Mike Patrick I had the privilege of teaching hundreds of undergraduate and seminary students from Hardin-Simmons, Abilene Christian, and McMurry Universities over a 20+ year span while serving as Coordinator of Ministry Education at Henrick Medical Center. A few of those students went on to become military chaplains. For example, Commander Alan Rogers, deputy force chaplain for the 12th Marine
Read moreClick here to read an accompanying piece by Nancy Patrick. By Mike Patrick About 10 years ago, I became fascinated with a little-known minister of a previous era, partly because we both served as chaplains, but especially because of his role in history. Rev. Henry Gerecke (rhymes with Cherokee), was ordained at Christ’s Lutheran Church in St. Louis, Missouri, in
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by Mike Patrick Like most people, I am a peace-lover. I have on occasion been fortunate to facilitate peace, a peacemaker. By nature, I avoid confronting others. However, when caring enough for or about someone or something, times come along to bring an issue to the table. In pastoral care, we like to use the term “carefrontation.” I care enough
Read moreBy MIKE PATRICK I want to share three stories about drummers, two historical and one of fiction. When researching my family roots years ago, I discovered that my great-great grandfather is buried in Sabanno Cemetery between Cross Plains and Cisco, located in Eastland County, Texas. His name was Virgil Miller Williams (1843-1894). His father (my 3-great grandfather) Joseph Henry Williams,
Read moreBy MIKE PATRICK One afternoon while I worked in the backyard, my wife, Nancy, went for a neighborhood walk to get in some exercise. About a quarter mile from the house, she heard a dog make a noise with a raspy bark. At first, she couldn’t tell from where the bark came. Then she realized it emanated from a storm
Read moreby Mike Patrick We generally consider fibs or little white lies rather obnoxious and inconsequential. But they become the first step down a slippery slope of dishonesty. I understand that people want to protect others from unnecessary hurt. For instance, if a woman asks her husband if he likes her new hairdo, he may say it looks good in order
Read more(Editor’s Note: Contributor Mike Patrick came across an article by Tom Mullen about 10 years ago and submitted it to the Reporter-News. It concerns how Christians are divided by elections and seems timely today, too. The article by Tom Mullen, “On Election Year Tensions,” was part of Mullen’s book, “Where 2 or 3 Are Gathered, Someone Spills His Milk.”) By
Read more(Editor’s Note: This is a follow-up column to a previous one written by Mike Patrick, “Where Is God When We Suffer?”) By MIKE PATRICK One of my favorite verses is Romans 8:26 (NIV) – “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes
Read moreBy MIKE PATRICK I received an email one night from a couple in California. They had a friend searching for a way to deal with her relative’s severe illness and lack of any improvement. Another relative blamed the sick person’s lack of healing on the family’s lack of faith. This couple had given their friend encouragement and even shared appropriate
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Spirit Of Abilene 