Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

Hey folks. Things have calmed down here in New Hampshire as far as the snow and bad weather. Tonight we have a Carol Sing at a church member's home which will be nice.

I will most likely be absent from blogging over the holidays. I probably will not be active until the first week of January. January 8th is the New Hampshire Primary, and I may comment on that given it is the biggest thing to happen in the New Hampshire in January.

So until then, Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

Guest Preacher - Dec. 30 & Jan. 6

Rev. Tim Andrews will be giving me a break over the holidays. Thanks Tim, I really appreciate it!

Living in Narnia

I would send more photos, but they all look the same. Just with more snow. We have had 5 storms in less than 2 weeks and over 2 feet of snow in the backyard. The next time we see our grass will probably be March.

Yesterday it kept snowing and snowing and snowing and snowing. Nothing real heavy, but a constant snow shower off of the ocean. The expected 2-4 inches turned into 8-9 inches.

I very much felt like I was living in Narnia, where it is always Winter and never Christmas. Christmas is only a few days away, and at least in the immediate forecast, no more snow. Thank goodness! We could use the break.

Sermon Text: Isaiah 9:6-7

Isaiah 9:6-7 (New American Standard Bible)

6For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us;
And the government will rest on His shoulders;
And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
7There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace,
On the throne of David and over his kingdom,
To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness
From then on and forevermore
The zeal of the LORD of hosts will accomplish this.

I-35 & Isaiah 35

Anyone else read this article? Wow, how some people interpret the Bible. I have no problem praying and I admire the faithfulness of the people. But I do wonder about receiving a "revelation" from God.

Any thoughts?

A Return to Tradition - US News & World Article

I just got my latest issue of US New & World Report to see on the front cover, A Return to Ritual, Why modern worshipers, including Catholics & Jews and evangelicals, are embracing tradition. To read the online article, click here.

It features the emergent church, which I am not a fan of, but not surprised they are mentioned. They are a sub article entitled, Mixing Jesus with Java. Sounds like an emergent title.

Anyhow, I found it interesting that Communion and using Creeds is becoming important. I am not surprised, but I guess some are. One of the flaws of the contemporary worship is the elimination of liturgy. This article simply affirms that people find it helpful. I would agree. What do you think?

The Morning After

Just to give some perspective, a week ago their was not a pile of snow in front of the house. Now my reflector to tell the plow truck where the curb is almost gone! Since the first snowfall on Dec. 3, we have been covered in the white stuff.
I love it, and so do the kids. The only problem has been that ice dams have been building up on the edge of the house. Very annoying. It is going to be a White Christmas in Nashua, that is for sure!

NO Sunday Services

No surprise here, but Sunday Worship Services are cancelled because of the Nor'Easter. Stay home and stay safe.

Sermon Text: Jonah 4:1-4

Jonah 4:1 But it greatly displeased Jonah and he became angry.
Jonah 4:2 He prayed to the LORD and said, “Please LORD, was not this what I said while I was still in my own country? Therefore in order to forestall this I fled to Tarshish, for I knew that You are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, and one who relents concerning calamity.
Jonah 4:3 “Therefore now, O LORD, please take my life from me, for death is better to me than life.”
Jonah 4:4 The LORD said, “Do you have good reason to be angry?”

Prayer for Colorado

Just thought it would be important to remind everyone to pray for the Youth with a Mission (YWAM) and the folks at New Life Church in Colorado.

I have visited the church in the past on a trip to Colorado Springs, and I have known teens get involved in YWAM.

Very sad time for these folks during the holiday season.

I am ready!

At the risk of sounding like Anthony Smith, and if you do not know what I am talking about, read this article, I just wanted to let everyone know who I will be cheering for on Sunday when the Patriots & Steelers meet in Foxboro.

This is somewhat dangerous, but I am a risk taker. I live in New England, I like the Patriots, I would like to see them get a perfect season. But when it comes to loyalty, I will be pulling for the Steelers this Sunday as they play the Patriots.

I guess the old adage is right, You can take the boy out of Steeler Country, but you can't take the Steeler Country out of the boy.

You can be sure, I will be waving my terrible towel at 4:15 pm Sunday Afternoon.

Go Steelers!

Sermon Text: Jonah 3:5-10

Jonah 3:5 Then the people of Nineveh believed in God; and they called a fast and put on sackcloth from the greatest to the least of them.
Jonah 3:6 When the word reached the king of Nineveh, he arose from his throne, laid aside his robe from him, covered himself with sackcloth and sat on the ashes.
Jonah 3:7 He issued a proclamation and it said, “In Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles: Do not let man, beast, herd, or flock taste a thing. Do not let them eat or drink water.
Jonah 3:8 “But both man and beast must be covered with sackcloth; and let men call on God earnestly that each may turn from his wicked way and from the violence which is in his hands.
Jonah 3:9 “Who knows, God may turn and relent and withdraw His burning anger so that we will not perish.”
Jonah 3:10 When God saw their deeds, that they turned from their wicked way, then God relented concerning the calamity which He had declared He would bring upon them. And He did not do it.

This is one of the more annoying texts in Jonah from the perspective of the preacher. Here is a golden opportunity and Jonah seems disinterested and probably wishes they would not repent. I would love to have an opportunity like this! We will deal with this as well as God changing His mind. Should be interesting.

Can I get an amen from my ministry friends out there in cyberspace!

1st Winter Storm

It was only a couple of inches, but still nice to see! Last year snow did not come until mid January. It is still coming down, but very lightly. Here is a picture of the dog, "Aspen" playing in the snow in the backyard. She loves it!