Spring: the warm sunny days, the snow is melted, daffodils, crocus, and hyacinths are popping out of the ground; the earth is coming back to life after its long winters nap.
The Equinox is near where the days will once again be longer than the nights; animals come out of hibernation, migratory birds return to the north, and the golf courses reopen.
Renewal, rebirth, resurrection and recreation are common themes along the mystical path.
Osiris, Ra & Benu in Egypt, Mithra and Zarathustra in Persia, Adonis of Syria, the Grecian Phoenix, the Chinese Businiao, the Russian Firebird and a variety of other ancient scriptures, myths and legends from most every culture recount this mystery of death and rebirth, of loss and rediscovery.
The religious aspirant who is seeking a mystical union with the divine routinely participates in rituals reenacting the experience of death and rebirth.
Ritual purification, baptism, fasting, meditation, aligning ourselves with the divine assist us in finding meaning in life through death and rebirth.
Jesus? crucifixion, resurrection and ascension epitomize this mystical process of renewal in mind, body and spirit.
Lent, beginning with Ash Wednesday and culminating on Easter are the Christian aspirants traditional time of ritual opportunity to participate in this mystical process.
The reward is the kingdom. The cross is the mystical path. ?’take up the cross and follow me?? (Mt. 10:38) taken in context means to let go of the beliefs, behaviors and ties to the past that are blocking your awareness of the kingdom and enter into the reality of its presence here and now.
We cross out the negativity represented by the earth and regain the possibilities representative of heaven.
The ever present reality of the kingdom is a dominate message of Jesus in the Gospels. He places it within our reach ‘at hand? (Mt. 4:17) here and now.
He compares it to practices that we can participate in here and now such as sowing good seed, leavening bread, finding buried treasure, and casting our nets.
The key to entering the kingdom is to ‘change and become as children? (Mt. 18:3.) Children are naturally open, receptive and responsive to the leadings of spirit.
They have no defined rules of behavior, regulations of proper conduct, earthly laws to govern their expression except those that are imposed upon them by us adults.
When we are guided by spirit we naturally do the right things, love and honor each other as expressions of the divine, and desire to do only good.
Some native cultures have a practice of seasonally setting aside time to observe their children and emulate their play and activities. This way they reconnect with life anew and experience a rebirth in mind and body.
This is a conscious process. We all feel the urgings of spirit to be more truly authentic, truly who we are as expressions of the divine, children of God.
It is by consciously participating in the process that we realize the kingdom: expressing peace, wholeness and abundance anew in this now moment.
Where ever you are on your spiritual journey, I invite you to make the choice to be renewed, reborn, resurrected and recreated, you can rediscover your divine purpose and path, and enter into an awareness of the kingdom here and now.
Blessings of peace, joy & love
Matthew E. Long is senior minister
at Peace Unity Church & Holistic Center.

Today is Ash Wednesday and Christians from all over the world begin a forty day spiritual journey known as Lent.
The destination is Easter and I’d like to offer a few words that might help you walk the path more successfully. Basically, Lent is about ‘walking alongside? Jesus Christ by imitating him and following his call to conversion.
The forty days of Lent are first of all an imitation of the forty days that Jesus spent in the desert before he began his public work.
He fasted during this time and when the days were over, the devil tempted him just as he had tempted Adam in the Garden of Eden.
Adam disobeyed God’s command and God told him: ‘You are dust and to dust you shall return.?
In this way, God was revealing that death is one of the consequences of sin. The ashes that many receive on their forehead today are a reminder of that reality.
Whenever we purposely do something we know to be wrong, we turn our back on God and start to walk away from the loving Father who created us. We walk away from the source of our life and this route will always be a dead end.
Well, the good news is that Jesus is the new Adam. Instead of turning his back on God as Adam did, Jesus responded in the desert by being faithful to God.
Jesus thwarted temptation. By imitating Jesus? obedience to God, we do an about-face from Adam’s path and turn towards the path of life.
That ‘turning towards? God is exactly what the call to conversion is all about.
There are many ways to reverse course, but there are three things that are especially effective: fasting, prayer, and almsgiving.
These are three signposts of the spiritual life that will always point us in the right direction.
Fasting helps us along the path of conversion when dealing with ourselves; almsgiving directs our goodness towards others, and prayer turns us toward God.
It’s no secret that a child will tend to think about only what he wants when he wants it. Adults have the responsibility to teach children to look beyond themselves.
In a similar way, fasting helps us to be spiritually mature. By giving up something, we are able to see beyond our own immediate needs; our vision is purified.
Fasting directs our vision outside of ourselves. So, in certain sense, fasting prepares us for almsgiving, the path of giving to others. By giving to others we follow the path of Christ who said:
‘It is better to give than to receive.? That, of course, leads us to prayer, which is turning towards God by looking at Jesus Christ. Prayer is the final step in conversion because we direct our minds and hearts towards our final goal: God himself. No matter where you are on the journey may this Lent bring you closer to the final destination. Happy trails!
Fr. Daniel Pajerski, LC, is Formation Director for Everest Academy.

As I was preparing for the morning worship service at Lakeview Church one Sunday, a man from the congregation walked up and offered me something he held in his hand.
I held out my own hand, and in my palm he carefully placed a small yellow blossom with a short green stem attached. A dandelion. A weed.
Normally, I wouldn’t give a little yellow dandelion a second thought. But this time was different. It wasn’t because the dandelion itself was so remarkable, either. In fact, it was much smaller than any one of the million or so that I’ve seen in my own yard, and nearly every other yard in Michigan.
Even the stem seemed too frail and thin to offer much of a future for the little yellow flower. Still I looked at this little blossom with a sense of wonder.
It wasn’t the size or perfection of the flower that amazed me. It was the date of the discovery that made me stop and notice.
See, what makes this event so remarkable is that the Sunday I’m talking about was February 5th, 2012. The man who brought it to me said he found it growing next to the mail box on his way in that morning.
I was so impressed by this little dandelion blossom that I held it up in front of the entire congregation so they could see it too.
I think they all recognized the significance of a dandelion in bloom in February in Michigan. After all, we all know that doesn’t happen.
I’ve lived here all my life, and I’ve never seen a dandelion in February. But does that mean it’s impossible? Is my ability to see something the ultimate test of whether or not it is possible? I sure hope not!
As I looked at that little flower, I wondered how it was that a single blossom appeared on that frail stem.
I thought of all the dandelions I had noticed on the front lawn of the church last year. How many must certainly be waiting in all of our yards, content to sit the winter out, with all of its gray, blustery days and its frigid nights.
I’m amazed that in the middle of all the gray, lifeless vegetation, one little plant persisted through the freezing temperatures, and gave the world a real, yellow, living flower.
Now, I don’t want to give the plant too much credit in affecting the outcome of this situation.
However, I do think that it’s worth noting that the flicker of life in that plant is what brought that blossom into being. It’s part of that God-given desire to not just survive and preserve life, but to celebrate life, and live life.
That little plant could have simply kept one green leaf and it would still be living. But instead, God chose to bless it with a yellow blossom, the part of the plant that develops into seeds and preserves its DNA in another generation of dandelions. That’s the wonder of the February dandelion!
Jesus taught that we are not to worry about everything. He asked, ‘Who, by worrying, can add a single day to his life??
He then suggested that his followers consider the lilies of the field, who neither work or plant or harvest, yet God blesses them with attire that is more beautiful than the robes of kings.
God blessed that little dandelion plant with a yellow blossom, and He has blessings in store for your life if you’ll give Him the opportunity.
See, He won’t force his way into your life. He’s been aware of you since before you were, and He knows everything there is to know about you. He knows the situations in your life, and just what it is that you’re worried about.
If you’re reading this, and you find yourself in the chilly days and nights of a winter season in your own life ? maybe a time when it seems that all the greenness of life has turned to the gray of disappointment and despair, take hope in God’s own promises.
The Old Testament prophet Jeremiah wrote that God has plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
When you start to feel like all hope is gone, and there’s nothing left to even hope for, remember the wonder of the February dandelion.
If you have questions or comments, or if you would like to receive special prayer consideration, please contact Pastor Jon Grimshaw at blueboss302@charter.net .

This is going to be an interesting year. Watching the political debate and hearing the talk of starting a new war, reading the news of another tragic death of a young person, seeing a fight break out over a minor traffic accident; I wonder when we will learn to live the principles of peace and nonviolence that are at the core of all our religious and spiritual paths?
Monday, Jan. 30 was the 64th anniversary of the death of Mahatma Ghandi and the 1st day of the 15th annual Season for Nonviolence, a national 64-day campaign dedicated to demonstrating that nonviolence is a powerful way to heal, transform, and empower our lives and our communities. We are educating ourselves about the possibilities for peace and nonviolence, and honoring those who are using nonviolence to build a community that honors the dignity and worth of every human being.
Ghandi encouraged us to ‘be the change you wish to see in the world.? Those of us with eyes to see know that violence is not the answer to the violence we see in the world. Violence begets violence and if we keep doing what we always done we’ll keep getting what we’ve always gotten: more violence. The Season for Nonviolence offers the opportunity for people to learn to live the principles of nonviolence for themselves, in their daily lives and in the world.
Martin Luther King Jr, said ‘If we assume that mankind has a right to survive, then we must find an alternative to war and so let us explore the conditions for peace.? These conditions include practicing nonviolence. Our awareness must transcend the limitations of belief, fear and hatred with an awareness of peace and unity. ‘We must either learn to live together as brothers, or we are all going to perish together as fools.?
Buddha said, ‘One’s mind finds no peace, neither enjoys pleasure or delight, nor goes to sleep, nor feels secure while the dart of hatred is stuck in the heart.?
Compassion, love, caring, forgiveness; these are the paths to peace taught by all the world’s religions.
Lao Tse said ‘If there is to be peace in the world, there must be peace in the nations. If there is to be peace in the nations, there must be peace in the cities. If there is to be peace in the cities, there must be peace between neighbors. If there is to be peace between neighbors, there must be peace in the home. If there is to be peace in the home, there must be peace in the heart.?
Muhammad said, ‘Hurt no one, so that no one may hurt you.?
‘Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives.? John 14:27. The world thinks of peace as the absence of conflict. Spirit knows that peace is a transcendent consciousness that is mindful of the ultimate unity of all creation. A transcendent consciousness, such as that demonstrated by Jesus, Ghandi, Martin Luther King Jr. and others, can be in the midst of the conflict that is inherent within the world and be at peace: calm, centered, compassionate.
The Mayan Calendar in 2012begins a new cycle. Astrologers indicate that the solar system has completed a cycle, crossing the Galactic Equator and is entering into a new phase. This can be a time of the growth of our awareness of ‘the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding? Phil. 4:7.
During the Season for Nonviolence we have daily practices designed to foster the growth of our awareness of peace and nonviolence.
For more information see www.agnt.org. Together we can be a force for positive change in our world.
Matthew E. Long is senior minister
at Peace Unity Church & Holistic Center.

When Jesus Christ came to the earth, He came to bring great change. The prophets of the Old Testament foretold of His coming and the dramatic changes it would bring. When He came to His people, the majority of the establishment rejected Him and His message.
They had heard of His coming, and it was actually the catalyst for most of what they did; but when He came, they were not willing to allow the changes to facilitate the new era Jesus Christ had announced. In times of change, it is very difficult for the established system and leadership to adjust to change.
One day, as Jesus was coming into the capitol city of Jerusalem, He literally wept over the city.
He said, ‘O Jerusalem, Jerusalem’How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were not willing!? Jesus Christ knew that their rejection would ultimately lead to their destruction. At the time of His crucifixion, their fear and dread of Jesus came to a head. The ultimate rejection was Jesus Christ being crucified on the cross. He had not done anything wrong; it was just the threat of upsetting the applecart, so to speak, that aroused their anger and brought them to the point of the crucifixion. When Jesus Christ died on the cross, the scriptures tell us that the veil of the temple was torn in half.
The veil represented the old order and how it operated. This tear meant things would never be the same. Unfortunately, the scripture does not give the details; someone must have simply sewn up the tear, because the turmoil subsided and everything went back to the way it was.
Everything stayed the way it was until the total destruction of the city. As Jesus had prophesied, the generation would not pass until everything was impacted by the rejection of Jesus Christ.
To me, this is similar to the times that we are now living in. Everyone knows that the times have changed the world we live in. The Old World Order that prevailed for many years is no longer viable with the advancing of China, India, and much of the former undeveloped world.
The economic order of the last 70 years has been shaken and will never be the same. In 2008, the fissure in our economy took many by surprise.
The impact of the shaking of our system is still obvious, with the turmoil in Europe and the uncertainty of the future of our nation. It seems like the ‘veil has been torn,? but we are simply trying to sew it back up. The debt of the nations, and individuals, has had a terrible effect on our nation and provides an uncertain future for all; yet we are using the old methods to hold it together. Individual debts began to fall when people saw that precarious times had come upon us. Practical thinking started to prevail as people saw the dangers of spending money we didn’t have.
Yet, with the encouragement of the established order, we were admonished to spend ourselves back into prosperity. This past Christmas, they tell us that individual debt has returned to pre-2008 levels’and naturally, government spending hasn’t changed course either. The prophet Jeremiah spoke of a time like this’the people had become hard-hearted because they would not deal with the issues at hand. This is what the scripture tells us will bring change, a change that will transform and secure our future. A change that says, ‘Woe is me for my hurt! My wound is severe. But I say, ‘Truly this is an infirmity, And I must bear it.? (Jeremiah 10:19 NKJV)
This year, I hope that we have someone who is willing to tell us the truth and a people who will respond to the need of the time!
The Rev. Loren Covarrubias is pastor of Mt. Zion Church

2012 is here and we usher in a new year, but did you know that when it comes to spiritual matters, for many, the year began weeks ago?
As we change calendars and begin a New Year I thought it might be helpful to explain a little bit about a different type of calendar and year, one for the soul.
Many people all over the world follow a calendar called the liturgical year. The whole point of the year is to celebrate the life of Jesus Christ.
It all starts four weeks prior to Christmas, with the season known as Advent.
This first period of the year is named from a Latin word that we can basically translate as ‘coming?.
As you might expect, during the season of Advent, Christians prepare for the birth of Jesus on Christmas day. His birth is a time of such joy that it would be impossible to celebrate it for only a single day.
The celebration of God coming to earth is so momentous that Christmas has its own season within the liturgical year. The Christmas season continues into the first week of January, usually ending on Jan. 6, the feast of the Epiphany.
On this day, Christians recall the day when the wise men brought gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to the child Jesus, recognizing him as the Savior of the world. With this celebration the Christmas season draws to a close.
The next part of the liturgical year begins with the celebration of the Baptism of Jesus. This inaugurates the part of the year known as ‘ordinary time.?
Ordinary here doesn’t mean that during that time we have to be ordinary and nonchalant about spiritual growth.
The word ordinary is used because during the weeks of ordinary time, no one particular event in the life of Jesus is highlighted. Ordinary time is the longest period of the liturgical year, lasting for 33 or 34 weeks.
This series of weeks is not continuous, however, because it is broken up by the period called the season of Lent.
Lent is a period of forty days beginning on Ash Wednesday. During Lent, the followers of Christ devote themselves in a special way to prayer, sacrifice, and good works.
This time reminds Christians of the forty days Jesus spent in the desert praying and fasting.
Lent is a preparation for the most important events of the whole liturgical year: Jesus? crucifixion on Good Friday and his Resurrection from the dead on Easter Sunday.
Although the time of preparation is long, the period of celebration is even longer. The Easter celebration lasts for fifty days and ends on Pentecost Sunday when Christians celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit and the beginnings of the Church.
You might have noticed that there’s no vacation time on this liturgical calendar. That’s because when it comes to spiritual matters we save our vacation days for heaven.
Fr. Daniel Pajerski, LC, is Formation Director for Everest Academy.

The New Year is already upon us. It always amazes me how fast the time goes. Wasn’t it just a short time ago that we were being warned of an impending disaster in our technology’when we went from 1999 to 2000?
Now we are coming into 2012. Have you heard all the disaster scenarios? The Mayan calendar predicts the end of the world in 2012 and many other sources are confirming disaster is just around the corner.
It is amazing to me how people love to warn of the end, but so few take a realistic long-term view. I am never motivated by any information that encourages short-term thinking. Panic is definitely a motivator for immediate action.
As a person who loves history, I am always motivated to view events from a historical perspective, and as a Christian, I take the long-term view of the future. I do see trends that are leading our nation down a road of disaster.
The contributors to this scenario have been long-term and varied in their influence. The good thing about a long-term view of a disaster is, it gives us the opportunity to do something about the future, and either change it altogether, or at least prevent a ‘worse case? scenario.
By nature, I am an optimist rather then a pessimist, but in the end I am a rationalist.
In other words, we must have a rational explanation of our problems and realistic efforts to change them.
A big part of the problem our country is facing is generational and it will take a generational turn to change it.
I am part of what many have called the ‘baby boomer? generation. As a generation, we have always questioned authority and institutions.
The upheavals of the late 1960’s were the result of a desire to fight against these things because they were often seen as purveyors of injustice.
The end result is a crisis of leadership in our nation and a crisis of function in our government as well as other institutions. To change this situation, we need to have a change in the basic premise of our thoughts and motivations.
We are confronting a moral dilemma. To reverse this crisis, we need to make immediate choices, but we also need a long-range plan of reformation. It would not be the first time that we have done this as a nation.
In the early 1800’s, America was facing many problems that seemed like they would overwhelm our country. Alcohol abuse, family breakdowns, crime, and a general sense of pessimism invaded the land. The problems seemed so great that most people saw them as irreversible and did not hold much hope.
Along came a preacher named ‘Lyman Beecher.? Motivated by his love for the country and his fervent faith, he began a call for reformation.
He said that it had to start in the church and it would be a force to turn the nation around.
His call was generational and his children carried on the burden through various reform efforts. He believed that if we were willing, God was able.
Beecher wasn’t the only voice, but a major voice in those days. There is credible evidence that this spiritual renewal changed our country and had a profound impact on society. A country is not an impersonal thing, but a gathering of people under a single banner. I say, we must once again build our faith and say’God, you can turn our nation around. We must recognize in our prayers that we need to be the vehicles God will use to bring this change.
‘The LORD shall send the rod of Your strength out of Zion. Rule in the midst of Your enemies! Your people shall be volunteers In the day of Your power; In the beauties of holiness, from the womb of the morning, You have the dew of Your youth.? (Psalm 110:2-3 NKJV)
The Rev. Loren Covarubbias is pastor of Mt. Zion Temple.

‘And in that region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, ‘Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people?? Luke 2:8-10
The message of Spirit is clear and consistent; in the stories of the angel’s appearance to the shepherds, to Zechariah (Lk 1:13), to Mary (Lk 1:30) and Joseph (Mt 1:20), it is, ‘Be not afraid.?
We can be tempted to be in fear when life brings us what life brings us.
And fear is not a bad thing, especially when we understand it in the original sense of meaning awe and respect. We fear burning ourselves on a hot stove or falling off a tall building. We respect the power of electricity and of gravity, and have learned to work with them to improve our enjoyment of the physical world.
Similarly, we can work with the power of God to improve our enjoyment of life and living.
Life is filled with joyous possibilities. Some we appreciate and others we don’t. ‘Count it all joy, my brethren, when you meet various trials? (James 1:2)
Each moment is an opportunity to live in love, to be love, showing compassion for ourselves and all others. This is the path of joy. ‘These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.? John 15:11
The shepherds represent the aspects of consciousness that watch over our mental activity, our thoughts and feelings. They were watching ‘over their flock by night.? Night symbolizes darkness of sense consciousness, awareness without inspiration. Yet they were out in the field, open and receptive to the good news of Divine illumination.
The good news being the birth of a special child, ‘Christ the Lord.? ‘And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying ‘Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace among men with whom he is pleased!?? (Lk 2:12-14)
When we are inspired, we offer praise and give glory to a greater reality than we normally participate in, we recognize and give thanks to our higher power; we consciously invoke an awareness of the infinite, unlimited, eternal existence that we call God. We know the peace that is God’s pleasure for us and in us.
The new birth is called ‘Emmanuel? or ‘God with us? (Mt 1:23.) It is a conscious awareness of our intimate connection with the Divine. This is not an egocentric glorification of self. It is a selfless experience of union with the ultimate, infinite, unlimited, eternal existence of the absolute good that is God. From here we can ‘be the change we wish to see in the world.? (Ghandi)
The outer world is a reflection of our inner state of awareness. When we are negative we tend to draw to us experiences to reinforce the negativity.
Likewise, when we are happy, loving and joyous we tend to draw to us experiences to support our joy. And, even those inevitable brushes with unwelcome events and people are easier met with compassion. ‘If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.? (The Dalai Lama)
May all that you think, say and do, here, now and always, be in joy with compassion for yourself and all of God’s creation.
Blessings of peace, joy & love.
The Rev. Matthew E. Long is senior minister at Peace Unity Church and Holistic Center.

Some things should be clean. I think restaurants and hospitals should be clean. The tools used by my dentist should be clean.
There are lots of things that should be clean in this world. Employees should wash their hands before returning to work. I am less concerned about construction workers or bus drivers than I am about doctors, nurses, and anyone that would touch my food. Clean is good.
There are other things that I am not so sure that need to be clean. An office, for instance, should look used and lived in.
My office could have been cleaner, at least that is what the folks from A&E’s ‘Hoarders? said when they stopped by to help me get organized.
Besides, is a cluttered desk is the sign of a cluttered mind? Or, is a clean desk a sign of a cluttered drawer? Oh well, there are things that should be clean and there are things that should be less clean and a lot more lived in.
For instance, let’s look at the Christmas Story. Not the one with Ralphie and the Red Ryder carbine-action, 200-shot, range model air rifle with a compass in the stock and a thing that tells time.
I’m talking about the first and original Christmas Story where Jesus is born in a manger to Mary and Joseph.
Maybe modern movies make it a little more realistic and gritty. Most of the things I’ve seen, like paintings, show a very quiet Jesus and two tremendously serene parents who are bathed in light emanating from Jesus? crib. It’s all too pretty and clean. I don’t think it was that attractive or calm or clean.
Mary is a young girl, 13 maybe a little older, engaged to Joseph.
She is a virgin. The angel Gabriel visits her and tells her that she is highly favored. This makes her a little nervous.
Maybe she was thinking of Job (Job – long ‘O?). He was a righteous man that God pointed out to Satan. This was not a great thing for Job. He lost his wealth, family, and health in that book.
Yes, he was made whole again with a new family and everything, but it wasn’t an easy road to travel.
Mary is favored by God and she gets to have a baby out of wedlock. This isn’t going to be any easier for her, it appears. This news will disgrace her fianc? and her parents. As a bonus, Mary could have been stoned.
Can you imagine the scene of her telling her parents?
‘Mom. Dad. I thought you should know that I’m pregnant.? Mary’s father starts looking for some kind of weapon and mutters, ‘I’ll kill him!?
‘Dad, it wasn’t Joseph. I’m still a virgin,? she says as she tries to calm her dad down. Her mother weeps softly. ‘This is God’s baby. I promise.?
I don’t think her parents said, ‘Oh, as long as God is the father, we’ll go get the nursery ready.?
I think it was a really difficult time, but it was a time that God saw them through. Christmas is really more like that than what we celebrate today. Today it is happy songs and lights and presents and stuff, but it started out on a different note.
Maybe Christmas needs a little cluttering up.
Someday Jesus will return and in that day Jesus will replace our weeping with joy, our death with life, our chaos with peace, our sorrow with gladness, and our hatred with love.
Until that time, we still have friends dying from cancer and other diseases, friends whose marriages will end, and we will continue to send our children and loved ones to war.
If I am going to have any chance of a Happy and Merry Christmas I need room for my doubts and sorrows.
I need a Holiday where I can pray for Jesus to come and come quickly. I need a Holiday where my faith will become sight and my hope a reality.
I need to celebrate His arrival, but more importantly I need to wait for his return. And for that to happen, I need a Christmas that is lot less clean and a lot more complicated and cluttered.
I need this so I can know that I am not alone in what I am going through. Maybe that’s what we all need. What do you think?
Dave can be reached at dave@skinministries.com.

How was your Thanksgiving dinner? Did you spend it with family, friends and other relatives?
Regardless, I venture to say that you ate quite a bit of food. My wife and I went to both of our family’s homes for the holiday and ate a meal and desert at each place and by the time we finished the day, we didn’t think we would ever look at food again the same way as before.
But just as is the case every other year, we awoke the next morning to growling stomachs, reminding us that we needed to eat once again.
Somehow all of the sweet potatoes with melted marshmallows on top, the stuffing and mashed potatoes, and all of the turkey (not to mention the desserts!) did not fill us up to the point of never needing to eat again. Why? Because we need food ? we need nourishment.
The same was the case as Jesus sat down with a Samaritan woman during the daytime as she had come to a well to draw water for her family.
Knowing her situation as only Jesus could, he asked if she could give him a drink from the well; an odd question for a Jewish man to ask a Samaritan woman for many reasons.
First of all, Jews and Samaritans did not associate with one another; the Jews believed the Samaritans to be a lesser important group of people and therefore did their best to stay away from them at all cost.
Secondly, it was against the custom of the day for a Jewish man to associate alone with a woman; after all, what would people think if they were to see this encounter play out from afar?
But Jesus had a bigger purpose. When the Samaritan woman questioned her qualifications to even associate with Jesus, he simply tells her that if she knew who he was, she would ask him for a drink and ‘he would have given [her] living water? (John 4:10b)
In other words, if she had any idea who Jesus was, she would seek out what he had to offer her ? life giving water that quenches thirst to the point of never needing anything else. Jesus would have offered her a life that was more fulfilling and enriching than anything she could have ever dreamed of.
You see unlike Thanksgiving meals and family get-togethers that hold the possibility of leaving you depressed and uncomfortably full, only to be hungry again in a few hours, Jesus offers something that fills eternally the need in our life for relationship with God.
In verse 13 Jesus responds saying, ‘Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.?
Are you left ‘hungry? this week after Thanksgiving? Are you left with a pit in your stomach after a day of dining and sharing life with family?
Jesus has the solution ? him! Whether it is a relationship in your life that is leaving you wanting more, a failed attempt at success after a life of climbing the corporate ladder, or the bottle at the bar that ultimately leaves you wanting more, Jesus offers life-giving ‘water? that will never leave you thirsty’never leave you wanting anything else.
My question is, are you hungry/thirsty today? If you don’t have a church home, I would like to personally invite you to worship with us at Lake Louise Church of the Nazarene, 2300 S. Ortonville Road just south of Bullfrogs.
During this Advent season, we are preparing our hearts to celebrate the birth of Christ and I would love the opportunity to share that time with you and your family. May God richly bless you and your family this Christmas and New Year!
The Rev. Matt Bailey is pastor of Lake Louise Church of the Nazarene.

It’s not uncommon to see a football player celebrating a touchdown by looking up and pointing to the sky.
Did you ever wonder what he might be looking at? Was he pointing to the replay of his spectacular catch? Did he spot a very exotic bird right after he crossed the goal line and want everyone else to see it too?
I bet if you were to put on some cleats and go down on the field at that very moment you’d probably only see what he sees: a clear blue sky.
Then again, those of us who try our best to think about spiritual things prefer to give those celebrations a spiritual interpretation.
In those moments I like to think he’s pointing beyond the sky and thanking God. A football player, or anybody for that matter, who can see beyond what his eyes tell him is a person who has faith.
Another example might help. Back when a phone call was only a dime, two mischievous young men were in Grand Central Station.
They saw a boy they knew who was notorious for trying to make easy money. One of his favorite things to do was to fish for coins in the pay phones that lined one of the walls of the station.
As the young men were watching, the boy came to one phone, found it empty and tried the next one. Whenever he found a dime, he would keep it.
Then something odd happened. He reached into one of the coin slots, pulled something out, looked at it with disgust and threw it on the ground.
The two observers were baffled about what had caused him such aggravation. A few minutes later they walked over, and picked up the object of scorn: a penny.
The next day, the two young pranksters decided to do an experiment. Hoping to see the boy again, they planted a penny in ten consecutive pay phones.
Sure enough, the boy came around. He poked his fingers into the first slot, grabbed a penny, decided it wasn’t what he was looking for and jettisoned it to the ground.
He came to the second phone and did the same thing?10 times in a row.
The pranksters couldn’t believe it. The boy had failed to discover the very thing he was looking for. He couldn’t see beyond the single penny to see the larger gift he was being offered.
The truth is that God is continually offering us his blessings. They may seem small but over time we should learn to appreciate them.
Faith helps us to do that. It is a virtue that gives our life an added dimension. By faith we’re able to appreciate the simplest things in life more deeply.
His blessings might not come in the packages we expect, but they are present for anyone who has the eyes of faith to recognize them.
Fr. Daniel Pajerski, LC, is Formation Director for Everest Collegiate High School and Academy

‘In the temple he found those who were selling oxen and sheep and pigeons, and the money-changers at their business. And making a whip of cords, he drove them all, with the sheep and oxen, out of the temple; and he poured out the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables.? John 2:14,15
Jesus was a trouble maker. He questioned authority and challenged the status quo.
He worked on the Sabbath: picking grain (Mt.12:1) and healing the man born blind (Jn.9:14), offenses that were punished by death under Old Testament Law (Ex.30:15).
He challenged the authorities. He called them vipers (Mt.3:7), hypocrites (Mt.23:13) and accused them of being liars and offspring of the Devil (Jn.8:44.)
He challenged their scriptural teachings (Mt.16:12) and evidenced their failure to follow the great commandment (Mt.22:37-39) in the story of the Good Samaritan (Lk.10:29-37.) Etc., etc., etc.
The current Occupy Movement is questioning authority and challenging the status quo.
You may support their cause or be merely sympathetic to their issues or be repulsed by their actions and think they should be thrown in jail; we have to acknowledge that there is an incredible level of discontent with business as usual.
The Tea Party is based upon the same energy with a different agenda.
As I listened to two of the current Occupy Movement organizers being interviewed on NPR the other day, three words stuck out for me: conscience, conversation and culture.
They are asking that corporations, business owners, politicians, everyone have a conscience and do what is for the highest good of all. This seems reasonable to me, a ‘do unto others as you would have them do unto you? (Mt.7:12) mentality.
The current economic system can be likened to a game of musical chairs; there seem to be fewer and fewer chairs while more and more people want to play.
Wall Street, the President, Congress; none of that can or will solve our problems. We the people have to engage the conversation; we have to initiate the discussion of the solutions that really work. Jesus didn’t blame the man who was robbed; he praised the Samaritan who helped him get back on his feet.
Capitalism has proven to be the most successful economic system for innovation and development.
And, the rich are getting richer while the poor are getting poorer. Our culture doesn’t seem to be able to distinguish the benefits of giving people a hand-up from a hand-out. Education, training, assistance are necessary to lift the lower class of income earners up. Lack of jobs causes people to resort to theft to feed their families and the downward cycle accelerates. People need meaningful work.
Family Systems Theory teaches that individuals cannot be understood in isolation. The problem child is a symptom of a dysfunctional family system. It is only when we address the dysfunctional system that true healing can occur. Whether we are talking about a family, a body, or society, true healing requires a shift in how we view the system and how we relate within the system.
What is emerging is a new paradigm; this is the shift. Jesus ushered in a new awareness of our relationship with the infinite, unlimited, eternal existence that is God. Today, we are being called upon to increase our awareness, to awaken to the dysfunction, acknowledge that the system doesn’t work for all, accept our part in perpetuating a dysfunctional system, be alert to the opportunities to foster positive change, ask for Divine guidance and act upon that guidance in ways that truly benefit all.
You are God’s beloved in whom he is well pleased (Mt.3:17, Lk.2:14.)
Blessings of peace, joy & love.
Matthew E. Long is senior minister at Peace Unity Church & Holistic Center.

It’s the time of year again when the trees explode in color before our very eyes, like a display of fireworks.
Nature seems to leave the best for last before the solemn days of winter come.
The change in seasons is something so dramatic that throughout the centuries man has felt the need to mark these changes with various traditions.
The change from autumn to winter is no different. In a few days the night air will be filled with the words ‘trick or treat? and the sidewalks invaded by goblins and witches and a variety of creative costumes.
It’s time for Halloween.
There are many explanations about the origin of Halloween, but there’s no mistaking that our current celebration focuses our attention on spirits and ghosts and on things we believe in but don’t normally see.
I’ve often been asked how a Christian should celebrate Halloween or even if they should celebrate it at all. I wouldn’t presume to offer a perfect answer, but maybe a few thoughts will help.
There is more than one side to the celebration of Halloween so much of what you get out of it depends on your perspective.
How about en example? Anyone who has ever done any type of sketch or drawing will know that you only get a full appreciation of an object when you look at it from different angles.
A door knob, for instance, looks different whether you look at it from the front or from the side.
Well, I would say that the best way to get the full perspective on Halloween is to observe also the day that follows it.
Halloween gets its name because it’s All Hallows Eve, that is, the evening before All Saints Day.
There is something mysterious about the world of ghosts and skeletons and all of us are drawn into the mystery.
Skeletons attract our attention not because of the bones, but because we imagine that once before those bones belonged to a person.
Where that person went is what causes us amazement and even fear. Ghosts and spirits attract our attention because we imagine that they used to inhabit a body.
Why they are not united with their body is what enchants us. All Saints day gives us the answers.
On All Saints Day we look forward to the day when those bones will be united happily with their rightful owner for all eternity in heaven.
On All Saints Day we look forward to the day when that wandering spirit finds true peace and receives his body back forever in paradise.
All Saints Day is the fitting complement to Halloween. Halloween is a reminder of our limits; All Saints Day is a reminder that, for those who love God, life has no limits.
So, by all means have a Happy Halloween? but only if you also have a Happy Day of All Saints.
Fr. Daniel Pajerski, LC, is Formation Director for Everest Academy.

In my last article I talked about the dash. You know ‘that dash between your birth date and death date. You see it in obituaries and on headstones in cemeteries. That dash represents your life.
You cannot control your birthday. You cannot control your death date. At least you’re not supposed to.
However, you can do something with your dash. You can live your dash intentionally. You can live passionately. Love completely. Learn humbly.
The fact is, we are all aging. Our days are numbered.
Speaking of aging, I came across a comedian’s take on aging that I really like.
It says, ‘Do you realize that the only time in our lives when we like to get old is when we’re kids.
‘If you are less than 10 years old you are so excited about aging that you think in fractions. How old are you? I’m four and a half. You are never 36? . You are four and a half going on five. That’s the key.
‘You get into your teens and now they can’t hold you back. You jump to the next number, even a few ahead.
‘How old are you? I’m going to be 16 and you could be 13, but hey you are going to be 16.
‘Then the greatest day of your life ‘you become 21. Even the words sound like a ceremony. You become 21.
‘Yes, but then you turn 30. Ooh, what happened there. Makes you sound like bad milk. He turned, we had to throw him out. There is no fun now, you just soured. What’s wrong? What’s changed?
‘You become 21. You turn 30 and then you are pushing 40.
‘Whoa, put on the brakes. It’s all slipping away. Before you know it you reach 50 and your dreams are gone. But wait, you make it to 60. You didn’t think you would, but you make it. So you become 21, turn 30, push 40, reach 50 and make it to 60. You built up so much speed now that you hit 70.
‘After that it’s a day-to-day thing. You hit Wednesday. You get into your 80’s and every day is a complete cycle. You hit lunch. You turn 4:30. You reach bedtime.
‘It doesn’t end there. Into the 90’s you start going backwards. I was just 92. Then a strange thing happens if you make it over 100 ‘you become a little kid again. I’m 100?.?
Whether you are 8 ? or 90 ?. Live your dash! ‘I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.? (John 10:10)
The Rev. Greg Henneman is pastor of Clarkston Community Church.

Every time I watch the news, I am always amazed to hear the business news.
The stock market, for example, will make wild moves up or down based on information from the statistics the government sends out or by news from around the world.
When people talk about the economy, they speak about solutions that are so tied to the momentary needs and so few have a long-term solution.
It is obvious from all the reports that this world economic shaking compares to the trauma of the Great Depression. The statistics may not be as bad, but the impact (both in depth and width) certainly is.
By depth, I mean how deep the problem is and by width, how widespread the damage could be in the world.
When I was growing up, the Great Depression represented a watershed moment that required a great overhaul of how we did business.
Like today, there were obviously many opinions about the problem, but it was easily recognized as a structural one.
Just like today, it certainly could be seen as a moral problem, because many of the problems were brought about by improper actions and often motivated by the wrong things.
It could be argued that the solution for the Great Depression was World War II. The Second World War did two things: it opened a market for manufactured goods (in this case weapons) and it also provided a rallying point to pull the people together in a common interest.
Our common interest was simple’survival!
Hopefully, war will not be the catalyst for our recovery at this point in history.
Wouldn’t it be something if we could rally together for our common good so that our country could turn another corner and begin the road to recovery?
The inspiration for this turn will certainly not come from our politicians. It seems that our politicians are symptoms of what ails us as a people.
The change of direction that we now need must come from a higher motive than someone just being elected to office.
I do not discount the value of the political system, but in order for it to succeed, it must be motivated by people who are demanding something besides personal interest.
Whether we are talking about special interest groups, or individual interests, self-centered motivation has become the norm in our society.
We need what the Bible calls a revival. A revival is the stirring of people outside themselves, a turning to something bigger than themselves. The stir can be a higher aspiration, but when we think that this high aspiration is our political agenda, it will often come back to being about us.
When God becomes our higher aspiration, it also opens us up to solutions that are not about us, but indeed something higher than us.
America has gone through many spiritual revivals in our history; time has proven that these revivals, though directed to God, have always brought about positive change in our country.
Even secular history books tell of the three great spiritual awakenings that have shaken our nation throughout our history.
I believe that it is time for another one of those awakenings, or revivals, as I am calling it.
This process not only corrects our actions to produce change, it motivates God to do something for us that we cannot do for ourselves.
The scripture says, ?’if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.?
I am excited about that prospect and believe it is indeed on the horizon.
The Rev. Loren Covarrubias is pastor of Mt. Zion Church.

‘In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.? (Genesis 1:1)
Sometimes it’s good to start at the beginning and remember God.
In the beginning, here, now, always; there is only God. Nothing else exists, just God creating the heavens and the earth. What are the heavens and the earth created out of? God, its all God.
Seven hundred people were arrested in New York on Saturday. It doesn’t matter whether you are disgusted by their actions or support their cause. You may call them freedom fighters or terrorists. You may think of them as out of work bums or leaders of a new wave of reform. The fact remains that the issues they are espousing are real.
Needs serve to turn us to God, God does not create the need nor fulfill the need; our consciousness of God is the fulfillment. The more we focus on the problem or deny its appearance, the more energy we are giving to the problem, the bigger it gets. The more we focus on an awareness of God, growing our consciousness of God as our infinite source and supply, the more we realize the fulfillment of our needs.
Biblical miracles began with a need. The Widow who had nothing but a jar of oil (2kings 4:2) turned to God and her need was fulfilled. The feeding of the 5,000 (Mark 6:41) began with the awareness of a need then Jesus looked to heaven and the need was fulfilled.
We acknowledge the need, we do not deny it, we accept its appearance in our lives. We deny that the appearance of need has the power to control our lives then we turn our awareness toward God as our infinite source and supply. Our awareness of God active in our lives is the fulfillment of every need.
‘In the day that the Lord God made the earth and the heavens?? Genesis 2:4.
Crisis precedes transformation. The 13.7 billion year history of the universe is a series of evolutionary jumps sparked by crisis points.
First there was nothing and then there was something, the universe came into existence. First there was nothing physical then the planets and suns were formed of the dust and gases.
First there was no life then there was plant life.
First there were no multi-cellular life to consume the oxygen build up and then there were animals.
First there was no conscious intelligent life then humans came into existence. Each step is marked by a need for greater emergence of God consciousness.
In biblical symbology: First there was no man then there was Adam. First there was not the awareness of the One God then there was Abraham. First there was no national identity of the children of God and then there was Moses. First there was no awareness of God within and then there was Jesus.
We are at a new crisis point. The Chinese character for crisis includes two symbols that can be interpreted as danger and opportunity. The emphasis is on the danger. This is a crucial point in time that could present a great opportunity for positive change.
What is emerging? What is the next quantum leap going to bring? What is your role to play in this emergence? How are you plugging in to your spiritual community to be a part of the change you wish to see?
Remember it all begins and ends with our awareness of God at work in our lives and affairs. God is our source and our awareness of God is our supply.
Blessings of peace, joy & love
Matthew E. Long is senior minister at Peace Unity Church & Holistic Center.

One of the sad features of contemporary life is the number of people who have given up thinking that their lives could actually change for the better. This situation is a natural consequence of a culture that has largely lost its faith in God.
But for those whose faith in God remains, the hope of change and progress continues to prod them forward with optimism.
And with good reason.
God has equipped believers with all that’s necessary to bring constructive change about.
While every change for the better begins with God, realizing positive change depends on how you view yourself. If you view yourself as simply a product of your experiences or a victim of all that has happened to you, change will be impossible.
You’ll be passively resigned to the status quo.
But it doesn’t have to be that way. Followers of Christ have a new identity. They have been crucified and raised up with Him (Rom.6:3,4). They are new creatures (2 Cor.5:17), who are no longer slaves of sin, but servants of a new Master.
Consequently, by grace they are able to say no to stubborn habits, reverse destructive patterns, and walk in newness of life. All hope for change begins here, by living in union with Christ.
But besides living in union with Christ, there also needs to be a standard and process for change. You need to know what changes God would have you make and how you are going to get there.
The Bible provides what’s needed here.
God has given us His Word in order to teach, reprove, correct, and train us for righteousness. He wants us changed according to His standard so that we would be equipped for every good work (2 Tim.3:16,17).
This change comes about as a process as we read and hear the Bible, and respond to it faithfully. And it’s as we submit ourselves to Scripture’s teachings, reproofs, corrections, and training that we are prepared to fulfill God’s purpose for our lives.
Of course, for change to stick, it must be remembered that habits play a vital role. As it’s been said, “you make your habits, and then your habits make you.” And it’s in this regard that your habits can be either your best servant or worst master.
So, be sure your habits are good ones.
Creating good habits can be tough, especially if you have some bad ones to contend with — but it can be done.
Success comes when you don’t merely try and shake a bad habit, but replace it with a good one.
For example, impurity needs to be replaced with purity (2 Tim.2:22). Fear needs to be replaced with love (1 Jn.4:17).
It’s by way of this replacement principle that the habits we need to shape our lives for good are instilled. Combine this with regular prayer, worship, service and other spiritual disciplines, and you will be well on your way to the kind of change God intends for you.
Too many people have given up on changing their lives for the better. This year, be among those who look to God’s grace and power to bring about those changes you know you need to make.
David Bostrom is pastor of Seed for the Harvest ministries.

Here in Michigan, we are beginning to see the first signs of autumn.
As I look out my window, I notice that yellow, brown and red are replacing the green color that predominated throughout the summer season.
I love green. It seems refreshing to me when I see green everywhere.
As the fall season begins, my first thought is ‘Oh no, I’m losing my green world!? My next thought is to think about the white snow cover that will become the dominant color during Michigan’s winter.
For this reason, I am not fond of the fall’even though I hear people talk about the beauty of the fall colors.
My thought is, ‘Do you realize that means winter is coming??
I am not a fan of winter. In the past, people have said, ‘You need to find a winter activity that you like.? In time, I did’I began taking winter vacations to Florida and Mexico. These trips certainly made winter more tolerable for me.
One day, Jesus Christ was speaking with His disciples. They were inquiring about the signs of the last days and His return to restore His Kingdom.
He said to them, ‘Remember the parable of the fig tree. When its branch becomes tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near.?
In other words, each season is unique within itself, but it also speaks of what is going to come after it. If we are watching for seasonal signs, seasons should not take us by surprise.
The scripture also declares, ‘For everything there is a season and a time for every purpose under the heavens.?
We need to know the season that we are in. Although we live our lives according to the season, we must also recognize that it is time to prepare for the next season.
Our country is in a severe economic distress. It took most people by surprise, even though there were many signs of the impending crisis.
Unfortunately, we do not like to live thinking about tomorrow, so we simply choose to live only for today. The scripture tells us that God has made everything beautiful in its time, but it also qualifies that with the statement, ‘Also He has put eternity in our hearts.?
We should not just be a people of the moment; God wants us mindful of eternity. This means that we should always think about and prepare for what is to come.
A good friend of mine, who traveled the whole world, once asked me a probing question. Why do you think the countries with weather similar to Michigan are the most prosperous?
This question is based on a true observation. The industrial and economic wealth of Europe is based in the north, and the same has typically been true in the United States. Throughout the world, tropical countries tend to be poorer than ones in temperate weather zones. My friend’s observation was that changing seasons trained people to think long-term.
One must prepare for each season, knowing that they will only last for a while and you must be ready for the next. Technology is changing the observation of weather and human behavior, but the principle is very real and to the point.
We cannot just live for ‘today.? We must be a people with a long-term plan. From a farmer’s perspective, this means: never use all your seed for food, because you must be prepared for what is to come.
Western society, the United States included, has forsaken long-term planning for short-term comfort.
The idea of suffering, or enduring loss, today for tomorrow’s gain has lost favor with people who demand satisfaction now.
We are already suffering the consequences of that behavior. Will someone arise on the scene who will rally us to live properly, or will we respond to a demagogue who will tell us what we want to hear?
Someone who will point the finger of blame and offer easy answers, or will we return to those principles that made us great and gave us immense blessing in the past.
We cannot solve our modern world with yesterday’s understanding, but we can solve today’s problems with the enduring principles that have a proven track record.
For me, that proven track record is the Word of God that endures from generation to generation and still produces good fruit.
The Rev. Loren Covarrubias is pastor of Mt. Zion Church.

This past Christmas, I bought the same gift for each of my adult siblings.
It’s called ‘Listening is an Act of Love,? and it is a compilation of stories meant to interpret the history of our country in a unique manner.
It’s particularly interesting because it’s of its intention to provide an ‘oral history,? giving the book a high level of human interest. The voices in these stories retell many profound experiences of the human condition’joy, sadness, courage, and love.
What I found particularly fascinating was how often these stories were tales of conversion, and not necessarily in the religious sense that we have become accustomed to hearing that word.
Fundamentally, conversion means ‘change,? as in ‘seeing the light,? and conversion can and does occur in many aspects of human experience.
In fact, conversion in one human being can and has altered the course of history. We’re familiar with the more infamous conversions, such as Martin Luther King, Ghandi. and Mother Theresa.
But in ‘Listening is an Act of Love,? I was struck with the importance of each individual human story when it contains the element of conversion and its fruit is passed on through generations for their benefit.
Change in our lives is constant; of this we can be certain. Does this also infer that we are called to continuing conversion? I think so, and not just for our benefit, but also for those whose lives we affect on a daily basis.
As Christians, we are blessed with the ancient season of Lent, because it affords us a time and place to consider the relevance of conversion for our lives.
Historically, Lent began in the apostolic era and was universally observed in the ancient Church. It was and still is considered a time of preparation for Easter, where the faithful rededicate themselves to the Christian life and converts are instructed in the faith.
The 40 days are counted from Ash Wednesday, which this year falls on Feb. 6, until the Saturday before Easter, March 22 (Sundays are skipped to commemorate the Lord’s Resurrection). These 40 days imitate the time Jesus spent fasting in the desert before he began his ministry.
History is always important to understand our roots, but realistically we need to consider what difference Lent will make in our lives this year.
What needs to change? Practically, how do we transform our outlook toward a new way of loving God and others? How can we become more fully converted to life as a disciple of Jesus?
These are questions I encourage you to ponder in the next two weeks before Lent begins.
I challenge myself as well as you to make this the year that you truly experience ‘conversion.? We all have a story to tell that can add meaning to another’s life.
In turn, we can all be open to benefiting from the story of another. This Lent, why not begin the story of conversion with your own life?
Then, pass your story on!
You never know who might be listening!
Cheryl Smith is director of Adult Faith Formation at St. Daniel Catholic Church.

Life is good! I actually took a full week off for vacation this summer. Yeah God! With all the activities, teams, committees, work, etc. that I am involved with it wasn’t an easy job to schedule the time. And, we went to my favorite beach. The beach is one that I have been going to since high school, many moons ago.
We have a family cabin there. We hadn’t been there for a couple of years and my eyes tended to focus on the things that were different.
New or remodeled buildings, trees that had grown and needed trimming, the grass that was increasingly encroaching upon the gravel parking area all captured my attention.
Before long I was able to shift my attention away from the changes, some I considered negative while some I viewed as positive, and focus on the essence of what I long for at the beach: sun, sand and the sound of waves rolling onto the shore. These were there in abundance. Life is good!
Life is good when we focus on what is real, eternal, unlimited. And, the world can be a scary place, when we believe in it.
Unemployment is still high, housing prices are low. The stock markets, commodities, etc., are unstable and unsure investments at best. Wars and revolutions are raging. Severe weather seems to be the new normal.
Cancer, AIDS, H1N1 or whatever the newest designer disease is; nuclear fallout from Japan, etc., etc., etc.; no wonder the use of mood altering prescriptions, sleeping pills, stimulants and anti-depressants are on the rise.
‘But take courage; I have conquered the world!? John 16:33.
The Master Teacher gave us the tools for living the good life; to be in the world but not of it (John 8:23, 14:27, 17:16, etc.)
The world is an expression of our belief in the reality of things external; a belief that we could be separate from our good, separate from God.
Conquering the world, we shall know the Truth of our unity as we have a conscious awareness of the Holy Spirit: the whole Spirit of God active within us.
‘In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you? John 14:20, we are one!
The Apostle Paul was genuinely inspired when he wrote, ‘Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind? Romans 12:2.
Jesus said it this way, ‘Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.? Matthew 4:17. Repent, from the Latin, literally means to think again.
From the ancient Greek its ‘Metanoia? were we experience the transcendent creative power of the word (John 1:1.)
Restated, this quote could be, ‘Think again with a new level of understanding for the ultimate reality of God’s great good is within your reach here and now.?
Mind renewal or regeneration (Matthew 19:28) is the key. The regeneration begins when we stop looking to the outer world as our source.
When I realize God as the Source and my consciousness of God as my supply, all I need and desire is readily provided. The job, the investments, the economy is not the source of my good, God is!
The doctors, the medicines, the environment is the not the source of my good, God is! My spouse, family and friends are not the source of my good, God is!
Through conscious contact with God in prayer and meditation I link my mind with God Mind and draw forth Divine Ideas for expressing health and wholeness, peace and harmony, prosperity and abundance. Life is good!
Matthew E. Long is senior minister
at Peace Unity Church & Holistic Center.

We read from Matthew 13:15 Now when it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, ‘This is a desolate place, and the day is now over; send the crowds away to go into the villages and buy food for themselves.?
In Matthew 13 we read about Jesus feeding the 5,000. Some would tell us that based on this passage that Jesus will give us all that we need in this life.
In fact, we often hear that Jesus promises to take care of all of our needs. That thought is based on this passage among others.
So if God promises to take care of all of our needs, why do you get sick? Why do you or a family member have cancer or die from cancer?
Christ did not come to this earth as an earthly king, but rather as a spiritual king.
So what does that mean? It means that Christ will take care of us. He will provide for us according to His will.
But we must realize that it is not always His will that we don’t get sick, or that we are cured of our illness. And because of sin, He also promises that we will all one day die. But He also promises that all whom the Father gives Him, He will also never abandon.
That means that for all who believe on Jesus Christ, as their Lord and Savior, that He will keep them in His care forever and ever.
For those who believe on Jesus Christ, He will keep them eternally in the one true faith. Christ did not come to this earth to take care of your physical needs, but rather to take care of your spiritual needs.
This miracle had nothing to do with Jesus taking care of all of our physical needs, but that we are to have faith in Him.
Having faith in Jesus Christ, He will spiritually care for us all our days, because He has promised that He will protect all those whom His Father has given Him to take care of.
Believing on Jesus Christ as our only Savior, Jesus promises to keep us in the one true faith.
We will always be the children of God, never to be lost from His fold, never to be taken from Him. We will be His eternally!
This is all because Jesus Christ died on the cross for our sins, and rose from the dead on the third day, and His Holy Spirit opens our hearts and minds to believe this.
By Christ’s death and resurrection through faith in Him, we are assured of our eternal life. No guessing, no worrying, instead, we are His eternally.
This is His promise to us. And what a promise it is, that by believing on Jesus Christ, we will be His forever and ever, living eternally in Heaven with Him! Amen.
The Rev. Kelly Todd is pastor of Christ Lutheran Church.

We are living in a very interesting time. For the United States, this is probably one of the more serious times in our history.
Although we are not in a ‘great depression,? as we were in the 1930’s, we are certainly in the same pressure cooker of distress. From the economic crisis, to the world order being threatened by the lack of certainty in the future’we certainly should see the danger of the time.
Looking back, we must remember how people respond to crisis when the fear of uncertainty begins to motivate behavior. Political upheaval is a very real possibility.
One of the most important things that we must be careful of is a victim mentality. This is what led to the rise of hate that motivated the Holocaust and World War II. In order to manipulate the Germans, Hitler convinced them that they were victims of Jewish ‘conspiracies? and that their economic problems were the result of the mistreatment at the end of World War I.
Hatred and the sense of getting even made them become blinded to the evil of Nazism and Hitler. The Germans were not the exceptions. Violent responses due to anger turned the world upside down. There were many dictators sitting on the sidelines waiting for their opportunity to seize power. Many nations had entered into economic wars through trade protections and other forms of barriers, as people saw their problems from a victim mentality rather than from a perspective of personal responsibility.
Animosity and anger are on the rise in our country and we must be very careful not to allow these emotions to gain a foothold in our minds.
If we allow this, we will respond from our feelings rather the rational thought, which will only create more problems in the end. If we see ourselves as victims, we will go on the defense, or even still, we may go off the offense.
The struggles resulting could implode our world, much like what happened at the onset of World War II. The conflicts over retirement age and benefits could pit the young against the old. Unemployment could pit the hard up against immigrants, legal or undocumented, as so often has been the case in history.
The have-nots could turn on those who have resources, or are not suffering, because we are drawn into comparisons with other people. These are just a few of the causes of both the rise of Nazism and the ensuing conflict with communism that lasted for 60 years. Have we learned any lessons from the past?
We need to be mindful of the past and set our eyes on the goals for our future, with proper planning and personal accountability. In fact, the greatest contributor to our present dilemma is the lack of long-term planning.
Whether government, industry, or individuals; people have forsaken long-term planning for immediate satisfaction or results. Now, we are reaping the harvest of short-term planning and the worst thing we can do is try to come up with a short-term solution. Emotional thinking promotes immediate reactions, motivated by a need for immediate satisfaction.
The Bible says it like this in Hebrews 12:15, ‘looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled; 16 lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright. 17 For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears.?
The Rev. Loren Covarrubias is pastor of Mt. Zion Church.

Remember what it was like?
Two captains were appointed to divide the group into teams. They chose one person after another. You waited in anticipation for your name to be called.
Finally, they chose you! Remember how good that felt? You belonged. You were wanted. You were a part of the group!
Remember, also, what it felt to be left out, what it was like before your name was called.
Do you remember those who remained on the side waiting to be chosen? Remember the hurt and the pain you felt as you saw others chosen before you and, maybe, the glances and the laughter as they seemingly looked at you.
For many those are not fond memories.
We would probably just as soon forget, especially if we were not the most athletic or one of the ‘chosen? from the class group.
When you were chosen did you ever encourage the team to select one of those less likely to be chosen? Did you see the delight on their face when they, too, were chosen?
God did not choose His people because they were the greatest or the most numerous.
He did not pick them because they were the most athletic or the best looking. God chose them out of His great love for them; they were chosen by grace.
Jesus, in the New Testament, tells us: You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide so that whatever you ask the Father in My name, He may give it to you. (John 15:16, ESV).
He chose you. Out of all the people there have ever been He chose you. You are special in His sight.
He empowered you through the Holy Spirit, given with the waters of baptism, to be one of God’s own, special, children.
Jesus also tells us: But many who are first will be last, and the last first (Matthew 19:30).
Those who excel in this world and who push to get ahead, relying on their riches and power, exploiting others and seeming to be great in this world will find heaven difficult to grasp.
Whenever we rely on our own efforts we fall short.
Those who are often despised by others, who are rejected and seen as the dregs of this world but rely on God’s grace and Jesus? forgiveness earned on the cross are those who gather at His feet in heaven.
The chosen do not necessarily find life easy. They face many trials in this world. They may suffer and even give their life.
There is great evil around us as we see in the news on a daily basis. Knowing we are chosen, and a better life awaits us in heaven, allows us to endure to His glory’because we ARE chosen.
The Rev. Kendall Schaeffer is pastor of St. Trinity Lutheran Church.

It is already past mid-July, and summer is rushing by’again.
It always seems that there is so little time and so much to do during this brief period of warm, even hot this year, weather in Michigan. I know I so look forward to being able to relax, play and just be together with family and friends.
I also know that these times will not just happen. I have to “make” the time ? literally carve it out of my busy life. I have to intentionally build such time into my schedule and priorities.
Our need to rest and be restored is not something optional. It is necessary. In fact I have discovered that it is built into the very fabric of our lives and it is the way God made us.
You may recall that in Genesis chapter one God spends six days busily creating everything. Then on the seventh day God rests. GOD RESTS!
Why do I sometimes act like I don’t need to stop and rest? Do I really think that I can do without something that even God does do without?
The 3rd Commandment in Exodus 20 says, ‘Remember the sabbath day, and keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work. But the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God; you shall not do any work??
I try my very best to observe the 10 Commandments, not so that God will love me any more than he already does, but so that I can lead a more healthy and joyful life.
However since Sunday is usually a pretty big work day for me, sabbath-keeping has always been a particular challenge.
Often my attempts to take another day of the week off fail. Perhaps you find it hard too ? packing so many things in to those precious days off that you fail to really rest in God’s love or take time to refocus.
The word holy means set aside for a special purpose or to dedicate to God.
God’s call to rest by setting aside some holy sabbath time breaks our weekly patterns of busyness and achieving, expectations and productivity, competition and pressure.
We can lay aside our to-do lists and do something different.
One author suggests that: ‘If your week is filled with e-mails and telephone calls, turn both machines off for the day.
If your frantic schedule has you traveling all week, a sabbath at home will provide much-needed rest.
If you spend your week cooped up in an office, a sabbath walk in the woods or an afternoon at the park playing with the kids may be just the space you need.?
Sabbath time brings renewal too. Renewal means making things that have become old and familiar new again.
It is a time for us especially to renew our relationships with others and with God.
In the New Testament Jesus sums up all the commandments in this way: ?? you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength’and you shall love your neighbor as yourself? (Mark 12).
Taking sabbath time is really a way of following up on that oft spoken refrain, ‘We really should get together more often.? Getting together with God and with others is not an optional, ‘if I can fit it in kind of thing.?
Rather it is essential to our lives. Focusing attention on God (worship) and on others (sharing God’s love) is what we were made to do, and it makes the rest of our days more meaningful and purposeful.
I hope you have a great summer’and I hope you will take some sabbath time to let God restore your heart and soul.
The Rev. Jonathan Heierman is pastor of Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church.

A song was released a few years ago by a popular recording artist that simply proclaimed that there was ‘no such thing as the real world,? but that it was simply a lie you had to get over.
While I understand the spirit of the song and the artist’s attempts to capture the minds of those frustrated with the realities of this ‘real world,? I do believe that there is in fact a real world out there.
This real world is a world of hurt, fear, letdowns and frustrations.
In this real world, people die, get divorced, lose the family pet to old age, and get into car accidents.
In this real world, there are people who will tell you they care about you, only to turn around and prove the complete opposite to be true.
This is a reality that I tend not to like and would rather that none of us would ever have to deal with.
Many fail to understand how the church can exist in such a world tainted with messiness and junk.
How can an organization that exists to do good, do so in such a reality that we find ourselves in? The answer is clear; it’s not only possible, but it is what we are called to do.
The Bible is not a tool to be used to simply add blessings to the lives of those who seem to have it all together.
It is, in fact, a book that contains the best message ever given, that there is a God who loves us, cares for us, and wants a relationship with us.
It is a book that contains a wonderful message from the God of this universe, creator of all.
The reality is that there is in fact a terrible reality for our world. There are wars, rumors of wars, death, disease and famine.
People hurt other people in action, word and thought, and we tend to care very little about those whom God came to give life to.
So, how do we have a realistic faith?
My response is a question ? how can we not? When confronted with the messiness of the reality we find ourselves in, I am reminded by God’s Word that He has come into our world as Christ, has lived in our neighborhood, so to speak, and has conquered death and hell so that we can have life and have it abundantly.
That does not mean I will be rich. It does not mean I will never get sick. It does not mean that I am immune to the effects of divorce and sin.
What it does mean, is that I have a hope.
A faith message that focuses on an idea that everyone will be okay and that bad things never happens is inaccurate and hurtful to the Kingdom of God.
But so is a message that the reality that we find ourselves in cannot be a place where God can move and affect life-altering change in our hearts and lives.
The reality is that oftentimes our present circumstances are only part of our reality. The parent dying of cancer is reality, but it is not all of reality.
The reality also is that God has a plan for your life, loves you more than anyone else does or could ever love you, and wants to do great things in and through you.
So how can you have faith in this reality we live in? I believe the better question is, how can we have faith without bringing it into the real situations of our daily lives?
The Rev. Matt Bailey is pastor of Lake Louise Church of the Nazarene.

On the fourth of July we finally made it into the Clarkston Parade.
We have talked about it for a couple of years and this year we actually rallied the energy to do it. Our presence was a simple expression that peace begins with all of us, peace is patriotic.
The Pledge of Allegiance includes the declaration that we are ‘one nation under God.?
Jesus told us ‘Blessed are the Peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God? (Matthew 5:9) which tells me that if I am to truly be the child of God that I am, and be ‘under God,? I must be a peacemaker. Peace is Patriotic.
I want to know ‘the peace of God which passes all understanding? (Philippians 4:7) in the midst of all the noise in my life.
I want to know peace when a loved one is angry. I want to know peace when the doctor says what the doctor says.
I want to know peace when the bank account says what the bank account says.
I want to know peace when I am in traffic and the idiot does what the idiot does.
To the extent that I can connect with the wholeness which is God, which is an awareness of the infinite, unlimited eternal presence and power that is God, I can be peace in this now moment.
I was thinking about the 4th of July Parade again and our little part in it.
If we had been walking down the street by ourselves with no other floats, no farm equipment, no bands, no classic cars, I doubt thousands of people would have stood on the side of the road and cheered us on. We would have been largely ignored.
But, in the context of the whole parade, we were an integral part of the whole.
Every part is necessary for the whole, and ‘the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.? (Aristotle)
The parade would not have been the same if any of the parts had been missing and yet if any of the parts were missing the parade would still be whole.
So it is with each one of us, although there is often a consciousness piece that is missing.
We don’t feel whole; we may be sick or tired or in pain. We don’t think we are whole; someone else has more or better stuff than we do.
We don’t realize that we are whole; our attention is on what appears missing not on the reality of God’s all sufficiency in all things.
To realize and actualize our wholeness simply requires an out picturing of the power of faith as directed by our belief system.
‘Your faith has made you whole.? (Mark 5:34)
‘Believe you have received it and it will be yours.? (Mark 11:24)
We can accomplish all things through the power of faith when guided rightly by our beliefs.
If we believe we are whole, we tend to attract and express wholeness.
If we believe we are peaceful we tend to attract and express peace.
If we believe we are prosperous, we tend to attract and express prosperity.
If we believe we are divinely guided and inspired, we tend to attract and express new and creative ways of being.
Examine your beliefs about yourself and the world by asking two questions.
1) Is it true? By which I mean, is it absolutely true, constant, unchanging, and eternally true?
2) Is it helpful? By which I mean, does it contribute to your participation or experience in the greater whole?
Matthew E. Long is senior minister
at Peace Unity Church & Holistic Center.

I am writing this article before the July 4th Fireworks, but I trust it didn’t rain, and the fireworks were awesome in their new location from Everest Academy!
Over the last few months many people have asked us, ‘Why did Clarkston Community Church offer the $10,000 matching challenge?? I want to explain why.
There are three main reasons our church is getting more involved in reaching out to the community.
In case you’re not aware, the matching challenge is just one of the many activities CCC is doing around Clarkston. For example, we are involved with Habitat for Humanity where we build homes for needy families.
We’re involved in blood drives and tutoring and elder care homes. We support Light House and Grace Centers of Hope. The list goes on.
Why do we do these things? One reason is to simply meet needs. There are hurting people ‘the hungry, the poor, the widow, the orphan, and the disadvantaged.
As Christ-followers we believe it is a basic human right to have your needs met. We believe that every person is made in the image of God. The image of God is the basis for human rights.
It’s easy for us to forget how radical and unique that idea is. Philosophers today are having trouble coming up with a morality code, because if all we are is evolved animals, and there is no Creator, no purpose in life ‘if you are not made in the image of God, why should I care about you? Why should I take my time and money to help you?
It’s the Judeo-Christian teaching that gives us a reason and a motive to care about others.
But there’s a second reason we do these things: to follow Jesus.
Much of Jesus? teaching has to do with justice and compassion for the poor and disadvantaged. For too long Christians have gone to church to sing their songs and pray their prayers, and not get out into the streets to really love people.
According to Scripture, faith works. The more we appreciate God’s grace and love in our own lives, we will desire to pass that grace along.
A third reason our church is focusing on doing good deeds in the community is pragmatic: to correct misperceptions.
Christopher Hitchens, a famous atheist who writes books against religion, says, ‘Religion poisons everything.?
A growing number of people in our society believe that religion is what is wrong with this world.
People divide and hate and kill because of their religion. Maybe what we need to do is get rid of religion.
It’s easy to point to churches that fight and crazy pastors that want to protest and burn books.
It’s easy to look back in history at the crusades where Christians killed nonbelievers in the name of Jesus. Many people see Christians as arrogant, hypocritical, and narrow-minded.
What this world desperately needs to see is Christians and churches really living out the teachings of Christ.
People need to know that God is not a cruel, hateful God. In fact, justice reflects the character of God. This is a major theme of the Bible.
Psalm 146:7-9 says, ‘He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets prisoners free, the Lord gives sight to the blind, the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down, the Lord loves the righteous. The Lord watches over the alien and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.?
Over and over again the Bible says that God is a just God, a compassionate God ‘a God who cares about the poor, the widow, the fatherless, and the hungry.
And people who claim to follow Christ are supposed to reflect the character of God to the world.
So why are we doing these things? To meet needs. To follow Jesus. And to correct misperceptions
Simply put: God wants us to DO SOMETHING for his glory. How about you? What are YOU doing?
The Rev. Greg Henneman is pastor of Clarkston Community Church.

Have you ever felt like nobody appreciates the work you do? If you have, then you’re in the same boat as the servant in a parable found in the Bible.
The servant had been hard at work all day long plowing in the fields. When he came into the house, instead of receiving accolades, he received orders to start serving dinner. As if that weren’t enough he was supposed to do so humbly, in a spirit of self-forgetfulness.
If this seems to be a hard teaching, we should remember that Jesus provides such parables so that we may learn the way to spiritual maturity. So what lesson can we learn from this?
When we follow the path of service to our neighbor, we should strive to be motivated by a pure love that is concerned about others? welfare. That sounds very idealistic because it is. However, idealistic doesn’t always mean unrealistic.
The truth is that living selflessly is the key that opens us up to exceptional achievements. We bear within ourselves a call to greatness and this greatness is uncovered the more we strive to serve others. An example will help.
A little over a month ago the Navy SEALs made the headlines again. Their training is recognized as the hardest in the world. What type of individual makes it through SEAL training? The one with the biggest biceps? The best athlete? The ones with the most natural talent?
Not so, says Lt. Cmdr. Eric Greitens, a Navy SEAL himself.
He says: ‘Almost all the men who survived possessed one common quality. Even in great pain, faced with the test of their lives, they had the ability to step outside of their own pain, put aside their own fear and ask: How can I help the guy next to me? They had a heart large enough to think about others, to dedicate themselves to a higher purpose.?
When we serve, we build up all those around us and in the process discover that we are capable of much more than we can imagine.
When we are humble servants we come to realize that it is better to give than to receive. We get a taste of what true greatness is all about.
There is one person who shows us this self-giving in a unique way: Jesus himself. He knows what it means to go above and beyond the call of duty. There was no obligation for him to become a defenseless child, yet he did so because he wanted us to be able to approach him.
There was no need for him to experience our limitations of hunger and tiredness, yet he did so because he wanted to bear our burdens. There was no law that said he must die on the cross, yet he did so because his love knows no limits.
When we compare our life to the Divine Master’s we are compelled to say: ‘We are unprofitable servants; we have done what we were obliged to do.?
Fr. Daniel Pajerski, LC, is Formation Director for Everest Collegiate High School and Academy.

We have just celebrated an important milestone in the church, Holy Trinity Sunday, where we boldly and firmly declare that our God is one God manifested to us in three Persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
In light of the false teachings that have taken place in the world this is an important declaration of faith.
We are told to honor our fathers and our mothers. In May we celebrated the blessing God gives us in our mothers and this month we remember the blessing of our fathers. It is difficult, if not impossible, to raise children without the presence of both a mother and a father there to give a balanced outlook on life.
At the same time we are reminded of the importance of the example of the father in raising a child in the faith. The absence of a father’s guidance often leads to ambiguity of faith.
At the same time we remember the many young adults who are preparing to step out on their own, maybe for the first time.
I remember the joy (along with the fear and trepidation) of beginning college and then transferring to a school that led me to leave the shelter of the nest.
Even more frightening can be the step out of college and into the work force. It seems the safety net has been withdrawn under that circumstance! What if we fail?
No matter who we are or what we do there are a couple things to remember. First, we all have responsibilities. God gives each of us gifts and He calls us to use those gifts in serving Him.
Even those who might not believe in God have that responsibility because He has given them their gifts.
The second thing to remember is that God is with us at all times. He has promised never to leave us or forsake us. We are reminded in the words of the Psalmist (139) that God knows everything about us and is with us always. He knows us better than we know ourselves because He knit us together.
As we continue on the journey together, bound by the faith we have in Jesus as our Savior, whether we be a dad or a grad, I offer to you the words I have used to guide my life and my ministry.
Solomon, the wisest man to ever live, wrote Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established.
(Proverbs 16:3) What wonderful advice that is! Put it in the Lord’s hands.
Take it to Him in prayer, ask for His guidance on where you should go, let Him guide you to what He would have you do, then listen for His answer and follow where He leads. When He is in control you will not and cannot fail.
God’s blessings as you serve Him as His child.
The Rev. Kendall Schaeffer is pastor of St. Trinity Lutheran Church.

It is with a heavy heart that I am bidding this loving Ortonville community farewell. I have been appointed by my bishop to Ypsilanti First United Methodist Church as of July 1 and am already in full packing mode for our move. I would like to share some closing thoughts and prayers with you who are to continue on your journeys of faith here in this place. I begin with these words from the Apostle Paul to the church at Thessalonica.
1 Thessalonians 5:12-5:22: Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Do not put out the Spirit’s fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt. Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil. (NIV)
Serving in this community has been a labor of love and it is important to understand that one cannot separate the two by laboring without loving or loving yet not found laboring ? they simply must exist hand in hand.
Over the course of the last six years of my tenure here in Ortonville, I have witnessed such a wonderful outpouring of the Holy Spirit as witnessed through the prayers, presence and deeds of so many in our community. The support for local missions through your local churches and community groups are a lasting tribute to a true spirit of stewardship and discipleship in love of neighbor.
But history guides us to be ever vigilant in keeping our community safe and healthy. We always need to be on guard for the rise of personal agendas over God’s will for us to live serving and loving our neighbors. Much has been accomplished and yet much more needs to be done. It is critical that we as faithful Christians and good citizens remain committed, involved, and inspiring one another to an ever deepening love and service. New ideas, programs, visions, and goals need to be dreamt, discussed, tried, tested, and implemented where fruitful. May we always remember that it is more important to share the blessings of life than to simply have such blessings. In the reading I provided, Paul is pleased with their work, so he just wanted them to understand that they still need to be on guard so that they don’t rest on their laurels or become routine and mechanical in what they do for Christ and for each other.
More wisdom can be gleaned from this passage in the form of details of how we can continue being productive, spirit-filled, active Christians working for God’s Kingdom. I believe that we must maintain a level of respect for those in authority in our community. We may disagree with their ideas and policies at times, but we should continue to show a modicum of respect for the public office in which they serve. I believe that we should strive to live in peace with our neighbors. One of the best ways for this type of ‘peace? to occur is for all of us to serve with their God-given gifts, letting others use their gifts and then respect and love one another for what God is doing through them.
Remember….the Holy Spirit is alive and at work everywhere and in everyone….the challenge is for us to discern the presence of that power so that we might encourage each spark and fan each flame! Peace is a two-way street! This type of peace comes when all work together to build the Kingdom of God and to serve one another. I agree with the Apostle Paul that we all need to encourage the timid or fainthearted in life and help the weak. This instruction is a command that has nothing to do with age, social status, gender, race, or competence, but with those who are lacking confidence in themselves or their faith. We are all called by our common humanity to walk alongside one another in our lives. We need to lift up everyone and give them the support they need to build their confidence in order to carry on through life. We are to truly love one another!
My time here in Ortonville is drawing to a close but my heart is gladdened by the real and present presence of the Holy Spirit working in and through so many of you here in the greater Ortonville area. I call each of you to recommit your lives to living and giving this community a reason to believe that Jesus Christ is Lord and that God is a loving God. May your growing relationship with God give others cause to seek such a relationship for themselves, through Christ, that is loving, personal, and intimate.I close with these words from the Apostle Paul as my prayer for each of you….. ‘Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
You all shall remain in my prayers as I hope my family and I remain in yours. God bless!
The Rev Tim Dibble is pastor of Ortonville United Methodist Church

My youngest son recently played the role of the Cowardly Lion in his school’s production of the Wizard of Oz. For those out there who have somehow missed out on experiencing this book, movie, stage production, the Lion is a scaredy cat and travels with his new found friends Dorothy, Scarecrow and Tin Man to ask the Wizard for courage. Dorothy wants to return home to Kansas, the Scarecrow wants brains and the Tin Man wants a heart.
As the story develops there are many adventures where the characters face challenges and express the qualities that they desire. The Lion demonstrates bravery, the Scarecrow intelligence and the Tin Man compassion. In the end, with the Good Witches help, Dorothy realizes there is no place like home and she had the power to go home within her all the time.
They had to go through the adventures and face the challenges they faced in order to realize their potential and to understand what is truly important in life. Things happen in our life for a reason.
‘For everything there is a season and a time for every purpose under heaven.? Ecc. 3:1.
I’m writing this as we head into the Memorial Day weekend, the official start of summer. With any luck and the creek didn’t rise, any more than it already has, I will be putting my vegetable garden in as is my tradition. Later in the summer you will find me watching the corn grow and the flowers bloom.
Having lived on a farm and been a partner in an organic cooperative, I have a definite appreciation for the changes of the seasons. Each is necessary for the successful crop.
Spring brings the new growth, seeds sprouting, flowers blooming. With summer comes the fruitage and fall the harvest. Winter brings the necessary time of rest and renewal required to prepare for the next spring. It can’t be summer all the time; even in the tropics the seasons bring changes of weather, changes in the flowers and vegetation.
My life goes through cycles and seasons. There are times when there is new growth; creative ideas are sprouting, followed by the fruitage of those ideas and the inevitable harvest of the results. And then comes winter, which I often try to resist, with its barren appearances sometimes dark and gloomy.
Eventually I accept where I am at in the cycle and realize that my attempts to make it different are just vanity. As the preacher says, ‘All is vanity and a striving after wind.? Ecc. 1:14. What is, is.
It’s my choice to continue resisting, ignoring, rejecting, complaining, etc., etc., etc., or to acknowledge, accept and embrace the natural flow of life.
‘The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed; nor will they say, ‘Lo here it is!?
or ‘There!? for behold the kingdom of God is in the midst of you.? Luke 17:20-21.
Here and now is what is. Here and now is my time to enjoy. Here and now God is my source. And with God as my Source all I need and desire is readily provided. I open my mind and heart, my thoughts and feelings to be clear channels for Divine Spirit. I am blessed as I am a blessing to others.
And a new season begins.
Blessings of peace, joy & love
Matthew E. Long is senior minister
at Peace Unity Church & Holistic Center.

Several years ago my wife and I were driving down Square Lake road. We were going to visit somebody in the hospital.
The two lanes were being squeezed into one, and the traffic was backed up almost a mile. Everybody was cooperating and going single file when I looked in my review mirror and saw a guy flying alongside of us expecting to cut in at the last second.
All of a sudden he boldly started to cut in on me, and I had to pull over and stop or he would have hit me!
Immediately I flushed with anger. I was hot! So I didn’t slow down. I played chicken with him! I had a big van. He had a little sports car. I’m in the right; he’s in the wrong. I’ll show him!
All of a sudden he violently pulled in broadside, rolled down his window, screamed at me and gave me the finger! (And it wasn’t his little finger either!)
I admit that I had the impulse to jump out of my car and pound that guy’s head in! But then I had visions of me sitting in jail and all of my parishioners writing letters to me.
I realized, “This is silly and stupid. Just let it pass!” And within three minutes we were past the traffic jam and on our way.
Anger. We all experience it. Anger can make an otherwise rational person do crazy things.
That experience made me go home and search the Bible regarding anger. Here’s what I learned:
1) Anger is dangerous. “A hot-tempered man starts fights and gets into all kinds of trouble.” (Proverbs 29:22)
2) Anger is a symptom of a deeper problem. “A man’s wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense.” (Proverbs 19:11)
If you’re always getting ticked off; if you’re always blaming people for “making you mad,” you then you’re not wise. You just don’t get it. The more you understand your kids, the less you get angry at them. The more you understand your husband/wife, the less you get angry at them.
Anger is never really the root problem in your life. It’s a symptom, a warning light. It tells you something is wrong. Anger usually signals that you’re hurt, you’re fearful, or you’re frustrated.
3)It’s ok to be angry’just express it in healthy ways. It’s ok to be angry. But it’s critical we express our anger in the right ways. We tend to clam up or blow up.
God says, “Grow up.”
“If you are angry, don’t sin by nursing your grudge. Don’t let the sun go down with you still angry’get over it quickly; for when you are angry, you give a mighty foothold to the devil.” Ephesians 4:26-27
God promises us his grace to change. We don’t have to live with grudges and ulcers that eat our lives away. Freedom, forgiveness, and wholeness are ours in Christ.
The Rev. Greg Henneman is pastor of Clarkston Community Church.

I’m finishing a two month series of teachings on the subject of faith. The more I understand faith, the more I also understand lack of faith.
The Bible says, ‘When the Son of Man comes will He find faith on the earth?? If anyone understood faith it was Jesus!
There are a lot of scriptures on the subject of faith. Hebrews 11:6 says, ‘Without Faith it impossible to please God, you must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those that diligently seek Him. Faith is the victory that overcomes the world.? Heb. 6:12 declares, ‘Be followers of those, who through faith and patience, inherit the promises.? I Tim. 6:12 encourages us to ‘Fight the good fight of Faith.? Ephesians 6:16 recommends that we ‘Take up the shield of faith that quenches all the fiery darts of the wicked one.?
Matt. 9:29 warns us that ‘According to your faith, be it unto you.? Jesus spoke to many that were healed and He said it was their faith that made them whole. It was not always Jesus? faith that created results.
When the disciples failed to see people delivered, Jesus said, ‘Oh ye of little Faith!? The word ‘Ye? means ‘You? of little faith. He obviously expects us to exercise our own faith. God’s word plainly teaches that God is no respecter of persons, but we can see through scripture that He is a respecter of faith!
How can you tell if someone has Faith or not? I believe we can tell when someone has faith based on the same criteria that Jesus used. Jesus could tell by their words, their actions or, in one case, by the results.
Prayers are offered by many Christians. From my experience, most prayers are not prayers of faith, but rather prayers of hope! But, nowhere in the Bible does it say that the prayer of hope will save the sick.
The word does not say according to your hope be it unto you. Faith is what gets the job done! Every Christian has faith. However, that doesn’t mean every Christian is walking in faith all the time. You can’t be saved without faith! We’re saved by grace through faith, and that not of yourselves, lest any man should boast, but it is the gift of God. Faith allowed salvation to come to you because you heard the gospel message about salvation.
But have you heard the message about your healing? Have you heard the word about your finances? Have you heard the word about the infilling of the Holy Spirit? Have you heard the word about your children? Have you heard the word about your peace, your strength, your love, your joy or your victory?
Even though I’m a Christian I can still get into unbelief! I can get into fear, worry and anxiety. I can even quit or give up in the midst of a battle. I can also fall victim to negative talk. All of these mindsets take me out of faith and into doubt and unbelief.
I didn’t say that when I fall into unbelief, I don’t believe in God or that I’m no longer saved. I’m simply not operating in the Faith that I have inside of me or I don’t know what God’s word says on the matter. We can’t have Faith beyond what we know!
The scriptures are clear that faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Rom. 10:17). You can’t truly be in faith until you know God’s word concerning a matter. Faith begins where the will of God is known! When I was younger in the Lord, I remember hearing many people end their prayers with the words ‘If it be thy will.?
It sounded spiritual and humble. I found out that those words can be faith destroying words versus faith building words. We can use those words in some forms of prayer, but I never use those words when I’m praying the prayer of faith.
The way to get faith is to hear the word of God concerning your need. The Bible is the written word, which reveals His will. His Rhema, is the spoken word that we hear with our spiritual ears.
When God speaks to our hearts, it will produce the same faith that the written word does! Get into the Word and take advantage of what belongs to you! Remember, if you’re truly hearing the word, faith will come!
The Rev. Jeff Stonerock is pastor of Victory World Outreach Center.

In 1513 Ponce de Leon set sail in search of waters that would make old people young again.
As we all know it was a futile quest. There is no magical potion or waters or anything else that will make us young again, we are all part of this sinful world and the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23).
St. Peter wrote to those who were struggling with the life they were living. Some who had believed in Jesus had returned to the old way of life and were wondering why things had not really changed.
Others were struggling with some of the changes they were going through, the trials they faced because they believed in God.
He called them to remain faithful to God’s calling to them. God reminds us through Peter’s writing that we are born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable (1 Peter 1:22).
Our first birth is, obviously, to earthly parents. They, however, are the same as we are. They were born in sin and they have passed that sin on to us.
As Jesus told Nicodemus, if we want to see the Kingdom of Heaven we need to be born again, born of water and the Spirit (John 3:5).
We need new parents, imperishable and sinless parents. This comes to us in the Spirit of God and the Word of God.
This leads us to live in love for one another, but not just a brotherly love, we are led to the deeper love that God has for us, a love so great it caused Him to send His Son to die for our sins.
Paul must have also wrestled with those who would change what God taught through him.
He tells the Galatians: But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. (Galatians 1:8)
John, too, struggled with changes to God’s Word. In Revelation 22 he warns against adding to or taking away from the words of prophecy written in the book.
Recently we have heard about changes coming to the Bible. Is this good?
Unfortunately, meanings of words change within a culture and context.
Sometimes words might be changed that will reflect the same thing, for instance we might translate a word ‘joy-filled? replacing the word ‘gay? because society sees it differently today than it did 50 years ago. The same meaning is conveyed.
There are other instances where this is not so. One of the changes proposed is to translate ‘virgin? to ‘young maiden.?
These, in our culture today, are not necessarily parallels as they were in the past.
Not to be thought of as out-of-date or unwilling to change, I do think it is important to hold to the Word of God as it has been given us.
If that makes me old-fashioned, so be it. Better than that, may it make me true to the Word of God.
The Rev. Kendall Schaeffer is pastor of St. Trinity Lutheran Church.

My mother taught me so much. Things like, be yourself, do your best, love forgives, always wear clean underwear, and share with others.
A story that could be true of any of us’One rainy spring day a woman was shopping with her young daughter. She was very busy and had many errands to run. The crowds and traffic were terrible, so they had to skip lunch to get everything done.
Towards the end of the long day the woman was tired and hungry, her feet were aching, and she was more than a little irritable. As they left the last store to finally head for home, the woman turned and said offhandedly to her daughter, ‘Could you believe the nasty look that salesman gave me??
Without skipping a beat her young daughter innocently answered, ‘Mommy, he didn’t give that nasty look to you. You already had it when you went in.? Knowing the young girl was right, the woman paused, said a silent prayer, gave her daughter a hug, and said, ‘Thanks, I really needed that!?
Like it or not, intentionally or unintentionally, carefully or carelessly, we share what we have with others. Whether we are aware of it or not, what we do has an impact on our world and on those around us ‘for better or for worse.? Every time we encounter another human, no matter who they are or what their position is, we have an opportunity to build up or tear down. Wherever we go we can share joy, peace, hope and love, or we can sow irritation, anxiety, frustration, and despair.
I know all of this because my parents taught me. But sometimes I act like I don’t really get it or seem to care. Life can be very difficult and yet in the midst of all things I really want to build others up and share goodness.
Often it is in the little things and in the common everyday experiences that we have our greatest impact ? and our kids, and others, do watch what we do more carefully than we are usually aware.
In Bible times I can imagine Jesus? disciples and others watching him very carefully to see how he handled things ? how he treated people along the journey of life. Was he consistent? How did he deal with interruptions? How did he handle those different from him? How did he react to those who made mistakes? What did he really care about most? How did he share his love and amazing grace with those he met? What did he do when we was tired?
After Easter Jesus appears to his disciples a number of times and shares with them the miracle of his resurrection. Because it was so amazing they were always startled by his presence (Luke 24:37) or they didn’t recognize him (Luke 24:14). And almost always Jesus? first words to his friends were, ‘Peace be with you.?
What wonderful opening words they are and they helped. I long for that peace in my life too. They are words I need to hear today in the midst of the ups and downs of my life. I believe Jesus shares that same peace with me, and because of that I can approach each day with a fresh start and a kind heart.
Following Jesus? example I wonder how our days would be different if we greeted each new morning and each encounter with another person with the words and actions that communicate, ‘Peace be with you.? That is what I really want to share with others, and with God’s help I really can.
The Rev. Jonathan Heierman is pastor of Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church

What is our world coming to? Our newspapers, television screens and magazines are riddled with stories of scandal, crime, racial and/or cultural bigotry, and economic despair.
Stories abound about how ‘we? are losing the ‘war on poverty,? the ‘war on drugs,? the ‘war on terrorism,? the ‘war against teenage pregnancy,? as well as the many other such ‘wars? that I am sure spring to your mind.
Even here in what many consider the simple rural life of our area we suffer from the same malaise of negativity, distrust, disrespect, and social meltdown.
We all shake our collective heads and say, ‘Someone really ought to do something about that,? or perhaps, ‘It’s hopeless? or perhaps even, ‘I don’t understand why God allows this or doesn’t do something.?
The fact of the matter is that God has done something. God has done many ‘somethings.? God throughout human history has sent prophets to try and get people to follow life paths that will bring them the peace, dignity, self-fulfillment, and security that we all crave for our lives and the lives of our loved ones.
God sent many prophets to try and relay this message of hope and time and again humankind failed to listen.
Finally God came to us to speak to us directly . . . face to face . . . human being to human being in Jesus Christ, to show us the way to live with one another and for our own well being.
And while we failed again to rally to the truth and sent Jesus to the Cross, God still did not give up on us and rose from the grave that wondrous Easter morning and continues to be with us in the most personal way through the Holy Spirit . . . God’s Spirit that we might finally understand what God had been trying to share with us since we first pulled away from God’s loving authority so very long ago.
It was this message that the Apostle Paul was inspired by God to share with the church at Ephesus and through the Bible to share with us today.
‘Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.
Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.
From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.?
The truth, the answer to the world’s problems, the answers to the issues in our country, our community, and in our own lives has always been the same . . . God has given us everything we need to have and live the lives we seek and long for ourselves and those we love.
We have the resources and talents we need to bring our world into harmony with God’s will and the loving hope that is ours to claim.
The answer we have gotten from God, learned from Jesus, and continually encouraged toward through the Holy Spirit is that the answer is you and I.
It is up to us individually and collectively to take responsibility for our world, our lives, and the care of our neighbors. We are called to live together as Jesus lived with us. We are called to love each other.
We are called to love together, work together, and face our personal and shared issues and challenges together with Christ’s life as our guide.
The answers you seek begin with you and your relationship with God and continue to blossom and reach fulfillment in our relationships with one another.
Jesus lived a life involved with people, in their lives, in their problems, and even in their joys and victories. Jesus can still be the ‘way, the truth, and the life? for you.
The answers you seek always begin and end with your relationships with God and your neighbor.
It takes each of us getting involved. Joining together in common purpose and with a collective will and vision for the world in which we live and raise our families.
Each of us has been created unique, gifted, and priceless. Without each of us, the efforts to bring into being the sort of world we dream of are diminished, but together, as one body, in a personal relationship with God with the support of God’s Spirit, nothing is impossible.
So the next time you see an issue that needs solving, a challenge that needs facing, a problem that needs addressing, consider the possibility that you are part of the answer; you who have been created just for this time in this place and in this situation.
Without you and your gifts and talents joined together in common cause with others, the church suffers, the community suffers, and the world suffers. If not you . . . then who?
The Rev. Tim Dibble is pastor of Ortonville United Methodist Church

Airports in Tampa and West Palm Beach have had to change their designations because of the fact that the North Pole is moving East at a rate of 40 miles per year.
At this rate, in 50 years it will have left Northern Canada, passed through Alaska and reside in Siberia. Scientists predict significant shifts in weather and seismic activity as the Earth’s Magnetic Field adjusts to the movement.
Two of the largest earthquakes in history have occurred in the last seven years with resulting Tsunami’s that have killed hundreds of thousands of people. The latest in Japan has created a nuclear catastrophe second only to Chernobyl and it is still raging.
The struggle for democracy, civil war and terrorism in Africa and the Middle East have led the United States into a third war. And, the National Debt as a result of fighting these wars threatens to bankrupt our children.
A slow recovery, producing few jobs, continues to erode the housing market eliminating equity on Main Street while the Wall Street Bankers are again receiving million dollar bonuses.
Doomsayers on both ends of the political and religious spectrums are having a field day. They are capitalizing on the fear and anger to win their elections, sell their books and convert the disenfranchised.
Be wary of easy answers that lay blame on specific groups of people or end time predictions. We’ve been doing this for a long time and it has never proven correct.
What is easy is finding and living in Heaven.
Jesus located it plainly as being ‘at hand? (Mt. 4:17). It is within our reach, here and now. Heaven is an activity we can participate in today, such as sowing good seed (Mt 13:24), or using yeast to leaven bread (Mt 13:33), or a treasure hidden in a field (Mt 13:44) and it belongs to the poor in spirit: the humble (Mt 5:3).
What is necessary is a shift in consciousness, a shift from looking outside ourselves for evidence of Heaven and to look within for a realization of Heaven on Earth (Mt 6:10).
We will never truly know peace in the outer until we realize peace within. We will never truly know health in the outer until we have an inner realization of Divine Life.
We will never know true prosperity until we have an inner realization of our Divine Source and Supply. ‘Seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness and all these things shall be yours as well.? (Mt 6:33).
Holy week: Palm Sunday, Good Friday, Easter and beyond to Pentecost and the Ascension are symbolic of this necessary shift. The Triumphal Entry, declaring the coming of Christ as King; turning the tables on the money changers, cleansing God’s Temple; The Last Supper and foot washing, the arrest, the trial, the crucifixion, resurrection and ascension demonstrate the process.
Simply stated: Let go and let God’s good come forth.
Jesus showed us the way, it’s up to us to follow his guidance and ‘The works that I do ye shall do and greater works shall ye do.? (John 14:12).
Hoppy Easter!
The Rev. Matthew E. Long is senior minister at Peace Unity Church & Holistic Center

I want to talk about hell for a few minutes, but I’m not really going to talk about hell. And since this isn’t about hell, it isn’t about writing an intellectual dissertation or providing a Scriptural defense of it.
Hell is actually a prop to make my point. What this is really all about is a simple observation about how we talk about things and how people see us.
Recently, there has been a lot of discussion about hell because Rob Bell, a preacher in the Grand Rapids area, wrote a book that asked a lot of questions about it.
What is hell like? Is there a literal hell? Is it eternal torment? Who will be there? How does one keep from going there?
Even before the book was released and read, it was the hottest topic on the internet for a while. It created quite a stir and provoked a wide range of varied, but pointed, responses.
This was mostly in Christian circles. I don’t know a lot of people outside of the Christian community that give a rip about entire sanctification, predestination, eternal security, irresistible grace, prevenient grace, or any of the atonement theories out there.
I don’t know that most folks even really care about hell, but it is the thing we are talking about and our conversations are getting noticed.
Please don’t misunderstand me; I think theology is really important. The point I’m trying to make is that people are watching us.
In the movie ‘Ocean’s Eleven? (2001), Bellagio casino owner Terry Benedict (Andy Garcia) and his girlfriend Tess (Julia Roberts) are in the casino’s art gallery.
As Tess leans in for a kiss, Terry moves away while pointing to a CCTV camera and says, ‘In my hotel, there’s always somebody watching.?
To the world at large, we are all Christians. Even though we have more Christian denominations than Cold Stone has ice cream flavor combinations, most people just see us under one label, ‘Christian.?
What I see when we discuss topics, like hell, is a group of people that sound anything but friendly and kind. I think other people see it, too.
It’s okay to have differing opinions when it comes to theology. It isn’t wrong. Besides, I don’t think we’ll ever agree on everything. Not even the apostles did that.
But we can demonstrate a grace-filled, kind, and understanding attitude even in the midst of our differences.
Jesus said that the world will know we are Christians by the love we have for each other. And yes, that applies even when we are talking about theology.
Discussions about theology are valuable and we should have them. In the process, we need to remember that in this world someone is always watching.
Are our disagreements marked by grace? Is it more important to be right than to love each other? Does it even matter?
The Rev. Dave Gerber is pastor of Skin Ministries.

Our Lenten worships are following Old Testament situations and New Testament applications. This past week we looked at conflict and promise.
Conflict is not something we necessarily like, but it is necessary for growth.
Too much conflict is not a good thing, it can destroy relationships. Sin causes conflict, leads to the destruction of God’s plan for man and man’s ability to follow where God leads.
Disagreements, however, can bring new ideas that allow for discussion and can work productively.
Promise brings us hope and anticipation, often with an element of excitement that shows future possibilities to those involved.
Abraham was given a promise by God: he would be given a son, the legacy of a nation and the forerunner of the Messiah.
Impatient with God’s time, Sarah, his barren wife, took matters into her own hands, telling Abraham to have a child with her maidservant, Hagar. Ishmael’s birth creates conflict between Sarah and Hagar. Isaac, Sarah’s son born later, became the child of promise fulfilled by God.
Jesus? birth is also filled with conflict and promise. It was difficult for Joseph who felts Mary was unfaithful to him and God. He loved her and determined to divorce her quietly, to not bring public disgrace upon her.
Mary was faithful to God and Joseph but was also in conflict. An angel told her she would bear son.
How could this happen? The Holy Spirit would come upon this faithful maidservant of the Lord.
Do you hear the great message of hope given by the angel? Joseph was told that Mary had not been unfaithful to him or God, but was faithful as she followed God’s will and guidance. She was carrying a far-above extraordinary Son’God’s own Son. The promise to Abraham fulfilled in a child, the Messiah to be born.
Jesus faced conflict. Early in His ministry He had conflicts with the religious leaders because He did not fit their traditions. Conflict cost Jesus His life on the cross, where He died for all sins. The only Son of God was not spared, the final sacrifice.
Isaac would reign over a clan that included David and Jesus. That Kingdom would end. Jesus rules over all creation, a clan that includes all true believers in Him.
Romans 10 reminds us: 8But what does it say? ‘The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart? (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); 9because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. 13For ‘everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.?
Isaac, a child of Law, shows the conflict between God and man; Jesus the Child of Promise, shows the peace He brings between God and man.
The Rev. Kendall Schaeffer is pastor of St. Trinity Lutheran Church.

The Lord has convicted me of something lately. I mutter a lot. You say, ‘What? Not you, Greg! You’re a pastor! And you seem so upbeat and positive!?
Sure I can be upbeat when I’m up front and in public view. But I have to admit that in my own thoughts, I can be quite the mutterer! I can whine and gripe and whisper under my breath with the best of them.
A few Sundays ago I gave a talk from Luke 20, where Jesus warns us not to be grumblers or mutterers.
I admitted to my congregation that the message was for me as well as for them. Do you mutter? On a typical day, what kind of self-talk is going on in your head?
Someone pulls out in front of you. Someone makes some kind of remark at work. You get that phone call. A hundred things can happen that just throw us off balance for that day. We spend the day muttering.
A few weeks ago I was getting gas in my van at a local gas station. I paid inside and walked out.
A man asked me, ‘Is that your van?? I said, ‘Yes.? He said, ‘I’m sorry but I pulled too close and knocked your mirror off.? My nice van! How dare he! We exchanged information and I drove away ‘muttering.
Then I realized, ‘Greg, you have so much to be thankful for. Your family is healthy. You’ve got lots of great friends and a great church. Don’t let a stupid mirror ruin your day.?
And I didn’t. God gave me the grace to be grateful that day.
Gratitude or muttering. It’s a choice. It’s a perspective.
And for those of us who claim faith in Jesus, we have even more reason to be grateful. Philippians 2:14 says, ‘Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life.?
How much complaining goes on in your family? In your relationships? In your own heart and mind?
1 Peter 4:8 says, ‘Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. ? (1 Peter 4:8?9)
Do you love people from the heart, deeply? Or do you view most people as problems and you’d just as soon keep your distance? Are you a hospitable person who looks to help people, or do you grumble when some need presents itself and you think, ‘Well, I guess I have to do something??
One of my favorite verses is Philippians 4:4, ‘Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.?
Joy! Gentleness! That’s God’s will for our lives! Not grumpiness! Not gruffness! Not muttering! Try it this week. See how it changes your life.
The Rev. Greg Henneman is pastor of Clarkston Community Church.

Over the years I have prayed a lot of prayers for others, for myself and for situations in the world.
Sometimes these prayers clearly seem to have been heard and answered. Sometimes the situation I was praying about was resolved or the person got better. And there have been times I’ve experienced answers to prayers that can only be explained by a miracle.
I believe in the power of prayer and I have many experiences that lead me to believe even more deeply that God has heard and answered my prayers.
However, I have also had occasions when I have prayed and prayed, and yet nothing seemed to happen. I have prayed for situations that didn’t change and for people who didn’t get better.
I know some of these unanswered prayers were probably self-serving or short-sighted on my part.
But others at least seemed to be about good things that God teaches us to care about.
I think that most people at some point along the journey of faith will wonder if God has heard them. Most of us will wrestle with the question that if God can do anything, then why doesn’t he?
Perhaps you’ve asked questions like these or are even asking them now.
Maybe you have been praying for a job, for your marriage, for your kids, for the health of a loved one, or for peace in our world.
Maybe you’ve wondered if you are praying the right way or with the right motivation.
Maybe you’ve wondered if you have enough faith or perhaps even that because of something in your past that God is somehow withholding an answer.
So how do we deal with all of this?
If we believe that God always hears our prayers (and I certainly do), then the real issue is that God doesn’t always answer our prayers the way we think he should or on our timetable.
In Mark 9 Jesus is speaking with the father of very sick boy who comes to him and says ??? if you are able to do anything, have pity on us and help us.? And ? Jesus said to him, ‘If you are able!’All things can be done for the one who believes.?? Immediately the father of the child cried out, ‘I believe; help my unbelief!??
This really seems to suggest to me that we all struggle with believing sometimes and that Jesus is able and willing to help us even when we have just a little faith. Yet the kind of help we receive, and that is promised, is not always what we expect.
In my life unanswered prayer reminds me that God is God and I’m not, and that we have different perspectives.
In fact, while I may not always like it, some unanswered prayers have really shaped me into the person I am today. It seems to me that the question is really, what is prayer all about?
As I once read, it is ‘not a vending machine in the sky where we put in a prayer and get out of God what we want or think we need.?
I have come to realize that prayer is first of all not so much something to be answered but rather a conversation with God about what matters.
Prayer is about deepening our relationship with God in all the seasons of life. Prayer is really spending time with God. Prayer is less about informing God or instructing him about how run the universe as it is building a relationship.
Prayer changes me and grows me as a child of God. Prayer opens me to being the ‘answer? to someone else’s prayer.
And ultimately my experience has been that when I am open to God in prayer, while I may not get what I want, I do get what I really need. And what I need is to know that ‘come what may,? I am safe with God and that he will walk with me even ‘through the valley of the shadow of death.? (Psalm 23)
The Rev. Jonathan Heierman is pastor of Calvary Lutheran Church.

Over one hundred years ago, a church raised funds to have stain glass windows installed in the sanctuary.
Families could dedicate the windows they paid for in honor or memory of a loved one. The campaign was successful and the windows are still there today.
However, those windows tell a painful story. The largest of the windows are in a prominent place in the sanctuary and the names of a family are listed in memory.
In the back of the sanctuary, around the corner and hidden on the side of a rarely used stairway is a small stained glass window. The names of that family are rarely seen.
The back story is two of the families of the church at that time were in conflict with each other. One of the families had a member who was chair of the stain glass window campaign committee. It was this person who decided where windows would be placed.
The chair made sure their family window was prominent in the sanctuary and the window of the family they were in conflict with was placed in the obscure stair well.
Our inability to get along and forgive has lasting consequences. Our pride often leads us to believe we are justified in our unforgiving behavior to those who have wronged us.
What we miss is our unwillingness to forgive comes from the same arrogance others have when they think they have or had the right to hurt us.
We have all made mistakes. We have all hurt others and been hurt.
Sometimes those actions are unintended and we are unaware of those we have hurt.
Sometimes we have acted out of a desire to cause others pain.
Jesus taught his disciples must humble themselves. It is what Jesus did when we was willing to take the hurts and sins of the world.
Humility comes from the power of love. It is that same love that builds the foundation for forgiveness and reconciliation.
Who in your life still needs your forgiveness? Whose forgiveness do you still seek?
In a world of hate filled rhetoric causing isolation and distrust, you can always find those who will encourage condemnation over forgiveness.
Look where such attitude is taking us?
The Lord’s Prayer calls us to say, ‘forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.?
Seeking forgiveness is directly tied to forgiving others. Every time I pray that prayer, I am find myself on either end of the equation. Usually I need to be forgiven and forgive at the same time.
It is time for us all to hear two very clear truths. We are forgiven. If no one else will tell you this, God does.
The other truth that must come from our hearts is the forgiveness we give others. When we share this, freedom and real joy is made possible for all.
The Rev. Richard L. Dake is pastor of Clarkston United Methodist Church

Last weekend my son was in a regional robotics competition with his high school robotics club.
This is his second year and knowing how much fun the competitions are, I bravely offered myself as a volunteer at the event.
All that incredible teenage energy helped carry me through two very long days.
The high level of cooperation between schools and the absence of the malice shown at so many sporting events is very inspirational.
Although they may not have taken home a trophy, every student in the competition was truly a winner.
Just by participating they garner valuable skills in team work, planning, preparation and implementation of their designs, public speaking and so much more.
Having played sports in high school and college, my standing joke for the weekend was that these kids were having way much more fun and without the concussion or broken bones.
Ash Wednesday, March 9, begins the 40 days and 6 Sundays of the Lenten Season, a Season of preparation for the Resurrection Experience on Easter Sunday.
Our theme for Lent this year is Let Go & Let God. God will do for you what you cannot do for yourself.
Conversely, God will not do for you what you can do for yourself. As the saying goes, ‘Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition.?
Praise God for perfect health and live a healthy lifestyle: eat right and get exercise.
Praise God for perfect relationships and be a good partner: get off the couch and relate.
Praise God for the perfect employment and be the perfect employee: love the job you have and you will have the job you love.
Praise God for abundant finances and do what work is yours to do.
Praise God for peace of mind and meditate on the Divine Presence.
Praise God for Divine Guidance and take the next right step, and the next and the next.
We know that God will take care of us. And we have our part to play on God’s team. Just as my son has his role to play on his robotics team. Just as the athlete has their role to play in their sports team.
Each is dependent upon the other team members playing their parts. We let go of the outcome and let God do its mighty work in and through us. We have our part to play.
Our Master Teacher told us to ask, seek and knock.
‘For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks the door will be opened.? (Matthew 7:8)
We must do our part. It does no good to simply have faith, to wish and hope and wonder. We must do what is ours to do.
‘Faith without works is barren.? (James 2:20)
When we let go and let God, we release our need to control the outcome knowing that the Divine Will for us is greater that our own selfish wills.
We release our need to know and trust that at the right time we will be shown. We live in an attitude of gratitude for all the great gifts that are now present in our lives.
The gifts of life, of love, peace and harmony, health and wholeness, prosperity and abundance are ours by divine inheritance.
We let this Divine Energy carry us through each day one day at a time.
Have an awesome Lent. I’m pullin? for ya.
The Rev. Matthew E. Long is pastor of Peace Unity Church & Holistic Center.

It seems that the world is in turmoil.
People throughout Northern Africa and the Middle East are rising up over the totalitarian regimes that have controlled them for many years.
Additionally, we have concerns in our country regarding Egypt because the former regime was pro-American in policy. The same is true in Bahrain.
Libya’s leader was at one time on the forefront of terrorism, and if there were a regime change in Iran, it certainly would not be a negative for us or anyone else for that matter.
With everyone wondering where this is all going, I believe it is very important for all of us to remind ourselves that the world is never just out of control.
The scriptures tell us that God rules in the armies of heaven and in the armies of men. Of course, this does not mean that every war is instigated or controlled by God, but it does tell us that God watches over the affairs of men to keep His purposes moving forward.
Many prophets of old have foretold of turmoil in the areas surrounding Israel. In the end, God has ordained that this will be where God will fully manifest His glory in the affairs of men.
Many people claim to have a full understanding of God concerning these events, but my experience has been that they prove to be wrong more often than right.
Throughout history, we have always claimed to know what God wants done and we are always quite helpful (in our minds) getting God’s plans implemented.
This was true even at the time of Christ. Even the people who crucified Jesus Christ thought that they were doing God a favor.
Before His meeting with Jesus Christ and the call to be one of His disciples, the Apostle Paul persecuted the Christian church to the point of consenting to the murder of Christians, all the while thinking He was doing God a favor.
If we really want to do God a favor, we would get out of His way’not help Him clean up the world.
What we can do, however, is to proclaim the gospel of the Kingdom of God. According to the scriptures, this Gospel is the declaration that our God reigns. While man seems to always be messing things up, God is the redeemer of man.
In the Bible, the word redeemer is one who pays for the mistakes of others. God pays for our mistakes, but wouldn’t it be better if we would allow Him to do His work and actually help Him in His endeavor?
While God’s job is to rule the world, our job is to announce His reign to the world. If we would take our rightful place, we would also come to a place of rest where we would cease from our own labors and simply watch God do the real work.
In truth, this is the goal of the Christian walk. In the Old Testament, the people of God were in bondage as slaves in the land of Egypt.
God sent Moses to bring them out of Egypt and take them to the Promised Land, which was foretold to be a land of great blessing.
When the children of Israel came to the Promised Land, it was inhabited by giants; fear of the giants convinced them that God had set them up for disappointment.
The children of Israel refused to go into the land and rebelled against their leader, Moses.
In the Bible, God said, ‘So I declared on oath in my anger, ‘They shall never enter my rest.??
The people of God could not see God offering them rest. Why? The children of Israel were looking at the giants, not the promise of God.
When God makes us a promise, we do not have to make it happen’that job belongs to God. All that we are called to do is believe God and make the announcement of His reign.
Simple plan isn’t it? Unfortunately, we spend our time trying to take control of our world and other people; in the end, we miss both the promise and the rest that God has for us.
The Word declares in Hebrews 4:9-10, ‘There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His.?
The Rev. Loren Covarrubias is pastor of Mt. Zion Church.

‘There remained therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that has entered into his rest, he also has ceased from his own works as God did from His. Let us labor therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.? (Heb. 4:9-12) What was this place of rest that Paul was writing about? These scriptures state that rest has to do with ceasing from our own works.
This tells me that people can get caught in the trap of doing things their own way. Rom.14:17 teaches us about this resting place that God has provided for all of us.
The Bible calls this resting place ‘Kingdom Living.? ‘For the Kingdom of God is not meat and drink, but righteousness (right standing with God), peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.?
Just becoming a Christian does not cause you to be at rest in every area of life. Paul said in the above scripture that we must labor to enter into this rest. That’s right! We must labor to enter into rest! The problem we have is discerning where and when we’re to labor. Laboring in the wrong area is like chasing the wind; you’ll just get tired of chasing.
Finding rest always has to do with walking in God’s wisdom instead of man’s wisdom. We must have the ability to discern the difference. Choosing Gods wisdom will bring us the rest that we desperately want and need. Man’s wisdom brings exhaustion, discouragement, and frustration.
There are many areas in which we need to discern God’s wisdom from man’s wisdom. For example, you will live a continuous battle if you can not discern the difference between lust and love.
Love desires to get at the expense of others and Love desires to get at the expense of self. Love is of God, lust is not! People who constantly experience failing relationships may think their walking in Love, but most of the time they’re not. Love never fails!
We must also be able to discern the difference between condemnation and conviction. Condemnation brings guilt and shame. These emotions will drag you into a fight that you will never win. Conviction, on the other hand, will bring Godly sorrow that leads to repentance.
Conviction leads to freedom; condemnation leads to bondage. Many people are unable to discern the difference between ownership and stewardship. Ownership brings with it a sense of pride and arrogance. We see this in little children when they learn one of their first favorite words, ‘Mine.? Stewardship remains grateful for everything it receives. Stewardship maintains a sense of responsibility for what it’s been given. Unfortunately, I’ve witnessed too often the fight people enter into when they’re going through a divorce or receiving an inheritance. They get worn out fighting for what they think is ‘theirs.?
We also need to discern the difference between trying versus trusting. I hear people say it all the time, ‘I’m trying.? I’m trying, always carries with it the idea of working hard, but never arriving. I know in my own life, I’ve been caught in the cycle of trying and failing. It’s exhausting!
When we move into the place of trusting, we find rest. Trusting is allowing God to do the work, not you. . A former Pastor of mine once had to take a two year sabbatical because he had what he described as ‘Ministry Burnout.? He shared his experience with a fellow minister who politely responded, ‘You mean you were trying to do it yourself?? This minister pinpointed the problem perfectly!
How can we properly discern what kind of wisdom that we’re walking in? First, check your level of peace and rest. God’s wisdom will lead you to peace and rest. If you don’t have peace and rest, you’re probably not walking in God’s wisdom somewhere in your life. It’s easy to begin to take on battles, fights and responsibilities that God never intended for us to have.
Faith is the victory that overcomes the world. Doubt and unbelief kept the Israelites out of the rest God had called them to. Doubt and unbelief are still the biggest enemies to faith and peace. Doubt and unbelief lead us down the road of using man’s wisdom to conquer our battles. The labor were supposed to be involved in is, laboring in word and in doctrine. We’re to seek after God’s wisdom as one would seek after a hidden treasure. God’s word is able to discern the thoughts and intents of the heart. Renew your mind with the word of God! God is not hiding things FROM His children, but rather hiding things FOR His children. When you find His wisdom, you will find?.. Ahhhhh’rest.
The Rev. Jeff Stonerock is pastor of of Victory World Outreach.

My journey of faith has had its ups and downs over the years.
Following Jesus I have been on mountaintops when God seemed so close that I could almost reach out and touch him and everything seemed clear. However at other times along the journey I have walked through deep and difficult valleys where God seemed very far away and I have struggled with doubt and despair.
For each of us the journey of faith includes days in which we feel close to God. At such times God’s will for us seems clear and our faith is strong and sure. Yet at other times we struggle with doubts and questions. During these times God can seem far away, almost as if the connection has been lost. We might even wonder if God is listening to us anymore.
Of course I believe that God never leaves us (see Psalm 23), and I trust that God is with us in all the seasons of life. Yet as people of faith how do we deal with doubts? Or, to put it another way, ‘Do I have enough faith if I still have doubts sometimes??
Doubting and questioning among God’s people is nothing new. The Bible is filled with stories, not only of great faith, but also of those genuinely seeking and struggling to believe.
Of course the most well known example of doubting is Jesus? disciple Thomas, whose very name has become synonymous with doubt. I’ve always thought this unfair, as in many other situations Thomas showed great faith and courage as he tried to follow Jesus (see John 11:16 & 14:5).
Like us, Thomas was a ‘mixed bag? of faith and doubt. And Thomas, like us, is just the kind of person Jesus meets where they are, loves and sends forth to share his Good News of love and grace with others.
Sometimes people of faith view doubt as simply bad or weak or sinful. Sometimes we may even try to suppress or deny it.
Pastor and theologian Helmut Thielicke suggests a different approach calling doubt ‘an envelope with a message inside it.? To find the message we need first to open the envelope and explore it. In the end Thielicke says: ‘A Christian is not someone who doesn’t doubt, but someone who doubts his doubts more than he doubts his faith.? I think this means that faith is trusting God even in the midst of not having all the answers.
As part of the Nazi resistance in WWII he was speaking in the kind of very difficult life situation that causes one to ask questions and to wonder ‘where is God?? and ‘what are God’s people to do?? But he chose to trust God anyway.
I have found in my own experience that when I open the ‘envelope? and wrestle with my questions and doubts, my faith is not diminished, but instead it grows. Certainly doubt left unaddressed can lead to despair and unbelief. However in the context of prayer, a community of faith, and God’s Word we can grow and mature in faith even as we wrestle with our doubts. In fact what often emerges from these efforts is a deep, authentic, gutsy faith that can stand up to the tough circumstances of life, trusting God in the midst of them, even if we don’t have all the answers.
Frederick Buechner in his book Wishful Thinking put it so well when he said, ‘Doubts are the ants in the pants of faith. They keep it awake and moving.?
I still don’t have all the answers to all my questions and doubts. I still have my list of questions I want to ask Jesus when I get to heaven. But in the midst of all of that, I also have a growing faith and a deepening relationship with Jesus. And above all I know that God loves me!
The Rev. Jonathan Heierman is pastor of Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church.

When major events happen we tend to look for someone to blame. Once we’ve found someone to blame, we think our work is done and then we can get back to normal.
We see this at work around the recent shootings in Tucson. There are a lot of fingers pointing in a lot of different directions. And for every finger pointed away from us there are three pointed back at ourselves.
One thing I do know, we cannot write this off as God’s will, ‘It is not the will of my father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.? (Matthew 18:14) ‘It is the father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.? (Luke 12:32)
It is a call to awaken to a new level of possibility.
Yes, this was a senseless, tragic occurrence and the guilty party(s) should be held accountable for their actions. And, with an understanding of group dynamics and systems theory, I know that we have an opportunity for real change. ‘Repent, (think again with a new level of understanding) for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.? (Matthew 3:2)
This is a Teachable Moment: a traumatic moment filled with emotion that catches our attention and begs us to question our understandings and preconceived notions of reality. Why did this happen? How do we stop this from happening again? Why can’t we all get along? What do we need to change and what can we change to foster harmony? These are some of the questions that we need to answer for ourselves.
The answers are not as simple as some would have us believe. Gun control? Sure it would be great to keep the guns out of the hands of the violent and insane, but it would not be a good idea to take guns away from law abiding citizens. No one politician, individual or group’s rhetoric can be blamed. We all share responsibility for creating the negative mental soil within which the seed for this event germinated. Every thought of anger, blame, shame, selfishness, greed, etc., adds to this negative mental soil.
A child that acts out can only truly be understood and treated within the family system that supports him or her. Dysfunctional families such as a workaholic father and an over protective mother, or a myriad of other destructive, obsessive or compulsive behaviors, are directly related to a child’s acting out. The answer is simple but not easy. The system must be healed in order for the individual to be healed.
In this Teachable Moment we have an opportunity for real change, a call to unity. Will we arise to the occasion, or will we simply go back to sleep and let ‘them? handle it?
You can ‘be the change you wish to see in the world? (Mahatma Ghandi). Right now you can search your heart and mind to purge the negative, destructive thoughts and emotions, and replace them with positive, nurturing, empowering, divine ideas and feelings. And, you can join with others in supporting the growth in awareness of the interdependent whole.
Sunday, Jan. 30 is the beginning of The Season of Nonviolence. This is a 64-day period dedicated to demonstrating that nonviolence is a powerful way to heal, transform, and empower our lives and our communities. See www.agnt.org for more information.
In the words of the song ‘Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me.?
Matthew E. Long is senior minister
at Peace Unity Church & Holistic Center.

There is perhaps no better way to begin the new year than to listen to the words of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
We can listen to her words in the prayer called the ‘Magnificat.?
In this prayer we get a glimpse into the heart and mind of Mary as she prepared for the birth of her son Jesus. Let’s take a look at some of the phrases of Mary’s prayer so that we might gain some spiritual insights.
Mary’s prayer begins: ‘My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior.?
At Christmas we celebrate a God who is so great that he didn’t flaunt his greatness. Often in life we think that our personal greatness lies in putting ourselves and our own achievements at the forefront.
We might be tempted to believe that others will admire us, respect us, and want to approach us if we show them how great we are.
In highlighting our greatness, however, we can actually distance ourselves from others. The higher we put ourselves on a throne, the farther away from other people we become.
Christians believe that God came down from heaven, not on an inaccessible throne, but in the silence and simplicity of a manger so that we could come close to him without fear.
He allows us to approach him through the greatness of his humility.
Mary must have sensed this wonderful paradox because she also says: ‘He has looked upon his lowly servant.?
She understood that God comes close to the humble of heart. Mary did not deem herself worthy of becoming the mother of the Savior.
She calls herself a ‘lowly servant? and recognizes that, because of her humility, ‘all generations will call me blessed.?
Her prayer continues: ‘The Almighty has done great things for me.?
Mary recognized God as the source of all the good things in her life.
What were these good things? Remember that Mary and Joseph were poor as far as earthly possessions go.
For all those who are poor, Mary is a consolation. She shows us that the true spirit of Christmas can be experienced in the absence of material things.
So, despite the many hardships that people face, there truly is a message of hope every Christmas.
Mary grasped that these good things were spiritual ‘things?: love, friendships, happiness.
She teaches us that among all the beautifully wrapped boxes we find under our Christmas trees, the most precious present is the presence of the Christ child who brings us peace and joy.
Fr. Daniel Pajerski, LC, is Formation Director for Everest Academy.

Heading into the New Year, there are many positive signs that we are starting to come out of the great recession of 2008.
We have faced the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression; however, all the positive signs are encouraging as we move forward. In Michigan, we have faced the brunt of this economic despair as our manufacturing base, always so important in Michigan, has suffered tremendously from the changing economic times.
The election of a new governor and legislature gives us a little more encouragement of possible change to better our situation. In times like this, it is interesting how predictable people can be in their response to the situation. As a pastor for 32 years, I have observed this in the problems that people face individually. Some people always seem to have a positive outlook, where others tend to see things from a more negative point of view. Some see the glass half full, while others see it half empty. How do you see life? The more important question then becomes, ‘Who do you look to in order to help you navigate your response to the situation??
I have found that most people tend to gravitate to people like themselves.
We naturally feel most comfortable being around people like ourselves. Negative people tend to rally around negative information, while the positive people do likewise, looking for those who will reinforce their feelings. The problem with this scenario is that we easily become influenced; being carried with our situations, rather then making the sound decisions that will give us the ability to manage our situations and bring the most positive outcome.
As I read both political and economic writers these days, I see people who can only see one side of life, advocating for solutions without a real solution. In Bible times, they had watchmen upon the walls of the city to keep people aware of impending danger.
The prophet Isaiah said, ‘Watchmen, Watchmen what of the night? The day comes and also the night.? The word of the Lord is that we should always keep a balanced view, observing both the positive and the negative. We should also keep an open mind, without being motivated by fear or other underlying natural instincts. Our underlying natural instincts will usually hinder us from making wise choices based upon all the information of the time. These responses will also have the tendency to cause us to make shortsighted decisions, rather than the long-term decisions that will enrich our lives.
This is what I like about being a Christian. When I became born-again, I became aware of a whole new side of life: my spiritual side. My spiritual side comes from God, so it certainly is outside of my normal response. Whenever I face a situation, my natural inclination is my immediate response.
However, when I allow my spiritual side to kick in, I become balanced; with this poise, I can make the best decisions for my life. Through the Spirit of God, I can find the peace necessary to respond with logic rather then emotion; with God’s guidance and His Word, I can receive the council necessary to walk in wisdom. For many people, this may sound simplistic, but after 56 years of living I can say, ‘the proof is in the pudding.? It has worked for me and I can see how it has worked for many others. Could you use some help navigating the difficult waters of this time? Get to church this Sunday Morning and allow yourself to hear an alternate voice!
The Rev. Loren Covarrubias is pastor of Mt. Zion Temple

In my Christmas Eve sermon last month, I referenced a conversation with a friend on Facebook.
While I am not a Facebook fanatic, I recognize the value of connecting with people with the immediacy social networks like Facebook provides.
The ability to connect across miles and time allows people who would not know about each other to remain connected.
My daughter recently told me there is no reason for her high school class to have a reunion.
Everyone she wants to remain in contact with from those days are currently among her ‘friends.?
She says conversation at a reunion would usually consist of questions like, ‘where are you living, what do you do, tell me about your family,? etc.
All of this information she receives with casual glances at their postings. As she says, ‘Except hanging out with my closest friends, what would we talk about??
Last week, there was an article in the news about a little girl who received a kidney from a stranger who heard about her need on Facebook.
The mother spent hours networking and hoping. Because of that connection, the little girl is now free from dialysis and home.
Social networking is so successful because it connects to one of the deepest human needs ? the need to be in community.
We are created in the image of God and in need of others in our lives. We all have differences in our need to be with others. Some need many friends, others only a few. Some like to spend most of their time with friends, others need less time. But we all have a need to connect.
The creators of social networking knew this. So did the creator of creation.
God was quite intentional in creating us to be in relationship. Jesus grew up and gave us an invitation to be part of a social network. It is called the Kingdom of God. All are welcome.
The primary relationship is found in being connected to Christ. Our connection to Him is the foundation of a network of people who enter into blessed connection with each other.
In these relationships we experience real love, acceptance, mercy, forgiveness, hope, and justice.
I hope in the coming days you will have many friends. May you have friends whose hands you can shake, eyes you can see and share the joy of breaking bread together. In this New Year, I pray we all grow closer in our connection to God and our relationship with Christ.
May we discover the joy of laughter and love with the friends God has given us and those God will lead us to in His name. Happy, Holy and Blessed New Year to All!
The Rev. Richard L. Dake is pastor of Clarkston United Methodist Church.

Did you know that Americans spend over $400 billion a year on Christmas?
The average shopper will spend $658 for gifts this year. One in four Christians say that Christmas cripples their budget. One in three Americans lives with extreme stress that worsens during the holidays.
I just finished a Christmas Series at my church called GIVE THIS CHRISTMAS AWAY.
The main idea was to change how we do Christmas. Instead of rushing around, stressing out, spending money we don’t have ‘let’s simplify!
Let’s make Christmas a time when we slow down, focus on relationships, and give to those who really need it.
Do we really have to buy 37 gifts for each one of us? Do we really have to go into debt every Christmas, and then get depressed every January, wondering how we’re going to pay the bills? What is the real point of Christmas, anyway? After all, it’s Jesus? birthday! How does Jesus want us to celebrate Christmas?
In one of my messages I encouraged our congregation to GIVE LOVE TO OUR COMMUNITY. I gave them ten ideas.
Here are just a few of them:
Decorate a Christmas tree to give to a needy family. Our church got fifty Christmas trees, and then families in our church bought decorations, and we gave the trees away.
Buy a Christmas gift for a needy family through Angel Tree. We hung up little paper angel decorations on a tree at our church, with instructions on how to buy some gifts for needy families. People would take an angel off the tree and buy the gifts written on it. We helped 250 needy families this way.
These are just two examples of how we ‘gave some love to our community.?
Some families spontaneously paid for someone’s dinner at a restaurant. Many gave blood at our Blood Drive.
It might be as simple as holding the door and smiling at someone.
The point is this: Christmas is about God so loving the world that he gave his Son to die for us.
Love gives. And God calls us to love ‘which means that we need to be givers.
I encourage you this Christmas season, go ahead and enjoy your family and swap a few gifts.
But think about maybe cutting back a bit. Maybe you could spend a little less on yourself and a little more on those who really need it.
After all, isn’t that what Christmas is really about?
The Rev. Greg Henneman is pastor of Clarkston Community Church.

I will never forget how our oldest son experienced his first Christmas.
We were living near Honolulu then and we took our almost one year old downtown to see the Christmas lights which we thought were quite spectacular.
They even had palm trees decorated in fun ways, something we had not seen before.
But what amazed us was that we took our son to see the bright lights and decorations, and much to our surprise he was much more interested in the other people around than in the lights. We took him to see the lights but he saw the people instead.
That same Christmas as our son opened his presents he would invariably tear at the wrapping paper for a few moments, but not really with the purpose of opening the gifts. Instead when he had a piece of brightly colored paper torn off he was satisfied and would drop the rest of the package, which we thought was the real present. He liked empty boxes a lot that Christmas too.
Reflecting on those experiences about 20 years ago I wrote: ‘I wonder when he will learn, like most of us have, to care more about the bright lights instead of the people right in front of us? I wonder when he will learn to care more about what’s inside a present than experiencing the sheer joy of something new given to him ? no matter what it is’When is it that we lose our innocence and wonder about such things??
Well, as you probably already know, it begins to happen for most of us sometime between the ages of one and four, and then we spend the rest of our lives trying to get that wonder back and trying to keep things in proper perspective.
Now each Christmas I hope to experience again the childlike wonder I used to have and to be reminded of what really matters.
Christmas is a time when even adults can experience the wonder of miracles and angels and an amazing story of how God came to earth as a baby born in a barn to love us and save us.
Christmas is a time we can experience again the wonder of such things, but it probably won’t happen unless we take some time and make some space in our busy lives for it to happen.
There is so much to do getting ready for our Christmas celebrations that we sometimes forget to do what Mary did that first Christmas when she ‘treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.? (Luke 2:19)
So how do we know when we are really ready for Christmas? I don’t mean that we have all the presents wrapped or cards sent or food prepared. I mean when are we really ready for Jesus? birthday?
A few years ago another pastor wrote about his young son coming into the bedroom at 4:30 a.m. on Christmas morning, saying, ‘Daddy, mommy, come quick! I saw it!?
As the parents wiped the sleep from their eyes they knew what had happened. Their son had broken the family rule and had already gone downstairs.
So the surprise of a new bike he had wanted for 2 years was missed by them. Disappointed they got the rest of the family up and made their way through the dark house. Surprisingly their young son led them downstairs past the Christmas tree, totally oblivious of the bicycle, to the window.
There he pointed his little finger to the eastern sky and said. ‘Look! The Star of Bethlehem! I’ve seen the star!? And that family was again filled with the wonder of Christmas.
I know that I am really ready for Christmas when I take enough time to ponder the Christmas story so that it comes alive again. I know I am really ready for Christmas when my favorite gift is the one that comes wrapped in swaddling clothes and is laid in a manger ? for me.
I hope you will take time to receive this ultimate gift of love from God into your lives with childlike wonder and excitement this year. For me it puts everything else into perspective.
The Rev. Jonathan Heierman is pastor of Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church.

Christmas has a special meaning unique to each one of us. For some it is a focus on family: finding the right present, planning the perfect meal, traveling great distances to be with those we love.
For others it’s a time of extra work, cleaning, decorating, gifts to buy and wrap, food to prepare, being forced to spend time with people we try to avoid the rest of the year.
For some, Christmas is all about the birth of a special child a little over 2,000 years ago. It can be about living the Christ message of awakening, practicing love and forgiveness by giving of ourselves, our time, our talents, our treasury to share with those who are less fortunate.
I love the Christmas holiday season. Once I can recover my serenity and get past the blast of commercialism, I revel in the experience. The lights, the Christmas cards, the carols, our advent celebration, snow: these all help to bring a sense of awe and wonder and mystery to the season.
This can be a time of awakening to the Christ Spirit within, returning to the light of spiritual awareness that Jesus spoke about, ‘You are the light of the world? (Matthew 5:14 ), ‘God is Spirit? (John 4:24 ) and we are made in the image and after the likeness of God (Genesis 1:26). We are inherently spiritual.
The Christmas story is our story. Joseph and Mary are our thoughts and feelings who have had a spiritual awakening, visited by angels. They are bringing forth a new level of awareness within us, the Christ child. But there was no room for them at the inn, our intellect which is full of preconceived ideas and beliefs of what is real.
So the birth, the coming forth in consciousness, happens in a manger: our heart center which is open to give and receive.
We are the spirit that God has given us. Spiritual awareness is awakening to the kingdom of God, or the kingdom of Heaven that Jesus clearly located as ‘within,? ‘in our midst? and ‘at hand.?
His parables describe Heaven as a here and now experience that we can choose to participate in. The pearl of great price, the treasure buried in the field, the good seed, etc., are stories that describe activities that assist us in awakening to the Christ Spirit within.
A story is told of a man who dreamed he had died and, standing before his creator, was given a choice between heaven or hell. First he was shown a room labeled Hell, where miserable people sat around a bountiful banquet table with all the delicacies a person could desire.
Tied to their hands were spoons and forks that were three feet long, so despite the abundance they could not feed themselves.
Next he was shown a room labeled Heaven. Here was the same scene, same bountiful table, same three foot long spoons and forks. The only difference was that the people were joyously feeding each other. It’s our choice.
Blessings of peace, joy & love,
Matthew E. Long is senior minister
at Peace Unity Church & Holistic Center.

There’s a paradox about being thankful. On the one hand we know we should be grateful, but on the other hand ingratitude seems to be where we so naturally find ourselves.
The Bible expresses this paradox throughout its pages.
‘O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good? the Bible tells us (Ps.107:1). ‘In everything give thanks,? it says (1 Thess.5:18).
Yet, despite these exhortations we find plenty of grumbling (Ex.16:7), forgetfulness of God’s mercy (Dt.8:12), and refusals to honor Him or give thanks (Rom.1:21).
God calls us to thankfulness, but gratitude is rare.
This is something we can identify with all too well when our own busyness, self-sufficiency, and preoccupation with our own plans keeps us from giving thanks when it’s due.
So, how does one get and keep a grateful heart? The answer is to look beyond ourselves and our circumstances to the supremacy of Jesus Christ.
If our state of gratitude is only linked to our immediate circumstances, we’ll constantly be vulnerable to ingratitude because we’ll always be tempted to focus on what’s wrong with our present situation. This is true whether you find yourself in good times or bad.
Yet, when our focus is on Jesus as the supreme ruler over all, a thankful heart can be the norm for us as we recognize that what we might experience at any given time is all incidental to knowing and walking with Him.
The Apostle Paul has more to say about being thankful than anyone in the Bible. This is remarkable because he spent so much of His life facing persecution and hardship.
So, how was it that thankfulness became such a big theme in his life and ministry? Because the supremacy of Christ was preeminent in his thinking.
Paul knew that Jesus is the head over all things, and that in Him all things hold together.
And he knew that He has transferred all believers from the domain of darkness to Christ’s everlasting kingdom. He knew further that in Him was forgiveness and an eternal inheritance (Col.1)
The response for Paul in light of such glorious truths was obvious. Not only did it mean we should walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, bearing fruit in every good work.
It meant that we are to be a people who joyously give thanks ? because of Christ ? because in Him all the incidentals of life pale in significance.
For Paul, to live was Christ (Phil.1:21). Today, it should be for us as well. And when it is, thanksgiving comes naturally.
The hard circumstances that many face today should never be diminished. But no matter what those circumstances may be, there is reason to give thanks.
And it’s because of Jesus.
Because through His death, burial, and resurrection, He is bringing about a new creation, in your life and in the whole world.
Feeling ungrateful? Turn to Jesus, and give thanks for the life that is in Him.
The Rev. David Bostrom is pastor of Seeds for the Harvest ministry.

This week we celebrate Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is a holiday started by early pioneers who came to the United States, then known as the New World, in search of a better life.
This ‘better life? would come with a great price. Many of the people who began the voyage from Europe did not make it to the New World. Many lost their lives through sickness or the danger of traveling by ship in those days.
Once the people landed in the New World, they had to deal with a whole new set of problems. I have traveled quite a bit in recent times and am amazed by the adjustments you have to make when traveling to another country.
Most of those adjustments have to do with tastes and routines, not life-threatening situations. I cannot even imagine traveling to a new land without knowing what I would find when I get there’especially knowing that I would be responsible for making provision for myself through farming and hunter gathering.
However, many people were willing to make that choice because of the offer of a better life for them and their children. The only real hope for comfort and strength was from their belief in God.
Even with all the loss and suffering, they wanted to take time to show their thankfulness to God for their very existence and meager provision. When we celebrate Thanksgiving, we will do so with much abundance.
Many will have prepared traditional meals along with their favorite desserts. It would have been so different on that first Thanksgiving and what an example for us to follow. What are you going to be thankful for this holiday season?
Many people are suffering from the protracted economic crisis that we have been facing. They have suffered loss of income, net worth, and many will even face uncertainty in the days ahead.
We must look back to our forefathers for an example of how to handle this present situation. First, we must not just look at our lack; we must look at what we do have. Then, we must learn to rejoice with our portion and give thanks to God.
Appreciating what you have will get you in the right frame of thinking to press towards a better day. It could certainly be argued that a big part of our problem today has been the lack of appreciation for what we have. Many people, businesses, and even the government overleveraged themselves to get things that they could not afford.
Many people bought houses that they could not afford and borrowed on their equity in order to satisfy an ever-increasing appetite for more.
When the correction came, it was much worse because people had no restraint in the reach for more. Now, we must get ourselves positioned for a better day by being thankful for what we have, so that our pursuit for more can be managed with sound principles and long-range planning.
If we had been a thankful people, we would not be in the position that we are in today. The question now becomes: where are we going to be?
I like the position of the holidays, with Thanksgiving opening the door for the Christmas season. With Christmas being the time of abundance, we should see Thanksgiving time as the pause to prepare for the blessings to come. This principle can guide our outlook in life and prepare us for the better days, which are sure to come. It is time to lift our vision high and worship God who is the source of all good things!
The Rev. Loren Covarrubias is pastor of Mt. Zion Church.

It has certainly been a beautiful fall in Clarkston and I am very thankful to God for it! It has also been a very busy time for most people I know. It seems like we try to pack more and more into the time we have. Of course even with all of the advances in technology, and with all of those ‘time-saving? devices, time still moves along according to God’s original design. There is still 60 minutes in each hour, 24 hours in a day, and 365 days a year. And of course each of us has only so many of those minutes, hours and days this side of heaven. We have not figured out a way to make more time, so we are left with the ongoing challenge of making good use of the time God has given us.
I heard somewhere about a presenter at a seminar who placed a glass jar on a table and carefully filled it with some large rocks. The presenter then asked, ‘Is the jar full?? The students responded, ‘Yes!? Next he took some gravel and added it to the jar, filling the spaces between the rocks, and again asked, ‘Is the jar full?? Being quick learners, the students replied ‘Probably not.? Then the presenter dumped some sand into the jar filling in the spaces between the rocks and the gravel. Once again he asked ‘Is the jar full?? ‘No!? the students all said. Finally, he filled the jar completely with water and asked the students what they had learned from the illustration. Someone answered, ‘If you try really hard you can always fit more things into your life.? The presenter replied, ‘No, the point is this, if you don’t put the big rocks in first there will never be room for you to fit them into your life.?
I believe this principle can be applied to all aspects of life. The fundamental question for each of us is: ‘What are the big rocks? What are the most important things in life and have I made room for them first? Or do these ‘big rocks? get edged out by all the busyness in life?? This is very worth thinking and praying about.
However it is also interesting to think about the jar itself ? our lives. The Old Testament prophet Isaiah (Is. 64:8) proclaims, ‘O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand.? This passage affirms that God in love has made us and gifted us with life. And Paul, reflecting on the gift of life with Jesus in the New Testament (2 Cor. 4:7) reminds us that, ‘We have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us.? For me all of this is an important reminder that the biggest rock I place in the jar is my relationship with God, and that even the ‘jar? (my life) itself is a gift from God. I know I need to always be aware of this as I fill my busy life with many things.
The good news is that we are not left on our own to just figure this out by ourselves. For God desires a relationship with us each and every day, no matter where we are, to guide us in keeping our priorities the way he intends ? which is in a healthy life-giving balance. When life gets hard, and it does for all of us, I often turn to the words from the prophet Isaiah (Is. 40:30-31) for encouragement, ‘Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.? This is good news as we approach the busy holiday season and try to live out God’s purpose and priorities.
The Rev. Jonathan Heierman is pastor of Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church.

If you were arrested for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?
There are many recent studies that show that there is not a whole lot of difference between people who claim to follow Jesus and those who don’t.
Their lifestyles, their checkbooks, their personal behavior, and their attitudes are a lot alike.
It got me thinking (that’s a good thing!).
What does a real Christian look like?
Should there be some obvious differences between believers and non-believers?
As I wrestle with these questions I’m reminded of an old story.
The light turned yellow, just in front of him.
He did the right thing, stopping at the crosswalk, even though he could have beaten the red light by accelerating through the intersection.
The tailgating woman was furious and honked her horn, screaming in frustration, as she missed her chance to get through the intersection, dropping her cell phone and makeup.
As she was still in mid-rant, she heard a tap on her window and looked up into the face of a very serious police officer. The officer ordered her to exit her car with her hands up.
He took her to the police station where she was searched, fingerprinted, photographed, and placed in a holding cell.
After a couple of hours, a policeman approached the cell and opened the door. She was escorted back to the booking desk where the arresting officer was waiting with her personal belongings.
He said, ?’I’m very sorry for this mistake. You see, I pulled up behind your car while you were blowing your horn, flipping off the guy in front of you and cussing a blue streak at him.
‘I noticed the ‘What Would Jesus Do? bumper sticker, the ‘Choose Life? license plate holder, and the chrome-plated Christian fish emblem on the trunk, so naturally’I assumed you had stolen the car!??
The Bible says in Ephesians 5:1 ‘Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us.?
Hmm? ‘Live a life of love’imitate God.?
Does that include how we drive? Does that include how we speak to our spouse and to our kids? Does that include our checkbook? I think it does.
If you were accused of being a Christian, is there enough evidence to convict you?
The Rev. Greg Henneman is pastor of Clarkston Community Church.

November: when the vibrant yellows and reds of fall give way to the dirty browns of winter, before the snow covers the ground in a glimmering blanket of pure white.
It really can be a bleak and lifeless stretch of days.
Yet it is in this month that we choose to, as a nation, celebrate our gratitude for the bountiful life we have been given.
It’s easier to be grateful when you have your job, your house and your family at your side. It’s harder when, as so many around us have, you have lost your job and your house or your family is in turmoil. Life can seem bleak and lifeless.
Yet, there is always something to be grateful for. It may be the aid of a social service agency, the smile of loved one or even a stranger’s kind word; there is always something to be grateful for.
What do you do when something good happens in your life? Do you remember to give thanks to the source, God?
What about when you pray? Do you remember to give thanks knowing that you have received?
Giving thanks in advance of the demonstration is the example given us by our Master Teacher.
In the sixth chapter of John we have my favorite version of what is known as the feeding of the 5,000. It is one of the few stories appearing in all four of the gospels.
‘Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them.? (John 6:11) Before they were multiplied, he gave thanks for what he had.
What happens next is sometimes portrayed as a sort of a magic trick, as if the five loaves were somehow magically multiplied to feed the 5,000 men plus who knows how many women and children leaving ‘twelve baskets with fragments? being gathered up after the feast.
Scholars familiar with the customs of the people of the time will tell you that they were not likely to travel into the wilderness without provisions.
There were no Kroger, Meijer or party stores on every corner. Travelers packed more than their anticipated needs and hid their stores with their baggage to discourage beggars and thieves.
The generosity of the lad with the five loaves and two fish was the catalyst which prompted an avalanche of sharing.
This is the true miracle. People who would not have normally shared freely did. Where do you think the twelve baskets came from?
Our opportunity is to participate in thanks living. Living in an attitude of gratitude we are grateful for the abundance even before we have received.
We demonstrate this by sharing what we do have – time, talents or treasury. We always have something to give, always something to be grateful for.
Thank you God for this day, our family, our friends, the joy we share, this wonderful life we live!
Matthew E. Long is senior minister
at Peace Unity Church & Holistic Center.

What do the Beatles and Pope Benedict XVI have in common?
Well, they have more in common than you might think.
Although separated by more than 40 years, both appeared in Great Britain before crowds of cheering young people.
You won’t hear the Pope singing ‘All you need is love,? but the message he delivered gave very similar advice.
He spoke to young people in a universal language, the language of love.
Last month Pope Benedict XVI did a four-day tour of the United Kingdom.
Although he is 80 years old and doesn’t fit the image of someone who would typically attract a group of young people, the reception he received was more positive than any of his critics could have imagined.
So, why was his message received with such enthusiasm and warmth? He struck a chord with the young people because he challenged them to achieve greatness in a way that they’re rarely encouraged to aspire to it.
He challenged them to become saints. Saints? Aren’t saints something of the past? Do saints have any place in modern society?
Well, Pope Benedict says, yes, they do.
This seems odd only because many people have an odd view of what a saint actually is. Let’s listen to some words of the Pope himself:
‘God loves you much more than you could ever begin to imagine, and he wants the very best for you?
‘I hope that among those of you listening to me today there are some of the future saints of the twenty-first century?
‘Perhaps some of you have never thought about this before.
‘Perhaps some of you think being a saint is not for you. Let me explain what I mean? We live in a celebrity culture, and young people are often encouraged to model themselves on figures from the world of sport or entertainment?
‘When I invite you to become saints, I am asking you not to be content with second best. I am asking you not to pursue one limited goal and ignore all the others?
‘Happiness is something we all want, but one of the great tragedies in this world is that so many people never find it, because they look for it in the wrong places.
‘The key to it is very simple ? true happiness is to be found in God. We need to have the courage to place our deepest hopes in God alone, not in money, in a career, in worldly success, or in our relationships with others, but in God.
‘Only he can satisfy the deepest needs of our hearts?
‘Not only does God love us with a depth and an intensity that we can scarcely begin to comprehend, but he invites us to respond to that love.?
As you can see, being a saint means that you first recognize that God loves you infinitely and wants you to love him back.
Being a saint doesn’t mean being soft or indifferent or settling for second best. It means loving God and others in an exceptional way.
I can’t think of better path to follow.
Fr. Daniel Pajerski, LC, is Formation Director for Everest Academy.

Whenever difficult times come, there arises a mass of people who wonder whether or not we are ‘living in the last days.?
Today, in our climate of political and economic upheaval, people again are pondering whether the last days are upon us.
Recently, I’ve been told more times than I can count, ‘the end must be near.?
But is it? Let’s consider a few facts.
First, in the Bible the phrase ‘last days? does not refer to the end of the planet as we know it, but the end of the Jewish temple system with the coming of Jesus Christ (Acts 2:17; Heb.1:2). Consequently, we have been living in the last days since the first century.
Second, there are hundreds of instances in history when it was believed that the ‘signs of the times? proved that the end of all things was near.
During the fall of the Roman Empire, for example, it was widely believed that the end of the world must be at hand. It wasn’t. It was simply the beginning of a new world.
Third, the Bible tells us that Jesus is the heir of the nations (Ps.2:8), and that the end will come after He has brought all things under subjection (1 Cor.15:22ff.).
It’s because of this Christians have been commissioned to disciple the nations (Mt.28:18-20) and to pray ‘Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven? (Mt.6:10).
Thinking through these facts presents an alternative scenario to the common end times vision that preoccupies many.
Just because difficult times come does not mean it’s the end of the world.
Those difficult times may arrive for other reasons. For instance, the Bible repeatedly teaches that societies who disobey the Lord, He will judge ? those who sow the wind will reap the whirlwind (Hos.8:7).
When we consider the godless trends of American culture, it is much more logical to assume that God is allowing us to reap what we’ve sown than to assume the end of the world is at hand.
Once we realize this, our focus changes. Instead of speculating about the time of Christ’s return and waiting for the end to come, we are able to focus on aligning our lives with God and His purpose in world.
We live in a world marred by sin, but Christ has been raised to bring redemption and a new creation.
The day will come when there will be new heavens and a new earth. In anticipation of that day we are to trust in the Lord and do good, and dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness (Ps.37:3).
The assumption that hard times is a sure sign that the end is near is unfortunate. It is a distraction that keeps the people of God from doing the work that God would have them do.
As our society faces decline due its apostasy from the Lord, it would be far more profitable to pursue repentance, faith and the building of God’s kingdom, than the latest end times diversion.
The Rev. David Bostrom is pastor of Seeds for the Harvest Ministries.

Mark 10:13-16 And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, ‘Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.? And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.
As children we always wanted to delay our bedtime, or at least our falling asleep, so at any and every opportunity, we would ask for a glass of water, a bedtime story, or some other time waster. As a child, we did this every time that we had a baby sitter.
They would always begin, Once upon a time in a land far, far away, a little boy and a little girl who were a lot like you? and the yarn would unfold, detail upon detail would be presented, and then at the end we would hear, and they lived happily ever after. You knew from the very second that you heard Once upon a time, that this was going to be a whopper as we used to call them, where the only truth in the entire presentation were the words. It was pure fiction? but we loved it.
Today, when children hear of something like this, they too know it is fiction, their first clue is the word ‘story.? When they hear the word ‘story? they are ready for something made up, an untruth. Children in our schools today are taught that stories are fictional, accounts are true. Now as parents who believe in the bible, we go to the ‘bible book store? and buy a ‘bible story book.? Since stories are not true as children are taught them today, they immediately think of the bible as fiction? just a story with a happy ending.
When our children grow up, even when many of our young parents today grew up, we see that they have been indoctrinated to stories in this same way. In Sunday School, the teacher say’s, lets read our ‘Bible Story,? and our children are happy because they get another story which in their mind is a great yarn, told to amuse them, where the facts are far and few between? great stories, you bet, but true? That depends on your definition of ‘story,? but in their minds, they were not true. Instead, they see something that is total fiction.
When we look in our churches, often we don’t see many young people, and we wonder why. Well, if you were told that what you were hearing was just a story, with little or not truth to it by your definition, what would make you want to come to hear more? We are so busy in this day and age that we don’t have time for stories?
It is time that we stop telling bible stories and begin to tell bible accounts. The words that we speak don’t change, what we heard as a story, can be retold word for word, as an account and the children are thrilled. They want to hear about Adam and Eve, David and Goliath, or even Jesus birth. But instead of telling them what they understand to be a fictional story, tell them the account of Adam and Eve, or David and Goliath, or Jesus Birth? tell them the true account!
Semantics, maybe, but today, we use the word ‘Story? in a different way than we did even 40 or 50 years ago! Therefore, the next time that you read to your children or grandchildren from the bible, tell them the bible account. They will quickly come to see it as the truth, and not biblical fiction. In another 20 years, I suspect that you will see more children believing in Christ because they know it is true, and not biblical fiction.
The Rev. Kelly Todd is pastor of Christ Lutheran Church.

In about five weeks, we will be holding our mid-term elections for federal office; we will also be electing our main term choices for statewide offices.
It is expected to be a time when the incumbents will fare badly because the electorate is so frustrated with the affairs of our country.
Although the incumbents are going to be the targets of most of the frustration, the polls actually indicate that most people are not too excited about their replacements.
Congressional approval ratings are at historic levels of disapproval, however, those alternatives are not popular either.
I believe this indicates the fact that the general population knows full well that we are on the wrong track, but unfortunately we have been on the wrong track for so long that looking back does not provide much encouragement for the future.
Many of the difficulties that we face today are the result of choices we made a long time ago’those choices will not be easily reversed.
The Bible tells us that if we want to understand the invisible God, we should look at the visible things because they demonstrate the attributes of the Creator.
One very good example of this is the concept of seedtime and harvest. In the book of Genesis, it says that the seedtime and harvest cycle will last as long as the earth remains.
This principle is obviously true; when you sow a seed and give it the proper care, in time, it will grow and produce fruit.
Oftentimes, the choices in life are seed planting choices because they set the stage for future results.
In our country, we planted and nourished many seeds, or choices, without consideration of the long-term impact of those choices.
As a society, we were encouraged by our contemporary influences to think about our temporary satisfaction; hence society became the fertile soil for our national choices.
Many government programs were started without thinking about the long-term costs, as were many business and labor agreements. We have experienced the failing of many of our businesses and without dramatic changes our government will follow closely behind.
The greater issue is not what specific agenda we will follow, but what character motivations will we follow.
In order to reverse the seeds of the past, a spiritual renewal must take place to form the basis for the changes that we need.
If we do not have spiritual change, our choices will not have the fertile soil that will allow them to grow to the point of producing the long-term changes that we need.
As the election draws closer, I certainly have specific policies that I would like to see instituted, so I have chosen candidates who I will vote for.
However, as a pastor and Christian, I also realize that I have an even more important role.
That role is to bring about a change in people, and in the greater society, that can only take place with God’s help.
It is great that so many Christians are becoming actively involved in politics.
As Christian Americans, our stewardship from God means that we should vote and be in the public square, but we must also be very committed to an even more important role in the transforming of our society’spiritual renewal.
Finally, we must understand that the building blocks of a society are the families and individuals who comprise its individual parts.
We must make our own individual choices that will enhance our future, and also lay the proper spiritual foundation that will give the seed fertile soil to grow in. If your choices are seeds, are you considering how powerful those choices are? Are you taking your future seriously?
Answering these questions has truly become the most important issue for today.
The Rev. Loren Covarrubias is pastor of Mt. Zion Church.

I used to think that peace meant the absence of conflict. I used to think that when the war was over we would have peace. But when the war was over others began.
There always seems to be some person or group that wants to fight, to kill and die to prove that they are right and the others are wrong. How can there ever be peace?
I now know that peace is not the absence of conflict but a conscious awareness of the divine harmony and order that transcends the inherent conflicts that we experience in this physical world. ‘My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you.? John 14:20. I can envision a world where we naturally engage peacemaking skills in resolving conflicts.
When enough of us have discovered the place of peace within ourselves, the tipping point so to speak, the rest of the world will awaken to the potential for peace in us all. It is akin to the shift that came about because of those who dared to suggest that the Earth was not the center of the universe. Eventually enough people accepted this new awareness and the balance was tipped.
The greatest obstacle to peace is intolerance. A belief or policy, a thought or feeling of intolerance toward other’s beliefs or practices obstructs the peace. It makes cooperation and peace difficult to achieve. Yet tolerance is rarely tolerated because it is misunderstood.
Tolerance is not approval. It is not condoning or promoting. It is recognizing and respecting the beliefs or practices of another. It is acceptance of the fact that my opinions and those of someone else are not always in agreement and that the other person has a right to their opinion just as I have a right to mine.
One place where there is a need for greater tolerance is in the area of religious beliefs and practices. To condemn another because they use a different name for the Divine or that their beliefs and practices are different is an act of war.
We should celebrate our diversity and honor our humanity while striving to express our divinity. In the Judeo-Christian Bible there are at least a dozen names and derivations of names for the Divine: including Elohim, Yahweh, Adonai, Allah, and Theos.
If I were to somehow travel back 2,000 years and meet with the historical Jesus, I would love to talk with him of God. Firstly, I know that he wouldn’t be able to understand me because he didn’t speak English. That aside, if I called him Jesus he wouldn’t know that I was speaking to him. There is a dispute among scholars but, his name would have been most likely pronounced either Eeshoo or Yeshua.
Secondly, he would probably ask me who this ‘God? was that I had asked him about. Jesus spoke Aramaic. The name for the Divine that he used was Allah. He said, ‘Allah ruha oo? literally, ‘God is spirit? John 4:24. There is but one Spirit, though it be known by many names: Great Spirit, Infinite Spirit, Holy Spirit, God, Tao, Cosmic Consciousness, Universal Energy, etc.
I invite you assist in tipping the balance of conscious awareness toward that of peace and justice for all of God’s creation. Practice loving tolerance while celebrating our diversity, honoring our humanity and expressing our divinity.
The Rev. Matthew E. Long is senior minister at Peace Unity Church & Holistic Center.

Do you think about heaven much? You might say, ‘You’ve got to be kidding! My life is crammed right now. I just lost my job. The kids are sick. I don’t have time to think about heaven.? It’s easy to imagine, ‘What good is it to think about heaven?? After all, we’ve heard that ditty, ‘He’s so heavenly minded that he’s no earthly good.?
This summer I’ve been giving a six-week sermon series on Heaven. I have learned so much! Many people have been telling me, ‘I did not know that about Heaven! This is so exciting!?
In this short article, let me just give you two reasons why we need to think about heaven. First, we need to think more clearly about our lives. Imagine going on a trip and not knowing anything about your destination. ‘Hey, where are you going? Yellowstone Park?
Cool! Where’s that at?? ‘Mmm, I’m not sure.? ‘Well how do you get there?? ‘I don’t know.? ‘Well what’s it like?? ‘I don’t know. I hear it’s really nice.?
You’d never do that, would you? You would Google it and MapQuest it. You’d want to know how to get there and what it’s going to be like when you get there. Is it going to be hot or cold?
What kind of clothes do you take? You want to prepare for it!
Did you know that every day, worldwide, 3 people die every second, 180 every minute, and almost 11,000 every hour. So if the Bible is right about what happens to us after death, it means that more than 250,000 people every day go either to Heaven or Hell.
We need to think clearly about where we’re going. Which leads to the second reason why we need to think about heaven: It empowers us to live this life better. There’s a cemetery in Indiana that has a tombstone that’s over 100 years old, and it has an epitaph written on it that says:
Pause, stranger, when you pass me by.
As you are now, so once was I.
As I am now, so you will be.
So prepare for death and follow me.
An unknown passerby scratched additional words on it.
To follow you I’m not content,
Until I know which way you went.
When we really think about the fact that we’re going to Heaven or Hell, it will change how we live today! When we realize how incredibly beautiful and satisfying the New Heavens and the New Earth will be, and how we’re going to see our believing loved ones, and how we’re going to have new resurrection bodies and live on a new resurrected earth ‘it will give us fresh hope and faith and power to live this life well!
So maybe you’re really discouraged today. Life is hard. You’ve got all kinds of problems. If you’re a Christ-follower, do you realize that you have a rich inheritance? One day, money will be no problem. Sickness will not happen. Sadness and frustration will be no more. You will have a new resurrected body and live on a new earth. Your deepest desires and needs will be met.
I’m finding that the more I learn about Heaven, the better I want to live this life today.
The Rev. Greg Henneman is pastor of Clarkston Community Church.

I heard that on one particular Monday Night Football game, Walter Payton reached the equivalent of nine miles of running yards for his career.
When he passed the mark, the announcer made mention of the milestone and the other announcer responded: ‘Yeah, and that’s after getting knocked down every 4.6 yards.? There is a lot of wisdom in that somewhat comical reply.
Imagine how drastically shortened the career of any football player would be if he became discouraged every time he was knocked down. In order to succeed, we first have to realize that there will always be obstacles to our progress.
How we deal with failure or setbacks is often the key to our personal success. The same principle can be applied to spiritual matters. To be strong in spirit we need fortitude, or what is also referred to as perseverance.
The virtue of fortitude ensures firmness in difficulties and allows us to continue performing good actions despite adversity. What are some things we can do to cultivate this virtue? There are many, but I would like to suggest at least three. First of all, start out with clearly defined goals. Whenever we start on the path to achieve anything, we first have to be very clear about what the concrete goal is.
This might sound obvious, but how many of us start a project without defining precisely when we will have reached the end?
For example, if we desire to climb the highest mountain, then our concrete goal will be to reach the top of Mt. Everest.
Setting a concrete goal allows us a way to measure progress and motivates us to forge ahead until we’ve reached the top.
Secondly, a positive attitude is necessary if we want to persevere. Some might see the words ‘positive attitude? and immediately dismiss this as childish or unrealistic.
Two people can view the same event and draw two different conclusions about what happened or about how to continue. We color circumstances in life with the attitude we use to face them.
We’re all familiar with the story of David and Goliath. Some like to say that, while all the Israelites were scared to confront Goliath because he was so massive, David turned Goliath’s size to the Israelites? advantage by thinking: ‘He’s so big, I can’t miss him.?
One of the keys to persevering in good works is to always bring the proper attitude to the obstacles that face us.
Teamwork is the third element. Too often we think that asking others for help is a sign of weakness. Yet, how many things can we take sole credit for in life?
The most basic gift we have, that of life itself, is something that has been given to us. When we realize that our lives are not complete without the presence and support of others-especially of God himself- there are no obstacles impossible to overcome.
So, the next time someone knocks you down, remember that with the virtue of fortitude you will not only get up off the ground, you’ll keep running.
Fr. Daniel Pajerski, LC, is Formation Director for Everest Collegiate High School and Academy

Well, I purposely held off writing this column so that we could see the results of the elections held earlier this month.
For some there were a lot of surprises, for others they saw just what they expected to see. Yet, no matter how you look at it, it was not business as usual.
What do I mean by this?
Well, let us look to Matthew 22:36-39 where we read: ‘Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law??
And He [Jesus] said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.
This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.?
Over the past several weeks, we have heard countless campaign ads that have told us nothing of what the candidate will do for our state or local government, but we have sure heard all about how the ‘other guy? has done us wrong or will do us wrong.
Best construction or a smear campaign?
My mother always told me that if I could not say something good about someone else, then I should not say anything about them. So in an election, how would we campaign? Well, of course, we would tell everyone what we would do!
Such a novel idea don’t you think?
I have heard that negativity sells and in a campaign, the candidate wants the biggest bang for his buck.
In fact, just about everyone wants the biggest bang for their buck. And that brings us to my very point: that in our society, we really don’t care how we do it, just give us what we want.
The ends always justify the means. Well at least that is what we want to believe. We believe that it justifies us and makes us feel good about what we have done and about ourselves.
Sounds pretty selfish doesn’t it?
It follows right with the corporate idea of making the bottom line all important. I can remember a day when a young person would take their first job while in high school, and unless it were delivering newspapers, they might well retire from that job, and with a pension.
Over the years this has changed dramatically. Some of the latest government information states that the average person will have 12 jobs in their life time.
And today, that does not even mean that they will have a retirement to go with it. This points to corporate greed. The corporations only care about themselves.
Actually, greed is one of the biggest issues that we have in our world today. It is not about what is right or wrong, as I said earlier, it is all about the bottom line.
Can you imagine a world that followed God’s plan ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. And you shall love your neighbor as yourself.?
Yet, this is what God desires: for us to treat everyone with love and respect, not just our children, or our spouses, but also those we work with, buy from and sell to, and anyone with whom we interact.
We are all sinners and we all have fallen short of God’s will, but by His grace and mercy, He gives us a second chance and even a third and fourth chance.
His will for us is to trust and believe on Him, forsaking all others, and to share His word with others so that they too may know Him as their Lord and Savior.
There is still hope for our country, and for us and that hope comes from none other than Jesus Christ.
For He alone suffered on the cross for our sins, died, descended into hell, rose from the dead on the third day, and ascended into heaven to live eternally!
And His desire is to share this heaven and eternal life, with all who believe Him as their Lord and Savior.
The Rev. Kelly Todd is pastor of Christ Lutheran Church.

The other day my family and I went to see the new movie, ‘Despicable Me.?
This is an enjoyable tale about a villain named Gru who attempts to pull off the biggest heist in history using three orphan girls but finds his heart changed by their innocence. And, it was in 3D.
My favorite part was the antics of Gru’s minions during the credits which were greatly enhanced by the 3D effects.
What this movie brings to mind for me is the many people who in some way believe that they are despicable.
At some level they feel shame and guilt for who they are.
They may have never done anything as bad as getting a parking ticket, but still they have that sense of unworthiness, shame and guilt.
Most people have some remnants of low self esteem. Many cover it up by overachieving.
Whether we got it from our parents or teachers or friends or the church or whomever; we bought into the message that we are bad, not worthy of the good that happen for us and the negative is earned punishment.
Some point to biblical quotes such as Psalm 51:5 ‘I was brought forth in iniquity? as evidence of our inherent sin.
When read in the context within which it was written, David’s remorse over his part in the death of Uriah and stealing his wife Bathsheba, we can relate to the nature of the feelings being shared.
They were not meant to be taken as a definitive statement.
Earlier David wrote of our true nature, ‘What is man that thou art mindful of him? thou hast made him little less than God? Psalm 8:4-5. We are not the totality of God, but all that God is ‘I am? Exodus 3:14.
We are created ‘In the image and after the likeness? of God and all that is created is ‘very good? Genesis 1:26 & 31.
God don’t make no junk! This may not be good English, but it is right thinking.
Everyone is born with the capacity to be loved and loving, for ‘God is love? 1 John 4:16. The thought atmosphere that we grow up in helps to shape and form who we become.
A Course In Miracles tells us that there are only two messages, ‘one of love, and the other the call for love.? Text 273.
Child psychologists tell us that children desire attention and will act out negatively if they cannot get it otherwise.
Clues to how Gru became a villain were present throughout the movie and were stated by his mother near the end, ‘You are a much better parent than I ever was.?
Inner Child Advocate John Bradshaw, in his series on Homecoming, states that ‘It’s not about who is to blame. It is about taking responsibility for the person that we are.?
Low self esteem robs the world of the wondrous child of God that you are. The ego tells you that you are unworthy.
David was told that he could not defeat Goliath, 1Samuel17:33. Spirit says that ‘we are children of God, and if children, then heirs.? Romans 8:16-17.
The power and presence of God within you can defeat the giants of doubt, fear, self-criticism, guilt and shame.
It is through your innocence, becoming ‘as a child? Matthew 18:3, that we allow the greatness of God to shine through Matthew 5:16.
This is the divine corrective.
Blessings of peace, joy & love
Matthew E. Long is senior minister
at Peace Unity Church & Holistic Center.

This week’s primaries have opened up the fall election campaigns. As the country now approaches the midterm elections, we will receive a barrage of information about the candidates.
As is typical these days, we can be sure that there will be plenty of negative campaigning. For me, it is not negative to point out another person’s record, but I am leery of all the personal lambasting and character assaults.
I am always skeptical when I hear people question another person’s motivations. The Bible tells us that we cannot even judge our own hearts, so we certainly should not think that we can judge someone else’s.
I consider it a bad sign that so much animosity has been created today within the political realm and our society as a whole. Unfortunately, even Christians are guilty of this.
As Christians, we should be very careful to understand that our Christian principles should motivate every action and persuasion that we have in life. Jesus taught a different way then most.
He said, ‘You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.? But I say unto you, love your enemies’and pray for them which despitefully use you.?
Jesus taught us that our actions should be motivated by a desire to emulate our heavenly Father. Therefore, we surely should not emulate the contemporary society that has become so hostile to one another.
The book of Hebrews says, ‘There remains therefore a rest for the people of God.? We fail to enter into that rest because of our lack of faith.
Faith says that God is in control of our destiny. We are not the victims of time or people, but as the children of God, we are under the care of our heavenly Father. He not only cares for us, but He works diligently in our lives.
This is why the Bible says, ‘The steps of the righteous are ordered of the Lord.?
When you have that confidence, you do not have to constantly be on guard trying to protect yourself or the world. You know’looking over your shoulder wondering if an enemy is lurking behind you.
Why? Because the Bible says, ‘If God is for us, who can be against us?? When God is on your side, you do not have to worry’you just have to believe. This faith will give us the rest that we need. This rest not only alleviates our souls, but also gives us the ability to act rationally and properly think through our choices.
For this reason, the secular media has promoted emotional responses to life situations. The marketers have used this method to persuade us to be irrational consumers.
Today, they are using these same tactics to promote political figures. If they can entice you to be emotionally charged, you will buy into something that you may regret later. This has proven true with the financial crash that we have undoubtedly witnessed.
People have come to realize that we bought into a lifestyle we cannot sustain. If we are not careful, we may buy into a political persuasion that we cannot sustain over the long run either. We are living in a world that seems to be veering out of control.
It will take a people of faith and rest to get it back on track. If you have been caught up in the frenzy of the times, I would admonish you with the Word of God. If we are going to strive for anything, let us strive to enter into the rest of God’and let the peace of God rule our hearts and our minds!
The Rev. Loren Covarrubias is pastor of Mt. Zion Church.

Someone asked Jesus what the greatest commandment was and Jesus said that it was to love God with everything you have and to love your neighbor as yourself.
Thank goodness it wasn’t something hard, right? But it is hard, isn’t it?
While we cannot love our neighbor as our selves without loving God, I want to talk about loving our neighbor here today. What does it mean to love our neighbor?
Some people have told me that in order to love our neighbor we must first learn how to love ourselves.
Maybe they are right. I think do alright with loving ourselves. Admittedly there are people that do not treat themselves well for a variety of reasons.
A majority of us, however, manage to take care of our wants, needs, and desires with few problems. I guess what I am trying to say is that I often feel like one of those seagulls in ‘Finding Nemo.?
They fly around saying, ‘Mine! Mine! Mine! Mine!? I don’t think I’m alone. Loving ourselves isn’t the problem.
Back to the question: What does it mean to love our neighbor as yourself? I like to say that it means to love your neighbor as if it were you.
I know there are some folks that are easier to love than others. I get it, I do. Loving our neighbor is about loving the people around us like we want to be loved.
‘Do unto others as you would have them do unto you? is even another way to say it.
So we are to love our neighbor as if it were us. Now who is our neighbor? Your neighbor is anyone around you. It is that person that is loveable or unlovable.
It is the person that is kind of weird and uncomfortable to be around. It is that person that dresses differently, believes differently, and acts differently than you do.
Our neighbor is a person who’s political and religious beliefs are different than our own beliefs. In short, there are 6.7 billion neighbors in the world.
Okay, imagine that you are with your friends. You are all having a good time talking about all the things you have in common. In walks a person that dresses kind of funky. Their T-shirt spouts a slogan that is different from the slogan on your T-shirt.. They look like they just don’t fit in for any number of reasons.
If that were you, would you want to be ignored or looked down upon? That would stink. What would you do? You know you are a pretty fun guy or gal, right? You know you have something to say and to add. You would love to get to know you, right? Hopefully, you would go over and start a friendship.
I know this isn’t easy, especially if we start people that make us really uncomfortable. I know there are people that are really different than us.
I also know that this might not seem right according to what we’ve learned in church. But I am reminded that Jesus was a friend to sinners. He ate with them and hung out with them.
It worked for him and for us. I think it will work for our neighbors, too. I promise.
Dave is the pastor of Lake Louise.

Several months ago I did a series called Survivor. We looked at a handful of things that make life tough. One of those things was depression.
I think we all deal with some form of depression ? even if it’s just discouragement. But haven’t we all had those ‘down? times?
I know that technically speaking, there is a difference between ‘depression? and ‘discouragement,? but it’s sort of like arguing over whether we’re in an economic ‘recession? or a ‘depression.? If you lost your job, it’s a recession. If I lose my job, it’s a depression.
Let’s think about discouragement-depression. First, what is depression? I think Psalm 40 gives us a pretty good definition. Psalm 40:1-3 says, ‘I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord.?
Depression is when you feel like you’re in a slimy pit and you can’t get out. Everyone is discouraged at times. But if your discouragement becomes too deep and lasts too long, it’s probably depression.
Second, what causes depression? It may be a physical condition. Your body may lack proper amounts of chemicals such as serotonin.
I have a pastor friend who leads a large church. He was speaking to a group of us pastors a few years ago and he told us how hard it was for him to admit that he had a physical condition of depression.
The first time he went to the drugstore to pick up his medicine he was afraid. He just knew the receptionist at the counter was going to announce over the speaker, ‘Will Pastor Marty of Crossings Church come to the counter to pick up your depression medicine!?
He was ashamed that he ‘a pastor ? had a depression problem. But you know what? He’s on the proper medicine, and God is using him and using his struggle with depression to create a sense of brokenness and humility that is reaching out and touching many people for Christ.
Lack of replenishing relationships may also cause depression. Mary Southerland is a Christian woman who has written about her own depression and how she deals with it.
She discovered in her own life that she was running around and serving everybody. She discovered that a major cause of her depression was that all of her relationships were superficial and even draining. She was always giving and serving and never receiving.
So ask yourself: Do I have healthy relationships in my life where I personally am replenished and gain strength from those relationships?
Depressed people usually feel alone and isolated, like no one understands them.
Others causes include poor self-image, failure to deal with past issues, such as unresolved anger and disappointment over a loss.
The big question is, how can we get out of our pit?
First, get a medical evaluation. Only a doctor can tell you what’s really going on in your body.
Secondly, exercise and rest. There are all kinds of studies that show how exercise and rest fight off sickness and depression.
Third, develop healthy relationships. Don’t be a loner. Don’t slide through life with superficial relationships. Have a few close friends where you laugh together and play together and cry together. (This is what church is supposed to be about!)
And most importantly, receive God’s grace.
Base your self-esteem on God’s love for you. You are valuable. You matter to God. He loves you so much that he gave his Son for you.
When we’re willing to look beneath the surface and unmask our depression, God is more than able to lift us out of the slimy pit, set our feet on a rock and put a new song in our mouth.
The Rev. Greg Henneman is pastor of Clarkston Community Church

This past week, we celebrated the anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Many people think that this is the day our country became independent from the colonial powers. It was not the day of Independence, but the day that the people in colonial America declared their intent for Independence and for what they believed their rights should be as a people. In order to make change possible, there must be a declared intent. Many people will complain about their circumstances without ever making an attempt to change them.
We are living in a time of great conflict, and once again we must declare our intent to do something about our circumstances. Of course, this requires a resolution of where we want to go as a nation. We are living in a time where many people have proposals of how we need to proceed for the future, but we still do not have a declared intent of where we are going. In the last presidential election, our president won office on the promise of change. He won a resounding victory, receiving not only election, but also big majorities in Congress to help him facilitate his programs. The problem is that when he began to move forward, people have been uncomfortable with the changes he has proposed. Election slogans are very important in elections, but often times lead people to vote for something without a full understanding of what it means. We all know we need to change some things; the important question is: ‘What do we need to change??
The Bible says that without a vision, the people perish. In other words, you cannot get where you want to go until you make a choice of where you want to go. This is what vision is’a defined purpose and direction that gives you the ability to chart a course of action. In our media culture, we are easily given to clever slogans and grand programs, but we are not too easily given to real ideals and goals. The modern call for multiculturalism has brought us to a place where people are afraid or unwilling to have a declared intent with the purpose of uniting people for a single purpose. There is certainly a need to offer the opportunity for personal goals and desires, but we have often placed such emphasis on the individual that we have forgotten about the need for a corporate vision. We have become a nation of separate groups vying for power and privilege. Everyone is at the table seeking their share, but we fail to understand that the share becomes smaller when no one is building for the whole.
In all my observances, I have seen the answer to our situation is not for a grand scheme; we must return to some simple and practical moral qualities that will bring strength to our foundation. The Bible says, ‘If the foundations be destroyed, what will the righteous do?? We need to repair our bottom line, and then from this moral foundation, seek leaders who will seek to get us where we need to go as a people. We need what the Bible calls repentance. It is the recognition of what has brought us to this place of crisis, then asking forgiveness as we acknowledge our shortcomings. Next, we need a declared intent that we will strive to follow through with our commitment until we see the desired results. This is what our founding fathers did’and the rest is history!
The Rev. Loren Covarubbias is pastor of Mt. Zion Temple.

Let’s pretend that you have never heard of the Bible. Someone hands you a copy and lends it to you promising that it’s ‘a really good read.?
It’s summer, and you have the time, so you settle down with a tall glass of lemonade and open the book?
‘In the beginning?? What a lovely start, you think. Almost as good as ‘once upon a time.?
Clearly this has all the indications of a good novel. By the time you get to the Book of Leviticus, though, you’re ready to put an end to this investment of your time since your eyes have grown bleary with all the prescriptions, legal language and unfamiliar obligations that seem to be being imposed upon the people in the story.
It’s starting to read more like a textbook, so you put it down. The end.
Now let’s pretend that you do know something about the Bible.
You know that it isn’t a novel, something meant to be picked up and read from beginning to end, necessarily.
It’s a collection of books, with many literary forms from which to choose. Its authors were gifted with the spiritual insight necessary to reveal truth by writing in a style that appealed to the people of the time.
Want a funny short story? Try the Book of Jonah.
Want to read a really good debate? Look to the Book of Job.
How about some religious history? Move toward the center of the collection and read through the Book of Kings.
Letters? No one did it better than Paul.
Poetry? Try Psalms.
Even myth, understood correctly, as an imaginative and symbolic story about a reality that is beyond our comprehension, is present in the book of Genesis.
Knowing something about the Bible opens us up to understanding something about mystery.
The Bible reveals a two-thousand-year process of people reflecting on their experience and on the significance of their experience in the context of their relationship with God. And to make it even more interesting, these insights increased as the years went by.
This makes a lot of sense to me and helps me put in perspective some of the stories, especially in the Old Testament, that don’t necessarily put God in the greatest light.
Reading the Bible with an understanding of the beliefs of the people of the time, an understanding of the type of literature I am reading, and knowing that the Bible developed as a process of revelation is a big help. Back to that lemonade.
When read as a collection, the Bible becomes your own personal banquet of inspiration!
And so, I return to the beginning and the truth revealed in the book of Genesis, that everything that exists is here because a loving God created it.
Lately I’ve been pondering this truth and have come to the rather blatant reality that this includes everyone, including me! Rather obvious, you might say, but I would counter that at times we sell ourselves short and forget how special we really are in God’s eyes.
I’ve also centered on the word ‘beginning? and allowed it to work upon my heart. Have you ever considered that beginnings and endings seem to blend to the point where it’s hard to know which is which?
This is the last article I’ll write for the Clarkston News since I’m ending my position at St. Daniel.
Thanks to all of you who have not only inspired me, but have affirmed me in this work. But sometimes endings are stirred into being by beginnings, and this is the case for me.
I’ll continue to write because I have faith that this a Godly purpose for my life. Where it will lead I can only imagine, but I find comfort in the words of Jesus at the end of Matthew’s gospel, ‘I am with you always, until the end of the age.?
Have a great summer, and happy reading!
Cheryl Smith is director of Adult Faith Formation at St. Daniel Catholic Church.

A father was trying to take a nap on a Sunday afternoon in his living room.
His little boy kept bugging him. ‘Daddy, I’m bored.? So his father, trying to make up a game to keep his son busy, found a picture of a world map in the newspaper.
He ripped it up in about fifty pieces and said, ‘Son, this is a puzzle. I want you to put it all back together.?
Dad lay down to finish his nap, thinking he would get at least another hour of sleep. In about 15 minutes the little boy woke him up. ‘Daddy, I’ve got it finished. It’s all put together.?
His dad said, ‘You’re kidding.? He knew his son didn’t know all the positions of the nations and countries.
He said, ‘How did you do that?? The boy said, ‘Dad, there was a picture of a person on the back page of that newspaper. When I got my person put together the world looked just fine.?
It’s amazing how much better the world looks when your person is put together in the right way. A few months ago I spoke to my congregation on HOW TO BE HAPPY. In that series we took an honest look at ourselves ‘our hurts, hang-ups, and habits. We learned two key things.
First, we learned that God wants us to be happy. Somewhere people have gotten the idea that God is an ogre! He’s mean and he doesn’t want you to have any fun.
And if you really sell out to God and live a life of obedience to him then you’ll be miserable. Nothing could be further from the truth!
Jesus said, ‘Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.? (John 16:24) Jesus wants us to have joy!
Question. If Jesus wants us to be happy, then why are there so many unhappy people, even Christian people?
Lots of people look like they’ve been baptized in prune juice. I think the answer has to do with the second thing we learned in our series: Happiness is a by-product of living well.
Many of us have divorced our spirituality from the rest of our life.
‘I go to church and say my prayers and so I’m spiritual! Oh, by the way, I’m mean to my neighbor. I’m lazy at work, and I have lust issues.?
Somehow we’ve lost the truth that Jesus cares about all of life. It’s not like you can have your ‘religion? over here and your ‘life? over there.
If we’re going to be happy the way Jesus wants us to be happy, then we’ve got to live the way Jesus wants us to live.
Are you happy? Maybe you have some real-life issues that are blocking your happiness. Maybe you’re a people-pleaser and lack proper boundaries. Maybe you’re a control-freak who’s into power plays. Maybe you have an addiction to food, pornography, or alcohol.
You won’t find happiness by singing to Jesus on Sunday morning and ignoring these issues the rest of the week.
Get real. Get honest. Let Jesus in. That’s the way to be happy.
The Rev. Greg Henneman is pastor of Clarkston Community Church

We will soon be celebrating Memorial Day. I love to celebrate holidays like this. As a person who loves history, I understand the impact the past has on the present.
I especially like the aspect of this holiday, where we are commemorating the impact of the lives sacrificed for us on the field of battle.
When I was a kid, I remember my mom telling me about her brother who was killed in World War II.
He was actually killed by friendly fire, or Allied bombs, dropped in the confusion of the intensity of the battle.
The older I get, the more important to me the concept of the youth who sacrificed for us, but never had the opportunity to share in the great prosperity of our nation in the years following the war.
My mom told a story of her own mother who was warned in a dream of the loss of her son the night before they got the message. Grandma of course broke in the pain of the loss of her son, but found comfort in the dream as it made her sense the sovereignty and concern of God from the warning she received from Him!
Oh the suffering of those years and what great prosperity and blessing it purchased for us.
We are living in a day when suffering and pain are seen as the enemy. It is certainly true that we should all want to avoid needless suffering and pain, but we also need to recognize the great benefit that pain has to offer. The greatest blessings in life will most certainly also involve pain.
Marriage is a great example of this concept. The Bible declares that marriage is a gift given to us by God. In the beginning, when God created man He said, ‘it is not good for man to be alone I will create a helper suitable for him.?
We surely need help in life, but what we need to help us oftentimes is just the opposite of what makes life pleasant. The woman that God made for Adam was one who would stand opposite of him. The word in the original translation literally means ‘one who stands in opposition to someone.?
To reach one’s highest potential in life, we often need someone to stand against us and convince us to do perhaps even what we do not want to do.
This concept alone will provide it’s irritants, but then add the human perspective of all the other differences between a man and a woman and one can certainly agree with the author who wrote the book, ‘Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus.?
It is obvious that the only way an arrangement like this can work is for pain and suffering to be a part of the equation.
Unfortunately, one of the greatest contributors to the high rates of marriage failure is our unwillingness to sacrifice ourselves and accept the pain necessary for long-term happiness.
The Bible tells us that God wanted a bride. This bride is the church’the collective of His people.
He wanted us so much that He was willing to pay the ultimate price. He gave His only begotten son for us by sacrifice on the cross, but it doesn’t just stop there.
The Bible also says that if God was willing to offer such a sacrifice for us when we were just sinners, how much more is He willing to pay the price for us to become everything He wants us to be. What sacrifice to remember!
The Rev. Loren Covarrubias is pastor of Mt. Zion Temple.

When I flip a switch in my home a mysterious thing occurs. The light goes on.
Ok, Ok, I know that there are wires in the wall which carry a thing called electricity to the bulb. That electricity came from a power plant somewhere, where generators with turbines inside create a magnetic field that causes the electrons to vibrate and transfer electric energy through the copper wire inside my walls to a small wire in the light bulb causing the small wire to heat up and glow. Voila, let there be light!
But no one really knows what electricity is. Is it the electrons which are vibrating in the wires or the wave of energy that moves through the wires? There does not seem to be a single definition that satisfies everyone. Yet we use electricity every day.
And what is light? Some scientists will point to a particle called a photon that has mass. Others will describe it as a wave of energy that has no mass. Albert Einstein said it was both, a wave-particle duality. This is both a mystery to the understanding and an experience to be enjoyed.
This leads me to the Great Mystery: God! Some will tell you that God is a being in the sky watching over you, kind of like Santa Claus (he’s making a list, checking it twice, gonna find out who’s naughty or nice.) Others will tell you that there is no God, but they do acknowledge the presence of universal laws and principles such as gravity and mathematics.
To Jesus ‘God is Spirit? (John 4:24) and is not to be worshiped in a physical location ‘on this mountain or in Jerusalem,? but in every thought, word and action ‘in spirit and truth.?
The Apostle John tells us that ‘God is Love? (1John 4:16), reflecting this absolute nature of the Divine.
God is also ‘Our Father? (Matthew 6:9) which describes a personal relationship. In the original Aramaic the word is Abwoon, which comes from the same root as the word for Father (Abba.) According to Neil Douglas-Klotz, in ‘Prayers Of The Cosmos,? it points to a cosmic birthing process that is not gender specific and could be translated as Divine Parent.
This echoes the book of Genesis which tells us that we are made in the image and after the likeness of God, ‘male and female he created them? (Genesis 1:27.) So God is both personal and absolute, imminent and transcendent: a mystery to the understanding and an experience to be enjoyed.
With the joy and freedom that comes through the experience of God’s imminent power and presence we transcend the relative appearances of lack and imitation, disease and conflict, to be the light of the world. ‘You are the light of the world!? (Matthew 5:14.)
When in the midst of life’s trials and tribulations: the doctor’s diagnosis, the dwindling bank account, the obnoxious neighbor, we continue to be a loving, caring, nurturing presence; we have transcended the world and truly are the light of the world.
Today I invite you to embrace the mystery and affirm with our brother Jesus, ‘I am the light of the world.? (John 8:12.)
Matthew E. Long is senior minister
at Peace Unity Church & Holistic Center.

The Easter season is a time of great joy and a celebration of a victory-a victory of life over death, a victory of good over evil. This was accomplished by Christ rising from the dead.
The Resurrection teaches us that spiritual goodness prevails even over physical death. And a promising fact is that we can share in this spiritual goodness by striving to have a healthy spiritual life.
Often, however, we really don’t think about having a spiritual life. What, after all, is a spiritual life?
A scene from the Bible might help illustrate this. After Adam had sinned, God asks him the question ‘Where are you?? God knew where Adam was physically, but I believe he was also asking Adam a question about where Adam’s heart and thoughts were.
Physically I can only be in one place at a time. Spiritually, though, I can be in many different places. Every one of us has had the experience of daydreaming when we should be working or paying attention in school.
Or have you ever asked yourself: ‘What’s the first thing on my mind when I wake up in the morning?? Well, believe it or not, these things are a great way to figure out more about your spiritual life. What you are constantly thinking about is an indication of where you are spiritually.
In finding out more about our spiritual life, we can come across a couple of common roadblocks: materialism and judging others.
We’re immersed in a society where material things take center stage.
At the heart of it materialism doubts the existence, or at least the importance of things we can’t see, hear, taste, touch, or smell. Those who have ever traveled to places of extreme poverty have often experienced this phenomenon: people in the midst of poverty (especially children) can still be happy.
This is in no way meant as an excuse not to help. It’s simply a testimony that our soul is capable of greater things than what the material world offers.
When we do start delving into spiritual things, we often make judgments about others.
How often do I spend my ‘spiritual time? time judging others based on their looks, what they wear, etc.? We are so easily led astray by outward appearances.
The point is: we can easily deceive ourselves about the spiritual state of another person. We can create a false image of someone in our mind, end up creating a monster and then treat that person as the monster we’ve created rather than the good person they really are.
So what’s one solution to overcoming these two obstacles? The virtue of hope.
Hope allows us to spend our ‘spiritual time? focused not on material things, not on the false judgments we often make about others, but on the fact that death does not have the final word, that, in the end, good will prevail.
The most promising thing that awaits us is new life in heaven. Easter is a celebration of what awaits us and hope helps us to get there.
Fr. Daniel Pajerski, LC, is Formation Director for Everest Academy.

This week we focus on someone important to us: our mothers. Where would we be without them, our birth-mother or one who loved and adopted us into her family’as her own?
Many examples of mothers in the Bible that us how God leads and supplies us.
The first mother, Eve, gave into temptation and sin entered the world through Adam, her husband. Neither are our mothers perfect. They face struggles similar to our own. When they give in to temptation, reach out to them with the same love, care, and forgiveness they have shown us through the years.
Next is the aged mother, Sarah. Imagine having been promised a child and waiting until age 80 before receiving that blessing! I am sure there were many times she was discouraged, even doubting the promise. What an example of patience to us as we await God’s blessings.
Moses and his mother remained faithful to God rather than the command of Pharaoh, to kill all Hebrew male babies. God provided this faithful woman so Moses could free the Children of God from their enslavement.
Ruth showed great faithfulness to her mother-in-law, Naomi. Both widowed, Ruth was told to stay with her family when Naomi returned to her homeland. Ruth chose to remain with Naomi, speaking these wonderful words to Naomi: ‘Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God.? Ruth 1:16 (ESV). We see such faithfulness when we lose spouses yet continue to care for our in-laws as part of our family.
In the New Testament Paul, writing Timothy, speaks of his faithful mother, Eunice, and his grandmother, Lois, who were instruments in God’s hands, developing Timothy’s faith in Jesus as his Lord and Savior. Timothy was important to Paul and to God in the early Christian Church.
What better example do we have than Mary Jesus? mother? What an unusual birth’He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary!
Painful, Mary watched her Son, nailed to the cross, hang His head in death and proclaim God’s forgiveness for all mankind’s sin’even His mother’s. Before He died Jesus turned to His disciple and commended him to care for His mother and His mother to receive care from His disciple. What better care could anyone receive than God’s gift of forgiveness?
As you celebrate with your mother, whether in person, by telephone, or just remembering, take time to thank her for the blessing she is to you. She is God’s own, unique gift for you. Forgive the times she failed you and seek her forgiveness for the times you failed them. Then, celebrate together the love you share in Him!
The Rev. Kendall Schaeffer is pastor of St. Trinity Lutheran Church.

There has been a documentary airing recently on the Discovery Channel called ‘Life.?
It’s an 11-part series narrated by Oprah Winfrey that has made good on its promise to show nature in a way never seen before.
Our family has been captivated on Sunday evenings by the descriptions and displays of how the inhabitants on our planet live.
Last Sunday, the show was about plants. My young adult daughter, an animal lover extraordinaire, let out a small breath of frustration as she declared that this episode couldn’t possibly be as good as the others.
After all, what’s cuter than dolphins, primates, or cuddly bears? And isn’t ‘cute? the way everything needs to be evaluated?
At one point, the camera got up close and personal with a Venus Fly Trap, well known to most of us from our grade school years when our teachers allowed us to place bugs in the plant and watch with childish voyeurism as the bug met his demise.
I remarked to my husband (with my now fully mature sense of sensationalism) that it was amazing that God had thought all of this through when he created our world.
The show continued with absolutely marvelous stories of plants that have adapted to growth without nutrients or water in some parts of the world, and how they have a sense of intelligence about them that allows them to reproduce.
Their relationship with birds and animals is so orderly that you’d have to be blind not to see the hand of God.
This led me to thoughts of beauty. Plants, after all, are beautiful. Even dandelions in the right place are wondrous to behold.
From beauty, my thoughts turned to God’s wisdom. The book of Wisdom proclaims, ‘You have arranged all things by measure and number and weight.?
Truly, this world is created beautiful, and I believe God is trying to tell us something by this very fact.
Because creation comes forth from God’s goodness, it shares in that goodness ? ‘And God saw that it was good’very good.? God willed his creation to us, and we are entrusted with maintaining this goodness.
I’m writing this article on Earth Day, a day set aside for us to give thought to how we are treating our planet.
What are we doing, or not doing, to contribute to the goodness and beauty of our planet?
It’s not too late to celebrate Earth Day! Take a walk outside today just as a start. Look, listen, and touch the earth. Spend ten minutes watching a bird make a nest. Smile as you watch squirrels scamper up a forbidden birdfeeder.
Then make a resolution to do your part in contributing to this wondrous and beautiful gift from God. The earth will be glad you did.
Cheryl Smith is director of Adult Faith Formation at St. Daniel Catholic Church.

There is a buzz around Clarkston ? some mysterious event is happening on Tuesday nights at Old Village Caf?.
Well, I’m here to tell you those rumors are true.
Actually, the event is no mystery at all ? it’s Life Tree Caf? ? a place where people from all walks of life gather together for an hour in a casual, comfortable setting, to share stories about life and faith and to discuss issues that affect our daily lives.
Although the Life Tree team is comprised of people from several Christian congregations, we welcome folks from all faith backgrounds.
Whether you are faithfully devoted, spiritually curious, or do not believe, at all, Life Tree is a warm and welcoming place where people can gather over coffee to discuss a variety of topics ? topics such as What Makes You Afraid? and How to Handle Forgiveness, to things we all are curious about, like Do Pets Go to Heaven?
The evening begins with coffee and snacks as guests gather around their tables, introducing themselves and chatting informally.
The moderator for the week then introduces a video on that week’s topic, viewed in short segments.
Following each segment the moderator asks a question for each table to discuss ? questions are often fun, as well as thought-provoking.
A verse of Scripture or some faith-based question is usually introduced, as well, so participants can discuss how they verse might apply to the week’s topic.
Life Tree is, after all, sponsored by people of Jesus, and, while we welcome those with different beliefs, we do want participants to at least consider how God and His promises are relevant to our daily lives.
Life Tree Caf? meets Tuesday nights from 7-8 p.m. at Old Village Caf?, 2 Main St., Downtown Clarkston. Much thanks to Ann and Pete Beishaj, owners of the caf?, for providing such a wonderful place for people to gather and chat!
For more info, call 810-694-9351, or email tgpconnection@gmail.com. We are looking forward to seeing you at Life Tree Caf? this Tuesday. Come and see what the buzz is about!
Pastor Bob Scott is director of Outreach and Connections at Faith Lutheran Church, Grand Blanc, Mich.

A husband and wife drove for miles in silence after a terrible argument in which neither would budge.
The husband pointed to a mule in a pasture. ‘Relative of yours?? he asked. ‘Yes,? she replied, ‘by marriage.?
How happy is your marriage? Is your spouse really your Valentine?
The Apostle Paul gave us a key to a happy marriage.
He said, ‘Each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.? (Ephesians 5:33)
Modern studies show that men’s number-one need is respect. They want to be respected. The number-one need for women is love. They need to know that their husband cares for them more than anything else.
A woman came to a lawyer and said, ‘I want to get a divorce. I really hate my husband, and I want to hurt him. Give me some advice. I want to get his gold. I want to give him the shaft. I want to hurt him everyway I can.?
The attorney said, ‘All right. For the next three months while we’re going through the divorce proceedings, don’t criticize your husband. Only speak kind words to him. Build him up. Every time he does something, commend him for it. Tell him what a great guy he is, and do that for three months. After he thinks that he has your respect, tell him you were just yanking his chain and it will hurt him good.?
The woman thought, ‘I can play that game!?
So she complimented her husband for everything he did. For three months she told him what a great man he was.
Guess what? After three months, they forgot about the divorce and went on a second honeymoon!
Want a Happy Valentine’s Day? Show respect. Give love.
The Rev. Greg Henneman is pastor of Clarkston Community Church

You know what a wake is.
A wake is a wave of water that a boat leaves behind it. And that wake has two sides to it, and a good water skier knows how to use both sides of the wake.
Dr. Henry Cloud, in his book, ‘Integrity,? says that as we go through life we all leave a wake behind us.
And our wake, just like that boat, has two sides to it: task and relationship.
Now here’s the deal. When it comes to our task, lots of us have a real solid wake behind us.
We’re smart. We’re hard workers. We know how to get things done.
So as we look back at the task side of our wake, we’ve reached our goals and accomplished a lot. But when we look at the relationship side of our wake, what do we see?
Do we see strong relationships where people are happy because they’ve know us?
When we look back at our wake do we see people skiing around, smiling, because we’ve been in their lives?
Or do we see people bobbing for air, bleeding, and left wounded because we’ve skied through their lives and brought them some kind of pain?
So ask yourself:
What kind of wake am I leaving behind? Not only in terms of my tasks but in terms of my relationships?
Are people more trusting?
Have they grown?
Do they feel better?
Did they learn and feel inspired because I’ve moved through their lives and left a good wake?
Or are they less trusting? Are they hurting?
In my current series of talks on Sundays, we’re looking at our character. We’re looking at our personal issues.
The fact is, Jesus wants to do more than ‘save us? for heaven some day when we die.
He wants to save us from our sin ‘our junk, our baggage ‘all the ways that we hurt others and ourselves, today.
Jesus can help us transform our character so that we impact people’s lives positively.
How’s your wake?
The Rev. Greg Henneman is pastor of Clarkston Community Church.

You, who are reading this article, are one of the most intelligent, kind and loving people in the world. I know this is true because I believe that I am and so you must be. My survey of the one person I know who reads this column, me, proves it.
By the time you read this the results of the Iowa caucuses will be in.
The process of narrowing down the field of possible presidential candidates will have entered a new phase; the voters are now having the chance to participate in the process. Pollsters will continue to spew their statistics; and, the one thing I know about statistics is they are not truth.
Mark Twain, Benjamin Disraeli and a slew of others are quoted as saying there are three kinds of lies, ‘Lies, damn lies and statistics.? Statistics can only be understood in relation to the question being asked.
Having participated in more than one telephone survey where I could not agree with the facts that the questions were based upon, I am sure the results of those polls proved whatever point the pollster wanted to prove.
My favorite part of the election process so far has been the debates and checking in with the fact checkers afterward. There is no lack of misinformation being shared by the candidates.
Whether the topic is global warming, immigration, campaign contributors, or whatever; stated facts aren’t. Opinions are stated as facts, facts are denied as opinions and statistics are framed in a way that misrepresent facts.
It’s a little scary to think that one of these people will become our next president. Will the next president lead us forward into greater prosperity and worldly prestige or back into another major recession/depression and worldly isolation? And, are these the only choices? Probably not.
The truth will turn out to be what it is, not what I want it to be.
One thing I do know is that God’s will for me is greater than anything I could want for myself. I look at the laws of nature, of physics and recognize them as the outer expressions of the laws of Spirit.
Nature is continually increasing, growing and expanding in its abundant expression of beauty, just as Spirit is desiring to increase, grow and expand in its abundant expression of beauty through me. So my job is to be open to what this greater expression, the greater reality, is for me.
I am currently in the process of surveying friends and associates regarding a new opportunity in my life. The response has been overwhelmingly supportive. And, I have learned over the years to not jump to conclusions too quickly. I check the facts, ask opinions, and tune into what my higher power, which I call God, has to say to me. When I get a yes, yes, yes then it is pretty obvious what I need to do.
Sometimes I am only looking at some of the facts or incorrect information, friends and associates can help me look at the whole picture. Sometimes I may paint a biased picture for my friends and associates, leaving out important information or unrealistic expectations that skews their opinions.
The final layer of decision for me comes from connecting with my center: that point of being where God is and I am. When in my heart where God lives it feels right, when I have the support of friends and family, when all appearances are that it is the right thing to do then I can go forward with confident assurance all is well. If not, then I can let it go and move forward with confident assurance that all is well.
Truly, we live in a time of great opportunity. We can choose to enjoy the process of life and living. We can choose to consciously participate in the process of unfolding and living in the Kingdom of Heaven here and now. So it is and so it shall be.
Blessings of peace, joy & love.
The Rev. Matthew E. Long is senior minister for Peace Unity Community

I cannot believe the number of times a little three letter word has caused so much anger to well up within me. Come on, a three-letter word? I know several four-letter words (think ‘pardon my French?) that have not gotten me as angry as this little word. In fact, people have said things about my family and me that have not gotten me as angry as this word.
What is this word that can send a reasonable person, such as me, into such a tizzy? It is the word ‘why?. Yes, why is a three-letter word that has been the reason for much of my frustration in life.
Here’s the thing: It doesn’t have to do with the way that a child asks ‘why? a thousand times to every answer you give. ‘Daddy, why do…?? and then whatever answer you give is followed by the question, ‘why?? Nope, that doesn’t really bother me.
It drives me nuts when I give someone an answer to their religious or theological inquiry and they have the audacity, the temerity, and the outright nerve to ask ‘why??!
Why? What do you mean ‘why?? Are you telling me that my answer, an answer that has served me well for the past 20+ years is not good enough for you? Why? Why? Well’because! That’s why.
Yep, I get pretty logical when that happens. It isn’t pretty and will one day be recorded on someone’s phone and posted on YouTube.
You know what I discovered? I discovered that if the person to whom I was talking, didn’t accept my answer, I didn’t know what to say after that.
I realized I didn’t know what I was talking about. I realized that much of my beliefs in God and Jesus and the Christian life were based on little more than talking points.
At a recent funeral, the wife of the deceased asked me why God would allow her husband of 37 years to die. The old Dave might have had an answer like, ‘God has a plan for each of our lives. We cannot know it, but we can be assured that God intends good to come from it.?
And that would be a fine answer unless she utters that dreaded three- letter word ‘why?.
Do you want to know what I told her? I said that I didn’t know why God let it happen, but I know why God gave us to each other: so we can help each other through this life.
If she asks me ‘why? about that answer I can go on for a long time and not exhaust the love of God and our need to carry each other’s burdens. I can talk about being a physical representation of the love of God to each other in a sometimes horribly unfair and painful world. But a talking point answer isn’t going to do her much good.
Take some time this week and ask yourself why you believe what you believe. When you get to a sticking point, go to your pastor and ask him/her about why your church believes what it believes.
He or she will be happy to explain it and get you past the talking points into a deeper, more fruitful conversation. I promise.
The Rev. Dave Gerber is pastor of Lake Louise in Ortonville.

Over the years I have prayed a lot of prayers for others, for myself and for situations in the world.
Right now I am praying for those impacted by the Flint water crisis and the blizzard, as well as for our new grandson born in late October at just 26 weeks, and now doing very well.
Sometimes these prayers clearly seem to have been heard and answered. Sometimes the situation I was praying about was resolved or the person got better. And there have been times I’ve experienced answers to prayers that can only be explained by a miracle.
I believe in the power of prayer and I have many experiences that lead me to believe even more deeply God has heard and answered my prayers.
However, I have also had occasions when I have prayed and prayed, and nothing seemed to happen. I have prayed for situations that didn’t change and for people who didn’t get better.
I know some of these unanswered prayers were probably self-serving or short-sighted on my part. But others at least seemed to be about good things God teaches us to care about.
I think most people at some point along the journey of faith will wonder if God has heard them.
Most of us will wrestle with the question that if God can do anything, then why doesn’t he?
Perhaps you’ve asked questions like these or are even asking them now.
Maybe you have been praying for a job, your marriage, your kids, the health of a loved one, or peace in our world.
Maybe you’ve wondered if you are praying the right way or with the right motivation.
Maybe you’ve wondered if you have enough faith or even that God is somehow withholding an answer because of something in your past.
So how do we deal with all of this? If we believe God always hears our prayers (and I certainly do), then the real issue is God doesn’t always answer our prayers the way we think he should or on our timetable.
In Mark 9 Jesus is speaking with the father of very sick boy who comes to him and says ??’if you are able to do anything, have pity on us and help us.? And Jesus said to him, ‘If you are able!’All things can be done for the one who believes.? Immediately the father of the child cried out, ‘I believe; help my unbelief!??
This really seems to suggest that it is ok to struggle with believing sometimes and that Jesus is able and willing to help us even when we have just a little faith. Yet the kind of help we receive, and that is promised, is not always what we expect.
In my life unanswered prayer reminds me God is God and I’m not, and we have different perspectives. In fact, while I may not always like it, some unanswered prayers have really shaped me into the person I am today.
It seems to me the question is really, what is prayer all about?
As I once read, prayer is ‘not a vending machine in the sky where we put in a prayer and get out of God what we want or think we need.?
I have come to realize prayer is first of all not so much something to be answered as an ongoing conversation with God about things that matter. It is about deepening our relationship with God in all the seasons of life and really spending time with God.
Prayer is less about informing God or instructing him about how to run the universe as it is building a relationship. Prayer changes me and grows me as a child of God.
Prayer opens me to being the ‘answer? to someone else’s prayer.
And ultimately my experience has been when I am open to God in prayer, while I may not get what I want, God provides what I really need.
And what I need is to know that ‘come what may,? I am safe with God and that he will walk with me, even ‘through the valley of the shadow of death.? (Psalm 23)
The Rev. Jonathan Heierman is pastor of Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church

By the time you read this column, Easter will be in your rear view mirror, spring is sprung and summer is looming large.
While I’m writing this we are in the midst of Lent, snow is on the ground and I am contemplating the coming of spring and the mysteries of Easter anew.
At this time of year, I often notice big signs stating ‘He is Risen? alluding to the premier event of the Christian calendar celebrating the resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth nearly two thousand years ago.
A significant event must have occurred to turn a bunch of weak kneed disciples into confident Apostles preaching the good news. I believe in Jesus, and I believe Jesus when he tells me, ‘The works that I do, you will do and greater works than these will you do.? (John 14:12)
Easter derives its name from the Great Mother Goddess of the Saxon Peoples of Northern Europe, Eastre, the Goddess of Fertility who was honored in the spring. Both rabbits and eggs were associated with her as fertility symbols.
Much of our Easter stories and traditions have parallels that come from ancient traditions such as that of Eastre, the stories of Isis and Osiris, and the flight of the phoenix for examples.
Spring is a time of new birth for plants and animals, the natural cycles of the earth’s flora and fauna are in evidence abundant.
Easter is the one Christian holy day that is not determined by a date on the calendar or governmental edict creating a three day weekend. It is determined by the date of the full moon following the vernal equinox. It is determined by the sun and the moon, by the cycles of nature.
It is the natural cycle of life that this mythic Hero’s Journey of Good Friday, Easter and the Day of Ascension (40th day after Easter) symbolize: crucifixion, resurrection and ascension, or death, rebirth and transcendence.
This is a journey we all participate in, dying to the old so that we may be reborn to the new and elevated to a new transcendent level of awareness.
This new level transcends our old consciousness and allows us to know our relationship with God’s Universe in a new and infinitely more creative way.
People who have had near death experiences, such as myself, tend to come back with a new awareness of their connections with Universal Energy, with God.
And you do not have to have passed through the gate of death and returned to experience this connection. This infinite, eternal, unlimited energy, presence and power that is God permeates all of existence, it transcends existence and makes existence possible.
Through consciously affirming the presence of God in prayer, making conscious communion, and submersing our will into God’s in meditation on the infinite reality of the Divine; we can know God.
In knowing God we realize the healing, harmonizing, prospering energy of God that is manifesting as each one of us. We make it real by expressing health and wholeness, peace and harmony, prosperity and abundance in all that we are: in all that we think, say and do.
My vision for you is that you experience this spring as a time of ascendance in your life as you know with our brother Jesus, ‘I AM Risen!?
Thank you.
The Rev. Matthew E. Long
is pastor of Peace Unity Church & Holistic Center

This past week, President Obama gave his final State of the Union address.
In the Republican response, given by Nikki Haley of South Carolina, she talked about the anger so prevalent in the present political debate.
The president himself talked about the issue of being able to get along and work together.
Everyone is talking about the need to get along with each other; the problem is, everyone takes their stand on issues and points out the fault of those who are opposite them.
In reality, getting along sounds very good and civil, but we are in a time of great intensity’the likes of which has not been seen in our country for a very long time.
Our problems are many, and they are multifaceted. We need healthy debate to come up with the solutions our country so desperately needs.
The question is, ‘How can we debate with the needed intensity and not become angry, or say the wrong things??
We are all reminded of the exhortation of our mothers, ‘If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all!?
So, do we need to be nice all the time? What does that look like? It sounds good to create a world where everyone is nice to one another, doesn’t it?
In our politically correct world, we are certainly admonished not to cause offense or conflict with other people.
From a Christian perspective, we could easily think this is an appropriate attitude as well.
After all, wouldn’t Jesus want us to be nice so people will like us? How can we win people to Christ if we are being offensive? What sort of marketing plan would include offending people?
W. W. J. D.
I would say the best person to answer this question is Jesus Christ Himself. Did Jesus ever offend people?
If you ask the religious establishment of His time, you would probably hear them say how ‘unkind? He was. They would say, ‘He called us a brood of vipers!?
If you were to ask Peter, the disciple of Jesus Christ, he might say, ‘Yeah, one day I was trying to show my concern for Him and He said, ‘Get behind me Satan.? How could He call me Satan? I was only trying to help.?
There was a woman from Canaan who could have chimed in with her story. Her daughter was tormented with a demon, so she went to Jesus for help. His response was not at all sympathetic, ‘But He answered and said, ‘It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.?? (Matthew 15:26)
Jesus told His disciples to send her away because He was not called to people outside of the children of Israel. Jesus compared her to a little dog’so much for being nice!
Speaking Truth Without Offense?
As with all of us, there is a time for nice and there is a time to speak the truth. Truth can be very painful, and even make people angry; however, sometimes displays of anger are necessary to make a point.
This was what Jesus did when He went into the Temple and saw how it was desecrated through merchandizing. He turned over the tables of the money changers and corrected them.
I would be very surprised if the people saw a ‘nice? Jesus that day.
Was Jesus compassionate? Absolutely! Did Jesus go the extra mile with people? Yes, He did, and He encouraged His followers to do the same; however, when tough situations demanded a tough response, Jesus responded accordingly.
The Bible says, ‘Be angry, but sin not.? We should never be directed by our emotions; however, we should never pretend God created emotionless creatures either.
We should not pretend we do not have human responses to life’s situations. Jesus had very human responses to the life He was involved in, and He alone is our example.
Let’s not compromise truth just so we can say we were being ‘nice,? or even because we don’t want to offend anyone!
The Rev. Loren Covarrubias is pastor of Mt. Zion Church

Writing this on Jan. 6 I am focused on Epiphany. Yesterday was the 12th day of Christmas. Today we, in our church, begin the season of Epiphany.
On Epiphany we remember the coming of the Magi to worship the Christ-child, thus another name for the day: The Gentile Christmas.
Epiphany means to show forth or to reveal. During the Season of Epiphany we focus on the mission of the Church.
True, it is something that should always be in the forefront of our ministry but, especially at this time, we focus on sharing the hope we have in Jesus.
One of the old traditions of the church was that all the members would take down their Christmas decorations and gather at the church that evening for a special service.
They would bring the trees that had decorated their homes. They would meet outside, sing carols and read Bible lessons while they watched the trees burn. The light cast would be visible for some distance and others would be drawn to the light.
In the same way, it is our prayer that many are drawn to the Light of Christ. Do we often burn with passion to serve our Lord, sharing the hope and blessings we have received from God?
Maybe we would be like the Magi who followed the star from the distance to find Him Who has been born king of the Jews. (Matthew 2:2, ESV) Or, maybe, even more-so, like the disciples on the road to Emmaus who, upon recognizing Him after the resurrection, being instructed by Jesus concerning the Messiah said: Did not our hearts burn within us while He talked to us on the road, while He opened to us the Scriptures? (Luke 24:32)
Do our hearts burn within us? Do we have that strong desire to learn and to grow and, more importantly for those around us who do now know the gift of salvation as His gift to them, in sharing the hope and joy we have received?
Maybe it happened to you. You were returning to your normal routines after the celebration and someone asked: So, what did you get for Christmas?
Were we reluctant to tell others of the special gifts given and received? We wanted to share the joy! How much more should we not want to share the joy of the forgiveness we have been given, of sharing the hope of that Baby, born in Bethlehem, and revealed to us?
Did you made a resolution at the beginning of the year? Have you kept it? We are only a few days into the new year.
One thing I hear about resolutions is how quickly we forget them or break them. But, as with sharing our faith or any part of our Christian life, I have learned that, when we fail, we need to repent and get back at it.
During Epiphany let the Christ in your life be revealed! Let His light shine ? in and through you!
The Rev. Kendall Schaeffer is pastor of St. Trinity Lutheran Church.

This week marks an exciting week for the Christian community. We are commemorating what is often called ‘Holy Week.?
This is the commemoration of the most important components of our faith. Friday marks Good Friday. For an outsider to our faith, one would hardly call this Good Friday when you think of what we are remembering. It is the day of the crucifixion and death of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Why do we call it good? The Bible teaches us that all have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God. Because of sin and the penalty of sin (death), Jesus Christ had to die to pay the penalty of our sin. The Bible declares, ‘For God so loved the world He gave His only begotten Son that whoever would believe in Him would not perish but would obtain eternal life.? Good Friday only tells part of the story.
The Bible says that God not only sent His Son as the savior of the world, but He also sent His Son to fully experience the human condition. Jesus came and not only died for our sins, but rose from the dead and ever lives to make intercession for us! We have someone plugging for us who is fully aware of the human condition. Jesus not only died for us, He also lived for us.
In the Old Testament, the prophet Isaiah gives us insight into the early life of Jesus Christ.
He says in Isaiah 53, ‘He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.?
When Jesus Christ came to the earth, He came in the humblest of human experience. Most of us have heard of the virgin birth, and as Christians we are called to fully embrace this concept. It is not a concept easily received by the non-believer. Most people would have assumed Mary had sinned and Jesus was conceived out of wedlock. I always said that if I was God coming to earth, I would certainly have picked the genetic composition to produce a buff, athletic body and certainly good-looking.
However, Jesus came to experience life as we do, so He did not come like a Hollywood star, but as a simple and ordinary person. Why? Because His eternal purpose was to share our burdens and it was intended that He would share them in a personal way.
Our church, Mt. Zion, will present a play called ‘The Passion of Mary? this weekend. The story represents the crucifixion through a mother’s eyes. My endeavor in this original script was to make people fully aware of the human conditions surrounding the life of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ was God and became a person in order to fully experience our condition. How amazing!
We must also remember that not only did Jesus Christ fully experience the human condition, but He also triumphed over the human condition. He showed us that in the midst of pain and suffering, we could overcome in every situation. If we will give our best to God’in the end, He will give His best to us. What is His best? Resurrection represents God doing for us what we cannot do for ourselves. Jesus Christ not only died for our sins, He offers us the empowerment to live triumphantly in this life and also access to another life’eternal life with Him. Will you accept the offer?
The Rev. Loren Covarubbias is pastor of Mt. Zion Temple.

Ever walk through a cemetery and really study the headstones? I have on several occasions.
Once in a cemetery in Pennsylvania, my dad showed me the graves of my great-great grandparents and extended family. Wow.
Ever notice the dash? On most headstones there’s a birth date, a death date, and a dash between them. That dash represents their lives. For some of them, that dash represents 90 years. For others, it represents two months.
I wonder’how did they live their dash? For most of them, a bundle of hopes and dreams, struggles and joys are concentrated in that dash.
I wonder’how are you living your dash? The older I get, the more I realize how precious life is. Time is literally running out.
I suspect you are a lot like me. You want your life to count. You don’t want to live with regrets. You don’t want to look back and say, ‘I wish I had done it differently.? I wish. I regret. If only.
This New Year’s, I invite you to join me in living a No-Regrets Life! Let’s live full out! Full throttle! Loving God and loving people!
As one paraphrase of Philippians 3 puts it: ‘I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back.
So let’s keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision’you’ll see it yet! Now that we’re on the right track, let’s stay on it.?
‘Stick with me, friends. Keep track of those you see running this same course, headed for this same goal. There are many out there taking other paths, choosing other goals, and trying to get you to go along with them.
I’ve warned you of them many times; sadly, I’m having to do it again. All they want is easy street. They hate Christ’s Cross. But easy street is a dead-end street. Those who live there make their bellies their gods; belches are their praise; all they can think of is their appetites.?
‘But there’s far more to life for us. We’re citizens of high heaven! We’re waiting the arrival of the Savior, the Master, Jesus Christ, who will transform our earthy bodies into glorious bodies like his own.
He’ll make us beautiful and whole with the same powerful skill by which he is putting everything as it should be, under and around him.?
Yes! Happy New Year!
The Rev. Greg Henneman is pastor of Clarkston Community Church

Our church has gone full bore for weeks.
In a season of giving and receiving, our giving was able to bless so many families. Our receiving was measured in joy and deeper relationships with each other, the community and God. That was our Christmas 2015.
How was your Christmas? Or how will it be when it arrives in the days to come?
Christmas is not a date. It is the experience of God coming into our life and our willingness to receive the divine gift.
I hope you experienced this in the days of Christmas past.
The great news of the season is that the gift it offers is not limited to a season or our measurement of time.
To put it simply, the gift of Christmas continues to be given to us all. If you do not know the joy, peace, hope and love that Christ places in our hearts, I offer to you the hope of a Christmas yet to come.
I am privileged in my work to be present with people in the critical moments of life.
Some are joyous like the birth of a child and others grief filled with the death of loved ones.
I can tell you that the gift of Christmas is real in every moment of life. God is present with us to help us rejoice in moments of great joy and to carry us when life seems to have broken us.
Of course, I do not have any ability to predict your future. However I do know whatever the New Year will bring, Christmas could occur at any moment.
The Bible tells us that on the first Christmas night, some were changed forever by his arrival and others were unaware anything special happened. But Christmas came to all. It still does.
So Merry Christmas for the one past and I pray for the gift of Christ to come to you in the days to come.
The Rev. Richard Dake is pastor of Clarkston United Methodist Church

Merry Christmas! Yes, it is ok to say Merry Christmas. And it is also ok to say Happy Holidays, which is all the more inclusive.
Personally, I like to say either and usually add Happy New Year! Or sometimes just Merry Merry, and Happy Happy, and let people fill-in the blanks. Occasionally I’ll throw in a Blessed Kwanza or Joyous Saturnalia, Happy Solstice or Merry Yuletide. I certainly don’t want to forget to say, Happy Hanukkah. Of course, I am somewhat of an odd duck in that I like to think for myself; I look to follow the spirit of my religion rather than just the letter, ‘for the letter kills, but the spirit gives life.? 2Cor 3:6
A great example of following the spirit is the story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:29-37.) The religious figures in the story, the priest and the Levite, could not be bothered to help the injured man.
The Samaritan, a religious outcast considered inferior by the religious elite, was the good neighbor who helped the injured man. ‘Go and do likewise!? Follow the spirit!
‘Go and do likewise!? This is my goal everyday: to find some way to be helpful to others. This is my purpose for living today. And everyone, no matter what religion or doctrine or faith or creed that they profess, who lives by the universal Golden Rule of giving unto others is doing the work. In this work I am inspired, amazingly enough, by my mother-in-law.
Sharon had a rough start to life, growing up in a series of foster homes, she was unable to complete high school before getting married and having children in her teens. In her 40’s my mother-in-law went back to school to get her GED. She then went to the university and began working toward a degree in Sociology. She never completed her degree because she got busy doing the work.
A class project of studying the homeless problem became a passionate work. She established a transitional housing project for homeless people to get them off the streets. Later she ran a transitional safe house for women escaping abusive situations. Her next project was to end homelessness through literacy. The Bridge School helped people pass their GED’s, taught English as a Second Language and gave people living on the streets an address and a phone number. It is not easy to get a job when you can’t put an address or a phone number on an application form.
This women with no money, limited education, no government assistance, relying upon public donations and volunteers helped hundreds, if not thousands, of people to live better lives. This woman who smoked, drank, and was known to use rough language, with no religious affiliation, is the shining example of a good neighbor.
I am humbled when I think of her and the millions of others like her who make the work their goal in life; most of these people receive no honors, rewards nor recognition for the great works they have accomplished. For the most part, you and I are busy earning a living, supporting our families and dealing with the busyness of life. We can do our part by keeping our eyes and ears open and finding ways to support the good neighbors in our community who are doing the work.
My present to my mother-in-law this year has been to go through the stack of VHS tapes, recordings of news broadcasts and interviews from her days at the Bridge School, and transfer them to digital media. This has been a labor of love, a tearful journey through the past. And, it has served to reinforce my desire to be about the work.
In Clarkston, The Lighthouse is a nonprofit agency that is busy doing the work. And there are many other individuals and organizations who are establishing transitional housing projects, literacy projects, helping our neighbors to live better lives.
Your assignment is to seek them out and support their efforts. I hope you accept your part in the work. Merry Christmas!
Blessings of peace, joy & love.
Matthew E. Long is senior minister
for Peace Unity Community

While getting ready for Christmas this year at Calvary we have been reflecting each week on the figures of the familiar manger scene and what significant role they played in the Christmas story.
So far we have explored Jesus? family tree, Mary and Joseph. This weekend we consider the shepherds. After Christmas we will talk about the angels and the magi or wise men.
I am particularly fascinated by the story of the shepherds, who were on the very edge of society as they tended the sheep in the wilderness away from home and outside the towns.
There was very little respect or prestige for this job, important as it was, and the shepherds were considered ‘unclean? since they were not able to keep all of the ‘rules? of proper society or proper religion.
Yet these are precisely the ones who received the first birth announcement about Jesus from the angels in Luke 2.
They, not the religious leaders or the wealthy or powerful people, were the ones who were invited to come and see the baby with Mary and Joseph that first Christmas Day. Since he was born in a stable, they were welcome to ‘come as they really are? for a visit, sheep and all.
This tells us a lot about God and those whom God will make sure are invited to get to know him.
If the lowly shepherds were given this special privilege, then those who feel on the outside of things in our world today are also given a special invitation. And when we find ourselves lost, alone and afraid, or when we have made a mess of things, Jesus is there for us too.
Love comes down at Christmas. The God of the universe born as a baby in Bethlehem. God stepping out of the heavens and taking on flesh so he can walk with us on earth as one of us.
Love comes down at Christmas. This baby is especially Good News to those who are hurting or in need or outcast or who have made big mistakes. God cares…deeply.
Many of us know the beginning of Psalm 23. ‘The Lord is my shepherd…? It is very interesting that even though it was such a lowly profession, shepherding is nevertheless frequently used as an example of how God cares for us.
Shepherds live with the sheep to lead them and protect them. Shepherds aren’t afraid to face dangers or to get dirty doing whatever needs to be done to keep the sheep safe and sound.
The shepherd could recognize each unique sheep and ‘calls his own sheep by name and leads them.? When one was lost, the shepherd would leave the others in a safe place to go and try to find the lost one to bring it home.
Jesus says, ‘I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.? (John 10)
That is the Christmas Story: Love comes down at Christmas…to shepherds keeping watch over their flock by night. And into our world, into our lives.
Once we realize that the birth announcement for Jesus went first to the shepherds and that they found God in a stable, a barn, we can never again be quite sure where God will appear next. God’s holiness is found in the lowliest and least likely places, like among shepherds, in a stable’and on a cross.
The real Christmas story assures us that God is with us in the messiness and real stuff of our lives today. In our joys and in our challenges there is God with us and for us as a Good Shepherd who cares for the sheep and knows each one by name.
Love comes down at Christmas. This is the real gift of Christmas. I pray you don’t miss it!
The Rev. Jonathan Heierman is pastor of Calvary Evangelical Lutheran

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: ‘Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!? Luke 2:13-14
The verses in Luke 2 are well known among Christians who celebrate Christmas.
For us, Christmas is about the ‘Christ? child born in the city of Bethlehem of Judea. This was no ordinary child, He was a child promised through prophetic words spoken many years prior.
The prophet Isaiah declared, ‘For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.?
This child was a gift from heaven. He was the ‘Son? of the almighty God, destined to greatness!
These verses do not just tell of who He would be, but they imply a progression. The following verse of Isaiah says, ‘Of the increase of His government and peace there would be no end…?
The ultimate end is His designation as the ‘Prince of Peace.? If there is one thing our present world needs, it is the Prince of Peace.
Violence is prevailing in the earth among the nations, ethnic groups, and individuals. As Christians in this season, we must remember not only the occasion of the Nativity, but also the purpose. It was not just a happening’it was a beginning!
Let’s Go Forth as His Peacemakers!
When the angels announced the birth of Christ to the shepherds in the fields, they were announcing God’s intervention in the affairs of man.
Since the time of Adam, man had rebelled against God’s government. The results were immediate, not only in the consequences suffered by Adam and Eve, but the ensuing battle that resulted within the family when Cain killed his brother Abel.
Violence was an ongoing problem that was actually a result of the alienation from God. God reached out to man with the olive branch of peace, His only begotten Son.
He demonstrates to us a very important principle of reconciliation. If you want peace, you do not offer it from your world or vantage point, you must go to the source of the problem and offer yourself as a necessary part of the solution.
True peace can only come when you are willing to give of yourself as God has given us the example. He could have sat on the throne of heaven and demanded our compliance; instead, God came up with the plan for peace that would bring us out of our captivity and into His family!
Christmas is a season for families to gather. For some, it will be a very traumatic time as they face conflicts and hurts from the past.
The greatest gift we can offer is the gift of peace. As you gather this year, remember the words of Jesus Christ, ‘Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the sons of God.? Don’t let your Christmas just be an event; make your Christmas the beginning of something. Don’t merely take another white elephant gift; take the gift that will cost you something’go as a ‘son of God.?
The Rev. Loren Covarrubias is pastor of Mt. Zion

It seems to come earlier and earlier every year, doesn’t it? While growing up I can remember the anticipation!
The day after Thanksgiving was the day we put up the Christmas tree, decorated the house and baked all the cookies for the holiday season. It seemed like there were hundreds of cookies to decorate and several other varieties that would be enjoyed throughout the season.
Then, when it was all done, we would walk down to town and meet with Santa.
What has happened? It seems like the anticipation is gone. Stores began decorating this year back in October!
Many in my neighborhood have had the lights on for several weeks. Artificial trees make it easier to set them up early and leave them up later. If you turn to the right channel on television or the right station on the radio you would have been able to listen the Christmas music for quite some time.
We have just begun a season in the Church year called Advent. It is a time of preparation and anticipation.
We are getting ready for a celebration, for a birth. It is not just any birth, be a remembrance of the birth of God’s Son, a Savior for us.
We will hear the words spoken by the angel, For to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, Who is Christ the Lord; and the angels, Glory to God in the highest and peace to His people on earth! (Luke 2)
But until then we wait. We anticipate. We get ready. We don’t want to hold the party before the day, do we? Too often, by the day Christmas is here, people say they are ready to take down the tree, put the decorations away and they are glad the Christmas music is done.
The truth is we should just be starting the celebration and rejoicing in God’s gift to us.
So what might we do to get ready? A few suggestions would include:
? Spend extra time in worship, hearing the Word of God read and proclaimed and singing hymns and songs that focus on preparing for the Word made flesh;
? Take some time each day for family devotions. You might use four candles, lighting one each week to show that we are getting closer to the day of celebration. On Christmas day light a white candle to show that the joy and celebration has arrived!;
? Pick an Advent hymn and focus on how the words are preparing for Jesus? first (and second) coming;
? Decorate a little each week.
Whatever you might do to prepare, keep the focus on preparing. And then, on Christmas day, join your voice with those around the world in celebrating God’s gift, as Son, for us. Celebrate His love and share His hope as we look forward to that day. As we do, to quote Tiny Tim in ‘A Christmas Carol?: God bless us, everyone.
The Rev. Kendall Schaeffer is pastor of St. Trinity Lutheran Church.

I saw a church sign that read, ‘Don’t let worry kill you, let the church help.? It’s sad that the church sometimes adds to your worries, when in fact, Jesus came so we don’t have to worry anymore!
The English word ‘worry? comes from an old German word that means ‘to strangle.? Isn’t that what worry does to us? We worry about our kids. We worry about our parents. We worry about our jobs. We worry about our finances. We worry about our health.
Worry can choke the life right out of us!
In Luke 12 Jesus explains the roots of worry. We worry about our needs, such as food and clothing. We worry about our future. ‘What if I lose my job? What if I get cancer??
Sometimes we worry about our past. ‘If only I had decided this instead of that.? The ‘what if’s? and ‘if onlies? can strangled us!
A 14-year-old boy, Jason Lehman wrote a piece called ‘Present Tense?:
It was spring
But it was summer I wanted,
The warm days,
And the great outdoors.
It was summer,
But it was fall I wanted,
The colorful leaves,
And the cool, dry air.
It was fall,
But it was winter I wanted,
The beautiful snow,
And the joy of the holiday season.
It was winter,
But it was spring I wanted,
The warmth
And the blossoming of nature.
I was a child,
But it was adulthood I wanted.
The freedom,
And the respect.
I was 20,
But it was 30 I wanted,
To be mature,
And sophisticated.
I was middle-aged,
But it was 20 I wanted,
The youth,
And the free spirit.
I was retired,
But it was middle age I wanted,
The presence of mind,
Without limitations.
My life was over.
But I never got what I wanted.
Some of us live our lives like that! We fret and worry and think ‘if only? I were younger or older or were married or were single! If only, if only, what if!
We become so guilt ridden about the past and so fearful of the future that we can’t live in the present!
Jesus says, ‘Stop it! I don’t want fear and anxiety to dominate your life! Let me dominate your life! Instead of making a god out of your ‘if onlies? and ‘what if’s?, worship me as God! Let me dominate your life!
One of my favorite promises is Philippians 4:6-7 ‘Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.? This Thanksgiving give thanks. Read Luke 12:22-34. Be thankful not anxious. By God’s grace you can do it!
The Rev. Greg Henneman is pastor of Clarkston Community Church

Ash Wednesday begins the 40 days and six Sundays of the Lenten Season, a Season of preparation for the Resurrection Experience on Easter Sunday.
Traditionally it is a time of prayer and fasting, symbolized by the question often asked ‘What are you giving up for Lent??
People tend to treat it like a second chance to make good on our New Year’s resolutions to eat healthier and get more exercise.
A couple of years ago, my young son got a hold of this idea from a friend who attends a Catholic church and decided to give up sugar for Lent.
He was determined to do it and even though it turned out to be a much bigger commitment than he had originally anticipated, through it all, he stuck to his commitment. It helped that I normally make cookies with honey instead of sugar. His mother and I couldn’t have been prouder.
It is good to let go of negative habits of eating, acting and thinking at any time of the year. And, I often encourage people to Take It Up For Lent: take up a new habit of eating, acting and thinking.
For one day or 40 days, take up a healthy eating routine, take up a new exercise routine, take up a positive way of thinking.
The infinite, unlimited, eternal existence that is God is desiring greater expression through you.
As the author, Eric Butterworth says, ‘Your life is God’s gift to you. What you do with it is your gift to God.?
Several years ago a Colleague of mine started a movement called A Complaint Free World, see www.complaintfreeworld.biz for more information.
He challenges people to go 21 consecutive days without complaining, criticizing or gossiping. He will even give you a bracelet to help you remember. If you find yourself complaining, switch the bracelet to the other wrist and start over.
I have to admit it took a lot more than three weeks for me to make it 21 days consecutively, and today I find myself much happier and more satisfied with my life.
Over 2200 years ago the philosopher Zhuangzi said ‘Happiness is the absence of striving for happiness.?
We are happy when we decide to be happy. Sadness, depression, anxiety are physical addictions as well as mental states; our minds and bodies become dependent upon the chemical reactions in our bodies.
In 21 days we can begin to reprogram our minds and bodies to be positive, affirming and happy.
So this year I invite you to Take It Up For Lent; take up a positive, affirming, happy and joyous new you.
Matthew E. Long is Senior Minister at Peace Unity Church and Holistic Center.

Happy Veterans Day! Thank you to all who have served our country. Today and always we remember to stop and pray for everyone who is in harm’s way overseas and for those who are in need of protection; ‘The light of God surrounds you, the love of God enfolds you, the Power of God protects you and the Presence of God watches over you; wherever you are God is!?
Wherever we are God is! Or, as we will sometimes share with the children, there is not a spot where God is not. ‘If I ascend to heaven, you are there; if I make my bed in Sheol (Hell), you are there.? Psalms 139:8.
Even in the midst of our darkest days there is a loving, guiding, sustaining presence and power that is with us and within us, mighty to attract our good and to radiate good to others. We need but remember to call upon these deep inner resources, our connection to God, to Spirit, to Life.
A friend of mine gave me the phrase, ‘If God seems far away, who moved?? I need this gentle reminder at times to practice the presence of God, rather than the absence of God.
When we worry or are afraid, when we hang onto anger or resentment, when we plot and scheme, when we lie or bend the truth, we are practicing the absence of God. We are saying we are in charge, that there is no force in the universe greater than us, we alone have created the world and all that is in it. We are like children covering our eyes with our hands saying, ‘you can’t see me.?
‘Repent (think again with a new level of understanding) for the kingdom of God is at hand (within our reach here and now.)? Matthew 4:17.
This is the Gospel of Jesus, this is the good news of the New Testament, the vision of the Psalmist, the promise of Revelation and the message of the Prophets: God, good orderly direction, universal presence and power, infinite spirit, divine beingness, cosmic consciousness, whatever name or concept of God and Heaven that we have is available to us in this now moment. The Kingdom has come! Matthew 6:10.
Prayer and meditation are our keys to the kingdom. This is how we practice the presence of God; we practice the presence of peace, of love, of good out working in our world and in our lives. God is not only our father but a friend, a friend who wants to hear from us, a friend who wants to have a conversation with us, a friend who wants to listen and to speak and be heard. This is what prayer and meditation is: a conversation with God.
Effective prayer is not about informing God of our needs. God is omniscience: all knowledge, omnipotence: all power, omnipresence: all presence. Omniscience already knows all.
Effective prayer is about remembering there is a God and we are not it. The words we use are optional. We can memorize the Our Father or Lord’s Prayer, the Shepherd’s Psalm or 23rd Psalm, the Prayer of St. Francis, the Prayer of Protection above in the first paragraph, or any other words that speak to us.
There are only three words necessary for effective prayer. The first is: help, and the other two are: thank you. ‘I can do nothing on my own.? John 5:30.
We need help, we need guidance, we need strength, we need the deep inner resources arise out of humbly accepting our mortal limitations and opening ourselves to receive God’s blessings in our lives.
An attitude of gratitude, giving thanks in advance of the demonstration,is a necessary ingredient in our realizing our blessings. It strengthens our bond with the infinite potential and possibilities for being that are now being made manifest within us, around us and for us.
Meditation is listening. It can begin with contemplation on the scriptures, the words of prayer or a mantra. It is creating the space for us to hear what spirit has to say to us. It can be time in the silence, in the secret room of our minds. Matthew 6:6.
Or it can be in nature, walking through the woods or sitting by the lake. Any time and place where we can quiet the drunken monkeys of thoughts and feelings and bodily sensations we are creating the possibility for listening to God; we are practicing the presence of God.This is where we not only know but realize that; wherever we are, God is!
Blessings of peace, joy & love.
The Rev. Matthew E. Long is pastor of Peace Unity Community.

There are many things in life we don’t have easy answers for and the meaning of suffering has to be at the top of the list. In these few lines I won’t even try to give a complete solution to this problem, but I thought it would be profitable to take a look back a few weeks to a recent event and perhaps shed some light on the situation.
The recent earthquake in Haiti is a typical example of a catastrophe that makes us ask serious questions about life.
Ask yourself: ‘What was my initial reaction when I heard about the disaster?? Your response might be an indication of what you believe in your heart about God and what you think in your heart about your neighbor.
Some could conclude that God was punishing the people of Haiti for the country’s past sins.
That is a terrifying vision of God, but let’s suppose he punishes in this way. If that were the case, we would only be looking at one side of God’s character. If a natural calamity can lead us to conclude that God punishes, then, to be fair, we should also give God credit for the good things that happen in nature. Why not acknowledge the thousands of days that he gave the same people the warmth of the sun? If he is vengeful and punishes, then he is also a loving God who daily distributes generous rewards. So, even the most cynical analysis allows leeway for God’s goodness.
What would a vengeful outlook lead us to conclude about the people who were the victims? If physical suffering were necessarily a consequence of moral failure, then how many of us would be healthy enough to get out of bed every morning? None of us can boast of being perfect, so we should think twice before assuming that others are receiving retribution for their offenses.
Rather than blame God and judge the people who were victims we should trust in God’s mercy and laud the efforts of those who sacrificed to save others. In those who were found alive we can admire a spirit that is stronger than death. The tragedy was also an occasion for people to grow in goodness through countless acts of generosity; acts that might not have been accomplished otherwise.
I think a more serene approach is to see everything in terms of a divine, if mysterious, plan. There was and is suffering and pain for the victims and their loved ones and these thoughts are in no way intended to suffice, but we can also believe that the suffering and pain will one day come to an end. If we want to begin to make any sense out of suffering, we must strive to perceive that some good can result from it.
Fr. Daniel Pajerski, LC, is Formation Director for Everest Academy.

A woman prayed, ‘Dear Lord, so far today I’ve done all right. I haven’t gossiped, haven’t lost my temper, haven’t lost my patience, haven’t been greedy, grumpy, nasty, selfish, or over-indulgent. I’m really glad about that. But in a few minutes, God, I’m going to get out of bed, and from then on I’m probably going to need a lot more help! Thank You, Amen.?
Ever feel like that? Even though I’m a pastor and I’m supposed to be ‘spiritual? all the time, there are times (more times than I care to admit) when I’m in a rut. Over the years I’ve discovered two ways to get out of that rut.
First, I reaffirm my faith in Jesus Christ. I take some extra time for Bible reading, prayer, and private worship.
I’m currently learning Spanish, and I love to listen to a Marcos Witt or Jesus Adrian Romero song on YouTube.
Singing and worshiping almost always changes my attitude. I face my grumpiness and nastiness and take it to God. I ask for forgiveness and cleansing.
Second, I force myself to thank God for his many blessings. Yes, I say ‘force? myself, because when I’m in a bad mood, I don’t want to thank God. I don’t even want to read the Bible. Sometimes we get so focused on our problems that we forget our blessings.
An old hymn tells us to ‘Count Your Many Blessings? to see what God has done. I’ve learned that my attitudes will follow my actions. If I DO the right things, my feelings will follow.
Maybe you need a fresh start with God. Why not put these two habits into practice in your life?
Maybe you have never invited God into your life. If so, I want you to know that God loves you.
Maybe you have really messed up your life. God still loves you and he offers you forgiveness, cleansing, and a fresh start. That’s why Jesus died on the cross ‘to take away our sin!
So ask Jesus into your life. The Christian faith is not about rules, rituals, and regulations. It’s about a relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ.
You know what else I find refreshing? Friends who know how to encourage me. Did you know that God wants his followers to come together and relate to one another on the basis of their common commitment to Christ?
As followers of Christ we are to form mini-societies (churches), where we show the big society what God intended society to be.
As others look at us relating in love they will ask, ‘Hey, I like that! Can I get in on that?? And we’ll say, ‘Sure! There’s plenty of room in the family!?
So, do you need a fresh start with God? Participate in a church that is purposeful in being the family God wants it to be. Receive God’s love.
The Rev. Greg Henneman is pastor of Clarkston Community Church

You might be tired of hearing about Haiti. It isn’t because you are cold-hearted or uncaring; it just means you are human. We can only see so much suffering and death and destruction before we have to step away to maintain our sanity. Caring hurts. Caring takes its toll. Caring in the midst of such overwhelming need can make you feel insignificant and hopeless. In order to deal with it, we tune out. We go to the movies, watch comedies, go for a walk, or go shopping. We do anything that takes our minds off of how horrible things are in the world around us.
We just can’t look at one more sad face, one more orphaned child, one more man that lost his wife and kids. We cannot watch one more mother hold her children as they wait for food and water. It hurts something in our hearts. Somehow our soul gets damaged. The problem is that tuning it out doesn’t really help. We are still overwhelmed, and worse, we ignore the suffering.
Sometimes we think finding the answer to the question of why it happened will help. Smarter people than me have tried to answer those questions, so I’m not even going to try. For me, it really doesn’t matter why. I don’t care why the earthquake happened. I don’t care if it was a deal with the devil. I don’t care if it was because of what didn’t happen in Copenhagen. It happened. It was devastating. Lives were torn apart. People that God loves were devastated. God weeps.
In times like these, life is not a theological question to answer. In John’s gospel, the disciples asked why a man was born blind. They asked if it was the man that sinned or his parents. The disciples knew that someone had to have sinned. Jesus said it wasn’t the man or his parents. Jesus says, ‘Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life? (John 9:3 NIV). But it could be translated, ‘Neither this man or his parents sinned. Let the works of God be displayed in him!? In other words, Jesus said that there is work to be done and we better be about doing it. You and I have the ability to do something about the suffering in Haiti and it will demonstrate the power of God.
That power is not only demonstrated to the people in Haiti, but for us as well. When we are overwhelmed by suffering as in Haiti, we can question God and the way the world works. We can get depressed, angry, or frustrated. We can sit around and try to figure out how all of this happened and what it means for us and them. That won’t help.
If we want to start feeling hopeful again, there is one thing we can do: We can start by giving and serving. When we give to people that need our help, we are participating in the work of God and somehow through that participation, we are filled with the Spirit of God. We become hopeful because God is hopeful. When we give we receive. That is powerful, for both the people in Haiti and ourselves.
When the man born blind was given his sight, he saw the Light for the first time in his life. Our sacrifices can bring light into the Haitians? darkness and our own.
What do you say? Would you give to the people of Haiti so they could see the Light? You may not think you can do much, but it will make a huge difference for both you and the Haitians. I promise.
The Rev. Dave Gerber is pastor of Lake Louise Church.

It is officially fall. The orange cones have exponentially multiplied over the summer. Yesterday, as I drove about, it seemed as if every road I was on had some construction activity occurring.
It is as if there is a mad rush to start and complete as many projects as possible before winter shuts everything down. Stuck in traffic, detours, lane closures, flaggers blocking the road, late for appointments, waiting, waiting, waiting; a good time to receive the gift of presence.
It is easy to get impatient, anxious, even angry or upset when faced with delays. I know that feeling of anxiety that comes with being in a hurry, rushing to catch up or to get to somewhere on time.
I know of people who like to honk their horns, ride the bumper of the car in front of them, yell and scream and make hand gestures as if they have control over the person in front of them. We can be pushy, demanding, controlling and manipulative, intolerant and intolerable. Personally, I don’t want to live like that.
Yesterday is history, tomorrow is mystery; the gift is in the now, that is why they call it the present.
Now is all we have, we can’t change the past nor control the future, we can only trulybe and act in the moment.
Yet we spend most of our time either glorifying or regretting the past and worrying about or wishing for the future. With one foot in yesterday and one foot in tomorrow we are wasting today.
There was once an old monastery that had fallen on hard times. The monks were worried, fearful, and anxious about their future. They were critical and always complaining about something.
There had been no new monks joining for quite a while and the monastery was in danger of folding. One day a nearby Rabbi came to visit, to share tea and conversation with the monks. Before he left he gave them this gift. He said, ‘The Messiah is one of you.?
A long story shortened, the monks began to treat each other as if they each were the Holy One. They were, kind, thoughtful and helpful.
The people who still came to picnic on the grounds began to feel the renewed spirit of the place, they would stay longer and visit with the monks. Soon young men began to ask to join their order and the old monastery was reborn.
Today, this now moment, is what we have to work with; it is the raw material that shapes and forms our lives. Our experience of today is the result of the beliefs, ideas, feelings and emotions that we held onto yesterday. Tomorrow will be the result of the beliefs, ideas, feelings and emotions that we choose to hold onto today.
The key is in the choosing, which only happens in the now.
We are made in the image and after the likeness of God (Genesis 1:26.) ‘God is Spirit? (John 4:24), we are inherently spiritual.
‘What is man that thou are mindful of him? thou hast made him little less than God.? (Psalms 8:4,5.) We are not the totality of God, we are expressions of God, the spirit made manifest. The gift of God is life, what we do with it is our gift to God.
‘God so loved the world that he gave it to his only begotten Son.? (John 3:16.) ‘Israel is my first-born son? (Exodus 4:22.)’He (God) said to me (David), ‘You are my son, today I have begotten you.? ‘I am father to Israel, and Ephraim is my first-born.? ‘Peace among men with whom he (God) is pleased!? (Luke 2:14.)
‘God so loved the world? and is ‘pleased? with us. Maybe it’s time to do and be the same. May you accept the gift of presence this day.
Blessings of peace, joy & love.
Matthew E. Long is senior minister
for Peace Unity Community.

One of the common problems of our time is the number of people that endure each day without peace in their lives. Whether the cause be anxiety, doubt, fear, guilt, or trouble, the problem is serious.
Not only do people who lack peace become immobilized and unable to lead the kind of productive lives that God intends for them, they also have adverse affects on the people around them. At a minimum, those who lack peace are irritable, preoccupied, and hard to live with. More seriously, those without peace can become angry, destructive, and even violent.
The good news is that God gives His peace freely to those who turn to Him. And he gives it in three different ways.
First, He gives the objective peace that we need to have with Him.
The Bible’s description of us is not flattering. It tells us that we have all sinned and fall short of His glory (Rom.3:23), that we suppress the truth in unrighteousness (Rom.1:18), and are by nature children of wrath (Eph.2:3). Because of this, we are naturally out of accord with Him, and by going our own way we are not at peace with Him.
But God, being rich in mercy, has taken the initiative to do what is necessary to bring peace. He has sent His Son to be the satisfaction for our sins (1 Jn.2:2) so that His wrath would be turned away from us. To experience the resulting peace with Him, all we need to do is believe Him. The promise of the Bible is that ‘having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ? (Rom.5:1).
Second, God gives us the subjective peace we need to have in our own hearts.
In this world of sin and strife, maintaining your own personal peace is a constant challenge. How easily our peace is upset by even the slightest concern or provocation!
But here again, God provides. To those who commit their cares to Him in prayer, He gives a peace that surpasses all comprehension, and guards the heart and mind (Phil.4:6,7). And because He freely gives His Spirit, this peace can be experienced in any place and any situation. ‘Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be trouble, nor let it be fearful? (Jn.14:27).
Third, God gives peace with regard to our relationships with others. If we are at war with God, and do not have peace within ourselves, it is certain that this will spill over into our relationships. But God, by His grace, can reverse this.
His Word tells us, ‘When a man’s ways are pleasing to the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with Him? (Pr.16:7). So, if it seems you’re at constant odds with the people in your life, it could be that your ways are not pleasing to the Lord.
Of course, it’s possible to be walking with the Lord and still be out of accord with another. Yet even if you can’t resolve things with that person, you can still have peace with God and yourself if you are doing all that you can to pursue peace with all men (Rom.12:18). In any case, peace of all kinds begins with turning our hearts to the Lord.
‘Now may the Lord of peace Himself continually grant you peace in every circumstance? (2 Thess.3:16).
The Rev. David Bostrom is pastor of Seeds for the Harvest ministry.

I used to think God was a judgmental, harsh, old guy with a lightening bolt in His hand. Honestly, I think a lot of people do. When you see Him like that consequently there is a natural distance present.
As a Christian I tried my best to love him, but it was so much work continually striving to please an astringent God. Half of the time I wondered if I was on his good side or if He was ready to strike.
Then one day the unexpected happened. I found out what God is REALLY like. Someone told me that God is love and that He loved me like a daddy loves his precious little girl.
And, something in me started to come to life, because true love makes the heart soar. I opened my thoughts to wonder, could it be true? Could the lens I’d been viewing God through all these years be tainted?
It was then that I heard “God is like an IKEA couch.” ~ Judah Smith. Say what?! You read that right, an IKEA couch.
You know the couch you buy that you don’t mind if your kids get their sticky hands on it, or smear butter into the fabric (which in case you were wondering has TOTALLY happened in my house), the couch that is in your family room that you actually use.
The IKEA couch is not a fancy piece of furniture in a special living room that you keep preserved for special occasions.
This is the couch your family does life in and you aren’t afraid to use it or if it will get too much wear and tear. It is designed and purposed for daily use.
Like the IKEA sofa, God wants you to feel comfortable to do life with Him. He doesn’t want to be a special occasion, once in a while God. He wants to be your every day, come to him with your sticky situations Father.
God does not require you to clean yourself up to be close to Him, he loves you just like you are.
The bible says For God so LOVED the world that He gave his only son (John 3:16)….it does not say he so JUDGED the world, he’s so ANGRY at the world or that he’s so DISAPPOINTED in the world. What word did he use to describe how he felt for ALL people in the entire world? LOVE.
God desires for every person on the planet to experience His real love for them.
Would you dare to believe that the creator of the universe is actually deeply in love with you, cares about each detail of your every day and wants to do life at your side?
If you open your heart once more he will show you, like He did with me, what He is REALLY like.
Amber Grace of Clarkston is an author at letloveinvade.com.

It has been two weeks since the devastating earthquake in Haiti. The devastation and human loss is measured in numbers and beyond description.
As of this writing there are well over 100,000 killed and so many more injured. The number of those homeless and without basic necessities of food, water, shelter and medical care remains at catastrophic levels.
All this is in the poorest country in this hemisphere. There is no infrastructure able to meet the needs this disaster without help from the outside.
The outside is responding. The list of organizations providing help is long and important.
Our financial support for those in need is critical. I encourage you to find a relief agency and offer what you can to offer hope for those in need.
Haiti has a special connection with United Methodists in Michigan. We have a covenant relationship with Haiti. United Methodists from Michigan have been going to Haiti for years to assist in mission and ministry.
A mission team of Michigan United Methodists were there when the earthquake hit. They have now all finally safely returned home. More trips are being planned.
Our church is a collection site for inexpensive health kits you can make at home. Those simple supplies will be delivered to be given to those affected by the earthquake. Information on how to make those kits can be found on our church web site at www.clarkstonumc.org.
Reports out of Haiti have told of human suffering but it has also given testimony of great faith. This past Sunday as congregations continued to bury the dead and care for the living, they sang songs of praise. Some from the outside might wonder how that could be possible.
When all is taken from you and life is precarious at best, why would you give God thanks? It is because you still have life. You still have hope.
It is because you know after everything else is gone; the only thing that remains is God.
This God is not standing off far away. This God is not rejoicing in the power of the earthquake.
God is instead in the midst of the lives of those so afflicted. God is receiving the ones who have died and weeping with those who grieve.
God is stirring the hearts of those who will be the hands and feet and hearts of mercy.
How do we know? We know because we knew God before the earthquake. Join with those in Haiti who are praying and praising God today. They know something that is true. Perhaps as we assist them, they can teach us.
The Rev. Richard Dake is pastor of Clarkston United Methodist Church.

One of my favorite scenes comes from the movie ‘Bruce Almighty,? when Bruce, played by Jim Carrey, is given the responsibility to answer everyone’s prayers for the day.
It doesn’t take long for Bruce to become very overwhelmed by so many requests. So, Bruce devises a plan. He will give everyone exactly what they want by having the prayer request hotline set on auto pilot.
What Bruce quickly learns is that giving everyone what they prayed for is not always a good thing.
When I first saw the scene, I reflected on how difficult it is to desire God’s will to be done in our lives.
We want what we ask for to be answered quickly and with a yes. One of the most rewarding things we can do is to thank God that He loves us enough to know what is best for us and sometimes respond differently than what we expected because His will is truly better than our own.
There are certain things we pray for where we may not have clarity on what is best but there are other things we can have confidence in that the best answer is yes.
These are what I refer to as kingdom prayers. 1 John 5:15 says: And if we know that he hears us’whatever we ask’we know we have what we asked of him.
When you read that did you just picture the bird on the keyboard constantly hitting yes for whatever prayer that was just sent to heaven?
A lot of people are confused with this verse because they know there are definitely things they have prayed for where the answer was a no or a not yet.
To understand what John is writing we need to view the verse in its proper context. 1 John 5:14 says: This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.
So the progression is that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us, if He hears us we know we have whatever it is that we ask because it is in line with His will.
So what is God’s will for your life and for others? God’s will is Jesus. It always has been and always will be. Ephesians 1:4-5: For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.
In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will.
What all of this means is that whenever your prayers center around glorifying God through Jesus you already have your answer, yes!
If I pray for God to send someone into my life this week I could share Jesus with, the answer is yes. I promise you someone will show up. If you don’t believe me, try it. It works.
So, God the Father heard your prayer, the Father responded to your prayer, because your prayer is in line with His will, so the answer is yes.
Here is another angle to look at your prayer life when it comes to a personal need.
Let’s say the need is to go to college so you can earn a degree. The prayer is: Lord, help me to get accepted to the University of Michigan.
What is the answer to this prayer going to be? I don’t know. I have no confidence in how God might respond to that prayer.
However, here is a prayer not focused on self but focused on others and growing the kingdom. Lord, help me to get accepted to the college/place where I will have the most impact for your kingdom.
The answer is yes. Switch your prayers to kingdom prayers and you will be amazed at how God will answer that prayer and do more with the answer than you could ever imagine.
The Rev. Dr. Matthew Webster is pastor of First Congregational Church of Clarkston.

We are now well into January. How are those resolutions coming along? I admit that I’m feeling more than a little impatient with myself.
My goals just can’t seem to be reached quickly enough, and I find it difficult to maintain the motivation I had in those first few days of the new year. It doesn’t help that winter days lend themselves to that endless feeling of ‘just grin and bear it.? Sometimes I feel like I treat January and February as a disease to be endured rather than a time to live well. I am being hard on myself.
St. Francis of Assisi, a saint who lived during the late 12th and early 13th century would object to this disposition. One of his famous quotes, ‘the journey is essential to the dream,? reminds me that all our moments in life are a gift, including those that seem inconsequential, boring, disappointing, challenging, or downright depressing.
He would more than likely counsel me that these winter days can be times of real growth in the spirit, a time to learn and reflect on how each of us can work toward being the best version of ourselves? that unique individual God has called us to be.
While the journey may seem uphill sometimes, it is days like these that strengthen us for our life’s mission. As Christians, we can find consolation in the words of St. Paul, ‘We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.? So, back to those resolutions!
I suppose you could divide the world into learners and non-learners. We all make mistakes, and fall off the proverbial wagon from time to time. But we also know people who refuse to give up, even when they seem to fail. Being a learner allows us to be open to what is happening around us, hearing the lessons that life has to teach, and becoming successful at recognizing mistakes as simply that, a mistake.
Perhaps the question to ask yourself is not whether you are successful or failing in your work toward your resolutions, but rather are you a learner or a non-learner? Remember that the journey is essential!
Maybe this seems like nonsense. Perhaps you never bothered to make any resolutions this year. Perhaps the journey toward being your best self seems too difficult. If that is the case, I urge you to reconsider. It’s never too late.
God has created you to be capable of greatness, and you have an essential purpose. Ask yourself these two questions: What is one thing that you could do that would radically change your life? And secondly, what great thing would you attempt if you knew you couldn’t fail? Begin the journey and don’t be afraid of the bumps in the road.
Cheryl Smith is director of Adult Faith Formation at St. Daniel Catholic Church.

It was a case of mistaken identity.
I was sure it was him, a friend from of old. I called out his name and there was no response. When I realized my mistake I was rather embarrassed. But then I realized this is something that often happens.
I often reflect on mankind’s mistaken identity of Who (or what) God is.
We have designed God in our own, neat, little box. Cafeteria style theology leads us through life. We read the Bible and, if it fits our idea, we follow it; otherwise we discard what the Bible says. Mistaken identity?
What do we really know about God? Everything we need to know is in the Bible or revealed in His creation.
Our world, and many who are involved in science, would have us believe all things came into being by chance, something they have named evolution. Mistaken identity.
Psalm 139 reminds us Where shall I go from Your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from Your presence? If I ascend to heaven, You are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, You are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there Your hand shall lead me, and Your right hand shall hold me. (7-10) (ESV)
We also read in Psalm 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims His handiwork. (ESV)
Think about Paul, in the New Testament. It was a case of mistaken identity.
He was on his way to Damascus, armed with a letter to arrest the followers of Jesus, when he was knocked to the ground and asked: ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?? And he said, ‘Who are You, Lord?? And He said, ‘I am Jesus, Whom you are persecuting. (Acts 9:4b-5) (ESV)
Just think of the great plans God had in store for Paul! Later he would write But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, ‘Why have you made me like this?? Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use? (Romans 19:20-21, ESV)
Mistaken identity.
Too often the created becomes the god and we put God aside. We hear mottos about looking out for number one, the importance of me, our individual rights, and the such.
But God has a greater outlook! God NEVER mistakes our identity. He knows every one of us, even knowing the number of hairs on our head. And He cares for us and about us. That is why He sent His Son, Jesus, to shed His blood on the cross. It was not a mistake. It was His plan; it was Him showing His love for us.
God doesn’t, won’t, make mistakes. He made you to love you. He calls you to be His servant, ever-faithful, ever-loving. Remain rooted in Him!
The Rev. Kendall Schaeffer is pastor of St. Trinity Lutheran Church.

This summer I am putting a new railing on my deck, the deck that I built two years ago from the dead ash trees on our property.
I don’t encourage anyone to follow this example for it is not the easier softer way. I spent much of my time sorting and sizing, ripping and treating, fussing and hollering, that summer. But the result is a beautiful and unique work of art. It also works well as a deck.
Much of the lumber for the railing has sat out in the weather, the exposed areas have turned gray and the grain has swollen. Much of the wood had not been run through the planer when I had one and it still has saw marks in it. Without a planer I am left to sanding off the saw marks and weathering with my belt sanders.
This was not an unenjoyable task, yet it was time consuming. It seemed to take forever. Until I came up with a new technique. A technique that goes against everything I know about finish carpentry from wood shop classes and working in the garage with my dad as a kid. A technique that contradicted many strongly held beliefs. A technique that I ran from in my mind as I would a hot flame. Until I tried it.
I began sanding in an X pattern across the grain first. This served to take off the bulk of the material that needed to be removed. I’m sure many of you reading this are aghast.
‘Always sand with the grain!? is a truth that was drilled into my head so strongly as a young man that I feel guilty with every board I sand this way. But it works!
What is truth? It is generally defined as that which is true: in accord with fact or reality. But not always. It is also that which is accepted as true.
Whether by an individual or as common sense, something can be considered true even when it has no basis in fact or reality. Take our political debate for example.
2016 has come early this year. We’ve already had a presidential candidate’s televised debate while we are still fifteen months away from the general election. And the misstatements of fact escalates.
Fact seems to be the main casualty of politics. If you repeat a lie often enough and enough people believe it, then it becomes a truth even though it has no basis in fact or reality.
Whether the topic that candidates spoke on was immigration, climate change or economic policy or whatever, fact checkers had a field day pointing out the multitude of false statements.
I’m realizing that it is not that the candidates lie necessarily. I understand that they may even believe what they are saying is true. But, they are misinformed as to the facts and the reality of the topic. We do ourselves a disservice if we believe politicians without checking into the facts ourselves.
What is Truth? Pilate asked this question of Jesus during his trial (John 18:38.) Jesus? answer still reverberates down through the centuries.
He said nothing. For what can you say to a ruler, a politician, a soldier, whose life depends upon maintaining control and the status quo? For them, the truth is whatever will keep them in power, whatever will maintain order, whatever serves their purpose.
The Truth is that which sets you free (John 8:32.) What binds us, keeps us from realizing our potential for peace, wholeness and abundance, is our rigid attitudes and false beliefs.
Feelings of insecurity, selfishness, doubt and fear, negative thoughts of lack and limitation, believing that we could ever do anything that would separate us from God, separate us from our good; these all serve to keep us from realizing the Truth.
Sometimes the Truth goes against the grain of what we believe to be true. ‘The kingdom of God is at hand? (Mark 1:15) this is the good news, Heaven is within our reach right here and now! Reach out with your heart and mind to accept it and it is yours.
Blessings of peace, joy & love.
The Rev. Matthew E. Long is pastor of Peace Unity Community

Are there people close to you who seem distant? Having a hard time connecting with others? Feeling alone and cut off from those who are around you?
Before you go seal yourself up in a box and isolate yourself, how about taking some steps to renew your relationships?
When people find they are having a hard time getting along with others, they often neglect to think that maybe they are part of the problem. But it’s always good to look first at how you may be contributing to any difficulty, instead of assuming that the cause lies elsewhere (Mt.7:3-5).
This approach is most hopeful, too, because it means that there are things that you can do to improve your situation.
So, consider your relationships.
Having a rough time with your spouse? Maybe you haven’t been much of a companion lately. Things not going well with your kids? Perhaps you’ve been off in your own world, only contributing a stern look or a harsh word here and there. Having a tough time at work? Could it be you haven’t been fulfilling your role very well as of late?
If any of these things are true, it can go a long way toward explaining why there’s a coolness between you and others.
The good news is that the situation can change for the better. But it will take some action on your part in applying the second greatest commandment.
The second greatest commandment is, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself? (Mt.22:38). Following this command is one of the most powerful things you can do to renew your relationships.
And realize this. Your neighbor is not just the guy next door ? it’s all those the Lord brings into your life, especially in your own household (Lk.10:29ff.; 1 Tim.5:8). And love? It’s more than just a warm feeling. It’s taking the initiative to lay down your life for others (Jn.15:13).
So, do you really want to warm up those cooled relationships that are frustrating you? Then, take a look around and consider ways you can take a caring step toward those who are close to you. Be a better friend to your spouse, a more involved parent, and a more engaged worker, etc. . ..
The key is to take the initiative. Don’t wait around for certain feelings to come. Just start doing what you know to be right today.
As you do this faithfully, surely good will come. After all, it should, because taking such initiative is God’s way.
God is the one who took the initiative to renew our relationships with Him by sending His Son, Jesus Christ (Rom.5:8). As we live our lives after Him, it’s right for us to take the steps necessary to renew our relationships with others.
We are to love, because He first loved us (1 Jn.4:19).
The Rev. David Bostrom is pastor of Seeds for the Harvest ministry.

If you are like me, you have never struggled with coming up with ideas of what you would do if you were given a million dollars.
Over the years, as I have periodically thought about that question, my answers have changed.
As a youth, my thoughts were full of ideas of things I believed would serve to enhance my own life.
As I have gotten older and matured and God has grown the generosity in my heart, my thoughts about what I would do has centered on glorifying God.
I have come to the understanding people’s needs are met as a result of introducing them to our great provider, Jesus. Because everything good we have in our lives has come from God (James 1:17).
So, (before reading any further) grab a pen and paper and write down your own ideas of what you would like to do if I were to give you one million dollars (insert Dr. Evil’s laugh from Austin Powers).
The only stipulation is the money has to be used to bless others. I’d love to read some of your ideas.
The good news is your dreams of blessing others can still become a reality. When you dream million dollar dreams, it will probably involve working with others, as the body of Christ together.
Who knows how God might work through this exercise, pairing up people to accomplish extraordinary things for His kingdom through a simple question. Email me your ideas at revmwebster@gmail.com
Did you know that over the course of our lifetime, the majority of us will in fact earn more than a million dollars?
So maybe the better question isn’t what would you do if you won a million dollars? The better question is: What are you going to do with the million dollars plus you are already going to earn in your lifetime?
What do you do with the time and the talent and wonderful resources you are blessed to have? How do you invest your resources for the greatest impact?
Generosity flows from within. If you are generous with what you have now, you are going to be generous, as you are given more.
I can’t tell you how many times a church parishioner has told me if they win the lottery, the church is really going to be in a good spot.
I politely tell them, God has given His people everything they need to accomplish His plan and purposes.
We need an awareness of just how blessed we are. This happens as we focus on the greatest gift God has given us, His only Son.
The results are seen in the early church in Acts 4: ‘God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all that there were no needy persons among them.?
If children of God would grow in the gratitude for what they already have we wouldn’t have to dream of one day what we could do but would instead begin that journey today.
The Rev. Dr. Matthew Webster is pastor of First Congregational Church of Clarkston

I love the classic story that C.S. Lewis tells of a young boy playing in a mud puddle.
Imagine this boy who has never been to the beach. He’s playing in a mud puddle. There’s the mud and there’s the water. He’s playing with his cars and trucks in a dirty little mud puddle.
As his parent, you come up to him, and you say, ‘We’re going to the beach.?
He has never seen the beach. He says, ‘I can’t go to the beach. I’m having too much fun here.?
You sit down. What can you say to your child? All you can say is, ‘You have to trust me. The beach is so much better than this mud puddle! The fun you’re trying to find in this mud puddle is nothing compared to the beach! You have to trust me. Come on! Let’s go to the beach!?
Your son doesn’t understand. He just thinks you are a grouch. Your son doesn’t trust you or believe you. So he throws a fit because he wants to keep playing in the mud puddle.
You and I are like little kids. We like our mud puddles. We like our sins. Sexual sins. Gossiping sins. Ego sins. We find a certain fun and satisfaction when we play in those mud puddles.
Our Father says, ‘I have so much more for you than this mud puddle. I love you! I want you to trust me! Come on! Let me take you to the beach!?
When you and I sin, we are basically saying, ‘God, I don’t trust you. I like this mud puddle and I choose this over you.?
When you and I sin, we are basically saying, ‘God, I think you are a grouch. I don’t think you really want what’s best for me. So let me alone. Let me play in my mud puddle.?
Do you realize that God is a good and beautiful parent? He wants to get you out of your mud puddles and to the beach.
Jesus said, ‘If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. (John 15:10-11)
Notice the connections. Loving God is not a reason to disobey him. Rather, if we love God, we will keep his commands. If we keep his commands, we will experience more joy. Do you see how that flows? Love leads to obedience. Obedience leads to joy.
So the next time you’re tempted to sin, say, ‘God created me for more than this mud puddle! He’s taking me to the beach! I trust him. He’s no grouch. He has something better for me than this mud puddle.”
The Rev. Greg Henneman is pastor of Clarkston Community Church

The first couple days of each New Year are usually filled with trying to get things back to ‘normal? after the busy holiday season. I also find myself making some resolutions about how I want things to be different in my life in the year ahead.
My resolutions usually relate to losing weight and getting more exercise as I discover again that all of my clothes have ‘mysteriously? shrunk over the past month. I know that these resolutions are good things as I try to do better and help me refocus my priorities. However I also know that the most important thing for me is to open my life again to God’s love and grace so I can become more what God wants me to be in this new year.
So as I begin 2010 I am taking some time to pause and pray and reflect about my life, my priorities, my purpose, my relationships, and my faith in God. I am also trying to not move on too quickly from Christmas, and all that it means, even though our decorations will soon be put away.
One thing I dislike doing after Christmas is putting the manger scene away ? especially packing the baby Jesus into a cold, dark box. Somehow it just doesn’t seem right.
So a number of years ago we began a family tradition of leaving the baby Jesus out all year instead of packing him away. Then we move him around the house throughout the year.
It’s fun because we never know where he will turn up, but even more important it is a reminder to us that Jesus is with us each and every day of each and every year no matter where we are, what we’re doing or what is happening in our lives. In this way the Good News of Christmas is present in our home all year.
Something else I am always struck by after Christmas is the thought that we spend so much time getting ready to celebrate the birth of the baby that we tend to forget that the real work begins when you bring the baby home.
Anyone who has ever had children knows what I mean ? and I believe the same is true for the celebration of Jesus? birthday if we really take it seriously. So even though Christmas Day is past I am choosing to reflect on this question: ‘Is Christmas over, or has the real work just begun??
I am reminded of one my favorite poems by theologian and spiritual writer Howard Thurman called ‘The Work of Christmas? (from The Mood of Christmas by Howard Thurman). It seems particularly relevant this year as we face together these challenging times:
‘When the song of the angels is stilled, when the star in the sky is gone, when the kings and princes are home, when the shepherds are back with the flocks, then the work of Christmas begins:
‘to find the lost, to heal those broken in spirit, to feed the hungry, to release the oppressed, to rebuild the nations, to bring peace among all peoples, to make a little music with the heart?
‘And to radiate the Light of Christ, every day, in every way, in all that we do and in all that we say.?
My hope and prayer for you and me is that we live each day in this new year with Christmas in our hearts and lives. And one more thing, I saw a little joke recently that said, ‘Beat the Christmas rush, come to church today.? A good word for a new year and another way to live like its still Christmas ? all are welcome in God’s house every day.
The Rev. Jonathan Heierman is pastor of Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church

What a summer we are having! Are you enjoying all the warm weather?
True, it has not been as warm as we might like, nor is it as warm as normal, but think of all the money we are saving on air conditioning! As I am writing this I looked at my thermometer and it was 62 degrees at noon!
What is happening? I often hear that question asked. My answer is that it is part of the cycle of the earth.
Will it get warmer? Yes. It will also get cooler. As we are reminded in Ecclesiastes 1:9, What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun. (ESV)
Nothing new? you might ask. What about all the inventions and the pace of technology around us, going by so fast you cannot keep up with it? Don’t you remember when computers were first coming out and how s ? l ? o ? w they were? Look at how we have progressed today!
Have we really progressed? Have we come to the point where we are able to make something out of nothing? No. Have we come to a point where we are able to design the intricacies of a human being without anything to begin with? No. We may be able to clone something but the clone is compromised from the original. We fall short.
Again, turning to God’s Word, we are reminded that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23, ESV). We can never accomplish what God has done because if we do then we become God and no longer need Him.
The story is told of a scientist telling God that He wasn’t needed anymore; science could do all He could. So God invited the scientist to make a man out of dust.
The scientist bent down and began gathering dirt together when God said: ‘What are you doing?? The scientist responded that he was going to make man out of the dust. God’s response was ‘Get your own dirt!? Left to our own devices we come up short.
This is where God’s great promise brings us comfort and hope. Solomon also wrote For to the one who pleases Him God has given wisdom and knowledge and joy, but to the sinner He has given the business of gathering and collecting, only to give to one who pleases God. This also is vanity and a striving after wind, (Ecclesiastes 2:26, ESV). Paul continued in Romans with these words: [They] are justified by His grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, ‘Whom God put forward as a propitiation by His blood, to be received by faith. (3:24-25)
What has changed? Maybe the way we look at things and react to them but definitely NOT God in His wisdom and in His loving supply to us.
Trust Him. He will lead you.
The Rev. Kendall Schaeffer is pastor of St. Trinity Lutheran Church.

I took a week off last week. My wife and I
experienced our first vacation alone together
in 22 years, since before children.
We drove to the Upper Peninsula,
camping mostly; we stayed in a couple motels
when the weather was not conducive to
pitching a tent. Hiking to see water falls,
canyons and rocks, flora and fauna, eagle,
osprey and swan nests, we received the gift
of renewal that comes with touching into
the natural environment.
Heading south out of the Manistique area
Thursday morning evidence of the UP’s
popularity became obvious.
We encountered a steady
line of traffic, mainly trailers
and motorhomes, first just
the one lane until we
crossed the bridge then
two lanes and then we
witnessed a four lane
parking lot as we passed by
Saginaw, all headed north
for the holiday weekend. I
was very happy to be
heading south.
Thinking back over my
life how often I seem to be going in the
opposite direction to the majority of people
around me. The most significant being the
decision 30 years ago to leave the high paying
prestigious corporate controller, financial
vice-president, board of directors, positions
I held at the time. Would I do it again? You
betcha! I may not have the money and
collection of stuff I would have had if I had
stayed in the corporate world, but I have a
wealth of experiences, depth of relationships
and the sense of self and of well-being that I
otherwise would not have.
As a minister in a church I faced what
most ministers in small to medium sized
churches face, the need for additional
income. Most churches do not pay ministers
enough to support a family. Either the spouse
is the main money earner or the minister has
a second job to pay the bills.
In the 1990s, one of my sources of
additional income was as a partner in an
organic farm cooperative. At the same time I
served on the Ecumenical Ministries of
Oregon’s Food Security Project.
We mapped out the sources of locally
grown and distributed food items, farms,
cooperatives, etc. Back then we were looking
ahead to a time of reduced dependence upon
long distance shipping of food which is not
as healthy and wasteful in so many ways
compared to local produce.
About the same time my wife and I began
what has now become Unity Worldwide
Ministries Earth Care Ministry. The evidence
of Global Warming driven Climate Change
fueled by human activities has been
generally accepted by a majority of Climate
Scientists since the 1970s.
The scientific community began writing
about the disastrous effects of pumping CO2
into the air in the early 1800’s. Studies now
show we have been affecting the global
climate since we began clearing forests for
farming over ten thousand years ago. With
the release of the Pope’s Environmental
Encyclical last month, responding to the
threat of Climate Change is now officially a
moral and spiritual imperative.
There are many myths surrounding this
issue. Some say there is no consensus, some
say there is no warming, and others say
natural factors are causing the warming. All
of these myths are false and have no basis
in fact.
Ninety-seven percent of climate
scientists agree humans are driving Global
Warming. Last year was the warmest year
on record and 9 of the 10 warmest years have
been since 2000.
The natural factors that have caused
heating and cooling in the past, volcanoes
and solar activity being the most
pronounced, would have produced another
ice age by now if we had not been increasing
the levels of CO2 in the atmosphere.
Now that we have looked at the facts,
what do we do about them? This is where
we should be in the discussion. One thing
I’ve learned is it is usually cheaper and easier
to fix something earlier rather than later. The
longer we wait to begin the changes
necessary the more we will pay in lives lost
or displaced, rebuilding infrastructure, and
otherwise mitigating the disastrous effects.
Remember, we are in this together. The
more we choose to work together the easier
it is to adapt to change. Change is natural
and we have the inherent ability to grow and
unfold through the changes in our lives.
Blessings of peace, joy & love.
Matthew E. Long is senior minister
for Peace Unity Community

Where we are born establishes the course of the rest of our life.
Three babies born in Clarkston, Baghdad, and Nairobi will have somewhat different paths to follow. None are automatically better than the others. Other factors such as the health of the family, social environment and economic standing will affect their life path.
What they believe about themselves, the world and who they worship shape them as a person. Our first defining moments however, begin with where we were born.
Why was Jesus born in Bethlehem? Bethlehem was the place where King David was born.
He was the greatest of all the kings of Israel. Like all of us, he was less than perfect. His sins were public for all the world to see. Yet as low as his sins brought him, his faith placed him in places where God’s providence and grace were made known.
How much better than, for one who was sinless and would bring in the Kingdom of God, to be born in the place of David’s birth?
Christian Biblical scholars point to a passage in the book of Micah. They interpret Micah 5:2 (‘But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times?) as referring to the place where the Messiah was born. So it makes sense to them Jesus was born in Bethlehem.
These are some of the reasons why Jesus was born in Bethlehem.
Perhaps more important is where Bethlehem is and what it became. Bethlehem is five miles outside of Jerusalem. It was ‘in the country.? God intentionally chose to have his Son be born not in a place of power. Instead the common and ordinary was chosen. Stable smells and manger hay was chosen over cologne and silk. If Christmas first came to a place such as that, then it can come anywhere now.
For that night, Bethlehem became the center of the world where shepherds, sojourners, and eventually wise men would gather. Bethlehem became where all were welcomed and important.
Why Bethlehem? Perhaps it was so wherever we are this Christmas, we know Christmas can come there. Christmas can come to our home, community, family, hurts and hopes. Christmas can come even to us where there is no peace or hope and make both possible.
Christmas began in a place where we would know the only thing that made it possible was God’s grace. That is still true today. Merry Christmas and may the peace of this new born King come to you wherever you are!
The Rev. Richard Dake is pastor of Clarkston United Methodist Church

A woman came to a lawyer and said, ‘I want to get a divorce. I really hate my husband, and I want to hurt him. Give me some advice. I want to get his gold. I want to give him the shaft. I want to hurt him every way I can.?
The attorney said, ‘All right, here’s what you do. For the next three months while we’re going through the divorce proceedings, don’t criticize your husband. Only speak kind words to him. Build him up. Every time he does something, commend him for it. Tell him what a great guy he is, and do that for three months.
After he thinks that he has your confidence and love, tell him you were just yanking his chain and it will hurt him good.?
The woman thought, ‘Perfect! I can play that game!?
So she complimented her husband for everything he did. For three months she told him what a great man he was.
Guess what happened? After three months, they forgot about the divorce and went on a second honeymoon!
Words are powerful! We shape our words and then our words shape us. The Bible says, ‘If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are just fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless.? James 1:26 (NLT)
How’s your home life? How’s your marriage?
Maybe you’ve been a Christian for years, but you have no control over your tongue. Maybe you swear and use profanity. Maybe you and your spouse are verbally at war with each other. Criticism and harshness are common.
God says, ‘If you want my power in your lives, you’ve got to get control of your tongues, because the words you use are powerful and shape your life!?
Fathers, this Father’s Day use the power of words to bless your family. Mothers, tell your husband how great he is, and see what happens.
The Rev. Greg Henneman is pastor of Clarkston Community Church.

We often hear people speaking about living in the end times. Interestingly, this has been the thought of generations from the time Jesus ascended into heaven.
We can look at the signs described in the Book of Revelation, see many of them having occurred, and wonder if the time really is near.
True, we are living in the end times. We, as Lutherans, believe the end began when Jesus ascended.
But are we to stand about gazing into the sky waiting for His return? Absolutely not!
As He was meeting with His disciples on the mount from which He ascended Jesus spoke words that are famous to most Christians. In Matthew 28: 19-20 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,’teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.? (ESV)
How important that first word, go. We do not sit by idly. How many people are dying and are lost for eternity because Christians do not go and bear witness of the faith they have been given?
We are in a battle! It is not against any other church body or denomination. It is much greater a battle.
St. Paul says, in Ephesians 6:12, For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. It is a spiritual battle that will continue on until the end of time.
Is the end near? It is closer today than it was yesterday, but we do not know when it will be.
As Jesus reminds us: ‘But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. (Matthew 24:36, ESV)
When I read that someone has predicted when Jesus will return, I smile. We do not know when, we cannot predict when, but we need to be ready.
I recently read a quip about a couple at a University graduation who walked into the parking lot and saw a car with two bumper stickers.
When the owner approached the car they said he might want to remove one of the bumper stickers. The one read ‘Jesus is coming.? The other said ‘Escape to Wisconsin.?
There is no escape, only rescue through the faith we have in Jesus as our Savior. He says: No one comes to the Father except by Me. (John 14:6 ESV)
The battle is being waged for your soul. It is a battle that will continue your whole life long. Satan wants you to spend eternity with him in hell, suffering for your sins. God wants you in heaven to rejoice in glory with Him.
The battle wages. But, if you read the end of the Book you find: We win!
The Rev. Kendall Schaeffer is pastor of St. Trinity Lutheran Church.

I was pleasantly surprised to read an article in the Huffington Post where Stan Van Gundy discussed the potential for burn-out in the N.B.A.
The reason Stan gave for burn-out is the demanding travel schedule that is placed upon the players. I enjoyed the article because it reinforced to me that no one is exempt from the possibility of burn-out.
Burn-out finds people of all different vocations, and of all different types of faith. Burn-out doesn’t discriminate between the star players on the team or even the role players.
Burn-out can be found on the coaching staff or the catering team.
If burn-out is such a strong potential danger in everyone’s lives where it robs us of our joy, sleep, potential success, and even our health, wouldn’t it be beneficial for us to know what causes it and how we can prevent it?
Lisa M. Gerry, in an article in Forbes magazine, defined burnout this way? ‘Burnout is when the demands placed on you exceed the resources available to you.?
I love this definition because it very simply, yet profoundly, tells us what burn-out is and how it takes place within the complex varied situations we experience daily.
If we live any length of time where the demands exceed the resources we have, we end up burned out. In the N.B.A., the recipe for burn out is several back-to back games, injuries, and overtime minutes where players are forced to play more than their bodies can take.
Burn out doesn’t have to be the reality of our lives. There is something very powerful that is available for those who will receive the free gift God gives through Jesus that makes burn-out not just preventable, but impossible.
As you continue to receive resources/ grace from God that is greater than the demands placed upon you, you will never burn out. As God’s child you are never going to be in a situation where the demands placed upon you exceed the resources that He has made available to you.
If God’s presence is inside of you (Galatians 2:20) ? you have unlimited resources. Burn-out is not possible when we continually access the amazing, unlimited supply of grace.
In the life of a follower of Christ, in order for burn-out to happen, an individual has to see his or her situation in the wrong light for this to even be a possibility.
When we look at our lives in the wrong/weak light, we see things that aren’t really there or aren’t as they truly seem. When our focus is on what appears as lack, or the great demand upon us, we lose sight of the abundance and the victory of Jesus.
Christ lives in us. Christ has overcome what is coming over you. So, in this life may we focus on God’s Word that brings us into the right light to see our situation as it truly is.
‘Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think? ? (Ephesians 3:20 NLT).
May you allow the power of God to work mightily in and through your life. May God be glorified as He guides your path away from burn-out and into the abundant life.
The Rev. Dr. Matthew Webster is pastor of First Congregational Church of Clarkston.

Thanksgiving is increasingly one of my favorite times of the year.
I like it because Thanksgiving really helps me focus on appreciating the simple things of life that mean so much but that we all too often take for granted. Things like time with family, the food on our table, the friends we have, and the many blessings we have received from God even in these very challenging times.
Thanksgiving is a wonderful pause after the hectic pace of a busy fall and the even more hectic pace of the approaching Christmas season. However taking time to really reflect on our lives and God’s goodness need not last just a day.
It seems to me that there should be bit of Thanksgiving every day. For me it’s a matter of being intentional and taking the time. Pausing long enough to remember that today, just like any other day, has 86,400 seconds in it ? and to decide to use at least a few of those seconds each day to say ‘thank you!?
I once read a little story about a grandfather who was asked by his young granddaughter if he had liked the turkey this year ? a question often asked at our holiday tables. The grandfather responded that he liked the turkey very much and in fact he tries ‘to have a little turkey every day.?
Confused the little girl asked what he meant. He responded that he has a tradition in his life where each day he sets aside some intentional time to say thanks to God. So even though Thanksgiving may be over as you read this I would invite you to join me in ‘having a little turkey? today and every day ? or if you don’t really like turkey you can substitute ham or fish or green beans or corn or tofu ? what matters is the reminder that all I have is gift and that there is a giver to thank.
One of the most important ways I try to say thanks to God every day is in my giving ? to others.
Such ‘thanks ? giving? is especially important this year when so many are struggling. It may be something material or it may just be giving a smile or a word of encouragement or an extra dose of patience and love to someone else. May these tough times be marked by the generosity of God’s people as we give thanks through our giving to those around us both nearby and around the globe.
Psalm 100 is one of my favorite reminders to give thanks. I hope you will consider putting it on your refrigerator or in your daily planner or taping it to the bathroom mirror that you look into each morning so that these words can be a ‘little turkey for you every day.?
‘Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth.
‘Worship the Lord with gladness; come into his presence with singing.
‘Know that the Lord is God. It is he that made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
‘Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise. Give thanks to him, bless his name.
‘For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.? (Psalm 100 NRSV)
The Rev. Jonathan Heierman is pastor of Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church.

Happy Mother’s Day! Moms, here’s a little humor to brighten your day. Children were asked the following questions, and here are their answers:
How do you decide who to marry?
You got to find somebody who likes the same stuff. Like if you like sports, she should like it that you like sports, and she should keep the chips and dip coming.? Alan, age 10
How can a stranger tell if two people are married?
‘You might have to guess, based on whether they seem to be yelling at the same kids.? Derrick, age 8
What do most people do on a date?
On the first date, they just tell each other lies, and that usually gets them interested enough to go for a second date.? Martin, age 10
When is it ok to kiss someone?
‘When they’re rich.? Pam, age 7
Is it better to be single or married?
‘It’s better for girls to be single but not for boys. Boys need someone to clean up after them.? Anita, age 9
How would the world be different if people didn’t get married?
‘There sure would be a lot of kids to explain, wouldn’t there?? Kelvin, age 8
How would you make a marriage work?
‘Tell your wife that she looks pretty even if she looks like a’truck.? Ricky, age 10
How do we make marriage work? For sure, it’s tough! On this Mother’s Day I plan to share a message with my congregation called ‘Secrets of a Satisfying Marriage.? Here are just a couple of reflections from that message.
One day Charlie Brown learned that his grandparents had been married for over 50 years. Charlie said, ‘Wow, grandma, you sure are lucky.? Grandma said, ‘A good marriage isn’t luck; it’s skill!?
I don’t care who you marry. Good marriages just don’t happen. Many people think that if they just marry ‘the right person,? then everything will come easy! Not so! I don’t care who you marry, a good marriage takes time, commitment, and effort.
For example, one secret to a good marriage is communication. Experts say that 85% of all marriage problems have to do with poor communication. Newsweek released a statistic that said, ‘The average couple talks to each other alone four minutes a day. The average couple spends 47 hours a week in front of the television and spends about 30 minutes total in communication per week.
Another secret to a satisfying marriage is consideration. The Bible says, Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. (Ephesians 4:2)
Consideration means paying attention to what they say, showing common courtesy, and treating them with respect. Consideration means you go out and bring in the groceries, even if it is the 4th quarter. Consideration means you wait until she has both legs in the car before you pull out of the driveway.
It is amazing how quickly consideration vanishes once we get married. When we’re dating we are so considerate and thoughtful and helpful. Once we put the wedding band on it’s as if that gave us permission to be rude and crude to each other.
The biggest secret to a satisfying marriage is Christ. The Bible says that we are made in the image of God. We were created to love and be loved, to know and be known.
The Bible also says we are fallen, damaged goods. The image of God within us is distorted. Our love so easily becomes lust. Our desire to be known effortlessly becomes selfishness.
The Bible also says that Christ is the answer. Christ is our power. Christ is our deepest need. If we truly have Christ, he brings a power and a healing that touches even our marriage.
I encourage you as we approach Mother’s Day, the best gift you can give to your family and to yourself, is Christ. Get Him in your life. Ask Him to put His Spirit within you. Commit your life, including your marriage, to Christ. See what happens. A satisfying marriage does not have to be a secret.
The Rev. Greg Henneman is pastor of Clarkston Community Church

This past weekend was a wonderful experience! Many churches in the area went into the community to put their faith in action.
Families needing work done in their yard found able and willing people cleaning up the leaves from last fall and getting everything ready for spring.
An area care center that is often forgotten and neglected was visited, food was shared, and people were enlightened with gifts bearing Detroit Tigers themes to help them celebrate the season ahead.
Others from our congregation gathered to prepare hygiene kits that will be distributed at Open Door outreach.
Faith in action. Isn’t that what it is supposed to be? In James 2:18 we read: But someone will say, ‘You have faith and I have works.? Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. (ESV)
We, as Christians, are called to live the faith we proclaim, showing that faith by reaching out to those in greater need, sharing what God has given us to make their life a little better.
Are there times we fail? Yes, we all do. It is called sin. It is then that we repent of our sin, seek to make amends with the person against whom we have sinned, and lay those sins at the foot of the cross knowing we have been forgiven and those sins removed from us.
Why is it we share our faith? Imagine you found an instant and immediate cure for cancer. Would you keep that discovery to yourself?
We have been given a cure from sin and everlasting death in Jesus, God’s Son, our Savior. How can we keep this to ourselves and not share the hope we have received?
As Jesus is preparing to leave this earth after His resurrection from the dead, after His spending 40 days with His disciples and other followers, while standing on the mountain, tells them to go and make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. He also gives a promise that He is with us always.
These words, known as the Great Commission, remind us that there is work to be done. We have been given a co-mission, a mission of sharing God’s love shown upon a cross where His Son died to pay the penalty for our sins, and sharing the hope we have received in learning that the tomb is empty, that Jesus was raised from the dead.
We, in the church, are still in the season of Easter. We continue to remember the day of the Resurrection.
We also remember His resurrection every Sunday when we have a little taste of Easter.
Most important of all is the remembrance of living that Easter hope as a certainty based on the promises of God’s Word and living those promises by building others up, by helping them when they need a word of encouragement ? living our faith in Him!
The Rev. Kendall Schaeffer is pastor of St. Trinity Lutheran Church.

Now is the time to gather and give thanks.
I hope your Thanksgiving is one involving family and friends. Whatever foods you consider essential for a Thanksgiving meal, I hope there was plenty. I also hope you found plenty of reasons to give thanks and knew who to thank.
Some years there are many reasons to give thanks. Our family is celebrating a wedding, a new grandchild, another on the way and the first time our whole extended family will spend Thanksgiving together in almost 30 years.
There are so many reasons to give thanks!
Other years may seem more difficult. For so many reasons, some may find it easier to list what has gone wrong in the past year more than right.
When that happens, are thanksgivings still worth having? How do you give thanks when your hearts are not filled with gratitude? Why bother to say thanks when all you see is more loss than blessing?
I believe the answer depends on what you think God is supposed to do for you. If God is primarily there to tend to our needs and give us blessing, then give thanks based on the good you have received.
This also suggests some years it would be appropriate to cancel Thanksgiving.
If you have had a difficult year, wait before you either cancel Thanksgiving or begrudgingly go through the motions.
Instead let me suggest a real reason to give thanks. This is a reason to give thanks, whether you are feeling blessed or overwhelmed with struggle.
The reason simply stated is this, God is.
God seeks to be more than your divine Santa. God wants to be in relationship with you.
From the moment of our birth, God has intentionally wanted to be part of your life. This relationship is no guarantee every day will be filled with joy and blessing. Certainly, the life of Christ demonstrates this truth.
Yet in all moments, God is. God is with us. God is faithful to walk with us. On happy days, God dances with us. On days of grief and despair, God carries us even as we may question if God is even there.
This Thanksgiving, I hope you have a reason to give thanks. For after all is said and done, there is only one real reason?..God is.
God is for you, for your family, our country and all who will only accept the gift of this relationship. Blessed Thanksgiving to you!
The Rev. Richard L. Dake is pastor of Clarkston United Methodist Church.

A story that could be true of any of us’one day a woman was shopping with her young daughter. She was very busy and had many errands to run. The crowds and traffic were terrible that day, so they even had to skip lunch to get everything done.
Towards the end of the long day the woman was tired and hungry, her feet were aching, and she was more than a little irritable.
As they left the last store to finally head for home, the woman said offhandedly to her daughter, ‘Could you believe the nasty look that salesman gave me??
Without skipping a beat her young daughter innocently answered, ‘Mommy, he didn’t give that nasty look to you. You already had it when you went in.?
Knowing the young girl spoke truth, the woman paused, said a silent prayer and gave her daughter a hug as she said, ‘Thanks, I really needed that!?
Like it or not, intentionally or unintentionally, carefully or carelessly, we share what we have with others. It’s true, whether we are aware of it or not, that what we do has an impact on our world and on those around us ‘for better or for worse.? We are not islands unto ourselves.
Every time we encounter another human, no matter who they are or what they’re doing, we have an opportunity to build up or tear down. Wherever we go we can share joy, peace and love, or we can sow anger, anxiety, frustration and despair.
Life can be very difficult and yet in the midst of all things I really want to build others up and share goodness. Often it is in the little things and in the common everyday experiences that we have our greatest impact ? and our kids, and others, do watch what we do more carefully than we are usually aware.
I can imagine Jesus? disciples and others watching him very carefully to see how he handled things ? how he treated people along the journey of life. Was he consistent? How did he deal with interruptions and difficult people? How did he handle those different from him? How did he react to those who made mistakes? What did he really care about most? How was he generous with all that he had?
We have so many ways to build one another up in our everyday life. This week I am particularly excited about all that is happening through My Habitat Clarkston.
MHC is a local initiative drawing together people from all sectors of our community to work together to build a better habitat for all.
As part of the Spring Community Impact Weekend we will bless Shannon Chatman’s new habitat home in Springfield Township built by the generous dollars, efforts and prayers of our community. And the movement is growing as the Spring and Fall Impact Days have grown into Impact Weekends. You can check out the myriad of serving projects this weekend at www.impact-weekend.org and learn more about MHC at the MyHabitatClarkston Facebook site.
After Easter, Jesus appears to his disciples a number of times and shares with them the miracle of his resurrection. Because it was so amazing they were always startled by his presence or they didn’t recognize him.
Among Jesus? first words to his friends were, ‘Peace be with you.? Following Jesus? example I wonder how our days would be different if we greeted each new morning and each other with the words or actions that say, ‘Peace be with you.? That is the kind of impact I want to have each day, and with God’s help I really can.
The Rev. Jonathan Heierman is senior pastor of Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church

I have begun to profoundly appreciate the places in our created world’places that naturally evoke a sense of wonder and awe at the power of the divine and the energy of the human spirit.
Michigan is a magnificent place, especially in the season of autumn. Anyone who has recently witnessed a rising harvest moon, a maple blushing with its last burst of energy before leaves fall, or a young buck moving hesitantly through the backyard has been privy to the scenic wonders available as gifts for our eyes.
If you’ve ever given pause to these moments to thank God for the gift, you have experienced grace’a meeting place with the divine. Nature is boundless in the opportunities it provides to spend these transcendent moments with our Creator. And yet, the natural world is merely a backdrop for some of the most wondrous places on this earth.
Because we are made in the image of God, human beings share in this ability to create places of grace. Last spring I had the opportunity to travel with my daughter to Turkey, the so called ‘cradle of civilization,? a place legendary for its connection to the Bible’s stories of creation and a place where one can walk in the footsteps of St. Paul, the greatest Christian missionary that ever lived.
In the six months since that journey, I have reflected on the places where I met God. Some may seem more likely meeting places than others. For example, we visited the home where tradition tells us Mary, Jesus? mother, lived out her remaining days in Ephesus under the care of the disciple, John.
The experience of grace here was one of deep respect, reverence and gratitude for the life of Mary, the model of discipleship for me.
There was an obvious connection between God and human beings in this place, and everything there heralded a sense of divine presence.
Candles, prayer intentions tacked onto stone walls, men in long brown robes, and hundreds of pilgrim people helped to prepare my disposition to meet God here. Other places where I experienced grace surprised me! Our journey also took us to a small Turkish village outside of Ephesus where women wove the tapestry style rugs for which Turkey is famous.
Here there were no candles, no prayer intentions, and the men sat at picnic tables smoking filterless cigarettes and drinking small glasses of Raki, a traditional Turkish liquor.
And yet, this meeting place with God was in some ways more profound. The people were simple, humble, and friendly; gifted with talent and patience beyond my comprehension. One rug can take half a lifetime to weave! I was struck by God’s presence in their lives and in their small village.
While I couldn’t gather the nerve to swallow the Raki, I felt a great sense of joy in joining in the mealtime toast honoring the providence of Allah.
I knew then in my heart that God’s presence was among us, that I was meeting God in a small Muslim village, and the words in John’s first letter sang out in my heart: ‘Beloved, let us love one another, because love is of God; everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God.?
This week, seek out your own places of grace and spend some time reflecting on what God is teaching you in that space. Our world is a wondrous place, and you might be surprised where God will meet you next!
Cheryl Smith is director of Adult Faith Formation at St. Daniel Catholic Church.

Weeded the garlic bed yesterday. Sometimes it is nice to be able to look back and see that something got done. Two five-gallon buckets full of weeds. Nothing visible but garlic stalks and soil. But, I know the seeds and roots of those weeds are still there and, eventually I’ll have to weed the bed again.
Some say that, ‘weeds are just flowers growing where you don’t want them.? And, I know for me this is true. I’m not as diligent as I could be at keeping the beds weed free. Especially later in the summer when my early spring enthusiasm for gardening wanes and I find other distractions; home repairs, remodeling projects, vacations and back to school preparations all begin to take priority.
When I let the distractions gain priority, that is when the ‘weeds? begin to flower. Pretty little pink, yellow, blue and white flowers scattered throughout the vegetable beds. They quickly go to seed, usually before I can create the time to remove them. Now I know all that beautiful soil is full of the seeds of flowers that I don’t want growing in my garden.
Our minds are the gardens we all have been given to tend. And in every garden of the mind exist the seeds of evil. Now before you stop reading, let me give you my definition of evil. It is to live backward. Turn the word “live” around and you have “evil,” it is to live backward. Life is meant to be lived from the center outward. Yet most of us spend most of our time looking outside ourselves for guidance on how to feel and what to think and what to do. Advertisers, politicians and religions count on this.
In the early 70’s, Kris Kristofferson wrote a song that still resonates with me. It was called, ‘Jesus was a Capricorn? which included the line ‘Reckon they’d just nail him up if he came round again.? It was a radical song in a radical time.
The word radical comes from the same root as radius and means being rooted or coming from the center. Jesus was a radical, he rejected the teachings of the religious authorities, the lawyers and aristocrats of his day. He challenged the Pharisees and the Sadducees and their interpretation of scripture, their holding to the letter of the law while denying the spirit which is life. He questioned authority. He worshiped God as spirit, not religion. ‘Reckon they’d just nail him up if he came round again.?
Jesus simplified the Old Testament law and the prophets for us, he distilled the 10 commandments down into 2; ‘The first is, ‘Hear, O’Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one;’you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength. ‘The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.? There is no other commandment greater than these.?
Jesus quoted the Shema from Deuteronomy, a central teaching of the Jewish faith. The Koran includes 200 verses on compassion, an expression of Love. The Dalai Lama teaches Compassion, Thich Nhat Hanh teaches Mindfulness, another expression of Love. For Lao Tzu, the first Treasure is Love. Virtually all the world’s religions honor love and compassion in their worship of God, Allah, Tao, Chi, Ki, Great Spirit, Infinite Spirit and all the other names for the infinite, unlimited, eternal power and presence that I call God.
And, every religion includes a version of what Christianity calls the Golden Rule, ‘Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.? This is a practical application of the Great Commandment and how we can put it to work in our lives. For me, it encompasses the requirement to allow others to be who and what they are going to be. The last thing I want is for someone to tell me how I am supposed to think, feel and act. I imagine that makes me a radical. Of course, I have a great teacher.
Blessings of peace, joy & love.
The Rev. Matthew E. Long is senior minister for Peace Unity Community

When I was a child there were popular commercials featuring Smokey the Bear. His message was ‘Only you can prevent forest fires.?
The movie Bambi was also very popular. This movie told the story of a deer whose family had been destroyed in a forest fire. There was a concerted movement that the prevention of forest fires would preserve our woodlands. The national mindset was certainly impacted by these themes.
Time, however, has proven that many of our noble efforts may actually work in contrast to the natural order. Wild fires began to ravage our national forests at an unprecedented rate. Through these events we became painfully aware of the necessary balance to nature.
Fires which are not instigated by man are very much a part of the natural order and very important to the long term health of the forest. Occasional forest fires will burn the build up of brush under the forest canopy so that when larger scale forest fires do occur they are not as intense.
In California I have observed the majestic redwoods and sequoia trees, many of which are thousands of years old. These trees have not only survived forest fires but they actually require forest fires in order to open their cones for reproduction and new growth. The natural order is amazing and resilient. Nature often proves that something which seems bad in the moment can actually be good for the long term.
The Bible says if we want to understand the ways of God we simply have to look at the natural order He created. When we observe the biblical principles we can certainly benefit as we apply them to our every day life. Often times suffering for the moment brings greater blessing in our future while seeking temporary satisfaction can lead to long term problems.
This is what has happened to us as a country in our economy. Many bad practices are now bearing fruit. If we are wise we will let the fire consume the bad undergrowth so in the long term we can be more productive and bring a longer lasting blessing.
Unfortunately, the prevalent idea of the age is pain avoidance at all cost. Therefore, we have a government spending trillions of dollars to alleviate our momentary distress with no real thought about our future. The Bible says that though the fires of judgment can be severe what they produce in the end is refined gold, something durable and precious.
Will we see the wisdom of God or simply create a scenario for greater fires in our future? When the banks were teetering the government came to the rescue. Now we are stunned when the people we rescued paid themselves bonuses and went on with life as usual.
How could we expect anything different if no judgment was experienced? The argument from the banking industry is we need bonuses in order to hire the best people. If they are the best people then how did we get into this situation?
Michigan is one of the worst states economically in our nation. Will we cure our problems or just go on with business as usual? The Bible says there is a way that seems right to men but the end is the way of death. I am so glad I have founded my life on the principles of the word of God. The Bible also says when we follow His principles when the storms come and the winds blow we will be like a house built on the rock. If we don’t follow His ways we will be like the person who builds their house on the sand. Where will you build?
The Rev. Loren Covarrubias is pastor of Mt. Zion Church.

As you go through your daily routine, and your weekly duties, do you have a sense that your work is never really done? There is so much to do, so little time.
Time seems to accelerate the older we get. In my life I can’t remember the last time I said I was bored, but when I was younger, it was a regular thought I had.
Holy Week is a time for us to slow down from busyness and reflect on what Jesus has done for us.
However, the opposite is usually true, where schedules are jam packed and we can easily miss the beauty of Jesus? declaration in John 19:30: ‘It is finished.?
In those three words, Jesus declared victory over our past failures, over our sin, shame, and the condemnation the enemy had placed upon us. His work, is a completed work.
‘It is finished.?
I thought about what that means as I recalled some of my past trips to visit the Detroit Institute of Arts I am never disappointed whenever I make a trip there because the artwork is breath taking and I leave feeling very inspired.
It is incredible to see the completed vision the artist had. I have some friends who are artists and when I have looked at a project before it was completed, it was difficult to understand what the vision really was.
But once it was a finished work, I could fully appreciate and enjoy the work that had been done.
When I look in Scriptures and I see Jesus, I am looking at the very face of God. Perfection. When I look to the cross I see the finished work of the Savior of the world. What a beautiful masterpiece.
Now, I would never consider taking a masterpiece at the D.I.A. down and try to alter it in any way. It is a finished work. It was done by a master, whose skill set dwarfs mine.
Jesus’s work on the cross was a finished work. You cannot take something that is complete and complete it. It is already done.
For us, Jesus? proclamation tells us our salvation is won and our sins are all forgiven. We are made forever righteous by His blood.
That is the message of Easter that should bring with it an overwhelming sense of peace. It should give us the ability to rest and receive and to go out into the world with a sense of being a completed project of God.
In Christ, we are a new creation. This means we are not a messed up project God is working on. We are a beautiful new creation in Christ.
The Greek word used in John 19:30 for finished is teleo. So, in the days of antiquity, a servant would use the word teleo when reporting to his master: ‘I have completed the work assigned to me.? (Example: John 17:4).
What we extract from this Greek word is what Jesus declared to His Father in heaven is not only has the work been finished, but it stands finished, and it will always be finished.
Our debt to sin has been paid in full, there will never be another payment needed.
So, my prayer for Easter this year is the message that goes forth from our churches is it is not our works that brings us blessings but it is the work Jesus already did on our behalf.
Malcom Smith once said, ‘The key words of the message of the Gospel are not struggle, try, and try harder but surrender to, yield to, rest in, and believe on the Lord Jesus.?
What a message of good news, a message of grace.
The Rev. Dr. Matthew Webster is pastor of First Congregational Church of Clarkston.

I’ve been reading a fascinating book by historian Rodney Stark. It’s called The Triumph of Christianity: How the Jesus Movement Became the World’s Largest Religion. He makes a compelling case that much of what we think we know about Christian history is mythical. For example, the ‘Dark Ages? really were not that dark. That label was invented by the rather arrogant secular philosophers such as Voltaire and Rousseau.
I’ve been reading this book as background study for my current series on the New Testament book of Acts. For several weeks I brought this question before my congregation: ‘How did this little group of Jesus followers sweep across the Roman Empire and transform it?? They had no military or political or economic power ‘and yet the gospel flashed like lightning across their world until almost half the empire was Christian by 300 AD. How did that happen?
We’ve seen a number of answers. For one, they knew their mission. Jesus had told them, ‘Go make disciples! Go be my witnesses, not just here in Jerusalem, but in Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the earth.? These early Christians didn’t just play church! They were the church! They were radical! They knew their mission! They were a movement of people penetrating and influencing their communities in all sorts of ways. In his book, Stark points out that these early Christians were known for their compassionate caring. People were drawn to their communities of hope and joy.
Another answer is that they were filled with the Presence of Jesus, the Holy Spirit. Jesus said, ‘Here’s your mission: I want you to go and be my witnesses. Go! But before you go, wait! You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and then you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the earth. Before you go, wait! You can’t fulfill the mission without the Spirit. You’ve got to know me. I’ve got to be in you. Otherwise, you won’t have the power to pull it off.?
Mission and Spirit. That’s why the early church transformed their society. The question is: Are we known for being communities of hope and joy? When people hear the words ‘church? and ‘Christian,? do they think, ‘Oh! Those are the people who bring hope to our cities! Those are the people who are compassionate and caring! Our communities are so much better because they are here??
We identified two problems. We have the problem of ‘mission drift.? We also have the problem of ‘we leak.? We tend to forget our mission and we tend to leak! We can be filled with the Spirit for a while and then we leak! The Holy Spirit leaks out of us and we’re empty. We’re dry. We’ve lost the power. We’ve lost the heart and motivation and the joy. Maybe you’ve been a Christian for years, but somewhere along the way you leaked! You used to be filled with the Spirit but not now! You need filled again!
We’ve learned that not just individuals but even the church as a whole, down through the centuries, can get off mission and can leak. The church itself tends to go through ups and downs. That’s why we need renewal. We need awakening ? to get back on mission and to live in the power of the Spirit again.
My prayer for our congregation, for congregations across Clarkston, and across the land, is that we would be a movement of disciples, on mission, filled with the Spirit of Jesus, bringing hope to our cities.
The Rev. Pastor Greg Henneman is pastor of Clarkston Community Church

We have set the clocks ahead. We are watching the snowbanks melt away. The birds are beginning to sing. The temperatures are on the rise.
It can only mean one thing: Spring is here! And, if you are like most, after this winter (and last winter, too) it is a welcome sight.
Spring reminds us of nature coming back to life. It will not be long when flowers will begin to stick up out of the snow or along the buildings where they are a little more sheltered.
Trees will begin budding and the brown substance on the sides of roads and driveways known as grass will change into verdant green. It is also a time when the Church honors the coming back to life in celebrating the resurrection of Jesus from the dead.
What would most people think if we did not have spring? What would happen if the weather did not change, and the flowers did not come out, and the grass did not turn green, and the birds did not sing?
We would probably be disappointed, at the least, maybe even depressed. We look forward to changing seasons in Michigan.
We look forward to changing seasons in the Church, too. We move from the somber and repentant time of Lent, follow our Lord through the rigors of Holy Week with the Last Supper, the prayer in the Garden, the betrayal, the trial, and the crucifixion.
What if that were all there was? There are those who believe that is the truth, but we believe that, on the third day He rose. So, on Easter Sunday, we gather and we celebrate the Resurrection.
I recently reflected on the words of Psalm 19 in a devotion I did. I encourage you to take a few moments, open your Bible, and read the entire Psalm.
I focused, however, on just the first seven verses that remind us of how all of creation is ordered and how it praises God. God sets the course for all that is, for all that happens in all of creation.
It began when He made all things in six days, then rested on the seventh day. It has continued through, and in spite of, sin. We, as mankind, because of our sinfulness, have done great harm to God’s creation and its beauty, but God, always faithful, renews and restores what He has given us.
Think of the beauty around us. Do we not enjoy the many lakes He has given us in the area? Do we not enjoy the gentle (warm) breezes? Do we not appreciate the sun following its pattern or the moon reflecting to us light at night?
How often have you just paused to listen to the sounds of nature all around you? And what are those sounds reflecting? Praise to God.
As you enjoy the warming weather be reminded of God’s love for you. Gather in that love. Gather around that love as you celebrate coming out of hibernation to new life!
The Rev. Kendall Schaeffer is pastor of St. Trinity Lutheran Church.

Here is my favorite Lent joke:
A pastor is walking to his car late one evening on his way home from church when someone sneaks up behind him, pokes a knife against his back and says, ‘Give me all your money!?
As the pastor opens his jacket and reaches into his inner pocket to get his wallet, his pastor’s clerical collar is exposed. Upon seeing it, the would-be robber says, ‘Oh, I’m sorry pastor; I don’t want YOUR money.?
Shaken but relieved, the pastor takes a candy bar from his pocket and offers it to the man who replies, ‘Oh no pastor, I can’t take that ? I gave up chocolate for Lent.?
Do you think he might have missed the point of Lent? I believe this church season can be a time of real growth and heart transformation, if we are open to it and give our relationship with God some attention.
Lent, which began on Ash Wednesday will culminate at Easter, and covers a period of 40 days, a count which does not include Sundays, which are always celebrations of Jesus? resurrection.
Lent originated in the very early days of the Christian Church as a time of intense preparation for Baptism at Easter sunrise. For all of us today it can be a time of repentance (returning to God), and renewed spiritual devotion. Some people fast, or ‘give something up? for Lent, such as a favorite food or TV, as a way of focusing attention on God.
The idea is that as we crave the item given up, we are reminded of our primary dependence upon God’s grace and love for us. Other spiritual disciplines often practiced during Lent include renewed devotion to Bible study and prayer, generous giving to those in need, and, my personal favorite, making a commitment to commit at least one random act of kindness each day.
All of these things can draw us closer to God, but they don’t make God love us any more than he already does. ‘For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.? (John 3:16)
It is interesting that the word Lent comes from an old Anglo-Saxon word for ‘springtime.?
That seems to fit well, as Lent can certainly be an occasion for springtime-like renewal of faith. However just as winter never seems to give up to spring without a fight, so too our lives of faith can be a struggle. Our good intentions to grow soon collide with the realities of a too-busy world.
The sin and brokenness of our lives and world comes out even when we don’t want it to. We are not alone, as we learn from Paul who wrote in the Bible, ‘For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I do.? (Romans 7:19)
The Good News is that everyday we have a fresh start ? a new opportunity to receive and live in God’s grace. God never gives up on us. And the really neat thing is that when we do spend some real time with God, we do grow to become more the way God intended us to be all along.
My favorite description of God’s desire for the character of our lives is from Galatians 5:22-23 where Paul writes, ?’the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.?
That’s the way God made us and wills for our lives to look. Lent is for me a time to partner with God so that I allow him to grow my character in these ways ? and I must admit I do have growing to do for my life to look that way every day.
The Rev. Jonathan Heierman is senior pastor of Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church

Recently I was reminded of my younger days when I was working on a construction crew. There was one guy who was bigger and stronger than the rest of us. He worked out at the gym and had muscles on top of his muscles. He would boast about how much he could bench press and dead lift, etc., etc., etc.
One day as Mr. Strongman was boasting the Foreman decided to challenge him to a show of strength. The Foreman bet him that he could carry a load in the wheelbarrow over to the shed that Mr. Strongman could not wheel back. He offered a week’s pay if Mr. Strongman could accomplish the feat.
Mr. Strongman thought this was a great deal since the Foreman made twice as much as any of us and there was no way he could be beaten in a show of strength, so he took the bet. The Foreman grabbed the wheelbarrow, rolled it over to Mr. Strongman and said ‘Get in!?
There are some loads we cannot carry by ourselves. There are times when life is too heavy for us to be able to carry on by ourselves. We need our spiritual support network to carry us when we cannot carry ourselves. Illness, injury, financial challenges, conflict, decision making, relationships, etc., life in general requires we receive spiritual support to be the happy, healthy and whole individuals we are created to be; we require spiritual support to be fruitful and multiply our good.
It has been said we are spiritual beings having a human experience. We are made in the image and after the likeness of God (Genesis 1:26) and God is Spirit (John 4:24), therefore we are inherently spiritual. And, we are human beings attempting to realize our spiritual nature. This is what spiritual support does for us; we realize our spiritual nature when we make it real, when we live from a conscious awareness of Spirit in our daily existence.
It is good to go to church, attend 12 step meetings, join the Rotary or Lions or Kiwanis or other beneficial organization. And, we have to invest our time and talents in establishing a spiritual support network within these groups and with individuals we can relate with. For it is in working with and serving others that we can realize our spiritual nature. It is in the small groups, classes, and direct interaction we make the connections with others that can carry us through times of trial.
‘Where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.? (Matthew 18:20.) This is the spiritual principle of Synergy. As Aristotle said, ‘the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.? When we come together for a common purpose we can accomplish more than working separately.
‘They devoted themselves to the apostles? teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.? (Acts 2:42.) This is our spiritual guidance system: utilizing spiritual materials, gathering with others for fellowship and meals, plus direct connection with Spirit through prayer and meditation. When all these are in alignment we can be assured of making right choices.
The young man went to his grandfather often for words of wisdom and advice. One day he asked him how he got to be so wise and always knew the right choices to make. ‘Experience?, said grandfather. ‘How do you get experience?? asked grandson. ‘By making a lot of bad choices!? said grandfather.
Every day we make choices, some work out well and some do not. With the help of our spiritual support network, we will always be able to pick ourselves up and move forward in confident assurance that ‘all things work together for good.? (Romans 8:28.)
Blessings of peace, joy and love.
Matthew E. Long is senior minister
for Peace Unity Community

I love the book of Proverbs. How come? Because I need wisdom, and Proverbs offers it in abundance.
The Book of Proverbs was originally intended for young men who would grow to assume leadership positions. But it is beneficial for all, and it invites all to come and partake of it.
‘Turn to my reproof,? wisdom cries, ‘And I will pour out my spirit on you. I will make my words known to you? (Pr.1:23).
Because you surely need wisdom, I commend Proverbs to you. Take one chapter a day, and you will get through the book in a thirty-one day month. If you do so with an attentive and faithful heart, you will be blessed with peace and joy ? in addition to wisdom.
There are a number of themes in Proverbs that relate to everyday life. God and man, wisdom, the fool, the sluggard, friendship, words, the family, and life and death, are all themes that you’ll find through this book.
Dominant among these themes, of course, is wisdom itself.
But what is wisdom? One good definition is, ‘the right use of knowledge.? But if you take a closer look, you’ll find that wisdom has different shades that make it full and rich.
Wisdom, for example, involves instruction and training. It doesn’t just come with the passing of time. It’s hard won, because it involves character as much as the mind.
Wisdom also involves understanding or insight. When Solomon became king he prayed that God would give him the ability to discern between good and evil (1 Kings 3:9). What is it that gives such discernment? Wisdom.
Wisdom also contains an element of what we would call shrewdness, prudence, or wise dealing. Each of these abilities can be used to scheme and bring harm. But with the right heart they can bring good out of tight circumstances because such wisdom gives the ability to handle tough situations.
Finally, wisdom also has to do with knowledge and learning. Not merely head knowledge, but the knowledge of God. And this helps us to see how wisdom is actually attained.
Where does wisdom come from? It comes from the Lord.
‘The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom? (Pr.9:10). This means that if you want wisdom, you must turn to the Lord and devote yourself to Him.
As one commentator on Proverbs put it, wisdom is not for the man who is wise in his own eyes, but the one who watches daily at the gates.
The Rev. David Bostrom is pastor of Seeds for the Harvest ministy.

Hospitality may sound to some as a passive act of polite manners. It is more than that.
When hospitality is offered, others are honored, empowered and included. Hospitality demands respect be given unconditionally to those who receive it. Hospitality creates a holy space between the giver and receiver. Hospitality is radical.
‘It is also becoming causality of our culture.
The language in our world today is divisive and alienating. Differing viewpoints are treated with scorn. Rudeness and hostility is becoming a fact of public and private speech. Several public events come to mind.
? The disrespect of a Rep. Joe Wilson towards the office of the President of the United States when he shouted out, ‘You lie!? from the floor of the U.S. Senate is inexcusable regardless of political preferences.
? When Kanye West interrupted Taylor Swifts acceptance speech at the MTV awards by taking the microphone out of her hands and protesting that Beyonce Knowles should have won instead, he was booed. But the damage and disrespect was already done.
? When a cross was burned on the lawn of a family in our area and a mural in town vandalized with obscene painting, the lack of respect was brought home. Questions as to whether we should embrace a Salvation Army store in our area demonstrate a lack of awareness as to the need for one that already exists. It also suggests a lack of hospitality for others.
These acts and attitudes perhaps are not the norm. But they are symptomatic of a greater social illness. The ability to discern differences and offer respect at the same time is an act of radical hospitality in defiance of the social malaise.
Jesus Christ taught radical hospitality. He came to redeem and save all. This includes those who are in and out, up and down, near and far, the familiar and stranger.
When we as a church or individual disciples offer hospitality, we do so in the knowledge we all stand equal in the presence of Christ.
The most radical act of Christ was his unconditional acceptance of all. It is what gave hope and blessing to sinners of all kinds. It is what gives hope to each one of us. It is also what got him killed.
When we talk about radical hospitality in the church, we are talking about more than politeness. We are demonstrating personal humility, mutual respect and surrender to Christ. When we see the world not as them and us, but all as children of the living Lord called to come together for worship, mission, and service, we will be able to practice radical hospitality.
The Rev. Rick Dake is pastor of Clarkston United Methodist Church.

I have been told before that one of the greatest perks to being a professional athlete is the meals after the game. If you want some proof, check out the menus provided for the Seahawks and the Orioles for their plane ride home.
To wake up one day and no longer have all the best tasting, healthy food options at your finger-tips has got to be one of the harshest realities of stepping out of the limelight.
So, it is not surprising when former athletes hang up their cleats and say goodbye to their delectable food, the dietary choices they make fall short of being championship level quality.
Professional athletes have been dependent for so long on other people to structure meal choices for them, that when they are left to do it on their own, they find their skill set is rather undeveloped.
When we switch over to the state of the church, the National Opinion Research Center, found the average percentage of churchgoers who attend on any given Sunday is 38 percent. Many spiritual leaders have pointed to attendance as the reason why people are starving spiritually.
I point to a whole different reason. If I were to spend a lot of time eating from the team buffet line after the big game (church/Sunday) it is entirely possible I would leave feeling full and very satisfied.
The question I have is how am I going to feel on Wednesday if I didn’t eat anything since? To be a healthy individual, I need to be able to eat meals regularly.
In life there is a natural progression that takes place. As we grow from babies into children we begin to learn how to feed ourselves.
Now that I am an adult, and thanks in large part to Food Network, I am making meals for myself I never could have imagined only a year ago. Cheerios and PB& J sandwiches are not regular meals on the menu.
I have learned how to feed myself, and feed myself well. Learning to feed ourselves full healthy meals is supposed to be the same model for the Christ follower (1 Peter 2 &1 Corinthians 3:2)
As we learn how to spend time in God’s Word, rightly dividing it, the sermon/ message the pastor preaches becomes more like the cherry on top of a wonderful desert. We have already been filled with Christ throughout the week.
The foundation, chief cornerstone of the church is Jesus, and we need to invest our time and energy to help our congregants fill themselves with Jesus Christ.
I guarantee you as people are taught how to feed themselves with the Word of God, (John 1), there will be nourishment for their souls, there will be growth, and there will be amazing fruit produce in lives, and others will then be taught to grow into Christ-like maturity.
Truth be told, we all are athletes. The apostle Paul says we are all runners in the race of life. We have prepared before us an amazing feast, let’s dig in take as much as we’d like of the Bread of Life, the Living Water.
The Rev. Dr. Matthew Webster is pastor of First Congregational Church of Clarkston.

Tony Campolo, a well-known Christian speaker and a sociologist, tells a true story about how he was at a conference in Honolulu, Hawaii. Since it was a six-hour time difference, he was wide awake at 3:00 in the morning.
And he was hungry. So he decides to take a walk. He finds a shabby caf?. He sits down and he’s eating. He can’t help but overhear a conversation between two women. He realizes they are prostitutes. One’s name was Agnes.
Agnes was saying tomorrow was her birthday, and the other person was saying, ‘Anything like a party going to happen??
She says, ‘I’ve never had a birthday party in my life.?
Not too long after that they left, so Tony turns to the owner of the diner, a guy named Harry, and says, ‘Do you know those women??
Harry says, ‘Sure. They’re in here every night at the same time. I know them pretty well. I know all the people who come in late at night.?
Tony says, ‘Let’s throw her a party. When she comes in tomorrow night, let’s have a party for her.? Harry says, ‘If you want.?
Tony says, ‘I’ll go out and buy the decorations, and I’ll buy the cake. I’ll buy all that stuff. Do you know any of her friends??
He says, ‘Sure, I know all of her friends.? He says, ‘Well, you invite them.?
The next night at 2:30 they began to decorate the diner, and they decorated the cake. All of her friends started coming in around 3:15.
Of course, as Tony looked around, he suddenly realized all of her friends were prostitutes.
Here he is, a Christian speaker, in the middle of a diner filled with prostitutes.
At 3:30 a.m. Agnes walks in, and everybody screams, ‘Happy Birthday!? Tony describes that she was utterly stunned.
She couldn’t stand up. She sat down and just started crying.
She looked at the cake, but she was crying too much to blow the candles out. Harry blew out the candles and handed her a knife.
As she looked at it, she said, ‘No, wait a minute. Do we really have to eat it right now? Look, I’ll be right back. I live right down the block, and I want to keep the cake. Would it be okay if we just kept the cake? Could I just take it home and keep it? I don’t want to eat it right now. Is that okay??
Tony and Harry said, ‘Well, sure.?
She said, ‘Wait a minute. I’ll be right back.?
She jumps up and runs out. So there is Tony standing in a restaurant full of prostitutes, and they don’t know what to do next.
After an awkward pause Tony says, ‘What do you say we pray for Agnes?? So they held hands and prayed for Agnes. He prayed for her salvation. He prayed her life would be changed and God would be good to her.
When he finished, Harry leaned over and said, ‘You never told me you were a preacher. What kind of church do you belong to??
Tony answered, ‘I belong to the kind of church that throws birthday parties for prostitutes at 3:30 a.m.?
Harry thought a second and with some shock in his face, he said, “No, you don’t. There is no church like that. If there was, I’d join it. I’d join a church like that.?
What kind of church are we? Read through the Gospels and ask yourself, ‘What kind of church should we be??
The Rev. Greg Henneman is pastor of Clarkston Community Church

So, did the groundhog see his shadow or not? Will we have another six weeks of winter or is spring around the corner?
If you really stop and think about it, spring does not begin until March 20, about six weeks away! And, with all the cameras and lights, how can the groundhog help but see his shadow?
While it might be a fun tradition there really is not any validity to the weather forecasting ability of this animal that crawls out (or is forced out) of winter hibernation.
There are many traditions that can be attached to Groundhog day, but that is all they are, traditions.
So, what would be the better focus? We live in Michigan, an area that expects snow and colder temperatures this time of the year.
How can we make the best of what we have? Can we enjoy walks in the snow? Can we brave the temperatures for an adventure of sledding down the hill or putting on the skis or the snowboard and appreciating the good health and blessings God brings us?
Maybe you prefer to break out a puzzle and sit in front of the fire place as you are warmed by the flames with a cup of hot cocoa or coffee. Or maybe you travel to the gym to support one of our local teams.
Psalm 104 focuses on God’s action of creating. It speaks of the things He created and how He ordered them. In v. 19 we read He made the moon to mark the seasons; the sun knows its time for setting. (ESV) I always marvel how science will come up with these wonderful discoveries like sun and moon patterns and the affects the moon has on the earth.
Then I go back to God’s Word and find the same thing written thousands of years ago! Is it modern science or ancient history? I prefer to claim the latter based on the evidence God has given me in His Word.
Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, wrote For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven (Ecclesiastes 3:1).
We watch seasons come and go, people in our lives come and go, things around us change. In the midst of this we have a constant: God. He never changes. He is immutable.
We are the ones who change. We are the ones who turn away from Him and claim myths and fables to be the truth.
Will winter continue? Maybe for a short time (six weeks?). Will God continue? His faithfulness never ends! He, Who sent His Son, Jesus, to take the nails for us, will continue to pour His love out for us.
When we come to Him He does, and always will, forgive our sins. Just look around.
As the snows begin to melt and life hidden is again revealed, remember our God Who shares all things with us, especially His love and joys. Come and see!
The Rev. Kendall Schaeffer is pastor of St. Trinity Lutheran Church.

Even though it was just a few weeks ago, Christmas and New Year already seem like long ago memories.
I’m already used to saying and writing 2015 as if it’s been here forever. Life moves on so quickly. Now its Super Bowl weekend and all of the hype and controversy surrounding that big event makes me stop to think again about what really matters in my life and how I spend my precious time.
It seems like most of us try to pack more and more into the time we have. Of course, even with all of the advances in technology and ‘time-saving? devices, time still moves along as in God’s original design, with 24 hours in a day and 365 days in a year.
We have not figured out a way to make more time, so we are left with the ongoing challenge and opportunity of making good use of the time given us.
Though I did hear that a leap-second will be added in June this year so we stay on track with solar time. Wow, an extra second, wonder how I will use that?
You may have heard about the seminar presenter who placed a jar on a table and carefully filled it with some large rocks and asked, ‘Is the jar full?? The students responded, ‘Yes!?
Next she took some gravel and added it to the jar, filling the spaces between the rocks, and again asked, ‘Is the jar full??
Being quick learners, the students replied ‘Probably not.?
So the presenter dumped some sand into the jar filling in the spaces between the rocks and the gravel and once again asked, ‘Is the jar full?? ‘No!? the students all said.
Finally, she filled the jar completely with water and asked the students what they had learned.
Someone answered, ‘If you try really hard you can always fit more things into your life.?
The presenter replied, ‘No, the point is this, if you don’t put the big rocks in first you will never fit them in.?
I believe this principle can be applied to all aspects of life. The fundamental question for each of us to ask is, ‘What are the big rocks? What are the super bowls, the most important things in life, and have I made room for them??
So I have been thinking and praying about this. For me, my relationship with God is primary, then my family, work, community service, recreation, etc. My participation in church is also very important because it reminds me what really matters and how much we matter to God.
At Calvary this winter we are studying an interesting book with a very long title, ‘Why Nobody Wants to Go to Church Anymore and how 4 Acts of Love Will Make Your Church Irresistible.?
It addresses the issue that for many in the US today, church is not one of the ‘big rocks? of life. Of course going to church and believing in God are not the same thing, and all too often there is a disconnect between Jesus and our experiences or perceptions of the church.
Authors Thom and Joani Schultz lift up the four major reasons their research shows people don’t attend church: ‘I feel judged, I don’t want to be lectured, Christians are a bunch of hypocrites, and your God is irrelevant to my life.?
They then suggest these four responses: ‘radical hospitality, fearless conversations, genuine humility, and divine anticipation.? Interesting stuff.
This has given me some good things to reflect on about my life and our church. Sometimes it’s not just what the ‘big rocks? of life are, but also how we put them into the jar that matters.
I am glad that the bottom line for me is God’s grace and loving acceptance that gives me a fresh start each new year, and each new day!
The Rev. Jonathan Heierman is senior pastor at Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church

A few days ago, during one of my visits to the school chapel, I heard one of the girls pray: ‘Lord, may people all over the world enjoy the same freedoms that we enjoy in our country.?
Knowing the girl and what recently happened in her native country, I understood immediately what she was talking about: the freedom to discuss God and religion in schools, both public and private. A law passed last month in Venezuela ‘requires education to have a ‘lay character’in all circumstances? and leaves religious education to families.?? (Catholic News Service, Tuesday, August 25th, 2009)
If that doesn’t sound too alarming to you, take a minute to ponder what is happening. In an age of open-mindedness, globalization, and diversity, it almost appears that in some parts of the world God must only be discussed in the privacy of one’s own home. Many are being forbidden to learn about God in the very places where they should be encouraged to open their horizons.
Independence is among the first principles our nation was founded to protect and nurture, but it can be taken too far.
As Fulton Sheen once remarked, ‘anyone who thinks he is totally independent from everyone else should take a look to see if he has a belly button.? We are unique, but we shouldn’t pretend that we don’t rely on others to help make us better. For many, believing in and relying on a loving God helps them to become better people. Is that a topic that is harmful to discuss? Is it healthy to pretend that we have to be totally independent from God?
In a free society, people should not feel intimidated about or afraid of discussing God in public. We live in a society where free speech is guaranteed. However, among some, it seems that there is a certain fear to speak about God. What is there to fear? Religion has been blamed for causing division and war and it is true that people have fought for religious purposes. However, isn’t it unfair and close-minded to highlight the mistakes people have made in the name of religion while overlooking the countless ways that religion has brought peace, security, and unity?
If we are free to discuss the excesses of those who are devoted to religion, can we not also be free to discuss the hospitals, orphanages, homeless shelters, soup kitchens, and, yes, educational institutions established in the name of religion? Can’t we also admire the fact that there are those who believe that some things are more precious than their own life?
It is no coincidence that societies which want to leave God aside also end up leaving human rights aside. Governments may decide that God will be banned from discussion in schools, but they cannot banish the desire to know and love God from the human heart. The truth is that when we decide not to make God part of our discussions or part of our lives, he is not the one who suffers; we do.
Fr. Daniel Pajerski, LC, is Formation Director for Everest Academy.

‘If there is to be peace in the world, there must be peace in the nations. If there is to be peace in the nations, there must be peace in the cities. If there is to be peace in the cities, there must be peace between neighbors. If there is to be peace between neighbors, there must be peace in the home. If there is to be peace in the home, there must be peace in the heart.? Lao Tse
The year 2014 was the hottest on record. A dozen people are killed in Paris when terrorists raid a satirical magazine. Pope Francis declares man’s role in climate change. Nigerian rebel/terrorist group kills thousands. Republican takeover of both houses of Congress puts climate change deniers as committee chairs over NOAA, NASA and other scientific organizations. Police raids net hundreds of suspected terrorists in European countries.
Seemingly separate issues and happenings around the globe. The news is full of conflicts, death, destruction and controversy. So what is new about that? Nothing, but it sells newspapers.
Politicians, religious leaders, terrorists, industrialists, etc. control through the spreading of fear. Fear sells medicines, guns and advertising. Fear buys votes, loyalty and obedience. Fear causes us to do that which we would not normally do: lie, cheat, steal and kill. This kind of fear has no place in the spiritual life. It comes from our belief in separation.
We appear to be separate beings with separate bodies, wants and needs. We have individual names and personalities. We are born, we live and then we die. We appear to have a temporary, limited, existence.
At a cellular level we are atoms and molecules, the same atoms and molecules that exist throughout creation.
At a subatomic level we are energy, relationships and probability patterns. At the spiritual level we are expressions of the infinite, unlimited, eternal existence; we are expressions of the Ultimate Reality, First Cause, Cosmic Consciousness; we are one with the One.
‘Most men lead lives of quiet desperation and go to the grave with the song still in them.? Henry David Thoreau.
Are we are too busy making a living to have a life? Do we spend our time and money chasing happiness while rarely catching it in fleeting moments?
True happiness, peace and contentment come not from doing but from being. We can choose to be happy, peaceful and content.
There is nothing that we do that will bring these to us except sharing them with others.
Faith is a power that draws to us that which we focus on; what we believe becomes our reality. When we focus on outer things: doctors, relationships, job, as the source of our healing, happiness and prosperity, then there is reason to fear their loss.
If we focus on the inner, divine, spiritual reality as our source and follow divine guidance we realize peace, wholeness and abundance is our natural state.
There is not much that most of us can do to affect change on a global level. And we can choose to be happy, whole and free, just as we are created to be. This will change the world.
Blessings of peace, joy & love.
The Rev. Matthew E. long is pastor of Peace Unity Community

I had breakfast recently with my good friend Chris who has been battling a rare form of cancer for two years. With no intention to underestimate the ferocity of a disease like cancer, I have to admit that the phrase ‘battling cancer? is so overused that it dilutes how difficult this disease is to manage.
Indeed, watching Chris endure multiple surgeries, two full rounds of chemotherapy and the devastation of learning the cancer is back for another go is like witnessing full blown warfare.
And yet, I am sure if you were to ask her about her experience, she would likely tell you it was difficult and then quickly move on to how on this day she is living quite successfully, thank you very much.
She is an inspiration to me and to all those who know her because she is a living example of how wonderfully made we are. God creates us in his image? body, soul, and spirit. Our job throughout this life is to respond to this gift with gratitude and respect, always trying to balance our physical, intellectual, emotional and spiritual selves against the weight of the world’s pressure upon us. How can this be done?
Chris has always been extremely active in a variety of ways ? she runs, racewalks, practices yoga and strength training, continually challenging her body to be the best it was meant to be. Many would say that it is this attitude of fitness that has contributed to her amazing ability to fight cancer, since even the chemotherapy has not kept her out of the aerobics room at a local gym.
This would be true, at least to some extent. But Chris would be the first to remind you that while the exercise is extremely important, without the constant prayer devoted to her wellness by the people who are accustomed to working out with her, she might not be alive today.
You see, it’s all about balance. Chris intuitively understands and practices something many of us spend a lifetime trying to achieve. We must nurture all parts of our being? mind, body, and spirit. To live without food for one is to defeat your efforts to be healthy and wholesome.
And so, Chris is grateful for prayer offered on her behalf and responds with a vital and dynamic prayer life of her own. She even participates on a team that leads retreats for the women of her church!
Unfortunately, when the going gets rough, we as ‘productive? members of society tend to let go of that which is less outwardly productive, our spirituality and our prayer life.
Believe me, I’m not judging, since I am as guilty as the rest! Luckily, I have people like Chris in my life to remind me of the sacredness of life, of the gift of each day, and the essential nature of prayer and relationship with God through Christ. I encourage you to commit today to live a more balanced life.
A change of season is a good time to make positive changes in our personal lives and the harvest is a wonderful reminder of God’s provision in our lives. Live well!
Cheryl Smith is director of Adult Faith Formation at St. Daniel Catholic Church.

Statistics have shown by the time you read this article, 20 percent of the people who have made a New Year’s Resolution will fail to keep it. (www.happypublishing.com/articles/self_improvement/top-reasons-people-break-resolutions).
There are many reasons why we don’t end up keeping our New Year’s Resolutions, but the predominant reason happens to also be the very same thing that causes people the most frustration within the Christian faith. So, maybe I can help set free, chronic resolution makers and frustrated followers of Christ all in one article.
Many New Year’s Resolutions are destined to fail from the start because they are based on the all or nothing premise.
For instance, a common resolution might be to stop smoking. Smokers will tell you, your desire to quit will not diminish your craving to smoke. If you were to ever light up another cigarette, you have failed in your resolution to quit smoking.
Resolutions depend on your ability to overcome something that has been stronger than you in your past.
Christians can also land in the same camp, frustrated over something stronger than their own ability to overcome. This is why works-based religion does not work. (Bad pun)
What is the alternative for frustrated resolution makers/Christians around the world? Hebrews 4:11 says; ‘Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest.?
What the writer of Hebrews is referring to is to enter into Christ’s rest. Understand Christ’s work on the cross accomplished victory in your life, for all who will receive what He has done.
So, instead of looking to ourselves to overcome, we look to the One who Overcame.
The key is found in what you believe and where you look. If you don’t believe that God wants to bless you and has already blessed you with every blessing in Christ Jesus, then you will constantly work and never rest.
You will exhaust yourself trying to get what He has already given. You may try and work for rewards from God, work harder to set yourself free from destructive habits (resolutions), but if you are trying (working) instead of trusting (faith/receiving) you will find you are always in want, anxious and insecure, exhausted and ever failing.
Watchman Nee said, ‘you can trust or you can try and the difference is heaven and hell.? Resolutions are all about trying to become the best version of you that you can become (www.usa.gov/Citizen/Topics/New-Years-Resolutions).
In Christ, the best version of you is found. What makes you a holy and righteous beloved child of God is not your actions. It is who you are. It was a free gift to you, purchased by the blood of Christ. Like a great tree, you mature into what God has already made you to become.
That is how sanctification works. So, setbacks come as a result of self-effort when we live in our strength instead of receiving the unlimited supply of the Almighty God.
Israel had to wander in the wilderness because they tried to earn what God wanted to give them and consequently they never entered the Lord’s rest until after a generation had passed.
I pray that your New Year’s Resolution will be to give up self-effort, and abide in the love of Christ. You ‘ll be amazed to discover whatever resolution you have to do, flows out of who you are and not the other way around.
The Rev. Dr. Matthew Webster is pastor of First Congregational Church of Clarkston.

Ever feel like the man who just had his annual physical exam and was waiting for the doctor’s initial report? After a few minutes the doctor came in with his charts in hand and said, ‘There’s no reason why you can’t live a completely normal life as long as you don’t try to enjoy it.?
Some people feel that way about Christianity.
They think that to be a Christian means that you can’t enjoy life. The truth is just the opposite.
Most people settle for too little joy when God wants them to experience tremendous joy.
Scripture is replete with commands to ‘Rejoice always! Be joyful always! Be thankful!?
It’s sad that more Christians don’t experience more happiness. Happiness would help their light to shine.
As we enter into 2015, I want to share with you three keys to a truly Happy New Year. I have found these keys to be a powerful help in my own life.
Key #1: Realize that happiness is a gift from God. It’s fascinating that the Bible commands us to be happy ‘as if we can do something about it! The fact is, we can’t do anything about it, without God’s help.
This world is full of people trying to get happy in all the wrong ways. Joy is a fruit of the Spirit, so as we deepen our relationship with Christ and seek his Presence, we can call on his Spirit to give us joy.
Key #2: Take charge of your attitude. Dr. Swindoll has written, ‘The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do.
‘It is more important than appearance, giftedness, or skill. It will make or break a company, a church, a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past — we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude — I am convinced that life is ten percent what happens to me and ninety percent how I react to it. And so it is with you — we are in charge of our Attitudes.?
I would qualify that last statement by saying, ‘We are in charge of our attitudes, but cannot consistently change our attitudes without dependence upon the Spirit of Christ.?
Key #3: Develop honest and open relationships. God has wired us to be in relationships. This is why God created the family. This is why God created the church. The church is supposed to be God’s family, where we come together and relate to one another on the basis of our common commitment to Christ.
As we worship together and live the adventure of life together, we learn how to laugh and cry together. Someone has said, ‘A sorrow shared is half the sorrow, while a joy shared is twice the joy.?
Don’t go through life alone! It will double your sorrow and decrease your joy!
I encourage you to try these three keys. They will unlock a HAPPY NEW YEAR for you!
The Rev. Greg Henneman is pastor of Clarkston Community Church

There is an air of excitement and hope as the adventure of a new school year begins. There is also anxiety and fear about what the future holds.
Above all it is hard for me to believe that summer is already moving into fall. Football games, fall weddings, apples and fresh produce of all kinds, crisp nights and hoped for ‘Indian summer? days ? these are some of my favorite things.
This time of year for me will always be, above all, a reminder of how much I love to learn and grow.
In fact I think that’s the way God made us. So each day I try to learn something new and grow deeper in some way ? maybe in a relationship or in knowledge about something or maybe getting to know myself better or God.
It seems to me that as people we are either learning and growing, or we are closing ourselves off and slowly dying. I know that I will always try to be open to new things and new learning ? I want to keep on growing each day of my life, even in anxious times.
When asked what is the most important thing to learn and do, Jesus summed up the Christian way of life in the Great Commandment ? love God with all your heart and soul and mind and strength; and love your neighbor as yourself (Mark 12:29-31).
Of all the great things there are to learn, I believe that learning about God’s love for us and learning to return that love and extend it to others, is far and away the most important. It applies in all of the seasons of life and in the midst of every challenging circumstance we may face. I also know that I’ve still got a lot to learn about love and that I need help along the way ? from God and from you.
Often our greatest learning about love and about ourselves comes in the most difficult and challenging situations and relationships. Do you recall the teacher or coach that taught you the most?
Most likely they loved and cared about you deeply, but probably they also challenged you to a point you didn’t like sometimes ? but you learned and grew. Life is like that as we learn to love.
Our greatest teachers often come in the form of things we would rather avoid, like challenges, painful circumstances, fearful times and difficult relationships. Someone once said that ‘God never wastes a hurt? if we are open to letting him use it to grow us.
I’ve also heard that when we are struggling to love in a difficult relationship or in these challenging times it can mean for us that ‘school’s in session? and it’s time to really learn and apply, not just talk about, loving God and others. Love is an action more than a feeling
This October at Calvary we will embark on a 40 day spiritual growth journey called ‘Fearless: Living Without Fear? based on a wonderful book by pastor and author Max Lucado. During these 40 days we will intentionally engage in some encouraging activities to help us learn and grow in faith as God’s people.
We will do this by spending time in the Bible, in prayer, in serving others, in discovering together how we can find peace and respond to anxiety with faith rather than fear. The only way I can really live and love as God intends is to be a life-long learner.
So each day this fall I hope to learn how to be more faithful and fearless in my living and in my loving.
The Rev. Jonathan Heierman is pastor of Calvary Lutheran Church.

Tomorrow is the big day! We have waited, prepared, decorated, ate (and ate), celebrated and we are ready.
After tomorrow the tree can come down, the decorations boxed for another year, we can go to the stores and return what we don’t want or what didn’t fit and, maybe, pick up some of the close-outs for next year. Then everything can get back to normal. (At least that is how many view it.)
In the church, however, the celebration is really just beginning.
Yes, we have prepared but now we begin! Christmas Eve worships remind us that we gather to celebrate a birthday’God’s Son made flesh, come to dwell amongst us.
Christmas Day we see the Baby rejected by the world, laid in a manger’a feeding trough’proclaimed by angels and welcomed by shepherds. But it is only the beginning of the twelve days of the Christmas season, which continues until January 6, the day of Epiphany (to reveal, show forth, display).
On that day, also known as the Gentile Christmas, we remember the Magi coming from the east and sharing their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh with the Christ-Child.
Three things stand out for me in Luke’s birth narrative. In Luke 2 we read about the proclamation of the angels.
Can you imagine the joy of this Child’s birth? Not even the bounds of heaven were not able to contain the angels from rejoicing and announcing His birth!
Second is the reaction of the shepherds. First, they decide to journey into Bethlehem. They want to see this gift of God to the world.
What do they do with this news? Leaving the manger they share what they have heard and seen with everyone they meet. Again, a joy and enthusiasm that cannot be contained.
It is so unlike the gifts many receive at this time of year that draw great excitement one moment, and the next are all but forgotten.
The third thing that stands out is Mary’s reaction. She is Jesus? mother and has been told what would happen by the angel Gabriel (Luke 1).
As the account unfolds, we read that Mary treasured up all these things, keeping them in her heart. Mothers probably understand this better than fathers do, but many of us know the joys a new child brings to our lives.
Some of us also face the heartaches of our children. Mary, too, would know that as her own. Her son, Jesus, the Son of God, came to die for our sins. Without that death the birth has no importance.
This Christmas season join with other saints of God’angels, shepherds, Mary and the many others, gathering around the manger.
Worship Christ, the new-born King, come to us. Proclaim the joy of His birth. Share the good news. Ponder it in your heart. And know the fullness of His forgiveness that never ends. A Baby, born for you, Christ, the Lord. Joy to the world, He has come!
The Rev. Kendall Schaeffer is pastor of St. Trinity Lutheran Church.

God’s design for every human being is that they would use their gifts and abilities to develop this world for His glory.
Unfortunately, people often find themselves so weighed down by burdens that they themselves are incapable of doing the good they know they should.
Of all the burdens that people carry ? ranging from health to finances to relationships and more ? I’m convinced that the most oppressive burden of all is guilt.
Guilt has a way of infiltrating every aspect of your being and hindering you from doing what the Lord would have you do.
This, of course, is why Satan delights in accusing people of their wrong, because it keeps them from fully contributing to God’s world.
A good example of the crippling effects of guilt can be seen in the story of Joseph and his brothers.
After Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers, he eventually became the prime minister of Egypt. While in this position, a great famine came on the land, and his brothers were compelled to come before Joseph in Egypt for food (Gen.42).
As the story unfolds, it’s apparent that the brothers of Joseph were burdened by guilt years after they mistreated him.
Not only did guilt immobilize them from going down to Egypt in the first place, but it made them very fearful once they got there.
Also, because of their bad conscience, they were incapable of receiving the good that Joseph extended to them, and they were inclined to behave in foolish and illogical ways.
Guilt still has the same effects today.
How many people are well aware of something they need to be doing today but just can’t bring themselves to do it because they are burdened by some misdeed of yesterday?
How many people spend their days nagged with the thought that their lives are doomed because they fear the wrong they have done will catch up with them?
Or, how many are there who are suspect of every kindness shown them because they know themselves to be unworthy?
I’m afraid the answer to all of these questions is that there are many.
But there is good news for the guilty.
God sent His Son Jesus Christ to pay the penalty for those who know their guilt and free them from living in a state of condemnation (Rom.8:1).
This is all part of God’s plan to restore humanity to its original design, and equip individuals to serve Him in this world.
Does guilt have you incapable of moving forward without fear? Then turn away from yourself and turn to Jesus Christ in faith.
Lay your sins upon Him and shake off your guilty fears. Realize that you are His workmanship, and go do the good He has prepared for you to do (Eph.2:8-10).
The Rev. David Bostrom is pastor of Seed of the Harvest ministries.

I wonder what Jesus wants for Christmas ? for his birthday ? this year?
I have been pondering this question while preparing for my Advent and Christmas sermons at Calvary Lutheran. It’s an interesting question because in most cases the one having the birthday is the one who receives gifts. However at Christmas it seems most of the focus is on what gifts we will either be receiving or giving someone else for Jesus? birthday.
Of course these can be very kind and loving gifts we give to others. And the Bible teaches us that especially when we give to those in need we are giving to Jesus in a very real way. But still, I wonder how often we really stop to ask the question, ‘What does Jesus want from me for Christmas this year??
I heard this little story recently which might make you smile, as well as offer some insights into answering this question:
A couple days before Christmas there was a long line at the post office as people were frantically trying to get things in the mail for loved ones far away. An exasperated woman finally reaches the counter and asks, ‘Can you get this to my dad in California by Christmas??
The clerk responds, ‘Yes we can, but it will cost you to get it there overnight.?
‘How much??
‘It will be $53.25.?
The woman continues, ‘Wow, that is a lot, but I’ve got to do it. This present is for my dad and it has to be there by Christmas’because Christmas is also his birthday.?
To which the clerk responds: ‘What a bummer that is’having a birthday on Christmas day. I sure am glad I don’t know anyone born on Christmas.?
Someone from the back of the line with a quick wit and a vital faith says, ‘I sure am glad I do!?
I believe that Christmas, at its deepest level, is really all about knowing someone born on Christmas day ? really knowing him, and loving him, and living our lives for him. Because of that I am convinced the best gift of all we can give Jesus, and what he wants most, is our hearts and our lives and our first love.
This is what he wants, because he knows when we do put him first, our lives will begin to have more purpose, hope, joy, peace and love ? for God and for others. God sent Jesus to us at that first Christmas to be the gift that would truly keep on giving.
So what does this look like? Here is what Paul writes in Colossians chapter 3:
As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.
Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body.
And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God.
And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
I think Jesus would jump for joy, do a dance, even some somersaults, if we lived this out as our gift for his birthday this Christmas and into the future.
The Rev. Jonathan Heierman is pastor of Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church

Cleveland, Phoenix, Las Vegas, West Virginia, New York, Ferguson, and the list goes on. Grief, outrage, sympathy, media circus, concern, everyone is affected by these events. We open our hearts and minds in prayer for all of us to realize a greater level of peace, wholeness and abundance in divine order and divine timing.
The truth is that historically speaking, the incidence of violent crime is down. Every day around our planet billions of parents love, care and nurture their children. Every day billions of children go to school and learn. Every day billions of people go to their market and purchase what they need and want. Every day billions of people go about their lives in relative peace and harmony. This is the truth.
This does not mean we don’t do anything about these events. What we do we do with love remembering that the news is news because it is the exception; it is the unusual not the norm.
For me, the news is a source for my prayer list. When something in the news stirs a reaction within me, anytime I realize I am mentally or emotionally affected by outer events, I know it is time to pray and once again consciously realize the presence and power of good, of God, active in my life and in the lives of all those with whom I pray.
In Unity, we have a Prayer for Protection that serves as a general purpose prayer and in times when words fail us. ‘The light of God surrounds you, the love of God enfolds you, the power of God protects you and the presence of God watches over you. Wherever you are God is!? We know this truth for ourselves and for all those with whom we pray.
In the midst of current events, life goes on. We are half way through our Advent Season, two weeks before the celebration of the Christ Mass. Everywhere people are preparing for their celebrations honoring the return of the light on the Winter Solstice. In the midst of the darkness is the seed of new light. This is the promise of Christmas.
This can be a time of our awakening to the Spirit of Christ within. It can be a time of turning our minds and hearts to be the light of spiritual awareness that Jesus spoke about, ‘You are the light of the world? (Matthew 5:14.) ‘God is Spirit? (John 4:24 ) and we are made in the image and after the likeness of God (Genesis 1:26). We are inherently spiritual.
The Christmas story is our story. Joseph and Mary represent our thoughts and feelings who have had a spiritual awakening, they were visited by angels. This awakening is bringing forth a new level of awareness within us, this is the Christ child, the progressive growth in awareness of our unity in Spirit.There was no room for them at the inn, this symbolizes our intellect which is full of preconceived ideas and beliefs of what is real. So the birth, the coming forth into conscious awareness, happens in a manger: this is our heart center which is opened to give and receive.
Life is calling for us to awaken to our divinity. Night will pass and day will surely come. Now is the time for our awakening. Now we are called upon to ‘be the change you want to see in the world? (Ghandi.)
A story is told of a man who dreamed he had died and, standing before his creator, was given a choice between heaven or hell. First, he was shown a room labeled Hell, where miserable people sat around a bountiful banquet table with all the delicacies a person could desire. Tied to their hands were spoons and forks that were three feet long, so despite the abundance they could not feed themselves. Next, he was shown a room labeled Heaven. Here was the same scene, same bountiful table, same three foot long spoons and forks. The only difference was that the people were joyously feeding each other.It’s our choice.
Blessings of peace, joy & love
The Rev. Matthew E. Long is pastor of Peace Unity Community

As you read and listen to the news these days, there seems to be a lot of positive news on the economic front.
Personally I am not very impressed with the commentaries of the so-called experts myself, as I am reminded that these experts contributed to our recent flirt with disaster on the economic front.
Of course we cannot just blame the experts; there is more than just a little blame to go around in every segment of society.
This plague has not just been local; it has been widespread to most of the developed world. We have witnessed excessive living without the constraint of principles.
Now, with much help from the government, we are seeing a turnaround in many places. Unfortunately, much of this turnaround stems from artificial stimulation rather than the natural flow of the markets and proper response of people.
It is simply money from the government enticing people into spending and money being pumped into the financial institutions to get people borrowing. The long-term benefits are still somewhat dubious.
The Bible says in Acts 3:19, ‘repent therefore and be converted in order that times of refreshing might come from the throne of God.?
The biblical concept of repentance is sorely needed in our world today. Repentance begins with a recognition that something is wrong and we need to do something about it. Oftentimes repentance is thrust upon us by circumstances that have blown up in our faces.
The second step of repentance is to acknowledge what we have done wrong in order to bring about change in our circumstance and to make the corrections necessary to both repair the problem and keep it from happening again.
I have seen many people who just repeat the same actions over and over again, only to reap the same consequences. They never see change in their life and are always mad at the world, or God when times of trouble come.
Albert Einstein once said, ‘Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.? As an observer and student of history I have also witnessed this same pattern in societies.
Around the time of the September 11, 2001 disaster we were experiencing the first rumblings of our later financial distress. The Federal Reserve pumped money into the system to keep us from suffering and only rekindled the housing bubble for it to burst later on.
Who would have ever thought that we would see houses for under $50,000 in Clarkston again? This is an example of what the government can do for us when we refuse to swallow the hard pill of our mistakes and put off our ‘day of reckoning? into the future. It seems that we are doing the same thing all over again.
It is interesting that at the same time we are seeing recklessness in high places. There seems to be a revolt in our country against the foolishness of governmental intervention.
The savings rate of the average American is skyrocketing at a time that the government has gone hog-wild at the trough of excessive spending. This could in fact be the sign of a revival of our society that will result in the end with better government.
What does this have to do with our spiritual life? Jesus said in Luke 16:11, ‘therefore if you have not been faithful in unrighteous money who will commit to you the true riches?? Our choices are often more far-reaching than we know. It is time for all of us to repent and experience His refreshing in our lives so that we may be prepared for even greater opportunities.
The Rev. Loren Covarrubias is pastor of Mt. Zion Temple.

Perhaps you have walked in my shoes. ‘Mom! We’re on vacation! Why do we have to go to church when we’re on VACA-A-A-ATION???
This normally leads to that oft-used expression that goes something like, ‘None of my FRIENDS? MOMS make their kids go to Church on VACA-A-A-ATION!?
Ah, a challenge and a choice of responses to be made.
Should I use the guilt trip (Is one hour a week really too much to ask?) The discipline line? (It’s good for you, that’s why!) Or, how about the bribery line? (Oh, come on, honey! It’ll be fun! We’ll go out to breakfast after!) If all else fails, just lay down the law (you know the one?.As long as you live in my house?..)
This family episode got me to thinking about two things a bit more seriously.
The first involves a call I believe we all have to adopt a missionary spirit. After all, if you think about it, kitchen table evangelization with our own families and friends is likely some of the greatest missionary work being done in this country today.
The second is related to the first. Once we’ve done the very fine work of bringing the good news of the Gospel to our family and others, how do we convince them to actually attend our churches?
We don’t usually think of ourselves as missionaries unless we’ve had the experience of traveling to a different country for the purpose of witnessing to the Gospel. Yet, isn’t that what we are?
If you’re reading this article, there’s a good chance that you also go to church or, at the very least, you associate with a church even if your attendance is a bit irregular. In my mind, that makes you a disciple and a missionary.
Jesus? last words to his disciples in Matthew’s gospel were, ‘Go, then, to all peoples everywhere and make them my disciples?? Frankly, where do we start?
My suggestion is to start at the kitchen table. Experience has taught that it helps to witness to children (and adults for that matter) in a way whereby they don’t even know we’re doing it. A sense of calm, joy, life, and a healthy dose of humor go a long way toward making the gospel seem less constrictive than they might guess.
After all, to love the world the way God loves it means meeting people where they are without judgment or fear. It might help to recall Jesus? parable about yeast in which he says, ‘the kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed with three measures of wheat flour until the whole batch was leavened.? Yeast is useless on a pantry shelf; it must enter the dough! God doesn’t protect himself from the world, so why should we?
Try it!
The next step, attendance at worship, might present a bit more of a challenge, but I contend that we should not lose hope!
Many of our churches are doing a magnificent job at providing opportunities for people to bring God into their lives where they are at. It’s our job, as disciples and missionaries, to invite them to come and see. At St. Daniel this weekend, for example, we are hosting a ‘Welcome Home? weekend for those who have been away for the summer as well as for those who might be looking for a church to call home.
We were amazed during our planning process to discover that we have over 40 opportunities for men, women, and children to refresh their spirit and celebrate their faith!
So, dear child, why should you be going to church, even on vacation? It’s a great question and it deserves a well thought out answer.
Our churches are sacred; they are set apart as a meeting place with the Body of Christ, the community.
To stay connected to the Body of Christ, wherever you are at, enlivens your spirit and prepares you for the work to be done at home. Praise God! How’s that for an answer?
Cheryl Smith is director of Adult Faith Formation at St. Daniel Catholic Church.

When you think of the word “church” what comes to mind?
For some church brings to mind an image of a quaint country building with a pretty white steeple.
For others perhaps a grand cathedral in Europe or a place you went as a child on a bus to learn about Jesus.
Sometimes churches are in homes or schools or warehouses or theatres and even in pubs or restaurants. Many of us have fond memories of the church we grew up in.
However many people today see the Church as antiquated and having little or no role their lives.
Others have had negative experiences and the very word church brings to mind judgmental and hurtful memories.
Most of us cringe at some of the things in history that have been done by the church. I am pretty sure God does to.
In the Bible the New Testament word for church is a translation of the Greek word ekklesia, meaning a people who are “called out” by God for God’s purpose.
The word church is never used to refer to a building or meeting place, but always to a people who are called into God’s mission.
It has always seemed ironic to me that when someone (including me) is asked what church they attend, we almost always identify the building we go to.
It would truly be more accurate to say something like, “I am a follower of Jesus on a mission from God who happens to gather occasionally at such and such place to learn and grow so that I can be the church in the world right where I am in every moment of every day.”
I know it’s a bit long, but I hope you catch the drift that the church is a people serving God wherever they are, and certainly not a building or a place or a denomination.
Simply put, we don’t go to church, we are the church – or we’ve missed the point!
I really appreciate the way Anglican clergyman Ernest Southcott put it: “The holiest moment of the church service is the moment when God’s people–strengthened by preaching and sacrament–go out of the church door into the world to be the church.”
Just this past Sunday Calvary Lutheran “left the building” on Bluegrass Drive to be the church and serve during Clarkston Community Impact Day.
As part of My Habitat Clarkston hundreds served alongside members of other congregations, Clarkston Community Schools, the Chamber of Commerce, as well as various other community organizations to help those in need and to improve our community.
This is something that happens each fall and spring, and I hope it will grow to include even more in our community.
“Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20-21)
The Rev. Jonathan Heierman is pastor of Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church

Election Day is next week. My phone keeps ringing with ‘surveys? that are disguised political campaigns. It seems as if every other article that comes to my news feed is ‘sponsored content?, what we used to call advertising, and makes some startling claims about a candidate or issue has little basis in fact. Talking heads on ‘News? channels echo these misstatements of fact or misleading claims, what some people would vulgarly call lies.
As I read, watch and listen to these many campaign advertisements I am reminded of Pilate’s question to Jesus during his trial, ‘What is Truth?? John 18:38. A question that Jesus would not answer.
According to the dictionary, truth is what is true or in accordance with fact or reality; not false.
I would think that finding the truth would be easy. We discover the facts and the truth becomes plain. Yet, two different people or groups take the same set of facts or data and arrive at different conclusions as to what is true.
Is the economy improving or declining, is the earth warming or cooling, are we safer or more vulnerable to terrorism, is the current administration doing enough or too much, are we better or worse off than we were before?
Some say yes, some say no. Reminds me of a Beatles song ‘You say yes, I say no. You say stop and I say go, go, go, oh no. You say goodbye and I say hello.?
In many ways, truth is what is true for you. My truth may not be the same as your truth. This truth is relative; it is relative to this time and place and set of circumstances. What is true today may not be true tomorrow.
We are at peace or at war, the economy is in recession or in recovery, government is not doing enough or doing too much. Today I am a certain height and weight and age, I am healthy or sickly, I am rich or poor or somewhere in between. All these and more are facts that will change.
What does not change is God. Our conception of God changes. Our beliefs about God change. Our ways of relating to God change, for we are growing and unfolding and evolving our spiritual awareness and expression of Truth. Absolute Truth, God, does not change: we do.
Now what do we know about God, about Truth? God is Spirit: Genesis 1:2 & John 4:24, God is good: Genesis 1:31, Mark 10:18, God is Our Father: Exodus 4:22, Jeremiah 31:9, Matthew 6:9, and God is love: Pslams 136:1-21, 1John 4:16. These things are real, infinite, unlimited and eternal as God is real, infinite, unlimited and eternal.
Therefore Truth and God are not material, evil, unrelated, hateful nor fearful.
Those things are not real and have no real existence or truth in them. So when we participate in those negatives we are consciously separating ourselves from God, from Truth, from Spirit, from good, from Our Father, from love. This separation only happens in consciousness. It is not real, only false evidence appearing real.
Life is consciousness: what we believe is true is true for us. Though the world may engage in negativity, we always have the choice not to participate in it. ‘I have said this to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.? John 16:33.
We have the opportunity to sort through the unreal to find the real and to vote with our thoughts, words and action for Truth. Eliminate the negativity, the fear, the belief in separation, of lack and limitation in your life. Embrace Spirit, the good, the loving Source for all that is real including you.
Blessings of peace, joy & love.
Matthew E. Long is senior minister
for Peace Unity Community

We have an international event occurring that teaches us a very important lesson for life and one I hope our country learns from.
In the country of Honduras, we have been drawn into a major political conflict. The president of Honduras, Jose Manuel Zelaya, is a left-leaning person in close relationship with Hugo Chavez, president of Venezuela.
Chavez fancies himself to be a leader who will take up the cause of the poor, like his hero Fidel Castro of Cuba. One can only wonder if his intentions are altruistic or self-serving, but we can only guess.
Either way, he has convinced many people in his country to trust his intentions by making him their president first, then allowing him unprecedented political powers.
The constitution of his country limited the terms of the president to stop the trend of many Latin countries to be dominated by dictators. He was able to get the constitution changed through many political maneuvers.
Now many expect that he will exercise his increasing powers to sustain a lifetime in office, as Fidel Castro did in Cuba. Fidel maintained his complete control of Cuba for 50 years.
President Zelaya tried to follow Chavez’s path recently by forcing a referendum on Honduras to change their constitution.
This referendum change would allow presidents to serve more than one term in office. He claimed that this was not for his benefit, but you can imagine what the leaders of Honduras believed.
Like the United States, Honduras has a three-branch system of government in order to bring checks and balances on the power of one group. Both the Honduran Congress and the Supreme Court ruled his actions as unconstitutional and a breaking of the law. Both branches in agreement sought his ouster and used the military to remove him from office.
Although it looks like a military takeover, it was in fact the actions of two branches of government seeking to limit the excessive authority of the other. Recent events certainly confirm their suspicions as Hugo Chavez has come out strongly endorsing Zelaya, using his formidable influence through oil wealth to do so.
The American government has come out of this situation on the side of Zelaya and Chavez!
Why has this happened? Because in our past, we were indeed guilty of using these kinds of maneuvers to help dictators on our side to maintain power, often times against the popular will of the people.
Now we are trying to prove that we are not what we used to be. The problem with these actions is that we are now doing what we always said we would not do, and that is, intervene into the affairs of the people of Latin America. We are threatening to cut off aid and use our influence to direct the affairs of Honduras. The only difference is the side we are on.
The point of this discourse is to point out how important it is to live by principles and not by external influence.
Any time you are trying to prove something, you respond to a situation not by principle, but by the expectations or the opinions of others.
However, proper behavior, both in the international realm of life and personal realm of life, requires that we live life by a standard of laws and principles. These principles can be fluid as we grow in experience and understanding, but they must be guided by the underlying premise that we established.
We have become a world and a country constantly responding to the events of the times; we are becoming like a ship at sea without a rudder.
This is why I love the Bible. Even in the history recorded we see the changing response of God to man, but the underlying story is still the same.
God is the same and His character is the same. He says so in His word: ‘I am the Lord who changes not.?
The Rev. Loren Covarrubias is pastor of Mt. Zion Church.

‘And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars; see that you are not alarmed; for this must take place, but the end is not yet.? Matthew 24:6
The news is full of war. Iraq, Syria and the Ukraine, are the latest headliners that have caught the world’s attention. And war is raging in Mexico, Sudan, Afghanistan, Israel, Somalia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Egypt, Libya, Central Africa, and dozens more. Some current conflicts have been ongoing for over 60 years such as the Israeli Palestinian conflict that can trace its roots back over 3000 years. War is the way of the world.
‘I have said this to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.? John 16:33
Being in the world but not of it is the great work of every Overcomer. Come over to the side of spirit. Come over to peace of mind, love, patience, tolerance and forgiveness. Come over to the life abundant and fulfilling.
‘For what will it profit a man, if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life?? Matthew 16:26
Now I do recognize the need to be in the world, to understand the ways of the world and to participate in daily life. And, as we realize and recognize the activity of spirit in our daily life, we can be at peace in the midst of the conflict around us.
‘If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.? John 15:19
And, as we learn to focus on the positive, uplifting, creative expressions of life rather that the negative, downputting, destructive expressions, we may not fit in with our old friends and associates who like to focus on the negative.
There is much pressure to go along with the crowd. We need to be strong in our faith in a higher way, a divine path that leads to fulfillment, peace, love and joy.
‘This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.? John 15:12
‘Love is the way, I walk in gratitude? is the title of a song written by my friend Michael Stillwater. It came from his reading of spiritual materials. It reminds me that I have so much to be grateful for. God love is my path, the way I walk, the home in which I abide; it is the source of my peace of mind, the source of my joy and fulfillment with life and living; it is the greatness with which I am filled. I am grateful.
‘If any one hears my sayings and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world.? John 12:47
We can save the world. Not by changing it or other people but, as Gandhi said, when we’Be the change you wish to see in the world.? We are in the world and we are not of it. We are spiritual beings living in a physical world and we are physical beings learning to express our spirituality. Our source is spiritual, God. When we come from a conscious awareness of love, peace and joy, an awareness of patience, tolerance and forgiveness as our ground of being, we change the world around us by being the change we wish to see.
It is said that insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. Resentment is just that. It is the drinking of a poison and then expecting the other person to die. It is resending or reliving the hurt, pain and injustice. The only way out is through forgiveness: to fore give or give for. To give love for whatever has been received.
We all want to be loved. We all want people to be patient with us. We all want to receive tolerance and forgiveness. So ‘Be the change you wish to see in the world,? overcome the world, be love: save the world.
Blessings of peace, joy & love.
The Rev. Matthew E. Long is senior minister for Peace Unity Community.

Do you yodel very often? Me neither. In fact, as I check my music files, I have not one yodeling song included. I have heard yodeling before but mostly characterized it as impossible to take seriously or actually enjoy.
But now my attitude has changed somewhat. As I write this I am in Kloten, Switzerland, just outside of Zurich. My wife and I have been here for two weeks. It is our first trip to Europe and as you might imagine, have found it fascinating and wonderful.
We recently returned from a trip to the mountain region around Lake Luzern and stayed with the Vogel family. Marlise and Andy are our age, have raised five children (one who is now our son-in-law) and are active in the Catholic church in their village of Beckenried.
As we talked, Marlise told me about a funeral she recently attended. During the service, there was a selection of music offered by a yodeling choir. The comment caught me a little by surprise. Marlise was gracious in explaining to this naive parochial American that yodeling has a heritage that comes from a sacred desire to praise God.
In Switzerland there are places your heart is naturally inclined to want to praise God. The beauty of mountains, lakes, flowers, architecture, churches and more have taken me to moments of just wanting to praise God.
Yodeling is the music in this area of the world that comes from the soul, goes beyond words and lifts a series of notes intended to give thanks to God for the many blessings we have received.
Since I understand funerals as a time for grief and for praise for the life lived and being lived with the eternal Lord, I can see room made for a yodeling choir.
I have yet to download on my MP3 a yodeling song, but I think I might.
Perhaps the question is not so much whether we like yodeling as a type of music, but whether we have a grasp of the presence of God in our lives and desire to return thanks for our many blessings.
Do I have a spiritual focus allowing me to see God’s generosity? Am I humbled enough to be grateful and willing to praise God for what I didn’t earn, don’t deserve and yet receive? I will think more about that later.
But now, I get to go and hold our almost 3-week-old first grandchild Leah and give her a feeding. Yo-da-la-he-he!!!
The Rev. Richard L. Dake is pastor of Clarkston United Methodist Church.

The kids have gone back to school. I saw on Facebook Yates Cider Mill started making fresh cider from this season’s apples.
Labor Day came and went. It is the start of a new school year. As a kid it was always a time of excitement. Something new was beginning.
A new teacher, new classroom, some old friends and some new ones. And it was time to buy folders and pencils.
Now we are entering into the fall. As an adult this seems more a commemoration of the end of summer and a goodbye to great weather.
Just as there are seasons in nature, so also in the church, according to the liturgical calendar last weekend was just ‘the twenty-third Sunday of ordinary time.?
Ordinary time always seemed to me to be a strange name for a liturgical season. Ordinary time is the space in the year not Advent, not Christmas, not Lent and not Easter.
Those are times of celebration or preparation. Ordinary Time is about when Life happens.
The time of neither fasting nor feasting. The ordered times when we are unknowingly moving toward something.
Even during ordinary time there are changes and transitions. But they are subtle and often unspoken.
Ordinary time is not a time of just doing the same old same thing over and over again. It is ordered/ordinary because the days are numbered.
There is a sequence. But it is not just a repetition of what came before. Week after week we are slowly changing. Something organically unfolds in this ordinary time of life.
Then, before we know it we are getting ready for Christmas, Christ’s Mass, and Advent is here.
Each fall we at St Daniel Parish do a few things. Catechism classes resume. There are Confirmations with the bishop. ‘Time and Talent,? when we figure out how we will volunteer in the upcoming year.
We also start RCIA, of which I am a part. RCIA stands of Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. This is the process by which a person becomes Catholic.
If you or anyone you know are considering becoming Catholic or is just curious about exploring the faith we invite you.
We are meeting in the Cushing Center with some light refreshments to discuss the process this Thursday, Sept. 11 at 7 p.m. at St. Daniel Parish.
Garrett Garcia is a member of the RCIA Team at St Daniel Parish, former catechist and student at SS. Cyril and Methodius Seminary, Orchard Lake, graduated from Ave Maria School of Law in 2009, and grew up in Clarkston

When Jesus proclaimed, ‘you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free? (John 8:32), that day did not turn out to be a good one for Him, or for truth, because the people ended up harassing Him, claiming He was demon possessed.
Sometimes the truth doesn’t make you free’it makes you mad! Of course, the difference is how we handle the truth. The Scriptures tell us that truth is very valuable and ‘we should buy truth and sell it not? (See Proverbs 23:23).
This implies a very important lesson about truth: it will indeed cost us something. In fact, truth can be very liberating, but often, it will cost us more then we are willing to pay.
For the religious leaders of Jesus? time, the cost would have been letting go of traditions they held very dear.
People love their traditions! There is something about our traditions that give us comfort and security. While the future can be emotionally unsettling because of the unknown, our past is at least without unforeseen surprises. Although we may not fully understand our past, it does give us a sense of security simply because of familiarity.
Notice that most human conjecture over the future has a very negative spin. Most new things, like the advent of technology, typically set in motion our thoughts of its dangers more than its benefits.
Letting Go of Control
Growing up, I remember reading the book (and seeing the movie) 1984. You can probably guess that I grew up before 1984, and truthfully, it was my thirtieth year of life. The book, written in 1949, tells the story of a future world where a world dictatorship’s use of technology would make it possible for ‘big brother? to watch our every move and as a result, control our life.
Because we have no control of the future, this explains why the thought of it is often fearful. Having lived through the times when technology has far exceeded what the book could ever have portrayed, I have also witnessed how technology has had the opposite effect. When the Soviet Union fell, the facsimile made communication quick and the spreading of information more widespread.
This made the dictatorship powerless in controlling the people. Today, computers and social media have made an even greater impact upon society, which has led to the downfall of many totalitarian governments in the Middle East and has resulted in what is known as the ‘Arab Spring.?
Who Wants to be a Winner?
Usually when we refer to the opposite of truth, we label it a lie. However, this is not necessarily true. The opposite of truth can be a half-truth, and the greatest hindrance to truth is our resistance to the fullness of truth.
What Jesus experienced was not opposition from people telling lies as much as it was people wanting to be right. We can be right with a half-truth, however, it can easily make us comfortable with our position of opposition to truth and resistant to the truth that will inevitably ‘set us free.? As a minister, I have been in a position of counseling through many arguments and disagreements between people, including married couples, and I have found truth usually comes from hearing both sides of a disagreement.
I recently taught my congregation how they can be a winner in every debate and argument in which they are involved (notice I did not say win every debate and argument). We can always be winners if we enter a dialogue with the motivation that we are looking for truth, not looking to be right. If we look for the truth, we can be winners every time! How? In the words of Jesus, ‘you will know the truth and the truth will set you free? (John 8:32).
To know the truth and in turn experience freedom, we must be willing to pay the price. At times, we may have to admit that we are in bondage to our traditions or mindsets that keep us imprisoned to our past, and it may cost us our sense of security we have from our own understanding and logical analysis of our life. The way of truth is actually a way of faith. This is why Jesus declared, ‘I am the Way, the Truth and the Life? (John 14:6).
Jesus spoke those encouraging words to His disciples as He was preparing to leave them. Their future would now be uncertain from a logical perspective because they couldn’t manage their future based upon their past experiences.
However, if they would believe, they could be free, understanding that the best of life was right in front of them. Will you seek the truth in earnest and walk with the peace of His plan yet unfolding in your situation and in our world?
The Rev. Loren Covarubbias is pastor of Mt. Zion Temple