2012
Wind
Last night we had very high winds. This morning, on my walk, the winds were still up to 40 mph. I remembered a Dr. (Oz?) who once said that we should exhale as much air in our lungs every so often and refill them with fresh air. After exhaling, a huge wind blew and filled me. Wonder if Pentecost was like that for the disciples? Fresh wind, fresh fire! - Pastor Mike
Simmer
I had to make my chili for the Converge Chili Contest but I knew that my weekend was busy. I asked Lynn's advice. She said, "Good chili needs to simmer for hours. Make it today and let it simmer, keep it in the fridge, and simply reheat it on Saturday". Sound advice for any problem you may have. Take it to God in prayer, and let it simmer for a season. -Pastor Mike
Dead Plant
So, how's that Poinsettia from this past Christmas doing? Probably as well as ours...dead plant in a pot. Mark 11 contains the story of the cursed fig tree. Even thought the tree was fully leafed and should have ben bearing fruit, it was barrren. How about you? Are you bearing fruit for God's kingdom? If not, time to begin budding! - Pastor Mike
Skunk in Front
On my early morning prayer walk, I often encounter deer, rabbits, opossum, raccoons, and the like. Today, less than 3 feet in front of me, sitting on the sidewalk, was a huge skunk. I froze in my tracks until it skurried away. How silly! Satan is out in front of us every day and often we don't even notice. Stay alert, in prayer, and in the Word. - Pastor Mike
Experiential Prayer
While preparing for the worship portion of Converge, I decided to focus my message on the listening portion of prayer. God is Love and Love listens patiently to us when we pray. We must also listen for God's voice in return. For Converge this week I have developed 5 experiential prayer stations. Use your 5 senses to "listen" to God the next time you pray. - Pastor Mike
Board Game
I mentor a 2nd grade boy who is a shy, non-verbal child. I sometimes wonder if I am getting through to him. Today, as we created a board game together, he had to talk (almost non-stop!) in order to describe how he wanted the game to be designed. Today, create a pathway for someone that you know, to be able to open up to you. - Pastor Mike
"Have we Met?" - God
Have you ever seen someone and thought that you knew them, but couldn't remember from where? Jesus said that unless we have a softened heart, are humble, and love God and humankind, then we are not in God's image. When Jesus comes again he will say, "Depart from me, I never knew you". It's time to get right with God! - Pastor Mike
Wind Sock
I was walking on Michigan Ave. when I saw a worn wind sock on the ground. At one time it proudly fluttered from someone's house. Now it appeared that it was useless. Kind of like us humans. Due to sin, we are tattered and dirty, but because we have a Savior, we are cleansed and raised from our old lives into a new, eternal life with Christ. Praise God! - Pastor Mike
Running on Empty
I met with a friend of mine to do a bit of pastoral counseling. He recently lost a 29 year old son to a drug overdose and his grandson was taken from his home and returned to the child's mother. He is just so empty and sad. I told him that like Job, he may feel like he has nothing left, but he does have God. And God is enough. - Pastor Mike
Meetings
Yesterday the Converge Young Adult Core Team got together. While we hammered out most everything without delay, one particular item could not be agreed upon. After some slightly heated debate, we realized that what we all had in common was the welfare of our program and the young adults who attend. Focus on what you have in common and leave the rest to God. -Pastor Mike
