Rob Prince's Blog, page 19

Thank God on Thanksgiving from A to Z

Thank God for All things good and pleasing.
Thank God for Blessings both warm or freezing. 
Thank God for Candies, treats, and everything sweet.
Thank God for Delightful days with plenty to eat.
Thank God for Excitement to start the holiday.
Thank God for Family who’ll soon gather this way.
Thank God for Groceries that line our shelves.
Thank God for Houses to shelter ourselves.
Thank God for Ice Cream and any other dessert.
Thank God for Jellied rolls and calories I will insert.
Thank God for Kickoffs and football on TV.
Thank God for Lions (this doesn’t rhyme because the Detroit Lions goof everything up).
Thank God for Memories of parents now deceased.
Thank God for November’s wonderful holiday feast.
Thank God for Our family of weirdos and bumpkins.
Thank God for Pies– apple and pumpkins.
Thank God for Quick little bites off the grill.
Thank God for Relish and pickles, sweet and dill.
Thank God for Sauce – from a cranberry, of course.
Thank God for Turkey – enough to feed a horse.
Thank God for Unique holiday joys and traditions.
Thank God for Various subtractions and additions.
Thank God for Wonderful days and a great life.
Thank God for X-cellent planning by my sweet wife.
Thank God for Yawning– my old body needs a nap.
Thank God for Zillions of joys bringing this poem to a wrap.

But most of all… 
Thank God for Jesus and his great love and grace.
No rhyme… just the truth!

The End.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Why I am thankful for the Church of the Nazarene.

1. Jesus (through the Church of the Nazarene) rescued our family. My alcoholic dad walked into an evening service at the Garden City Church of the Nazarene (later changed its name to Elmwood Church of the Nazarene) and the rest is history.

2. The little Nazarene church, as dysfunctional as it was, gave me a place to serve. As an 8th grader, I was teaching Sunday school to 2nd graders. (Granted I was the only teenager and they didn’t know what to do with me). 

3. The Nazarene campgrounds in Howell– as kids we had fun and heard about Jesus. At the campground, I had my first “real” job (mowing Mrs. Buckley’s lawn doesn’t count). I washed dishes in the kitchen during camps as a 14-year-old).  

4.  My Olivet Nazarene University education. Loved every minute of it.

5.  Met Karla while serving as a summer intern, at the Alanson Church of the Nazarene.

6.  My Nazarene Theological Seminary education. (Worked as a janitor cleaning the Nazarene Publishing House for two of those years).

7. Getting married in the Nazarene church in Westland, officiated by Nazarene pastors, Mark Barnes of Plymouth and my brother, Fred, of Union Lake.

8. Serving in six Nazarene churches (five as solo/lead pastor). All great churches in their own unique way. Alanson, Bad Axe, Metropolitan (Roseville), Richfield (Otisville), Lenexa Central and Flint Central (all in Michigan except Lenexa, of course).

9. Having my boys grow up in Nazarene children’s ministries and youth ministries. Both attending NYC. Both graduating from Nazarene institutions. (Alex from Mid America Nazarene University; Ben from Olivet Nazarene University).        

10. My parents and Karla’s dad’s funerals were in Nazarene churches (Plymouth and Reading, Michigan).. 

The Church of the Nazarene has provided everything for me. Without the Church of the Nazarene, I would not be alive (my parents would have divorced before I was born). Since I quit working at the Thom McAn shoe store when I went off to Olivet as a 17-year-old freshman, every pay check I have received (except for my part-time stint at the Knox Presbyterian Church in seminary) has been from a Nazarene institution. I would never have met Karla. My boys wouldn’t be here. I wouldn’t have the friends and colleagues that I have known. From my beginning days and until my closing breath, the Church of the Nazarene has been in every vital happening in my life.

I love the Church of the Nazarene and am very thankful for her. 

The Steve and Marilyn Anthony Day

We are calling this Sunday “the Steve and Marilyn Anthony Day” at Central Church. It’s Dr. Anthony’s second retirement party (Steve retired from being the District Superintendent on the Eastern Michigan District in 2013 and promptly started serving as the interim pastor at Central Church and, after my arrival, became Central Church’s Senior Adult Pastor). After 49 years of vocational ministry, he’s retiring again. 

Of course, if you know Steve he’s not done. He has organized two Central Church Florida “snowbird” gatherings in January 2023. He is scheduled to preach at the Lakeland Holiness Camp in Florida this winter. He just preached a revival in Caro, Michigan. He won’t be done until Jesus calls him home. And good news, he and Marilyn aren’t leaving Central Church. They will probably be gone more since they won’t have official duties. They’ll stay in Florida longer. Visit family more often; but they will continue to be a part of the church. When Doc told me he was planning on retiring, I said, “OK, you can retire, but when you are here, I’d like you to do everything you were doing before you retired– only we won’t be paying you anymore.” That was not the best offer he heard that day. 

Steve and Marilyn Anthony have been a delight to serve alongside. A delight!  He has been a mentor and friend. When times get a little sticky, he has my back. When folks get a little “complainy,” he makes some phone calls. When younger staff want to try new things, he has been their biggest supporter. Steve and Marilyn Anthony are a big reason Central Church is a great church. 

This Sunday, we will only have one service at 11AM (all Sunday School classes will meet at 9:30). Orpheus Choir from Olivet will be here. Greetings will be brought by current Eastern Michigan District Superintendent Dr. Mike Kitsko and former Olivet Nazarene University President, Dr. John Bowling. Dr. Anthony will be preaching. Following the service there will be a come and go reception. A few snacks to tide you over until lunch will be served. As you say thanks to Steve and Marilyn for their service to the Lord a thank you gift card to a favorite restaurant or store would be more than appropriate). It’s going to be a big day.

The Anthony’s have been a blessing to all the churches on the Eastern Michigan District. But they have been a blessing to Flint Central Church (in my opinion) the most. Not only helping though normal pastoral transitions, he led through the near total fire of the building in 1996, the death of pastor, Dr. Gavin Raath in 2004, and for the last nine years they have been a constant, faithful example to old and young alike. If you can’t tell, I absolutely love the Anthony’s. I will miss them when they are not here and rejoice with them when they are. I hope this Sunday will be a day they will always remember with great fondness.

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Consistency: The Missing Piece in Families Today

My parents weren’t perfect. Like all of us, they had flaws. But if I had to pinpoint the key to their success in raising a faithful family, it would be: consistency. My folks were consistent. We knew where they stood and they didn’t waver. They were the same at home, in church, and at work, wherever. 

Jesus held first place for them. Nothing came before Jesus. Nothing. We didn’t miss church. I don’t think any of us kids questioned whether we were going to church. That was never an option.  We were going. If you were sick, I mean “near death bed” sick, then you could miss. Other excuses like sporting events, sleep over at friends, staying up too late on Saturday or just wanting to sleep in—were never good reasons. Church doors open? The Princes were there. 

They consistently worked around the church. Mowed grass. Cleaned the church. Served in whatever capacity was needed. Taught Sunday School. Led groups. I remember my dad filling in for the preacher when the pastor called in sick one Sunday. They participated in whatever was the latest church growth fad. Evangelism explosion. Knocking on doors in the neighborhood. Handing out tracks. You name it. They were all in. Moreover, they never spoke poorly of the pastor or others from the church. Our church growing up was far from perfect, but my folks didn’t complain about others (at least not in front of us). 

My folks were consistently generous too. They were regular tithers. After we were out of college, their tithe became 15% of their income. I think when they passed they were giving 20% to the work of the Lord. That is before their special offerings. In the old days, Nazarenes took lots of special offerings: Thanksgiving Offering. Easter Offering. Prayer and Fasting offering. Alabaster offering. Bible College offering. Seminary offering. World Mission radio offering.  When a missionary was passing through; or special revival meetings were held; or support of the camp grounds was needed, they would give in those offering too. If the church needed a new roof or if the furnace went out—they “dug a little deeper” for those special needs. 

Consistent in priorities. Consistent in service. Consistent in giving. 

If America used to be considered a “Christian nation” and now it is “Post Christian,” some wonder how did it happen? When people talk about the rise of “nones” (those who claim no religious preference on the census reports) or the lack of participation in worship services or the waning finances in churches today—I wonder in part if that is because of what has (or has not) been modelled at home. Whatever happened to a consistent walk with Jesus? I know that’s not the complete answer. It’s too simple.  I know plenty of good parents whose children have made lousy choices. Still, the consistent godly walk before our kids and grandkids is a major factor in determining the spiritual trajectory of those who come behind us. 

Let us be consistent in our worship, in our service, in our giving. Can we be as bold as the Apostle Paul who told the Corinthians, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ. (1 Corinthians 11:1)

You Have Two Weeks

Two weeks from today is Thanksgiving. 
Two weeks to get the house ready for company.
Two weeks before the Lions lose to the Bills. (Oh me of little hope)
Two weeks before you eat too much turkey, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie.
Two weeks before you see some family and friends

What will you do with these two weeks before Thanksgiving?

Complain about the election?
Blast the politicians for whom you didn’t vote.
Show contempt for the direction our world is going?
Rage against the bad drivers
Nit-Pick the preacher’s sermon (hey, that’s hitting a little close to home)
Criticize often.
Grump. Grump. Grump.
Whine about gas, food and just-about-everything-else prices.
Nag those you live with about socks on the floor, dishes in the sink or any number of things (Hey, who ate my last Nestlé’s Crunch bar?)
Worry always.
Moan and Groan. Groan and Moan. Moan. Moan. Moan.
Murmur against those with hair colors that seem unnatural.
Mutter about older people with whom you don’t understand.
Fear the future.
Babble on and on about the good ol’ days.
Lament about all the things you don’t have.
Notice all the things bad people do have.
Constantly Condemn.
Denounce. Denounce. Denounce.
Slam whomever for whatever. Whenever. However.
Judge first.
Apologize last. Maybe never.
Be angry.

 
Neck stiff.
Ears deaf.
Eyes closed.
Shoulder chipped.
Stomach knotted.
Hands clenched.
Lips vile.
Tongue lashing.
Fun forgotten.
Joy gone.
Hope lost.

Or we can…

Be thankful always (Ephesians 5:20)
Be Patient in affliction (Romans 12:12)
Be gentle to all. (Philippians 4:5)
Be filled you with all joy and peace (Romans 15:13)
Rejoice with those who rejoice (Romans 12:15) 
Love our enemies (Matthew 5:44)
Pray continuously (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
Give Generously (Psalm 37:21)
Reach unity (Ephesians 4:13)
Hold unswervingly to the hope we profess (Hebrews 10:23)
Hunger and thirst for righteousness (Matthew 5:13)
Spread the aroma of the knowledge of Jesus everywhere. (2 Corinthians 2:14)
Always trust
Always Hope
Always Persevere (1 Corinthians 13:7)

Given those choices. 
I’ll choose the later ones. 
I hope you do too.

What to Wear to Post-Election Parties

No matter who wins or who loses tomorrow’s mid-term elections our future is secure because of Jesus and nothing else. The Apostle Paul put it this way: Our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. (Philippians 3:20-21).  My passport may say, “USA” but my citizenship is in heaven. I’m just passing through this old world trying to take as many people with me to heaven as I “eagerly await” His return.

Tomorrow night, the supporters of all the candidates will be “eagerly waiting” the election results. Will the evening end with balloons and confetti or somber concessions? My wife, Karla’s post-election, pre-party question: What does wear to such a gathering?

We need not wonder about clothing choices as we “eagerly await” Christ’s return. Upon His return, there will be a party, for sure. Yet, as we wait, Paul gives us fashion tips. Fashion tips? That’s right. Paul gives we who are living in Post-Christian America,”eagerly waiting” clothing instructions (that’s very appropriate for post-election parties too). In Romans, he writes: The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. (Romans 13:12) Then two verses later, he tells us “clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 13:14). He spelled out his best clothing option even more clearly to the Colossians (and us), “as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. (Colossians 3:12-13 underlining mine).

After all the votes are tallied, no matter who is elected, and as we wait our Lord’s return, here is our fashion statement. Wear the armor of light in our dark world; be so connected to Jesus it is as if you were actually wearing him like your favorite outfit; and always (whether your preferred candidates win or loses) wear the Christ-like attributes: compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

Until that great and glorious Day of His return, we are Christ’s heavenly ambassadors on planet earth no matter what party is in power. Dress like it. This has nothing to do with red hats or blue scarfs, it has everything to do with acting like Jesus at all times and through all circumstances.

Sunday, Funday, Bunday, Hunday, Stunday, Nunday, Gunday, Oneday, Tonday, Runday. Shunday. Punday, Dunday… but not Monday (that’s too late).

In three days, it will be November 6, 2022. Less than 72 hours from when you are reading this little article, it will be…

Funday. Thanks to Daylight saving fall back day. You get an extra hour to sleep. Hooray!

Bunday. Free breakfast. Not just Buns. Pancakes. Eggs. Bacon. Yum! Yum! 9:30AM at the Peak.

Hunday. Not the car company (Hyuendai? Hunday? You say “toe-ma-toe,” I say “toe-may-toe”). No free cars. But our new (to us) electric carts will be in use to bring in those folks with trouble walking into the building from the Peak/Parking lots to the Main Building. 

Stunday. You will be amazed at how great the Pre-School areas look! Stunning! Tours and prayers after the 11AM service.

Nunday. Sure. Nuns are welcome.

Gunday. Nope. No guns please.

Oneday. What I keep saying about the Lions and the Super Bowl. Oneday. Oneday. Oneday.

Tonday. If I eat too many pancakes at the yummy breakfast. Thanks again Deb Pruitt!

Runday. Run to Jesus, but please walk in the hallways.

Shunday. Avoid all gossip. Elude all negativity. Sidestep any unwholesome talk. 

Punday. Need an ark built?  I Noah guy. Hahaha.

Dunday. That’s what we will be saying around 12:30 or so. After you’ve toured the new preschool area or offices and prayed, prayed, prayed for those newly renovated areas.

Monday (too late)

SUNDAY. The Lord’s Day. The Great Day. The Free-Breakfast Day. The Closing-of-Dnow-Weekend Day. The Baptism-at-Central Day. The One-Service-at-11AM Day. The Dedication-of-the-New-and-Improved-Pre-School-Area Day. The Dedication-of-the-Offices-Too Day. The Day-You-Should-be-in-Church Day. The Get-Your-New-Central-Swag Day. It’s CONNECT SUNDAY (formerly known as ALL-IN Sunday)! 

Hey… I am so stinkin’ biased, but as I begin my 10th year (wow… time flies when you are having fun. November 1 was our 9th Anniversary. Nine years done, 41 to go if I’m going to pastor until I’m 100), I must admit I love our church. The pastoral staff and church board make this a great place to minister. We have such wonderfully engaged people who truly love God and want to see His Kingdom come and His will done in Flint as it is in heaven. That prayer is achieved as we recognize that Jesus changes everything; we grow better together; as we are the best neighbors. God is up to good things at Central Church!  Come this Sunday, Funday, Bunday, Hunday, Stunday, Nunday, Gunday, Oneday, Tonday, Runday. Shunday. Punday, Dunday… but not Monday (that’s too late). 

A Halloween Message That’s No Trick, all Treat

Since today is Halloween, I give you these ten verses (please insert your name when a Biblical name or place is given):

Genesis 15:1: “Do not be afraid, _______ (Abram). I am your shield, your very great reward.”
Genesis 21:17: “What is the matter, _______ (Hagar)? Do not be afraid; God has heard ….”
2 Chronicles 20:15: “Listen, _______ (King Jehoshaphat) and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.”
Jeremiah 46:27: “Do not be afraid, _______ (Jacob) my servant; do not be dismayed, Israel. I will surely save you out of a distant place.”
Joel 2:21: “Do not be afraid, _______ (land of Judah); be glad and rejoice. Surely the Lord has done great things!”
Luke 1:13: “Do not be afraid, _______ (Zechariah); your prayer has been heard.”
Luke 1:30: “Do not be afraid, _______ (Mary); you have found favor with God.”
Luke 5:10: Then Jesus said to _______ (Simon), “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.”
Luke 8:50: Jesus said to _______ (Jairus), “Don’t be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed.”
John 12:15: “Do not be afraid, _______ (Daughter Zion); see, your king is coming,”

The personalize version of those aforementioned verses are still true. My friends, hear this from the Lord: DO NOT BE AFRAID. Someone has said that the words “Fear Not” appear 365 times in the Bible (once for each day of the year). I haven’t counted them, so I will assume it’s true (or close enough). Whether there are 365 daily reminders or not, the message repeatedly given in the Bible is this: DO NOT BE AFRAID.

We are living in such fearful times. There’s more fear now than ever in my lifetime. People are…

afraid of the tanking economy; afraid they can’t afford the basics of lifeafraid of what will happen to your 403b; afraid that the opposing political party (not yours) will win the election; afraid that Russia might use a nuclear bomb; afraid of anyone not like themselves; afraid of getting sick; afraid of getting old; afraid of being alone; afraid of crowds; afraid for your children; afraid that the world is changing into something they do not like; afraid of so many, many things. 

Followers of Christ should be the least fearful people on the planet. Read that last sentence again. Slowly if you must. Followers of Jesus know their future. Followers of Jesus know that God wins in the end. Followers of Jesus know that He is with us wherever we go. Followers of Jesus are never alone. Followers of Jesus are infused with the Holy Spirit’s power. Followers of Jesus are children of the King. Followers of Jesus know He is coming again. The Psalmist said it best: The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? (Psalm 118:6)

Hear those repeated words again, this is no trick. It’s all treat on this Halloween and every other day of the year: FEAR NOT!

Stop Blaming the Pandemic

When they said, “There is no toilet paper because of the pandemic.” 
I said, “No problem. Grandma always said “I could use the Sears and Roebuck catalog in such emergencies.”  (Of course, granny didn’t know that one day paper catalogs would only be found in museums).

When they said, “This pandemic has caused a silicon chip shortage, which has left thousands of trucks parked all around Flint.” 
I said, “I’m glad those empty parking lots are being used.”

But when I walked into Walmart yesterday morning, two years and seven months after the Pandemic started, only to discover there was not one Hot Tamale candy in the store, I said, “OK this pandemic blaming business has gone too far.”

It seems the poor pandemic gets blamed for everything these days. Supply chain shortage? Blame the pandemic. Rising costs? Blaming the pandemic. Church attendance has dropped off a cliff in America. Blame the pandemic. Bible reading is down. It must be the pandemic. Prayer is not happening. Three words: Blame. The. Pandemic. But is the pandemic the cause of this rapid decline? I’m not so sure.

Yesterday I also went to the dentist. Not because of my love for Hot Tamales, I hadn’t been there since 2019 (don’t @ me… I’ve had some bad dental experiences). Was this going to be another bad experience? No sooner had I sat down in the dentist’s chair, the song over the intercom was, “Another One Bites the Dust.” I kid you not. Yikes! I wanted to run, but I stayed. My dentist is nice. Although this Prince needs a crown. Ugh. Maybe it was the Hot Tamales.  

In my head, I’ve blamed the pandemic for my dental visit hiatus. But the truth of the matter is: I don’t like going to the dentist. I’ve had some bad experiences (Did I mention that? Ok, good. It’s true). I didn’t want to go, even though I knew I needed to go. I know all about good dental hygiene. I simply used the pandemic as my excuse. 

All polling data confirms what we all know: Church attendance, Bible reading and prayer are at all-time lows. Maybe folks are like me and the dentist. They know life’s better when they go to church, read their Bible and pray, but they aren’t doing them. Maybe it’s been convenient to use the pandemic as an excuse. Maybe once out of the habit of these practices, it was easy to quit doing them all together. Maybe they’ve convinced themselves, that on-line church is just as good (Psst… it’s not); that Bible reading and prayer are optional (Psst… they’re not); and that the pandemic has revealed that there are far too many hypocrites in the church (Psst, that one is probably true, but like the old joke says, we can always use one more– Place a smiley emoji here).  

Let’s not blame the pandemic for every societal ill, and let’s not use it for an excuse. Let’s determine that our spiritual well-being is up to us. Pandemic or no pandemic. When able, I hope you will return to the to those spiritual practices that bring strength, hope, power and love. I hope you see things as the Psalmist did three thousand years ago, when he wrote: “I rejoiced with those who said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord.” Psalm 122:1

If “Take Your Bible to the Voting Booth” is too much, try this

Maybe you’ve heard it said, “Take your Bible into the voting booth.” The sentiment is: we need to vote our moral convictions. For me, living in Michigan, that means a NO VOTE on Prop 3 that would legalize abortions and allow many other things of which I would not agree. 

OK, that’s great take your Bible into the voting booth.  Amen. Amen.

But how about taking your Bible with you….

When going to work or school—Our Bible (and our understanding of the Truth of God) should affect the way we talk and how we spend your time When on social media and scrolling endlessly through Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Tic TocWhen shopping on-line or in a mall. How we spend our money is important.When commenting to those you disagree with on social media.When filling out your taxes. No short cuts, little white lies or “overlooking” a few things.When talking with your spouse, children or parents.When dealing with people you disagree with on politics or life choices

Don’t just take your Bible with you in the voting booth. Let your Bible guide in all the endeavors of your life.

Is “taking your Bible with you” too overwhelming to imagine? There are 66 books and two testaments to research. Maybe it’s too much to thumb through in a voting booth. What would happen if we just said, “let the Sermon on the Mount be our guide.” Take the Sermon on the Mount into the voting booth and every where else? Still too much? Let’s make it even easier. Let’s begin with just the first third (roughly) of the Sermon on the Mount. Let’s just master Matthew 5, before moving on. If we just focused on Matthew 5… 

We’d see that the people blessed aren’t the high and mighty or the powerful and rich, but the poor in spirit, the meek, those that mourn, the peacemakers, the persecuted and those that hunger and thirst after righteousnessWe’d be salt and light in our dark world (NOTE: Not “salty.” There are too many “salty” Christians, which has the opposite effect Jesus was endorsing.)We’d be careful about the names and labels we put on people (Includes those who have wronged you) We’d work to be reconciled to those of whom we have something against (this also includes those who have wronged you)We’d know that adultery isn’t just the behavior but adultery includes our lustful thoughts and what we put into our mind (hello Instagram and Tic Toc). We’d know how much God values our marriages and how important it is to watch what we say and the vows we make. (Whatever happened to keeping those words, “for better or worse”?)We’d learn we have to turn the other cheek when wronged and not seek revenge.We’d be generous. Want my jacket? Have the shirt off my back.We’d love even our enemies. (That includes loving all those who have reached completely opposite conclusions about life, politics, the Bible, sexual identity, abortion rights, you name it).We’d be perfect as our father in heaven is perfect

That’s just Matthew 5. Let’s work on all of those things. Let’s take all of those admonitions into the voting booth and work place and school. When you’ve achieved Matthew 5:48 (“Be perfect, therefore, as your Heavenly Father is perfect”), then we will move on to Matthew 6. 

P.S. It might take a while.