It has been over a year now that I have been following closely the health-
care debate in US politics. I have become a news junkie of sorts. The
BBC, Hugh Hewitt, Albert Mohler, and Michael Medved are the main pod-
casts that I listen to daily. So while I walk, cook a meal, wash my dishes,
and take a break, I can listen to podcasts. I listen to the BBC's Global
News and Newspod religiously every week day. But I have come to value
the different perspectives of the other three programs. I do appreciate
the BBC, but Hewitt, Mohler, and Medved - three distinguished talk-
show hosts in the US - are breaths of fresh air to me. I'd go crazy if all I
had to listen to were the BBC and the major US media outlets.
Last Sunday I followed the healthcare debate in the House, but because
of the time difference most of the significant action took place while I was
asleep. Just before I went to bed, I read that Pro-Life Democrats were
close to making an agreement with President Obama to change their no
votes to yes votes. While I was asleep, the President issued an executive
order that federal funding would not be used for abortions. Even though
an executive order is not legally binding, the Pro-Life Democrats changed
their no votes to yes votes, and the Healthcare bill passed the House by a
very narrow margin. I foresee that the executive order will not stop fed-
eral funding from being used for abortions.
I was deeply distressed. I am also deeply disturbed by the shady back-
room deals, the wheeling and dealing behind closed doors, the payoffs,
and the legislative gymnastics. I was deeply disturbed that the bill was
rammed through the House without scrutiny or study and against over-
whelming opposition. No Republicans voted for the bill, not because it
came from Speaker Pelosi or President Obama, but because it was a
monstrosity and disaster that puts our nation in economic peril.
I want to see serious healthcare reform, but I cannot see how this bill will
help. Even though the President vows the bill will reduce the debt, I fear
it will increase the debt and bankrupt the nation. Even though President
Obama claims the bill will add jobs, I fear it will not address the critical is-
sue of unemployment. The Democrats foresee that the bill will help small
business owners, but small business owners expect that there will be soar-
ing costs and higher taxes. The President claims that insurance premiums
will go down, but the best authorities on the matter expect the premiums
to rise sharply. The Dems promise that the quality of healthcare will go up,
but almost everybody else foresees it getting worse.
But most of all it was the vanity and arrogance of the President, the
Speaker, and other Democrats that shocked me. The Democrats were
so obsessed and fixated on universal healthcare coverage that they did
nothing about the critical issues of national security, the national debt,
high unemployment, and rising taxes. They wanted to etch their names
into the history books, and showed complete disregard for what the ma-
jority of the American people wanted. Never have I seen so much oppo-
sition to a political venture. The President, the Speaker, and the Congress
have acted in a wreckless way that has put the nation in economic peril.
I am still in shock of what the Obama administration and the Congress
have done and the manner in which the legislation was jammed through
the process. I shake my head in utter disbelief.
But despite all these horrors, God still reigns!
Peace and blessings to you and yours,
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
How Jeff Is Trying to Get His Preaching Groove Back
One serious challenge I faced when I came to Cupar Old Parish Church
in November, 2008, was my preaching. I have always loved to preach
and have sought every opportunity to do so. I have experienced so
much joy in preaching from the Bible about Jesus. When I was in Bos-
ton from 1981 to 1998, I had plenty of opportunities to preach, both in
English as well as in Spanish. The preparation and the delivery of ser-
mons gave me much pleasure. The highpoint was in 2002-2003 when
I pastored two great churches in South Dakota. I got to lead worship
and preach twice every Sunday for one short year.
But upon arriving in St. Andrews, Scotland, in 2003, and for the follow-
ing five years I was at the University, I did not receive any opportuni-
ties to preach. I was very involved in different ministries at the local
church I attended, but there were no invitations to preach. That was
the case until I arrived at the Parish Church at the end of 2008. After
preparing and delivering my first sermon at the church soon after I ar-
rived, I realized just how rusty I was after five years of not preaching.
Since then I've preached over twenty times. I have cut down on my
preparation time and have grown more confident in my delivery. I de-
sire to get back into preaching on a weekly basis, hopefully in the very
near future.
I have wondered if my heart valve replacement surgery in late 2006
had injured some of my mental functions I draw upon in preaching. I
have sensed some recovery of these functions, but it seems slow. After
listening to recordings of my preaching, I asked the Church of Scotland
for a voice coach. I twice met with a coach who provided me with great
feedback. I have also been listening to other preachers, preparing prac-
tice sermons, and actually preaching out loud up in my room. Ziggy the
house cat has been a frequent visiter when I practice my sermons, but
has a tendency of yawning and falling asleep as I get into the first point
of my sermon. He often gets up, stretches, and walks out before I get to
my sermon conclusion.
Since I am no longer on ministry staff at Cupar Old, I don't have oppor-
tunities to preach. I have put my name forward to the Presbytery to do
pulpit supply, but have not yet been called upon. But I still take time
each day to work on some part of preparing and delivering a sermon. I
am starting to feel again a fire in my bones to preach. I'm slowly getting
my preaching groove back again!
Blessings to you and yours,
in November, 2008, was my preaching. I have always loved to preach
and have sought every opportunity to do so. I have experienced so
much joy in preaching from the Bible about Jesus. When I was in Bos-
ton from 1981 to 1998, I had plenty of opportunities to preach, both in
English as well as in Spanish. The preparation and the delivery of ser-
mons gave me much pleasure. The highpoint was in 2002-2003 when
I pastored two great churches in South Dakota. I got to lead worship
and preach twice every Sunday for one short year.
But upon arriving in St. Andrews, Scotland, in 2003, and for the follow-
ing five years I was at the University, I did not receive any opportuni-
ties to preach. I was very involved in different ministries at the local
church I attended, but there were no invitations to preach. That was
the case until I arrived at the Parish Church at the end of 2008. After
preparing and delivering my first sermon at the church soon after I ar-
rived, I realized just how rusty I was after five years of not preaching.
Since then I've preached over twenty times. I have cut down on my
preparation time and have grown more confident in my delivery. I de-
sire to get back into preaching on a weekly basis, hopefully in the very
near future.
I have wondered if my heart valve replacement surgery in late 2006
had injured some of my mental functions I draw upon in preaching. I
have sensed some recovery of these functions, but it seems slow. After
listening to recordings of my preaching, I asked the Church of Scotland
for a voice coach. I twice met with a coach who provided me with great
feedback. I have also been listening to other preachers, preparing prac-
tice sermons, and actually preaching out loud up in my room. Ziggy the
house cat has been a frequent visiter when I practice my sermons, but
has a tendency of yawning and falling asleep as I get into the first point
of my sermon. He often gets up, stretches, and walks out before I get to
my sermon conclusion.
Since I am no longer on ministry staff at Cupar Old, I don't have oppor-
tunities to preach. I have put my name forward to the Presbytery to do
pulpit supply, but have not yet been called upon. But I still take time
each day to work on some part of preparing and delivering a sermon. I
am starting to feel again a fire in my bones to preach. I'm slowly getting
my preaching groove back again!
Blessings to you and yours,
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
In the Wilderness
Christian musician Michael Card is one of my favorite singer/songwrit-
ers because he gives rich musical expression to profound biblical truth.
His song 'In the Wilderness' has been a constant refrain in my heart
for the past twenty-one months of my journey in life. The words pow-
erfully convey in a way I cannot what is going on in my heart at this
time of my life.
'In the Wilderness,' composed and sung by Michael Card
Chorus:
In the wilderness, in the wilderness/
He calls his sons and daughters to the wilderness/
And he gives grace sufficient to survive any test/
And that's the themeful purpose of the wilderness.
In the wilderness we wander, in the wilderness we weep/
The wasteland of our wanting where the darkness seems so deep/
We search for the beginning, for an exodus to hold/
We find that those who follow him must often walk alone.
Chorus
In the wilderness we're wandering for a way to understand/
In the wilderness there's not a way, for the way to become a man/
And become the exodus, the way to holy ground/
But wandering in the wilderness, is the best way to be found.
Chorus
Groaning and growing amidst the desert days/
the windy winter wilderness can blow the self away.
Chorus
And that's the themeful promise of the wilderness.
The past twenty-one months have been especially challenging for me,
but I have learned so much about myself and about God. In the wilder-
ness I have been shaped, and continue to be shaped, for my next step
in life. I sense that is coming very soon. And as Michael Card sings in
another song of his, there is joy in the journey.
Blessings to you and yours,
ers because he gives rich musical expression to profound biblical truth.
His song 'In the Wilderness' has been a constant refrain in my heart
for the past twenty-one months of my journey in life. The words pow-
erfully convey in a way I cannot what is going on in my heart at this
time of my life.
'In the Wilderness,' composed and sung by Michael Card
Chorus:
In the wilderness, in the wilderness/
He calls his sons and daughters to the wilderness/
And he gives grace sufficient to survive any test/
And that's the themeful purpose of the wilderness.
In the wilderness we wander, in the wilderness we weep/
The wasteland of our wanting where the darkness seems so deep/
We search for the beginning, for an exodus to hold/
We find that those who follow him must often walk alone.
Chorus
In the wilderness we're wandering for a way to understand/
In the wilderness there's not a way, for the way to become a man/
And become the exodus, the way to holy ground/
But wandering in the wilderness, is the best way to be found.
Chorus
Groaning and growing amidst the desert days/
the windy winter wilderness can blow the self away.
Chorus
And that's the themeful promise of the wilderness.
The past twenty-one months have been especially challenging for me,
but I have learned so much about myself and about God. In the wilder-
ness I have been shaped, and continue to be shaped, for my next step
in life. I sense that is coming very soon. And as Michael Card sings in
another song of his, there is joy in the journey.
Blessings to you and yours,
Monday, March 01, 2010
Jesus, Alive and at Work in Margaret
Margaret is the primary caregiver for Ziggy the Cat, and the person
who offered me lodging in her home when I first came to Cupar in No-
vember of 2008. She is an active member of Cupar Old Parish Church
where I served as assistant minister last year. I have enjoyed having
her as a friend and watching her grow in leaps and bounds as a follower
of Jesus Christ. Recently Margaret has been encouraging me as I face
the challenges of discerning God's next step for me. Since I arrived
here in Scotland in late 2003, the Lord has blessed me with wonderful
friends, one of whom is Margaret. Ziggy, her cat, also has a special place
in my heart.
Margaret was born in one of the small mining villages outside Kirkcal-
dy, a large town on the east coast of Scotland. The wee village is not too
far away from Cupar where she has lived for most of her adult life. She
takes great delight in reverting back to the Scottish dialect of her youth
and throwing me for a loop. Margaret chuckles when I confess I have no
idea of what she is saying. She has been a tremendous resource for me
getting to know my way around Cupar, understanding the strange cus-
toms of some people, and finding just the right word to use at funerals.
I often go to her when I encounter words and phrases I don't under-
stand.
Margaret has worked hard all her life doing cleaning and caregiving.
Until last week one of her jobs was cleaning the church. Over the
years she has rented out a room to students doing short term studies
at a nearby vocational college in town. This helped her earn a little ex-
tra income. I have been tremendously blessed by the accommodation
she has provided for me the last 15 months that I have been here in
Cupar. The rent is very reasonable, I have everything I need, and I
have full use of the kitchen to do my own cooking. Margaret and I get
along very well and are sensitive to allowing each other our own space.
Margaret's husband died of a heart attack fifteen years ago. She is well
taken care of by her two sons and one daughter, all of whom live here in
Cupar. Her daughter just presented Margaret with her first grandchild
five weeks ago, giving Margaret great joy in her life. She had been wait-
ing a long, long time to be a grandmother. Now she is! Margaret has
been blessed with a great family and a nice home.
Margaret has told me, and her friends have confirmed it, that she was
very depressed four or five years ago. But several years ago she met
Jesus at an Alpha course at the church, and Jesus has been giving her
new life ever since. Now her face and her life reflect that new life that
only Jesus can give.
I often see Margaret studying her Bible. When she sees me she likes to
ask me questions about what she's reading or share with me something
God has been teaching her. I see by her countenance and actions that
Jesus is mightily at work in her. She is hungry for Bible study and Chris-
tian fellowship. Thus she goes to two and sometimes three different
house groups over a two week period. She is always helping out at dif-
ferent church events. Just over a year ago Margaret started a social
group in the church for women from the church and the community who
were on their own. Several months ago she started a weekly coffee time
for people who are the primary caregivers for family members.
Earlier this year the church announced the position of host or host-
ess for the church center. A person was sought who would represent
the church to the many people from the area who use the church cen-
ter. I and many other people thought Margaret was just the right per-
son for the position and encouraged her to apply for it. She went back
and forth about whether to apply or not, but finally did. There were
five or six other applicants, and she did not think she would get it. But
two weeks ago Margaret was chosen for the position! She is just the per-
son for the position: she loves meeting people and making them feel at
home. Yesterday was her first day and she came back all fired up about
the new position. She sees it as a ministry to the people of the commun-
ity. I am so excited for her. Because God has so richly blessed her, she
will be a blessing to so many people.
Blessings and all the best to you and yours,
who offered me lodging in her home when I first came to Cupar in No-
vember of 2008. She is an active member of Cupar Old Parish Church
where I served as assistant minister last year. I have enjoyed having
her as a friend and watching her grow in leaps and bounds as a follower
of Jesus Christ. Recently Margaret has been encouraging me as I face
the challenges of discerning God's next step for me. Since I arrived
here in Scotland in late 2003, the Lord has blessed me with wonderful
friends, one of whom is Margaret. Ziggy, her cat, also has a special place
in my heart.
Margaret was born in one of the small mining villages outside Kirkcal-
dy, a large town on the east coast of Scotland. The wee village is not too
far away from Cupar where she has lived for most of her adult life. She
takes great delight in reverting back to the Scottish dialect of her youth
and throwing me for a loop. Margaret chuckles when I confess I have no
idea of what she is saying. She has been a tremendous resource for me
getting to know my way around Cupar, understanding the strange cus-
toms of some people, and finding just the right word to use at funerals.
I often go to her when I encounter words and phrases I don't under-
stand.
Margaret has worked hard all her life doing cleaning and caregiving.
Until last week one of her jobs was cleaning the church. Over the
years she has rented out a room to students doing short term studies
at a nearby vocational college in town. This helped her earn a little ex-
tra income. I have been tremendously blessed by the accommodation
she has provided for me the last 15 months that I have been here in
Cupar. The rent is very reasonable, I have everything I need, and I
have full use of the kitchen to do my own cooking. Margaret and I get
along very well and are sensitive to allowing each other our own space.
Margaret's husband died of a heart attack fifteen years ago. She is well
taken care of by her two sons and one daughter, all of whom live here in
Cupar. Her daughter just presented Margaret with her first grandchild
five weeks ago, giving Margaret great joy in her life. She had been wait-
ing a long, long time to be a grandmother. Now she is! Margaret has
been blessed with a great family and a nice home.
Margaret has told me, and her friends have confirmed it, that she was
very depressed four or five years ago. But several years ago she met
Jesus at an Alpha course at the church, and Jesus has been giving her
new life ever since. Now her face and her life reflect that new life that
only Jesus can give.
I often see Margaret studying her Bible. When she sees me she likes to
ask me questions about what she's reading or share with me something
God has been teaching her. I see by her countenance and actions that
Jesus is mightily at work in her. She is hungry for Bible study and Chris-
tian fellowship. Thus she goes to two and sometimes three different
house groups over a two week period. She is always helping out at dif-
ferent church events. Just over a year ago Margaret started a social
group in the church for women from the church and the community who
were on their own. Several months ago she started a weekly coffee time
for people who are the primary caregivers for family members.
Earlier this year the church announced the position of host or host-
ess for the church center. A person was sought who would represent
the church to the many people from the area who use the church cen-
ter. I and many other people thought Margaret was just the right per-
son for the position and encouraged her to apply for it. She went back
and forth about whether to apply or not, but finally did. There were
five or six other applicants, and she did not think she would get it. But
two weeks ago Margaret was chosen for the position! She is just the per-
son for the position: she loves meeting people and making them feel at
home. Yesterday was her first day and she came back all fired up about
the new position. She sees it as a ministry to the people of the commun-
ity. I am so excited for her. Because God has so richly blessed her, she
will be a blessing to so many people.
Blessings and all the best to you and yours,
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