Memories

Lentil Soup And a Wise Man’s Gift

/ pastorpete51 / 3 Comments 
 And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. 
Matthew 2:11 ESV

“What’s for dinner honey?” I said with a laugh knowing that it would be lentil soup for its third and final performance. During those first years of marriage, our food shopping was a low-cost adventure. So, with Christmas not far away; even putting up a tree with decorations was something we couldn’t afford. That year, Christmas Eve was pay day and at four thirty I waited in line for my check. “Merry Christmas” My boss said winking as he handed me my envelope. “There’s something extra in there for you tonight.”  

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I peeked inside and drew a quick breath in astonishment. “Wow thanks Joe! Merry Christmas to you too” I said amazed at seeing a fifty-dollar bill tucked inside! I drove home through the heavy traffic getting there just before five. “Come on Nancy! Let’s go buy a tree!” I shouted as I ran up the stairs to show her my bonus. Five minutes later we bundled up and drove to a Christmas tree lot where the owner was delighted to sell us a tree for five dollars, just before he closed. Then we raced over to the Woolworth store, where for ten cents each we bought some colored glass bulbs and a string of lights with tinsel. God didn’t have to send the wise men with gifts to make it Christmas; but He did. That Christmas our wise man was named Joe and he left us a special gift on that Silent and Holy Night!

Safely Home

/ pastorpete51 / 5 Comments 
But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”  Luke 15:32 NIV

My wife and I used to ride in separate vehicles on the way to church. One of our two sons would go with her to Sunday School, while the other tagged along with me. During that hour I went to sing hymns for a nursing home and then we would meet in church for the service. Afterwards our practice was to switch who road home with who, mostly because tour little guys liked riding in my pickup truck. Everything worked great, till one day we got a brief taste of what the prodigal’s father had experienced in today’s verse. That was the Sunday that we forgot our older son Chris at church. After being left behind, it didn’t take Chris long to realize that something was amiss, but he didn’t panic. He thoroughly searched the church and asked around with our friends. Remember that in those pre-cell phone years, no one could just call us up, so Chris, being a bit puzzled as to what best to do, just sat down on the steps. Just then one of the deacons (who thankfully was our close friend) came to lock the doors and noticed Chris.

“So, where’s your mom and dad?” he asked. “I don’t know.” Chris answered shaking his head.

“Hey, if you want to ride in my truck, I’ll take you home.” John offered.

Meanwhile when Nancy and I met back at home, minus one son, panic began to set in. I quickly grabbed my keys, ran down the back steps and out the door, when just then John’s truck with both Chris and John grinning from ear to ear pulled up to the house. “Forget something?”  John asked with a chuckle,

As Chris hopped out, Nancy and I ran to embrace our very briefly lost son and understood just a little the prodigal son’s father, as his son came stumbling home. Imagine then the heart of God. Though we have forgotten Him, He has never forgotten us, and He sent Jesus to pick us up at the cross and carry us safely home to Him!

Journey of a Lifetime

/ pastorpete51 / 1 Comment

“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. John 141-2 NKJV

Yesterday I returned to Watermark Assisted Living and shared with my friends some of the details of our 50th wedding anniversary travels. Besides visiting with our family, the high point was to worship at the little country church where we were married a lifetime ago. Lots of things have changed but amazingly they are still using the same piano that Nancy played before we said, “I do!” I hope you enjoy this heartfelt and sometimes funny session, along with a hymn that talks of where our journey is leading – That Manson over the Hilltop. Why not join us on the journey and put your trust in Jesus Christ to guide you along the way?!