End of Life Ministry

I have to tell you one of the hardest but greatest honors is ministering to people at the end of life.

It is emotionally draining and rewarding.

There are great ministries and people out there that do this in Nursing homes, assisted living and of course the great ministry of Hospice. I cannot speak more about how great they are. Even in learning some of this the hard way through some of my CPE (Clinical Pastoral Education) classes through Western Maryland Hospital. (HT to Chaplain Bower)

Here are just a few things one can do for End of Life Ministry:


I. Be praying. Pray with the person, family. Pray sincerely. Have others pray. Add them to your prayer list. Be praying. The power of God and communicating to Him. Pray His will not ours be done.

II. Be prepared. Be prepared that the end will come. Help the family to be available to talk, or listen and be a shoulder ... be prepared to say final good-byes.

III. Be present. So often it isn't what you say but that your presence was there. Listening, praying, preparation and the ministry of presence goes along ways.

Resource Suggestions:

The Four Things that Matter Most - Ira Byock

Tracks of a Fellow Struggler. Living and growing through Grief. - John R. Claypool.

Hagerstown Suns Update

My rant from earlier this year


Those opposing it


If Project advances ...


Possible private contribution


Agreement by mid-August?


Here are a couple issues:

1. The Winchester "Moving" seems to be out of the picture.

2. The Funding? Where is it coming from? Some from local but still haven't got all the funding in place from Suns nor State and making plans for $30 Million dollar facility ... without all the funding ...

3. Has it ever been looked at a feasibility study and master plan at the current location and expansion around?

4. Who benefits from the sale of land ? What is the Herald-mail's role since the "new stadium" is basically next door to them?

5. If you build it they will come mentality doesn't work ...what makes oyu think if people aren't coming to the Suns now they will later with teams like the Keys and MLB teams like Baltimore and the Nats nearby?

6. What about the History factor? Willie Mays, Bryce Harper, Mussina etc.? One of the greatest baseball players ever ...played one of His First games here and African-American and we say ... oh, get over it and let's build anew?

7. Please tell me you didn't just invest $$$ all this money in one project in hoping it would revitalize downtown. Please tell me you have other ideas, studies and plans for the downtown rather than let's build a multi-million dollar facility downtown and people will come .... with this economy people are already leaving downtown ....

8. Why is the Public being shutout of this? Why no public forums or very little and quieting the voices ...and saying "We don't have anything yet .." when you have press releases, drawings, the mayor saying one thing and another coming out ... Why is it only government officials on the planning of this? And why hasn't the lease been signed? And who really benefits? It seems more irresponsible to not explore all options. Has a feasible plan and soil assessment been done where you plan to build this monster of a stadium?

9. Will we be looking for a new stadium after this one? afterall a few years ago you invested $500 000 (A half a million dollars) in the old facility and seems like you are disregarding that investment .... what will happen to the ole place? Trash pile? Just sit there like the ole hospital, pangborn and the ole recycling place to be an eyesore? I think people need to really think before saying let's tear it down and build something new somewhere else .... A plan - a good plan in place considers all the options not the ONE that they think best. All options need to be on the table.

10. I can think of a better way to invest $30 million dollars than just another stadium .... it is called wise stewardship ...is this really a good investment? Personally I think we can do far better with less funds at our current location but that's just me ...

makes me wonder if it is worth it?

Basic: Holy Spirit.

What Cancer Cannot do.

We have several in our congregation that are struggling with Cancer ... and some that have beaten it ... and some have been lost due to cancer. I'm so glad the family supports great causes like Relay for Life. I recently was given this bracelet as a reminder of what cancer cannot do. It also reminds me to pray for those in the midst of the battle.


What Cancer Cannot Do



Author: Unknown

Cancer is so limited...
It cannot cripple love.
It cannot shatter hope.
It cannot corrode faith.
It cannot eat away peace.
It cannot destroy confidence.
It cannot kill friendship.
It cannot shut out memories.
It cannot silence courage.
It cannot reduce eternal life.
It cannot quench the Spirit.

What Would God say to Lady Gaga?

A Famous singer. Popular. Cutting edge. Teens, young adults, and society likes her but what would God say to her?

Come this Sunday to find out ....

Basic Series: Follower. - Francis Chan.

Our small group study continues on what it means to be a follower of Jesus.

My Biggest Ministry Priority: Prayer.

The more I do ministry from the administration to the lessons, preaching, hands on ... one of the biggest ministry priorities is prayer.

I need to spend more time on my knees - talking with God.

I need to spend more time praying for others, praying for direction, praying to do what is right.

I need to listen to God's voice.

I need to hear what He is saying in His Word.

And ultimately I need God.

So one of the priorities for ministry isn't all the social media time as much as it is the God-time.

How about you?

Adventures in Moving.

If you are in ministry long enough - you know a thing or 2 about moving.

Since College I've been in a small home (Where you can do several things at same time) a shared home in Indiana, an older small home in Virginia ...a townhome, and bought our first home in NC and then a small rancher in MD until we went to keedysville with a 110 yr old home.

People ask: "How you like it?" We respond is it has character. We're learning a crash course in this house, and repairs from electrical to water issues, to fixer upper type things. It is an adventure but feel like we're home. Pray that God continues to bless our Home!

Thanks.

A Picture Share

One of my children did this and had on a table that said: To DAD.

Being Jesus' Hands and Feet.

How are you being Jesus' Hands and Feet?

Maybe it is just serving in the little things ...

May you go Where He sends you ....

A Comic Share

Basic Series: Follow Jesus.

We don't do "Missions"

People ask how do you do missions?

What are you doing in your missions program?

What "Missions" do you support?

Fact is and it might be semantics but there is no where in the Bible where we are told to "Do missions" We are to be the mission ...We are to be Jesus' hands and feet. We are to love one another, love God and make disciples .... some might say well that is doing missions. Fact is that is being a Christian and disciple and follower of Christ is about. Going into all the world, starting with judea, samaria, and the out most parts of the world. Taking the Good News of Jesus with you. So instead of being caught up in a program ... how about we just be the mission instead of saying we're going to "do missions"

Here are some examples from our own congregation of people not coming up with a program and to do, but also be the missions.


1. Our clothes closet - Free clothes to those in need. Several of our ladies coordinate this effort.

2. Our food pantry. We work and help those needing food.

3. Our children's programs - we're having several step up to fill that need.

4. Our Boy Scout pack and troop. People involved and leading.

5. Back to School supplies for those in need. Several ladies had this idea and now are rolling with it.

6. Our camp. Being involved and serving.

7. As a result of several short term missions trips, one of our leaders has a passion for what he is calling the Family Flock - helping those in need in a foreign country.

And this is just the tip of the iceberg of people not wanting to follow a program but wanting to be, to fulfill the commands of Jesus because they love Him.

So what are you being to others? Are you just sitting there saying "Oh, our church does missions" but you're not really involved? How about Be the Bride of Christ .... point people to Jesus. are you with me?

Giving Anonymously

In the past few weeks, we've had an anonymous giver in our church. Sends a card with $$$ or gift card to help others in our church. I've even received one .... The funny thing about our anonymous giver is this has been happening for years here.

1. Person gave in the right time for others.

2. Know they are praying for that person.

3. I've been accused of being this person. (Though it isn't me nor do I know who it is but they have attempted my bad hand writing though)

4. So what's the point? Maybe we all should "Pay it forward" and be that anonymous giver as well ....Who are you going to bless this week?

Fear God ..Basic Series ...Continues this Wednesday

Currently Reading: Dying to Live.

Building Below the Waterline - A Review.

This is from one reviewer

"I am a big fan of Gordon MacDonald. This book is one of his best.

The primary intended audience for this book is young pastors. If you know one, buy this book for them. They will be eternally grateful. It contains great wisdom and discernment from a successful, seasoned, 60+ year old pastor."



In the early pages of the book, Gordon recalls the construction of the Brooklyn Bridge, which took 13 yrs to complete. The public had thought that nothing was being done for the first 3yrs because some of the patient, daring work was in process: building the bridge's foundation hundreds of feet beneath the water's surface.

The same can be said about a Christian leader and the foundation of which we base it upon. Gordon gives us some hard lessons on what makes strong Christian leaders. A must for any leader to have in their library.

Top 10 Things I've learned from AGT

Here is some things I've learned from the TV show: America's Got Talent.

I. Everyone supposedly has a talent.

II. Some have better talents than others.

III. There is always a story to tell.

IV. It isn't so much as when you get judged, but how one is judged.

V. It is good to know WHO the ultimate Judge is.

VI. Everyone is a critic.

VII. Knowing your limitations helps.

VIII. Having a sense of humour goes a long ways.

IX. Overcoming obstacles and trials helps make one stronger. Perservance.

X. The "HOST" helps calm things down.

Basic. Fear God Trailer preview.

Top 10 Things I've Learned from Storage Wars.

I. There is conflict.

II. Body posture says as much as your words.

III. Attitudes speak volumes.

IV. One needs to stop and listen to the ONE in charge.

V. Things are unique.

VI. There is a story behind every item.

VII. Stuff is only temporary.

VIII. It isn't so much as to what you have.

IX. Things have a price.

X. Sometimes you win, other times you lose. It is all in how oyu handle it.