Category Archives: Cedar Blog

Cedar Blog

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.

    Cedar Blog

    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.

      Cedar Blog

      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.

        Cedar Blog, Uncategorized

        How Resilient Are You?

        How Resilient Are You?

        As one year rolls into another I like to do a review. How did I fair in the past year? How did our congregation fair?

        We are on a mission to make disciples who flourish. I recently learned that some people call flourishing disciples “resilient disciples.” Resilient disciples…

        • …attend church at least monthly and engage with their church more than just attending worship services.
        • …trust firmly in the authority of the Bible.
        • …commit to Jesus personally and affirm that he was crucified and raised from the dead to conquer sin and death.
        • …express a desire to transform the broader society as an outcome of their faith.

        Does this describe you? If not you might be a “habitual churchgoer.” (You have attended church at least once in the past month, but do not have foundational core beliefs or behaviors associated with being a resilient disciple.) Or you might be a nomad. (You have not attended church during the past month and have not been involved with a faith community for six months or more.)

        If you are taking stock – this matters. Those who claim to be Christian but do not have resilience do not flourish. To see the data on why this matters, look at what the Barna researchers discovered.

        How resilient are you? Right now is the best time to re-engage and find flourishing by following Jesus!

        May 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.

          Cedar Blog

          Err on the Side of Righteousness

          Err on the Side of Righteousness

          We’ve been talking about the Word Made Flesh – one of the prophetic names we use to talk about Jesus in the season of Advent.  Wonderful Counselor, the Mighty God, Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace, Immanuel, God with Us. Word Made Flesh. Jesus.

          All of these names feel sacred and holy. They contain parts of God’s identity and how He has revealed Himself to us.

          We know him by other names as well:

          There is so much contained in God’s names! So much truth and holiness and identity.

          His name is sacred.

          And so I’ll be honest – my spirit is completely grieved when I hear my Christian brothers and sister flippantly using the OMG phrase or saying “Oh my God” in every story they tell.

          It is a scheme of the enemy if I’ve ever seen one. If it were not,  the world would be using phrases like, “Oh my Buddha” or “Oh my Satan” or “O my Molech.” But they don’t.  There is only one god’s name that gets used flippantly… and it is the God of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob – the one true God.  Our God.   The enemy is smart and goes about like a roaring lion looking for whom he may devour.  He has tricked many.

          What does Scripture say about God’s name?

          • Pray like this: Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. – Matthew 6:9 (NLT)
          • I am the Lord; that is my name! I will not yield my glory to another or my praise to idols. – Isaiah 42:8
          • The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. – Proverbs 18:10
          • Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. – Psalm 100:4-5
          • Your name, Lord, endures forever, your renown, Lord, through all generations. – Psalm 135:13
          • And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. – Acts 2:21

          There is debate among many online about this particular phrase… is it sin or not sin?  My thoughts… does it matter? I would rather err on the side of righteousness any day than grieve my heavenly Father with my speech.

          Leah Carolan
          Pastor of Worship & Media

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

            Cedar Blog

            The Word Became Flesh

            The Word Became Flesh

            I mostly take my body for granted even though most of my daily rhythms involve taking care of my body. Waking and sleeping, dressing and undressing, eating and drinking, working out and avoiding a workout – these things I do (or don’t do) mostly without much thought.

            As I’m prepping for the Christmas season, I’ve focused more on the significance of our bodies. The wonders of our flesh and blood complexity and the frustrations of our physical Iimitations. We are more than our bodies, certainly, but not less. Our bodies matter.

            Genesis 2:7 says, “Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.” I recently noticed that God made Adam’s body first and then God breathed life into it. The body was not an afterthought created to hold the disembodied person that was Adam. Adam’s body mattered.

            And now – the Incarnation. God made flesh and blood. (John 1:14) Jesus became a man. His body is not merely a container designed to hold God for a while. Jesus is fully divine AND fully human. Always. We celebrate Jesus made flesh at Christmas. Made flesh – of all things – as a baby. Jesus’ body matters.

            Merry Christmas,

            Kent

            P.S. 2023 Advent Season

            December 3 – Word Made Flesh – resurrection and return.

            December 10 – Word Made Flesh – life and death sorrow.

            December 17 – Word Made Flesh – water into wine feasting.

            December 24 – Word Made Flesh – the flesh is weak…temptation.

            Christmas Eve – Candlelight Services @ 3 and 5 – Word Made Flesh – Baby.

            December 31 – Word Made Flesh – massacre of innocents and sympathy.

            Kent Landhuis
            Pastor of Teaching & Leadership

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              Cedar Blog

              Giving Season

              Giving Season

              It’s the most wonderful time of the year. It’s the time of year when every day I receive mail, emails, and texts from various organizations requesting donations. Charities, ministries, animal shelters, foundations, humanitarian causes, nonprofit institutions – they are all asking for gifts.

              This annual barrage of requests for my money used to annoy the heck out of me. But I’ve been rethinking this in two ways. First, I give thanks that so many organizations commit to making our world a better place. Nonprofit organizations do so much good! Second, I give thanks that so many generous people give to support these important causes. Did you know that individuals donated $319.04 billion in 2022? That’s billion!

              Did you also know that December giving accounts for roughly one-fourth (26%) of annual nonprofit revenue? That includes the church and we are a 100% donor-funded organization. We have no trusts or endowments or corporate sponsorships. We depend on the generosity of God’s people for all of our resources.

              We are making the world a better place. We offer hope to a world in need of hope. We feed the hungry and encourage the outcast. We help every generation flourish in faith. We make a difference and we depend on your generosity to make that happen. Your giving to Cedar Hills matters.

              I am so thankful to be part of a congregation committed to making the world a better place. And I am so thankful to be part of a congregation of generous people. And I am so thankful it is giving season.

              But wait there’s more. God promises blessings to those who give generously. Consider this great promise in 2 Corinthians 9:6 – “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.”

              The Lord be with you,

              Pastor Kent

              P.S. “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work” (2 Corinthians 9:7-8).

              Kent Landhuis
              Pastor of Teaching & Leadership

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

                Cedar Blog

                Peacemakers

                Peacemakers

                Just now I couldn’t stop myself from clicking on a post entitled, “The Most Controversial Foods in America.” While waiting for the blog to open, I wondered if there was any issue that people don’t divide over. In case you are wondering, the most polarizing food in America is anchovies (followed closely by black licorice, oysters, beets, blue cheese, and okra).

                Every year at this time I say something about the state of the church and I am proud to say that we, the church known as Cedar Hills Community, are growing as peacemakers. Peacemakers seek peace – especially by reconciling adversaries. Peacemakers don’t avoid controversy but instead, enter difficult spaces with the hope of building bridges.

                The place I’ve seen the most peacemaking has been in intergenerational relationships. Many of you sought out people of another generation – not to argue with – but to pray for and pray with. It has been a beautiful bridge-building season. Uniting, not polarizing.

                Psalm 145:4 says, “One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts.” The goal of our intergenerational focus was to tell each other about God’s mighty deeds. We did this and one of the fruits of this – which I did not see coming – was the fruit of unity. One generation loved another.

                What a great place to be!

                Kent Landhuis
                Pastor of Teaching & Leadership

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                  Cedar Blog

                  Will You Be 38?

                  Will You Be 38?

                  On our recent fall retreat, at Lake View Camp, our middle schoolers were challenged to contemplate the miracles of Jesus. There are 37 recorded miracles of Jesus in the Gospels. The most poignant may be when four friends bring a paralytic to Jesus for healing in Mark 2.

                  4 And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay. 5 And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

                  Jesus healed the paralytic when he saw the faith of his friends. Wow! Can we be like those friends? Can we be a part of the miracle God wants to do in someone else’s life? Ultimately, we were challenged to invite God to do miracle 38 in our lives. The miracle of new life, salvation, and sanctification talked about in Ephesians 2.

                  4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved.

                  As I reflected on the retreat worship time I wrote a series of Haiku. I’d like to share them all with you.

                   

                  Thirty-seven times

                  Jesus showed His godly might

                  Are you thirty-eight?

                  He demonstrated

                  Power over creation

                  Health, and even life

                  Jairus’ daughter

                  Jesus wept, Lazarus lived

                  Widows only son

                  Dead in sin, BUT GOD!

                  Children under wrath, BUT GOD!

                  But God’s rich mercy

                   

                  Steve Poole
                  Pastor of Youth & Young Adults

                  What did you think of this article? Did you laugh? Cry? Learn something new? Let Steve know below.

                    Cedar Blog

                    Pointless Prayer?

                    Pointless Prayer?

                    This past Sunday I mentioned that one path into prayer might be bird watching. This thought emerged from Jesus’ suggestion to watch ravens and sparrows. “Consider the birds: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds!” (Luke 12:24).

                    I’d like to say I landed on this idea without any help but – as with almost every good idea – it came when someone interrupted my train of thought. The guy’s name was Sam Bush who wrote an essay with this intriguing title: The Greatest Things in Life are Pointless. 

                    If that doesn’t make you want to read on, I don’t know what will. So I read on.

                    I imagined various birds winging their way into my backyard. Like the chatty sparrows who cluster at the feeder then swoop in mass to disappear in the pine tree when I arrive. Like the robins queued up for a bath – taking turns – one at a time. Like the goldfinch hanging upside down on a sunflower. Or my favorite, the owl who spins his head to see me and then floats away in silence.

                    Then, without warning, I’m thinking about God’s watchful eye following the birds. And God watching me. How much more valuable am I than the birds? And I pray, “Wow!”

                    Sam Bush draws this conclusion: Thus, the greatest things in life are pointless. They will not help you find yourself, but, rather, help you forget about yourself altogether. It is in losing yourself – in the wonder of creation, in riding an endless wave, in the learning and recognition of a bird’s call – where you become a new creation. No calendars, willpower or expertise needed.

                    Kent Landhuis
                    Pastor of Teaching & Leadership

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