30 Days of Thanksgiving, Day 30: Influencers

Today, on this last day of the original challenge/exercise, I am expressing my thanks to God for all of the men and women that He has used in my life to influence me over the past 50 years. Some have been in my life the entire time, and others have passed through more quickly. Still others simply brushed past me and jostled me as we passed.

I have in mind today those who were, have been, and are “live” players in my life, including mentors, teachers, leaders, and friends whose voice I have heard and whose touch I have felt. I am also thinking, however, of those who have stirred me without knowing it. Some, even, have influenced me even after they have departed this life. Not in some eerie, ghostlike phantasm but in the form of the words that they left behind, written down on pages for anyone to read.

“No man is an island,” John Donne said. The man that I am today, and the man that I shall become, has been and is being shaped and fashioned by a host of influencers. It is quite likely that, if you are reading this, to have been, you are, and/or you will be one of the influencers in my life. Thank you, and thanks be to God for you.

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30 Days of Thanksgiving, Day 29: Music

Today I am giving thanks to God for the gift of music and how it both speaks to and speaks for the human soul. For the great Hymns of the Church to contemporary Christian music; from choruses, testimony songs, praise & worship songs, and words of Scripture set to music—I am thankful for all of it. For the voice and for the instrument: strings, woodwinds, brass, percussion, electronic and digital. For classical, southern Gospel, country, bluegrass, jazz, blues, do-wop, and rock-‘n’-roll; for the Gregorian chant and for the orchestra—I like it all (or almost all). I am thankful for the song writers and for the artists who perform/sing/play the songs. Thank you, Father, for the music.

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30 Days of Thanksgiving, Day 28: The Blessed Hope

Yesterday I wrote about “Hope”. Today, I am thankful for something a little more specific: the “Blessed Hope” that followers of the Lord Jesus Christ have. The Blessed Hope refers to the Return of Jesus Christ, as He promised when He ascended into Heaven after His resurrection.

The expression comes from Titus 2:13: “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ…” (KJV)

I am thankful for the specific promise and prophecy concerning Jesus’ return. One of my favorite passages in the Bible is John 14:1-6. In particular, the part where Jesus tells His disciples: “I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” (vv. 2-3, KJV).

In the words of the Apostle John at the end of the Book of the Revelation: “Even so, come, Lord Jesus.”

30 Days of Thanksgiving, Day 27: Hope!

Today is the First Sunday in Advent, so it seems natural that I would be thinking about Hope today. I am thankful that no matter how bleak the situation appears from the outside looking in, or from the inside looking out, there is always HOPE! Whether I am on the outside or whether I am on the inside, when I remember to look not in, not out, but Up, I find the hope that I need to carry on. Thank you, Heavenly Father, for giving us Hope.

30 Days of Thanksgiving, Day 26: The Holy Spirit’s Ministry

Technorati Tags: Thanks,Thankfulness,Thanksgiving,Holy Spirit,Christian,Christianity

Today I am expressing my thanks for the ongoing ministry of God the Holy Spirit in my life.

He, the Person of the Holy Spirit, indwells me, He convicts me of sin, He brings to my remembrance those things which I have learned, read, and heard others say—most especially, He causes me to remember the words of Scripture that I have memorized since my childhood.

The Holy Spirit sensitizes me to my areas of vulnerability to temptation, and, if I let Him, will show me how to avoid sinning when I am tempted. When I give Him room, He will fill me, guide me, lead me, enable me, and empower me to do the will of God.

When I don’t know how to pray, or cannot find words to put my feelings and desire into prayer, He will pray for me, with groanings incomprehensible to me but clearly heard and understood by God my Heavenly Father.

He, the Holy Spirit, is actively working out God’s plan in my life to accomplish the work of making me like Jesus Christ. The work goes best when I cooperate, but even when I resist, the Holy Spirit does not quit on me.

Thank you, Heavenly Father, for the indwelling Holy Spirit of God, my Comforter, my Counselor, and my Friend.

30 Days of Thanksgiving, Days 1-9 redux

I originally wrote the first 9 days of this exercise as Facebook status updates. As the project continued, I found that I was putting more imagination into each entry, and decided to transfer to this blog. This blog is also available to a wider readership, to wit: those who are not my Facebook friends.
Here, then, is a redux of my first nine days of giving thanks:

Day 1: My wife
I've been invited to participate in an event called "30 Days of Thanksgiving", in which I will post one thing each day for which I am thankful. I am going to copy it on my status as well, in order to bear witness also to those who are not already in that group event. Today I am thankful for my wife of 28+ years, the lovely and talented Kelly Haney Ashley, whose faithful and unconditional love for me for all these years has helped to shape the person I am today, and she's still got a tough row to hoe!


 

Day 2: My son Derrin
It is Day 2 of my 30 Days of Thanksgiving. Today I am thankful for my firstborn son, @Derrin Ashley. I am thankful and proud for the man he has become--worthy of respect as a husband, father and friend. I am thankful that he chose well when he chose @Katrina Martin Ashley to be his wife; and I am thankful for his new job.

Day 3: My son Ryan
‎30 Days of Thanksgiving, Day 3: Today I am thankful for my son Ryan Ashley, the kid I used to call "Sunshine Boy". I'm thankful for his many gifts and talents and for the ways in which he shares them with us. He is a great son and a faithful friend, and, like his brothers, fiercely loyal to his family.

Day 4: My son Matthew
‎30 Days of Thanksgiving, Day 4: anyone reading these could have predicted today's entry: I am thankful for our youngest son, Matthew Ashley. His many and varied talents, his quick wit (never cut in half), and his generous heart are among the many things about Matt that come to mind.

Day 5: My daughter-in-law Katrina
‎30 days of Thanks, Day 5: in 2010, God gave Kelly and I a gift that has thus far been denied us: a daughter. Never mind the "-in-law" designator...Katrina Martin Ashley is a blessing to our family. She is a great wife, and now, a wonderful mother.







Day 6: My grandson Elijah Judson (Eli) Ashley
‎30 Days of Thanksgiving, Day 6: today I express thanks for my new grandson, Elijah Judson Ashley, born 10/18/2011. Just when I thought things were pretty good...well, things suddenly got way better! I am looking forward to watching Eli grow up, and watching his daddy grow into that job, too.



Day 7: my parents Robert Judson Ashley and Shirley Mae (Shaver) Ashley
‎30 Days of Thanksgiving, Day 7: today I am thinking about my parents, Robert and Shirley (Shaver) Ashley, both now with the Lord. They filled our home and family with love and with laughter, and taught us that happiness does not consist in THÏNGS. They taught me to love God and to love those whom God loves. They taught me to be generous with praise and stingy with criticism. Their laughter still rings in my soul, and their example still guides my actions and choices today.

Day 8: my brothers and sisters
‎30 Days of Thanksgiving, Day 8: today I am thankful for my siblings (from oldest to youngest): Daniel Jerry Ashley (now with the Lord), Don Ashley, Douglas Ashley, Debbie Ashley Vaughan, and Dale Ashley. These brothers and sisters have encouraged me, cheered for me, challenged me, and loved me. They are not ONLY my family; they are also my friends.

Day 9: my in-laws
‎30 Days of Thanksgiving, Day 9: today, I want to express my thanks for the "in-laws" in my life: my Mother-in-Law Marjorie Fletcher Haney Hyde, her husband Bud Hyde, and then, my sister-in-law Grayce Shell Ashley, my brother-in-law John Vaughan, my brother-in-law Mike Haney and sister-in-law Kym Ferguson-Haney, my brother-in-law Dennis Haney and sister-in-law Chris Evans Haney, and my brother-in-...law Todd Haney and sister-in-law Noelle Haney. For good measure, I'll mention my daughter-in-law Katrina Martin Ashley again. There are three ways to become a part of any family: by birth, by adoption, and by marriage. I'm in favor of dropping the "in-law" designation altogether, for there is no distinction in my mind.

30 Days of Thanksgiving, Day 25: God's Faithful Provision

Today, the day AFTER Thanksgiving here, I am thankful for God faithfully providing for my needs, as He promised to do, and as He has done for me all the days of my life. He has been providing for the needs of His people since the Garden of Eden.

As I child I learned this song, and it plays on my mind's "iPod" frequently (the recording is of poor quality, and the artist performing it is amateurish and "pitchy", but the song is a good one even so):

"He owns the cattle on a thousand hills,
The wealth in every mine;
He owns the rivers and the rocks and rills,
The sun and stars that shine;
Wonderful riches, more than tongue can tell,
He is my Father--so they're mine as well!
He owns the cattle on a thousand hills,
I know that He will care for me!"

Jesus taught that God counts us as more valuable than the birds of the air, and if He feeds them, He's sure to take care of us! Likewise, the lilies of the field. (Matthew 6:25-34). He goes on to assure us that our Father in heaven gives good gifts to those who ask Him (Matthew 7:11)

The Apostle Paul both knew and expressed this confidence in God in a most unmistakeable way. In his letter to Christians living in and around Philippi, he wrote "I can do everything through Him who gives me strength" and "my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:13, 19). Now I realize that many people say that the Bible is "open to interpretation" and "hard and mysterious to understand" but it is nearly impossible to mistake or misunderstand Paul's words here. 

Now, lest I be accused of being "preachy" let me just say this and be done: these are the promises of God that give me confidence in the ongoing care of and provision for me by my Heavenly Father. Though He does not need to impress me or to prove anything to me, nevertheless: I am impressed and He has proven Himself both powerful and faithful.

Thank you, Heavenly Father, for taking care of me and providing for my needs, and even many of the things in life that I want, but don't need.

30 Days of Thanksgiving, Day 24: Family Gatherings

Today here in the United States it's Thanksgiving Day. In addition to the general thankfulness I've been trying to articulate in this project, Thanksgiving DAY has the following special significance attached to it: a day off from regular work, great food, usually cold, crisp weather, football, AND family gatherings. While I enjoy everything about Thanksgiving Day, it is the family gathering, some from several hours distant, that has come to mean the most to me.

Thanksgiving has always been about family gathering for me. Other holidays feature family gathering as well, but even Christmas family gatherings might be postponed and scheduled for a more convenient date. But Thanksgiving never gets postponed: it's Thanksgiving Day or bust (or maybe, Thanksgiving Day AND bust!)


Earliest memories of Thanksgiving play across the High Def screen that is my memory. I'm in the car (probably in the "way back" of the family station wagon) on the way to Grandma Ashley's (funny...it was always "Grandma's", as opposed to "Grandpa's" or "Grandma and Grandpa's"). We're going to Thanksgiving dinner. Uncle Willard and Aunt Millie will be there, along with cousins Blizzie, Sharon, Milt, Mark, and Becky. I'm at the kid's table, again. We're enjoying cranberry ice made in the old aluminum ice cube trays without the separate ice cube shaper/separator. Too little cranberry ice in my dish; I've got to con little sisters Debbie and Dale out of theirs. Big mistake there--I'm still paying for that after all these years!

These days, the participants at our family gatherings have changed, in the ways that all families change. Today, we're not loading everyone in the car for a long ride to Grandma's house. Today, WE are Lolli and Pop (a.k.a. Grandma and Grandpa, a.k.a. Kelly and Dennis) and our family, both Ashley and Haney, are gathering here, 29 strong! (May I say that Kelly has been remarkably calm through all of this!)


Thank you, loving Father, for allowing and enabling our family gathering again this year.

30 Days of Thanksgiving, Day 23: My Family Heritage

Today I am writing to express my thankfulness for the heritage of my family-on both sides--of Christian faith and service for Christ. You might say that vocational Christian service (notably, pastors and Christian school teachers/administration) is our "family business."

For many years I have known about my father's side of the family, the Ashleys. My dad had two brothers, both of whom are pastors. My dad trained to be a funeral director after coming home from World War II, so the natural family joke was "two to get ready and one to go." In my generation, there are (out of 12 children) four pastors and three Christian school teachers/administrators. While we weren't pushed into ministry, I have no doubt that our family's heritage helped to make vocational ministry a viable option.

Just recently, however, I discovered that this legacy is also in my mother's ancestry, also. In fact, about 3 years ago I discovered that I am a direct descendent of Rev. Obadiah Holmes (1607-1682). Rev. Holmes was born in Northern England in around 1607, and traveled to New England in 1639, arriving in Salem, Massachusetts along with his wife Catherine. (You can read more about him here: http://homepages.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~sam/obadiah.html )

Obadiah is significant in church history, especially among Baptists, because he is believed to be the first Christian to suffer persecution because of the convictions of his faith here in the "new world." This persecution came in the form of a public beating--30 lashes with a three-stranded whip. What strikes me as both strange and sad is that the reason for this persecution was that Holmes, a Baptist in his convictions, was persecuted at the hands of the Puritan Christians that held the power and influence in his town. Thus, he became the first Christian to shed blood because of his faith here in the New World. He did not die as a result of his beating, of course, and he went on to become the second pastor of the First Baptist Church in America, succeeding Dr. John Clarke as the pastor of the Baptist church in Newport, Rhode Island. He remained in that pulpit for 30 years, until his death in 1682.

When I learned the story of Rev. Obadiah Holmes, and learned that he is my great (x12) grandfather on my mother's side of my family tree, I felt, and feel, an overwhelming sense of connection with this man who, for 30 years nearly 330 years ago, had essentially the same "job" as I have today, preaching and proclaiming the same gospel message, and seeking to make disciples for Jesus Christ.

Heavenly Father, thank you for this heritage of Christian service in my family, going back into the far distant past. Thank you for their example to me, and for the encouragement that it brings.

30 Days of Thanksgiving, Day 22: Our Home

Today I am writing for the first time this month about a "thing" rather than a person. Even so, I am full of thankfulness and wonder for the home that God has provided for us and the remarkable way in which it came to be our home.

We "began purchasing" our home in the year 2000, when our circumstances and means were quite different than today. Even so, we were pre-approved for a mortgage, thanks Veterans Administration, and began house hunting. We knew the school district we wanted to live in, and that narrowed our search dramatically. We looked at many houses in our price range, and couldn't find anything that we liked well enough to invest in. A few that we did like were sold before we could put in an offer, and we began growing anxious.

Then our realtor showed us this property, that had just been listed earlier the same day. We could scarcely believe that this was in our price range. "There must be some mistake in the price, or there must be something wrong with the place that isn't immediately obvious," Kelly and I were thinking. We quickly prayed together and decided to ask our realtor to put an offer in on the house while we were still standing there in the back yard.

Several days later we got the news that our offer had been accepted. We were, and are still, overjoyed. God had provided us a home with character, with enough room (just!) to accommodate our family, and with a beautiful yard providing room for our children, their friends, our friends and family to play.

In the years since, Kelly has made this place our own. Her decorating sense is extraordinary, and I enjoy hearing the many compliments she receives from those who come to visit. As every homeowner knows, you are never "done" with repairs, improvements, enhancements and so on. It's part of the joy of seeing a home evolve with its inhabitants. We have enjoyed offering hospitality to family and friends here, and we look forward to doing so for as many years as God allows for us.

Thank you, heavenly Father, for giving us this comfortable, warm and dry home in which to live while we're here on earth.

30 Days of Thanksgiving, Day 21: My "Job"

Today, I am thankful for my "job." I put the word in quotes because I don't think of my work as a job in the normal or traditional sense. As a pastor, I think of my work as a "calling" or an "assignment" from God, who is my "Boss." I don't mean to reduce God to the mundane by saying this. Everyone would not agree with how I view my work as pastor, but in my mind, I signed up for God's team back when I was a teenager and I made a decision to "dedicate my life to God." Back then I told Him that I would do whatever He assigned to me (though inwardly I was putting certain conditions on that), little imagining that He would accept my offer.

Anyway, God has given me a number of assignments along the way, and I've enjoyed them all in varying degrees. My current assignment, though, is my favorite so far. I am really enjoying the work God has given me to do among the First Family at First Baptist Church in Newburgh, and I am very thankful to God that He has given me this particular assignment.

30 Days of Thanksgiving, Day 20: God's Word

Today I am departing from the pattern I've established in writing about the people God has brought into my life. I may not yet be finished writing about people, but today I want to meditate on, and write about, my Bible.

I've tried not to get "preachy" in these daily postings, and I'll continue to try to avoid that. I am simply thankful that I have Something to rely on as a Guide in living my life under the loving and watchful eye of God. The Bible, God's Word, is "a lamp for my feet, and a light for my path." (quoting from Psalm 119:105). Another verse from Psalm 119, verse 9, raises the question: "how shall a young man keep his way pure?" Not that I am a young man, but once upon a time, I was! Anyway, the question is then answered: "...By living according to Your word."

As a young boy, I was coached to memorize verses from the Bible. I was motivated, then, by points, prizes, and rewards. Like most children (and not a few adults), "Becasue it's good for you!" wasn't a sufficient motivator. Now, though, I realize that it was, and is, good for me, to "hide God's word in my heart, that I might not sin against God." (Psalm 119:11) God's Word, once imprinted in my mind and soul, continues to come to my mind in these days when I find myself wondering what's going on, and what I should do.

Now in my fifty-first year, I still find that I have much more to learn about and from the Bible than I have already learned. Moreover, I find that one of my greatest pleasures is to discover a new application of God's Word in my life experience, and to help others to discover the same. I thank God for His Word, living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword. (Hebrews 4:12).

30 Days of Thanksgiving, Day 19: My Pastors

Today in my thoughts of thankfulness marches a squad of remarkable men. These men have little in common in their outward appearance. Some are tall, some slim, some erect, some bent over. Some are smiling and cheerful in their countenance, while others wear a grim visage.

These men are my Pastors. Each one has had the role of shepherd in my life, and I render honor and respect to every one of them. Some taught me by their words, some showed my by their example, and a few did both consistently. Some little part of each one of these men has molded and shaped the person I am today, and the person I am becoming. I liken them to the tools a master craftsman carries in his toolbox. Each tool has a particular purpose and is used to accomplish a particular task. The hammer is used to drive nails home and to tap the chisel. The file and the rasp are used to shape and smooth. The screwdriver is used to...well, anyway,  the sandpaper and polishing cloth are used to smooth and finish the job. God has used each of the men on my list to do in my life what God knew needed to be done at that time in my life. I thank God for these men, and for those who are still living and serving God, I honor them and pray for their continued fruitfulness. This list is generally organized in chronological order.

Pastor Jack Beukema, First Baptist Church, Afton, NY
Pastor Howard Carlson, First Baptist Church, Afton, NY
Pastor Louis Caruana, First Baptist Church, Afton, NY
Pastor Ken Rogers, Berean Bible Church, Greene, NY
Pastor Joseph Mugglesworth, Lehigh Baptist Church, Philadelphia, PA
Pastor Tom Rauch, Lehigh Baptist Church, Philadelphia, PA
Pastor Ken Wilcox, First Baptist Church, Bristol, PA
Pastor James Bates, Mansfield Baptist Church, Port Murray, NJ
Pastor Don Stone, Victory Baptist Church, Berlin, Germany
Pastor Mike Peper, First Baptist Church, Aston, PA
Pastor Bruce Baker, Immanuel Bible Church, Campbell Hall, NY
Pastor Cam Thompson, First Baptist Church, Newburgh, NY

And, in a unique ministry to me,

Pastor Don Ashley, Scipio Community Church, Scipio Center, NY and Highland Bethel Evangelical Mennonite Church, Fort Wayne, IN.

Thank you, Pastors. God has blessed me through your ministry.

30 Days of Thanksgiving, Day 18: Goshen Christian School

Today I am thanking God for the students, teachers, staff and parents that shared their experiences with me at the Goshen Christian School from 1997-1999 and 2009-2010, during the 3 years that I taught Bible at the school. In my first at-bat, I taught 6th, 7th, and 8th grade Bible classes (and threw in a Health class and even P.E.) In my second at-bat, I taught 7-8th grades, and 9-11th grades.

During these years at the school, I made some great friendships with a group of very professional educators. These teachers did not limit their lessons to their students or their classrooms--they all taught me as well. They welcomed me into their circle and never made me feel like an outsider, and treated me as a valued colleague.

I enjoyed the classroom experience and the challenge of bringing timeless truth to eager young minds, and even a few not-so-eager young minds. From time to time, I think of those mornings on bus duty, greeting students as they arrived for the day, and those afternoons, sending them on their way.

The clock does not turn backward, and days gone by are gone. So, I thank God for the Goshen Christian School, and I thank God for memories, so that gone does not have to mean forgotten.

Father, please bless my friends from Goshen Christian School today--teachers, staff, parents and students--wherever they find themselves. They are under your watchful Eye and protective Hand, I know. Thank You.

30 Days of Thanksgiving, Day 17: Friends from Palmer Seminary

It seems like every 10-15 years I've gone back to school for additional education and training. In the early '80s, it was PCB. In the mid-'90s, it was CBSE. And in the late 2000s, it was Palmer Seminary. At this pace, sometime around 2018 I'll be back in school again. Hopefully, though, at that point it will be as a professor!

In late 2007 I entered the Doctor of Ministry in Marriage and Family at Palmer Seminary, the seminary of Eastern University outside of Philadelphia (somewhat odd that ALL of my post-high school education has happened within 25 or so miles of Philadelphia, when I have no other attachment to that city!) I entered with a cohort of 24 students, about half of whom were/are pastors, and the other half counselors. We stayed together for the entire program, losing one student and gaining two along the way.

I entered the course with the secondary goal of becoming "class clown." Instead, I became "class geek." But that's beside the point. This group of 2 dozen students was the most diverse group of people I have ever been among. We came from a variety of countries, cultures, church traditions. We were different in just about every way that any group of people can be different. More than 35 years separated the youngest students from the most seasoned veterans of life. One of my first thoughts was "will I fit in here?" Turns out that I was just as "different" as everyone else, so all of us "different" people soon enough got ourselves sorted out. For the next three years, until our graduation in May 2010, we gathered on three occasions, for three week sessions aptly named "Intensives", at the National Christian Conference Center (NC3) in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania--an idyllic setting for just about any activity!

During those intensives, the experience was exactly that. The friendship dynamics, multiplied by the intimacy of the learning process and the material and techniques being assimilated, made for faster bonding than Epoxy.

So, all of that said, I am thankful to God for the people who shared this experience with me--perhaps the last such academic exercise for me...but who knows what surprises God may still have in store for me?

30 Days of Thanksgiving, Day #16: My friends from Seminary of the East

Today my thoughts of thankfulness take me back to the mid-90s and my years as a student at the Conservative Baptist Seminary of the East in Dresher, Pennsylvania, where I studied and earned the Master of Divinity degree.

It was much, much different than my experiences at PCB in the early 80's. The classes were smaller, the work harder, and the friendships, in some cases, deeper. I vividly remember the first Tuesday morning class: Old Testament and Hebrew, taught by Dr. John Worgul. I was "blown away" intellectually in the first hour, and began to wonder if I had made a terrible mistake.

Later that afternoon, while sitting in another class, I glanced out a window and saw something I will never, ever forget. Dr. Worgul, the brilliant professor of Hebrew and Old Testament, who read from his Hebrew Bible as easily as I might read Dr. Seuss to my children, was carrying two large garbage bags across the parking lot to deposit them in the dumpster. How strange and out of place! He, the brilliant scholar, doing the work of a custodian? "My brothers, this ought not to be!" I cannot remember learning anything at seminary that was more important than that. No matter who you are, or the degrees you hold, or the intellect you possess, you are never too important to serve others, even if the task itself appears to be "beneath you."

At SoE, I made some great friendships--especially in our "D-Group" (small group discipleship group). Though our paths since leaving SoE have led us in many different directions, including all the way to Alaska (Kurt Habecker!) those 3 years of Seminary were some of the most important times in my life, and the friends I made there, both students, faculty and staff alike, have had an enormous impact on my life. Thank you, Heavenly Father, for giving me that experience, and for bringing those people into my life.

30 Days of Thanksgiving, Day 15: My Friends From College

It is Day 15, and I am halfway finished with the original 30-day assignment. Still thinking about people over things, and I haven't run out of people yet! Today I am deliberately thanking God for the friends I made while in my undergraduate studies at Philadelphia College of Bible, now called Philadelphia Biblical University, and also my one semester at Practical Bible Training School, later renamed Practical Bible College, and even later renamed Davis College.

At PCB I had roommates, dorm mates, teammates, classmates, coworkers, faculty, staff, Chorale mates, Wind Ensemble mates, Chamber Singers mates, directors, conductors and coaches--numbering well into the hundreds of people I met, interacted with, and learned from. A handful of those people continue to be actively "present" in my life even today, after 30 years. These many people are a part of a growing mosaic (a mosaic is a jigsaw puzzle in church clothes) of influences in my life. I am grateful to God for my years at PCB and PBTS, not only for the formal education, but also for the influential relationships established there.

30 Days of Thanksgiving, Day 14: Friends from High School

Today in my thinking and thankfulness, I want to say thank you to God for the friends that I made while in High School back in good ol' Afton, New York. I should also admit that the friendships I made in high school actually had their roots even earlier in my life, for I attended the same public school, under the same roof, from Kindergarten until my graduation from High School.

While my last two years of high school left me somewhat confused about who I was, and who I was a friend to, the test of time has proven that even though I was not always a good friend to have, there were some who were friends to me then even when I didn't deserve their friendship.

A small handful of those same people are still my friends today, though we are separated by, as a minimum, hours of asphalt, and at a maximum, thousands of miles of Atlantic Ocean. No matter the distance, or the time zone, though...this marvel of electronic and digital communication we call the Internet has facilitated our reconnection and allows me to try to nurture those friendships. In truth, I have put more effort into reconnecting, reviving, rebuilding and maintaining those friendships now that I have reached into and beyond middle age than I ever did in my teenage years, when I was searching for an identity in which I could be comfortable. Back then, different things were important to me. Most of those things that seemed all-important then now seem silly and selfish to me. I now know that it was NOT what friendship might offer me, but the friendship ITSELF that was, and is, important.

Jane, Tim, Tim, and Sue (and some others who are not yet connected with me by these invisible electronic links)--I'm sorry I was not a better friend to you back then and there. I'm hoping to do better here and now. Thanks for not pulling the plug on me.

Not "Amen" But "Over"

I recently began replacing the word "Amen" at the end of my prayer with the word "Over." It's not a frivolous affectation, it is intentional, and here is the intention.

"Amen" means "let it be so", and that's a great way to agree with, or finish, a prayer. There's nothing wrong with that, so don't worry, my Amen-saying reader. I'm not scoffing at you or telling you that you're "doing it wrong." I've just begun to think about my communication with Our Heavenly Father in a slightly different way.

It comes from my military training, and particularly, radio communication. In the Army there is a strictly-observed chain of command. It's necessary and important, because in a life-and-death situation, there must be no hesitation. In remote communication by radio, this chain of command is still present.

In the "etiquette" of radio communication, the "subordinate" communicates with the "superior", relays his/her message, and then says "Over." This indicates that the sender is finished speaking, AND IS WAITING FOR A REPLY, AND POSSIBLY INSTRUCTIONS OR ORDERS, from the superior on the other end of the radio communication. The subordinate, or junior, does not say "Over and Out" or "Out", because "Out" means that the conversation has ended and the speaker does not intend to listen for any further response. It is the privilege and prerogative of the superior, or senior, to decide whether the conversation has ended.

So, when I pray, I am in the position of the subordinate, the junior, the supplicant. When I say "Amen" I signal that my prayer is concluded, and the conversation has ended. However, I am persuaded that prayer is to be "without ceasing", so "Amen" seems to me somehow out of place. I have begun thinking of my prayer as an ongoing conversation, punctuated by my word "Over" to indicate that my transmission is ended for now, but I remain "on the line" waiting for a response from my "Higher Headquarters". That response may contain an answer to my request, or it may contain "orders" or instructions, or clarification of previous orders. In any event, I want to make sure that at all times I am listening for the Commander's message.

Over.

30 Days of Thanksgiving, Day 13: Colleagues in Ministry

Today I am thankful to God (when I say "I am thankful", I mean "I am thanking God" and not just chance, luck, the Great Spirit, Fate, or any other non-specific thing or being) for those who labor with me, whether up close or from a distance, in pastoral ministry in churches here in the Mid-Hudson Valley, around New York State, in the Tri-State area (NY-NJ-PA), and elsewhere.

Over the years I have made a number of friends who are now, or have been, pastors. A few of them have already gone on ahead into Glory, and are among the "cloud of witnesses" mentioned in Hebrews 12:1. Most, though, are still accessible to me, whether by e-mail, Facebook, phone call, or even face-to-face visit. We collaborate in sharing ideas, we rely upon one another when trying out new ideas, we commiserate with one another over common disappointments and challenges in ministry, we pray for and with one another, we laugh, we cry, and encourage one another.

As I write, and as I was composing today's entry in my head during my shower this morning (no singing for me today!) names and faces cycled through my thoughts. Even now they continue like a carousel slide projector (the precursor to a PowerPoint Presentation, for those who may need me to draw you a diagram...) but I hesitate to start listing names lest I unintentionally snub a dear friend by omitting his or her name.

Later today, at our Annual Mid-Hudson/Union Association of American Baptist Churches of New York State (just our name is a run-on sentence!), I will see some of the very colleagues I am writing about this morning. I am always glad to see them, and I always feel lifted up when I have talked with one or with several of them, or have read an e-mail, blog entry or Facebook post from them. I thank God for my co-laborers in ministry, my fellow pastors.

Dear Heavenly Father, I thank you today for the men and women that You have called, prepared, appointed, anointed, empowered, and all the other things that You have done and always do to put Your servant in Your pulpit in Your church today. Bless each one especially today, and please let each one know that they are appreciated. Thank You, Father, for the gift of pastors, and especially those who are known to me. In Jesus' Name I pray this. Over...

30 Days of Thanksgiving, Day 12

Today I am thankful for my grandparents: Carlton and Iva (Guernsey) Shaver on my mother's side of the family, and Milton Willard and Lucille (Davies) Ashley on my father's side of the family.

My "Grampy", Carlton Shaver, was a farmer and a postal carrier, but more than that, he was a Giant among men in his community. He was beloved by all in the area. I loved to sit near him as a little boy (on his lap if I was quick enough) and tell stories about fishing, about hunting, about snowstorms, about delivering Christmas packages after hours on Christmas Eve, or just about anything else. He was quick with his laugh, and when he laughed, the earth shook in laughter around him. I loved my Grampy, and to this day I carry his name proudly, for my parents gave me his name, Carlton, as my middle name.

Grandma and Grandpa Ashley were made of different "stuff." Grandpa A. was retired from IBM already when I became aware of what he did, or used to do, for a living. He had many small tools, probably because he worked on fine machinery. He was a meticulously neat and organized person. I remember going through his things after he died, and coming across a cigar box carefully labeled: "pieces of string too short to keep." Sure enough, the cigar box was full of short pieces of string, that evidently were NOT, in fact, TOO short to keep.

It is Grandma Ashley, though, that was in my mind the more remarkable of the Ashley grandparents. She was stern and sharp-tongued, but her Welsh heart was full of love for me and the rest of her 13 grandchildren. She was a praying woman, and I know that she prayed for me every day (probably at the precise same time each day!) even as I finished college and entered the ministry.

Though all four of my grandparents are with the Lord now and inaccessible to me, I still think of them often. Something will remind me of one of Grampy Shaver's stories, or a life lesson he taught me. Something else will trigger a memory of Grandma Ashley and her labors in prayer. Whatever it is that brings back to my mind thoughts of my wonderful grandparents, I always am willing to linger a moment on the memory, and in my heart, I smile and give thanks.

30 Days of Thanksgiving, Day 11: Veterans

Today is November 11, or Veterans Day in the United States. I am a veteran so I suppose that makes me a little more attuned to the importance of saying thanks to all the veterans that I know. Already last night someone messaged me, thanking me for my service. It brings a warmth to my soul when someone does that!

As with many families that have several generations here in the United States, my family has a long legacy of honorable military service. This year, I visited Gettysburg for the first time in my life. I have a great-grandfather who was wounded there. Of course, I didn't know him, but now I know a little about him.

Closer to me, though, are many vets. My father and his brother were both World War II vets--my father in the Army and my uncle (I think) in the Navy. I had a second cousin who was killed in Vietnam. I chose to enlist and was in the Army during Desert Storm (though I was never sent to that Theater of Operations). I had the honor of serving in the Berlin Brigade and was a witness to the Berlin Wall coming down. Had I not been in the Army at that time, I would not have had that experience!

Now, two of my sons have served in the Army, and one continues to serve today. Ryan did a tour in Iraq a few years ago, and, by the grace of God, came home physically unharmed. Matt is just one year into his enlistment, and is doing well. I am proud of their decision to put on the uniform, and thankful for their service.

I also am thankful for the service my brother-in-law, John Vaughan, has rendered our country in uniform. He is another Desert Storm-era vet, and his career extended also into the current conflict in Iraq and Afghanistan. He is retired now, having served more than 20 years in uniform.

There are more veterans in our family and in my church family, as well. Bud Hyde, my mother-in-law's husband, went into the Navy at the very end of World War II and was assigned as a gunner on board an Aircraft Carrier. Kelly's father, Richard Haney, was in the Air Force. From our church family, Eliseo Ortiz is a Vietnam vet who continues to this day to be actively involved in working with Disabled American Veterans, and serves as the Chaplain for his post of the D.A.V. Herb Waldenmaier is also a veteran. Nicole Brown and Lakisa White are both veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom, and both continue to serve in their Reserve units today.
My niece's husband Peter Lopez, a Marine, is on his third (I think) tour in Afghanistan. My sister-in-law Chris' brother Steven Evans is in the United States now but has also done several tours in Iraq & Afghanistan. Steven Bastidas, a Marine from our church, is nearing the end of his first tour in Afghanistan. Moet Valdez, a sailor from our church, is serving out on the West Coast.

Still more vets are friends and acquaintances from various times in my life. Two come to mind: Steve Bates was my college roommate and lifelong friend. He served in the Army for a while. Chip Dickens was in Berlin with me and we met in church. We have remained friends since, though see each other only very rarely.

I am sure that I have missed mentioning some veterans by name, and I apologize in advance for that. I am thankful for all of our veterans and want to honor you and show respect for your service. I appreciate you and thank God for your courage, your patriotism, and your selflessness.

30 Days of Thanksgiving, Day 10

I'm switching over to the blog format for the remainder of this exercise.

30 Days of Thanksgiving, Day 10: this Thanksgiving project is growing on me, and I find that 30 days will not be enough. I intend to go through the rest of 2011, so it will end up as 61 Days of Thanksgiving. After that, I am contemplating 366 Days of Thanks in 2012.

Anyway, today I am thankful for the First Baptist Church in Newburgh Family, or the "First Family," as I like to call them. This family of people, numbering nearly 100 in all, is as important and as dear to me as my "family of origin" and my "in-laws", and in fact, there is often some crossover among my various family identities. My church family knows many of my family of origin members, and vice versa.

In a few cases, I have known some of my church family as their pastor since 1994, though most are far more recent in our acquaintance. This church family is marvelously diverse in age, in ethnicity, in culture and tradition, but we have found common ground in our shared faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and are steadily growing more and more into the picture of the Family of God, or the Body of Christ, as it is described in the New Testament.

The First Family just spent a month showing Appreciation to their Pastor and family, and it concluded with a great fellowship dinner last Saturday evening. Words of encouragement and affirmation, along with generous gifts of appreciation, were bestowed upon Kelly, our children, and me. All I could think of was the line by Jack Nicholson's character in the movie "As Good As It Gets": "...you make me want to be a better man." That's how I felt, and how I feel, about my church family. I am thankful every day that God sent me to First Baptist Church in Newburgh!