Category Archives: Cedar Blog

Vote!

Vote!

We are citizens of two kingdoms – the kingdom of God and the kingdom of man. Our citizenship in God’s Kingdom calls us to care about what impacts our neighbors. We take our responsibility to vote seriously because it shapes our community.

In the last few weeks, people have recommended some great resources to help me keep the election in perspective. It is a great time for all of us to think carefully about our civic responsibilities. One of the resources was Pastor Josh McPherson who suggested three levels of political issues:

  • Level 1 – Opinions. Some issues are a matter of personal preference and these issues we discuss and decide.
  • Level 2 – Wisdom. These policy issues may have better or worse outcomes, so we debate and discern.
  • Level 3 – Obedience. Some political issues have crossed the line into the realm of moral issues. These issues matter so much that we are called to declare and defend according to the Word of God.

When you consider the political conversations you will have, it might help to clarify which level issue you are talking about. This will guide you into more productive interactions.

And of course, think about these issues as you research your candidates in preparation to cast your vote intelligently. One of our voting responsibilities is to be informed voters. So, do your homework and vote!

The Lord be with you,

Pastor Kent

Kent Landhuis
Pastor of Teaching & Leadership

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

    Hope and Blue Bracelets

    Hope and Blue Bracelets

    As a parent of a child in the U of I children’s hospital, you are tagged with a blue bracelet as soon as your child is admitted.

    This blue bracelet comes with some degree of privilege.  You’re able to roam the entire hospital, soaring through security check points with ease.  You never have to make sure your name is on a list somewhere to be let in.  You just sort of wave your bracelet at every security check point and you’re in.

    Before I knew this, I stood in line to check-in until the security person said, “Oh, you’ve got a blue bracelet! You’re in!”

    It also is a sign that you’ve got a child in the hospital.

    Spotting another blue bracelet signifies a type of comradery as if to say, “I get it,” without any words at all. We’re all kind of going about the same routine–trips in the morning down the hall for coffee in the morning.  Trips to and from the various food courts to try and find a bite to eat.  And endless trips up and down the tall elevator to the various floors we’re all assigned.  And then just waiting with our children in their rooms in between nurse visits, latest updates, blood draws and scans.

    I’ve discovered there are certain emotions that also surround the blue bracelet.  If you’re new bracelet-barer, your face can show a fear of the unknown, an unfamiliarity with new surroundings, and sometimes panicked tears.  I’ve seen a number of new patients arrive with mom and dads in tow, recently marked with their blue band. They don’t know its significance yet as their child is wheeled on a bed into their new room.

    But after time has settled in, and you settle into a new routine of day and night here.  You’ll find us blue bands wandering around the hallways in our PJS, staring at the artwork on the walls, taking elevator trips up to the 12 floor to take in the best view of Kinnick Stadium. You chitchat with other parents around the coffee pot lounge about how long you’ve been there, what happened to get you there, and when you get to go home.  Once the initial crisis of what brought them here has passed, we enter this new phase  on a slow-moving continuum that swings between hope and despair.

    U of I does their best – bright and cheery hallways, child-friendly nurses and staff, and daily kids’ activities, access to movies and X-boxes and bingo games, and even surprise visits from the Iowa Hawkeye basketball teams.  But there is an accompanying sadness everywhere.

    “I lift my eyes up on the hills – from where does my help come?
    My help comes from the LORD who made heaven and earth…”

    We can do our best to manufacture hope from within, but there is no source of hope like the TRUE HOPE I find in knowing and being loved by God.  I’m doing my best to choose positivity, think happy thoughts, but the true source of HOPE from God is so different than any man-made technique we can try to apply.

    I can’t change this scenario. I can’t change the strange journey that landed us here. And while I’m angry this infection got into my son and so drastically turned our family’s life upside-down overnight, it’s a trial He has called us to walk through as a family.   But, I can choose to trust His promises for us that He will never leave nor forsake us.  I trust that He is battling on our behalf and holds all things together in His hands.  I am thankful for promptings of the Holy Spirt, that when I start to feel despair, He reminds me of His promises and often puts a Scripture song on my heart.  I can’t manufacture hope, but I can “put on Christ” and experience the real thing.

    “He will not let your foot be moved, He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD is your Keeper. The LORD is your shield at your right hand.”

    This isn’t the case everywhere in this hallway and among the blue-bracelet people.  In the dark, it becomes so apparent where there is a Hope in the Lord and where that light is missing.  Without seeing this contrast, it’s so easy to underestimate the true beauty of what we have in Christ! His hope, His peace, His joy — it is so diabolically different than the lies the world has to offer.

    “The sun will not strike you by day, nor the moon by night.
    The LORD will keep you from all evil, He will keep your life.
    The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in
    from this time forth, and forevermore.” Psalm 121

    We so appreciate the giant army of prayer warriors surrounding us! Thank you to everyone who has taken this journey with us.

    Leah Carolan
    Pastor of Worship & Media

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

      Where is the Hope?

      Where is the Hope

      Chapter six in Ephesians explores spiritual warfare. Here we discover that the battle against evil is real. And very intense. Our battle is not against other people (flesh and blood) but against an enemy (spiritual forces of evil) that want to devour us.

      Sometimes in this battle, it feels like the enemy is winning. Suffering and pain, discouragement and doubt, despair and hopelessness – the enemy can be unrelenting in his attack. Sometimes – in the face of so much evil – I feel like throwing in the towel. Do you ever feel that way?

      Our hope for winning this battle is not in the kingdoms of this world but in another kingdom. I like the way Charles Colson said it. “Where is the hope? I meet millions who tell me that they feel demoralized by the decay around us. Where is the hope? The hope that each of us have is not in who governs us, or what laws are passed, or what great things that we do as a nation. Our hope is in the power of God working through the hearts of people, and that’s where our hope is in this country; that’s where our hope is in life.”

      Colson said this years ago, but it is still true today. Centuries ago, Peter said, “Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming” (1 Peter 1:13). That is also still true today.

      Peter wrote letters (1 & 2 Peter) to people living in exile in a hostile kingdom. He told them how to live in exile and not lose hope. Basically, Peter echoed an old Gospel song that said, “This world is not our home, we’re just passing through.”

      We too are living in exile but while we are strangers living in a strange land we have hope. “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Peter 1:3).

      Where is your hope? My hope is in Jesus!

      Pastor Kent

      Kent Landhuis
      Pastor of Teaching & Leadership

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

        Rooted: A Resource for Small Group Leaders

        Rooted: A Resource for Small Group Leaders

        For years my men’s small group did what I call “no homework” lessons. We read a passage or used a handout that I passed out at the beginning of each small group and that way nobody had to feel bad about being unprepared.

        This year I offered a different plan. I suggested using the Rooted workbook which has daily readings and homework that we followed up with a group discussion when we met. The group blew me away in the thoroughness of their prep, they were very engaged, and reported loving our group time.

        After we completed that workbook they wanted to keep doing this style of lesson and so we are now using the second book The Story of God. It is a deeper dive into the whole story of scripture from Genesis to Revelation in 8 weeks. We love it! Doing the extra prep work has deepened our discussion and while not everyone completes all the daily work every week, everyone has plenty to add to the group discussion.

        Both books are from the Rooted Network. https://www.experiencerooted.com/

        Kent Landhuis
        Pastor of Teaching & Leadership

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

          What Were You Made For?

          What Were You Made For?

          Growing up we get asked questions like ‘What do you want to be when you grow up?’ or ‘What do you want to study in college?’ These questions have good intent and challenge us to think far ahead. When I think of what I was made for, I can’t help but think of Ephesians 2:10, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God already prepared in advance for us to do.” This means that there is work that needs to get done before we leave this earth. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to die with any potential left in me. I want to make sure I maximize my time here on earth by using my gifts and talents for His glory.

          The Bible reminds us to give God the glory in all that we do. Whether you are a cashier at a store, a pastor, a nurse or a student, we are meant to give Him all the Glory at all times. The times we don’t feel like giving Him Glory, we have got to do it either way. We were made for so much more than ourselves. As believers we are meant to point people to Christ.

          I challenge you to look for ways to point someone to Christ this week. It may be sharing a scripture on social media, inviting someone to church, or offering to pray for them. In our spheres of influence, let us be intentional about sharing what Christ is doing in our lives. The world is in desperate need of the gospel, and it is our duty as believers to answer the call. That is what we were made for.

          Frankline “Franky” Tshombe
          Children’s Church Leader

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

            Pledge of Neighborliness

            Pledge of Neighborliness

            While reading the latest news about one of our ministry partners (Matthew 25), I discovered they had an initiative to help people become more neighborly. Only 3 out of 10 people across America say they know their neighbors.

            We are the kind of people who are called to love our neighbors. It is the second great commandment. It seems to me that we can’t love our neighbors if we don’t know them. Matthew 25 encourages neighborliness with the Front Yard Club. Here are some of the pledges of Front Yard Club Members:

            • Foster a welcoming front yard.
            • Make time in your week to be in your front yard.
            • Be a steward for the health and safety of your neighborhood.
            • Have fun!

            Front Yard Club Membership sounds easy enough and these items made me think of a couple more:

            • Smile at everyone you see.
            • Greet everyone who walks past.
            • Listen for Holy Spirit promptings.

            And, as I pondered neighborliness, it struck me that we can smile, greet, and listen to people everywhere we are. Home, school, work, the park, the gym, the store – even at church – we could be better neighbors.

            What do you think? Ready to take the pledge?

            Kent Landhuis
            Pastor of Teaching & Leadership

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

              Let Go and Let God

              Let Go and Let God

              Do you often find yourself holding onto something that happened in the past? Whether it is betrayal, pain, trauma, or even a mistake someone made, we have all experienced offense in one way or another. Often times those memories linger at the back of our minds, causing us to ruminate over them. I have been told many times by close friends that I am ‘too trusting’. Given my personality and the way I am wired, I like to give people the benefit of the doubt  until my trust is broken. I think it is fair to say that we learn the hard way at times. Offense can lead to bitterness, envy, malicious thoughts, anger, and vengeance. These are not characters of the Holy Spirit. Instead, the Bible reminds us in Colossians 3:13 to “bear with one another and forgive one another.” The Lord’s Prayer says to “forgive our debts as we forgive our debtors.” This is not to condone what the offenders did, but instead choose to release the offense from your heart. By doing so you begin to feel a peace that surpasses all understanding. This year God has been inviting me to guard my heart and restrict access. “Above all, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it” (Proverbs 4:23).

              Here are some ways to ‘Let go and let God’:

              • Remember that hurt people hurt people. We are all broken people in need of God’s mercy and grace.
              • Set healthy boundaries. By doing so, you honor yourself.
              • Be in community; there is power in sharing your story. “We overcome by the blood of the lamb, and the words of our testimony” (Revelation 12:11).
              • Surrender the offense to God, and allow Him to heal your wounds.
              • Pray for your offender. “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice” (Ephesians 4:31).

              Frankline “Franky” Tshombe
              Children’s Church Leader

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

                How Do We Count Success?

                How do we count success?

                At some point, while suffering through the frigid weather last week – I think it might have been in the middle of Steve’s sermon on the abundance of creation – I wondered “How many snowflakes does it take to make a snowman?”

                Google said it takes 10,000 but that sounds like way too few. Of course, it depends on the size of the snowman, doesn’t it? Snowflakes in a snowman seem like a tough thing to count.

                It can also be tough to count “success in ministry.” Traditionally we count three “b’s” – bucks, buildings, and backsides. (ABC’s – attendance, buildings, cash.) That doesn’t really get to it because we are actually interested in fruit. We might invest a lot of money, steward fine buildings, and involve a lot of people, and not see any fruit.

                I’ve been thinking about how we might count fruitfulness at Cedar Hills. (Things traditionally never on anyone’s radar.) What if we counted:

                • Shopping carts…
                • Butt cans (for cigarette butts)…
                • Pizzas consumed (or donuts)…
                • French reporters asking about our politics…
                • Intergenerational conversations…
                • Prayers (and pray-ers)…
                • Meals shared with one another…
                • Hugs…

                These may or may not be things expected in ministry, but they are all part of ours – and part of our success in the past year! We like to count and we like to measure success. What would you count as a measure of our success? (Let me know!)

                The Lord be with you,

                Kent Landhuis
                Pastor of Teaching & Leadership

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

                  Don’t Choose Milk

                  Don’t Choose Milk

                  In the next few days many will begin thinking about New Year resolutions… I can’t say enough great things about how my life changed about six years ago when I started prioritizing (like crazy like) daily Bible reading and memorization. It’s something many of us profess and give lip service to, but hypocritically do not practice.
                  I was stirred (slightly insulted, but stirred) by this 4min clip from Francis Chan:
                  In 2024, let’s not just say it’s important to read or memorize the Bible. It’s time to dig in DAILY.  It is the foundation of a mature Christian life. Don’t choose milk any longer – go for the meat!
                  If you’re not there yet, I don’t want to guilt you into it. But I can testify to the fruit of going after God daily in Bible reading, memorization and prayer–it is so worth it! To be able to discern the voice of God with greater clarify, to know his heart and thoughts in a given situation, to be able to speak words of truth into another life with ease as the Holy Spirit brings to mind verses effortlessly, to feel a call to pray for strangers in the Target packing lot or Sam’s Club lobby and see God at work before your eyes–these make it so worth it!
                  I wish I had known the beauty of daily devotion in my younger years.  God literally does change you as you as you are in His word.
                  But here’s what I’ve also learned –don’t try to squeeze it in to a busy schedule. It won’t work. To really go after daily reading, you have to GIVE UP something for God–some other worldly practice of consuming entertainment or social media or news or sport or hobby or Insta reels or TikTok or evening news that has consumed your time. Say to the Lord, “I want you MORE!” and go after it with intensity. Go for the meat.  And He’ll make all those other things pale in comparison.
                  There are soooo many great programs to help you stay on top of things. The Bible Recap, the Bible Project (both available in the Bible app) both have year-long Bible reading programs.  The book “100 Bible Verses Everyone Should Know By Heart” by Robert Morgan is a great starting place for scripture memorization.  (FYI I’ve set these all to music! In NIV and currently working through them again in ESV.)
                  I was recently inspired by this short article by John Piper: Make the Bible Part of Your Everyday in 2024.  He makes some great and motivating points!

                  Leah Carolan
                  Pastor of Worship & Media

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

                    Joy and Peace to You

                    Joy and Peace to You

                    For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in Jesus, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. Once you were alienated from God and were enemies… because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation… Colossians 1:19-22We’ve been reflecting on “the word made flesh” all month and my prayer is that the truths described in Colossians 1 have become more real to you. We have every spiritual blessing in Jesus, which brings us joy and peace beyond measure. May you know the peace and joy made possible in Jesus!The Lord be with you,Pastor Kent

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