Category: Chaplain

By Clay Collins, MSG Chaplain
207 837-0564

“Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb, I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.”

Jeremiah 1:5

This month’s scripture can be somewhat confusing to some (I know it is to me: sometimes!). I have dwelt on this topic quite a bit. It was not until I heard a pastor preach on this subject recently that I have some understanding of what it means (or what it is trying to tell me!).

Most of you, who are reading this right now, might disagree with me, but that is your right as individuals. I, on the other hand, might just start a dialog with a few of you (I hope that is the case, as we need to be able to exchange ideas and views with one another).

I do not profess to be a Biblical scholar by any means. On the contrary, I try to maintain an open mind that is ready to receive the “word.” This scripture, to me, is saying that we all are one in the spirit, and the spirit is God the Father. He, and only He, knows us. He knows what we are thinking at all times.

You might think, “If He knows what we are thinking, what we want, and such, then why should we be bothered with prayer?” The answer, as I see it, is He might know what we are thinking and what we want, but He wants us to realize what we need, then ask for it!

It is like children wanting a new bicycle. Do they actually need it, or is it because their friends have one, and they do not want to be left out? As a parent, you know what they need, and that might not be a bicycle at that moment in time.

Yes, we are one in the spirit. We are His, and He is ours! He loves us (we are His children), good or bad.

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

Benediction: “Gracious Father, help us to realize that when we are really one in the spirit and the spirit is God.  Amen.”

Thought for the month:
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

an Irish Blessing for health and prosperity

By Clay Collins, MSG Chaplain
207 837-0564

“But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, ‘who, is my neighbor?’ And Jesus, answering said, ‘A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. And likewise, a Levite passed by on the opposite side. But a Samaritan came by and when he saw the man, he had compassion for him. He went to him, bound up his wounds, pouring oil and wine, and put him on his own beast, and took him to an inn, and took care of him.”

Luke 10:29-34

I just realized that this month’s column tends to go right along with last month’s. Maybe I should have written this for last month, then had last month’s for this month, but I digress!

I am sure that I have asked this question before, but it probably needs to be asked again (and again!); do we really know our neighbors? I mean really know them enough that we can feel comfortable walking up to them, and start talking to them?

Are you able to be the ‘Good Samaritan’ in Jesus’ parable? This Samaritan, who was considered an outcast, a low life, not one to be associated with, saw a man in trouble, hurting, next thing to being dead, and helped him. This Samaritan did not know this injured man and did not know how this man felt about Samarians himself, but he helped him anyway!

 If you read the verses before those at the top (Luke 10:25-37), you will get the entire feel for the parable. Here Jesus explains just what a neighbor is. Your neighbor is not just the people who live next door, but everyone. Throughout the Bible, we are told to be kind, and treat each other as we would want to be treated. This is very hard to do many times.

It seems in this day and age people have developed a “not my problem, don’t get involved” attitude. We are afraid that if we do get involved, we will somehow get hurt by helping out. We must learn from the Samaritan.

He was not afraid to get involved.  He did NOT give a second thought to any repercussions if he helped the injured man. He just saw a man who was hurt. He took care of him. There is no evidence of the man’s health after that, but we are to believe he survived.

Jesus, in His teachings, wanted us to just be kind to one another. To help, support, and love each other. We can do it! I know we can!

Until the next time, “Be well, do good work, and keep in touch.” Don’t forget to thank a veteran and all first responders for their service!!

Benediction: Gracious Father of us all, help us to understand the teachings of Jesus. Help us to be kind to our neighbors, whoever they may be. We pray in Thy holy name.  Amen.”

Thought for the month:
If God sends you down a stony path, may He give you strong shoes

an Irish Blessing

By Clay Collins, MSG Chaplain
207 837-0564

“After this, Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the sea of Tiberias, and he revealed himself in this way. Simon Peter, Thomas (called the twin), Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His disciples were together. Simon Peter said to them, ‘I am going fishing.’ They said to him, ‘We will go with you.’ They went out and got into the boat, but they caught nothing.”

John 21:1-3

The weather is finally getting warmer (slowly, true, but still warmer!). How many of us are thinking about going fishing? Yes, I’m sure there are the die-hards that have been fishing all winter! That is great. I hope you had great luck!

Did you ever think about when Jesus revealed Himself to His disciples at the seashore? The scripture that I chose this month only touches upon it. Read the rest of the chapter to get the full story.

The disciples get into their boat, go fishing all night, but catch NOTHING. When they saw Jesus on the shore, they did not know who it was, but they had their suspicions of who it actually was. They did not come right out and say His name.

He told them to cast their nets on the opposite side of the boat. When they did, the nets were so heavy they could not haul them in!

We are like the disciples. Instead of fishing for fish, we are, in a way, fishing for souls. Every day we are working, socializing, and meeting new (and old) friends. We should be trying to show them the way to the Lord. Sometimes we fail, but as Jesus said to the disciples, cast our “nets” to the other side. You might just “catch” a few new believers.

Later, in the same chapter, you will read that when Simon Peter realized it was Jesus on the shore, he covered himself and jumped into the water because he was ashamed of himself. Don’t be ashamed in the sight of Jesus, feel blessed for He loves you, and if you ask forgiveness, He will take you to the Lord.  

Enjoy the warm weather, go fishing, go for a walk, meet new and old friends, or just set out in the sun and take in the beautiful world around you!

DON’T FORGET TO THANK A VETERAN AND ALL FIRST RESPONDERS FOR THEIR SERVICE!!

Benediction: “Gracious Father of us all, help us to be fishers of men, and cast our ‘nets’ in the right direction. We pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.”  

Thought for the month:
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.

an Irish Blessing for Health and Prosperity

By Clay Collins, MSG Chaplain
207 837-0564

“Being forty days tempted of the devil And in those days he did eat nothing; and when they were ended, He afterward hungered. And the devil said unto Him, ‘if thou be the son of God, command this stone that it be made bread.’ And Jesus answered him, saying, ‘it is written, that man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.’”

Luke 4:2-4

I am here writing this month’s article looking at the snowy field and the snow-covered woodpile beside my house thinking that soon it will be spring, then summer, and I will be out there restacking what wood there is left getting ready for another delivery for next year’s heating season. Thinking of how I can make it easier to store and retrieve when needed.

We all should be looking to the future planning always how to make things easier. I know, this sounds like the beginning of a commercial for retirement planning, but I promise, it isn’t! 

Although planning for the future is important, planning for the here and now is just as important! By this, I mean following God’s plan. Like the Bible passage this month states: When Jesus was tempted by the devil to turn the stone into bread, Jesus told him that it is written that man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.

By following God’s word, we can have faith that the present will be good, we can have hope that our future will be secured in His love, and we will be able to bask in His charity. God only asks for our fidelity to Him and only Him!

I mention every month during these cold winter days and nights that we must not forget our neighbors who might be less fortunate than we are. I continue to ask all of you that are able to please, check on them to see that they are all right. This is one way to show our fidelity to the One that loves us dearly!

By the way, happy St. Patrick’s Day (March 17). On this day, everyone is Irish for the day!

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.

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

DON’T FORGET TO THANK A VETERAN AND ALL FIRST RESPONDERS FOR THEIR SERVICE!!

Benediction: “May the good saints protect you and bless you today, and may troubles ignore you each step of the way.  Amen.”

Thought for the month:
God between us and all harm.

An short Irish Blessing