I recently drove to North Carolina to sit with an old friend during the end times of her life. Connie was an active member of Zoar United Church of Christ where I served as pastor many years ago and I became close friends with her and her entire family. Not too long ago she moved south to live near her daughter and son as she battled cancer.

     We are all aware of the difficulties of watching a friend or family member struggle at the end of their life. We want to help in some fashion but the time comes when it seems there is little we can do except be present. However, I believe, there is always something that helps – prayer! Honest and heart-felt prayer brings a sense of peace and calmness, especially when we are in a situation we cannot control. Jesus often went off by himself to pray to gather strength to deal with the next situation in his life.

     Prayer isn't magic. We can pray for healing or a miracle – and that is okay – but ultimately life is in God’s hands. Prayer isn't so much about changing a situation as it is about gaining the strength to handle it. Prayer is a faith event. We will not always like or understand the results of our prayers, especially when dealing with illness, but we need to remember that those who are part of God’s family, will always be a part of God’s family – in this life or some future life. In faith we offer prayers to God and then we trust.

     One of the positive experiences I had after sitting with my old friend was what happened after I returned. I went on Facebook and asked for prayers. For those of you who do not understand what I am talking about, Facebook is like writing a letter. Only it is done electronically and is received instantaneously, not several days later. A Facebook message goes to everyone who is a Facebook friend.

     After I asked for prayers, within a few hours 25 people from all over the country offered their prayer support and many others even made comments of concern. These were close friends, acquaintances, school friends, church friends and family members. It was like a church prayer circle where people are called on the phone to pray, except it is faster and touches more lives.

     As we rejoice in the resurrection of our Lord Jesus we also need to rejoice in the fact that when we want to communicate our hopes, dreams, fears and frustrations with the Lord, he is always just a prayer away.  May the days of your life be filled with peace and joy and may you always find time for prayer.

    

The Easter season has begun, or as the season is more technically known, Lent is here. So many thoughts come to mind for me as this special time of the year begins. First off, spring is near and for most of us that will be a positive and refreshing change of pace. Before you know it flowers will be bursting forth, the grass will turn green, and the birds will be chirping their joy. Secondly, Daylight savings time has arrived and that can be a psychological boost as we get more sunshine and less darkness.

     Every special celebration during the year is also a time of memories. I have vivid memories of dyeing eggs with my mother and sister as Easter approached. Remember the old methods? My mom boiled eggs on the stove top and put vinegar and dye tablets in cups. Then I would put a hard-boiled egg on one of those metal egg holders and dip the egg into my favorite color. I always tried to be creative and dip the egg into several colors, which, of course, resulted in a dark brown egg. I did the same thing year after year hoping the results would be different, but they never were. I also have fond memories of an Easter basket filled with candy.  What are your Easter memories?

     Ultimately, however, Easter is all about Jesus. With the Lord as our focus, Easter becomes a Holy day. When our focus is on candy, and bunnies, and all of the secular activities, Easter becomes just another holiday. For the next several weeks we need to turn our attention more closely to the teachings of Jesus. This is a good time to ask ourselves questions about our level of faith. Am I closer to the Lord now then I was last Easter? Are my problems weighing me down and am I willing to let Jesus take greater control in my life? When I feel a moment of joy as a result of a faith experience, do I have the courage to share my feelings with someone else?

     This is the season of Good News. God sent a son named Jesus into the world to give us a light in the darkness. Although Jesus was crucified by people who didn’t understand him, death and sin were vanquished and the love of God triumphed. Jesus was resurrected and as a result we can be forgiven and our lives can be renewed and we have received the promise of eternal life.

     Jesus is alive, yesterday, today and tomorrow! Rejoice and be glad! Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

Do you like change? That is a difficult question to answer and the best answer is probably “yes” and “no.” Most of us probably can’t wait for winter to end and spring to begin. That would be a positive change. On the other hand, as we age, we can be troubled by the rapid pace in which our world changes. It is very difficult to keep up with all of the modern electronic gizmos. But change happens whether we like it or not, so the key is learning how to adjust.

     Way back in 1964 a young musician named Bob Dylan wrote a song he titled, “The Times They Are a-Changin.” I doubt that he could imagine all the changes that would occur over the next 50 years. I've lived through it and sometimes I cannot comprehend everything that has happened – for better or worse. Some change is necessary, but difficult. Jesus told a parable that taught you cannot put new wine in old wine skins. It just doesn't work. Sometimes old methods don’t work with new ideas. That’s reality. We must try and learn to embrace new ways that are positive and allow old ways that have seen their day to fade away. That must happen in the work place, in our personal lives, and even within the church.

     A couple of years ago Elaine and I opened our home to a son, daughter-in-law, and two grandchildren. It was hard on them to leave their home in Colorado, but the job situation forced them to leave. I must admit there were many days during the last two years when I wanted a little privacy, but that was secondary to helping a family in need. Now the kids have found teaching jobs in Florida and will be leaving in mid-February. It was hard to adjust to the changes of four new people in our home but it will be even more difficult to adjust to an empty house. Change can be that way – a time of hardship and at the same time, great joy!

     This church is facing changes. Can we continue to stay where we are? What alternatives are possible? Are we being good stewards spending money on a building much too big for us? Would we be faithful to our heritage to leave? The questions are difficult and the answers will not always be satisfying. Nevertheless, change can be dealt with when the Lord is in the lead. When we allow Jesus to be our source of strength we are empowered. We read in 2 Corinthians: “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” Don’t fear change – embrace it – and give God control of it!

     My least favorite month of the year is January. I do not like the cold or the snow or the darkness. The ironic thing is that my birthday is in January. What was my mom thinking? The best thing about the month is that it only lasts 31 days. In God’s creation – things change. Winter eventually turns to spring and new life bursts forth.

     But it isn’t just nature that is renewed – so are we. All of us go through difficult periods of time. All of us face uncertainty. All of us have periods of loneliness and sadness. Nevertheless, if God is our focus we will overcome the negatives of life and be refreshed and transformed. The positive changes may not happen as quickly as we would like, but during the process, God will give us peace and hope.

     One of the nice things for me about January of 2014 is that I get to meet new people at Zion UCC and that lifts my spirits. I am fascinated with people. I admit I am terrible with names so I ask for your forgiveness in advance when I forget your name. On the other hand, if you tell me a story about who you are I will not forget. I’m good with stories and I am looking forward to hearing the stories about your life.

     So let me use the rest of this article to tell you a little about myself. You already know Elaine and between us we have five children. Three children live in Carrollton, one in Boston and one in Seattle. I am a smart-aleck and have a hard time with authority, other than God. I grew up in Olmsted Falls, southwest of Cleveland, and didn’t attend church much until I was a junior in high school. By the time I was a senior I realized God was calling me into ministry. This year will mark the 45 year since I first started serving in a church.

     My sense of humor is a little strange - perhaps quirky is a better word. Besides being a pastor, some of my jobs over the years include working in: a box factory, a department story, a dime store, and an electrical supply store. I have worked for the Department of Human Services, as a sports writer and photographer, and as the curator of a museum.

     It is a blessing to have the opportunity to serve you and I am looking forward to discovering where God is leading us. If we trust and obey then the journey will be filled with joy.

Jim