God Likes What He Sees
God Likes What He Sees God was waiting for me to join Him in a walk. Walks often function as my prayer time. Sometimes I will listen to a podcast as I did on this walk. On this particular podcast, one of the hosts said the following: “God never looks in your mirror...
Male and Female He Created Them
“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” (Genesis 1:27). Some of you who have attended one of our worship services during the past month are most likely aware that I will be preaching on “Biblical...
To Know Jesus and to Make Him Known
By Bob Manuel There are many ways to summarize what following Jesus, what being a disciple of His looks like. In our own local church, we have a mission statement that states it this way: “Jesus has called us to make disciples of Jesus Christ who respond to His Gospel...
Delighting in our Duty
Below is an article I wrote this month for our church's newsletter: "The CrossWay Current". More accurately, I wrote the article for me! You see, one of the common vocational hazards of being a pastor, is, we can lose our joy if we are not careful. Of course, this...
Thank You God!
My heart's intent with this post is to encourage you. Yes, we have finally shed the skin of 2020, and have entered a new year, but as we all know, this past year has taken an emotional toll on many. And, its' effects linger still. I find that that when I get a bit...
Peace with God through our Prince of Peace.
As I write this, the tumultuous/chaotic/crazy (what adjective does one use?!) year of 2020 is coming to an end. Yet, while I don't consider myself a pessimist, as we all know, the end of a calendar year doesn't necessarily mean everything will be automatically...
Janet Elaine Agee
Janet Elaine (Ohlrich) Agee, 83, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, passed peacefully into the arms of her beloved Jesus on Sunday, November 15, 2020. She was born on March 2, 1937, in Akron, Ohio, to Walter and Mildred Ohlrich. She married Robert Lee Agee on June 20, 1959,...
An Invitation to Rest
Greetings! Most of you, I am guessing, will be reading this after our general election on November 3rd. I am writing this on election eve on the 2nd. Perhaps the day after on the 4th, we will know who our President elect will be. Will Trump be re-elected, or, will...
You are here – Now What?
Yes, you are here upon this earth. Now What? That is, what is the purpose of your life? People can spend their entire lives looking for the answer to that question. So, how would you answer it? Why are you here? I would suggest ALL of us are created to know and to...
School of Revival, or, Come Drink With Me.
Hello Friends! It's been awhile since I've posted. My apologies. With the combination of Covid-19 and my co-Pastor retiring, it's taken me a while to find my new rhythm(s). I appreciate your prayers and your patience. So, how have you been? I'm not sure any of us, no...
Some meandering thoughts on George Floyd and our need for both Justice and Grace.
I seriously doubt I have anything unique/new to add to this conversation and lament over the recent deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor. Sadly, many other names could be added. I trust those who read will forgive me for that all too ubiquitous...
Psalms of Ascent and the Corona Virus
If you are a friend of Crossway Community, you know Pastor Funk and I have been preaching a series on the Psalms of Ascent (Psalms 120-134). In their original context, it is believed these Psalms were sung by God's people who would literally ascend in their pilgrimage...