11/13/2019
This last week I made an unexpected, last minute cross country road trip moving my son, Dan, to Phoenix for a new job. All of his furnishings and belongings were loaded in a 16’ U Haul truck towing behind his car.
After a second night’s hotel stay, we poured into the U Haul at 3 am. It was pitch black out and I was the designated driver for that leg of the journey. It is really eerie driving an unfamiliar vehicle into the sheer darkness of the night. This was new territory for me and so dark. And while driving into the dark sky, I was never sure what may jump out at us from the side as there were signs warning of animals for the next several miles.
As I drove, I was comforted by any light that I saw and also by my prayers that God would provide the way and a hedge of protection for us. The darkness and the silence (other than occasional signs from my son and his dog!) became very serene and enjoyable. It actually became a time that I treasured.
The moment did make me think about what it is like to journey through life on our own without the strength and reassuring presence of a relationship with God. Without God’s reassurance at that time, I was simply Patti, a driver of my own accord driving into the darkness and unknown only of my own energy and ability. I realize that many people feel that this is enough, or all that there is, but I want to say to all of them that there is so much more!!! There is so much more for us beyond our own intellect, our own strength and our own abilities. That made all the difference for me that night.
So that journey is over and my son is settled in Phoenix for the next leg of his journey of life. And for me, I am filled with a heart of thanks for the provision that God has given to us for a safe journey and for the gift of time.
Pastor Patti
Archived Posts
One Final Scene About Scrooge
There was one more scene in Dickens’s novel that reveals something of what has happened to Scrooge over the years. I did not have time to share it on Sunday, but I believe it reveals a great deal about the regrets in Scrooge’s life....
What Jacob Marley Would Do,
If He Could Do It…
I thought about using the following for a benediction—since Jacob Marley was warning Scrooge about the danger of loving money and what it could buy. Ends up with the Cantata and everything else going on, I didn’t have the time. So here is what you might have heard if the sermon itself was 5 minutes shorter!
A Confirming Word on Old King Herod
I just want to echo what Rick said in his fine sermon yesterday (Nov. 23). Herod was a ruthless tyrant and skilled politician. When the Magi don’t report back to him, he decides to kill all the male children of Bethlehem under the age of 2. That’s one paranoid dude.
Power Without Conscience?
I ran out of room for this vignette in Sunday’s sermon. Remember the quote that could be the headline for Ahab and Naboth: “All that’s needed for evil to triumph is for good people to do nothing.” The following reinforces that truth.
The Cars Are Looking for A King
I don’t have a thing to add to Pastor Jessica’s excellent sermon this last Sunday. The fable/parable she shared has been one of my favorites for all the lessons she pulled from it in her message. I was playing around with my friend Chat GPT and after several abortive attempts, we came up with the following modernized version of Judges 9:7-15.
The Lost Benediction
Depending on the length of the sermon, I try to add a little something extra in my benedictions. This week I wrote up a benediction but then realized we’d be singing and waving our umbrellas to some New Orleans jazz.
Change of Focus This Week
Instead of sharing with you about yesterday’s sermon I’d like to invite you to do some background reading for next Sunday’s “Only Murders in the Bible.” Seeing that it is All Saints Day this Sunday, we are going to look at the very first Christian martyr, Stephen.