Tomorrow is Already Hard

Posted by Chris Gallagher on Apr 29, 2008 in Uncategorized | 6 comments

Tonight I write to you from a hotel room in Canton, Ohio after many hours on the road considering what I will say tomorrow. My mind is filled with so many thoughts, volumes of books would do well to contain them. While the thoughts of our family is saddened by the passing of Frances D. Graber (Carrie’s grandmother), we rejoice in the knowledge she was a Christian and she is now in a glorious place awaiting the saved who are still here.

Frances D. Graber, known as ‘Nan’, was a testament to right living. Her life was not her own, but it was lived for everyone around her. Nan spent her life looking out the the interests of everyone she met. Her heart was as big as those in Hebrews 11, but she would never tell you. She never bragged, except on her family. She never told stories to make herself look good, because she knew Jesus. Jesus lived a selfless life so Nan could have an opportunity to walk in his steps and reach that heavenly home one day. Nan was a Christian and her life told her story and it lives now in the hearts and souls of those she touched.

While I had a hard time holding back tears at Mondays service in Summerville, SC and I will have a difficult time  holding more tears tomorrow, it will be much easier because Nan was a child of the Father! So, to my grandmother-in-law, Nan Graber, I do not say ‘Goodbye” for I will see you again; I say to you “see you later!”

“You collect my tears in your bottle, you write them down in your journal.” (Psalm 56.8; thanks Greg!)

Nan Graber

Posted by Chris Gallagher on Apr 26, 2008 in Uncategorized | 2 comments

When I first met Nan, it was during the grandma shuffle of 1996 in Jacksonville, Florida. Even thought my 5’9″ frame towered over this 5’1″ grandmother, my heart would never touch hers. Her life was spent in services to others. Anyone who came in touch with her was a better person because of her. Tonight, as my children are sleeping, their great-grandmother left this life and entered the realm of paradise for which she longed.

You see, Nan was my grandmother-in-law; better put my wife’s grandmother. She had become ill over the past week but now she is made well in Abraham’s bosom. I imagine her walking up to Abraham and asking, “Okay, whatcha need me to do?” She was always ready for anything to come her way and she wanted to reach out a hand and help whoever she could.

I am saddened tonight for my wife, Carrie. Carrie is as strong a person as you can imagine; after all she does put up with me. But her strength is genuine, because of her grandmother. Carrie will weep, but she knows her grandmother is safe and the sickness is no more. Carrie, my Carolina Cutie, if you happen to read this, “I love you!”

I tear up for my children, Alexis, Emma and Caleb. They know Nan, but they will never experience the late night chats with coffee around the holidays as we have. But they will always look forward to the day in which they run past Abraham to squeeze he neck of their grandmother. To the greatest children in the world — I love you!

I weep for the other family members because they will miss her too. Nan was unlike any person I have ever met. Every family member told her to write a book, but she disliked the computer and chasing the mouse around. Maybe one day, the book about her will be written and I am sure it will be great.

I will write more later, it is 1:37 am and my wife is coming home.

Pray! Be assured Nan was a Christian, she obeyed the gospel at the age of 88! I pray and hope you will meet her again!

An Interesting Day at the Gym

Posted by Chris Gallagher on Apr 23, 2008 in Uncategorized | 4 comments

Monday I entered the YMCA to finish my last week of workout before I cancel my membership due to rising costs. The monetary cost of driving to the YMCA is rising and the time cost of driving to workout is rising as well. As things get busier, certain things must be cut. After discussions with Carrie, we decided to cut out the expense of the YMCA and do some exercises at home; even riding our bikes with the children. I think it will be a great change, even thought I will journey back to the YMCA every now and then for a game of basketball.

Okay, here is the interesting part…

As I was working out Monday I felt something sliding around inside my shoe and thought it was a part of my sock or my foot falling asleep. After five minutes of feeling this in my shoe, I stomped my foot and stretched my foot on the floor and the weird feeling quit.

After I finished the grueling part of my workout was over, I checked my shoe. Below is a picture of my shoe.

If you cannot figure out what it is, let me put it this way, my shoes were put in the garage on Saturday night after a day spent outside. I never touched the shoes again until Monday morning when I put them on to go to the YMCA.

What is in my shoe?

You might be able to tell and you might not, but a cricket made his home in my shoe. Yeah, that was a cricket running around in my shoe during my workout and my stomping finally smashed him in my shoe.

Gross! Oh well, another interesting day in the life of a Gallagher.

(This post was dedicated to the Blog-Bug-Prophet!)

Sermon Notes from a 7 Year Old

Posted by Chris Gallagher on Apr 22, 2008 in Uncategorized | 4 comments

Below are pictures are from the notebook of a seven (7) year old little girl who took these notes while I delivered a lesson a couple weeks ago on “How to Convert Others.” You can click on the pictures to enlarge them for better viewing.

I know many preachers, including myself, encourage members to take notes on the topic being discussed so they can have a better recall later in the week.

Enjoy the pictures!

By the way, these notes are from my daughter, Alexis. She took these without being told. Since I have noticed this, she takes an active part in assisting me with my PowerPoint Presentations.

This was another proud daddy moment!

A Church Service in a Bar

Posted by Chris Gallagher on Apr 21, 2008 in Uncategorized | 3 comments

Before you begin to read more of my random thoughts, read this article first:

New Ohio Church Holds Service in Bar to Reach People

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Okay, what are your thoughts? When I first read the title of the article, I thought it sounded like a wonderful idea of taking advantage of a great opportunity. But…as I read a little more I began to become confused by some of the things mentioned:

• “Beer on tap”
• “Top regional bands, pizza, wings, rowdy fun & a short message.”

While it is my opinion to take the gospel to everyplace people gather, I might question the wisdom of their choices. I am not sure I want the hearers to have a large quantity of beer available (even though the sermon go be better). I want their attention and focus on the word spoken, not if the beer tastes great or is less filling.

A very wise person told me, “whatever you bring them in with, you have to keep them their with it.” While the statement may seem tough at first, there is a great truth in those little words. I wonder if those people will continue to come once the “top regional bands, pizza, wings rowdy fun and a short message” is gone.

Now I would have like to have been there (not for the beer) to hear the message relating to the illustration of the mechanical bull and how to get along in life. I believe I might have got something out of that message.

So, what do you think? My mind continually races with thoughts of agreement and disagreement; so help me out.

Just a thought…