Just For Now


One hour after her eightieth birthday, Barbara was blowing out candles in heaven. It was one birthday her husband and daughters could not attend physically, but be sure they were wishing her well in the midst of their own grief.

Two months after his one-hundredth birthday, Bob traded in his wheelchair on earth for a chariot in heaven. Bob’s birthday party was well attended and a resounding rendition of “Happy Birthday to You” filled the auditorium of St. Andrew’s Scarborough where both Bob and Barbara had attended for many, many years.

Yes, in January we at St. Andrew’s bade farewell to two more of our dearly loved members; people who not only attended the church but attended to the church in so many ways over the years.

We were one month into the new year when Barbara and Bob climbed that stairway to heaven, following in the footsteps of the many who had gone before them. We at St. Andrew’s who love our people deeply, also grieve deeply when they answer that final call to “Come Home.”

Although they leave behind two separate families who miss them, they also leave behind one church family who misses them also.

And so we say not “Good-bye” to Barbara and Bob, but “Just for now.”

 

Among Two or Three


Sunday is one of my favorite days of the week because not only do I get to worship, pray, and sing, I get to be among the two or three and so many more, who are gathered together in His name for the same purpose. There is no room for loneliness on this day. Happy Sunday.

Image result for happy sunday images

Under the Trees


“For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” Matthew 18:20 NIV

This Sunday we at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Scarborough will be gathering in His name under the trees replicating a service in 1818, kicking off our 200th anniversary celebrations. This is just a hint of what’s to come. Happy Sunday.

You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. Isaiah 55:12

Sunday Solace


This is my place of Sunday solace. It’s not only the hymns, prayers, and sermons that draw me here, but the fellowship and hugs afterwards. Have you and God had a hug of the heart today? Happy Sunday.

 

Oh That You Would Bless Me Indeed!


These words are from the book, “The Prayer of Jabez” by Bruce Wilkinson, taken from 1 Chronicles 4:10 (NKJV).

“Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!” So God granted him what he requested.

Let me tell you what happened to me within a nine year period of repeating that prayer:

Two grandsons were added to my twelve grandchildren, seven girls and five boys, evening up the genders. Five of these granddaughters blessed me with nine great-grandchildren with a tenth due in November.

I became an Elder in my church and have fifteen families in my territory, and am available for prayer, information, or help in some way. As a member of our Pastoral Care team there are many opportunities to be of service to those who experience some of life’s difficulties as shut-ins, hospital patients and long-term care residents.

In between times I survived lung cancer, a heart attack, and the death of a spouse. Several other health issues have assailed me over the years and I’m still here.

As you can see, my territory has been enlarged, His hand has been with me, and I have been blessed indeed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

God Has a Sense of Humor


God has a sense of humor…or at least some of his clergy do. We had a guest speaker for our men’s day service yesterday. This pastor also happens to be a wonderful saxophone player who often plays in the contemporary music part of our services. He did not play his sax yesterday but did make reference to human saxuality and sax appeal. You would wonder how that fit into a sermon but it did, much to the congregation’s delight…or at least most of us.

The choir was a special men’s group consisting of twenty-six gents of various ages including three youth, the youngest being twelve, our regular pastor, the guest pastor, and a trumpet player. The music was superb and a solo performed by one of our regular tenors was flawless, moving a couple of our ladies to tears.

Whether or not we believe God has a sense of humor we need only look at Psalm 126:2 Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy to describe our congregation yesterday.

God obviously has endowed our (dare I say saxy?) guest preacher with the gift of laughter and the ability to share it.

 

 

Exciting Words


On March 25th I copied these words from a Pinterest poster. They made me feel happy and excited…I still feel that way a month later.

God says, “Prepare yourself, I’m about to take you to a new level in your life.” 

Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.

Happy Sunday to all.

Country Church, Virginia Springtime : Stock Photo