I felt so welcomed at Palm Valley Baptist Church! I have driven by this church nestled amongst the live oaks on Palm Valley Road a million times on the way to the YMCA (okay so not a million; 3 times a week at the most given the destination!) and have always been drawn to worship there. Pastor George Powers gave the FCA service on Sunday morning at THE PLAYERS Championship this year so it took me 6 months what can I say! I do know why my friend Caddie Michael Carrao is a member here… it’s all green (carpet) from the front door to the altar and beyond! A make-able putt for anyone to make on the way to The Holy Spirit beyond the altar! Always golf and life and spirit with me!

Pastor Powers, true to his name, gave a powerful message (sermon) starting with the Call and Welcome to Worship—noting that we can only see God’s Power & Majesty and not control it as in the case of the approaching Hurricane Dorian. We all prayed for the Bahamians and that it stays off shore of mainland America.

“Take my life and let it be… Broken hearts become brand new; that is what Faith can do were the words of the songs leading to Pastor Powers “Free to Run” message… Galatians 5:7-12 (see below).

I couldn’t help but realize the significance of the location of this Church—in a Valley of Palms—reminiscent of Jesus’ triumphant (so we thought) entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday,,, and The Holy Spirit above the altar representing not only Christ’s Resurrection but His Presence today…

Pastor George shared stories of his earlier school 880-yard running career and his post-50 5k continuation with his wife Janet. Evidently Janet is both the sprinter and endurance runner in the family!

We are all running that good race with our track of a lifetime… “the way we start does not guarantee how we finish (and vice versa)… sometimes we don’t even finish… like the Parable of the Seeds there are no deep roots… like the Galatians we get off to a good start but things come upon our lives… even the backup generator needs gasoline to perform during a storm!”

“Beginning is our Conversion; the end is our Final Judgment’ the prize is Eternal Life; our life is the Gospel Race… the Race of Saints…”

By obeying the Truth of the Gospels… no need to run our race with unnecessary weight… unaddressed sin; set aside lust for money and other sins…

Galatians 5:1: “For freedom Christ set us free; so stand firm and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery.”

Hebrews 12:1: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere in running the race that lies before us.”

We need to practice… get outside the pack to have a free run… God is not the source of our sin… Satan is pushing back… we can take our sin to God at any time… Jesus is our intermediary… so to not only finish but win the race and become a New Creation in Christ!

2 Corinthians 5:17 “So whoever is in Christ is a New Creation: the old things have passed away; behold, new things have come.”

Follow the Gospel; follow the Word of God… Stand Tall… god will defend us…

The Christian Life is a Race… Run on the Path of the Gospel—We are Free to Finish; there will be hindrances to overcome—It will not be easy; we will have to get rid of any push-back—Running and Resting with Jesus!

2 Timothy 4:7-8: “I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith. From now on the crown of righteousness awaits me, which the Lord, the just judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me, but to all who have longed for his appearance.”

Hindrances to overcome… brought to mind the movie Overcomer… but will save that for another post…

What a beautiful message on a beautiful Sunday Morning… literally the calm before the storm!

Be and Stay Safe!

Galatians 5:7-12: “You were running well; who hindered you from following [the] truth? That enticement does not come from the one who called you. A little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough. I am confident of you in the Lord that you will not take a different view, and that the one who is troubling you will bear the condemnation, whoever he may be. As for me, brothers, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case, the stumbling block of the cross has been abolished. Would that those who are upsetting you might also castrate themselves!

CLICK here to visit the website of Palm Valley Baptist Church!

(Andy Reistetter; Facebook Post with 30 Pics; 9/1/19)

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Always a special time to go to mass at Saints Cyril & Methodius, my home parish growing up! Even more special when doing so with one of my siblings! This time my sister Chris the weekend of the DSGO Concert featuring Keith Urban. We are starting a tradition as we did so last year after Blake Shelton!

Plus we upped our game with iced coffee just down Clinton Street at the corner of West St. at “That Coffee Place!” Owned and operated by John Savich this is a coffee house with character, books, and comfort!

The First Ward Action Council, a nonprofit organization, owns the building and has its offices across the street. A neighborhood advocate since 1980, the First Ward Action Council has effectively stabilized the First Ward. It’s latest success with 37 housing units is the Crandall North Streets Revitalization Project.

First was the mass presided over by Father Peter. His sermon, after acknowledging the pleasure it was to be with us, quickly addressed the ‘shock’ of the gospel reading–I have come to set the earth on fire–Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division–a father will be divided against his son and a son against his father, a mother against her daughter and a daughter against her mother—shocking indeed!

What this is not saying, Father Peter emphasized, is that “we are separate from God.” We are in union with God at all times; in communion with God, Jesus, and The Holy Spirit if we choose to follow them!

The ‘fire’ that Jesus brought was the Fire of The Holy Spirit; that came to us via the Disciples in the Upper Room; always present in the heart of Jesus; and the Immaculate Heart of Mother Mary.

Like the burning bush that confronted Moses, The Holy Spirit will burn in us without consuming us. The Holy Spirit will separate us from sin; divide us from sin.

Even Saint Paul, his personal body was at odds with his self just like we are at odds with our self, with our ego.

Inside we seek the support of our Blessed Mother; we seek her patience and humility as the Mother of Sorrows. Only then can we; as the Bible tells us in the Second Reading be like Jesus; “for the sake of the joy that lay before him he endured the cross, despising its shame, and has taken his seat at the right of the throne of God. Consider how he endured such opposition from sinners, in order that you may not grow weary and lose heart in your struggle against sin…”

As my friend likes to joke—none of us are getting out of here alive—but will we find the peace and joy of Jesus for all of eternity?

Good things are happening in Binghamton, New York; the Valley of Spiritual Growth!

Here are the Bible Readings for your reference:

First Reading:

Jeremiah 38:4-10: “Then the princes said to the king, “This man ought to be put to death. He is weakening the resolve of the soldiers left in this city and of all the people, by saying such things to them; he is not seeking the welfare of our people, but their ruin.” 5 King Zedekiah answered: “He is in your hands,” for the king could do nothing with them. 6 And so they took Jeremiah and threw him into the cistern of Prince Malchiah, in the court of the guard, letting him down by rope. There was no water in the cistern, only mud, and Jeremiah sank down into the mud.

7 Now Ebed-melech, an Ethiopian, a court official in the king’s house, heard that they had put Jeremiah in the cistern. The king happened to be sitting at the Gate of Benjamin, 8 and Ebed-melech went there from the house of the king and said to him, 9 “My lord king, these men have done wrong in all their treatment of Jeremiah the prophet, throwing him into the cistern. He will starve to death on the spot, for there is no more bread in the city.” 10 Then the king ordered Ebed-melech the Ethiopian: “Take three men with you, and get Jeremiah the prophet out of the cistern before he dies.”

Second Reading:

Hebrews 12:1-4: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere in running the race that lies before us 2 while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and perfecter of faith. For the sake of the joy that lay before him he endured the cross, despising its shame, and has taken his seat at the right of the throne of God. 3 Consider how he endured such opposition from sinners, in order that you may not grow weary and lose heart. 4 In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood.”

Gospel Reading:

Luke 12:49-53: “I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing! 50 There is a baptism with which I must be baptized, and how great is my anguish until it is accomplished! 51 Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. 52 From now on a household of five will be divided, three against two and two against three; 53 a father will be divided against his son and a son against his father, a mother against her daughter and a daughter against her mother, a mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.”

CLICK HERE for the Website of SS Cyril & Methodius in Binghamton, New York!

(Andy Reistetter; Facebook Post with 30 Pics; 8-21-19)

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With Lillian in July 2017… She was beautiful all the days of her life!

Attending the Funeral of my Jewish Friend Lillian… Celebrating her Life!!!

Lillian was 93, healthy her whole life through except for these past few weeks. She was lovely, bold and beautiful inside and outside. Our families lived across the street from each other beginning in the late 1940s and we stayed in touch after our parents passed—her Mom living to be 101 years young!

While we, her family and friends, mourn, this was a celebration of Lillian’s Life, her being and how she impacted us in so many ways!

As fate would have it I received a ‘just in case you don’t already know’ text from one of Lilian’s synagogue friends that I had met for the first time visiting Lillian for the last time a week before she passed. I say for the last time, although I did visit her the day before she passed, because she was in great spirits, feisty as ever, and pure Lillian! She was such a blessing in my life. As I walked towards the synagogue for Lillian’s funeral, Lillian’s friend was coming from the other direction. I wasn’t sure that the text was from her but she gracefully confirmed that it was. As we had at the nursing home. We entered the synagogue together to celebrate Lillian!

Lillian brought people together. I would characterize her as an intellectual more than a socialite but she was both. As I would learn this day, she was a more a faithful than social Jew who contributed to her synagogue in so many meaningful ways. I am sure she is no longer in pain with her smirk y knowing smile as we all gathered in the synagogue to thank G-d for blessing us with the love and friendship of Lillian.

I sat down alone for a contemplative moment with my journal and realized all the other men had yamikas on the top of their heads. I was no stranger to Jewish worship as I once went to temple with my high school girlfriend, went to two Shabbats with a lady I met in South Africa, and recently spent a month in Israel and Palestine. Lillian and I went to the close-by non-orthodox synagogue so we could sit together a couple of years ago. I cherish that experience and all our conversations about Israel and our religions. She was an amazing woman!

After getting up and getting a yamika to wear from inside the front door, The rabbi greeted us and begin reading Psalms. Lillian had told me how much she loved reading the Psalms. In her recent move to independent living (the one before her passing that is), I saw her Hebrew Bibles, one with her name embossed on the cover, and she shared how she acquired each of them and a little bit about her faith. We shared in our faiths more than parts of the Old Testament, being with Lillian always seemed like a celebration of life itself!

Psalm 23: “A song of David. The L‑rd is my shepherd; I shall not want. He causes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Even as I walk in the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You set a table before me in the presence of my adversaries; You anointed my head with oil; my cup overflows. May only goodness and kindness pursue me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the L‑rd for length of days.”

I missed the reference on the next psalm or prayer though it was very familiar to me. It spoke of days and passing shadows, grass being renewed in the morning, fading and withering away… living 3-score and 4-score… we fly away… Shalom… Teach us to number our days… hearts of wisdom… this one touched home for me as it was the first biblical verse that started me journaling for the rest of my life nearly 20 years ago.

The Rabbi concluded with the last chapter of the King Solomon Book of Proverbs that spoke about women of valor… all the days of her life… strength and dignity and grace… let her work praise G-d…which of course, was apropos for Lillian!

Lillian’s brother got up and spoke from his heart about the spirit of his sister. She lived a good and long life; not 3-score or 4-score but 4-score and 13 more years! How she loved to travel and how grateful that we were all there today.

How Lillian loved the Broadway Musical ‘My Fair Lady’ and how Lillian was his Fair Lady. He referenced Professor Higgins. I found one of his quotes via Google… “It’s about filling up the deepest cut that separates class from class and soul from soul.” Again something that Lillian did throughout her life. She filled things up with her love and graceful manner!

Her brother concluded with “I loved my sister and will miss her greatly.”

The Rabbi did an exceptional Final Farewell, eulogizing Lillian to the nth degree in a manner reserved for heads of state and fallen religious leaders!

Stimulating conversations… traveling trailblazer… a women graduating the University of Kansas in the early 1940s in biotechnology… only one challenge in life that she did not overcome…unable to become a nurse because of her height… Hawaii… returned to Binghamton… Wilson Hospital… trip to Israel… Moses and the Ten Commandments… Honor your Mother and Father… rarely does the Torah specify rewards but the one for honoring your mother and father is a long and blessed life which Lillian enjoyed… the importance of family to Lillian… read every book in the Broome County Library that they had to buy more… always seeking knowledge… collecting money and accounting for all paid admission… would track you down to pay or refund if paid twice… Lillian needed to know their intention… do what is correct in the eyes of G-d… on the Board of Trustees… never had an email address… wanted personal contact… let’s talk… she prepared food into her 90s for shabbat services and monthly luncheons… nobody ever said anything negative about Lillian and Lillian never said anything negative about others… Lillian loved everyone and everyone loved Lillian!

The Rabbi noted that Lillian died on the saddest day of the Jewish calendar—Tisha B’Av—destined for tragedy; the day when both of the ancient Jewish Temples were destroyed. He added that, with Lillian’s death, it would be even a bit sadder now!

He ended with “May her memory be a blessing!”

I joined the procession to the cemetery and the procession in the cemetery from hearse to grave-site. Although I did not participate in the Jewish tradition of literally burying the dead, I did pay my respects afterwards and throw in a stone to honor Lillian’s faith.

As the Rabbi concluded the graveside prayers it began to rain as if the heavens above were either crying or rejoicing.

I found a verse in Kohelet (Ecclesiastes), “And the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to G‑d, who gave it.”

I joined the luncheon at the synagogue and met Lillian’s brother, other family and friends.

Her brother pointed out that my mother ‘was a saint’ which I wholeheartedly agreed with. Recalling that I used the phrase that ‘my mother was a saint and my father a hero’ in the book I wrote about growing up in Binghamton, I went out to the car and gave him a copy of the book.

I wasn’t going to ask for it but this seemed like a divine sort of lead-in so I asked, if it was not already spoken for, Lillian’s embossed with her name Hebrew Bible and he promised to find it and give it to me which he did two days later. I will treasure Lillian’s Hebrew Bible and use it as a reference on the spiritual book that I am writing. Somehow I am she will continue to guide me in life.

“May her memory be a blessing!:

In the end, or the beginning as it may be, Lillian and I and our families loved and respected one another for a lifetime and hopefully beyond!

May G-d Bless Lillian!

So grateful for a beautiful time worshiping with my friend Kathleen Wolfe and her Mom Ann Marie at the St. Ambrose Roman Catholic Church in Endicott. Powerful Sermon by Pastor Michael Galuppi about acknowledging our sins and placing our trust in God’s Love!

Opening with a vivid account of the consummate traveler, one who perfectly plans the journey but completely forgets about and is unprepared for our destination. “Let that not be said about us for we are built for Eternity!”

Same is true for the ‘rich man’ gospel reading. “The world does deserve our attention, but not all of our attention. Let work, even family, and golf (I think he knows Kathleen and I are golfers!) define who we are—life does not consist of our material possessions!”

There is a vanity of a larger nature where we focus on the external, less on the core, which is not ours forever. Hold them loosely. The good Catholic answer is “to do both but in the proper order and priority!.”

St. Paul in Colossians tells us that we have already died in baptism and risen to a new life to focus on and “to seek those things which are above.”

St. Augustine, who was baptized by St. Ambrose (local Catholic good-to-know spiritual trivia), got stuck, distracted by the scenery, and forgot about the destination. But all good things in the world point to The Creator. Our hearts will be restless until we rest in Him. We are born with a God-sized hole that can only be filled by God. Innately we know this and these readings are a needed reminder!

Check priorities; do not be anxious about our departure. Be rich in things that matter the most. Think about things above…

Powerful readings below; powerful sermon! Thank you Pastor Michael!

First Reading:

Ecclesiastes 1:1-4: “The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem. Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity. What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun? One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth for ever.”

Ecclesiastes 2:21-23: “For there is a man whose labour is in wisdom, and in knowledge, and in equity; yet to a man that hath not laboured therein shall he leave it for his portion. This also is vanity and a great evil. For what hath man of all his labour, and of the vexation of his heart, wherein he hath laboured under the sun? For all his days are sorrows, and his travail grief; yea, his heart taketh not rest in the night. This is also vanity.”

Second Reading:

Colossians 3:1-4: “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.”

Colossians 3:10-11: “And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.”

Gospel Reading:

Luke 12:13-21: “And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me. And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you?

And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.

And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: and he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.

But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”

(Andy Reistetter; Facebook Post with 30 Pics; 8-9-19)

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St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Lee Center outside Rome, New York has always been a special spiritual place for me to visit! My sister Chris married Bill, a farmer from Lee Center, when I was in junior high school. I loved the trips up to the farm with Mom & Dad. Long talks in the barn with Bill while milking the cows, cleaning out the calf pen, and driving/riding the lawn mower cutting grass are all favorite childhood memories of mine!

Going to church at St. Joseph’s has always been a spiritual experience for me from teenager, to adult, to now older adult. St. Joseph’s is now canonically linked to St. Paul’s in Rome. In fact the Syracuse Diocese, all of 7 counties, over 100 parishes, nearly 250,000 Catholics includes my childhood, hometown parish of the Church of Saints Cyril & Methodius. Attending St. Joseph’s with other Christians, family, with my sister is extra special and meaningful. This Sunday was no different!

My Mom knew the Lord and shared her faith with me!

Father Destito presided over the mass while Rev. Bob Kelly gave the sermon. His sermon focused on the power of prayer; intercessory prayer like Abraham’s Prayer for Sodom in Genesis in the Old Testament to the Lord’s Prayer—Our Father found in the Gospel of Luke in the New Testament. Mom always told me and showed me that the Lord’s Prayer was the perfect prayer in that mercy and forgiveness is the best way of life!

“Today’s Gospel is not simply a prayer text (although it has become one) or a formula for praying. It’s an invitation to engage God in an ongoing conversation—and invitation that comes with Jesus’ assurance that we can come to God with all our doubts and fears and questions, without feeling that we have failed God or that our faith is empty. All prayer begins with realizing the loving presence of God in our lives—a love that is a mystery in itself—and expressing gratitude for that presence. And all prayer is sustained by trust in that love, trust that enables us to “ask and seek and knock” with all our questions and doubts and wonders.

If we are persistent in our prayers God will hear us. Watch your ‘phraseology,’ don’t use the Lord’s name in vain.

How do we know prayer is powerful? From the Second Reading which included “You were buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead.” Colossians 2:!2

“And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.” Luke 11:9

Walk by faith; seek God; don’t lose heart; and be persistent. Jewish tradition holds that each generation endures because of and for 36 righteous people. They keep the reality of the world from coming apart at the seams. Look for opportunities to do good to make His Kingdom come!

For this we pray including prayers and blessings for Bishop-Elect Douglas J. Lucia…

The Gospel Reading included the Lord’s Prayer:

“And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.” Luke 11:2-4

The First Reading was from Genesis—Abraham’s Prayer for Sodom.

Like Mom, like Sister! Alleluia!

22 As the men turned and walked on toward Sodom, Abraham remained standing before the Lord. 23 Then Abraham drew near and said: “Will you really sweep away the righteous with the wicked? 24 Suppose there were fifty righteous people in the city; would you really sweep away and not spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous people within it? 25 Far be it from you to do such a thing, to kill the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous and the wicked are treated alike! Far be it from you! Should not the judge of all the world do what is just?” 26 The Lord replied: If I find fifty righteous people in the city of Sodom, I will spare the whole place for their sake.

27 Abraham spoke up again: “See how I am presuming to speak to my Lord, though I am only dust and ashes! 28 What if there are five less than fifty righteous people? Will you destroy the whole city because of those five?” I will not destroy it, he answered, if I find forty-five there. 29 But Abraham persisted, saying, “What if only forty are found there?” He replied: I will refrain from doing it for the sake of the forty. 30 Then he said, “Do not let my Lord be angry if I go on. What if only thirty are found there?” He replied: I will refrain from doing it if I can find thirty there. 31 Abraham went on, “Since I have thus presumed to speak to my Lord, what if there are no more than twenty?” I will not destroy it, he answered, for the sake of the twenty. 32 But he persisted: “Please, do not let my Lord be angry if I speak up this last time. What if ten are found there?” For the sake of the ten, he replied, I will not destroy it. Genesis 18:22-32

I attended and participated in the 10 am Worship Service at Family Life Church in Vestal with my friend Lisa Bennett-Fish and her mother Joyce!

In front of the worship space, up above is a beautiful marble cross spanning a window overhead to the outside world. Down below is an as-large-as-life backdrop of the Empty Tomb, signifying Jesus’ Resurrection, which gives us the grace to go inside to find the light in each one of us. One could feel The Holy Spirit come upon this gathering of worshipers of Jesus Christ!

An early prayer with the words “for the rest of our lives” brought immediate joy and gratitude, in the name of Jesus, to this worshiper. Family Life Church is another unique and powerful setting where one knows that The Holy Spirit is alive in the Valley of the Spirit!

The melody of the song seemed to gracefully go on forever. Shouldn’t we all pause and sing of our blessings from God forever and ever? Yes, Jesus loves me for The Bible tells me so… unconditionally… without judgment… seek and one will find!

The reality, as the music minister reminded us, is that the love coming from others, even family, Moms and Dads, brothers and sisters, and friends; the love we have for ourselves, even in the humblest and most well-deserved sense, does not match the love we have available to us from Jesus, The Holy Spirit and God.

Why then isn’t that our priority in life and letting go of all things that separate us from a relationship with Jesus, The Holy Spirit, and God?

Romans 8:38-39: “For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor present things, nor future things, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

That is comforting to know as there are times in my life when I am headed in the opposite direction, yet there is forgiveness and a hearty welcome home whenever I turn and face the light again!

Romans 10:17: “Thus faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the Word of Christ.”

God’s power to change us and the world is unlimited! There is hope, there are miracles available to each and every one of us!

The God of Abraham, Issac & Jacob is the God of Us, right now is our time in history, in life! Sometimes we turn outward to the materialism of our world but more so often The Holy Spirit turns us inward to the soul of Jesus, The Holy Spirit, and God, our soul within.

“Get out of your skin and into Him,” was a phrase I heard for the first time this morning!

And the Word of Christ, The Holy Spirit, and God was heard before, during, and after Pastor Joe Coudriet’s sermon!

SOUL Priority… We are spirit… we live in a body as a soul communicates to us and through us…

John 8:36: “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.”

Boundaries, baggage, and insuring love is present within self and outside to insure boundaries do not become barricades. We have to be careful about what we love—is it Jesus, life itself or some other material things? We don’t want to become a pillar of salt like Lot’s wife when she looked back seeing all the material things that she valued in life being destroyed.

Genesis 19:26 “But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.”

In Romans Chapter 12 God has made a way, given us a road map, an instruction book to live a human life as he designed! We must create boundaries with love to insure that they don’t become barricades. Prepare our hearts in prayer for peaceful resolutions of conflict. Except for an actively abusive relationship, where one needs to withdraw immediately and go to a safe place to be separated by distance and time needed to heal.

Romans 12:9: “Let love be sincere; hate what is evil, hold on to what is good.”

Romans 12:14: “Bless those who persecute you, bless and do not curse them.”

Romans 12:17: “Do not repay anyone evil for evil; be concerned for what is noble in the sight of all.”

Romans 12:18: “If possible, on your part, live at peace with all.”

Romans 12:21: “Do not be conquered by evil but conquer evil with good.”

Bottom line is to seek what God wants us to seek and not what we want! Focus our expectations on Eternity! Instead of being purely reactive, utilize the Bible to resolve differences:

Matthew 18:15: “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone…”

Today was Pastor Joe’s 60th birthday! His son-in-love delivered a moving tribute like no other I have witnessed. After the service there was a Fun Day for kids of all ages!

The mission of Family Life Church is to lead people into a real relationship with Jesus Christ as we glorify God, grow together and give to others… and from my experience that is exactly what they are doing!

(Andy Reistetter; 7/22/19; Facebook Post with 25 Pics)

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Another glorious Worship Sunday in the Valleys of Spiritual Growth! This time I headed ‘south’ down through the Susquehanna Valley to Montrose and attended the 10:45 am Worship Service at the Bridgewater Church! ‘South’ because the Susquehanna River flows West to East near Binghamton but takes a huge bend southward upstream at Afton to Great Bend, PA (imagine how that town got its name!) not far from Montrose, PA where the Bridgewater Church started and has grown to 5 locations in the Southern Tier of Pennsylvania and New York!

Located in the ‘Endless Mountains’ of Northeast Pennsylvania they appear endless from the scenic spot where the Bridgewater Montrose Church is located. Though not endless, they appear to be as they lead one to the Delaware River and beyond to the Catskill Mountains. Like this experience worshiping, the Spiritual Growth of the Valleys of the Chenango & Susquehanna Rivers is indeed endless, Scripture-wise, time-wise, and inward-wise leading us to a growing, loving, intimate, spiritual relationship with Jesus, The Holy Spirit, and God!

Other than its location in the Valleys of Spiritual Growth I was attracted to Bridgewater for the Kickoff Sunday of their Psalms and Proverbs Series called ‘Summer in the Psalms.’ Which is, coincidentally or not, where I am in my Biblical Review and research for the spiritual book I am writing as part of TROML 2020. TROML Baby (an exclamation of JOY)!!!

This was no coincidence. What a powerful spiritual experience it is to worship at Bridgewater Montrose Church!

Montrose Campus Pastor Bob Kadlecik immediately drew us into his ‘Worship by Design’ sermon with familiar commercial slogans that we all knew… Give me a break (Kit Kat; I wish I was… (Oscar Mayer Weiner); I don’t want to grow up (Toys R Us but they are no longer) Plop, plop, fizz, fizz (Alka Seltzer); I like to teach the world to sing… (Coke); and You deserve a break today (McDonald’s and two all beef patties, special sauce…).. We try to forget those ‘ear-worms’ but cannot.

Music is powerful as it connects to our mind and emotions simultaneously and is a way to praise God! Bionically music goes all the way back to a young shepherd David playing the harp for King Saul.

Pastor Bob’s first point is that worship is in our DNA; is in God’s design of us and human life. We have desires and look for satisfaction. But there are spiritual desires that have no physical satisfaction. As my Dad would say in his later years: “Everything is temporary!”

Ecclesiastes Chapter 3 speaks about there being an “appointed time for everything” (3:1) and that we will find no permanence in this world: “All came from the dust and all return to the dust.” (3:20).

The point being we need to first worship the right things!

“Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.” (Psalm 95:1-2)

Pastor Bob’s second point was that Worship is a whole life experience to God’s greatness!

“Enter, let us bow down in worship; let us kneel before the Lord who made us. For he is our God, we are the people he shepherds, the flock under his care.” (Psalm 95:6-7)

“For the Lord is the great God, the great king over all gods.” (Psalm 95:3)

Pastor Bob shared another perspective from C.S. Lewis (who incidentally died on November 22, 1963, the same day President Kennedy was shot and killed): “Where men are forbidden to honour a king they honour millionaires, athletes, or film-stars instead: even famous prostitutes or gangsters. For spiritual nature, like bodily nature, will be served; deny it food and it will gobble poison.”

“One thing I ask from the Lord; this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord’ all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to see him in his temple.” (Psalm 27:4)

All the days of my life… The Rest of My Life… T—R—O—M—L… TROML Baby (an exclamation of JOY)!!!

Final thought was that Christianity is counterculture to the secular, material-driven world… our faith should be personal, but not private…

PS: You gotta love a church community that has a Tebow jersey and Notre Dame sports memorbillia in the men’s room… and slices of watermelon going into and out of church!

(Andy Reistetter; 7/8/19; Facebook Post with 30 Pics)

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In honor of God, Country, and Family… this sermon keeps it all in perspective! Happy Independence Day! Freedom, TROML Baby, Freedom; let Freedom ring inside & out! (Andy Reistetter; 7/10/19; Facebook Updates Cover Photo)

CLICK HERE for Sermon by David W. Peters

WOW, not sure I have ever seen a parade like that! Such a great American Spirit in Montrose, PA! Fun time with my friend Marie, aka Ellen Ruspantini Jackson, BCHS Reunion Chairwoman and like 10,000 other Patriots! Happy 4th of July fellow Americans! USA, USA, USA!!! So blessed to be an American! TROML Baby (an exclamation of JOY)!!! (Andy Reistetter; 7/4/19; Facebook Post with 30 Pics)

Independence Day, the Fourth of July) is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the Declaration of Independence of the United States on July 4, 1776. The Continental Congress declared that the thirteen American colonies were no longer subject (and subordinate) to the monarch of Britain and were now united, free, and independent states.

“The second day of July 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more.”—John Adams writing to his wife Abigail:.

Adams’s prediction was off by two days. From the outset, Americans celebrated independence on July 4, the date shown on the much-publicized Declaration of Independence, rather than on July 2, the date the resolution of independence was approved in a closed session of Congress.

By a remarkable coincidence, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, the only two signers of the Declaration of Independence later to serve as Presidents of the United States, both died on the same day: July 4, 1826, which was the 50th anniversary of the Declaration. 

Although not a signer of the Declaration of Independence, James Monroe, another Founding Father who was elected as President, also died on July 4, 1831. He was the third President who died on the anniversary of independence. Calvin Coolidge, the 30th President, was born on July 4, 1872; so far he is the only U.S. President to have been born on Independence Day.

Happy Birthday America!
Thank you Wikipedia!

(Andy Reistetter; 7/3/19; Facebook Post with Updated Cover Photo)

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Drawn to drive 35 miles north up the Spiritual Valley of the Chenango River to attend a Morning Prayer Service at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church… in my first book I attributed the love, grace, and spirit of my mother to the gentle current & flow of water in the Chenango River…

Powerful message of FREEDOM, true spiritual freedom, given in service by Bill (Prayer Leader) and Diane (Music Leader)… Readings, Gospel and sermon by David W. Peters read by Bill… see link below… YES, we define freedom in America by our country’s journey via the Revolutionary War to freedom and we all know and realize in the world past, present, and hopefully not the future that freedom is not free… our daughters, sons, sisters, brothers, mothers, and fathers gave their lives and other heroes many, many, many years of service… grateful to be an American and celebrate this 4th of July…

Also know and realize that there is a Spiritual FREEDOM that birthed our country and predates even Biblical Times as God has always sought to make us free mainly from ourselves… just like each of us, this is a beautiful church from the outside and even more glorious once you go inside and get to know oneself and others…

Chandeliers in church are pre-Revolutionary War and from St. George’s Chapel in MYC… for the record there were 12 of us worshiping together… with gratitude to Rev. Peters, Paul, Diane, Roberta & the wonderful lady who welcomed me coming and going; my friends in Christ and in the Valley of Spiritual Growth! TROML Baby (an exclamation of JOY)!!!

2 Kings 2:9-10: When they had crossed over, Elijah said to Elisha, “Request whatever I might do for you, before I am taken from you.” Elisha answered, “May I receive a double portion of your spirit.” He replied, “You have asked something that is not easy. Still, if you see me taken up from you, your wish will be granted; otherwise not.”

Galatians 5:1 The Importance of Faith. “For freedom Christ set us free; so stand firm and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery.”

Galatians 5:16-25 “I say, then: live by the Spirit and you will certainly not gratify the desire of the flesh. For the flesh has desires against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you may not do what you want. But if you are guided by the Spirit, you are not under the law… the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified their flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also follow the Spirit…

CLICK HERE for Sermon by David W. Peters

(Andy Reistetter; 6/3-/19; Facebook Post with 30 Pics)

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