Student Pastor Experience.

When I was a student at Candler School of Theology, I was assigned to Piedmont Hospital two days a week as a Chaplain.

One Tuesday afternoon, as I checked in, the Full time Chaplain was away and someone from ICU had called for a Chaplain. I went immediately to Intensive Care to council with some family and friends of a 20 year old young man who had been seriously injured in a Saturday night fight in a bar.

He was the room mate of three girls who had brought him in. His sister and other relatives were finally notified and had arrived from South Carolina to the hospital, upset and fighting mad. The young man’s sister especially was angry that the girls girls had not notified the family earlier.

In fact, as a soon as they arrived, they had the girls removed from ICU and forbidden to come back. Period! The girls were livid, especially the 17 year old who was in love with the young man and had sat by his bedside day and night.

I spent several hours listening and praying with first one group and the other.I was reminded again how much these young people and all of us, at crisis times in our lives, need the presence of friends and chaplains and pastors. But above all, our need is for something beyond …we need God.

When I finally had to leave those troubled girls at Piedmont Hospital and stood up to pray for them, they put their arms around me and around each other and surprised me with a hearty “Amen” and left the hospital for the first time since the young man had been brought in.

Women Preacher Joke.

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female, for we are all one in Christ Jesus. Galations 3:28.

I was already in my sixties when ordained as a Minister in the United Methodist Church in 1990, (after finishing all the requirments which included a college and Seminary degree, being interviewed and questioned by local and state Boards of Ministry( physical , psycological exams) .

At that time, as I have told in other posts, I was the widow of a UMC minister and had served as a "pastor's wife" for over 35 years.

In spite of my loss, I was energetic with a strong sense of the Lord's leading and calling as a preacher. Even as a "student pastor" I was surprised but always pleased to be invited to preach and accepted invitations to preach on special occasions at most of the churches where I had once served as a "pastor’s wife." I was called to preach the "greatest good news human ears have ever heard." I was not called to preach" women's liberation."
I chose not to be offended that there are still people who chose not to believe the many Bible references affirming women as preachers (as the one above of Paul to the Galations 3:28)

So I was pleased to accept the invitation to come back to be the guest preacher for Sunnyside United Methodist Church's annual Homecoming, even while I was still a "student pastor." My husband had pastored the Midway-Sunnyside- Vaughn circuit of churches during his four year as a Seminary student. It had been four extremely busy and penny pinching but happy and growing years for the all three churches and for us. I had happy memories of our many friends there.

After the worship service, as I was greeting the people at the church door as they “departed to serve,” an elderly man (visitor) and his wife walked up to me and the smiling man shook my hand and said, “This is the first time I have ever heard a woman preach”, then he lightly punched his wife in the ribs laughed as if he was about to tell the funniest story he had ever heard. His wife and I laughed with him as he added the punch line... “from the pulpit!”

American History

As you walk up the steps to the building which houses the U.S Supreme Court you can see near the top of the building a row of the world's law givers and each one is facing one in the middle who is facing forward with a full frontal view .. it is Moses and he is holding the Ten Commandments! ....
As you enter the Supreme Court courtroom, the two huge oak doors have the Ten Commandments engraved on each lower portion of each door.

As you sit inside the courtroom, you can see the wall, right above where the Supreme Court judges sit, a display of the Ten Commandments!

There are Bible verses etched in stone all over the Federal Buildings and Monuments in Washington , D.C.

James Madison, the fourth president, known as "The Father of Our Constitution" made the following statement: "We have staked the whole of all our political institutions upon the capacity of mankind for self-government, upon the capacity of each and all of us to govern ourselves, to control ourselves, to sustain ourselves according to the Ten Commandments of God."

Patrick Henry, that patriot and Founding Father of our country said:"It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded not by religionists but by Christians, not on religions but on the Gospel of Jesus Christ".

Every session of Congress begins with a prayer by a paid preacher, whose salary has been paid by the taxpayer since 1777.

Fifty-two of the 55 founders of the Constitution were members of the established orthodox churches in the colonies.
Thomas Jefferson worried that the Courts would overstep their authority and instead of interpreting the law would begin making law . an oligarchy . the rule of few over many.

The very first Supreme Court Justice, John Jay, said: "Americans should select and prefer Christians as their rulers."
How, then, have we gotten to the point that we allow a few activist atheists to dictate to the majority that what the precepts that built a great democracy for 220 years in this country is now suddenly wrong and unconstitutional?

Lady Blue Devils

For the first time in my long life, I have started reading the Sports Page of our local paper! And I had to post a brief Sports news story!

The Rome News-tribune celebrated the basketball victory by the Lady Blue Devils on 3-9-09. The picture featured Rachael, as al 16 year. Rachael is my beautiful great granddaughter who looks stern and serious while guarding her rival and helping to win the game.

That win sent their undefeated Model Lady Blue Devil's team to the Class AA semifinal showdown the next week at Macon Gerigia's 'Centerplex.

Rachael now 18, graduated from Darlington High School in May, and is getting ready to do to College in August. Rachael is only 5 feet tall but has a scholarship to play basketball.

Marine Prayer

PRAYER QUOTE FOR THE WEEK

Almighty Father, whose command is over all and whose love never fails, make me aware of Thy presence and obedient to Thy will. Keep me true to my best self, guarding me against dishonesty in purpose and deed and helping me to live so that I can face my fellow Marines, my loved ones, and Thee without shame or fear. Protect my family.

Give me the will to do the work of a Marine and to accept my share of responsibilities with vigor and enthusiasm. Grant me the courage to be proficient in my daily performance. Keep me loyal and faithful to my superiors and to the duties my Country and the Marine Corps have entrusted to me. Help me to wear my uniform with dignity, and let it remind me daily of the traditions which I must uphold.

If I am inclined to doubt, steady my faith; if I am tempted, make me strong to resist; if I should miss the mark, give me courage to try again.

Guide me with the light of truth and grant me wisdom by which I may understand the answer to my prayer. Amen.


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