tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-310355312012-02-16T05:34:13.237-06:00The Front Porch is not my personal journal. However, it is an editorial page to publish my writing... a place to sit, relax and contemplate the deeper things of life. So, grab a cup of coffee, sit for a spell and lets chat about the real issues...things that matter.Pastor Eric Hambrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06777728824239792768noreply@blogger.comBlogger301100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31035531.post-19516093062893093062011-03-28T02:34:00.002-05:002011-03-28T02:34:57.123-05:00

I am familiar with the saying that those who do not learn from their past are doomed to repeat it. But as I stand on this precipice of time, I see that this is a new place in time for this generation. It is true that we should study history and learn from those who have gone before us so that we don’t make the same mistakes. This concept should enhance our living and improve our culture…right?So

Pastor Eric Hambrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06777728824239792768noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31035531.post-83501860925687157042007-10-20T09:40:00.000-05:002007-10-20T09:45:05.408-05:00

You Can Quote Me on That“I have heard it said that two heads are better than one. Whoever said thatobviously took ‘personality’ out of the equation”What a beautiful morning after such a dreary week...rain, rain, rain. Not the hard stuff. Although, we did occasionally get the “hard stuff”. We mostly got the gentle down pour. And when it wasn’t raining, it was still cloudy.But this morning…wow!I

Pastor Eric Hambrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06777728824239792768noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31035531.post-59065725172766214322007-09-28T10:30:00.000-05:002008-12-09T15:16:25.896-06:00

I participated in a Thanksgiving Ecumenical service once. What an eye opener. It was held at one of the two local Lutheran Churches in Port Clinton, Ohio. As I recalled both United Methodist pastors were present. A Presbyterian, Episcopal, Assembly of God, Nazarene, and a Wesleyan (that was me) pastor was also present. It was my job to disburse the element of the “bread” for Holy Communion. As I

Pastor Eric Hambrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06777728824239792768noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31035531.post-83291311200390557102007-09-15T10:39:00.000-05:002008-12-09T15:16:26.127-06:00

Welcome to the porch! What a beautiful morning here on the edge of the Great North Woods. As I stepped out on the porch I was greeted with some rather chilly air, 38 degrees according to the thermometer… WOW!I have discovered that my sons are very quickly becoming coffee bums. This is troubling to me. I have some very nice beans that have come my way via God’s blessings and they (son # 1, 2, & 3)

Pastor Eric Hambrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06777728824239792768noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31035531.post-47643573226708896352007-09-05T09:19:00.000-05:002008-12-09T15:16:26.316-06:00

I’m sorry I’ve been away so long. As you may know “Priority of Time” is an issue I struggle with. The summer months have been so loaded that coming to “The Porch” has not been a priority. Sorry…that’s just the truth.Truth is that I’m back and man do I have some things to write about! There ain’t nuttin’ like a summer runnin’ around with a bunch of teenagers… goin’ to camps, goin’ camping, camping

Pastor Eric Hambrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06777728824239792768noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31035531.post-41155130540650631192007-04-21T08:58:00.000-05:002007-04-21T09:00:17.337-05:00

My spring work load is becoming ever increasing. So, in light of the piles on my desk (and the ones yet to come) I will be taking time away from the Front Porch until June. That is when I hope normality will visit my life. Until then …take care of yourself and each other.Pastor Eric

Pastor Eric Hambrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06777728824239792768noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31035531.post-18486656196889240482007-04-21T08:45:00.000-05:002008-12-09T15:16:26.510-06:00

There was a beautiful sunrise in Central Wisconsin this morning. Last night was absolutely beautiful too! We (my wife and I) had a campfire under the stars. You should have been there. Build a fire pit in your backyard and burn a little wood. It’s great therapy!For years on Cincinnati radio I heard a man do commentary. Today, I would like to borrow his format.You know what makes me sick! You know

Pastor Eric Hambrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06777728824239792768noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31035531.post-90203519617685638582007-03-24T10:40:00.000-05:002007-03-24T10:46:36.574-05:00

As I sit here typing this morning, the fragrance of fresh brewed coffee is wafting through my nostrils. I’ve wrapped my hands around the cup several times and sipped. It’s a foggy morning as I stare off the front porch and out into the mist. I suppose the wolf man might be out there somewhere. But on a more serious note, I am here. It is a quiet morning after a very busy week. It is refreshing,

Pastor Eric Hambrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06777728824239792768noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31035531.post-23831606253040028202007-03-16T16:04:00.000-05:002008-12-09T15:16:26.644-06:00

Just the other day I had the neatest experience. It was about 7a.m. on a school morning. I was sitting in the dark, in the bathroom having a quiet moment. Now don’t get red in the face. I am not being crude. I was really just sitting in the bathroom in the dark. To be precise, I was sitting on the edge of the bathtub. The rest of the house was waking and stirring and no one knew where I was. That

Pastor Eric Hambrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06777728824239792768noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31035531.post-49346049483322007192007-03-02T13:11:00.000-06:002007-03-02T13:19:27.985-06:00

I had a cell phone once. I eventually got rid of it. Now I know that there are those of you who have a cell phone for good reasons. So did I. I was the owner of a painting/finishing company. I needed to be in touch with my general contractors and suppliers and customers. What a great invention! A phone that went with you every where you went. No matter what I was doing anyone could reach me at

Pastor Eric Hambrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06777728824239792768noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31035531.post-37625883604203614722007-02-26T18:03:00.000-06:002008-12-09T15:16:26.858-06:00

I’m opinionated. There, I admitted it. I’ve taken my first step to recovery. It shouldn’t come as a big surprise that I am opinionated. I mean what else would make a graying, middle-aged man publish on the Internet? I’m certainly not making any money at this. I would suppose that I am exhibiting a certain amount of arrogance. (Ha! another step to recovery). Arrogance is what makes me think that

Pastor Eric Hambrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06777728824239792768noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31035531.post-1171113807221942962007-02-10T07:15:00.000-06:002007-02-12T14:10:06.474-06:00

Good Morning! I hope the weather is warm where you are. It is cold here. Somewhere around 5 below zero…I think. I came at 5 a.m. this morning to see if I could accomplish something. Today will be a long day. For the past 4 years I have volunteered my time as a basketball official to referee elementary school games on Saturday. A big tournament will start today. I have 6 games to ref. What is

Pastor Eric Hambrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06777728824239792768noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31035531.post-1170723027870019102007-02-05T18:38:00.000-06:002007-02-06T10:25:12.113-06:00

Before I say anything else…. YEAH COLTS!Now that I got that out of my system, I think I can move on.Really, even though it is cold outside, there is internal warmth on the porch because my team won,...well, not my team. I don’t own the Colts. Nevertheless, they were the team that I was pulling for. And when they won, it was like I won, but I didn’t.I got to thinkin’ about that. "How come I feel

Pastor Eric Hambrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06777728824239792768noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31035531.post-1169928660234839762007-01-27T14:06:00.000-06:002007-01-27T16:50:27.120-06:00

I like cold weather. Really, I do. I’m built for it. I have the extra insulation needed… kinda’ like a polar bear. I also produce a lot of internal heat. My wife calls me a furnace. I have a tendency (when outside) to be comfortable in less clothing than the average person...it seems. If there is a lack of snow and ice, I enjoy being outside on a cold crisp winter day.But I have to confess that I

Pastor Eric Hambrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06777728824239792768noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31035531.post-1169564099179814692007-01-23T08:52:00.000-06:002007-01-27T19:10:54.086-06:00

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the nature of man. For many of you reading this, we are on the same page when I say "human nature". But when it comes to "sin nature", well, that’s a different story.I understand to talk about man’s sin nature means an acceptance of God Almighty, and that He created Adam and Eve. I also understand that it means an acceptance of the notion that Adam did wrong

Pastor Eric Hambrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06777728824239792768noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31035531.post-1164439578035914702006-11-25T01:21:00.000-06:002006-12-29T17:21:30.593-06:00

As I come out to the porch today my tummy is full. My taste buds have been revived. And, the warmth of friends and family in my household has refreshed my spirits. Our God is so good to us! We have so much to be thankful for.It is my belief that this is the only true Christian holiday recognized in the United States. Think about it. All other American holidays are about our freedom, our soldiers

Pastor Eric Hambrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06777728824239792768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31035531.post-1163867975556664812006-11-18T10:33:00.000-06:002006-11-18T13:18:18.906-06:00

Meet Baby KayrinIt is obvious to me that God’s blessings can be found everywhere. Those blessings are all around us and are just for us. I am reminded of this by a little story, a true story at that!In our little plot of a garden just a few square big, my wife decided to plant potatoes. Now this may not seem peculiar to you, but we just happen to live in an area surrounded by 1000’s of acres of

Pastor Eric Hambrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06777728824239792768noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31035531.post-1163268888530858532006-11-11T12:07:00.000-06:002006-11-13T22:15:49.633-06:00

I’m sorry I missed you here on the porch last week. I had some very sad business to tend to. Our church lost a friend. She was just 51 years young.(One of the sweetest things in my life...my daughter, Emmali) Her life ended… too soon. It was sad.In my very short existence here on Earth, I have learned something about sadness. First and foremost, I have learned that sadness is not from God. He

Pastor Eric Hambrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06777728824239792768noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31035531.post-1162005881673212012006-10-27T20:42:00.000-05:002006-10-27T22:24:41.826-05:00

I have discovered that I have a relationship with my computer. My wife is aware of this so it’s o.k. It is a love-hate relationship. When my computer works, I love it. When it doesn’t…I hate it!I believe my computer to be an aesthetic adolescent…really. Let me explain. It sits on my desk looking stately and intelligent. Then, when I go to use it, it doesn’t want to work. We all know teenagers

Pastor Eric Hambrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06777728824239792768noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31035531.post-1161368219540341312006-10-20T13:12:00.000-05:002006-10-20T13:19:41.370-05:00

As I sit on the porch this morning, I am at peace with God and myself. That’s a good place to be. My coffee is hot and in hand. The sun is coming up and the light hues of pink in the crisp autumn clouds tell me that the rest of this sleepy little town will be waking up soon. These times are too short. The gentle sway of my rocking chair is comforting. If you don’t have one, you should get one.

Pastor Eric Hambrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06777728824239792768noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31035531.post-1160797340736444582006-10-13T22:31:00.000-05:002006-10-13T22:42:20.746-05:00

"As the snow flies….On a cold and gray Chicago mornAnother little baby child is bornIn the ghettoAnd his mamma cries…"The words to this song are haunting to me this morning. I woke up with the snow flying all around (no accumulation) and my world cold. It seems that the children and I mean children, in this country are committing or contemplating heinous acts upon others. There is no way that we

Pastor Eric Hambrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06777728824239792768noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31035531.post-1160162999206402542006-10-06T14:26:00.000-05:002006-10-06T14:29:59.216-05:00

I’m not real big on birthdays. When I was a kid, a birthday celebration was a song and a cake at dinner. That’s a nice birthday. My wife, on the other hand, thinks differently. Since we have been together, my wife has tried to celebrate every birthday. She thinks they’re "special"…. I don’t.Last year my birthday fell on a Wednesday. Wednesday is youth nite at my church. I am the youth pastor.

Pastor Eric Hambrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06777728824239792768noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31035531.post-1159538008842803372006-09-29T08:50:00.000-05:002006-09-29T08:53:28.853-05:00

I’ve been looking at my waist lately. Can’t miss it. I’ve been thinking that I need to get back to that exercise thing I use to do. So, I’ve been wondering when I can fit it in. Let me see. If I got up earlier on Mondays I might be able to get in a twenty minute work out before I have to get the kids up. But then again, I wouldn’t be getting a quality work out and it wouldn’t be worth it. Monday

Pastor Eric Hambrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06777728824239792768noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31035531.post-1158947082739665292006-09-22T12:42:00.000-05:002006-09-22T13:44:19.366-05:00

As I stepped out on the porch this morning with my coffee in hand, it was raining. Autumn’s chill is in the air… here in Wisconsin. Unlike the song, rainy days and Fridays don’t get me down. O.K., I know the song says Monday, but today is Friday and the rain is soothing to my soul. I sip my coffee, listen to the creaking of the runners on my rocking chair and the soft patter of the gentle rain.

Pastor Eric Hambrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06777728824239792768noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31035531.post-1158331802654360522006-09-15T09:42:00.000-05:002006-09-15T09:50:02.656-05:00

…About Sunshine & LaborThis morning I came out to the porch early. I made my cup of coffee and sat in the porch swing. I am tired of the rat race I have been running. So, I thought I would steal me a few moments on the front porch swing with a cup of Jo, singing birds and sunshine. What a gorgeous morning! I know I can’t sit here all day. But at this moment, I had better not be disturbed.You know

Pastor Eric Hambrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06777728824239792768noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31035531.post-1157746493991084592006-09-08T14:55:00.000-05:002006-09-08T15:24:45.466-05:00

I'm sorry. I've been away from my desk for a couple of weeks now. It has been literally impossible to write. So, now I'm back. For a few moments anyway to sit on my own front porch and catch my breath. Wow, it feels good to just sit here a minute. You see over the past two weeks I've taken teens on a 3 day two night canoeing trip and on an over-night trip too a Major League baseball game. At my

Pastor Eric Hambrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06777728824239792768noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31035531.post-1155928439479089052006-08-18T14:10:00.000-05:002006-08-18T14:13:59.496-05:00

SituationsI’ve been pondering an old theme. As I deal with people on a day-to-day basis, I wonder, "Is it the situations that we find ourselves in that shape us?"I don’t know how you would answer. However, I do know that you would be foolish to answer quickly without circumspection.As I ponder this question, many situations come to my mind. I’ve counseled with the pregnant teenager, the

Pastor Eric Hambrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06777728824239792768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31035531.post-1155400260563465702006-08-12T11:26:00.000-05:002006-08-12T11:31:00.596-05:00

Time is a funny thing.... I could start a thousand times with that phrase and come up with some different variation every time. I am amazed by time. Time…an intangible thing that we measure. It runs our society. Things open and close by the measurement of time. It is how we meet others. It runs our diets…breakfast, lunch, dinner, midnight snack etc. We all have the same amount of time to work

Pastor Eric Hambrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06777728824239792768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31035531.post-1154716724966642552006-08-04T12:49:00.000-05:002006-08-04T13:38:45.076-05:00

…About Our ChildrenThis morning my 3-year-old crept into my bedroom with the stealth of a rhino. As she climbed upon my chest, I laid there with my eyes closed pretending to be asleep."Daddy, are you awake?""No"She took her little finger and began to pry my eyes open. With both my eyes painfully forced open, she shoved her tiny face into mine and ordered, "Wake up!"God love her. What a start to

Pastor Eric Hambrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06777728824239792768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31035531.post-1154108503206921772006-07-28T12:36:00.000-05:002006-07-28T12:54:06.096-05:00

As a minister, it is part of my job to listen. So, I listen to a lot of things, and I must say what I hear can be confusing. In politics, I hear from one group that our nation's president is a wonderful leader. But, with the turn of a channel, I hear that his presidency is a sham and that the man is a liar. If I listen to the happenings of state and local issues, I can hear that a certain social

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