September 2022

Like Jesus

Like Jesus

When we hang out with my grandson Mikah we play lots of games to keep him entertained. Many of the games go something like this: “What does a cow say?” If he does not moo then we all moo. Repeat until Mikah says, “Moo.”

We moo, cluck, oink, baa, and growl (with claws up!), then we branch out to truck and tractor sounds. We seek unusual sounds to make. What does a golf cart say? What does a giraffe say? What does a rhinoceros say?

Our journey to grow like Jesus is not a game, but it works like this toddler game. What does Jesus say? What does Jesus do? What does Jesus think? What does Jesus value? Once we figure it out we keep at it until we sound and look and live like Jesus.

“Whoever claims to live in Jesus must live as Jesus did” (1 John 2:6).

The Apostle Paul talked about it this way in Galatians 3:27, “And all who have been united with Jesus in baptism have put on Jesus, like putting on new clothes.”

I’m certain that those who watch us make animal noises for Mikah can tell which animal we are imitating. I wonder if, as the world watches us, they can tell when we sound and look and live like Jesus?

I think they can!

Kent Landhuis
Pastor of Teaching & Leadership

Did you enjoy this article? Did you laugh, cry or learn something new? Let Kent know.

    September 2022

    Little Lights

    LITTLE LIGHTS

    The more I get into Scripture the more the fake versions of Jesus I have held in my head slowly get melted away.

    I just finished up another journey through the Bible and the last thing that caught my attention was in the final scenes of John’s revelation where we are told there is no longer a need for the sun, moon, or stars because Jesus is our light. We sing songs about this!

    “No need for the sunshine in heaven we’re told —the light of the world is Jesus.” 

    I’ve gone my whole life understanding that Jesus would be the light in heaven. Then I read this in Revelation 22:5: “Night will be no more; people will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, because the Lord God will give them light, and they will reign forever and ever.”

    Isn’t that beautiful? Not only is Jesus the light, but we are each given light and reign with it forever.  Someone said to me, “Oh, like how the moon reflects the sun!” and I had the thought, “Yes, it must be something like that!” Jesus is the light and the source of our light that we are each given is Jesus.

    Imagine a place where each walks around glowing in the glory of the son, and in the glory of the son’s light enveloping them as well.

    Does that change your view of heaven?

    The more I get into scripture the more I discover these little details that I had gotten “wrong” or maybe just “not quite right.” But these details matter!

    I want to be LIKE JESUS—but I want that view, that Truth, that understanding to be completely and fully true. As we press in to know Him more and more may He continue to show us more of His Truth!

    Leah Carolan
    Director of Worship & Media

     

    Did you enjoy this article? Did you laugh, cry, or learn something new?  Let Leah know.

      Uncategorized

      Have the Gift of Hospitality?


      Do you have the gift of hospitality?  If so, you may be interested in learning about the role of an usher.

      Ushers welcome people into the church and worship services with a friendly face.  They also assist our visitors with questions, materials and help them find a seat.

      Everyone is welcome to learn more about this volunteer opportunity to display our value of hospitality! Join Gary Sager and Jim Boeke for an informational meeting Sunday, Sept 25 at 9:45am in the Gathering Space.

      Funeral

      Crissie Rozendaal Visitation & Funeral

      CRISSIE ROZENDAAL

      Please continue to pray for the Rozendaal family as they grieve the loss of Crissie.

      The funeral will be at Cedar Hills on Thursday, August 18 at 11am with a luncheon to follow.  Visitation Wednesday evening  4:30-6:30pm, also at Cedar Hills.  MAP

      CONDOLENCES

      There is an area to leave condolences on the Iowa Cremation website. Please let the family know you’re thinking of them!

      OBITUARY

      Crissie was a loving wife, mother, daughter, and friend. She is the daughter of Arie and Wilma Spoelstra of Pella Iowa. She was born July 13, 1960. She put up a good fight against cancer for 13 years. She never let it rule her life.

      Crissie is the wife to Dennis Rozendaal and the mother of Emily (Nick) McKeag and Jacob Rozendaal. Sister to Marlys Hoksbergen, and Royce (Sharon) Spoelstra.  Sister-in-law to Dale (Jana) Rozendaal, Marla (Eugene) Sjaardema, Rodney (Dana) Rozendaal, Ross (Kara) Rozendaal.

      She enjoyed reading, serving her community, visiting with family and friends, and serving the church. She was an elder at Cedar Hills Community Church.

      Visitation will be at Cedar Hills Community Church in Cedar Rapids from 4:30pm to 6:30pm on Wednesday August 17, 2022. The memorial service will be held at Cedar Hills Community Church at 11am Thursday August 18, 2022.

      In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Crissie’s name to the Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center at UIHC.
      Thank you to the hospice nursing staff for their care and support. They do a great job at a difficult time.

      Uncategorized

      Swimming at Cherry Hills

      Part of our Fall Kick-Off Celebration is a Faith, Family & Fun event –swimming at Cherry Hill Park.  This is the official last day the pool is open.  No pre-signup needed, just pay at regular desk. $5.75 per person. Continue the Fall Kick-off celebration!

      July 2022

      Where Is the Battle?

      Where Is the Battle?

      We live in days of deep divides. Right and Left. Democrat, Republican. Conservative, Progressive. Pro-choice, Pro-life. Gun Control, Gun Rights. Enemies, Allies. Us, Them. We often talk about our divisions with “war” language. We are in a battle.

      But where is the battle?

      All of us who use social media are fed divisiveness by algorithms that stream battle cries. Or maybe I should say, scream battle cries. Basically, we get yelled at all day every day about our enemies. This is exhausting and counterproductive.

      Yelling to create outrage has the same effect as repeatedly crying wolf. To stoke a response the yelling must intensify or we stop paying attention. Constantly yelling at tired people is not a great strategy. Yelling is a bad strategy for another reason – it creates greater division. The tone we take toward our enemies might determine our success in turning them into allies.

      We are the kind of people who seek peace, reconciliation, and restoration. Our goal is not to deepen the divide but to build a bridge. Or course our actions alone do not guarantee the outcome – we rely on the Holy Spirit for that. We are simply called to love God and love our neighbor.

      Holy Spirit reliance is key for another reason. The Bible tells us where the battle lies:  “For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:12).

      We engage in the battle to defeat the enemy of our soul and rescue our neighbors. We fight the battle to restore peace. We fight to make the world better for everyone!

      I am thrilled to join you in this battle!

       

      Kent Landhuis
      Pastor of Teaching & Leadership

      P.S. I recently read a very helpful essay by John Goerke entitled “How Should We Fight the Culture War?” His words challenged me: “Should we relish too much the false glory of finding what is wrong with the world, we may blind ourselves and our opponents  to what is actually right with it.” To read his essay: click here. 

      Did you enjoy this article? Did you laugh, cry or learn something new? Let Kent know.

        July 2022

        Calling All Enneagram 7’s

        Calling All Enneagram 7’s

        One of the places I struggle the most with authenticity is being authentic with myself. I’m a 7 on the Enneagram personality test.

        When I am at my best the test says I can “assimilate experiences in depth, becoming deeply grateful and appreciative for what I have. Become awed by the simple wonders of life: joyous and ecstatic. Intimations of spiritual reality, of the boundless goodness of life.”

        However, when I am unhealthy I can “Get into conspicuous consumption and all forms of excess. Self-centered, materialistic, and greedy, never feeling that I have enough. Demanding and pushy, yet unsatisfied and jaded. Addictive, hardened, and insensitive.”

        That explains a lot.

        Or worse yet I can be “Desperate to quell my anxieties, can be impulsive and infantile: do not know when to stop. Addictions and excess take their toll: debauched, depraved, dissipated escapists, offensive and abusive.”

        I’ve noticed how easy it is for me to fool myself about how I’m doing mentally, physically, and spiritually.

        The place I am most authentic is in my journal. I write most days of the week. It’s the first thing I turn to in the morning before my kids get up. Somehow this process of journaling allows me to suspend judgement for a bit while I pour my heart out. Then, I’m better able to get a true look at what’s going on in my heart. As an external processor it’s really the only way I can process my feelings without the help of another person. Although, my friends and spouse help me work through my heart issues often.

        Back to the authentic part. If I’m not processing what’s really going on in my heart, I can easily trick myself into thinking that all is well even when it is not.

        Do you ever do this? Do you ever lie to yourself about the state of things?

        If you’re interested in learning more about your personality, you can take a free enneagram test: click here.

        If you’re looking to get to the bottom of things, buy a journal and use it as a way to be honest with yourself and God.

        Lindsey Ungs
        Connection & Communication Architect

        Did you enjoy this article? Did you laugh, cry or learn something new? Let Lindsey know.

          July 2022

          Your Home is a Hallway Out of Hell

          Your Home is a Hallway Out of Hell

          I borrowed this title from a great article on the Desiring God website, which you can find here and which I quote from below.

          “Your home may be someone’s hallway out of hell. There’s a spiritual power that pulses through the floors and walls and furniture of a Christian home – a strong, even overpowering aroma, a wild and compelling story unfolding for anyone who comes close enough to hear. Beneath the dirty clothes, behind the unwashed dishes, just below the dusty surfaces, a glory hums and unsettles and woos. A 1,500-square-foot sermon.”

          We discussed this article in our Sunday Class this week. As a church body we do our best to live out the call of hospitality. We are inviting friends, neighbors, and even strangers into our home and offering them a “1,500 square foot sermon” just by opening the doors. A little food and drink can help the stranger set their burdens down and experience the peace that is being offered.

          In our Sunday class is a family that has opened their home to a stranger that happens to be a neighbor. They offered to watch the children so the mom could keep her job. The children kept them up late at night, but also the kids picked up on the peace that resides in their home. The family mentioned Jesus because He’s a part of their everyday language.

          It was at this mention of the name Jesus that the 5-year-old wanted to know more. He had so many questions that his mother asked for a children’s Bible, so she could help answer his questions.

          This is hospitality at work. One family who opened their home to strangers and now a 5-year-old knows who Jesus is and wants to know more every day.

          This a beautiful example of hospitality. One that has touched my heart and encourages me to open my doors.

          Lindsey Ungs
          Connection & Communication Architect

          Did you enjoy this article? Did you laugh, cry or learn something new? Let Lindsey know.

            Love. Belong. Serve.