"Protecting Dreamers"

A short Letter to the Editor on DACA in the Boston Herald, click HERE

Gratitude for New England Autumns

New England in the fall is perhaps the most iconic setting in America. It's easy for us to miss it. Sometimes you can be so close to something that you have difficulty seeing it. For example, we typically don't take the time to appreciate oxygen. It's ubiquitous and transparent; we assume its presence, utilizing it every four seconds. But talk to an astronaut about the importance and value of oxygen and we may gain a new appreciation. Oxygen is not assumed anywhere outside our terrestrial atmosphere. 

For most of us, New England in the fall is simply the air we breathe. Haverhill, MA has been my home since Kindergarten. Let's take the time this year to step back and enjoy the idyllic New England autumn. Let's enjoy the beautiful changing colors of the leaves. Nowhere else in this land, from California to the New York island, do we find such a breakdown of chlorophyll highlighting the trees. The surreal oranges, the majestic purples, the subtle yellows and the fiery red leaves should take our breath away. This land was made for you and me.

On top of that, we have our history and heritage. The Plymouth pilgrims and the Native Wamponoags survived together, preparing for the cold snowy winter. Thanksgiving in San Diego or Chicago just doesn't have the same feel as a turkey feast in New England. Gratitude is one of life's most important and surprising gifts. With it we are able to enjoy not only what we are given anew, but what we've had all along.

Faith in Haverhill with Frank Jewett

Faith in Haverhill with David Braxton

Tim Tebow

Quoted by a local newspaper on the Tebow phenomenon HERE.

Buck up, Do something fun, Forget about Politics

Below is my letter to the editor for the Eagle Tribune. For the direct link, click HERE

It's time for the majority of us to take a break from politics. 

Politics was never meant to be our obsessive focus or the sole purpose of our lives. 

Indeed, politics at its best is what makes the life of the average citizen better, safer and more successful in her or his own endeavors. 

Maybe your candidate for president lost; maybe he won. Take a deep breath. Now let it go. 

Get back to enjoying your life: spend time with your family this Thanksgiving, get involved in your church helping the community, tidy-up your ski equipment or tune in to your favorite sitcom. Life will go on, and likely without much impact on your life. 

I don't mean this election doesn't matter. It will have long-standing effects on our nation, for better or for worse. But that doesn't mean anyone needs to fall into a deep depression and let this consume their lives. 

Enjoy the freedoms hard fought for by generations of Americans; freedoms that allow you not to allow the government to interfere with your life, your liberty or your pursuit of happiness. 

Snuggle up with a good novel by your fireplace. Go visit your favorite local restaurant (the Tap? the Barking Dog? Kruegger's Flatbread?) 

Come out for the Santa Parade this Sunday. Whatever you do, stop moping and worrying about the next resident of 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. I think we've spent enough time, energy and emotional resources on this election for a while. It's the holidays. Cheer up! 

Rick Harrington 

Haverhill 

Faith in Haverhill with Rick Amendola

Follow Me.

When we think about Jesus words, "follow me," they sound so simple, so easy. We grow up playing games like "follow the leader" as we mimic others, following their movements and words. But do we really mean it when we say, I have decided to follow Jesus? To follow him wherever he calls. That may mean going to the mission field and reaching Muslims with the gospel of Jesus. It may mean settling into a sedentary life of patient and persistent ministry in a small town. It may mean going back to school in the classroom or travelling far and wide in the school house of the globe. It may mean enjoying an abundance or waiting for your daily bread to come each day. Can we say, "Wherever you will, whatever you want" to Jesus? Let's recognize the radical nature of those two words, "follow me."

Mission work in Nepal

God has been so good to me. May He use our time there to encourage and strengthen our Nepali brothers and sisters in their faith!

Audio Adrenaline at FBC Haverhill!

What a great night and a great band! Lots of youth groups showed up. Our volunteers were amazing.

Faith in Haverhill with Ron Mills

Faith in Haverhill with David Thomas