The name on the sign out front

When I was growing up I struggled quit a bit with pride. School was very easy for me, I always got A's, and being one of the smallest kids in my grade led to a lot of teasing. My defense mechanism was to comfort myself with my intellectual superiority to the guys who were picking on me. It took me a while to overcome that early influence; God made sure that life humbled me sufficiently (by waiting a long, long, time before I met my future wife, and having some setbacks before I met Nicole). I also had to wait years to have a church ministry of my own (spent a few years as a youth pastor, then a long wait...); by the time that Palo offered me this position, I was just happy to finally have the chance to use what I had learned in college, the chance to use what God has given me (like the 2nd string quarterback just itching to get in the game). It wasn't until later that the sign was repainted and the little piece hung beneath it with my name on it. It actually caught me by surprise the first time, but I can't help but feel a little bit of pride when I see that sign outside the church. Not pride in who I am, but pride in what God has been able to do because I was willing to try to be of use for the kingdom.

Do this in remembrance of Me

This is the altar at Palo that we use for our monthly communion. Of all the things that a pastor does, two stand out to me. The first is performing a wedding, it always feels special as I remember my own wedding and help two new people begin that journey. The second is communion. I remember the first time I led a communion service; I was filling in at Galilee years ago before I had my own church. The memorable thing about it was that I got the chance to hand the bread and the "wine" to my own dad (a deacon at Galilee); that was a moment that stuck with me, we all want to make our parents proud of us, and I really felt like I was taking a step in the right direction in that department. My wife partakes of communion every week (at the Cathedral of St. Andrew), but most of us Baptists only have the service one a month; either way, it'll always be significant to me.

Amazing what a few farmers can build isn't it?

This is the exterior of First Baptist Church of Palo, it was built in 1927. We don't build them like this anymore, and that's a shame. The stone looks beautiful and the stain glass is truly amazing. We recently had the glass removed and remounted (and cleaned, revealing the original colors behind 80 years of dirt). As you can see, we have the American flag proudly displayed out front, across the street is the cemetery where Nicole and I were able to lead the Memorial Day service this year.

Where we came from...

This is the plaque inside my church at Palo. The church has been ministering in Palo since 1846 (that's pretty early for rural Michigan). Our current stone building replaced the original wooden one in 1927. You never really know who you are until you know where you've been. In the case of First Baptist of Palo, the church has come full-circle somewhat. I didn't know this when I first visited the church as a guest preacher, but Rev. J VanVleck is a distant relative of mine; his great-great-great (or something like that) niece is a 4th or 5th cousin of mine; we were friends throughout school. (her dad's photography studio took the pictures at our wedding) I'm proud to carry on the work that was started by J. VanVleck. I guess it is a small world after all.

With Days like these...

Well, I've spent most of the last week working on getting my computer working properly again. Unfortunately, I can't say that I've been entirely successful. I suppose that I should remember my favorite verse, Isaiah 40:31 "they that wait upon the Lord will renew their strength.." I could use a little renewed strength right now. Perspective also helps at times like this; nothing that I'm doing on this machine will echo in eternity; my computer is just a tool, much like my car (don't get me started on car repair stories), I can use it for God's glory, I can ensure that I use what God has given me, that I own them and that they don't own me.