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pstrmke
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Name: Michael
Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan, United States
Birthday: 9/18/1955
Gender: Male
Interests: Theology
My children and grandchildren
Baseball - Detroit Tigers
Expertise: The Bible
Theology
Teaching
Baseball
Occupation: Other
Industry: Other
Message: message me
Member Since:
3/5/2006
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| Finally home from the GARBC National Conference. I had the privilege of speaking at the Thursday night general session. I am so thankful to the Lord for all my praying friends. After a rather sleepless Weds. night, I entered the pulpit Thursday evening with a sense of perfect peace. Without a doubt I know it was because of God's people praying asking our Heavenly Father to give me peace and strength as I preached.
On the other hand, the business session Thursday afternoon ended with a decision that grieves my heart and most certainly will split our fine fellowship. The question at hand was whether or not to support the Council of 18 recommendation to break fellowship with Cedarville University. The vote was extremely close 311 to 286 in favor of supporting the recommendation. The Pastoral Team of Berean clearly does not feel that our beloved GARBC should break fellowship with such a fine school as Cedarville. This sends the wrong message. The doctrine of separation should be exercised in matters of clear Apostasy and Doctrinal error, not on unnecessary issues like the one confronting Cedarville. The Ohio SBC (Southern Baptist Convention), which is basically conservative, recommended that their convention churches send their students to Cedarville. Cedarville has not changed their doctrine or entered into an organic agreement with the Ohio SBC. Cedarville had a product (a conservative, biblically solid, undergraduate university of liberal arts) that was attractive to the Ohio SBC. We were reminded at the business session that many SBC churches also purchase RBP materials because they like our products as well. How is this any different? Fundamentalist should be encouraging the Ohio SBC to maintain the course for conservative, biblically solid doctrine and practise. We should not be punishing Cedarville for merely opening their doors to students who want what Cedarville offers. We should be thanking God for them. | | |
| Diane and I had the greatest time babysitting our little Granddaughter Ellie last night. She was perfect and easy to watch. Watch is a great word...because we just love watching her interact with her surroundings and us and the dog. She is so beautiful. We played on the living room carpet for a long time. She then took her bottle and slept through the night. She couldn't have been easier to take care of. Wow! This Grandparenting thing is the Greatest! | | |
| While honoring Mothers Day today I can't help but reflect upon the memory of my own mother. I am grateful for her care and guidance in my life. She passed away several years ago and occassionally I am overcome with an incredible saddness that she is still not here. However, that is always buffered in the hope that I will one day see her again in all her red-haired glory! I miss her, but have the hope of Christ burning in me, for my mother came to faith in Christ a few years before her passing.
It is true that I reflect upon the memory of my own mother, but it is equally true that I glorify God for my dear bride of 29 years, my wife and lover and friend...Diane. Quite simply stated, that apart from the gift of eternal life given to me by God through faith in Christ, Diane is the single greatest gift given to me. She has been a wonderful mother to our children and an even greater wife to me. I have watched her sacrifice and love without a single desire for recognition. She willingly and joyfully gave of her time, emotions, and energy to help Steve and Katie Joy through the trial of their lives almost a year ago. I have seen her hide serious illness because she does not want to be a burden to those whom she loves dearly. She is my hero. Her example of selflessness and sacrifice is a model for us all and speaks volumes of her love for Christ, her children and her husband. I love Diane for many things, and one of those is the fact that she will be embarrassed and upset with me for posting these great truths about her on this site. So be mad at me Diane, you are a great lady and I love you with all my heart. Get home safe to me. See you tonight!
Happy Mother's Day | | |
| Diane and I are preparing our Middle East Missionary presentation for Sunday night. As we think back on the incredible events that led up to our departure, and the incredible blessings that occurred while in the Middle East we cannot help but praise God. Every obstacle was overcome before our departure and every ministry goal was obtained during the trip. I will never forget the dear people we have serving in the Middle East. I will never forget the local pastors that labor every day under the threat of radical Islam. I will never forget walking in the land of rich Biblical history. David once said, "Lord, who am I and who is my family that you would bring us this far?" I feel the same way. Thank you Lord for the privilege of representing You in the Middle East and for the blessing of ministering to your servants there. | | |
| What a blessed day it was yesterday at Berean Baptist. We had almost 750 in the auditorium for Easter. Three people accepted Christ as Savior during the invitation, possibly more will be known later. The music was spectacular! However, as special as the day was, we are a people who always walk in the blessing of Christ's resurrection. Every day we live in the hope and assurance that radiates from Christ's victory over death. I believe it was St Augustine who said, "We are an Easter people and Halleleujah is our Song!" | | |
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