1 Corinthians 11:1 This is such a short but powerful verse. Paul is urging his readers to follow him, but more importantly to follow Christ! When I think of this verse, I think about how I am leading my family. I want them to follow Christ, but I must be the example for them just as Paul is the example for me! Paul is the example to the believers. He spent his entire life as a believer doing whate...  Read More

1 Timothy 5:8 After 30 years of marriage a husband and wife came for counseling. When asked what the problem was, the wife went into a tirade listing every problem they had ever had in the years they had been married. On and on she went: Neglect, lack of intimacy, emptiness, loneliness, feeling unloved and unlovable, and an entire laundry list of unmet needs she had endured. Finally, after allowin...  Read More

Colossians 3:23 My first job was as a busboy in a family restaurant in Ortonville. When you have your first job you are excited and start planning on what to do with all the “big money” you will be earning. Being a busboy is not glamorous. Scraping half eaten food off dishes, cleaning tables, washing dishes, taking out the trash, makes you question your life choices. My worst experience was draggi...  Read More

Philippians 2:1-3 As a staff at Emmanuel, one of our team values is cooperation. The journey can often get tiring and bumpy. All too often people think ministry is such an easy job but in reality it's often messy, but 1,000% worth it. As I sit back and reflect on the other week (Action Day Camp) I simply admire Sarah’s willingness to show cooperation. Early mornings and long days make for a man (m...  Read More

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trusting in God can be so hard at times. Often, it takes tremendous patience and perseverance. I can think of times when I wanted an “answer” from God, but he wasn’t giving it to me in the timing in which I wanted it. I tend to see myself as a “control-freak” in that I try to “make things happen” in my own power. I recognize that this mindset is one of my shortcomings. Thankfully, G...  Read More

2 Peter 1:3-9 One of the biggest questions people of any age ask: what is my purpose? It isn’t up to us to decide our purpose, find our purpose, or even achieve our purpose. In Christ alone, we have the power to live a life that is glorifying and honoring to Him! The Holy Spirit gives us love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control! We often put pastors...  Read More