Update!

I have finally gotten back to check up on you all. You will have to excuse my lack of posts recently, it has become increasingly harder to get on a computer that I can actually post on. Anyway, I have an announcement to make. Northwoods Baptist Church is having their third annual Vacation Bible School!!! Several exciting things will mark this VBS. We will be having Bro. Rick Mitchell come and preach for us, as usual. We are having a VBS team from Heartland Baptist Bible College come up and help us. Last but not least, we are having a five-day VBS this year instead of our usual three-day. For a church our size this is a huge endeavor so please pray for several things: for Bro. Mitchell and the VBS team for safety as they are travelling, for the supplies needed, and for the kids that they would allow God to speak to them this coming VBS. The date for this is June 2nd through the 6th so please be praying. Thats about it so I will check up with you all later. Hope you all have a good spring.

Faith that will move mountains.

Well, the snow is officially gone. The rain, however, just dealt its first devastating blow. Our road was flooded along with many others, Best of all, an old wish of the family came true. We suddenly had a pool in the backyard.  There is one thing, though, that never ceases to amaze me. Any church bus runner will agree with me that running in the rain is not exactly preferable. Now maybe its just because I've been at it such a short time but I have never had to do any running in the rain. This Sunday was especially cool. I woke up, and it was pouring, everything was already flooded. Everyone said I was going to get wet. I said "I've never had to run in the rain before, God will stop the rain." I just knew He had it under control. So we got in the car, and the rain stopped. We got to church, I ran my route, we got back to church with the kids, and it started raining. After classes I had to stay in the church for a few minutes, so I sent the kids out to the bus with the other workers. It was still raining. By the time I got out to the bus the rain had stopped. I ran the kids home and by that evening the rain started again. Not once did I have to run in the rain. Now you may call it sheer luck, but I think God was being mighty good to me and those kids. I had faith God would stop the rain in time to keep everyone dry and I think everyone reading this knows what faith can do. "And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying,
Mt 17:15 Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water.
Mt 17:16 And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him.
Mt 17:17 Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me.
Mt 17:18 And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour.
Mt 17:19 Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out?
Mt 17:20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you." Now, in no way am I bragging that I have great faith, it is actually quite the contrary. I struggle with my faith as much as the other guy. But I know what it can do. If you go through life trusting God with everything you have, God will bless you for it. That doesn't mean God won't take you through trials, but rather that he will give them to you as a way to increase your faith. Who's up for some faith exercises.

"How Much I Owe"

How Much I Owe

When this passing world is done,

When has sunk yon glowing sun,

When we stand with Christ in glory,

Looking o’er life’s finished story.

Then, Lord, shall I fully know ---

Not till then --- how much I owe.

When I stand before the throne,

Dressed in beauty not my own,

When I see Thee as Thou art,

Love Thee with unsinning heart,

Then, Lord, shall I fully know ---

Not till then --- how much I owe.

When the praise of heaven I hear,

Loud as thunder to the ear,

Loud as many water’s noise,

Sweet as harp‘s melodious voice,

Then, Lord, shall I fully know ---

Not till then --- how much I owe.

Even on earth, as through a glass

Darkly, let Thy glory pass,

Make forgiveness feel so sweet,

Make Thy Spirit’s help to meet

Even on earth, Lord, make me know

Something of how much I owe.

                     Robert Murry McCheyne

The effect of sin in your life.

WOW!! It is a relief to finally see a release of winters cold hand on our part of michigan. For the first time in to long I can see grass in our yard. However, If you look hard at winter you can learn a thing or two from it. Sometimes the cold of winter can be compared with coldness of our own hearts concerning the conviction of the Holy Spirit. After only a short period of time in sin, we can make the spirit of none effect because we won't listen to God's guiding voice. However, where there is cold there is a chance at thaw. We can always pray for forgiveness from God, confess our sins and start serving God again. Now I'm not at all saying that things will not be different. Concerning the sin, there is a chance you have ruined your testimony and are of little use to God. That doesn't mean you can't serve, it just means it will be an uphill battle, and he might not be able to use you like he could have.
If you look at the outcome it isn't worth even going in that direction, but God will always accept you back into his fold. Just remember, Your sin will always find you out.

Going Home

"Stepping Ashore"
Oh, think to step ashore,
   And find it Heaven;
To clasp a hand outstretched,
   And find it God's hand!
To breathe new air,
   And that, celestial air;
To feel refreshed,
   And find it immortality;
Ah, think to step from storm and stress
   To one unbroken calm:
To awake and find it Home.
                             Robert E. Selle

Beautiful, isn't it. To think of a day like that. Oh, to step from the sin and strife of this world to the calm of forever. To me this poem means peace, everlasting peace. From this vantage point its hard to imagine a world like that. A world of perfect peace in an everlasting state. Always being able to talk face to face with the most wonderful and awesome Friend that ever has been and always will be.
I think of the song "What A Day That Will Be" when my Jesus I shall see. Jesus gave us a glimpse of Heaven when he said "In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
Joh 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
Joh 14:4 ¶ And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.

Sounds great doesn't it? I can't wait.

Christmas and New Years -The aftermath

Hey everybody. Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas, I know I did. My grandparents came over and my Grandpa made his always amazingly good stew for Christmas Eve dinner. On Christmas night we went to church and heard an amazing message from our pastor. After the service we went back to my grandparents hotel room and  finished the night playing Skipbo and talking about the wonderful day we had. For New Years we went to our church and had a haystack supper. (For those of you who don't know what a haystack is, let me explain. First you layer your plate with tortilla chips or a single soft tortilla shell. Then you lay on the nacho/taco meat like never before. Now you have multiple choices you can have nacho cheese sauce, shredded cheese, guacamole, salsa, and everything else you can think of to put on a mexican meal. Usually the shredded cheese is last and if you do it right it looks like a haystack. One of the best meals on earth) After we ate, we started playing a few games my mom had prepared and had a great time. At about 10:30 we went into the auditorium and prayed in the new year. I thank the Lord for such a wonderful church family to go into the new year with. To face trials and triumphs, as well as temptations to either overcome or fall into to. As we go into the new year I think it would be good to realize that no matter what you have a decision to make. In this new year it is all to easy to just give up and take a the wrong path away from the wonderful God who loves you more than you can imagine. Don't turn away. I've seen to many people just up and walk away, never to walk through the church doors again. You could reach so many people for God if you would just give everything to Him. Don't become another spiritual casualty. Do something for God this year. Merry CHRISTmas and a happy New Year.

Tommorrow is the first blank page of a 365 page book
Write a good one.    
                                              Unknown

New Year's Wishes

What shall I wish thee?
Treasures of earth?
Songs in the springtime,
Pleasures and mirth?
Flowers on thy pathway,
Skies ever clear?
Would this ensure thee
A Happy New Year?

What shall I wish thee?
What can be found
Bringing thee sunshine
All the year round?
Where is the treasure,
Lasting and dear,
That shall ensure thee
A Happy New Year?

Faith that increaseth,
Walking in light;
Hope that aboundeth,
Happy and bright;
Love that is perfect,
Casting out fear;
These shall ensure thee
A Happy New Year.

Peace in the Savior,
Rest at His feet,
Smile of His countenance
Radiant and sweet,
Joy in His presence!
Christ ever near!
This will ensure thee
A Happy New Year!

–Frances Ridley Havergal

Patriot or Politician

I  know its out of season but that's okay.

A POEM WORTH READING AND COMPREHENDING He was getting old and paunchy And his hair was falling fast, And he sat around the Legion, Telling stories of the past.   Of a war that he once fought in And the deeds that he had done, In his exploits with his buddies; They were heroes, every one.   And 'tho sometimes to his neighbors His tales became a joke, All his buddies listened quietly For they knew where of he spoke.   But we'll hear his tales no longer, For ol' Joe has passed away, And the world's a little poorer For a Veteran died today.   He won't be mourned by many, Just his children and his wife. For he lived an ordinary, Very quiet sort of life.   He held a job and raised a family, Going quietly on his way; And the world won't note his passing , 'Tho a Veteran died today.   When politicians leave this earth, Their bodies lie in state, While thousands note their passing, And proclaim that they were great.   Papers tell of their life stories From the time that they were young, But the passing of a Veteran Goes unnoticed, and unsung.   Is the greatest contribution To the welfare of our land, Some jerk who breaks his promise And cons his fellow man?   Or the ordinary fellow Who in times of war and strife, Goes off to serve his country And offers up his life?   The politician's stipend And the style in which he lives, Are often disproportionate, To the service that he gives.   While the ordinary Veteran, Who offered up his all, Is paid off with a medal And perhaps a pension, small.   It is not the politicians With their compromise and ploys, Who won for us the freedom That our country now enjoys.   Should you find yourself in danger, With your enemies at hand, Would you really want some cop-out, With his ever-waffling stand?   Or would you want a Veteran His home, his country, his kin, Just a common Veteran, Who would fight until the end.   He was just a common Veteran, And his ranks are growing thin, But his presence should remind us We may need his likes again.   For when countries are in conflict, We find the Veteran's part, Is to clean up all the troubles That the politicians start.   If we cannot do him honor While he's here to hear the praise, Then at least let's give him homage At the ending of his days.   Perhaps just a simple headline In the paper that might say: "OUR COUNTRY IS IN MOURNING, A VETERAN DIED TODAY."