Pastor David Maier - Forward in Hope

Promise Keepers ... Memories and OPPORTUNITY!

Consecutive Promise Keepers events in Indianapolis a number of years ago, and then at the Silver Dome in Detroit, were incredible were memorable and influential in my life.  To see and be with 50,000 men and boys from around the country ... but especially with about 20 men and boys from our congregation was a privilege.  The sheer joy of being together as a group from church, discussing what we had heard and learned, recognizing the army of the Lord that had been encouraged and mobilized through the hearing and then applying of God's Word, being introduced to some great music ... what an awesome experience.  What especially impressed me were the changes that I personally saw take place in men's lives ... reconciliations ... renewals of relationships, men becoming better husbands and fathers (being told that from wives and children).

July 8 and 9 PROMISE KEEPERS will be in our own back yard at the Breslin Center.  Don't miss the OPPORTUNITY to attend!!  ... and still have the joy of staying in your own bed at home after the sessions.  The venue may be smaller ... but the blessings are still numerous.  Don't miss out!!  Tickets ... or wristbands in this case ... are still available for you, your sons, your fathers, your friends and neighbors after service the next two Sundays or in the Church Office. 

Its time to have some renewal, reconciliation, encouragement, motivation ... and memories!!

Fathers' Day Remembrances ...

This coming Sunday will be Fathers’ Day … and since I’m one and have been ever since my first child, daughter Leah, was conceived some 20 years and 8 months ago … with three more such gifts in the decade that followed (Joel, James, and Hannah), I feel eminently qualified to share a few thoughts.

Mothers’ Day has officially passed and been recognized by thousands of corsages and thousands of pounds of chocolates, and maybe even Dads and children cooking something special for Mom that day (and then helping clean up the kitchen afterwards … of course? …) … FATHERS’ DAY will be here shortly … and new ties and BBQ tongs will be unwrapped and put into immediate use.  While the smoke is rising from the burgers, ribs or chicken … take the time to think about what should make Fathers’ Day special …

Oh Yeah ... I've Got Other Children

In the past I’ve had opportunity to write about my son Joel who in September, ’04, had a brain tumor removed at the U of M Hospital … and subsequently went through months of radiation and will be continuing chemo treatments through December of this year.  Thanks, by the way, for all your prayers.  Relatively speaking … he’s doing very well … caught up on all his homework for his Junior year of high school … and will be taking his ACT test Saturday, June 11.  What an incredible year for him …  Please continue to keep him in your prayers.

I’ve also written about my daughter Leah, my oldest (20 years old) seeking your prayers for her especially as she spent the 2^nd semester of her Sophomore year at Calvin College in a study program in Spain.  She came back safe and sound … and a lot poorer … on May 20.  It was great to see her … and even more outstanding having her home for the summer.  All too soon she will be headed to Grand Rapids for her Junior year, living off campus with 4 other girls in a house.  Again I thank you for your prayers for Leah … and look forward to your continued prayers before the Lord in her behalf.  Thank you again!

But as I attempt blogging on a regular basis again (… please pray about that for me also.  I truly believe that blogging is a great way for me to communicate to the congregation that God is allowing me to shepherd.  I know that blogging allows me to share my prayer requests as well as share with the members of OSL and a wider audience … what I’m thinking, reading, … what I’m geeked about or what is challenging me.  It’s just that I’ve been busy enough with ministry and emergencies that a regular time to blog has either not been guarded … or it has just been preempted by necessary other tasks in ministry and family …) I would love to tell you a little about my other children and have you pray for them as well.