Wednesday, May 28, 2014
Stop and Smell the Roses - by Diane Lantzy
It is now sprummer (as my son called the short season
between winter and summer…spring on the calendar but summer like weather J)! And for those people who have to
deal with my winter grumpiness – they are quite grateful it is sprummer!
What I especially enjoy about this time of year is the wonderful flower
scents….from Lily of the Valley, to Lilacs to Irises. Many of us express
our appreciation of the visual beauty that God delights us with but I don’t
often hear the same appreciation about all the wonderful fragrances…perhaps
because of the allergies that so many of us have to deal with! But for
me, when I smell those scents permeating the spring air – I can’t help but be
grateful for the ways that God provides beauty for all of our senses.
‘Stop and smell the roses’ is now a somewhat trite expression but it does hold
a very fundamental truth. In the busyness of our lives we often forget to
take the time to appreciate the wonders of God’s creation. Today – and
everyday – is a good day to spend some time enjoying and thanking God for all
that He has given us.
Friday, May 23, 2014
Preparing - by Ben Barnes
My
wife & I are expecting our first baby in mid June. We’re pretty
excited pronounced “scared out of our whits". We’ve been preparing
a nursery with paint and furniture and decorations. We’ve been preparing
friends and family with parties and cards. We’ve even tried to prepare
the cat (which really did not go well). We’ve taken classes, read articles
and have heard advice that all pretty much tells us the same thing: we should
do what we can, but we’re never going to be fully prepared for this baby.
And on most days I’m actually okay with that. Other days, I’m just
nervous that I’ll never sleep again.
Seems to me that just about any trip to the grocery store or
church (or hospital birthing floor, for that matter) takes some
preparation. A list of stuff you need to buy. An extra $20 just in
case. Another bottle of water for the drive. A quick youtube search
for how to assemble and install a baby seat into your car. And, honestly,
worship is no different.
When
we’re getting ready for church, we can lay our clothes out or put the church’s
address into the GPS or set the coffee maker the night before. We can do
all sorts of things to prepare for worship. Prayer, scripture, time with
other believers… all wonderful ways to get ready for gathering with the body of
Christ! But when it comes down to it, no matter what we do to prepare,
we’re never ready for what God may do during worship. Ultimately, we do
what we can to be ready, then allow the Holy Spirit to work in our lives and
our hearts.
Wednesday, May 21, 2014
My Michigan - by Olga Chulakova
Below is an article that was published in the Lansing State Journal by our congregation member Olga Chulakova.
For 50 years I lived in Kazakhstan, but now my life is in America. I came here to join my daughter’s family. I never thought that my fortune would change with such an abrupt zigzag and I would land here in Michigan.
For 50 years I lived in Kazakhstan, but now my life is in America. I came here to join my daughter’s family. I never thought that my fortune would change with such an abrupt zigzag and I would land here in Michigan.
How many times I exclaimed: Oh! Ah! Wonderful!
Magnificent! Yes, such was my impression of my new life of comfort and
security. America became my home and now I feel a part of her.
I live in a beautiful part of Michigan —
Dewitt, surrounded by forests, farms and beautifully decorated private homes.
Fall in Michigan is the most beautiful season,
marked with many different colors. It is breathtaking to drive between the
yellow leaves of birches, the mahogany leaves of oaks, and the red leaves of
maples. When I go for a walk on the autumn streets, I always take pictures so I
can share my joy with my friends. How can one not like fall?
I am getting to know my America through unique
garage sales.
I relish them for the opportunity of seeing
people, their lives and their interests. They give me additional experience
about life and people. Often, I buy some things that I need and things I don't
need. I admire the beautiful landscaping and sometimes I talk with the owners.
I was lucky to get to know America by visiting
different states: from California to Florida. It has allowed me to compare ...
the high palms, beautiful beaches and others charms of warm states that attract
a vacationer, while Michigan is much better for a permanent residence.
Indeed it is possible to compare the prickly
cacti with pines or the hot and humid summer days of the south with the fresh
air of Michigan?
I compare the high fences in Texas with open
green properties of Michigan and I feel as if my soul sings in these vast
expanses.
Is it even possible to compare our natural
drinking water with the many states that have to use bottled water for everyday
purposes?
Even our winter is beautiful and brings with
it the chilly, yet enchanting, snow-covered trees and landscapes all around.
The long, cold winter of 2014 is an exception. Any winter is good if the roads
are clear. Isn’t it?
All of the wealth of nature is wonderful, but
even more precious is the kind, hospitable and welcoming people that I live
here among. To each their own and I prefer my Michigan.
5-15-2014 Lansing State
Journal
Tuesday, May 6, 2014
God's Garden - by Jack Hanneman
As spring peeks around the corner warm days follow and God’s
garden starts to bloom. As we enjoy the warmth and floral aroma’s (unless you
have allergies), the lawn mowers awaken and the yard work begins. As we beautify
our yards, let’s not forget our church - Trustee’s will be working hard to get
our church looking beautiful for the summer on Saturday, May 17th
starting at 8:00am – 12pm. Grab your gloves and come join us!
Thursday, May 1, 2014
New Life - by Bev Christensen
This month I heard some wonderful
news. I am going to be a grandmother for the first time!! How excited my family
is! My daughter, Kim, who lives in Honolulu is the happy mother to be. What a
miracle it is to know that there is going to be another child of God here on
this earth, a new life. How miraculous is that?
So, their journey (and ours) is just
beginning. I wish she and her husband Ron lived closer to us so we could see
that precious little one growing in her tummy. J The time
will fly by quickly (although there are time when it will seem to drag by
slowly) and they will be holding a brand new life in their hands. What a
blessed miracle from our Heavenly Father. How God truly loves us.
Speaking of new life, celebrating
Easter here at Redeemer was such a joyous season. Christ’s resurrection – so
that we could have eternal life in Heaven. The Easter weekend felt like spring
had finally arrived - flowers were coming back to life showing some beautiful
colors, it was warm and sunny and we were able to greet many new faces to our
church family. Hopefully, many will return to worship with us and come to know
new life in Christ as they never have before. Hallelujah – that would be
wonderful! New life surrounds me - - Psalm 95:1 says, “Come let us sing for
Joy.”
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