God’s Gain

Posted on June 3, 2016 by Patricia Ann

Our loss is God’s gain. Yesterday, we lost another wonderful member of our congregation. Joan was a true servant of God, wearing oh, so many hats, as she went about quietly seeing to many matters of our church. She was a friend, advisor, chief cook and bottle washer on many occasions, a money manager, a session member, a choir member, and the list goes on. As well as being so many things to her church family, Joan was a wonderful mother, grandmother, and devoted sister.

Psalm 116:15 says it well, “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints”.

I’m sure Joan is marching with all the other saints in heaven as we, her friends and family, take comfort in the fact that our loss is God’s gain.

Rest in peace, Saint Joan, rest in peace.

Don’t Let it Fester

Posted on February 1, 2016 by Patricia Ann

A few days ago I shared a joke which had come my way. It was about people being angry and not talking to each other, but it was written to be humorous and indeed it was.

However, anger is a poisonous emotion to the one who harbors it. There are many, many things that make us angry in day to day life, whether in the media, a family, a workplace, friendships, and yes, even in a church.

The thing about anger is to feel it, acknowledge it, speak about it if we must, but then try to get rid of it as soon as possible. It can be healthy to realize that there are things that do make us angry, that everything in life is not fair, or just, or even acceptable. We may justify what makes us angry, but whether or not we are justified is something only we can decide after a good long soul search.

Anger is a very natural reaction to unnatural behaviors. But a festering anger can itself cause unnatural behaviors in the person who harbors it, and it can be poisonous…very poisonous.

Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger…Ephesians 4:31

Easier said than done, but healthier in the long run…don’t let it fester.

God’s Social Club

Posted on November 20, 2015 by Patricia Ann

Sometimes I wonder where my next blog will come from because they are mostly spontaneous rather than planned.

I spoke to someone yesterday who referred to church as a social club. It caused me to ponder the statement, which is how I came up with today’s title.

In a way this person was correct. To begin with, each man, woman and child is warmly welcomed as they enter the building. Next they find a comfortable (or not so) place to sit and pass pleasantries with the person next to them in the pew.

After the final formality of the worship service is completed in orderly fashion, the pastor is praised (or not) as we, the congregation, file out to gather for tea, coffee, goodies and socializing in the meeting hall.

As people catch up on each other’s lives since the previous week, stories are exchanged, jokes are shared, hugs are plentiful (a boon to those who live alone) and parting words are usually a cheerful “See you next Sunday, if not before.”

I’m very happy to belong to God’s social club where we come together for praise and worship, tea and coffee, and a chance to pass the raisin bread.

Pray For Those Who Treat You

Posted on October 21, 2015 by Patricia Ann

Many years ago I began praying for Ambulance, Fire, and Police cars whenever I saw them or heard sirens, either close by or at a distance; well, not actually the vehicles but their occupants, and ultimately the people they were going to rescue.

Last Sunday, our church had as a guest, a representative from the EMS. (Emergency Medical Services) This young man spoke to our children before they went to Children’s Ministry, and then to our congregation. He was articulate, informative and obviously a very caring person.

What struck me the most was that he asked for prayer; prayer for his profession and colleagues. It touched me in a way that made me thankful for the prayers I sent their way, and for further prayers that would now be forthcoming.

What a blessing these men and women are to us on a daily basis, going about their business of saving lives, and encountering sometimes horrific scenarios which often leave them traumatized.

These are people we often take for granted, and now that we know they need our prayers, let us pray for those who treat us.

I’m Glad I’m Still Alive

Posted on July 17, 2015 by Patricia Ann

She’s ninety-two years old and in long term care after a fall left her with a broken hip. My visit with her on Tuesday was a delight, as she reminisced about various people in her life (many times over). Dementia is often a side effect of longevity, and repetition of conversation is one of the tell-tale signs of this disease.

My friend misses her euchre games with her old friends, misses her Sundays at church, misses her home which she is sure she will return to when her hip heals.

Nevertheless, this dear lady loves her life and told me, “I know my children appreciate me and I love that.”

When it was time for me to leave, she took my hand and smiled, “You know, Pat, I’m glad I’m still alive,” she said.

How happy I was to hear those words. I look forward to my next visit with this plucky ninety-two year old.

If It`s Good Enough for God…

Posted on July 7, 2015 by Patricia Ann

A Catholic couple were guests in a protestant church once, and asked me what I thought of dancing in the church…this after watching a liturgical dance, of which they disapproved. I knew it was in scripture somewhere, and said so. (Let them praise his name with dancing…) Psalm 149:3. (NIV) Where else do we praise his name if not in church?

All these years later it brings to mind other things which are sometimes frowned upon in a church…not all churches, but some. For instance some people raise their hands, or exclaim, “Praise the Lord!” when some hymns or anthems move them to emote their joy in the moment. (Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the lord) Psalm 134:2 (NIV)

Applause is another thing which is not welcome in some religious institutions. But you know what…sometimes we can’t help applauding a perfectly performed rendition of The Lord’s Prayer. Sure, we may be applauding the singer but the song or hymn is what stirs us to take such action, because that performer is elevating our level of worship. (Clap your hands, all you nations…) Psalm 47:1 (NIV)

In my book, and it’s the “Good Book”, if it’s good enough for God, it’s good enough for me. So, shall we lift up our hands, even clap our hands, bring on the liturgical dancers…enjoy praising the Lord…it`s what he tells us to do. (Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.) James 1:22 (NIV)

Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. Psalm 100:1 (KJV)

What is a Paraprosdokian?

Posted on May 1, 2015 by Patricia Ann

This tidbit came my way this morning…not only did I learn a new word, but its meaning.

Paraprosdokians are figures of speech in which the latter part of a sentence or phrase is surprising or unexpected; frequently humorous. (Winston Churchill loved them). Here are a few examples:

Where’s there’s a will, I want to be in it.

If I agreed with you, we’d both be wrong.

War does not determine who is right – only who is left.

Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit…wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.

I used to be indecisive. Now I’m not so sure.

Going to church doesn’t make you a Christian any more than standing in a garage makes you a car.

In filling out an application, where it says, ‘In case of emergency, Notify:’ I put DOCTOR.

And my own paraprosdokian is this…living is for learning; I want to learn how to live.

Church Fun

Posted on December 29, 2014 by Patricia Ann

The sole purpose of going to church is to worship, right? Yes. But, when the last hymn has been sung, the last “amen” uttered, and the last person has exited the sanctuary, the fun begins.

God has been served and will continue to be served as his people enjoy one another’s company in the C.E.H. (Christian Education Hall) after each morning service. It’s called fellowship.

This Sunday I had more fun than usual because I was on “coffee duty” in the kitchen with several other people. There was chatter and laughter as light-hearted conversation accompanied the preparation of ninety cups of coffee and sixty cups of tea. Even more fun was serving each person who came to the counter for their choice of beverage. “Just a half cup, please” or “Three quarters of a cup will be fine” or “Could you top that up a little more?” A young lad of perhaps twelve, smiling through his braces, said, “Coffee, please”. No fruit juice and cookies for him at the kid’s table!

It was even more fun because two of our members happily celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary, and two giant strawberry shortcakes were a tasty addition to the tea and coffee.

Yes, we go to church to worship God, but I know he likes his children to have fun, too. Proverbs 17:22 says a cheerful heart is like good medicine, and for me that is a prescription for church fun.

Ninety-Nine and Counting

Posted on December 16, 2014 by Patricia Ann

On Sunday I had the privelege of being a part our congregation’s congratulations to one of our members on his ninety-ninth birthday.

He sits tall in his second row pew every Sunday morning, and two weeks ago helped one of his daughters celebrate her seventienth birthday.

Does it get much better than that?

Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he who will sustain you. Isaiah 46:4 NIV

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