I was wondering, “How many bosses do you have?” I know some of you reading this will say, “No one is my boss.” That’s fine until you talk with your spouse. Then you might reconsider that thought. Unless you’re self-employed, most of us have to answer to others. We have our boss at work; we have bossy folks in our families; and people in our every day lives that boss us around.

Now as for us pastors, we have many bosses. At least the church folks think we do. Pastors feel that on a given Sunday there are many in the congregation who feel they can do a better job. Likewise, you may have people at your work that feel the same way about what you do. But in reality we only have God as our ultimate superior.

In fact I found a job description from one church that wanted a Senior Pastor; this is really good. I hope you enjoy it.

Handsome pastor needed to preach 10 minutes each Sunday. You will be working daily from 8 a.m. until midnight. The perfect candidate will have a burning desire to work with teenagers, and will spend most of his time with the senior citizens. He will smile all the time with a straight face because he has a sense of humor that keeps him seriously dedicated to his church. He will condemn sin but never hurt anyone’s feelings. Attendance at all church meetings is required. The perfect candidate will make at least fifteen home visits per day and will always be in his office to be available should an emergency arise. Preference will be given to a young pastor with 15-20 years of experience. Some light janitorial duties required.

Wouldn’t it be great if we could get what WE want all the time?  But life doesn’t always go according to our way of thinking. Scripture tells us in 1 Corinthians 3:18 & 19 “Do not deceive yourselves. If any one of you thinks he is wise by the standards of this age…”  In other words we need to look at more than the standards of this world. We need to look at God.  Remember it is not about our thinking it’s His thinking that counts… God is our boss!

I wonder how many of us have used God to get our own way. By making the statement, “God is telling me to.”   I hope when you say this, you make sure that it is God and not your own wishful thinking because you want your way in a certain area of life.

The pastor is a man who daily tries to follow God and the leading of the Holy Spirit; let it be in the sermon he preaches, or which person he calls on and when.  Please remember Matthew 7:1 & 2 “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

Remember we are fellow workers together. Let’s not point fingers. Let’s use our hands to serve God.

In Memory of Clifford E. SabooOctober 15, 1936 – March 5, 2009

I still see your smile I still hear your laughI miss your voice every day.

You were always there for your family.

Thank you for all the lessons you passed on to me and my sons.

You’ll always be lookin’ over your family and I know you walk beside us.

I feel you in my heart and spirit every day.

Love forever,

Your daughter MarieAnd grandsons Duke, Steve, & Sammy

Raymond Nels Petersen, 92 passed away Saturday, February 27, 2010. Mr. Petersen was born June 7, 1917 in Trufant, MI the son of Nels and Erma (Beals) Petersen. He had a passion for farming and enjoyed fishing. He will be remembered as a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. Surviving are his wife of 71 years, Eloise M. (Russell) Petersen; daughter, Irene Petersen; son-in-law, Richard Cheslek Jr.; grandsons, Eric (Heather) Cheslek, Joseph (Amy) Cheslek, Michael Cheslek; three great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his son, Gene; daughter-in-law, Ann (Senne) and granddaughter, Wendy Jo. At his request, cremation has taken place and no funeral service will be held. The family received friends Wednesday, March 3 at the Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs, www.blisswitterspike.com with a closing prayer at 4:00 pm. Private interment will take place at Elmwood Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the East Nelson United Methodist Church. Ray requests that you remember him by doing something you truly enjoy in celebration of life.

Raymond Nels Petersen
Raymond Nels Petersen, 92 passed away Saturday, February 27, 2010. Mr. Petersen was born June 7, 1917 in Trufant, MI the son of Nels and Erma (Beals) Petersen. He had a passion for farming and enjoyed fishing. He will be remembered as a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. Surviving are his wife of 71 years, Eloise M. (Russell) Petersen; daughter, Irene Petersen; son-in-law, Richard Cheslek Jr.; grandsons, Eric (Heather) Cheslek, Joseph (Amy) Cheslek, Michael Cheslek; three great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his son, Gene; daughter-in-law, Ann (Senne) and granddaughter, Wendy Jo. At his request, cremation has taken place and no funeral service will be held. The family received friends Wednesday, March 3 at the Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs, www.blisswitterspike.com with a closing prayer at 4:00 pm. Private interment will take place at Elmwood Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the East Nelson United Methodist Church. Ray requests that you remember him by doing something you truly enjoy in celebration of life.Arrangements by Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs, www.blisswitterspike.com

Carol & Larrie Robinson

Long time Cedar Springs residents Carol and Larrie Robinson celebrated 50 years of marriage on February 19, 2010. Children of the couple are Sandy of Cedar Springs, Scott of Detroit, Shelly of Nashville, TN and Tim of Wyoming, MI. A family dinner is planned along with a celebration this summer.

Don & Nancy (McAnally) Hanna

The sports world has given us a lot to think about in recent weeks. First, we’ve seen the best of who we can be. I’m not a winter sports enthusiast, but I’ve been captivated by the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver, British Columbia. I love to watch the competition and see athletes who’ve trained so long and so hard do their very best.  Sometimes they win a medal, and sometimes they don’t. Regardless, they teach us that focus, practice, and more practice are keys to fulfilling our dreams and finding our passion in life.

I’ve been moved by the stories of athletes who’ve overcome injuries and obstacles to get to the Olympics and compete for the love of their sport and their country. U.S. alpine skier Bode Miller won his first gold medal in the men’s super combined this year after competing in 2002 and 2006. U.S. skier Lindsey Vonn won gold in the women’s downhill after dealing with a leg injury. Many of the athletes and their families from around the world have made sacrifices just to get to the Olympic Games.

For all of the joy of the 2010 Olympics, another story from the sports world challenges us to look at ourselves for the ways we fall short of being our best. It was late last year when golfer Tiger Woods was found to have had extra-marital affairs. In a speech last week, Woods made a public confession of his behavior and public apology to his wife, family, and fans. He claimed full responsibility for his actions.

Here are some of his words: “I stopped living by the core values that I was taught to believe in. I knew my actions were wrong, but I convinced myself that normal rules didn’t apply. I never thought about who I was hurting. Instead, I thought only about myself. I ran straight through the boundaries that a married couple should live by. I thought I could get away with whatever I wanted to. I felt that I had worked hard my entire life and deserved to enjoy all the temptations around me. I felt I was entitled. Thanks to money and fame, I didn’t have to go far to find them.”

“I was wrong. I was foolish. I don’t get to play by different rules. The same boundaries that apply to everyone apply to me. I brought this shame on myself. I hurt my wife, my kids, my mother, my wife’s family, my friends, my foundation and kids all around the world who admired me.”

It’s easy for us to point fingers at Woods and focus on his terrible behavior, but each of us has sin in our lives.  Woods’ sin is public because of his fame and fortune, but we stand in need of forgiveness just as much as he does. Perhaps our sin isn’t the same as his, but anything that separates us from God is sin. Anything that keeps us from being what God intends for us to be is sin.

And it’s interesting that we deal with these examples of the best and the worst just as we’re entering into the season of Lent (the 40 days before Easter, not counting Sundays).  This is time to hold up a mirror to our lives and see how we’re doing according to God’s call on us. Are we following God or going our own way? Have we strayed from what God calls us to be as spouses, parents, children, friends, and neighbors? Are we willing to admit to God, to ourselves, and to others that we have messed up? Are we ready to seek true forgiveness?

When we put our trust in God through Jesus Christ, we have hope to overcome whatever it is that separates us from God. Jesus was very clear about his purpose: “I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (Luke 5:32).  And Paul, who struggled with his own sin, offered great hope: “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5: 8). Friends, there is Good News for us, even when we struggle: we are loved, cared for, and redeemed by God when we offer God all that we are.

So, enjoy these Olympics and the moments of triumph that we see there. And, when you see people struggle, whether it’s someone famous or not, remember that we all stand in need of God’s grace and forgiveness. God calls us to be our best every day!

If you don’t have a church home, join us on Sunday mornings at Cedar Springs UMC.  If you’ve been away from church for a while, consider getting back to church. I invite you to worship with us this Sunday morning at 10:00 a.m. or 11:30 a.m. We share the warmth and hope of Jesus Christ!

Pastor Mary Ivanov
Cedar Springs United Methodist
140 S. Main, Cedar Springs

Marie Bush, a long-time resident of Sand Lake, will be turning “90” March 6, 2010. Driving school bus was her passion (along with her grandchildren) and is THE best driver Tri County ever had!
All of her riders, family and friends please send a birthday card to Marie Bush, Apt. 205, 11500 King Crest, Fredricksburg, VA 22407. Lets see if we can get 90 cards to her to celebrate her BIG day!!!

May 14, 1925 – February 22, 2008

“If roses grow in Heaven Lord, please pick a bunch for me.
Place them in my my mother’s arms and tell her they’re from me.
Tell her I love her and miss her, and when she turns to smile, place a kiss upon her cheek and hold her for awhile.
Because remembering her is easy, I do it everday,
But there is an ache within my heart that will never go away.”

Beth

October 4, 1967 to March 1, 2004

We love you, miss you and think of you always.

Love Mom,
Kim & Connie

Robert Walter Stay Sr., 54, passed away Monday February 22, 2010 in Cedar Springs. He was born May 15, 1955 in Lansing and was the son of the late Robert V. and Nancy (Fisher) Stay. He worked as a Plant Manager for Meridian Automotive for 23years. Robert was an avid outdoorsman who loved fishing and hunting. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife Judie (Jarvis),  four children Alicia Stay, Kristene (Terry) Gross, Robert (Sabra) Stay Jr., Ryan Stay, 11 grandchildren, brother Tim Stay Sr., two sister’s Mary Fehrenbach and Kathleen Buchin and several nieces and nephews.  Robert was a loving father, grandfather, brother and son and will be deeply missed.  In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a Father-in-law S. Lary Jarvis. Funeral Service will be held Friday February 26th at 2p.m at the Reyers North Valley Chapel 2815 Fuller Ave NE and 3 Mile Rd.  Visitation will be on Thursday from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. at the funeral home.  Memorial contributions can be made to The Miniature Pincher Rescue and The Kent County Humane Society with envelopes provided at the funeral home.
Arrangements by Reyers North Valley Chapel, Grand Rapids