My good friend Roger is a hospital Chaplain in Hattiesburg, MS.  [Yes, he sees Brett Favre occasionally but as a die-hard Cowboys fan, keeps a respectful distance].  He recently shared with me the story of two  neighbors, Janice and Rita who stocked their shelves and prepared for the onslaught of Hurricane Katrina in August 2005.  Shortly after Katrina struck around 6:10 PM on August 28th, Janice and Rita realized they were in trouble.  Water began coming under their front door and quickly rose to about 6 feet high.  Janice and Rita climbed up on the mantle over their fireplace.  As the water continued to rise they climbed the bookshelves beside the fireplace and hung on.  Finally, sometime after midnight Janice said she just couldn’t hold on any more.  Rita pleaded with her to keep trying, “just a little longer” she encouraged.  “Help will surely come.”  But Janice let go and succumbed to the muddy water and drowned.  Rita held on as the floodwaters exceeded 8 feet.  She had to punch a hole in the ceiling and stuck her head up into the rafters to get air.  Eventually after 36 hours she was rescued. 

   My friend Roger saw Rita sitting in the waiting room of his hospital recently.  He asked her why she was there and she told him, that Janice’s granddaughter was having a baby.  It would have been her first great-grandchild.  Rita lamented to the Chaplain, “If she had only held on.  I tried everything to save her, but I couldn’t.”

   As I think about that story I wonder if Janice ran out of strength or if she ran out of hope.  Perhaps it was because she ran out of hope that she ran out of strength.  Hope is a powerful motivator.

   But an even more important question, is where do we find our hope.  Is it based on our circumstances?   Does it depend on our strength?  Our human wisdom?  I like this definition I read recently:  “Hope is the result of faith based on the character and nature of God.”  That’s exactly what we see in David as he writes Psalm 31 (I’d encourage you to read that if you need a hope transplant).  Notice the foundation of David’s hope.

 - “In you, O Lord, I have taken refuge .. (vs.1)

 - “Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue; be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me..(vs. 2)

 - “I trust in You, O Lord;  I say, “You are my God.” My times are in your hands; (vss. 14-15)

   I like David’s parting words of advice for those who are barely hanging on—”Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord.”  As David focused his attention on God he found the hope to continue.  The same technique will work for us this morning.  Focus on God and His power, not on your problems, and you will find the hope and the strength you need to be victorious.

Have a great week!

Pastor Barry

 As most of you know by now, I’ve recently past one of those significant birthday milestones.  (Thanks to all of you who had a part in my surprise party.)  I have been inundated with all kinds of useful advice on getting old.  Things like, “Don’t worry if you can’t blow out all the candles on your cake, just beat them out with your cane.”  or this one, “Don’t worry about eating healthy, at your age you need all the preservatives, you can get.”   Someone sent me a list of 108 stores and restaurants that offer “senior discounts.”  I really appreciate the ROGAINE, although I think the pony tail with the glue sticks I received might be the better option.

  Birthdays have a way of  making us stop and think.  It’s a good time to take stock of where we’ve been, what we’ve accomplished, and perhaps most important, what we’ve got left to do.  If we’re still here, it must mean that God still has something for us to accomplish.

   The Psalmist gives us a perfect prayer to pray every year when our birthday rolls around. Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. (Psalm 90:12)  Hopefully, I’m not just getting older, but wiser.  I would like to think that I’m maturing in character and righteousness.  

Here are a couple of things that I am praying for:

(1) “Lord, help me not become an old grouch.”  Instead of constantly complaining and grumbling about all my problems, let me the thankful for the daily blessings you give me.  Let me be a joyful person.

(2)   “Lord keep me flexible.”  I’ve been trying some new yoga stretches I read about in “Runner’s World” magazine for my tight hamstrings and hip flexors that seem to be working.  Staying flexible spiritually may not always be so easy.  I’m trying to remember that God’s message never changes, but His methods do.  What worked 30 years ago may not be effective today.  And though it is a struggle, I am doing my best to embrace technology.

(3) “Lord, give me a passion for ministry.”  One of the good things about getting older is that priorities become a little clearer.  You  begin to realize the importance of making every minute count.  As energy levels decrease, may my passion for reaching the lost and making disciple’s never diminish.

(4) “Lord, enlarge my heart.” I already know I’m becoming a softy in my old age. [I cry when I watch sappy movies or read Max Lucado books]  But that’s OK.  I want my heart to be more in tune with the Lord’s.  I want it to break for the hurting, the poor, the needy in our midst.

   I told Rosemary recently that I was thinking about re-inventing myself.  My plan was to shave my head, (the theory is with no white hair showing, no one would know how old I am), get some trendy new glasses and start wearing jeans and a T-shirt to preach in.  But then I thought, Naw!  Embrace your age!  Own the wrinkles!  You’ve earned them! And besides I got coffee for 50 cents at McDonald’s the other day.  Way cool!

Have a great week,

Pastor Barry

   GROUP Magazine recently asked the question, Are You As  Friendly As You Think You Are?  Most people think they are friendly, even if they really aren’t.  Even if you ask someone who is a constant grouch and the classic curmudgeon to rank how friendly they are on a scale of one to ten, they would probably give themselves a five or better.  But what does it really take to be a BFF (that’s text lingo for Best Friends Forever).  How do we become more friendly?  As a church how do we make sure people really feel welcome when they enter our doors.

   GROUP Magazine went to 750 churches and asked 1,000’s of unchurched people this question:  What makes a church friendly?  Here are their top 5 characteristics of a friendly church.

(1) BELONGING—The number one quality of a friendly place is that is “makes me feel like I belong”.  As the theme song from the old TV show “Cheers” told us “Sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name, and they’re always glad you came”.  We need to work at getting to know people and make them feel included.  Maybe we need a “fun committee” who will plan activities to bring us together.

(2) COMFORT—People are looking for a warm and inviting environment.  We want to help people feel comfortable and relaxed.  If they are afraid of being embarrassed, not knowing what to do or being placed in a socially awkward situation they will never relax and feel at home.  We need to work at disarming their fears and breaking down barriers.

(3) RELAXED FIT—Do I feel like I fit in with this group of people?  Do they dress like me and talk like me?  Do we have anything in common?  If we feel totally out of place we will not be too eager to return.  We need to work at finding common ground.  We should never give the impression we are so perfect and so holy that we’re a step above anyone else.

(4) TALK TO ME—The fourth characteristic of a friendly ministry is that people actually talked.  It was more than just “Hello, glad to have you with us”.  People were impressed when someone took the time to engage in meaningful conversation.

(5) SMILES—People are impressed with a place where everyone seems happy.  Not just greeters, but the pastors, the praise team, members, the S. S. teachers and the people in the pews.  Smiles are contagious.  We need to look like we’re having fun. [I’ve been thinking of installing a mirror at the side entrance.  It will serve two purposes.  First, I can fix my hair when the wind messes it up.  Secondly, we can all practice our smile as we enter the building!]  See! You’re smiling just thinking about it!

   Next time you come to church here is your assignment.  Go out of your way to be friendly.  Come in smiling.  Spot someone you don’t know that well and go over and greet them.  Engage them in conversation.  Maybe even invite them to lunch.  Who knows?  They may turn out to be your newest B.F.F.

                                                                 Have a great week!

                                                                 Pastor Barry

Several weeks ago our family made the trip over to Culloden, WV for the Shenandoah District Family Camp.  It was a wonderful week filled with great worship, great teaching and preaching, and great fellowship.  Sure, it was a hazy, hot, and humid week, but God’s presence could be felt all over the camp. 

One of the highlights of camp was our missionary speakers, Rev. Chris and Lisa Shinn.  Chris pastors Faith Community Church in Charleston, WV.  He and his family minister on the west side of Charleston.  The west side is an interesting place.  We (Pam, I and the teens from family camp) had a chance to do a service project with Pastor Chris.  This coming Saturday, Clearview Wesleyan (Martinsville, VA) will be taking a crew over to Faith Community to do a Vacation Bible School.  As part of that Faith Community is having a back-to-school bash to minister to the children on the west side of Charleston.  Our job that day was to hand out flyers in the community.  Most people who attend Faith Community walk to church.  Their goal is to reach the several blocks in each direction from the church with the love of Jesus.  The best way to get the word out in that community is by word of mouth or flyers, so that is what we did.

Pastor Chris gave us some ground rules for handing out the flyers and then we were on our way.  The students who were with us had some concerns and Pastor Chris reassured them that what they were doing was perfectly safe.  Three hours later, we had handed out over 450 flyers to the community on the west side of Charleston and headed back to camp.

Why do I tell this story?  Since District Conference, God has been speaking to me about ministering to our community.  There are many in our community who do not know Jesus.  There are also many in our community who Jesus called “the least of these.”  These are those whom God has been speaking to me about.  Sunday I shared that we, as a church, may have an opportunity to do this.  There are other things that God has been speaking to me as well. 

While we were at Family Camp, Pastor Chris shared that many hold him and Lisa up as someone special.  I wouldn’t disagree with that.  Chris and Lisa and their two children are wonderful people.  But what they are doing, is what God has called each one of us to do.  It’s what He has called the church to do. 

Let me close with this scripture from Acts 2:42-47.  It’s a great picture of the New Testament church:

 42 All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.

 43 A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. 44 And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. 45 They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. 46 They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity--47 all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.

I pray you have a wonderful week.  Blessings….Pastor Dale

In Philippians 2 we are told as believers to imitate the attitude, the compassion and the love of Christ.  In fact we are admonished to 3 “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

   A couple of years ago a marvelous example of this kind of attitude was exhibited in a collegiate NCA A Division II softball playoff game.  A senior at Western Oregon hit her first ever home-run, a 3-run blast that put her team in the lead.  As remarkable as that was, what happened next was unbelievable.  As Sara Tucholsky rounded first base she was so excited she missed touching first.  When she stopped quickly to go back, she wrenched her knee and went down in pain.  As she crawled back to first base she was told she would be called out if teammates came to her aid.  If she were replaced by a pinch runner, her home run would only count as a single.

   Players and fans alike were stunned when Central Washington’s first baseman, Mallory Holtman, the conference’s all-time home run leader, asked the umpire if there was any rule against opponents helping an injured player around the bases.

   She was told there was not.  So together, Mallory and shortstop Liz Wallace picked up Tucholsky and carried her around the bases, stopping at each bag to allow Sara to touch it with her good leg.  This act of incredible sportsmanship ended up costing Central Washington the game, but as Mallory Holtman said on national TV, “It was the right thing to do.”

   When you look at the big picture, this story made national headlines and has been witnessed by millions on You Tube.  The schools have received more good publicity than they could ever have imagined.  The act of kindness was definitely an example of Christ-like compassion and kindness.

   Now we may not have a chance to do anything so dramatic this week, but how can we put others ahead of ourselves?  Could we offer a word of encouragement to the clerk behind the counter?  Could we show kindness to someone on the highway?  Could we be a little more understanding when our waitress is slow or we have to wait in the checkout line?  Perhaps the place to begin is to show kindness to those within our own family!  What a great world this would be if we, thought less about ourselves and more about others.

                                                                              Have a great week,

                                                                              Pastor Barry

 Technology is amazing!  At times it can be frustrating and mind boggling.  Just when I figure out how to work something, they come up with something new [There are features on my phone I will never use].  Yet, the things we can do now with cell phones and computers is incredible.  A case in point was the birth of our grandson this past weekend. [It’s a boy.  Rhys Thomas Patchett 7 lbs. 2 oz.]  While Jennifer was in labor we were constantly updated with text messages throughout the day.  Within minutes of Rhys’ birth we had a picture.  Jason even recorded his first cry which we later got to listen to.  It made us feel like we were right there!

   Phones are not just for making phone calls any more.  With a smart phone you can check e-mail, catch up on sports, find a restaurant or buy tickets for a movie.  There are well over 100,000 “Apps” (cell phone applications) available for downloading.  As one popular commercial says, whatever you need, there’s an “app” for that!

    But did you know the Bible is also full of some pretty amazing, down-to-earth, practical applications?  It comes pre-loaded with direct applications straight from God to help make our lives better and more meaningful.  For instance, in Philippians 2:3 we find the “humility app.” Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.” or in Philippians 2:14 “the no grumbling app” “Do everything without complaining or arguing”.  In Ephesians 5:1 we find the “imitate-God app”, the “walk-in-love app” (5:2), the purity app” (5;3) and the “guard your tongue app” (5:4).  The entire book of Proverbs is teeming with practical applications.  In fact, Proverbs 23:12 tells us: “Apply your heart to instruction, and your ears to words of knowledge.” 

   Got a question about how to live the Christian life?  Wondering what to do next?  Need help with a relationship?  Got a problem you could use some guidance in solving?  There’s an “app” for that!  Just dig into God’s word and you’ll find answers.

   Now I like doing it the old-fashioned way:  sitting in my recliner with my open Bible, letting God speak to me as I read His word.  But if you want to push the “Bible app” on your Blackberry and read the Scripture that way, I think that would be just as effective.  What matters is that we apply it, after we read it.

                                                                                           Have a great week!

                                                                                           Pastor Barry

I read a magazine article recently about a young lady named Kathryn who says she’s implemented a new rule for life that most of us would do well to adopt:  “She’s not allowed to beat herself up.”  She goes on to explain that she grew up in an abusive situation with lots of criticism and negatively.  Verbally and emotionally she was regularly “beaten up” by the people around her.  She was told she was dumb, and ugly, and fat, and worthless.  So her new rule is that even when she fails she looks for the positive.

  For instance, some time ago she decided to go to the gym and start working out.  She was overweight and self-conscious, but decided to do something about it.  She got in her car, drove to the gym, got out and walked up to the huge picture window and looked in.  She saw the trim young bodies in their fashionable workout clothes and yoga pants and she just couldn’t bring herself to go in.  She turned around and drove back home.

  Kathryn says normally such a failure would have thrown her into a destructive cycle of self hate and depression.  She would have beaten herself up for a couple of days, eaten a half-gallon of ice cream and felt even worse.  Instead this time she told herself “Hey, at least you made it to the gym.  Next time you’ll go in.”

  That’s a great story for reminding us that a tiny step toward a goal is still a step.  We don’t have to make giant leaps of progress—small steps will get the job done.

   I’m convinced Satan loves to tell us we’re worthless, good-for-nothing sinners who will never be good enough to please God.  We’ll never conquer our bad habits.  We’ll never have a meaningful prayer life.  We’ll never be used by God.  But the Bible tells me I am loved. (John 3:16) Romans 8: 1 tells us “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”   Instead, Paul says, “If God is for us, who can be against us” (Romans 8:31) and that “we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” (Romans 8:37)   So just tell Satan to take a number and get behind you.  You don’t have to listen to his criticisms and lies.

   The important thing is to not give up.  Just keep pressing on and eventually you’ll reach your goal.  By the way, the lady Kathryn, I mentioned, now regularly runs marathons and is fit, trim and athletic.  So whatever your goals are, keep at them.  Give yourself a pat on the back.  Tell yourself, “Good job!”  Remind yourself today that God loves you, you’re His child and that He is excited about even the smallest progress that you’re making spiritually.  Let me say, I’m proud of you too! 

                                                                              Have a good week

                                                                              Pastor Barry

P. S.    Be praying for our Guatemala team!

   This week I’ve been reminded again of the wonder of childhood.  My two grandsons and I have had a great week catching lightning bugs, playing hide 'seek, and riding bikes (well actually with the younger one, he rides and I push).  We’ve played ball, had water gun fights and spent quite a bit of time on Grandpa’s lawn tractor.  I’m pretty tired, but it’s been fun.

   I heard a great story recently from one of our Wesleyan pastors, Paul Hontz, who lives in Michigan and is also a grandpa.  Recently his grandkids came for the weekend and one evening they went out in the back yard and planted doughnuts.  They took a handful of Cheerios and spread them around the yard.  Grandpa told them that during the night those Cheerios would magically turn into doughnuts.  The next morning they took a Krispy Kreme box out back, collected doughnuts from all over the yard and then brought them in for breakfast.  It was a miracle!  I’m planning on trying this.  I just hope the doughnut fairy brings me one with chocolate on top.

   Children have such a sense of wonder and imagination that we so often lose as adults.  I’ve always been fascinated by Jesus’ declaration that we must become like children if we want to enter the kingdom of heaven.  Look at these words in Matthew 18-2-3  He called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

   I think He means that we must trust like a little child trusts a parent.  We must believe the impossible can happen.  We must love with pure abandon.  And since becoming like a child is required for entering into heaven, I believe heaven is going to be a place of absolute wonder.  It will take a child like spirit to really enjoy it.  Lightning bugs and butterflies will be everywhere.  There will be creeks to wade in, trees to climb and swings that go really high.  And who knows?  We may wake up every morning to find fresh doughnuts in the yard.  After all, remember how God provided the manna for His people in the wilderness?

   Have a great week and take time to have some fun.

Barry Papik (Grandpa in Armenian)

              The team has finally arrived back home from District Conference in Roanoke.  District Conference was amazing.  It’s much like a big family reunion as we saw our brothers and sister in Christ from all over the Shenandoah District.  Not only that, but we were able to connect with others from across the country.  There were amazing times of musical worship.  Pastor Mike Hilson preached the Word and gave us what each one of us needed (not wanted) to hear. 

Over conference, we were also able to connect with Pastor Rene Melendez and Pastor Bob Gray.  During Sunday’s service you heard about the work in El Salvador.  God is doing some amazing things there.  Tonight you will have an opportunity to meet Pastor Rene and Bob Gray.  They will be coming to Parkway to share about what God is doing in El Salvador and how we can help them.  The teens and adults will be meeting together in the Sanctuary at 7PM tonight.

As a bonus, there will be a special presentation tonight to Pastor Rene that you will not want to miss.  Please join us tonight.  We look forward to seeing you there.

Blessings….

Pastor Dale

   Today’s newspaper reports that 77 people became citizens of the United States yesterday at Monticello.  These new Americans emigrated from 44 different nations.  All come with the hopes and dreams of a better life in the greatest nation on earth.  I think some of us who were born here and who often take our freedoms for granted could learn much from our newest Americans.  If we could see our country through their eyes it might truly be an “eye-opening” experience for us.

    For instance, consider the young woman from Russia who was startled when she walked out of the airport and noticed how bright it was outside.  She asked her American host, what kind of wonderful place is this that it is so well-lit at night?  It turns out it was a parking lot.  In Russia, they don’t waste electricity to light nearly empty parking lots.

   Or I love the story of Huong Ngo from Vietnam who called her friend to tell him the good news that she had just purchased life insurance.  She was so excited, she said, “even if I die, my parents will have something.  I’m worth $10,000!”

   The article I read went on to talk about things like straws wrapped in paper, vending machines, grocery stores stocked with food and restaurant take-out boxes.  My son-in-law from Armenia was impressed on his first visit to the U.S. with self-serve, free refills on drinks at McDonalds and all-you-can-eat buffets.  To him these were simply amazing.  After my recent visit to El Salvador I will never take for granted again the wonders of on demand, abundant hot water for showers.

   Hopefully over this past weekend you took a few moments to be thankful for our country.  Yet, we need to realize the sacrifices those who have gone before us have made to secure our freedom and make possible these blessings.  Also we must never forget the source of all of this is not our ingenuity and hard work, but the benevolent grace of God.  As the Psalmist says, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord. (Psalm 33: 12)  I particularly like the Psalmist’s admonition in verses 20-22 of that same chapter.   20 We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield. 21 In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. 22 May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD, even as we put our hope in you.

   Have a great week!

Pastor Barry