Arriving at the Preacher’s Pen

Posted by Chris Gallagher on Dec 31, 2008 in Uncategorized | 0 comments

After having this website for a couple years now, I found it interesting to look at how people were arriving at the Preacher’s Pen website. So, with that in mind, some of the searches people have done and arrived at the Preacher’s Pen:

1. A search for “chris gallagher.” – I thought it was an awesome choice for a search, but now I am paranoid about who is looking for “chris gallagher.”
2. A search for “waste time sermon.” – Oh how I would love to know what this person is looking for.
3. A search for “New Year sermons by Assemblies of God preachers.” – Well, I finally made someone’s list.
4. A search for “do not take care of the preacher.” – I wonder if there search was a positive thing or a negative thing.
5. A search for “esv Study Bible review.” — That search was bought hundreds of hits if not thousands since the posting of that article. Search for it and give it a read.

With those searches and topics finding their way to the Preacher’s Pen, I wonder what is set for this year? Only God knows!

Because of HIM,

Chris

Monday Morning Blues

Posted by Chris Gallagher on Dec 29, 2008 in Uncategorized | 1 comment

This is a promotional clip of Nazareth. An excellent comedian with a good message.

Enjoy!

Hope you enjoyed!

Chris

Guest Blogger — Jamie Gilliam

Posted by Chris Gallagher on Dec 24, 2008 in Uncategorized | 0 comments

His Eye is on the Sparrow

by Jamie Gilliam

“Look at the birds in the sky! They don’t plant or harvest. They don’t even store grain in barns. Yet your Father in heaven takes care of them. Aren’t you worth more than birds?” – Matthew 6:26

As I sit at my parent’s breakfast table this morning, I can’t help but think of the hymn “His Eye Is On The Sparrow.” I griped nearly every day last week about the cold rain that we were getting here for what seemed like eight or nine days without any sunshine. It turned my parent’s backyard into a bit of a muddy mess around their patio and prompted my dad to go and buy some straw to spread around to help cut down on the mud tracked in by the dogs.

I watch this morning as bird after bird flies down into that straw and picks out the seeds and flies away. A male and female cardinal, doves, wrens even a blue jay and an old crow have come down to eat breakfast with me. It is a clear reminder that not only is God taking care of his smallest creatures but He will take care of me and all of us too.
If it had not rained so much, there would not have been the need to put the straw down. Without the straw, I would not have gotten the encouragement I got this morning in this hard time for me. God is taking good care of me through this difficult time. He’s keeping his arms wrapped around me and working in me to help me overcome losing Leah. He knew I needed a boost this morning going through the holiday and He delivered for me.

My prayer is for everyone to have a Merry Christmas and try to take a minute to slow down, look for the small things going on around you that you might miss and remember the real meaning of Christmas. Also take an extra minute and get an extra hug from that loved one because you never know if they will be here next Christmas or not.

Why should I feel discouraged?
Why should the shadows come?
Why should my heart be lonely
and long for heaven and home,
When Jesus is my portion?
My constant friend is he:
His eye is on the sparrow,
and I know he watches me.

I sing because I’m happy,
I sing because I’m free,
for his eye is on the sparrow,
and I know he watches me.

__________________________________________________________

Thanks Jamie!

Chris

Monday Morning Blues Repeat

Posted by Chris Gallagher on Dec 22, 2008 in Uncategorized | 0 comments

I decided after various YouTube postings of various comedians and clips, I decided to post one of my favorite moments of this year. This is a video of my son Caleb and my brother Aaron. Over Thanksgiving, Aaron began blowing bubbles with gum and Caleb found popping them to be hilarious. Enjoy!

Thanks for stopping by!

Chris

Past Post – The Ripples that Never End

Posted by Chris Gallagher on Dec 19, 2008 in Uncategorized | 4 comments

This post was written two years ago when I started this blog and I still get comments about it. While I am glad I wrote it, I am troubled by the memories it brings. God has been gracious to us and His blessings and comfort always take control.

Enjoy!

_____________________________________________________________

I remember as a child standing on the dock of the local reservoir throwing rocks as far as I can only to see them hit the water a few yards from shore and the ripples nudging the shore at my feet. This is the image cast in the eyes of a toddler only to be replayed time and time again after feeling the devastating effects of adultery.

They are ripples. While the ripples never seem to travel far; they travel as long as the family tree roots deep in the earth and the branches continually reach toward the heavens. Adultery devastates and divorce crushes the heart of a child like a hammer missing the nail and hitting an innocent finger. The ripples continue as they make their way to the shore.

Remember, even though the ripples hit the shore, they never stop; they reverse backward to the other side of the body of water only to travel in reverse to repeat the process. The effects continue from that one small child throwing a rock as far as he could.

Ripples of adultery are the devastating blows to which each generations seeks to avoid and remove from their lives, but it is a part of the deep rooted family tree no matter how hard it is remove our thoughts from the bad, it still effects us.

Are you feeling the ripples of the adulterous actions of someone else? Are you feeling the ripples created by the rock you have thrown (aka – the choice you made)? Where can you go but to  the Father in sincere heart crushing and bone breaking prayers pouring your ardent desires and repentance to the feet of a Father through the mediation of a Son who has experienced tough situations but prevailed? It is the Spirit who brings those many requests upon his shoulders as he pleads our case, and takes our words and brings them into what they should be. Pray!

But what about those innocent parties in the midst of the a crushing blow which transformed their lives into a picture of what problems and undealt situations will bring, to what used to be a portrait of an American family? Those teary eyes seek the justice of the Father, while bringing the names and lives of those who crushed their hearts and tore their emotions to the breaking point. It is those innocent children, spouses, parents, grandparents, friends and others who hit their knees every night in prayer. Without them, the ripples would crush the seashore with unyielding power and travel harder and faster as they reversed to reach the other side.

I have often wondered in the powerful statements made by Christ regarding the relationship of marriage as well as the growing words of the apostle Paul, but understanding a married couple’s relationship to the Father and the oneness that follows is part of protecting the negative ripple effect and creating a positive effect which adds momentum to already growing ripples originating with the tender touch of the Savior as he lives in our hearts.

How do you create positive ripples in the lives of those around you? Throw a rock, not a literal rock, even though that might help with stubborn people, but a BIG ROCK?

1. Tell your spouse you love them in front of your children! Your children need to hear, see and know this on a daily basis.
2. Post pictures of you and your spouse throughout the house to remind everyone who enters to whose house this is.
3. Talk daily! Whether cell phones, email, cards, instant messaging, or even WORDS talk daily.
4. Keep being attractive! As one preacher said, “If the barn needs painting, paint it.  And I will leave it at that.”
5. Pray for your spouse in private!
6. Involve your children in hugs! A hug a day might keep dysfunction away.
7. Have intimate moments! uh….you know; and not just the act of …uh…ya know.
8. Pray daily! Enough said.
9. Attend services together! Enough said part 2
10. Keep God first! Big enough said.

Just some thoughts from that little toddler all grown up and dealing with the ripples of life brought by the rocks of others.

A while ago someone threw a rock of devastating turmoil into the life of my family and it caused some crushing blows and broken bones, but we will endure. The perseverance is tough, but the benefits are strong. Never have my brothers and my sister and I been closer than we are now. Our road is well paved with the blessing of a tremendous Heavenly Father.

In case you are wondering, yes, I am a child of divorce. At 32 years of age I never thought I would be at this point, but someone had to throw a rock not knowing the ripples of this decision would have ripples for generations to come.  The ripples have come and gone, but they will be back again and we will persevere! We are strong and powerful in the world because we have someone who went before us to secure an everlasting path if we will trust in him.

The road began a year and a half ago and it is getting better each day because we do all we can do and let God do the rest!

I ask that you pray. I ask you to pray for one member of our family in particular. This person needs it tonight, tomorrow and the day after..her name is mom.

Sorry to ramble, but it was on my mind. If you want some scriptures to accompany what I said begin in Genesis and continue to Revelation and write some down….they are there somewhere.

God bless,

Gallagher