“One does not surrender a life in an instant. That which is lifelong can only be surrendered in a lifetime.” Jim Elliot, https://elisabethelliot.org/tribute-to-elisabeth/ Each time I preach, I offer to pray with people who want to surrender their lives to Christ. A part of my prayer always includes, “as much as I know how, I…Read more The Wonder of Surrender
Christmas
Celebrating Faith: Baptism and Holiday Cheer
Christianity is a joyful faith! Jesus speaks of the gift of fullness of joy! This Sunday was an especially joyful day of celebrating God's love through music, worship, prayer, generosity, Communion, the sermon on joy, and the baptism of eight people. Our church family was blessed as each of those baptized briefly shared a bit…Read more Celebrating Faith: Baptism and Holiday Cheer
Christmas is for Everyone!
On this fourth day of the Christmas Season, my heart is full of joy! This year's Advent theme was at Woodland was a "A Few of My Favorite Things." The people, the decorations, the lights, and the gifts of Christmas brought us to the scriptural conclusion, "Christmas is for Everyone!" Every year the world is…Read more Christmas is for Everyone!
Christmas Eve at Woodland
A Few of My Favorite Things!
Christmas Lights
Christmas Lights Christmas Lights!
JOY WHEN YOU GRIEVE
Handel's magnificent musical, Messiah, has been a source of joyful inspiration for me during Advent this year. Facing bankruptcy and failing health George Frederic Handel wrote with "a heart bursting with joy," The Messiah in 24 days. When he finished writing the Hallelujah chorus he said, "I did think I did see all heaven before…Read more JOY WHEN YOU GRIEVE
Sunday, Day of Joy
Sunday, happens between Black Friday and Cyber Monday. The people of God gather in glorious praise from generation to generation to worship the Lord with thanksgiving and praise. This is a day of eternal priceless joy. The “joy of the Lord” is our strength and the Gospel is “good news of great joy.” (See Nehemiah…Read more Sunday, Day of Joy
He Sees Me When I’m …
The walk across Woodland's parking lot following Christmas Eve Services always has a deep sense of peace and joy for me. On many Christmas Eve nights it has been a cold and brisk walk with the campus blanketed in snow. This year the peace and joy were there and a sigh of relief that it…Read more He Sees Me When I’m …
Saint Nicholas Day
“The giver of every good and perfect gift has called upon us to mimic God’s giving by grace, through faith, and this not of ourselves.” Nicholas of Myra Today, December 6, is the day we remember a faithful pastor that our modern story of Santa Claus is based upon. Nicholas of Myra was a model…Read more Saint Nicholas Day
A Gift for Christ at Christmas
Early this morning in Dearborn, Michigan my thoughts are about the last minute things I had to do before Christmas Eve. Cards? Calls? Gifts? What’s the most important things you can do at Christmas? Among them is attending or watching our Christmas Eve Services to celebrate the birth of our Savior, as we thank Him…Read more A Gift for Christ at Christmas
Coram Deo 