Do you know why Clarkston is a great place?
I’ve lived in Clarkston now for 20 years. My wife and I were so impressed when we moved here. We loved the small town feel and how friendly everyone was around town. After all these years, we still feel the same way.
I have the privilege of being on the Clarkston Community Awards Committee. We plan the Awards Breakfast that happens every May. The goal is to honor and recognize the people who help to make Clarkston such a great place to live.
Because really ? and we dare not take this for granted ? what makes Clarkston a great place is the people.
I am excited for this year’s Awards Breakfast on May 13. Here are the people we will honor:
Citizen of the Year (tie): Jeanne Molzon and Jim Evans;
Business Person of the Year: Shari Schulz, owner of Birdfeeder/Clarkston Flower Shoppe/Bonnie & Clyde;
Adult-Youth Volunteer: John Coleman, cubmaster for Cub Pack 192;
Youth of the Year (tie): ‘Camron Razdar and Kelley Fitzpatrick;
Community Collaboration: My Habitat Clarkston – Pastors Jonathon Heierman, Dan Whiting, and Greg Henneman;
Community Beautification/Preservation: Neiman’s Family Market, John Schmidt;
Community Enhancement: Clarkston Optimist Club, Robin Brose.
We will enjoy a nice breakfast together, and then have a brief program where we recognize these beautiful people for helping to make Clarkston a great place to live.
I encourage you to join us. It’s open to the community. Go to www.clarkstoncommunity.com to purchase tickets.
Let’s not take what we have for granted. Let’s celebrate it, and let’s work together to make it even better.
The Rev. Greg Henneman is pastor of Clarkston Community Church

‘The Barna Group, found that 69 percent of U.S. adults celebrate Easter as a religious holiday.? This is indeed great news because what that means is there is a great opportunity for the churches in and around Clarkston to live out the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Which means the gospel has got to be preached by both the pastor and the congregation.
It needs to be preached in word and through our actions as well. People need the Gospel because the message of the Gospel overwhelms us with the love God gives. It compels us to love others.
The Gospel is this great message of hope, that in Christ, we have been forgiven, we are the beloved children of God. Our relationship with God has been restored, there is no more condemnation over our lives.
When we understand that adoption into God’s family is a fixed position in Christ it means we can get rid of the vicious cycle of trying to do more and more in order for God to accept us.
We already are accepted as a result of receiving the grace of God through Christ by faith.
The two verses that I have been focused on this year for Easter is 1 Peter 1:3-4: ‘Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you?
Gabriel Marcel adds insightful commentary to these verses when he says, ‘hope is for the soul what breathing is for the living organism.?
Biblical hope is not some sort of superstitious uncertainty, instead it is alive and certain because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
Life without Christ is a hopeless end, whereas life in Christ is an endless hope.
What we have to offer as the Christian Church is endless hope in Christ Jesus. Isn’t that something you would want to be a part of? Isn’t that something worth sharing and devoting your life to?
Thomas Brooks, a Puritan writer says ‘hope can allow us to see heaven through the thickest clouds.?
So my prayer for our community is God will use the people of our churches to help people encounter the Resurrected King this Easter.
What I know is that people need to come alive with a living hope that can only be found in the Easter message and through the power of the Resurrection.
The Rev. Dr. Matthew Webster is pastor of First Congregational Church of Clarkston.

We heard it many times in our worship yesterday as we celebrated in our Easter worship: He is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia! But what do those words really mean when we take time to think about them?
First, it means that the One we worship as God’s Son, the Christ, fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies, is not laying in some tomb.
The major religions of the world, the philosophies, and the governments will take you to a place and will show you the grave of their founder or former leader. There you will find a body’with the exception of the Christian faith. He has risen!
Even the Bible records how the people in Jesus? day tried to cover it up. In Matthew 27:62-65, we read ‘The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate’and said, ‘Sir, we remember how that impostor said, while he was still alive, ‘After three days I will rise.? Therefore order the tomb to be made secure until the third day, lest his disciples go and steal him away and tell the people, ‘He has risen from the dead,? and the last fraud will be worse than the first.?
Pilate said to them, ‘You have a guard of soldiers. Go, make it as secure as you can.??? After the resurrection Matthew records: ‘While they were going, behold, some of the guard went into the city and told the chief priests all that had taken place. 12’And when they had assembled with the elders and taken counsel, they gave a sufficient sum of money to the soldiers 13’and said, ‘Tell people, ‘His disciples came by night and stole him away while we were asleep.??? (28:11-13)
Second, it means that these words are true fact to us. The word indeed is a solid statement that what we speak we believe to be true. Synonyms include surely, positively, undoubtedly, certainly and truly.
We, as Christians, believe that Jesus is alive, that He has defeated the power of death, and that, because of the resurrection we will live with Him in heaven forever!
Third, it is a reason for praise. Alleluia, literally Praise the Lord, is a response heard throughout the Christian church, especially on a day of celebration like Easter.
It becomes a song of praise on the lips of believers and a word of hope for those in despair as we think about all God has done for us.
Finally, it is our reason for hope.
St. Paul writes: ‘But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. 14’For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.? 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14) We believe that, as Jesus lives, so shall we.
He is risen. He is risen indeed. Alleluia!
The Rev. Kendall Schaeffer is pastor of St. Trinity Lutheran Church.

At Calvary Lutheran we have a saying  we share often: “We are better together!” We believe that is way God made us for life in community, not as lone rangers. One Body of Christ with many parts, each uniquely gifted and all vital to the health and effectiveness of the Body.
Of course this image extends beyond a single congregation to the whole church.
At the National Day of Prayer breakfast last week I was profoundly reminded of this by the 2014 theme, “One Voice United in Prayer.”
The spring and fall Community Impact Days are another wonderful expression of working together. Simply put, we get more done for God and our community with more hands and hearts helping share the load.
Even though I believe we all know this is true, I lament that as churches we can find it so hard to make “better together” a real priority.
All too often we find it hard to set aside the time and/or our differences so that we can really work together as Christians for the sake of the world. We are called to build up the kingdom of God, not just build our own castles.
I trust each congregation in our community has vital life-giving ministries to spread the Good News and to reach out to those in need. I also believe it is important to come together sometimes so the world can see us working and focusing together on the love, compassion, justice and mercy of God. As the old song goes, “They’ll know we are Christians by our love…”
My Habitat Clarkston offers us a wonderful opportunity to do just that. It is an invitation to our various faith communities to come together with our schools, civic and service groups, the Clarkston Chamber of Commerce, local businesses and caring individuals to build a “better habitat” for all.
We will soon be officially announcing the details of our first Habitat for Humanity house build project in the Clarkson vicinity.
We hope and pray that this will serve as a catalyst for all shapes and sizes of projects to build that better habitat. We also hope it will serve as a catalyst to establish a much-needed volunteer clearinghouse. This will facilitate matching those interested in volunteer service with projects to build up the community or to assist those in need.
This is a big vision that requires us to share with one another – share some of our time and talents, share some of the spotlight and credit, share some of the resources, share some of our lives – so that others may see the light of Christ shine brightly and so that we can accomplish more, “better together!”
My hope and prayer is that our churches will be the early adapters and leaders in moving this vision forward.
To learn more about My Habitat Clarkston visit us on Facebook or let me know as I am very passionate about this opportunity to move beyond ourselves and our self-interest to building a better habitat for all. I believe that “better together” is our calling.
The Rev. Jonathan Heierman is Senior Pastor of Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church

As I write this article, we are preparing to celebrate Mother’s Day. My sons and I will be taking Mom out for our annual visit to the greenhouse for a selection of perennials and annuals that will bring the joy of color to our home for the summer. In our churches we will be honoring our Mothers with a breakfast, flowers and affirmations of love and support.
As you read this, Mother’s Day for this year will have past; so, now that the gift buying and card giving are done, maybe we can talk about what Mother’s Day was originally intended to represent before Hallmark got ahold of it.
In the wake of the Civil War when more Americans were killed than in all the other wars before and after, nearly 2 percent of the population, a call went out to Mother’s everywhere, “Arise, then, women of this day! Arise, all women who have hearts, whether our baptism be of water or of tears! Say firmly: We will not have great questions decided by irrelevant agencies. Our husbands shall not come to us, reeking with carnage, for caresses and applause. Our sons shall not be taken from us to unlearn all that we have been able to teach them of charity, mercy and patience. We, women of one country, will be too tender of those of another country, to allow our sons to be trained to injure theirs… As men have often forsaken the plough and the anvil at the summons of war, let women now leave all that may be left of home for a great and earnest day of council.” (Julia Ward Howe, 1870)
This movement towards a day of peace, a day for women to take council as to affect peace in our world, evolved into the suffrage movement which brought women the right to vote and to equal education.
Even though Mother’s Day became officially recognized as a national holiday in 1914, it had already begun to lose its original flavor and intent. The original advocates quickly denounced the rampant commercialization and degradation of meaning that followed.
Yet, women did win the right to vote and for equal education. And, the United States at least has not gone to war since without there being a national debate. We were slow to enter both world wars, entering only after we were attacked. The anti-war movement of the 60’s and 70’s took strength from these early advocates for peace. That movement has also evolved into movements for environmental and social justice making.
Peace is a noble cause, and even though one conflict ends another inevitably begins. Eventually we realize that changing things in the outer never produces a lasting change.
As Lao Tse wrote, “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.”
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives.” (John 14:27) Peace is not the absence of conflict, it is the awareness of an infinite, unlimited, eternal existence of life and love, God, active in your life; it is an intuitive knowing that Spirit is active in your mind, heart and body. It is a sense of Divine guidance, a confident assurance in Divine order and Divine timing, that all will be well.
“Think again, with a new level of understanding, for the Kingdom of Heaven is within your reach.” (Matthew 4:17) Heaven is a state of mind, a level of consciousness, an awareness and a realization of a greater reality than this three dimensional existence that we are currently participating in. Take time today to be holy, to realize your wholeness by practicing the presence of the Divine. You are worthy.
The Rev. Matthew E. Long is senior minister at Peace Unity Community.

What? A Habitat for Humanity build in Clarkston? Why in Clarkston? Isn’t Clarkston a rich town?
Well yes, in many ways Clarkston is a wealthy town and blessed with many resources.
But did you know that according to The Lighthouse of Oakland County’s report on poverty, a seismic shift has occurred in Oakland County since 2005?
‘In Oakland County, the state’s wealthiest county, the number of individuals in poverty has grown to more than 118,000, an increase of 77% between 2005 and 2012.?
Poverty is no longer an urban issue. Many suburbs, like Clarkston, have a growing number of people in poverty.
I was in a meeting with Tim Ruggles, CEO of Habitat for Humanity Oakland, and he mentioned that the average age of a homeless person is nine years of age.
I’ve heard that some are disputing the numbers, but whatever the exact numbers are, the need is here even in Clarkston.
That’s why I’m so excited for our Habitat for Humanity build this summer. Property has been purchased.
A family has been selected. And we’re ready to move ahead. The cost of the project is $130,000.
Some lead gifts have already been committed.
But this is the time for OUR ENTIRE COMMUNITY TO COLLABERATE TOGETHER.
Can you give financially? Do you have some kind of building skills? Can you give ‘in kind? gifts? Can you volunteer to serve food on a certain day?
More information will soon be available on our Facebook page ‘My Habitat Clarkston.?
The Rev. Greg Henneman is pastor of Clarkston Community Church

I absolutely love this time of the year in Michigan. We get to celebrate another winter being behind us, and there are great holidays to enjoy with family; such as Mother’s Day, Memorial Day, Father’s Day, and my birthday.
Alright, so my birthday isn’t a national holiday, but chances are you were very mindful of Mother’s Day at least.
This year I watched as four generations of my family, enjoyed being with one another, great grandparents playing with their great grandkids.
As I was enjoying every minute of watching four generations interact with one another, I began to think about all the various people who have made a difference in my life.
I wish there was a special day to recognize the people who have given of themselves and invested into our lives beyond the usual holidays that place people into specific categories.
As I began to reflect even more deeply into the lives of those I truly admire, I began to realize each individual is vastly different from one another.
They are all individuals who represent different socio-economic statuses, educational levels, ethnicities, and home lives.
Although, there were many differences among them, there were also some common denominators as well. What they all shared in common was that they all invested a lot of quality time in my life, and displayed to me, love, grace, and forgiveness as needed.
I have learned an important lesson in life you can’t give what you don’t have. So, I am going to apply that same logic to the people who have had the greatest impact on my life.
In order to love, they must have received love, in order to invest time in someone’s life, they need to have time to give, in order to forgive, they must have been forgiven.
The problem with my list was I knew there were some who didn’t grow up with love in their homes.
Others had their past, constantly brought up before them, so how were they able to forgive?
I decided I needed answers to my questions and that could only be done by asking the individuals directly themselves, ‘how can you love after growing up in the home that showed you no love??
‘I am able to love because I have received the love that God gives.?
The same type of answer came from a friend who had overcome a troubled past, ‘I am able to forgive because I understand just how forgiven I am.?
I went through the list of the most influential people a second time and recognized they were all individuals who because they had received what they did not deserve from God, known as grace, they were able to extend to others what they might not have deserved too.
James 1:17 says: ‘every good gift comes from above.?
God doesn’t give bad gifts. The kind of stuff God gives; the love, joy, peace, forgiveness, grace, that is found in Him, is what was needed to overcome their lack in that area of their lives.
God had transformed their lives into the people they have become; forgiven people who forgive, loved people who love, healed people who no longer hurt, and who introduce people to the Great Healer of our souls.
I am grateful for the people whom God has redeemed, restored and used as beautiful reflections of His light and His love. So, I am wondering, who are the people who have impacted your life? How can we show our appreciation to them? Maybe we all should rally together and start a new Holiday, a You Made a Difference in My Life Day.
The Rev. Dr. Matthew Webster is pastor of First Congregational Church of Clarkston.

When learning to drive, my father told me to keep my speed to five miles an hour over the speed limit. I followed his instructions.
Later in life, while talking to my sister-in-law, she asked how I, a pastor, could willfully break the law by doing that.
This became a dilemma. Do I listen to the authority of my father or the authority of the law of the land? I chose the latter. It was a matter of respect.
When I drove fast, if I saw a patrol car, I would immediately take my foot off the gas even when going five miles an hour under the speed limit.
Why? I knew I was guilty, I had broken the law.
Some people see God like a policeman waiting to catch us doing something wrong, flip on the lights and punish us.
Too often we remember the words God spoke when He said ‘I the’Lord’your God am’a jealous God,’visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate Me? (Exodus 20:5b). He wants our service and our devotion.
God has given the Law so we might respect Him and all His creation. Just like the laws of the land are there to keep us in check, to give us a guide and opportunity to reflect on what we are doing, so God’s Law gives the same opportunity.
If we focus on the negative aspects of the Law we might see the Christian faith as a punishing, restrictive and binding religion. That is not what God offers. Instead He offers freedom and joy.
Exodus 20:6 reflects God’s good and gracious nature.
Here He says ‘but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love Me and keep My commandments.
This is the God I know, a God of love! He knew no one could ever keep His commandments’perfectly’so He had a plan to send His Son to take the punishment for our sins.
It is a great gift to us. He suffered and died and we are given a gift of forgiveness and living with Him in heaven forever.
We should take God’s Word seriously, take it to heart.
God wants our full devotion.
God wants all our love.
God wants us to respect Him.
What has happened in our land? We mourn for days gone by. Reflect on the last half century and what do we find? Respect has continued to decline.
Think of what could happen in our nation if we took more time to show respect to others.
Think about the good of building one another up instead of tearing one another down.
Think of all the positives that could come as we share God’s never-ending love with one another.
Think of all the possibilities! But don’t just think about them, try them, join in the joys of loving God’s love and respect.
Join in as we grow in sharing His blessings.
The Rev. Kendall Schaeffer is pastor of St. Trinity Lutheran Church.

In the good old summer time. Yeah! Summer is finally here. The cold and the snow are a fading memory. The sun and the water are calling us forward to enjoy the fruits of our labors.
I have been investing a lot of time in my garden as I do each spring. Now we are beginning to enjoy the benefits.
Strawberries, lettuces, peas are making their way to our dinner plates. Tomatoes, peppers, carrots and much more are on their way.
So are the weeds. It is a continual process of plucking out the weeds so that I can water and nurture the seeds that I want to see grow.
Our lives are the same way.
This is why biblical writers repeatedly drew upon images of the seed, sowing and reaping.
‘Collect the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.? Matthew 13:30.
We have to be alert to the thoughts, feelings and actions that are not beneficial to our lives and to the lives of those around us. These we gently pluck out of our minds and hearts, cease participating in them, so that the good seed may grow within us.
My friend Sam was a very successful business man, he ran a fortune 500 company and was well respected in the business community.
He had a big house, fancy cars, plus more money than he knew what to do with. His wife loved spending his money. She was always taking trips overseas, back east and out west.
His children were gone as well. His son had moved out west and never made it back home even for the holidays, his work kept him very busy.
His daughter was in trouble with the law and was constantly dealing with the legal system, in and out of jail, court, rehab, on probation. It never seemed to end.
Sam’s health was not well. He dealt with heart, lung and kidney issues. Between his cholesterol, diabetes, infections, etc. ad infinitum, he was always popping pills, injecting himself, monitoring his vitals, getting treatments, doctor appointments, hospital visits.
But he always seemed to have enough time to tell me what I was doing wrong running the church. And, since he was on the board, I was compelled to listen.
In Unity we teach the Law of Mind Action, which simply stated is, thoughts held in mind produce after their kind.
Our outer world is a reflection of our inner world. Derivatives include the Law of Cause and Effect, Giving and Receiving, Karma and Retribution.
Essentially, our inner world causes the outer effects, as we give so shall we receive, what goes around comes around, and what we put out comes back.
One day Sam suffered a massive heart attack, the doctors did not know if he would pull through.
When he was finally well enough for visitors, I went to see him. What he said was a surprise to me, although I might have expected it. It was such an insightful comment I had to write it down.
He said, ‘You know, I’ve been lying here thinking about all you’ve said over the years about the Law of Mind Action and I think maybe I’m beginning to see how it works. I have to think about what physical effects I want to see out picture in my life and then figure out what mental causes I have to dwell on to achieve those effects.?
He got it. Before long his wife and children were spending more time at home. The constant complaining had ceased and he was much more pleasant to be around.
Our lives today are an out picturing of the seed thoughts and feelings that we planted, watered and nurtured yesterday.
The seed thoughts and feelings that we plant today will determine how our lives out picture tomorrow.
‘Seek ye first his kingdom and his righteousness (right-use-ness) and all these things will be added unto you.? Matthew 6:33.
God’s kingdom is love, ‘God is love and he who abides in love abides in God and God abides in him.? 1John 4:16.
I invite you to sow seeds of love, to water and nurture them by remembering to affirm, ‘God is love, I am loved and loving.? Then be the love you wish to see.
Matthew E. Long is senior minister
at Peace Unity Community.

Maybe you’ve heard the news.
My Habitat Clarkston, in conjunction with Habitat for Humanity of Oakland County (HFHOC), has secured vacant land on Hogback Lake Road, near Andersonville Road.
If you are familiar with the old school building that used to house the former Springfield Township library, the property is directly behind the old library.
Habitat for Humanity requires families to provide their own ‘sweat equity hours? in their home build.
In addition, this family will be making affordable zero profit mortgage payments back to HFHOC as part of their partner family requirements for home ownership.
The family also is educated on how to handle their finances and maintain a home.
It bugs me when I hear people complain about how bad things are and how something needs to be done.
Typically, I ask, ‘Ok, what are you doing about it??
Most of the time, the answer is nothing. People just like to complain.
So OK Clarkston. We’ve started My Habitat Clarkston to be a vehicle for anyone to do something about it.
Our dream is we can collaborate in all sorts of ways to make Clarkston a better place to live. This HFHOC build is simply one, important way.
It’s almost build time! So let’s do this ‘together! How? For starters, check out our Facebook Page (My Habitat Clarkston).
There you will find lots of info on who we are and what we’ve been doing. Second, rally your friends or co-workers to sign up for a time to help build.
Third, make a donation.
Encourage your club or group to give as well. If many people give what they can, surely Clarkston is able to raise $130,000 to make this happen.
For every dollar given, Consumers Energy will give 50 cents (if given through the proper channel online).
Go to www.habitatoakland.org to sign up and to donate. The groundbreaking is scheduled for Monday, Aug. 4, at 10 a.m.
Let’s do this, Clarkston! Together!
The Rev. Greg Henneman is pastor of Clarkston Community Church

This past fourth of July, I did what the majority of pastors do, I took that Sunday off and I spent time with my family in Florida.
One of the things that we planned to do when we were in Florida was to visit Universal Studios.
My wife and I have a lot of history at that park, in fact, in 2003 we won the grand prize, a free trip to Universal Studios in Hollywood.
Our past history told us two things, we could count on the fact that it would be very hot and there would be a lot of people.
What we failed to realize was the day that we decided to go, happened to be the same day that the new Harry Potter ride would open.
A man that I met that day told me his family paid extra money to be able to enter the park early, before the gates opened to ride the new ride. The update that he gave me was that after 8 hours of waiting in line they still hadn’t been on the ride yet. Now, that is some serious devotion.
In my time at the park I was able to do a lot of people watching. My daughter and I would camp out in the gift shop waiting for my wife and my son to exit from the ride.
I use to think the idea of having riders pass through the gift shop after a ride ended was a brilliant money making idea but what I noticed was the ones who were actually doing most of the purchasing, usually weren’t riders getting off a ride but those who were drawn into the store from the heat.
Those who had just been on the ride, had waited in an air conditioned building, and with adrenaline still pumping through their bodies they passed right through the gift shops onto the next ride.
The majority of those who spent any time in the shop at all, were either family members waiting for their loved ones who had plenty of time to waste in the shop, or passer’byers who had not planned on entering the store until the feeling of air conditioning drew them right in.
It is amazing that they actually keep the air conditioned store doors open the entire time the park is open. Once you are overheated, and you are in that air conditioned room you don’t want to leave, so you stay and you shop and eventually you buy.
Before you know it you have just purchased an E.T. stuffed animal that you get to lug around the park, which gets you hotter faster and then the process of finding yourself in another gift shop starts all over again.
The Universal Studios gift shops reminds me a lot of what the church Jesus established should be like. In life, there are many who are weary, who have been beaten and battered by the hardships of life.
They are searching everywhere for relief from the demands of life and every passing day they go without finding rest for their souls, they become more and more drained.
C.S. Lewis said ‘Most people, if they had really learned to look into their own hearts, would know that they do want, and want acutely, something that cannot be had in this world. There are all sorts of things in this world that offer to give it to you, but they never quite keep their promise.?
What believers in Jesus have found is life, and in becoming a believer, the Holy Spirit enters our hearts so that wherever we go, we can help those who are far from God experience life in Christ. For those who are seeking peace, we know who the Prince of Peace is.
For those who feel there is no hope for them, we can share with them that they can have a relationship with the God of hope, who promises to fill you with all joy and peace, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in the hope that you lack. May we as the church, the people of God, be for others, like the air conditioning to the tired theme park goers, drawing in the tired and the weary so they experience the refreshing new life that is found in Christ.
The Rev. Dr. Matthew Webster is pastor of First Congregational Church of Clarkston.

The Greeks and the Romans referred to the Dog Days of Summer as an evil time “when the sea boiled, wine turned sour, dogs grew mad and man became hysterical.” They were generally talking about the sultry days of summer most commonly experienced in the months of July and August. According to the 1552 edition of the Book of Common Prayer the “Dog Daies” began July 6th and ended August 17th. On the modern calendar that would be July 16th to August 27th.
Named after Sirius the “Dog Star”, the brightest star in the constellation Canis Major (Large Dog). Sirius is also the brightest star in the night sky. The Dog Days originally were the days when Sirius rose just before or at the same time as the sun. Owing to changes in the earth’s rotation July 3rd to August 11th are the days Sirius rises with the sun this year, the ‘Dog Days? of summer.
For some people this is the best time of the year, for others the worst. Some thrive in the heat, the outdoor activities, swimming, boating, fishing, etc. Others take shelter in the comfort of their air conditioning awaiting the cooler weather before venturing out during the day. As I grow in years I find that my tolerance for hotter weather has decreased while I am more tolerant of a little hysteria.
One constant in life is change. Our individual responses to change range from denial to overreaction. We go to great measures to resist change; we cherry pick ‘facts? to support our prejudices such as those who point to the increase in the extent of the Antarctic ice shelf while ignoring the overall decrease in its density.
And we take extreme measures to combat threats that may or may not exist; we project doom and gloom such as those who focus on the possible catastrophic effects of sea levels rising in greatly increased rates beyond the current level of change.
A cooler and wetter than normal summer plus a colder and snowier than normal winter raise doubts in people’s minds as to the reality of global warming.
And, these local effects are offset by the observations of global temperatures rising, the overall shrinking of ice caps and glaciers, plants and animal species migrating north with the increased length of the growing season, record heat, drought and wild fires out west, etc., etc., etc.
Last weekend Toledo’s water supply was threatened from an overabundance of algae caused by a combination of over fertilization of lawns, rising water temperatures in Lake Erie and a multitude of other factors. Evidence is growing that changes are at hand. Do we deny, react or respond to the changes in our lives?
Jesus ushered in a change in consciousness to our planetary body. The time for waiting for heaven are over, the belief in a heaven out there above the clouds is no longer valid, the idea that we have to earn our way into heaven is cast away. He sent his disciples out into the world saying, ‘As you go, proclaim the good news, ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.?? Matthew 10:7.
Jesus located heaven as being ‘within you? (Luke 17:21), ‘at hand? (Mark 1:15) or within your reach here and now. He likened it to a man who sowed good seed, a grain of mustard seed, leaven in the flour, a merchant in search of fine pearls, a treasure hidden in the field, a net which was thrown into the sea (see Matthew chapter 13) and other actions. It is not a place to go but an experience to live here and now.
This is our opportunity, to live ‘in the world? (see John 17:16) conscious of our connection with God: Heaven, and not ‘of it? caught up in the worldly appearances of doom and gloom. We are neither in denial of nor overreacting to the appearances; we do respond appropriately. We respond with confident assurance that Divine Order, Divine Timing and Divine Guidance are active in our lives and affairs.
Thank you God for it is so!
Rev. Matthew E. Long is pastor of Peace Unity Community

You are driven by something. Right now you may be driven by a problem or a deadline. You may be driven by guilt or fear or the need to impress and succeed.
You think, ‘If I could just have that, if I could just get there, then I would be happy.? Really? How’s that been working for Jesus told us that he can free us from what drives us. He said that if he sets us free, we are genuinely free. (John 8:36) Free to love. Free to enjoy. Free to give and live truly productive lives.
Maybe you’ve heard the news. My Habitat Clarkston, in conjunction with Habitat for Humanity of Oakland County, is building a new home in Springfield Township, near Andersonville Rd. Our church is privileged and excited to be a part of this great cause. And it is exciting to see how the word is spreading and many businesses and people are participating as well.
But a caution about our motives: Why do we give money and take time to serve? Is it because we are driven to impress people? Is it to pat ourselves on the back and feel better about ourselves? Perhaps. (We are all a mixed bag of motives and emotions, aren’t we?). But from a faith perspective, our Lord Jesus taught us that we do not have to impress people or earn brownie points with God.
If we receive Christ into our lives, we know that we are already accepted, forgiven, and loved. Then why bother to do good ‘like My Habitat Clarkston? The Apostle Paul tells us, Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order to provide for urgent needs and not live unproductive lives. (Titus 3:14)
Once we know Christ ‘really know him ? life becomes an adventure of loving, enjoying, caring, and making a difference. We don’t have to be driven. Instead we are now called ? called to find joy in living productive lives and helping others to live productive lives.
So what drives you? Have you asked Christ to free you? Accept his forgiveness. Receive his love. And then go and love someone.Whether you follow Christ or not, this Habitat for Humanity Build is a great way for all of us to make life in Clarkston better for everyone.
Information on the Habitat for Humanity house build can be found on Facebook. Go to My Habitat Clarkston. You can serve in many different ways or make a donation.
The Rev. Greg Henneman is pastor of Clarkston Community Church

Christian values are important to many of us. We were brought up in a world that seems so different from our world today.
Wars and violence create anxiety. We watch what is taking place in other parts of the world and wonder at the looks of anger and hatred we see on the faces of the people, then see the look of anguish at the loss of loved ones. Has life really changed?
As we approach the end of another summer we will soon find, in many ways, a different world.
Children will return to school. Our vacation schedules may be over for another year and we face the long periods of work before us. We will find the days a little cooler, the nights a little longer, and the trees begin to change color.
My wife and I were amazed a few days ago that some sumac trees were already changing to a brilliant red color! This is a reminder of the sleep of winter soon approaching.
The sleep of winter for the earth and for many animals often reminds me of the Christian view of death.
St. Paul writes these inspired words in 1 Corinthians 15: Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?
We might wonder about those words as we stand at a grave site with strong memories of the loved one laying at our feet because the sting is real and the victory seems so finite. Our sin convicts us.
St. Paul also reminds us that the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). He continues by telling us that the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Earlier he had written Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? We were buried therefore with Him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. (6:3-4)
What a glorious victory it is! It is Easter Sunday re-lived every day as we awake from sleep and begin a new day. It is celebrating the life we are given every day as we take another breath of air. It is remembering all the blessings God brings to us as we feel the warmth of the sunshine, a kind word, another’s forgiveness, and a welcome embrace.
So how do our Christian values play into all this? We hold out the word of hope for those struggling.
We pray for those whose lives are embattled by the war around them (after all, we are all in battle with sin!). We lead through Christ-like examples in sharing the love of God in Christ Jesus. We lead others to His peace.
Join us beginning Sept. 24 as Dave Ramsey guides us to Financial Peace Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. Call 248-625-4644 for information.
The Rev. Kendall Schaeffer is pastor of St. Trinity Lutheran Church.

‘Where has the summer gone?? It seems like just yesterday that we couldn’t wait for warm weather after such a tough winter.
Now we are starting school again and conversations have already turned to what kind of winter will we have this year. Life turns very quickly and summer seems so fleeting.
I have found that we sometimes try to pack so much fun and activity and relaxation into summer that it can work against actually experiencing these things. So perhaps we could ask another question?
‘What are we going to do now/today?? I believe this question is a far more productive one that we can actually do something about, at least in part.
First, I believe that it is essential to build some ‘summer? into the rest of the year ? some intentional time to rest and relax and play and spend precious moments with family and friends and God.
This is really the biblical concept of ‘Sabbath? time and it is designed to help us rest and refocus on God’s good gifts to us in creation.
Sabbath ‘summer? time reminds us that we are not ultimately in charge and that everything comes to us as gift.
It’s one way of saying that ‘God is God, and we’re not!?
In addition, I also believe that the end of summer is a time to reflect on life’s priorities just as ‘regular? activity resumes.
Some questions to consider include: Does life really have to be so frantic? What will I choose to do and what will I choose not do? Can I simplify my life and focus on what matters most? Will the people I love most really know how much I care? Will I get enough exercise or sleep? What new thing will I learn? How will I grow spiritually? Will I take time to serve and love others, such as with the My Habitat Clarkston build this fall? What will I generously give to? Will I take time for worship and prayer?
What a privilege we have to live every day as the gift that it is, no matter what the season.
And each day we have an opportunity to prioritize our days according to God’s design and the values we hold.
One of my favorite Bible passages reminds me of the value of each and every day no matter what does or doesn’t happen: ‘This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.? (Psalm 118:24)
So often we live in either the past with regret or the future with anxiety, rather than in the present with thanksgiving and joy.
Of course living in the day is not always an easy thing to do. Yet when I do, I experience more joy and peace. The Bible says that we should ‘Cast all your anxiety on (God), because he cares for you.? (1 Peter 5:7)
I believe that God, in his amazing grace, wills to redeem our past (no matter what it holds) and to assure us about the future (no matter what it holds).
But most of all I think God wants to journey with us today, and for us to give our lives over to his control. I want to encourage you (and me) to make this our number one priority this fall.
The Rev. Jonathan Heierman is pastor of Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church

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

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

‘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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

‘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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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 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

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

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

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.

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.

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 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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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 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

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

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

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

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.

Like many of you, I have thoroughly enjoyed watching the Olympic Games these past several days.
The reported 10,500 athletes from 204 different countries represent the ‘BEST of the best? ? those who have spent the majority of their lives training for countless hours ? day after day ? year after year ? with no guarantee that they’ll ever qualify or win at the Olympic games.
But they do have hope and passion and a goal. They are ‘going for the gold? and they are most certainly focused on the prize.
A competitive swimmer or runner will tell you that the very worst thing you can do in a close competition is to look back ? to take your focus off of the goal.
In swimming it can cost you precious tenths or hundredths of a second that makes all the difference at the end of the race.
In running competitions looking back can cause you to stumble over the feet of the person in front of you or cause you to step out of your lane and be disqualified.
God’s Word has a unique way of teaching us about ‘focus? in the race of our Christian life. In Hebrews 12:1-2 we read, ?? and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.?
As Christians we must stay focused on the goal – the goal of eternal life with our Savior Jesus in heaven.
There are going to be plenty of distractions and temptations around us each day to take our focus off the ‘goal.? But St. Paul encourages us to ‘run with perseverance,? that is, with resolve and determination.
Gold, silver, or bronze ? it doesn’t matter in what ‘place? you finish the race. What matters is that you finish the race ? that you keep your focus and faith in Jesus ? and you will receive the prize ? eternal life.
St. Paul, in his writings, also employed the language of the ‘games.? He, too, understood how important it was to remain focused in a race.
In Philippians 3:13-14 he wrote, ‘Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.?
The past can be a huge distraction. Hurts, pains, disappointments, death, missed opportunities, the loss of a job ? these can all keep us looking back withregret.
But God’s Word teaches us to forget what is behind and strain toward what is ahead. It’s not easy. It can be painful to take that step forward again. It’s hard to rid ourselves of the burdens and hurts of the past.
But when we ‘fix our eyes on Jesus? and put our focus and future in the hands of God, we will reach the ‘finish line? and receive the prize ? the crown of eternal life in heaven.
Ready ? set ? fix your eyes on Jesus ? GO!
The Rev. James Krueger is pastor of St. Trinity Lutheran Church.

When people speak of “government,” they typically have in mind politics or entities like Congress. But a right understanding of “government” is much broader than civil officials.
God has ordained three governments: family, church, and civil (or state). Each of these has its own particular role under God.
The family is the original and most basic of all orders. Husbands and fathers are to be the “heads” of the family, with their wives as helpmates and children walking in obedience (Eph.5:22ff;6:1-3).
Within the family itself, God’s most basic commandments are taught and learned (Dt.6:6-9).
The government of the church is to be led by elders. The function of these elders is not to lord it over others, but to shepherd those entrusted to their care (1 Pet.5:1-4).
By grace, they are to maintain God’s righteous standards and equip believers for the building of His kingdom (Eph.4:11ff).
The civil government is to be of limited authority and function. According to the Bible, the civil government’s role is that of a minister of justice (Rom.13:1-4). In this capacity, the civil government is charged by God to protect life, liberty, and property, so the citizens of the land can best fulfill their God-given callings.
All three of these forms of government are subject to God. Jesus is the ultimate ruler as the King of kings and Lord of lords. Consequently, all who head various earthly governments are accountable to Him.
This gives those who are under these governments recourse when the rulers over them misuse their authority. A wife, for example, is under no obligation to listen to a husband who demands she does something wrong.
The same holds true of church members and citizens when they are directed to do something that is unrighteous or unjust. In the end, “we must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29).
For the different earthly governments to work effectively and promote a stable society, there must be another form of government being practiced: self-government.
Without self-government, families become restless and dysfunctional, churches become compromised, and the state assumes more and more power as it seeks to maintain order in a society undergoing collapse.
Understanding this is essential if we are ever going to address what ails our own society with any effectiveness. While most attention is given to what might be done by the civil government to restore the fortunes of our culture, the real answer lies in restoring self-government among our families, churches, and citizens at large.
When the individuals of any society are enslaved by their impulses and desires, there is disorder of every kind and in every place.
Accordingly, the biggest contributor to any society is he who is able to rule his own spirit. He is better than he who can conquer a city (Pr.16:32).
We need to quit looking to the civil government to solve problems that can only be solved by self-government. And we need to look more to the One who can give us a spirit of self-control (2 Tim.1:7).
The Rev. David Bostrom is pastor of Seeds for the Harvest Ministries.

It is hard to believe that school has begun and that fall is just around the corner.
Perhaps, like me, you have found yourself saying things like, ‘I don’t know where the summer has gone,? or ‘I can’t believe it’s September already.?
Time certainly seems to fly by ? and sometimes we find ourselves just hanging on for dear life, and wondering how we can possibly fit it all in or hold it all together.
When my life seems too busy and out of control, I stop and ask, ‘Do I really have to live this way? Or is there another, and better, way??
Of course I know the answer ? it’s just hard to put into practice sometimes. I know that this time of year is an opportunity to reassess our priorities and decide again what we will fill our calendars, and thus our lives, with first.
Of course some things are pretty much givens; like family responsibilities, school and work. But lots of other things are choices I make. I believe that how I go about doing the things I’ve ‘got to do? as well as those which I choose really can be different.
I have discovered that if I take the time to put God first in all things (something which takes time as well as discipline and openness and surrendering my priorities), that I am really able to focus on that which is really most important. And putting God first changes me, so that I can live with more purpose and focus and joy, even in the midst of busyness and stress.
All of us, I think, seek joy and purpose, meaning, love, contentment, acceptance, and real security in our lives. Frankly sometimes I act like all of this depends on me and my doing.
I forget that God wants these things for me too ? and that God will see me through (and even grow me through) the times when life is rough.
In Jesus? famous Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) he addresses many of the fundamental areas of faith and the concerns of our lives. It is a model of great preaching that remains relevant, inspiring and real, even today.
Shortly after pointing out that regardless of what we say, ‘Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also? (Matt. 6:21), Jesus addresses the issues of worry, frantic busyness and priorities.
He reminds us that we are of more value to God than the birds of the air and the lilies of the field, and that we cannot add time to our lives through worry (Matt. 6:25-34). Then Jesus says, ??.strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.?
What ‘things? is Jesus talking about? In the text he mentions specifically food and clothing, the basics of life.
I think this message also clearly addresses how we gain joy, purpose, meaning, love, contentment, acceptance, and real security too.
We don’t get these by just trying really hard, being busy or worrying, but rather by turning our lives over to God.
The truth is that as Fall again comes upon us we will fill our calendars with lots of things. I want to encourage you to put the best thing, that is God, first and then see how the rest of the pieces of life fit together, rather than just trying to fit God into what is left of an already busy life. It’s a matter of priority, but my experience is that the right priority first makes all the difference.
The Rev. Jonathan Heierman is pastor of Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church.

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.

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.

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.

‘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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

We are living in times of great change. I am 54 years old and would never have expected that I would live to see the extreme changes in technology and culture that have happened in my lifetime.
As a child, I remember my mother talking about her childhood. Her stories included details about growing up on the heels of the Great Depression and the impact of World War II.
When she told of life without some of the things I took for granted, I just attributed it to her having lived in the old days and that now we were living in modern times.
I remember well when man first walked on the moon and his declaration that he took a small step for man, but a giant step for mankind.
The thought crossed my mind, ‘How could we ever surpass landing on the moon, eight track cassettes and certainly who would ever top the 1969 Z28 Camaro??
The late sixties were turbulent times. We lived through the deaths of Bobby Kennedy and Martin Luther King, Jr., saw the turmoil of the civil rights movement, riots in major cities and the war in Vietnam.
The peace movement and the notion of free love espoused by the hippies caused quite a stir. Yet it seemed like every revolt had an accompanying counter move, so the general impression was that not much would actually change in the end.
Indeed how times did change!
Some changes were definitely for the good, such as with the civil rights movement and prejudice in our society. I am greatly surprised by the level of change in the moral attitudes that was brought on by the so-called love revolution.
The love revolution aspired to make it possible for all people to have the freedom to express themselves and find personal satisfaction without the consent of the greater society.
This self-expression was considered the right of every individual, regardless of how it would impact others.
Parents were told that they were not responsible for their children’s happiness. Children were not bound to their parents and individuals should have the right to personal happiness without considering what the results of their actions would do to others.
These people could even point to the Bill of Rights and declare it was their God-given right as an American to pursue happiness.
In the Bible, the people were questioning Jesus about His teachings and He made an important statement that still rings true today.
He said, ‘Wisdom is justified by her children.? In other words, time will tell whether our idea was actually good or not.
We Americans have witnessed the changes of our time and need to espouse a counter-culture revolution. It should no longer be based on the concept of free love, but rather real love.
Real love, the Bible says, does not think only of itself but is kind and considerate of others; it seeks the well-being of others versus our own well-being.
This is the love that our country needs. It is certainly the need of the family unit and needs to begin in our marriages.
Our country is at a crossroads. We need a revival of some of the old fashioned principles that made us the greatest power and country of modern times. If we want to keep the great blessings that we have received, we need to go back to living by the same principles that got us to this place.
The Rev. Loren Covarrubias is pastor of Mt. Zion Church.

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.

Several months ago, I wrote an article in this column about the faithfulness of our chocolate Labrador retriever, Sabra. She was an image of compassion and faithfulness in the article.
That article drew the most response I ever received from a column. Dog lovers shared their love of their pet with me and spoke of the lessons about life and faith they learned from their four legged companions.
One person wrote me saying they wish they could show half for love and compassion his dog gave him every day.
I was touched by the response and understood it. I think of it today with special blessing since last week we had to put Sabra down due to illness.
I believe the God of all creation and creatures is giving us lessons every day through the world around us. To take care of creation is a Christian act of obedience. God clearly placed the responsibility of caring for the land, water, air and animals on humanity.
In addition, when we pay attention to the earth and its creatures, we can learn basic lessons of life.
Over my years in ministry, I have been told by countless people their place to worship is the lake, a river, the mountains or some other place in nature. Some have even told me the golf course, though my game never allows for enough peace to sustain holiness.
I can understand the intent of what is being said. As a fly fisherman, I can testify to countless moments of peace and holiness on the rivers of the PM, AuSable, Snake River and other holy sites.
However, as precious as those places are to me, they are not all I need. Those places allow me to learn how to find peace when I am alone or with friends.
They are like filling stations for my soul but when I reenter the world those moments of renewal can get drained dry and I am left longing to go back and be refilled.
They do not sustain me in moments of trial, daily life and crisis situations. Even the lessons my dog Sabra has taught me are not enough; for I can never see the world as simply as she can.
I need the support of other humans who know what it is to struggle, sometimes fail and then succeed. I need spiritual mentors who have traveled the path I am on and know its highs and lows.
I rejoice in the strength of sharing with other less than perfect people who also witness to a God of never ending peace, grace, love and hope. The mentors, prayer friends, members of our church family and others are so precious to our life.
Give God thanks for those people in your life. If you do not have any, come join in the sharing. Give thanks for those who share their faith life with you, for they are a blessing to rich to describe.
The Rev. Richard L. Dake is pastor of Clarkston United Methodist Church.

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.

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

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

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

July 4th has already come and gone, 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 weather in Michigan. I know that I so look forward to being able to relax and play and be together with family and friends.
I also know that these times will not just happen. I have to take the time ? literally carve it out of my busy life. I have to intentionally build such time into my schedule and priorities. If I don’t, I know that most likely it will not just happen.
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.
Setting time apart and having a change of pace are part of the very 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?
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??
Being a pastor I try hard to do 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 to set aside for a special purpose or to dedicate to God. God’s call to rest by setting aside some 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 so 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 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 today and into all of eternity. Focusing attention on God in awe and reverence (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 and pray 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.

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.

When God made the first man, He put him in a garden. In so doing, He provided humanity with a pattern for life, showing us all what our lives are to be about.
To grow a thriving garden, you need several elements.
First, you need a willingness to cultivate it. Gardens can’t be left to themselves, they need to be worked at.
Second, you need to guard or protect your garden. That is, you have to do what you can to keep various critters from disturbing what you are growing.
And third, you need to trust, knowing that though you may do the planting and watering, God causes the growth.
These three elements are precisely the ones that God gave the first man when he put him in the garden of Eden.
After putting the man in the garden, the Lord commanded him to cultivate the garden and keep it. And He also commanded him to trust Him (specifically, regarding His direction not to eat from a certain tree).
Cultivating, keeping, and trusting, are needed for more than just growing gardens. They are necessary for every endeavor in life.
If some opportunity comes your way, or if you are given something good, you can’t just let it sit there. You need to work at it and develop it.
At the same time, you need to protect against any intruder that would diminish the value of what you have. And all while you are cultivating and guarding, you need to trust that God will bless your faithful efforts.
Let’s consider a couple of examples.
If you have a family, you can’t just leave it to itself and expect it to remain alive. You need to cultivate your marriage and children. You need to pay attention to those cultural forces that are harming your family and guard against them.
And you need to trust God, believing that as you follow Him in your family He will surely bless it.
The same thing is true for a business or some other enterprise under your care. Whatever operation you have an interest in, it needs tending to.
It can’t run on auto-pilot. You need to work at it, and anticipate changes and threats that may harm what you have. All while trusting God to bless your efforts.
The need to trust can be the hardest part for anyone of us to fulfill.
When God told the first man not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, He essentially told him that he was not to share in God’s glory and rule until the appointed time.
But in the very next chapter (Gen.3), we learn that the man could not wait, and seized what God had forbidden (at least for a time).
We face the same temptation. We want glory and authority and power ? but we want it without the necessary cultivating, keeping, and trusting.
This seems to be especially so with many young people today, who want and expect to have now what it took their parents a lifetime to attain. Unfortunately, with such a heart, gardens do not grow.
Consider the garden that God has put you in. Cultivate it and keep it. And trust Him for His blessing as you do.
The Rev. David Bostrom is pastor of Seeds for the Harvest ministry.

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.

Currently, I am preaching on stories from the book of Genesis.
These stories were told around campfires and in worship for generations before they were written. They became part of the deep truth and life experience of those who first heard them.
They answered fundamental questions that people had about life.
Noah and the Flood tells the story of God flooding the world and after hating the horror it produced made a promise the world would not be destroyed by flood ever again.
Abraham and Sarah is the story of a God who makes promises to a flawed person and then makes those promises come true. Theirs is a story of people who are willing to trust in divine promise when there is no evidence it is remotely possible to expect fulfillment.
Family strife is described between Sarah and Hagar, Isaac and Esau, Joseph and his brothers. The humanity portrayed in their lives describes the struggles we live with daily.
When these stories were first heard, people began to understand several truths. God really was committed to us and all creation. Even in the worst times, God did not abandon us. God willingly used less than perfect people to accomplish his will.
For those of us who know we are not up to the task or all we should be, we have a God who blesses, cares for and guides us into fulfillment and victory. Family battles do not have to end in broken families. Forgiveness and reconciliation are possible when we allow the power, love, and mercy of God to come into the home.
These lessons are not outdated. In fact, they sound even more relevant to me than when I first heard the stories as a child.
These stories are no longer intimately known by the world or our community. At best, most have casual knowledge of the stories or have reduced them down to bed time children stories.
There truths remain however, and offer lessons of value to us still today.
A fundamental truth of these stories is that God makes promises to us and keeps them. This is a hard lesson to understand in a world that no longer trusts promises.
We have come to understand promises as our best intent, wish or desire. We promise but often allow other events to get in the way of allowing us to fulfill them. Listen to the campaign promises coming your way if you need an example of promises you can not entirely depend on.But the promises of God in these stories told the listeners that God cared enough to make a promise and then keep it. Even as people repeatedly kept failing to live up to their promises, God remained faithful.
In a world where there seemed to be more danger and chaos than hope, the message of a faithful, committed God sounded pretty good. It still does today. Because it was true then and is now. Blessings!
The Rev. Richard L. Dake is pastor of Clarkston United Methodist Church.

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.

Lately I’ve been feeling my age. Oh, not necessarily in the physical sense, although I am beginning to realize that a particularly significant birthday ‘milestone? is not far off.
Rather, age is a concept that begets a certain sense of fascination for me, especially as this ‘middle-ager? reflects upon the young.
June brings a whirlwind of activity when you are young. Recitals and playoffs, tournaments and concerts, award ceremonies, send-offs, and especially graduations, add lots of excitement and pride to many families? lives.
As parents of a recent high school graduate (our third in the household!), my husband and I have participated in and supported our own children in most, if not all, of these activities.
We always come away with a sense of awe at what they are able to accomplish.
After all, they are so young. But really, should we be surprised?
Jesus surely recognized the inherent value and the immense potential of children, teaching his disciples that children are indeed the model for all his followers.
Yet Jesus wasn’t focusing on their ability to accomplish; rather, he affirmed their utter dependence upon their parents, challenging his disciples to have this same sense of dependence upon God.
He taught that ‘unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.? (Matt 18:3) Perhaps we could all benefit from prayerful contemplation regarding our own sense of trust and dependence upon God, praying with the psalmist, ‘God is our refuge and our strength, and ever-present help in distress. Thus we do not fear, though earth be shaken?.the Lord of hosts is with us?? (Ps 46:2-4)
Dependence isn’t something with which most adults are comfortable. We like to think we have control of every aspect of our lives.
We make our plans for life with an attitude not unlike the rich fool of Luke’s gospel. In that parable, the rich man is caught talking to himself (and answering as well!), fretting over the space required to store his harvest.
He is intent upon providing for himself in a big way so that he can ‘rest, eat, drink and be merry!?
God’s response turns that attitude upside down when he says, ‘You fool, this night your life will be demanded of you; and the things you have prepared, to whom will they belong? Thus will it be for the one who stores up treasure for himself but is not rich in what matters to God.? (Lk 12:20-21)
So what matters to God?
First and foremost I believe God desires that we recognize our need to trust in his ability to care for us.
Jesus teaches us to seek first God’s kingdom, and everything else will be given us besides. This trust and dependence upon God will naturally allow us to accomplish the things that add real meaning to our lives and the lives of others.
This, too, is what God desires ? our willingness to be his hands and feet in our world. Once again, youth provide a beautiful model of this attitude, especially in our own community.
At our schools, in our neighborhoods, and in our churches, Clarkston youth can be seen taking the lead and witnessing God’s love through service to others. Parents, teachers, youth ministers and pastors provide the support, and the youth come through with unbridled enthusiasm!
Let’s take a lesson from their vibrancy and join in the fun. Take some time this summer to serve your church, your community, your world.
Allow the Lord to speak these words to your heart, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant’come share your Master’s joy!? (Mt 25:21)
Cheryl Smith is director of Adult Faith Formation at St. Daniel Catholic 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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Our nation and our state are in a very difficult economic place.
The failing economy is impacting everyone. We are now facing a credit crunch brought on by very unhealthy financial institutions.
There is an old adage, ‘It takes money to make money.? Businesses and individuals who once found credit easy to obtain are finding that times have swiftly changed. As the economy sputters and many people are facing major problems and losses everyone seems to be in agreement that we want the government to get us out of this mess.
I hope that in the middle of this mess we are able to understand the root of our problems are not economic but are spiritual.
The prophet Jeremiah lamented the condition of the hearts of his people when they were straying from God.
He said the whole land had become brutish. The word brutish means a person has become a consumer rather than a producer. The people of Jeremiah’s time were seeking for satisfaction in life. They were finding their satisfaction in what they could consume rather than what they could accomplish.
Everyone had become dull-hearted and went about seeking for self-satisfaction without regard to the consequences they or anyone else would have to bear.
This condition affected not only the people but also the leadership. Everyone had become consumers and before you know it they were consuming each other.
The prophet then lamented the ‘noise of the bruit? has come. The sound of the consequences of the behavior was now upon the people and they would have to face the consequences of their choices.
This describes the time we are living in.
Everyone in seeking to enjoy life now not only has spent all of their money but they have borrowed from their future. Banks were the purveyors of this trend by sending endless credit card applications and then offering loans to consolidate the credit card debts.
When applying for credit one often has to mark the question in regards to their home if they own or rent. I think we need a new category, own, rent or pretending to own.
For many people their borrowing has eliminated any equity they may have had in their home. As is seen in a great many cases with the falling housing values that people have situations where they actually owe more on their home than it is worth.
At one time lenders could be depended on to tell people if they actually qualified for a loan but then started giving out loans without properly qualifying people. Keep in mind these were often times people well trained in finance, and especially true of the managers of these banks and lending institutions. In the Bible a ‘dull-hearted? person is someone who does not use their knowledge because personal desire has made them stupid.
Now these same ‘well qualified leaders? are asking the government for help to secure their companies for the benefit of the national economy.
If we are not careful we will once again sacrifice the future for present temporary comfort.
Our government is already over leveraged and the future of Social Security and other programs are in danger.
Will we add to the load?
Jeremiah told the children of Israel what their solution was. He said we must say, ‘Woe is my hurt! My wound is severe. But I say truly this is an infirmity and I must bear it.? He goes on to say, ‘O Lord correct me, but with justice; Not in anger lest you bring me to nothing.?
As a people we need to turn from ourselves to the one that is higher than us and make a choice for the life that is higher than us. It may seem difficult to ignore but our real problem will certainly be more deadly!
The Rev. Loren Covarrubias is pastor of Mt. Zion 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.

By Father Daniel Pajerski
Isn’t it ironic that one of the biggest threats to communication in our world today is sound, or too much of it?
The other day I was in the car waiting at a stoplight. In the car in front of me was a young woman listening to music. The music was so loud that I could see the rearview mirror shaking to the beat.
I enjoy music just as much as anybody, but no one can deny that in this life, we can enjoy too much of a good thing. Sound was created by God, and in itself, it is a wonderful thing.
But when sound becomes noise, it can become an unhealthy distraction.
Too much noise impairs our ability to communicate with those around us, and puts distance between us and those we love.
In our society, ‘noise? comes in many forms. Today’s average teen is spending more and more time in cyberspace. As the PBS Frontline stated in its January 22, 2008, report entitled Growing Up Online, ‘This is the first generation to come of age immersed in a virtual world, outside the reach of their parents.?
In other words, the Internet helps children to avoid communicating with parents, and it takes from the time that parents have to communicate with their children.
As humans, we are made to communicate with each other. Parents and kids need uninterrupted time together to get beyond surface conversation and understand each other. This is hard to do with email and instant messaging.
Humans have an uncanny ability to communicate. We do not even need sound! A glance can speak volumes. Often times, when we know another person well, we can tell exactly what that person is thinking without he or she having to say a single word.
The raising of an eyebrow, a smile, a wink ? these motions can speak without words ? that is, if we are truly ‘listening? to one another.
Communication is critical to healthy family life. To combat the distractions available, today’s family has to ‘fight? for time to listen to each other.
This takes effort and sacrifice. Sacrifice? Not a common household word. The fruit of this sacrifice is a family with more patience, tolerance, and charity.
Families with these virtues tend to grow stronger, resolve problems faster, and support each other. A strong family yields strong children.
So, ask yourself a couple of questions.
How many times this week did you sit down with your loved ones and eat a meal that lasted at least 30 minutes? (the average amount of time we spend glued to a TV show). Then, ask yourself how many combined minutes each of your family members spent on the Internet, watching television or listening to an iPod this week.
Based on the numbers, there may be room for change. More dinner time as a family. Less radio or television in the car. Family game night. One less night ‘out? and one more night ‘in?. There are many possibilities.
To strengthen our families, we need to turn off the noise, and listen. We just might be amazed at what we hear.

Father Daniel Pajerski, LC, is the Director of Formation at Everest Academy in Independence Township.

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 with 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 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 their position is, 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.
I know all of this, and likely you do to. But sometimes I act like I don’t really get it or seem to care. When that happens others get hurt by my carelessness.
Life can be very difficult sometimes and yet in the midst of all things I really want to build others up and I want to share goodness.
Often it is in the common everyday opportunities and 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 the 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?
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 says the same thing to me, and that because of that I can approach each day of my life differently and I can have a fresh start.
Following Jesus? example I wonder how our days would be different if we greeted each new morning and each encounter with another with the words, ‘Peace be with you.?
That is the kind of impact I want to have more and more each day, and with God’s help I really can.
The Rev. Jonathan A. Heierman is pastor of Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church.

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.

‘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.

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 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.

Throughout history titles have been used to mark ‘victories? over enemies following a time of war.
On May 7- 8, 1945, the countries comprising the ‘Allies? celebrated ‘V-E Day? or ‘Victory in Europe Day.?
On those days, the armed forces of Nazi Germany officially surrendered to the representatives of the Allied Forces officially ending the war in Europe.
Though ‘V-J Day? or ‘Victory over Japan Day? was announced on August 14, 1945, it was officially recognized in a ceremony on the deck of the battleship USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay on Sept. 2, when representatives of Japan signed documents surrendering to the Allied Forces and bringing to an end the war with Japan.
For Christians, ‘Good Friday? represents ‘V-S Day? or ‘Victory over Sin Day. ‘Easter Sunday? represents ‘V-G Day? or ‘Victory over the Grave Day.?
On these two days, we observe and celebrate the end of hostilities between us and Satan, namely, the victories won for us over ‘sin? and the ‘grave? through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
The hostilities officially began in the Garden of Eden when God spoke to ‘the serpent? these words from Genesis 3:15, ‘And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; He will crush your head and you will strike His heel.?
The word ‘enmity? means ‘a time of hostility? or ‘warfare.? The words of Genesis 3:15 represent the ‘protoevangel? or ‘first gospel? in Scripture. In these words, God announced that ‘one born of woman? would come to destroy Satan’s plans for the conquest and destruction of man.
God’s promise of our ‘defender? who would wage war for us came to pass in Matthew 1:20-21, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.?
As we celebrate ‘Victory over Sin Day? on ‘Good Friday? this week, we remember that on the cross Jesus sealed the victory over sin and Satan with His own blood and with His words of victory, ‘It is finished.? (John 19:30)
On Easter morning we’ll celebrate ‘Victory over the Grave Day? ? the day when God raised from the dead His victorious Son and offers the promise of eternal life in heaven to all who believe in Jesus as their Savior from sin.
No better words can sum up our celebration this week and the hope that is ours as children of God than these words from the ‘Great Resurrection Chapter? of Scripture, ‘Death has been swallowed up in victory. ‘Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.? (1 Corinthians 15:54b-57)
God bless your victory celebration as we rejoice together in the Easter proclamation, ‘Christ is risen!
He is risen, indeed! Alleluia!? Amen.
The Rev. James Krueger is pastor of St. Trinity Lutheran Church.

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 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 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

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.

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.

‘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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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 .

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.

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.

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.

How difficult life can be! Think of all the things put on our plate on a regular basis. First, there is the full schedule, then having to work overtime to complicate matters even more.
There are the sports schedules or the recreation times, making sure we get to the Club and spend time with our friends. There are all the family commitments and’life gets pretty hectic, doesn’t it?
During His ministry, Jesus would often invite the disciples to get away for just a while.
It might mean a trip up a hillside or journey to the Mount of Olives. Often they would spend time together relaxing in the garden called Gethsemane.
Yet that garden would carry a foreboding eeriness as Jesus took His disciples there on the night of His arrest and trial. From the moment of His arrest it all moved so quickly. The trial. The flogging. The crucifixion. The death and burial.
Maybe you can identify with the heavy hearts of Jesus? followers when, on the third day, the women headed to the tomb to finish preparing the body for death and the disciples hid behind locked doors out of fear.
The sorrow can be overwhelming and crippling, making life itself a heavy burden.
But then the ray of light begins to shine through. That first ray across the tomb that brings a little joy to our life.
We enter where there should be death and we find life. We hear the words spoken, proclaimed: Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here but has risen. (Luke 24:5-6) What a change in mood, what a change in attitude!
There are many who come to hear only those messages of joy. Maybe we feel obligated to come at Christmas and Easter because that is the thing to do. What about our faith the rest of the year? Do you believe in God?
Many say they do but realize that even the devil believes in God’and knows Him and fears Him! Can we say the same? The day of judgment will come. Where will we stand on the day of the resurrection of all the dead?
God is not seeking only a few hours of our life.
He wants all of our life and all of our devotion. God wants a relationship, a solid relationship with each of us. He wants us to experience the birth and the death of Jesus but He offers us so much more.
Now that we have experienced the Resurrection again, take time to resurrect the relationship God would have with you.
Take time to be with Him each day as you open His Word and pray.
Take time to grow, joining with other Christians, in weekly worship. Take time to experience both the highs and the lows of the Christian year as you spend time with Him.
And then, as Paul Harvey used to remind us, then you will know the rest of the story. A blessed Resurrection to you!
The Rev. Kendall Schaeffer is pastor of St. Trinity Lutheran Church.

April 22, 1970, the date of the first modern Earth Day observance, found me and my junior high school classmates stumbling through the mountains of Oregon’s Coast Range planting fir trees and picking up garbage in what was then known as the Tillamook Burn.
The Tillamook Burn was the site of a series of horrendous forest fires in the 1930’s and 40’s. Over 700,000 acres of 400-year-old fir trees were lost due to the fires that were caused by careless logging operations and smokers whipped up by coastal winds. The first fire burned for nearly 3 weeks before seasonal rains doused the flames.
There in 1970, over 36 years after the initial burn, the skeletons of the burned trees still dwarfed the young men and women who were hopefully planting year-old seedlings into the fertile mountain soil. The little yearlings only hinting at the potential they contained.
In 1973, the Tillamook Burn was officially renamed the Tillamook State Forest. This was a testament to 24 years of reforestation efforts where millions of seedlings had been planted by volunteers and lumber company reforestation teams. Yet, even today, the forest is but a shadow of what it had been and will again be long after all of us who participated in the replanting are gone.
I remember getting off of the school bus at the end of the day and walking behind my buddy Billy. Billy pulled out a stick of gum, popped it in his mouth and threw the wrapper on the ground. I yelled, ‘Billy, what the (heck) are you doing? We just spent the day picking up garbage and here you are trashing our street.? He just laughed. I picked up the wrapper and put it in my pocket.
My oldest boy is a member of the Clarkston High School Robotics team, Team RUSH. Part of their public service activities is to clean up after home football games. I have participated on a number of occasions and have made the observation that people can be such pigs. I sometimes wonder if they know what a garbage can is. Piles of cups, wrappers, junk of all kinds are casually left behind by the fans as if the world is their toilet. This experience has certainly awakened the kids who are volunteering to be more conscious of their actions.
People often ask, ‘What would Jesus do?? I can’t imagine Jesus throwing his trash to the side of the road or leaving it for others to pick up after him. ‘The kingdom of Heaven is at hand.? Matthew 4:17. ‘The kingdom of God is in the midst of you.? Luke 17:21. In Genesis we are told that we have dominion over all the earth, vs. 1:26,28. Dominion includes caretaking and stewardship and doesn’t promote trashing the planet. I believe the Good Shepherd would also be the Good Steward of God’s kingdom on earth.
‘It (the Kingdom) will not come by watching for it. It will not be said, ‘Look, here!? or ‘Look, there!? Rather, the Father’s kingdom is spread out upon the earth, and people don’t see it.? The Gospel of Thomas 113.
Earth Day 2012, with all its projects and activities, will have come and gone by the time you read this. Truly every day is Earth Day when we accept our responsibility to be good stewards. We have the ability to respond with peace, joy and love as we engage in this sacred service. May we all be awakened to the spiritual path of sacred service in God’s kingdom on earth.
Blessings of peace, joy & love
Matthew E. Long is senior minister
at Peace Unity Church & Holistic Center.

I am excited about some networking currently going on here in Clarkston. Our church has participated in several Habitat builds in Pontiac.
Recently, however, we’ve been discussing the possibility of a build in Clarkston.
With our tough economic times, many people even in Clarkston have lost homes. Wouldn’t it be great if we could help some of these families get back on their feet?
We are seeking to form a coalition of businesses, government officials, houses of worship, nonprofits, and schools to connect with people in Clarkston who are in need of a hand up–especially people who need safe, decent, affordable housing.
Habitat for Humanity’s Oakland County affiliate has agreed to provide project management and support to the movement, starting with the acquisition and renovation of a foreclosed or vacant house in the Clarkston area for a local family.
Clarkston Community Church will provide seed funding and leadership for the project, culminating in a community volunteer effort in September and October.
Upon the renovation of the home in October, the family will move in before Thanksgiving.
Habitat for Humanity will help coordinate various community education, training, and work projects to go along with the effort.
The total budget for the home renovation project will be $100,000 and will require 100 – 150 volunteers.
There are all sorts of ways to contribute. Obviously, money is a big factor. If many organizations from around town cooperate, we can easily raise the money to build a house.
For those physically able, it will be fun to swing a hammer or paint or put up dry wall. We will need people to prepare lunches and park cars.
No matter what your skill level, there will be something to do. What a great way to build a sense of community!
Maybe you would like to get involved? Maybe you have someone in mind that is in need of a house? I encourage you to give me a call (248-625-1323).
‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.? – Jesus
The Rev. Greg Henneman is pastor of Clarkston Community Church.

Europe’s financial crisis is still making news and shaking the world markets. Financial uncertainty reigns because of the inability to deal with financial problems in an immediate way.
The prevailing logic is that they must do something now to give the markets and people a sense of security in the future. However, security in the future can only come if they are willing to deal with some very difficult choices now. The problem is that no one wants to suffer now or in the future.
The people do not want to be held responsible for past choices that have put their financial security in jeopardy. In the midst of this global crisis, governments are falling and the ones left standing are scrambling to hold on to power by giving the people what they want.
Many people say that we should learn from the mistakes of the great depression and spend money to spur economic development. They tell us that the way out of our debt problems is to spend more money.
The problem with the Great Depression was that the governments were afraid to spend us back to prosperity.
The truth is’government programs didn’t pull us out as much as World War 2. There are many different debates as to what pulled us out, but I do know something that sustained 60 years of economic growth.
The generation of the great depression came out of that time with a lesson of financial freedom.
They came out with the understanding of the need to save money and plan for the future, without ‘assuming? life would always be without a crisis.
That mentality produced a generation of people with the character of sacrifice and responsibility, which my generation benefited from.
I may not know how government economics work enough to have an intelligent argument on world finance, but I do know the impact of character and proper principles. Macroeconomics may be debatable; but for me, the micro is about personal character and integrity. When we deal with the core issue, we will find that some of the bigger issues will take care of themselves.
This brings me back to the impact of World War 2. For the United States, it certainly is true that the war immediately cured our lack of jobs. Sending millions of people to war, and enlisting the women to replace them, had a great impact on the economy.
The fact that the industrial might of Europe and Asia were destroyed in the war put America in a very good position to become the economic leader of the world. Another amazing contribution was the development of the character of ‘sacrifice of the individual for the greater cause of democracy and freedom.?
The generation that faced the Great Depression was now facing the evils of totalitarianism. The first crisis that they faced concerned economic well-being; now, their very freedom to live as they saw fit was being challenged. They rallied to the cause.
Again, the challenges they faced formed the character to face the crisis. How did this come about? They were willing to make the sacrifice of the moment in order to secure not only their freedom, but also the generations that would follow.
During this Memorial Day season, we should remind ourselves of the great sacrifices that others have made for us. Their sacrifice laid the foundation for the time of great blessing that we have experience for many years. The greatest honor we can bestow on someone is when we set ourselves to emulate his or her example. We need to rally ourselves in this time of great crisis, to willingly sacrifice for the future generations.
In the 1930’s, most of Europe chose to listen to despots. They followed men who promised them easy solutions by blaming their plight on others. The result was people trying to take from others. Is history repeating itself?
The Rev. Loren Covarrubias is pastor of Mt. Zion Church.

‘School’s Out? (for summer), by Alice Cooper, was the sound track for my first summer after graduating from high school.
Released the summer before, it was still very popular and played constantly on the AM radio.
‘No more pencils, no more books, no more teacher’s dirty looks.? ‘School’s been blown to pieces.?
Now my son is graduating from high school and the song still strikes a responsive chord with his generation.
Although formal education may end for most of us, school is never truly out. Most of the lessons I’ve learned over the years, most of the practical application stuff that I use came after I graduated from high school, after I graduated from college and after I graduated from seminary. Life is the great teacher and we are lifetime learners.
People sometimes ask if there is a purpose to living, or if they still have lessons to be learned.
And my answer is, if you are still sucking air, walking on the earth and not 3 feet above it or 6 feet below it, you still have a purpose and lessons to learn to prepare you for your next adventure in life on this side or the other.
Our job is to awaken to the possibilities. God is infinite, unlimited, eternal existence and we are made in the image and after the likeness of this infinite, unlimited, eternal existence.
We stagnate when we are full of ourselves and are not open to new and creative ideas for life and living. And, stagnation is death. As I gain more experience with this adventure called life and living, the more I know I don’t know.
When I graduated from high school I knew it all. Full of myself I had to go through periods of darkness, times of pain and suffering in order to be opened to a greater level of awareness.
Times of soul searching, experimenting with alternative spiritual paths, counter culture and mind dynamics, etc., have led me to a place where I know it’s not about having the right answers but being able to ask the right questions.
The more I know, the more I know I don’t know. Eventually I imagine that I will know nothing and since nothing is greater than God that must surely be the epitome of understanding: Nirvana, Samadhi, Heaven, Bliss.
Today the sun is shining. Tomorrow it may rain and storm.
And, the sun is always shining above the clouds; the light of God is always constantly, continually, consistently shining in and through and as you, as me.
Above the darkness of sense consciousness, beyond the feelings of loss and fear, transcending the error beliefs in lack and limitation; spiritual awareness awaits our conscious recognition.
I trust that you will remember to plug into your spiritual community this summer. Here we remember to celebrate life and connect with the infinite, unlimited possibilities for expression as children of God. ‘Where two or three are gathered? (Mt. 18:20) there is a greater energy, a transcendent reality, a higher power present. Here you can receive support to realize your potential for peace, wholeness and abundance in unity with your spiritual community.
Blessings of peace, joy & love
The Rev. Matthew E. Long is senior pastor of Peace Unity Church and Holistic Center

Did you know that a coalition of businesses, government officials, houses of worship, nonprofits, and schools is forming to build a Habitat for Humanity home here in Clarkston this fall?
Just a few weeks ago several area community leaders met in my office to continue the momentum. Habitat for Humanity’s Oakland County affiliate has agreed to provide project management and support to the movement, starting with the acquisition and renovation of a foreclosed or vacant house in the Clarkston area for a local family.
Clarkston Community Church will provide seed funding and leadership for the project, culminating in a community volunteer effort in September and October.
Upon the renovation of the home in October, the family will move in before Thanksgiving.
A big question is, ‘How will a family be selected??
I think it’s important to clear up several misunderstandings.
First, Habitat homes are NOT just given to people. The family must pay for them, put in sweat equity, and go through extensive training that will help them keep the home.
Secondly, you do NOT have to be absolutely broke, with no income.
There are three basic qualifications to be a Habitat home owner:
DO YOU HAVE NEED? For example, is your current home unsafe? Are you living in someone else’s home? Are you unable to obtain a conventional mortgage?
CAN YOU PAY FOR YOUR NEW HOME? You must have an on-going source of income. The cost of the Habitat will be greatly reduced, but it is not free.
In fact, a family of four generally needs to make between $19,600 and $52,250 a year to qualify.
ARE YOU WILLING TO PARTNER WITH HABITAT? You must be willing to put in sweat equity and take classes that will help you be a successful home owner.
We are in the search mode now! So don’t hesitate!
If you think you may qualify ‘or know someone who might ? go to www.habitatoakland.org and download a free copy of the pre-application form.
Also, if you want to be involved in this Habitat build this fall, contact Habitat for Humanity at 248-338-1843.
‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.? – Jesus
The Rev. Greg Henneman is pastor of Clarkston Community Church.

What is more American than baseball, apple pie, and mom? As hard as it is for many in society today, I would answer that question with an expression of my Christian faith.
People today argue from the point of view of freedom FROM religion rather than freedom OF religion and the opportunity to express our faith.
Are we, as a nation, founded on Judeo-Christian principles? Decidedly, yes. If we look at the historical data and the history of our nation with open eyes it becomes very evident.
The Preamble of the Declaration of Independence says: We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal with certain inalienable rights, that among them are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
As you read the Constitutions of all 50 states that make up our great nation you will find reference to God, in many of them directly referencing the Creator.
While there is controversy in the wording, we proclaim we are one nation under God. Our coinage proclaims that it is in God we trust.
The early settlers of our nation gave thanks to God for successful voyage across the stormy seas and for providing them with food needed’in spite of the tragedies and hardships they faced.
We are a people who have been blessed by God. Stop and take a look around you.
Look at the beauty of His creation.
Look at all the material supplies He has poured upon our nation.
Look at how He has guided us as His faithful people for over 200 years. And then turn the other way and see how we have failed God.
We have turned from Him, rejected His guidance and His ways. We have turned from His teachings and when we look at the problems we face as a nation what do we do? We blame God.
God has called us to gather to worship Him and to celebrate the blessings He pours upon us as a society.
We just recently celebrated the freedom we are given to gather in worship as we decorated His skies with colorful of fireworks (thank you donors!) and the plumes of smoke that followed.
Remember God’s people of old who, during the exodus, were led by God by a pillar of cloud by day that covered them and a pillar of fire by night that led the way before them? We, too, are led by God!
Do we see? Do we find the joys and blessings He has in store for us?
Too often we look for the smoke that covers our ways and seek to hide from the light.
Come out of the dark. Come into His Light.
Come and gather around His Word.
Seek Him while He may be found.
Let Him lead.
Do we see it? We are blessed. As we look to Him, Who gives all things, pass those blessings on to others.
When asked how you are, tell the person I am blessed’to be American!
The Rev. Kendall Schaeffer is pastor of St. Trinity Lutheran Church.

There is a new energy and excitement in the air. It’s not politics or religion, it’s not in church or in state; but in consciousness. A New Birth is preparing to emerge, not only individually or locally but universally, in all of humanity.
The pregnancy is obvious to those of us with eyes to see. Change is occurring at every level of experience. It can be uncomfortable, sometimes painful.
The human mind, the ego or local self, is full of fear, doubt and worry. Outer appearances don’t necessarily look the way we want them to look. If we are unaware of the divine process that is occurring within us we may think something is wrong, bad or sinful.
We may try to hide, run or fix it.
If we are aware of the divine process that is occurring within us we can move forward with confident assurance that God is in charge and that things are coming together in divine order and divine timing. Truly, ‘all things work together for good? (Romans 8:28.)
I recently attended a conference where futurist Barbara Marx Hubbard was the keynote speaker.
She spoke on ‘A New Vision for Humanity?, the vision of humanity’s conscious evolution into a universal human, from ego to essence, a co-creator of new worlds.
We are combining efforts for a Planetary Birth Day Party on December 22, 2012. Much of the world is warily anticipating the end of the world as we know it on December 21st, the end of the Mayan Calendar.
Knowing the truth that this is not an ending but a new beginning we are planning for a celebration to welcome the new birth.
The vision for a planetary new birth is the coming shift: an evolutionary quantum leap in consciousness from Ego or Local Self based living to Essence or Universal Self expression, from creature to co-creator.
We can transcend the limitations of Egoic sense consciousness, rising into the Essence of universal consciousness.
We normally observe the world through our physical senses of sight, sound, taste, touch and smell. Here we experience the appearance of separation.
The plants, the animals, people, places and things all appear to be separate from us. There is the appearance of lack and limitation such as when Jesus was challenged by his disciples about how they were to feed the multitudes of people who were gathered on the hillside to be in his presence and to hear him speak.
There were only five loaves of barley bread and two fish offered up by the young man. ‘But what are they among so many people?? (John 6:9,) asked his disciples. Five is symbolic of the darkness of sense consciousness; the appearance of lack and limitation where there is never enough.
The addition of two raises us to seven, symbolic of physical completion, the addition of the psychic senses of clairvoyance and intuition. Now we begin to sense the connecting link between all of creation and of the creator.
Clairvoyance is the inner sense connection between all conscious beings and intuition is our inner sense connection with the infinite, unlimited, eternal, God-Mind: the creative power, the spiritual presence, the ultimate reality that is the essence and the source of all that is, has been and can be.
Jesus was operating from an awareness of the infinite, unlimited, eternal, God-Mind when he had the people sit down to receive what he already knew had been prepared for them.
He gave thanks for what had been made apparent and for the bounty he knew was readily available.
The combined act of the young man’s generosity and Jesus? blessing inspired those who had plenty to share with those who were without and all were satisfied.
Twelve baskets were utilized to gather the remnants of the feast.
Twelve is symbolic of spiritual completion or our twelve spiritual faculties of faith, understanding, will, imagination, zeal, power, strength, love, wisdom, order, elimination and life.
When these are filled with the substance of spirit: God-Mind, a consciousness of oneness with all needed good is achieved and all things are possible. ‘For mortals it is impossible, but for God all things are possible? (Matthew 19:26.)
These are exciting times and we choose to be at peace living in harmony with all that is, knowing and living in unity; conscious of our oneness with God and with each other. Thank you God, for so it is. Amen!
Blessings of peace, joy & love
The Rev. Matthew E. Long is senior minister of Peace Unity Community

This has been a time to soak in a balmy season, to indulge in a slow pace of ‘smelling the roses? and to find rejuvenation, rest, replenishment and refilling.
What a great season to just relax and just let the good stuff of life wash over us!
But ? we can see the end; the list of tasks lies ahead. A tsunami of things inked on our calendar gathers before us and threatens to barrel down in an avalanche of demands.
Soon we will be consumed by soccer, homework, budgets, deadlines, catch-up clean-up, follow-up and a myriad of things that must be done to keep our head above water.
Summer hasn’t even ended and we are already anxious because we must get things done. We are a people that must get things done.
But we are also a people created for another purpose.
When God gave Moses the Ten Commandments the third thing He said to do was: ‘Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.?
What’s this mean? Another thing to get done? – Another thing to add to our list?
No ? not at all.
Sabbath is an original Hebrew word of the bible and it means to rest, to cease exertion.
Like summer that arrives on our calendar and refreshes us, Sabbath, or rest – specifically rest with God – is something that also comes to us and refreshes us.
This rest and refreshment is something that God does FOR us.
What does that mean? God wants us to experience Sabbath and to rest in Him. He wants us to step back from our hectic lives and listen to what he has to say to us; He has a lot to say about how much He cares about us.
He does not want us to drown in our need to get things done and find ourselves in despair. He wants us to hear that he has a better plan for us than just getting things done.
So as summer comes to a close and the events of the new season threaten to consume our joy, we can stop, listen and take in the rest of this ‘ongoing Sabbath? season that He has for us.
Our value does not come from the accomplishment of the things we do. When we rest in His Words to us we see that we are refreshed not because we did stuff but because He does stuff ? we are the people He loves.
What a great season to just relax and just let the good stuff of life wash over us!
Bill Northend is a Lutheran Pastor at TheGatheringPlace in Davisburg.

Most of us have probably heard the old Chinese saying, ‘a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.?
Though it comes from a Chinese philosopher named Lao Tzu who lived over 2,500 years ago, it still rings true today that actually taking a first step is essential to any journey or dream, no matter how large or difficult the venture may be. The emphasis here clearly seems to be on the action of doing something and getting started, not just talking or thinking or worrying about it. This is sound advice for sure.
However, as I was doing some research, I came across a number of reliable sources that suggest a more correct translation of this quote from the original language would be something like, ‘the journey of a thousand miles begins beneath one’s feet? or ‘even the longest journey must begin where you stand.?
Here the emphasis shifts somewhat from action to reflection on where you are when you begin. The journey begins in stillness and right where we are, not where we wish we were or think we should be. This too is wise counsel.
Recently, we have completed the development of a spiritual growth pathway for Calvary congregation to help guide and encourage our steps of spiritual and personal growth as God’s people. As we have done so, it has become evident that both understandings of the quote above are important to remember in the life God calls us to.
Our goal is to help each person in our faith community do something to take a growth step, that is to ‘Walk the Talk? as our fall 40 Days spiritual growth journey theme suggests.
However, at the same time, it is important to recall that we each begin the journey at a different place and will follow a somewhat different path of spiritual growth due to our uniqueness. God calls us to start right where we are, not where we think we should be or want to be. And God calls us to get started now, not wait.
I believe this is really good news of God’s grace and unconditional love for us. Today we are invited to come as we really are to walk with the Lord and grow to become all that God has made us to be. The Bible puts it this way: ‘May the Master take you by the hand and lead you along the path of God’s love and Christ’s endurance? (2 Thessalonians 3:5). I am so glad that as people of faith we don’t make this journey alone.
This fall in Clarkston we have a chance put this into practice as we are embark on a new venture together as My Habitat Clarkston launches.
This is a real opportunity for us to come together to not only build a house for a family, vital as that is, but to also build a better habitat for humanity, for all of us.
This is a big undertaking, and as I write this, we still do not know exactly where the house to build or renovate will be. We do know that we have taken some first steps together.
We have gotten started right where we are and now we each have an opportunity to get involved in building this house and this habitat by doing whatever we can to make our community an even better place to live.
I like the way the Message Bible puts Paul’s words: In light of all this, here’s what I want you to do…I want you to get out there and walk’better yet, run!’on the road God called you to travel. I don’t want any of you sitting around on your hands. I don’t want anyone strolling off, down some path that goes nowhere? (Ephesians 4:1).
The Rev. Jonathan Heierman is Senior Pastor of Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church.

During the dedication of the cemetery at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, President Abraham Lincoln delivered one of the most memorable speeches in American History.
His speech, known as the Gettysburg Address, was to recognize the awesome sacrifices made during the Civil War in order to preserve the Union and to liberate the slaves in the confederacy.
He declared that our democracy must be ‘for the people, by the people and of the people.? This declaration affirmed the source of power and strength of a democracy.
Although this declaration was meant to affirm the efforts for equality and the power of the people, we must also see the opposite side of the declaration. If a democracy is for, by, and of the people, we must recognize the awesome responsibility the average citizen holds.
As we approach the coming election, the candidates are going to try to convince us that if we vote for them, they will implement a plan of action to save and secure our future.
The choices we make in the coming election will be very important, but we must also understand that if the source of authority comes from the people, the strength must also come from the people. In the end, politicians cater to the people’not the other way around.
If we are to face the uncertainty of times with confidence, we must also seek for a change in the attitudes and actions of the everyday citizens.
It isn’t just Washington that is in a sea of debt. Our consumer-oriented society has much of the responsibility for the planning of the future.
Can we complain about Washington when we do the same things in our personal lives? I often hear of the moral decay we are served by popular culture in the way of songs, movies, and other media. Would the media moguls sell these products if no one was buying them?
Many complaints have surfaced over the risky ventures of Wall Street, but is our craving for risky, high-yielding investments part of the drive? I am sure it is.
We need change in the high levels of our government; but as the citizens, we must understand that real change will start at the bottom, not the top. It is time for revival in America!
The scripture tells us to ‘Repent and be converted in order that times of refreshing may come from the throne of God.?
To ‘repent? means to ‘have a change of mind,? to ‘convert? means to ‘have a change of direction.?
We do not have to be people who are just carried with the tide of the times, nor should we see ourselves as powerless because we are not sitting in a seat of power or authority.
The power to change is within the individual and their willingness to accept the responsibility of making change. America has been a country that extols the power of the individual.
Individuals who have made the right choices have been the catalysts for great change. Millions have come to this country over the years because they believed that this country offered the opportunity for greatness for those who would pursue it.
The power is in the individuals. Now is the time to not just use that power for personal gain, but to preserve our future by returning to the principles that made us the great nation we are.
As a pastor and Christian, my goal is to remind people that we must be ‘One nation, under God.? God was the source of inspiration for many of our founders’and must be for us today, as we seek to secure our future!
The Rev. Loren Covarubbias is pastor of Mt. Zion Temple.

October: what a glorious month! The stunning, vibrant array of color displayed by Mother Nature for a brief moment inspires many a conversation. Some will speak of their favorite viewing location or remembrances of seasons past. Many declare fall to be their favorite season, others deride it as the prelude to winter complaining of the wet and cold.
When the leaves finally fall, whether slowly, naturally over many weeks, or suddenly, all at once with the wind and rain, the trees are bared and the stunning, vibrant, annual life expression comes to an end. There is the death of the old in the fall so that the new may be reborn in the spring. The cycle of life naturally includes death and new birth.
Chapter 11 of the Gospel according to John contains the curious story of the death and resurrection of Lazarus and the social and political fallout that led to the crucifixion of Jesus. This story has incredible layers of symbology and meaning for all of us, too much to cover in this single column. Today I will focus on Jesus? words concerning death.
The message comes to Jesus and his followers that Lazarus is ill. Jesus says, ‘This illness is not unto death; it is for the glory of God,? and so he did not travel immediately to Judea but waited for 2 more days. Then he says, ‘Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to awaken him out of sleep.? His disciples don’t understand why He has to awaken a sleeping Lazarus so Jesus has to tell them plainly, ‘Lazarus is dead.?
Now, either we have to conclude that Jesus was mistaken when he declared that Lazarus? illness was ‘not unto death?, or that he lied to his disciples, or that he has some other understanding of the nature of life and death. I prefer the latter, understanding that death is a relative expression of life that has no absolute reality.
Death and birth are inseparable. Each is a beginning and an ending. The sperm and egg die to create the fetus; the fetus comes to an end to become the infant; the infant ends to become the child; the child ends to become the youth; the youth ends to become the adult. We have to die to what we were to become what we will be. We have to release the old way of thinking and believing in order to enter into the ‘glory of God.?
Jesus understood death, not as an ending but, as a new beginning. Therefore, ‘It is not death but dawn? as the poet has written. It is a new relationship with life without the old physical expression. Each ending and new beginning is a process that we go through sometimes joyfully and often painfully. The Ego or personality or local self sees this death to the old as a finality, an ending not a new beginning and therefore we experience grief over the apparent loss of the old.
Sometimes we need help to see beyond the relative appearances of death and loss. Grief is a natural human expression when we experience the death of a loved one or other significant loss such as of a job, a divorce or of a belief system. It takes time to work through the stages of grief, there is no rushing it; it can only be prolonged or delayed by denial of the process. And, we can receive support as we walk through the process and support others in the process with prayer, a listening ear and a loving heart.
The anger and pain we see expressed in society today: in the political process, in the media, in many churches and organizations, is at the same time a result of the denial of the natural process of change that is occurring and a stage of the process. Our part, as emerging Universal Humans with Jesus, is to ‘hold the high watch?: not to get caught up in the relative appearances but to hold the vision of ‘the glory of God? being made manifest. And so it is!
Blessings of peace, joy & love
The Rev. Matthew E. Long is pastor of Peace Unity Community

For I am not ashamed of the Gospel Paul says as he writes to the Christians of Rome.
As we hear those words and think about them I wonder how many people would say that today.
We have so many teachings that take away from the truth of God. We hear songs that proclaim to be Christian but never mention God.
We read articles that are supposed to be of spiritual nature and find a few words thrown in at the end that attempt to give some impression of being Christian. But to stand on the Gospel and the power it brings?
Are we undercover Christians? Do we hide our faith except for times when it is convenient for it to be shown? Do our words and actions deny the faith we have, the relationship with Jesus we have been called to live?
Is it only on Sunday morning or when we are at church that it is O.K. to live our faith and let it show?
Jesus says: So everyone who acknowledges Me before men, I also will acknowledge before My Father Who is in heaven, but whoever denies Me before men, I also will deny before My Father Who is in heaven. (Matthew 10:32-33 ESV)
How do we live our lives when we are around other people, especially those we know are not Christians?
Do we let our faith show? Do we acknowledge Jesus, our Savior?
Sometimes it seems an unfair advantage when I am talking to people who have just let out a stream of profanity and then they ask me what I do for a living.
When they find out I am a pastor they are so apologetic. It is then that I remind them that it should not matter who I am or what I do but that their faith should show at all times to all people.
How do we witness that faith? Our church has just finished the celebration of the Reformation, where we remember the focus on the Word of God and the salvation we have been given in Jesus, God’s Son.
Many in the world focus on Halloween but we remember it as All Hallowed’s Eve. The following day the church celebrates All Saint’s Day, remembering those who have cast aside the mantle of sin and taken the fullness of the glory won for them by Jesus as they entered into heaven.
Can we be a solid witness in this world?
Yes, if we are not ashamed of the Gospel. Yes, if we live in the power of salvation, knowing our sins have been washed away in the blood of Jesus, shed from the cross for us.
Imagine Paul ashamed of the Gospel. Imagine the disciples and the early Church ashamed of the Gospel. Imagine them burying the power they had been given by the Holy Spirit.
If you can imagine that then you can see a Church that does not exist.
May we never be ashamed, but proclaim Him always!
The Rev. Kendall Schaeffer is pastor of St. Trinity Lutheran Church.

Last week’s election was very interesting. Prior to the election, the animosity between the opposing groups had become very strong and neither side seemed to comprehend that the other might win.
What we will find, however, is that no matter the outcome, the world will not fall apart. In your mind, it may be a step in the wrong direction, but it can be reversed just as it has so often throughout history.
The bigger problem is our lack of understanding the broad perspective of our need for one another. In the beginning, when God created man, He did it in such a way that we would see our need for someone opposite than ourselves.
The Bible tells us that God created man and then observed, ‘This is not good.? I am sure that the woman could have a hay day with this statement, because the result was the creation of woman who was taken out of man. She would stand opposite of Adam representing the opposing person to him.
It seems that God has created all things with a polarity of opposing forces. The smallest particles of creation are held together by a nucleus keeping negative and positive charges in sync. The creation of mankind follows the same route with opposing forces, male and female, creating a balanced environment for the family.
It is this environment that Christians extol as the perfect blend for the raising of children and forming the basis of a strong society. Although the contemporary world finds fault with our stand, it is a logical one’not just an old-fashioned, moral restraint that we want to impose on the greater society.
This pattern is a good one, but will only work well when people understand the importance of our differences and the need to draw from the strength of others who are different.
Just like the family, our nation has two political parties. If you could look at it from the biblical family perspective, one could easily see that they represent the two poles of family life. The Democrats seek to be aware of the needs of people and meet those needs; the Republicans focus more on personal responsibility. This represents the views traditionally given to mothers and fathers.
Mothers are typically the nurturers and fathers are the enablers. It is no coincidence to me that the polls always show men tending towards the Republican candidate and women to the Democratic candidate. The issues certainly have nurturing and enabling aspects. In an election race, each candidate will typically have two separate plans on how to reach women and men, because this is an obvious need when considering the way each gender looks at the world.
As a country, we are like the movie The War of the Roses, where the man and woman become so enraged with each other that they try to kill each other at the end of the movie. We have become a nation divided into many groups’each one living in their own world, with a worldview distinct and without the influence of the others. Therein lies our demise; we do not want any influence that would seem contradictory, even though like the smallest particles of creation, it would provide the balance needed to keep things moving. It is time to learn our lesson’we all have something to give, but we all have a need to receive something as well.
Someone recently gave me a card with a message inside that said, ‘Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit, wisdom is knowing not to put it in a fruit salad.? I am sure that some may disagree with this, but I liked the statement because it showed, in a practical way, how knowing something could actually be detrimental to our full understanding. Wisdom comes through dialogue and is only possible with maturity. The challenge for each of us today is to move past the animosity and see the benefit one another can bring to the collective part.
The Rev. Loren Covarrubias is pastor of Mt. Zion Church

A few days ago I bundled my family up and drove to the Haehnle Sanctuary, west of Ann Arbor, to observe the Sandhill Cranes who are gathering in large numbers in preparation for their migration south for the winter.
As the sun was setting and the air was getting colder, thousands of wondrous cranes with their long necks gracefully leading the way and their thin legs trailing behind came flying in.
It was a divinely choreographed symphony as at first a group of three appeared, then 12, then 20 and then hundreds at a time came into view. They just kept coming and coming until night blurred our vision.
How grateful I am to my friend who told me of this place, to my wife and son who agreed to come along and share the experience, to the people who have carved out this special place to preserve it for you and me and future generations.
Most of all I am grateful for the infinite, eternal, unlimited loving presence and power that I call God and for this thing called life.
It can be difficult to feel gratitude when we are experiencing difficulties, health challenges, financial shortfalls or conflicts in our relationships.
I know that these can be all encompassing coloring every interaction, clouding our thinking and moods, interfering with our joy for living.
I also know that I can always find something to be grateful for and the more I am grateful the more I have to be grateful for. Where I saw a divine symphony, I know others just saw a bunch of stupid birds.
A practice I began many years ago is to write down 10 things that I am grateful for first thing in the morning before my mind has much of a chance to begin obsessing about all the things I have to do today.
Try this for 21 days and your life will be transformed.
I begin and end my days with prayers of gratitude for this day and all the many blessings in it, my friends and family and loved ones, this wonderful life we live.
Then I individually name the people and the events that have blessed me whether I recognized it at the time or not. Often what we complain about the most conceals the greatest blessing, as this anonymous prayer demonstrates.
‘Lord, thank you for this sink of dirty dishes; we have plenty of food to eat. Thank you for this pile of dirty, stinky laundry; we have plenty of good clothes to wear. And I would like to thank you, Lord, for those unmade beds; they were so warm and comfortable last night. I know that many have no bed.
‘My thanks to you, Lord, for this bathroom, complete with all the splattered mirrors, soggy, grimy towels, and dirty lavatory; they are so convenient. Thank you for this finger-smudged refrigerator that needs cleaning inside and out. It has served us faithfully for many years and has enough food in it for several meals. Thank you, Lord for this oven that absolutely must be cleaned today. It has baked so many things over the years.
‘The whole family is grateful for that tall grass that needs mowing and the lawn that needs raking; we all enjoy the yard. Thank you, Lord, even for that slamming door; my kids are healthy and able to run and play. Lord, the presence of all these chores awaiting me says that you have richly blessed my family. I shall do them cheerfully and I shall do them gratefully.?
In the words of Rabbi Harold Kushner: ‘If you concentrate on finding the good in every situation, you will discover that your life will suddenly be filled with gratitude, a feeling that nurtures your soul.?
How do we create a joy filled life, through the power of gratitude.
‘If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is ‘thank you? it will be enough.? Meister Eckhardt
Happy Thanksgiving!
Rev. Matthew E. Long, Peace Unity Community.
The Rev. Matthew E. Long is senior minister at Peace Unity Community.

God’s ultimate goal for your life on Earth is not comfort but character.
He wants you to grow up spiritually and become like Christ.
Think about the Christmas Story. Jesus was born when Rome ruled the world.
It is estimated that over half the population of the Roman Empire were slaves.
The Jewish people were oppressed by the Romans.
There ‘was no room in the Inn? for Joseph, Mary, and baby Jesus, so he was born (most likely) in a cave used to keep animals. When he grew up, Jesus was criticized and eventually crucified!
We tend to idealize the Christmas story as if it was sweet, nice, and cute. The fact is, life was hard then and life is hard now.
Oftentimes people ask me, ‘Greg, if there is a God, and God is good, why is there so much suffering in the world??
That’s a huge question with lots of angles. But one answer is this: God’s ultimate goal for your life is character, not comfort.
God wants you to develop the kind of character described in the Beatitudes of Jesus, the fruit of the Spirit, Paul’s great chapter on love, and Peter’s list of the characteristics of an effective and productive life (Matthew 5:1-12; Galatians 5:22-23; 1 Corinthians 13; 2 Peter 1:5-8).
Every time you forget that character is one of God’s purposes for your life, you will become frustrated by your circumstances.
You’ll wonder, ‘Why is this happening to me? Why am I having such a difficult time??
One answer is that life is supposed to be difficult! It’s what enables us to grow.
Remember: Earth is not Heaven!
You will have all of eternity with no hardship. So don’t waste your hardship. Grow from it.
The Rev. Greg Henneman is pastor of Clarkston Community Church

Christmas is coming! Christmas is coming! Can’t you hear it in the voices of children and feel the excitement in the air?
Wait a minute. It’s not Christmas yet.
We have so commercialized and secularized Christmas that, by the time it arrives, we are ready to pack away the gifts, take down the tree, put away the decorations and get back to life as normal instead of celebrating the 12 days.
Is that how it should be? It takes time and preparation to be ready to celebrate properly.
Would we marry someone the day we met them? We need to get to know them and spend time getting ready for the big day. Would we build a house for our child to grow up in the day they were born? So, also, we need to prepare, get ready, to celebrate Christmas.
That is what Advent is all about.
Like someone getting ready to welcome a baby into their home, so we prepare to welcome Jesus into our home and into our world at the second advent, the second coming. St. Paul tells us about how the timing for the first coming of Jesus was perfect.
In Galatians 4 he writes, ‘But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of woman, born under the law.?
What fullness of time? God’s time in His plan. Why did He send His Son? To redeem us, to buy us back from the debt of sin that we could never have paid.
But it took planning and preparation. In Genesis 3:15, ‘God promises to Adam and Eve that He would send a Savior Who would crush the head of the serpent, Satan.? The people waited and planned for this fulfillment for hundreds and hundreds of years. The Old Testament prophets spoke of Him.
Then, in Luke 1 the priest Zechariah is told that he and his wife, Elizabeth, would have a son. They had no children because Elizabeth was barren, unable to have any children and both of them were advanced in age. But it happens just as the angel says. ‘This child is to be the forerunner, the one to announce the way and prepare the world for the coming King.?
We read later in Luke 1 that Mary, a young virgin woman was told by an angel that she, too, would bear a child. This Child would be the Son of God, conceived by the Holy Spirit. Joseph, her betrothed (like our engagement but more seriously understood), thought she was unfaithful until he was assured by an angel that this was not the case.
Wow! That is a lot of angels and a lot of preparing! God did not mind at all. He was preparing for more than His Son’s birth. He was preparing for your forgiveness. He was sharing His love with you. He wants you to be in heaven with Him!
So, Christmas may have to wait, just a little, while we prepare. Happy Advent!
The Rev. Kendall Schaeffer is pastor of St. Trinity Lutheran Church.

A parent’s worst nightmare. They were just children. An utterly senseless evil act of violence.
If it could happen there, it could happen anywhere… So many feelings and emotions. From shock and disbelief, to horror, despair, and sadness, to outrage, fear and more.
And all of that from a ‘safe? distance here in Clarkston. Is there any hope for us? As people of faith what can we do and how do we respond, especially this Christmas?
There are certainly no easy answers and we dare not offer trite cliches to those suffering – or to any of us for that matter.
However if the Christmas story is going to mean anything, it has to mean something at a time like this.
And if we are going to be part of what God is doing to save this world that he loves so much (John 3:16), then it is precisely now that we are called to be God’s people – to be the light to the world (Matthew 5:14).
Last Friday as I watched the news unfold I shared these words on Facebook: ‘We pray for all those impacted by the tragic mass shooting at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, and especially for those families who lost children or other loved ones in this nightmare. With them we mourn, we pray, and with the Psalmist we plead: ‘Out of the depths, I cry to you, O Lord, hear my voice!? (Psalm 130:1)…As family and friends and all in our nation grieve these senseless deaths and injuries, we claim the promise of the Prince of Peace and commit ourselves to never tire in bringing his message of hope, peace, joy and love to a world that seems sometimes so filled with darkness, sin and pain.?
Sin and evil are certainly very real. But so is God’s love and the resiliency of people.
A sign in Newtown says: ‘Our hearts are broken – our spirits are strong.?
Stories of heroism and courage from children, teachers and staff, and first responders are already being told.
People today, people 2000 years ago at that first Christmas, and people long before that cried out to God: ‘Out of the depths, we cry to you, O Lord, hear our voice!?
God what will you do to help this broken world and when will you come to make things right?
I believe God’s answer arrives as a newborn baby in a cave to a humble couple in a small town. Not a grand entrance, but one we can relate to.
He is Immanuel which means God with us (no matter what!), and his name is Jesus which means God saves (from sin and death and evil!).
Jesus is God’s promise that ‘The light shines in the darkness, and darkness did not overcome it.? (John 1:5)
And all of this happens in the real world we live in today. In a part of the Christmas story we seldom focus much on, King Herod was trying to find Jesus not long after his birth so he could kill him (Matthew 2).
He was jealous and didn’t want another king on his turf. So he ordered the mass killing of all the young boys in Bethlehem.
Mary and Joseph barely escaped to Egypt with Jesus. The sounds of those tears and the cries of outrage mingle with tears and cries of those in Newtown today – and ours too.
The real context for the Christmas story does not look like the perfect Christmas card, but rather it is precisely in the midst of violence, sin and evil that the Prince of Peace is born.
Last Friday night I had tickets for the new Hobbit movie but I almost didn’t go. It just didn’t feel right to go and enjoy myself, while others were hurting so.
But knowing that Tolkien’s writings deal with the struggle of good against evil, light against darkness, and the significant role in that struggle of simple folk and little people, like hobbits (and like me), I went.
In one of my favorite scenes the good wizard Gandalf was asked why he chose a ‘halfling,? the hobbit Bilbo, to come along on their quest against the forces of darkness. What could he do and what did he have to offer?
Gandalf’s response is a word for each us and the difference we can make right where we are – no matter who we are.
He says that ‘it is the small things, every act of normal folk that keeps the darkness at bay ? simple acts of kindness and love.?
He continues: ‘Why Bilbo Baggins? Perhaps it is because I am afraid, and he gives me courage.?
As people of faith we hold the ‘darkness at bay? and give one another courage when we shine the light of God’s hope, peace, joy and love right where we are.
That’s our calling and I believe that is the gift of Christmas.
The Rev. Jonathan Heierman is pastor of Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church

For those of you who may not have noticed, the world ended last month. Not the physical world, as many had predicted, but the world as we know it.
This may not be news worthy as it happens all the time, ‘I die every day? (1Cor 15:31) says the Apostle Paul. The person I was yesterday no longer exists. Today, I am a ‘new creation? (2Cor 5:17). It is up to me to choose what the ‘new creation? will be for me. If I continue to look back at what was, hoping for what used to be, or focus on the future of what may or may not occur then I miss the gift of new life that is available to me in this now moment. The gift is to be found in the now, that’s why it is called the present.
The Mayan Calendar ended Friday, Dec. 21. For linear minded people, who do not comprehend the eternality of existence, this meant the end of time. This and similar events plus the prophecies of doom and destruction that accompany them can create a fear response. This response has been capitalized upon by doomsayers throughout history.
Practically every year we hear of a prophesied Second Coming or other dooms day event. The Second Coming has been anticipated since the first century, in the days following Jesus Ascension (Acts 1:11.) And many are still waiting.
I believe that the Second Coming is not an outer event, but an inner experience of our awakening to our divinity; the kingdom of Heaven, the kingdom of God, the Christ, that is located ‘at hand? (Mt. 4:17), ‘within? (Jer. 31:33), ‘in you? (Col. 1:29). When we approach scripture, whether it be the Bible or the Bhagavad Gita or the Tao te Ching or any of the world’s sacred texts, as just a myth or history, we miss the spiritual or metaphysical importance of the writings.
The Bible is ‘our? story; these sacred writings point to the evolution of our consciousness of God active in our lives. This is because we are made in the image and after the likeness of God (Gen. 1:26) and ‘God is Spirit? (Jn. 4:24). We are inherently spiritual; we are spiritual beings having a human experience, and we are human beings learning to express our spiritual divine nature.
The Mayan calendar is in the shape of a circle. A circle has no beginning and no ending. The calendar ended Friday and started anew on Saturday. Many of us celebrated that day by having a Planetary Birthday Party. Happy Birthday to you!!!
Life is a circle, with no beginning and no ending, only we define it sequentially in the limitations of our three dimensional world as having a beginning and an ending. Spirit transcends the limitations of time and space, the three dimensional world. Our Second Coming, our awakening, comes as we consciously transcend the limitations of time and space to realize our divinity, the kingdom, as our here and now reality.
December 26th was St. Stephens Day or Boxing Day in Great Britain. A day dedicated to sharing our bounty with those who are less fortunate.
To some it is the first day of Christmas, ‘On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me, a partridge in a pear tree,? the twelve festive days that end on January 6th; Epiphany, the ‘showing forth,? which celebrates the visit of the Kings honoring Jesus Birth with gifts of Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh.
To all of us it is the beginning of a new life. We can choose to continue to drag the old along with us. Or, we can choose to show forth the new.
We can choose to be ‘new creations,? looking for the gifts that exist in the moment and sharing these gifts of peace, joy and love with all. So it is and so be it.
Blessings of peace, joy and love.
Rev. Matthew E. Long, Peace Unity Community

‘Someone has said that an expert is anyone who is more than 100 miles away and you have to pay to talk to them. Our culture is full of experts. There are experts out there who will tell you that the economy is lousy ‘you’ll never get that career you’ve always wanted. You’re marriage is too far gone ‘you might as well call it quits. You don’t have the skills necessary ‘you might as well settle for less.
Oh yea? Listen to what the experts used to say:
Everything that can be invented has been invented.
Charles H. Duell, U.S. Patent Office director, 1899
Who the h? wants to hear actors talk?
H. M. Warner, Warner Bros. Pictures, c. 1927
Sensible and responsible women do not want to vote.
Grover Cleveland, 1905
There is no likelihood man can ever tap the power of the atom.
Robert Millikan, Nobel prize winner in physics, 1923
Heavier than air flying machines are impossible.
Lord Kelvin, president, Royal Society, c. 1895
Ruth [Babe Ruth] made a big mistake when he gave up pitching.
Tris Speaker, 1927
The horse is here to stay, but the automobile is only a novelty.
The Michigan banker who advised Henry Ford’s lawyer not to invest in the new motor car company
Gone with the Wind is going to be the biggest flop in Hollywood history. I’m just glad it’ll be Clark Gable who’s falling flat on his face and not me.
Gary Cooper
Why not dream some big dreams this New Year? Scripture says that God can help you ‘sing a new song? (Psalm 96). God can make you into ‘a new creation? (2 Corinthians 5:17). He can give you ‘a new heart and a new spirit? (Ezekiel 36:26). You can ‘be made new in the attitude of your mind? (Ephesians 4:23). Through faith in God you can ‘put on a new self? (Colossians 3:10)!
Don’t listen to the experts this New Year! Listen to God! And go for it!
The Rev. Greg Henneman is pastor of Clarkston Community Church.

One thing that has always fascinated me has been the power of symbols.
They are concrete things, images, or even sounds that have more value than what simply meets the eye or ear. Gestures, too, can be used as signs.
Symbols add color and spice to life and often allow us to transmit a message more elegantly than by using words.
Symbols point towards the fact that a human person is not just a bunch of random cells, but that we’re made up of body and soul.
Our body sees the sign or symbol, but it’s the soul that understands the symbol’s deeper meaning.
Take the simple fact of a traffic light. Imagine the chaos at a busy intersection if all the drivers failed to grasp the deeper meaning we assign to the colors green, red, and yellow.
We all know that green means ‘go?, red means ‘stop?, and yellow means, ‘go faster?. These symbols allow us to convey meaning in a colorful and lively way. Even the black lines that you’re looking at now, the things we call letters, are symbols.
Or imagine if we failed to go deeper than hearing mere sounds when we hear a crying, hungry baby.
We have no problem understanding that a child needs food or warmth or attention just by their cries.
Sounds, then, can also be symbols pointing us to a deeper reality.
Gestures, such as bowing down, also transmit a specific message. It is a gesture of humility and respect when someone is in the presence of greatness.
For example, at two of the most important sites for Christians, the birthplace of Jesus in Bethlehem and the tomb where Jesus rose from the dead in Jerusalem, one can only enter by bowing down.
When it comes to spiritual matters and religion, symbols are even more important. God knows that and that’s why he uses them to transmit certain spiritual messages.
The symbols themselves not only point to something deeper, but they actually make that deeper reality present.
That’s what is meant by the word ‘sacrament?: it is a sign or symbol that carries with it a spiritual result.
Take water, for example. It can be a particularly powerful symbol because it is universally understood. It is a symbol of purity, life, and refreshment.
Water is used in Christian Baptism not only because it symbolizes purity, life, and refreshment, but more importantly because we believe that the waters of Baptism actually purifies the soul, gives it a share in God’s life by refreshing it with grace.
At the very moment the water is cleansing the skin, God is purifying, giving life to, and refreshing the soul.
Symbols are an important part of life and I hope these few words have given you just a little better appreciation of how precious they are.
They help us to understand better that we’re more than just flesh and blood. We’re body and soul.
So, whether it’s slowing down when you see yellow, or a simple smile, make the most of the symbols in your life.
Fr. Daniel Pajerski, LC, is Formation Director for Everest Academy.

Trust. Such a simple word but also one of great importance in relationships.
It is difficult to have a good relationship with someone you do not trust. It is also an important part of faith.
We trust God and He provides for us out of His goodness and the bounty of His blessings.
Proverbs 3:5-7 urges us to Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding 6In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths. 7Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.
What if we were to put all our trust in the Lord? What difference might that make in our lives? How might we be guided in reaching out and sharing the blessings we have received with one another?
Yes, there may be days when we do not feel very blessed but, if you really think about it and view it from the lives of those in impoverished regions, we are blessed.
Think of the difference our reaching out, using the blessings God has given us, might make in the lives of others.
Think of how our taking time to care and show concern for them might build trust in us and, ultimately, in God!
When I think of trust I think of the relationship between Jesus and Peter. Peter was one of that inner-circle with Jesus, one of His closest friends.
He proclaimed Jesus the Christ, the Son of the Living God. In the next breath he was trying to prevent Jesus from going to Jerusalem and the death that awaited Him. Jesus rebuked Peter and how Satan was using him. Jesus also predicted Peter would deny Him three times before the cock crowed which Peter vehemently denied.
It was Peter who drew the sword to defend Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. It was Peter who entered the courtyard of the high priest. Trust was broken.
Think of how it feels when a trusted friend betrays your trust.
A promise is broken, a secret spilled, and you are deeply hurt.
You want to pull away and not have anything to do with this friend.
When that happens, when you decide to get revenge for their action, when you bear the grudge, who is it that is hurt the deepest?
You are. It tears down our body, our health suffers, the friendship is destroyed and our faith is sorely challenged.
What did Jesus do for Peter?
After Jesus rose from the grave He meets Peter and the disciples on the lake shore where they had been fishing.
Jesus says to Peter, three times, Do you love Me? Peter keeps responding that Jesus knows he does.
Three times Peter denied Jesus, three times Jesus restored him.
If your brother sins against you, go and seek to be reconciled (Matthew 18).
Our God has revealed Himself in His Son, may He reveal Himself to others through us.
The Rev. Kendall Schaeffer is pastor of St. Trinity Lutheran Church.

Some days are more eventful than others. The other morning, after a significant snowfall, as I was driving into town I came upon the scene of an auto accident. I didn’t understand what had happened at first and I still don’t know the whole story. An SUV was stopped along the road and another vehicle was in the ditch. The second vehicle had left the road, smashed through a road sign and was hugging a tree. The front end of the SUV looked totaled. The car driving in front of me pulled over to the side of the road, and I instinctively stopped in front of her.
As I exited my car and approached the scene I saw that a man was standing next to the car that was off the road, his arm was draped over his head and blood was covering one side of his face. His young daughter was standing next to him with that deer caught in the headlights kind of lost expression in her eyes. The other driver was behind her car talking on her cell phone. I later confirmed with her that she was calling for help.
I searched my glove box and came up with a clean cloth to use as a compress for the minor cut on the man’s head. Wanting to comfort her, I spoke to the daughter assuring her that her dad would be okay and that help was on its way. Not knowing what else to do, I stayed with them until the fire truck and ambulance came and paramedics took charge. Then I proceeded on with my day, driving a little slower than I had been earlier.
The mention of the word compassion generally evokes positive feelings in most people. We want to be considered as compassionate and caring people. We think of ourselves as basically good and loving. We generally believe that compassion is the natural response to human suffering. How can you not feel compassion when you see people in pain, a starving child or homeless family? Being compassionate is part of being human. To feel another’s pain is a normal part of life. We are greatly offended when accused of not showing compassion.
Yet the evidence for the lack of compassion is readily available in every newspaper and broadcast. The results of this lack are tragic acts of war and aggression, conflict and struggle, poverty and hunger. How could these exist in a world filled with compassionate people? Perhaps we need to take another look at how we are relating with each other, evaluate our priorities, make new choices and help create a world that works for all.
The word compassion comes from two Latin words meaning to ‘suffer with.? This is more personal than mere sympathy, more intense than mere empathy or understanding and more active than mere mercy or pity. It is the sharing of the experience, lifting the burden of another onto your shoulders, a hand up to the one who is down so that you may both move forward. It is feeling another’s pain, crying with those who mourn and hurting with those who are suffering. ‘Compassion requires us to be weak with the weak, vulnerable with the vulnerable, and powerless with the powerless.? Henri Nouwen.
Jesus said, ‘I have compassion on the crowd,? before giving instructions for the feeding of the four thousand (Mark 8:2). ‘The Lord is gracious and full of compassion;? (Psalm 111:4). The Buddha said, ‘Compassion is that which makes the heart of the good move at the pain of others,? and advised us to ‘fill your mind with compassion.? The Dalai Lama said, ‘If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. I you want to be happy, practice compassion.? All but one chapter of the Quran begins with, ‘In the name of God the Compassionate, the Merciful?. ‘Compassion is the keen awareness of the interdependence of all things.? Thomas Merton
‘And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to me.? (John 12:32) This is the fruits of compassion, to be lifted above the pain and sorrow and suffering of this earthly experience. And, the only way out is through. Serenity, peace of mind, fulfillment comes with giving and receiving love: compassion.
Blessings of peace, joy & love.
The Rev. Matthew E. Long is senior minister at Peace Unity Community.

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 senior pastor of Clarkston Community Church

This Feb. 22 we mark a date of embarrassment in American government. On this date in 1902 two esteemed members of the United States senate got into a fistfight in the floor of the senate over bias expressed on the Philippine tariff bill.
The Philippine Tariff Bill? Really? A schoolyard fistfight about? the Philippines? How stupid can government get?
In many ways we are asking the same question today. What are they doing with our money? Can they simply legislate away individual rights? What should be the relationship of government and God-given institutions like the family?
Thomas Jefferson said, ‘Those are governed best who are governed least.? The contemporary formula for government seems to ignore this wisdom.
So what are Christians to do about today’s government? Ignore it? Defy it? Circumvent it? Kick ‘the bums out?? Has today’s government abandoned principals of the founding fathers and therefore disqualified it from the obedience of the good Christian citizen?
No. If you are a Christian you simply cannot take that position.
The apostle Paul speaks very clearly of this in his letter to the people of Rome.
He says, ‘Everyone needs to be subject to the governing authorities because there is no authority except from God. Governments that exist have been instituted by God? resist the government and you resist what God has appointed?? (ch. 13)
Why does he say that? Why would he say obey a government that seems to be making decisions that so many Christians disagree with?
Because government serves an important purpose for God: government preserves order and God is a God of order. Governments carry our justice, punish evil, reward the righteous and keep anarchy from blowing up the community.
Governments are not always right, they do make terrible decisions that attack community and disregard justice (and Christians must clearly and strongly challenge overt government evil). But governments create community and community is a blessing from God that He wants for His people.
So taking the position that government is inherently evil ? it is just not found in the bible.
This day in 1902 our government looked pretty ridiculous. But this day in 1732 George Washington was born ? a man God powerfully used to establish an American government that blesses billions today. So let’s rejoice in this gift of government from God. Like getting sox at Christmas we may not like really the gift. But it serves an important purpose; it is a gift that gives us the ability to be in community with each other ? and with Our Creator. And that is a gift that is worth letting a couple of foolish senators bloody their noses for.
Bill Northend is a Lutheran Pastor at TheGatheringPlace in Davisburg.

We are well into the season of Lent in the church calendar. During this time it is not unusual for people to give something up as a reminder of what our Savior, Jesus, gave up for us.
St. Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians 8: For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you by His poverty might become rich.
Imagine what He gave up for us!
He had all the riches and glory of heaven, but He gave it up to come into our world. He had all the power of God, yet He submitted to the sinful power of man so He could die on the cross for our sins.
He gave it all up. He entered poverty for us, so we could live in a palace, heaven!
I often wonder how blessed we feel. When people ask me how I am my response is that I am blessed.
Sometimes, however, I don’t feel very blessed.
I am tired from a long day or lack of sleep the night before. But I had, at the least, the day and a bed in which I was able to rest.
I had a roof to keep the snow and rain off me, and a furnace that kept my house warm all night long.
I woke up to a hot shower. I checked the news on the television and internet. I had food waiting for me in the kitchen so I would not begin the day hungry.
Then, I begin to think about the people who do not have those opportunities.
They might have to wander down to a mucky river they bathe in and do their laundry and get their drinking water. Food is not plentiful, so they have little to eat.
They might have some shelter against the elements, but electricity is rare and expensive.
They have more important uses for their limited resources. It is a different life than the one we live.
But what do we do? We complain about so many of the things we have (or feel that we need) because they don t work like we want them to or because we don t have them.
Do we really understand how blessed we are? Just look around you. Even those who live in poverty are better off than many in the impoverished nations of the world.
What are we to do? In Matthew 25, Jesus tells a parable, a story with a teaching point. At the end He tells us that as we do for others, we do for Him, if we fail to do for others, we do not do for Him.
The parable leads us to understand that this was the way of life for the people He addressed.
Look around you. See who is in need. Reach out to them and become rich in the ways of God.
Be blessed and refreshed in the Resurrection.
The Rev. Kendall Schaeffer is pastor of St. Trinity Lutheran Church.

This past weekend with warm temperatures and sunshine, the birds singing in the trees and the snow melting, I sensed springtime in the air.
It is always such a relief when it seems that we have once again made it through another winter. I begin to plan the garden and even can’t wait to get outside to do yard work.
I love to watch everything come back to life. Even though I know winter will try to return again in the next few weeks, I also know that spring and life will win the day.
In our lives of faith a similar struggle takes place during this season of preparation for Easter that we call Lent.
In fact the word Lent comes from an old Anglo-Saxon word for ‘springtime.? That seems to fit well, as Lent can be a spring-like renewal of faith. However just as winter never seems to give up without a fight, so too our lives of faith can be a struggle.
Our desire and good intentions to grow, soon collide with the realities of a too-busy world or our deep anxiety about the future or our regrets about the past.
Lent, which began on Ash Wednesday (Feb. 13 this year) and culminates at Easter, covers a period of 40 days. It originated centuries ago as a time of intense preparation for Baptism at Easter.
For all of us today Lent can be a time of repentance (turning 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 every time we crave the item given up, we are reminded of our dependence upon God’s grace and love. Other spiritual disciplines practiced during Lent include renewed devotion to Bible study and prayer, generous giving to those in need, and my personal favorite, deciding 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 TNIV)
This Lent at Calvary Lutheran we have been reading a small devotional booklet called ‘Holy Habits for the Season of Lent? by Rich Bimler.
I particularly like this book because it lifts up many common everyday things as spiritual practices to help us grow. Such ‘holy habits? include smiling more, laughter, getting enough rest, really listening, playing, or amazement at common everyday things. Sure he also includes things you might expect like confession and serving.
But his point is clear, sometimes we think the only spiritual disciplines that count are the really big ones like reading the whole Bible or fasting. Good as these things are, we can also grow by making a simple commitment each day to practice being more childlike, or saying thank you, or sharing some enthusiasm for life and faith.
So even if you have not made any commitments this Lent or have forsaken those you did make, there is nothing to stop you today, right now, from taking up some ‘holy habits? in your everyday life.
Each and every day we have a fresh start ? a new opportunity to receive and live in God’s grace and to develop some ‘holy habits.?
God never gives up on us. And the really cool thing is that when we do spend some real time with God, we do grow to become more the way God intends us to be.
My favorite description of God’s desire for the character of our lives is from Galatians 5 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 no matter what is happening around us.
The Rev. Jonathan Heierman is pastor of Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church