Wednesday, January 29, 2014

The Holy Spirit Consumes Me With Song - by Bev Christensen

Shout with joy to the Lord, O earth! Worship the Lord with gladness. Come before Him, singing with joy. Psalm 100:1-2

These are such beautiful words to live by. Sometimes I ask myself “what would life be like for me as a Christian who dearly loves Christian hymns and worship music - - - if I was to suddenly find that there would not be any music anymore?” What a devastating thought that would be.  I have been on a musical journey for “many years” since about age four. The love of music is so engrained into my soul. From dawn to dusk every day, I am listening to music. My favorite genre is Christian music – traditional and blended. I truly feel that God is speaking and moving through me as I hear the songs! Such encouragement I have received while singing, listening or playing the songs. I believe that God gives us all special spiritual gifts. Mine is to play the piano or to sing. I have grown so much in my spiritual development while being a member of Redeemer Church through being involved in the 8:15 Chancel Choir and it has been so easy to get involved. We meet on Thursday nights to practice and sing about two times a month on Sunday mornings and special performances around holidays. It’s also great that we have summers off to enjoy God’s beauty outside with family and friends.  Now, to answer my own question – what would I do without the wonderful world music in my life? I don’t really know. The Holy Spirit consumes me and gives me my main reason to live! Praise be to God!
Again, we rejoice - come before Him singing with joy. You are warmly invited to join.

Bev Christensen
Chancel Choir Director

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

The Blessing of Mother Nature


Well first things first. I will have to say this is my first blog, so that in itself would be miracle #1. I don’t have a Facebook account. I don’t Skype or tweet, although I do have a Duck Commander duck call. I’m not electronically savvy. I still haven’t’ figured out how to program my VCR! Oh, I guess we don’t use those any more, Thank God! My home if full of electronic gadgets that I seldom use nor have the patience to use. Every time I pick up an electronic device it wigs out on me. I usually rant and rave blaming the device, but my wife is always quick to acknowledge that it’s operator error. I get confused as to the name of the device and its intention but am always quickly corrected by teenagers who usually laugh (at my expense) and call me old. So recently I was surprised to see my spouse and child exhibiting similar frustrations that I have had with electronics, albeit from an unlikely situation.


Most of us in the Greater DeWitt area were stricken by mother nature’s wrath, as a 100 year ice storm wreaked havoc on our community with widespread power outages and damage to property and trees - - our community was paralyzed. During this time of devastation I witnessed something incredible. From the moment the power went out there was a transformation (or an awakening) taking place in our household. Up until that moment our lives had revolved around electronics. I would rarely see my children come out of their rooms unless it was to get food or a restroom break. Joyfully playing video games for hours on end, facebooking, tweeting and looking up some random bit of information on the internet to discredit something their father had told them. Anyway as the power diminished and cell phones, tablets and ipods slipped into electronic purgatory, my children ventured from their rooms confused and concerned that their world had just come crashing down. What were they to do?
 

Miracle #2 – Their instinctive nature for family bonding had once again emerged from the depths of the Matrix. At first, conversations were slow and short but as time went on the ice would break and we would enjoy the companionship of family. We talked about random topics, we huddled around the stove to cook dinner and we played with the dog, laughed and enjoyed each other. The following day we rallied together as a family and proceeded to start cleaning up the debris with no complaints (which usually never occurs when anything is asked of them). They ventured outside (which also never occurs unless there’s a sale at the mall). Something was happening …. Perhaps God had slowed things down so we could once again reconnect. Although I must admit I wasn’t aware of it while it was happening. It didn’t actually come to me until several days later. As days went by it became apparent to my children that they may actually survive despite not having their daily dose of social media and electronics.
 

Miracle #3 – On Christmas Eve, around mid-afternoon, power was restored and the only reason I consider this a miracle is the meat in the freezer was about to spoil! The quietness and camaraderie that had prevailed for the last few days had come to an end. We were back in full swing much to the joy of my children. A few days later as evening approached I walked out on my porch, gazing to the west, watching the clouds pass through as the sun radiated off the horizon. The trees glistened like tinsel on a Christmas tree. At that moment I knew that among the disaster and chaos there was a beauty, and that we had been blessed by our Heavenly Father. I gave praise and a thank you for the awakening or Miracle #4 that had occurred. It was a reminder to me that it’s ok to periodically slow things down to witness and enjoy what the Lord provides.
 

And next time I want some family time, I’ll just go downstairs and flip off the breaker. J

 
The Anonymous Blogger
(Jack Hanneman)

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Having a Mary Heart - by Amanda VanKuiken

I recently stumbled upon a book called "Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World" which references the story of Jesus’ visit at the home of two sisters. It goes like this:

"As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!" (Luke 10:38-40).

Needless to say, I quickly picked up the book because there’s no denying that my world is a Martha world. It’s a world of to-do lists, and endless chores, and just trying to keep up with the daily grind. After a long day, when the baby has finally fallen asleep, I often notice my husband sitting down to relax. And I also find myself declining his offer to take a break too; to spend some quality time with him before we both must face another day. With exhaustion in my voice, I tell him there are lunches to be prepared, laundry that needs to be washed, and floors that must be swept.

See, I get caught up in thinking that by doing all of these things, I am showing my love to those around me through serving. What I need to remember though is that God values both action and thought. It’s not all about the "doing" if I am not acting in love. And if I am honest with myself, I think a lot of times I am acting in stress and fear and pressures from our society to keep up / appear put together.

I don’t think this lesson is constrained to just my home life either. I see the effects of this "Martha world" on the faces of people all around me. Work is bogging them down. Family events become something to check off the list. Even volunteering becomes more of a to-do than a love-to-do.

Nowadays, when life gets too busy & that Martha figure inside of me starts to take control, I try to remember how Jesus replied to Martha in her moment of angst as she worked so hard to prepare the finest of meals for her Lord. He answered with, "you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one." (Luke 10:41-42).

Today I challenge you to approach all that you must accomplish with a Mary heart (no, I am not saying you should just stop doing what you’re doing). But may you act with love in your heart and direct your intentions to indeed, the only One that truly matters.

 

Thursday, January 9, 2014

Searching God’s Word for Guidance - by Susan Jensen


This winter has certainly been a real doozy. In my over 15 years working here, I don’t ever remember closing a church on a Sunday, but on December 22 we did just that, no power, no heat, no lights… no churchL.  And then to add insult to injury, let’s just throw in another winter super storm just a couple weeks later, and on January 5 we had a meager 259 people in attendance because of the large amounts of snow mixed with high winds and low temperatures. We discussed this at staff meeting, and quite honestly, we are glad that our congregation took precautions and used their best judgment as to whether to tackle the weather or not. But personally, being there in church this past Sunday, I have to say, anyone who missed it, missed a great message. (and no, I did not get an extra 20 in my paycheck for saying that J) Better yet, last Sunday’s message is the beginning of a very helpful series. (shameless plug here – you can listen to Rod’s message on our website by clicking on the podcast button, or if you prefer, pick up a paper copy from the rack by the Worship Center this weekend to catch up, we are printing a few extras.)
Over the Christmas break I was talking with one of our daughters about a recent conflict with someone who had become a great friend over the past few months. The two girls had become really close doing so much together. Then without warning, the new friend, Kathie, did something that both hurt and disappointed her.  She began to question why her friend would do such a thing, and even questioned if they were really even friends at all.

As we talked about the situation, one thing became very obvious. They had become such quick and close friends that our daughter didn’t see any flaws in Kathie. They have both been working very hard to help others and she saw only the amazing characteristics in her friend. 
As our conversation continued we could begin to see that she probably placed unreal expectations on Kathie. In reality, at some point or another, people will let us down. And if we are honest with ourselves, given time, we will always disappoint others. It doesn’t mean that the friendship is any less than we imagined, it just means we are all truly human. Our relationship with God is the only relationship we will ever have that can be perfect - at least on His part ;)

A second realization was that we put expectations on the behaviors of others, and if we fall into that trap we start to assume how they will react to us, how we will then respond to them and before we know it we are imagining how bad everything can spin from there. We have all done that. 
We think ‘well if I say this… she is just going to say that… cause she did do that one time… so how can this be any different.’  Unfortunately when we begin role playing in our mind we tend to get a little sure that we are right and the other person is wrong. Then when we get into a real conversation with the person we are in conflict with, we tend to enter the conversation with a chip already on our shoulder. Things rarely ever turn out good from there.
We have so often hear it said ‘let go and let God’ and that’s all well and fine, and maybe we can even bring ourselves to do that - once. The reality is though, in any relationship one time is not enough, we don’t just hand things over to God once and done. That would work if hurt feelings didn’t replay in our minds, but they do. Letting go and letting God isn’t a one-time thing, it’s an over and over again thing that we need to do as often as necessary until we truly let go of it.

 A third nugget we unpacked was our daughter’s habit of walling people out. There was a really close relationship in her past that seemed to promise to be a lifelong connection, but it took unexpected turns and she dealt with it by turning her back on it and not looking back. It was the only way she could deal with the overwhelming hurt at the time.  As we talked she realized how close she came to doing this with her new friend merely out of a gut reaction regardless of how big or small the hurt was. As it turned out, there was a hurt, but it certainly wasn’t intentional. Our daughter had learned a coping mechanism when she was younger and could have just replayed the scenario without much thought.
Fortunately, she has also developed some amazing new habits as she has grown into a young adult, and one of those is to take weighty situations in life like this to God in prayer. As she spent time over a few days praying over the situation and searching God’s Word for guidance, and seeking counsel of good Christian friends, she gently heard God coaxing her through resolution.

Speed ahead a week, and she and her friend were able to sit down and graciously talk over the incident and ended the conversation with a prayer of thanksgiving that their friendship was stronger than ever and they were both able to see the value each other placed on their amazing friendship.
2 Corinthians 5:17
New International Version (NIV)
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

The caveat here is being “in” Christ, not just knowing of Him. We have to be an active part here by continually turning to God for our help.
In this New Year we can slow down after the holiday rush and take an inward look. What can we work on this year that will enrich our lives and those around us? One of Rod’s points in last week’s messages we can make changes and heal past wounds easier if we ask for God’s help.  Let’s be intentional and invite the Holy Spirit to walk with us in this endeavor.

Join us again this Sunday, January 12, as Pastor Rod continues the series “Beyond Childish Ways” as he looks at a destructive childhood motto that influences our life as adults: “Measuring Up”.
 

 

Thursday, January 2, 2014

In God’s promise…we find healing. - by Rod Kalajainen

It’s been an eventful year for our family…with a mixture of good things and profound sadness.  In mid-August, Jan’s father died unexpectedly of a ruptured aorta; in early November my father was diagnosed with end-stage pancreatic cancer and died two weeks later.  A few weeks ago, Jan’s Uncle Bill died and a few days later we had to say goodbye to our almost 20 year old cat.  Our fathers were both Christ-followers, and our profound sense of loss is tempered by the knowledge that they are with the Lord.

At the same time, life goes on.  We continue to fulfill our obligations at work – which were many in the season leading up to Christmas – and to our family and friends.  Even though we may have wanted to “stop the world and get off” for a bit so that we could recover emotionally and physically, there has not been that opportunity.

In reflecting on all these events recently, I am reminded of a story in Luke’s Gospel (Chapter 24) where two people are walking together on the road.  And you can tell from the way they are walking that they are not happy.  Their bodies are bent over, their faces are downcast, and their movements slow.  They do not look at each other…and their labored words vanish into the air as useless sounds.  Life, for them, has become emptiness, disillusionment and despair.

They can hardly imagine that it was only a few years earlier when they had met someone who had changed their lives, someone who had radically interrupted their daily routines and had brought a new vitality to every part of their existence.  They had followed this stranger and discovered a whole new reality hidden in ordinary activities…a reality in which forgiveness, healing, and love were no longer mere words but powers touching the very core of their humanity. 

This stranger from Nazareth had made everything new.  He had made them into people for whom the world was no longer a burden but a challenge, a place of endless opportunities.  He had brought peace and joy to their daily experience. (adapted fromWith Burning Hearts, Henri J.M. Nouwen)

We know what it’s like to be them, don’t we?  Some of you in this congregation have lost loved ones this year, as well.  We know what it’s like to feel like we’ve lost our grip, to feel the energy that fills our days and nights leave us.

How are we to deal, then, with our losses?  Hide them?  Live as if they never happened?  Keep them away from our friends? I would like to suggest another possibility…mourning.

Henri J.M. Nouwin suggests that we must mourn our losses.  We cannot talk or act them away, but we can shed tears over them and allow ourselves to grieve deeply.  “To grieve is to allow our losses to tear apart feelings of security and safety and lead us to the painful truth of our brokenness.”  Our grief makes us experience the fact that our own life is anything but settled, clear, or obvious…rather, everything is constantly shifting and changing.  “And as we feel the pain of our own losses, our grieving hearts open our inner eye to a world in which losses are suffered far beyond our own little world of family, friends and colleagues.  It is the world of prisoners, refugees, starving children, and countless human beings living in constant fear.”

How true.  And in the middle of our grief, we realize that others are and have experienced incredible suffering…far beyond our own.  Jan and I have also felt the genuine love of this congregation, our friends, small group, and others who have taken time to express their concern for us, send a card or call.

Several people have asked us how we are doing.  In short, we are doing okay.  Because we have discovered that in the midst of the pain, there is a strange and surprising voice who says:  “Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted.”  That’s the unexpected blessing that is hidden in times of grief.  Somehow, in the middle of our tears we find that we are blessed by God.

Our hearts may be broken when we lose people we love dearly. But we are people of hope.  Grief doesn’t have to lead to resentment and other destructive forces in our lives…we can discover a song of gratitude for the One who promises “My grace is enough for you!”  And in God’s promise…we find healing.

Happy New Year!
Rod

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Another Top 10 List for 2013 - by Ron Bekkering

Each year I always look forward to reading some of those Top 10 lists…Top 10 movies, Top 10 songs, Top 10 Plays on Sportscenter…Well I thought to close down this year of 2013, I would give you a Top 10 List from Redeemer.  It has been a great year and I am so proud to be a part of this congregation that spends the whole year “connecting people with the love and life of Jesus Christ”!!!  So without further ado here we go!!!

10.  180 - In March Redeemer led the 180 turnaround conference for churches in Michigan, and Western Ohio.  178 pastors and lay persons attended this year’s event put on by members of Redeemer staff and laity. 
9.  Take 5 – This ministry opportunity gave out $2500 to the congregation and saw ministry explode across the city and around the world.  Stories of multiplication and sharing with tornado victims, countless charities and community organizations were very welcomed. 

8.  IJM – With a speaker in the winter, a team was formed and Redeemer officially joined the Justice Ministry of the World and is still actively looking for ways to help those in trafficking / slave situations both local and around the world.
7.  Prayer - The adults and youth of Redeemer pray!  With the See You at the Pole event in September as well as the Youth Group and CREW kids doing an end of the school year prayer event at Herbison Woods, the Jr. High and the High School, prayer is strong at Redeemer.

6.  Summer – From Vacation Bible School to Summer Camps we saw people and kids from Redeemer at camps like Bayshore, Wesley Woods, Camp Geneva and Christian Athletic Camp.  During VBS we had 243 kids and 81 volunteers and for camps we had 84 students that Redeemer provided scholarships for and many other that paid in full that attended a camp last summer along with numerous counselors.
5.  Family Time – Through the Halloween Party and the Night in Bethlehem, Redeemer hosted over 400 families in times of celebration with lots of fun, crafts and good eats.  Not to mention the fellowship we experienced.

4.  5th Quarter – On Friday nights after the DeWitt Football teams home games Redeemer hosted 5th Quarters (2 for Jr. High, and 2 for Sr. High) that supplied a place for kids to hang out, eat, and play.  During these times we averaged over 120 kids per event.
3.  Church – Redeemer continues to grow and through the year averaged 478 persons each and every weekend in worship.  To make that even sweeter, we average 218 students in our Christian Education opportunities.

2.  Outreach – The Food Pantry passed over 500,000 meals served from its conception here at Redeemer and this year will have served 89,124 meals to people in need.  We also bless others with programs from dressers, school supplies, coats, and the all the rest that we are involved in.  100 families enjoyed Thanksgiving meals and 39 families have experienced Christmas because of our generosity.
1.  Staff – Redeemer was able to add to the team this year with Kim Metzer taking over the role of Small Groups and Discipleship, Amanda VanKuiken occupying the ministry assistant role that helps us all out, and Ben Barnes joining the team as the new Director of Worship.  They are welcome additions and have really completed our team.  I am thankful that God has sent them here.

We’ve had a great year friends…there is so much we didn’t touch base on.  We thank God every day for the opportunity to serve you and pray that this ministry of Redeemer continues to flourish in this community and world.  Great job in 2013, can’t wait to see what `14 brings?

God Rocks and We Roll,
Ron Bekkering