About a month ago the students in my Catechism small group informed me that they had heard about a man who had been found frozen to death in Luverne.  However, no one seemed to know the details surrounding his death other than alcohol may have been involved. When you hear about a person who was found frozen to death, it raises many questions and concerns.  What was his name? How old was he? Was he married? Does he have family in Luverne? Did he have friends who cared about him? Did he work somewhere? Did he slip and fall? Did someone else cause his death? Was alcohol actually involved? Was he a member of a church? Was he saved?

Actually, I guess I wasn’t too concerned about his death because I forgot about it until I read the article in the newspaper several days later. After looking up his obituary, I discovered this about the man that was found dead:

Percy L. Manning was born on December 18, 1954 to Bessie Manning in Chicago, Illinois.  He received his formal education through the Chicago Public School System, where he enjoyed studying and learning new things–especially about cars and car repair.  Percy always worked somewhere in the auto industry where he could work with and gain more knowledge about automobiles.
Percy visited Minnesota on and off throughout his life.  He moved to Luverne, Minnesota, not too far from where his best friend and cousin lived, Willie Martin.  Percy will always be remembered as a gentle person with a giant heart.  Percy departed this life on December 7, 2013.  (For the sake of space I am omitting the names of several family members and friends that will cherish his memory, but I include this final insight of his obituary).  Percy will definitely be missed in Chicago.  

As I finished reading his obituary, I thought, “that’s it,” that’s all we know about Percy Manning. Will anyone in Luverne miss Percy? As I reflected on the story, I began to wonder how many “Percy Manning’s” there are in American Reformed Church. How much do we know about each other and do we really care if someone is missing?

And it’s for that reason the Elders and I have developed and are implementing an intentional Care Shepherd Ministry at ARC. The Consistory truly desires that every member of our congregation feels loved and valued and therefore, today we will be commissioning 24 Care Shepherds to assist our Elders in order that we might more effectively care for one another.

The Bible has a great deal to say about our call to care for “one another.” Here are just a few: We are called to love one another. Serve one another. Accept one another. Help one another. Encourage one another. Be concerned for one another. Carry one another’s burdens. Be devoted to one another. Pray for one another. Admonish one another. Comfort one another.

Makes me wonder, would Percy still be alive if we would have been able to “one another” him? My prayer is that each of you will humbly and respectfully accept the love and encouragement that will be displayed by your Care Shepherd. I pray that no one would feel isolated and ready to be devoured by Satan but that everyone would be growing in enjoying the abundant life as we spur one another on to love and good deeds.

And one final piece of good news and hope for Percy, according to someone who “one anothered” him, “It was during this last move to Luverne that he accepted Christ, in a local church here in Luverne, Minnesota.”

Pity the man who has no one to help him up,

Mike

I realize many of you probably aren’t aware of this, but between the joy-filled season of Christmas and New Years Day is what’s known as Black Monday. Tomorrow is recognized as Black Monday because several National Football League coaches are expected to be fired from their jobs. Just looking back a few years, twelve coaches were fired in 2011, seven coaches were fired in 2012 and ten coaches could find the pink slip in their mailboxes tomorrow.

Now I realize the firing of these coaches isn’t a big deal in the grand scheme of our lives, and even though NFL coaches earn an average of three million dollars per year, I still find myself feeling distressed for some of them. I mean, they’re only human. Of course there are going to be occasions when a coach makes a bad decision that might cost them a game. And should a team owner expect a coach to perfectly train and prepare each player—is it the coaches fault when a player drops the ball in the end zone? And ponder this, is it really Christian to fire a coach because a certain quarterback doesn’t play up to expectation? Should a coach be fired because he can’t seem to motivate his team?

As I was reflecting on Black Monday, I began to think, what if God was like an NFL owner. Would he terminate me for the way I treat Vicki? Would he expect me to place higher value on her? Or would he have fired me for the way I discipled my children when they were younger. And what feedback would he give me for how I interact with my children now?

And when it comes to being a neighbor or citizen in the community, I wonder if he would question my leadership and effort in working together in harmony. And in regards to managing his checkbook, what would he think about my investments?

And then last but not least, I wonder, how would he assess my leadership role in his church? Would he be surprised by my lack of seeking his counsel? Would he begin searching for my replacement because of my lack of dependence on his Holy Spirit? Would he let me go because I erred on the side of too much grace or too much truth? Or would I find the pink slip under my door for my poor decisions in both word and deed?

As I reflected on how God dealt with his chosen leaders in the Bible, I acknowledge my hope and peace rests in his grace. I can only take comfort in his patience and grace filled way knowing there is no Black Monday for those he loves. Yes, I will experience his loving discipline from time to time in order that I might more faithfully lead like his Son, but like Abraham, Moses, David, Jonah, Peter, and Paul, I am grateful his mercies are new every day.

I stand in agreement with Jeremiah’s journal entry in Lamentations 3, “God’s loyal love couldn’t have run out, his merciful love couldn’t have dried up. They’re created new every morning. How great your faithfulness! I’m sticking with God (I say it over and over). He’s all I’ve got left. God proves to be good to the man who passionately waits, to the woman who diligently seeks. It’s a good thing to quietly hope, quietly hope for help from God.

Well, those are my thoughts for now. I better get back to work; today begins another new and exciting season making disciples in his kingdom!

Happy New Year! Mike

Ok, like the Land of Puzzling Tales, I still think it’s kind of strange that we give each other gifts on Jesus’ birthday. I guess if there’s a bright side to it, without all the Christmas shopping, we would be experiencing an economic depression.

Again, as I think about finishing up my Christmas shopping for Jesus, I want to give him the perfect gift, but what do you give someone who already has everything.

I think I’m feeling like my two sons did when they were younger, what do you get your parents when they seemingly have everything.

Well, as much as they liked receiving gifts, Mitchell and Jonathon were always excited about finding the perfect gifts for Vicki and me. Over the years they’ve given us some pretty cool stuff, but the gift I remember most was the year they gave us a coupon book. And in the coupon book were all kinds of coupons like, this coupon is good for one night of playing ball together. Another coupon was for spending time together at the park. Another coupon for a hug at any time. I think there was even one coupon that said, this coupon is good for one night at the races—you pay (wait, who was actually getting the gift with that coupon).

Anyway, the point of their gift was that they just wanted to spend time with us. More than likely because of our busy lives, they were just asking if they could have a little of our time.

As I was reminiscing over that precious gift from the boys, I realized the greatest gift I could give to Jesus for his birthday is time. And no, not because he’s so busy, but I believe giving my time would be the perfect gift because I often find myself too busy for him.

And maybe the gift of time would be the perfect gift because that’s actually what he asked for. In Matthew 11, Jesus offers this request for time from all of us, “^28-30 “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”

So what do you think? Wouldn’t time hanging out with Jesus be the best gift you and I could give him this Christmas? And did you notice, when you give the gift of time to Jesus, you and I will also receive a gift from him. Jesus said, I’ll show you how to take a real rest and the result will be, and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.

Of course Jesus is the great gift giver we celebrate during this Christmas season, and my prayer is that, having been so blessed, you and I will make every effort to continue to be a blessing to everyone you meet.

Have a blessed Christmas,

With love from Mike & Vicki

This past week it was Vicki’s birthday so to honor her and celebrate with her I wanted to get her a card.  I’m always up for a little humor, so I thought about getting her a funny card with these endearing thoughts: “Birthdays are like boogers, the more you have, the harder it is to breathe.” Maybe true, but I didn’t want to ruin her day.

Then I ran across a card with these kind words: “I notice how hard you work to make things the best that they can be. I notice how much you give, never expecting anything in return. I notice that you never forget to play or laugh or love or make me feel important.”

Or these reflective thoughts: “Happy Birthday. And I’m celebrating us—our sharing, our planning together, and always, the laughter and love that keeps us going and fills the ordinary days with moments to remember. I love you so much.”

And this wonderful tribute: “To My Beautiful Wife. You’re a gift from God. When I see the way you care for the family and all you do for us, I realize how many moments just wouldn’t happen and how many blessings would be missing if not for you…”

And this narcissistic blessing:  “Thank you for letting me be me, for loving me as I am, and understanding me so well… how lucky I am to be married to you. Happy Birthday” I’m surprised it didn’t say, “How lucky you are to be married to ME!”

Hey, have you ever noticed that the focus of the message expressed in a birthday card is mostly on the person giving the card. Basically, most birthday greetings are actually thank yous; thank you for sacrificing your life so that my/our life could be better.

Over the past couple of weeks I’ve been thinking about what to get Jesus for his birthday. So far I have decided to help someone in his name and to get along with my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.

Because I was looking for a card for Vicki, I thought I would look for a birthday card for Jesus too. Guess what, I couldn’t find one. Oh well, probably not that big of a deal. I’m sure the message of the card would also focus on me. The message might be something like this: “To My Wonderful Savior. You are a gift from God. I notice what you gave up to save me. I love how you make me feel. I don’t know what I would do without you. I know I should tell you I love you more, but I don’t. Thank you for loving me so much. I bet you’re glad I accepted you into my heart. Happy Birthday!”

Please don’t read what I’m not writing. I am truly grateful for all that Jesus has done for me, but I think the third gift I want to give Jesus for his birthday is my worship. I’m going to focus my worship on adoring Jesus for who he is. “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain—to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing… “Blessing and honor and glory and power belong to the one sitting on the throne and to the Lamb forever and ever” (Revelation 5:12-13). Happy Birthday!

I hope you will join me in giving Jesus your undivided worship for his birthday—regardless of what he has or hasn’t done for you.

O come let us adore him, Christ the Lord!

Mike

For this to make much sense you’ll have to read last week’s article. If you don’t have access to it, I shared a fictitious story about land of Puzzling Tales. And in the Land of Puzzling Tales the unexpected always happened. For example, rather than snow and below zero temperatures in December, it would be warm and balmy (oh to live in the Land of Tales). It was also in the Land of Tales that when it was someone’s birthday, you would actually give a birthday gift to another person who wasn’t having a birthday. Yes, seems a bit puzzling and unexpected, and yet that’s exactly what we do to celebrate Jesus birthday; we give gifts to each other when it isn’t our birthday.

So here was my challenge for last week. Often times during the season we celebrate the gifts that Jesus gives us, the gifts of hope, peace, joy, love and salvation, but what if this advent season we focused on gifts we could give Jesus. And so continuing the thought from last week, did you come up with a list of things you could give Jesus this year?

As I was thinking about it this week, I began to wonder, what gift do you give to the person who already has everything. I thought; kind of cheesy to give Jesus some cash, although donations to worthy ministries can certainly be a way to advance the kingdom. Maybe I could get him a gift card to Home Depot—maybe he could use it to purchase some things to finish my mansion in heaven.

As I continued thinking about what gift I could give Jesus for his birthday, I remember asking my mom what she wanted for Christmas. And for some reason, I can still picture her saying, “The best gift you could give me is for you kids to get along.” Apparently from her perspective, my three siblings and I didn’t always enjoy sweet fellowship together.

As my thoughts continued, I realized one of the greatest gifts I could give Jesus for his birthday is to do my part in making sure I live at peace with my brothers and sisters. And not only with my brother and sisters by blood, but the best gift I could give Jesus, as far as it depends in me, is to live in harmony with my brothers and sisters in Christ as well.

As Paul wrote in Ephesians 4, ¹I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. ²Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. ³Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace….  ²⁹Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. ³⁰And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. ³¹Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. ³²Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

As I conclude this article, I remember how God worked through Nelson Mandela to bring unity to his country. My prayer is that God would work through all of us as we await Jesus’ second coming to be peacemakers where there is disunity in our relationships.

Bring the gift of unity and peace, Mike

In the land of Puzzling Tales there lived an eight year old boy by the name of Jason. Now in this land and in the neighborhood where Jason lived, the unexpected always happened. Instead of football they played kneeball; instead of the children “going to school” the teachers were busy “going to homes;” and in the summer it was not uncommon to see water freeze and in the winter time leaves grew on trees. It was a funny, strange place.

One incident in the land of Puzzling Tales stands out. When it was time for Jason’s ninth birthday, as usual, the unusual happened.  Jason’s grandparents drove all the way across the state to help celebrate, but of course when they got to Jason’s neighborhood they went immediately to the Browns down the street and visited and stayed there.

When Jason’s mother finished frosting the birthday cake she gave it to the mailman to eat. And when all the kids in the neighborhood heard it was Jason’s birthday they exchanged gifts with one another, and of course, Jason got none because he wasn’t even invited to the party.

There was a blizzard of birthday cards. The post office had to hire extra workers to work long hours to handle the deluge of cards. Of course in the land of  Puzzling Tales the expected was the unexpected and the kids, the moms and dads, grandparents, even a couple of dogs and a parakeet got cards, while poor Jason got none.

Finally about nine o’clock, in a fit of frustration and anger, Jason went out of his house, borrowed the school cheerleaders’ megaphone, rode up and down the street on his unicycle and shouted at the top of his lungs, “WHOSE BIRTHDAY IS IT, ANYWAY?” And the night was so silent that all night long echoes bounced off the mountain sides: “Whose birthday is it anyway?” “Whose birthday is it anyway?”

(The story about Jason was written by the Revered Arley Fadness of Shaloam Lutheran Church in Harrisburg, South Dakota)

Do you suppose there’s someone else who feels like Jason? In a few short weeks we will celebrate Jesus’ birthday, and yet isn’t it puzzling how every year we have to remind ourselves to stay focused on the “reason for the season.” Where did we get the idea that we should give other people gifts on Christmas? Wouldn’t it have been strange if the shepherds out in the fields and the magi would’ve had a $5 gift exchange instead?

If we celebrate Jesus’ birthday shouldn’t he be the one who receives the gifts? Often times during the advent season we focus on the gifts he brings us, the gifts of hope, peace, joy and love. But what if this advent season we focused on what kind of gifts we could give to Jesus. Like me, maybe you could sit down for a few minutes and think about the four best gifts we could give to Jesus. If you could give Jesus anything in the world, what four gifts would he appreciate most from you?

Here’s a starter: “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me…I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” Matthew 25:35,36,40

Grace and peace to you, Mike

How well do we take the time to know others and to allow ourselves to be known?

Recently my wife and I were traveling on a mission trip to Haiti, and I stopped at the book store in the Chicago airport to pick up something to read on our flights.  I glanced over the classic novel shelf and saw “Sherlock Holmes” looking out at me.  Seeing that the price was less than most books there, I snatched it up.  By the way, this is a great book and very readable over a century later, and our modern crime-drama characters owe a lot to their predecessor on Baker Street.

What strikes me about the book is how keenly the detective was able to perceive the mannerisms and motives of people from all backgrounds, and from those clues deduce their story and the needed resolution to their current crises.  Upon being challenged by Dr. Watson to glean information from a hat left behind by a complete stranger, Holmes casually remarks:

“That the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days.  He had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline in his fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, at work upon him.  This may account also for the obvious fact that his wife has ceased to love him…”

If Sherlock was able to know this much about a man he had never even met, just by examining his hat, how much more can we know about our family, friends, co-workers, and neighbors if we will simply take time to slow down, observe, and really listen?  That is one of the aspects about Haiti and similar countries that is so inspiring.  People might live in material poverty, but they also have time to have a good, long conversation, and because of that they can also read you and your emotions like a book!  Can we do that?  I think we can, if we care enough about others to take the time.

This Thanksgiving weekend, ignore the busyness for a while and sit down with someone for a good, long talk.  Really listen to him or her and try to truly understand, and then share some of your own story, too.  In doing so we may find ourselves growing closer to Christ, the One who knows us fully!

“Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face.  Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully know.”  –  I Cor. 13:12

Cory

A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of participating in the Trunk N Treat event at ARC. It takes some preparation and commitment, but it is an exciting time as we share God’s love with those that come. As the crowd appears and the lines begin to form, it is a delight to see all the smiling faces of both children and adults. One child, however, seemed to stand out from the rest. It wasn’t that his costume was out of the ordinary, or that he was too old to be trick or treating. What made this child memorable was his lack of a smile, his lack of patience and his lack of manners. This particular child came to my trunk, walked directly up to me and began to reach his hand into my bucket of candy. I quickly moved my bucket of treats, made light of his boldness, and told him the shortened version of my trunk’s theme before I proceeded to give him the candy that he desired and the Bible verse bookmark to go with it.

As the evening wrapped up, and cleanup began, others that had been hosting a trunk began to share stories of the evening’s experiences. Again and again, a story surfaced of an audacious young man who had no time or desire to listen to the Bible stories, but who only wanted the candy and treats. Some remarked on his lack of respect or lack of manners, others commented that he may have been the one child there that needed to hear of God’s love the most.

At first I was somewhat offended by the young man, but as I continued my cleanup efforts, I began to recognize similarities in my own life and swallow the medicine of conviction. Do I take time to hear God’s lesson, or just extend my hand to receive what I want? Is my God willing to offer me something sweet when I listen and learn, but I grumble throughout his instructions? The Creator of the universe and the Savior of the world desires to spend time with me and yet more often than I care to admit, my prayers replicate this child’s actions of give me, give me, give me. Quite often, my prayer time looks less like a privilege to soak in the love and words of my heavenly Father, and more like an opportunity for me to share with God the spiritual to-do list that I have made for him.

We have been taught from a young age that prayer is talking to God, just like talking to a friend. We fail to state the obvious that talking to a friend also involves listening. I would dare to say that a friendship wouldn’t last too long if one person did all the talking without doing any listening. So, I have been trying to do more listening and less talking to God, to bask in his presence, to ask and then pay attention to the answer. It hasn’t been easy. The chaos and clutter that jockeys for position in my mind is hard to silence, but to hear his voice is better than any candy or treat this world has to offer. Jesus says in John 10:27 “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me.” That is my desire: to spend time with the Shepherd, to know his voice, and to follow. May that be the focus of your next prayer time – not getting what you want, but listening to the Giver.

Trying to listen, Erin

Last week a friend and I were discussing the Trunk-N-Treat event that was taking place the next night.  She shared with me that she had driven past the church last year during Trunk-N-Treat and was struck by the picture it painted.  She said “It was just like the light in the darkness.”  God’s story was being told to the dark world.  This reminded me of John 1:4-5 “In him was life, and that life was the light of men.  The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.”

As I sorted all the candy for each trunk last week, I prayed that God would send that lost, dark world to our parking lot so we could shine his light to them.  He answered those prayers.  At Trunk-N-Treat we have only a few minutes to share each story, but those minutes are spent doing our best to spread God’s love, not just to the kids of this congregation, but also to children and families outside of ARC.  When children come to Trunk-N-Treat, their parents register them on a form with their name, address, if and where they go to church, or if they are looking for a church home.  According to those registrations, we have some work to do.  Out of 175 kids, 5 families (12 children) are looking for a church home,22 families (32 children) either do not attend regularly or don’t have a church home.  Read that again. This is from a pool of only 175 children.  Does this just break your heart?  It does mine.

But I have hope.  Each week at Pioneer Clubs, I see a few kids that come who do not have a stable home, a church family or even know what the Bible is.  We get 90 minutes to love them, tell them about their Savior and plant seeds in their hearts.  You know what?  A lot of them return and become members themselves!  So, how do they get to Pioneer Clubs in the first place?  Our children are working as little missionaries and being a light each week, that’s how!

I had the opportunity to teach one of the clubs a couple weeks ago.  One of the girls said she brings her friend each week who does not go to church otherwise.  I told her that Jesus was so happy for her being a missionary.  She looked at me strange.  I explained to her that she was helping her friend learn about Jesus and that makes her a missionary.  She just glowed the rest of the night knowing that she was helping make a difference in her friend’s life.

I could give many examples of children that are bringing their friends.  Some of those friends have never been in a church building before.  What a beautiful picture our children are painting in this dark world.  Many of us adults could learn a real lesson from them.

When is the last time you invited a coworker or a friend to church with you?  How about simply sharing how God has helped you through a tough time?  There are many ways to shine God’s light around this dark world, but you have to be willing to let His light shine through you.

Thank you to all that helped with Trunk-N-Treat.  I mean it from the bottom of my heart.  Thank you for being the light in this dark world.  Also, thank you parents for sharing your little missionaries with me throughout the week.  They are truly blessings….each and every one of them!

Becky

On March 3rd and 10th, I wrote articles sharing about how God desires to restore the First Commandment on the Earth.  I shared how He was using a group of farm cats to help me understand what this loving relationship should look like.  You can refer back to these articles to better understand this ongoing drama.

In this article, I would like to elaborate on the life of Angel our beloved cat. Since I last wrote, Angel is no longer a kitten.  She is the mother of two litters and the elder cat on the farm.  It is sad for me to report today that Angel has fallen spiritually. The kitten that once embodied the Great Commandments has now helped me see how Lucifer, Adam, Eve and all humanity have fallen from God’s original plan.

As Angel has grown, her character has changed from a gentle selfless kitten to a hard-nosed selfish cat. In the mornings, as we get her food, she seems to remain the “perfect angel” to us who nourish her. When we leave and other cats approach to eat with her the claws come out. Most of the other cats are afraid to come near until she’s done or leaves. Some of her own litter now don’t want anything to do with her and are recently leaving the farm.  We are convinced it is because of her attitude toward them. Prior to feeding time she hides this well. She doesn’t realize we see what is going on through the window.

We now see through Angel’s actions that being self centered eventually destroys a family.  How this self centeredness entered her heart we don’t know.  Could it have been like Satan who was in a position of authority in heaven, took his focus off God, and demanded others follow his ways?  Could it have been like Adam who was already so self-absorbed in the Garden that he failed to spiritually protect his wife from Satan?  Or could it have come the way it did through Eve whom didn’t understand God’s power in her life. She was led by Satan to believe she needed something more and out of fear took a temptation allowing pride to enter her heart.

I wonder if this is what has happened to Angel.  She began to look at herself and what she wanted or didn’t have then the fear of competing with others for it caused her present stance.  Instead of trusting us to take care of her she felt she needed something more and began to fend for herself. Whatever the motive, I now clearly see how self centeredness creates fear, pride, selfishness, and bitterness which all leads to the eventual breakdown of a family.

We have been pondering what to do. We have tried to patiently self-correct Angel but without success.  This can’t continue on or we will lose more cats and harmony on the farm.  I now see why God had to drive Adam and Eve out of the Garden.  It grieves me to say this, but we may need to drive Angel to another place. Her choices are giving us no other option. If we allow this to go on, the family will continue to dissolve.  Even my daughter Grace agrees. We wish she could see how her pride is dividing the family. Is Angel now too afraid or proud to see it?  I am at my final straw but Grace keeps convincing me to give her more time. Will she change her ways before destruction comes? The saga continues…

 Love is not proud.  Love is not self-seeking. (1 Cor 13: 4-5)  Pride goeth before destruction. (Pro 16:8)

Blessings in Christ,  Andy