Advice For Men

“A Higher Call Men’s Conference” will once again be taking place here at the Gaylord Evangelical Free Church on Saturday, March 16.  I believe that this year’s event will be the best one yet as it features Jeff Struecker, whose story was featured in the motion picture, “Black Hawk Down;” Chad Williams, a former Navy SEAL; and Ryan Sharpe, who will share his riveting story of when his young son almost died.

I’m sure that Jeff, Chad and Ryan will have some amazing things to share with the hundreds and hundreds of men who will attend this year’s conference.  But what if you had the opportunity to speak to hundreds of men and share with them one piece of advice that you would like every man to hear – what advice would you share?  My piece of advice to men would be this – “Follow hard after God!”  That’s what our world needs today!  That’s what our country needs today!  That’s what northern Michigan needs today!  That’s what our churches need today!  That’s what our families need today!  We need men who don’t take their faith lightly but who “follow hard after God!”

In the Bible, Joshua was a leader in Israel like this.  Not only did Israel serve God as long as Joshua was their leader, but even after his death the Bible says in Joshua 24:31 that as long as there were leaders in Israel who remembered and had rubbed shoulders with Joshua, Israel continued to follow God.  Joshua was a man who took his faith seriously.  He “followed hard after God” and the result impacted people while he was alive and even after he had died.  I want to be a man like that!  I hope you do too!  One thing that can help all of us men to see this happen in our lives is to register for “A Higher Call Men’s Conference” by calling 888.930.2060 or going on line at www.ahighercall.com.

When God Removes the Sting from our Memories!

I trust that you have enjoyed and have been blessed as well as challenged by our current series through the Old Testament character, Joseph.  I have so enjoyed studying and preaching this series but, honestly, it is this Sunday that I have been looking forward to the most.  As I started my studies months ago I discovered a truth in Joseph’s story that I had never seen prior.  I remember exactly where I was when it hit me.  I was sitting on a Delta Airline flight about 32,000 miles up in the air on my way to Florida to stay with my dad while my mom had knee replacement surgery last summer.  Have you even had one of those times when you discover a truth in the Bible that is so amazing, so life-changing and so exciting that you simply can’t contain yourself?  That’s what happened to me on that flight.  But you kind of have to still contain yourself to some degree when you are sitting in the small confines of an airplane.

This Sunday I get to show you what I discovered.  Seriously, I can’t wait.  If you have ever gone through a hurtful time in your life; if you have ever found yourself in the pit of betrayal; if you have ever found yourself in some type of prison; if the memories of those hurtful experiences and the thought of those individuals who were responsible for the hurt in your life still cause pain in your heart, then I believe that this message will be so powerful that you will have a hard time containing yourself.  Don’t miss this Sunday as we get introduced to Joseph’s two sons and see how God removes the sting from our pain.

SUPER SUNDAY UP NORTH

In our American culture, this coming weekend is without question one of, if not, the biggest weekend of the entire year!  It is Super Bowl Weekend!  It’s a big game for the players!  In fact, each player on the winning team receives $88,000.00 while each player on the losing team will receive half that much ($44,000.00)!  It’s also big for the fans and viewers.  Last year's game was the most watched program in television history with 151.6 million viewers in the United States. The game was broadcast to 230 countries and territories in 34 different languages. Broadcasters from 14 countries called the game live from Raymond James Stadium.  This year’s contest will be even bigger!  I don’t know about you, but I am looking forward to what I hope will be a very good game with a lot of entertaining commercials.

As excited as I am about the game, I am equally excited about the morning of the game!  We will have our regular schedule this Sunday morning with our Classic Service beginning at 9am in the Chapel and our Contemporary Services beginning in the Gospel Center at 9am and again at 10:30am.  Because it is the first Sunday of the month, we will also be celebrating communion this Sunday.  We will continue our study through the life of the Old Testament Character, Joseph, as we see him prepared and promoted.  Along with great worship we also will have a very fun and entertaining “Game Show Skit” to catch everyone up to speed on what has happened in Joseph’s life so far in the series.

I am looking forward to seeing you this Super Sunday here at E-Free!