2020 | The Preacher's Pen

A Few Wednesday Thoughts

The video below is part of the message I delivered to the congregation on Wednesday Night. The message contains updates about the happenings of our congregation, but it also includes five points to consider on not giving up.

Since March 2020, many congregations have been dealing with the effects of the Coronavirus or COVID-19. It has been challenging for eldership to make the proper decisions relating to meeting or not meeting. Some congregations continued to meet, others went to an online or virtual service, and some went to parking lot services using an FM transmitter.

Each congregation chose the means necessary for the physical safety of their membership. The decisions were challenging. I know of elderships who stressed over the decisions and still do this day. The decisions were met with prayer for the proper decision and the effects it might have on the congregation.

While the elders were making tough decisions, the members were trying to decide how to keep in touch with one another while still maintaining the social distancing guidelines. Each state had their own social distancing guidelines and the federal government was busy adding suggestions. The guidelines meant smaller groups for some congregations and closed doors for others.

As our congregation has used virtual meetings and we also met back when able, However, because of an increase in local cases, along with members coming into contact with those effected by the Coronavirus/COVID-19, our elders have canceled our in-person meetings and go to an online, all-virtual format.

In these uncertain times, allow me a moment to share with you a few reminders:

- The early church struggled through various physical persecutions and made it. We can make it through this too.
- The church, throughout generations, has been met with great difficulties, yet it continues to grow and meet.
- The church building is a building and it will be there when we get back to normal meeting times.
- The members of the church should use technology to keep up with one another during this time.
- It is important to maintain your Sunday and Wednesday routine to take advantage of online services.
- Spend time in prayer daily.
- Technology is a useful tool which can be used by members of the to continue to encourage and “fellowship.”

It is my hope that this video brought you motivation in this uncertain time. May each one of us continue to walk in the faith and find ourselves in the love of God.

Just my thoughts,

A Letter to My Friends

Friends,

Today I wrote out of frustration. I write because I am disappointed, discouraged and yet, challenged, by the mystery that is our country.

This year has been truly daunting. It started well, but then came the Covid-19 crisis, the murder hornets, wildfires, lockdowns, debates on mask wearing and now a volatile election. Who knows what the next few months will bring, but I see greatness ahead.

Many times, it takes much darkness to shine a light. Through the darkness there is always a beacon of hope. Hope that tomorrow will be better than the previous days. This hope, this attainable hope, is ready and willing to create a lasting impact on our lives than it has ever done so before.

Today, even though times are hard, I write as a hopeful man. I write because I know the best times still lay before us. We must have our valleys to bring about a mountaintop experience. It will be a climb. We will have to dig in our footing, examine the path ahead, adjust our holds, dig in again and all the while, keeping our focus on the pinnacle.

It will be hard. It will be scary. It will be terrifying.

But you know what, we can do this.

The hardest times of our lives are not what we let others do to us, but what we allow to happen to us. It is time now that we pick ourselves up by the bootstraps, tighten our belts and prepare for the way ahead.

I am asking you today to take a step in the right direction.

Let us be honest, the right direction will not be easy, but it will be worth it.

Later this year, I will unveil a plan for 2021 and beyond. Yes, beyond. As Buzz Lightyear would say, “to infinity and beyond.” We must be forward thinking, and we can take the steps now for a greater tomorrow.

I admit, I have felt 2020 like I was stepping barefoot on a Lego but is it time to move beyond the year and get to work.

I want to surround myself with those who are willing to move in the right direction. I do not want multitudes of people milling about, but people willing to grow.

I want to surround myself with people willing to support each other based on a common bond of decency and respect. Our support will take each other through the valleys and ascending to the mountaintops.

I want to surround myself with people willing to challenge each other, but not leave each other alone. Each challenge presented with me met with the support we all need.

I want to surround myself with people who want to get better. Moving in the right direction is good, but getting better is…. better. The actions of movement in the right direction will create better days today for a better life tomorrow.

I want to surround myself with people who want others to do well. We need to compliment three times more than we criticize. We need to encourage more that we see the negative.

I want to surround myself with people willing to make a sacrifice for the good. It might be a sacrifice of time, of finances, or of self. Our desire to improve each other must rise to the occasion.

I want to surround myself with people who want to bring their families into greater success… physically, mentally, and spiritually. Not parents teaching the same things, but teaching greater things.

I want to surround myself with people who want to learn from the mistakes and create successes despite the past. The past is behind us for a reason. It is time to step up and move forward.

I want to surround myself with excellent people.

So, where do we begin and what do we do? Honestly, where do we go?

First, we must look within ourselves and see if we are ready. Are you discouraged right now? Are you ready for a change? Are you ready to move forward despite the circumstances? If so, you might be ready.

Second, be ready to get your family ready. Remember, you are leaving legacy every day as they see you walk and talk. Be the shining light of hope they need to see. Let them see their future is bright. Let us be sure we are leaving them with opportunities, desire, and hope.

Third, we need to be ready to support each other. We need to pray for each other. We need to encourage each other when you find the opportunity. We need to support each other’s business if they have one. Support one another and build one another.

Fourth, get ready to work. Take, at a minimum, 30 minutes each day to work on principles to be better. Find your strengths and begin working within your strengths to create a better you.

Remember, the greatest times are ahead. We have a bright future and a powerful hope. Let us go get it.

So, what next?

Over the next two months, I plan to focus on a few areas that I know are needed among the people. This focus will be based on Four Pillars—God, Family, Work, and Service.

Each Pillar can stand on their own, but together, they add strength and stability. With all four together, there is an unstoppable path ahead. But first, we must look to each pillar to find its meaning.

I want to build off the four pillars each week and begin creating a community of people seeking the great and not the mediocre. This will be hard, but the hardest parts can reap the greatest benefits.

Together, with whoever wants to make the journey, we can do this. We will make it successful, fun, rewarding and a way to bless others in our lives.

I am ready.

Let me know if you want to get on the journey.

Just some thoughts,

A Preacher’s Pen Update

Yesterday was the first newsletter sent out as the REBOOT of the Preacher’s Pen Email Newsletter. It told the story of the Preacher’s Pen, the happenings over the lifetime of this site and the plans for the near future.

The newsletter was sent only to subscribers. They could get a first look at the newsletter and the article below. If you would like to sign up for the newsletter, you can do so below.

Being part of the newsletter list gives you a first look at upcoming articles and resources. Occasionally, there might be some news that would be interest you. Sign up today and enjoy growing together.

Below is the update that was sent yesterday.

Take a moment and see what is coming up on the Preacher’s Pen website.

Future newsletters, unless there is a “Special Edition” will only be sent to the subscriber list. If you want to be able to have the first look at future emails, sign up today.

The newsletter is emailed out every Tuesday. It contains articles, links, and other information to assist you in your spiritual growth. It will even contain highlights of the week from the Preacher’s Pen.

It is our desire to assist others in creating better days today for a better life tomorrow, based on the teachings of Jesus Christ.

Sign up for the Newsletter

Here is yesterday’s email newsletter:

Welcome to the REBOOT of the Preacher’s Pen! I am glad you joined us on the new and hopefully improved version of this newsletter and the website.

As this REBOOT begins, I want to take you back to the beginnings of the Preacher’s Pen as I hit the reset button.

Remember 2005?

2005 seems so far away. In fact, because of the Covid-19 events, January 2020 seem so far away. Time and personal experience make years seem distant. I am told, as you get older, time seems to pass more quickly.

In 2005, the Preacher’s Pen website really began. It started as an experiment on our family website. It was a short blog on ministry and becoming better. It was a blog before the blog term became a popular word. The 2005 version was just a few brief articles based on a weekly email I was sending out to my subscriber list.

Exciting Times

In 2006, the Preacher’s Pen took a new turn with a new set of goals. In the fall of 2005, my family and I moved to a new state to work with a new congregation. Instead of being a series of articles from a newsletter, it became a ministry journey.

As our new journey began, I wrote about what it was like to work with a new congregation. There was not a church building and we met in a local hotel conference room. I had no official office but a small workspace at home and a truck.

It was a fun journey. Many never “had church” without a church building and the idea intrigued them. Others had never been part of a congregation that was “brand new,” especially when there was no split. Those who stayed in touch with the blog got to see the inner workings, the struggles, and the joys of ministry in a new place, at a new time and with a new congregation.

Fast forward a few years to 2008. I woke up one morning, checked my email and then went over to post something to the blog and it was………. gone. All gone. Overnight, the website disappeared. The weird part was the backups even disappeared. The weekly backups that were happening on the site…… gone.

After a round of phone calls to my web hosting company, there was nothing I could do. It was all gone.

Back to the Beginning

After a week of trying to find the website, it was never coming back. Whatever catastrophic event happened took everything. The web-hosting company had nothing on their servers, not even a backup. So, the website started again.

It took a few months, but the articles were being posted again, but this time a bunch of other resources were being posted at the same time. There were eBooks, study guides, Bible Class material, sermon outlines, audios and more.

During this time, the website grew. The newsletter was blossoming every week. I established a phone number to keep up with the number of requests coming in from different places. Requests for CDs, sermon outlines and more became a weekly responsibility on top of a growing ministry.

Opportunity Knocks

During the second start of the Preacher’s Pen, many opportunities became present. Opportunities to go overseas, help others raise funds for mission work, spend monies in the local community and speak in a variety of places, including a couple public schools.

An overseas trip led to opportunities to speak in schools regarding serving others in a foreign land. As those opportunities grew, I needed another avenue to ensure the opportunity for continued. With that idea, I began a motivational speaking website. This would enable me to be classified as a motivational speaker to get into schools, and many other places.

This opportunity became an excellent way into the schools to speak to kids, volunteer, and lead groups of workers. However, with every excellent work, there comes a negative. The negative was a few people using everything to work against you.

Satan has a way of influencing people to focus on the negative instead of the positive. When the negative people entered the picture, it was time to slow down the motivation speaking work and not post as much online, even on the Preacher’s Pen.

With every bright day comes a few clouds. The key is not to focus on your problems, but to let the world see God even through your problems. The Preacher’s Pen did just that. Even though there was a slowdown, the work continued.

The work of the gospel should continue despite the troubles, the negative influences of Satan or even people. The work never stops. It is a monumental work that must continue. For the next several years, the Preacher’s Pen continued to publish articles and other content, but not regularly.

Onward

From 2009 to 2014, the Preacher’s Pen had several hundred thousand visits a year and encountered many people. Hundreds of Bible Study books, sermon outlines and various other materials were downloaded for personal and congregational use.

It has always been the purpose of the Preacher’s Pen website to assist other in creating a better day today for a better life tomorrow based on the teachings of Jesus Christ.

The Facebook page was growing and the Twitter account was in contact with others across the globe. It was an effort growing week by week.

A small bump arrived in the road in January 2014. On the first Sunday of January 2014, I resigned from our work at the congregation we served. I began a step away from ministry to clear the mind, the body, and the thoughts of ministry.

During my break from ministry, I always knew I would get back into somehow but never imagined how. After working in the insurance industry, taking part in marketing groups, running business-to-business networking groups and sales, I desired to get right back to the purpose I set out in the beginning—To help people get better every day.

At the end of 2014, our family left our home of 9 ½ years and journeyed to another state where we only knew a few people in the entire state to work with a congregation.

Today—Where are we now?

Today the Preacher’s Pen is in REBOOT.

A reboot is exactly that… a reboot…. aka. a restart, a reset, a starting over point.

The past six years have been up and down with the Preacher’s Pen. The journey has been great, the ministry is excellent, but the writings on the Preacher’s Pen have not been as consistent as I like for many reasons.

However, today is different.

Today, the newsletter is revived and available for anyone. The newsletter will arrive every Tuesday and contain information to spur you to a greater life. Some of it will be spiritual, some secular, some motivational and, hopefully, all of it useful. I am glad you are a part of the newsletter.

Today, plans are being made to get back to the original purpose—“to assist others in creating a better day today for a better life tomorrow based on the teachings of Jesus Christ.” To find the original intent and purpose again will set the Preacher’s Pen back on track.

Here are some of the current plans:

- - New articles each week.
  - New sermon outlines and PowerPoints each week
  - An upcoming weekly podcast (with interviews, current event discussions, and more)
  - Motivational Video classes and courses you can take.
  - More whiteboard animated children’s classes
  - More class material you can use
  - An expanded YouTube Channel
  - Upcoming VBS Material (coming 2021)
  - A planner for ministers for 2021
  - …and more.

As you can see, there are many things arriving shortly.

I hope to make the Preacher’s Pen website a resource and a tool you can use in your everyday life and one that you feel confident in sharing with others.

A few more things that you might want to know:

- - The articles on the Preacher’s Pen are available if you want to publish them in your publication.
  - The Bible Class material, the sermon outlines, and PowerPoints are available for download and you even have permission to edit them and use them as your own.
  - I strive to make all the material on the Preacher’s Pen available for free. We do not charge for any material from the website. However, if you would like to support our efforts, you make “buy us a cup of coffee” using the Donate (PayPal) link on the bottom of each page.
  - We have a Store where we will make a few items available to help support this effort. If you are interested, you can visit our store and see what we offer.

Well, I think this is long enough for now. Thank you for reading and staying in touch.

I look forward to talking to you soon,

Just my thoughts,

Chris Gallagher

Well, there you go. The REBOOT is out and the updates are here.

Thank you for reading and sticking with the Preacher’s Pen.

Stay tuned for more over the next few weeks. May we all grow in our faith.

Just my thoughts,

Remember, you can sign-up for the newsletter below!

2020 Hit Everyone

On November 22, 1986, Mike Tyson became the youngest heavyweight boxing champion of all time. His fame ultimately deteriorated to infamy, which makes one of his most famous quotes so poignant because it’s autobiographical. He said, and it’s often been repeated with variance, “Everybody has a plan until they get hit.” The year 2020 began with a lot of plans until we got hit. ⁽¹⁾

2020 has been a tough year for many. Each one has felt the effects of this traumatic time. However, as we enter August, what does it mean for Christians?

The words of Jesus from Matthew 6.34 come to mind every week, “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”

While each of us know these words, in times like the current, these words might be hard to comprehend. It is important that we remember Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13.8). He has sat down at the right hand (Hebrews 12.2) has not left us to fend for our own, but made a way for us to access the Father (1 Timothy 2.5).

God wants to hear from you, and we need to communicate with Him (Luke 18.1). Even when we do not know what to say (maybe in a time like this) His spirit intercedes for us with groanings too strong for words (Romans 8.26).

While we may have had a plan for 2020, our plans probably changed. Remember, just because our plans may have changed, our citizenship in Heaven should have not changed (Philippians 3.20).

Let each of us talk to our Father and approach Him knowing that His Son has made a way for us. May we be blessed.

Just a thought,

A New Year and a New Progression

Well, here we go! 2020 is upon us whether we were expecting it or not.

This year will be filled with countless blessings, renewed spirits and a desire to grow closer to God each day.

At the beginning of this year, some people will give themselves a new start and a set of achievements they want to see happen by this time next year. Some call the resolutions, some call them resolves, others call them goals. Whatever the description, allow me to share with you a few that will help you on your spiritual journey of 2020.

First, understand that God wants you to do well in 2020. God is still the same and He desires a relationship with you. God wants you to draw closer to Him and depend upon Him. He wants to bless you.

What Does God Want From Me In 2019?

God wants you to come to Him. “This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:3-4)

God wants to give you His mercy. “Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” (1 Peter 2:10)

God wants to give you His grace. “But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’” (James 4:6)

God wants you to be victorious. “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:57)

God wants to give you a home. “…Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words.” (1 Thessalonians 4:17-18)

If you understand that God wants you to be close to Him, what is stopping you from drawing near to Him?

Do you want to know what is stopping you?

Are you ready?

What Can You Do in 2020?

Remember, no matter what the year, the month or the day, God still wants you. It is His desire for you to have the greatest gift one could consider; a home with Him forever.

#1 – Attend all the services you can.

One of the best ways you can grow spiritually, is to be with the saints. You need the saints and the saints need you. God desires that His children encourage one another and grow together. Make it a priority to gather with your brothers and sisters.

#2 – Open your Bible and dig into it.

The Bible is a treasure map leading you to the greatest gift the world may ever know. God, the Creator of the World, has given you the gift of salvation, will you open it and dig into it.

#3 – Find a way to serve.

Have you taken the steps to serve your fellow man? God has asked that we serve one another. You can serve others by a variety of ways: send someone a card, send them a text, bake them cookies or a cake. Your service could be “small things” or “big things” but your heart must be in the service you have for others.

#4 – Surround Yourself with Christians

To make your weekend go better, especially, your Sunday, surround yourself with Christians. As you plan for services, plan to meet with your church family after services. Be the one to step up and invite people to gather together. A quick example is inviting people to eat together following services. If money is tight, invite everyone to chip in and have them at your house. (think of it as a potluck meal)

#5 – Pray

This weekend, schedule four times to offer quick prayers. Set an alarm on your phone to remind you of your scheduled prayer time. The weekends give us more time or more relaxed time, and this can be a great moment to pray.

Each Day

Each day, we have the opportunity to get better. Some take advantage of this opportunity every day and other let the opportunity slide by without notice. I encourage you to be a person to take advantage of the moment.

What about the advantage you have in Christ?

I typically call it an opportunity, but for a moment think of it as an advantage. Here are a few of the advantages you have as a Christian:

The forgiveness of sins (Matthew 6.12-14; Luke 5.21-24; Acts 2.38; Acts 8.22)
The ability to live forever (John 3.15; John 6.47; Romans 2.7; Titus 1.2)
Prayer (Matthew 6.9-13; Acts 8.22; Ephesians 6.18; 1 Thessalonians 5.17)
Someone who cares (Matthew 11.28-30; 1 Peter 5.7)
Fellowship (Acts 2.42; 1 Corinthians 1.9; 2 Corinthians 13.14; 1 John 1.3-7)

Have you taken advantage of the benefits of Christ?

More than that, are you taking advantage of the benefits in Christ?