Share the Sandbox

Remember growing up and playing in a sandbox? Maybe you had one in your backyard that your dad set up for you. It was your own little world boxed in by 2x8's filled with pure, tan sand. You could pick up a handful and watch it sift through your hand. You could dig down deep where the sand was cooler. It would tuck itself under your fingernails and soil your knees.

Playing in the Sandbox

Then you would add toys to your sandbox. A truck. A square mold. A shovel and pail. Your creativity ran wild as you constructed the raw element up into your personal city. Sometimes you could add water to the mix and make rivers, streams, and lakes. A perfect oasis of controlled creativity.

Then a friend would come over. And they would want to play in your sandbox with you. It sounded like a wonderful idea at first. Friends always make things better, right? Maybe. Before you invite your friend to share your sandbox, it could have been helpful to lay down some rules first. Perhaps they would have looked like this.

Rules to Sharing your Sandbox

Rule 1: Give your friend room in the sandbox. They need an area to call their own too. Don't crowd them out. Give them the freedom to be as equally creative as you.

Allow your friend to make choices. Don't smother them. Someone once said about dating, "If you love someone, let them go. If they return to you, they are yours to keep. If they don't return, they were never yours in the first place." This is just as true in any relationship. Mutual friendship means both parties enjoy one another's company.

Rule 2: Don't throw the sand. The sand is meant to stay in the sandbox on the ground. Sand flying through the air can hit someone in the eye, end up in someone's hair, and deplete the sandbox of sand.

"Do everything without complaining or grumbling." (Philippians 2:14) Speak kindly to one another. Say words that build up your friend rather than tears them down. "A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret." (Proverbs 11:13) Don't gossip. If your friend shares something with you in private, keep it secret. Don't go spreading it everywhere.

Rule 3: Don't bring anything other than sand in the sandbox. No grass clippings. No leaves. No dirt. The most enjoyment from the sandbox comes from just having pure, grainy sand.

"Forgive one another as Christ as forgiven you." We all make mistakes. But once an offense is forgiven, let it die. Don't bring it up again. Move forward. Erase the slate.

In your marriage, relationships, friendships, don't forget to "Share the Sandbox." You'll be a better person for it. And remember these words from Paul, "As far as it depends on you, live in harmony with one another."

Emotional Memory of 9/11 and Resurrection

American Flag with Cross Shining Through

This is the anniversary of 9/11, a horrific event in the history of our nation. I remember exactly where I was and what I was doing when the planes hit the towers. Events like this shake our emotions so violently that they carve a lasting memory in our minds. The emotional impact of the event is what makes the memory so vivid and long-lasting.

As a Christian, there is another significant event, equally horrific, that I recall. And even though I wasn't there, it has become a permanent memory in my life. The unjust trial and ruthless crucifixion of Jesus Christ occurred some 2,014 years ago in Jerusalem, Israel. It was a case of one who was wrongly convicted. False accusations and lying witnesses convinced Roman Governor, Pilate, to turn Jesus over the Jews with permission to put him to death.

Ironically, it was God's plan all along for Jesus to die. Because without death, there could be no resurrection. Three days following the crucifixion, early on a Sunday morning, the tomb Jesus was buried in was found empty! Rumors of chicanery swirled among the Romans and the Jews, but no one could deny with any shred of proof, that Jesus had indeed RISEN FROM THE DEAD.

Jesus' Resurrection Left an Empty Tomb

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the foundation of the Christian faith. Paul in the Bible writes it this way:

"And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith." - 1 Corinthians 15:14

Paul writes again referring to the resurrection of Jesus with a promise to those who follow Him:

"For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive." - 1 Corinthians 15:22 

Just as 9/11 is remembered yearly in the United States, the death, burial, and resurrection are routinely remembered by Christians all over the world. Jesus instructed the first disciples as they ate the Passover meal of bread and wine to "do this in remembrance of me." Christian churches now make eating a piece of unleavened bread and juice or wine a central part of their worship service.

In 9/11 we remember what we lost; In Jesus' resurrection, we remember what we've gained!

Spanning the Generations at Lunch Bunch

Lunch Bunch & Dinner Theatre

3 dinner options were offered

A 5-star dinner theatre atmosphere was the experience for those attending KCC's monthly Lunch Bunch gathering. As attendees began arriving they were greeted by friendly young faces holding doors open. A maitre'd welcomed guests inside the lower level and was prepared to seat them at elegantly decorated tables. The waitstaff was quickly taking drink orders and passing out menus and making sure everyone felt welcome.

Young waiters took orders

This was the brainchild of KCC's children minister, Sara Blasko. And the staff were the children she works with during the year in a program called, Octane. She called it Kidz Cooking Camp. The kids, ages 9-11, not only waited on the adults, but they also spent the morning preparing the meal! Sara said,

"The kids were excited to learn how to cook, but they were really excited when the Lunch Bunch people started showing up because they actually got to seat them, and take their orders, and they were just excited to have customers to serve and that was kinda the plan of the whole thing - to teach them to serve others."

Service was top-notch

The main course was a choice between goulash,  meatloaf, or chicken pot pie. Sides dishes included side salads and green bean casserole. Choice of dessert was Oreo fluff or Shetler's ice cream. Sara explains the process of creating this menu.

"The kids arrrived at 8:00 am and we broke into three groups and then we did rotations so they would make one menu item and then they would go to the next rotation and make another menu item so each kid got to make every item that was on the menu."

The smiles were contagious

Between dinner and dessert, attendees were treated to three singing and dancing numbers by the children. The response from people was delightful. Sara shares,

"So many people came up to me afterwards and told me what a great job the kids had done and how impressed they were."

Cleaning up in the kitchen

Lunch Bunch is a monthly event at the Kalkaska Church of Christ hosted by former minister Dan Johnson and his wife, Sherry. Dan and Sherry will be moving down to Lansing, Michigan this month where Dan will be taking the job of chaplain for the Great Lakes Christian Homes. Lunch Bunch will continue this fall hosted by Jan Aten. The next Lunch Bunch is set for Tuesday, September 3rd at 12:00 pm.

 

Life Hacks for Your Faith

I love "Life Hacks!" Those little tips or tricks of how to do things more effectively, efficiently, or for less money. There are many books written sharing life hacks as well as blog posts. Here are some Life Hacks I read recently:

• Use Elmer's Glue to take out a splinter. Put the glue on the splinter. Let it dry then peel it off. The splinter will come right out with it.
• Have a bug bite that won't spot itching? Try some toothpaste on it. Rub it in and the itching will stop almost instantly.
• Want kids to memorize your phone number? Make it their passcode on their ipad or phone. They'll have it memorized in days. Works for other numbers too.

(Thanks Keith Bradford for these Life Hacks)

There is even a Bible called NIV Lifehacks Bible - Practical tools for successful spiritual habits. It's really just a Bible with short devotional thoughts,  but I still like the title for being culturally relevant!  Here are some highlights:

• Unbelievers should be offended by the message, not the messenger. When you share your faith with others (you are sharing your faith, right?), try not to be rude, offensive, or use intrusive behavior. Share in common conversation. Ask questions. Tell your story without judgment. 
• Memorize the Bible. Start with a verse, then a chapter, and finally the book. James or 1 John are great places to start. Repetition is key as well as having the verse(s) where you see them on a regular basis. Good places include a bathroom mirror, car visor, and your cell phone lock screen. 
• Remove all distractions for a healthy prayer life. Let's face it, we are inundated with distractions and interruptions 24/7! To successfully pray seek three things: A quiet time, a quiet place, and a quiet heart. 

The NIV Lifehacks Bible is available on Christian Book Distributors 

Leave me Alone!

I love growth, but I hate change! 

Everyone likes to see growth. This spring people will purchase flowers to plant around their homes with the expectation that they will grow tall, strong, and beautiful. Athletes strive to improve their game showcasing a growing skillset. Artistic types all desire to grow more talented, more experienced, and more mature. New parents spend every waking moment watching the growth of their child as he learns to roll over, crawl, stand, and eventually walk.

Pews and Hymnals in church

However, here's the ugly secret...growth involves change. And most of do not like change. Change makes us uncomfortable. Change implies what we were doing could be done better. Change disrupts our schedule. Change takes more time and is inefficient.

Growth is cool. Change is, well, hard. 

Have you had to make any of these changes in order to experience growth?

• Change your glasses prescription? 
• Change your city? State? Country?
• Change how you watch TV? Internet provider?
• Change your job? Career?
• Change your diet? Exercise routine?

Change is hard, but it leads to growth. And quite frankly, if something isn't growing, it's either dying or already dead! 

The very act of becoming a Christian involves tremendous change:

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" 2 Corinthians 5:17

As Christians, we must continue to grow in our faith.  

"Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation." 1 Peter 2:2

Ultimately, Christians will experience a change to the imperishable.

"Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed - in  a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed." 1 Corinthians 15:51,52

Worship at Kalkaska Church of Christ

Here's the bottom line: In order for your church to grow, it must change. Remember, the church is not a building. The church is the people of God, those who follow Jesus Christ. People are continually growing thus continually changing. What the church did 40 years ago, even 20 or 10 years ago, to reach people, may not work today. Methods change. Strategies change. Structures change. They have to change! Otherwise, we die.

When your church makes a change in order to reach new people, instead of pushing back and complaining, seek to understand why that change was made. How will it lead to growth? How will it make your church more relevant to people today? How will it share the Gospel with those who need to hear it? And in doing so, God may just make one more large change to you - a change to your heart!

Church "Sale" helps Woods Apartment Families in Kalkaska

The Kalkaska Community came together last week to assist the former residents of Kalkaska Woods Apartments in a big way. 16 families have been displaced due to an apartment fire. Donations were collected early in the week. Reminiscent of Moses telling the people to stop bringing their offerings to the sanctuary (Exodus 36:5,6), so many donations came in that the church had to ask people to stop giving!

KCC Workers sort donations to help Woods Apartment Families

The families were invited to shop freely Wednesday and Thursday for clothing, household goods, toiletries, toys, books, and other odds and ends.

Gift Cards for the Families

About Wednesday afternoon it dawned on those working that the number of supplies compared with the number of people shopping was lopsided. The church lobby was still chock full of items after all the families had gone through.

The church decided to make an ad-hoc garage sale open to the community on Friday taking donations for the items that would be passed on to the Woods families. Any items left over by the end of the day would be picked up by Sean Dagenhart and trucked down to Missouri to help flood victims.

Donations from Friday's sale totaled $879.38. This money along with other cash donations earlier in the week was used to purchases gift cards from BC Pizza, McDonalds, Burger King, and Shell.

These gift cards were passed out to the families on Tuesday afternoon at the United Way gathering.

Thank you Kalkaska and the Kalkaska Church of Christ for helping the families at this time of their loss!

Life Lessons from Danger and Unrest

As a former missionary to Haiti I've experienced a lot of uncertainty and unrest throughout my life while on the mission field. I recall in 1985 when the Haiti people rose up against the then President for Life, Jean-Claude Duvalier or as he was better known, Baby Doc. They protested for months with the goal of ousting this iron-fisted dictator and his henchmen, the Tonton Macoute (which means "Boogeymen") from power.

Jeff Badgero talks about conditions during the unrest in 1985

Again in the early '90s President Clinton and the United States military decided Haiti was so bad that nothing short of an all-out invasion of the country could put them back on the road to democracy. So the US military along with the United Nations re-instated the democratically elected president, Jean-Bertrand Aristide.

Special American Armed Forces in Port-de-Paix

Most recently two teams from Kalkaska Church of Christ returned from Haiti with harrowing stories of the manifestations, roadblocks, and protests currently throughout the country. I lead a team up to Sonlight Ministries in Port-de-Paix and our exit was nothing less than a grueling 48-hour journey away from the turmoil. On February 14th, the US State Department increased the Travel Advisory Level to a 4, the highest possible, and wrote this on their website:

Do not travel to Haiti due to crime and civil unrest. 

There are currently widespread, violent, and unpredictable demonstrations in Port-au-Prince and elsewhere in Haiti.  Due to these demonstrations, on February 14, 2019, the Department of State ordered the departure of all non-emergency U.S. personnel and their family members. The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in Haiti.

Protests, tire burning, and road blockages are frequent and unpredictable.  Violent crime, such as armed robbery, is common.

What takeaways are there, if any, from such a situation? Here are some that come to mind.

Mission work in Haiti (or outside the US) is not a sanitized and sterilized endeavor. 

Tonton Macoute

Here at home, we have countless safety and security measures built into our everyday lives. Seat belts, speed limits, emergency services, health insurance, life insurance, food and drug administration, and the list goes on and on. When you sign on to a third world mission trip, most of those protections go out the window. 

No one knows the future. 

There are times when plans go awry. Flights are delayed or canceled. Roads are blocked. Offices are closed. Haitians have a saying in their language, "Si Die Vle." Translated it literally means, "if God wants." It comes straight from the Bible in James 4:13-15 "Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." Why you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that."

Faith is required to trust in God's protection

President Clinton with Jean-Bertrand Aristide

Where does our protection come from then, if not the Government, emergency responders, and legal regulations? As a Christian, it comes down to our faith. We trust we are doing God's will and in doing so, He will protect us. Hebrews 11:6 says "And without faith it is impossible to please God..." In doing mission work, one witnesses incredible faith among indigenous people and those who minister to them from other countries. Faith is a prerequisite to pleasing God. Faith is grown through trials and the need to depend solely on God.  

God is good no matter what happens.

God's goodness never changes. Paul wrote, "To live in Christ, to die is gain." God doesn't just watch over us for this earthly life, but for all eternity. His perspective is not limited to our short time on the planet. When Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were being thrown into the fiery furnace, they told the King their God could deliver them if He wanted, but even if He didn't they would still serve Him (Daniel 3:16-18)!

Comfort is not the goal; Contentment is the objective.

Finally, we realize that nowhere in the Bible are we promised to be comfortable. Comfort is nice, but it is not the ultimate goal. Instead, the scriptures tell us we should learn to be content. Content no matter the circumstances. Paul said he had learned this in Philippians 4:11. And there may be some very trying circumstances on the mission field!