REUNIONS

Over a three week period I have two different reunions with different brothers and sisters in Christ. The first is with a congregation where we spent 16 years, first as the campus evangelist and then as a community evangelist where I also shared the weekly preaching duties. The second reunion is with the campus ministry where I became a Christian and met Holly. This campus ministry is a very special place for Holly and me. Unfortunately this reunion is in Texas so we will not be able to travel to that one. The first reunion is in Champaign, Illinois, where I am right now as I write.

Reunions are great for connecting and reconnecting. Catching up with someone you haven’t seen for a while, who maybe you don’t even recognize because (unlike you) they have gotten much older! But you reconnect again. And it’s just like it was yesterday because the years and experiences you have shared have bonded you together forever. And even though you hurry to catch up on the present, you can’t help but talk about the past. These past experiences, both good and bad, are what created this strong and lasting friendship. Just driving into the community of Champaign-Urbana, brings back so many memories of our time raising our family here. It sort of reminds us of where we came from and who we are.

Each week when we come together as the Body of Christ, it is a mini-reunion of sorts. We see people who we may have not talked with during the week and we greet them with a warm hug. Just walking through the church building doors should instill in us a feeling of coming home. Maybe it’s been a tough week and you feel crushed by the world and you just need to get to the place where you feel safe and loved. Even though it’s only been a week, there is so much to talk about! Share those things with each other--the good things and the bad--and encourage each other. That’s one of the reasons we are told to meet together in the first place. See Hebrews 10:25.

Another reason we come together is to remind us of where we came from and Whose we are. First Corinthians 11:26 “For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.” When we share in the Lord’s Supper together, we are reminded of what Jesus did to make us free from the slavery of sin. It reminds us that we are no longer a servant to sin. It challenges us to live as servants of God on this earth until that day we will join Him heaven. Now that will be a reunion I don’t want to miss!

Reuniting,

Randy

Walking Around

I like to walk. Not sure if it is just in my nature or if it developed because my dad used to walk a lot and I would go on walks with him. My legs were somewhat shorter than his and with the pace he kept, at times it was more of a run than a walk for me. Regardless, this activity has carried over to my adult life. If I need to take a beak or to clear my head, I go for a walk.

Having one of those moments come up while I was at the church building this week pushed me out the door and I walked around the property the body here owns. It is quite a good piece of land. As I walked around it, I envisioned what has taken place here in the past and thought ahead to what could take place here in the future.

And I started to DREAM!

That is the first step of us as a body going forward, dreaming about what God can accomplish through us. I encourage you to dream about the body here and what God can accomplish through this "called out" group of people who come together at 21860 Pontiac Trail in South Lyon, Michigan.

Then you have to DO!

That can be the hard part. We want things done. We have a vision, a dream of what can happen, but why won't they do it? Maybe because the manpower to do it is you. Roll up the sleeves, and get someone to help you do it. It may be doing something physical around the building or visiting someone outside of our property. Grab someone and do it. Your dream may be more along the line of a spiritual dream or outreach to others. Grab someone, pray together and then do it. Notice the common theme. . . do.

And we have to stay DEVOTED!

This can be even harder than the doing. We are excited at first when we undertake something. But time, energy, and others who may be faultfinders just take the wind out of your sails and before you know it, the dream falls by the wayside and you just stop doing. Don’t let that happen! Stay devoted, get someone to pray about it with you, to hold you accountable when you want to give up.

So what are you going to dream about? That person who you know who has never come to services? That project you think will encourage others at the building? Maybe it is putting together a committee to see who hasn’t been around lately and visiting them or making cards to send them. Possibly a phone call or a visit with cookies in hand.

I don’t know what your dream is for what God has given us here, but don’t let it die, and don’t put it off on someone else to do it. Do it. Surround yourself with brothers and sisters to encourage you as you go forward, or to help you. Both will help you stay devoted when it gets hard or Satan tries to talk you out of it.

Enjoying my walks,

Randy

What Do We Do With Halloween?

First of all, I want to state that this is an opinion. This is my view and how I see things. You may agree with this view or you may see things differently, either of these is okay. We aren’t always going to see eye to eye on everything and that is fine. Our background, our make-up, and our current situation all play a large role in how we view things. And mine may be different than yours.

The first thing I want to note is a change I’ve seen over the years. The change is in the commercialism of the day. I remember distinctly, when we moved back from Canada in the late 90’s how the number of outside Halloween decorations had exploded! From some cardboard pumpkins and skeletons attached with tape to the inside of a window, to massive blow up yard objects and strings of light and cobwebs. A second thing I observed was that it seemed Halloween had turned into another drinking holiday for adults as opposed to just kids eating too much candy. I understand that when you live in a capitalistic society these changes are going to occur.

Those seem to all be worldly aspects of this day, but what about the spiritual? I don’t believe Romans 14:5-6 fits here, because it is not a day of celebration to God. Christmas or Easter would seem to fall more under this umbrella as days that have become days to celebrate Jesus. Some would argue that Ephesians 4:26-27 would fit here as a reason to avoid recognizing this day. Though the context of this passage extends far beyond the focus of this one day. We are told that there is a spiritual battle going on (Ephesians 6:27), but focusing it solely on a single day seems like a similar view of highlighting Christmas and Easter. So, focusing on the spiritual battle is an important aspect of our walk through the physical of this world.

So, what are we to do? What do I do? Two passages come to mind. First is Romans 14:7-9 as we continue reading from the above passage--I live my life for Christ. When you combine that with what Paul says in 1Corinthians 9:19, about wanting to win as many as possible, it seems pretty clear. Paul seems wishy washy. To those embracing Halloween, he seems to be for embracing it. For those opposed to it, he seems to be opposing it. All of this with a purpose greater than the celebrating or the shunning of a single day: Live for Christ

I started by saying that this was my opinion, yet I have not said how I treat the day. Well, I treat it much the same way that I treat politics as some argue that both are “of the devil.” I fly under the radar, keeping my opinion to myself because I don’t want to lose the opportunity to help someone get closer to Jesus. I encourage and reach out to someone who has an opinion on either side of the issue. Some could call it wimping out, I like to call it being able to reach the most people without slamming any doors closed. So, wherever you come down on this issue, never lose sight of those around you and your obligation to share God’s love, His word, and most importantly His grace expressed through the life given on the cross.

Below the Radar,

Randy