Pathfindersonline

To: UCC Staff
Pastors
Pathfinder and Adventurer Staff
From: Chief Firecloud
Re: Burning Brighter

Yesterday, Jeri, Shawn and I were poking through the ashes where my office once stood. We were hoping to find a few mementos, particularly, some of Shawn’s incredible pottery that stood on my outside wall shelf. We did find a few crushed shards. I’d guess the pottery was not hurt by the fire, but, rather, from the falling debris and demolition.

Shawn and Jeri looked over in a pile of nearby rubble and said, “Come take a look at this!” It was a couple packages of opened Stripples draped over some metal framework! They were not burned!

We showed both Joann and Bernice (from Risk Management). Joann’s response was classic! She said “Don’t send those Stripples to the landfill! They won’t deteriorate for 20 years!”

I had the wonderful opportunity of talking at great length to both of the young men hired to guard the office remains.

Yesterday’s guard, Mr. “X”, tried to share our amusement, but was having difficulty comprehending what in the world Stripples are!

Then we had a chance to “burn brighter!” My son, Shawn, had more opportunity to dialogue at length with “X.” Shawn found that “X” is going through a divorce and is not happy with his lifestyle. They shared for quite awhile and then Shawn asked if we could pray with him. I don’t think “X” has ever been in a prayer circle. But, there we were, Shawn leading in prayer, standing in a circle on the charred loading dock, asking God to make Himself known in “X’s” life.

Jeri said that our retreat slogans this year should be “burning brighter”.

On that soot covered loading dock, Christ did “burn brighter” in our hearts.