Coming to the Still Waters

A Happy New Year to you all.  I had some photos on my phone that I hadn't transferred over so here they are with some explanation and significance to each. The 2003 Saturn Vue now has 250,000 miles on it.  Actually this happened about a week ago.  A couple more repairs before this happened.  A stuck open fuel injector and a tension pulley but all is well and it made two trips to Detroit to get some of the kids.  I posted the same picture at the same speed in May of 2012 when it rolled to 200,000. A very neat looking pine tree stub from the old days that is in the middle of our 10 acres that I snowshoe by.  It always makes me think of what it must have looked like 100 years ago in the woods that I tramp around in. One more picture of our grandson Evan on his way back to D.C. with his parents.  He is sporting some mittens that grandma made him.  This little guy I think has flown more than I have my whole life.  It was such a joy to have all of the family home over the hol

December 30, 2013 4 Godly Disciplines Unique to this Decade by Clint Archer There are no new sins, only more diverse and efficient ways of committing them. Before we let the mainstream of 21 st Century culture catch us in its current, let’s hit pause for a moment and get our bearings. Perhaps it’s time to swim against the information flow. Here are four godly disciplines to pursue in 2014 that have taken on a unique significance in the last five to ten years. 1.  Pluck the I out your iPhone. The advent of smart phones has introduced an unprecedented rate of interruption into our social interactions. Phones have made us selfish and inconsiderate in ways that used to be deemed boorish and uncultured. Formerly, if someone walked up to you and began talking while you were already engaged in another conversation, that the person would be considered rude. But this decade has made us feel rude for not replying instantly to any interruption th

Here is the clan - all home at Christmas.  Little Evan was calling for his bed but toughed it out for a few more but this one had the best smiles of the majority. The first night as Stephanie and I crawled into bed, we marveled at what God has done so far through this thing we call "our" family.  We are so blessed and so humbled to be used of God this way.  It is a small miracle to have us all together at one time.   Christmas was very different this year.  At the end of a couple college experiences and repairing of 3 cars to keep them road worthy left our pockets just full enough to feed the tribe.  Stephanie made some beautiful crocheted hats and scarfs and mittens for all and small gifts were given among the children.  You could start to feel bad but God has provided for this family throughout the year in so many ways. So much uncertainty going into 2014 but not about God leading us.  We continue to pray for God to reveal the next step He wants us to take.  No st

Kevin DeYoung | 5:06 am CT The Scandal of the Semi-Churched This is one of those posts I’ve wanted to write for awhile, but I wasn’t sure how to say what I think needs to be said. The danger of legalism and false guilt is very real. But so is the danger of disobedience and self-deception. I want to talk about church members who attend their home church with great irregularity. These aren’t unchurched folks, or de-churched, or under-churched. They are semi-churched. They show up some of the time, but not every week. They are on again/off again, in and out, here on Sunday and gone for two. That’s the scandal of the semi-churched. In fact, Thom Rainer argues that the number one reason for the decline in church attendance is that church members don’t go to church as often as they used to. We’ve had Christmas and Easter Christians for probably as long as we’ve had Christmas and Easter. Some people will always be intermittent with their church atten

There are 4 videos and make sure to watch them all.  Go to the Youtube site on this.  He gives great advice and information and his clear witness to Jesus Christ. Adam

Bible Study - is yours Christian? Follow this link to give a great gauge to look at our times together. Adam

      I just got done preaching my 9th sermon on the Olivet Discourse (Jesus' last sermon to His disciples outside the temple in the garden about the end times) in chapters 24 and 25 of the gospel of Matthew.  His last illustration is the sheep and the goats.  The difference is that the sheep loved the people of God in basic ways and in turn loved God and the goats did not love the people of God and therefore did not show love to God.  This vertical relationship with God is seen horizontally with our relationships with others, namely the church and then beyond.  I must question my relationship with God if I am not actively loving those God has put me with in the church because when I love them I love Him.      So I left church really in a funk because I think now I know that maybe I didn't give enough practical application of what "that" looks like.  What does it look like to love the church "that" way?  How can I gauge if I am really loving the church?  S

This is going to take a little time but it is probably just what I need to do for my Thanksgiving at home with my wife.  All the kids are in other places this year and we prepare the home for the upcoming Christmas gathering.  I am so thankful for the family that God has blessed us with and each brings a smile to my face and heart this Thanksgiving Eve. God's peace is so great.  Even when my life is so much up in the air, I can go forward with the tasks that He has given me with confidence.  Each meeting with someone has a whole new urgency as we proceed forward searching out God's will for us.  I want to finish well with the charge that has been given to me and see victories for the Lord right to the end. So onto the puzzle and to see if my system will help me accomplish this task. Happy Thanksgiving to all. Adam

We focus on the gift of the car but the real gift was the lady giving all that she had.  Another widow putting her 2 pennies in the treasury box and Jesus saying (paraphrase) "Look at her, disciples!" Adam

<iframe src="//player.vimeo.com/video/78570548" width="500" height="281" webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen allowfullscreen></iframe> Follow the link for a great lesson to remember. Adam

"The Christian call to evangelism is a call not simply to persuade people to make decisions but rather to proclaim to them the good news of salvation in Christ, to call them to repentance, and to give God the glory for regeneration and conversion. We don’t fail in our evangelism if we faithfully tell the gospel to someone who is not converted; we fail only if we don’t faithfully tell the gospel at all. Evangelism itself isn’t converting people; it’s telling them that they need to be converted and telling them how they can be." --Mark Dever--

     Wow, what a week.  My calendar has been filled with appointments and phone calls and small group meetings to share God's call on our hearts.  Among the tears are words that ring in my ears, "Pastor, we learn about the Bible here, more than anywhere else I have been."  "My husband got saved and baptized here."  "You bring it down to the level that I can understand it."  And for me all the glory goes to God who gave us the Word and told us to preach it and teach it and model it for others to see and hear.      I am no closer to knowing where God will take us but I am closer to what I will do when I get there.  My time here may be coming to a close in the near future but for the glory of God I am going to make the most of it.  Adam

An important post (letter) to read from your pastor. Isaiah 46:9 - “Remember the former things long past, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like Me.” 1 Timothy 6:18, 19 - “Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed.” We have had the privilege of raising 4 children.  That first one got a lot of our love.  We poured our lives into her through time and instruction and love.  Anna grew and with that our responsibilities and instruction changed and we watched her flourish in that environment.  We were amazed.  But there came a time when she said “I want to go to college and the college is 1200 miles away.”  When we dropped her off, I was a wreck.  I was struggling with letting her go.  I hoped she would call every hour as we drove the 2 days home but that didn’t happen.  We got one sho

God works in strange but also marvelous ways.  Steph and I have tried our best to be faithful with our work in the Lord but sometimes there can be dry spells when it seems nothing is happening on the church front.  So we continue to plan and work in people's lives and trust the Lord for the harvest that He will collect.  And then comes a weekend like this one. We hosted a Marriage Day at a local resort and we had 55 people show up to see a series by Andy Stanley called "Staying in Love."  Those sessions rocked the room. Then came a Sunday morning that saw 6 stand for the Lord - to respond to Jesus' call to follow Him.  The music was powerful and I could tell that the Holy Spirit was leading my words as we walked through the passage of the morning.  God impresses those times to end the sermon with an invitation call and it verifies His leading on this church. A couple in the church in need was helped by a group within the church.  And the testimony of the coupl

 I thought it fitting to post the changing of the seasons in Northern Michigan.  Our scene has changed dramatically.  It will melt but it brings into reality what is coming and around here once it sticks, it is around for a long time...  This is the back yard...I don't know how many pictures I have from this angle...out the back door with my front side freezing and my backside warm.  This is a sad day because we see the start of the end of a great growing season.  Steph and I did a heavy picking of the greens yesterday evening.  Some of this will survive.  Some call the snow pretty...we do to...but this early...it is hard to say those words yet.  The birds will probably wait awhile today...we don't have a heated bird bath, if there is such a thing.  We did dig up a few kale from the garden to see if we could keep them going inside in the cool space above the garage.  They are probably talking amongst themselves, "Whew, that was close.  So glad we were the

The colors are out in northern Michigan and the weather is perfect for those get ready for winter chores.  We are so blessed to live where we do.  Stephanie and I were able to have our lunch on the deck under the umbrella.  Here is the south garden, tilled up and ready for the winter.  We actually transplanted a bunch of herbs in the boxes to the left and also a couple of rows of strawberries that are still flowering.  The end of this garden will be connecting with the back garden next year.  This is the back garden, also known as the greens garden.  It is going great guns and we hope that we can pick as long as last year - December 1st.  We have it heavenly fortified to keep out the deer that are more numerous this year.  We have plans to erect a better fence for next year.  We also hope to extend this garden about 12 feet.  This is the north garden tilled and ready for the winter.  There are a couple rows of spinach and parsley and dill to be harvested or transplanted. 

So here is the story.  I was minding my own business in the Goodwill store in Traverse City when out rolls this bike from the back room right by me.  I watched the manager roll it into the bike rack and as soon as his hand was off of it, mine was on it. A 1997 Lemond Al-ped Huez, that retailed new for $1100.00 for $49.95 with the shoes!!!  I have found these online for $300 to $500 in great condition.  I am still wondering how all this happened.  I am hoping for a dry fall day to take this to town.  So I got a Trek 730 MultiTrack from the Gaylord Goodwill for $24.95 and now I get this one.  Wheels are true, tires are good, seems to be original equipment, shoes are my size, could use a new wrap and one brake lever needs help but easily rideable right now. So that was a very eventful Saturday. Adam

Some reflects from my old camera phone and what a weekend to spend in the north with some guys who are concerned about their walk with the Lord.  I am whipped emotionally but so thankful that God has given the physical stamina to do this.   New place this year - Hiawatha Youth Camp on Piatt Lake, Eckerman, MI in the Upper Pennisula.  The absolute nicest place so far to hold our bi-annual retreat.  My hiking partner for the day.  About 9.1 miles by the gps and through some wet terrain.  Some of the best peanut butter and almond butter and jelly sandwiches ever!!!  Beaver dam at the furthest point from the park.  The water was above us by 3 feet on some parts of the trail.  No phone signal here.  The upper falls.  I probably have so many pictures of this but here we go again.  And again...  And again...  A huge double sided fireplace in the great room.  Not too many places that you can make a five foot long fire.  Some of the guys playing a serious game of Risk th

It was so good to pick some apples today.  I worked on a hobby farm when I was in the 7th grade - my first paying job.  The farm had 500 fruit trees, mostly apples, 5000 chickens, honey bees, aspargus, raspberries and the such.  I got such an education there. Here is a picture of what has become an important part of our lives.  I sure drank a lot of these along with carrots, celery, cabbage, kale, etc. after my surgery and recovery.  Just to let you know - I still am and believe it has helped me to keep healthy.  Thanks Mom and Dad Taylor for the fuel. Adam

Hi all - just a note to say I am doing fine.  With a freeze warning tonight, we are busy covering plants and it is a good time to keep working on the wood supply.  I am getting closer.  God has given us a great summer and so thankful that the garden has done so well that we were am to share with so many.  Already planning for next year. The splitting pile is getting smaller and the stacked pile is shaping up.  Hopefully 4 long rows to keep us warm this winter.  I have a lead on a different wood stove for the living room that will work better than the one that we have just about worn out over the years.  God bless your weekend and make sure to include God in your weekend. Adam

Gaylord Family Fellowship Church at the annual cookout, baptism, bonfire!!

Another great lesson from Alaister Begg Knowing vs. Feeling in Worship - good stuff

It Can Wait Check out the link - about 35 minutes worth watching. Adam

Sermons Are Not For Liking Tim Challies 08/07/13 3 I did not set out to be a preacher. Ten years ago I would have laughed out loud if someone had told me that a decade hence I would be a regular in the pulpit. As I’ve slowly acclimated to preaching, I have found myself thinking very differently about sermons. I’ve been listening to sermons all of my life, but only now do I see preaching from the other side of the pulpit, so to speak. It has been very good for me. Today I want to share a lesson I’ve learned that applies primarily to those of us who listen to preaching (as I do, most Sundays, since I am not an every-Sunday kind of preacher). Here’s the lesson: Sermons are not for liking . Sermons are for listening, they are for discerning, they are for applying, but they are not for liking. You don’t get to like or dislike a sermon. We tend to ask questions like, “So how did you enjoy the sermon today?” It is just the wrong question to ask.