The Hitchhikers Guide to Nick
I was invited to be the guest speaker at the Spring Rally of the MACC (Maritime Alliance of Covenanting Churches). Below is the Friday evening address I gave to the gathering.
“The Hitchhikers Guide to Nick”
Genesis 12:1-4
Is anyone familiar with the book “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy”? Remember how the main character had a normal life, but through a chance encounter he ended up on a spaceship just before the earth was destroyed? From there his amazing adventure began. His life changed forever. read more…
What’s up with prayer?
Sure I pray. Do I as much as I should? Probably not (who does?). But I do pray for people, situations, guidance, all that good stuff.
Then why don’t I offer to pray with people?
I’m not sure what it is. When I’m with people one-on-one, I often don’t pray with them. I lead prayer every Sunday, offer graces at meals, other services like funerals. Then why not when I sit and be with people face-to-face?
Is it the intimacy of the moment? Am I afraid of being vulnerable with someone in a time of need?
I’ve done it before, but once again I find I’m at a place where I don’t offer prayer directly “in the moment” instead promising they will be in my prayers (and they are I assure you).
Guess it’s time to begin to share more openly again with my faith. And it starts with prayer.
ER Goodness
So, living in a small town means when I’m in the ER which has it’s waiting room just inside the main entrance to the hospital, you get noticed. It’s hard to avoid.
Saturday morning I was working in the yard with people from the church cutting down a bunch of trees (happy Earth Day by the way) and felt pain shoot across my left ribcage. Earlier in the week at geezerball (basketball for the younger, previously in-shape male) and took a pretty serious shot to the ribs. The severity of the pain on Saturday morning told me that I needed to get it checked out.
So after lunch that’s what I went to do at the local ER. Which is located as described above.
I was recognized by a number of people as they passed in and out of hospital visiting friends or family. It was actually kind of nice as I ended up sitting there for 6 hours. Some company was appreciated.
It was also neat to be able to offer pastoral care for people as they waited or walked through. When you sit with people for a while, it opens doors for conversation, even if it is just small talk, or in the case of one family, a serious concern. So even as I sat there, it’s good to know God is still at work in unexpected places.
The Shepherds Voice – Sermon, April 25, 2010
“The Shepherd’s Voice”
Psalm 23; John 10:22-30
Photo by costi http://www.sxc.hu/profile/costi
Let’s take a walk together through the 23rd Psalm, as it talks about walking and the journeys people take.
“The Lord is my shepherd.”
What is a shepherd? A shepherd is the caretaker for sheep. The shepherd is the one who is in charge of the flock, making sure all the sheep are fed, watered and remain safe and healthy. read more…
Changes – Sermon, April 18, 2010
“Changes”
Acts 9:1-20
There are people who make interesting first impressions. Some live up to those first impressions, others surprise you.
I’m sure you’ve had the experience where you are paired up to work with someone and you can’t help but think, “No God, please not them.” read more…