Gary L. Robinson, DC, age 71 of Cedar Springs, died Tuesday, May 14, 2012 at his home. Dr. Robinson was born November 23, 1940 in Ludington, MI the son of Kenneth and Kathryn (Rohrmoser) Robinson. He was a chiropractor in Cedar Springs since 1963 and very dedicated to his patients. He was a loving father and grandfather. Surviving are two daughters, Michelle Lamb and Jodi Robinson; grandchildren and great grandchildren; fiance, Monet Martin. There will be no services. Arrangements by Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs.

Gordon Wayne Rector, of Zephyrhills, Florida, was born May 29, 1927, in Rockford, Michigan, and passed away February 5, 2012 in Hospice House, Dade City, Florida, surrounded by family. He had three sisters and one brother who preceded him in death. He married Marjorie June Ritchie September 25, 1947, in Cedar Springs. Together they raised four children, Nancy (Scott) Martin, Scott (Jo) Rector, Tom (Paula) Rector, and Sandy (Robert) Rieckman, 12 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. Gordon and Margie were married 64 years. He was a member of the United Methodist Church in Cedar Springs. He retired from Essroc Cement Company in 1991 after 28 years. His large family and many friends will miss him. A graveside service will be held Saturday, May 26, 2012 at 1:00 pm at Elmwood Cemetery, Cedar Springs. Pastor Mary Ivanov officiating. Arrangements by Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs.

Pastor Craig Carter

North Kent Community Church

1480 Indian Lakes Rd., Sparta, 

Church Phone #: 550-6398

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: ‘For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.’ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:35-39 NIV).

The Apostle Paul wrote these amazing words to the church in Rome. It was a group of people, whom the apostle Paul had never even met. Yet, he loved them so much, he wanted to remind them of God’s love for them. We see from this verse that he asks them a very simple, yet profound question. “Who or what can separate you from the love of God?” So, precious people of North Kent County, who or what can separate you from the love of God? I, like the apostle, have never met the majority of you reading this article, yet I am compelled to remind you of God’s love for you.

An amazing truth! I have found that it is easier for people to believe that God exists, than it is for them to truly believe that He loves them—that He is crazy, head over heels in love with them and concerned about every detail of their lives. If our understanding of God does not go any deeper than His existence, we will continue to believe that the things of this life have somehow separated us from His love. God’s amazing love convinced the apostle Paul that there was nothing that could separate him from it. Do you believe this? Or are you like many of us who struggle to believe it? If you struggle with believing or accepting the love of God, then I encourage you to simply say, “Lord, convince me!” Then sit back and watch Him show you that His love for you is not tied to your behavior, good or bad, but in His nature alone. The nature of God is love. That is why I am continually convinced myself that God enjoys convincing us of His love. Are you convinced yet?

Why the hoopla over convincing us of His love? Because it makes us more than a conqueror! Notice what the apostle Paul said in verse 37, “No, in all things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” We learn from this verse that his love reaches all things. There is not one area or circumstance of our lives that God’s love does not touch. Secondly, it makes us more than conquerors. The love of God not only gets us over circumstances but can keep us there. His love cannot only provide a job for the unemployed, but can pay every bill. His love cannot only save your marriage, but can make your love for one another thrive and flourish again. His love cannot only get you over depression but also can renew your hope and restore your joy for the future.  Now that’s being “more than a conqueror.” What made it possible? The love of God! Will you receive it today? Will you quit believing that God simply exists and start believing that he exists to reveal His love to you? If have never received God’s love, then open your heart and acknowledge this priceless truth, “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. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him (John 3:16-17).” Enjoy the Love of God!

Pastor Kristi J. Rhodes  

Hillcrest Community Church

5994 18 Mile Rd. Cedar Springs, MI 49319

Recently there was a call-in radio show that had, as their guest, an atheist, who was sharing his views. While frantically trying to get a call through to the station, there were a dozen or more Christian callers talking to this man. It was appalling at the ease with which he was chewing them up and spitting them out! It seemed that every Christian who called was incapable of giving an intelligent reason for the faith that he or she held. “The Bible says such and such,” each would begin in trying to support what she or he was saying. The atheist would counter: “Well, why do you believe the Bible?” Every one of them was reduced to stammering out something like, “Well, I’ve got it down in my heart.” The atheist would answer, “Well, it’s not down in my heart, friend, and I don’t believe it.”

This is what prompted D. James Kennedy to write a book entitled, “Why I Believe.”

It’s especially important in these days for Christians to be able to give a reason for the hope that is in them. 1 Peter 3:13-17 (MSG) says: “If with heart and soul you’re doing good, do you think you can be stopped? Even if you suffer for it, you’re still better off. Don’t give the opposition a second thought. Through thick and thin, keep your hearts at attention, in adoration before Christ, your Master. Be ready to speak up and tell anyone who asks why you’re living the way you are (defend what you believe), and always with the utmost courtesy. Keep a clear conscience before God so that when people throw mud at you, none will stick. They’ll end up realizing that they’re the ones who need a bath. It’s better to suffer for doing good, if that’s what God wants, than to be punished for doing bad” (emphasis mine).

Challenges from unbelievers and seekers confront us always. Television, books, magazines, and movies subject our faith to questioning in thousands of ways! As Christians we must be ready to speak to those who question our basic beliefs.  We sin against God when we remain silent because we’re incapable of defending what we believe.

Not only that—when we don’t stand ready with a reason for our hope and don’t know why we believe what we believe, we give others the impression that Christianity is a religion based merely on blind faith or emotional prejudice. Nothing could be further from the truth!

We often accuse those who reject Christianity without at least examining the evidence of being prejudiced. Then is it not also true that if a person accepts it without examining the evidence, then that too is nothing other than prejudice or gullibility?

The Bible tells us to examine all things and to hold fast to that which is good. Yet too often we’re not willing to do that just because it takes a little effort on our part to become workmen who need not be ashamed. When we don’t examine the grounds and foundation for our faith, we find that Satan will use our ignorance to attack our belief, and when we experience difficulties, he will sow doubts in our minds.

We must be better at knowing what we believe and why we believe it so we will be ready always to give a reason for the hope that we have in us. Read and know the Bible, which is foundational for Christian belief!

Chuck and Fran Hamilton

Chuck and Frances Hamilton of Cedar Springs, Michigan, are celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary on May 12, 2012. A family gathering is planned for the weekend. They are celebrating with their four children and their families; Deb and Terry Avery, Kim and Malcom Davies, Marg and Cliff Sadler, Chuck II and Sue Hamilton. The couple have been blessed with six grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.

Congratulation Mom and Dad, Grandpa & Grandma, and Great Grandpa & Grandma

We love you!

Randy and Dawn Kincaid are proud to announce the graduation of their daughter, Alana Kincaid. On May 4, 2012, Alana graduated from the College of Veterinary Medicine at Michigan State University. She now holds a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine and her family is proud to be able to call her Dr. Kincaid. Alana has accepted a full time associate veterinarian position at VCA Woodland Animal Hospital in Kentwood, Michigan.

Mr. Jerry “Jess” Huntoon, age 69, of Kent City, passed away on Friday, May 4, 2012. He was a 1960 graduate of Sand Lake High School and often said that he learned great work ethics from his mom.  After his graduation he enlisted in the US Air Force and bought a 1960 Chevy which became very familiar to the “local John Arms”.  After the service he worked as an Iron worker and became a Project Manager for Ironworkers Union #340. Jess was Superintendent of Construction for major sports arenas all over the country. He and his brothers were known for their excellent workmanship. Jess enjoyed fishing, hunting with his brother and especially liked boating with his family on the Croton/Hardy Muskegon River. He was also a member of the Glenn Hill Post #287 American Legion in Cedar Springs. Jess enjoyed life and was the “Rock of Gibraltar” for his family and friends. He was dearly loved by his family and is survived by his loving wife, Melody; his children, Janet and Dan, Annette (David), Terry (Jerry) Kelly, Jerry, Jr., Jerry Dale, John, Jessica and Adam, and Tyson; 14 grandchildren with the much anticipated arrival of one more; 9 great-grandchildren; his brothers and sisters, Larry and Karen, Max and Loretta, Joyce and Harold, Jane and Jerry, and Carolyn and Frank; nieces and nephews; mother-in-law, Mrs. Barbara Condrad and her family. He was preceded in death by his parents, Emil and Winifred Huntoon, his granddaughter, Stephenie, his grandson, Raymond, his brother, Fred, and his best friend, Jerry Magoon. The service for Jerry was held on Wednesday at 1:00 p.m. at the Pederson Funeral Home with Pastor Tim Smith officiating. Military Honors will be under the auspices of the Kent County Veterans Honor Guard with interment in Sand Lake Cemetery. Relatives and friends met at the funeral home on Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m.

Arrangements by Pederson Funeral Home, Rockford www.pedersonfuneralhome.com

August 7, 1931—May 13, 2004

Happy Mother’s Day!

We love and miss you mom!

Love your family

Pastor Ryan Black
Cedar Springs Christian Church
340 West Pine Street, Cedar Springs

When reading the scriptures of the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, we see the wonders of an almighty and powerful God. From the parting of the Red Sea, to David defeating Goliath, to Jesus healing and raising people from the dead, this power is displayed. While this power is supernatural and beyond our comprehension, these phenomenon all have one common link. What is that connection? That connection is faith!

Faith is the key to releasing the magnificent power of God. The Bible gives us many examples of this. In the gospels we read about a situation regarding a Roman centurion’s servant who was ill and dying (Matthew 8/Luke 7). It was the faith of the centurion that allowed the power of Christ to heal his servant. When a woman with a bleeding problem reached out and touched the hem of Jesus’ garments she was immediately healed (Matthew 9/Luke 8/Mark 5). Although it was the power of Christ, it was her faith that released that power to heal her. These are just a few examples of how faith has been displayed throughout the Word of God.

In today’s world we need to have that same kind of faith in God. We need to know and believe that He is there for us and can get us through any tragedy we may face. When things are going great in our lives, the easier it seems for us to keep our faith at a high level. This was true of the followers and disciples of Christ. They believed and expressed great faith when they witnessed and saw the greatness of God before their eyes. However, when they went out to sea and faced a terrifying storm, their faith disappeared. Catastrophe struck and fear set in and overcame all the amazing miracles they had previously witnessed.

We can all admit that it’s easier to keep our beliefs high when good things are happening. When blessings are being poured out and life seems to be going well, it’s much easier to focus on how great God is and how much we depend on Him.  But it’s when we face a tragedy or a storm in our lives that our faith is really being tested. We have to remember that just as Christ’s disciples lost their faith in the midst of the storm, Jesus was still right there with them. And when called upon the storm was calmed (Matthew 8/Mark 4/Luke 8). We need to rely on Christ to calm the storms and tragedies in our lives. And this can be accomplished through one thing. Faith!

Ronnie McBrayer

By Ronnie McBrayer

Four-hundred and ninety times. That was Jesus’ answer to the question, “How many times should I forgive someone who has offended me.” I don’t think Jesus was being literal; how I wish he were! Then there would at least be a boundary. Jesus was saying, however, “Stop keeping score. There is no limit to how many times you grant forgiveness to others.” This sounds like lunacy. Why would Jesus say such a thing?

Here is an answer: When we forgive others without limit, we are treating others as God treats the world. God loves and forgives without restraint or limitation. So when Jesus teaches us to forgive without limit, he is calling us to bear the loving image of God in the world. We forgive because that’s what God does.

I don’t think profound, God-like forgiveness is something we humans can accomplish within our own power. No, if forgiveness flows out of us to others, it is because God is doing it and not us ourselves. Consequently, forgiveness is not so much something we do, as it is something we discover. It is the discovery of God’s inexhaustible, inconceivable, insuppressible grace—for ourselves and for those who have hurt us.

There is a television show on the A&E Network called “Storage Wars.” Storage units that have been abandoned or defaulted upon by the renters are opened, and bidders show up to bid for the contents of the unit. A man bought the contents of one storage unit for $1,100. Inside the unit were nearly 2,000 gold and silver Spanish coins worth more than $500,000.

Forgiveness works like that; we begin sorting through the baggage and the storage units of our life. We start unpacking all our pain, and as we rummage sort, shuffle, and restack the cardboard and Rubbermaid boxes of our past hurts, lo and behold, we stumble across a treasure.

There it is, and it has been there all along, right in the midst of all our rubbish—the unexpected discovery of God’s unlimited grace. He really loves us. He loves us so much, that his love is enough to forgive those who have hurt us. His forgiveness is so invaluable that no matter what life has cost us, it will pay the price, and then some. It is this discovery of forgiveness that can change us, and can do the same for those who have hurt us.

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.net.