The Pastor’s Piece, Kevin Cernek, Chaplain – September 20, 2024

FCFI

September 22, 2024

There’s a business I frequent on occasion that used to have a crash dummy sitting on the counter next to where you paid your bill. The dummy was wearing dark sunglasses, had a cigarette in his mouth, was wearing an orange t-shirt and a red MAGA hat. He didn’t say a word, but he spoke volumes. Sometimes, one can tell a lot about a company by checking out the paraphernalia around the business and reading the notes they have up on the wall. Another place I do business with, has Bible verses and inspirational sayings on their walls. The owner switches them out from time to time and I’m always curious about what he’ll have posted when I come through the door. It’s a very old-school way of communicating.

Speaking of old school, recently, I was in a business where the owner expressed his opinions with hand-written Post-It Notes stuck to the wall in a vertical compilation near the front door. This is what the notes said:

                   Thankful

* Everything is Alright

* Mama’s Place

* Nashville, TN

* FAST LANE

* River of Life

* Turtle Town

* Cheap Whiskey

* Morning Sun

* Pocket Full of Gold

I took a snapshot of the list so I could contemplate what it meant when I had more time. Here’s what I’ve come up with for whatever it’s worth: This small business owner is a contented soul (I figure as much as one can be content without Jesus – he is a self-professed non-religionist). The places he listed seemed quite placid and peaceful (except for FAST LANE). It appears he’s thankful for and finds pleasure in the simple things in life.

A pocket full of gold seems to imply that he doesn’t care so much about riches and being rich as he does about simply having enough. Morning sun would indicate that he’s glad for another sunrise which translates into being happy about living another day. He is an amateur musician so I’d say having Nashville, TN on his list reflects how music relaxes him and speaks to his heart. Mama’s Place is either a restaurant that reminds him of home, or it is, literally home. Turtle Town speaks of a slow paced place that he finds attractive. River of Life would be a refreshing brook and rippling water. Everything is Alright means that everything is alright. It may seem like chaos and turmoil on the outside, but inside, life is good.

I don’t necessarily agree with the cheap whiskey aspect, but before we left we talked about that and he was genuinely interested in what I had to say. In my business, I’ve seen too many lives and too many marriages ruined by cheap whiskey. I suggested Jesus as a viable alternative and we had quite a meaningful conversation about that. 

He had famous quotes in frames hanging on the walls. Quotations from people like Abraham Lincoln, Ben Franklin, Albert Einstein, and a few other well-known historical figures. Included in his wall of famous quotes were some from himself. I didn’t take a picture and I can’t remember what any of them said, but I liked this guy’s high opinion of his opinion! He considered his pithiness in the same category as those other guys. And who’s to say his quotes don’t belong there? Just because someone is famous, doesn’t mean they have a corner on witty and meaningful sayings.

This time of year, I display my political opinions on signs in front of the house. A couple weeks ago I put a small sign up in my yard displaying the presidential candidate of my choice.The next day, I noticed the neighbors had put up their own signs, and surprise! Their choices were the exact opposite of mine. And then I noticed after I put my sign up, a couple of other people on our road put similar signs in their yards. The other day, I saw a yard sign that I didn’t immediately recognize. It was white letters over a completely black background that said: “I Just Wanted A Sign.”

With that said, I have teamed up with a pastor friend and together we have organized “A Day To Pray” event in South Wayne, WI. You are invited to gather with numerous believers from our greater area as we pray for the healing of our nation, our government, and our spiritual leaders. 2 Chronicles 7:14 says: “If My people who are called by My Name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will heal their land.” This prayer event is planned for Saturday, September 28 at 4:00 p.m. at 4499 County Rd N, South Wayne, Wisconsin, (ATV Shelter north of the Woodford Bank). The plan is to bring the Christian community together to pray for our nation and the upcoming election. (South Wayne, Wisconsin is just a short drive away).   

(Kevin Cernek is Lead Pastor of Martintown Community Church in Martintown, Wisconsin).