Rappin’ With Rick

How quickly the years roll by. It’s hard to believe that Chatham Christian Church celebrated its 47th Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion Service this past Christmas. Marilyn and I have only been here for 45 of them, but I believe Jim and Mary Sexton have been to all 47.

Over the years we’ve done a variety of things on Christmas Eve in addition to the communion service, presenting cantatas and the like, but I have to say I really enjoy what we do now more than any. Some of the enjoyment may come from the fact that I don’t have to be a part of the musical presentation, and can just enjoy the service. But I also really do enjoy seeing how all the pieces come together.

When I make it known that we need special music, and invite any who might have something to share to do so, I never know what to expect. But as I start hearing from those willing to share a song that reflects their love for Christ and Christmas, it quickly becomes obvious that we’re going to have a great night of celebration. And according to the comments I heard, this year’s was one of the best.

The attendance this year was also very encouraging. Attendance had slipped a bit over the years, and I was beginning to wonder how long we would be able to continue with this tradition. If this year is any indication of our future, I think we can plan on hosting many more.

I put out 200 candles this year, thinking that would be more than enough. When I went through the baskets after the service, however, I only found six that had hadn’t been used. And then I started hearing about some who didn’t get a candle because their basket was empty. I know we haven’t had 200 at our Christmas Eve service in a long time, and I have to admit it really felt good to see so many here.

I don’t know what God has in store for us in 2018, but I know our future is in good hands. In fact, I believe our big Five-0 will be here before we know it. And, Lord willing, I’m looking forward to my big Five-0 as your preacher.

God Bless, Rick

I guess it shouldn’t surprise us that good news is quickly followed by bad news. Shortly after an angel declared, “I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people,” and the magi came from the east asking, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews,” Herod was moved with jealousy and lied in an attempt to remove the King he thought to be a threat to his throne.

I’m sorry to have to report that in similar fashion, the good news we received from Haiti has been followed by what appears on the surface to be bad news. I wouldn’t even share it with you during this time of year, but everyone who is supporting a student at Haitian Christian Ministries has probably received a letter that makes serious charges against the current leadership of the mission.

Shortly after we started supporting the mission, the founder, Manno Laguerre, unexpectedly passed away. For a time the leadership passed to his widow, Prisca. When the board noticed a lack of transparency and accountability in the finances of the mission, Prisca was asked to make some changes. She refused to do so, and was eventually asked to step down from leadership.

When Mark and I met with the chairman of the board and the two lead pastors a couple of months ago, we were thrilled to hear of the progress the mission was making. Not only are more children being served, but new churches are being planted in Northern Haiti. We were impressed by the straightforward answers to the questions we asked by the chairman and Pastor Paul, who is now heading up the mission in Haiti. We are confident that the mission is in good hands.

The letter that many of you received from Prisca is apparently the result of hurt and bitterness, and after conferring with Mark Zimmerman, who is on the board, we can assure you that the accusations are a misrepresentation of the facts. We are very thankful for the opportunity to be supporting a very effective ministry in Haiti, and appreciate your confidence in the elders who oversee the generous mission giving of our congregation.

God Bless, Rick

I have an offer for the first eleven people who take me up on it. And of course, like every offer that gets made on TV, this one comes with strings attached. But unlike the free offers on TV, there are no handling and processing fees hidden in this offer. All it will require of you is a commitment of 15-20 minutes a day for the next year.
If you haven’t guessed what this is all about, it’s about reading through the Bible in a year. But even more, it’s about reading through a Bible that I will personally buy for you. I know that’s hard to believe, especially the “that I will personally buy for you” part, but it’s true!

A couple of years ago Marilyn, Nikki, and Grace all read through The One Year Chronological Bible and really enjoyed it. This year I’m doing so, and I really love it…even though it isn’t in my favorite translation.

A chronological Bible is one that attempts to put the books, chapters, and even verses of the Bible in the order that related events actually happened. It puts everything in chronological order so you can follow the flow of history and see how everything fits together. It also means that accounts that were recorded more than once can be read together, the psalms that express what David is feeling are placed in the midst of what he’s going through, the prophetic messages are pronounced in their historical context, and the epistles are integrated into the book of Acts.

Like the girls, I am really enjoying reading through the Bible in this way, and I can’t wait to start again. Only this time I won’t be reading it in the NIV! It’s not available in the NASV, so I will be reading it once again in another translation, which really isn’t a bad thing. The additional options are the New Living Translation, which I like even less than the NIV, and Tina’s favorite, the New King James.

I’ve ordered a dozen copies in the NKJ, and they should be here this Sunday. The first eleven who ask for one, and promise to read it, will be given one. In case you were wondering why only eleven, the twelfth one is for me.

God Bless, Rick

I’m not sure it’s the best way to prepare for possible bad news, but I tend to go to the worst possible scenario first. I don’t want to live in denial, and then be devastated. I’d rather think through how I would deal with really bad news, and then be grateful if it doesn’t come to pass. A case in point has been my recent vision problem.

I’d noticed the newsprint was getting blurry in the mornings, and had started rubbing my eyes a lot, thinking they were having a hard time getting cleared in the morning. Then I noticed that the sight picture on my pistol wasn’t a sharp as it should be. I figured it was just bad lighting at the range. Then, while waiting for Anna’s basketball game to start, I noticed faces weren’t as sharp as they should be across the court. For some reason I covered one eye, and then the other, and discovered that my right eye was the culprit. Once that was discovered, I started closing one eye and then the other while trying to read road signs. The left eye was clear, the right not so much.

I had had an eye exam and had gotten new glasses in February, so I went back to see if things had really changed as much as I thought. The optician was shocked by the change in just one eye, and after examining it and seeing nothing wrong in the eye itself, suggested I go to my medical doctor to see if there was a problem behind my eye.

When I went to my doctor and explained the situation, he ordered blood work and an MRI. Thinking something might be wrong behind the eye took me places no one wants to go. I started thanking God for the privilege of preaching as long as I had, and thanking Him for a great life. I prayed that He would give me the strength necessary to deal with whatever might come, in a way that honored Him and accomplished His purposes.

When I shared that with the elders, Jack said he would simply pray for healing. The next morning I remembered Jesus saying we had not because we asked not, so I covered my bases and asked. I didn’t want to hear Him say in heaven that He would have healed me, but I didn’t ask.

Whether He did or didn’t, I don’t know. But the tests all came back normal, and, contrary to the opinion of some, there is nothing wrong with my brain. I still don’t know what caused the change, but a new lens seems to be working pretty well. Whether the doctor will want to look further or not, I don’t know. All I know for sure is that I’m very thankful.

Now it’s on to another challenge; a prostate biopsy scheduled for January because of an elevated PSA.

God Bless, Rick

While in Tennessee last Friday evening I received a text message from Tracy Formea telling me that Mary wasn’t lit up in the Christmas display, and it looked like Joseph was a single father! A quick text to Mark remedied the situation, but Tina did respond that a lamb had to be temporarily sacrificed in order for Mary to be seen.

If you didn’t make it to the Light Up the Park display last weekend, be sure to include it in your Christmas plans. Several churches in Chatham have joined together to provide a beautiful nativity located just outside the entrance of the park, and this year we added a shepherd, two lambs, and a donkey. The lights will be on from 6-9 on Fridays and Saturdays until Christmas. Don’t miss it.

And, since I’m thinking about Christmas, it’s time to start thinking about what you might do for our Christmas Eve service. The candlelight communion service is of course the bedrock of our traditional celebration, but we need individuals, ensembles, and children’s choirs to help fill the auditorium with Christmas music. If are willing to bring a musical gift to the babe in the manger, please let me know as soon as possible so a full program can be planned.

Since Christmas is quickly followed by a new year, it’s time to once again affirm the leadership and financial plans for our congregation. With that in mind, I’m pleased to announce that the current elders have all agreed to continue serving in 2018, and they will be re-introducing themselves for the sake of newer members this Sunday morning. The financial projection and proposed distribution for missions for the new year will also be presented. Everyone will then be given the opportunity to affirm the elders and the projection on December 17th.

One final note is that the Christmas mailbox is now open for the exchange of Christmas greetings. Feel free to put cards in the alphabetical slots, and be sure to check the box for card to you.

Tis the season. And I love it.

God Bless, Rick