New York State of Mind

Wednesday, June 19, 2019

Tuesday, June 18, 2019

ELMER'S POST

In our church we are suppose to have one Bishop, one Deacon and three ministers. Well, we had no problem with the Bishop or the Deacon, but we had been losing our ministers. One had to move out of state to take care of an ill parent and take over their farm. Another passed away. So Bishop Eli decided we should obtain two more ministers.

Our current minister is in his middle 80's and told Bishop Eli that he wasn't going to be around forever and he suggested that seeing that we were going to have to get ministers why not three. So if something should happen to one of them, there still we would be. So we did.

Now, how we do this is only members of the church can partake and vote. So after service the children were asked to leave. The older children took care of the younger ones. Bishop Eli had another Bishop come in and help as we didn't have enough ministers. Then one by one each person goes in and tells the Bishops and minister who they believe would be the man God would want to serve. After everyone had gone through, the Bishops and minister chose those six men that had the highest vote. Bishop Eli then got six bibles and in three of them he put Bible passage. Then they came out and announced the names of the men with the largest vote to come forward. I was one of them. Bishop Eli, had the other Bishop and the minister mix the Bibles and than each of us took a bible. Those that opened the Bible and got one of the verses was one of the ministers.

Now, I have been selected for votes like this before. Once for Bishop but Eli got the Bible with the verse in it so he became Bishop. A couple of times for Deacon and a couple times for minister. These positions carry a great responsiblity. Ministers will be giving sermons, helping when needed in just about every church situation, activity, etc. Helping the church members whenever needed. Plus you have to run your farm. Many people, when chosen find this a hard situation to take. They want to serve the Lord, but the responsiblity and work plus their own farm and family. Most men when they receive the verse go into shock, tears, nervous.

So when the Bibles were opened, I was one of the three chosen. I told you about the reaction because the other men put their head in their hands, and I saw tears running down. When they stood their eyes were all red and were nervous. My reaction was different. I knew I was chosen by the Lord and it was a great responsiblity that I was unworthy to receive but I didn't react that way.

After it was over everyone shook our hands and Bishop Eli called me in the back, alone. He asked me if I knew that he had nothing to do with the selection. I said of course. Eli said all he did was put the verse in the Bibles and he gave the Bibles to the other Bishop and our minister to mix them. I said I knew that. Then I asked, does this mean, we can't go to Florida together anymore. That was the only thing that came in my mind. Eli said no, of course , we can go and we both laughed.

After our meal, Anna and I went home. She asked me how I felt. I told her, I don't feel in tears, I don't feel nervous, I am not worrying about the farm. I know that she and I will work everything out between us that comes up. But, I just felt that I wanted to pray. So Anna and prayed for well over an hour. First that the Lord chose me, He must have had His Reason.. That I will be able to do what He wants me to do. That through this all, He will see that Anna and I go through the good times and bad times together.

So that is the news.

Trust God's Wisdom,
Elmer

Monday, June 17, 2019

AMERICAN LEGION FLAG BURNING - June 14, 2019

Our American Legion accepts flags that have been damaged through wind, stain or whatever. On flag day they burn the damage flags. I had not been to a flag burning since I was a child, so I went last Friday. The fire truck was there just in case - but it wasn't needed. Flag burning is to remind us of those that have served our country - living and dead. There were very few people there, which was kind of sad, The man with the bagpipe played Amazing Grace and the close.