Archives for September 2016

TRANSFORMATION, RENEWAL, REVIVAL

September 20, 2016 By dnicewonger@gmail.com Leave a Comment

Rev. Frank Frischkorn

A Good Visit

Friday afternoon I spent some time with Rev. Frank Frischkorn. Pastor Frischkorn is the Regional Executive Pastor for the American Baptist Churches of Pennsylvania and Delaware. It was good to spend some time together and share our life and ministry experiences. My schedule got a little sideways and we only had just over an hour together. As with most conversations some of the best pieces took place in the parking lot. As Frank and I were parting ways we talked of the transformation, renewal and revival that takes place in our world as the Kingdom of God is unleashed.

Clarity of Thought

I can’t quite remember how that piece of our conversation started. I do know that Cancer has helped me think much clearer about life, death and what is most important to me. That clarity is refreshing. It can also be a little dangerous. I find I am quicker to speak truth and sometimes others may not be ready to hear the reality of what is going on. I find part of walking this season well is learning to speak truth clearly and boldly while helping people walk through the realities the truth reveals.

Frank is a man of deep faith so we share a common sense of purpose and vision. I did not have to censor nor chose my words carefully. We were talking about how my Cancer diagnosis was impacting my life, ministry and First Baptist Church. I laughed and said that in each area I can see how God is working to redeem and transform what was meant for bad into something good. [Read more…]

LOOKING GOOD

September 17, 2016 By dnicewonger@gmail.com Leave a Comment

Words with Deep Meaning

I was standing in the welcome center when one of the people who attend the noontime AA group walked in and said, “Pastor, you are looking good.” A compliment like that has always been nice to hear. Those words have taken on a deeper meaning since May. When people speak them today what they are saying is, “You look healthy and strong.” In the past when someone shared those words in my direction they were commenting on how I looked in the clothes Nancy had laid out for me to wear. Yes, Nancy picks out my clothes when I go out in public. For some reason I lost the right and freedom to pick out my own clothes years ago. Something about stripes and plaids not going together…who knew?

I appreciate the deeper meaning of those words today. They mean even more when I am actually feeling good when someone sends them my way. Today I am feeling pretty good. We pushed back one of my treatments by a week so I have two chemo free weeks back to back for the first time since May. It is amazing how much more energy and stamina I have. Last night I watched Thursday night football and did not fall asleep in the middle of the game! To fully appreciate what that means you have to understand I drove from Albany, NY to Kennett Square, PA earlier in the day. Normally a trip like that would have put me in my chair and out like a light in five minutes. [Read more…]

WORSHIP AT FIRST BAPTIST

September 11, 2016 By dnicewonger@gmail.com 1 Comment

Many, many years ago I wrote a paper for one of my high school english classes. I am not sure what the assignment was but I chose to write about some of the televangelists of the day (late 80’s) and how they were warping the message of the gospel and preying on people for their money. I have always resisted any type of ministry that even came close to what they seemed to be about. There is a passage in the gospels where Jesus speaks rather harshly and directly to those spiritual leaders who lead people astray. “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.” (NIV Matthew 18:6)

Generations ago my family owned a grist mill. I know what a millstone looks like. I do not swim well on my own…let alone with a large stone hung around my neck. This passage has always served to give me pause as I step into the pulpit, stand in front of a group to speak, or meet with someone for coffee to talk about life. I understand the calling. I understand the responsibility and I do not ever want to do anything to lead someone astray. [Read more…]

MUSHROOM FESTIVAL PARADE

September 10, 2016 By dnicewonger@gmail.com Leave a Comment

14231294_686469284838671_6976473581518912500_o Who does not like a good parade? Friday night was the annual Mushroom Festival Parade.

For those of you who follow this blog and are not familiar with the greater Kennett Square community…we are into mushrooms. Mushroom houses dot the landscape and are a big business for our community. In some ways the Mushroom Festival Parade reminds me of the June Dairy Parade in Cortland, NY. In NY the dairy cow was a significant piece of the local economy and each June there was a parade to honor and celebrate that piece of the community. I love the way smaller towns have the ability to celebrate those things which make them unique.

This year JAM Christian Daycare had a float in the parade. There were families from the daycare who got to ride through town in celebration of the opening of the Mushroom Festival. Again, for those not familiar, yes it is a real festival. We shut down the main section of town for two days and have thousands of people come to celebrate an important piece of our economy. You can get just about anything mushroom…including mushroom flavored ice-cream. [Read more…]

TRANSITION

September 9, 2016 By dnicewonger@gmail.com Leave a Comment

Mom and Dad

In the midst of all that is going on with me health wise we are starting to undergo another transition.

Mom and Dad have lived in New Baltimore, NY for over 48 years. It is the only family home I have known. There is a picture of mom holding me on the back patio as they brought me from the hospital to their new home. Over the years there have been many great memories and there are plenty of stories to tell about the time we spent in that home. The time has come to start a new chapter in life and say goodbye to that very special place.

Our family home in New Baltimore, NY

There is a new young family who have purchased the home and will begin to make their own memories and stories there. I pray they find their time at the home as rewarding and enriching as our family did.

Mom and Dad have decided to move closer to Nancy, Rayann and myself. They are in the process of purchasing a home in the next town over from ours. It will be exciting to have them near us for the first time since I left home at 18. Needless to say the transition is not necessarily easy. It is hard to leave behind all that you know and have worked to create…even though you believe it to be the right thing to do. My brothers and I have worked closely with them to help them prepare and be ready to move. Moving day is quickly approaching. This time next week Nancy and I will be in NY helping Mom and Dad pack up some final items and then traveling with them back down to PA. There will be a few weeks where they will live with us as we walk through the closings on the home in NY and then here in PA. [Read more…]

CHEMO ROUND 9

September 8, 2016 By dnicewonger@gmail.com 2 Comments

At Gettysburg on Labor Day

Chemo round 9 was on August 29th. I did fairly well and was quick to bounce back to my “new normal”.

The week before was a little rough. I found myself dehydrated and that really took a toll on my body. I was unsteady on my feet and my energy level was extremely low. When I went in for treatment on the 29th the nurses gave me an extra bag and a half of fluids. It was amazing how the extra fluids helped me return to this “new normal” I am learning to live with.

I find myself frustrated with the reality that I am about half the man I used to be. My stamina is very low and I get tired so easy it is often disheartening. This Sunday we had a luncheon after church. At the end of the meal I was sitting in my chair thinking about getting up. I was not debating whether I wanted to get up…I was planning how I would move from my chair to an up right position. One of the women at the table has walked closely with someone with Cancer. She was watching what I was doing, just sitting and thinking. She commented, “He is debating how he will stand up…give him a moment.” She was 100% correct. Her past journey allowed her to see what others at the table could not. I laughed and began the process of standing up.

Saturday afternoon I looked out in my backyard and saw five or six logs that needed to be split for the fireplace. I boldly went outside, fought my way up to the shed, got the maul and went over to the logs. Two logs and six swings of the maul later I was done. I put the maul down and headed for my chair. The rest will be taken care of later. A few short months ago I spent an afternoon outside with my maul. We attacked a large maple tree and split close to forty large pieces of wood before taking a break. I am not half the man I used to be. [Read more…]