Category: Chaplain

Christine Hebert, MSG Chaplain
(207) 743-5277

The Meaning of Trust

1. Firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength of someone or something.
2. An arrangement whereby a person (a trustee) holds property as its normal owner for the good of one or more beneficiaries. (A trust was set up)

We trust our leaders in the Grange that they will continue to follow the By-Laws and improve communication in their leadership roles.

We trust financial institutions; that is why we use them. Therefore, shouldn’t we trust in one another as God trusts us? If you believe in God, then you trust in God

Justice and judgment are the foundation of your throne; kindness and truth go before you.

Psalms 89:16, Catholic Bible Publishers 1972-1973 edition

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, on your own intelligence rely not; in all your ways be mindful of him; and he will make straight your paths.

Proverbs 3:5-6, Catholic Bible Publishers 1972-1973 edition

Christine Hebert, MSG Chaplain
(207) 743-5277

By Clay Collins, Guest Columnist

I guess there is no such thing as a permanent retirement. Our State Chaplain recently contacted me and asked me to fill in for her this month as she had some other pressing business to take care of. Being a good Granger and a man of my word, I said of course I would be delighted. I hope you enjoy!

“He is not here: for He is risen, as He said. Come see the place where the Lord lay.”  

Matthew 28:6

As I write this column, it is one day past Easter Sunday. All the Easter eggs are found and candy is devoured, family dinners are finished, and family and friends have gone home.

Now what? Do we go back to what we were doing before Easter with no thought to what the resurrection really means? Think about what Christ endured that last week of His life.

The weight of the cross that He had to carry could represent all of our problems. The crown of thorns could represent our lies, indiscretions, and deceitfulness. He died for our sins. All He asks of us is that we don’t turn our backs to Him.

All He asks of us is that we live our lives for God. When we are faced with people needing help, we need to lend a hand with no expectations of reward. I am sure you can come up with other examples of things you can do to make life better for the unfortunate. Remember, when things look darkest for you, there are others worse off. May we always have compassion for our fellow man.

I leave you with this: Remember that Jesus forgave us our sins! We should try to do the same!

Until we meet again, I continue to pray for good health for you and yours, and remember, “Be well, do good work, and keep in touch.”

Don’t forget to thank a veteran for his/her service in the defense of our country and their safe return to their families! Amen

Benediction:
Gracious Father, thank you for your gift of everlasting life. May we be grateful for your gift. “He is not here: for He is risen, as He said. Come see the place where the Lord lay.” (Matthew 28:6) Amen. 

May the sun shine all day long,
Everything go right, and nothing wrong.
May those you love bring love back to you,
And may all the wishes you wish come true. 
Irish Blessing

By Christine Hebert, MSG Chaplain
(207) 743-5277

Grange month is the perfect time to celebrate our heritage. After all, we hold a pattern that’s issued from the ancient Garden of Eden. As we start our seedlings for our gardens, plant a little extra so we can give to others when we reap what we have sown. Let us be thankful for the sunlight that invigorates all life, making possible its growth, and for rain that enriches and freshens the earth.

“Hurt not the earth or the sea or the trees…”

Revelation 7:3

By Christine Hebert, MSG Chaplain
(207) 743-5277

As we head into spring, we know new life will be rising up from our lawns, bushes, and trees; we also see calves, lambs, kids, and colts being born on our farms. Let us also renew our lives with a more loving attitude and a deeper understanding of what God would have us do: Working together for the good of all.

And all of us, with unveiled faces, seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord the Spirit.

II Corinthians 3:18

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is a gift of God.

Ephesians 2:8

By Christine Hebert, MSG Chaplain
(207) 743-5277

As we look back on 2023, let us go forward, focusing on the positive in our lives and learning from the negative.  There have always been trials and tribulations; it’s how we handle them that will define us.

      A wise man looks ahead, controls his temper, learns to listen, and delights himself not only in the Lord but also in helping others.

Do nothing from selfish ambition or empty conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves.

Philippians 2:3

Let mutual love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.

Hebrews 13:1-2

By Christine Hebert, MSG Chaplain
(207) 743-5277

Let us finish this year with a grateful and thankful attitude, looking back on the positive events in our lives; rejoice and be glad that we are loved by many and live with hope for the future.

          Let us all remember that “Jesus is the reason for the season” and carry the joy of this time with us through the coming year.  Wishing you a Holy and Blessed Christmas.

 I bring you good tidings of great joy…For unto you is born this day in the city of David a savior, which is Christ the Lord.

Luke 2:11 (KJV)

By Christine Hebert, MSG Chaplain
(207) 743-5277

As we move forward from the tragic event in Lewiston last month, let us not only reflect on the losses but also on the love and generosity of the many strangers who demonstrated bravery, love, and support for the victims and their families.

Let us continue our journey, showing our Sisters and Brothers the same kind of bravery, love, and support as those strangers showed to those in need. 

“It is better to trust in the Lord then to put confidence in man.”

Psalms 118: 8 (KJV)

By Clay Collins, MSG Chaplain
207 837-0564

“And He saith unto them, ‘Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith?’ Then He arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.”     

Matthew 9:26

Friends! Have you ever taken the time to determine just who your friends really are? Who are your rainy-day friends? Who are your casual friends? Who are your good friends? The ones who are there for you when they are needed no matter what the problem or situation?

These are just a few questions to help you put your friends into the right perspective. Not all friends are alike! There are friends from work or school who are more casual acquaintances than friends. There are those friends that would drop everything and come running (literally) if you should need help of any kind. Then there are those friends that will stick by you when all of the other friends have long gone.

We must cherish all of our friends, as they each have a purpose in our lives. God would not have given us the friends that we have if there were not a purpose to it. It has been said that friends are like a fine wine; both add comfort to a significant situation. For if it weren’t for good friends, how would we be able to cope with our day-to-day lives?

Friends are a gift from God that we cannot overlook. I am thankful every day for all of my dear friends, for without them, I could not appreciate the true gifts from God. Thank you one and all for being my very dear friends. Remember, always, “Life has many gifts – take time to unwrap them all”!

Until the next time, I continue to pray for good health for you and yours, and remember, “Be well, do good work, and keep in touch.”

Don’t forget to thank a Veteran for his/her service in the defense of our country and pray for their safe return to their families!

Benediction: “Gracious Father, thank you for our friends for without them, life would not be worth living. Help us to realize that our friends are really a true and loving gift from You. We give our thanks in Thy holy name. Amen. ”  

Thought for the month:

May your neighbors respect you,
Troubles neglect you,
The angels protect you,
And Heaven accept you.

An Irish Blessing for Health and Prosperity

By Clay Collins, MSG Chaplain
207 837-0564

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.”      

Ephesians 5:15-16

“Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord, your God, who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”

Deuteronomy 31:6

September has finally come, and so far, it brings with it some good weather! As we look back on the summer, or what was supposed to be summer, some might be thinking that the Lord had forsaken us. Believe me, He hasn’t forsaken us. He does have a plan for us all, but we have to believe in it and do our part.

We need to follow His law and treat our family, neighbors, and even strangers with love and respect. Remember the following:

We came naked,
We will go naked.
We arrived weak, 
We will leave weak.
We came without money and things,
We will leave without money and things.
Our first bath? Someone washed us,
Our last bath? Someone will wash us.

This is life!! We all need someone in our lives to help us with some things. We can’t do many things by ourselves. We all need help from time to time.

So why so much malice, so much envy, so much hate, so much resentment, and so much selfishness?

Be kind to everyone you come in contact with and do good deeds. Remember, we all have a limited time on planet Earth, don’t waste it in uselessness!

Until the next time, I continue to pray for good health for you and yours, and remember, “Be well, do good work, and keep in touch.”

Don’t forget to thank a Veteran for his/her service in the defense of our country and pray for their safe return to their families!

Benediction: “Gracious Father of us all help us to remember that life is short –live it. Love is rare – grab it. Anger is bad – dump it. Fear is awful – face it. Memories are sweet – cherish them. Amen.”  

Thought for the month:

May the luck of the Irish
Lead to happiest heights
And the highway you travel
Be lined with green lights.

An Irish Blessing for Health and Prosperity