Happy Reformation Day!

So anyone who knows me knows that I am not a big fan of the other holiday celebrated today. I choose to highlight another significant event, one that took place 490 years ago today.

Oct. 31, 1517 marks the beginning of the Protestant Reformation. It is wild to think in 10 years it will be the 500 anniversary. Anyhow, it is my humble opinion that this event is certainly more significant than that other holiday.

So Happy Reformation Day!

Earthquake!

Allison was chatting with her sister in California last night and in the middle of the conversation, her sister yells, "Earthquake!". It was quite a jolt for Allison, but nothing compared to what they were feeling in CA. Sure enough, 10 minutes later the news was reporting the 5.6 quake.

We were glad to hear nothing serious was damaged and no one was hurt.

Sermon Text: Jonah 1:7-10

Jonah 1:7 Each man said to his mate, “Come, let us cast lots so we may learn on whose account this calamity has struck us.” So they cast lots and the lot fell on Jonah.
Jonah 1:8 Then they said to him, “Tell us, now! On whose account has this calamity struck us? What is your occupation? And where do you come from? What is your country? From what people are you?”
Jonah 1:9 He said to them, “I am a Hebrew, and I fear the LORD God of heaven who made the sea and the dry land.”
Jonah 1:10 Then the men became extremely frightened and they said to him, “How could you do this?” For the men knew that he was fleeing from the presence of the LORD, because he had told them.
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I have a number of favorite passages in Jonah and this is one of them. Jonah finally comes clean with his plans to flee from God and the people on the boat are caught up in his rebellion. This Sunday we will look this passage and the implications of sin and how that affects othes. It should be interesting.

Guest Speaker this Sunday

Mark Saltsman, from the Concord, NH PCA church and is going to preach this Sunday. Mark is one of the members of the Nashua Commission, the men who are overseeing the work in Nashua.

Mark is the most recent member to join the commission and the only one that has not visited the church on a Sunday Morning. We are looking forward to him being with us this Lord's Day.

Willow Creek Repents?

There is an interesting blog on Christianity Today's website. Check it out.

I would not say I am anti-mega church, but it is for reasons such as describe that make me wonder if it is a good model. Let me know what you think.

Red Sox Nation

Most of the rest of the country is watching new Fall TV Programs, College Football, NFL and preparing for Halloween. But in New England, baseball is what is on every one's mind.

The Boston Red Sox are headed to the World Series to face the Colorado Rockies. It has been an exciting series against the Cleveland Indians, and I think the World Series will be very exciting as well.

Living in Red Sox Nation is one special place and I am glad I can say I am a resident. Go Sox!

Presbytery

4 times a year I gather with my fellow presbyters ( elders) to discuss the affairs of the church in VT, NH & ME. Christ Presbyterian Church and I are apart of the Presbytery of Northern New England.

It is an all day meeting and we cover a number of topics from church issues to budget items to minister's callings. Sometimes the meeting can be routine, sometimes there can be serious issues to consider. This Saturday, we will be gathering in Portsmouth, NH for one of our stated meetings.

I would encourage you to pray for us, it is an important time and given we come together only 4 times a year, it is important that it is productive, and glorifying to God.

Sermon: Jonah Flees from God

Sermon Text: Jonah 1:2-6
Jonah 1:2 “Arise, go to Nineveh the great city and cry against it, for their wickedness has come up before Me.”
Jonah 1:3 But Jonah rose up to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. So he went down to Joppa, found a ship which was going to Tarshish, paid the fare and went down into it to go with them to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD.
Jonah 1:4 The LORD hurled a great wind on the sea and there was a great storm on the sea so that the ship was about to break up.
Jonah 1:5 Then the sailors became afraid and every man cried to his god, and they threw the cargo which was in the ship into the sea to lighten it for them. But Jonah had gone below into the hold of the ship, lain down and fallen sound asleep.
Jonah 1:6 So the captain approached him and said, “How is it that you are sleeping? Get up, call on your god. Perhaps your god will be concerned about us so that we will not perish.”

Have you ever wondered, why would Jonah try and run from God? Wouldn't he know better? After all he was a a prophet, Jonah would have known God is omnipotent and sovereign. So why flee? That is what we are going to look at on Sunday. Join us!

Fall Colors: Woodstock, VT

I have not done a great job documenting the fall colors here in New England this year. The peak season has passed for us in Northern New England. Campgrounds have closed, Winter Resorts are gearing up, People are raking leaves everywhere.

We as a family have tried to enjoy the colors every year. This year we made a trip to Woodstock, VT. It is in central Vermont, about 2 hours from our home. We had a great time visiting shops, seeing the sites and enjoying small town New England living. The drive was the real treat, and we had a great time enjoying the colors.

If you want to come to New England, make sure Vermont is apart of your itinerary. The sugar maples are what make it special, they turn a vibrant red. And as a bonus, their by product is Maple Syrup. Its a win win!

Sermon: Intro to Jonah

Jonah 1:1 The word of the LORD came to Jonah the son of Amittai saying,

Jonah 1:2 “Arise, go to Nineveh the great city and cry against it, for their wickedness has come up before Me.”

So we begin this Sunday with an overview of Jonah. We will be answer questions like:

Who is Jonah?
Dating / Setting
Genre / Book Outline
Themes / Theology

The most fun part is the Genre. Jonah is a Sensational, Didactic, Prophetic Narrative Book.

To figure out what that means, come Sunday.

Back in the Saddle

Most folks at the church know this, but last week, from Oct. 1 - 7, I was very very very ill. I have not been this sick in a long time. I lost 12 lbs, which is actually a good thing, but indicates how bad I was doing. Fever, headache, sour throat, etc..... It was a lot of fun, and I say that quite sarcastically.

Anyhow, I am feeling a lot better, and I am indeed, back in the saddle.