An Encouraging Word: Musings from a Yooper pastor
Nine years ago I created a Yooper Pastor page on Facebook. Growing to nearly 70,000 followers, it’s been a good place to share light-hearted, encouraging and spiritual posts. The following is a sampling of where my brain goes in a month’s time.
Sept. 3, 2022: Earlier this year an older friend from my hometown made two different comments saying I should not post anything about faith on my personal page. Obviously, I disagreed and have not stopped talking about faith — on my personal page or here on Yooper Pastor. I recently realized he "unfriended" me, which was his right to do.
"Faith (in God) is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see … Without faith it is impossible to please God.” — (Hebrews 11)
Faith in God is the bedrock conviction of my life.
Faith in God strengthened me in times of uncertainty, sorrow and loss.
Faith in God guided my career choice.
Faith in God drives the love I have for family, friends and even enemies.
Faith in God led me this far. Because God never failed me, how can I be quiet about who He is and what He has done?
No apologies. No redactions. “This is my story; this is my song — Praising my Savior, all the day long!”
Sept. 8, 2022: “I’ll have a half order of biscuits and gravy with one egg over easy on top.” AKA the preacher’s breakfast at the local diner!
Sept. 14, 2022: Love; support; bear with; greet; encourage; forgive; accept; care for; serve; teach; spur on; and comfort. All these words are found in the Scriptures. All precede the phrase “One Another.” They are not suggestions. They are instructions to follow.
When we genuinely laugh, we expel air from our lungs at speeds of up to 70 mph. That is good — because we take some deep fresh breaths to replenish ourselves.
I hope you will literally "Laugh Out Loud" today rather than simply type "LOL" somewhere.
"For the despondent, every day brings trouble; but for the happy heart, life is a continual feast." — (Proverbs 15:15)
Sept. 23, 2022: Twenty-five years ago this week, Christian artist Rich Mullins lost his life. But he gained eternity.
“There's more that rises in the morning than the sun, and more that shines in the night than just the moon.
“It's more than just this fire here that keeps me warm in a shelter that is larger than this room.
“And there's a loyalty that's deeper than mere sentiments, and a music higher than the songs that I can sing.
“The stuff of Earth competes for the allegiance I owe only to the Giver of all good things.
“So if I stand let me stand on the promise that you will pull me through, and if I can't let me fall on the grace that first brought me to You.
“And if I sing let me sing for the joy that has born in me these songs, and if I weep let it be as a man who is longing for his home.”
Sept. 25, 2022: Today is September 25. While Christmas is just three months away, don’t let it’s commercialization crowd out the days between now and then. Celebrate every season as a season of thanks!
Sept. 26, 2022: So … I recently attended some funerals officiated by people half my age.
I still envision myself being as young as they are — until aches and pains remind me how old I really am.
But when it comes to serving the Lord, I hope to stay forever young.
Sept. 30, 2022: In John chapter 8, the story of the woman caught the act of adultery, Jesus’ enemies wanted to see if He would agree with the Old Testament law that said she should be stoned.
Before answering them, he stooped down and wrote something with his finger on the ground.
Standing up, Jesus announced, “He who is without sin may throw the first stone.”
One by one, they left until there was only Jesus and the woman.
“Where are your accusers?” He asked.
“No one here, Sir,” she replied.
“Neither do I condemn you,” He said. “Go and sin no more.”
That’s the message. Forgiveness is not given so we can go back and resume doing the same wrong things. Instead, forgiveness compels us to fundamentally change the direction of our lives.
Tom Cash is the senior minister at First Church of Christ in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.
This article originally appeared on The Sault News: An Encouraging Word: Musings from a Yooper pastor
