The View From My Window Pastor's Weekly Blog

It was early November & I really didn’t want to take the time but my dog insisted on an early morning walk. Callie pulled me in the direction of a nearby park, so, even though it was a longer route I followed. As it turns out, it was a wonderful morning with pleasant temperatures & many of the fallen leaves boasted vibrant colors.

I started collecting some of the more interesting leaves to take home to my wife & mother in law. Half of me was greatly enjoying the walk & the other half was reminding me of everything I was hoping to accomplish that day. A longer walk & collecting leaves wasn’t on the list, but maybe it should have been. Those leaves weren’t gorgeous for long; those temperatures weren’t going to be comfortable forever.

Having a basic list of priorities is necessary if we hope to have a productive, meaningful life. But that doesn’t mean we always have to be pushing to live within the top three items on that list. Somewhere there has to be room for a little “rose smelling” else life is reduced to being a rat racer.

– Pastor Joel Everhart

A cold wind was blowing right through the window behind my desk & I suddenly decided to rearrange my office. My office had been in that arrangement for as long as it existed. I never intended to move any of my furnishings … but that wind…

Since I was rearranging I decided to do something very drastic & out of character for me: I got rid of most of my library! I had a lot of those books for over 40 years but I hadn’t used them for the past 10 due to all the online helps available. Still, it was heart wrenching to part with them. Many were beautifully bound & looked impressive sitting on those shelves. My fear, of course, is that I’ll live to regret that purging but I’m glad I didn’t wait much longer: Those books are heavy & I’m not getting any younger!

How do we become so attached to things that are all going to burn anyway? Is it the memories they hold? Do we think of them as old friends? Neither is really true. How about you; got any pitching to do?

– Pastor Joel Everhart

I don’t think I was even ten years old when my mom signed my brother & me up for swimming lessons at the YMCA. I am forever grateful to her for doing that. The ability to swim is a gift I’ve enjoyed throughout my life even though its been a rare treat for me. At the time I was not nearly so appreciative & if my brother hadn’t gone along I don’t think I’d have had the courage to do it.

After a week of practice we were lined up at the deep end of the pool where we were to dive in from a sitting position & swim to the shallow end. My dive was more of a drop & to this day I can remember the feeling of sinking until one of the instructors reached in, grabbed me by the arm & hoisted me ashore. He said, “Back to the shallow end.” Eventually I was able to pass all my tests & get my certificate.

Water is necessary for life & can be a whole lot of fun but it can also be deadly. This morning we are going to take a closer look at water in hopes of raising our gratitude for all God’s provisions.

– Pastor Joel Everhart

Years ago I went to the Lord asking for some help: “It’s too loud in our house,” I said. “Everyone is yelling & that shouldn’t be.” He responded, “Yeah, stop yelling.” “But I have to yell because they’re yelling & I’m supposed to be in charge,” I said. “When you stop yelling they will too,” He said.

It took a while but as I remained calm even as they got loud eventually they calmed down too. I hate to have to take personal responsibility for my life. I’m much more comfortable blaming others or circumstances beyond my control.

However, God expects us to step up, to mature, to take who we have been & improve it. Even if we do not hold ourselves personally responsible for our thoughts, feelings & actions (or reactions as the case may be) God does. Stop blaming others, your past, your circumstances, your genes, the President, the economy … Start acting like a child of God should act until it becomes part of your character.

– Pastor Joel Everhart

I was on my way to the dentist to get my teeth cleaned & I was dreading it. They use metal tools to scrape & pick at my teeth & gums until they bleed. The hygienist digs until I’m ready to jump … But alas, it wasn’t so bad; they’ve developed some new procedures: viva la new techniques!

Of all the enemy’s weapons I think I hate “fear” the most. I hate to have worried about what I’ll face in a meeting, or when I get to the office, or when I get to wherever only to find out there was nothing to worry about once I arrive. When I worry needlessly I think the devil chuckles with delight.

However, when I show unusual courage in the face of difficulty, when I stay calm while the waters rise, I believe the Lord is pleased. Training our emotions is perhaps the most difficult work of maturing in Christ: teaching them not to be afraid, not to jump at the threats of the enemy but to put their trust in God.

– Pastor Joel Everhart

At 91 years of age, my mother-in-law’s favorite distractions is a game of Scrabble. When I ask her to play her face lights up like a Christmas tree. Her response brings more joy than using all your letters on a triple word score square.

What lights you up? What do you look forward to the most? What are the bare essentials you don’t think you can live without?

Moses was offered a free pass all the way to the Promised Land: no more judgments from God to delay the process, no more long routes in order to learn a lesson. He passed on the offer because he’d have to give up the most precious thing in his life: his face to face relationship with God. I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold; I’d rather be His than have riches untold.

Is that your song or does yours go like this: The best things in life are free; but you can keep ’em for the birds and bee; now give me money (that’s what I want)?

– Pastor Joel Everhart

My wife woke me the other night at 10:45pm to ask me if I smelled a skunk. I had not smelled a skunk until she woke me; then I smelled a scent so putrid it was nearly impossible to get back to sleep. We enjoy sharing experiences with the people we love but some things are better left unshared.

We might very well feel that way about some of the things God allows into our life: thanks but no thanks! “You woke me up for this?” “You gave me life so I could feel this pain?” “Why did You allow that to happen to me?”

No wonder faith is such a big part of our relationship with God. Many things He does make no sense to us, in fact, they seem counterproductive. Learn to trust Him: I’ll have what He provides; I’ll take what He gives.

– Pastor Joel Everhart

Life is such a balancing act. We need to take a little time reflecting on the past, savoring good memories, remembering lessons painfully learned … We need to spend some time thinking about our future, both short & long term, in order to be prepared. But life is lived in the moment, the present, now.

There is something to be said for “going to a happy place” whenever what you are experiencing is unpleasant, boring, or stressful. Unfortunately, we often carry that ability to be elsewhere into the moments we should be savoring: driving past beautiful scenery, engaging with the people around us, or even getting some much needed rest.

Where are you right now? What is around you? Who is nearby? Are there any worries stealing your attention away from an otherwise pleasant day? “What about today? If you can think about anything pleasant, praiseworthy, special or delightful, think about those things & share a word of encouragement with those close at hand.

– Pastor Joel Everhart

A friend of mine got a raise but the amount of his co-pay for his health insurance increased more than his salary did so his net take-home is now less than it was last year. He will need to get a part-time job just to break even. You probably have a similar story.

Healthcare, tax reform, North Korea, terrorists, Lyme’s disease, immigration reform, free speech … All things work together for good for those who love God & are called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28) Calm down, take a deep breath & place your faith in God. He has always provided for you & He always will. Put your mind, heart, soul, & body in the Lord’s hands & at His disposal & He will make a way for you where there seems to be no way. Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him & He will make your path straight. (Proverbs 3:5)

– Pastor Joel Everhart

About the time I graduated from college the timing chain in my car broke. I spent an extra week in Missouri waiting for the garage to get the right parts … Do you have any idea what it’s like to graduate then feel “stuck” in an abandoned college town? Everyone else has moved on with their lives. All your friends have vamoosed. It was a Wednesday afternoon when I got the call that the car was done & an hour later I was on the road home to my family, my future, & my fiancé.

Nothing makes freedom sweeter than waiting for it. I was so juiced (excited, not influenced by chemical substances) that I drove all night in order to surprise Barb the next day. Wait for it … wait for it … there is coming a day when we will be free from worry, pain, anxiety, frustration & heartache! We’re going Home.

– Pastor Joel Everhart

I’m not as young as I used to be, but then again I’m younger than I’ll ever be again! My mom always tells me, “Joel, you’re younger than you know.” For the longest time I used to think, Mom, I’m older than you realize. I’m beginning to understand that she’s right. Oh, my body often surprises me with new revelations like getting more tired than I remember when doing certain tasks, or getting stiff when I’ve sat for too long, or accumulating more wrinkles…

But I’m also amazed by my capacity to learn, grow, & adapt. God is ever working to improve me (and you). He even has ways of getting a few extra miles out of this old body of mine. Yes, I’m older than I used to be but my God is faithful, vibrant, & powerful as ever. Follow His lead & He’ll get you where you need to be.

– Pastor Joel Everhart