Pastor's Penpoint - "Year Long Christmas" - December 2010

It happens every year around this time...I'm out shopping, and I'll go through the checkout line, and pay for my stuff. When the cashier hands me back the change, they'll say "Happy Holidays."

I realize that this comment is not always motivated by the cashier's genuine interest in whether or not I enjoy my holiday. I'm aware that they may be saying this because they've been told to. I can envision the memo from Wal-Mart corporate headquarters directing cashiers when to switch from "Have a nice day" to "Happy Holidays," on the assumption that this will somehow help cement a lasting bond between the store and the customer.

I'm aware of all that, and usually I just nod and ignore it. But at least once every year, I have a cashier who looks me in the eye and says "Merry Christmas," and really means it. And it changes my whole day.

There really is something genuine to this whole idea of Christmas cheer. As Dec. 25th draws near, people warm up just a bit. If you're out and around on Christmas Eve, you'll notice that people are friendlier than on any other day of the year.

Folks warm up when they are mindful of the Christ child's birth, and make an extra effort to practice the virtues the angels sing of - "peace on earth, goodwill towards men."

But consider this - why do we notice this at Christmas? I think it's because, despite our best intentions, good will towards men can easily become a seasonal event rather than a standing policy.

When Christ entered our world, he didn't come to brighten our Decembers, but to transform our lives. It can be hard work to practice good will towards one another. But John the Baptist's message was that as we prepare for Christ to come into our lives, we can change our ways.

The Gospel accounts of Jesus' ministry provide the blueprint for loving our neighbor in a busy and complicated neighborhood. Christ made a point of seeking out the broken and abandoned people of his day - the lepers, prostitutes and tax collectors - and he saw the value in each one of them. And in so doing, He helped them recognize the value in themselves.

This Christmas season, let us recognize that just as faith is a decision, good will towards people is a series of decisions that work themselves out not in temporary holiday cheer, but in the details of everyday life.

God's grace to you this christmas Season!
~ Pastor Todd

Cholera Camps in Haiti

Fonda Cassidy volunteered with Samaritan's Purse in Haiti last month. Here is what she had to say about the experience:

In October 2010 I left for the country of Haiti working with Samaritan's Purse. I did not realize until I arrived that there was an outbreak of Cholera. This is a bacteria that is spread by contact or contaminated water. None of the 5 doctors nor myself have worked anywhere where we have witnessed this. Once you see it you truly do not forget.

They present with fear frozen in their eyes, drawn up and over with incredible amount of abdominal pain, with profuse emesis and diarrhea. What you soon realize is that the little ones and the older generation will soon die if not cared for properly. They need oral hydrating salts and/or IV solutions to replace their fluids and an antibiotic.

So we ran Cholera Camps where we were treating only Cholera. If they were not getting treatment within 12 hours usually were dying. It is so hard to see death where you are working. Sometimes we would start treating someone but it would be too late. They would have to be taken out right away and be buried. At each clinic we would do a lot of teaching and have a pastor that would be praying with the people. I worked in 4 different locations within Haiti. One clinic took us about 2 hours to reach. Others were closer. We were able to share Christ with our patients. Personally I was blessed to lead about 4 of my patients to the Lord. There would be follow up by a Haitian pastor. I was able to visit 4 different orphanages that were run by Samaritan's Purse. I taught about Cholera in about 4 different classrooms and how it is spread and how to prevent it from happening. I will gladly return to Haiti to help in any capacity that God would want me to.

We have 22 United Brethren churches in Haiti. I was able to meet with the leader, Pastor Oliam Richard. He was a very precious man. He took me to two sites in Cite Soleil where there had been two churches.They now are rubble. Both toppled in the earthquake. There are plans to rebuild.

Safety and security is very important in Haiti. Each time we left the secured compound we had to radio a safety code and when we arrived at location we also had to radio that we were at our destination.

I witnessed people dying and I witnessed a person being killed by rocks as he tried to steal - the police stoned him to death. Haiti is very rough, but there are thousands of people living in that country that God loves and cares for. He has asked us to be His hands and feet in ministry. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve.

Upcoming Thank Offering Service

This Sunday at Mount Olivet is the annual Thank Offering Service to promote and support mission work around the world. Our guest speaker will be Jeff Bleijerveld, director of United Brethren Global Ministries. This year's thank offering will be used by Global Ministries to develop leaders around the world through study materials and training. The service begins at 10:30, November 14.

Pastor's Penpoint - "Fall Back" - November 2010

So what are you going to do with your extra hour? As the end of Daylight Savings Time approached, we may have asked ourselves that question. I have been waiting for this day to come, this glorious day when we set our clocks back one hour. We could stay up late the night before, knowing that the consequences wouldn't be as great the next day. Or we could go to sleep at the regular time, knowing that the Time Fairy would place an extra hour under our pillows while we slept, giving us approximately six extra hits of the snooze button.

So what did you do with your extra hour? It seems like such a simple, innocent question, but there is danger lurking there. Did you hear it? What will you do with your extra hour? Yours. Mine. We say it repeatedly when we schedule our time. But do we really possess this thing called time?

The obvious answer, of course, is that we don't own time. It, like everything else, belongs to God. And so even on Sundays, which we call "the Lord's Day" - we run the risk of suggesting that the other six days are ours and that we can do what we want with them.

But to recognize that time itself belongs to God, that it is yet another thing that has been entrusted to our care, is to recognize that what we do with time matters. Today, time is becoming a big problem. We are cramming more and more activity into our days. Our stores must be open around the clock. Our restaurants need to stay open late - at least the drive-through.

Gone are the days when television played the national anthem and signed off the air at midnight. Gone are the days when the line between day and night was unbreakable. No, we are living in the sweeping blur of digital time that ticks by second by second with no distinction.

The natural rhythms of time are easily lost on us, because we cram more of it into a day than any other culture in any other age. As followers of Jesus Christ, we are called to consider our place in God's kingdom - our purpose and responsibility. As we add more and more to our dwindling time, we need to be aware that God's time shouldn't take a backseat. There's always someone in need, prayers to be lifted up and opportunities to be the extension of Christ's love.

God's grace to each of you ... in His time. ~Pastor Todd

Pastor's Penpoint - "The Master's Canvas" - October 2010

Winter, spring, summer, and fall are God's seasons. Most are big fans of summer and spring and not too fond of fall and winter. But I've always been a bit backward on that. Fall has always been my season! I think it is something about those leaves of red, orange, yellow, and burgundy that fall from the trees. I feel as if I have noticed them for the very first time. As I am very hot blooded, I love "sweater weather"!

I like seeing folks setting out pumpkins in the yard with hay bales and planting mums in the yard. I am looking forward to getting into all the different soups Dina makes starting this time of year!

God is the best artist in the world, for only He can create such different themes. We see many artists that try to capture the seasons on their canvases by painting what they see around them, and they do a wonderful job. However, neither picture nor paint could ever replace the real thing splashed across the sky and spilled over the earth like the Master's display of His finest artwork. God's creativity is unmatched, for every day is different, just like every snowflake in winter.

When people say there is no God, I know they do not see with eyes like mine. They must see a plain, white canvas or a black drop cloth and not the blue skies that fade into light pink in the evening. Nor do they see the flowers that no paint on any artist's palate could attempt to match or the trees that were each given a certain color leaf to change into when autumn arrives. "There is no God," they say. It is just that they do not know the Master of the seasons, the One who has created such magnificent displays of perfect art.

Autumn is what I believe scripture is talking about when it says, "This is the day that the Lord hath made, and I will rejoice in it." Each day He has given us beauty to enjoy, so I think I should sit back and take in this glorious creation. Hope you join me in a bowl of cheeseburger soup, pull on a sweater and gaze in wonder at God's canvas.

In Christ ~ Pastor Todd

Congratulations Travis and Kira!!!

Congratulations to Travis and Kira on your marriage last week! Your Mt. Olivet family wishes you all the best.

Youth Sunday

A few photos from Youth Sunday when they led the service with music and preaching on John 3:16. Great job guys!

Hayride last Sunday

47 people from Mount Olivet enjoyed a hayride last Sunday up into the mountains past Stokesville. Aside from a small glitch - a flat tire on the way - God blessed us with a great day and we thank Him for safety.

Hayride

Don't forget!!! This Sunday after the worship service is the annual church hayride. Bring a bag lunch and enjoy the fresh air and fellowship.

Pastor's Penpoint - "A Different Drug Problem" - September 2010

Ahh yes ... September. Squirrels are gathering their stash for the coming season changes, the nights and a few days are cooling off and my personal favorite ... football is back. You can tell summer is winding down when you see these indicators. Another one is the children being dragged to the bus or to school by weary parents!

This reminds me of an article I read recently entitled "A Different Drug Problem":
The other day, someone remarked to me about a methamphetamine lab that was discovered in an old farmhouse outside our small town. This person asked me, "Why didn't we have a drug problem when you and I were growing up?" I replied I did have a drug problem when I was young - I was drug to church on Sunday mornings, to weddings and funerals. I was drug to family reunions and community socials all the time. I was drug by my ears when I was disrespectful. I was also drug to the woodshed when I disobeyed my parents, told a lie, brought home a bad report card, did not speak with respect, spoke ill of the teacher or preacher, or I didn't do what was asked of me. I was drug to the kitchen sink to have my mouth washed out with soap if I uttered profanity. I was drug outside to pull weeds from the flower beds and garden. I was drug to the homes of neighbors to help out some poor soul who had no-one to mow their yard, repair a clothesline, or chop firewood, and if my mother ever found out I took a single dime as payment, I would be drug back to the woodshed. Those drugs are still in my veins and they affect everything I do, say and think. They are stronger than cocaine, crack, or heroin; and if today's children had this type of drug problem, America wouldn't have this other type of drug problem. Gad Bless the parents who drugged us.

In many ways, we need to be drug back to a place of discipline where not everything goes and we make our own rules. God's way should pass through the generations where we are held accountable. We should be able to challenge our children to face the same tasks we did in order to produce Godly generations. We don't do our future generations or ourselves any favors by watering down responsibility and accountability.
May we all backslide into our former drug problem!

Grace and strength ~ Pastor Todd

Church Picnic 2010

The annual church picnic was held this past Sunday evening at Oakdale Park in Bridgewater. There was good food, good conversation, a cake to celebrate Victor's 93rd birthday, some baseball, and a competitive soccer game. Not a single fly or mosquito was invited and none showed up. Looking forward to the hayride coming up on September 19 following worship.