Written and Shared by: Chaplain Chris Belfield
I readily confess that I am set in my ways about certain things. Of course, much of this can be attributed to my upbringing by grandparents who were traditionalists at heart. Take the seasons and holidays, for example. Regardless of what the weather may be doing, it is still a particular season. I smile when I see a winter storm warning in November as it is still technically Fall. I know – it's all a matter of semantics, but nonetheless, there are the etiquettes to be observed. It can be 30 degrees and snowing to beat all on the flip side, but if it is on or after March 21st, then it is Spring, and it is a Spring snowstorm rather than a winter snowstorm. Weird, I know, but it's worked for me for this past half-century plus. Now about the holidays. This tends to be more personal and frustrating due to the societal and marketing changes over the years. Back in the day, and I am talking way back in the day, everything had a proper time on the calendar to be celebrated or prepared. It started with the day after Labor Day, i.e., back to school day. But that was OK because the following month, there was Halloween at the end of October. This was quickly followed by a day off from school for Veterans Day. Halloween was commemorated by decorations and dreams of candy treasure unlimited. Living in a tightly packed suburban area meant lots of houses within a relatively short distance. The next day at school, we would bring whatever we really didn't like to trade for what we did like. Learning entrepreneurial skills at an early age. In quick succession, Thanksgiving in November, with its own memorable festive decorations and a sumptuous meal to be consumed with family members. A wise person decided that we should have Thursday and Friday off from school. Then we were off to the races preparing for Christmas. There were the Christmas classics as far as TV shows, movies, and music to be enjoyed throughout the season. Then there was the anticipation of trekking to at least a dozen different stores in the cold to purchase presents. In my home town, we had a shopping plaza that consisted of about 20 stores joined together in a rectangle. The store entrances all faced the inside of the rectangle. So, you were outside going from store to store. Ah, those were the good old days. Today, how things have changed. We have Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, which signals the season's commercial onslaught. Some businesses have already advertised "early" Black Friday pre-sales. Then there is the whole online shopping experience. You need never to leave the comfort of home and hearth to accomplish all of your shopping needs within less than an hour, depending on the retail outlet. You can even forego the pleasure of individually wrapping gifts and have them commercially wrapped and shipped as part of your buying experience-for a minimal charge, of course. And if in doubt about the perfect gift to give, you can always default to the ever-popular gift card. I can still deal with that. But when radio stations start playing non-stop Christmas music before Thanksgiving, I have to draw the line. This may warrant a constitutional amendment to preserve our national heritage of everything in its proper time. We risk our national identity if we confuse our time-honored traditions. What are we teaching our children and their children? But here we are on Thanksgiving Day 2020, and what are our current seasonal thoughts? Actually, we can say we have much to be thankful for. True, this has undoubtedly been one of the most challenging years we have experienced. Yet through all of the challenges and changes, we can still pause to be thankful for what we do have. Let's take a moments' rest and look around to see what we do have. We have family and friends. We have a community that comes together to help one another. We also have the faith that assures us we are never alone, and that is something to be shared with those whose hope is wavering in the face of so many stressors. Ever the optimist, I firmly believe that the glass is more than half full and should be shared with thanksgiving. If we can share with others, what a great opportunity. If you have needs for yourself or your family, what an excellent opportunity to let someone know. It is hard to admit we need help from others, but during this season of thanksgiving, please remember the true meaning of this season is to share what we have, so all will have what they need. I fully admit that if you have a fruitcake that needs a home – I’m your person. On the other hand, if you have Lutefisk to share, I will defer to those more in need than I. Our encouragement verse for this week is: 1 Chronicles 16:34 (NIV) “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.” May you be blessed by God’s word. Chris Written and Shared by: Chaplain Chris Belfield
It is almost like having a newborn infant in the house. We are watchful of every move, every sound, and continually keeping watch for anything that may be perceived as out of the ordinary until we determine what ordinary behavior is. There are multiple feedings throughout the day, with the attendant acts of nature that quickly follow. Of course, there is a learning curve for all of the new behaviors that go along with the growing process. There is also the acclimation to new surroundings. Let us not forget the historical opportunities to capture for posterity the new member's photos and the simultaneous observations of cuteness. Yes, many of you have been there also as new parents and have the photo albums to prove it. So it is that Cathy and I are new parents as of last Saturday. That was when we picked up our new, eight-week-old nameless puppy. Had you going there for a minute, didn't I? Since last Saturday, the puppy now has a name – Maggie and is settling in nicely to a routine and being a new family member. Our cat, Sophie, was not pleased at first with this new addition, the decision to which she had no input. However, as prayed for, Sophie has assumed her role as the alpha female in the animal hierarchy and tolerates Maggie with begrudging acceptance and mild annoyance. At least they can both be in the same room together. Significant progress for only five days, wouldn't you say? As with any eight-week-old, the call of nature is not attuned to our desired time schedule. So it is that Maggie likes, or is that needs, relief somewhere between two and four in the morning. Maggie is Cathy's dog, and Cathy faithfully attends to Maggie's needs – regardless of the hour. During one of these nocturnal ventures that I lent my support, from inside the house, of course. Looking out the window, I noticed that it was a very cloudy, dark night. So dark that the usual lights across Lake Superior could not be seen at all in Wisconsin. The highway, only 200 feet away, was also wholly shrouded in darkness. It became a little disconcerting to imagine being totally engulfed by darkness with no visible reference points. I had déjà vu of the last time I felt the same sensation. It was approximately 12 years ago during a camping vacation stop at the Soudan Mine adjacent to Lake Vermillion State Park. What a memorable experience. Being advised by staff to wear a light jacket even though the temperature outside was almost 90 degrees. It was sage advice as, during the descent to the mine, the temperature quickly dropped over 30 degrees. The real awareness of darkness came when standing in a large cavern. The staff advised everyone to stand perfectly still as the comforting and reassuring lights were turned off. The effect was immediate and dramatic. There was no external source of light, and thus the darkness was complete and unrelenting. There would be no adjustment of the eyes to compensate for the darkness. It was prevalent and permanent. After several minutes the lights were turned back on, and a sense of security was re-established. How dark it seems today. There is an almost palpable sense of anxiety with all that we have experienced the past year. As though that were not enough, we are now faced with the grim reality that our best efforts to mitigate the spread of the pandemic have apparently been not nearly enough. This week sees new measures that harken back to early spring and will hopefully mitigate the virus's spread. Here in Lake County, we had the disheartening news that we have joined so many communities around the nation with our first pandemic-related death. These are indeed dark days for the world, nation, state, community, and individuals looking for hope and the assurance that we can return to the world of a year or more ago. I offer that this darkness will not always be with us. God assures us through his word that he will take care of us and watch over us as we obey and follow him. The pandemic will pass, but we will not be doing a reset button to 2019 and moving on from there. The year 2020 is a redefining moment for us, and we will adapt accordingly and move forward. Regardless of how dark we may believe it is, God’s light is all around us. We just need to look up and see it. Our encouragement verse for this week is: Psalm 27:1 (NIV) The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid? May you be blessed by God’s word. Chris Written and Shared by: Chaplain Chris Belfield
I have mentioned before that technology can be addictive, whether phone apps or social media platforms. So it is that I have become trained in the best Pavlovian tradition to seek out the newest information as soon as I wake in the morning. I know that I am the only one who instinctively reaches for the cell phone to see if anyone has sent me a message during the night. Nope, I'm not that important. But wait – the spam email will start shortly. Next is the weather. After all, the weather will significantly impact what I will be doing during the day, from working in the yard to shoveling snow. Who would have thought we would be seeing near 70 degrees in November? It was only six days ago that approximately a dozen local American Legion Post members were standing in formation to render military honors for a departed military veteran. What was noteworthy was the bright sun and downright uncomfortable heat. It is a little disconcerting to be standing at attention with sweat running down one's face and back. Of course, this should not have come as any real surprise as my weather app had told me it would be warm. It was only off by 10 degrees, and 10 degrees can make a lot of difference. Fast forward only four short days. My app says that the day will be cloudy, with temperatures perhaps reaching as high as the freezing mark, and a distinct possibility of snow in the afternoon. The weather app becomes essential as the day's activities call for standing outside for 2 ½ hours while assisting in a volunteer project. Well, this time, the app was half right. The temperature teased around freezing but never quite made it there. However, the anticipated afternoon snow did not occur. The snow, it seems, would not be denied, and it did snow that evening – upwards of six inches, and more in some areas. Veterans Day dawned with a new covering of white over the landscape. Usually, this is taken in stride, but this was Veterans Day. There were outdoor activities planned for the day within the community. The community may have noticed a long line of vehicles at the city cemetery in the Veterans Section. With military precision, honors were rendered on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. Over 20 uniformed individuals solemnly remembered those in military service currently serving, those who had served, and those who had passed away. Several aspects of the ceremony were significant. First, the snow was not even a consideration for the task at hand. Secondly, a detachment of Air Force ROTC cadets from the University of Minnesota, Duluth, joined the veterans in paying respect-the old and new serving together. And finally, an older Legion member who, due to physical restrictions, could not hold a flag or bear a ceremonial rifle. However, when asked, he stated that he could still put on his uniform, stand at attention, and salute as his way to honor his fellow veterans. That is a memory that I will long remember. An important historical dedication quickly followed that memorable event. A brand new flag pole dedication occurred at the Knife River Depot. A local family had provided for the flag pole and installation and the first flag to be raised on the pole. Again, significant observations were noted. Local community members came to observe the historic flag-raising. The American Legion Post Honor Guard was privileged to present military honors for the occasion. The event's importance was further highlighted by the significance of the dedication occurring on Veterans Day and that the cadets of the ROTC unit were permitted to be the first individuals to raise the first flag on the new flag pole. That is a memory they will always cherish. Additionally, the rich heritage and legacy of Knife River were highlighted for its significant contributions to the local area and the nation during World War II. And finally, the entire proceeding was offered up to God through prayer for his divine blessing. Yes, it was undoubtedly a Veterans Day to remember. Our encouragement verse for this week is: Psalm 33:20-22 (NIV) “We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. May your unfailing love be with us, LORD, even as we put our hope in you.” May you be blessed by God’s word. Chris Written and Shared by: Chaplain Chris Belfield
Being a relative newcomer to the North Shore way of life, I realized just how much I didn't know about the things people here take for granted, like trees, birds, plants, and wildlife. I spent my youth in a large metro urban area. To be sure, there were certain advantages and disadvantages in that environment. Let's see, there were lots of friends, tons of different places to go and every imaginable store you could think of. There were restaurants to satisfy every culinary taste, and a dozen-plus radio stations playing the great hits of the 60's and 70's. And there was also the daily visit by the ice cream truck. However, there was also non-stop noise from traffic and crowds wherever you went. Fresh air smelled different when not seasoned by gas, diesel, and other manufacturing contributions. There was also a distinct lack of a variety of hardwood trees and wildlife. In fact, nature consisted of neighbors’ different types of dogs and cats. Occasionally the lost skunk meandered around the neighborhood. Anything else and you would have to go to the zoo to see deer, bear, and porcupine. Lo and behold, when I made the Air Force a career, I knew I would see the world and become an expert on fauna and indigenous wildlife. It failed to register that air force bases are predominantly around large metropolitan areas. Well, that was so until I was assigned to North Dakota and Wyoming. Not a lot in the way of trees, but plenty of different wildlife to see. A follow-on career in the Minnesota metro area brought back memories of growing up. However, we never had ice fishing on the east coast. Now, here we are on the North Shore surrounded by trees, wildlife, and so much to discover new each day. So it was unfortunate and frustrating that I looked around at all the trees on our four acres and could only recognize two types. Thank goodness that Cathy, as a native Minnesotan, is much better versed in tree and plant identification than I am. A phone app has also assisted to some degree. Now, it happens that there was a thirty-foot pine tree that was leaning precariously over the driveway. It seemed that the lean was increasing due to natures' natural gravitational pull for the past two years. The decision was made that the tree had to go. A couple of colleagues who had accomplished the same task with another tree dutifully dispatched the tree in a short time. I learned two important facts when the deed was completed. First, the tree was not a pine; it was a Balsam Fir. Secondly, the tree was rotting from the inside out. It was just a matter of time until it would have fallen across the driveway, blocking it. I did not relish the idea of chainsawing the tree in January with the temperature at -20 degrees. Except for the tree leaning as much as it did – it looked fine on the outside. It was undoubtedly time for the tree to go. Every month I have the privilege of having a conversation with mental health experts on our local community radio station. We discuss issues that are relevant to the North Shore community and available resources. A consistent theme for all of the experts I have interviewed has been that it is time to seek professional help when there are symptoms present. A person may appear to be fine on the outside, but struggling with significant issues that can affect their ability to manage normal daily functions. In recent months many factors have increased stress, anxiety, and fear to unhealthy levels. If we are not feeling the way we think we should, it may be time to talk to someone and get help. Now is not the time to keep it to ourselves and hope everything will just get better. Like the tree, you may be leaning over and not even realize it. There are lots of resources available to us on the North Shore. When it’s time, it’s time. My personal favorite go-to is the time-honored counseling firm of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. They are just a prayer away. Our encouragement verse for this week is: Isaiah 43:2 (NIV) “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.” May you be blessed by God’s word. Chris |
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