“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations”. (Jeremiah 1:5)

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“For He chose us in Him before the world to be holy and blameless in His sight.” (Ephesians 1:4)

Two very profound statements about a person’s importance in God’s eyes are contained in these two verses. There’s plenty of others in both the Old and New Testaments that describe how God views and cherishes us as well as giving us purpose and value that stand out from things that perish. In my current study time which is camped out in 1 Peter I’m learning that because of my relationship with Christ I have an inheritance that “can never perish, spoil or fade.” Furthermore, my salvation cannot be destroyed; it was purchased (redeemed!) by the imperishable Christ’s blood shed on a cross. Talk about a WOW factor!

Today, my typical day to sit and write is Wednesday. It also happens to be my 72nd birthday. I honestly have a hard time assigning a larger number to my life with each passing birthday because even with a few aches and pains, reduction in complete flexibility of limbs at times my mind still thinks like a young adult. Celebrating another year of life–which is a true gift–also allows me to reflect back on my life. Many memories flood back, mostly very wonderful, others bittersweet.

Born as the last of three children to my parents, coming home to two older brothers, I rounded out the family they had dreamed of creating in the aftermath of World War II and the Korean Conflict which saw dad serving in the U.S. Navy. After living in their first house, land was purchased where dad built the family home I grew up in and upon completion in 1954 I took my first steps as a toddler.

My entry into our world was a whirlwind. I still smile as I remember hearing how mom told dad “it’s time…” and he didn’t fully believe her. His hesitancy to drive her to Saginaw General Hospital resulted in my arrival 13 minutes after getting there. It’s a screenplay my mom didn’t enjoy watching or experiencing over and over again but she wasn’t mean spirited about my birth event, merely sharing the reality she endured of a hard fast delivery!

My birthday–though very much a joyful event–was also bathed in sadness. I dmy arrival with the departure of an older cousin who lost her battle to polio. This is a disease myself and many other parents have not had to fear because of wonderful medical breakthroughs which gave us a vaccine. Thankfully, my uncle and aunt, who lost their oldest daughter, embraced me with incredible love and their home became a favorite place to spend summer days playing with my other two cousins who came along after their sister’s death.

My life also causes me to reflect on my origins. When the 23and Me DNA testing came along as a way to discover one’s ancestral roots, I sent for the kit. I’ve always been curious about who I am and where I came from. Well, my DNA revealed no great surprises. I’m mostly Northern European with a little bit of Irish and French sprinkled in. The research showed my origin back to the Balkans as far as the 1600s. From there my long gone ancestors’ journeys will forever remain a mystery until hearing how mom’s parents came to America in the early 1900s, their past lives shrouded in many unknowns, too. Dad’s folks have been traced back to the 1700s with names written in the Jewell Family Bible. Woven in the mysteries of their lives is one important thread–the brilliant color of Christian faith which began “somewhere” and was adopted with each subsequent generation on both sides of my family.

The world has changed immensely since November 5, 1953 to the one of 2025 as I sit here. I admit what I see and hear coming from news outlets doesn’t give me much hope in mankind–but God! Our world is broken. It has been since Adam and Eve ate forbidden fruit. But, God in His mercy, had a plan in place before He laid the foundations of the earth! We read in 1 Peter 1: 24 which quotes the prophet Isaiah: “All people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord endures forever”.

One day I will join my loved ones in heaven who have gone before me. But, for now, I will celebrate being 72 and living life covered in great love and affection from my Creator, Who knew me before He created all that we know and call our “world”. I’ll try to wrap my mind around the mystical and imperishable ways of God…smiling about how I “arrived” here while rejoicing about “where I’m headed” as I continue living wrapped in God’s abundant promises!

WHAT’S TUCKED AWAY IN YOUR PANTRY?

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“For the Lord takes delight in His people; He crowns the humble with victory”. (Psalm 149: 4)

I’ve been thinking a lot about pride and humility often the past several days, especially as I continue to take in current events around the globe and in our nation. It seems strife and evil are prevailing in countries far away and close to home, too. Thinking or dwelling on what headlines are telling me is overwhelming, yet I don’t want to ignore the seriousness of any upheavals. So, although I am only one person, I find solace in praying for peace, asking God to intervene to protect the innocents, and raising up leaders of nations who are willing to lead in humility versus pride fed by egos and selfish ambition. Honestly, I think that’s a very tall order to hope for but I know all things are possible with God. But, writing about the woes of our world isn’t my focal point today. Setting that aside I want to visit a sweet memory belonging to my Grandma Jewell who often exemplified humility .

Imagine that you’re living on a small family farm during the depression years and waste–especially regarding food–was something as a homemaker you gave careful attention to avoiding. Tending your garden of vegetables, nurturing berry bushes you grew or foraging in nearby woods, you created jams, jellies, canned vegetables in a root cellar. Jars of mincemeat lined shelves waiting to layer between pie crusts.  Maybe your family owned one or two cows for milking from which you churned your own butter from the luscious cream. You realized, however, that although pantry foods will help get you through another year feeding a growing family of 11 children, the cows may stop producing in harsh winter months, the barn too cold for them I’ve been told. Your source for butter has run out, causing you to find alternative spreads for morning toast or evening’s biscuits.

Dad told me years ago the family entertained a male guest one evening. He joined them for supper. I don’t remember what grandma served–probably chicken from one of the farm’s donors–vegetables from her pantry, potatoes from the root cellar and either homemade bread or biscuits. But she didn’t have any butter. She knew she had a huge bowl of pumpkin butter in the pantry, but she was too embarrassed to include it in the meal.

Polite dinner conversation filled her kitchen and as the evening progressed everyone began sharing memories and favorite things they liked. Lo and behold “Mr. Dinner Guest” declared “you know what I have missed for a LONG time?–pumpkin butter! Haven’t had it in years”. That’s all it took for a loving memory to push aside grandma’s fears and shame of not being able to offer her guest proper “butter”….dad said she stood up and in her well known sweet voice said “well, you just wait now, I’ll be right back”. She returned with her huge bowl of homemade pumpkin butter and set it smack dab in front of her house guest, beaming with joy as fearful pride faded from her spirit, now turned into a gesture of humility, giving way to delight this man’s tastebud memory!

I’m pretty sure the pumpkin she used to make the butter came from her own garden patch or maybe from a neighbor. It doesn’t really matter. Her ability to make the spread came from years of being frugal and creativity preparing meals for the family. The bounty she was able to collect from foraging, growing, and collecting were covered in prayers, too,  that often lasted into nighttime hours when her family was fast asleep.

I’ve never made pumpkin butter but I think I’ll give it a try. The ingredients aren’t too difficult to gather. I won’t have to forage for them. I actually have pumpkin in my freezer that I cooked and froze last fall. When I get around to making a batch, I will imagine my grandmother making hers–did she still have her wood stove at the time of this story? Did she save the seeds from the fruit of her pumpkins and roast them? Something tells me she did. Because grandma didn’t waste anything that could feed her family…or an evening houseguest the Lord knew she needed for reassurance there’s no shame when the cows aren’t producing the milk you rely on for regular butter.

TAKE OUT THE TRASH!

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My husband and I have been watching an older series on television written and produced to showcase individuals who have adopted living a “hoarder” lifestyle. If you’re not familiar with the term it basically means folks who have created stockpiles of stuff either in their yards or inside homes. In most cases, any space on their property has become a place to stash and store their possessions. There’s a variety of styles that are used to accumulate the “stuff”…there’s the people who pick through someone else’s junk on trash day, purchases of new merchandise at stores or a thrift shop, an inability to throw out old items including daily common trash created from cooking meals, etc. Some of the episodes we’ve watched have revealed some pretty disgusting living conditions pertaining to rodent and insect infestation, unusable bathroom facilities, rotting floors, walls and ceilings from lack of proper maintenance.

As a viewer who is outside the situation it’s been easy to get frustrated and angry trying to comprehend how a person can get swallowed up by a hoarding lifestyle. My own frustrations are often echoed by family members, therapists and cleanup crews who are brought in to help a homeowner declutter property and home in order to rebuild habits that lead to a new healthy living environment. Usually the allotted time devoted to each project is 3-4 days, all intense work as rooms are unpacked, sorted for trash or possible donations.

We watch as the “hoarder” begins the cleanup journey with 100% enthusiasm, fully cooperating as their “treasures” begin to get packed, tossed into trash bags which pile up dumpster after dumpster. I think the worst case I’ve watched so far is that of an elderly woman who lived in a mansion and I kid you not–every room was packed full of stuff she had collected. Some of it began as a home business as an interior decorator but over time a shift in her brain caused a need to buy, buy some more, and never throw anything away.

We’ve also noted that in each person’s life chronicled in this series, some form of trauma in their life altered their behavior. Folks with normal common sense for daily living slowly adopted over buying, over keeping, not cleaning their home with regular routines only to find themselves surrounded, held captive in mountains of “stuff”. Sadly, their mental health challenge blinded them from unhealthy living conditions until an intervention was initiated by family and friends. By day 2 or 3 of the cleanup, cooperation is usually exchanged for denial, anger, and bartering to keep useless “stuff”. It’s sad.

As I’ve watched each episode I’ve witnessed how a therapist works with the “hoarder” to find the source of trauma, address it, and begin to gently admonish and teach new thought patterns to change their brains. I’m not sure if anything is scripted or if what we’re watching is pure raw conversations, but it’s very enlightening how trauma or believing a lie causes hoarding behavior in people.

Likewise, in the Body of Christ–those of us who follow Christ and meet together weekly in our church settings–bring a vast variety of hurts and habits with us. Together, we’re a hot mess. Some of our behavior was our own fault, others fall into the category of “sin against us”. In either case, Christ offers hope.

 “The one who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.” (1 John 3:8)

Furthermore, in Mark we read more about why Christ came: “ When Jesus heard this, he told them, “It is not those who are well who need a doctor, but those who are sick. I didn’t come to call the righteous, but sinners.”. (Mark 2:17)

In our ministry at Celebrate Recovery we deal with hurts, habits and hangups. We come alongside men and women who have lived lives filled with trauma. Unlike a TV program produced for educating and exposing a person’s hoarding lifestyle, we minister with Christ’s love and scriptures to reset brain patterns, launch healthy spiritual growth, and “cleanup” emotional baggage that has held people captive instead of living a life of freedom available through Christ. Unfortunately, the work in Celebrate Recovery is not limited to 3-4 days, but rather can take a lifetime of consistent hard work laying aside stinkin’ thinkin’ and giving full surrender to Jesus Christ as the only higher power to bring change, renewal, and hope!

So, does your life reflect that of a hoarder? Is there a deep hurt or a nasty habit holding you captive? At Celebrate Recovery we’d love to introduce the 12 step process that unlocks the door to your cell. We meet every Tuesday, 7 pm at Fowlerville United Brethren in Christ Church. For more information, call 517.223.9490.

What do you have to lose if you step out of your misery to seek a better way? Probably tons of unwanted “stuff”! 

PUMPKIN SPICE OR APPLE?

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Ah, the arrival of October, and with it panoramas of leaves changing color before falling to the ground as their annual life cycle enters winter’s rest…temperatures begin to cool as we say goodbye to long days under sunshine…football and soccer games highlight our weekends…and a favorite of mine–trips to orchards to purchase apples!

The beauty of fall also has birthed a lighthearted debate popular on social medial–are you a “pumpkin spice or apple kind of person?” Billboards for our prime coffee shops lure us with extravagant flavors that reflect our love for “everything pumpkin, apple, etc.” Recently I saw a billboard featuring a new beverage with maple syrup as part of the mixings. Yum. Now there’s a third flavor in the competition!

So, which flavor is your “go-to”? If I had to choose one–pumpkin or apple–I honestly could not. I asked this poll question in a group of children and adults in church and to my delight several folks answered “it depends on what we’re talking about”, meaning is it in a beverage? A bread? A pie? That’s my position, too. If it’s a beverage, I lean towards pumpkin spice. If it’s a pie, I prefer homemade apple. Both satisfy my taste buds as I enjoy the bounty of fall harvests.

“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him.” (Psalm 34: 8) 

Blessed. It’s a common word used in Judeo Christian conversations. I learned this past week that the Hebrew word for “blessed” expands to mean “divine favor” and “joy fulfilled”. These gifts come from a divine being who is God. For the Jews He is the God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob. For Christians He is the triune God–God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. 

“The one” who is blessed are those “who take refuge in Him”. By refuge the psalmist means “a shelter or place of protection”. Seeking refuge creates images in my mind as a need to run from stormy circumstances to find a safe place until trouble passes.

We all face trouble in our lives, some more harsh than others. What’s beautiful about God is no matter what we are facing, He offers us a safe place in the shelter of His arms…under the shadow of His wings. A common Psalm–number 23–is one often read at funerals for our loved ones. Simply put, this psalm tells us that God cares for us, He meets our needs ahead of time, and we can find quiet rest in His arms. 

Pumpkin spice or apple. Restlessness or rest. Worry or confidence. These and more are worthwhile choices to ponder. Life is full of choices–some that are fun and create light memories–while others more serious decide the path we will follow. I think that Psalm 1 gives us important insight as to which path God desires for us: “Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.”

Do you need to know more about God? I’m always available to chat with you about a relationship with Him. You can email me at celebraterecovery@gmail.com. We can chat over anything pumpkin spice or apple….your choice, I’ll buy. 

WHY FORGIVE?

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Forgiveness.

Forgiveness is central to the biblical message, promoting reconciliation, compassion, and the transformative power of God’s grace. The Bible emphasizes forgiveness as a fundamental aspect of Christian faith. In both the Old and New Testaments, God is portrayed as merciful and forgiving, encouraging believers to seek forgiveness and extend it to others. In the New Testament, Jesus Christ teaches the importance of forgiving others, as seen in the Lord’s Prayer, where believers ask for forgiveness as they forgive those who trespass against them. 

So, why forgive? I found good responses to this question at biblehub.com.

  • Forgiving relinquishes negative feelings, gives room to replace with compassion and goodwill
  • Is essential in our relationship with God
  • Mirrors God’s character
  • Jesus endured grave injustice yet chose a path of grace
  • Forgiveness offers healing and restoration
  • Gives liberation from bitterness
  • Is obedience to divine command

While thousands of people watched the memorial service for Charlie Kirk, all eyes and ears were on his lovely wife Erika as she made her way to the podium, taking her place in front of watchful and discerning hearts blazing with questions, one in particular I imagine–”will she forgive the young man who murdered her husband?” Surely, as a woman made a widow in a few sharp seconds along with becoming a single mother to two young children, she had every right to embrace anger and wear it as a badge. But, in what has now become the focus of conversations and social media posts, Erika forgave. Why did she and how was she able to do so soon after her husband’s unjust murder? She did so with Christ’s example, His strength, His command.

If anyone knew the horrible effects of injustice it was Christ Himself. Tried in unfair circumstances He soon was mocked, tortured, and put to death in horrific and humiliation on a Roman cross. Yet, in His humility, sacrifice, and purpose, He asked His Father to forgive the very ones responsible for all that He endured.

Corrie Ten Boom writes of a time she was faced with whether to offer forgiveness. She and her sister–Dutch Christians–were imprisoned by the Nazis for aiding and assisting Jews during World War II. Sister Betsy eventually died while in captivity, causing Corrie to become very embittered toward the German soldiers, one in particular who was their overseer. Years after her release and returning to life, she describes being at a function where from across the room she recognized a man. Every negative emotion known to man rose up inside her as she continued looking at him. But something changed as she contemplated her situation. She knew in her spirit that God was telling her to forgive him. I don’t recall her exact words as she approached him (I read her book years ago) but I do remember that “when” she began to offer her forgiveness, and was able to engage with him in conversion, in turn he had opportunity to “ask” for her forgiveness because he had become a Christian and understood the effects of his past sins. In their example, it’s clear that by relinquishing their anger, compassion and goodwill indeed triumphed over evil.

Personally, I’ve had my own numerous challenges where it’s been necessary to forgive someone who has wronged me or a loved one. Some of my forgiving has been done with kicking and screaming much like a toddler throwing a tantrum. Others have come easier. Both are blanketed with the comfort knowing I’m striving to keep my relationship with God authentic for the benefit of myself and anyone “watching” my walk of faith.

Forgiveness is a very broad topic and one worthy of teaching, bringing understanding to the body of Christ. It’s a key component of Judeo Christian theology and often misunderstood by those living under secular influences. It’s powerful and it’s mysterious when put into practice. It’s necessary as we all encounter injustice, being hurt emotionally, spiritually, or physically. No, forgiving is not easy, but receive hope in this–choosing to forgive as an act of obedience keeps you in a right relationship with God. The one who hurt you is now released to God’s care for their own redemptive work. And while you may not “feel” completely joyful or happy once you’ve offered forgiveness, your emotions will soon change and catch up to your obedient heart.

How do I know this? As I’ve said, I’ve had to live out this command of obedience more times than I anticipated, but God was and continues to be faithful, rewarding me with a vibrant relationship with Him.

“Forgiveness is setting the prisoner free, only to find out that the prisoner was me” (corrie Ten Boom)

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DANGERS OF LOSS & FALSE TEACHING

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In recent weeks, due to a broken cabinet in our kitchen cupboards, I needed to rearrange the majority of my baking goods. This meant cleaning out a larger closet in our dining area to accommodate moving my items to a new home. If completing that task wasn’t enough I found myself in “give a mouse a cookie mode” and continued cleaning and purging other cabinets in the kitchen. One such shelving area is where I keep my variety of spices. Included with those spices is my collection of salt varieties. I counted that I have five different salts: Baja, Pink Himalayan, Kosher, Course Sea Salt and Fine Sea Salt. 

Did you know that salt is mined globally? It’s found in underground rock salt beds, evaporated sea water from salt flats and coastal salt pans. The United States has key mining sites from Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Texas, and Utah.

Salt has been a world commodity for centuries. It was used for preserving foods, adding flavor, and as a means of payment. Ancient people knew the value and significance of salt’s benefits in daily life, therefore it came as no surprise when Jesus referred to God’s people as being the “salt of the earth” in His sermon on the mount. Matthew recorded His words found in Chapter 5, verse 13: “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot”.

I don’t know about you, but as a Christ follower I don’t want to run the risk of losing my effectiveness as a Christian witness, to be considered as “no longer good for anything” or something to be thrown out or trampled upon. When cleaning out my pantry items, there was stuff that had lost its quality, or I was no longer interested in keeping it, so in the trash bin it went.  When I look and listen to what’s happening in our world, in our communities, and in some of our churches, I dare say that many Christians and even some of our churches, have lost their saltiness. 

I’ve watched and witnessed good individuals being slowly caught up in what’s now defined as Progressive Christianity. Not sure what this is? Take some time to do an online search to discover how it’s defined. Its tenets sound very good at first glance, but with deeper reading and digging behind pretty words, evidence of swaying from biblical truths to embrace humanistic teachings surface and challenge its validity of being biblically sound. I think this erosion from truth is why we’ve seen an increase in Christian apologetics across social media etc. to counteract lies against the tenets of Christian theology. Individuals such as the late Charlie Kirk and Ravi Zacharias, were eloquent in explaining many topics covered in scripture for our role as sincere Christians. Others whom i enjoy learning from include Alisa Childers, Del Tackett, the teaching staff from “Walking the Text”, Lee Strobel, Josh McDowell, Hugh Ross, R.C. Sproul.

By no means am I an apologetic, however, I value and trust these strong knowledgeable individuals. Lee Strobel is a former atheist. Hugh Ross is an astrophysicist (he uses BIG words sometimes but is fascinating!) The others all have their rightful individual styles but are amazing at bringing the bible alive for today’s Christ followers, which is vitally important as we live in times where many people are following their own sinful hearts versus seeking to live under the commands and guidance from God’s plan of salvation and Christian living. 

Cleaning a kitchen cabinet is really a very simple task that doesn’t hurt anything or anyone other than tossing out unwanted stuff. Teaching and leading people astray with false teachings based on humanistic doctrines is very serious and will not go unpunished from God when He deems so.  Matthew is also credited with describing falling trap to false prophets. In verse 15 of Chapter 7 we read “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves”.  In 2 Peter 2: 1-3 we read that false prophets come secretly with destructive heresies, deny the Lord, and exploit people with deceptive words.  And this in 2 Timothy 4: 3-4: “For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.”

There are varieties of salt and each has its purpose. There are different approaches to interpreting and teaching God’s Word. You and I have the responsibility to “test” what’s being taught, to “test” the fruit of the teacher, and to discern if we are being infiltrated by a wolf in sheep’s clothing.

HANDIWORK & GOOD WORKS, AUTHORED BY GOD

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“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2: 10)

If you’ve ever planned to host an event or family dinner of any size, you know that a lot of planning and preparation begins before the actual celebration day arrives. There’s food to be purchased and prepared. Appropriate decorations are also bought and put together to help create a festive atmosphere. If your event is being held in your home, most likely a deep clean of every room will be performed so your guests–and you–feel confident in your cleanliness and attention to detail. 

I remember when I was about 7 years old my oldest brother David was being confirmed in our Lutheran faith. Close family members were invited in advance to attend the service if so inclined but certainly to join us for dinner Sunday afternoon. On Saturday, my mom’s sister Emma came to help her prepare food, get out dishes used for special occasions. I don’t remember being of much help that day at my young age other than being an observer as mom and Aunt Emma talked out plans and worked together making side dishes to go with ham, the chosen meat to feed more than our usual family of five. Mom and her sister spent a great portion of Saturday in preparation, not sitting down until everything on her “to-do list” was checked off as “done”.

The Apostle Paul is considered to be the author of the book of Ephesians. This verse was a highlight of my reading this week. As often is my practice when reading scripture, I look for a word or several in fact, that jump off the page at me. Here, I marveled noticing we are God’s “handiwork”…you and I were created to “do good works”…and if that’s not crazy enough, God “prepared” our good works in advance!  So, how do we respond to these simple yet profound truths?

Because we are handcrafted, formed by God, I believe you and I should accept who we are, that our identity is rooted in His image along with purpose.

Because we have good works prepared for us to do, it is worthy to pursue searching out to discover our gifts and talents, honing them to be sharpened tools and accessories that help us accomplish tasks and achieve goals.

Recently my 75 year old brother Mark traveled to North Carolina with a team of peers in his age range to work with Samaritan’s Purse doing more work rebuilding homes after Hurricane Helene. It was his second such trip. I’ve pondered his ability to go. I’ve chuckled at him saying “ya, us old guys can work circles around the younger ones”. He, and his friends who were on the trip, all have craftsmanship abilities to handle chainsaws, woodworking tools, continued strength in arms and legs for heavy lifting, passion and drive to serve devastated families as they each honor God using the very gifts He gave them. If these guys are much like my brother, their interest in learning skills began in childhood and with each passing year of maturity, deeper attention to mastering construction work was gained.

I never tire discovering in scripture how special God made me and that I have beauty and purpose in Him. Until I came into a relationship with Him 40 plus years ago, I confess I was merely an “observer”. Much like my 7 year old self watching mom and Aunt Emma move around our home’s kitchen I had fallen into a trap of merely going through the motions of church attendance, participating in programs and choir, until the reality of my need for a sincere relationship with Christ fell heavily into my soul. Having gained that relationship and with it a hunger and thirst to know Christ deeply, I also believe “purpose” and “good works” waiting for me to discover and hone were awakened. It’s been an exciting 40 year journey chasing God’s written dreams and purpose!

Lessons I observed watching mom and Aunt Emma have not been wasted nor alll the times my brother Mark had his bike laying in a heap of parts was not in vain; his curiosity to see how something was made taught him how to rebuild and reassemble. Working with his hands took him to a career of welding–later teaching this valuable trade. He also built his own home, with some assistance from our dad who I might add was well into his 60s at the time!

Mark will be returning to North Carolina next year. I’ll continue reading, studying, writing in my journals and for my blog site. Both of us will be a little older with passing days that eventually turn into another year. Though he, I, and you too will slow down physically–the inevitable of our aging process–we need not give up celebrating our creativity and purpose given to us by God!

As a close friend of ours once pointed out to me “nowhere in the Bible does it say we ‘get’ to retire”. God has given you and me purpose. He’s written job descriptions for each one of us. The blueprints for our lives are sealed by His stamp of craftsmanship. May we each spread out the blueprints with our name highlighted in the an upper corner and “get to work”!

CONTRAST IN PURPOSE

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Squatters rights.

In the past week our front porch has been taken over by an orb weaver spider. It took the sun shining out of the west for us to see his intricate web that spans the corner of the porch roof on a diagonal to a location on the storm door. In between suspension threads is his beautiful web where moths, flies, and other tiny insects have become trapped providing him with a country buffet. 

We didn’t know what kind of spider our new resident was until I snapped a picture of him and used an app on my phone to identify him. Sure enough, he’s an orb weaver. He’s rather scary in appearance with fuzzy legs and a large abdomen. His movements are graceful yet quick when dinner gets stuck to one of his strands. Curious to know more about our orb, I looked online to discover that an orb’s routine is leaving the web at dawn to hide close by during daylight hours to avoid being someone’s tasty meal, returning to his sticky home at dusk. Sure enough, I tested the science behind this fact and I’ve observed proof of his coming and going. Quite simply, our “Orbie” as I’ve christened him is living out his purpose.

Last week, a man I admired greatly was cut short of fulfilling his purpose. On Wednesday, Sept. 10, as I sat in our living room relaxing, a notification popped up on my phone that Charlie Kirk had been shot. I turned on live news and followed the next few hours up to our President announcing Charlie’s death. I felt like all the air had been sucked from my lungs as tears streamed down my cheeks. In the days of aftermath that have passed since his death, my emotions have been racing, sometimes with fear, anger, deep sorrow, and more anger. In the midst of all that I felt last week–and continue to experience–I have turned to the only source that never fails me–God and scripture. In Him and in the written word I have found renewed hope, peace, comfort, and an ability to begin comprehending again how evil fits into the world as I know it.

What I loved about Charlie was his keen ability to host events on large college campuses and converse with anyone, asking probing questions, giving his answers to a broad range of topics based on scripture and years of reading and understanding history. I’m not naive to believe everyone who challenged or conversed with Charlie liked him. On the contrary, he allowed opposers to speak their opinions, too, which is called “debate”. As much as I think Charlie was a good “debater” in essence he was more of an apologist for the gospel of Christ, quick and able to defend Judeo-Christian values that originated in the God of the Israelites, the One who created the world and made man in His own image and gave men and women purpose.

Charlie’s gone. His unique purpose has been killed with his unfortunate death at the age 31. Yet, his legacy continues and has ignited a passion in young people to pick up his torch to continue bringing Judeo-Christian values to all people, especially our younger generation. As a Christ follower, THIS is what also has helped my emotions and mournful spirit return to renewed hope for the future to come.

When I sat down to write, I wanted to know why three major universities in America were established. Using my search engine I typed “was Harvard established to train clergy?” “Was Yale established to train clergy?” “Was Princeton established to train clergy?” The answer is “yes”. Obviously–and I won’t take time to expand in this writing–all three universities have expanded their curriculum to produce other degrees, however, I wonder how many of us know the origin of their purpose? I’m certain Charlie knew, and I think that’s why he purposefully chose to host his events on college grounds, to engage and get young students to learn how to think, not fall into traps of being “told” what to think and what NOT to believe, especially in Judeo-Christian teachings or conservative values.

I really don’t want to compare Charlie with our orb weaver, but I think it’s fair to weigh in how God gives purpose to every person and every creature. I admired how Charlie emphasized that every person is created in God’s image regardless of male or female, color of skin, economic status etc. I am intrigued how God placed survival instinct in our “Orbie”. I embrace how God established marriage between a man and a woman, giving children as a blessing to the family home, creating a safe landing place at the end of a long day of work. 

Charlie will no longer return home after a week on the road doing what he believed was his purpose. His wife and children will no longer hug the man they looked to for protection, spiritual guidance, and love from husband and dad.  If his death isn’t enough for me to endure, the reality of his absence from their lives gives me deeper pain. I take comfort that he’s been united in heaven with our God whom he served well. I’m watching and listening now as more and more young people who loved Charlie and want balance in education, life, careers, and spiritual growth are speaking out in his defense and making plans to continue bringing the gospel of Christ to our nation and world. Once again, I’m not naive enough to comprehend that their efforts will  not be met with more evil threats, accusations, and violence. So, I think, too,  of Stephen, who’s considered as the first martyr for the Christian faith,  stoned to death when he stood up in opposition to the religious leaders of his day. You can read the account in Chapter 7 in the Book of Acts where he gave a detailed eloquent sermon spouting historical facts from Jewish history which invoked anger in the established teachers of the law. 

I don’t know what heaven is like. I have spent hours daydreaming about its majesty and Jesus being there as Light. I don’t know exactly how or what we look like when we get there, but if I were allowed to further imagine, I’d dare say that Stephen and Charlie have met. Both arrived at different times in history, together they are sharing in the glory of Christ’s presence and worshiping the One they loved, served and paid an ultimate price–preaching the truth of Who God is and what He desires and commands from mankind.

I know that Stephen and Charlie are at peace. I’m finding peace again and I pray that you reading my heartfelt thoughts about a great tragedy find peace, joy, and comfort, too. Though I would say that’s what I desire for you, my wish is that above anything I could say, please find hope, peace, and comfort from God. And, find your purpose. When you do, stay true to its course, and don’t let anything or anyone sway you from it. 

SEPTEMBER IS NATIONAL RECOVERY MONTH

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September is the month that recognizes “recovery”. What does this mean? Quite simply, statistics show that last year alone over 20 million people endured some form of addiction in one form or another, as well as navigating the effects of living with mental health issues. Human sufferings are nothing new, yet for far too long many people have lived trying to hide addictions, mental stress, etc. while feeling that in their isolation they are alone, that no one knows or cares about the situation, or worse–there’s no hope. Living in a state of feeling trapped or isolated from loved ones is a bag of lies. That’s why I’m glad that someone somewhere declared the month of September to recognize struggles and bring awareness to those things that weigh people down. This awareness has been in effect for about 30 years.

I typed in my search engine “September is Recovery Awareness Month” and numerous sites popped up with great information that spells out the background of behaviors that lead individuals into unhealthy choices that affect minds and bodies. Quite honestly, help is available by numerous organizations in communities. The burden of finding help lies upon the one who is affected and willing to seek assistance. One of the best gems I know of personally that offers hope and freedom is Celebrate Recovery. Sometimes I think our ministry is the best kept secret in our county, when actually the opposite is our desire–to see men and women come into recovery to change lives that overflow into bettering the health of relationships, the family, the workplace, and inside church walls.

Livingston County has four Celebrate Recovery locations with Stockbridge as a nearby neighbor in Ingham County. Fowlerville and Pinckney groups meet on Tuesday evenings, The Naz in Brighton hosts on Mondays, Cornerstone Church in Brighton meets on Thursdays as well as Crossroads Church in Stockbridge that same night. All meetings are free and offer a safe environment for those who attend. Attention to safety and confidentiality for each attendee is of utmost importance to the success of Celebrate Recovery ministries which will celebrate 35 years of existence in 2026.

In Jesus’ own words that are recorded in John 10:10 He said “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

Who is this thief? He is our adversary, satan, and his only role is destroying God’s people. He does his work with a lot of tools in his belt: pride, anger, lust, gambling, strife, greed, substance abuse, lying, cheating, gluttony, addictions,  laziness…the list of negative hammers trying to pound out everything that is good from God for us is loud, persistent, and often continuous until a person falls prey to his tactics, living in a state of no hope or despair.

We need not go far to see people who are consumed with partying too hard under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Visit a casino and witness people glued to chairs trying to make a big hit on a jackpot. Or, dine at a restaurant buffet and watch how many plates are refilled beyond what a body actually needs to be properly fed. Drive on our roads and experience road rage. Work alongside folks who irritate you and try to maintain composure when someone ticks you off.  Attend a sporting event and witness those who take the game a bit too seriously, yelling and screaming at coaches or players. Turn on news clips and hear how our leaders treat one another when disagreements on policy arise. No, we don’t need to look very far from our own homes to find dysfunction. But, the good news is we as individuals, families, and communities do not have to live like slaves to satan’s tactics because in Christ there is hope! There is healing! There is freedom! Yet–another “but here”–the latter things do not come without first surrendering our hurts and habits to the power of God and a willingness to change. In Celebrate Recovery we call that process “coming out of denial” and realizing that we are powerless to change, we aren’t God and only He can help us work on leaving destructive lives on a trash pile that is recycled to build new and healthy habits, even restoring relationships that formerly appeared hopeless to become stable.

You and I weren’t created to be people living under yokes of slavery caused by any negative behavior or habit that satan throws at us. On the contrary, you and I were created in the image of God which is all that is good, worthy, loved and valued. Exchanging deep habits or wounds is hard work, it’s not as easy as swapping out coins for currency bills at a bank, but the end results are worth more than silver or gold. Every person has something they struggle with; every person can find alternative ways to cope with those struggles. The choice is 1) will you cope with something that leaves you sick and tired or 2) will you cope with something that speaks of healing, freedom and healing.

I can’t think of a better scripture which highlights part of Jesus’ job description (as if He had one!) than Isaiah 61:1 “The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners….”

Do you need some good news? Are you brokenhearted?  Do you feel like a captive by your own devices? Are you living under a cloak of darkness?

Recovery is possible. Recovery is in our community. Recovery is found in Jesus Christ.

Will you step out of denial? Will you exchange pride for humility? Are you willing to set a new course for yourself and your family?

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If you’d like more information about Celebrate Recovery, please call me at 517.223.9490. It’s the number of my church. Your message will be given to me and I or one of our leaders will call you.

A WAGON’S JOURNEY TO GREAT PURPOSE

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Recently, I wrote about my dad’s childhood memory from the farm, where my grandpa didn’t throw anything away. In the 30s old and broken things weren’t tossed out, burned or trashed. No, the pile next to the barn was most likely an original “recycling” concept born out of necessity and never wasting anything “if” it could become part of something “new”. Dad and his brothers were allowed to glean what they needed to build sleds, skis, and wagons.

Today I’m smiling as I can still hear my dad’s voice describing to those fond memories from his childhood, crafting and building outside toys to enhance an otherwise poverty stricken life during the depression years. Now, as I look back on that experience of his, I can see how God used dad’s woodworking abilities during his more mature years to still craft and create wagons–only now he could well afford to use new materials–complete with well skilled talent honed from trial and error, along with good tools.

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose”. 

This verse is used often to describe how the hardships of believers intertwine with God’s plan to bring good out of something bad. I’m one who certainly has adopted this explanation when seeking to understand complexities of life’s circumstances. Such was the case when years ago my mother underwent major surgery for cancer, which at that time necessitated a radical mastectomy.  On the day of her surgery I accompanied dad to the hospital. Lunchtime happened to roll around while she was still in recovery so we got on the elevator to go to the cafeteria. Conversation was limited. Quietness and concern filled the air as we rode down three floor levels. Our “car” stopped, the doors opened to allow other folks to join us. We had stopped at the pediatrics floor, where a young child was being transported in a very large bed, rails and pillows that seemed to overwhelm his small body.

We got to our lunch table. Dad broke our silence by saying “I can’t get that little guy in that big bed out of my head. Doesn’t seem very fun or comforting to be carted around in such a thing”. He had an idea. “Hey,” he said to me in almost the form of a question. “Let’s go back to that floor. I want to talk to a nurse”.

Now, with a sense of renewed purpose and hope, dad did speak to a nurse. He asked if he could donate a hand built wagon to be used to move the kids around the floor. “Absolutely!” 

We got back on the elevator to return to mom’s floor. The atmosphere between us had changed. Purpose, hope and generosity for others had replaced any heaviness our hearts had carried before lunchtime. Dad’s demeanor had changed. Quietly, he said to me, “I suppose it was no coincidence we stopped at the ped’s floor, for me to see how I could help kids have a little bit better time while in the hospital”.

“No”, I responded. “Dad, God knew those kids would love a wagon. And He knew who He could trust to provide one”.

You see, I don’t know how many “rough” wagons dad may have assembled in his young years on the family farm. I do know that in the 90’s when our son was a youngster, dad designed a wagon, actually got a patent for his design which is called “The Dan Wagon”, built one for our Daniel, and used those plans to assemble one for Covenant Hospital.

I don’t know if the hospital’s wagon is still being used or not. Our own “Dan Wagon” is worn looking from numerous trips down our driveway’s slight slope, just enough of an angle to delight its rider. I know that childhood attempts to make a useful toy from junkpile bounty later transformed into beautiful new creations using pristine materials.

And isn’t that what God does with us when we come to Him for salvation?  “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Corinthians 5: 17)  No matter the size of junk in our lives, or the depth of our sinful habits, true repentance creates something “new”, meaningful, and with great purpose!

Just like a small wood wagon with bright shiny tires and side rails to protect its occupant. All that is needed is that “SOMEONE” who has the ability to see a pile of junk and think to HIMSELF ….”Hmmm, wonder what I can fashion out of this and make it into something grand!”