Pondering The Triumphal Entry

As I was praying about what to write this week, a thought occurred to me: I wonder what was going through Jesus’ head during the Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem. As he made his way toward Jerusalem, the crowds laid out palm branches and their cloaks before him and shouted, "Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!" (Matthew 21:9) It must have been a spectacular scene. But, in one week, the crowd would be saying something quite different: “Pilate addressed them once more, desiring to release Jesus, but they kept shouting, "Crucify, crucify him!" (Luke 23:20-21) Instead of the worship he was receiving on this day, he would receive scorn. Instead of palm branches laid before him, he would be nailed to a cross. What a difference a week can make!

Webster defines cynical as, “denying the sincerity of people or the value of life.” If any one of us were there and knew what was about to happen, I suspect that Webster’s definition would have applied to us. Knowing what we know now, we probably would have looked at the crowds with disgust or disdain. However, I’m sure that Jesus looked at the crowds with compassion. He knew that the cross was exactly what the people needed. He knew that his redemptive mission had to be completed, no matter the cost.

I think Jesus looked at the momentary glory as a taste of the unending glory that was to come. Though the coming days would be horrific, he knew it was part of fulfilling the Father’s perfect plan. So, on this Palm Sunday, I encourage you to do what the author of Hebrews says, and keep “looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2) Now, give him the glory he deserves!

In His grip,
Pastor Decker

Last Week’s Conference

Most of you know that I attended a conference this last week. While I suspect that most of you don’t want to know all the details, I would like to share a few highlights with you. First, the conference was intended for police chaplains, which has been an area of interest to me. Don’t worry, it’s a voluntary thing that doesn't necessarily take up a lot of time (unless there is a crisis to deal with). Specifically, I would like to work with the Michigan State Police, and there may be an opportunity to serve the Sandusky (MI) Post. Please pray that God would open that door if it’s His will.

While the discussions were specifically tailored for working with police officers, the topics (for the most part) were just as applicable for ministry in this broken world: death notification, suicide, substance abuse, stress management, burnout, and responding to a crisis—to name a few. While a pastor never looks forward to dealing with these kinds of things, we need to be prepared. And, I can tell you, I’m more prepared than I was a week ago.

Secondly, since most of the people there for the conference were also pastors, I had the privilege of fellowshipping and praying with some of them. At one lunch break, three of us reflected on God’s provision at various times in our lives. In many ways, we had a little worship service at that Wendy’s Restaurant. Another time, I prayed with a Michigan State Police Chaplain and an Inkster PD Chaplain in a common area of the hotel. These men truly had a passion for God and ministry, and their prayers reflected that. The Spirit was definitely there in these moments.

So, all in all, the conference far exceeded my expectations on many levels. Thanks for recognizing that pastors need to get away from our normal settings and find refreshment from time to time!

In His grip,
Pastor Decker

Warmer Temps and Sunshine

(This post is a bit late. It's from Sunday, March 14)

This past week started with some unseasonably warm and beautiful days, didn't it? By Tuesday afternoon, a jacket seemed too warm. Sadly, by the evening, it was time to get the jacket back on. Nonetheless, it was still a good night to use the grill.

The sunshine and warmer temperatures seem to lift peoples' spirits. You see more smiles. The talk about the weather is actually pleasant, if not happy. But, this is still March in Michigan ... things can and do change quickly. As I type this up on Wednesday, the rain hasn't come yet, but the forecast shows rain for the rest of the week. I guess we'll know if they were right by the time you read this.

The church is a place where we should always find pleasant, warm "temperatures" and smiling faces. As we gather with other believers, we should find that encouragement that comes from being with people who genuinely care about you and want to see you flourish. As Jesus said, "By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13:35) The book of Hebrews also reminds us what "church life" ought to be:

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. (Hebrews 10:24-25)

I hope that you have both found and extended a warm welcome this morning. Take a look at those around you, and try to figure out how you could encourage them today. Now, go do it!


In His grip,

Pastor Decker

Possibilities and Potential

When you look at people, what do you see? Do you see potential or do you just see what currently is? The difference between these two perspectives can be substantial. Take Wednesday nights for example; some of the kids we serve are pretty rough around the edges. But, as this church has seen in the past, some of those kids may end up being the pastors and church leaders of the future. When someone fully yields their life to Jesus Christ, amazing things can, and do, happen. From time to time, the kids even sing about it without realizing it:

I am a promise. I am a possibility. I am a promise with a capital "P." I am a great big bundle of potentiality. And I am learnin' to hear God's voice. And I am tryin' to make the right choice. I am a promise to be anything God wants me to be.

While we may think of this as a children’s Sunday School song, there is great truth to it, isn’t there? Even when God’s people were about to face Judgment (i.e. Babylonian Captivity), God still saw potential:

For thus says the LORD: When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you, and I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:10-11 ESV)

So, today, I encourage you to look at other people (especially those who rub you the wrong way) and wonder what they could be if they turned their lives over to God. If you look at them considering what God could do, your perspective will change, and you may just find yourself sharing Christ with them. Praise God, He saw potential in all of us!

In His grip,
Pastor Decker

Weather Forecasts and God’s Word

Over the past few weeks, we have had predictions of snowstorms that were supposed to bring 4-8 inches of snow each. While some of you may have gotten that much snow, we didn’t get near that much snow around the church. Instead, we may have gotten around 3 inches from each storm, but it is hard to tell with all the snow blowing around and then melting. As I heard the predictions, I thought, “I hope we don’t get that much, but I’m not too worried.” The weathermen do their best to analyze weather patterns, storm history, and the like, but in the end, a forecast is an educated guess. Don’t get me wrong … I appreciate the work they do, but I usually take the forecast as a general idea of what it might be like. It is Michigan after all.

God’s Word, however, can be fully relied upon. When people (like Josh McDowell and Lee Strobel) have tried to prove it wrong, they quickly find that they were wrong and often find salvation in/through Jesus Christ. The Bible is filled with true stories of God accomplishing what He said He would do. And, those who trusted often got to enjoy the benefits of believing. Joshua and Caleb come to mind in particular. Because they believed, they were the only ones of their generation that were allowed to enter the promised land. Or, imagine being there when the walls of Jericho fell, after using a very unusual means of attack (in obedience to God). Yes, God is faithful to keep His Word.

So, when God promises a bright future to those who find salvation in Jesus Christ, I know that I can have that confident expectation that is the Bible’s picture of hope. Maybe that’s why Revelation 21 and 22 frequently come to mind. If you haven’t read these chapters in a while, I invite you to read them today. It isn’t just a prediction of what might be (like the weather forecast), it is a statement of what certainly will be.

In His grip,
Pastor Decker