Refresh Yourself

Refresh yourself in the Peace of My Presence. This Peace can be your portion at all times and in all circumstances. Learn to hide in the secret of My Presence, even as you carry out your duties in the world. I am both with you and withing you. I go before you to pen up the way, and I also walk alongside you. There could never be another companion as devoted as I am.

Because I am your constant Companion, there should be a lightness to your step that is observable to others. Do not be weighed down with problems and unresolved issues, for I am you burden-bearer. In the world you have trials and distress, but don't let them get you don. I have conquered the world and deprived it of power to harm you. In Me you may have confident Peace. 

Psalm 31.19-20 NASB; John 16.33 AMP

"Jesus Calling, Enjoying Peace in His Presence" by Sarah Young

Refresh Yourself

Fix Our Eyes Upon Jesus

"Watch out that no one deceives you" (Mark 13:5). “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus” (Hebrews 12:2).

A fundamental safe driving principle is “Watch the road.”  But distractions abound, probably more than ever. It’s amazing how many people are talking or texting on the phone even through dangerous intersections!

It’s the same with spiritual distractions on our most important journey. In the first daily text Jesus warns His followers to “watch out” concerning deceptions and really, there are so many deceptions that can get us off course, both major and minor. The New Testament Greek Lexicon explains that “Watch out” means to “turn the thoughts or direct the mind to a thing, to consider, contemplate, to look at, to weigh carefully, examine.” That means “paying attention to the road!”

We are to “fix our eyes on Jesus.” The word translated "fix" is a very powerful word that the Linguistic Key to the Greek New Testament defines as: "to look away from one thing and to concentrate on another." It's in the present active indicating a call to continue and actively taking a part.

The Amplified Bible words it this way, "looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus." We need to keep an eternal, spiritual focus in life and we do so by keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus!

Fix Our Eyes Upon Jesus

God Will Sustain Us

"Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He, I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you" (Isaiah 46:4).

What a wonderful assurance this statement brings.  How powerful to read a proclamation by God made over 2,700 years ago!  

It looks back to the self-revealing One that Moses encountered at the burning bush some 700 years earlier, who said, "I AM THAT I AM."   It looks ahead to the One who said some 700 years later "I am."  And today still says, "I am He."

I want to encourage each reader to draw strength from God's promises in this statement: 
I am He who will sustain you.
I have made you.
I will carry you.
I will sustain you.
I will rescue you.

Notice the promise that God will sustain is repeated twice in the text as to give us double the assurance.

Notice that God says, "I have made you and I will carry you", surely a contrast to the false gods made by humanity that must be carried. God will rescue us from the inevitable problems of life.

"God has cared for us from the beginning of our lives, continues to act on our behalf, and will sustain us even to the end." (Note from the Full Life Study Bible)

What troubles you today?  What big problem are you dealing with?  God is a lot bigger than that problem. That indeed is a promise for us all!

God Will Sustain Us

Serve God's Purpose Prayer

Abba God, we're grateful for those throughout history who chose to be men and women of faith, whose hearts were fashioned in Your image, and who served Your purpose in their generation. We also want to serve Your purpose in our generation.  Help us to stay steadfast and strong as we run this race set before us.  Thankfully, in this race, we're not in competition to be the only prizewinner. Instead we take hold of the hands of those who run with us and invite those on the sidelines to join us.  We want to cross the finish line together so that we will all receive the grand prize of life eternal with You.  May we never give up! Amen.

Serve God's Purpose Prayer

Prayers from Shantideva and St. Francis

FROM SHANTIDEVA

May I be a guard for those who need protection,

A guide for those on the path,

A boat, a raft, a bridge for those who wish to cross the flood.

May I be a lamp in the darkness,

A resting place for the weary,

A healing medicine for all who are sick,

A vase of plenty, a tree of miracles;

And for the boundless multitudes of living beings,

May I bring sustenance and awakening,

Enduring like the earth and sky

Until all beings are freed from sorrow,

And all are awakened.

THE PRAYER OF ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI

Make me an instrument of your peace,

Where there is hatred, let me sow love.

Where there is injury, pardon.

Where there is doubt, faith.

Where there is darkness, light.

Where there is sadness, joy.

O divine Being, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console, to be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive.  It is in pardoning that we are pardoned.  It is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Prayers from Shantideva and St. Francis

Pastor is on Sabbatical

Dear Reconciliation MCC Family,

Through the generosity and support of this congregation, Pastor Steph has been granted a sabbatical through the month of August. She will return to church doing administrative duties on September 1, 2014 and back to full duties including preaching on Oct 1, 2014. This allows her the precious opportunity to experience rest and renewal after helping care for her mom in a long term illness and her death on July 19.

While away, our Board of directors, Rev Lin Stoner, and Betty Martin and all ministry teams will continue their vital work, and faithful ministry.

Pastor Steph is incredibly grateful for the privilege and blessing of serving as our pastor and for this wonderful gift of time away for rest and spiritual renewal.

Pastor is on Sabbatical

Relax In My Healing Presence

Relax in my healing presence. As you spend time with Me, your thoughts tend to jump ahead to today's plans and problems. Bring your mind back to Me for refreshment and renewal. Let the Light of My Presence soak into you, as you focus your thoughts on Me. Thus I equip you to face whatever the day brings. This sacrifice of time pleases Me and strengthens you. Do not skimp on our time together. Resist the clamor of tasks waiting to be done. You have chosen what is better and it will not be taken away from you.

Psalm 105.4; Luke 10.39-42

Relax In My Healing Presence

Gay and Christian: Believers Speak Reconciling Being Gay and Christian

Gay and Christian: Believers Speak Reconciling Being Gay and Christian Community Speakers Panel Discussion Presentation Topics How Can We Reconcile What the Bible Says with Who We Are? What Are the Cultural, Translation, and Interpretation Issues of the “Homosexual” Bible Passages? How Can We Reconcile the Fundamental Issues of Faith with the Fundamental Issues of Being Human? What is My Relationship to Christianity and the Church after I Come Out as Gay? How Can the Church Welcome Gay People in a Way that Honors Scripture and the Message of Christ? Speakers Dr Matthew Clark Clinical Psychologist The Clark Institute GayChristianTherapy.com Dr Stephanie Sandberg Calvin College Professor Author of Seven Passages, Lines, and Grains of Hope Daniel Dobson Writer, Cornerstone University Alumni, Veteran, and Pastor's Son Community Members’ Personal Stories and Testimonials Panel Discussion/ Q and A Wealthy Theater 1130 Wealthy St. SE Grand Rapids, MI Thursday May 30 7-9pm $10 Adults/ $8 with Student ID Tickets Will Be Available at the Door

Gay and Christian: Believers Speak Reconciling Being Gay and Christian

LGBT YOUTH Workshop for Parents and Professionals

What:  Helping LGBT Youth:   

                               Workshop for Parents, Therapists, Teachers/School Counselors,

                               Youth Pastors/Leaders, Attorneys, and Anyone Working with Youth

When: Saturday, August 23, 9am-2:30pm

Where:  Conference Room in the Waters Building, 161 Ottawa Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Who: Dr. Matthew Clark, Gay Christian Psychologist

Cost:  $75.00

RSVP and Prepayment is Required due to Room Occupancy and Food/Beverage

Morning Bagels, Fruit, Water, Tea, and Coffee will be provided by Sundance Grill

Lunch is On Our Own with Sundance Grill in the Building and a Variety of Restaurants in the Area

Advice for parents of Lesbian/Gay/Transgender Youth and Those Who Work with Them

Who is Here and Why?

All the New Terms and Our Youth's Thoughts

What LGBT Youth are Facing Today and What They Need from Us

How to Help Your Youth with His/Her/Their "Coming Out Process" and Development

The Parent's and Youth Leader's Coming Out Process in a World that May Not Support: How to Help You

Teachers and School Counselors:  What to Look For and How to Help

Creating Safe Schools and Gay Straight Alliances

Helpful Therapy:  How Conversion Therapies Harm and What LGBT Youth Need in Their Therapy

Parent and Therapists' Testimonies:  The Fall Downs and Bounce Ups

The Legal World and Rights You May Not Know

What the Bible REALLY Says about Homosexuality (misinterpretation/mistranlation/misuse):  The Church and Christianity in Response to the LGBT Youth and their Families

How this Information May Help You and Your Youth

Overview and Respectful Dialogue and Q&A

Have questions about Helping Lesbian, Gay, Transgender, and Bisexual (LGBT) Youth?Contact Dr. Matthew Clark

Click here

LGBT YOUTH Workshop for Parents and Professionals

God is Fully Attentive

Come to me with a teachable spirit, eager to be changed. A close walk with Me is a life of continual newness. Do not cling to the old ways as you step into a new day. Instead, seek My Face with an open mind, knowing that your journey with Me involved being transformed by the renewing of your mind. As you focus your thoughts on Me, be aware that I am fully attentive to you. I see you with a steady eye, because My attention span is infinite. I know and understand you completely; My thoughts embrace you in everlasting Love. I also know the plans I have for you: plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Give yourself fully to this adventure of increasing attentiveness to My Presence.

Romans 12.22 and Jeremiah 29.11

God is Fully Attentive