THANKS … AND PRAYER

I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you for your generosity, recognition, and the notes in the card given to us for Pastor Appreciation Month. No matter who you are or what you do, knowing that you are appreciated gives a boost of encouragement.

I also want to thank you for your prayers. I really appreciated Tony Gomez’ emphasis on the need to pray for your pastor. There is a reason I am listed in the “Prayer Targets” section of the bulletin every week, and that’s because I constantly need your prayers as I serve God and all of you.

I recently finished reading the book, “Preaching With Passion” by Alex Montoya. In his section about preaching with spiritual power, he emphasized our (pastors’) need for intercession by the congregation we serve, and cited three of Paul’s prayer requests for his preaching:

And [pray] also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. (Eph 6:19-20 ESV)

At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison-- 4 that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak. (Col 4:3-4 ESV)

Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you, (2Th 3:1 ESV)

Montoya goes on to say,

“If such a powerful preacher as the apostle Paul relied upon the intercessions of the saints, what about the rest of us who do not hold a candle to the apostle! We should enlist our people to pray specifically for the proclamation of the Word on the Lord’s Day.(37)”

If you’re reading this, consider yourself enlisted.

So, I ask you once again to include me in your prayers … for God’s wisdom and direction, and, like Paul (but minus the prison part), for my proclamation of the Word.

In His grip,
Pastor Decker

OBSCURED VISION

A little over a week ago, I walked into my study to an unusual sight. Usually, I can see out of the big picture window that overlooks the fields to the north of the church. However, on this day, the view was obscured. At first, I blinked a few times and wondered if something was wrong with my eyes. But, then, after a second or two, I put two and two together and figured out that the paint crew had put plastic over the window to keep the paint off. Instead of the usual beautiful landscape, all I saw was a cloudy piece of plastic drop cloth. I knew what was on the other side, and could picture it in my mind, but not being able to see it was an odd, and disappointing feeling.

I wonder if Paul felt the same way when, guided by the Spirit, he penned the words of 1 Corinthians 13:12:

For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. (ESV)

“In an mirror dimly” sounds kind of like my obstructed view that day. I think we Christians all long to see Christ face to face. We’ve probably pictured Him in our minds a thousand times. Yet, that picture is terribly clouded. Through our Bible study, we do know Him in part, but we long to know Him fully, and to see His face.

That sense of longing is both healthy and hopeful. It helps us to “Set [our] minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” (Col 3:2 ESV) It also helps us picture what we have to look forward to, even if our current view is obscured.

So, today, I encourage you to meditate on the words of Paul (above) and also on 1 John 3:2 (below), and consider our hope.

Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. (1John 3:2 ESV)

In His grip,
Pastor Decker

TUSCOLA COUNTY CHAPLAIN’S CORPS

As many of you know, I’ve been interested in Police Chaplaincy for some time. With the approval of the Tuscola County Commissioners this past week, we are finally getting “the Corps” off the ground. What you may not know is what that means or involves.

The Tuscola County Chaplain’s Corps is a group of clergy who will volunteer with the Tuscola County Sheriff’s Office and local police departments. At some point in the near future, we will be sworn in as Chaplains, and there will most likely be a press release about the Corps. So, what will we do? Well, here’s what our Guidelines document says:

The Tuscola County Chaplain’s Corps is comprised of chaplains who provide pastoral services to members of the law enforcement departments serving Tuscola County (enlisted and civilian) and their families. They will be available to participate in departmental ceremonies and meetings, accompany deputies and officers on duty, and perform other related services. When requested, they may counsel members and their families, visit sick or injured members, perform wedding ceremonies, and officiate at department funerals.

In many ways, serving as a chaplain is an extension of my ministry here at Dayton Center Church. It is a unique way to reach into our community and provide a service that is greatly needed. As a general rule, this will mean spending a day or two per month with an officer or deputy. As we ride along with, and get to know, the officers and deputies, we will offer spiritual and emotional support. We will also be available in the event of natural disasters or other situations where the law enforcement community requests our presence. We will not be considered deputies or officers, but have the designation of “chaplain.” We are not authorized to carry firearms, but will wear bullet-proof vests and assist the officers/deputies as they request and direct.

We would appreciate your prayer as we continue to make progress with the Corps and eventually begin to build relationships with our law enforcement personnel. It will take a while to build trust, but we believe that it will be a meaningful ministry to our community. With God’s help, we can make a big difference in many lives.

In His grip,
Pastor Decker

WHY?

Those three little letters and a question mark pack quite a punch, don’t they? Whether it’s the child who is beginning to assert his or her independence, questioning the instructions of mom or dad, the man or woman who has lost their spouse of 50 years unexpectedly, or something in-between, the question “Why?” often arises when our circumstances don’t make sense to us. Sometimes the question is a matter of curiosity, but more often, it runs much deeper than that. In times of distress or confusion, we feel like we have a right to more information … that someone owes us an explanation. At times, that may be true, but we won’t always get an answer.

Then, another question arises. When life doesn’t make sense, and we don’t get any answers, what will we do … how will we handle that? Will we get angry? Will we withdraw? Or, will we turn to God with a resolve to trust?

Consider Job, who had lost everything while walking faithfully with God. He didn’t know what we know from Job 1—that this was a test of his faithfulness, allowed by God. Maintaining his innocence, Job effectively asked, “Why?”
"I have made a covenant with my eyes; how then could I gaze at a virgin? What would be my portion from God above and my heritage from the Almighty on high? Is not calamity for the unrighteous, and disaster for the workers of iniquity? Does not he see my ways and number all my steps? (Job 31:1-4 ESV)

The book of Job never tells us that God answered Job’s “Why?” Instead, God questioned Job and his demand for an answer in an incredibly humbling manner (read Job 38-41). In the end, Job took a step back, repented, and confessed his reliance on God’s sovereignty (Job 42:1-6). Even when life didn’t make sense, Job chose to trust God.

Maybe your circumstances are trying, and you are asking “Why?” Maybe you’re not voicing the question, but it’s there, and you’re not getting any answer(s). That’s where faith comes in. It’s easy to say that you trust in God, but now that the trial is here (and the answers are not), what will you do? I hope you resolve to trust God. He may not get you out of the trial, but He will carry you through. Sometimes, like Job, we have to be OK with not knowing “Why?”and trust God’s hand.

In His grip,
Pastor Decker

BUMPS IN THE ROAD

Living in Michigan, we all know what it’s like to drive down bumpy roads. Sometimes, we will even take alternative routes because of them. But, then, there are times when we are cruising along and we hit a pothole or something that we just couldn’t avoid. Once in a while, we may damage our vehicles, but usually we are just jarred, and can keep going. Oh, the joys of living in Michigan... But, as you may suspect, I’m not just talking about our physical roads. I’m also talking about the roads of our lives, which can be pretty bumpy.

Sometimes, we are cruising along in life—things may be going well, or at least uneventful, then, WHAM! Something unexpected and maybe unfortunate happens. You’ve hit a bump in the road. Jesus told us that “...In the world you will have tribulation...” (John 16:33 ESV). Still, when it happens, it takes us by surprise, and it’s not easy to “count it all joy … when you meet trials of various kinds...” (James 1:2).

The real question is, how will we respond? Will we buckle under the pressure, or will we “...take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm” (Eph 6:13 ESV)? Sometimes the correct response is just that … to stand firm. While psychologists speak of two typical responses: fight (take the offensive / go on attack) or flight (run away from the problem), Christians have the third option of standing firm and relying on God in our times of confusion, disorientation, frustration, and/or hurt. But, that option comes from a life lived relying upon God, in the good times as well as the bad. If you’ve been walking with Him, you’re more likely to keep walking with Him when you hit the “bump in the road.”

Whether you’re cruising along or dealing with a bump in the road, keep your eyes on Christ, the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:1-2). Remember, His Word is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our paths (Psalm 119:105). Rely on Him!

In His grip,
Pastor Decker