I was raised in a devout Roman Catholic family and have fond memories of the tactile “smells and bells” of the mass, the priest lifting the censer, rocking it back and forth, the pungent scent of incense, the jangle of bells. But there was one tactile experience I dreaded every year – the application of ashes on Ash Wednesday.
It was the end of a workday and, as is our custom, my wife and I were “debriefing” one another. I initiated, “How was your day?” My wife’s workdays of late have been exceedingly busy but today was less so. “It was okay,” she answered, “I only had about 40 phone calls.” Yes, that is a less busy day for her. She reciprocated, “And how was your day?” As I answered, I began to do something that I have done for my entire life. Leaning on my right elbow, my head cradled in my right hand, the fingers of my right hand were tugging on the flesh under my right eye. Yeah, it’s weird, but I do it unconsciously.
I have been a Christian for 40 years, having put my faith in Christ Jesus on April 2, 1984, in a small church in south Florida. I began to perceive familiar things differently my mind being renewed in Christ. However, there were aspects of my new life that were not familiar. I quickly realized there was an entirely new vocabulary that I needed to learn. For example, many in my new church family referred to certain Bible verses as their “life verse” and spoke of having a daily “quiet time.” I had no idea what they were talking about.
In thirty-five years of ministry, I have had several speaking engagements, some at conferences, and many at churches. That is not remarkable for a preacher. What is remarkable is that many of those engagements were in Spanish-speaking countries, and I do not speak Spanish; to be understood, I had to speak through an interpreter.
My wife and I pray together most mornings before one of us leaves the house for our workday. Our prayer is always the same, “Lord, we are yours and this day is yours. We ask you to fill us with your Spirit and use us for your glory.” One day last week, having prayed with my wife and seen her out the door, a question popped into my mind: God, are you tired of hearing the same prayer from us day after day?
The acronym GOAT is frequently used in publications, but the first time I saw it used, I mistook it for a pejorative. “What despicable thing did this person do,” I wondered, “that this author would refer to him as a goat?” Reading further confused me even more because the author spoke of the person only in the most glowing terms. Then the lights came on and I realized that GOAT is an acronym for “greatest of all time.” Yes, it took me awhile.
I’d like to think that I am an encourager, perhaps not the best, certainly not the worst. If someone does well, I will give a sincere, “Well done!” Even if someone does not do well, I look for something praiseworthy. As a pastor, I am often asked to give references and recommendations for others, and I lean toward graciousness in my assessments and remarks. But lately, my desire to encourage is being challenged by a browser I have used for years that is asking for my recommendation.
The words “new year” will take on greater significance for the congregation I serve as pastor. Though now a “church start-up,” this congregation anticipates gaining full-church status with the Evangelical Free Church early in the first quarter of the new year. Also, in January of 2025, we will be gathering for worship on Sundays in the chapel at Gulf Pointe Latin School on East Bay Blvd. The school’s chapel and campus are beautiful, and we thank God for the privilege of gathering there. Further, we have just inducted our first group of members. We are eager for this new year of faithful ministry.
I have a favorite Christmas hymn that I am uncomfortable singing. It is one of the most beloved Christmas hymns, and I love it too, with reservation. I am a man conflicted!
There are many commonly used words in the English language to which are affixed a prefix or suffix. As commonly used as these compound words are, the same word, without the prefix or suffix accessory, is rarely used, if ever. For example, you might be overwhelmed by the price of eggs at the grocery store, but have you ever been simply whelmed? Whelmed is a legit word that means, “to engulf, surge, or bury.” The rising cost of those eggs might make you feel disgruntled, but when have you ever been gruntled by an egg price? Yes, it too is a legit word that means, “satisfied.”
