It is a joy to announce that my son-in-law, Steve Aldred, a native of London, England, married to Lillian, father of Leila and Nita Grace, a former professional soccer player and coach, a teacher of International Studies, is also a published author. His new book “Inspirational Days” combines true life stories about his work, childhood, sports, music, freedom, depression, and close family experiences. Steve’s narrative shows emotion and consideration, casting real family and friends in various poems, sharing an interesting past and the present. Places now abandoned or completely lost are brought back to life with vivid description, and an innocent wonderland appears before the reader’s eyes. One particular poem under the title of “Arthur and Harold” has already caught my eye.

“Arthur and Harold never fought a war, surrounded by those a choice was made, not by them but by the king, freedom and life, future uncertain, encamped in married life, with children on the way. Old enough to fight, gifted to survive, to succeed using hands provided, many jobs, many hours, many miles, survived the bombs, survived those nights, live to fight another day.”

“Inspirational Days” has over 100 pages. That’s a lot of writing. Through the years, I’ve had one article published and I didn’t even know it until a good friend living in Pennsylvania wrote me a letter telling me about it. You can only imagine how surprised I was. The article, “What I Learned about Growing Churches” was only three pages long, published by Monday Morning, a weekly periodical provided by the Presbyterian Church (USA). Among several thoughts that were included in the article, I concluded with this one.

“All in all, we at Sea Island praise God and work, laugh, cry and play together. What has been particularly useful for me as I share the love and compassion of Christ with God’s people is an experience I had years ago as a Navy chaplain in training at Camp Lejeune, NC. Breaking bread, an older chaplain recently returned from the conflict in Southeast Asia cautioned all of us with these poignant words, “You can’t share with another person what you don’t have yourself.” I’ve never forgotten that. With the saints of the church, I affirm everyday that Jesus Christ is Lord! By the grace of God, the mission and work of the Sea Island Presbyterian Church will always be guided and nurtured by the living Spirit of Christ. This is our prayer.”

As public health officials and government agencies work to protect us from the coronavirus and “flatten the curve” as quickly as they can, I’ve read a couple of articles in the last 24 hours written by popular megachurch clergy warning readers that the pestilence might usher in the end of the world. Let me say that any thought about the end of the world rarely, rarely enters my mind. I, instead, adhere to the theology of Martin Luther who said something to the effect that if he knew that the world was going to pieces, he would still get up in the morning and plant an apple tree. If the world goes to pieces, I will get up in the morning, read the lectionary, say my prayers, enjoy breakfast provided by Kay, drive to the church, finish the last draft of the Sunday Bulletin along with the Pastoral Care Joys and Concerns, pray that I have everything right, and email everything to you along with another congregational email with a theological response to the coronavirus. I will then drive to Harvey’s Barber Shop at 5 o’clock or so, like I’ve done since the summer of 1991, where Johnny and I along with several friends will lift a wee dram of Scotland’s finest tapping our glasses together thanking God in the name of the Trinity for the week past and welcoming the week to come. This is the practice of faith!

“Freedom and life, future uncertain, encamped in married life, with children on the way. Gifted to fight, survive and succeed using hands provided.” (Steve Aldred) What I said 23 years ago I still believe and hold close to my heart. Jesus Christ is Lord! May our work and mission always be guided and nurtured by the living Spirit of Christ. May this always be our prayer. In the words of Paul we run the race and fight the good fight. May the Lord bless and keep you. Amen. Stay Safe! Stay well!

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Steve Keeler, Pastor