Category: Chaplain

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

By Clay Collins, MSG Chaplain
207 837-0564

“Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity.”      

Ephesians 5:15-16

Here it is August already! Where has the time gone? May all of your plans be accomplished, and you have a great time with your family and friends.

I was talking to a friend of mine a while ago gave me the following poem. It was attached to a figurine of an owl that was purchased at a county fair that he attended recently. It seemed very appropriate in these times.

There once was an owl
Who perched on an oak;
The more he observed
The less that he spoke.

The less he spoke
The more that he heard;
There’s wisdom for sure
We can learn from this bird!

As you go through life
Remember you know
What you know;
When you listen and watch
You’ll continue to grow

Until the next time, I am continuing 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 spend less time thinking of ourselves, and more time thinking of You and Your many wonders. Amen.”  

Thought for the month:

May good luck be your friend in whatever you do and may trouble be always a stranger to you.

An Irish Blessing for Health and Prosperity

By Clay Collins, MSG Chaplain
207 837-0564

“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was upon the face of the deep; and the Spirit of God was moving over the face of the waters. And God said, ‘Let there be light’; and there was light.”

Genesis 1:1-3

Sometimes it does feel like the beginning of time when God created heaven and earth, but it isn’t. We have just gone through what seems to be the wettest month ever, but we have survived, and we will continue to survive. We just have to be determined and have faith that God has not and will not forget us.

We just have to remember just who is in charge! It is NOT us. This is just one of God’s plans for us. If you want to make God chuckle, just tell Him your plans for the future!

Remember, He will not disown us and leave us stranded by the side of the road like a sack of grain. We are all His children. He loves us. So cheer up, the sun will come out again to brighten our days and lives. While we are waiting, why don’t we all look around to see if there is something we can do to brighten someone else’s life? By doing this, we will probably feel good doing it!

 Until the next time, remember, “Be well, do good work, and keep in touch.”

Benediction: “Gracious Father of us all, help us to remember that we are all able to brighten the day for someone, if not ourselves.  Amen”

Thought for the month:

May good luck be your friend
        in whatever you do
And may trouble be always
        A stranger to you.

An Irish Blessing for Health and Prosperity

By Clay Collins, MSG Chaplain
207 837-0564

“And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind Him, and touched the hem of His garment. For she said within herself, ‘If I may touch His garment, I shall be whole’.” 

Matthew 9:20-21

We are heading into summer with the sun and the fun that goes along with it. When you are out celebrating, try to be careful. Always walk by faith, not by sight.

When reading this month’s scripture lesson, remember that the woman, who had physical problems for twelve years, had enough faith to believe that if she touched the hem of Jesus’ garment she would be healed. The world needs more faith like this.

Remember, God loves us all!!

 Until the next time, remember, “Be well, do good work, and keep in touch.”

Benediction: “Gracious Father of us all, help us to remember that if we live our lives by faith, we will be saved.  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