Redeemer UMC Blog

Perfectionism Unveiled - "Healing is a Process"

2012-01-12T08:50:00.000-05:00

This past weekend, I began a new 3-week teaching series called “Perfectionism Unveiled.” The reason that I chose to start the New Year with this series is because I believe that in this irrational and imperfect world that we live in, every one of us comes to our adult life with some damaged areas in our personality. These are often scars caused by painful hurts in our past – buried deep within us – that directly and profoundly affect the way we look at life, at God, at others and ourselves.
Perfectionism can be described as the constant feeling of never doing well enough or being good enough – and its effects on us and the people around us. The first teaching in this series entitled “When Good is Not Quite Good Enough” can be heard on our website podcast. Here we talk about fear of failure, fear of making mistakes, fear of disapproval, all-or-none thinking, and an over emphasis on “oughts” and “should.” We also acknowledged that there is good news in Jesus’ words found in Matthew 11: 28: “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” There is only one ultimate cure for perfectionism and it is as profound and simple as the word “grace.” God accepts us as we are and He meets our sin and imperfections with His grace.
I’ve heard from some who were impacted by this teaching. One said, “The story you told about Don in your message…that is my life. I’m Don.” Another wrote: “If you want to get to know me on a deeper level, this message was like taking a page out of my life.”
This coming weekend we’ll be talking about how “Healing is a Process.” It is not a quick cure but God will be with us every step in the process. We’ll also begin to explore the root causes of our distorted concepts and damaged emotions – brought on by unpleaseable parents and unpredictable home situations. We’ll also focus on unmasking deep seated anger and resentments. And of course, the good news…that through Jesus Christ and His sacrifice on the Cross healing can and does happen if we will be honest with ourselves and be open to His love and grace.
Let us know how your life is being impacted by these teachings.
Rod

The Art of Marriage Event

2011-12-28T12:14:00.002-05:00

The Statistics Sound the Alarm:
Over 50% of marriages in the U.S. end in divorce.
The number of people getting married each year is declining.
Co-habitation, a primary contributor to divorce, is on the rise.
The cost of divorce to taxpayers is over $150 billion annually.

Our experience here at Redeemer Church is that there is a high level of need for help and support for married couples and their families. In our own congregation each week, we receive a large number of prayer requests involving marital issues and family relationships. An increasing number of married couples are seeking counseling with Jackie Himelright, our licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. So, how do we turn the tide? How do we rekindle marriages and inspire couples in our congregation and in our community to make God the center of their relationships? Research shows that the local church is often the first place married couples will look for help when things go wrong.

To help meet this need, we are planning a special event in February, 2012 called The Art of Marriage. It will take place on Friday evening February 10th and during the day on Saturday February 11th here at Redeemer Church. Unlike traditional marriage conferences that may feature only one speaker, The Art of Marriage offers insight by some of the most respected and influential experts on marriage and family in one setting. This 6-session DVD video event presents engaging stories, real-life testimonies, interviews, and humorous vignettes to help couples of all ages fully experience God’s design for marriage.

For more detailed information or to register for the event, please visit the Redeemer Church website at www.dewittredeemer.org and click on The Art of Marriage event box.

Kelvin Fizzell
Director of Small Groups

God is Not Dead!!!

2011-12-01T14:41:00.000-05:00

Greetings and Merry Christmas to you all,

I only seem to blog once in a while and I think I may become a little more active in this as since I've graduated I find that I have tons of time to read, and not just Sports Illustrated. I want to share with you some Christmas cheer and what it looks like from a group of High School kids from our community.
Within the last week, a 2011 graduate of DeWitt High School passed away from a heart condition after playing basketball with the Boys Swim Team in a dry land training event. It was truly a rough week for those that knew and even for those who didn't know Tylor Higgins. It's rough to think that a 19 year old could possibly have a heart condition that would take his life. It reminded me of the Wes Leonard death from the young man from Fennville after he hit a big shot in a game earlier this year. It doesn't seem right. To me this shows us all that God is not dead. He's surely alive and allowing for His will to be done. It doesn't always feel real good when He does though. So the question that comes to my mind is what should we do when His will is being done and we don't understand. Well, one thing we can do is realize that God is like a gazzillion times smarter than us and our little human brains can't even fathom what His will is or we can take a cue from Jesus and go to the Lord in prayer. Not that His will will change, but maybe to help us come to grips with what has happened.
Back to my God's not Dead thinking. God is not Dead is a new album (look at me showing my age), by the Newsboys. But it's also a truth that we live with everyday and even more this month as we go downhill toward the celebration day of Jesus' birth. He is alive and well!!!
The youth of this church, and this community are continuing to amaze me this year with their compassion and willingness to be lights for Jesus in this crazy world. This morning in a celebration of Tylor Higgins life, two members of CREW (our High School Ministry) took on a monumental task of organizing a prayer time for students to pray for Tylor's family, to remember Tylor's life, and just come together for a moment to come to grips with losing one of their own. I am so proud to report that through their social invitation on Facebook and through Bible Studies and CREW that over 70 people, including the DeWitt High boys swim coach and a family friend of the Higgins family joined the prayer. They prayed at the pole in front of the High School and moved over to the band field to finish. Tylor was a swimmer and a member of the band. I am so proud of the kids in this community who are coming together and showing the community of DeWitt that God is not dead and He will not sit behind and not show Himself manifested through a group of teenagers who love Him without question! Amazing!!!
God is not Dead my friends, He's living on the inside and roaring like a lion. Let Him out this holiday season and share Him and His love with everyone you can. ***This was taken December 1, 2011 in front of DeWitt High School

Let’s “possess God in” this week

2011-10-19T09:10:00.000-04:00

This month, we have been studying together, as a congregation, Bill Hybel’s book “The Power of a Whisper” and learning how to hear from God and follow in obedience. In one of his messages on “Practicing the Presence of God” Hybels shares the following story which is enriching.

Nicholas Herman, who later became known as “Brother Lawrence,” realized one day that he had grown incredibly dissatisfied with his life in the world. It is thought that he was around fifty years of age when he made the bold decision to enter a monastery in Paris and devote himself fully to serving God.

By his own admission, Brother Lawrence had entered the monastic community in order to learn—and hopefully perfect—the art of spiritual discipline. You can imagine his surprise, then, when upon joining the other brothers, he was put in charge of kitchen duty. At first he found the routine of being elbows-deep in dirty pots and pans a direct route to self-sacrifice, which was okay by him. Maybe a little self-sacrifice was required in order to fully embrace the discipline he sought.

But over time, something interesting happened. Rather than viewing his work as penance, he began to find satisfaction there. In his words, “Slaving over a hot stove taught me how to practice the presence of God.”

Understandably, the other monks began to notice that the guy with kitchen duty had turned over a new leaf. And so they probed. In response, Brother Lawrence said that he was learning to practice God’s presence in the “little duties” of life. “It’s nothing all that mysterious,” he said. “I just communicate with God all the time.”

In his book, The Practice of the Presence of God, he speaks of the goal for every Christ-followers this way: “That we might accustom ourselves to a continual conversation with God, with freedom and simplicity. That we need only to recognize God intimately present with us, to address ourselves to Him every moment, that we may beg His assistance for knowing His will in things doubtful, and for rightly performing those which we plainly see He requires of us, offering them to Him before we do them, and giving Him thanks when we have done. That in this conversation with God we are also employed in praising, adoring, and loving Him incessantly, for His infinite goodness and perfection.”

Obviously, seventeenth-century vernacular is a bit different from that of today. Allow me to wrap different words around his powerful sentiments.

The goal, according to Brother Lawrence, is for us to get used to being in a continual conversation with God, as though we have a Bluetooth device in one ear with a constant connection to heaven. Every moment, we can come before God, ask for His wisdom on whatever interaction or task we face, do exactly what He whispers for us to do, and thank Him for His guidance and care when it’s all said and done.

Ephesians 6:18 says that we are to, “pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.” In other words, we are to invite God in.

Think about that for a moment. How often do you invite God into the situations you face?

 When you suffer a meaningful loss, do you say, “Jesus, please enter into my pain …”?
 When you butt heads with someone you care about, do you say, “Jesus, show me where I am wrong here …”?
 When you fall prey to the same sin you’ve been trying to kick for years, do you say, “Jesus, please forgive me … and please show me the way out …”?
 When you land the deal at work you’ve been working on for months, do you say, “Jesus, every success I know is due to you! Please receive every ounce of glory for this …”?

God stands ready to whisper into your circumstances, if only you will practice being conscious of Him in the same way He is conscious of you.

If you have never practiced communicating with God—intimately, consistently and frequently—why not start today? Invite Him in. Ask Him to make His presence known throughout the rest of your day/night. And commit to Him that regardless of the tasks you’ll be tending to, you will acknowledge Him there by your side.

Back to Brother Lawrence for one final insight. When asked about how he balanced his kitchen duties with the spiritual discipline of prayer—of constant communication with God—he said this: “The time of business does not with me differ from the time of prayer, and in the noise and clatter of my kitchen, while several persons are at the same time calling for different things, I possess God in as great tranquility as if I were upon my knees at the blessed sacrament.”

Let’s “possess God in” this week. No matter how much noise and clatter you find yourself in, let God take center stage. In all your ways, and throughout all your days, acknowledge him. And He will direct your path.

Share Your Whispers With Us

2011-10-10T09:38:00.000-04:00

While writing his book The Power of a Whisper, Bill Hybels invited members of the Willow Creek congregation to describe a time when they had heard a whisper from heaven and then to explain how they had responded to that whisper. Some of the respondents described the recent promptings they had received, while others ventured back in time. The topics ran the gamut – vocational, relational, spiritual, physical, medical, financial and more. The tone of the whispers varied as well – sometimes God offered words of gentle affirmation, and other times he issued a stiff challenge.
The goal of the Christ-following life is to grow to the point that we live in God’s reality – that we love like He loves, serve like He serves, give like He gives, show compassion like He shows it. And that way of life can be maintained in a consistent manner if we open ourselves to the messages He sends us on a regular basis.*
We invite people from the Redeemer congregation and the local community to share a story of a whisper they have heard and how they tried to respond. You can e-mail your whisper story to Redeemer church at kelvin@dewittredeemer.org or send us a hand written note in care of Redeemer Church 13980 Schavey Road DeWitt, Michigan 48820. We will post your whisper story on the display in the church lobby to encourage and inspire others to listen for the whispers from God in their own lives.

Kelvin Fizzell
Director of Small Groups

*Excerpts taken from the book The Power of a Whisper by Bill Hybels.

Partnering with Parents

2011-09-29T10:13:00.000-04:00

Yesterday churches all around the United States took part in what is known as ‘See You At The Pole’, in which students gather around their schools flag pole (before school starts) and pray for the students and faculty at their school as well as anything else they may feel called to lift up to God. Here at Redeemer UMC a breakfast is hosted each year for any 5th – 12th graders that want to come and eat in a time of fellowship with others and prepare their hearts and minds to head to the schools and stand up for what they believe. This event can be very intimidating to many of the students, as the flagpoles are generally located in a high traffic area of the school. Buses and parents are dropping off tons of students as they stand in prayer, and many students become very nervous about others seeing them participate in this event. We as youth workers assure them that we have received zero negative reports from students in all the years we’ve prayed at their schools, but nonetheless, the reservations for the students are still very much present. This is where it is essential for us to partner with the parents of the students to reassure them that praying in public is a wonderful and powerful thing. It is our hope that we can partner with them to reassure the students that standing up for what they believe in, whether it be in the form of praying around their flagpole, or otherwise, is a very good thing and is nothing to be ashamed of. We have been told recounts of students being questioned by others who were curious as to what they were doing at the flagpole, which gives the opportunity for a great discussion to follow. Numerous parents (and even one set of grandparents, how cool is that) joined in transporting students to the schools, and praying with them. We are fully aware that parents have more of an influence on the opinions of their children than we do and it is our hope that we can work along with them to build these students confidence level so they are not afraid to make a stand for God in the public eye. The success of this event, as well as other events hosted by the Student Ministries of Redeemer UMC depend a lot on working and coordinating with parents, and their role is more important than many of them may know. We would like to extend a sincere ‘Thank You’ for allowing us into the lives of the children. They are truly a blessing to work with! I am very proud to state that there were 23 students around the flagpole (in the rain) at the 5th & 6th grade school, 35 at the junior high, and greater than 60 at the high school. The students of the DeWitt community made such a powerful statement that morning! May God continue to bless them and keep them in His loving arms.

Justin Bowman
Director of Middle School & Junior High Ministries
Redeemer Church

Celebrating Redeemer

2011-09-22T12:22:00.002-04:00

We wanted to share and celebrate with the Redeemer congregation the following letter from Church World Services that was received regarding our Blankets+ Weekend Ministry in February. Thank You for your support and for making a difference.

September 1, 2011
Dear Friends in Christ,
At Church World Service when we talk to churches about the Blankets+ Program we tell them that they are the PLUS in Blankets+. Redeemer United Methodist Church is a shining example of what PLUS really means when it comes to the CWS Blankets+ Program. There were 59 churches in the U.S. in calendar year 2010 that raised $3,000 or more for Blankets+ and Redeemer United Methodist Church was #37 in that elite group, raising $3,677.08.
Hurricane Irene has certainly been in the forefront of the news this past week. The generous contributions from Redeemer UMC and the many other churches in Michigan and across the U.S. made it possible for CWS to have material aid prepositioned in strategic locations along the East Coast to ensure that we could dispense blankets and kits as soon as they were needed. In addition to responding to the numerous needs in the U.S. you can see from the enclosed Hotline the many ways the Blankets+ funds are used to help those in need throughout the world.
Thank you for your continued support of CWS and our many programs. And most of all - Thank You! for being the PLUS in Blankets+. Together we can make a difference in the lives of the less fortunate.
In peace and hope,
Michigan Church World Service

When the smoke cleared

2011-08-17T10:13:00.000-04:00

Several days ago I was sitting in my office, choking on my own stench. I smelled like a chimney! Before you assume I’ve started a 2-pack-a-day habit, (wouldn’t that be great for the asthma?) I’ll tell you what happened. There had been a kitchen incident that morning involving a huge plastic tub filled with hot chocolate mix and a stove burner turned on medium. Once my nose led me to the appropriate area, nasty, thick, white and yellow smoke billowing from the stovetop alerted me to the problem. It took about 15 minutes to get the stove off, move the offensive (and heavy) container and open the windows. I got everything under control, but it didn’t occur to me to change my clothes before heading to work. All morning I found myself apologizing to my church co-workers for the lingering smell, and I couldn’t stand to be around me!
It got me to thinking… the smoke smell I brought to work with me is just like sin. Too often, we Christ-followers forget that confession is part of our cleansing and healing process and instead of admitting our wrongdoing and asking God (and whoever we’ve hurt) to forgive us, we try to clean it up ourselves. Well, you can get rid of the giant burned up plastic tub, but the stench is gonna stick with you for as long as you keep wearing the same clothes.
I John 1:9 is clear. “When we confess our sins, He (God) is faithful and just to forgive us our sins AND cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Maybe some of us are capable to power through and change our bad habits or stop a sinful behavior on our own (not me, but maybe somebody). So what? We might be able to stop doing it, but we will never get rid of the fact that it was a part of our life at one time. The smell of our sin will follow us around until we confess our sin. Part of the cleansing God gives us is the actual removal of the sin. In that moment of forgiveness, the Lord sees us as never having sinned at all as He looks at us through the blood of Christ.
We can’t give ourselves forgiveness from God or anyone else. The Lord gave His only Son to suffer and die so that we would have a way to become holy and blameless. Only through Jesus. Nothing we can do or say or suffer can cleanse us and make us right with our Heavenly Father. The only One who can rid us of our own odor is the Lord God, strong and mighty, maker of heaven and earth – through His Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior, Deliverer and Friend.
Take a bath in the cleansing power of the forgiveness of God. Confess your sin. He is faithful and just. He forgives. He cleans us from the inside out.

Love, Tina Klan
Director of Worship Arts

Dateline 5.19.11

2011-05-19T13:52:00.001-04:00

For those of you that follow what’s going on in the media, you know that the end of the world is just two short days away (not likely). With that being said; it would be foolish of me to ask….Are You Ready?
Well, If it doesn’t happen (likely) then I want you to be at Redeemer this weekend as we celebrate another great year of Christian Education. The volunteers for this ministry are some of my favorite peeps. Without any of you, the greatness of the programs we offer would be missed. So thank you for another year of service to Redeemer, but more importantly service to your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I want you all to know that we appreciate all you do for us and the kids, students, and adults of this church. Now I’ve got to tell you about something our High School students decided to do and it makes me extremely proud (Proud Papa Moment).
Two weeks ago, a student who attends our Wednesday night CREW asked me if I would be willing to endorse another prayer morning at the High School. I had to hear him out and not expose my giddiness for this example of leadership among our students.
He stated that what the kids wanted to do was to have a breakfast at the church and then go to the “fish bowl” in front of DeWitt High School. They decided to call it “See You at the Bowl”. I kind of liked “See You in the Bowl”, but alas it was best decided to follow them.
They took theirs from the annual “See You At The Pole” that is done by schools across America on the last Wednesday of September. That event is something that I blogged about in September, and it is a chance for the students to begin the school year by praying for the school, teachers, and the school year in general. Well, “See You at the Bowl” was created by our students to be a call for prayer for the end of the year.
This morning following a breakfast of pancakes, sausage, cereal, yogurt, fruit, and juice (for about 40 students) here at the church; they loaded up in cars and headed to the high school. I was honored enough to be able to join them this time. I opened and had one of our CREW read some Scripture verses that we had selected last night after our weekly Wednesday night CREW. I was able to lead them into a time of prayer. The coolest thing for me was listening to the prayers of so many students. Prayers were heard for family, for the school, for the teachers and administration, for the nation and world, and for the students as they would be heading into summer. When we had finished praying we noticed the “Bowl” had filled even more than when we started with our 40 plus students from the church; we estimated that another 15 -20 had joined us. We were greeting kids from Christian Athletic Camp that had arrived late, but didn’t want to miss this. It is my best guess that 60+ kids gathered this morning in the “Fish Bowl” and lifted high the name of Jesus, while showing on a rainy morning that they love Him and want everyone at that High School to know. Awesome that’s all I’ve got to say.
With this group of students here at DeWitt there is no way I want the world to end, they have so much potential and they know that they have a lot of work to do; as do we my friends. There is no rest for us at Redeemer as we go out and share His love and life with everyone we meet. In Joshua 10, we see the Israelites marching all-night long to accomplish a mission for God. May we not forget that sometimes we have to march all-night long for our Lord. This morning our students did that and set a great example for all that witnessed the event. They shared Jesus on a rainy DeWitt morning by joining together in one accord proclaiming that Jesus is their King!!!!
By the way, last night during CREW we had a good discussion on the end of the world this upcoming weekend. Needless to say I think that the students are pretty confident they're going to be around a little longer. Thanks be to God.

Ron
Director of High School and College Ministry

National Day of Prayer - May 5, 2011

2011-04-26T10:46:00.002-04:00

The 60th annual observance of the National Day of Prayer will be held on May 5, 2011. Our nation continues to face moral decline, economic uncertainty, military strife in the Middle East, and non-stop assaults on our religious freedoms. It has never been more important than today that we humbly approach God in prayer on behalf of our country.
Since Congress established the 1st National Day of prayer 60 years ago, millions of Americans have joined in prayer to lift up our nation and its leaders to Almighty God. Once again on May 5th, we will continue the example given to us by our Founding Fathers and by presidents since then who have encouraged the American people to call out to God in times of turmoil and unrest.
Abraham Lincoln called upon all citizens to take part in a day of fasting and prayer: “…it is the duty of nations as well as of men to own their dependence upon the overruling power of God, to confess their sins and transgressions in humble sorrow yet with assured hope that genuine repentance will lead to mercy and pardon, and to recognize the sublime truth, announced in the Holy Scriptures and proven by all history: that those nations only are blessed whose God is the Lord…”
Please join us Thursday May 5, 2011 at Redeemer church for any of the three 30 minute prayer services we will offer at 7:00am, 12 noon, or 7:00pm. It is an opportunity for us to continue seeking God’s guidance and protection during these days of turmoil in our country.*
May God bless America!

Kelvin Fizzell
Director of Small Groups
Redeemer Church

*Excerpts from Shirley Dobson; Chairman, National Day of Prayer

United Methodist Committee On Relief works with partners in Japan

2011-03-24T21:15:00.001-04:00

Redeemer Friends:
I thought that many of you may be interested in hearing what the United Methodist Committee On Relief is doing – following the disaster in Japan. Remember, 100% of every dollar you give to UMCOR goes directly to meet human need. You can give through Redeemer Church, if you so desire. Just mark your check or envelope for UMCOR-Japan. Or click here to give now through our website (www.dewittredeemer.org)
Pastor Rod

Below is from The Reverend Cynthia Fierro Harvey 3/21/2011
United Methodist Committee On Relief works with partners in Japan

Dear Friends,
I join you in lifting up the people of Japan in prayer during this time of crisis. We grieve with them and stand with them in solidarity. Once again, I am struck by the extravagant generosity of United Methodists who are supporting UMCOR’s efforts to bring healing and hope to Japan. We have received thousands of phone calls, emails, Facebook posts, and donations from people whose hearts are aching for the people of Japan and who are looking for meaningful ways to respond.
Many churches in our connection are collecting offerings to raise money for UMCOR. I want to share with you how we are responding on your behalf to the great needs.
UMCOR’s Response:
UMCOR is working through relief and church partners in Japan to respond and provide immediate assistance and long-term rehabilitation. With these partners, UMCOR is meeting the most basic humanitarian needs in northern Japan such as providing clean drinking water, food, cooking and eating supplies, clothing, and fuel for heating.
We are honoring the request of the Japanese government who has asked that outside groups not come to Japan. UMCOR staff generally does not go into disaster areas as first responders and we are working through trusted partners who have existing networks on the ground in the affected areas. We have sent an emergency grant to church partner, United Church of Christ in Japan. They are using the funds to distribute food, clean water, clothing, and heating fuel.
Local churches are being used as distribution sites to provide basic necessities to survivors. UMCOR also sent an emergency grant to GlobalMedic, a trusted partner and first responder, to provide relief to affected survivors in the form of medical care, and access to clean drinking water, supplies, and food.

We anticipate working with our partners to direct your gifts to earthquake and tsunami survivors in Japan as needs and plans for response are identified. All grant requests go through a rigorous approval process and require a reporting of how the funds are used. It is important to us that we are good stewards of your gifts. We are always accountable for how UMCOR funds are used. Two independent charity watch groups, Charity Navigator and American Institute of Philanthropy, have affirmed UMCOR’s trustworthiness by recognizing us with the highest ratings.
Volunteers:
While our hearts may feel that we must do something besides “just” writing a check, please keep in mind John Wesley’s appeal to do no harm. The situation in Japan is not conducive to sending volunteers. It is important to allow the well-established government organizations to organize the response, particularly while they are in the crucial rescue phase.

Relief Supplies:
Many supplies are available in Japan and sending funds directly to our partners supports the local economy while ensuring that they are getting exactly what they need. A practical example was pointed out to me by a physician in Haiti, who explained that it is important to purchase medicine in the country because the directions for use will be in the native language.
An additional concern is that sending an unsolicited shipment into the disaster area runs the risk of hampering relief efforts, clogging runways, and creating an added burden to the system because there is no efficient way to distribute the shipment. Please consider your local thrift store for these kinds of thoughtful donations.

Kit Ministry:
We are fortunate that because of faithful giving throughout the year, the UMCOR depots are well stocked with health kits. Through authorized channels and a coordinated effort with the Japanese authorities, when the time is appropriate, UMCOR is prepared to send thousands of health kits to Japan in response to this emergency. Because we have a surplus of health kits our priority is keeping our depots stocked with other kits such as cleaning buckets, layette and school kits. We welcome your contributions so that we can send them where they are most needed around the world.
Continued prayers:
UMCOR is committed to standing with the people of Japan into the recovery phase. We will continue working through our church and relief partners to provide shelter, food, and clean water to survivors of this crisis. Regular updates can be found in the UMCOR Hotline and on Facebook. Please continue to hold the people of Japan in your prayers. I am overwhelmed by the outpouring of love into the world by our United Methodist Church.

Grace and peace,
The Reverend Cynthia Fierro Harvey

Facing Life's Fears

2011-02-18T09:14:00.001-05:00

This week we will begin a new Teaching Series called: Facing Life’s Fears. In addition, our congregation is being asked to study together Max Lucado’s powerful book…Fearless.

I’m excited for this series because fear is an emotion that touches all of our lives. Life can be risky and it is filled with opportunities or reasons to fear or have anxiety. When I use the word fear, I mean all levels of fear from general apprehension and worry to dread and terror. Fear starts out when we are very young with fears of things like darkness, monsters under the bed, or actions we experience in an abusive home. It continues into our teenage years with fears of rejection, humiliation and failure. Adulthood is also filled with fears around the possibility of disease, death, financial problems, broken relationships, loved ones being hurt, storms, failure, aging, crime, and more. The list is endless. I personally struggle, at times, with worry and anxiety and need reminded that “love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear” (1 John 4:18).

We are an anxiety-laden society as the sales of many books dealing with anxiety and the sales of anti-anxiety drugs seem to indicate. Fear is both unpleasant and can be harmful physically, mentally, and even spiritually. Fear and anxiety choke out the Word of God in our life as the Bible tells us in Matthew 13:22: “…all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life and the lure of wealth, so no fruit is produced.”
Fear can be very displeasing and dishonoring to God if we do not respond to it with faith. The Bible reminds us that we will have anxieties but we are to “give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you" (1 Peter 5:7). We all want answers to the fear problem, to worry and anxiety. We look for something to relieve us from our fears, something that will reassure us and instill confidence and peace within our hearts.
Some people look for that security in their bank account, others in a relationship. Some place their trust in the government, the latest drug, their job, or in a variety of other things. But none of these things are real solutions because none of them offer total security or absolute reassurance. No amount of money, success, or any position in life can truly give us peace in every situation. So the question becomes, How can we have peace in our life instead of fear? That answer to this important question is given in Psalm 27.

In this Psalm, David expresses his confidence in God - and in an absence of fear. “The Lord is my light and my salvation—so why should I be afraid? The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble? When evil people come to devour me, when my enemies and foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. Though a mighty army surrounds me, my heart will not be afraid. Even if I am attacked, I will remain confident. The one thing I ask of the Lord—the thing I seek most—is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, delighting in the Lord’s perfections and meditating in his Temple. For he will conceal me there when troubles come; he will hide me in his sanctuary. He will place me out of reach on a high rock. Then I will hold my head high above my enemies who surround me. At his sanctuary I will offer sacrifices with shouts of joy, singing and praising the Lord with music.”

Because his focus was on God and dwelling in God’s presence, David can lift his head with confidence and sing with joy. In the midst of his trouble, David is reminded that God will never forsake him and will always guide him.

This is the consistent message of the Bible…stay focused on God. In Isaiah 26: 3 we read: "You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!”

Philippians 4: 6-7 tells us: “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”

There will be times when anxiety and fear will come into our lives it is then that we have a choice to make - we can choose to focus on the problem and be overcome with fear or we can choose to focus on God.

Pastor Rod

Anointing for Healing

2011-01-10T13:17:00.000-05:00

This weekend our worship services included elements of John Wesley’s Covenant Service, the Sacrament of Holy Communion and Anointing for Healing. The feedback last night and today has been very positive. There were lots of emotions, lots of tears and the power of God’s Spirit was evident in each of our four weekend services. Personally, I felt the presence of God made real in Elena’s prayer, in Tina singing Healing Rain, in seeing laity pray for one another, and in praying the Covenant Prayer together.
Our Book of Worship states: “Scripture strongly affirms ministries of spiritual healing. Spiritual healing is God’s work of offering persons balance, harmony and wholeness of body, mind, spirit and relationships through confession, forgiveness and reconciliation.”
In the Hebrew mind, physical healing was always intertwined with spiritual healing. We affirm that all healing is of God. “The Church’s healing ministry in no way detracts from the gifts God gives through medicine and psychotherapy. It is no substitute for either medicine or the proper care of one’s health. Rather it adds to our total resources for wholeness.” (Book of Worship, p.613).
How appropriate it was, at the beginning of a new year, to renew our vows and our commitment to Christ in the words of John Wesley, written around 1780. It’s true that the greatest healing of all is the reunion or reconciliation of a human being with God. When this happens, sometimes physical healing occurs, mental and emotional balance is often restored, spiritual health is enhanced, and relationships are healed. For the Christian, the basic purpose of spiritual healing is to renew and strengthen one’s relationship with the living Christ.
I pray that those who came forward to be anointed this weekend will experience the healing presence and power of Christ in your life.
“May the power of God’s indwelling presence heal you of all illnesses – of body, mind, spirit, and relationships – that you may serve God with a loving heart. Amen.”
Rod

Give thanks in all circumstances

2011-01-03T12:57:00.000-05:00

In 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, the Apostle Paul gives us this advice: “Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”
Paul pioneered the church in Thessalonica. He went into the Jewish synagogue and proclaimed Jesus’ death and resurrection. Some Jews believed, plus many God-fearing Greeks and prominent women. But some Jews were jealous of Paul and drove him out of town. Paul wrote two letters to the Thessalonians to encourage them in their new-found faith in Christ. His command to his flocks in Thessalonica was this: “Be joyful always. Don’t stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances.” What? Be joyful always? We can be joyful sometimes but not always. What about the times that we feel like crying and screaming? What about after we failed our final exams? Are we supposed to be joyful then too?

Paul says, “Be joyful always…” Being joyful always does not come from our feelings; it comes through a decision of faith. Feelings change from time to time. So if we depend on our feelings, we cannot be joyful always. But when we make a decision of faith to please God, we can be joyful always. True joy comes from Jesus. Luke 2:10 says, “But the angel said to the shepherds, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.’” Jesus is good news of great joy. Jesus is the source of our joy. When we do not have Jesus, we lose our joy.

God made us to be joyful, not gloomy or grumpy. Without joy, life is boring, so boring that people sit down for hours on end flicking their television remote or surfing the Internet. People are always seeking something to be joyful about. In ancient times, people sought joy by searching for the truth, such as the meaning or origin of life. So there were many philosophers. Just after the Industrial Revolution, many sought joy by studying science.

How about modern people? Many people seek joy through shopping. Some people are joyful when their sport teams win. Some people are joyful when they receive presents. Many people seek joy through drinking, parties, music concerts, movies and other forms of entertainment. They feel an emotional high for a short time. The problem is that the next day the emptiness and emotional let-down often follows.

Where does lasting joy come from? This joy does not come from favorable circumstances. This joy comes from God. Galatians 5:22 says, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” Joy comes from the Holy Spirit. Once, Paul wrote from prison a letter to Philippians Christians saying, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” (Phil. 4:4) How could Paul be joyful in prison? He could have grumbled, “Lord, why are you doing this to me? How long should I suffer in the prison?”.

If we want to know the will of God for our lives here is one clue: Give thanks in all circumstances. One might say, "How could I give thanks? You don't know my circumstances. I have absolutely no reason to give thanks for what happened to me." But in not giving thanks we relegate ourselves to the tyranny of a broken and fallen world. The Bible speaks of a fallen creation that needs rescue. Giving thanks reminds us and aligns us with God's plan for our lives.

Be Thankful (Author unknown)

Be thankful that you don't already have everything you desire. If you did, what would there be to look forward to? Be thankful when you don't know something, for it gives you the opportunity to learn. Be thankful for the difficult times. During those times you grow. Be thankful for your limitations because they give you opportunities for improvement. Be thankful for each new challenge, because it will build your strength and character. Be thankful for your mistakes. They will teach you valuable lessons. Be thankful when you are weary, because it means you've made a difference. It's easy to be thankful for the good things. Fulfillment comes to those who also are thankful for the setbacks. Gratitude can turn a negative into a positive. Find a way to be thankful for your troubles, and they can become your blessings.

“Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances.” Good advice for 2011, don’t you think? Have a blessed New Year!

Rod

Advent Reflection: From Despair to Hope

2010-11-29T11:13:00.000-05:00

O come, O come, Emmanuel
And ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free
Thine own from Satan's tyranny
From depths of Hell Thy people save
And give them victory o'er the grave
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Day-Spring, come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night
And death's dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Key of David, come,
And open wide our heavenly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

The verses of this favorite Advent hymn "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" remind us that Advent is about our journey from whatever despair has seized the human spirit to an active hope in the Second Coming of Christ. The problem is that so many of us have worked hard to let nothing of the world and its misery touch us. Sometimes we have a false notion of comfort and we become spectators - detached from the hurts of people in other parts of the world and in denial about what hurts at home. Small wonder that we are inclined to rush through this season of preparation to get to the joys of Christmas.
Yet the truth is: No matter how intently we work to isolate ourselves from other people’s misery, we can’t escape the reality that the human family experiences unbearable suffering and tough times come to us all. We “mourn in lonely exile here” — hoping, waiting for something or someone to divert us from the many roads leading to our destruction. Come, O Come Emmanuel!
This Advent season we’re teaching a series called “Eyewitness Accounts” – which I hope will take us by the hand and lead us on this journey from despair to hope. We will take a closer look at some of the personalities involved in the Christmas story. We will also be reminded that we have not been permanently abandoned to an existence that has no hope and no future. God has a better plan for our lives — as evidenced by the fact that Christ has come once and Christ will come again. While all may not be well with ourselves or all the people around us, the Son of God will one day appear in victory and glory to make all things right.
Advent was never meant to be a month-long fa-la-la-la-la. Instead, Advent is a time to remember just how much the whole world needs Christ. Pastor Rod

Our Nation's Future

2010-11-01T11:29:00.000-04:00

Most Americans, who value our heritage of liberty, are grateful for the opportunity to have voice and vote in the process of choosing candidates who will represent us at the local, state and national levels. The basic principle that governed voting in colonial America was that voters should have a "stake in society.” Yet, we are told that Americans vote less than any other people in Western societies. Just half of registered voters actually vote in presidential elections, and many fewer vote in state and local elections.

Even those who do take this freedom seriously, I assume, are pleased when election season is over – because it means no more negative political ads on TV for a while, no more political signs in the neighbor’s yard, and fewer telephone calls at mealtime pleading for a donation to your favorite political party.

Personally, I get tired of the partisan posturing and look for candidates who demonstrate character and integrity. It’s important to me to vote for a candidate that reflects the biblical values I’ve come to embrace – not just giving lip-service to whatever may gain them a few votes among certain constituencies…but who have core principles…and demonstrate them in how they live and serve. I look for authenticity.

Recently, I ran across a poem by Edgar A. Guest, about the roads we take in life. It says: “The easy roads are crowded and the level roads are jammed; The pleasant little rivers with the drifting folks are crammed. But off yonder, where it’s rocky, where you get a better view, You will find the ranks are thinning and the travelers are few. Where the going’s smooth and pleasant you will always find the throng, For the many - more’s the pity - seem to like to drift along. But the steeps that call for courage, and the task that’s hard to do In the end results in glory for the never - wavering few.”

The point of the poem is simply this: where you end up one day will be determined by the path you choose today.

In the New Testament, the Apostle Peter speaks to us about the importance of Christian character development. He says:

By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.
In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone.
The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But those who fail to develop in this way are shortsighted or blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their old sins.
So, dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. Do these things, and you will never fall away. Then God will give you a grand entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 1: 3-11)
Peter says that the development of Christian character should be priority for us because when we make Christian character development our daily pursuit . . .it will insure that our life is not wasted (v. 8); it will insure our proper appreciation of salvation (v. 9);
it will present a positive witness to others (v. 10a); it will prevent us from bringing criticism to the name of Christ (v. 10b); and it will guarantee a rich welcome upon entering heaven (v. 11).

But if this is going to be true of your life and mine, where do we start? How do we proceed? What path must we take to know the benefits associated with developing Christ-like character? Let’s notice what Peter tells us. It begins with a personal and growing knowledge of Christ. It continues through reliance on God’s power and promises. And it leads to real life change from the inside out.

In recent years, many in our nation seem to act as if politics is somehow exempt and separate from the faith of America’s Founders - and those in public office are not always held to the highest standards of character - like trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, honesty, fairness, kindness, honor, caring and citizenship.

However, our nation’s future will be determined by the path we choose today. So, exercise your right and privilege on November 2 and VOTE! virtue

Prayer is our lifeline to God

2010-10-07T11:44:00.000-04:00

On Sunday Oct 3, 2010 at Redeemer church, 300+ people attended a movie event featuring Letters to God. In the movie, 9 year old Tyler Doherty, who was suffering from brain cancer, came up with an unusual way to pray. He wrote each prayer as a letter, put it into an envelope addressed simply to “God”, and then stuffed it into the mailbox. Tyler’s explanation for doing this was simple: “It’s my favorite way to talk to God. It’s like texting your best friend.” A manager from the post office retrieved the letters from the “dead letter bin” and handed theme to an inexperienced mailman with a drinking problem and a jaded outlook on life. As the movie progresses, the interaction between Tyler and the mailman, as well as all the family, friends, and classmates who were all earnestly praying for Tyler’s healing from the cancer, allows everyone to receive a special gift- the gift of contagious hope found in Tyler’s “letters to God”.

Few things in our lives are as simple and complex as the subject of prayer. Prayer is one of those things some people do even if they don’t quite understand it. People hope someone is listening. People hope they will get the answers they are asking for. They hope to find solutions to all the difficulties they encounter each day.

The Bible reassures us that someone, indeed, is listening: God. In Deuteronomy 4:7 Moses reminded the people that “the Lord our God is near you whenever you pray to him.” God does provide answer to every prayer request we make. In Psalm 55:22, we are encouraged to “Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you.” God does provide relief from life’s issues. In Matthew 11:28 God invites us, “Even the strongest of us have moments when the burdens of life seem too great. It’s then that the Lord whispers to our hearts…Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

As Christians, we have the hope of one day joining God in heaven. Until then, we can rely on prayer to stay close to him. Since God is always present, we can pray to him anywhere and anytime and know that he is right there with us. Prayer is our lifeline to God.

Submitted by:
Kelvin Fizzell
Director of the Small Group Ministry
Guest Blogger

Daily Christian Devotion

2010-10-01T08:33:00.003-04:00

Have you ever wished that you could start your day off with a Christian devotion that helps to encourage you in your faith and gets you started on your day? Now you can!

This week I had lunch with Scott McCausey from St. Johns, MI who is a devoted Christ-follower and who – in addition to his “day job” - is involved with an organization called Christian Devotion Ministries.

Christian Devotion Ministries is one of the fastest growing ministries on the web. Its arms extend from daily devotionals, to a highly interactive children’s and teen site, a Spanish site and two Internet radio shows.

The goal of www.christiandevotions.us is to bring fresh devotions to their site subscribers each and every day. The ministry has over 250 authors spreading God’s Word through their testimonies and lives.

Scott hosts a Blog Talk Radio program that features many well-known Christian authors, musicians, and celebrities.

The daily devotionals, the interactive parts of their site, and the weekly radio broadcasts are easily accessible on the web…and subscribing is free!

I encourage you to check it out at www.christiandevotions.us!

Rod

My Morning at the Pole

2010-09-22T11:03:00.000-04:00

What great thing happened to you today?
What bad thing happened to you today?
Something that is done around our dinner table each and every night that we eat together is your High and Low of the day. As I sit and reflect on what happened this morning here at Redeemer and at the schools of DeWitt, it is hard for me to even imagine anything getting better for the day.
For those who don't know today is a national holiday for students across the nation. Today is "See You At The Pole" Day. Middle, Jr.High, High School, and College students across our country gathered this morning at flag poles in front of schools to show their faith and share Jesus with whomever drives up to the school.
As it is a holiday for students, we at Redeemer feel it necessary to celebrate and with that celebration we had over 40 youth in our Student Center for breakfast which started at 6:15 this morning.
At the schools; It's so awesome when we go to where God is and He shows up BIG TIME!!! At each school: Herbison Woods, the Jr. High, and Sr. High students circled the flag pole grabbed a hand and prayed for their country, their school, each other, and a host of other things. It was truly awesome. For the kids to show their love of the Father in front of everyone. I can't begin to tell you how proud of the students, we in the Student Ministry, are of the youth of this community. Parents, you are doing great and we appreciate your support of our ministry.
One last thing. As kids finished praying at the High School, I experienced my High of the day. A group of 6 kids went to the other side of the sidewalk in front of the main doors and welcomed each and every kid that came to school. The highlight for me was when one student kind of ignored the group and one of our students yelled at him; it's all right Jesus loves you anyway. I hope that as you go through this day you find some time for reflection and conversation with our Father in Heaven. Pray!!!
Pray for our church, our ministries, our congregation. Pray for our leaders, whether worldly, nationally, or locally. Give thanks to the Maker of All for all He has done. That could very well be your High today!!!

Submitted by:
Ron Bekkering
Director of High School & College Ministry
Guest Blogger

Church Reflection

2010-08-31T15:30:00.000-04:00

I ran across this statement the other day: “Any church is a reflection of those who attend – their values and the love they communicate.”

Today I received an email from a member of our congregation which said, “Today, my husband and I were talking about the church and it reminded me of how much I liked yesterday and the church in general. We were greeters at one of the doors and the people all came in with smiles on their faces and acted like they were really glad to see you. We have been greeters at other churches and felt like people just bypassed us and didn’t even want to be bothered with “talking” with people. If I were a new Christian, I can certainly tell you that I would come back from what I perceive as a genuine friendliness of the church family.”

Wow! That was awesome to hear. And I do believe that most people who visit or attend Redeemer Church have this kind of experience. Our first-time guest surveys bear this out. But, unfortunately, there are a few people who visit and have the opposite reaction. One guest recently commented that they didn’t find the congregation particularly warm or welcoming. In fact, it was their perception that people congregated in groups before and after worship – chatting only with people they knew and didn’t notice a newcomer.

It is my sincere hope that everyone who comes through the door at Redeemer will experience the love and warmth of Christ in us. Redeemer is a reflection of every person who attends…and I trust that it is a place that gives evidence to the resurrection power of Jesus Christ. We want it to be a place where people find life and hope. After all, the church lives to transform the world or it’s not the church.

With a new Saturday night worship service starting September 11, we anticipate lots of newcomers checking out our congregation. Let us be reminded of the importance of getting outside of ourselves to welcome those who come. I like what Bill Easum (a Church Consultant) says:

“A church doesn’t have members; it has missionaries. A church doesn’t have an evangelism committee; it is evangelism. The church doesn’t have a missions committee; the church is missions. Period. All other forms of church are hospices and hospitals.”

Now that’s making it simple!
Rod

Keep It Simple

2010-08-04T15:07:00.000-04:00

One of the members of our church family loaned me a copy of the Discipline of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 1852. For those who may not be familiar with this book…it is the foundation of all Methodist churches from the time of John Wesley in the late 18th century until now. It contains the Articles of Religion, General Rules of our church and all matters related to the organization and operation of our denomination.

In Section X – “Of the Duty of Preachers to God, themselves and one another” we find the following guidelines:

Q: What is the duty of a preacher?
A: (1) To preach; (2) To meet the societies, classes and general bands – in other words: small groups, Sunday School classes, home groups; (3) To preach in the morning where he can get hearers. We recommend morning preaching at five o’clock in the summer, and six in the winter.

Maybe we’ve got it all backwards when we’re thinking of adding a Saturday evening worship service. Maybe we should just add a fourth service to the Sunday schedule at 5:00 am!!

In Section IX – “Of the Rules for a Preacher’s Conduct” we find this advice:

(1) Be diligent. Never be unemployed: never be triflingly employed.
(2) Be serious. Let your motto be, “Holiness to the Lord.” Avoid all lightness, jesting, and foolish talking.
(3) Converse sparingly…
(4) Take no step toward marriage without first consulting with your brethren.

One of the final pieces of advice to pastors in this section is:

(11) You have nothing to do but to save souls: therefore spend and be spent in this work; and go always not only to those that want you, but to those that want you most. It is not your business only to preach so many times, and to take care of this or that; but bring as many sinners as you can to repentance, and with all your power to build them up in that holiness without which they cannot see the Lord.
Over the years I’ve observed so many pastors trifling away their time and getting distracted by many other things - lacking the laser focus necessary to “keep the main thing the main thing.” In a recent article, Rick Warren, of Saddleback Church, offers this: "Jesus taught profound truths in simple ways. Today, we do the opposite. We teach simple truths in profound ways.
Sometimes when pastors think they are being 'deep,' they are really just being 'muddy.' They like to show off their knowledge by using Greek words and academic terms. No one cares as much about the Greek as pastors do.
It's easy to complicate the gospel, and of course, Satan would love for us to do just that. The apostle Paul worried that 'our minds would be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ' (2 Cor. 11:3).
Remember, simple doesn't mean shallow. Simple doesn't mean simplistic. Simple means being clear and understandable.”
This truth has been growing on me in recent years – people don’t need to be impressed by big words and theological jargon in a message…mostly they want a clear and understandable way to deal with life and the issues they’re facing in the days ahead.
The message of Jesus and of the early apostles was simple: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Rod

CAC Camp

2010-07-20T11:50:00.002-04:00

This week I’m at Christian Athletic Camp and we’re using the fine facilities of Duncan Lake Middle School in Caledonia, Michigan. I joined the staff of CAC in 1979…at first coaching baseball and now serving as one of the Administrators for the last 25 years. I am grateful that someone saw gifts in me 32 years ago and invited me on staff. It’s been exciting to get on board with where God was working and be part of building His Kingdom among youth from West Michigan and our sister Conference in Indiana.

CAC is the largest camping ministry in our West Michigan Conference…this year with 200 middle school and high school youth, along with 45 dedicated staff…providing instruction in a variety of sports, proclaiming the Christian faith in worship and small group Bible study, and promoting an atmosphere where students are loved and cared for…and where they can build solid relationships that will last a lifetime.

Last night, Erik Bledsoe, a Christian singer and songwriter, came and did a concert for our evening program. Erik has been with us at Redeemer twice in recent years and continues to touch many lives with his music and the witness of Christ’s redeeming work in his life. We are grateful that he took the time to be with us.

Christian Athletic Camp continues to have a positive impact on the lives of so many youth. Here is part of a letter that we received from one parent:

“Words cannot express a true sense of how our family feels. We have greatly benefited over the years in being able to send our kids to CAC. We are forever indebted to all those who have given so selflessly of themselves so that our kids could enjoy and benefit. It’s hard for people to understand the benefits received from an ‘athletic camp’ but what they can’t realize is the ‘Spirit’ that dwells within this camp. It’s overwhelming! CAC has been a great part of developing our kid’s self-worth and most of all their ever-abundant faith.”

Many of our staff are committed to this week year after year. Some take vacation time to be here…others make time – even though the demands at work or home or school are great. Their sacrifice and servant-hearts are making a difference for eternity.

Thanks for keeping us in your prayers…and for supporting this and all of our camping ministries with your dollars to the Camp Scholarship Fund. You are a faithful partner with us in this life-changing ministry.

Rod

A Lost Passion?

2010-07-15T10:52:00.000-04:00

I watched with some interest last week as the sport world obsessed over LeBron James leaving the Cleveland Cavaliers and agreeing to a multi-million dollar deal to play NBA basketball for the Miami Heat. It was THE topic of conversation for days - before and after his televised decision – not only on dedicated sports stations like ESPN, but on nearly every network radio and television station, as well.

The fan reaction in Cleveland was also interesting…covering the whole range of shock, dismay, anger, and betrayal. "Where will LeBron go" speculation that had spanned months seemed to dissolve instantly into negativity and vitriol. "This is the worst day of my life," said John, who watched in frozen horror with hundreds of others at a local bar. As patrons exited another Cleveland restaurant, they yelled things such as "Goodbye, LeBron" and "You're no king!" "This is real hurtful," another said. "The king should never leave his throne, when you do, that means you are dethroned. He turned his back on us." LeBron James' decision was a "slap in the face to every citizen" in the city.
All the drama left me wondering what our world would be like if Christ-followers showed as much passion for sharing the life-changing message of the “King of Kings.” It is true that most worthwhile things in life are the result of passion. Significant events in human history are the result of people's deep and consuming desires to see goals fulfilled. As Christ-followers our consuming desire should be to see the Gospel of Jesus Christ reach those who are not yet believers. However, we live in an age that tends to dull our sharpness. Our culture obscures the Christian message and would rob our faith of its power if given the chance. Indeed, some Christians just don't understand people who have a passionate concern about spiritual things, because spiritual passion is not the norm. The norm is not to let Christianity disrupt your lifestyle. And as a result, the spiritual temperature of many Christ-followers has dropped and we have become apathetic. I’d rather ask questions like: Where is our burden for those who don’t yet know Christ? Why isn't a passion for the lost the church's central function? Is the church only a self-indulgent activity center, content with comfort and prosperity? Or are we actively carrying out Jesus’ mission to “seek and to save those who are lost?”
Courageous men and women of God have dotted the landscape of church history. Their power came from a passion for holiness and reaching the lost. One example is the early Methodist preacher, George Whitefield. Ordained at age twenty-two, he began preaching with tremendous eloquence and effect. John Newton viewed him as the greatest preacher of his day. His power came from his passion for souls, and he used every God-given ability to lead people to Christ. He once wrote that if his life was in danger of nestling down, God--out of pity--should place a thorn into his nest! He crossed the Atlantic thirteen times and preached thousands of sermons. His gravestone reads that he was a soldier of the cross, humble, devout, and ardent, preferring the honor of Christ to his own interest, reputation, or life.
We are the channel through which God has chosen to communicate His love and saving power to the world. Do we have a passion to reach those who are lost? Or have we lost our passion?

Is God being Honored?

2010-06-30T12:14:00.001-04:00

In his new book, Change Your Church for Good, author Brad Powell says, “Church is supposed to be a place that gives evidence to the resurrection power of Jesus Christ, where people find life and hope.”

I just returned to the office today after a few days of rest and relaxation with friends at their cottage on the Lake Michigan shoreline. As my wife and I usually do when we’re on vacation, we looked for a church where we could visit and worship on Sunday. We found one – a larger congregation with a membership of about 500…who are worshipping in a new facility. We went with a spirit of anticipation.

We came away disappointed. What we experienced was a worship service that was second-rate, substandard and shoddy. It was a traditional service - targeted to “insiders,” slow, and full of audio blunders. There was a lack of warmth and only one person made an attempt to welcome three strangers. The only bright spot, for me, was the Pastor’s message – which was soft on content but delivered well. Overall, we found the service to be dull and uninspiring.

I hesitate to be critical of folks who are sincere and love their church...but as I looked at this mostly older congregation, I couldn’t help but think that all too often the church appears to offer nothing of value to outsiders.

Churches are in possession of the most profound and life-changing truth the world has ever known…but the way that many of them present this truth is superficial and boring. And because of this, a lot of people have concluded that the church has nothing to offer them. If it isn’t going to encourage, strengthen, inspire, benefit, and fill them with hope – why would they want to attend? People have enough turmoil in their lives without adding a depressing church experience to their weekly schedule. Who can blame people for making the choice to stay away?

Any given church is simply a reflection of those who attend. Each church reflects the ideas and principles that the people who attend regularly value and love. How are we doing believing and proclaiming God’s power and promises? Is Redeemer “a place that gives evidence to the resurrection power of Jesus Christ…where people find life and hope?” Are lives being changed and is God being honored? I’d like to hear what you think…

A Father's Love

2010-06-17T09:45:00.000-04:00

Once I became the father of three children, Father's Day came to mean a lot more to me than it used to. I always appreciated my dad; now I just marvel at how he and my mom raised three boys into healthy, successful adults.

Someone has said, "A father is a person who is forced to endure childbirth without anesthetic." I like Paul Harvey's observation: "Fathers give daughters away to other men who aren't nearly good enough, so they can have grandchildren who are smarter than anybody else's."

My mother and father have been married for almost 65 years. Their marriage has had the normal ups and downs that most of us go through as we deal with all the pressures, changes and circumstances that life brings our way. Yet I am grateful that they persevered and for the lessons they taught by example.

I talk to lots of people who live with the scars of never knowing that they were loved. Not so in our household. There were times when we didn’t have a lot of this world’s goods…but we always knew that we were loved. We also were nurtured in the Christian faith – from the time we were infants - dedicated to the Lord. I believe that it was easier for me and for my brothers to appropriate God’s love in our life because we experienced it in our parents.

Psalm 103: 17 says: “The love of the Lord remains forever with those who honor him. His salvation extends to the children’s children.”
I’m grateful for parents who, by their words and deeds, loved God, who taught us the truth of God’s Word, and who showed us the love of our Heavenly Father. Jan and my prayer is that we have been able to set that same example for our children and now for our grandchildren.

What Do People Need From the Church?

2010-06-08T13:43:00.002-04:00

Redeemer Church has a golf league that plays on Tuesday evenings at Highland Hills Golf Course. Shortly after moving to DeWitt, Paul Blankenship asked me: “Do you golf?” I told him that I didn’t. To which he replied, “Go get yourself a set of clubs – the pastor always plays in the golf league.” So I did…and I have ever since.
I’m still an inconsistent golfer…but I enjoy the exercise. Maybe most of all, I’ve enjoyed the fellowship that this evening has afforded me, over the years, with so many people from our congregation that I wouldn’t have a chance to get to know as well if it weren’t for chasing that little white ball all over the golf course!
My vision team and I are reading a book called Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations by Bishop Robert Schnase of the Missouri Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church.
In his first chapter on “The Practice of Radical Hospitality,” he says: “People getting mad and leaving (the church) is not the cause of our decline (in United Methodist Churches). Members simply grow old and die, and no one takes their place. The church has a ‘front door’ problem rather than a ‘back door’ problem. People are not entering the life of the church at a rate that matches or exceeds the number maturing and dying. In many cases, we have not passed along the faith to our own children and grandchildren.”
There are many points of entry into a local church – and recreational ministries, like a golf league, is one of them. Inviting people into a life of faith does not involve pounding people with “oughts” and “shoulds.” Some people recognize their needs, and they search for something that gives their life hope, meaning and community – something spiritual. Their not looking for religious knowledge as much as simply wanting to know that God loves them, that they are of supreme value, and that their life has significance.
The church should be a school for love – a place where people learn to love each other, learn how to offer and accept forgiveness, and learn how to serve and be served. It’s a place where the Spirit of God can shape the human soul.
Who’s the last person you invited into the fellowship of Redeemer Church?

We belong to God

2010-05-25T08:35:00.000-04:00

Margaret Wise Brown's The Runaway Bunny is a book for children of all ages. It is the story of a little bunny who dreams about running away from home, only to find "home" wherever he ends up. His mommy does not stop him from running away, but she does not leave him either. When he climbs a tree, the tree is in the shape of Mommy. When he travels the ocean, the wind is in the shape of Mommy. When he joins the circus, the trapeze artist is shaped like Mommy. Finally, Bunny gets the point. "Aw, shucks!" he says, "I might just as well stay home and be your little bunny." Which he does.

Whether we are bunnies or sheep or people, we cannot run away from God. God is our home, and like the Israelite’s Ark of the Covenant, God travels with us wherever we go. The Apostle Paul reminds us that "nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord…neither death nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation."

The Bible offers us several images of God as home. God is both shepherd and host, pasture and valley, mansion and fortress, still water and open gate. Whatever the circumstances of our lives, God is with us -- in peace, in war, in hope, in fear, in life, in death, in joy, in suffering. When we are at home with God, even the most difficult days are infused with abundant life.

Sometimes, when I’m sitting with a family that has just lost a loved one – as I did twice in the last couple of weeks – I think to myself, "Dear God, what can I possibly say to these hurting people?"

The words of the Lord's Prayer and the Twenty-third Psalm often well up within me. Both remind us of a loving God who has promised to never leave us or forsake us. Here’s the bottom line: In life and in death, we belong to God. In life and in death, we are at home in God. But the reverse is also true. God needs and wants to be at home in us. God needs and wants to abide in us.

Hope is the home within us, the home where God lives, the home where God abides.

Rest, restoration and security are the promises of Scripture. And they are promised even and especially in the midst of hostility and danger and death. But such blessed assurance comes with a price. We come to trust a dependable God only when we embrace a dependable discipline. In Acts we learn that the first century church grew through devotion and discipline. Day by day the new converts spent time together in the temple. Day by day they broke bread at home, and ate with glad and generous hearts. Day by day they praised God, sold their possessions and distributed the proceeds according to need. And day by day, God added to their number, and added abundantly to their already abundant life. Like any home, God needs our attention and honor. But once we have worshipped and been restored, we can then go out and give care and attention and honor to the world.

Come and celebrate what God is doing among us!

2010-05-12T08:17:00.000-04:00

Do you remember when summer was a more relaxing time of year, when schedules slowed and you could catch a breath? Where did that go? Still, the approaching summer does offer some special opportunities. I hope you'll find some time for learning and growing this summer – attend worship regularly, get involved in a Bible study, read a good Christian book or even volunteer to serve in the nursery or at Vacation Bible School.

May is a busy month around the church. Sunday School ends this week but there’s lots happening in worship for the whole family to take in. I’ve just started a new teaching series called “Beyond Our Wildest Dreams” and we’re studying the birth and expansion of the New Testament church in the Book of Acts. It’s a great read! In 30 short years the church grew from an insignificant Jewish sect to a powerful force in the Roman Empire.

This Sunday we’ll talk about the story in Acts 1: 6-14 where Jesus ascends back to His Father in Heaven…and the effect that had on His disciples. We’ll also recognize those that have served in our Christian education ministry this year. Next week, we’ll talk about Pentecost – and the birth of the church – as we confirm a dozen youth into the membership of Redeemer Church. Exciting stuff! Come and celebrate what God is doing among us! ~ Rod

Better serving our congregation

2010-05-10T09:12:00.000-04:00

Our Staff is thrilled about some big changes that we've been making to the website to better serve our congregation. First, we are introducing a whole new look! We've added some features for you to connect to us in a different way - a regular Blog and a link to our Facebook page. We'll also be updating many of the information pages and will communicate more of what's happening in the life of our congregation on the web.

We've kept you in mind and made the site very user friendly, but rest assured, we'll be on standby to answer any questions you may have.

Let us know how we're doing! We want to serve you.