Places of Remembrance

During the summer of 2004 our lives were in limbo. Mary and I were waiting on a church while I was working in a factory in Conneaut Ohio. Everyday when I woke up from my afternoon sleep I’d saunter over to the phone and check to see if any Pastors had called. As the weeks drug by without any serious leads, we grew more discouraged.

Our only respite was a little park situated directly on the Lake. We’d walk the trails, discuss our lives and spend times in prayer. That park became a divine place of rest for us that summer. God met us there over and over again, reassuring us and speaking peace into our lives.

On our vacation this past week, Mary and I determined that we would take an afternoon and head to our park. With Lakyn & Lani in tow, Mary and I walked the trails once again chatting about how our lives had changed and how good God had been to us. We remembered the peace God had granted to us even in the that place of uncertainty. That afternoon we were once again reminded of God’s faithfulness.

All of us need places where we meet with God. In times of difficulty, God longs to speak peace into our lives if we are in position to listen. So find a place that helps you get in position to hear His Voice, and in time, long after God has calmed your storms, you can revisit that place and remember His faithfulness.

-Pastor Doug Misch

Adrenaline Rush Christianity

The day after Carlinville schools releases its kids for the summer, Firestorm is headed to 6 Flags over St. Louis. For me, and many of our teens, this is one of the most anticipated events of the year. The roar of the coasters, the mumble of the crowds, and oh my the smell of the food! Who couldn’t love an atmosphere like that?

As for the rides, I have always hated a certain type of ride- the ones that spin. Whether it’s the contraption that looks like a spider with eight legs, each contiaining a bucket of people whirling around and back, or the spinning teacups, I REFUSE to step foot on a ride that could cause me to lose my lunch. But the coasters, sign me up Papi!

I love the coasters! I could ride them all day. In fact, I need a bigger rush that can be given at 6 Flags (luckily I’ll be at Cedar Point in August). There is something about a roller coaster that feeds my inner dare devil. I’m not sure if it’s knowing that if one little screw breaks, I’m a deadman, or the physics of zipping down a 150 ft drop, but whatever IT is, I like it.

Following Christ is not all thrills and chills. In fact most of the time it is routine, BUT there are times that God calls us to climb aboard the roller coaster, strap ourselves in and hang on for the ride. A few years ago, while living in West Virginia, I felt God asking me to give a Bible to my neighbor. I was friends with the man, but knew he was opposed to the gospel. I told the Lord O.K., got a Bible, took a deep breath and obeyed. It was a rush! My gift was not accepted with open arms, he and his family did not “run to the altar”, no one was raised from the dead- but I obeyed.

I pray that you would obey the Lord when he asks you to strap yourself in for the ride. When you hear the lap-bar click you may be nervous, but know that when the ride is over you’ll want to go again.

pop quiz

“Alright, put away your books and get out your #2 pencils.” These words have caused many a student to break out in hives. I was not one of those students. Always a good test taker, I was the kid who’d finish his test first, return to his seat and read a magazine. You know the one- many of you glared at this kid, inwardly envious of his quick test taking ability. Some of my friends fell into the other category. After class they would ask how I took the test so quickly while they struggled to finish on time.
Life tests have not been quite as easy. The teacher has seemed to test me on areas that I’m weakest in, and always in the form of a pop quiz! How could I prepare for showing love to the man in the car who ran a red light, almost hitting me? What about the co-worker who stole my customers? And the friend who betrayed me? Needless to say, many times I had reacted in anger- yelling at the man who nearly hit me, despising the co-worker who disrespected me, berating the friend who betrayed me.
Over the years, I’ve discovered a few things about life tests which have helped considerably. First, the key is not what you know but whom. When a pop quiz appears, I head to my knees. Choosing to nestle up to God during a pop quiz has saved me from guilt, inner turmoil, and strained relationships.
Also, trusting the teacher is mandatory. If God has brought a test my way, He must know I can pass it. Transferring that information from my head to my heart is perhaps the toughest part of the test. But that’s what the teacher ultimately wants me to learn. Once trust is deeply embedded in my heart, any storm can come my way and I know I’ll stand.
Friend, getting as close to God and truly trusting Him will allow you to pass any test that comes your way with flying colors. Then you and I can be like the house whose foundation can withstand any storm, any trial, any test.

-Pastor Doug Misch

Pop Quiz!

“Alright, put away your books and get out your #2 pencils.” These words have caused many a student to break out in hives. I was not one of those students. Always a good test taker, I was the kid who’d finish his test first, return to his seat and read a magazine. You know the one- many of you glared at this kid, inwardly envious of his quick test taking ability. Some of my friends fell into the other category. After class they would ask how I took the test so quickly while they struggled to finish on time.
Life tests have not been quite as easy. The teacher has seemed to test me on areas that I’m weakest in, and always in the form of a pop quiz! How could I prepare for showing love to the man in the car who ran a red light, almost hitting me? What about the co-worker who stole my customers? And the friend who betrayed me? Needless to say, many times I had reacted in anger- yelling at the man who nearly hit me, despising the co-worker who disrespected me, berating the friend who betrayed me.
Over the years, I’ve discovered a few things about life tests which have helped considerably. First, the key is not what you know but whom. When a pop quiz appears, I head to my knees. Choosing to nestle up to God during a pop quiz has saved me from guilt, inner turmoil, and strained relationships.
Also, trusting the teacher is mandatory. If God has brought a test my way, He must know I can pass it. Transferring that information from my head to my heart is perhaps the toughest part of the test. But that’s what the teacher ultimately wants me to learn. Once trust is deeply embedded in my heart, any storm can come my way and I know I’ll stand.
Friend, getting as close to God and truly trusting Him will allow you to pass any test that comes your way with flying colors. Then you and I can be like the house whose foundation can withstand any storm, any trial, any test.

-Doug Misch

Standard Living

It was a sunny November Saturday. Mary and I had just come into Carlinville, our new place of ministry. As I drove the U-Haul truck down Johnson street with Mary following in her car, I wondered what our new house would be like. We had only seen pictures.
Soon after moving in, we were told that our house was a “standard edition” house. I had no clue what that meant, but discovered that over 100 homes were built in Carlinville in the early 1900’s to house coal miners that were ordered out of the Sears catalogue. There are a few different styles sported in our town, but the most common one is called a “Carlin”. Maybe that is why our town is named, “Carlinville”.
Just by name a “standard edition” home must meet certain criteria. Each “Carlin” standard edition home is the same as any other “Carlin”. They are standardized. As I think about the church of today, I wonder, do we have strong standards? Does the church meet God’s standards?
A standard is a battleflag. When 2 nations would be in the thick of battle, they would raise their flags in the face of their enemy to threaten and intimidate. My question for you is, “Are you threatening the enemy with your life?” “Do your standards intimidate the enemy?” if not, perhaps it is time to examine your heart.
May your level of moral quality challenge those around you. May your integrity scare the enemy, and most importantly, May your life please our heavenly Father

Cleaning the Basement

I grew up in a very old house. It was built in the 1890’s, so it was about 100 years old during my early years. I remember spending time in the basement of that house. It was a dark, dingy place. The main room housed my father’s woodworking equipment including an industrial sized wood plainer and some large contraption used for making spindles. When my father made furniture, the walls and floor of the basement would be covered with wood shavings. When the light would shine through the window, I could see them dancing in the air. It felt like I was under a woodshavings sea.
Venturing into the next room of my basement was an experience. There was a wall of home made canned jars given to us by my grandmother. They were covered in dirt as was the rest of this room. It was as if whoever built this house stopped at this room in the basement- I could literally see the basement end and the earth begin. So you can imagine how incredibly dirty my basement was.
I was always amazed when I had the fortunate opportunity of traveling to a friend’s house. My friend John had an F.A.O. Swartz in his basement. He had a 6’ long G.I. Joe AirCraft Carrier, complete with planes and G.I. Joes, all of the He-Man action figures complete with castle, and what seemed like the entire Transformer collection! What stunned me more than anything was his basement- it was soooo clean! It boasted paneled walls, carpeting, and even a snack bar! What a far cry from my dungeon.
Most houses have a basement. Speaking of our human hearts, we all have a “basement”. I don’t know how clean or dirty yours is, but from time to time mine needs a broom. This is called “Sanctification”. In Revelation 3:20 Salvation is depicted as letting Jesus enter through your heart’s door- He enters your basement. That is the easy part, now the basement needs cleaned.
“A Christian is sanctified as he identifies with Christ, and accepts in faith His sacrificial death and victorious resurrection. Sanctification is a daily acknowledgment of our union with God through His Son Jesus. As this identification occurs it is only natural for the Christian to offer every portion of his life to the control of the Holy Spirit.” (AG 16 Fundamental Truths)
Unlike cleaning my basement, I need the help of the Holy Spirit. He shines the light on the portions of my heart that need cleaning. He provides the power to turn on the Shop Vac of my heart. I can’t clean it on my own.
May you grow each day in your relationship with Christ. May your “basement” become cleaner with the Spirit’s power. May you come to realize that your Christian character is developed as you and the Holy Spirit walk together each day.

Here are some pics of the girls.....