My Uncle Cal

My uncle Cal was recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Some of you have dealt with this deadly affliction yourself - with your spouse, or mom or dad, or grandparent. And you understand how tragically this disease impacts the whole family. Uncle Cal has recently had to retire from work, because of this disease, and is currently at home with his wife. He served in the Marine Corp as a machine gunner and was wounded in Viet Nam. He went to bible school many years ago and has served as deacon for his church for quite some time. He raised three lovely children (my cousins) and is my godfather who stood with me when I was baptized. It is difficult to see anyone, much less a close relative whom you love dearly, be affected Alzheimer’s.

Cal and I share some things - I was in the Marine Corp right out of high school. I'm in the ministry. Cal is my mother's brother - mom passed away July of last year. His struggles with this disease touch me quite closely.

We visited Cal and his wife this last weekend. What a wonderful visit. You would not suspect anything amiss, from just sitting and visiting with him. However, Chris (his wife) mentioned he can no longer drive. And while he loves to read, he gets quite overwhelmed when visiting the local library to find new books. And he has some difficulty following the printed words of a book - so he is listening to books on tape (CD really) more and more.

There is a sense of helplessness in watching someone go through this. You know you can't change what is happening. There may even be a question of where God is in the midst of all of this. If God is a loving, kind, generous God, then why does he allow something like this to happen? I don't know if I can answer that question to everyone's satisfaction (perhaps my own included). What I do know is that God has never promised any of us an easy life. Many of the biblical people we talk about each week have had tremendously difficult lives. Yet, God promises to be with us and to give us strength to see us through the difficult times. When we find our strength failing, and our faith flagging, perhaps we can remember that we find more strength in the relationships with those around us. Those who are willing to pray for us, to sit with us, to hold our hand when we need holding; they give us strength and remind us of God’s love for us.

“Then I saw a new heaven and anew earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “See the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them; they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them; he will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the old order of things have passed away.” (Rev 21)

A Sense of Community

Earlier this week I stopped by the Milton Family Restaurant for a late breakfast. As I sat in my booth, reading one of my books and eating a wonderful omelet, I listened to the chatter and laughter around me. I enjoy so very much listening to people in fellowship. Friends reuniting, family members gathering, people talking and sharing. As I came into the restaurant I walked by a table without really looking – until a young voice said to me, “Hello pastor!” I turned and there was my young friend Jacob eating with two of his buddies. We visited for a moment or two and then I went to sit down.

In some ways I feel like Norm of the old TV show Cheers, when I enter our local restaurant. I guess we all want to go to a place where everyone knows our name. The Apostle Paul reminds us in his letter to the Romans, “Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.” (15:7).

It is important to feel like we belong. I'm working towards the finish of a sermon series entitled, "Men of the Bible; Women of the Bible" and the last two sermons (focusing on women of the Bible) the characters I talked and taught about were outcasts, unwanted, ostracized by the community. How terribly lonely we can feel when we aren't wanted. Have you ever felt that way?

Not everyone finds that sense of belonging in the church. I wish they did - truly I do. I'm very glad to be a part of a church where we do our best to make people feel wanted, like they belong. I'm sure we are not one hundred percent successful with this. But I really believe we try.

Where do you go to feel like you belong? Home? The bar? The restaurant? Church?

Bless you my friends. I’ll see you on Sunday. Let us all welcome one another by name and enjoy our time of fellowship and worship.

God of Wonders

A week or two ago I listened to a thunder and lightening storm roll in. I watched the lightening stream through the sky. I heard the thunder rumbling in the heavens. I felt the raindrops pelting down. And I wondered at the wonder of God’s might. Several weeks ago, as I drove through the Bad Lands in South Dakota, I wondered at the creative, majestic, might of God. And I was drawn to the words of Psalm 8:

“O Lord, our Sovereign, how majestic is your name in all the earth! When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and stars that you have established; what are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them?”


It is amazing that in all of God’s creation we (you and I and all humanity) are placed first before all else. It is equally amazing that God continues to stand by his creation, loving and caring, forgiving and shedding grace – even when we so little deserve it. Today, I give thanks for all God has given us. The beauty of this world and all its majesty. The beauty of the people around me. The boundless love and grace our God shares through Jesus Christ.

Take some time this week, my friends, to wonder at the wonder of God’s might and creation around us! Blessings to you and see you on Sunday!

Patrick