C’mon, Rain! I can still hear Dad’s voice sounding in my ears. Sometimes, after a particularly dry spell, it seemed held out as a call and response prayer. Dad would call, “Come ONNN, Rain,” much like when he would call the cows. We kids would laugh. And wait for the rain to come.
Other times, after it had already begun to rain, Dad’s “C’mon, Rain!” seemed more a prayer of thanksgiving. We kids would smile. And while I can’t speak for my siblings, I can say that this kid was happy, at least for a few days, that we didn’t have to irrigate. And I am thankful to God for the rain that has come to our corner of the world, Nebraska in general, this past week. To nourish the earth. To fill creeks and ponds, lakes, and rivers. To give growth. To sustain life. I am also fasting and praying each Monday … calling out to God … that our leaders prioritize figuring out this immigration mess and stop separating migrant children from their parents. I know it’s complicated, but still. The words of a Hillsong favorite come to mind. Holy Spirit, rain down, rain down. Oh, Comforter and Friend, How we need Your touch again. Holy Spirit, rain down, rain down. Let Your power fall, Let Your voice be heard, Come and change our hearts As we stand on Your word. Holy Spirit, rain down. No eye has seen, no ear has heard, No mind can know what God has in store. So open up Heaven, open it wide, Over Your church and over our lives. We call out to you, O God. And we wait. Grace and peace … --Pastor Pat
0 Comments
I so look forward to our denomination’s Annual Conference each year! It is a gathering of all United Methodist churches in our Great Plains Conference. Each church sends their appointed clergy and their Lay Member(s) to Annual Conference to represent them on voting matters. Retired clergy also attend, as they are able.
So Annual Conference is really a lot like a family reunion. We get to see many that we’ve come to know over the years, but don’t get a chance to connect with as we used to. Like friends from seminary. Or friends from United Methodist Women gatherings. Or youth events. Or camp. Or mission trips. So I really look forward to Annual Conference. But I’m not enjoying as much this year the “getting ready to leave for Annual Conference.” And I don’t think it’s because of the 4-hour drive. I don’t think it’s necessarily because of any voting or discussion that will be before us. I don’t even think it’s because I’m not packed yet. Although the unpacked bags could be a factor … It may simply be because life is full. But now the bills are paid through another week. Sunday details have been communicated to our guest preacher. The ripening cherries now have netting over them, to the best of our abilities. Sunday’s bulletin is nearly done. Important conversations with the one who washes and waxes my car, and checks the fluid levels and the air in the tires before I leave. There are a couple more things to tackle before I get packed and head on down the road. A favor for a friend that will help her move from contract labor to employment, and obtain health insurance for her family in the process. And another conversation with the one who misses me when I’m gone. Lord of All, may we have all the time we need to accomplish that which is important. And may we be sure to do those things that are vitally important to our souls, to the well-being of others, and for the healing of the world. Amen. Grace and peace … --Pastor Pat In the weeks after Easter, during April and May, we talked in Fairmont and Milligan about the important work of the Holy Spirit. This led to a discussion about testimony, or witness, and how important it is for each of us to share, to be able to share our truth, and how it relates to God’s truth.
On Confirmation Sunday, in particular, I shared with our two church families how each young person had met with me prior to the big day to have a conversation about his or her faith journey and where they were in their understanding of God at this point in their lives. I also shared that each of these young people were ready, in my humble opinion, to become professing members of The United Methodist Church for three reasons. First, each could tell me in their own words, written or orally, what they believe about God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. Second, each could lead a group in prayer by praying aloud, and did so after their parent stepped back to our interview area. Third, each could tell about a time in their life when they had experienced God in a real way. That’s known as giving testimony. Or witness. Or sharing how God is working in your life. In June and July, we are inviting some Christian sisters and brothers to share their stories, their truth, in our midst. Kristi Hilberg from York First UMC is kicking off our series of testimonies today. She will be sharing a portion of her walk with God. Next Sunday, Rev. Kalaba Chali will join us. He is the Mercy and Justice Coordinator for the Great Plains Conference. Invitations will be extended to others in the next few days. We may not have a guest testimony each Sunday through July, but when we do, we will most assuredly be inspired by the working of the Holy Spirit in our midst. If you would be interested in sharing your story, please let me know. If you are desiring to be inspired in your life, come and worship with us. Oh, yes, the Lord is preparing each of us to be a sanctuary, a missionary, a testimony …. Grace and peace … --Pastor Pat Over my head, I hear music in the air. Over my head, I hear music in the air. Over my head, I hear music in the air. There must be a God somewhere.
Actually, what I’ve been hearing overhead today is a result of roofing contractors who are here replacing our storm-damaged roof! They began their work yesterday, but I didn’t notice the noise then. I was outside yesterday. Weeding. Picking strawberries. Mowing. Today, I’ve been inside. Cleaning strawberries. Making phone calls. Doing church work. Pondering. Or at least trying to. Today, I’ve been hearing the ph-thut of nail guns and the loud plops as bundles of shingles are moved from the stack to their needed location. I think it’s the shaking of the whole house that distracts me the most. But now it is lunchtime. Ahhh! Silence never sounded so good! Seriously though, Mr. Pat and I decided yesterday that we would surprise our roofing crew with homemade strawberry shortcake this afternoon. He made the shortcakes while I cleaned the berries. Our treat to the crew for their amazingly thorough and conscientious work on our roof. The smiles on their faces was priceless! There was apparent joy in the receiving. You just can’t beat homemade and homegrown. And there was joy in the giving, too. Appreciation for the labor. Thankfulness for the harvest. Always enough to share the love. Over my head, I hear music in the air. Over my head, I hear music in the air. Over my head, I hear music in the air. There must be a God somewhere! Grace and peace … --Pastor Pat |
Pastor
|