SHOULD WE KEEP HAVING CAMP?

I have always loved Family Camp! I’ve attended regularly since BEFORE I was born!

There’s a picture taken in July, 1951, hanging in the hallway at camp that included my mom and dad. Whether she knew it yet or not, she was pregnant with me since I was born in late January, 1952.  😊

Debbie and I have moved to camp even during the thirteen years that we lived in East Liverpool! We knew how important it was to be immersed in camp, so we hauled all our stuff to camp – even though we only lived a mile away!  I directed the Family Camp for quite a few of our ‘Oakland years’ [1982-1995].

Our kids loved camp! Troy and Missy still attend. Troy is a trustee – following in the footsteps of his Grandpap Whippo and Grandpap Haire! Scott Iachetta is my nephew and he also has supported camp strongly through the years [including serving on the Camp Council] – even though he lives in Holly, NY. His contributions of service over the years have been a huge blessing to Tri-State Camp!

The benefits of Family Camp are:

o   Ten+ days of fellowship.

o   Family fun with age-appropriate classes for our kids and youth!

o   Valuable worship experiences every evening in the tabernacle!

o   A morning class for adults that is stimulating and Bible-centered!

o   Three delightful meals are prepared for us every day for ten days!

o   We connect with friends that we may only see at camp.

o   We make new friends.

o   Children have a lot of freedom and fun!

o   There were 10-20 individuals who visibly sought spiritual help during this year’s camp.

o   this list could go on….

THERE ARE LOTS OF POSITIVES…

BUT THERE ARE ALSO NEGATIVES!

• Our financial goal has been relatively frozen around $30,000 for a number of years – in spite of significant inflation!  We have not reached our goal several times in recent years.  [This year’s goal is $32,000].
• Attendance is down significantly! Not too long ago, we would see evening attendances of 200-250. This year’s average was less than 150 [not counting the last Sunday morning the average attendance was 125].  The high was recorded Monday evening – 165].
• It has been increasingly difficult for the Camp Council to find willing workers to staff the necessary jobs to make camp work!
• Our camp is aging seriously! Keeping the Dining Hall Dorm, the Youth Dorm, and the tabernacle painted is becoming increasingly challenging. Other issues like rotting windows are rarely even addressed! Many cabins are in very poor condition, making our camp an eye-sore to the community!
• Clearly, the camp roads need major attention, but the funds to address this issue are VERY SIGNIFICANT, and currently beyond our reach.
• Our camp base of support is aging! No one wants to admit this, but the younger generation has already voted to close the camp by virtue of their non-attendance.

This year’s survey asked if we would consider changing from 10 days [which is actually 11 days – counting the first Thursday evening] to a week-long camp. I assume that will fuel some discussion for our Camp Council this year.

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FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Churches ultimately close due to a lack of finances! When they can no longer pay the pastor or the electric bill or the pension fund – they close the doors!

The signs indicate that our camp is dying a slow death. Is it best to maintain it until the inevitable occurs?

The following is valuable history to consider that is very relevant to the development of ‘camp associations’:

“It should be noted that the establishment of one conference superintendent [in 1976] signaled massive change for the Pittsburgh Conference district camps!  The districts were inadvertantly dissolved. Churches were no longer aligned with the ‘camp meetings’ since we no longer had districts; all churches belonged to the Pittsburgh Conference. Where district assessments, assignments and mandatory attendance and support by pastors had formerly prevailed – these were subtly but persistently ignored!  This was the beginning of a major period of change and struggle for the Rochester District Camp [East Liverpool, OH], the Kiski Area Camp [Apollo, PA] and the Fairmont District Camp [Fairchance, PA]”  [Quote from Hal’s blog: Hal-lelujah!: PITTSBURGH CONFERENCE HISTORY: A Personal Perspective]

Today, some of the churches that were formerly part of the Rochester District, no longer support – or even advertise Tri-State Family Camp!

Each church that withdraws support from the camp makes it increasingly difficult for the camp to survive!

Consequently, our operating base has diminished SINGINFICANTLY in recent years! The adjustments to this reality are challenging us in MAJOR WAYS – financially and in terms of willing workers!

We cannot afford to simply give an emotional response!  Yes, many of us are the loyalists who love the camp and have sacrificed time and money to keep it operating; but can we keep this up? When do enough of the older supporters pass on, and then we simply can't pay the bills?

It seems to me - as one of the camp's strongest supporters - that the time has come to at least begin this discussion!

WHEN FEAR STRIKES - PRAY FIRST

Jehoshaphat was king of Judah from approximately 873 to 848 B.C.  His father, Asa, had been a good king who made some bad decisions toward the end of his life.

All-in-all, Jehoshaphat was a good king. According to II Chronicles 17:3-5 ™,

God was on Jehoshaphat’s side because he stuck to the ways of his father Asa’s early years. He didn’t fool around with the popular Baal religion—he was a seeker and follower of the God of his father and was obedient to him; he wasn’t like Israel. And God secured the kingdom under his rule, gave him a firm grip on it. And everyone in Judah showed their appreciation by bringing gifts. Jehoshaphat ended up very rich and much honored. He was single-minded in following God; 

Unfortunately, like his father, Jehoshaphat made some poor choices along the way and disappointed God.  For a season, he aligned himself with the evil king of Israel, Ahab.  God sent a prophet to reprimand Jehoshaphat and from that point on, he determined to remain faithful to God!

TO BE FAIR – Isn’t this true for all of us?

Some time later the Moabites and Ammonites, accompanied by Meunites, joined forces to make war on Jehoshaphat. Jehoshaphat received this intelligence report: “A huge force is on its way from beyond the Dead Sea to fight you. There’s no time to waste—they’re already [near].”

Shaken, Jehoshaphat prayed. He went to God for help and ordered a nationwide fast. The country of Judah united in seeking God’s help—they came from all the cities of Judah to pray to God.

Then Jehoshaphat took a position before the assembled people of Judah and Jerusalem at The Temple of God in front of the new courtyard and said, “O God, God of our ancestors, are you not God in heaven above and ruler of all kingdoms below? You hold all power and might in your fist—no one stands a chance against you! And didn’t you make the natives of this land leave as you brought your people Israel in, turning it over permanently to your people Israel, the descendants of Abraham your friend? They have lived here and built a holy house of worship to honor you, saying, ‘When the worst happens—whether war or flood or disease or famine—and we take our place before this Temple (we know you are personally present in this place!) and pray out our pain and trouble, we know that you will listen and give victory.’  [II Chronicles 20:1-9  ™]

Let’s observe Jehoshaphat’s response to this impending threat:

1.   He prayed!

2.   He called his people to prayer and fasting!

3.   He went to the Temple and led the nation in public prayer! 

NOTICE:

He didn’t panic!

He didn’t call for his military leaders!

He didn’t begin to fortify the city!

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I need this reminder as much as anyone else!

When bad news arrives, we must train ourselves to turn to God FIRST!

HE IS OUR SOVEREIGN GOD!

ü He is all powerful!

ü He is everywhere present!

ü He is all-knowing!

Who better to guide and advise us in the midst of trials and difficult times? 

But how quickly we worry and fret as though we did not serve the Lord and Master of the universe! 

We need more than a string tied around our finger! 

We need to be diligent in training ourselves daily – even hourly – to turn to the Lord and trust Him to see us through whatever the world [or our spiritual enemy] throws at us! 

When Jehoshaphat prayed before his people, he included this reminder: 

‘When the worst happens – whether war or flood or disease or famine – and we take our place before this Temple (we know You are personally present in this place!) and pray out our pain and trouble, we know that You will listen and give victory.’  [20:9 ™] 

Jehoshaphat applied two principles: 

     I.        PRAY!

   II.        AGREEMENT PRAYER! 

We need to train ourselves to do the same! 

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Now I know that some of you want to know how this situation turned out. 😊

First, in response to all of the prayer, God sent a prophet to speak to Jehoshaphat:

He said, “Attention everyone—all of you from out of town, all you from Jerusalem, and you King Jehoshaphat—God’s word: Don’t be afraid; don’t pay any mind to this vandal horde. This is God’s war, not yours. Tomorrow you’ll go after them; …You won’t have to lift a hand in this battle; just stand firm, Judah and Jerusalem, and watch God’s saving work for you take shape. Don’t be afraid, don’t waver. March out boldly tomorrow—God is with you.”  [20:15-17 ™]

 Second,

Then Jehoshaphat knelt down, bowing with his face to the ground. All Judah and Jerusalem did the same, worshiping God. The Levites (both Kohathites and Korahites) stood to their feet to praise God, the God of Israel; they praised at the top of their lungs!  [20:18 ™]

THIS IS IMPORTANT! They rejoiced and thanked God BEFORE they saw the arrival of God’s promised deliverance!

Third,

The next morning, Jehoshaphat prayed over his people and deliberated with them about how to go into battle.  Corporately, they decided to put a choir out in front of their forces to sing and give praise to God as they marched into battle!

Think about it! Would you have volunteered to be on the worship team for this special event? 

As this praise gathering marched ahead of the troops shouting and praising God,

 God set ambushes against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir as they were attacking Judah, and they all ended up dead.  [20:22 ™]

GOD IS GOOD FOR HIS WORD! HE DELIVERS!

HE DELIVERED JEHOSHAPHAT AND HIS PEOPLE!

AND HE’LL DELIVER YOU – IF YOU PRIORITIZE PRAYER AND YOUR TRUST IN HIM! 

TAKE THOU AUTHORITY TO PREACH THE WORD

I’ve learned a lot about differences in the ways that ordination are observed across various denominations just by being part of the Bethel Evangelical Presbyterian Church for the past seven years.

Actually, it hit close to home for us as a couple. Several years ago, Debbie was ordained as a ruling elder in this church. She served for three rather explosive years as a member of the ’session’.  She felt the burden of leadership throughout this experience. One interesting caveat was the fact that the ruling elders serve Holy Communion to the congregation. So, for the first time in our lives, she served me communion – instead of the vice versa!  I am proud of the respect she has garnered as a result of her leadership investment.

In the Wesleyan movement, elders are ordained by bishops and are enabled thereby to lead local churches, marry, serve Holy Communion, and hold a vote in their annual conference.

When I was ordained, the Free Methodist Church practiced an ordination of submission that included a first step of being ordained as a ‘Deacon’. After a minimum of satisfactorily serving in this role, one could then be fully ordained as an ‘Elder’.  I was fortunate to receive both ordinations by a bishop that I highly respected and admired: Bishop Paul N. Ellis. 

I must admit that I don’t recall much of the specifics of those events. The one memory I do have is negative. Debbie was invited to stand [and kneel] with me during this rite of passage. When the service concluded, my conference superintendent congratulated us and told us that it would have been better if Debbie had not worn that flashy, beaded necklace! He was NOT one of my favorite leaders.

The ordination service typically takes place at our annual conference. Our leaders designate the final service of worship to include this sacred time in the lives of our prospective candidates who have been voted on by the entire conference after the answering of the required questions. 

Typically, the worship leads to a message by the bishop who then presides over the ordination service. The candidates are called forward along with their spouses where they publicly respond to the required questions for ordination and are then invited to kneel before the bishop and congregation. Any elders present are also invited to move forward and participate in the ‘laying on of hands’.

The presiding bishop – along with the elders - then lay their hands on the ordinand while speaking the following words:

“The Lord pour upon you the Holy Spirit for the office and work of an elder in the Free Methodist Church now committed unto you by the laying on of our hands.”

Then, the bishop holds the ordinands Bible out to them. As they together grasp the Bible, the following charge is given:

“Take authority to minister the Word of God. Faithfully proclaim His Word, declare His forgiveness, celebrate the sacraments, shepherd His people.”

The service is usually brought to an end by a prayer and an opportunity for the worshipping community to come forward and offer congratulations to the newly ordained elders and their spouses. 

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Debbie and I recently attended a special Tri-Conference event involving the Harvest Conference [Pittsburgh area and West Virginia], the Keystone Conference [Northwestern Pennsylvania] and the Ohio Conference [Nearly the whole state of Ohio]. Bishop Kaye Kolde presided over this special event.

Those who know me and read my blogs will be aware that I have been a lifelong advocate of women in ministry. The Free Methodist Church has been ordaining women since 1911.

Eight individuals were called to the platform during the Tri-conference ordination service: four women and four men – all accompanied by their wives/husbands. One at a time, they were brought before Bishop Kolde.  All elders had been invited to fill the area in front of the platform so that they could participate in the laying on of hands. There were surely one hundred elders crowded across the front of the worship center. At the appropriate moment we all laid our hands on one another’s shoulders bringing us into symbolic contact with the ordinand. 

Surely someone took a picture of this event; I wish I had that picture! I ended up right in front of Bishop Kolde and about five or six feet from the place where she spoke to the ordinands. 

It was surely a powerful moment for those being ordained! You could sense their humility and the responsibility they were accepting as they interacted with Bishop Kolde.

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I have always had a penchant for observing the differences between males and females. It’s a topic that I have written about frequently. 

Although this event took place several weeks ago, I am still contemplating the difference between the ways the men and women responded to Bishop Kolde.  I’m not sure yet what this difference implies.

The Free Methodist Church has MANY women in ministry! 

My first hire while leading a growing church was a young woman – Raeanne Thompson – who had just graduated from college. She was an outstanding ‘Youth Pastor’ and was responsible for growing the Oakland Church significantly over the next several years. She is still active in ministry today!

I also worked for six years with Lead Pastor, Brenda Mason Young, at what was then the Cornerstone Free Methodist Church in Akron, Ohio,  During that time the church grew from an attendance of 400 to over 700. Her exemplary and dynamic leadership was the primary catalyst for that growth! They were the most exciting years of my overall ministry!

In an age when the church is in serious decline and many denominations are having difficulty finding enough pastors to fill their churches – one wonders why they are not turning to the vast number of women who are responding to God’s ‘call’ to ministry!

I’ve wandered…let’s get back to my ordination observations:

In the case of each of the men that Bishop Kolde ordained, the men knelt with the heads bowed. When the bishop offered them their Bible for the second part of the act of ordination, they looked up briefly and then bowed their heads again. 

There was a distinct difference in the way that the women responded. They also bowed their heads while the bishop laid her hands on their heads. However, when Bishop Kolde offered the women their Bible, each of them continued to look up into Bishop Kolde’s eyes! I felt like I could sense the communication flowing between these women!

The bishop drank in their gaze with deep sincerity. They showed admiration, respect and the experiencing of a divine moment as they returned her gaze!

I walked away with the sense that these women – in particular – would NEVER forget that moment!

May each of these new elders follow through with passion and integrity! May they see the churches to which they are assigned flourish with rich, robust and sincere commitments to serve the Lord of the Church!  May they each brng joy to the heart of God! 

TRIUMPHANT DAY WITH THE WHIPPO SIDE OF THE FAMILY

Like most families, we have two sides to ours: the Haire side and the Whippo side. I’m going to talk about the Whippo side today.

Debbie and I created this merger in August, 1973.  We immediately established our independence by moving eight hours away from both families for three years while I attended seminary in Kentucky.

Debbie is the ‘first-born’ of a family of nine children: Debbie, Danny, Laurie, Cathy, Janie, Wally, Ginny, Tommy and Barbie.

I was the ‘baby’ of the Haire family with a sister fifteen years older – Jeannette.  I have no memory of ever living with her in the house, Then my brother, Ira, was twelve years older. I barely remember sleeping in the same room with him until he graduated from high school and left home for New York.  Beverly was seven years older and I’m sure I was an absolute pest to her!  From the age of eleven on, I was raised like an only child.

When we returned from Kentucky I was ordained and appointed to my first church in Harrison City, PA.  Somewhere in and around that time, my father-in-law, Ken, gathered the family in the living room and explained that Debbie and I were going to be in the ministry. He explained the pressures we would be under and suggested that the family should always be a safe zone for us. If we talked about our church, the family should keep our confidence!  The farm was to be  a safe place for us where we were treated normally.

Although Ken and I were not close [he was still Mr. Whippo to me at that point], I deeply appreciated his intervention and understanding!

That was fifty years ago, and the Whippo family HAS ALWAYS BEEN A SAFE PLACE FOR US!  Debbie’s brothers and sisters and their wives and husbands have added untold value to our lives! They have served as a circle of friends, a prayer group and a source of encouragement and help over and over again! We have vacationed together and shared meals at one another’s homes.

Our three T’s grew up with Charlie and Laurie’s kids almost like they were all siblings! Camping trips at Pymatuning Lake took place summer after summer!

For ten days every July we shared the experience of being together at the Tri-State Free Methodist Family Camp where Debbie and I first met!  For ten days all of us ate, played, went swimming, and worshipped together! 

In more recent years we’ve camped with a gang of the family (and some camp friends) every Memorial weekend and Labor Day weekend!  Even now, when we worship on Sundays, we see three of Deb’s sisters and two of her brothers in church and Sunday School nearly every Sunday!  

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This Friday, we drove to Owego, NY, to attend the wedding of a great niece: Alexandra Senko [Danny’s daughter Mandy’s (and Scott's) oldest child]. It coincided with the town of Owego’s Annual Strawberry Festival, so many of us came on Friday to enjoy the festivities.

Owego outdid itself with a downtown array of vendors, concerts, fireworks and on Saturday a parade that went on for an hour and a half!  Totally enjoyable!

Then, Saturday at 3:00 PM, we gathered at Tioga Gardens for Jacob Dove and Alexandra Senko’s outdoor wedding! It was a stunningly beautiful setting and was clearly and carefully thought through from beginning to end.  No flaws or faux paus – just perfection!

Then we walked a short distance to a large, shaded pavilion where we found our seats and enjoyed the reception for the new bride and groom!  Music, hors d'oeuvres, the bridal dance, the cake-cutting, dancing, a luscious meal and tables full of cookies filled the next several hours!

Whippo family members were present from New York, Pennsylvania, Washington, Illinois, Alaska, Ohio and Connecticut.  Hugs were exchanged. Introductions of new members were made! Conversations filled the afternoon!  Love was evident everywhere you looked!  A family that values relationships and looks eagerly forward to celebrations that occasionally bring us together! 

Congratulations to the new Dove family!  May they enjoy their honeymoon and the true beginning of their life together!  Also to the Senko family for a job well done! I think anyone present would declare that it was A PERFECT DAY! 

THE SINS OF LEADERS

In I Chronicles 15 we read of the majestic manner by which David brought the Chest of the Covenant of God into Jerusalem.  David was initially pleased but then had a discomforting thought:

After the king had made himself at home, he said to Nathan the prophet, “Look at this: Here I am comfortable in a luxurious palace of cedar and the Chest of God sits under a tent.”  [I Chronicles 17:1 -  All quotes from the Message Bible unless otherwise noted]

God seems pleased with David’s idea of building a temple, but then decides that this task should be accomplished by David’s heir to the throne – one of his sons [Solomon].  God’s reasoning for this decision is exposed in a later passage:

“You’ve killed too many people, fought too many wars. You are not the one to honor me by building a sanctuary – you’ve been responsible for too much killing, too much bloodshed.”  [I Chronicles 22:8]

God assures David of how pleased He is by promising to make David famous, “ranked with the great names on earth”  [v.8].  Then God proceeds to give David and Joab [his commander] many sequential victories over:

o   the Philistines

o   the Moabites

o   Hadadezer the king of Zobah

o   the Arameans, and

o   the Edomites.

Chapter 18:14 declares: Then David ruled over all of Israel. He ruled well, fair and evenhanded in all his duties and relationships.

HOWEVER, notice the opening words of chapter 21:

Now Satan entered the scene and seduced David into taking a census of Israel.

Satan fans the flame of David’s pride!  Suddenly, he needs to know how many people he is ruler over!  His commander, Joab, immediately sees that this is a waste of time and resources. He courageously speaks his mind to David, but David ignores his counsel and persists with his command.

GOD IS NOT HAPPY WITH DAVID!  He sends Gad, David’s pastor, with a message:

“You have your choice of three punishments; choose one and I’ll do the rest.

Do you want three three years of famine, three months of running from your enemies while they chase you down, or three days of the sword of God – an epidemic unleashed on the country by an angel of God? Think it over and make up your mind.”   [21:10-12]

David responded immediately:

“I’d rather be punished by GOD whose mercy is great, than fall into human hands.”  [21:13]

The resulting plague caused the death of 70,000 Israelites before a special sacrifice by David halted the work of the angel!

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Leadership is encumbered with responsibility!  The one making decisions that impact others must think carefully and choose wisely!

For those of us who follow Christ, however, there is another factor: Satanic opposition! 

Leaders must be on-guard 24/7! They are ALWAYS vulnerable – especially when things are prospering!  The blessing of God triggers the temptation of Satan!  David fell prey to Satan’s prideful temptation, and 70,000 Israelites paid the price for him dropping his guard!

Leadership can be a burden! The responsibility can be heavy!

David had surrounded himself with good people, but then he failed to take the advice of Joab. Good leaders remain accountable!  They recruit individuals who can ask them the tough questions at any time! They seek accountability! They maintain close relationships with peers and older, wiser leaders of the same (or greater) stature!  They recognize their vulnerability!

When a leader falls – inevitably others WILL BE HURT, SHOCKED, DISAPPOINTED AND DISILLUSIONED!  The fall-out is immeasurable! When the leader is a Christian, many will question their faith and possibly lose their spiritual direction! How tragic!

This is why the Bible encourages us to pray for our leaders!

 The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know. Pray especially for rulers and their governments to rule well so we can be quietly about our business of living simply, in humble contemplation. This is the way our Savior God wants us to live. [I Timothy 2:1-2]

 

Be a good citizen. All governments are under God. Insofar as there is peace and order, it’s God’s order. So live responsibly as a citizen. If you’re irresponsible to the state, then you’re irresponsible with God, and God will hold you responsible. Duly constituted authorities are only a threat if you’re trying to get by with something. Decent citizens should have nothing to fear. [Romans 13:1-3]

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IF YOU’RE A LEADER:

Act responsibly!

Lean on God for direction and wisdom!

Find an accountability partner and meet with them regularly!

IF YOU’RE NOT A LEADER:

Pray for those who provide leadership!

Support them with your cooperation.

Don’t speak ill of your leaders! Rather, if you have problems or questions – go directly to them and share your thoughts appropriately and with respect.

WORSHIP AND WORSHIP PREPARATION

I was leading churches when the transition was being made from ‘Song Leaders and Instrumentalists’ to “Worship Teams’. The worship tradition of the 1950’s and 1960’s for many churches was to have a song leader who was accompanied by a pianist – and sometimes also an organist.  The following years saw gentle transitions to adding guitars and other instruments. Before long, we were using worship teams to direct our singing. Platforms had to be rebuilt to accommodate an influx of instruments, monitors, mike-stands and speakers!

I read in I Chronicles 13-17 this morning and observed the worship transitions and structures of the Israelites under King David’s influence.  King David: Remember him? He was the youngest in his family of boys and had responsibility for watching over his father’s sheep! He had a poetic mind and wrote lots of songs/psalms. We also envision him with crude stringed instruments – and eventually a harp – playing and singing for his audience of One!

These chapters chronicle the evolution of worship under the new King David’s direction as he reunited Israel [the northern kingdom] and Judah [the southern kingdom]. 

A few chapters earlier [9] we learn that David reinstituted a cadre of families who had responsibility for maintaining the Tent of God and all of its accoutrements. Whole family systems were tasked with caring for the maintenance needs of this sacred area, while other family systems and individuals were assigned responsibility for planning and leading worship times! It’s rather shocking to learn that “…1760 skilled and seasoned servants were involved in the work of worshipping God.” [I Chronicles 9:13  All quotes from The Message unless otherwise noted.]

We can assume from all of this that the worship of Israel was rather important at this stage of their history!  Sadly, through future generations it would deteriorate and be watered down with idols, horrendous things like child-sacrifice and sexual practices!  But while David was king, the worship remained central and pure!  What does THAT tell us about leadership?

I took particular notice this morning of the variety and volume of instruments used in the worship of God:

o   bronze cymbals

o   lyres [small stringed instrument]

o   harps

o   trumpets

o   every kind of brass and percussion and stringed instruments  [all mentioned in chapter 15]

I just wrote in my granddaughter Rylie’s Bible that I’d love to have a video of Israel’s worship from this period! 😲

In a psalm of David included in chapter 16, David exhorts the people to “Shout Bravo! To God”!

There were many responsibilities tied to the worship of the Israelites:

o   Maintaining supplies of incense

o   Making incense

o   Baking bread

o   Maintaining supplies of wine, flour, oil, and spices

o   Around-the-clock guards

o   Maintenance people [remember, the Temple at this time was a massive tent]

o   Priests

o   Levites – the only ones who were authorized by God to move the Temple and its furniture.

o   Instrumentalists

o   Worship planners

The lives of the children of Israel centered on the worship of a mighty God who had chosen them and brought them to this point in history as a light to the world! 

Maintaining this position of influence required total dependence on God and appropriate, constant worship of Him! 

Toward the end of his life, David realized that he was living in a palace while God was still living in a tent. He immediately approached God about building a Temple.  Initially, God gave him a green light, but then told him that his son, Solomon, would be the one to build the Temple. David didn’t seem disappointed at all by this decision. Instead, he began aggressively gathering materials to be available to Solomon for when he was ready to begin construction! 

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Reading all of this may make us pale as we reflect on the miniscule time we tend to devote to the worship of God! Frequently, we walk into church on Sunday morning having given no thought whatsoever to the worship we’re about to engage in.

In the churches that I served we tried to have music playing for a half-hour before worship with an encouragement for people to come into the sanctuary and pray before worship. I tried to spend at least a few minutes at the altar before worship. There were others who frequently visited that altar before AND DURING worship!

I have ALWAYS trained worship team members that worship is NOT a time to show off skills and ability. Humility is essential if worship is to be genuine and meaningful!

When I was a boy, I remember preachers praying before their messages asking God to “hide me behind the cross as I share Your Word this morning, Lord!”  This was a way to express their desire for help in not being a showman but a deliverer of the Holy Word of God! 

We’ve all likely been in churches where worship leaders/team members – and even people in the congregation – seemed focused on performing rather than worshipping God!  This can be  a distraction from worshipping God! There have been times when I’ve moved to another seat so as NOT to be distracted by fellow worshippers.

It’s fitting for us to remember that initially God set apart a whole day of rest. Some still retain this focus on observing the Lord’s DAY! 

It’s also appropriate to remember Psalm 34:1, [NASB, 1995]

"I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth."

CATALYST FOR GROWTH

My nephew, Scott, drove in from New York Friday to attend a meeting in our area on Saturday.  He brought his dad along so we could visit while he attended his meeting. Our son, Troy came over Saturday morning to spend some time with his Uncle Dick as well. It was a casual time of sitting in the cool of our front yard while visiting and swapping stories! 

I’d like to share some of Dick’s spiritual journey with you today.

Dick is Italian through and through! I met him when he started dating my sister, Beverly, back in the late 1960’s. I liked him immediately because he had the coolest Ford Mustang [I would have been about fourteen]!

Dick was a colorful addition to our family! He used language that wasn’t typically used in our family. He was outgoing and loved to laugh! Our family stretched to include him and enfolded his young son, Scotty, as well! Our parents – Leonard and Hazel Haire – enfolded Dick fully! He came to love and appreciate them until their deaths [Hazel – 1981; Leonard, 1992]. Their godly influence and full acceptance helped Dick’s transformation!

Few people know it, but Beverly and her best friend, Nancy, met two Italian guys at a skating rink. Dick and Dom were a bit older than they were, but they each became couples that stayed together through the years!  Dick was an AMAZING roller-skater! I’m told that when he went out on the floor, the skaters would clear the floor as he would show off his remarkable skills! 

On December 2, 1967, Bev and Dick were married in our home in New Brighton, PA. They got almost 58 years in before Beverly died in June, 2025. 

They lived life to the fullest! Their month-long vacations every March/April to resorts in Florida were famous for family get-togethers, relaxing by the pool, eating out and fun! One year, they took our son, Travis, with them and treated him to a trip to Disney [something that we were simply not able to afford].

Dick is a giver! He picks up the bill when a crowd goes out to eat! They put in a backyard swimming pool and Debbie and I camped in their backyard for our vacation for several years. Our kids absolutely loved Aunt Bev and Uncle Dick. For sixteen years, Dick worked at Tobin Meats. When we went to his house, we ate steak [something that was uncommon in the Haire house].

But I primarily want to talk about Dick’s spiritual pilgrimage. Meeting, dating and marrying Beverly changed Dick’s world forever!  Beverly put her faith first! To honor her, Dick would often attend worship with her at the campus Free Methodist Church in North Chili, NY. At that time, it had a congregation of nearly a thousand! He made lots of friends there. Over the years, Beverly attended several other churches. Dick didn’t always go, but he did always honor her faith!

In the course of time, Dick became friends with a professor from Roberts Wesleyan College. He was one of my Bible/Greek professors – Stanley Magill. Dick frequently ran into Prof Magill at a Greek restaurant down the street from the campus.  Dick smoked cigars at the time and Prof loved the smell of his cigars 😲 They forged a friendship that was influential in Dick’s spiritual pilgrimage!

Many of their friends came from Beverly’s Christian associations.  All along the way, Dick’s world became immersed in a faith community!  Then, God intervened and sent an Italian pastor to the Pearce Memorial Church. His name was Dr. V. J. Mannoia. He immediately connected with Dick and they spoke a language that bonded them as friends. It was during this period that Dick began to lead the prayer before our meals in his home. He often teared-up as he prayed! You could tell that it was meaningful for him to talk with God publicly! 

HOWEVER, new believers are not transformed overnight!  His language stayed colorful! Even yesterday, I giggled inside as we talked in the front yard!  I’m sure that Troy did too! I think we place too high expectations on new believers! Transformation is not an overnight experience!!!!!  It takes time!  Lots of time! 

Dick is an emotional man!  He spoke through tears repeatedly Friday evening and Saturday! Of course, he is adjusting to life alone – now that Beverly has moved on to Heaven.

Dick will readily admit that he based his hope for Heaven on having Beverly as his wife! He consdered her to be his ‘ticket to Heaven’!  He lovingly cared for her through three years of increasing dementia and constant home care! He exhausted himself watching over her and protecting her! And she wasn’t always nice to him during this debilitating period! But Dick’s love persisted! He assured her that he would keep her at home as long as he possibly could. Here’s how he put it: “This is what I signed up for!”

When she died, Dick was lost! Their big house was empty! Everywhere he looked – he saw memories of her! He wept! He still weeps – a year later!  Our family enfolded Dick and their daughter, Heather, and their son, Scott. We assured him that he would ALWAYS be part of the Haire family!

Through this floundering season, Dick began sitting at their kitchen table every morning and started reading the Bible with a cup of coffee and a light breakfast.  He tells me that he still reads it every morning! He says:

“Harold, I don’t always know what I’m reading, but I just keep reading. Then, I pray! I tell God that I’m not sure what it meant, but I’m not giving up! I tell Him how much I miss Bev. I pray for my kids. I pray for our president [whose picture is pasted on the garage door in front of him]. And I thank Him for all He's done for me!”

This is how Dick starts every day now!  He’s taking responsibility for his own faith! Beverly’s departure has catalyzed him into owning his faith in a personal way! IT’S A GOOD THING!  He’s forming his own relationship with God – perhaps for the first time! 

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What a gracious and wonderful God we serve! How He has coordinated Dick’s life is AWESOME!

·        First He brought Beverly into Dick’s life!

·        Then the Haire family – especially Leonard and Hazel.

·        His friend Dom became a fervent man of faith – along with his wife, Nancy [Beverly’s best friend]!

·        Then, along came the spiritual fireball – Stanley Magill!

·        Then, God brought V. J. Mannoia to Pearce Church to solidify the deal!

·        Dick and Bev’s son, Scott Iachetta, is a vibrant man of faith who has played a leading role in his youth work over the years – as well as his church!  Scott and Robin’s godly influence has certainly strengthened Dick – especially now that Dick is alone!

And only God knows all the other details, connections, provisions and catalysts that God has maneuvered into Dick’s life to keep him on-track and grow him into the man he is today!

I praise the Lord for His goodness! 

Do you see yourself in Dick’s story? 

God doesn’t love Dick any more than He loves YOU!  God intervenes in your life in just as creative ways as He did for Dick! Stop and think about it! God brings people and situations into our lives to satisfy His purposes!  He wants us to grow! He wants us to fulfill His mission for our lives! He calls us continually to higher ground!

You haven’t shut Him out – have you?

Open yourself anew to God’s voice and His ways! You might be surprised to know that He’s closer than you think!