Ronnie McBrayer

By Ronnie McBrayer

“There is something rotten in Denmark.” That is a centuries old phrase from William Shakespeare’s “Hamlet.” The Danish have smelled fishy ever since. But in reality, Denmark doesn’t stink at all. In fact, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and the Scandinavian nations of Northern Europe are officially the happiest countries in the world.

Annually, the Legatum Institute publishes its Prosperity Index that gauges the happiness level of the world’s countries. Consistently, Denmark, Norway and the Scandinavian nations are at the top of the heap. If you are curious, the United States is currently ranked 12th on the Prosperity Index. Not too bad, but our society as a whole is not as happy as it once was, and honestly I don’t think that comes as much of a surprise.

Happiness is affected by our environment. That much is true. Happiness is a product of our genetics (scientists say that an elongated 5HTT gene will make you happier on average than most). But ultimately, barring emotional or mental dysfunction, happiness is a choice we make. No, we don’t live in Scandinavia. We have no control over our chromosomal makeup. We can’t do anything about our age and very little to change our personal economics. There are simply some things we cannot change.

But, there are other things we can do something about. We can choose to live near our friends. We can decide to practice gratitude. We can do work we find fulfilling. We can opt out of the blame game, and quit holding God, life, circumstances, past lovers, ex-wives, former business partners, parents, and reality responsible for doing us in.

We can make choices that will lead us toward becoming happy, joyful people or we can make choices that will result in us becoming chronically unhappy people. Regardless, that choice belongs to each and every one of us.

It was Viktor Frankl, Jewish Holocaust survivor and Austrian psychiatrist, who best articulated the power of choice in personal happiness. Reflecting upon his time in the concentration camps he wrote, “Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances.”

If you want to be happy you don’t have to move to Scandinavia or wait for science to alter your genetics. But you do have to choose to be happy, and no one else can make that choice for you.

Ronnie McBrayer is a syndicated columnist, speaker, and author of multiple books. You can read more and receive regular e-columns in your inbox at www.ronniemcbrayer.me. 

Chet & Dorothy Quist

Chet and Dorothy (Fryling) Quist of Cedar Springs will celebrate 60 years of marriage on May 29, with the thankfulness of God for his faithfulness to them throughout the years.  Their children are Kevin and Kim Quist of Cedar Springs and Jackie and Dave Mourer of Sand Lake.  They have 6 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.  There will be a celebration of their love and many memories of their successful marriage on Saturday, May 25, 2013 from 12 to 3pm at White Creek Country Estates-Community Building, 15851 White Creek Ave. N.E., Cedar Springs, MI 49319.

Jennings & Suzanne Johnson

Jennings & Suzanne Johnson of Cedar Springs celebrated their 50^th Anniversary. They were married on Saturday, May 11, 1963. Their children are Scott & Michele (Dubridge) Johnson of Hanover, Pennsylvania; Brian & Julie (Tank) Johnson of Grand Rapids, Michigan; and Julie Anne Johnson of Rochester, New York. They have 13 grandchildren, Donald & Debbie Johnson, Chad, Charles, Kathleen and Jo Ellen Johnson of Hanover, Pennsylvania; Tamara & Jon Wesoloski of Menominee, Michigan; Celine, Gavin and Emma Johnson of Grand Rapids, Michigan; Mitchell and Lindsay Johnson of Rochester, New York. Jennings & Suzanne are also the proud great-grandparents of Jeremiah and Aliana Johnson and Chayce Wesoloski and are eagerly awaiting the birth of another great-grandson.

Kenneth C. Lauriat 64 of Cedar Springs, died Saturday, May 11, 2013 at his home. Ken was born August 7, 1948 in Brooklyn, New York the son of Charles and Francis (Delavan) Lauriat. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army serving during the Vietnam War and was a staff sergeant in the Air National Guard until 1996. He worked as the supervisor at the Public Works Center of the U.S. Navy Nuclear Submarine Base in Pearl Harbor for 36 years retiring in 2003. Surviving are his wife, Sharon; children, Sheriese (Matt Cardwell) Lauriat, Kristen (Tim) Keeley; grandchildren, Monique Lauriat, Molly Keeley, Louis Keeley; brother, Richard (MaryJo) Lauriat; sister, Helen (Richard) Weber; many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Michael Lauriat. The family will greet friends Thursday from 10:00 am until time of service at 11:00 am at the Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs. Rev. Fr. Joseph W. Kenshol officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to Spectrum Health Hospice or American Cancer Society.

Arrangements by Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs

Randall J. Leversay, age 58, of Newaygo, passed away May 11, 2013 at his residence. He was born February 1, 1955 in Grand Rapids the son of Gerald and Pauline (Nebbling) Leversay. He worked for Steelcase for twenty four years. He loved gardening, boating and spending time with family and friends. In 2002 he married Terry who survives. Also surviving are his mother Pauline Leversay; two step sons, Dennis (Tina) Merryman of Croton and Derek (Hanna) Paepke of Pierson; four step grandchildren; one sister, Marilyn Leversay of Caledonia; one brother, Gary (Cindy)Leversay of Grand Rapids; sister-in-law, Trudy (Gerald) Bryant of Sand Lake and Tracy Heiss of Sand Lake; bothers-in-law, Randy Heiss and Roy (Alicia) Heiss, all of Cedar Springs. And several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Gerald; and his father-in-law, Ray Heiss. Friends visited on Wednesday at Heckman Funeral Home from Noon until 2 pm. A luncheon followed at the VFW in Howard City.

Arrangements by Heckman Funeral Home, Howard City

Claude E. Harrington, Jr. age 81 of Cedar Springs, died Saturday, May 11, 2013 at Heather Hills Retirement Home with his wife and family by his side. Claude was born May 30, 1931 in Belding, Michigan the son of Claude and Mildred (Sydow) Harrington, Sr. He served a six year apprenticeship and became a photo engraver working for Central Engraving in Grand Rapids. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and walking outdoors. Following retirement he and his wife enjoyed traveling from Florida to California. Surviving are his wife of 62 years, Vadalia; children, Carol (Steve) Boots, Nancy Christensen, Thomas Harrington, Sr., Sharon Williams; 13 grandchildren; many great grandchildren; brothers, James (Ellen) Harrington, Ronald (June) Harrington. The family received friends Monday at the Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs. The funeral was held Tuesday at Plainfield Christian Church. Pastor Bruce Wilson officiating. Private interment Solon Township Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Plainfield Christian Church.

Arrangements by Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs

Cornelius “Cornie” Boon, 73 of Cedar Springs, went to his heavenly home on Wednesday, May 8, 2013. He was born July 1, 1939 in Rock Rapids, Iowa the son of Isaac and Cora (Teunissen) Boon. He served his country in the U.S. Army and was a 35 year member of the Cedar Springs American Legion. He was also a member of the Heritage Netherlands Reformed Church. He is survived by his wife, Cornelia “Connie” whom he married on March 29, 1961; children, Jerry (Kathy) Boon, Carla (Bill) Julien, Julie (Rick) Liebermann, Daniel (Erica) Boon, Cornelius Boon, Jana Boon; 13 grandchildren; 5 great grandchildren; many brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant son, Cornelius Isaac; 2 brothers and 1 sister. The family greeted family and friends Friday from 2-4 and 6-8 pm at the Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs, where services were held on Saturday at 11:00 am. Pastor Foppe VanderZwaag and Daniel Boon officiating. Interment Pierson Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Puritan Theological Seminary.

Arrangements by Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home

August 7, 1931 – May 13, 2004

Happy Mother’s Day!

We love and miss you, Mom!

Love your family

Pastor Kevin Reed

Grace Evangelical Free Church

4714 13 Mile Rd, Rockford

“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved (Acts 2:42-47 NIV).

I’m sure you’ve heard someone say this before, “I don’t need to go to church to be a Christian.” And to that statement I always respond with a resounding, “You’re Right!” Nowhere in Scripture does it say that in order to be saved you need to go to church. But, I would counter that first statement with this, “if you are a growing Christian, you’ll be in church.”

You see, going to church has nothing to do with being saved and everything to do with growing in your walk and relationship with Jesus. Going to church doesn’t save you, but it is necessary if you are going to grow in your salvation. The apostle Paul, who coincidentally spent the majority of his ministry traveling to different places, preaching the gospel, and then establishing churches in those places (Acts 14:21-28), said in Ephesians 4 that God gave us pastors and teachers to “equip his people for works of service so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.”

The book of Acts is filled with the recollection of the apostles establishing churches and leadership in those churches, who were then led by men who had been given, by God, the gift of pastoring, in order to help the believers grow in their faith and become more like Christ. That is why we are told in the book of Hebrews to “not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:25). We are commanded to come together for the purposes of encouraging each other, growing in our faith through increasing in our understanding of the Bible, and corporately worshipping our God together as we praise Him for all the wonderful things He has done. God actually promises that when we are gathered together in His name, He is there with us!! (Matt. 18:20). The early Church would have never thought about not gathering together. Luke tells us in Acts 2, that they met together daily in the temple courts and spent time praising God, celebrating communion and praying. As a result they grew by leaps and bounds.

If you are struggling in your Christian walk, then odds are you’re not making corporate worship (church) a very high priority in your life. God intended for you to be part of a local body of believers who you could worship together with, learn from, and encourage each other. If you’re not part of a church, that doesn’t mean you’re not a Christian; odds are you just aren’t a growing Christian.

Evelyn M. Male, 95 of Cedar Springs died Wednesday, May 8, 2013 at her home. Mrs. Male was born April 30, 1918 Romeo, Michigan the daughter of Roy and Frances (Root) Sheler. She retired from Lear Siegler and had been involved in the North Kent Senior Cap Program and the Cedar Springs Museum. She was a great mom and grandma. Surviving are her children, Helen (John) Tate, Arthur (Karen) Male, Gary (Lorena) Male; daughter-in-law, Ione Male; many grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren; brother, Lavern (Helen) Sheler; sister, Alice Baker. She was preceded in death by her husband, Orton in 1969; son, James; grandsons, Sam and Ron; great grandson, SPC Timothy Brown; brothers, Leon, Lloyd, Robert, Ray and Gilbert Sheler; sister, Louise Kilts. The family will greet friends Saturday from 2:00 pm until time of service at 3:00 pm at the Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs. Pastor Chuck Smith officiating. Interment Courtland Township Cemetery. Arrangements by Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs