Category: Chaplain

Christine Hebert, MSG Chaplain
(207) 743-5277

Cultivating a Thankful Heart

(Guest written by Tina Thurston of Norway Grange with the encouragement and guidance of Chaplain Christine Hebert.)

As Grange members, we are not only consistently reminded of our fraternity with each other but also reminded that we are servants of God. Good and faithful servants at that! Constantly challenged to not only build our own strengths and talents but to uplift and foster the strengths and talents of each other.

How then do we do this? What is it, good brother or sister reading this, that sparked your interest and desire to go beyond yourself to make a difference in the world around us?

Although I cannot answer that question for you, I can surmise from my own calling that the answer would have to be God’s knowledge. The knowledge that if we greet the world with unwavering thankfulness, the faith and belief that God is the creator and s/he loves us more than anything- “For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if received with Thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.” (I Timothy 4:4-5) We can do anything.

Like all Bible quotes, a wealth of implied instruction is there waiting for us to open ourselves to the true beauty of God’s plan for us.

God created everything. Everything is good. Therefore, there is nothing bad, and if we perceive anything as less than good, we know it is not of God, but a distraction away from our path. So, no matter what confronts us, God says to receive it with Thanksgiving. Being thankful is one of the most powerful ways to be. The act of giving thanks is consecrated by the word of God and prayer –
an ability to turn a frown upside down. To be witness to the awesome love our Lord and Savior has for us by doing his will. We are so very fortunate to know the power of a thankful heart and mind. We are so blessed with the abundant love a thankful countenance affords us. No wonder we are told to spread the good news!

As we continue to ponder the great mystery of this thing we call life, I remind you – “With God all things are possible.” (Mathew 19:26)

And most importantly – and I sincerely believe this to be a commandment: “This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24)

Carry on with a thankful heart, good and faithful servant, carry on!

Note that as requested, the words to Veterans of the USA are available in the Chaplain’s View of the Program Books and Information Page.

Christine Hebert, MSG Chaplain
(207) 743-5277

Fall is upon us

Now that fall is upon us, it is time that we gather our winter flowers, apples, squashes, pumpkins etc., and put our gardens to bed. For the winter months are fast approaching, and there will soon be snow on the ground.

Let’s remember that under the snow are tiny seeds that, with the sun’s love in the spring, will become the flowers and plants to grace our homes and yards in the next summer.

How thankful we are to live in this glorious country. God Bless.

“Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in His ways. You will eat the fruits of your labor: Blessings and prosperity will be yours.”

Psalm 128:1,2

“Blessed is the man who trust in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream, It does not fear when the heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a fear of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”

Jeremiah 17:7,8

Christine Hebert, MSG Chaplain
(207) 743-5277

Bountiful Harvest

It is the time of year when we especially thank God for the bountiful harvest from our gardens and fields.  We are grateful as our pantries and barns are filled with healthy provisions for the coming winter.

“And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not wholly reap the corners of thy field, neither shall thou gather the gleanings of thy harvest. And thou shall not glean the vineyard, neither shall thou gather every grape of the vineyard; thou shall leave them for the poor and stranger: I am the Lord your God.”

Leviticus: 19:9-10 KJV 

“…and another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on a cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe.”

Revelation: 14:15 KJV

I look forward to seeing you all at Maine State Grange Session.

Christine Hebert, MSG Chaplain
(207) 743-5277

God’s Image

“Know this: God has imprinted God’s image within you, and nothing you do and nothing that happens to you can erase this beauty, which is with you even when you ignore or betray it.”

Meister Eckhart

This statement is from “Meister Eckhart’s Book of Light & Darkness,”a collection of meditations arranged by Jon M. Sweeney and Mark S Burrows. 

Meister Eckhart lived from 1260 to 1328 during the Holy Roman Empire. He was a German theologian, philosopher, mystic, and member of the Dominican Order. His sermons encouraged people to “do good.” During the Inquisition, he was tried for heresy but died before the verdict was delivered.

Christine Hebert, MSG Chaplain
(207) 743-5277

The Ten Commandments

One of the Ten Commandments is to “Love our neighbor as ourselves.” I would like to think we all follow this commandment! Here is only one example

If someone is supposed to be a Christian has money enough to live well, and sees a brother in need, and won’t help him—how can God’s love be within him? Little children let us stop just saying we love people; let us really love them, and show it by our actions. Then we will know for sure. By our actions, that we are on God’s side, and our consciences will be clear, even when we stand before the Lord.

            But if we have bad consciences and feel that we have done wrong, the Lord will surely feel it even more,*for he knows everything we do. But dearly loved friends, if our consciences are clear, we can come to the Lord with perfect assurance and trust, and get whatever we ask for because we are obeying him and doing the things that please him.

1 John 3:17-22 (The Living Bible)

I can think of a time when I could have helped someone out and chose not to. I certainly felt awful about it and wished I had it to do over again, but I don’t. So, I have asked for forgiveness and know that God has forgiven me. We can all learn a lesson from this.    

Christine Hebert, MSG Chaplain
(207) 743-5277

The Eight Beatitudes

1. Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
2. Blessed are the meek; for they shall possess the land.
3. Blessed are they that mourn; for they shall be comforted.
4. Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice; for they shall be filled.
5. Blessed are the merciful; for they shall obtain mercy.
6. Blessed are the clean of heart; for they shall see God.
7. Blessed are the peacemakers; for they shall be called the children of God.
8. Blessed are they that suffer persecution for the sake of justice; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 

Good Will Publishers Inc. Copyright 1961

The beatitudes, how many of us truly understand these?  We all have different understandings.

This is one of my understandings: As God’s children, I would like to think that we walk in love serving others, by feeding the hungry, helping the fatherless and widows, clothing people in need, and listening as God does to his children.

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