The Best Medicine

A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. – Proverbs 17:22

We have all heard the old saying, “Laughter makes the best medicine.”  Over the years studies have shown that there is nothing that ails you that can’t be helped with a little bit of laughter.  Laughing helps to reduce stress, lower blood pressure, strengthen the immune system and improve memory, alertness and creativity.  Laughter is also good medicine for community.  Humor unites people and laughter is understood in any language.  Laughter truly is good medicine.

However, life can sometimes take away our reason to laugh.  For some it may be hard to remember the last time they had a good laugh.  Too many people today are living with crushed spirits and dried up bones.  This is not the way God intended for us to live.  He wants us to have a cheerful heart, to laugh and enjoy life.  When we believe in Jesus and place our life in his hands, he renews a right spirit within us and cures our dried up bones with a good dose of laughter and joy.  Take a dose of that good medicine today and find a reason to laugh.

Prayer:  Thank you Lord for the gift of laughter.  Renew my spirit today so that I may find joy in life.  Allow me to smile more often then frown and laugh more than I complain.  Amen.

Faith Tip:  Maybe today you don’t feel like laughing and that is okay.  A person can’t go from sadness to laughter all at once, but they can take small steps in the right direction.  A little smile, a joyful thought or reading a humorous story may not bring laughter right away, but it can put us on the path to joy.  

Written by Pastor Aaron Anderson   

Children of the Promise

In other words, it is not the children by physical descent who are God’s children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as Abraham’s offspring. – Romans 9:8

The other day as I was waiting for my youngest daughter Joy to finish her tap dancing class, the parents were commenting on the energy and enthusiasm of the children.  One mother said, “I wish I could be a child again.”  I expect this mother’s wish is a common wish for many adults.  Wouldn’t it be nice to be a child again, living a life with little worry, no concern about providing for your needs, living a life filled with joy, energy and enthusiasm?

The good news is that wish comes true for us in Jesus Christ.  As Paul tells us in Romans, through Jesus Christ we are children again.  As children of the promise we are God’s adopted child.  Which means that God will love, care and provide for us just as a loving parent provides for their children.  Therefore we do not need to live a life of worry and concern.  We can just rest in the arms of the Lord and live life with joy, energy and enthusiasm.  This is the kind of life that God intended for his children.  Makes you want to dance doesn’t it?

Prayer:  Thank you Lord that you have adopted me as your child.  Thank you that you love, provide and care for me.  Forgive me when I forget to trust in you and allow my worries to overwhelm me.  Help me live a life that is filled with joy knowing that I am a child of the promise.  Amen.

Faith Tip:  What is one thing you miss from your childhood?  Is it safety, security, love, family, freedom, joy, fun, etc….  Whatever it is, remind yourself that you still have that as a child of God.

Written by Pastor Aaron Anderson

Looking Through the Fog

For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. – 1 Corinthians 13:12

It is a dreary and foggy morning.  As I was driving this morning I noticed how the fog makes everything look less colorful, somewhat out-of-focus and more difficult to see.  Here on the lakeshore fog is a common occurrence on cool fall mornings, until the sun comes out and burns it away.

Paul says living on earth is like living in a spiritual fog.  Sin, in the world, dulls God’s colorful creation and blurs our focus on Christ. Because of the fog of sin, we are unable to clearly see and understand the Lord’s will for our life and for the world.  It is as if we are looking only at a reflection.  But one day the Son will come and the fog of sin will be lifted and then we will see and know fully God and his will.

Prayer:  Lord, give me eyes of discernment so that I can see you better through the fog of sin. I look forward to the day when Christ will come again and I shall see you face to face.  Amen.

Faith Tip:  Although we may struggle to fully understand God’s will for our life and the world, we can be assured that although we do not understand it, God’s will is good and perfect.  Find comfort today in that assurance.  

Written by Pastor Aaron Anderson     

Faith Patterns

Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work. – Exodus 20:8-9

When Julie makes clothes for our children she always follows a pattern.  The pattern helps her know exactly where to cut and sew the fabric so that the finished piece fits correctly and looks nice.  If she didn’t have a pattern to follow, no matter how good a seamstress she might be, the clothing would turn out to be a mess.

In the same way God has established patterns to follow in our lives.  In this scripture from Exodus, God provides a pattern for our days. He has also established patterns for worship and celebration.  As Christians we have patterns within the church calendar and Christian holidays.  These patterns of our faith help us to keep balance and stability in our life.  When we follow these patterns it provides a “good fit” for our faith.  Often, we resist patterns and want to do things our own way.  We get bored with same old thing and we want to change it up.  However, when we fail to follow God’s patterns, our life often will turn out to be a mess.

Prayer:  Thank you Lord, for providing a pattern for my life.  Help me to follow the patterns that you have established so that my faith will continue to grow.  Forgive me when I fail to follow your patterns and stray from you ways.  Amen.

Faith Tip:  What is a faith pattern that you have established in your life?  Is there a new pattern that you can establish to help you grow in your faith?  

Written by Pastor Aaron Anderson

Gifted Service

We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. – Romans 12:6a

Last night we enjoyed a wonderful time as we gathered to celebrate the gifts of our church at the annual Gifted Service.  There were singers, instrumentalists, readings, beautiful crafts and art, delicious bake goods and a Spirit filled time of singing and praise.  It was exciting to see the unique and special gifts that each had to share from young to old.

All these gifts were a testament to the greatness of God.  In God’s creative plan he did not make us all the same, instead he created us all uniquely and different in our own way.  The diversity in God’s creation is what makes life interesting and enjoyable.  We can praise God that we all have unique gifts that make us special and that can be used in different ways to serve in his Kingdom.     

Prayer:  Thank you Lord for making me special.  Thank you for the gifts that I have been given according to your grace.  Help me to find ways to use these gifts to serve your Kingdom.  Amen.

Faith Tip:  What gifts make you special?  How can you use those gifts in the service of the Lord?  Use your gifts to bring glory to God today.

Written by Pastor Aaron

Beauty from Ashes

…through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. – Romans 5:2-5

As I lay in the MRI machine yesterday, I remembered how a couple of years ago I was brought into the battle of cancer. It was a time of uncertainty as I experienced one test after another, the surgery, chemo and radiation. I now have check-ups that are finally slowing down on the schedule, including the annual MRI test.

Through the last couple of years, God has been faithful in producing in me hope. This is the kind of hope that has a strong foundation to stand on called Jesus. Jesus makes all the difference in the world in everything.

Two days ago, I spent time with a woman in the hospital going through the same surgery I had two years ago. Because of how God carried me through, I was able to encourage her that God would be there for her, too. If God didn’t do this work in me, I wouldn’t have been able to encourage her.

When you are going through a challenge, embrace all the teachings of it knowing God will use it for his kingdom purpose. God knows every detail in our life experience and will use it for good. He has the power to make beauty from ashes.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for the work you have done in my life. I pray that each day I recognize your teachings and apply them to my life. Amen

Faith Tip: Consider your trials today and what God may be teaching you through them.

Written by Kathy Bruins

You Were Chosen

Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. – Romans 15:7

Please pick me! I don’t want to be last again, the young girl thought as the students were being chosen by their classmates. Some of us know the anxiety and pain this young girl felt. We were the last to be chosen leaving a deep scar in the heart with the message that we weren’t really wanted.

If we chose teams like this in church, what would our team look like? Would we choose the most beautiful and popular people so our side would really look good, or would we really want everyone on our team? Who would Jesus choose?

He already has. The ones who surround you in worship have been chosen to be a part of that church. To experience the full benefit of bring praise and worship to God, we must accept one another wholeheartedly – just like Jesus.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for accepting me to be part of your family. I pray that I fully accept those around me as we gather to worship you with shared hearts. Amen

Faith Tip: Do you feel accepted? You must feel accepted before you can fully accept others. Jesus has accepted you. Live out that truth.

Written by Kathy Bruins