From the Pastor’s Heart

There isn’t much on TV these days that capture my attention. Nancy of course channel surfs from the Pirates game (if they are winning) to the Steelers game and soon it will be the Penguins. Sprinkle in any other sports event that might grab her attention.

We enjoy watching House Hunters, My First Place, Property Virgins, Property Brothers and Holmes on Homes. I love seeing how folks have a vision for a house, turning it from a run down dwelling to a home of luxury. It is also an opportunity to daydream about the kind of home we will some day purchase.

Interestingly enough, we also find ourselves tuning in to watch “Pawn Stars.” The Gold and Silver Pawn Shop is located in Las Vegas and operated by three generations of the Harrison family. Richard Harrison (known as “Old Man” and “the Appraiser”) moved to Las Vegas in pursuit of a fresh start after serving in the U.S. Navy and losing a million dollars in the real estate market. Rick (The Spotter”) Richard’s son has been in the business for twenty-eight years and is an expert when it comes to spotting anything fake or stolen. Rick hasn’t had it easy. He was a math whiz at an early age, but developed a similarly uncanny ability to find ever-deepening trouble that nearly ruined his life. With the birth of his son, he sobered up, reconnected with his dad, and they started their booming business together. Corey “Big Hoss” Harrison (Rick’s son) began working at the pawnshop when he was nine. Expertly trained in the art of appraisal, Corey not only has the brains to spot a cheat but the brawn to back it up. The crew is completed by Corey’s devoted childhood friend, Austin “Chumlee” Russell. Chumlee is just like a son to Rick and he’s been around the shop since he was a kid. Everybody loves Chum, but he is often the butt of the boy’s jokes.

It is interesting to watch the treasures and family heirlooms brought into the shop. Then we get to watch the owner’s expression on his or her face when the item is identified as a worthless fake or whether it is the real thing and of substantial value. When it is genuine and of value Rick always asks: “Well, what do you want to do with it? Do you want to pawn it or sell it?” The answer is always, “I want to sell it!”

The viewing audience is given the opportunity to see the “seller” prior to going into the shop. A little history is given on the item to be sold and the owner will state I would like to get X number of dollars but will definitely not take anything less than X amount of dollars.

The bargaining and hassling over the selling price is intriguing. Obviously the Harrison’s wish to get it for as little as possible and the seller wants top dollar. What I find amazing is that 99% of the sellers will settle for far less than they stated as their absolute bottom line.

Sometimes I think people treat their relationship with God like they are in a Pawn Shop situation. Sometimes they are wearing the shoes of the Harrison’s. They will take all that God is willing to give and in exchange they want to bargain and hassle with God giving in return as little as possible.

Many years ago, a friend of mine had a cap that read ‘How much can I get away with and still get into Heaven?” Often, people are minimalists. They glory in a good deal… a bargain… a steel.

God has given us God’s best, and God expects our best.

I am blessed to serve a church family that is willing to give their all… their best. Countless hours of volunteering, of giving, of practicing, of serving is evidenced daily in the life of the Sewickley Untied Methodist Church. I thank God for you and for the opportunity of being in ministry with you.

God is not a minimalist. God does not settle. God gives His all. Thanks be to God for a church that does likewise.

Blessings,

Pastor Russel