I arrived in Jeannette, Pennsylvania in June of 1976, to be the pastor of the Free Methodist Church there. They had just built a brand new building, but the congregation had split in the process. I inherited about forty people - mostly older.
Our 'parsonage' was a 70' mobile home located behind the new church.
The church had purchased about seven acres on the edge of a proposed subdivision of new homes.
I drove a 1974 Mustang II at the time. Forest green, four-speed. A sweet set of wheels!
It quickly became apparent that there was insufficient storage space in the trailer. So, Howard, the chairman of the trustees, suggested that he and I build a shed for the church tractor and our miscellaneous gear.
I enjoyed working with Howard and learned a lot about the building process as we worked together. We poured the slab, constructed the walls, put on the roof, and then made barn-doors for our mini-barn. Then, we painted it and it was finished!
I remember the day that we stood and gazed with pride on our project! My Mustang was parked nearby. I saw Howard look at the barn, then at my car. A moment later he spoke: "Pastor, if we'd have built that barn two-feet wider, it could have been a garage."
Little did I realize that this statement would define the church so adeptly. Our lack of foresight and vision keeps us small. It's a rare church that is courageous enough, bold enough, believing enough, passionate enough to look beyond the present and plan for a God-sized future!
Monday, May 7, 2012
Sunday, May 6, 2012
I'M NOT GOING TO CHURCH
All my life I've been going to church! I went to church before I was born! I could count on one hand the Sundays in my life that I was not in church. You could say it's been a habit - a good one!
I love worshiping with others; even strangers. When I go on vacation, I often attend two or three different services. I love to worship with my Catholic brothers and sisters. Their worship is so dramatic and meaningful! I have often worshiped in United Methodist Churches and thoroughly enjoy the more liturgical style. I've frequently joined my charismatic friends for worship. Their vibrancy and enthusiasm thrills me. I've also preached and worshiped in African-American churches; I believe they were all Baptist. What a wonderful mix of tradition and spontaneity!
Because I love God, I love His Bride!
But, if we're approved to go to China, I won't be going to church. We've been advised to not attend the government-approved churches. I don't know if we'll get an opportunity to participate in any of the underground churches - I would leap at the chance!
At best, we'll have a worship time in our apartment and invite any of our friends to join us. There'll be no guitars, no crowd, no liturgy, but we'll still be THE CHURCH!
I love worshiping with others; even strangers. When I go on vacation, I often attend two or three different services. I love to worship with my Catholic brothers and sisters. Their worship is so dramatic and meaningful! I have often worshiped in United Methodist Churches and thoroughly enjoy the more liturgical style. I've frequently joined my charismatic friends for worship. Their vibrancy and enthusiasm thrills me. I've also preached and worshiped in African-American churches; I believe they were all Baptist. What a wonderful mix of tradition and spontaneity!
Because I love God, I love His Bride!
But, if we're approved to go to China, I won't be going to church. We've been advised to not attend the government-approved churches. I don't know if we'll get an opportunity to participate in any of the underground churches - I would leap at the chance!
At best, we'll have a worship time in our apartment and invite any of our friends to join us. There'll be no guitars, no crowd, no liturgy, but we'll still be THE CHURCH!
Saturday, May 5, 2012
A HAIRE-RAISING EXPERIENCE
In the midst of the Ohio Conference Annual Meetings yesterday (5/4/12), Conference Superintendent, Mike McFarren, reported that Debbie and I were responding to God's Call by planning to go to China to teach English.
There was an audible gasp as some were receiving this news for the first time.
Mike invited me to come forward to share briefly about our experience. [Unfortunately, Debbie (and her sister, Laurie) were getting us registered at our hotel and missed this experience.]
Bishop David Kendall asked me to share in greater detail. Then he and Mike invited others to join them in a time of prayer regarding our situation.
_______________________________________________________
I am not fond of having a crowd gather around me for prayer. I'm not sure why, but being put in that circumstance has always made me feel VERY UNCOMFORTABLE!
_______________________________________________________
Many came forward! They were instructed to all pray - out loud - at once.
Some might consider this confusing. I didn't.
Think about it. Would you rather have one person pray for you and a whole bunch of others agree? Or would you rather have a crowd of people genuinely assault the throne of God lifting individual prayers on your behalf?
I'll take the crowd of prayers anyday! I prayed along with the others and didn't really hear any of the prayers.
GOD HEARD THEM ALL!
At a time when Debbie and I are feeling an intense need for prayer (now and while we're in China), God worked through our conference leadership to create a surge of prayer for us!
Our God is an AWESOME GOD!!!!
There was an audible gasp as some were receiving this news for the first time.
Mike invited me to come forward to share briefly about our experience. [Unfortunately, Debbie (and her sister, Laurie) were getting us registered at our hotel and missed this experience.]
Bishop David Kendall asked me to share in greater detail. Then he and Mike invited others to join them in a time of prayer regarding our situation.
_______________________________________________________
I am not fond of having a crowd gather around me for prayer. I'm not sure why, but being put in that circumstance has always made me feel VERY UNCOMFORTABLE!
_______________________________________________________
Many came forward! They were instructed to all pray - out loud - at once.
Some might consider this confusing. I didn't.
Think about it. Would you rather have one person pray for you and a whole bunch of others agree? Or would you rather have a crowd of people genuinely assault the throne of God lifting individual prayers on your behalf?
I'll take the crowd of prayers anyday! I prayed along with the others and didn't really hear any of the prayers.
GOD HEARD THEM ALL!
At a time when Debbie and I are feeling an intense need for prayer (now and while we're in China), God worked through our conference leadership to create a surge of prayer for us!
Our God is an AWESOME GOD!!!!
Friday, May 4, 2012
GETTING HIGH
Some of the highs of my life:
It'll be when I enter Heaven - and Jesus takes me in His arms and holds me. As He does, I hope He whispers, "You did a good job, Harold! I'm so proud of you! You fought off the demons and stayed true to Me. You influenced so many people for Me. You were an obedient son. I'm so glad you're Home!"
Oh Yeah!
- the year I got a BB gun for Christmas! (I didn't shoot my eye out!)
- Family Camp every July!
- going to Idora Park at the end of the school year!
- the day I gave my life to Christ (and got my Call) at the age of 17.
- high school graduation!
- dating Deb!
- dorm life at Roberts Wesleyan College.
- getting married.
- our honeymoon!!!!
- Travis' birth day!
- being ordained.
- getting my first church!
- Troy's birth day!
- Tracie's birth day!
- many spiritual highs in worship at the Oakland Church!
- camping trips at Pymatuning State Park!
- the days when our kids made spiritual commitments!!!!!
- camping in Dick and Bev's backyard!
- graduating from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary.
- whole days at the Canfield Fair.
- attending and graduating from Franciscan University of Steubenville.
- Travis attending and graduating from the Naval Academy.
- backpacking experiences.
- Tracie and Jon's wedding day.
- The births of our grandchildren: Rylie and Coltin!!!!!
- Troy and Missy's wedding day.
It'll be when I enter Heaven - and Jesus takes me in His arms and holds me. As He does, I hope He whispers, "You did a good job, Harold! I'm so proud of you! You fought off the demons and stayed true to Me. You influenced so many people for Me. You were an obedient son. I'm so glad you're Home!"
Oh Yeah!
Thursday, May 3, 2012
PUDDLE JUMPING
What makes a kid want to jump into puddles? Is it genuine inquiry? Is it discovery? Is it adventure? Does he realize his shoes and feet will get wet? Or doesn't that matter?
Why don't adults jump into puddles? Most of us will walk twice the distance just to avoid the puddles!
Are we afraid we'll get our shoes wet? Or our feet? Is that inconvenient? Instead of fun?
What changes in us that makes us stop this type of behavior?
Is there still a kid in you? A desire for fun? A yearning to explore? A sense of wonder at a water fountain?
When I was a kid on the Tri State Campground in East Liverpool, there were two things that made camp totally fascinating.
The first was the water fountain in front of the Oakland cottage on the top row. If you held your finger on it, you could squirt water twenty feet! It was a great way to surpise innocent passers-by!
The second was the daily arrival of the 'ice man'. Oh boy! He would drive his truck around the camp delivering ice to cottages with their sign hanging out. When he had to chip the ice, it would create lots of refreshment for all the kids following him like he was the Pied Piper!
As soon as he would disappear into a cottage, we'd hop on the truck to grap ice chips! Now that was the perfect recipe for fun because it also invovled risk!
Maybe that's the secret. Maybe as we grow older, we quit taking risks. And without knowing it, we quit having fun.
I'll be back.
It rained last night. I'm going out to look for some puddles!
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
KEEPING BALANCE - MOVING FORWARD
Debbie and I are in a season of transition.
If we think about what and who we are leaving, we become terribly sad! We've lived in New Middletown for nine years. We love the village and we especially love the people of Free Methodist Community Church! Thoughts of leaving them bring sorrow!
However, at the same time, we're anticipating (the possibility of) going to China to teach English for a year. We've already begun to correspond with a younger couple already serving there: Jason and Wendi. The adventure of living "on the other side of the world" raises tremendous excitement in us!
When we think of leaving - sorrow!
When we think of our future - excitement!
A big part of our lives right now is keeping our minds focused - finding a balance!
We'll be turning the care of this congregation over to new leadership soon. This is God's will. God loves our people more than we do! God has carefully provided for their care and continued growth! We have absolute trust in this fact.
We love God and desire to continue to serve Him faithfully until He brings us Home! Our journey, at present, seems to be leading us to China. We're thrilled to continue in partnership with such an incredible God!
In sorting, I came across a list of goals Debbie and I had made fifteens years ago. Goal #4 was: "...live overseas for six months to one year." God was apparently leading us that far back toward our present situation!
We know that wherever He leads us is where we want to be!
For now, our lives are split between two loves. We're trying to keep our balance.
But, like the Apostle Paul, "...there's one thing I am doing: I'm leaving my old life behind, putting everything on the line for this mission. I am sprinting toward the only goal that counts: to cross the line, to win the prize, and to hear God's call to resurrection life found exclusively in Jesus the Anointed." Philippians 3:13-14 (the VOICE)
If we think about what and who we are leaving, we become terribly sad! We've lived in New Middletown for nine years. We love the village and we especially love the people of Free Methodist Community Church! Thoughts of leaving them bring sorrow!
However, at the same time, we're anticipating (the possibility of) going to China to teach English for a year. We've already begun to correspond with a younger couple already serving there: Jason and Wendi. The adventure of living "on the other side of the world" raises tremendous excitement in us!
When we think of leaving - sorrow!
When we think of our future - excitement!
A big part of our lives right now is keeping our minds focused - finding a balance!
We'll be turning the care of this congregation over to new leadership soon. This is God's will. God loves our people more than we do! God has carefully provided for their care and continued growth! We have absolute trust in this fact.
We love God and desire to continue to serve Him faithfully until He brings us Home! Our journey, at present, seems to be leading us to China. We're thrilled to continue in partnership with such an incredible God!
In sorting, I came across a list of goals Debbie and I had made fifteens years ago. Goal #4 was: "...live overseas for six months to one year." God was apparently leading us that far back toward our present situation!
We know that wherever He leads us is where we want to be!
For now, our lives are split between two loves. We're trying to keep our balance.
But, like the Apostle Paul, "...there's one thing I am doing: I'm leaving my old life behind, putting everything on the line for this mission. I am sprinting toward the only goal that counts: to cross the line, to win the prize, and to hear God's call to resurrection life found exclusively in Jesus the Anointed." Philippians 3:13-14 (the VOICE)
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
ALBUMS - TO KEEP OR NOT TO KEEP?
There are four very heavy boxes in my basement. They're loaded with all the albums from my youth - through college age. I've also kept a PennCrest turntable to play them on. About once a year - while cleaning the basement - I'll put a stack on and listen to them.
It's a very eclectic collection!
The only one that's probably worth anything is INTRODUCING THE BEATLES. It includes early favorites like "I Want To Hold Your Hand" and "PS - I Love You".
But, it's an old medium. Some are probably scratchy. Can you even buy a new needle? My kids don't want them...
Music defines you - or who you used to be! All things to all people!
To keep, or not to keep? That is the question! Dumpster or Thrift Store?
You can't take it with you, right? Plus, there's always youtube!
It's a very eclectic collection!
- Karen Carpenter
- Carly Simon - "No Secrets"
- Perry Como
- Neil Diamond
- Johnny Rivers
- Carole King
- The Oak Ridge Boys
- The Supremes
- The Righteous Brothers
- The Temptations
- The Blackwood Brothers
- The Chipmonks
- Cher
- Simon and Garfunkle
- Jerry Butler
- Herman's Hermits
- The Beatles
- Iron Butterfly - Yep! Inagaddadavida!
The only one that's probably worth anything is INTRODUCING THE BEATLES. It includes early favorites like "I Want To Hold Your Hand" and "PS - I Love You".
But, it's an old medium. Some are probably scratchy. Can you even buy a new needle? My kids don't want them...
Music defines you - or who you used to be! All things to all people!
To keep, or not to keep? That is the question! Dumpster or Thrift Store?
You can't take it with you, right? Plus, there's always youtube!
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