January 3, 2016

“When it was decided that we would sail for Italy, Paul and some other prisoners were handed over to a centurion named Julius, who belonged to the Imperial Regiment. We boarded a ship from Adramyttium about to sail for ports along the coast of the province of Asia, and we put out to sea. Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica, was with us. The next day we landed at Sidon; and Julius, in kindness to Paul, allowed him to go to his friends so they might provide for his needs. From there we put out to sea again and passed to the lee of Cyprus because the winds were against us. When we had sailed across the open sea off the coast of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we landed at Myra in Lycia. There the centurion found an Alexandrian ship sailing for Italy and put us on board. We made slow headway for many days and had difficulty arriving off Cnidus. When the wind did not allow us to hold our course, we sailed to the lee of Crete, opposite Salmone. We moved along the coast with difficulty and came to a place called Fair Havens, near the town of Lasea.  Much time had been lost, and sailing had already become dangerous because by now it was after the Day of Atonement. So Paul warned them, “Men, I can see that our voyage is going to be disastrous and bring great loss to ship and cargo, and to our own lives also.” Acts 27:1-10

They say that every journey begins with one step – or the first step. This I believe is true. The next hardest steps are numbers 30 and up. Why do I say that? It is hard to start a new journey, but even harder to continue a few days or weeks into the journey. This is the story of a New Year’s resolution, right? We start off the New Year in full force, getting up early to run, hitting the gym every day, eating right. But, by week three we are sleeping in more often than running, we have too much work to do instead of going to the gym, and the diet has lost its flavor. The same is true with trying to begin a bible reading program. What is it that defeats our initial enthusiasm? Just like any new habit, it takes 3 to 4 weeks to get it cemented into a new routine. So, here are some suggestions to get you through those difficult mid-term steps:

1.) Try to read at the same time each day. If you carve out the time each day, the same time each day, this will give some regularity to your routine and will help that routine become a habit.
2.) Be forgiving – to yourself. There will be days that you miss or forget or get too busy. Keep moving forward – don’t feel as if you need to make up time. If you compound your reading by adding additional verses, it will seem more work, and less enrichment.
3.) Look for a partner to read along. Having someone who is reading with you allows for questions to be asked, concepts to be discussed, and encouragement along the way.

Paul was quick to move forward in his ministries and setting up new churches. Yet, he often faced setbacks, difficulties in his journeys, being thrown into prison, beatings and the like. But, even being thrown into prison could not defeat his joy. If you find joy in all the things you do, thy will seem less like “tasks” and more like accomplishments.

Pastor Dave

September 8, 2015

“In the morning they did not recognize the land, but they noticed a bay with a beach, on which they planned to run the ship ashore, if they could. So they cast off the anchors and left them in the sea. At the same time they loosened the ropes that tied the steering-oars; then hoisting the foresail to the wind, they made for the beach. But striking a reef, they ran the ship aground; the bow stuck and remained immovable, but the stern was being broken up by the force of the waves. The soldiers’ plan was to kill the prisoners, so that none might swim away and escape; but the centurion, wishing to save Paul, kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and make for the land, and the rest to follow, some on planks and others on pieces of the ship. And so it was that all were brought safely to land.” Acts 27:39-44

“The Dictionary of Christian Lore and Legend describes the nave (of the church) as “the central portion of a church, set aside for the congregation, lying west of the chancel or choir and often separated from it by a screen of wood or stone.” It also notes the word derives from the Latin navis, “a ship ” because the Church was compared to a ship in which the faithful could be saved.

Once you pass through the doors from the narthex (which is the “porch at the west end of early churches” (used by penitents not admitted to the body of the church), 1670s, from Late Greek narthex) at which point maybe our greeters should say “Welcome aboard the ship” — you are in the nave…” Dean Myers (1917 – 1991),  [A Sermon “Stay With The Ship” “For All the Saints” volume II (p. 799)

Dean Myers was a Lutheran layperson and advertising executive – a member of St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, White Plains, NY. I like his suggestion that we should look visitors and regular attendees alike and say to them “Welcome aboard”. If we put more emphasis on welcoming people into our churches, we might see more of them coming back again and again. But not only is the emphasis on welcome, but we also need to remember the “aboard” as well. In other words, just as the ship does not “guarantee” a smooth ride, coming to church also does not guarantee your life will be smooth, nor will your experience in the church be without occasional gales.

The Psalmist says “Many are the troubles of the righteous.” (Psalm 34) It is because our lives have the potential to be trouble-filled that we need to be welcoming to all who visit — welcoming to everyone — when we welcome all aboard, we have more to support one another when the gales come blowing in.

Pastor Dave