Worry Free!

When change occurs, especially change that worries you, disturbs you or messes with your stability, remember that God is sovereign.

Here's the deal: God never says "Wow, I never expected that!"

He knew the change in your life, when it would happen and how, long before you were even born! He knew!

Romans 8 reminds us that God works all things together for the good of those who love him, and Jeremiah 29 tells us that God has great plans for you - plans for your future!

So, do not be worried. Do not be terrified! The Lord your God is with you wherever you go!

Yay God - thanks for being close!

Your Majesty (By Brian McLaren)

I love to see your high white clouds sailing, Lord, like a fleet of mighty galleons on the blue,
and watch white seagulls dive and glide among them.
Your Majesty, they make me think of you….

The rhythm and the roar of ocean breakers, like great dark pages they turned as the tide withdrew.

They curled and they crashed and they pounded the surf in the white foam.
Your Majesty, they make me think of you….

I love to watch the dark gray clouds as a storm's approaching, and see the willow branches sway as the wind blows through…
see the flash of lightning, hear the rumbling or your thunder.
Your Majesty, they make me think of you….

Upon a tall and mighty mountain, with a valley spread below (so beautiful)
I lean into a strong fast breeze and deep inside I know,
that all of creation joins in majestic declaration, from a single leaf and flower of clover to a burning yellow star to show,
Your Majesty, how wonderful you are!

Your salmon spawn after fighting up fast river currents.
Your geese migrate each season as you taught them to.
Your great sea turtles return to the beach of their birth.
Your Majesty, they make me think of you….

Explaining My Fondness for Nicknames

When I was in High School, my teammates on the Edsel Ford basketball team nicknamed me "Ben" - and I'll never know why.
Then at Spring Arbor, Jerry started calling me "A.C." - a nickname I loved - it stood for Anthony Carter, a standout wide receiver from U of M -- because I could catch the ball on our Gamma 1 Intramural football team.
Later, I simply became "Crydo" - I guess yelling "Cryderman" sounded too much like they were shouting "Cry German!"
Then, as a youth pastor, my teens began calling me "PMC" - for Pastor Mark Cryderman...
I loved each of these monikers. There's something about a nickname that suggests love, or specialness, or a closeness of relationship -- I like that.
In John 10, the Bible says that Jesus knows us each by name. I like that too.
I wonder if Jesus ever uses nicknames - perhaps he has one for you? What would it be?
I guess this would all explain why I like the worship song where we sing "I am a friend of God, I am a friend of God, I am a friend of God - He calls me 'Fred'!" Fred?
Just a thought.

Car Show!

Well, this will be fun!
A couple hundred cars and motorcycles.
Jimmy Johns Subs and Marcos Pizza.
Thousands of people.
Add in some blow up games, cotton candy and face painting.
And then there's the amazing program called "Open Road" in the auditorium!
Sunday, 9-3 - come check it out!

Wierd Birdy Wing Drying

Is this wierd or what? Mary and I were on our morning cruise on the lake, and came across these birds. Standing on the branches with wings out. Drying them? Who knows?

Under the Sea

Well, did you know there is a world beyond what we normally see? Here we are at Cryderman Cove in Goose Lake. And when you float along and keep your head under water long enough, you begin to notice a whole other world! Little undersea bugs, and fishies and clam-like things (mussels?) that open their little clam mouths and breath, or whatever they are doing. And then there are these tiny little red bugs that swim, with a not so obvious goal before them. Who knows what they are doing -- but they sure look like they are on a mission! And I feel so big -- like a monster invading their little world. But then, I think, I'm like that little bug. There's another world that's so much bigger than mine -- and I wonder if the angels watch me skittering about and say "what is that little guy up to?". And then one more thought: God knows. He knows exactly what drives me, where I'm going, what I'm trying to do. And he knows my thoughts and my dreams. Not only mine, but yours too. And he loves us!
I can't imagine becoming a little red bug to die for them so they could live forever up on shore!