Tis the season for a party! How many parties compete for your attendance this year? For many, we have all the Christmas parties: family; the in-laws; the work; spouses work, Church programs; the children’s school programs; then there are the friends’ gatherings. You may even have a birthday party or two, maybe even a wedding to attend. Oh and one of my favorites, the Christmas Eve Candlelight service.

But wait there’s more! Many will have New Year’s parties to attend. Some will have a masquerade ball (you dress all up and wear a little mask over your eyes); or a formal party (dress your very best). I have even heard of dress code of the ugliest Christmas sweater with a contest. (I think that would be difficult for me since I personally like most Christmas sweaters). And that’s only this month!

Throughout the year we have many more opportunities for parties. I think we humans will think of just about any reason to get together or throw a party! This shouldn’t come as a surprise though. God said “It is not good for man to be alone.” (Gen. 2:18 NIV). In the book of Leviticus, chapters 23-25, The Lord proclaimed sacred assemblies appointed feasts (parties) of the Lord. These were times set apart for worship. There was to be no work during these feasts. The first listed is the Sabbath! How cool is that? We get to work for 6 days then party with God every 7th day!

Then there were these feasts: the Passover and Unleavened Bread which lasted a week; the Firstfruits; the Feast of the Weeks; the Feast of Trumpets; the Day of Atonement (lasted 24 hours); the Feast of Tabernacles which lasted 7 days. There was even a Sabbath Year. That’s right—every 7th year the land had to rest. Then the year of Jubilee came every 50th year! God felt so strongly about the importance of His people gathering together to worship at these feasts, that if you did not participate, there were serious consequences!

Regardless of the purpose of the party, we find ourselves dressing special (up or down) for these parties. Many fix their hair just right, wear favorite clothes or even buy something special for the occasion. We try to hide bulges or imperfections. Many wear make-up trying to “look better.”

There is one party with no need for any make-up or special clothes. One day, we will stand before the creator of parties, our God, who sees past the make-up—past the wardrobe—past the masks—past the hurts, rejection, fears, struggles—pain, loneliness—past the smiles to our very bare souls, where we can hide nothing! Everything we’ve ever said, thought or done lay bare before His eyes.

But the Good News we celebrate this season is Jesus’ birth into humanity for the very purpose of atoning for our sin and one day making right all the wrongs of this world so that we can celebrate (party) with Jesus for eternity. All those who confess with their mouth, “Jesus is Lord” and believe in their heart that God raised Him from the dead, will be saved and invited to the party of all parties! May you find Christ this Christmas. Merry Christmas everyone!

Pastor Kristi J. Rhodes

Hillcrest Community Church

5994 18 Mile Rd. Cedar Springs, MI 49319

Christmas is quickly approaching and for many it is an occasion where family and friends spend time together as they recognize the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. This time of year we are also reminded of those in need who are less fortunate than ourselves. Although we think of those people in need, we often times are satisfied with having had sincere thoughts and sharing kind words. We often fail to fulfill any actual giving or physical assistance to those same individuals. The Bible describes this very concept in James 2:15-16.

When we think of being selfish or greedy, we tend to think of mean spirited people who are engrossed in themselves and their needs and not of the needs of others. While there are people in this world who exhibit this Scrooge-type personality, the truth is, all of us demonstrate some greed and have self-centered tendencies. This tendency can get in the way of our willingness to give or to help those in need. The Bible tells us the importance of helping others throughout the scriptures including Proverbs 21:13, Proverbs 28:27 and in the parable of “The Good Samaritan” (Luke 10:25-37).

Why is God so concerned about us giving to and helping others? God tells us in Genesis 1:27: “So God created man in His own image. This indicates that we are to be like God and to take on His traits. To be like God is to give. Our God is a giver and that’s imminent in the scriptures. However, the most important thing God gave came around 2,000 years ago. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

The Bible also tells us to be Christ-like (Philippians 2:1-3). When you read the Gospels, you will see Christ consistently helping those in need. Therefore, God wants us to give in order that we may be like Him. When we become more like Him, we are growing in God spiritually and are able to fight off the enemy (Satan). The Bible tells us that a “giving spirit” cannot be forced; it is something that must come from the heart and should be an enjoyable act from within (2 Corinthians 9:7).

This time of year we are reminded to give to those in need. However, the concept of giving should not just be contemplated around Christmas. It should continue throughout your entire life in order that a Giving Spirit may take over. When you become focused on being a Giver instead of a Receiver, it will change your life forever. Giving is something God intended for us to do to others just as He does for us when we face adversity. The Bible tells us that if we give like Him, we will be blessed for it (Proverbs 22:9).

Pastor Ryan Black

Cedar Springs Christian Church

340 West Pine Street, Cedar Springs

Real love will change people. Remember that song? What the world needs now, is love, sweet love. What the world needs now, is God’s sweet love, the love of our heavenly Father for his children. That is genuine love.

We read in Revelation 21:7: “Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children” (NIV).

We can think of a second child born into a family and how sometimes it seems to the older sibling that the mother will love the new baby and have less love for him but that is not true. There may be lots of children in a family who worry that their mother’s love will be divided up like pieces of a pie—the more children, the smaller the portions.

But we know that the love of most mothers is not like that. Love is not something that is given out until there is no more. The more love that is needed, the more love there is. That is how it is with God’s love. If an earthly mother’s love can increase without end, imagine how inexhaustible and eternal God’s love is; freely given to everyone who stands in need of mercy and seeks repentance. By the way, that includes each and every one of us.

Scriptures tells us in 1 John 3:1: “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him” (NIV).

Has the love of God been lavished on you? If you don’t think so, perhaps you need to sit down and take inventory of every good and perfect gift God has given you. The greatest gift or blessing is that of Jesus. Without him there would be nothing, no promise of eternal life.

We are fast approaching the end of the year 2012. I sincerely doubt that I am the only one who has made wrong decisions over the course of this year, generally because I have failed to read God’s word and go by it, or else stubbornly choosing to live my own way in life. The truth is, we are all guilty; we don’t always live by the book.

I want to live for God and please him, as I pray you do too. It is his great love that enables me to follow him and have confidence in his promise to be my heavenly Father. Despite my failings, I know that one day when he appears, we shall be like him, with no aches, no pains, no diseases or aging to complain about.

Meanwhile, we should truly follow in His steps in regard to holiness and purity. How can we do this? Have the right model and keep working at it. Practice makes perfect. Practice will definitely make us more holy with God’s help. Look to Christ. Ask for His help and the help of His Spirit and keep walking the walk as best you can! God will do a good work in you!

Pastor Dick Nichols

Cedar Creek Community Church

2969 14 Mile Road, Sparta

Were you one of the 44 million people in the U.S. who traveled for the Thanksgiving holiday? My family made our annual three-hour journey back to southeast Michigan to spend Thanksgiving with family and friends. Throughout the holidays, many people will take trips. Most will travel by car or airplane. But on the very first Christmas, there was a young family that took a journey by foot that changed their lives forever.

We find the story in Luke 2. “In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.” (Luke 2:1-5 NIV)

The story of Christmas doesn’t actually begin in a stable in Bethlehem but starts weeks earlier in a small, rural town called Nazareth, located 80 miles north of Bethlehem. In Nazareth there lived a poor, hard working and honest carpenter named Joseph. News of this census caused great concern for Joseph, for he knew that he must somehow make the long and dangerous journey to his hometown of Bethlehem. But how? There was no money for food or lodging. The roads were long and arduous, and robbers lurked behind rocks all along the way. It would not be a pleasant journey.

To make matters worse, the woman that Joseph loved dearly was nine months pregnant and in no condition to walk the 80 miles through desert and mountainous terrain. She would have to ride on the back of a donkey. But they had no choice. She had to go along. The questionable nature of her pregnancy made it more dangerous for Mary to stay behind in Nazareth than it was for her to make the journey.

And so Mary and Joseph loaded clothing, food, water and what little money they had, and began the long journey to Bethlehem. There were no McDonalds or Holiday Inns, and no money to pay for such conveniences. Each day for two weeks they stopped frequently to rest, cook their own meals, bathe in cold streams, sleep on the ground and keep moving until they reached Bethlehem.

The road was hard but God protected them along the way. And there, in Bethlehem, 80 miles from home, in a city whose name literally means “House of Flesh,” the Word became flesh and made His home among us. There in Bethlehem—the city that the Prophet Micah predicted hundreds of years earlier would be the birthplace of the Messiah (Micah 5:2)—Jesus was born, into the care of two young and courageous parents, who trusted God even when it seemed like the cards were stacked against them.

Like Mary and Joseph, we are all on a journey. I don’t know what difficult roads you have traveled down or what challenging paths lie ahead, but I do know that God has a plan for your life. Will you trust your journey to the Lord? If you do, you will find joy in the journey, even when enduring hardships. This Christmas take your own journey to Bethlehem—not literally, but spiritually—and discover how following the Lord is the adventure of a lifetime.

Pastor Barry Briggs

The Springs Church

135 N. Grant, Cedar Springs

Pastor Robert Eckert

Courtland-Oakfield 

United Methodist Church

10295 Myers Lake Ave., Rockford

“My grace is enough for you, because power is made perfect in weakness.”

2 Corinthians 12:9 (Common English Bible)

Is there anyone out there who still remembers the hymn “We Gather Together”? In my years of growing up it was a Thanksgiving staple. Given the proximity to the holiday, when a piano player from my church and I led a short, informal time of worship at Bishop Hills last week, we chose that as a closing song. But, immediately after singing the first phrase of the song, jamais vu! All of a sudden the familiar felt totally unfamiliar.

“We gather together to ask the Lord’s blessing,” yup, that’s how Thanksgiving dinner begins. “He chastens and hastens his will to make known,” hmm, now that I know what “chastens” means, I’m feeling a bit less thankful. “The wicked oppressing now cease from distressing,” what’s going on? When do we start singing about bountiful harvests? Maybe that comes up in the next verse. “From the beginning the fight we were winning,” nope, how about the last verse? “We all do extol thee, thou leader triumphant,” “let thy congregation escape tribulation.” This song has nothing to do with plentiful prosperity and isn’t that what Thanksgiving Day is all about?

Without even realizing it, I fear I’ve been seduced into a mindset of which a colleague spoke, as he led a district meeting a couple days after my visit to Bishop Hills. Thanksgiving, he said, has become a celebration of abundance rather than of God’s presence. Oh yeah, God’s presence, I’d forgotten all about that. Perhaps years of hearing voices dispute whether or not the traditional story of the first Thanksgiving is true has succeeded in clouding its truth.

As the story goes, in 1620 a band of religious dissenters from Europe founded Plymouth Colony in modern-day Massachusetts. They battled harsh conditions and struggled to survive their first year on this side of the Atlantic Ocean. Thanks, in no small part, to the generosity of local natives, the darkness turned to dawning for the intrepid settlers. They gave God the credit for their ultimate good fortune, invited the indigenous Patuxet people to their table as guests, and celebrated the promise of a bright future with a great feast.

Did it happen exactly like that? Probably not. Does that undermine the truth in the story? Absolutely not. We don’t always have the luxury of fully stocked cupboards and sumptious banquets, but we do always have hope in the presence of God’s grace. God is always with us and that means that God is always at work transforming our worries and fears and aches and pains, restoring confidence and imparting healing. “Sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly,” as the Alcholics Anonymous “Big Book” says, God’s promises are being fulfilled among us.

“Beside us to guide us, our God with us joining. Ordaining, maintaining his kingdom divine.” Happy holidays!

Spiritual Growth

This month, I’ve been asking my congregation to offer suggestions on a biblical text or topic that they’d like to hear about. Recently, someone wanted to hear about spiritual growth. When they came to a saving faith, they had entered a spiritual race en route to heaven, but they wanted to know more about what running the race looked like and how to gauge if they were making progress. With that topic in mind, I turned to the first chapter of Colossians. In that letter, Paul writes to a group of believers, who did not want to just settle on being saved, but wanted to grow in their faith. From their enthusiasm and Paul’s prayer for these people, we learn a few things about what spiritual growth looks like.

One thing Paul prayed was for the Colossians to please God in every area of their lives; that’s one of the marks of a growing Christian. A growing Christian seeks to please God at work, at home with their family, in school, in recreation, in the morning, afternoon, evening and so on. It’s not to say that we will please God in all those areas, but that it’s our desire to do so. A good question Christians should ask to gauge their spiritual growth is whether or not they are honestly seeking to please God in all the areas of their lives.

Paul also prayed that they would increase their knowledge of God; that’s another tell-tale sign of a growing Christian. Christians, who have been saved by God’s grace, should seek to learn more about their Savior. We should study God’s word, learn about how God worked in the lives of people long ago and see how God’s age-old dealings with those people are still lessons for us today. We should also keep our eyes open to how God is at work in our day-to-day experiences; sometimes we can learn lessons about God even when the bible is closed.

Finally, we learn from the example of one particular member of the Colossian church—a man named Epaphras. Epaphras had been saved after hearing Paul preach the gospel and then went on to share the good news with the Colossians. His willingness to not only grow in his faith, but to help others is a third example of what it looks like to grow spiritually. At some point in our walk with the Lord, we will be able to help others in their walk. Sometimes, it might be answering tough questions, other times it might mean sharing our testimony, but a growing Christian is one that helps others to run the race.

I would encourage everyone to join us this Sunday evening for the annual Cedar Springs Community Thanksgiving Service, held at Pioneer Church, starting at 6 p.m. It will be a service of praise, thanksgiving and hearing testimonies. It will also be an opportunity for us to grow together.

Pastor Jim Alblas

Pioneer Christian Reformed Church

3110 17 Mile Road, Cedar Springs

Colossians 3:15 (CEB): “The peace of Christ must control your hearts—a peace into which you were called in one body. And be thankful people.”

In these times of struggle, it seems impossible to think of giving thanks. With Thanksgiving approaching, it may be a good time to think about just that. The above verse seems to ask a lot of us. To be at peace and be thankful can seem almost impossible at times.

In a children’s message given in one of our churches not long ago, the leader showed us that the idea of Thanksgiving has actually been around for a very long time, even before our traditional holiday of Thanksgiving originated. There was a Thanksgiving offering mentioned in Leviticus 7:11 many years ago. Here are a couple of interesting things about this passage. The offering of thanksgiving was to be of both unleavened and leavened bread. The bible uses leaven to represent bad things, so it seems that we should give thanks for both the good and bad in our lives. That would not make any sense if God were not in control.

There was a time that my arm became infected sending me to the hospital, and that led to a person getting help he needed. While waiting for me to be treated, my wife ministered to him and helped him get into much needed counseling. As much as I hated being in the hospital, I am thankful we were there for his sake.

I have relatives who have left the state to find work. This is sad to me but they are able to touch lives where they are now and that is a good thing. Strangely, this has somehow brought us closer together as well. Many of you have similar things happening in your own lives I know, and this can make looking for blessings a challenge.

Another thing about the instructions for the thanks offering from our scripture in Leviticus is that unlike other offerings, the food is not to be burned up completely but it is to be eaten and shared. That part sounds familiar! This brought people of every type, family, tribe and status together to share a meal of thanksgiving. Sounds like something we could all use, a time to forget our troubles and to concentrate on our blessings!

It is sometimes hard to celebrate when things are not going well, but it is important to remember that God promised to always be with us. We can celebrate each other as God has brought us together. We can celebrate our relationship with God and we can say thanks that things aren’t much worse and we may be able to help, even in our state, others who are worse off.

I offer a prayer of thanks for all of you: May God reveal himself to you in ways you never expected and may He bless you as so many of you have blessed me. May you find a time of peace and may that peace be with you always.

Pastor Darryl Miller

 Sand Lake UMC - 65 W. Maple, Sand Lake

South Ensley UMC - 13600 Cypress, Sand Lake

In the world, not of the World

Every year I find myself as a Christian wondering where exactly the line is when it comes to participating in Halloween. When I look at Halloween, and research it, I find arguments on both side of the equation. Some say it’s an adaptation of a Christian holiday, “All Hallows” or “All Saints” day. On the other side of the equation we hear that it is a celebration of paganism, and I find myself wondering what Jesus would do or say about these kinds of things, especially Halloween (since we just had it).

As a Christian, and a pastor, I am always trying to find ways to reach the people in my community. We, as a church, provide many events that will “draw” people to the church so that we can share the love of God with them, and to tell them just how much Jesus loves them. We do things like vacation Bible school, we have a “Harvest Party” in place of Halloween, we involve ourselves in many community activities so that we can show God’s love in a practical way. We support our local youth center, “En-Gedi”, and we provide a community food pantry to support those that need some basic needs cared for.

I find that I am always trying to draw people to my church, and sometimes those are great “successes”, and other times they are “flops.” But if you told me that I could have hundreds, and hundreds of kids and families come right to my doorstep, and all I would have to do to minister to them is be kind…I would do that in a heartbeat. If I shut off my lights and sat in my house and ignored my community then I don’t think I would be doing what Jesus called us to do. To be in the world but not of the world is a fine line…and where exactly does that come from? Let’s look at what Jesus says.

John 17:13-18: 13 “I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. 14 I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. 15 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. 17 Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.

Jesus prays in verse 18, “…As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.” We all know that Jesus was “other” worldly…in other words, He came from Heaven to Earth, and it was very evident that He was different than us. He came teaching, doing miracles, and He was perfect. Jesus is saying that as God sent Him on a mission, so Jesus sends us on a mission to make disciples.

So what would Jesus do? I’m not sure exactly. To be sure there is a spiritual battle at war in our world. The Bible tells us that our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the powers of evil in this world, and that is a real battle. I just don’t think that a 7-year-old in a princess costume represents that. But I do know that we are called to love our neighbors as ourselves. That, along with loving our God with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength is our highest calling. That’s the prism we ought to look through when we decide what is best for us.

Rev. Tom Holloway

Solon Center

Wesleyan Church

15671 Algoma Ave, Cedar Springs

Pastor Mary Ivanov

Cedar Springs United Methodist Church

140 S. Main St. • Cedar Springs, MI  49319

I’m excited that the Detroit Tigers are going to the World Series this year. I have wonderful memories of watching Tigers games with my grandma. She was a huge fan! She kept score of each game and talked back to the players on the TV. I remember watching the 1984 World Series with her. Back then, I could’ve told you every player’s name and their position. Now I only know a few; I’m more of a fair-weather fan. But I’ll be watching as the Tigers play this year!

The anticipation of the Tigers playing in the World Series prompted me to think about our faith life. Maybe you’ve heard of the book by Kyle Idleman that challenges us to be “not a fan” of Jesus Christ. Instead, the challenge is to be fully devoted and committed followers of Jesus.

So we have to consider how we think about Jesus. Do we simply admire him, or do we believe in him? Do we simply want to be more like him, or do we want to follow him and be transformed by our relationship with him?

If relationships are important to us, then they change our lives and priorities. I take time to nurture relationships that are meaningful to me. I spend time with my spouse to nurture our marriage. I spend time with my children to know what’s going on with them, to teach them, and to nurture them in faith. We have dinner as a family. I stay in touch with my parents and sisters, extended family, friends, and colleagues in ministry. It has to be intentional on my part, and there are many times when I know I haven’t taken enough time.

So what about our relationship with Christ? We have to consider how we show our faith and commitment to Christ. Do we take time to read the Bible daily? To pray? To be in worship with others in community? To serve in the name of Jesus? To offering back to God what God has asked us to give (at least 10 percent)? To witness how God is working in our lives? All of these are marks of faith commitment that show our desire to be followers of Jesus, not just fans.

The challenge is before us every day. Take the time to seek God’s will and ask for God’s help to strengthen your commitment to Christ. Talk to your pastor or a trusted friend who can help you to get connected or reconnected to a church where you can find encouragement and support to grow in faith.

If you don’t have a church home or have been away for a while, consider getting back to church or trying it out for the first time. I invite you to worship with us this Sunday morning at 9:00 a.m. or 11:30 a.m. We share the love and hope of Jesus Christ!

The Devil’s Tools

-Discouragement-

The devil according to legend, once advertised his tools for sale at public auction. When the prospective buyers assembled, there was one oddly shaped tool which was labeled “Not for sale.” Asked to explain why this was, the devil answered, “I can spare my other tools, but I cannot spare this one. It is the most useful implement that I have. It is called Discouragement, and with it I can work my way into hearts otherwise inaccessible. When I get this tool into a man’s heart, the way is open to plant anything there I may desire.”

My intention here over these next few articles is to identify and provide the antidote for a few of the devil’s favorite tools used to trip up God’s people. This list is not in any way intended to be all inclusive.

No one is immune to the problem of discouragement! Webster defines it as: “to deprive of courage or confidence: dishearten.” The scriptures address this issue in several contexts: symptoms or causes, examples of; the prevention and cure for. Two examples that came to mind immediately were the prophet Elijah in 1 Kings 19, and then the Lord with His disciples in Mark 6.

Should you find yourself dealing with discouragement, take note of its severity and immediately begin to administer “first aid.” Minor disappointments are usually nothing in itself, but can have a cumulative effect. Today I will share three simple steps which can be applied as needed and to varying degrees.

First, shun discouragement! This is true especially when dealing with severe cases of discouragement. Additional stresses, disappointments, impossible situations, illnesses & exhaustion can be the straw that breaks the camel’s back – so to speak. Elijah came face to face with this reality immediately following one of the greatest confrontations with idolatry in Israel’s history in 1 Kings 18-19. The Lord took him aside immediately for much needed: separation from stresses; rest & recuperation; revitalization; and encouragement.

Second, seek encouragement! This can be found in a number of places: first in God Himself. He tells us in His Word that He will never leave us or forsake us (Heb. 13:5)…and His promises are absolute! He also told us that He would send the “Comforter” (Jn. 16) to provide us with the encouragement we would need on life’s journey. We can also find encouragement from some of God’s people.

Third, share encouragement! This is done through mutual associations (Heb. 10:25), verbal communication (1 Kings 19:12; 1 Thess. 5:14; Is. 41:8-10), and tangible demonstrations (2 Tim. 1:16-18; Phil. 2:25) – the One Another’s of Scripture (another lesson for another time).

As I said, no one can avoid the discouragements and disappointments of life, but we can survive them…and even learn from them. Keep in mind a couple of things, first – there will always be a means to survive (1 Cor. 10:13). The Lord has promised to provide what we need for endurance through all the challenges of life! Second – those praising, seeking, and serving the Lord, won’t have time for criticizing, bickering, or tearing one another down! Don’t give the devil the opportunity to use you (Eph. 4:27)!!!

Pastor Jim Howard

Pastor, First Baptist Church