Whew...

So things have been pretty much a whirlwind lately. I was officially installed as the Interim Pastor at our church last week and things have been full speed ahead since then. I continue to preach 3 times a weekend, lead Sunday school, youth group and Bible study and everything else I used to do. Amazingly enough, I am not too tired and God has been so good.

I did the funeral for a church member and friend this week and that was really hard. That is one of the hardest things for me.

Sorry I haven't been on here more but things have been crazy. I'm taking some time this week to enjoy Thanksgiving and do some hunting. We will be up home in Meadville. We'll be back Saturday to start all over again.

Deployed

I've been wrestling with something for the last couple of weeks. It's one of those things that nags at you and catches up with you when you sit down and all is quiet, or when you lay down in bed and all you have is time to think. It's kinda like the question "why" that you really don't have an answer to.

I found out a few weeks ago that one of our church members/newlywed/new dad is being deployed to Iraq just after the first of the year. He is in training now and will only be home for 10 days before he is deployed. He has only seen his new son once and that was the day he was born. This has been hard on his wife who is home with the baby and raising him by herself. We too often forget about the sacrifice that those who remain at home make. It has really been gnawing at me the last two weeks. What can we do to help her through this tough time? What can we do to give James a proper send off on the 28th of December? How do we provide sufficient ongoing pastoral care in the months and years to come? How do we honor their sacrifice and service?

I remember being deployed for Operation Desert Storm and Desert Shield. I remember the emotions that came and went and how people at home dealt with things. But that was me. It's different when it is someone else. I often fight this guilty feeling of why not me? I've been through it before...let me go. Sometimes I want to jump back in the fight and defend ole glory and protect the freedoms that we have. I want to help those who are in need and oppressed. A part of me misses the U.S. Army. Once a soldier...always a soldier. I guess it's time to turn things over to a new generation.

They are very capable and very motivated. They see a cause greater than themselves. I guess it's time to play that support role and encourage them as they serve.

This Sunday is Veterans Sunday. The Sunday we acknowledge all those who have served and sacrificed for our country. It's also about their families and all that they have sacrificed as well. Here is a video I will be showing this Sunday during worship. Please take time this weekend and next week to remember those who gave so much for you and me. Let's all remember that Freedom is not really free.

Attitude

Well...it's over...finally...it seems like the election went on and on and on. That's because it did. Now it's time to move on. I am disappointed McCain lost and disappointed that Obama won, but it is what it is and God is still on the throne. It was fun poking at my liberal friends and they had fun poking back, I guess it's all part of the process. We really need to learn not to take ourselves so seriously.

This weekend I will be talking about attitude at our 3 worship services.

For the most part we (as a people) generally have pretty bad attitudes about stuff. We have really lost the joy of our salvation. I will be teaching from the Book of Philippians. We will look at Paul's attitude as he was locked in chains yet remarkably had a joyful attitude and unlike us, had a big picture mentality. Oh to be like Paul.

Maybe what we really need is an attitude adjustment. I don't know about you...but I think I'm do for another one. Keep your chin up...He said that He would never leave us or forsake us. I believe him.

How's your attitude? No...really.