servant!  She’s overtly generous!  She loves her family!  She overcame deficits!  Remarkably, she loves me!  I’m a very blessed man because of her! 

She’s endured my highs and survived my lows!  She’s stayed with me when I’ve been overwhelmed with

• pastoring growing churches,
• pursuing two master’s degrees,
• up-all-night typing papers,
• manifold trips to Pittsburgh for seminary classes,
• visits to the hospital for emergency calls,
• [many] trips home for funerals during vacations,
• resolving conflicts in the churches,
• the struggles and stresses of raising three kids,
• financial distress and pressures,
• driving lots of old cars, and
• periodic battles with depression!

I hope you’re getting the picture!  I’m a very fortunate man!  In one word: BLESSED!