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
Monday, January 10, 2011
Monday, January 3, 2011
Give thanks in all circumstances
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
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
Monday, November 29, 2010
Advent Reflection: From Despair to Hope
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
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
Monday, November 1, 2010
Our Nation's Future
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
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
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Prayer is our lifeline to God
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
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
Friday, October 1, 2010
Daily Christian Devotion
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
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
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
My Morning at the Pole
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
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
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