Although many will recognize the acronym in the title as standing for Vacation Bible School anyone who has actually worked a VBS knows it could very well stand for Very Busy Schedule. Last week we wrapped up our annual VBS. We combine forces with another Mattawan Church. They have a facility and we have a…
I have been away this week in Chicago at a Pastor’s Conference. There is something refreshing about getting away and hearing from speakers instead of being the speaker. It is doubly encouraging to hear from men who understand the office, understand the stresses, and understand the temptations that come with the territory of leading a…
Have you ever noticed how quickly we give God credit for the timing of something that works out to our advantage? Don’t get me wrong, I would always encourage giving God credit for good things in our lives, but over and opposed to ONLY ever giving him credit when it goes well is something I…
Baby dedication. Parent dedication. Words matter. Even if the difference in wording only subtly changes the perspective it can signal a significant difference in intentions. At ReCAST we prefer to have a parent dedication service rather than baby or infant dedication services. When parents come to this service in two weeks, it is important to…
I was not made for rhythm. I can’t clap and sing at the same time. I have never played a musical instrument. For a very brief time in college I tried to teach myself guitar, but I quit when I realized that you need to have rhythm in order to strum. And apparently dancing requires…
I have this sneaking suspicion that I will not be the same person in two weeks. I do not know what I will be, but I will have experienced some unique experiences that I am praying will be formative in my life. On Monday, I will depart from Chicago O’Hare Airport and about 24 hours…
Christian Chicken is what we call it around our house. And it tastes better than all other chicken sandwiches. Maybe it is the prayer, maybe it is some secret process, maybe it is the nostalgia of my few years living in the south where it was readily available. But now a Chick-Fil-A has opened in…
It has been so exciting to see the process of a church building go up on our property in Mattawan. I have watched the process of the clearing of the land, I have watched the dump trucks bring in the gravel to level the base for the parking lot, I have watched them pour footers…
I have had people tell me what I am supposed to believe regarding immigration as a follower of Jesus Christ. I find that one of the most repugnant lines of religious abuse is found in the formula, “If you follow Jesus, then you will agree with (fill in the blank)!” I see no difference between…
January 2017 Dear ReCAST Church family, 2017 will definitely be an exciting year for ReCAST! We have broken ground on our new building and expect to be all moved in by this fall. However, that’s not what I want 2017 to be known for at ReCAST… I would love for this year to be the…
I do not assume that people will show up on any given Sunday for ReCAST Church. Despite the historical data that on every Sunday since April 19, 2009 people have gathered together as ReCAST Church, there is still a weekly surprise that someone came back. I say this without a shred of manipulative false humility,…
So many charities, so little resources! This time of the year I am often bombarded by many excellent charities who want to kindly remind me that they are doing good work. I am so grateful to have the opportunity to use the resources that God has given me to be a blessing beyond my immediate…
