Dear Rose Park,
Last Friday, I took my three-year-old daughter, Winnie, on a pastoral visit. After we dropped off Simon at school, went to church to get communion ready, and quickly stopped by the library to pick up some books we made our way to Resthaven Maplewoods on 32nd street. We signed the visitors book, said hi to the receptionist, and then wandered the halls until we found room 149.
Dear Rose Park,
I grew up playing competitive sports with my two older brothers. Throughout our formative childhood years we devoted time, energy, and resources towards soccer, swimming, and baseball. Our competitive spirit was in full force when we were able to play the game or endure the race with our teammates. That same spirit was not limited to merely the confines of an athletic event, even household games like ‘run horses run’ and euchre were made into a competition. I like that I’m competitive and it’s served me well throughout my life, however when it comes to the life of the church competition is rarely helpful.
Dear Rose Park,
Tomorrow morning at 9:30am I have my annual physical. I’m anticipating the various encouragements and reprimands I might receive from the doctor; my blood pressure is too this or my cholesterol is too that. I find myself joining that stereotypical population of men who dislike the doctor’s office, or even avoid it altogether when the time comes for a full lookover. I’m sure there are a whole host of reasons as to why this is, but at some point I wonder if it’s the discomfort of being told a truth you already know but wish you didn’t.
Dear Rose Park,
Some of you are a few weeks into a New Years’ Resolution. Perhaps for some of you that resolution has been to eat healthier and lose a few pesky pounds. For others that resolution might be to finish a project around the house or to finally clean out the garage. Still for others it might be to read one book a month or maybe to even read the bible more often.
Dear Rose Park,
Last week Saturday, Simon and I went to a prayer walk at Jefferson Elementary. My friend Tim Laird hosted the prayer walk and invited me to join. After going for a run with a friend, I quick showered woke up Simon, and loaded Rudy into the car in order to drive over to Jefferson on the south side of town. The whole prayer walk only took about fifteen minutes; we walked around the school and prayed for the students, teachers, administrators, and family and community members. It was a beautiful morning and something I’ll never forget.
Dear Rose Park,
It’s hard to believe another year has gone by. Another Christmas celebrated, another service of remembering those who have passed away and celebrating those who joined our church family, another year of decorations and family gatherings. Given this cyclical nature, it can be so tempting to jump on the hamster wheel, simply throw our lives into cruise control and go through the motions.
Dear Rose Park,
A few weeks ago I went to visit Jack and Carlene Hartman at Holland Hospital. Carlene was having some routine tests, but I thought I’d sit with Jack in the lobby to keep in company while he waited over three hours for the tests to occur. I’ve always enjoyed chatting with Jack; the Tuesday crew of guys call him an encyclopedia of knowledge, and they aren’t wrong. Even better, Jack deeply loves the Lord and deeply believes in the power of prayer.
Dear Rose Park,
There’s something satisfying about an orderly work place or a neatly organized drawer; I’m not sure how to put it into words but there’s something simply satisfying when everything is in its’ place, when it’s perfectly symmetrical, or when a set is complete. Maybe this is just me, but I doubt it.
Dear Rose Park,
When Sam and I first got married, I remember a wise mentor telling me, “I never knew how selfish I was until I got married.” A few years later, when Sam was first pregnant with Simon, that same wise mentor told me, “I never knew how selfish I still was until I had kids.” I’m still learning this lesson to be true, but this past Monday I replaced the word ‘selfish’ with ‘impatient’ and I learned a new lesson.
Dear Rose Park,
The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. - Exodus 34: 6&7
The 34th chapter in the book of Exodus describes God in various ways, but perhaps one of the most important descriptions is faithfulness. God is abounding in faithfulness to His people. He is steadfast, loyal, and true. This means we can depend on God to keep His promises; promises to go before us, to be with us, to never leave us, nor forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:8). God also calls His people to be faithful in return.
