C & E Christians
Read: 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, Luke 5:1-11
Many of us have heard of C & E Christians – people who only attend worship services at Christmas and Easter.
I'm the kind who seems to be at church pretty much any time there's a worship service going on, and I've never really understood the C & E variety. “After all,” my thinking went, “if Christmas and Easter are important enough to bring you to church, wouldn’t you want to get more of that stuff on all the other days too?”
The other day, Bob was preaching on today's scriptures, and mentioned Christmas, Easter, and C & E types. I suddenly felt I had gained an insight on the topic. Maybe the reason they show up on those days is because we really talk about Jesus on those days. It's as though we use those special days as bait, but the “fish” have caught on that it's not going to be as good on a “Regular Old Sunday” as it is on Christmas or Easter. And often they’re right.
Maybe if we made every Sunday another Easter (or an extra Christmas), we would find them filling the pews, eager for more. It's like the song by Avery and Marsh (caution: it's in one of those song books from the 70's), “Every Morning is Easter Morning, From Now On.” If we lived and worshiped with that in mind – as if that were really true – imagine how exciting our lives could be.
Maybe that's the key – it's great to have special days and times to celebrate in special ways, but our whole lives should be made of worship and praise and celebration of the God who came to us that first Christmas, who lived with us, and then died for us that first Good Friday (nobody's favourite), but who then rose on that first Easter.
Ebenezer Scrooge may well have had it right - at the end of the story, that is. Sure, I may take down some of the Christmas decorations; I may put away the Easter stuff, but I'm going to try to keep Christmas - and Easter - in my heart and my life every day.
I think I won’t mind being a C & E Christian.
Father, thank you for sending your son, Jesus, to us at Christmas so He could live with us. Thank you even more that He was willing to die for us on Good Friday. Thank you most that He rose again on Easter to give us eternal life with you in Heaven.
The Lord is Risen Indeed!
Amen
Charlie van Becelaere
Saturday, February 24, 2007
April 7, 2007
Getting Saved And Celebrating
Read Colossians 1:15-23
When it gets right down to it, if everyone looks straight inside -
Into that place you'd call deep down ...
Yeah – Getting Saved & Celebrating ...
Good idea no matter what / no matter how you slice it
We'd be happier and so would God, right ...
Living in our society you might look out your car window
pondering the seemingly omnipotent question –
Do you have a Beaumont Doctor?
Or on television, that celebratory bliss and
predestined matrimonial perfection could be
summed up as friends and relatives, and finally, fiancée sigh ,,,
He went to Jared ...
Our savior, Jesus Christ, actually gave us two much more simple answers.
During Lent, he'd love us to remember a statement we've
All read in red letters ...
Hopefully, we all remember how he responded to the question
What is the greatest commandment?
Hey – still there?
If you are, then look down -
About three more spaces to go ...
(and smile seeing big black billboards or shiny engagement ring faces on TV)
thinking;
Love the lord your God with all your hearts and minds.
Love your neighbor as yourself.
GOT CHRIST?
George Sperry
Read Colossians 1:15-23
When it gets right down to it, if everyone looks straight inside -
Into that place you'd call deep down ...
Yeah – Getting Saved & Celebrating ...
Good idea no matter what / no matter how you slice it
We'd be happier and so would God, right ...
Living in our society you might look out your car window
pondering the seemingly omnipotent question –
Do you have a Beaumont Doctor?
Or on television, that celebratory bliss and
predestined matrimonial perfection could be
summed up as friends and relatives, and finally, fiancée sigh ,,,
He went to Jared ...
Our savior, Jesus Christ, actually gave us two much more simple answers.
During Lent, he'd love us to remember a statement we've
All read in red letters ...
Hopefully, we all remember how he responded to the question
What is the greatest commandment?
Hey – still there?
If you are, then look down -
About three more spaces to go ...
(and smile seeing big black billboards or shiny engagement ring faces on TV)
thinking;
Love the lord your God with all your hearts and minds.
Love your neighbor as yourself.
GOT CHRIST?
George Sperry
April 6, 2007 – Good Friday
Open-air Preaching
Read: 1 Kings 8:27-30, 56-60
Where the grass was once green
with potluck picnics and potato-sack races,
there now stands the bare bones
of a sanctuary-to-be. Steel arches rise
from the dust, like the ribs of a prehistoric giant.
Standing in the empty belly of this beast,
my brother and I were trespassers, stumbling
across something best left to the experts.
But we were the experts. Dusk and dust
settled behind us, small footsteps kicking up
fragments: limestone, cedar, steel.
Our eyes are drawn skyward, breathing in
the warm summer air. We exhale exaltations,
pretending to preach from pulpits.
Piles of bricks and bags of cement steady our hands.
With all the verve of John Wesley
we proclaim great and glorious words,
with nothing to echo against: Do all the good you can,
in all the ways you can, to all the souls you can,
in every place you can, at all the times you can,
with all the zeal you can, as long as ever you can.
We will see pews full of people,
we will hear songs of praise from the choir loft,
we will feel warm sun through stained glass.
But for now, we are just two small humans,
with two small hands each.
Dear Lord, we thank you that, even when we seem too small, we can still see the great things you would have us do. Keep us ever mindful of them, ever hopeful for them, and ever diligent in them, that we may be used in bringing others to your kingdom, and in bringing your kingdom on the Earth. Amen.
Katy Van de Putte
Read: 1 Kings 8:27-30, 56-60
Where the grass was once green
with potluck picnics and potato-sack races,
there now stands the bare bones
of a sanctuary-to-be. Steel arches rise
from the dust, like the ribs of a prehistoric giant.
Standing in the empty belly of this beast,
my brother and I were trespassers, stumbling
across something best left to the experts.
But we were the experts. Dusk and dust
settled behind us, small footsteps kicking up
fragments: limestone, cedar, steel.
Our eyes are drawn skyward, breathing in
the warm summer air. We exhale exaltations,
pretending to preach from pulpits.
Piles of bricks and bags of cement steady our hands.
With all the verve of John Wesley
we proclaim great and glorious words,
with nothing to echo against: Do all the good you can,
in all the ways you can, to all the souls you can,
in every place you can, at all the times you can,
with all the zeal you can, as long as ever you can.
We will see pews full of people,
we will hear songs of praise from the choir loft,
we will feel warm sun through stained glass.
But for now, we are just two small humans,
with two small hands each.
Dear Lord, we thank you that, even when we seem too small, we can still see the great things you would have us do. Keep us ever mindful of them, ever hopeful for them, and ever diligent in them, that we may be used in bringing others to your kingdom, and in bringing your kingdom on the Earth. Amen.
Katy Van de Putte
April 5, 2007 – Maundy Thursday
Stay Awake!
Read: Matthew 26:36-46
The Garden of Gethsemane is a lovely place with ancient olive trees and a feeling of peacefulness about it, but standing in the Garden on a bright blue-sky sunny day brought to my mind a very different setting when, on a dark night, Jesus came to the Garden and brought his disciples with him. He asked them to wait and watch while he went off to pray. However, when he returned, he found them sleeping. He asked Peter, “could you not stay awake with me one hour?” Two more times he asked them to stay awake while he prayed, and two more times they fell asleep. Jesus had been praying to the Father that if it was possible, that what he was about to bear would not come to pass, but nevertheless he said “not what I want, but what you want.”
Standing there in the garden, I pictured all this in my mind, and later in the days as I thought more about it, I wondered if I would, or could, have said that. Every time we pray the Lord's prayer, we say “thy will be done.” I asked myself if I really try to live my life as God will, or as I will. I wondered if, like the disciples in the garden, would I too have fallen asleep? I wondered is my faith sleeping when I should be wide awake and alert to the teachings of Jesus.
Jesus told the disciples to get up and be going, as the hour was at hand. All I could think was maybe it's time for me to be up and going, but, above all, I thought, “Stay awake! Stay awake!”
Marian Walker
Read: Matthew 26:36-46
The Garden of Gethsemane is a lovely place with ancient olive trees and a feeling of peacefulness about it, but standing in the Garden on a bright blue-sky sunny day brought to my mind a very different setting when, on a dark night, Jesus came to the Garden and brought his disciples with him. He asked them to wait and watch while he went off to pray. However, when he returned, he found them sleeping. He asked Peter, “could you not stay awake with me one hour?” Two more times he asked them to stay awake while he prayed, and two more times they fell asleep. Jesus had been praying to the Father that if it was possible, that what he was about to bear would not come to pass, but nevertheless he said “not what I want, but what you want.”
Standing there in the garden, I pictured all this in my mind, and later in the days as I thought more about it, I wondered if I would, or could, have said that. Every time we pray the Lord's prayer, we say “thy will be done.” I asked myself if I really try to live my life as God will, or as I will. I wondered if, like the disciples in the garden, would I too have fallen asleep? I wondered is my faith sleeping when I should be wide awake and alert to the teachings of Jesus.
Jesus told the disciples to get up and be going, as the hour was at hand. All I could think was maybe it's time for me to be up and going, but, above all, I thought, “Stay awake! Stay awake!”
Marian Walker
April 4, 2007
The Slipper Dance
Read: Luke 11:11-13
Mardi Gras beads ... a new box of crayons ... Happy New Year noisemakers in the middle of July ... such are some of my first and favorite memories of spending the night at Grandma’s house.
My sister and I were scared of staying anywhere – well, everywhere! – overnight. We were reluctant even at Grandpa and Grandma’s but my grandmother created a wonderful diversion for us, enticement in the form of an old cardboard box behind the couch. The magic of our “stay-all-night” box comes back to me even now some 30 years later: wooden spools for rolling, stacking, and decorating; metal cookie cutters for tracing; sewing kits, story books, paper dolls. All for fun. All for us. But only at Grandma’s house and only when we spent the night.
We ran to the contact-paper-covered box as soon as Mom was out the door, and Grandma never disappointed us with something new or something shared from inside the house. We learned to make paper chains and Christmas cards; we learned to make dolls; we learned to read books and to dance in Grandma-sized slippers; we learned to spend the night without being scared; we learned to share.
She made the box, she said when I asked as an adult, because she wanted us to be happy about visiting and wanted us to anticipate spending the night. If the process of getting us interested in the world outside our door had to start with an old box full of leftover entertainment she was fine with that. And so it is with all of us that living well and with purpose means nurturing and entertaining and loving our families and friends. It means we take care of the people smaller than us – smaller in stature, smaller in bravery, smaller in strength – by passing along some part of us that makes the world a better place. We pick up shiny things or useful things or comforting things and we offer them, in the form of gifts or words or hope, to the people we love so that they might venture out with new (or newly renewed) excitement and purpose.
There is no better gift to receive than this gift of love: that we are encouraged to learn new ways of living and enjoying life by following in other people’s footsteps . . . or by dancing in their slippers.
Jenneth Wright
Read: Luke 11:11-13
Mardi Gras beads ... a new box of crayons ... Happy New Year noisemakers in the middle of July ... such are some of my first and favorite memories of spending the night at Grandma’s house.
My sister and I were scared of staying anywhere – well, everywhere! – overnight. We were reluctant even at Grandpa and Grandma’s but my grandmother created a wonderful diversion for us, enticement in the form of an old cardboard box behind the couch. The magic of our “stay-all-night” box comes back to me even now some 30 years later: wooden spools for rolling, stacking, and decorating; metal cookie cutters for tracing; sewing kits, story books, paper dolls. All for fun. All for us. But only at Grandma’s house and only when we spent the night.
We ran to the contact-paper-covered box as soon as Mom was out the door, and Grandma never disappointed us with something new or something shared from inside the house. We learned to make paper chains and Christmas cards; we learned to make dolls; we learned to read books and to dance in Grandma-sized slippers; we learned to spend the night without being scared; we learned to share.
She made the box, she said when I asked as an adult, because she wanted us to be happy about visiting and wanted us to anticipate spending the night. If the process of getting us interested in the world outside our door had to start with an old box full of leftover entertainment she was fine with that. And so it is with all of us that living well and with purpose means nurturing and entertaining and loving our families and friends. It means we take care of the people smaller than us – smaller in stature, smaller in bravery, smaller in strength – by passing along some part of us that makes the world a better place. We pick up shiny things or useful things or comforting things and we offer them, in the form of gifts or words or hope, to the people we love so that they might venture out with new (or newly renewed) excitement and purpose.
There is no better gift to receive than this gift of love: that we are encouraged to learn new ways of living and enjoying life by following in other people’s footsteps . . . or by dancing in their slippers.
Jenneth Wright
April 3, 2007
Reflection
Read: Colossians 3:12-17
It happened no particular Sunday morning, not too long ago, that I was sitting in the infant nursery and I started to think about where I was and how I had gotten there, in that nursery. I realized that this church has cultivated so much of my personality and virtues.
For starters, if it wasn’t for this church and the people in it, to be more specific, I probably wouldn’t have gotten into babysitting, at least not to the extent that I have. And babysitting has not only made up a good portion of my income throughout these last 6 years of my life, but has also driven me to develop a range of skills and qualities which have helped me find my footing in this world.
There’s also the work camps and, now, VIM which have given me an outlet for my need to feel like I’ve contributed to the world and my fellow people. These trips have also given me experiences that not a whole lot of people my age have had.
A whole plethora of other things have happened to me here, have shaped who I am. This congregation has left so many marks on me, making me so unique; kind of like the moon, I’m a natural satellite. I’m showing the world what I have become; bouncing the light you give to me, to them.
Thank you for your light.
Emily Stowell
Read: Colossians 3:12-17
It happened no particular Sunday morning, not too long ago, that I was sitting in the infant nursery and I started to think about where I was and how I had gotten there, in that nursery. I realized that this church has cultivated so much of my personality and virtues.
For starters, if it wasn’t for this church and the people in it, to be more specific, I probably wouldn’t have gotten into babysitting, at least not to the extent that I have. And babysitting has not only made up a good portion of my income throughout these last 6 years of my life, but has also driven me to develop a range of skills and qualities which have helped me find my footing in this world.
There’s also the work camps and, now, VIM which have given me an outlet for my need to feel like I’ve contributed to the world and my fellow people. These trips have also given me experiences that not a whole lot of people my age have had.
A whole plethora of other things have happened to me here, have shaped who I am. This congregation has left so many marks on me, making me so unique; kind of like the moon, I’m a natural satellite. I’m showing the world what I have become; bouncing the light you give to me, to them.
Thank you for your light.
Emily Stowell
April 2, 2007
Gone Fishin’
Read: Luke 5:1-11
Whenever I hear the story of Jesus in the boats, fishing with the disciples so that their nets were breaking, I am reminded on going fishing with my father. Dad loved to fish, and our family vacations often involved camping near a beautiful lake to allow my father to fish. He taught us to fish with a cane pole and minnows, but I remember one summer when he taught me to fly fish. We were in northern Alabama on a beautiful lake. There were willows hanging over the water that were covered with May flies. The water under the branches was churning with fish eating their fill of flies. We gently paddled the boat and lightly laid our line on the water where it was snatched up by hungry fish. At one point we tied two flies to the line and pulled in the fish two at a time. We soon had a huge catch of fish for a huge fish fry that night. It was amazing and awesome for a 13 year old girl learning to fly fish.
Fishing with my Dad offered many rewards. First of all, I had him all to myself. In a family with four kids that was a real treat. We always packed a special lunch and spent hours on the water. I look back now and realize that he probably took me along to row the boat gently while he fished, but it also allowed some great conversation time. It was quiet and peaceful. Dad also taught me that if you catch the fish, you have to clean them. Not a great job, but somebody has to do it.
The lures are designed to attract the fish, but what kind of lures do we use here at our church? Our lures could be as simple as a kind word, a handshake, a smile. It could move up to a hug, or an “I’ve missed you.” What about a phone call or a card or letter? All of these show a concern, a caring for those in our congregation. Our lures can also be our programs and our worship. In supporting our church activities and participating, we develop a strong bond with others. I’ll never forget the first activities that we attended. It was like cool water to a parched soul. We promise to support our church with our presence, our gifts and our prayers.
“I am the church, you are the church, we are the church together.” We are the lures to attract new members and encourage others to participate. We shouldn’t just sit in the boat quietly, but row along and drop our line in the water. Jesus said he would make us fishers of men. Let’s start pulling them in.
Libby Van de Putte
Read: Luke 5:1-11
Whenever I hear the story of Jesus in the boats, fishing with the disciples so that their nets were breaking, I am reminded on going fishing with my father. Dad loved to fish, and our family vacations often involved camping near a beautiful lake to allow my father to fish. He taught us to fish with a cane pole and minnows, but I remember one summer when he taught me to fly fish. We were in northern Alabama on a beautiful lake. There were willows hanging over the water that were covered with May flies. The water under the branches was churning with fish eating their fill of flies. We gently paddled the boat and lightly laid our line on the water where it was snatched up by hungry fish. At one point we tied two flies to the line and pulled in the fish two at a time. We soon had a huge catch of fish for a huge fish fry that night. It was amazing and awesome for a 13 year old girl learning to fly fish.
Fishing with my Dad offered many rewards. First of all, I had him all to myself. In a family with four kids that was a real treat. We always packed a special lunch and spent hours on the water. I look back now and realize that he probably took me along to row the boat gently while he fished, but it also allowed some great conversation time. It was quiet and peaceful. Dad also taught me that if you catch the fish, you have to clean them. Not a great job, but somebody has to do it.
The lures are designed to attract the fish, but what kind of lures do we use here at our church? Our lures could be as simple as a kind word, a handshake, a smile. It could move up to a hug, or an “I’ve missed you.” What about a phone call or a card or letter? All of these show a concern, a caring for those in our congregation. Our lures can also be our programs and our worship. In supporting our church activities and participating, we develop a strong bond with others. I’ll never forget the first activities that we attended. It was like cool water to a parched soul. We promise to support our church with our presence, our gifts and our prayers.
“I am the church, you are the church, we are the church together.” We are the lures to attract new members and encourage others to participate. We shouldn’t just sit in the boat quietly, but row along and drop our line in the water. Jesus said he would make us fishers of men. Let’s start pulling them in.
Libby Van de Putte
April 1, 2007 – Palm Sunday
A Family Member
Read: Ephesians 3:14-19
My daughter is going through Confirmation this year. When she had to write a sermon she felt like she had nothing to say. From her point of view all the other kids had something happen – special or difficult – that they could write about. Nothing stood out in her life. I suggested maybe it was just because God was a part of her regular life, she just hadn’t noticed. Maybe He was more like a family member. I don’t know if she bought into that or not, but I did.
Life has certainly had its ups and downs for us. The question is, has she not noticed the downs because we have done such a good job of insulating her from them, or has she not noticed them as much because God lives with our family and shelters us all. Maybe a little of both. I do think that God is very much like a family member around here. We always like to have Him at the dinner table with us. We probably all get frustrated with Him sometimes when we think He’s ignoring us. If God were playing in a soccer game, I know we would all go as a family to watch Him play (and cheer Him on). Unfortunately I’m sure there are times when we take Him for granted just like other family members. We’re pretty comfortable with His presence though. We like having Him around. I’m sure there are times we’d like to complain, “Make Him stop, He’s staring at me.”
Does thinking of God as a family member not give Him an important enough place in our lives? Are we too familiar with Him? I don’t think so. We’re a pretty tight group and I think we would all put family at the top of our priorities list. I like having a close, friendly relationship with God. I like having Him hanging out in my house, or wherever I go. I like knowing He’s hanging out with my kids – even when they don’t want Him around (or maybe especially then). I guess now we’ll have to figure out where He should stand next time we get a family portrait.
Thought for the day: Does God have a place in your family?
Prayer: Dear God, Thanks for hanging out with us and keeping your eye on us. We are glad You are a part of our family. Amen.
Jacki Rumpp
Read: Ephesians 3:14-19
My daughter is going through Confirmation this year. When she had to write a sermon she felt like she had nothing to say. From her point of view all the other kids had something happen – special or difficult – that they could write about. Nothing stood out in her life. I suggested maybe it was just because God was a part of her regular life, she just hadn’t noticed. Maybe He was more like a family member. I don’t know if she bought into that or not, but I did.
Life has certainly had its ups and downs for us. The question is, has she not noticed the downs because we have done such a good job of insulating her from them, or has she not noticed them as much because God lives with our family and shelters us all. Maybe a little of both. I do think that God is very much like a family member around here. We always like to have Him at the dinner table with us. We probably all get frustrated with Him sometimes when we think He’s ignoring us. If God were playing in a soccer game, I know we would all go as a family to watch Him play (and cheer Him on). Unfortunately I’m sure there are times when we take Him for granted just like other family members. We’re pretty comfortable with His presence though. We like having Him around. I’m sure there are times we’d like to complain, “Make Him stop, He’s staring at me.”
Does thinking of God as a family member not give Him an important enough place in our lives? Are we too familiar with Him? I don’t think so. We’re a pretty tight group and I think we would all put family at the top of our priorities list. I like having a close, friendly relationship with God. I like having Him hanging out in my house, or wherever I go. I like knowing He’s hanging out with my kids – even when they don’t want Him around (or maybe especially then). I guess now we’ll have to figure out where He should stand next time we get a family portrait.
Thought for the day: Does God have a place in your family?
Prayer: Dear God, Thanks for hanging out with us and keeping your eye on us. We are glad You are a part of our family. Amen.
Jacki Rumpp
March 31, 2007
Best Laid Plans and Happy Crows
Read: Luke 14:15-24
“Blessed is he who eats bread in the house of the Lord”
So it says on the box these pies arrive in. This was made in a secret pie bakery known only to the members of a centuries old secret pie society. Berries are picked fresh and pies baked daily in wood-fired ovens by certified Little Old Ladies who live in hollowed-out trees in the woods. These are the same little old ladies who taught the Keebler Elves how to make cookies.
This Michigan Made 4 Berry pie is an example of one of their most sought after pies and was obtained only after bribing a Leprechaun, and was donated by an anonymous member of the centuries old secret pie society. Whosoever wins this pie at auction will surely find their pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.
Surely a story like this would help fetch a good price for a pie at Gumbopalooza. That is until the pie was left on the roof of the car as we took off down St Clair Highway an hour and a half before the event was to begin. Sometimes, the best laid plans….???
Now, most of the pie lady story is true and the ladies have a religious observation each Saturday and so we couldn’t get another until Sunday morning. Fortunately we know a lady who usually has a few of these very same pies kept in a secure location next to the saloon in Adair, MI. Off to Adair we went, she had only one pie but it hadn’t been baked yet. It was 5:00 and we had an unbaked pie, 40 miles from church. No time for the aforementioned saloon.
A lucky break, number 2 son was home, and he lives between Adair and the Church. His oven was hot when we arrived, the pie baked, we left his entire home smelling like fresh pie and left, with the pie.
We arrived at the church only fashionably late, fresh hot pie in hand, and the winner of the pie told me the pie was worth all the effort and it’ll help provide someone some much needed shelter.
Sometimes we find even the simplest things can go awry leading us in unexpected directions.
The Lord won’t give us anything we can’t handle if we keep trying.
Everything works out if you let it.
And if you’re a crow without much food and near freezing to death in Casco Twp., you never know when 7 lbs of fresh berries are going to fly off the top of a car and land right in the middle of the road at your feet.
Ron Draper
Read: Luke 14:15-24
“Blessed is he who eats bread in the house of the Lord”
So it says on the box these pies arrive in. This was made in a secret pie bakery known only to the members of a centuries old secret pie society. Berries are picked fresh and pies baked daily in wood-fired ovens by certified Little Old Ladies who live in hollowed-out trees in the woods. These are the same little old ladies who taught the Keebler Elves how to make cookies.
This Michigan Made 4 Berry pie is an example of one of their most sought after pies and was obtained only after bribing a Leprechaun, and was donated by an anonymous member of the centuries old secret pie society. Whosoever wins this pie at auction will surely find their pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.
Surely a story like this would help fetch a good price for a pie at Gumbopalooza. That is until the pie was left on the roof of the car as we took off down St Clair Highway an hour and a half before the event was to begin. Sometimes, the best laid plans….???
Now, most of the pie lady story is true and the ladies have a religious observation each Saturday and so we couldn’t get another until Sunday morning. Fortunately we know a lady who usually has a few of these very same pies kept in a secure location next to the saloon in Adair, MI. Off to Adair we went, she had only one pie but it hadn’t been baked yet. It was 5:00 and we had an unbaked pie, 40 miles from church. No time for the aforementioned saloon.
A lucky break, number 2 son was home, and he lives between Adair and the Church. His oven was hot when we arrived, the pie baked, we left his entire home smelling like fresh pie and left, with the pie.
We arrived at the church only fashionably late, fresh hot pie in hand, and the winner of the pie told me the pie was worth all the effort and it’ll help provide someone some much needed shelter.
Sometimes we find even the simplest things can go awry leading us in unexpected directions.
The Lord won’t give us anything we can’t handle if we keep trying.
Everything works out if you let it.
And if you’re a crow without much food and near freezing to death in Casco Twp., you never know when 7 lbs of fresh berries are going to fly off the top of a car and land right in the middle of the road at your feet.
Ron Draper
March 30, 2007
Love Ye One Another
Read: John 17:20-26
I recently saw an article in the newspaper that was quite thought-provoking. The heading stated: “Snob within grows to include middle class.” The first paragraph read in part: “Once upon a time, snobbery was a bad thing, a character flaw indulged in by effete elites and condemned by everyone else. But is snobbery going mainstream? Are snob appeal and mass appeal converging? The country is on a status binge that has made the quest for luxury goods the new national pastime. And the rules of the game evidently are: No guilt, no limits.” Alongside the paragraph was a color photo of First Lady Laura Bush stunningly attired for a recent White House reception in an $8,500 Oscar de la Renta gown. As it turns out, three other women arrived at the event wearing the same red dress, causing Mrs. Bush to change clothes mid-party.
Status and prestige have probably always been part of human life, reflecting the ego's need for specialness – an elevated standing relative to others. The seemingly innocent and universal desire for luxury goods, with high profit potential, is a driving force in the economy. I believe, however, that all things are inherently neutral, neither good nor bad. It is their purpose that gives them meaning. When feeling the desire for something, we might well ask ourselves in a moment of thoughtful honesty: “What is this for?” A given object might be a blessing, a useful and comfortable tool for daily living – or a wedge that further separates us one from another.
Separation always leads to fear, the opposite of love. And where love is lacking, can intolerance and even hatred be far behind? Religious, racial, ethnic and ideological strife – to name but a few examples – rob much of humanity of joy and peace in daily living, and can lead to conflict of global proportions. The “Great War” was the “war to end all wars,” yet in a little more than two decades, there arose a second world-wide conflict of horrific and unprecedented destruction. The ongoing strife in the Middle East, to name but one example, should spark within all thoughtful persons the exclamation: “Enough! There must be a better way!”
Into this intractable situation, God sends His greatest gift to humankind – a Savior and Way-shower in the form of Jesus Christ. In the 17th chapter of John's gospel, Jesus prays for the spiritual unity of us all: “And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one.” If this be the divine plan, only folly would divide into separate and unequal parts what God would have as one. If we could lay hold of the idea that we are all brothers and sisters of one heavenly Parent, and equally loved and blessed by God, there may at last be a chance for a durable peace on this planet.
During this reflective period of Lent, let us take the time and put forth the effort to seriously reassess our view of each other with the goal of strengthening our relationships to each other and to our God. In this way do we honor our Creator: by loving and honoring what He created. “And God saw everything that He had made, and, behold, it was very good.” (Genesis 1:31a)
In the 12th chapter of Mark's gospel we read of the scholar of the scriptures who asked Jesus the question, “What commandment is foremost of all?” To summarize all the law and the prophets, Jesus replied, “The foremost is, 'Hear, O Israel; the Lord our God is one Lord; and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.' The second is this, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these.” When the scribe who asked Jesus the question agreed with his answer, Jesus told him, “You are not far from the Kingdom of God.”
Dear God, in the unsettled and unsettling world in which we live, we often feel the fear of being unloved and unloving. We forget that You made us in Your image and that Your love for us knows no bounds of time or space. Forgive us for not realizing that You have given us each other as help-mates on the journey back to You. Forgive us also for making the meager and temporal offerings of this earthly plane into substitutes for Your love. Help us to quiet our minds, our bodies, and our activities so that Your Voice can be heard above the noise and activity of this world. And help us to follow the two great commandments of love so that we, too, can be close to Your kingdom. We ask this with humble and grateful hearts. Amen.
Doug Dykstra
Read: John 17:20-26
I recently saw an article in the newspaper that was quite thought-provoking. The heading stated: “Snob within grows to include middle class.” The first paragraph read in part: “Once upon a time, snobbery was a bad thing, a character flaw indulged in by effete elites and condemned by everyone else. But is snobbery going mainstream? Are snob appeal and mass appeal converging? The country is on a status binge that has made the quest for luxury goods the new national pastime. And the rules of the game evidently are: No guilt, no limits.” Alongside the paragraph was a color photo of First Lady Laura Bush stunningly attired for a recent White House reception in an $8,500 Oscar de la Renta gown. As it turns out, three other women arrived at the event wearing the same red dress, causing Mrs. Bush to change clothes mid-party.
Status and prestige have probably always been part of human life, reflecting the ego's need for specialness – an elevated standing relative to others. The seemingly innocent and universal desire for luxury goods, with high profit potential, is a driving force in the economy. I believe, however, that all things are inherently neutral, neither good nor bad. It is their purpose that gives them meaning. When feeling the desire for something, we might well ask ourselves in a moment of thoughtful honesty: “What is this for?” A given object might be a blessing, a useful and comfortable tool for daily living – or a wedge that further separates us one from another.
Separation always leads to fear, the opposite of love. And where love is lacking, can intolerance and even hatred be far behind? Religious, racial, ethnic and ideological strife – to name but a few examples – rob much of humanity of joy and peace in daily living, and can lead to conflict of global proportions. The “Great War” was the “war to end all wars,” yet in a little more than two decades, there arose a second world-wide conflict of horrific and unprecedented destruction. The ongoing strife in the Middle East, to name but one example, should spark within all thoughtful persons the exclamation: “Enough! There must be a better way!”
Into this intractable situation, God sends His greatest gift to humankind – a Savior and Way-shower in the form of Jesus Christ. In the 17th chapter of John's gospel, Jesus prays for the spiritual unity of us all: “And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one.” If this be the divine plan, only folly would divide into separate and unequal parts what God would have as one. If we could lay hold of the idea that we are all brothers and sisters of one heavenly Parent, and equally loved and blessed by God, there may at last be a chance for a durable peace on this planet.
During this reflective period of Lent, let us take the time and put forth the effort to seriously reassess our view of each other with the goal of strengthening our relationships to each other and to our God. In this way do we honor our Creator: by loving and honoring what He created. “And God saw everything that He had made, and, behold, it was very good.” (Genesis 1:31a)
In the 12th chapter of Mark's gospel we read of the scholar of the scriptures who asked Jesus the question, “What commandment is foremost of all?” To summarize all the law and the prophets, Jesus replied, “The foremost is, 'Hear, O Israel; the Lord our God is one Lord; and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.' The second is this, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these.” When the scribe who asked Jesus the question agreed with his answer, Jesus told him, “You are not far from the Kingdom of God.”
Dear God, in the unsettled and unsettling world in which we live, we often feel the fear of being unloved and unloving. We forget that You made us in Your image and that Your love for us knows no bounds of time or space. Forgive us for not realizing that You have given us each other as help-mates on the journey back to You. Forgive us also for making the meager and temporal offerings of this earthly plane into substitutes for Your love. Help us to quiet our minds, our bodies, and our activities so that Your Voice can be heard above the noise and activity of this world. And help us to follow the two great commandments of love so that we, too, can be close to Your kingdom. We ask this with humble and grateful hearts. Amen.
Doug Dykstra
March 29, 2007
God's Timetable
Three days later, there was a wedding in the village of Cana in Galilee. Jesus' mother was there. Jesus and his disciples were guests also. When they had started running low on wine at the wedding banquet, Jesus' mother told him, “They're just about out of wine.” Jesus said, “Is that any of our business, Mother – yours or mine? This isn't my time. Don't push me.” She went ahead anyway, telling the servants, “Whatever he tells you, do it.” Six stone-ware pots were there; use by the Jews for ritual washings. Each held twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus ordered the servants, “Fill the pots with water,” and they filled them to the brim. “Now fill your pitchers and take them to the host,” Jesus said, and they did. When the host tasted the water that had become wine, he called out to the bridegroom, “Everybody I know begins with their finest wines, and after the guests have had their fill brings in the cheap stuff. But you've saved the best till now!” This act in Cana of Galilee was the first sign Jesus gave, the first glimpse of glory. And his disciples believed in him. (John 2:1-10)
Cana of Galilee – a name as familiar as Detroit, Michigan – I have heard this story so many times. The first miracle – water to wine. And here we were, climbing the hill on a narrow street ... and suddenly, on our second day in the Holy Land, I thought, “I'm walking where Jesus walked!” Two things were especially meaningful to me in Cana.
First, Jack and I, along with several other couples in our group, did a reaffirmation of our wedding vows at the site of that wedding 2,000 years ago. It was a very special moment, made more so by the presiding of Bishop Keeton, and the presence of friends, old and new.
The second thing was an insight I gained about the nature of Jesus. The couple getting married in Cana must be special friends for Jesus, his mother, and the disciples to be invited, and to walk the ten miles from Nazareth. To run out of food or wine at such an occasion was the worst possible social blunder of that day – the couple would never live it down in tiny Cana. Jesus at first refused his mother's request for him to DO SOMETHING!! It was not time – the hour of Jesus' self-disclosure was determined by God, not by Mary. But then a remarkable thing happens – Jesus does deal with the crisis by turning the water to wine – his first miracle. His love and concern for these good friends overcame even God's timetable. And I had the reverse experience of the disciples. They saw Jesus, whom they knew to be human, as divine; and I saw Jesus, whom I know to be divine, as human.
Noelle Landin
Three days later, there was a wedding in the village of Cana in Galilee. Jesus' mother was there. Jesus and his disciples were guests also. When they had started running low on wine at the wedding banquet, Jesus' mother told him, “They're just about out of wine.” Jesus said, “Is that any of our business, Mother – yours or mine? This isn't my time. Don't push me.” She went ahead anyway, telling the servants, “Whatever he tells you, do it.” Six stone-ware pots were there; use by the Jews for ritual washings. Each held twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus ordered the servants, “Fill the pots with water,” and they filled them to the brim. “Now fill your pitchers and take them to the host,” Jesus said, and they did. When the host tasted the water that had become wine, he called out to the bridegroom, “Everybody I know begins with their finest wines, and after the guests have had their fill brings in the cheap stuff. But you've saved the best till now!” This act in Cana of Galilee was the first sign Jesus gave, the first glimpse of glory. And his disciples believed in him. (John 2:1-10)
Cana of Galilee – a name as familiar as Detroit, Michigan – I have heard this story so many times. The first miracle – water to wine. And here we were, climbing the hill on a narrow street ... and suddenly, on our second day in the Holy Land, I thought, “I'm walking where Jesus walked!” Two things were especially meaningful to me in Cana.
First, Jack and I, along with several other couples in our group, did a reaffirmation of our wedding vows at the site of that wedding 2,000 years ago. It was a very special moment, made more so by the presiding of Bishop Keeton, and the presence of friends, old and new.
The second thing was an insight I gained about the nature of Jesus. The couple getting married in Cana must be special friends for Jesus, his mother, and the disciples to be invited, and to walk the ten miles from Nazareth. To run out of food or wine at such an occasion was the worst possible social blunder of that day – the couple would never live it down in tiny Cana. Jesus at first refused his mother's request for him to DO SOMETHING!! It was not time – the hour of Jesus' self-disclosure was determined by God, not by Mary. But then a remarkable thing happens – Jesus does deal with the crisis by turning the water to wine – his first miracle. His love and concern for these good friends overcame even God's timetable. And I had the reverse experience of the disciples. They saw Jesus, whom they knew to be human, as divine; and I saw Jesus, whom I know to be divine, as human.
Noelle Landin
March 28, 2007
Awakening Faith
Read: UM Hymnal #277, “Tell Me the Stories of Jesus”
When I was a girl, my widowed Grandmother lived with us. My mother worked outside the home, so many child-care duties fell to my grandmother. Every summer my brother and I had a glorious few months in northern Michigan at her cottage on Lake Charlevoix. I have early memories of exploring the woods, swimming, boating, observing wildlife. There was no TV; we read books for entertainment.
Swaying on the old swing on the front porch is where I learned the Lord’s Prayer, the Creeds, the 23rd Psalm, “Jesus Loves Me” and countless Bible stories. My Grandmother, Katrina, was a gifted instructor. She taught us the faith that sustained her through many crises – the Great Depression, two World Wars, the death of her son while a pilot during WW II, followed shortly by her husband’s passing.
Every evening she would read from her Bible (and often during the day as well). When she died, it was the one thing I especially wanted to have. It is the King James Version, covered in a tattered zippered cloth case, pages quite worn from handling, filled with mementos and her notations in the margins. I use it every morning during my devotion – it reminds me of the person who awakened my Christian faith, and I am thankful God blessed me with her presence in my life.
Sue DeWitt
Read: UM Hymnal #277, “Tell Me the Stories of Jesus”
When I was a girl, my widowed Grandmother lived with us. My mother worked outside the home, so many child-care duties fell to my grandmother. Every summer my brother and I had a glorious few months in northern Michigan at her cottage on Lake Charlevoix. I have early memories of exploring the woods, swimming, boating, observing wildlife. There was no TV; we read books for entertainment.
Swaying on the old swing on the front porch is where I learned the Lord’s Prayer, the Creeds, the 23rd Psalm, “Jesus Loves Me” and countless Bible stories. My Grandmother, Katrina, was a gifted instructor. She taught us the faith that sustained her through many crises – the Great Depression, two World Wars, the death of her son while a pilot during WW II, followed shortly by her husband’s passing.
Every evening she would read from her Bible (and often during the day as well). When she died, it was the one thing I especially wanted to have. It is the King James Version, covered in a tattered zippered cloth case, pages quite worn from handling, filled with mementos and her notations in the margins. I use it every morning during my devotion – it reminds me of the person who awakened my Christian faith, and I am thankful God blessed me with her presence in my life.
Sue DeWitt
March 27, 2007
Holey Ones
Read: Luke 11:37-42
I didn’t have much time I remember. It was the beginning of summer and I thought I had missed out on a great opportunity. But no sooner I found a new one with friends. And no later I realized that I hadn’t missed out at all. I talked to Russell and George about what I could bring to the clinic and they both agreed.
And then I asked you you remember. You were there. I still have it written down in my journal that Pastor Shipley gave to me. I asked my congregation - my family my friends -for socks and hopefully not holey ones right? You came through with about three hundred.
On the way there he remembers. Interstate ninety four and Beaubien, I saw a man in a wheelchair with a sign and one foot. What did it say - it didn’t matter - it wasn’t written down. We gave him two pairs of socks and he said, “God bless you”, I said the same.
I cried so hard - I remember. Harder than I ever have in a long time. Thank you for giving, thank you for supporting, thank you for being. In my life.
For food, for raiment
For life, for opportunity
For friendship and fellowship
We thank thee, O Lord.
Paul Thomas
Read: Luke 11:37-42
I didn’t have much time I remember. It was the beginning of summer and I thought I had missed out on a great opportunity. But no sooner I found a new one with friends. And no later I realized that I hadn’t missed out at all. I talked to Russell and George about what I could bring to the clinic and they both agreed.
And then I asked you you remember. You were there. I still have it written down in my journal that Pastor Shipley gave to me. I asked my congregation - my family my friends -for socks and hopefully not holey ones right? You came through with about three hundred.
On the way there he remembers. Interstate ninety four and Beaubien, I saw a man in a wheelchair with a sign and one foot. What did it say - it didn’t matter - it wasn’t written down. We gave him two pairs of socks and he said, “God bless you”, I said the same.
I cried so hard - I remember. Harder than I ever have in a long time. Thank you for giving, thank you for supporting, thank you for being. In my life.
For food, for raiment
For life, for opportunity
For friendship and fellowship
We thank thee, O Lord.
Paul Thomas
March 26, 2007
WHAT IS FAITH?
Read Hebrews Chapter 11
“To have faith is to be sure of the things we hope for, to be certain of the things we cannot see.” Hebrews 11:1
What a gift to be sure of things we hope for and certain of things we cannot see. How do we as Christians manifest that surety and certainty? How do we experience our faith? The following is a partial list. I encourage you to think of other signs of our faith.
Faith enables us to live life without being consumed by fears.
Faith gives us confidence to live each day and to face an unknown future.
Faith is trusting God in his providence to take care of us.
Faith is being unafraid to die.
Faith is hope for tomorrow.
Faith gives us a reason for living and joy in living because we are in God’s hands.
Faith frees us to accept our limitations and expect God’s miracles.
Faith gives us a path of purpose and destiny.
Faith enables us to take control our lives by allowing God to direct our path.
Faith is a beacon of light in a dark world.
Faith is relying on God’s promises.
Faith is strength to face life’s challenges with God as our partner.
Faith is living a life that is pleasing to God.
Faith is experiencing God’s grace and forgiveness and extending it to others.
Faith enables us to put life into perspective when we are overwhelmed by things.
Faith helps us discern the will of God so we know what he requires of us.
Prayer:
Father you have given us the gift of faith. Grant that we live a life that gives evidence of that faith. Help us in life’s pilgrimage to trust in you and to grow in that faith.
Pat Deck
Read Hebrews Chapter 11
“To have faith is to be sure of the things we hope for, to be certain of the things we cannot see.” Hebrews 11:1
What a gift to be sure of things we hope for and certain of things we cannot see. How do we as Christians manifest that surety and certainty? How do we experience our faith? The following is a partial list. I encourage you to think of other signs of our faith.
Faith enables us to live life without being consumed by fears.
Faith gives us confidence to live each day and to face an unknown future.
Faith is trusting God in his providence to take care of us.
Faith is being unafraid to die.
Faith is hope for tomorrow.
Faith gives us a reason for living and joy in living because we are in God’s hands.
Faith frees us to accept our limitations and expect God’s miracles.
Faith gives us a path of purpose and destiny.
Faith enables us to take control our lives by allowing God to direct our path.
Faith is a beacon of light in a dark world.
Faith is relying on God’s promises.
Faith is strength to face life’s challenges with God as our partner.
Faith is living a life that is pleasing to God.
Faith is experiencing God’s grace and forgiveness and extending it to others.
Faith enables us to put life into perspective when we are overwhelmed by things.
Faith helps us discern the will of God so we know what he requires of us.
Prayer:
Father you have given us the gift of faith. Grant that we live a life that gives evidence of that faith. Help us in life’s pilgrimage to trust in you and to grow in that faith.
Pat Deck
March 25, 2007
Things we take for granted
Read: Genesis 1:26-31
ODE TO THE EARTH
It's the mountains and valleys, the forests and flowers;
Its the sky overhead, and summertime showers.
Its the storehouse of waters, the source of our food;
Its the fish and the sheep and the giant redwood.
Its the place of four seasons, its day after night;
Its an empire of beauty, it is here there is life!
Who but the Lord could give sunshine and soil?
Who but He, gave us oceans and oil?
Think of the atom, the wind and the rain,
think of His gifts of colors and grain.
What price would you pay for the coo of a dove?
And how would you value a young mother's love?
Where but on earth are there children and air?
Where but around us a planet to share?
The earth is the Lord's, with riches unmeasured;
The home where we live, a world to be treasured.
We can spoil it, or keep it, as a land full fair,
for we are His stewards, His earth is our care.
CONSIDER THE EARTH, CONSIDER IT WELL !
Glenn DeLodder
Read: Genesis 1:26-31
ODE TO THE EARTH
It's the mountains and valleys, the forests and flowers;
Its the sky overhead, and summertime showers.
Its the storehouse of waters, the source of our food;
Its the fish and the sheep and the giant redwood.
Its the place of four seasons, its day after night;
Its an empire of beauty, it is here there is life!
Who but the Lord could give sunshine and soil?
Who but He, gave us oceans and oil?
Think of the atom, the wind and the rain,
think of His gifts of colors and grain.
What price would you pay for the coo of a dove?
And how would you value a young mother's love?
Where but on earth are there children and air?
Where but around us a planet to share?
The earth is the Lord's, with riches unmeasured;
The home where we live, a world to be treasured.
We can spoil it, or keep it, as a land full fair,
for we are His stewards, His earth is our care.
CONSIDER THE EARTH, CONSIDER IT WELL !
Glenn DeLodder
March 24, 2007
WISER THAN YOU KNOW!
Proverbs 3:13 - Blessed is the one who finds wisdom and the one who obtains understanding.
In many areas you are knowledgeable. But do you know that you are wise, too? Perhaps far wiser than you realize.
Wisdom is more than knowledge. Wisdom is the product of lessons learned in the school of life. Wisdom can be hard won; for it is often birthed in the ashes of failure.
Theodore Levitt, of the Harvard Business School, said, "Experience comes from what we have done. Wisdom comes from what we have done badly." If that is true, I am wiser than I ever imagined!
One man tells of sitting next to a "wise" woman on a flight to Florida. He was preparing his notes for one of the parent-education seminars he conducted as an educational psychologist. Bessie, an older woman sitting next to him, explained that she was returning to Miami after having spent two weeks visiting her six children, eighteen grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren in Boston.
Then she inquired what he did for a living. The man explained that he was a doctor psychologist specializing in children. He dreaded telling her this, as he fully expected her to question him for free professional advice during the three-hour flight. Instead, she sat back, picked up a magazine and said, "So doctor, if there's anything you want to know, just ask me."
Bessie's years of parenting and grand-parenting gave her what no professional degrees could -- wisdom. And though her comment may have been made in jest, she probably could have added much to the seminar.
Don't dismiss those mistakes and tough times you have suffered. Don't discount your many life experiences. You paid a high price for them. And if you learned well, they brought you something priceless -- wisdom! For everything you have done -- EVERYTHING -- has given you experience. And if it did not all go as well as you'd hoped, then you also gained some wisdom. This wisdom, the progeny of your setbacks and difficulties may be your most valuable asset!
Who will benefit from your wisdom today?
Heavenly Father, we pray for wisdom from above, please help us spread your peace and love and may we live each moment of the day guided by wisdom. Amen
Cindy Rolka
Proverbs 3:13 - Blessed is the one who finds wisdom and the one who obtains understanding.
In many areas you are knowledgeable. But do you know that you are wise, too? Perhaps far wiser than you realize.
Wisdom is more than knowledge. Wisdom is the product of lessons learned in the school of life. Wisdom can be hard won; for it is often birthed in the ashes of failure.
Theodore Levitt, of the Harvard Business School, said, "Experience comes from what we have done. Wisdom comes from what we have done badly." If that is true, I am wiser than I ever imagined!
One man tells of sitting next to a "wise" woman on a flight to Florida. He was preparing his notes for one of the parent-education seminars he conducted as an educational psychologist. Bessie, an older woman sitting next to him, explained that she was returning to Miami after having spent two weeks visiting her six children, eighteen grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren in Boston.
Then she inquired what he did for a living. The man explained that he was a doctor psychologist specializing in children. He dreaded telling her this, as he fully expected her to question him for free professional advice during the three-hour flight. Instead, she sat back, picked up a magazine and said, "So doctor, if there's anything you want to know, just ask me."
Bessie's years of parenting and grand-parenting gave her what no professional degrees could -- wisdom. And though her comment may have been made in jest, she probably could have added much to the seminar.
Don't dismiss those mistakes and tough times you have suffered. Don't discount your many life experiences. You paid a high price for them. And if you learned well, they brought you something priceless -- wisdom! For everything you have done -- EVERYTHING -- has given you experience. And if it did not all go as well as you'd hoped, then you also gained some wisdom. This wisdom, the progeny of your setbacks and difficulties may be your most valuable asset!
Who will benefit from your wisdom today?
Heavenly Father, we pray for wisdom from above, please help us spread your peace and love and may we live each moment of the day guided by wisdom. Amen
Cindy Rolka
March 23, 2007
Reflections of God's Grace
Read: Acts 2:42-47
There’s a businessman
There’s a widowed wife
There’s a smiling face with a shattered life
There’s a teenage girl with a choice to make
It’s crowded here in church today
And the preacher says as the sermon ends
Please close your eyes and bow your heads
Is there anyone in need of prayer
Jesus wants to meet you here
‘cause we all fall short
We all have sinned
But when you let
God’s Grace break in…
It’s beautiful
Beautiful
Come as you are
Surrender your heart
Broken and beautiful
Well he’d never been to church before
But he came today as a last resort
His world was crashing in
And he was suffocating in his sin
But tears ran down
As hope rushed in
He closed his eyes
Raised his hands
Worshiping the God who can
Bring him back to life again
Cause there’s nothing more beautiful to God
Than when his sons and daughters come
Broken
Alleluia, Alleluia
Come as you are
Alleluia, Alleluia
Come as you are
Alleluia, Alleluia
Come as you are
(Come as you are)
Surrender your heart
Broken and beautiful
Alleluia, Alleluia
Come as you are
(Come as you are)
Surrender your heart
Broken and beautiful
- Mark Schultz, "Broken and Beautiful"
Leave it to a 20 something kid to make a devotional out of a contemporary Christian music song. This song is one of my current favourites. Mark Schultz’s “Broken and Beautiful” is a great song about the love of God and how that love permeates the church. I have often felt like there is nothing that can go right; in middle school it was “I’ve never messed up this badly before”. In high school it was “how many people can God take from me so close together” and “If I get to college, not where”. College presented changes in life among other typical college difficulties like “What am I going to do for the rest of my life?”
That’s pretty much where this church tirelessly stepped in, giving advice, guidance and opinions. I know that the love of the church will find me another “home away from home” as I begin my life in Dallas. Much like Schultz’s song, it doesn’t matter what circumstances brought you to church; the warmth of the congregation instantly lifts your burdens and puts a smile on your face. I always looked forward to long weekends and vacations from school to come home and be able to go to church because it has been such a big part of my life. I love being able to come and just be myself with my extended family and talk about problems, and listen to the positive messages we receive from our ministers.
This Lenten season let us remember what makes us a church family. It is the unending love we share for each other and the constant reflection of Gods’ grace. The same love Jesus shared with us when he died on the cross. It doesn’t matter what circumstances brought you in, what matters is that you are there. You have seen yourself in need of some aspect the church can provide. Love, help, hope, togetherness or the opportunity to serve, whatever it was, you were able to feel it here. It is the grace of God which brings us together.
Dear God,
Let us know your grace in every event life brings us. Give us the strength to know you are never out of reach. Give us continued grace to share your love with all who need it. Amen.
Mark Brammer
Read: Acts 2:42-47
There’s a businessman
There’s a widowed wife
There’s a smiling face with a shattered life
There’s a teenage girl with a choice to make
It’s crowded here in church today
And the preacher says as the sermon ends
Please close your eyes and bow your heads
Is there anyone in need of prayer
Jesus wants to meet you here
‘cause we all fall short
We all have sinned
But when you let
God’s Grace break in…
It’s beautiful
Beautiful
Come as you are
Surrender your heart
Broken and beautiful
Well he’d never been to church before
But he came today as a last resort
His world was crashing in
And he was suffocating in his sin
But tears ran down
As hope rushed in
He closed his eyes
Raised his hands
Worshiping the God who can
Bring him back to life again
Cause there’s nothing more beautiful to God
Than when his sons and daughters come
Broken
Alleluia, Alleluia
Come as you are
Alleluia, Alleluia
Come as you are
Alleluia, Alleluia
Come as you are
(Come as you are)
Surrender your heart
Broken and beautiful
Alleluia, Alleluia
Come as you are
(Come as you are)
Surrender your heart
Broken and beautiful
- Mark Schultz, "Broken and Beautiful"
Leave it to a 20 something kid to make a devotional out of a contemporary Christian music song. This song is one of my current favourites. Mark Schultz’s “Broken and Beautiful” is a great song about the love of God and how that love permeates the church. I have often felt like there is nothing that can go right; in middle school it was “I’ve never messed up this badly before”. In high school it was “how many people can God take from me so close together” and “If I get to college, not where”. College presented changes in life among other typical college difficulties like “What am I going to do for the rest of my life?”
That’s pretty much where this church tirelessly stepped in, giving advice, guidance and opinions. I know that the love of the church will find me another “home away from home” as I begin my life in Dallas. Much like Schultz’s song, it doesn’t matter what circumstances brought you to church; the warmth of the congregation instantly lifts your burdens and puts a smile on your face. I always looked forward to long weekends and vacations from school to come home and be able to go to church because it has been such a big part of my life. I love being able to come and just be myself with my extended family and talk about problems, and listen to the positive messages we receive from our ministers.
This Lenten season let us remember what makes us a church family. It is the unending love we share for each other and the constant reflection of Gods’ grace. The same love Jesus shared with us when he died on the cross. It doesn’t matter what circumstances brought you in, what matters is that you are there. You have seen yourself in need of some aspect the church can provide. Love, help, hope, togetherness or the opportunity to serve, whatever it was, you were able to feel it here. It is the grace of God which brings us together.
Dear God,
Let us know your grace in every event life brings us. Give us the strength to know you are never out of reach. Give us continued grace to share your love with all who need it. Amen.
Mark Brammer
March 22, 2007
Jerusalem Awaits
Jesus’ final words to his disciples come from Acts 1:7-8:
“It is not for you to know the times or periods that the father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you: and you will be my witness in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth.”
Old Jerusalem is where Christ was crucified, and tradition says Solomon built his great temple, its remnants today being the Western Wall- Judaism’s holiest site. During our Western wall experience (or wailing wall as it’s sometimes called), many blue starred flags emphasized the 6 rows of Israeli youth in military green awaiting induction. Muslims believe devoutly that Prophet Mohamed swooned thru Jerusalem on his notorious Night Journey, so just around the bend the Muslim temple – the gold gilded dome of the rock serves as a Moslem’s 2nd holiest site, Mecca number one.
If a guide was pressed for time (let’s say a Methodist tour guide was needing to be early for a church potluck that evening) you could be led in a short time through 1 of 7 gates through the ancient walled city of Jerusalem- Entering Dung gate could start everyone at the Jewish quarter’s Wailing Wall, where Christians, Jews and Muslims pray or place written prayers between the huge blocks. Leaving the wall, distant glimpses of that gold Dome of the Rock in the Muslim quarter soon appear.
Then you’d trek through the spirited shoppers in the Christian quarter (which between the fresh odors and beckoning merchants has the first 9 of 14 stations of the cross- on Jesus’ excruciating journey to his crucifixion). Christ’s final 5 stations adjoin the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, first built in 300 AD. Here Christ was crucified, at least one Christian tradition says.
All this after initially donning a paper Jewish yarmulke on your head at the Western Wall, then, like thunder - Mosques cry to Allah’s faithful via loudspeaker. A Muslim Call to prayer, randomly seconds apart, (chant-like and foreboding) from at least 3 different Mosques 5 times daily.
Perhaps finally you ponder and pray amidst incense tranquilly wafting amidst Christ’s Holy place of suffering and death. Candles adorn the dark tomb in super nova lines of brightness. You’re unmistakably in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher among other dazzled Christians with the hierarchs - Armenian, Greek Orthodox and Catholic who are the keepers- thronging at Christ’s site of crucifixion and burial…
Old Jerusalem’s narrow and humanistic shopping corridors dramatize old school food presentation; fresh fruit and veggies, meat, fish and poultry, still oven warm pita and sesame breads, all enrapturing the senses, creating dynamic shopping opportunities- comparably, most shopping malls seem passé and plastic.
The Most Biblical Colorful Political tiny town within a city ever imagined melds with cultural Divisions and splendor. Thousands of years, multiple attacks and wars necessitated 9 re-buildings (with a San Francisco style earthquake in the middle). With so many unresolved fears, stark misunderstandings, and various world viewpoints floating about, our minds searched for truths.
WWJ DO? WWJ Think? WWJ say?
One remarkable area a tour could overlook is the crammed dwellings and hodge-podge everyday life in the 4 religious quarters. They cohabitate, each with just a few square blocks, centered in the biblical world - Muslims, Jews, Christians and Armenians.
Suddenly, reveling in such unparalleled diversity, strife and beauty, you know why this land - the land of our Lord’s Passion.. The land of the first believers - eyewitnesses of Jesus Christ – The first and last, OUR lord and savior.
“…. You will be my witness in Jerusalem, …….And to the ends of the earth,” There is but one God, no matter his name, one Christ we worship and praise. My friends, Jerusalem awaits your witness.
George Sperry
Jesus’ final words to his disciples come from Acts 1:7-8:
“It is not for you to know the times or periods that the father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you: and you will be my witness in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth.”
Old Jerusalem is where Christ was crucified, and tradition says Solomon built his great temple, its remnants today being the Western Wall- Judaism’s holiest site. During our Western wall experience (or wailing wall as it’s sometimes called), many blue starred flags emphasized the 6 rows of Israeli youth in military green awaiting induction. Muslims believe devoutly that Prophet Mohamed swooned thru Jerusalem on his notorious Night Journey, so just around the bend the Muslim temple – the gold gilded dome of the rock serves as a Moslem’s 2nd holiest site, Mecca number one.
If a guide was pressed for time (let’s say a Methodist tour guide was needing to be early for a church potluck that evening) you could be led in a short time through 1 of 7 gates through the ancient walled city of Jerusalem- Entering Dung gate could start everyone at the Jewish quarter’s Wailing Wall, where Christians, Jews and Muslims pray or place written prayers between the huge blocks. Leaving the wall, distant glimpses of that gold Dome of the Rock in the Muslim quarter soon appear.
Then you’d trek through the spirited shoppers in the Christian quarter (which between the fresh odors and beckoning merchants has the first 9 of 14 stations of the cross- on Jesus’ excruciating journey to his crucifixion). Christ’s final 5 stations adjoin the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, first built in 300 AD. Here Christ was crucified, at least one Christian tradition says.
All this after initially donning a paper Jewish yarmulke on your head at the Western Wall, then, like thunder - Mosques cry to Allah’s faithful via loudspeaker. A Muslim Call to prayer, randomly seconds apart, (chant-like and foreboding) from at least 3 different Mosques 5 times daily.
Perhaps finally you ponder and pray amidst incense tranquilly wafting amidst Christ’s Holy place of suffering and death. Candles adorn the dark tomb in super nova lines of brightness. You’re unmistakably in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher among other dazzled Christians with the hierarchs - Armenian, Greek Orthodox and Catholic who are the keepers- thronging at Christ’s site of crucifixion and burial…
Old Jerusalem’s narrow and humanistic shopping corridors dramatize old school food presentation; fresh fruit and veggies, meat, fish and poultry, still oven warm pita and sesame breads, all enrapturing the senses, creating dynamic shopping opportunities- comparably, most shopping malls seem passé and plastic.
The Most Biblical Colorful Political tiny town within a city ever imagined melds with cultural Divisions and splendor. Thousands of years, multiple attacks and wars necessitated 9 re-buildings (with a San Francisco style earthquake in the middle). With so many unresolved fears, stark misunderstandings, and various world viewpoints floating about, our minds searched for truths.
WWJ DO? WWJ Think? WWJ say?
One remarkable area a tour could overlook is the crammed dwellings and hodge-podge everyday life in the 4 religious quarters. They cohabitate, each with just a few square blocks, centered in the biblical world - Muslims, Jews, Christians and Armenians.
Suddenly, reveling in such unparalleled diversity, strife and beauty, you know why this land - the land of our Lord’s Passion.. The land of the first believers - eyewitnesses of Jesus Christ – The first and last, OUR lord and savior.
“…. You will be my witness in Jerusalem, …….And to the ends of the earth,” There is but one God, no matter his name, one Christ we worship and praise. My friends, Jerusalem awaits your witness.
George Sperry
March 21, 2007
What a Year!
Read: Matthew 6:31-34
It was bad when our good friend was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. She has undergone chemo- and radiation, but she has the most wonderful positive attitude. She even baked and decorated her house beautifully for Christmas. We pray for her every day.
August 11 was very good. We celebrated our 50th anniversary by going out to dinner with our children and grandchildren. We were all together which made it so special. It was exactly what we wanted. Two days later, they had a surprise party (which we didn’t want), but it was great – kids, adults, relatives, friends and even college friends.
Thanksgiving at Heidi and Charlie’s is always a very special day for all of us. After dinner things weren’t so good. We were still at the table when Gary told us they were losing their business (which they had both worked so hard for). It was a blow.
But things turned better again when he said, “We’ll be okay. All that matters is the people sitting around this table. We have our health and we have each other”.
We have hope and we have faith.
What more can we ask?
Shirley Van Becelaere
Read: Matthew 6:31-34
It was bad when our good friend was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. She has undergone chemo- and radiation, but she has the most wonderful positive attitude. She even baked and decorated her house beautifully for Christmas. We pray for her every day.
August 11 was very good. We celebrated our 50th anniversary by going out to dinner with our children and grandchildren. We were all together which made it so special. It was exactly what we wanted. Two days later, they had a surprise party (which we didn’t want), but it was great – kids, adults, relatives, friends and even college friends.
Thanksgiving at Heidi and Charlie’s is always a very special day for all of us. After dinner things weren’t so good. We were still at the table when Gary told us they were losing their business (which they had both worked so hard for). It was a blow.
But things turned better again when he said, “We’ll be okay. All that matters is the people sitting around this table. We have our health and we have each other”.
We have hope and we have faith.
What more can we ask?
Shirley Van Becelaere
March 20, 2007
Make A Difference
Read: 1 Corinthians 10:23-24
This past summer I traveled to Kentucky with 36 other people. The morning we were leaving my dad came in my room at 5:30 to wake me up and said, “Abby get up we are going to Work Camp today!” I moaned and turned over. He came back into my room at 6:00 and literally had to drag me out of bed.
The first day was extremely awkward and all I wanted was to go home, and to make things worse I would have to get up early, go to a church service, and then go work in the heat all day. I was having a terrible time. The week went on and I started to form relationships with the other youth and adults. The trip began to be fun and after our day off we were all having the time of our lives.
On Friday we finished our projects. I, myself, was one on the last four people at my site. I will never forget the look on the elderly woman’s face as Mr. Lorenz handed her the keys to the new doors we had installed. The joy and thankfulness in her eyes has forever changed me.
On the drive back to the settlement we sat in silence. I was thinking back on the past year with these 36 people; fundraising, working, laughing, and growing in faith together. At that moment I understood why the adults had taken their vacation time away from their families to travel with us; they did it to guide us and mold us into better Christians.
The trip opened my eyes to the poverty in America and drew me closer to God. It showed me that I, with the help of God, can make a difference.
Abigail Martin
Read: 1 Corinthians 10:23-24
This past summer I traveled to Kentucky with 36 other people. The morning we were leaving my dad came in my room at 5:30 to wake me up and said, “Abby get up we are going to Work Camp today!” I moaned and turned over. He came back into my room at 6:00 and literally had to drag me out of bed.
The first day was extremely awkward and all I wanted was to go home, and to make things worse I would have to get up early, go to a church service, and then go work in the heat all day. I was having a terrible time. The week went on and I started to form relationships with the other youth and adults. The trip began to be fun and after our day off we were all having the time of our lives.
On Friday we finished our projects. I, myself, was one on the last four people at my site. I will never forget the look on the elderly woman’s face as Mr. Lorenz handed her the keys to the new doors we had installed. The joy and thankfulness in her eyes has forever changed me.
On the drive back to the settlement we sat in silence. I was thinking back on the past year with these 36 people; fundraising, working, laughing, and growing in faith together. At that moment I understood why the adults had taken their vacation time away from their families to travel with us; they did it to guide us and mold us into better Christians.
The trip opened my eyes to the poverty in America and drew me closer to God. It showed me that I, with the help of God, can make a difference.
Abigail Martin
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)