Rob Prince's Blog, page 66
February 20, 2014
Ten Things I have NOT heard this winter in Flint, Michigan
10. Spoken by the students of Genesee County: “Hello, Mr. Principal. I know it’s snowed all night but please don’t cancel school.”
9. “I love having a salty film on my car.”
8. “I’m thankful for potholes—they make me long for the heavenly streets of gold that much more.”
7. “Let’s go to Chipotle after snow shoveling the driveway.” (FYI–I am starting my own personal campaign to bring a Chipotle Restaurant to Flint).
6. “Give me a Gold Medal—my car just did a perfect triple Lutz on I-475.”
5. “It’s all the way up to 30 degrees kids. Time for shorts and flip flops.”
4. “Why would anyone go to Florida when they can go ice fishing on Mott Lake?”
3. “I’m going to miss these icy and freezing cold days this summer.”
2. “Let it snow, Let it snow, Let it snow!”
1. Spoken by the pastors in Genesee County: “I love it that every Saturday night or Sunday morning we’ve had a snowstorm. It does wonders for church attendance!”
The weather people are saying today will be another yucky, wintery, rainy, icy mix of precipitation and wind, but it’s only Thursday and Sunday is coming! By Sunday the roads should be clear and our hearts ready for what God is going to do!
You can sign up for my weekly email sent directly to you at centralnazarene.com
Books Printed!
Coming to a bookstore near you. Thanks Beacon Hill Press and the folks and Nazarene Publishing House for making this possible! Order yours at amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com or mph.com
February 13, 2014
Baptized in the Girl’s Lake
Jesus said, “Go and make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.”
He did not say, “Go and make good citizens” or “Go and make Nazarenes” but rather he said, “Go and make disciples and baptize them.”
We have our marching orders. Make disciples and then baptize them.
Since Jesus said it, I am persuaded that EVERY believer should be baptized.
It’s an event to remember.
I remember very well the day I was baptized. I was ten or eleven years old. The church we attended did not have a baptismal tank, so I was baptized on the Eastern Michigan District Nazarene Campgrounds. The campgrounds has had a name change since then, it’s now called “Water’s Edge Campgrounds.”
Back when I was a boy, boys and girls did not swim together. Mixed swimming was an absolute no-no on the Nazarene campgrounds. So there was a “girl’s lake” and a “boy’s lake.”
The boy’s lake was the nicer of the two lakes. It was a mostly sandy lake with only an occasional leech. It had a really big dock that brave young men could dive off. I am not great swimmer, diver and probably not particularly brave. I never jumped off the dock. Compared to the girl’s lake, it was nice. Boys and girls both swim in it now. So, it’s not called the “Boy’s Lake” anymore— now it’s called “Sandy Bottom Lake.” There is a big water slide that goes into it. I think there is still an occasional leech or two— where boys and girls can discover them.
The girl’s lake, on the other hand, did not have a cool dock. It had a lot of seed weed. The water wasn’t very clear. I believe it was home to the annual convention of leeches and every other gross and creepy water creature. I don’t know why the boys got the good lake and the girls got the bad lake — that’s just the way it was. As far as I know, N.O.W. never protested the lake configuration. Maybe they should have. The girl’s lake also had a name change it is now called “McGuire Lake.”
Somewhat reluctantly I must admit to you that I was baptized in McGuire Lake. That’s right—the GIRL’S lake! I, your manly preacher (I like to think I’m manly—even if my swimming and diving skills are suspect and I’m not particularly brave– especially if leeches are involved) was baptized in the girl’s lake. I’m not sure why baptisms were held in the girl’s lake, they just were. Boys and girls—we were all baptized in the girl’s lake. While I’m making true confessions of my baptism, let me also inform you that the minister that baptized me (my pastor at the time) later ran off with a bunch of money from the church. He was an embezzler. He never went to jail— probably should have. So I was baptized in the girl’s lake by a crook.
Why did I tell you all of this?
Baptism is not about the water. Girl’s lake, boy’s lake, lots of water, a little water—the location or the amount of water is not what’s important (hopefully there are no leeches). It’s a symbol of what God has done. And it’s not about the minister who does the dunking (or sprinkling or pouring) during the baptizing. It’s all about what God has done (not some preacher)! It’s a symbol of the glorious grace of God, when He washed our sins away.
I love baptism times—and this Sunday we will be celebrating with 20 or so people the great news that they have had their sins all washed away! If you have had a change of heart—bring a change of clothes on Sunday! It’s not too late to be baptized (just shoot me or Pastor Andy an email so we can plan the morning). Let’s celebrate what God is doing in the hearts and lives of men and women!
February 7, 2014
Mama and Jesus
This past Monday my mom had heart surgery. The surgery went well, but an hour later for an unknown reason her heart stopped. The doctors kept her going for a couple of days, but on Wednesday afternoon when they unplugged the ECMO machine that was acting as her lungs and heart—she quickly, quietly and peacefully went to her heavenly home.
If my mom had been in the Salvation Army (instead a long time Nazarene) they would have said, “She was promoted to glory.” She is in heaven!
I don’t know everything there is to know about heaven. The old song we used to sing said, “When we all get to heaven what a day of rejoicing that will be.” I think that’s true. Here’s what else I know:
My mom exchanged…
The potholed lined streets of Detroit for the Golden Boulevards of Heaven
A two bedroom condo in Plymouth, Michigan for a mansion in Glory.
A slight fear of water (she never learned to swim) to cannonballing in the Crystal Sea.
The daily missing my dad (who went to heaven nearly five years ago) to a grand reunion (no doubt including Neapolitan Ice Cream in the Welcome Home reception)
And best of all…
She is no longer simply singing about Jesus at the Plymouth Church of the Nazarene—now she is SEEING Jesus. Her faith is now sight. She has heard those most wonderful words, “Well done, my good and faithful servant!”
We Christians have a different view of life and death than non-Christians. Death is not the end. My good byes yesterday afternoon at 3:09 in room 548 in the Cardio ICU at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit were not the final words. I believe Paul’s words to the Thessalonians are true when he wrote: Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14)
All this to say, “Thank you to everyone who offered prayers for my family and me.” We know the Lord has been with us. And now– Mama is with Jesus. She is rejoicing. Who can be terribly sad about that? We have the hope that we will see her and all the saints who have gone on before us! Great is His faithfulness!
February 3, 2014
Beacon Hill Press has issued a press release for my Book
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
New Book Offers Hope to Those with Chronic Pain
February 3, 2014 (Kansas City, MO) Nearly 100 million Americans are affected by chronic pain, according to the U.S. Pain Foundation, and many of them struggle with not just the physical and emotional consequences of pain, but spiritual ones, as well.
“I am a pastor with chronic pain,” says author Rob Prince. “Having lived most of my life battling migraines, surviving a subarachnoid hemorrhage, and constantly dealing with issues related to headaches, I am acutely aware that not all headache relief comes from a bottle of pills or the various treatments available. The spiritual aspect of pain relief is what this book addresses.”
Prince assures that this book is not about getting rid of pain in five easy steps or about having enough faith to be healed. “Even with the Botox injections that I receive every three months, I still have three or four severe headaches a week,” Prince says. “So this book is more of an ‘I know what you are going through and God is still God even when you experience excruciating pain’ book.”
Prince hopes that those who suffer from chronic pain, as well as those who have friend and family with chronic pain, will find help in this book, and that those battling chronic pain will come to see God at work as he has in his own journey.
Endorsements
“The book offers renewed hope. I think every Christian who has experienced the dark night of the soul should read this book.” Frank Moore, Director of Center for Faith & Culture, Olivet Nazarene University
“In a world that seeks the easy answers for the problems of life, this book brings us to the rough places, about how a Christian deals with suffering.” Dr. Carla Sunberg, District Superintendent, East Ohio District
“Rob’s frank and transparent description is a guidebook for how each of us should face difficult circumstances. Whether the difficulty is chronic, like his headaches, or acute, like losing a job, there are common elements with which all can relate.” Danny R. Welch, Ph.D., Professor & Chair of Cancer Biology, Hall Family Professorship in Molecular Medicine, Kansas Bioscience Authority Eminent Scholar, The Kansas University Medical Center, Associate Director for Basic Sciences – The University of Kansas Cancer Center
Chronic Pain: Finding Hope in the Midst of Suffering will be released in April 2014 and can be pre-ordered at NPH.com Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com
January 30, 2014
Mama and Me
My mom is not as young as she used to be. I’m not sure if she would care that I printed her age or not (taking no risks and with the fear of being “grounded” at age 50), let’s just say she was born sometime during the Roosevelt Administration (In case you were wondering–Franklin not Teddy. Oops, I think I just got grounded.).
Up until now, my mom has been relatively healthy all things considered. Oh she has had a few health scares down through the years (who hasn’t?), but all that changes soon as she will have two heart valves replaced (an aortic and a mitral valve are the trouble makers). So like an Art Van Furniture Store door buster special—she is getting a ‘two for one” special: Two valves. One surgery.
This past Monday, I was able to spend the day with my mom at the hospital. It was just mama and me (and her roommate Mrs. Price). We didn’t do much. We talked about family and friends. We talked about her bland hospital cafeteria lunch and the bruises on her arms from the IVs. We watch the Game Show network. (J. Peterman, of Seinfeld fame, not Richard Dawson was hosting The Family Feud. He was not wearing an Urban Sombrero). I helped her put her socks on when she was ready to get out of bed and we took a walk down the hall so she could get a little exercise (neither one of us will be confused with Usain Bolt).
Nothing earth shattering happened at the Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit with mom and me on Monday. It reminded me how thankful I am for my mom and my sister, Beth, who has spent many, many similar days with my mom. Still it was a good day for mama and me.
When Moses brought down the Top Ten instructions for the people, number five on the hit parade reminded us to “honor your father and mother” (Exodus 20:12). Obeying that particular commandment according to my Jr. Church teacher, Mrs. Cones, meant no back talking and no arguing when your parents said, “eat your vegetables.” Usually, it was kind of a “behave or burn” type of lesson. Mrs. Cones was a no nonsense kind of lady—especially when it came to obeying your parents and eating your veggies.
Now that my mom is aging, I view the commandment a little differently. To honor an aging parent means to respect them; treat them with dignity and listen to their worries and concerns. To honor an aging parent is being there (and when you can’t be there it’s calling them). To honor an aging parent means that sometimes you break appointments and adjust schedules, just so you can sit and watch a two families trying to name “Things at a Picnic” on the Family Feud.
It was an honor to be with my mom this week.
As you think of it utter a prayer for my mom as surgery and treatments are looming.
January 25, 2014
Chronic Pain: Finding Hope in the Midst of Suffering is endorsed by Dr. Jeren Rowell
Dr. Jeren Rowell, District Superintendent of the Kansas City District of the Church of the Nazarene, endorsed my new book:
“Rob Prince is among the happiest, funniest, non-angry people I know. It is easy to forget that he deals with chronic pain. Across the eight years that I have served alongside Rob, including “Roberto” (you’ll have to read the book), I cannot identify one time when he turned my attention to his pain. How can this be? The answer is revealed in this engaging book, and it is not what you might think. There is no easy formula here, no simple answer, no “three steps to a pain-free life.” What is here, is the profound testimony of one who has learned to lean into Jesus so completely that the power of Christ is made perfect in his weakness (2 Cor. 12:9). This is really not a book about pain so much as a book on prayer; the kind of prayer that emerges when faith is being built through suffering. Regardless of the nature of your “headache,” you will find here the kind of wisdom that at once disciplines and strengthens, corrects and gives hope.”
Chronic Pain: Finding Hope in the Midst of Suffer is to be release in April, 2014
You can preorder at Barnesandnoble.com or 
by following this link:
Chronic Pain: Finding Hope in the Midst of Suffering
January 19, 2014
Dr. Danny Welch, Professor and Chair of Cancer Biology, University of Kansas endorses my book
Dr. Danny R. Welch, Professor and Chair of Cancer Biology, University of Kansas wrote this about my book, Chronic Pain: Finding Hope in the Midst of Suffering:
Chronic Pain: Finding Hope in the Midst of Suffering is Rob Prince’s personal story of his long-term struggle with an oft-debilitating health issue. While the book is mostly about dealing with migraine headaches, his frank and transparent description is a guidebook for how each of us should face difficult circumstances. Whether the difficulty is chronic, like his headaches, or acute, like losing a job, there are common elements with which all can relate. None of us likes tough situations. But our frailties can either destroy us or detonate our will to overcome them. Our circumstances can be faced with looking at the glass as half-full or half-empty.
Chronic Pain: Finding Hope in the Midst of Suffering reminds me that a positive attitude makes an incredible difference when facing a trial, especially a long trial where the end does not appear on the horizon. A positive outlook can help find contentment, even when seeking to change things. In other words, we make the most of every circumstance. With a wry sense of humor, recognition of irony, self-deprecation and a keen ability to tell poignant stories, Pastor Prince brings the reader into his world in order to share how God has helped him cope with a decades-long illness.
Unfortunately, Jehovah Rapha (The Healer of our troubles) has not healed him of his headaches. I, too, wish He had. Yet, Pastor Prince provides clear examples for how his ailment has been used to help others. He shows how he prays toward heaven while rowing toward shore – he seeks heavenly healing while not foregoing modern medicine, lifestyle changes and all-the-while living his hectic life. His example is an inspiration to others. God has indeed proven that in all things, He works for good.
I am a career cancer researcher. As one of my colleagues said, “Research is best characterized as good days and bad months.” Cancer research is simultaneously frustrating – every two steps forward is accompanied by one step back – and exhilarating – the thrill of discovery and potentially helping people is unparalleled. Those same emotions and challenges are what Pastor Prince describes in his journey. We both have faith that God will heal, but neither of us presumes that God will do it our way or following our time line. We both face life with optimism, but recognize that there are still more challenges ahead. We both struggle, but we persevere because we savor the victories – big and small – which make the challenging times bearable. We both know that there is really no other option but to keep going. As the former North Carolina State Basketball coach Jim Valvano exhorted as he was dying from cancer, “Don’t give up. Don’t ever give up!”
Enduring a chronic disease isn’t easy. Like my friends who are wheelchair bound or fight cancer that has spread throughout their bodies, Pastor Rob reminds us that, even when weary, we should not give up. He provides lessons that can help anyone facing a disease, heartbreak, sadness, a difficult decision or challenging relationships.
First, we are not alone. God is with us.
Second, God still performs miracles, every day. Some miracles are in the form of physical healing. Sometimes those miracles do not come. Regardless, one of God’s greatest miracles comes from healing attitudes. Being positive does not mean being pollyanna. A positive attitude helps cope, even when the journey is long. We are never given more than we can handle, even if sometimes that is not what we feel. Focusing on the facts that God is with us and that His intervention allows us to experience joy, even times of struggle, help us finish put one foot in front of the other wherever we are in the long race.
Danny R. Welch, Ph.D.
Professor & Chair of Cancer Biology
Hall Family Professorship in Molecular Medicine
Kansas Bioscience Authority Eminent Scholar
The Kansas University Medical Center
Associate Director for Basic Sciences – The University of Kansas Cancer Center
