"Chewing on the Cud"

    "Chewing on the cud" is an old expression meaning to: "give great thought to" or it is something to cause us "to be patient in our decision making". The generations from the 1920's, 30's & 40's are ones whom I remember as people who would "Chew on the Cud". No quick decisions made, instead a time of contemplation would take place, then a decision made. I laid to rest this past Saturday a dear sister in the Lord, Jane Chaffee, leaving our Church with few people from these generations. We are a younger Church and gratful to God for these young families and their kids. But boy do we miss at times those voices of wisdom, grandfathers and grandmothers of those now in leadership. I miss them and the wisdom they would pass down to me. Even at 55, I still am not one to pause and "Chew on the Cud" enough. But today I thank God for those past Saints who have graced the doors of our Church and of yours who are now with Christ. And I pray that those of my generation and the ones before and after mine, that they will pause more often and allow the Holy Spirit to speak to us with the same wisdom He gave in the past to names and people who are now our Great Cloud of Witnesses! Thank You for these folks of the past and for those now in leadership, like myself, to "Chew a bit longer" as the Holy Spirit leads us.
Love ya' All, Pastor Rick Dutchtown    

Replacing Fear with Hope

Imagine if you can sitting in your home one afternoon looking out your window at the small river that runs gently thru your tiny town. Now imagine hearing a roar getting ever louder. You go outside to see what's making this noise, you look upstream and that quiet little river is now about to become a raging wall of water that you have little or no time to prepare for. In a matter of just a few hours, much of your sleepy little village in the Catskill mountains has now been literally washed down stream. This is what happened to the little town of Prattsville, New York in the wake of Hurricane Irene. It was here that I and many others have had the privilege of  helping to help replace the fear of that day and the fear of "What Now" by being a part of the re-building process. And it was just that a privilege for me, for this little town to allow me to come in and to do the small part I could do in Christ's name as they are now moving from fear and into Hope! To much of a story to tell in this little Blog spot. But I story I will gladly share with you, your church or your organization if you would like. Today I thank Jesus for this opportunity I had and I look forward as well to the next time I get to serve. Please keep Prattsville and other small burgs tucked into the Catskills who have similar stories like this. Pastor Rick Dutchtown Church      

A Super Bowl Blessing

    Well it is true that my Niner's blew it in the big game and I am now ready for the onslaught of jibes and jeers! But before the game ever started I received a blessing that NO football game could ever give me. There I was all alone in my living room ready for the Kick-off when they introduced the Elementary school Choir from Newtown, Connecticut. These children did a fantastic rendition of "America", while this 55 year old man stood in his living room blubbering the entire time with his hand over his heart. If that were not blessing enough the Color Guard then walked out onto the field bearing the colors of each of the armed services. And just as Alicia Keyes began to sing our National Anthem, the camera cut away to our men and women serving in Kabul, Afghanistan. Tears rolled even harder now, just as they are as I write these words today! When all was said and done, I stood there awestruck. All of a sudden the game itself was just that a game! We are a blessed people to live where we do. And on that Super Bowl night I was reminded of just that. Thank God for resilient children,  for men and women who protect us faithfully and for the gift of music to move and motivate us! Love You All, Pastor Rick Koch - Dutchtown Church