Author: Ron Baker

In preparation for a group meeting today, I did some research on St. Patrick’s day.

The quiz I created stumped a few people!  No one got all the right answers.

Here’s a sample:

• What was St. Patrick’s given name?  Maewyn Succot.
• How long did he do missionary work?  30 years.
• When date did he die?  March 17, 461 AD.

If you got any of those right without looking — you deserve a medal (or you were at our meeting!).

So here’s some more questions – write a comment if you know the answer!

• What is the language of Ireland?
• What is the color for St. Patrick’s day – and what does it symbolize?

Sometimes you just need a day off! 

For a pastor, that tends to come in the middle of the week.  Never on a Sunday!  Unless you are holidaying! 

We were scheduled for a weekend in Winnipeg.  Attending a wedding. 

Then an unexpected death and a funeral service.  Our planned trip was cancelled.  As far as funerals go, this was one where the destiny was sure, and thus the service was a joy to officiate.

Since the Sunday service was already arranged, we decided to head to Saskatoon immediately following the Saturday funeral luncheon.  Our Bible quizzing team was there and we visited with them in the evening.  Then Sunday morning we headed to a church that was in the middle of “40 Days of Community.”  By Sunday night we were back in Kindersley.

Better is one day – than none at all. 

Ray Coleman was just 70 when he died.  For at least the past decade he had been at the local manor, unable to do the skiing, camping adn golfing that he loved.  MS had made him inactive, unable to walk and care for himself.

But certainly not without activity!  His mind was sharp and he could entertain with stories and scripture.  Those who visited found him an encouragement – in spite of handicap there was joy in the journey.

Today we bury his remains.  But, his wife had one of those great statements.  Now, when she thinks of Ray, she can see Him WALKING!

Does life get any better than that?

So, our regional pastors meeting got a little silly.

We all enjoy Tim Horton’s – hot chocolate for me – coffee for others!  And, I suppose if we were ever to need a second job, we could run a coffee shop or something like that.

Of course, you would need a good name.  Something that might sound a little sophisticated, even European.  Like “Snotroh Mit”.  Then you put a mirror out front that flashes the coffee shop name backwards every few minutes.  Two names in one!! 

We could sell day old doughnuts from that other place.  And coffee left-overs!

Sounds like a winner to me!!