West Michigan Christian News

FEATURED 

Page 17 

Law and Marriage 

by Cal Thomas 

christiannews 

West Michigan 

Just like salvation, this paper is FREE! 

Problem Child, 

or Princess? 

by Marc DeRuiter 

Record of Reality 

Archaeological Discovery 

Supports Scripture 

by Chuck Colson, page 6 

Teen moms are most often seen 

as “part of the problem.” Even in the 

church body, we look on them with pity 

and talk about the breakdown of morals 

and the family unit. 

Well, some local women have taken 

a different approach: they are mentoring 

teen moms and helping them move 

ahead with their lives in positive directions. 

It’s a uniquely Christian ministry 

called “Teen MOPS” (Mothers Of Pre- 

Schoolers). Here, the girls learn that 

they are loved by God and His people, 

and that choosing life was the right decision. 

The leaders of Teen MOPS model 

their pro-life beliefs by loving and 

nurturing young single moms and their 

children, and by treating them with dignity. 

As Christians, they support these 

girls because they chose life, and now 

they’re also taking sole responsibility 

for their children. The majority of the 

fathers are no longer involved. 

These women caught a vision of 

how young lives in this area could be 

transformed by the love of Christ; then 

they rolled up their sleeves and went to 

work. There were no committees, no 

job titles, and there was certainly no 

budget. Besides being full-time moms 

themselves, the Teen MOPS leaders 

have also had to become effective fundraisers, 

recruiters, and salespeople. 

The local Teen MOPS chapter, an 

extension of MOPS International, has 

grown to be one of the largest programs 

of its kind in the country, and 

has now expanded to churches in Kentwood 

and Lowell. Since being started 

in 2000 by Ani Blickley, Vonnie Lamb, 

and Michelle VanderMeer at Sunshine 

Community Church, the program has 

served hundreds of girls. 

On the second and fourth Wednesdays 

of each month, young moms and 

moms-to-be from local high schools 

meet at area churches, where they are 

mentored in life skills areas such as 

parenting, hygiene, child development, 

finances, and healthy cooking. Their 

children attend with them most of the 

time. Besides receiving practical life 

skills information, Ani says, “they get 

love and encouragement, and they hear 

about Jesus Christ every week.” 

Continued on Page 8... 

by Diana Davis/Baptist Press 

Back Page 

Sax by the Tracks 

by Bob Hartig 

Coming to your church 

Monday morning 

INDIANAPOLIS (BP)--He cleans the 

church’s carpet regularly, but he’s never 

been invited to worship there. She delivers 

the church mail daily, but she doesn’t 

know Jesus. The family spent hours there 

during Aunt Tip’s funeral, but none of 

them go to church. 

Yes, guests attend your church for 

worship services, but additional dozens 

-- even hundreds -- walk in on weekdays 

each year. They come in for directions, 

weddings, benevolence or after-game fellowships. 

They attend scouts, daycare, 

support groups. There’s the exterminator, 

repairman, roofer, delivery person ... 

and God brings them inside your building. 

Will they meet Jesus there? 

Intentionally impact each person who 

walks in your church doors. 

-- Let your walls talk. Stroll through 

your church entryways and offices, carefully 

observing as if it’s your first time 

there. What can a stranger learn about 

your church and God? Attractively display 

current newsletters, brochures, witnessing 

tracts and invitations for visitors 

to take. Replace negative or outdated 

signage. Carefully read each poster to 

assure outsiders can understand it. Play 

Christian music. Use art to point to the 

One you worship. 

-- Salute! Warmly welcome 

each person who walks in the 

door. Learn their names. If they 

need directions, mark a map. 

When offering benevolence, give 

it joyfully. Give the postal carrier 

an icy soda on a hot day. Invite 

every individual to come for 

Sunday worship. Promise to pray 

for them. Use small gift bags to 

prepare welcome packets with a 

church brochure, newsletter, CD, 

upcoming events and a few candies. 

Then watch for opportunities 

to share them. 

-- Assign timely ambassadors. 

Friendly church members can assist 

with expected guests, such 

as weddings or community meetings. 

They can set a positive atmosphere, 

help with directions or needs, 

and show God’s love. Serve lunch to construction 

workers. If the town festival 

is outside the church doors, serve cold 

lemonade and welcome people to use restroom 

facilities. 

The church’s purpose is to share God 

with the lost world. Seize the opportunity 

to impact those who come into your building. 

If a toilet overflows in your church 

next Monday, will the plumber receive 

AUGUST 2010 

Volume 12, Issue 8 

Kent and Ottawa Counties 

westmichiganchristian.com 

more than just a check for his services? 

“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders, 

making the most of every opportunity” 

(Colossians 4:5). 

Diana Davis is the author of “Fresh 

Ideas,” “Fresh Ideas for Women’s Ministry” 

and “Deacon Wives” (B&H Publishing) 

and the wife of the Indiana Baptist 

State Convention executive director. 

Lowell teens excel in Bible memorization 

The Bible Quiz team of Evergreen 

Church in Lowell recently returned from 

International Bible Quiz Finals held at 

Bethel College in Mishawaka, Indiana. 

After three days of competition over the 

books of I and II Corinthians, the team, 

made up of 6 teenagers from the Lowell 

area, came in 1st place. A total of 30 teams 

from across Canada and the United States 

competed in this year’s event. 

Bible Quizzing is a competition that 

combines the excitement of an athletic 

event with the memory skills of Jeopardy, 

while helping kids achieve the eternal 

value of learning God’s Word. Throughout 

the year, teenagers work to memorize a 

particular book or books of the Bible. As a 

result, many are able to quote every verse 

of that book word for word. Evergreen 

Church has been involved in Bible Quizzing 

for nearly twenty years. The impact of 

Back Row (l-r): Margaret Griffeth, Nathan 

Stout (Coach), Fred Griffeth, Andrew Gerig, 

Ben Gerig; Front Row (l-r): Abbie Gerig, 

Melody Gerig 

the program has gone much further than 

just competition and trophies. Not only do 

NEW THIS MONTH 

Entertainment News 

Steven Curtis Chapman and 

family to go on tour 

SEE PAGE 18 

FREE 

the teens compete at events every month, 

but the knowledge they have gained will be 

with them for the rest of their lives, always 

available for quick recall. This year, the 

youth of Evergreen memorized 693 verses. 

The tournament was very competitive 

this year. The Evergreen team lost one 

time in the round robin portion, and faced 

the same team once again in their elimination 

bracket. In a very close quiz, they 

came out ahead and claimed their fifth 

championship. In addition, every member 

of the winning team received a $10,000 

scholarship to Bethel College. 

The next quiz year starts in September 

and will cover the book of John. Anyone 

interested in joining a Bible Quiz team 

and having fun while competing over their 

knowledge of the Bible can contact Nathan 

Stout at Nathan.Stout@hollandhome.org

page 2 

Absent from the body, present with the 

Lord…but what do we do with the body? 

The traditional answer in Western culture 

was “Bury ‘em,” but the new answer is 

“Burn ‘em”—no disrespect intended. 

Burial versus cremation is not an abstract 

debate. Since death and taxes this 

side of heaven are unavoidable, if you 

haven’t yet faced the bury-or-burn question 

within your extended family you likely 

will. 

Cremation, the act of turning a corpse to 

ashes, was once virtually unknown in the 

United States but not anymore. 

Cremation Statistics 

The first recorded American cremation, 

aside from ones long conducted by some 

Native Americans, took place in 1876. 

Still, before 1930 cremation was virtually 

unknown and by 1975, according to the 

Cremation Association of North America, 

cremation was chosen for body disposal in 

only 6% of all deaths in the United States. 

But since that time the number of cremations 

has increased dramatically. By 2005 

American families opted for cremation 

over burial in 32.28% of deaths. The upward 

trend continues with a 2010 estimate 

of 35.07%. By year 2025 the Cremation 

Association projects 57.27% of American 

deaths will be administered via cremation, 

an amazing cultural shift in just fifty years. 

In 2005, more than ten states recorded 

cremation rates higher than 50% and four 

states topped sixty percent in the number 

of deaths administered through cremation: 

Hawaii was number one at 66.32%, 

followed by Nevada 65.08%, Washington 

63.99%, and Oregon 63.74%. The states 

recording the lowest percentage of deaths 

resulting in cremation were Alabama, followed 

by Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky, 

and Louisiana. Alabama, the state 

with the lowest percentage of cremations, 

still logs a number higher than the national 

average in 1975, 9.47% to 6%. In 2005, 

Michigan stood at 37.13%. 

To put this in global perspective, consider 

that Japanese families choose cremation 

in 98% of deaths. For Great Britain, 

the percentage of deaths handled via cremation 

stands at 70%. Scandinavian countries 

register about 65%, and the Canadian 

cremation rate is increasing rapidly, currently 

at 42%, lower in the eastern provinces, 

higher in the western. So the American 

rate of about one-third of deaths resulting 

in cremation lags other democracies. 

Cremation Rationale 

Reasons for increased cremation trends 

include: 

A) Lower cost than traditional burial— 

no casket, usually no gravesite, no 

gravestone, less expensive mortuary 

process, 

B) Declining available space in 

crowded cemeteries, while cremated 

remains require limited to no 

space if ashes are scattered, 

C) Convenience 

in part due to increased 

family 

mobility in a 

transient society 

less connected 

to a given area, 

D) Easier to transport remains, 

E) Generally quicker process, 

F) Environmental considerations 

or the green movement suggesting 

cremation is more hygienic, 

protects land, 

G) Potential for scattering ashes 

or ability to keep “cremains” in 

an urn, 

H) Changing religious views. 

Younger Americans think 

less about tradition and 

more about what 

works. They want 

respectful and 

creative solutions. 

They don’t 

care less; they care more about a bigger 

picture. 

Cremation vs. Burial 

Various religions have embraced cremation, 

for example Hinduism and Buddhism. 

Others rejected cremation in favor of burial: 

Orthodox and Conservative Judaism 

(Reform Judaism prefers burial but does 

not typically proscribe cremation), Christianity, 

Islam. For these groups, not getting 

a “proper burial” is a dishonor. 

Ancient Israel placed bodies in the 

ground in a pattern imitating the burials of 

the Patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. 

Phrases like “gathered to his people” suggest 

burial in family crypts (Gen. 35:29). 

This practice continued in the New Testament 

era with burials of, for example, John 

the Baptist, Lazarus, Stephen, and the 

Savior Jesus. 

Historically, Christian tradition 

opposed cremation as a pagan 

rite that attempted to thwart 

the promised bodily resurrection, 

rejected the body, or reinforced 

the idea 

of reincarnation. 

Christians 

also disallowedmummification 

like the 

embalming found 

in ancient Egypt, because 

this practice presented a view 

of the afterlife that contradicted 

Christian teaching. 

Christians preferred to symbolize 

in burial the promise of 

the resurrection. The word “cemetery,” 

for example, has Christian 

roots in the term dormitory, a 

place where people “sleep,” implying 

they will awaken again. 

First Century Church 

leader Tertullian affirmed 

burial and rebuffed 

the Roman 

Empire’s cremation 

practices. 

We know from 

West Michigan Christian News | AUGUST 2010 

Burial, cremation, and the afterlife 

Rex M. Rogers 

Author and Speaker 

17-Year-old leads charge to restore pledge 

(EP News)--Sean Harrington is a typical 

high school student from Arlington, Mass.; 

yet, he seems to be turning political correctness 

on its head. 

Harrington, a senior this fall, wants to 

bring back what Massachusetts educators 

deem controversial – the Pledge of Allegiance. 

Arlington is the birth place of Samuel 

Wilson – the central figure to the mythic 

Uncle Sam. Artist James Montgomery 

Flagg popularized the flag-adorned Uncle 

Sam in his WWI poster, “What Are You Doing 

for Preparedness?” that appeared in 

the July 6, 1916, issue of Leslie’s Weekly. 

Troubled with the hypocrisy of the 

state’s tourism promotion highlighting the 

Founding Fathers and historic symbols of 

freedom, while his school has made a point 

to excise such ideas– Harrington asked the 

principal of Arlington High School whether 

the Pledge could be restored. The principal 

said the effort needed to be studentdriven. 

So, with the help of his fellow students, 

Harrington gathered nearly 700 signatures 

and the endorsements of Sens. John Kerry, 

D-Mass., Joe Lieberman, I-Conn., and 

John McCain, R-Ariz. But, that apparently 

wasn’t enough. 

School committee member Leba 

Heigham told the Arlington Patch, “Patri- 

otism is a very personal thing for all of us, 

but I do not think it is in the school committee’s 

best interest to mandate that any 

of our employees recite the Pledge.” 

Superintendent of Schools Kathleen 

Bodie told FOX News Radio that the 

Pledge has not been recited in high schools 

for nearly a decade. She added, “I don’t 

know if it’s all about ‘under God’ but that is 

certainly an aspect of it.” 

“I don’t know if it’s all about ‘under 

God,’” she added, “but that is certainly an 

aspect of it.” 

With schools officials digging in their 

heels, Harrington is considering his next 

steps. “I can continue with my petition and 

the catacombs that Christians buried 

their dead for centuries. With the spread 

of Christianity, internment, whether by 

land or sea, became so common the term 

“Christian burial” became synonymous 

with the practice. 

The Roman Catholic Church opposed 

cremation for centuries and officially 

banned it in 1886. But in 1963, the Roman 

Catholic Church removed its official opposition 

to cremation, now permits cremations, 

and provides appropriate liturgies. 

Interment or Inurnment in the Bible 

In the Old Testament, fire was often used 

as a purge of bad people, materials, or evil 

acts. Later burning of presumed witches 

and heretics fit the pattern. The reality of 

Hell as a Lake of Fire punishing those who 

reject Jesus Christ completes the narrative. 

Fire and sin have historically fit together 

in Christian understanding. 

Some Christians contend that any use 

of fire in funeral ritual smacks of false religion. 

Yet this begs the question of why 

deaths involving fire should be viewed 

any differently, e.g. individuals burned or 

vaporized by explosives, people dying in 

fiery plane crashes, or individuals perishing 

in building fires like and including the 

Twin Towers of 9/11. 

And what do we do when cremation is 

the only option? Famed Southern Baptist 

missionary Lottie Moon was cremated in 

Japan in 1912 when her body could not 

legally be transported from the country. 

We don’t know what Lottie would have 

thought of this predicament, but given her 

lifelong growth in applying Christian truth 

cross-culturally she probably would have 

considered it more stewardship than scandal. 

Some have argued that a gravesite is an 

important place for gathering, grieving, 

and remembering, and it is. But so, too, 

can an urn be a focus of remembering, 

and with few exceptions gravesites are not 

permanent. Most dissipate with the sands 

of time. 

Still other Christians believed that a de- 

Continued on Page 16... 

make the school concede – and I think, 

with the public’s help, I could do that,” 

he explained. “However, there’s also legal 

action. I’m just not sure if that’s the right 

thing to do at this time. What I am sure of 

is this: I will follow the words of Teddy 

Roosevelt, ‘If I have to choose the path between 

peace and righteousness, I choose 

righteousness.’” 

He’s not surprised at the media’s growing 

attention to his efforts. “I believe that 

I have God’s help – how else would this 

have become a national issue? I believe 

that it is Divine intervention,” he said. “As 

John Brown the abolitionist said ‘I am an 

instrument in God’s hand.’”

westmichiganchristian.com page 3 

Floury follow-up: Breaktime Bakery 

Following our July “Flour Power” article, 

several WMCN staff visited Breaktime Bakery 

on Grand Rapids’ inner north side. This 

ministry is sponsored by Fourth Reformed 

Church and New City Neighbors. Eric 

Schalk is the hands-on supervisor. We talked 

one-on-one with about a dozen kids participating 

in one of the most creative summer 

programs around. 

About a dozen first year trainees eagerly 

shared some of their bake-time experiences. 

Slater said that there were lots of new things 

to learn here, while Arionna confessed that 

at first it’s hard to learn to work together as 

a team. But bringing kids together seemed 

to be a highlight. Tiffany expressed it for 

me Care by Seniors for Seniors 

several others: it’s much more fun to work 

together like this than to waste all summer 

at home playing video games! Ashley and 

others shared their favorite things to bake: 

Reeses chewy chocolate cookies, cinnamon 

rolls, and cheesecake – more on that later! 

Two advanced bakers, Cameron and Jennifer, 

showed considerable maturity and 

shared how good it made them feel to have 

’s a huge first difference year kids in come the kind to of them home for help and 

ou can receive advice. Cameron from someone said that who he’s really learned to 

rstands what take on your responsibility, life is like as which a senior. he realizes The will 

erns you help have. him The in need the future. for independence. 

Both kids expressed 

one who interest like you, in coming has a little back living next under year, when, as 

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for taking on even more responsibility. Jennifer 

said that she keeps learning more each 

year; skills she learns here are actually going 

to help in her family’s own restaurant business. 

Learning goes both ways here. Tiffany 

mentioned that they get to put to use math 

skills learned at school while making change 

for baked goods customers. But several said 

what they learn as team members, such as 

communication skills, could be helpful elsewhere. 

Cameron and others spoke of learning 

more about who Jesus is through their 

journaling and through the individual counseling 

they receive. 

Grand Rapids should appreciate the difference 

all its summer ministries make in 

You just have to see it, and soon you 

will have the opportunity to do so. After a 

long and well thought out design process, 

Grand Rapids Christian Schools will soon 

open the doors to its new $12.5 million elementary 

school on the city’s Southeast 

side. 

WMCN recently took the opportunity to 

sneak a peek at this surprisingly beautiful 

new facility. After passing though a high 

tech security system, students and visitors 

will be welcomed by a light and airy lobby. 

They will immediately notice the two story 

Light of Learning window with the colorful 

reflecting glass plaque entitled: Eyes 

to See, Ears to Hear, Hands to Serve, and 

Hearts to Understand. 

Every technological advantage has 

been installed, from multimedia projectors, 

with interactive whiteboards in every 

classroom, to the state of the art computer 

kids’ lives. Chad Kooyers, member of Fourth 

Reformed and a Grand Rapids police officer, 

gives his perspective on the Breaktime ministry: 

“It lifts a neighborhood up. As a police 

officer I may never see much of the effect 

it has – which is a good thing! I am appreciative 

of the real differences the ministry 

makes in kids’ lives: self respect, responsibility, 

mutual respect, and faith in the Lord. I 

enjoy seeing the productive kids with smiling 

faces and the opportunities for growth 

that otherwise may not occur. If a difference 

has been made even in one life then the endeavor 

was worthwhile and praise to the 

Lord shall be given.” 

The young bakers also grow to appreciate 

each other. Slater mentioned how consider- 

GRCS opens new school 

lab ready to train students with those important 

computer skills at a very early age. 

Architectural remnants of the old Iroquois 

Middle school have been saved and 

incorporated into the design of the school: 

several terra cotta columns, decorative 

tiles now strategically placed within the 

new brick walls, and salvaged old doors 

that have been refinished to serve as attractive 

wall panels. There is even a restored 

fireplace equipped with a gas log 

and now located in the media center. 

Over the last year many volunteers, 

including students, have been involved 

in the process. They have hand painted 

square tiles, now assembled together in 

columns and used to tell stories from the 

Scriptures. But not only is the building 

beautiful, it is very functional, with spacious 

and cheerful classrooms and specially 

designed common areas for group 

ately everyone treated him when he came in 

injured one day. And the youngsters also appreciate 

Eric’s interactions with them. They 

told how he counsels them as they journal 

their experiences daily. He also makes it fun, 

telling spooky stories at the final retreat that 

caps off their summer bakery experience. 

Oh, and the cheesecake story? The young 

bakers really glowed when they told of a 

huge project they completed successfully: 

they made 14 cheesecakes for a wedding, 

of widely varied flavors including snickers, 

raspberry, cookie dough, and key lime. 

Sounds pretty gourmet to us, from a group 

of very young entrepreneurs who are learning 

much more than how to make baked 

goods. 

teaching and worship. 

Efficient design features have been included 

to insure the lowest possible energy 

costs. A white roof, tinted energy efficient 

windows, and ceiling fans throughout preclude 

the need for air conditioning, which 

fulfills the desire to be LEED certified. 

Of special interest is the Fruit of the 

Spirit Garden featuring walks and paths 

laid out as vines and branches, rocks 

placed to represent Gethsemane, ever 

flowing water from a rock, and the three 

crosses, all designed to be teachable moments 

to the students. 

More important than all the brick and 

mortar is the enthusiasm and Christ-like 

passion on the part of the staff. Nearing 

the end of our tour, our hostess (Char 

Grassmeyer, Director of Admissions) stated, 

“Our desire is that when each student 

leaves, they will leave with the understanding 

of who they are in Christ.” 

After much planning, work, prayer, and 

happenings that can be only credited to 

God, the newest school in town will open 

debt free. 

More INFO 

GRCS Elementary School Open House 

1150 Iroquois St. SE, Phone 574-6310 

September 2, 2010 

5:00 – 7:00 PM Tour 

7:00 – 7:30 PM Dedication 

5:00 – 7:00 PM Ice Cream Social

page 4 

Marriage Builder 

Marriage Killer: The Deceitfulness of Riches 


WMCN Needs Help! 

the decision that she would be a stay-athome 

mom. Our total income that year 

ards, it’s never enough. That’s the deceitfulness 

of wealth. Their lives never bear 

We need your help. We are looking 

for stories of simple, unique activites 

that local churches or individuals are 

doing to minister to others in their lo- 

was $7,000, but we made the decision give fruit because they are always believing cal community, often with little fan- 

Jimmy Evans 

MarriageToday 

In the parable of the sower, Jesus says 

some people do not bear fruit because 

when they hear the Word of God, it never 

takes root because it is choked out by 

to the church. Both of those decisions 

were big sacrifices for us, but I believe that 

was when God really began to bless us. Today 

I thank God that we made those two 

decisions. 

The deceitfulness of riches tells you 

money can solve all your problems. But 

that lie. 

Do you want to be blessed beyond measure? 

Don’t seek riches. Seek God. 

Jimmy Evans is Teaching Pastor at 

Trinity Fellowship in Amarillo, Texas. 

He and his wife Karen are the founders 

fare or notice. Key words here are 

unique and simple. 

We want our readers to think, “Why, 

I could do that!” and then begin such 

a ministry, or find one of their own. 

Here’s an example: Bob frequently 

the cares of this world, the deceitfulness money can’t buy back a child who hates and hosts of MarriageToday, a marriage purchases gift cards for $5.00 to Big- 

of riches, and the desire for other things. 

(Mark 4:1-20) 

Marriages bear fruit, too. Some men and 

women love God, but their marriages are 

unfruitful for the same reasons Jesus gave. 

One thing that chokes out marital fruit is 

the second killer Jesus mentioned: money. 

“The deceitfulness of riches” is a marriagekiller 

. 

A lot of people believe money can solve 

you because you were never there. Nothing 

you give your children materially will 

make up for their loss of you. I can tell you 

that with absolute certainty. 

Money can’t cure the diseases that have 

been created because of the way you 

abused your body. It’s ironic how we ruin 

our health trying to earn money…so we 

can have enough money to buy our health 

back. 

ministry and an award-winning television 

program. Evans has authored several 

books focused on strengthening marriage. 

He and Karen have been married 

for over 35 years and have two adult children. 

Visit the MarriageToday website at 

www.marriagetoday.com. 

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to earn money, but from our commitment 

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'Experiencing God': 20 years, 45 languages 

by Sam House/Baptist Press 

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)--Join God 

where He is working. 

That simple premise hasn’t changed during 

the two-decade history of “Experiencing 

God,” an interactive Bible study first 

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Now, 20 years since its debut, the workbook 

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and has sold 7 million copies. Internationally, 

reader testimonials describe 

deeper and more intimate understandings 

of God’s desire for relationships with them 

that will change their lives forever. 

On a larger scale, Experiencing God 

has affected entire organizations, many of 

which credit the study with helping turn 

bad situations into good and bringing hope 

to tragic circumstances. 

IN PRISON 

In 1995, Burl Cain became the new 

warden at Louisiana State Penitentiary 

at Angola, arguably the most violent and 

dangerous prison in America. Knowing 

how God had used Experiencing God in 

his own life and believing that real change 

takes place in the heart, Cain soon introduced 

the workbook to the 5,200 inmates 

at Angola prison. 

Over time, more and more inmates responded 

to the message. Some felt called 

to serve as Christian ministers and began 

meeting with other inmates for worship 

and prayer. New Orleans Baptist Theological 

Seminary later opened an extension 

center at the prison, and more than 150 

men have earned bachelor’s or associate’s 

degrees. Inmate volunteers built chapels 

on the prison grounds. To this day, inmate 

congregations continue to use Experiencing 

God to lead others to deeper relationships 

with Christ. 

Cain said that since inmates began studying 

Experiencing God, acts of violence 

have dropped 70 percent. Inmates have requested 

to be sent to other prisons where 

they can begin new ministries. Each year, 

500 children get to spend a day with their 

incarcerated dads at a carnival, and an annual 

rodeo and craft show draws 15,000 

people from the community to spend time 

with the inmates. Hospice care is available 

for dying inmates, and cardboard coffins 

have been replaced with polished wooden 

ones built by inmate carpenters. 

A sign at the prison gate paraphrases 

Philippians 3:13 and summarizes the 

thoughts of Cain and the men who have 

experienced God: “I don’t look to the past, 

I press on to the future.” 

IN HOSPITALS 

A January 2007 news story about an 

18-year-old patient at Wolfson’s Children’s 

Hospital in Jacksonville, Fla., led business- 

Euthanasia weighs evenly on 

U.S. morality scale 

by Charlie Butts - OneNewsNow 

Gallup’s most recent “Values and Beliefs” 

survey shows an even split among 

Americans on the issue of doctor-assisted 

suicide. 

While Americans find abortion morally 

wrong by a 50-to-38 percent margin, the 

poll shows they are split evenly (46% to 

46%) when it comes to euthanasia. Rita 

Marker, president of the International 

Task Force on Euthanasia and Assisted 

Suicide (ITF), explains that does not mean 

more people are siding with proponents of 

assisted suicide. 

“Two years ago, 51 percent found it to 

be morally acceptable. It’s gone down five 

percentage points,” she reports. “The same 

way in 2008: 44 percent thought it was 

wrong; now 46 percent think it’s wrong. So 

since 2003, it has not been this much of a 

drop.” 

That means that over the past seven 

years, fewer people are finding the practice 

acceptable. Marker points out that 

there were higher rates for doctor-assisted 

suicide in previous polls when the question 

was acceptability on the basis of pain 

when nothing further could be done for a 

terminal illness. 

“But...none of the proposals that have 

been presented ever have said people have 

to be in pain,” she points out. “When people 

begin to recognize...that it’s just a diagnosis 

-- or as I say, misdiagnosis -- of a 

prediction on how long they have to live, 

that’s the only thing that’s required. It 

doesn’t have anything to do with pain.” 

So she concludes that this “misdiagnosis” 

has led people down a slippery slope 

to suicide for no legitimate reason. For 

example, people in Europe obtain help to 

end their lives for depression, which can 

be treated. Likewise, a spouse choosing to 

die at the same time their ailing mate commits 

suicide may seek assisted suicide. 

But realizing the divide among Americans 

on pro-life issues, advocates are 

working to change the hearts and minds by 

insisting that issues be framed properly. 

man Carldon Lahey to make a contribution 

to the hospital. His step led to the start of 

Christ’s Starfish Foundation, a program 

committed to helping non-cancer patients 

in pediatric hospitals and their families. 

Lahey traces the inspiration for the foundation 

to his Sunday School class’ study of 

Experiencing God. For him, the study became 

a spiritual marker -- a time of transition, 

decision or direction -- to which God 

had clearly guided him. 

“I learned that God initiates everything 

and everything came from Him,” Lahey 

said, noting that the concept changed his 

life. “I know that when God puts something 

in your hand, you run with it.” 

The program has expanded to children’s 

hospitals in other Florida cities. “We are 

trying to make a difference, one hurting 

family at a time, helping hurting children 

and their families in the name of Jesus 

Christ,” Lahey said. 

JOIN GOD WHERE HE IS WORKING 

Since its beginning in 1956, Emmanuel 

Baptist Church in Farmington, N.M., has 

been known as a church with a heart for 

missions. 

When Emmanuel studied Experiencing 

God as a congregation, one line in the material 

-- “You cannot be in relationship with 

God and not be on mission” -- convinced 

church members they should determine 

where God is working and join Him. 

Emmanuel supports a school, the local 

crisis pregnancy center and the crisis clos- 

(EP News)--The nation’s largest adoption 

agency reports that adoptions – 

international and domestic – have increased 

by 26 percent over last year. 

Bethany Christian Services has also 

seen a 19 percent increase in families 

stepping forward to begin the adoption 

process this year. 

Marc Andreas, vice president of marketing 

for Bethany, said, “People have 

been really touched by the tragedy in 

Haiti and witnessing the reality of the 

orphan crisis.” 

Bethany has partnered with many 

organizations to promote adoption, including 

Focus on the Family and the 

MTV reality show “16 and Pregnant.” 

In fact, one episode featured a Bethany 

birth mother who decided to place 

her baby with a family in North Carolina. 

“It was one of the most watched 

shows in all of MTV, on their network in 

et of the San Juan Baptist Association. The 

church also is known for helping people 

with their utility and rent bills, giving aid 

to victims of Hurricane Katrina and ministering 

to AIDS orphans and prisoners. 

The congregation has started five mission 

churches, one of which has grown to 

start a mission of its own. “There is just a 

lot our members are involved in, and they 

want to be,” Kirby Kennedy, a former pastor, 

said. “They want to give -- of their finances, 

of their gifts, of themselves -- because 

God is the greatest giver.” 

REVISED BUT UNCHANGED 

Through the years, LifeWay Christian 

Resources has published an entire family 

of Experiencing God resources, including 

an Experiencing the Word New Testament 

and the Experiencing God musical. 

The 2007 revision, adding Richard 

Blackaby as a co-author, offers DVD messages 

and new applications and stories. 

The vehicles carrying the message have 

changed, but the message remains the 

same. Experiencing God leads believers 

to know God intimately and encourages 

them to faithfully step out and join Him in 

His work -- with miraculous results. 

Sam House writes for LifeWay Christian 

Resources. For more information 

on “Experiencing God” materials, go to 

www.lifeway.com/experiencinggod. 

Adoptions increase 26 

percent worldwide 

2009,” Andreas said. 

Bill Blacquiere, president and CEO 

of Bethany, said while the numbers are 

encouraging, there’s more work to be 

done. “The figures Bethany released 

show strong improvement as we confront 

the global orphan crisis,” he said, 

“but the need still remains as there are 

still an incredible number of orphaned 

children who wait for their ‘forever family.’ 

“It is our vision that every child has a 

loving family, so we are working to find 

new families and identify supportive local 

communities. We all must contribute 

to take measurable and immediate action 

in order to find more families who 

can provide loving homes.” 

Join our e-news today! Sign up at www.WestMichiganChristianNews.com

page 6 

Record of Reality 

Archaeological Discovery Supports Scripture 

Chuck Colson 

Breakpoint.org 

Once again, archaeology confirms the 

accuracy of biblical history. That’s good 

news, but should it affect how we believers 

view Scripture? 

Israeli archaeologist Eilat Mazar has reported 

an exciting discovery—evidence 

that newly unearthed fortifications in Jerusalem 

were built 3,000 years ago. Based 

on the age of pottery shards that she found 

at the site, Mazar believes that the fortifications 

were built by Solomon, just as described 

in the Old Testament. 

Of course that’s interesting news for 

Jews and Christians, but there’s a lot more 

to this than you might expect. As the Associated 

Press reported, “If the age of the 

wall is correct, the finding would be an 

indication that Jerusalem was home to 

a strong central government that had the 

resources and manpower needed to build 

massive fortifications in the 10th century 

B.C.” 

That’s a direct contradiction to the views 

of some scholars who believe, as the AP 

puts it, “that David’s [and Solomon’s] monarchy 

was largely mythical and that there 

was no strong government to speak of in 

that era.” 

No wonder that Mazar calls the wall 

“the most significant construction we have 

from First Temple days in Israel.” And if 

she’s right, we will have another link in the 

long chain of evidence that demonstrates 

the historical veracity of the Bible. 

As I’ve said before on BreakPoint, discoveries 

like these are worth getting excited 

over—even though we need to be 

careful not to get too carried away by 

them. Every archaeological, historical, 

or even scientific find that we make that 

supports the Scriptures is welcome news. 

They remind us that the Bible is a record 

Three 'lies' about reaching 

Muslims 

by Erich Bridges/Baptist Press 

MIDDLE EAST (BP)--Karim* grew up in 

an Arab Christian family in a Middle Eastern 

country -- part of the “1 percent of Christians 

among the 99 percent Muslims,” as he 

describes it. 

When you’re part of a tiny, historically 

persecuted minority, you tend to keep your 

head down and your mouth closed. You also 

tend to believe what your elders tell you 

about the majority, whether it’s true or not. 

Karim did -- for a time. 

Now an evangelical pastor in the Middle 

East, Karim fervently believes the Christians 

of the region “are responsible for 

reaching the 99 percent.” But too many still 

accept three “evangelical lies” that prevent 

them from sharing Jesus with their Muslim 

neighbors: 

-- A spirit of fear. “Most Christians are 

afraid to go and reach Muslims because of 

fear,” Karim declares. “We [Christians] say, 

‘They will kill us. They will kill our family, 

our children.’” 

-- Muslims won’t believe. “Many, many 

Christians say that Muslims will not follow 

Christ” -- ever. End of story. 

-- Christians lack the resources to evangelize 

Muslims. “We say we don’t have the 

money,” Karim says. “This is another lie, because 

if I have the heart to reach Muslims, I 

can go out and reach 1,000 people and share 

Christ with them. Maybe I need $5 to put gas 

in my car. If I go walking, I don’t need any 

money at all.” 

But it took Karim a long time to reject the 

lies. 

As a young man he wandered in the spiritual 

wilderness. He worked in a nightclub (“I 

was a big sinner,” he confesses). Weary of 

cultural Christianity, he even converted to 

Islam for several years. When he returned to 

Christ with his whole heart, a Muslim friend 

quickly noticed the change in his life. 

“I was so excited about what happened 

to me, so the first thing I did was to share 

it with one of my best friends,” Karim recounts. 

“He said, ‘Karim, if Jesus did that 

in your life, I want to follow Him.’ I said, 

‘No, no, no.’ You see, the fear is there inside 

us. He said, ‘But I want to follow Christ as 

you did because it is very good.’ I said, ‘OK, 

think about it, and we can talk tomorrow.’ 

The next morning at 8:30 he came to me and 

said, ‘I decided to give my life to Jesus and 

to follow Him with no conditions.’” 

A second friend believed, and a third, and 

a fourth. All were Muslims. Not all decided 

to follow Christ as quickly as the first, but 

Karim could no longer deny Muslims wanted 

the priceless gift he had to share. 

He began to sense what a Saudi friend later 

put into words: “We Muslims are beloved 

people, but we are cheated” -- cheated out of 

knowing about the One who loves them because 

other followers of Christ are too timid 

or indifferent to tell them about Him. 

“You know the difference between leading 

a Christian-background person to Christ 

or a Muslim?” Karim asks. “The first is like 

a tree planted in your backyard, and in six 

months you start to get fruit. But to lead a 

Muslim to Christ, you are digging in a mine. 

You may spend years, but what you find 

there is not fruit. It is diamonds!” 

What keeps him digging? Every day he 

hears about -- or personally witnesses -- a 

Muslim coming to Christ. 

“This is the fuel I’m getting from the Lord.” 

*Name changed. Erich Bridges is global 

correspondent for the International Mission 

Board (imb.org). 

of real people, places, and events—that as 

Dorothy L. Sayers put it, Jesus Christ was 

“born into history,” not into mythology. 

At a time when the veracity of the Bible 

is under attack from all sides, such reminders 

are always refreshing and encouraging. 

Yet at the same time, the primary source 

of our beliefs must remain the Bible itself. 

I made this point several years ago when 

archaeologists discovered an ossuary— 

that is, a box for bones—marked “James... 

brother of Jesus.” Even today there is controversy 

over the ossuary’s authenticity. 

But even if the discovery of an ossuary 

or a city wall corroborates what the Bible 

says, that does not make the biblical 

facts more factual—it simply confirms 

them. And as historian Paul Johnson says, 

the confirming evidence for scriptural accuracy 

is mounting—so much so that the 

sceptics, not the Christians, must fear the 

further course of scientific discovery. 

But always remember—the Bible stands 

on its own credible witness, regardless 

by Tom Strode/Baptist Press 

WASHINGTON (BP)--Adult stem cells 

have restored sight to more than threefourths 

of patients blinded by chemical 

burns to their eyes, according to a new 

research study. 

The results, reported at the International 

Society for Stem Cell Research 

meeting in San Francisco, showed success 

in 77 percent of people in the study 

after one or two procedures, according 

to Bloomberg News. It showed partial 

success in 13 percent of the cases and 

failure in 10 percent. 

Italian researchers tracked participants 

in the study for an average of three 

years, some for as many as 10 years. 

The procedure involved taking healthy 

stem cells from a patient’s eye and, after 

growing them, layering the tissue onto 

the injured eyes, Bloomberg reported. 

The stem cells were taken from the limbus, 

which is at the intersection of the 

cornea and the sclera, the white portion 

of the eye. The cells produced a healthy 

cornea in the successful cases, resulting 

in an eye that is normal in color and appearance. 


of whether secondary sources confirm or 

seemingly contradict it. 

If we get too caught up in each discovery 

that seems to support the Bible, we run the 

risk of building our faith on a less-than-solid 

foundation. And we run the risk of being 

disappointed and disillusioned should 

a certain artifact be somehow discredited. 

Better to build our faith on the solid rock 

of God’s Word—even as the evidence continues 

to mount, this time from a pile of 

ancient rubble pointing to the Word’s veracity. 

Several years ago, Paul Johnson gave 

a remarkable speech at Dallas Seminary 

called “A Historian Looks at Jesus.” It’s one 

of the best pieces on the accuracy of Scripture 

I’ve encountered. I encourage you to 

read it as well—and you can do that now 

because we have it for you at our website, 

BreakPoint.org. 

From BreakPoint, June 23, 2010, reprinted 

with permission of Prison Fellowship, 

www.breakpoint.org 

Study shows adult stem cells 

successful in restoring sight 

“The patients, they are happy, even the 

partial successes,” said lead researcher 

Graziella Pellegrini of the University of 

Modena’s Center for Regenerative Medicine, 

according to Bloomberg. “We have 

a couple of patients who were blind in 

both eyes. Can you imagine for these patients 

the change in their quality of life?” 

The study involved treatment of 112 

people. 

The method may assist in other therapies, 

a researcher said. 

“This is bigger than just the surface 

of the eye,” said Ivan Schwab, a stem 

cell researcher at the University of California-Davis, 

according to Bloomberg. 

Schwab said it may work on regenerating 

“livers or other organs.” 

The study is another success for adult, 

or non-embryonic, stem cells, which 

have produced therapies in trials for at 

least 73 ailments in human beings, according 

to Do No Harm, a coalition promoting 

ethics in research. Embryonic 

stem cell research, which results from 

the destruction of human embryos, has 

yet to generate successful treatments in 

human beings. 


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PASTORS speak 

The most important thing the Lord has taught me 

Lew Vander Meer 

Senior Pastor, New Community 

Church in Grand Rapids 

Boundaries! That’s it - the most important 

thing the Lord has taught me. Boundaries 

- knowing where to “draw the line” in 

time (schedules), people (relationships), 

work life and personal life. 

Saying “Boundaries is the most important 

thing I’ve learned from God” may surprise 

some people. You would think “salvation” 

or “forgiveness” or “grace” would 

be the most important. Well, they are 

- along with many other great gifts from 

God. But, I am assuming that such things 

are “the most important” for all Christians. 

After assuming these greatest gifts God 

has given, what is next on the list of “most 

important”? For me, it’s boundaries. 

I am picking boundaries because God 

wants me to have a life of joy and peace 

without anxiety (Philippians 4). These 

biblical goals are hard to achieve without 

boundaries. Life can get “messy” because 

of busy schedules, people’s demands on 

me, responsibilities of work and family, 

and the pressures of my own emotions. If 

I do not form and abide by boundaries, my 

life can soon become burdened with disappointment. 

Here’s how it works. I know God wants 

me to care about people and serve the 

needs of others (Matthew 25). I also have 

a family, a house and home. If I give in too 

much to the demands of those in need, I 

will be late for supper, gone too many 

evenings, away from spouse and children, 

and neglecting the chores and needs of the 

house and property. This leads to complaining, 

criticism, arguing, disappointment, 

hurt - all of which remove joy and 

peace and bring on anxiety. Converse- 

Man’s way leads to 

a Hopeless End; 

God’s way to 

Endless Hope 

SentenceSermons.com 

ly, when I stick so close to home and am 

never available for the mission project, 

the Serve/Care committee at church, the 

needs of next door neighbor, I begin to feel 

guilt and feel that my Christian life is shallow. 

Again, this robs me of joy and peace 

and brings on anxiety. 

The solution is boundaries. You define 

what needs to be done at home and “out 

there” to help others. You also specify the 

hours and the days. And then stick to it! 

When you’re asked to help someone in 

need but you’ve promised to be home, you 

stay home and schedule a different time to 

help the person in need. Because you’ve 

been faithful at home, when it’s time to go 

and serve, you go! And there’s no guilt. 

Plus, those at home feel fulfilled and are 

“proud” of your willingness to serve. Result? 

Joy, peace and no anxiety. 

Relationships are another huge area 

where God teaches boundaries. There 

is the obvious boundary of the 7th Commandment 

- You shall not commit adultery. 

There are also other important boundary 

issues in relationships. I must understand 

that there is a huge leap when I go from a 

casual friendship to a companionship. A 

companion is one who “shares all things.” 

Companionship means trust, openness, 

risk-taking, commitment, honesty, and, 

depending on the nature of the relationship, 

intimacy. To move into that level of 

a relationship is beautiful but dangerous. 

The beautiful is probably obvious. The 

dangerous part is linked to what is now 

expected of you and the other person in 

terms of time, commitment, responsibility, 

and expectations. If someone is ready for 

all these things - great! Then it’s beautiful. 

An example is the excellent marriage. 

But, not carefully regarding the boundary 

between the casual friendship and companionship 

can lead to pain and devastation. 

Again, the joy and peace are gone 

and anxiety has arrived. 

A final boundary God has given us is 

the boundary between work, home and 

the world “out there.” This is the old idea 

of “don’t take your work home with you.” 

But, it’s true. There ought to be an invisible 

line drawn at the threshold of the family 

house that says, “Work stays on this 

side, family on that side.” Now, of course, 

there are times you need to talk about a 

work issue with a spouse. The idea of this 

boundary is that you aren’t moody around 

the house because of the tensions of the 

workday; you’re not griping about the boss 

and the job at every evening meal. When 

these things happen, the family no longer 

has joy and peace - and the anxiety starts 

to show. 

The same, though, is even true of 

friends. Some families love to have the 

friends, buddies, and relatives streaming 

in and out of the house at all times. But 

many families and spouses don’t like it. 

When a spouse and/or family views the 

dropping-in of friends as an invasion of 

privacy and family time, the joy and peace 

go away and, yes, the anxiety builds. Solution? 

The family agrees on the “come 

on over anytime” policy. The old saying, 

“Where there’s room in the heart, there’s 

room in the home” is true. And where the 

heart is saying, “Let’s have some privacy, 

some peace and quiet, some time to ourselves,” 

then there’s not room for lots of 

buddies hanging around at all times. 

Agree on boundaries and live it. In doing 

so there will be joy, peace, and a minimum 

of anxiety. God teaches in the 8th Commandment, 

“Don’t steal.” Don’t steal the 

others’ time, privacy, and trust as well as 

their joy and peace. We don’t steal when 

we respect God’s gift and teaching of 

boundaries. 

COMING SOON 

KEEP WATCHING 

California school 

district adopts 

Bible course 

Becky Yeh - OneNewsNow California 

correspondent 

A California school district has decided 

in a 5-0 vote to adopt a Bible 

course that will be available to students 

in the upcoming school year. 

Beginning this fall, high school seniors 

of the Chino Valley School District 

will have the chance to enroll in a new 

course called “Bible as/in Literature 

and History.” 

Envisioned by the board’s Vice President 

James Na, the class will focus on 

giving students an understanding of 

the Bible’s influence in history, literature, 

religion and politics. It will offer 

a survey of the Bible, beginning with 

the historical context of the Old Testament, 

and then will focus on the New 

Testament later in the semester. It will 

also provide students with a historical 

knowledge of the Middle East. 

Students may take the course as an 

elective, fulfilling the general requirement 

for admission into California 

State University and the University of 

California. 

Fred Youngblood, president of the 

Board of Education, believes the 

course will better equip students in 

life, and he hopes other school districts 

will offer a similar class. 

“It is my belief that better understanding 

the Bible will help all students 

with their decision-making process,” 

he explains. 

The class stems from parents in the 

district who showed an interest in 

having the Bible taught in the public 

school system. The committee considered 

the comments and began to 

research how the district could meet 

the request. 

The Chino Valley Board of Education 

must make sure that the course 

will adhere to the state education code 

and to California state laws, so it will 

remain neutral in its religious teachings 

and will portray the Bible as a 

monumental piece of literature. 

Youngblood is in the process of securing 

a textbook that will provide the 

basis of the course’s curriculum. 

“The preface of the textbook... 

states, ‘The Bible has been and still is 

one of the most influential books ever 

published. Its influence is seen in literature, 

art, music, culture, public policy 

and public debate,’” the board president 

reports. 

He believes the Bible will make 

a helpful impact in the lives of the 

students. 

“The Bible has been a part of my life 

ever since I could remember. It has 

had a very positive influence on me 

and my family,” Youngblood shares. 

“It is my hope that our students will 

have a better understanding of the 

impact the Bible has had on all that 

surrounds us.”

page 8 

Are You Mad at God? 

I know a preacher whose son became 

sick with cancer. He prayed and believed 

with all his heart that God would heal him. 

But his son died. He became angry with 

God and cried out to Him, “Where were 

You when my son died?!” 

A woman who works for me was divorced 

after thirty-nine years of marriage. 

Her husband left her. One day she found 

a note from him telling her he was leaving; 

he didn’t even discuss it with her. She 

said to me, “Joyce, please pray for me that 

I won’t get mad at God, because if I don’t 

have Him, I don’t have anything.” 

Have you ever said or thought, “If You’re 

really God, then why is this happening to 

me?” Or “If You really love me, then why 

haven’t You gotten me out of this mess 

when I know full well You could do it. Why 

are You letting me sit in this mess?!” Or 

“It’s not fair and it’s not right. What about 

me?” Or just “Why, God, why? When, God, 

when?!” 

Most of us have hoped and prayed for 

something to happen a certain way but it 

didn’t. And when this happened, we had a 

choice to make: to react with offense toward 

God or to trust Him anyway. 

Jesus said that offense is a stumbling 

block. In Matthew 11:6 He says, “Blessed… 

is he who takes no offense at Me and finds 

no cause for stumbling in or through Me 

and is not hindered from seeing the Truth” 

(The Amplified Bible). 

The Problem with Being Mad at God 

There are many people in the body of 

Christ who are offended at God because 

they didn’t get something they wanted the 

way they thought it should have happened. 

This attitude is dangerous because being 

offended with God causes our relationship 

with Him to stop progressing. And it’s foolish 

to be mad at the One who can help you 

when you’re struggling. 

I understand what it’s like to be mad 

at God. I was sexually abused for many 

years while I was growing up, and there 

were many times during those years that I 

begged God to get me out of that situation. 

But He didn’t. 

I remember one day when He said to me, 

“You may never fully understand it. Give it 

to me, trust Me, and see what I’ll do with 

it. If you’ll trust me and do things My way, 

I’ll give you double blessings for the shame 

you had in your youth.” 

My testimony is that God has used all of 

the horribly wrong things that happened 

to me to do great things in my life and 

through my ministry. I’ve learned to really 

trust Him and lean on Him as my source of 

love, peace, righteousness and joy in ways 

I may never have experienced if I didn’t 

need Him so desperately because of the 

abuse. 

How to Resist Offense and Keep 

Trusting God 

Trusting Him is the key to being free of 

worry, fear, anxiety, bitterness and distress 

when we experience disappointments or 

we’re mistreated. I know God is good even 

when I don’t understand and I’m hurting. 

And I don’t have to know everything because 

I know the One who knows. 

There are five things you need to say 

when you’re tempted to be mad at God: 

• God, I love You and I believe You love 

me. 

• I trust You. 

• You are good. 

• I refuse to be afraid. 

• All things work together for good for 

those who love You and are call according 

to Your purpose – You will work this out 

for good if I will continue to trust in You. 

Don’t live your life questioning God 

about things you just can’t understand. 

Don’t fall into the trap of demanding to 

know why. Everything in life is not fair and 

doesn’t make sense, but if we will have 

simple, childlike trust and faith in God, 

we can live free of offense and have true 

peace and joy through it all. 

Joyce Meyer is a New York Times bestselling 

author and founder of Joyce Meyer 

Ministries, Inc. She has authored more 

than 80 books, including Battlefield of 

the Mind and The Love Revolution (Hachette). 

She hosts the Enjoying Everyday 

Life radio and TV programs, which air on 

hundreds of stations worldwide. For more 

information, visit www.joycemeyer.org. 

“Blessed is he who takes no offense at Me...” 

–Matthew 11:6 


Problem Child, or Princess Continued from page 1 

From the MOPS website: 

Teen MOPS offers… 

• Biblically based teaching by women 

past their teen years who can share insights 

on motherhood, child rearing, relationships, 

and other topics of interest 

to teen moms. 

• Discussion groups in an open, caring 

atmosphere where moms are free to 

share their ideas and feelings with each 

other. 

• The opportunity to express creativity 

through crafts and life-skills. 

• Leadership training and development. 

•A chance to be with other teen moms 

who share similar circumstances. 

• A place of encouragement, where 

motherhood is valued and women are 

special, no matter what their status, education, 

or personal issues. 

• The opportunity to build friendships 

with MOPS Mentors. 

• The safe and positive environment of 

MOPPETS for children to receive Christian 

love and teaching. 

Each December, the girls are treated 

to a candlelight dinner and a bazaar at 

Sunshine Church where they eat a gourmet 

dinner, then they get to pick from 

a variety of new Christmas presents for 

themselves and their children. Donors 

have even made it possible for them to 

be chauffeured to the church in limousines! 

The girls get “all dolled up” for the 

event; the leaders help them do their hair 

and makeup. They are treated like princesses, 

and they’re reminded that they 

are daughters of the King. 

The girls also give back. Recently they 

spent time making relief bags to send to 

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there. The young moms filled 100 bags 

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and more. 

Starting this fall, Ani says their theme 

will “Freedom Writers.” In addition to the 

regular program, the girls will be given 

blank journals and encouraged to write 

about anything they want; then their 

mentors will write responses to them. 

They’re hoping this encourages the girls 

to talk about things they may be uncomfortable 

expressing verbally or in a group 

setting. 

Men help out too, by cooking for Teen 

MOPS events, providing transportation, 

babysitting, and teaching classes, among 

other things. It’s important for the girls 

to see they and their children are loved 

by the men of the church as well as the 

women. 

Steve Thomas was the keynote speaker 

at a Teen MOPS fundraiser dinner a 

few years ago, and he said something 

that stuck with me. Steve was Principal 

of Northview Alternative High School 

at the time, and several of the girls from 

his campus had attended the Teen MOPS 

program at Sunshine Church. He said, 

“These Teen MOPS leaders are the only 

people that are doing anything positive 

for the girls. They are welcome in my 

building any time!” 

Want to help? 

Donations can be made to: 

Sunshine Community Church, 

designated “for Teen MOPS,” 

or to volunteer, contact Ani Blickley 

at blickley01@comcast.net 

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Fiction: 

Masters and Slayers - Bryan Davis 

Solitary - Travis Thrasher 

For Time and Eternity - Allison Pittman 

Bishop - Steven James 

Licensed for Trouble - Susan Warren 

Serendipity - Cathy Hake 

Twilight’s Serenade - Tracie Peterson 

Gathering Storm - Brock and Bodie Thoene 

Skin Map - Steven Lawhead 

Bridge of Peace - CIndy Woodsmall 

Nonfiction: 

Death of Evolution - Jim Black 

Good Girls Don’t Have to Dress Bad - Shari Braendl 

Great Parents Lousy Lovers - 

Game Plan for Life - Joe Gibbs 

Land Between - Jeff Manion 

Power of a Whisper - Bill Hybels 

Mentor Leader - Tony Dungy 

Called to Coach - Bobby Bowden 

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Greatly Blessed - Gaither Vocal Band 

We Cry Out the Worship Project - Jeremy Camp 

Edge of the Divine - Sandy Patti 

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Encore Tidbits for Seniors 

New is Good, Old is Bad - Right? Wrong! 

L. James Harvey Ph.D. 

Author and Speaker 

There seems to be an opinion around 

that old is bad and new is good. I’m afraid 

some seniors develop an inferiority complex 

because of it. It is true that society 

is often developing wonderful new inventions 

that make our lives better, but not 

everything new is good. Need I mention 

the Edsel or look-say reading or progressive 

education or communism or socialism 

or no-fault divorce or hundreds of movements 

down through history that have led 

people astray and caused massive harm? 

They were all new at one time and proved 

to be very bad. 

One of the most important books I have 

ever read is entitled, The Lessons of History, 

by Will and Ariel Durant. The Durants 

were probably the most prolific writers 

in the 20th century. They wrote numerous 

volumes on different periods of history. 

Then they wrote the book above to 

encapsulate what history teaches. One of 

their conclusions was that out of every 

100 new ideas developed, 99 will probably 

prove inferior to the traditional ones they 

seek to replace. They are saying that the 

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has survived for a reason and new ideas 

have a steep hill to climb to replace them. 

In short, accepting some idea just because 

it’s new is a very bad policy. 

The Durants also stress the importance 

for a society of having the older generations 

check the youth and inexperience of 

the younger generations in order to keep 

society on an even keel. In short, what’s 

new needs to be tested and tried before it 

becomes accepted by society. So seniors 

have a critical role to play in questioning 

new ideas, and the young have a role in 

bringing new thoughts but would be wise 

to listen to the wisdom of the past. 

Some very old values like the Ten Commandments, 

fidelity in marriage, being 

charitable, and a host of others have met 

the test of time. It would be foolish to try 

and replace them. The Durants also say 

never in history has there been a democracy 

without a moral foundation. We would 

be foolish to try. They also state that no society 

has ever had a moral system without 

religion. For the U.S. to try it, as we seem 

to be doing, would be defying history. 

On a church level some believe the only 

valid worship music is the new rock-based 

praise music. Will it eventually replace the 

time honored collection of Christian music 

written under the inspiration of the Holy 

Spirit by devoted Christians down through 

the centuries? I doubt it. Fads don’t have 

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staying power; time-honored acceptance 

does. When something new comes along 

it ought to be tested and tried before it replaces 

the traditional. If it doesn’t prove 

to be better, it ought to be relegated to a 

lesser place or eliminated. 

So new isn’t always better; in fact, it can 

sometimes be harmful. Educators who 

thought phonics was outdated and progressive 

education was superior to the 

traditional nearly ruined a couple of generations 

of American children. They were 

wrong and new wasn’t better. 

So take heart, seniors, and speak up 

when you feel something new doesn’t 

have the quality of the traditional which 

has been tested. Also be encouraged that 

recent scientific findings on the mature 

mind are finding that the older mind is in 

many respects superior to the younger 

mind. Wisdom and experience are important. 

Never sell yourself short and never be 

afraid to speak up about a new idea that 

needs challenging. 

How you know you’re getting old 

The little old grey haired lady you help 

across the street is your wife. 

L. James Harvey is a former Dean at 

Hope College in Holland Michigan and 

the author of 10 Christian books. Visit his 

website at www.sentencesermons.com. 

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page 10 


All The Difference 

The Potter’s House Christian Schools 

by Deb Marcusse 

In the late 1970s a young Grandville 

man stood at the crook of his own particular 

road. A new teacher in the Grand 

Rapids Public Schools, John Booy faced a 

decision point in his life. An accomplished 

graduate with the possibility of worldly 

success laid out before him, he appreciated 

what one of his paths could offer: a 

meaningful career, a steady rise to the top 

in his field, his family’s approbation, the 

world’s acclaim, comfort and success. 

But... he felt the tug of a different path. 

Could God be asking him to make a radical 

decision, one that not many in his day 

and time would understand? One whose 

end result, in 1981, could not be predicted? 

Indeed, one that not many even saw 

the need for? 

Booy saw the need. He and some college 

friends had moved to Roosevelt Park, 

a low-income neighborhood on the southwest 

side of Grand Rapids. Booy saw the 

Roosevelt Park children he taught consistently 

testing lower than other Grand Rapids 

public school students (third lowest 

in the state in 1979). The kids were also 

experiencing the physical, emotional, and 

spiritual problems consistently linked 

with low academic performance. Booy 

and his friends chose to make a difference. 

But doing so would require rare levels 

of dedication. 

The many dedicated teachers in the 

public school system do not keep the 

standardization and often politicization of 

large systems from precluding individualized 

treatment. Many parents cannot afford 

the full tuition of Christian schools. 

These three young teachers – Nellene 

Duimstra, Mark Van Zanten, and John 

Booy – envisioned a small, family-oriented 

school, say 30 children, where parental 

involvement could be kept consistently 

high, where each child could be known 

by his or her teachers, and where a fitting 

curriculum could thus be formulated. The 

Potter’s House (TPH) was born. Intentionally 

diverse and welcoming students from 

all economic strata, the school developed 

a “pay as you are able” system which prevented 

parents from paying beyond what 

they could handle while keeping all parents 

involved in their children’s education. 

While accomplishment and energy and 

wise planning all make a big difference, 

it is often dedication that turns the tide. 

Two of these visionary teachers left full 

time jobs to volunteer as the first instruc- 

tors. In 1981 Duimstra and Van Zanten 

began teaching 12 students in an unused 

basement. Booy acted as administrator 

most of the hours outside his own public 

school teaching job. The next year, in 

a huge leap of faith, the group purchased 

an elementary building. Ten years later 

they began a middle school. In 1998 a high 

school opened its doors, graduating its 

first class in 2001. That was also the year 

Booy retired from public school teaching 

to become full time superintendent. Today 

TPH is fully accredited for students from 

pre-kindergarten through 12th grade, with 

nearly 500 students on two bustling campuses. 

The Potter’s House small size means 

the administration is free to hire teachers 

with the same vision that inspired TPH: 

“Making Christ-centered education available 

to all children.” Being independent 

means having the ability to pray together 

daily as a community. Teachers at TPH are 

passionate about sharing a God-centered 

world view with their students. Each 

classroom has daily devotions together, 

the Bible is taught as a subject with history 

and science, and higher grades also 

form discipleship groups where kids fos- 

It was Yogi Berra who once said, “You can observe a lot just by watching.” 

Sherry Sprotte agrees. She’s a TPH volunteer and also serves on The Potter’s House Foundation Board. 

“I was first introduced to TPH at a New Friends Banquet. Right away, it was apparent to me that there was something very 

different from any other school I’d ever been in. The difference was the Christ-centered aspect of The Potter’s House,” she remembers. 

“I came here with the hopes of being able to impact a child but I’ve actually been very blessed by these kids,” she smiles. “I 

realize that I’m having more impact than I ever thought possible.” 

“It’s pretty cool to see students’ eyes light up when I walk in,” she laughs. “They’re actually happy to see me and disappointed 

if I miss a week. It’s not an ego thing, just a relationship being built and growing. And you can tell that everyone who works 

here is very passionate about what they do.” She adds, “This place has the sense of a family, not just people working together.” 

“What is nobler 

than to mold 

the character 

of the young?” 

–St. John Chrysostom, 

4th Century


ter, encourage, and challenge each other. 

For the past three years, TPH has graduated 

100% of its 12th grade class – compared 

to state averages of about 75% overall. 

(Graduation rate for all GR students 

is less than 50%.) TPH does not focus on 

statistics or even scores, however. The focus 

remains on the individual. 

This starts in elementary school with 

John Booy greeting each student at the 

door, by name, every day of the year. This 

personalized approach to education is the 

hallmark of The Potter’s House. The focus 

continues with a devotion to excellence at 

each student’s personal level. The beauty 

of The Potter’s House is that staff members 

are free to use every available tool 

to work with students. They can teach, 

they can pray, they can disciple, they can 

provide an environment where God is encountered 

daily. 

Students participate in a full sports program 

after 6th grade, in regional spelling 

contests, and in music, choir, and band 

competitions. But the vision of TPH is 

wider than just the classrooms or the playgrounds: 

teacher-led groups of students 

walk the neighborhoods, asking for prayer 

requests from the people they see. At least 

one neighborhood has seen inexplicable 

revitalization after such prayer walks. Students 

in the higher grades even take mission 

trips to Mexico. 

Early on, Booy says, the school realized 

Norene Botts is from a family that has always believed in drinking deeply 

from the well of learning. At 84, she’s been volunteering at The Potter’s House for more than 20 years. She was 

once a teacher at her husband’s church, all of her five children worked as teachers and some of them even married teachers! 

“We always used to say that our family could start its own school,” she laughs. She’s also the mother-in-law for former Potter’s 

House High School principal, John Walcott, and has two grandchildren attending TPH. 

Norene tutors elementary English and sometimes math. She says, “Oh my goodness, I tell everybody it’s a super-excellent 

school. I wish all kids could get this kind of education – especially the part where they learn about Jesus.” 

These days she calls herself a “fair weather” volunteer, noting that winter storms test her driving skills more than she’d like. 

“But I can’t quit because I just love to do it. I’m glad that I’m healthy and am still able to help out.” 

that academic success was not enough. 

“What if we succeed,” he and his friends 

asked themselves, “and catch students 

up on their reading levels, but ignore the 

lack of healthy relationships the students 

have been experiencing?” The school realized 

that to accomplish its mission, the 

feet of each student must be set on new 

paths in the fullest sense: from broken relationships 

to healthy relationships; from 

no hope to the hope of God’s redemption; 

from no vision of the future to a vision of 

healing and a great future (see Jeremiah 

33). 

This vision affects the families of the 

students as well as the kids themselves. 

In addition to contributing as financially 

able, parental involvement means volunteering 

in various ways to keep the school 

running smoothly, from yard work to individual 

tutoring. In return, parents are 

assured that their children are in a safe 

environment every day, where that child 

can study and grow in peace, unthreatened 

by either gang violence or personal 

bullying. Because of the large network of 

tutors and other programs, students also 

have academic opportunities they would 

not have elsewhere. 

Parents also know that their children 

participate every day in a unique multicultural 

atmosphere, where kids regularly 

share about the 23 home cultures and traditions 

they represent. Because families 

also come from many different churches, 

kids get the privilege of seeing how certain 

practices are lived out in faith communities 

different from their own. They 

learn to discern what unites Christians 

everywhere. 

The Potter’s House’s very different educational 

path involves sacrifice. In fact, 

TPH was founded on it. Duimstra and Van 

Zanten, the first two teachers, accepted no 

salaries for their first three and five years, 

respectively. Teachers today still sacrifice, 

devoting many extra hours to tutoring, 

counseling, and extra-curricular activities. 

They voluntarily took lower salaries 

during recent budget-cutting. These consistent 

acts of self-sacrifice at TPH bear 

rich fruit. 

Teachers experience joy as they literally 

pour their lives into their students. 

They see definite impact. One boy just 

hated going to school where he was bullied, 

even terrorized. Now, at TPH, he is 

in the choir, has acted in the school play, 

helps other students academically, and 

spoke in a recent promotional banquet 

before hundreds of adults. Other students 

have turned from runaways into collegebound 

graduates. 

Just thinking of going on to college is 

a huge leap for many of the students, but 

many graduate aiming to do wonderful 

things. Some have gone on to med school. 

Many have become teachers themselves, 

some in the Detroit and Chicago school 

systems. Two graduates founded the Jubilee 

Center International in Tegucigalpa, 

Honduras, along TPH lines. 

We can only imagine, and perhaps only 

eternity will reveal, the multiplied effects 

of these graduates as they apply to their 

own lives and ministries all that they 

learned at The Potter’s House. But could 

the principles put into place at The Potter’s 

House make a difference in education 

all over Michigan – and beyond? 

Large corporations such as Herman 

Miller have asked advice from Booy and 

the TPH staff as to how the state’s quality 

of education could be improved. TPH 

shares these five principles: 

1) Fostering a sense of community, of 

being known 

2) Meeting the diverse need of young 

learners 

3) Meeting character and spiritual needs 

as well as academic ones 

4) Vision being central: prepping early 

for college and career goals 

5) Training kids to LIVE the school’s 

principles 

Such changes will never take place 

without Christians everywhere coming together 

to make them happen. It starts with 

being a community of prayer. TPH prays 

for its neighborhood as well as its own 

needs. Will the WMCN community pray 

for TPH as well as its own concerns? 

Booy shares three things you can begin 

praying about immediately: 

1) That its current students, from such 

widely diverse backgrounds, will meet the 

Lord at The Potter’s House and become 

mighty men and women of God. 

2) That the Holy Spirit will enable TPH 

staff to not only teach principles but to 

reach hearts and equip the kids to serve in 

His kingdom. 

3) That the support base will be expanded 

so that fewer are turned away, and 

more are reached – even up to the two million 

children falling through the cracks of 

our society these days. 

Booy himself continues to see a radical 

and life-changing message in the Bible. 

“God is radical; He calls us to a radical 

kingdom! We’re such ‘domesticated’ 

Christians, we often don’t see that God 

doesn’t intend us just to sit in church and 

enjoy the hymns. In the Bible, I see Jesus 

attacking the highly-thought of in His culture 

and loving the downtrodden – can we 

do less?” He echoes the cry of the dedicated 

throughout the ages, including English 

missionary C. T. Studd who said, “If Christ 

be God and died for me, then no sacrifice 

can be too great for me to make for Him.” 

Complete dedication to one’s calling 

by God is a rare quality. One local man 

took “the road less traveled,” others came 

alongside, and, truly, that has made all the 

difference. Difference in their own lives, 

in those of literally hundreds of current 

and former students, and, ultimately, in 

uncounted lives touched already or in the 

future. 

I shall be telling this with a sigh 

Somewhere ages and ages hence: 

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I- 

I took the one less traveled by, 

And that has made all the difference. 

–Robert Frost, 1916 

WMCN encourages you to visit http:// 

www.pottershouseschool.org to familiarize 

yourself with The Potter’s House. Pray 

for this amazing ministry; get acquainted 

at a New Friends banquet in the spring; 

volunteer to tutor a student; sponsor a 

child and let him change your life as you 

affect his. You, too, will find rewards upon 

your own less-traveled road.

page 12 

Traditions and Treasures 

Dan Seaborn 

Winning At Home 

About a year or so ago, a glove sold for 

$48,000. Just one glove. It’s made of spandex 

and hand-sewn crystals and while 

it might be sparkling, the material is not 

worth that much money. The fact that it 

was worn by Michael Jackson during a 

concert in Australia is what made it valuable 

to someone. I think the old saying, 

“one man’s junk is another man’s treasure” 

applies here. The glove was sold at an auction, 

although millions of people are using 

EBay or Craig’s List to sell their wares. It 

may surprise young people to learn that 

although EBay was first launched in 1995, 

the concept is not new. 

During summers when I was a kid, 

we used to listen to a radio show called, 

“Swap Shop” which is still on the air today. 

It would usually be right after I’d mowed 

the lawn or swam at a friend’s house that 

my mom would call me in for lunch and 

we’d listen to the show. A guy, whose name 

I think was Bob, would come on the air 

and start the process. Callers would identify 

things they have for sale and then give 

you the price and a phone number to call 

so you could make the purchase. It usu- 

READERS speak 

Letter to the Editor 

I am a long time reader of WMCN, 

since I can’t resist the “free” notice when 

I’m shopping or visiting a restaurant. I 

see your rack and copies every month. 

I note that as the new Editor and owner 

you have increased the local events, and 

lessened the number of news wire items. 

Both continue to show that faith based 

organizations are active in giving the 

poor and the needy assistance. The public 

needs to hear that people with faith 

FHC 

ally sounded like a bunch of junk, but for 

mom and me, it was just fun to listen to 

what people treasured. It became a tradition 

and is one of the fond memories I have 

from my childhood. 

Traditions are important to families. It’s 

the kind of stuff that binds them together. 

Whether it’s the tradition of collecting 

some kind of treasure together or it’s a 

ritualistic event that you do, it creates opportunities 

for families to talk and share. 

It helps make families feel connected and 

close. My boys and I collect basketball 

cards and I have an office full of sports 

memorabilia. I know a family that has 

movie night every Friday and another that 

goes on hikes with their dogs every Sunday. 

Some families have incorporated a 

game night into their schedule. 

Children especially benefit from traditions, 

even if it’s just eating meals together. 

According to an article I read online, 

research shows that the more often families 

eat together, the less likely kids are 

to smoke, drink, do drugs, get depressed, 

develop eating disorders and consider 

suicide. It also said by regularly sharing 

a meal, kids are more likely to do well in 

school, delay having sex, eat their vegetables, 

learn extensive vocabulary, and decipher 

between which forks to use. There 

are no guarantees, but wouldn’t you invest 

in something with that kind of return? 

commitments make a significant contribution, 

and without evangelizing, to the 

welfare of the communities of Kent and 

Ottawa counties. 

May your periodical get ever wider 

distribution and readership, for it fills 

an important function, one that the local 

media often ignores. 

-–Don Oppewal 

Lowell, MI 

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It’s never too late to begin a tradition. 

Even if your kids are married and have 

their own children, you can start something 

now that includes your grandchildren. 

It could be a special day with grandma 

and grandpa weekly or an outing to 

somewhere special monthly. Find something 

that the whole family can enjoy, including 

your adult children. 

It all boils down to spending time with 

each other. When you combine it with doing 

something meaningful, there is a better 

chance it will create memories that 

aren’t forgotten. It will also help create an 

environment where everyone feels comfortable 

sharing. In the article I referred 

to earlier, I also read that children grow 

as a result of building tradition even if it’s 

as simple as drinking hot cocoa after sledding 

on a cold, winter day. 

We often think our kids need material 

things from us to make them happy, when 

they just want our time and attention. That 

is far less expensive than say a glove. 

Winning At Home, Inc. is a Zeeland-based 

organization designed to assist and encourage 

people in family development. 

Dan Seaborn, founder, wrote this article. 

E-mail your questions or comments to 

hometeam@winningathome.com. 

We want to hear 

from YOU. 

Do you have a comment on 

an article you have read in 

WMCN? Comments under 250 

words get priority. We reserve 

the right to edit for space. 

Contact WMCN: 

PO Box 921, Ada Mi. 49301 

E-mail: wmcn@comcast.net 


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Dear Dave, 

How early should I start teaching my 

kids about money? Also, how do you feel 

about giving kids an allowance? 

–Cathy 

Dear Cathy, 

I think you should start teaching kids 

about money as early as you start teaching 

them about sex—which is the first 

time they show any interest. Make sure 

you keep it age-appropriate, and don’t 

over-answer questions when they’re 

young. 

Neither of these things will amount to 

a one-time talk, because they’re both just 

parts of life. That means they’re ongoing 

processes that will last for years. If you 

have one talk at an early age with your 

kids about money, then they’re probably 

not going to remember a lot of it as they 

get older. If you have just one talk with 

your kids about sex at an early age, you’re 

liable to wind up with a bunch of pregnant 

teenagers! 

To answer your second question, I hate 

the idea of an allowance for kids, because 

it makes the whole situation sound like 

welfare. We put our kids on commission 

at an early age. They had chores associated 

with certain dollar amounts, and if they 

worked, they got paid. If they didn’t work, 

they didn’t get paid. It was as simple as 

that. Then, they would split their money 

between three different envelopes—one 

for saving, one for spending, and one for 

giving—and we would teach them to do 

each one wisely. 

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Kids need to emotionally connect work 

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teach them four major concepts—spending, 

saving, giving, and work—you’re 

going to have major problems by the time 

they’re 10 years old! 

–Dave 

Dear Dave, 

I’ve heard you talk to people about 

“gazelle intensity.” What exactly does this 

mean? 

–Del 

Dear Del, 

Basically, it means absolutely going 

crazy and doing whatever it takes for a 

little while to get out of debt. I’d much 

rather endure pain or discomfort for a 

short period of time and get it over with 

instead of living my whole life floundering 

around and accomplishing nothing in 

the process. 

Some people probably think I’m using 

hyperbole when I give people advice on 

how to get out of debt, but I’m serious 

about it all. I’ve lived this stuff, man! 

There were literally stretches of years 

when we didn’t go on vacation or see the 

inside of a restaurant. If you want to get 

out of debt and get control of your money, 

you’ve got to be serious and intense 

enough to makes sacrifices on that level 

for a short period of time. We call it living 

like no one else, so that later you can live 

like no one else. 

It’s not just dollars and cents we’re 

talking about here. It’s also about chang- 

John Boyko, Jr. 

Attorney At LAw 

ing behaviors and mindsets. You don’t 

need to go to Disneyland every year. You 

don’t need to eat out every weekend. 

Until you’re willing to make temporary 

sacrifices like this—and become “gazelle 

intense” about taking control of yourself 

and your money—you’re never going to 

reach your goal of becoming debt-free! 

–Dave 

* For more financial help, please visit 

daveramsey.com. 

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page 14 

National Briefs 

A father in the home can 

spare kids from poverty 

(EP News)—New research shows kids 

raised in a home with a married mother 

and father are much less likely to live in 

poverty, to be arrested or expelled, treated 

for emotional problems or drop out of 

school. That’s according to a paper released 

by The Heritage Foundation. 

Robert Rector, senior research fellow 

for domestic policy studies at Heritage, 

wrote the report. He said the results are 

clear: marriage matters. 

“Marriage is a powerful weapon in fighting 

poverty,” he said. “Being married has 

the same effect in reducing poverty as 

adding five to six years to a parent’s education 

level.” 

Each year the government spends 300 

billion taxpayer dollars on low-income 

single moms. 

Rector said the problem isn’t being 

properly addressed. 

“Mentioning the bond between marriage 

and lower poverty violates the protocols 

of political correctness,” he said. 

“Thus, the main cause of child poverty remains 

hidden from public view. Since the 

decline of marriage is the principal cause 

of child poverty and welfare dependence 

in the U.S., it would seem reasonable for 

government to take steps to strengthen 

marriage.” 

Alabama governor signs 

anti-trafficking bill into law 

(EP News)--Alabama legislators took 

decisive steps to crack down on human 

trafficking in the state, passing a law that 

makes the act a felony. The Alabama law 

provides mandatory restitution for victims 

and gives them a way to bring civil charges 

against traffickers. It joins 44 other states 

enacting laws against human trafficking. 

U.S. appears in 'Trafficking 

in Persons' report 

(EP News)--The growing crisis of human 

trafficking received greater visibility on 

June 14 when the U.S. State Department 

included the U.S. in its 10th annual “Trafficking 

in Persons” (TIP) Report. The U.S. 

is ranked as a “Tier I” country, meaning it 

fully complies with the Trafficking Victims 

Protection Act’s (TVPA) minimum standards. 

The report provides an in-depth analysis 

of over 177 countries and reprimands 

13 countries, including Iran, North Korea, 

Burma, Cuba, Saudi Arabia and others for 

not meeting minimum international standards 

on human trafficking. The report 

provides an in-depth analysis of over 177 

countries and reprimands 13 countries, 

including Iran, North Korea, Burma, Cuba, 

Saudi Arabia and others for not meeting 

minimum international standards on human 

trafficking. Secretary of State Hillary 

Clinton said that for the first time the 

report includes a ranking of the United 

States, “because we believe it is important 

to keep the spotlight on ourselves.” 

Wisconsin's highest court 

rules in favor of marriage 

(EP News)--The Wisconsin Supreme 

Court unanimously rejected on June 30 

a challenge to the state’s 2006 marriage 

amendment. Wisconsin voters approved 

the amendment 59.4 percent to 40.6 percent 

to define marriage “as a union between 

one man and one woman and prohibit 

recognition of any legal status similar 

to marriage for people of the same sex or 

different sexes.” Gay activists immediately 

challenged the voters’ decision, claiming 

the amendment was unconstitutional, 

because the amendment dealt with two 

subjects rather than one. Circuit Judge 

Richard Niess agreed and upheld the marriage 

amendment, as “the preservation of 

the unique and historical status of marriage.” 

People for the American Way and 

gay-activist groups vowed to challenge the 

decision. 

NeeD A job? Visit WestMichiganChristianNews.com 


Home Depot is under fire for supporting 

events that promote homosexuality. 

Home Depot has a history of supporting 

homosexual events, the most recent 

parades in Portland, Maine, and in Boston 

-- that according to Randy Sharp of 

the American Family Association. 

“The worst offense is that Home Depot 

has set up kids’ workshops at these 

gay pride festivals,” explains AFA’s director 

of special projects. “These are events 

that have loud, boisterous homosexual 

activists making their voices heard -- and 

Home Depot is putting money behind 

setting up kids’ booths at these kinds of 

events.” 

According to AFA, Home Depot has 

sponsored and participated in both the 

2010 Southern Maine Pride Festival and 

the 2010 Boston Gay Pride parade. The 

(EP News)--Special-needs scholarships, 

which make it possible for children 

with disabilities or severe medical needs 

to attend a private school of their parents’ 

choice, are gaining popularity in several 

states. Louisiana Republican Gov. Bobby 

Jindal signed into law in June the School 

Choice Pilot Program for Students with 

Exceptionalities Act, a two-year pilot 

program that will commence in the fall. 

The scholarships – valued at one-half the 

cost of what the state pays for children 


A pro-life TV show has received a nomination 

for a regional Emmy Award. 

The program -- Facing Life Head On -- is 

produced by Cincinnati-based Life Issues 

Institute. Brad Mattes is the host and executive 

producer. 

“It reflects choices from a secular society 

regarding a program that is designed to 

express God’s will regarding the life issues 

that all life is sacred,” he explains. “So we 

are very thrilled to have the program acknowledged 

in such a prominent way.” 

He says especially so because the secu- 


Home Depot's 'gay pride' 

support spotlighted 

home improvement chain has provided 

vehicles in the parades and personnel 

wearing aprons with company identification. 

In an Action Alert to its supporters, 

AFA charged that children at the events 

are exposed to an “unhealthy and risky 

environment.” Sharp offers this advice: 

“You know, it’s very simple,” Sharp offers. 

“Home Depot should be like a lot 

of Fortune 500 companies and simply 

remain neutral in the culture war -- don’t 

give money, don’t give vehicles, don’t 

lend employee support to homosexual 

activities on Main Street USA.” 

While homosexuals, who make up 

about two percent of the population, 

might applaud Home Depot for its actions, 

AFA contends the corporation is 

taking the risk of offending and losing 

business from the other 98 percent of 

the public. 

Louisiana joins six states offering 

scholarships to special needs students 

to attend public schools –allows Kindergarten 

through 8th grade students with 

autism, mental or learning disabilities, 

developmental delays, traumatic brain 

injuries, etc., to attend a private school 

that better addresses their unique needs. 

Louisiana joins Arizona, Georgia, Florida, 

Ohio, Oklahoma and Utah in offering such 

scholarships. The Louisiana scholarships 

are the nation’s 20th private school-choice 

program. 

Emmy nomination for pro-life program 

lar media often tries to ignore and bury the 

pro-life message. 

“Our whole philosophy all along,” Mattes 

continues, “has been not to hit people over 

the head with a pro-life message or a religious 

message, but show them by example 

of people choosing life-affirming decisions 

when faced with a crisis -- and then showing, 

of course, the blessings that follow.” 

That approach, he says, helps to reach 

out to more people. 

Through various networks, the show 

now reaches more than 100-million households 

in the U.S. and Canada. It also can be 

viewed online. 

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Local Briefs 

Love and Respect 

Conference 

There may not be any more complex 

dynamics than those in the relationship 

between a man and a woman - a 

husband and wife. Burdened for the 

thousands of marriage relationships 

ending each year in divorce, Dr. Emerson 

Eggerichs launched the Love and 

Respect conferences in 1999. Based 

on over three decades of counseling as 

well as scientific and Biblical research, 

Dr. Eggerichs and his wife Sarah 

present Love and Respect conferences 

around the country. This dynamic and 

life changing message is impacting 

the world via recorded media and the 

internet, resulting in the healing and 

restoration of countless relationships. 

Whether you are dating, have a good 

marriage, or need healing in one, the 

Eggerichses[DM1] will bring you encouragement, 

insight, and hope for a 

great relationship! 

The Love and Respect conference 

will be held at Resurrection Life Church 

in Grandville, Michigan on October 1-2, 

2010. For tickets and more information 

go to www.loveandrespect.com 

Work on Memorial 

Garden Helps Teen 

Earn Eagle Scout 

Award 

David Aldon Crawford, 14, of Lowell, has 

earned the Boy Scouts’ highest advancement 

award, the Eagle Scout. He is a member 

of Troop 311, a group of homeschooled 

boy scouts chartered by the Home School 

Building in Wyoming, Michigan. He was 

recognized on June 4, 2010 at the DeVos 

Family Center for Scouting. 

David is one of approximately 2 percent 

of all Boy Scouts who attain the Eagle 

rank, according to Scoutmaster Darrell 

Crawford. Each candidate must earn 21 

merit badges and successfully complete a 

community, church, or synagogue-related 

service project. To earn his Eagle, David 

built a new path behind a pond in Ada 

Park. 

David is currently the Senior Patrol Leader 

of the Troop and has served as Assistant 

Senior Patrol Leader, Patrol Leader, Troop 

Guide, and was a Camp Staff Member for 

the Brownsea Leadership training camp. 

He joins other outstanding American citizens 

who were Eagle Scouts, including 

former President Gerald Ford. David is a 

member of Thornapple Covenant Church. 

He is the son of Darrell and Debra Crawford 

of Lowell, and hopes to go into the 

aviation field applying computer technology 

and software. 

Kuyper College Announces New Academic Dean 

Dr. Melvin Flikkema, Provost, announces 

the appointment of Dr. Tamara Rosier 

as Academic Dean at Kuyper College. Dr. 

Rosier has been Assistant Director of the 

Pew Faculty Teaching & Learning Center 

at Grand Valley State University. Before 

that she was a Dean at Cornerstone University. 

“We’re fortunate to have such a talented 

leader join us,” said Flikkema. “Her 

broad experience in developing academic 

and faculty programs will serve the school 

very well.” 

From Washington, DC’s Kennedy Center 

to Singapore’s Victoria Theatre, thousands 

worldwide have experienced Ballet Magnificat! 

With world-class, powerful performances, 

Ballet Magnificat! delivers a 

unique message of hope and truth. 

Created in 1986, Ballet Magnificat! has 

earned an international reputation for excellence. 

Under the artistic direction of 

founder Kathy Thibodeaux (silver medalist 

at 1982’s USA International Ballet Competition), 

Ballet Magnificat! rivals any other 

professional company. The company 

At Kuyper, Dr. Rosier will be responsible 

for faculty development, and overseeing 

the Registrar’s office. “I am delighted 

to have this opportunity to be at Kuyper, 

a thriving institution that trains students 

to make a difference,” said Dr. Rosier. She 

holds a B.A. and an M.A. from GVSU, and 

a Ph.D. from Western Michigan University. 

Kuyper College, a ministry-focused, 

Christian leadership college, offers The 

Kuyper Education Experience (“The 

Kee,”). Elements include: bachelor and 

performs over 100 times annually around 

the world. Dancers have included former 

members of Les Ballet Jazz de Montreal, 

Spokane Ballet, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, 

State Theatre of the Czech Republic, 

Oldenburgishes Staatstheater of West Germany, 

Ballet Mississippi, Eternia Dance 

Theater of Sweden, Royal Winnipeg Ballet, 

and the Houston Ballet Academy. 

Be sure to see Ballet Magnificat!, America’s 

premiere Christian ballet company, 

performing on Sunday, September 19, 

2010, 3 p.m. at Cornerstone Church: 1675 

associate degrees in a variety of academic 

and ministry majors; a continuous program 

of spiritual formation; formal internships 

and field education with nationallyrecognized 

organizations; international 

studies programs; multi-cultural, ethnic, 

and multi-denominational diversity programs; 

a committed faculty (ratio of 1:15); 

and finally, the exceptional value which 

makes Kuyper very affordable—on average, 

tuition is $6,000 less than at comparable 

Christian colleges. 

Ballet Magnificat! Comes to Grand Rapids 

Making Friends: 

Joni and Friends Grand Traverse Chapter 

Joni and 

Friends was 

established 

in 1979 after 

Joni Eareckson 

Tada, at 

17, was left a 

quadriplegic 

from a diving 

accident. 

Joni and Friends (JAF) extends the love 

and message of Christ to people everywhere 

who are affected by disability. 

Nationally there are 21 local chapters of 

JAF, and Michigan is blessed with two of 

them. 

Cindy VanHouten Prince grew up 

disabled in Allendale in a day when she 

was told she would never attend regular 

school, marry, or have children. In spite 

of this, she has done whatever the Lord 

has led her to with more ability than 

most persons not on crutches. Currently 

the mother of six (with two additional 

foster children) and a member of The 

Physically Challenged Bow Hunters of 

America, Cindy leads a very busy life. 

She and husband Don are the directors 

of the Grand Traverse chapter of JAF, 

and she is happy to let WMCN readers 

know more about this life-changing minstry. 

Four of its many facets: 

1) Family Retreats – Short term missionaries 

are recruited to attend persons 

with disabilities while their families 

(who faithfully attend to them all year 

around) are free to enjoy camp life for a 

weekend. Special activities for all! 

2) Wheels for the World – Used wheelchairs 

are collected and refurbished at 

prisons, then sent to other countries. 

Recipients, who could otherwise never 

afford a chair, are also given a Bible in 

their language and are connected with a 

local church. 

3) Special Delivery – JAF provides 

gifts for for individuals to bring to disabled 

neighbors or shut-ins. The focus is 

on sharing the Gospel with some neat 

people who society often overlooks. 

4) Through the Roof – Church groups 

are taught to become disability-aware 

and to reach out to the physically challenged. 

Prince says that the most rewarding 

part of being involved in JAF is being a 

part of people’s lives. Watching the joyful 

faces at retreats is extremely rewarding. 

This June two 21-year-old boys, for the 

first time in their lives, got onto horses 

(with someone riding behind). The look 

of ecstasy on these boys’ faces, over 

something others might take for granted, 

was unforgetable. 

84th Street SE, Caledonia, MI 49316. Ballet 

Magnificat! will be performing The 

Scarlet Cord, which captivates audiences 

with kaleidoscopic movement, lights, 

and sound. This drama is loosely based 

on the Biblical account of Rahab, but set 

against the gray background of communist 

Soviet Union. Discounted Ticket Prices! 

Advance: $10 Students/$12 Adults. At 

the Door: $12/$15. Purchase online: www. 

heartsinstepdance.org, or call (616)-245- 

9501. 

She shares two things the West Michigan 

community can pray about for JAF: 

- that churches will see see the vision 

of great opportunity among the unchurched 

disabled, and be aware there is 

help in reaching out to this group. 

- that Christians will be aware of how 

rewarding the family retreats are and 

that there is great scope for more family 

retreats if there were more funds. Many 

families don’t sign up simply because 

they can’t pay. 

JAF’s website is www.joniandfriends. 

org, from which you can access the 

Grand Traverse chapter at the “Local Offices” 

tab. Find out much more about the 

national and the local ministries. You can 

receive regular information from Cindy, 

let her know you’re interested in volunteering, 

or even anonymously sponsor a 

family to a summer retreat. 

Prince is also excited that her book, 

Miracles From Messes: Discovering 

God’s Amazing Plan for our Lives 

Through Faith will be out soon. You 

won’t want to miss the life story of this 

amazing woman. Cindy shines for Christ 

in all she does and loves to tell the story 

of what God has done in her life. If you’re 

interested in having her speak to a ladies’ 

group, phone 231-271-1300.

page 16 

Burial, cremation, and the afterlife Continued from page 2 

ceased’s physical burial best pictures the 

substitutionary atonement of Christ’s 

death, burial, and resurrection and, in 

turn, the bodily resurrection of the Saints 

at the time of Jesus’ Second Coming (1 

Corinthians 15:35, 37, 42-44). 

Mostly, arguments for cremation are 

based upon economics or practicality— 

less expensive, easier. Arguments for burial 

presented are based upon symbolism 

and tradition—pictures the resurrection, 

distances Christians from superstition. 

But the Bible does not condemn cremation 

nor mandate burial. In fact, while the Bible 

says a lot about death, and while bodies 

are God’s gift and should be respected, 

what ultimately happens to bodies is a 

secondary consideration. So “to cremate 

or to bury” is today a matter of Christian 

liberty. 

I would never suggest people are wrong 

in choosing burial over cremation. Centuries-old 

Christian tradition is evidence 

enough that burial is a practice supportable 

by biblical theology, and helpfully, 

is also practical. In days gone by when 

people died they were often buried on the 

spot. Burial met the need. 

Cremation also meets the need, practically 

if not traditionally. And as long as 

Christian doctrine isn’t denied cremation 

cannot be considered unbiblical. 

Besides this, no burial method is a threat 

to Christian resurrection or to the soul. 

God can resurrect ashes as well as dust. 

End of Earthly Life and the Afterlife 

While the burial versus cremation debate 

is interesting what’s more important 

is to ask ourselves what we’re really trying 

to say in our funeral practices. We hire 

professionals to care for loved one’s transition 

from life to death. Nothing wrong 

with that; we need help. 

Funerals are important times for bereavement. 

We should remember the deceased. 

But costly extravaganzas may do 

more to honor our selves than God. Perhaps 

there’s nothing wrong with spending 

tens of thousands of dollars on ornate caskets, 

etc., unless these efforts represent 

poor stewardship. 

Ruth Bell Graham, wife of the evangelist, 

was buried in a simple plywood box 

made by prison inmates. She was teaching 

even in death. 

Stewardship is an important Christian 

concept. We’re responsible to God for how 

we live, handle the world’s resources, use 

our time, talent, and treasure—and how 

we pass from the world. Without decrying 

all funeral practices or casting aspersions 

on those who choose to “hold a large funeral” 

for a loved one, we can still ask the 

question “How should we use the family’s 

resources to glorify God?” 

This may involve a funeral with all the 

accoutrements thereof, or maybe it requires 

a simple memorial service. Perhaps 

it involves “In lieu of flowers the family requests 

friends consider a gift to charity.” It 

certainly involves acknowledging that all 

our assets belong to the Lord and should 

be arranged for his service. 

The intent and content of a funeral service 

is what really matters, not the method 

of disposition of the body (or whether 

body parts have been donated). It’s not 

death and despair but life and hope that 

should be our focus, looking past the endof 

life to the afterlife. 

So burial or cremation? One thing’s certain, 

“for dust you are and to dust you will 

return” (Gen. 3:19). 

Dr. Rex M. Rogers serves as President 

of SAT-7 USA, the American arm of a 

Christian television service (www.sat7usa.org) 

for the people of the Middle East 

and North Africa. He was President of 

Cornerstone University in Grand Rapids 

from 1991-2008 and is the author of 

several books. For sixteen years, Dr. Rogers 

was the author and voice of the radio 

program and newspaper column Making 

a Difference. He speaks regularly in 

churches, schools, commencements and 

other special events, business environments, 

and conferences. You can find Rex 

M. Rogers at www.rexmrogers.com or 

www.twitter.com/RexMRogers 

Texas bus driver fired after refusing 

to transport woman to abortion clinic 

(EP News)--A Texas ride-share driver 

was recently fired from his job after 

he refused to transport a woman to a 

Planned Parenthood clinic. 

Edwin Graning, employed with Austin’s 

Capital Area Rural Transportation 

System (CARTS), was assigned to pick 

up the woman early in the morning. 

Before picking her up, Graning called 

the clinic in advance to confirm someone 

would be there on her arrival. As 

he was waiting to leave a message, he 

listened to a list of the clinic’s services. 

Graning – an ordained Christian minister 

– could not go against his religious 

beliefs. 

“Dear God, this woman’s going to have 

an abortion,” he said. “I went ahead and 

called my supervisor at home and told 

her, ‘I can’t be a part of this.’” Graning 

said he was told to park the van immediately. 

He was fired the next day. 

The American Center for Law & Justice 

has filed a religious discrimination 

lawsuit on behalf of Graning, stating 

CARTS violated Title VII – a federal law 

that prevents religious discrimination. 

“Here CARTS had the obligation under 

federal law to at least attempt to accommodate 

Mr. Graning,” said his attorney 

Edward White of the American Center 

for Law and Justice. “They could have 

just sent another driver to pick the woman 

up.” 


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christiannews 

Statement of Purpose: 

The West Michigan Christian News 

desires to glorify God while providing 

global, national, and local news to the 

West Michigan community. 

The West Michigan Christian News is 

a nondenominational, Christ-centered, 

advertiser supported monthly newspaper 

published in Grand Rapids, Michigan by 

WMCN, LLC. It is unabashedly biased in 

its Christian presentation of news and 

views. It is also dedicated to the promotion 

of Christian unity by focusing on the 

95 percent of the Christian faith on which 

all Christians agree while refusing to get 

drawn into controversies about the 5 percent 

on which we might differ. 

Viewpoints expressed in articles and 

columns appearing in The West Michigan 

Christian News are those of their respective 

authors and do not necessarily reflect 

those held by the publishers, the advertisers, 

or the churches and other sites from 

which this publication is distributed. The 

West Michigan Christian News takes no 

controversial position on the specific doctrines 

of any Christian denomination; further, 

neither the publisher nor the editors 

presume to convince its readers to accept 

different or controversial interpretations 

of Scripture. 

Editorial contributions to The West 

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but publication is not guaranteed. Deadline 

for contributions is the 15th of the 

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up at many locations including Baker and 

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Member, Evangelical Press Association 

Law and Marriage 

Cal Thomas 

Tribune Media Services 

A federal judge in Boston has ruled 

that the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) 

passed by Congress (427 members voted 

in favor) and signed into law by President 

Clinton in 1996 cannot take precedence 

over a Massachusetts law allowing samesex 

marriage. The ruling again raises serious 

questions about the origin and purpose 

of law. But before we get to that larger 

question, the “logic” of Judge Joseph L. 

Tauro’s ruling should first be examined. 

Judge Tauro’s decision flies in the face of 

what the federal government has claimed 

and is claiming in at least two other significant 

cases. In 1973, the Supreme Court 

struck down all state laws restricting a 

woman’s right to have an abortion. In its 

lawsuit against Arizona’s new immigration 

law, the Department of Justice claims federal 

law (which the feds are not enforcing) 

trumps state law. 

So let’s see: state laws are fine when they 

promote the interests of the ruling liberal 

and cultural elites, but they are to be ignored, 

or overturned, when they do not 

promote the objectives of the ruling liberal 

and cultural elites. Is that it? How can the 

federal government have it both ways? 

A New York Times editorial says of 

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systems, we have a renewable energy system for you! 

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DOMA “There is no rational basis for discriminating 

against same-sex couples.” Really? 

Has the newspaper forgotten the federal 

government’s “discrimination” against 

Utah when it forbade the territory from 

entering the Union until it outlawed polygamy? 

In 1878, the Supreme Court declared 

in Reynolds v. United States that polygamy 

was not protected by the Constitution. If 

the federal government could reject polygamy 

then as a means of promoting the general 

welfare, why can’t it block attempts to 

redefine marriage now? If marriage is redefined 

by courts, what is to stop anyone 

from declaring a “right” to any relationship 

they wish to enter and demanding “equal 

protection” under the Constitution? 

Now to the larger question of law, which 

is also being re-defined. During her confirmation 

hearings, Elena Kagan said she 

loved the law. Too bad no one asked her 

which law she loves and what is law’s purpose? 

Law is meant to conform humans to 

a standard that preserves the cultural and 

moral order. The purpose of government is 

to “secure” unalienable pre-existing rights 

about which Thomas Jefferson wrote in 

the Declaration of Independence (a document 

Kagan dismissed as irrelevant to 

the Constitution, though it is the Constitution’s 

moral and philosophical foundation). 

Government is not supposed to create 

new rights like national health care, or 

same-sex marriage. 

The Times editorial dismisses the over- 

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whelming approval for DOMA as a “wedge 

issue” during an election year. In fact, it 

reflected the principled position not only 

of a vast majority of members of Congress, 

but also the position of the public, which 

has almost universally rejected attempts 

to legalize same-sex marriage. In 2004, 11 

states had ballot measures preserving marriage 

as between opposite sex couples. 

All passed. In 2008, three states had gay 

marriage ballot initiatives. Two passed. 

In California, a measure to overturn the 

State Supreme Court’s earlier 4-3 decision 

upholding the constitutionality of a legislative 

ban on same-sex marriage was approved 

by 400,000 votes, or 52 percent of 

those voting. 

Marriage re-definers demand acceptance 

for their position that morality, as well as 

right and wrong, are to be determined by 

polls. If polls show the public disapproving 

of behavior the elites favor, the elites 

ignore majority opinion and seek to shove 

it down our throats anyway, because, you 

see, only they can be right. The rest of us 

have the equivalent standing of 1950s segregationists. 

Anyone arguing for tradition 

is branded a bigot, a label that is supposed 

to end all discussion, while the labeled one 

is exhausted trying to prove a negative. 

Judge Tauro’s ruling will likely be overturned 

on appeal, but that won’t stop the 

marriage re-definers. In a morally exhausted 

society, they just might succeed. Polygamists 

were 130 years before their time. 

(c) 2010 TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC. 


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page 18 

Entertainment News 

by Joanne Brokaw 

Steven Curtis Chapman, along with his 

entire family, will hit the road this fall for 

“A Night with the Chapmans.” The event 

is hosted by Show Hope, and will feature 

Steven Curtis singing his most memorable 

hits along with a time for audience requests. 

MaryBeth will speak in promotion 

for her new book, “Choosing To See”, and 

sons Caleb and Will Franklin will perform 

with their band, Caleb. The special family 

affair kicks off September 10 in Lancaster, 

PA and will hit 34 cities before ending on 

November 21 in Baltimore, MD. For a list 

of complete tour dates, visit www.Steven- 

CurtisChapman.com. 

David Crowder Band will present the 

first ever “Crowder’s Fantastical Church 

Music Conference” this fall, with a lineup 

that includes Louie Giglio, Rob Bell, Matt 

Redman, Francis Chan, Matt Maher, Jars 

of Clay, Leeland, Gungor, Francis Chan, 

and Derek Webb. The event will take place 

September 30 through October 2 in Crowder’s 

hometown of Waco, TX. According 

to the event website, “the Church Music 

Conference is intended to expand these 

efforts and afford us the opportunity to 

collectively participate in these conversations 

with other church music practitioners, 

thinkers and artists, as well as provide 

exposure to the life and practice of music 

in our respective communities of faith.” 

To purchase tickets or for more information, 

visit http://www.davidcrowderband. 

com/fantastical/. 

Casting Crowns releases a new CD/ 

DVD, Until the Whole World Hears LIVE, 

giving fans a front-row seat to the band’s 

powerhouse 2009/2010 “Until the Whole 

World Hears” national concert tour. The 

project was recorded at Greensboro Coliseum, 

Greensboro, NC this past April, with 

additional footage recorded at North Charleston 

Coliseum, North Charleston, SC and 

at Von Braun Center, Huntsville, AL. The 

live two-disc set includes the hits “If We’ve 

Ever Needed You,” “Glorious Day,” and 

the No. 1 hit single “Until the Whole World 

Hears.” In addition to concert footage and 

a peek behind-the-scenes, fans will get 

five devotional-styled video lessons led by 

Mark Hall, giving viewers a deeper look at 

the Biblical studies and personal stories 

that have inspired the band’s messagedriven 

songs for the family. The CD/DVD 

package is available August 31. 

Bob Carlisle, best known to music fans 

as the artist with the chart topping hit, 

“Butterfly Kisses,” recently made this stage 

debut in the Atlanta, GA production of “I 

Dream,” a musical celebration of the life 

and legend of Dr. Martin Luther King. Carlisle 

appears in the role of pastor/friend 

to Dr. King and sings the stirring anthem 

“Freedom Revolution” at the end of Act I. 

The production is directed by actress Jasmine 

Guy and stars Tony-nominated actor 

Quentin Darrington in the role of Dr. King 

and Demetria McKinney as Coretta Scott 

King. 

Sanctus Real lead vocalist Matt Hammit 

and his wife Sarah are eagerly awaiting 

the birth of their third child and first son, 

Bowen. During a routine ultrasound when 

Sarah was 19 weeks into the pregnancy, 

doctors discovered that the baby has a 

condition called Hypoplastic Left Heart 

(HLHS). The couple has been preparing 

for their son’s birth and the surgeries and 

care he’ll need when he’s born, so please 

keep them in your prayers. 

For more Christian music news, visit 

Joanne’s Gospel Soundcheck blog at Beliefnet.comwww.blog.beliefnet.com/gospelsoundcheck 

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Book Review: 

Coming Back Stronger 

by Dave Baker 

Store Events, Baker Book House 

You can use your brain or you can use 

your brawn, or you can be like Drew 

Brees and use both. His book, Coming 

Back Stronger, is the most engaging 

sports biography I have ever read and 

I thoroughly enjoyed. Books like this 

make a good impression on young fans 

and he clearly is a good role model.. 

In some ways this reminds me of the 

book Quiet Strength by Tony Dungy; 

Tony served as a consultant to Drew 

Brees on this project. Apparently he 

had been considering writing a book for 

some time and the Saints Super Bowl 

victory earlier this year made the timing 

seem right. The title is a reference to 

Drew’s recovery from a shoulder injury 

he got while playing for the San Diego 

Chargers. The book is also about the city 

of New Orleans’ recovery from Hurricane 

Katrina. 

Also noteworthy is the work that Drew 

Brees is doing off the field. He and his 

wife have established The Brees Dream 

Foundation that provides support for 

cancer patients. Their generosity is admirable 

– they also support Children’s 

hospitals in both San Diego and New Orleans. 

Check it out online at www.tyndale.com 

bob & DAVe’S GARAGe 

GeNeRAl Auto RepAiR 

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“Pain is temporary. It 

may last a minute, or an 

hour, or a year, but 

eventually it will subside 

and something else 

will take its place. If 

I quit, however, it will 

last forever.” 

–Lance Armstrong 

Spaanstra Bros. Automotive Services 

2863 ByRon CenteR Ave S.W. 

Wyoming, miChigAn 49519 

Ph: 616-532-7209 FAx: 616-532-7010 

PHONE (616) 459-8941 OPEN 8am - 5pm 

FAX (616) 459-9007 MONDAY - FRIDAY 

FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC AUTO REPAIR 

TIRE SALES 

939 E. FULTON ST. WILLIAM P. WEIBENGA 

GRAND RAPIDS, MI 49503 PROPRIETOR 

“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.” Ps 33:12 

Let’s spread the Good News 

TOGETHER 

Contact us to become 

a distribution point 

for the paper. 

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Seeking the CroSS 

Every month WMCN will picture a 

cross that is highly visible from the 

street. It may be on a church, school 

or wherever crosses are found, but it is 

in plain view. The first person who can 

correctly identify the location of the 

cross displayed will win a gift certificate 

to Mocha-n-Music in Hudsonville. 

If you believe you have identified 

the location, either email us at wmcn@ 

comcast.net or call us at 616-272-3983 

with the location. Don’t forget to include 

your name and number. We regret 

that we cannot respond to all entries. 

Only the winner will be notified. 

Until the cross is correctly identified, 

we will post weekly clues on 

our website that will help you zero 

in on the location of the cross. Look 

for these clues at www.westmichiganchristiannews.com. 

Seeking the Cross is 

proudly sponsored by: 

Mocha-n-Music 

A $20.00 gift certificate will go to the 

winner to enjoy coffee, sandwiches 

and an evening of music. 

Mocha-n-Music is located at 

5211 Cherry Ave, Hudsonville. 

616-669-9917, www.Mocha-n-Music.com 

Congratulations to Bonnie 

Oostrander who correctly 

identified July’s cross located 

at Immanuel Reformed church 

on the East Beltline. 

MONDAY, AUGUST 2, 2010 

Knollcrest Music Senior Camp for 9th 

- 12th Grade Students 

DeVos Center for Arts and Worship at GR 

Christian High School • 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. daily 

• Event runs August 2 - 6 daily • www. 

calvin.edu/academic/music/musiccamp 

Sponsored by: Calvin College Music Department 

THURSDAY, AUGUST 5, 2010 

2nd Annual Make it Count Luncheon 

Aquinas College - Wege Ballroom, 1607 

Robinson Rd SE • 12 PM - 1 PM • Fundraising 

event for United Methodist Community 

House • No Charge • www.umchousegr.org 

SUNDAY, AUGUST 8, 2010 

Worship on the Waterfront w/ special 

guest Horns of Power 

Grand Haven Waterfront • 7:30 - 8:45 pm 

• No Charge • www.worshiponthewaterfront.org 

Sponsored by: First Reformed Church of 

Grand Haven 


Knollcrest Music Junior Camp for 7th 

and 8th Grade Students 

DeVos Center for Arts and Worship at GR 

Christian High School • 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. daily 

• Event Runs August 9 - 13 daily • www. 

calvin.edu/academic/music/musiccamp 

Sponsored by: Calvin College Music Department 

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2010 

Passport 360 - the summer that will 

turn your life around! 

Manhattan Park; SW corner of E. Beltline 

& Cascade; E Grand Rapids • 6:30-8:00PM 

• A nontraditional Vacation Bible School! 

• Activities are geared for children, but 

all ages are welcome! Sponsored by: Immanuel 

Reformed Church • 616 957-9117 

• suzjgill@yahoo.com 

Cycle to Serve 

The third annual Volunteers In Service 

“Cycle to Serve” bike ride fund raiser 

will take place on Saturday, August 

14. All rides—the Family Fun Ride and 

15, 30, and 60-mile rides—will begin and 

end at Millennium Park. The 15, 30, and 

60-mile rides begin at 8 a.m.; the Family 

Fun Ride at 9 a.m. Event cost is $100 per 

person ($150 per family) for the 15, 30, 

and 60-mile rides, $25 per child (adults 

ride free) for the Family Fun Ride. All 

proceeds help to connect volunteers to 

service opportunities in their communities. 

To register, go to www.visgr.org or 

call (616) 459-7500. 

THURSDAY, AUGUST 12 - 14, 2010 

2010 Christian Music Festival 

w/ special guest Casting Crowns, Third 

Day, Jeremy Camp Muskegon Mi. • 

$10.00 per day • www.UnityChristian- 

Events.com 


Small Group Leaders Workshop 

Baker Book House 2768 E Paris SE/ Conference 

Room • 10:00 AM • No Charge • 

Call 957-3110 to register by Aug 9 


Free Indeed Series 

Res Life Church, 5100 Ivanrest Ave SW • 

7- 9:30 p.m. • Move out of habits, addictions, 

pain, anger, fear, anxiety depression 

& patterns into Freedom. A Three 

Week Series • No Charge • Michelle 262- 

6698 



guest Grant Norsworthy 




Grand Haven 

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 18, 2010 

Passport 360 - the summer that will 

turn your life around! 

Manhattan Park; SW corner of E. Beltline 

& Cascade • 6:30-8:00PM • A nontraditional 

Vacation Bible School! • Activities 

are geared for children, but all ages are 

welcome! Sponsored by: Immanuel Reformed 

Church • 616 957-9117 

FRIDAY, AUGUST 20, 2010 

Two Day Marriage Conference 

w/ special guest Pastor Sam & Lady Deb 

Moffett Hilton Hotel • $125.00 plus hotel 

• 616-724-0252 Sponsored by: The House 

of God Family Life Ministries 

Benefit Concert 

featuring John Varineau, Assoc. Director 

of GR Symphony, and Gwen Varineau at 

Fifth Reformed Church, 2012 Griggs SE, 

September 16 at 7:00 PM. 

Breaktime Bakery deserts 

served afterward. 

All free-will proceeds go to Marketplace 

Counseling Ministry, 949-4911 

AuG. 

2010 



guest Matt Maher 




Grand Haven 


Puritan Reformed Conference 

w/ special guest Rev David Carmichael 

Prince Conference Center, 1800 East Beltline 

• www.puritanseminary.org 


ResLife 10th Annual Auto Show 

Resurrection Life Church, 5100 Ivanrest 

Ave SW 



guest Jeremy Simpson 


• No Charge • www.worshiponthewaterfront.com 


Grand Haven 


18th Annual Kuyper International 

Golf Scramble 

Watermark Country Club • Proceeds will 

provide scholarships for international 

students • 616-988-3709 

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2010 

Opening Celebration 

GR Christian Elementary School • 1050 

Iroquois SE • 5 - 7 pm Tour, 7 pm Dedication, 

7:30 - 8:00 pm Ice Cream Social • No 

charge • www.grcs.org 

To have your events posted at no charge, 

submit your event online at WestMichiganChristian.com, 

look for the “Events” 

link. All events are subject to space limitations 

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Needs Men to Lead Bible Studies 

In Southwest Mi. Prisons 

Call 616-538-4090 

Or visit www.Alphapm.org 

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Always... 

Sax by the tracks 

by Bob Hartig 

All kinds of things can happen when you 

make a habit of practicing the saxophone 

in your car out by the railroad tracks. How 

many of you, like me, have found this to be 

true? Raise your hands. 

Hmmm…based on poll results, I probably 

should acquaint you with the merits 

and the drama of practicing by the tracks. 

I’ll begin by explaining that, as both a 

jazz saxophonist and a long-time apartment 

dweller, I have for many years spared 

my neighbors’ ears by practicing my horn 

abroad. On the shores of Lake Michigan 

and Gun Lake, I’ve played my sax to the 

dance of the gulls and the light show of the 

sunset. Down dusty sideroads, I’ve blown 

bebop licks for rapt audiences of cows. 

(Their hygienic indiscretions aside, cows 

are some of the most appreciative jazz listeners 

you’ll ever find.) 

My most consistent practice venue, 

however, has been along a stretch of railroad 

tracks that runs past the airport and 

onward through a broad landscape of corn 

and wheat fields, forests, and streams on 

its journey toward Lansing. Along the way 

lie the towns of Alto, Clarksville, Lake 

Odessa, Woodbury, Sunfield, Mulliken, and 

Grand Ledge, as well as the little sidetrack 

community of Elmdale. 

I frequently park along these tracks and 

practice my saxophone. It’s a wonderful 

way to cultivate my skills as a musician 

while indulging my love of both the 

Michigan outdoors and trains. An eccentric 

habit? I suppose you could call it that. 

But we all have our eccentricities, don’t 

we—strange quirks, oddly shaped knots in 

the grain of our personalities that God has 

embedded in us for reasons that need no 

justification other than that it pleased Him 

to do so. 

I’m afraid that many of us repress our 

interests because they serve no apparent 

function in what we call the Christian life. 

We’re far more of a killjoy than our heavenly 

Father is. He’s the Handcrafter of the 

color blue, of tree frogs that trill in the 

night time, of whales and flowers, of stars 

and starfish, and of the rich pursuits that 

distinguish you and me as individuals. The 

2225 Plainfield NE 

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things we love to do are, in 

their own humble but important 

ways, reflections of the creative 

nature of our Father. I think He simply 

enjoys watching us enjoy them. Yet 

we never know when or how He’ll use 

our hobbies and passions in surprising 

ways, according to “the unforced 

rhythms of grace.” (Matthew 11: 28–30, 

The Message) 

It was night and I was parked by the 

railroad tracks where they angle across 

the corners of Timpson and 60th Streets 

outside of Alto. It’s one of my favorite 

spots, a great place to watch for trains 

while working out ideas on my saxophone. 

Passers-by at this location still give me an 

occasional, curious glance, but after many 

years, I suspect that most of the locals recognize 

me as something of a fixture. 

I had been practicing for a while when I 

noticed a figure walking along 60th Street, 

emerging from the darkness into the dimly 

lit sphere of the street light’s glow. The person 

was making a beeline toward my vehicle. 

“Uh-oh,” I thought, because you never 

know what to expect in such circumstances. 

As he drew closer, I could see it was 

a teen-age kid. I rolled down the window. 

“What are you doing?” he asked. 

I explained. 

“Cool!” he said. He liked that I enjoyed 

woodshedding my horn by the railroad 

tracks. We got to talking. It was a pleasant 

enough chat to begin with, but a world of 

hurt soon began to pour out of this young 

man. A broken home, painful living conditions…the 

story is one that has been told 

countless times, but for every person who 

tells it, the struggle and brokenness are 

unique. 

“Look,” I said, crossing the comfort 

zone, “hop in the car and we’ll talk.” He 

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did, and we did. I did a lot of just plain 

listening. I acknowledged the kid’s struggle, 

the fact that life had handed him an 

unfair blow. I reassured him that the Lord 

was real and saw the circumstances, and 

that in the midst of the difficulty and 

pain, nevertheless this young 

man was deeply loved by God. I 

gave him my card, recommended 

a church that I felt could be 

helpful to him, and together we 

prayed. It was a good conversation; 

it was a God conversation. 

When it ended and the teen 

stepped out of my car, I’d like to 

think he resumed his walk down 

60th Street with renewed hope and a 

sense that God really was looking out for 

him. 

That was some years ago. I never heard 

from the kid, but I remember him and I 

hope that things have turned out well for 

him. On my part, I’m glad to have played a 

small part in the grand scheme of his life. 

The wonder of how we were knit together 

in the womb continues to unfold 

throughout our lives. We are marvels of 

our Maker’s ingenuity, woven into the tapestry 

of His purposes in ways we at best 

barely comprehend. At a certain juncture 

in time, God had a mission that only He 

could orchestrate and only a guy who 

practices his saxophone by the railroad 

tracks could fulfill. In what ways, I wonder, 

will He express His kingdom through 

you as you watch for the simple, everyday 

possibilities of being yourself? 

Bob Hartig is a jazz saxophonist, freelance 

writer, storm chaser, and the proprietor 

of The CopyFox copywriting and 

editorial services. He lives in Caledonia, 

Michigan. Visit his jazz sax and storm 

chasing blog at www.stormhorn.com/wp. 

www.crisisaid.org 

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