Dear People of Central Park, Embody Christ Fellowship, & Rose Park,
Last week I ran into two of our friends while shopping at the Community Action House Food Club. I talked to the first as I was arriving and they were leaving with a cart full of groceries, and I chatted with the second as I was leaving with my hands full of groceries (why do I always underestimate how many groceries I need) and they were arriving. Within both conversations I heard the same phrase: ‘how are you really doing?’
Dear People of Central Park, Embody Christ Fellowship, & Rose Park,
At Rose Park, our mission statement is quite simple: connect the disconnected, empower the connected, and reconcile all things to God. One way we can empower the connected is by inviting our young people to boldly share their faith and to graciously show the love of Jesus in everything they do and everything they say. With that said, enjoy this devotion from Ms. Ava Lemire….
To the people of Central Park, Embody Christ Fellowship, & Rose Park,
Throughout scripture we encounter a repeated theme: the path of the righteous and the path of the foolish. Psalm 1 in particular opens our eyes to these two paths. We also come face-to-face with this dynamic during the season of Lent when we think about Judas and his willingness to forego an eternal relationship with Christ in order to gain immediate gratification on the path of the foolish.
To the People of God at Central Park, Embody Fellowship, & Rose Park,
There’s a lot of symbolism in the bible. For example, any time scripture mentions water it’s a safe bet there’s a connection to baptism. Any time scripture mentions fire it’s a safe bet there’s a connection to the Holy Spirit. This symbolism isn’t limited to physical things, it also includes numbers. There are seven days of creation, seven churches listed in Revelation, and seven gifts of the Holy Spirit. There are twelve tribes of Israel, twelve apostles, and Jacob even had twelve sons. Needless to say, biblical numbers are important.
Dear Rose Park,
A few weeks ago, I had breakfast at the Warm Friend on 8th street. Resthaven’s new director of Spiritual Care had reached out to local pastors hoping to get to know one another over breakfast; I love meeting new people and I love breakfast, so I replied right away. Growing up in Holland I have always had a small sense of awareness towards Resthaven and its’ many campuses, but I never knew the history.
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.
