Supporting marriage through thick and thin

As the dismal economic news continues to unfold for the local and state economy and friends and loved ones continue to struggle to find adequate work, the strain and toll upon relationships and marriages rises. There are many things that can come between a husband and wife and cause harm to their marriage, few of them are as obvious as the loss of a job. In recent years, often through no fault of their own, men (primarily) have found themselves left without the ability to provide for their families. In the modern world, a family cannot go long without a steady income without risking the loss of the family home. With pressures such as this, is it any wonder that Christian marriages feel the strain of unemployment?
What do the Scriptures offer us in times of trouble such as this? The first thing that comes to mind is that God considers marriage to be sacred. A solemn pact that cannot be disregarded simply because things have become difficult. Genesis 2:24 reminds us that when two individuals join together in marriage, “they will become one flesh”. That fusion of two lives and purposes into one is designed precisely for the rough and difficult times. It’s an easy matter for two people to continue in marriage when times are flush, when nothing is pushing them apart. When a man and a woman truly need each other the most is when life is treating them the worst. Sadly, too many couples pull away from each other at these moments.
When you see a married couple being tested by unemployment (or any other tragedy or even success), pray for them. Offer them a word of encouragement, be willing to listen. Those who support marriages are doing the work of the Lord. God instituted marriage, but we need to be about the business of helping our friends and loved ones keep them intact.

Tis the Season...

The Christmas season officially started this week with the First Sunday of Advent. According to the retailers and some radio stations, the Christmas season was in full swing before Halloween. What is the purpose to celebrating a Christmas season (in addition to the day of Christmas itself)? Do we really need to prepare for more than a month to properly commemorate the birth of Christ? I’m sure that for many people, the weeks leading up to Christmas (or those prior to Easter) are little different than any other. No particular attention is paid to the approaching date beyond making sure that shopping is done and family gathering are planned. On the other hand, there is a potential benefit to setting aside periods of time each year to reflect upon and prepare for the birth and resurrection of Jesus. During most of the year it is far too easy to let ourselves be defined by the daily routine that we all keep. Too easy to follow the rut that we’re in and not seek any disruptions to our patterns. A Christmas approaches, we have the opportunity to examine our routine, to think about how we spend our time each week, and to reevaluate our priorities in the light of all of those twinkling bulbs. As Christmas approaches this year, allow yourself to step back from you life for a minute and try to see it through fresh eyes. The ultimate break in the routine of humanity was the birth of the God-Man in Bethlehem. God, in his mercy, decided to rescue us from the hopeless path that we were on. In memory of that unexpected twist to human history, see if new paths and habits might improve your ability to have a truly Merry Christmas.

How do I get there from here?

I've never been someone who had trouble figuring out where I should be going. To me, moral choices have always seems pretty clear. I don't claim to have always made the right ones, but I haven't been fooled much by the fog that sometimes blinds people to where the line between right and wrong is. The problem that has plagued me the most in my faith walk (and life) has been trying to figure out how to get where I want to go. There have always been roadblocks (an apt metaphor with all of our road construction projects) that have sent me on detours despite my desire to head straight toward the goal. One of those long trips led me to my wife Nicole, another led me to my ministry at First Baptist of Palo. Now it seems that this new path, toward the Army Chaplain Corp (Reserves), will be a long and winding road as well. At times I just want to wake up and start this new ministry, make a difference, realize my calling. I'll still be walking down this road that leads through Grand Rapids Theological Seminary for the next several years. The question remains, how will Nicole and I make it through the journey? One thing is certain, we'll walk this road together, God has made us one, we don't walk alone anymore. Another thing that seems certain is that God has little detours (some scenic perhaps?) planned for me along the way.
I've spent seven years working an alternative education teacher, a rough stretch of road, all the while hoping to get back on the full-time ministry path. God has been able to use me to work with this troubled teens though, and despite my desire to move on, he has a purpose for me here as well. "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." - Jeremiah 29:11
Indeed, the Lord is good, the Lord knows the path I must travel, the Lord will give me the strength to walk the path he has chosen, and the Lord will make me useful along the way.

The Edge of the Dark Sea

I'm 2/3 of the way through the first quarter in which I've taught "On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness", by Andrew Peterson, to my class of ninth and tenth graders. This book came to my attention last year when my wife Nicole bought it and we read it together. Peterson is a Christian author, a famous singer/songwriter to boot, who wrote a great series that speaks to both kids and adults (I used it in Summer enrichment w/ 3-5th graders, they loved it). This book would be great for any kid to read (no fear of anything objectionable), and it contains solid moral principles of family, duty, and honor sprinkled throughout the narrative. On top of that, it's nuts. Not in the way of something that doesn't make any sense, but rather in the laugh-out-loud sort of way. The 2nd book in the series is, "North, or Be Eaten", the 3rd book will be out in 2011.

The End of the World as we know it?

I was reading an article lately that was discussing the decline at night church attendance. In previous generations, a variety of churches held service both Sunday morning and Sunday evening. It was typically the case that a core group of those who attended the morning service also attended the evening one. It was rare for people to attend only the evening service, and many of those who regularly attended the morning service rarely, if ever, would attend the night service as well. As time passed, some smaller churches began to lose the enthusiasm for this second service and eventually cancelled it. Other churches decided to change the evening service into something different, like a Bible study or a worship service.
In the article, one preacher was lamenting the loss of these traditional second Sunday services as a sign of Apostasy and perhaps a glimpse that the End Times are at hand. Needless to say, I was surprised to see such significance directed toward an issue that many would see as an inevitable conclusion in a society where people are constantly on the go and over-extended with commitments. It is indeed true that Sunday isn’t the “day of rest” that it may have been in the past, and it is true that going to church a second time each Sunday isn’t a priority for many Christians today, but is this truly a sign of the impending crumbling of the American Church? That alarm has been sounded in the past, only to be proven premature. The American Church, like the Church in many nations throughout history, has had its ups and down, has gone through periods of growth and contraction, and has changed in style and appearance while maintaining its overall Gospel mission.
A sign of the End Times? No. Don’t be ridiculous. Not only is that day and hour unknown (and unknowable), but making a change in HOW the Church conducts its Gospel mission equivalent with the Church failing in its calling is a mistake. The Church has changed in the past, it will change in the future. Our mission is to ensure that the Church remains true to its calling no matter when or where it meets.

A seed planted years ago...

When I was in college I spent some time working with three siblings whose family situation brought them to the attention of the community mental health organization. I was given the chance to work with these kids and try to be a type of big brother for them for about a year. When it was over I lost track of them...just recently I received a letter from the youngest of these three who had experienced an even more difficult childhood after I finished working with them. Long story short, this young many is about two years into a prison term at the prison about six miles from my home. It has been about 13 years since I had heard from any of them, but this young many remembered me and wanted to see if I could help him with the upcoming transition to the life he hopes to lead after his release. I don't think that the work that I did was all that special; I was just trying to be one small influence for good in the lives of these kids who sadly had none. And yet, the Lord planted a seed in this young man's heart. Now an opportunity for the both of us appears. I have the chance to pick up where I left off and once again try to be a good influence in this man's (now, he was a kid before) life. As a pastor I can also get in to visit him as well, something I hope to do soon.
How do we know what the Lord has in store for us? How do we know what will happen to the seeds that we scatter? The answer is that we don't know. The only thing for certain is that if we don't take the chance and sow some seed, nothing will grow. If we do step out of our comfort zone; take some chances, and see what the Lord will do, amazing things can happen. Remember, God wants you to plant some seeds, he's the master farmer, he'll make them grow.

In EVERYTHING Give Thanks??

I Thessalonians 5:18 says, "give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." While on vacation in St. Ignace over Labor Day weekend with my wife, my parents, and about 35 other people from the Saranac/Clarksville area it came to my attention that Jay Frank (the son of the pastor of my home church while I was growing up) was giving thanks for the weather before our group meals despite the fact that the weather sucked. We had all driven up to Northern Michigan to enjoy the great outdoors and the outdoors was having the last laugh. It was cold, it was raining, and very few people were all that thrilled about it. And yet, before each meal, Jay would specifically give thanks for the weather along with the food and the fellowship, etc. After this had happened a couple of times, someone said to me, "he really shouldn't give thanks for this weather, God will think we like it"...the whole thing was good natured; funny actually, and when I prayed for the next meal I didn't make mention of the weather (which at the time was getting better, but not out of the woods yet) and followed it up by telling Jay that his previous thanks for the miserable weather hadn't been received with much enthusiasm...While this whole thing was just good natured fun during a time of vacation, it begs the question. Are we REALLY supposed to give thanks to the Lord in ALL things? Doesn't God know that I'm not happy with this or that current situation; how can he expect me to thank him for it? In the end, the reason that we do give thanks to the Lord in All things is because we're not thanking God for the circumstances (good or bad); we're thanking God for being who he is; for giving us life and for caring enough about our lives to send His Son to redeem us from sin. When you look at the big picture like that, you can still thank God for his goodness, his love, his mercy, his grace; despite the times when life is anything but good.

A new direction, the same ministry

I've decided to make a change in direction with my ministry that will allow me to better support my family and maintain my ministry at the First Baptist Church of Palo...I will be joining the Army Reserves as a Chaplain Candidate and re-enrolling at Grand Rapids Theological Seminary for the spring Semester. After I finish there, about 3 years, I will begin serving as either an active duty or reserve Chaplain for the Army. I've always held tremendous respect for the men and women of our nation's military and I know the toll that their service can take on them and on their families. As my friend Zach (Capt. 101st) seeks to heal their bodies through medicine, I will seek to heal their souls through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I don't claim any particular talents, just simply a desire to give something back in the process of moving my ministry forward. Thanks to all of you who have prayed for me in the past, I continue to count upon the support of the faithful in this transition period (I will be doing the one weekend a month thing throughout working alongside a chaplain). Whatever God has in store for Nicole and I, he will provide the way to serve Him.

Well, it’s raining now

Having just experienced one of the rainiest months of June in Michigan history, we’re all well aware that the weather can be fickle. As Jesus said in the Gospel of Matthew, “He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” (Mt. 5:45) For those living through floods or droughts, dealing with the devastation of a tornado or hurricane, or sifting through the rubble from a fire or earthquake; these words may seem hollow. We’d rather have the comfort of knowing that there was someone to blame for our misfortune. However, there is a purpose to knowing that God isn’t sending good or adverse weather our way in most cases. The tendency to blame someone (usually not ourselves) for weather disasters or gloat over beautiful weather is universal with man. It may be common, but it’s wrong. God sends blessings on both the just and the unjust, and God sends adversity to the righteous and the unrighteous.
The example of Elijah keeping it from raining in Israel for three years is an exception precisely because God specifically let his people know WHY they were being punished. When the people repented, the rain came. Unfortunately, in our day, some seek to make similar connections, blaming our godless ways for a whole host of natural disasters. {Have these men or women spoken to God personally? How do they know any of this?} Do we really need the weather to lead our people to repentance? Are we not capable of seeing the goodness of God in the blessings that he sends on ALL the Earth? The next time you hear someone spouting off about the “cause” of this or that natural disaster, remember that Jesus himself told you that God sends his blessings to us all. God is good when it rains, God is good when it pours, and God is good when the rain is nowhere to be found.

When it rains on your parade

Nicole and I just returned from a much needed vacation. We were supposed to camp in the U.P. (Van Ryper State Park; Moose country, hiking, etc.), but only had one day of sun before the week-long forcast of rain, rain, and more rain came in. We struck camp and loaded everything up about 10 mins. before the first of the rain started to fall. Rather than sulk and head home having vasted the 400 mile drive to get there, we decided to drive down through Wisconsin to Chicago and see the museums (indoor, no rain worries). It costs us a little more than camping, but we rolled w/ the punches so-to-speak. In the end, we had a great trip, saw cool stuff, and spent the time together that will continue to strengthen our marriage and rejuvinate both of us in our personal and work lives. Getting rained out was in no way a tragedy, but it could have easily led to resentments or hard feelings if we didn't work together to come up w/ and alternative plan that worked for both of us. As always, in our marriage, compromise and teamwork outweigh the preferences we each have. Vacations have a way of proving things to you about your family relationships. The expecations can be really high (unrealisticly many times) and things are boudn to go wrong on the way. Take a breath, remember why you're on the trip in the first place, and enjoy God's marvelous creation (including your spouse/kids/mother-in-law, etc.).

These are the times that try men's souls.

In preparation for this year's remarks at the Memorial Day service at Palo's cemetary, I decided to contemplate Thomas Paine's famous words of encouragement to the Continental Army during its difficult winter at Valley Forge (1776-77). Washington was so impressed with the powerful words that he had them read to his whole army. With so many American soldiers stationed in harm's way, the memory of how these Patriots overcame much more difficult odds through dedication and faith, can offer us assurance in our own time of trial. The War on Terror may continue for years to come, but America will prove victorious precisely because of her willingness to send young men and women to the ends of the Earth in pursuit of freedom. As Thomas Paine wrote, "The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman." Indeed they do, the modern American army is an all volunteer force, just like the men who stood with Washington in America's darkest hour. They fought for an ideal that they valued higher than their own lives. Today, America's soldiers fight abroad to extend the same freedom that American now enjoy to people who have only known oppression and terror. You won't hear this side of the story from many Western intellectuals who prefer to paint these young men and women as modern Imperialists, but their disdain does not make the cause any less noble. This Memorial Day, as you hopefully visit your local cemetary to pay your respects to the veterans whose past sacrifices helped make our world the more free than at any point in human history, don't forget to say a prayer to Almighty God to protect those same men and women who proudly today wear the uniform of the United States military. As Paine wrote, "it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as Freedom should not be highly rated."

Does God want us to do the Wave?

From time to time I’ve heard grumbles that the enthusiasm shown to sports teams is not in turn shown by Christian for our faith.  We yell and shout when an athletic contest goes our way; we moan and wail when it does not.  Outside of the Charismatic movement, Christians rarely show such emotion for their Church.  Is that because we hold the Church less dear, or because the type of emotion that we heap on our beloved Lions, Tigers, and Red Wings is not what God requires of us?  The love that a fan shows for his favorite team(s) may be over-the-top at times, but it is also in many ways, shallow.  When our team isn’t playing, or during the long regular season, we often lose some of our interest.  We care more about games against heated rivals than against other foes.  We lose heart when our team stinks, and become fair-weather fans.  Yes, our passion boils over during a close playoff game, and we dance around like maniacs when our team wins a championship, (Indeed, how crazed would I be if the Lions win the Super Bowl; perhaps I’ll never know) but is this the sort of passion that the Church of God needs?

            The Church needs passion that works 24/7/365; passion that works when times are good and when times are bad.  God requires of us a changed LIFE, and not simply a burst of enthusiasm from 11:00 to 12:00 on Sunday.  If you want to get excited while at church, that’s fine with me, but don’t fool yourself into thinking that you’ve fulfilled your obligation to God.  It is on those quiet somber days that God requires the fire within us the most.  In acts of kindness when nobody is looking; generosity that costs me dearly, and love that endures through the mountain top and the valley.  I’m sure that God loves the guy who wears the rainbow wig and holds up the John 3:16 sign, but in the end, it’s the helping hand extended in love that shows where our true passion lies.

Standing behind the Pulpit

An unexpected thing happened to me this past Sunday.  I was sitting up in the front of the church, during the opening prayer, scripture, and songs, when I began to feel the need to say something.  I knew that my sermon was approaching soon, and I didn't feel that I could go forward with preaching the Word of God until I had cleared something up.  There was a problem between myself and one of my congregation, something that I had apologized for in person earlier, but something that was known to others as well.  Rather than allow some to wonder how I felt, or to hear about my actions secondhand, I decided to step in front of the alter and talk to my congregation directly.  Now before anyone gets any ideas; the problem revolved around a careless comment made on an earlier date, the kind of thing we all do from time to time, but a problem because of my unique role in shepherding this church. 
In the end, the short comment that I was intending to deliver evolved into about a ten minute rambling discussion of the ups and downs that we've seen as a church in my years there, as well as my hopes and fears for our future.  At one point, one of my senior saints decided to chime in with, "stop beating yourself up and start preaching".
It was a different sort of experience; I've known for years that my conscience becomes more keen when I'm going to be serving Communion, anything that has been lingering between myself and God gets cleared up, but this was the first time that I've felt the need to wait before giving my Sunday sermon.  It's a powerful thing to stand in front of others and tell them what the Word of God says, certainly not something to be taken lightly...

The Social Gospel?

I was reading an editorial piece in the paper today by a national columnist about the long-standing argument between "Conservative" and "Liberal" Christians over the Social Gospel.  The Social Gospel refers to the notion that social/economic justice must have the priority in the work of the Church.  In America, this divide has coincided with the political divide between Republicans and Democrats.  One side side of the argument: the desire to keep the Gospel message focused on the Spiritual needs of the Lost and the Flock; on the other, the belief that the very nature of the Gospel message requires that it be conjoined with concerns over poverty and rights.
In the end, both extremes of the divide have lost something vital by reacting against their opposite position.  Those who want to put the Gospel in a hermetically sealed box where it won't have any interaction with the culture in which the Church operates risk becoming detached from the real needs of those they are trying to minister to.  The Church does indeed need to prioritize its spiritual mission, but forgetting that God created people with physical needs too is an affront to the poor, the downtrodden, the hopeless.  Jesus spent a great deal of his effort with such as these.
On the other hand, those who devote the bulk of their ministry to social missions are in danger of forgetting that social solutions will never fix spiritual problems.  The problems in our world today are SIN problems; not the kind of thing that can be fixed with a government program or non-profit's initiative.  If the Church fails to ensure that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is at the forefront of its mission, it'll be of no more use than other well-meaning social groups who offer temporary aleviation for a root problem.
So what is the solution?  As is often the case, the Truth lies between these two extremes.  The Church must be both Spiritually AND socially aware.  The Gospel without the Cross and the Resurrection won't SAVE anyone, but the Gospel devoid of care for those in need lacks the Heart of our Savior.

When it feels like you're just putting a finger in the dike

There are times when it seems like every effort that we make in life is simply crisis management, trying to hold back a tide of depravity.  When you live a life devoted to God, to championing right over wrong, the weak over the strong, it can be double painful to know people who either don't care about this effort, or who actively seek to wreck such good works.  I've lately been afflicted by those who don't care.  It takes a lot of my willpower to be the only man who cares about the people I work with; to be surrounded by apathy and nihilism.  I care more about their lives than they do.  I hear constant tales of drug and alcohol use; of meaningless sex; all in a vain effort to escape from life.
Without God, what is there?  Without a purpose to your life, why are you here?
I know my savior lives.  I know I have a purpose, a place in this life.  I can't imagine trying to face this world with only pathetic substitutes to fill the "God-shaped hole" in each of us.
There but for the grace of God go I.

When you start to whine about your life....

Yesterday was one of those days that reminds me that my life is pretty good no matter how it may seem from time to time.  A 7th grader at Ionia Middle School had to call 911 at 4:30 AM because of an argument between her parents.  When the cops arrived they discovered that her father had shot her mother, her brother, and then killed himself.  It is certainly beyond my imagination how difficult this little girl's life is right now (as of now, both her brother and mother are in serious condition at the hospital).  I was called to the MS on friday morning to cover the classes of one of her teachers.  When you find out that you're working today because three people were shot, it puts things in perspective.
We all tend to be a little myopic about our lives, don't we?  We all have problems, many of them serious, and it really takes a jolt to get us to see beyond ourselves.  None of us are promised a tomorrow, today could be your last day.  Is it worth is to spend this day complaining?  As the Apostle James wrote, "Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money."  Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.  Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that."  Take a realistic look at your life.  Thank God for you many blessings (and tell him of your cares and worries in prayer), and never forget that life is a precious gift, one only our Creator can give.

Thoughts on "The Lovely Bones"

As an alternative education teacher, I'm always on the look-out for books that are high quality that my students will actually read.  Over the years I've had some success (notably with Stephen King's "Eyes of the Dragon") and some flops ("Jurassic Park" and "Runaway Jury" haven't gone over as well as I hoped).  I recently had to pick a new book on short notice (to cover classes for another teacher for a quarter; Get well Angi!).  At Barnes and Noble, I stumbled across "The Lovely Bones" by Alice Sebold.  I'd heard about the movie (Directed by Peter Jackson!!), so I sat down and read a bit to see if I could decide if it would work...
In the end, I'm teaching the book right now (going great, they're into it) and I'd like to just share a few thoughts about it for those of you who may read it or see the movie (Yikes!  Always read the book when you have a choice)

The premise of the book is that the death of Susie (revealed on the 1st page, I'm not spoiling it) is the hole in the lives of her family around which their futures are knit together.  They go through some really rough times, deal with raw emotions; make mistakes; and basically do what people do when life beats them down.  Ultimately, they do find peace; but I can't help but wonder how the story may have been different had there been a religious element to it.  Surely, one of the greatest benefits to being a Christian is the HOPE that we have in Christ.  The ability to look past today's sorrows and know that the future is still in God's hands.  I'm not saying that Christian parents wouldn't have a problem with losing a child (obviously they would), but that Christians have someone to turn to when it seems like we've been abandoned in life.  "I will never leave you nor forsake you"; the words of the Savior have special power for those who cling to them through the storm.

The book also contains a variety of other ways that characters try to cope with their loss (from drugs to sex to rage); all of which ultimately doesn't work {a postive message if you choose to see it}, and it certainly contains an interesting view of what Heaven is {good for conversation starting with teens esp.}.  If it sounds like I'd recommend this book to Christian readers, I would.  It does contain some material that isn't suitable for younger kids (the murder of Susie being #1 on that list, rather graphic, and some sex too later on), but it definately contains material that will generate questions, thoughts, comments; etc.  Our world is in desperate need of answers to the big questions about the meaning and purpose of this life and what happens when it's over.  This book certainly will show the frailty of trying to cope with life alone, the kind of thing that a parent, mentor, or friend could use to help show the healing hand of Christ to someone in need.

The Road Not Taken

How many times in life have you looked back upon a choice that you’ve made and wonder what your life would be like if you had gone down a different path? Maybe it’s a relationship that didn’t work out, a job that you didn’t get, a friendship that ended badly, or that house you bought that turned out to be a money pit. In the modern world we have far more real choices than our ancestors were faced with. Prior to the last few generations most people had no choice in their occupation (nearly all were farmers anyway), didn’t have any say in their spouse (parents made those decisions, the future couple typically had no prior relationship), and rarely moved more than a few miles from where they were born.


As a Christian, new dimensions open up revolving around moral choices, successes and failures, that may haunt us as we strive to be Christ-like. David, the one-time slayer of Goliath and God’s “man after his own heart” (I Samuel 13:14), lived to have such regrets despite his stellar service for God. David chose to commit adultery with Bathsheba, a sin which led him directly to plot the death of her husband Uriah. (II Samuel 11-12) Those choices didn’t keep God from using David after his repentance, but what might have been if this amazing man of God had stayed true to his faith? One of the prayers that I regularly make is that God would use me to do amazing things for his kingdom. In that same light, one of the strongest checks I have on the temptations I face is the knowledge that sin will keep me from making the most of that hope.

It may be interesting to wonder where we would be now if that big promotion had happened, or that first love had lasted, but the true question that will matter in eternity is, “What might I have been able to do for God if I hadn’t…” The Road Not Taken may have been a better one, but the sin not committed will always be the right road.

Faith & Works

I've been preaching my way through the letter of St. James at Palo and it has reminded me that the Church has come a long way in the last 2,000 plus years.  In some ways, we've remained amazingly consistant with what the Apostles and Early Church Fathers intended.  In other ways, we've let inertia and reaction to other Christian groups (Catholics not wanting to emphasize that they aren't Protestans and vice versa; along with countless other such action/reactions) take us in directions that we aren't even fully aware of.
The letter of James has a section in Chapter 2 that focuses on the absolute necessity of keeping Faith & Works (the KJV word for it; deeds, actions, etc.) TOGETHER.  James makes it very clear that he believes that "faith without works is dead"....And yet, in response to the corruption of the Church of the Middle Ages, Martin Luther felt it was necessary to emphasize "sola fide" (faith alone); in response, the Catholic Church was pushed (or pushed itself) even further in the direction of working for salvation.  In both cases, the danger of divorcing Faith from Works was very real (and in some circles remains so today)...Neither vision of Christianity is correct.  We cannot be Christ-like simply by what we believe (Faith alone) and we cannot be justified before God without faith in Christ (Works alone)...Much of the debate and animosity within the Church (universal; that includes Protestant, Orthodox, Catholic) arises from our failure to understand that we've spent the last 500 years emphasizing the two NECESSARY aspects of Christian faith.  We've acted as if the two can be torn apart and get us to Heaven on their own.  In doing so we've lost sight of the warning of James, No man can be justified by works alone, and faith without deeds is dead.

A difficult day in Palo...

Those of you who live around Grand Rapids may have read the front-page article in today's Grand Rapids Press about the house fire at the Veteran's home in Palo on Sunday morning.  This fire was particularly difficult for our congregation at Palo because we have had several visitors from this home over the past year.  One of the two who died was a quiet man named Ray who joined us for worship three or four times.  I never got the chance to learn much about Ray, we talked before church started a bit and I encouraged him (and the others) to come back again afterwards.  Now all we can do is entrust Ray to the mercy of God and pray for whatever family he had.
You never really know how much of an opportunity you will have to minister to those who walk into the church each week.  Some you know are regulars and you have a chance to talk to them each week, but others come only sparingly (sometimes once or twice a year, sometimes regularly for a little while and then not).  As the church's pastor, I make a concerted effort to greet anyone who walks in and try to ensure that they feel welcome; but it's difficult to get past the pleasantries about the weather and such to really find who the visitors really are in a short conversation.  Sadly, we won't get the chance to work on that with Ray.