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by Mike Durbin PLYMOUTH, MI – “Words create worlds!” Though the author of this powerful statement is unknown to me, I couldn’t agree more, especially as it relates to Jesus. Two millennia have passed since Jesus walked this earth, yet His words continue to shape the worlds of countless people. Princes, paupers, peasants, and potentates have had their worlds radically altered by the words of Jesus. Words so simple they are understood by children, yet so profound that the most brilliant scholars continue to mine their depths. I was struck recently by an encounter in Mark 7:31-37 that takes place between Jesus and a man who cannot hear and whose speech is difficult to understand. As I read the text, I started reflecting about this man who could not hear anything Jesus said - not a single word. Jesus’ words, with all of their hope and power fell silently on his ears. Jesus comes face to face with this man because of some people in his life who take the man who cannot hear to Him. We know they care deeply about him because they plead with Jesus to lay His hands on him. Jesus takes the man away from the distraction of the crowd so He can give him His undivided attention. The Scripture records what happens: “So he took him away from the crowd in private. After putting his fingers in the man’s ears and spitting, he touched his tongue. Looking up to heaven, he sighed deeply and said to him, ‘Ephphatha!’ (that is, “Be opened!”). What unfolds in these verses is Jesus “speaking” to this man, not with words he could not hear, but with actions he could understand. Jesus vividly connects with this man as He puts His fingers in his ears. Instantly, this simple act lets him know that Jesus cares - that He is identifying with him in his need. What happens next seems unusual to us, but speaks powerfully to the man. Jesus spits and touches his tongue - a tongue that speaks with such difficulty that people struggle to understand what he says. By touching his ears and his tongue with His fingers, Jesus communicates to the man that not only does He know his need, but that He is going to help him. This is no sterile, long distance offer of help, but a face to face encounter of Jesus reaching out to him. After identifying with his inability to hear and his difficulty to speak, the man watches as Jesus looks to heaven. Jesus hasn’t said a word, but in this upward look Jesus declares to him and us that we desperately need God. Then Jesus sighs deeply. No words have been spoken by Jesus up to this point. Long before the sign language that exists today, Jesus communicates with this man using gestures he could understand. The deep sigh of Jesus is clearly visible to the man standing before Him as Jesus’ chest fills and empties with the sigh. Then Jesus speaks one word - the first word of Jesus in the text - “Ephphatha!” Mark helps us to understand when he explains that Ephphatha means, “Be opened.” For the first time in who knows how long, perhaps ever, the man is able to hear and speak clearly. All because of Jesus. “Words create worlds” but actions build those worlds. Jesus modeled both. He was a man of word and deed - something to remember as God gives us another year. Those who witnessed the interaction between Jesus and this man declared: “He has done everything well!” ABOUT THE AUTHOR Mike Durbin is the State Evangelism Director for the Baptist State Convention of Michigan. Before joining the state convention staff, Mike served as Church Planting Catalyst and Director of Missions in Metro Detroit since 2007. He also has served as a pastor and bi-vocational pastor in Michigan, as well as International Missionary to Brazil. #JANUARY22

by Coye Bouyer LANSING, MI – Calibration is defined as an association between measurements – one of a scale or accuracy made or set with one piece of equipment, and another measurement made in as similar a way as possible with a second piece of equipment. The piece of equipment or device with the known or assigned accuracy is called the standard. While standards may vary, depending upon industry requirements, in general, calibration is often regarded as the process of adjusting the measurement of an instrument to agree with the previously determined standard. For example, if one were going to calibrate a thermometer used to measure the temperature of food, the process would be one of filling a cup with ice and then topping it off with water. After letting the ice water sit for three minutes, you would then place the thermometer in the center of the cup making sure not to touch the sides. The temperature should read 32 degrees Fahrenheit. If not, there is one of two ways the thermostat can be calibrated. The first is to record the difference and then offset your thermometer by the amount over or under the 32 degrees. Secondly, if you have the proper tools one can adjust the thermostat itself to 32 degrees once removed. Due to the fact that over time there is a tendency for accuracy to ‘drift;’ this drifting is the result of both standard use and at times misuse. The point is that over time the accuracy of an instrument shifts from the predetermined standard. Thus, in order to be confident in the results being measured there is an ongoing need to service and maintain equipment through continuous process known as re-calibration. In fact, it is due to this continual process (re-calibration) measurements maintain accuracy, remain reliable, and repeatable. Likewise, within the Christian life it is essential for every Christian to examine our behaviors, taking a real look at the conditions of our lives in order to see if what we believe lines up with the standards that have been set forth by God and His word. As we move from 2021 into 2022, many will make New Year’s resolutions to lose weight, eat healthier, love themselves more, and just be a better you. I want to challenge us all to make a resolution really worth doing; To take a moment and examine your spiritual man. For if we are honest with ourselves we can admit that much of the cares, concerns and conflicts of 2020 spilled over into 2021. Whether it was COVID and its cousins (Delta and Omicron), the fight over vaccines and its boosters, or the ongoing argument ‘to wear’ or ‘not to wear masks,’ 2021 has found itself with difficult dilemmas still yet to be worked out. In 2021 our world remained wobbly and spiritual lives were still shaken. So, as we move into the New Year, take a moment to re-calibrate your mind to remember real righteousness (found only by a faith in Jesus). Take time to pause for the cause of re-calibrating your heart to a heart that knows the capacity of His resurrection, the fellowship of His suffering, and one who is being conformed to His death. As you and I do this we will find ourselves re-aligning (or as I like to say, falling back in-line) with the Savior who came to save us from a world that is still on its way to Hell. Therefore let us do what Christians have been commissioned and called to do since those first disciples were sent out 2000 years ago. So GO, and Make Disciples, Teaching them and Baptizing them as we continue to ‘Punch Holes in the Darkness for the Kingdom of God.’ God Bless You! ABOUT THE AUTHOR Pastor Coye L. Bouyer is the founding pastor of Kingdom Life Church in Lansing, MI where he has served since March of 2010. Pastor Bouyer recently stepped into the Diversity Ambassador role for the BSCM and firmly believes that he was not only called to Preach the Gospel as part of the process of reconciliation of man to God, but also using any platform as a bridge of reconciliation of man to man, and even more so amongst the brethren. Pastor Bouyer and his lovely wife Keturah (Gen. 25:1) have been married four over 20 years and have four children; Sierra, Seth, Cayla and Coye II. #JANUARY22

by MIck Schatz ROSCOMMON, MI – Happy New Year from Bambi Lake! We anticipate 2022 being exciting as we witness God using Bambi Lake in amazing ways. A new year for many of us often marks a “New Beginning”. An opportunity to rethink or re-tool our everyday life, and our plans for the future. Maybe a new year sparks new dreams or prompts us to refresh old ones in a new way. However we approach this “New Beginning” it will most likely require a reboot to our thinking. How we view our finances, our health, our relationships, our family - we have to look at these through different lenses. I recently had to start wearing glasses, and they have literally changed how I see the world. They are progressive lenses so they help me see things far away, not so far away and up close. I now have the choice to live in my former blurred reality or a new clear reality. It has been a “New Beginning” that is now allowing me to see clearly - I can read my phone now! However, making the decision to go to the eye doctor, and have my sight examined required a new mindset. I had to acknowledge my eyes were not functioning properly, and decide this was no longer acceptable. As silly as it may seem, this required admitting I was getting older, going to the doctor, probably wearing glasses (one more thing to keep up with), paying for something I don’t want, etc, etc…. Nevertheless, I decided my need was greater than my pride. This was my “New Beginning” moment that ushered in a new reality. Which brings me to this question - Is pride keeping you from a “New Beginning”? Is pride keeping you from a “New Reality”? I have no way of knowing the area of life you desire a “New Beginning”, but allow me to encourage you with this thought, this reality -“Grace Has Overcome!”. Grace wins! What a liberating and life altering reality to live in! However, it requires a new mindset. It requires surrender. Humility is the key that unlocks this “New Beginning” in our lives. We have to acknowledge our insufficient strength and resources to handle life on our own. Only by completely surrendering to and relying on the work of God’s grace can we truly have a “New Beginning” in any area of our life. “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God” Ephesians 2:8 (ESV). Grace saved you, let it change you! Let it permeate every breathing moment of your existence. Choose a “New Beginning” with grace. Live in the reality that your striving is insufficient BUT His grace is sufficient! My only hope is in the cross, my Savior died, He paid my cost A slave to sin my soul in chains, until His grace, flowed down like rain Amazing grace how sweet the sound, when Your grace like rain comes flowing down, It’s a beautiful sound! Your Grace, Your Grace has overcome, overcome! Your Grace, Your Grace the battle won, the battle won! Forgiven I stand in victory, for the glory, of my Savior King, Your Grace has overcome! (Grace Has Overcome-Michael Schatz) ABOUT THE AUTHOR Mick Schatz serves on the staff of the Baptist State Convention of Michigan. He is the State Director of Spiritual Enrichment and Retreats and lives at Bambi Lake. #JANUARY22

by Brandon Elrod ALPHARETTA, GA – Despite another year of uncertainty and challenges connected to the pandemic, Southern Baptists rallied to lift the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering® (AAEO) for North American missions to a record $66.5 million after a pandemic-impacted down year in 2020. The news was one of several headline highlights for the North American Mission Board (NAMB) in 2021. Southern Baptists eclipsed the $2 billion mark given cumulatively to the AAEO during the 2021 offering season as well, underscoring the heart that Southern Baptists have for reaching North America with the gospel. NAMB announced that Southern Baptists facilitated an increase in new church plants in 2020, up to 588 for a total of 857 new congregations during a challenging pandemic year. Outreach Magazine released its 2021 list of top 100 reproducing churches, and at least a quarter of them were Send Network, Southern Baptist churches. Along with these highlights, NAMB hosted a Send Conference, announced the addition of two new vice presidents and resourced Southern Baptists for evangelism. Send Conference In cooperation with the International Mission Board (IMB), NAMB had the opportunity to serve Southern Baptists by hosting a Send Conference in Nashville, Tenn., ahead of the 2021 Annual Meeting. The thousands of people who attended the conference were called to be united “Together on Mission,” the conference theme. During the Send Luncheon, Bobby Bowden surprised Mark Richt in what would be Bowden’s final public appearance before he passed away in August of 2021. The two former college football coaches discussed the importance of faith in their day-to-day lives and the need to regularly share the gospel. Send Network Near the end of the year, NAMB announced that Vance Pitman would be coming on board as a NAMB vice president to lead church planting efforts as president of Send Network. That news followed Dhati Lewis’s decision to shift his focus to relaunching a project called BLVD, which focuses on developing and deploying church planters for urban settings. NAMB intentionally sought to strengthen its relationships with Southern Baptist state conventions by hosting Send Network Summits to celebrate successes and collaborate on strategy moving forward. Milton Hollifield, the longtime executive director of North Carolina Baptists, also joined NAMB in a part-time role to assist in state convention relationships. Throughout the year, NAMB also cultivated Send Network church planting agreements with several state conventions, including the SBCV, Missouri, Ohio, the SBTC and Utah-Idaho, to name a few that launched in 2021. Early in the year, Send Network innovated its Send Network Gatherings, hosting localized, in-person events so that smaller groups of church planting missionaries could meet together for face-to-face encouragement and equipping. Send Network was also able to host its orientation in-person for the first time in two years in the fall. Evangelism and Leadership The Evangelism and Leadership team began the year by announcing that NAMB would dedicate an additional $5 million to help Southern Baptists reach the next generation with the gospel. Grants related to the new funding were sent to state convention partners in the fall. NAMB served youth leaders who are reaching the next generation through NAMB’s Youth Leader Coaching Network. NAMB’s evangelism team also continued its Who’s Your One Tour across the United States to encourage churches to make evangelism a top priority and continued offering free evangelism resources to pastors. The team also worked with Southern Baptist state conventions to expand its Timothy + Barnabas ministry efforts to pastors. In the face of challenges wrought by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Evangelism team was still able to cooperate with the Tennessee Baptists to host a Crossover outreach event in Nashville. Send Relief Southern Baptists served disaster survivors all across North America in 2021, with two of the largest responses occurring following Hurricane Ida and the December tornadoes that impacted the South. Send Relief also launched its national Serve Tour in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The event was the fruit of Send Relief and Oklahoma Baptists working together to serve the city, and more Serve Tour stops are scheduled for 2022. See more about Send Relief’s 2021 activity in North America and around the world in their 2021 year-end highlight story. Research and Resources Trevin Wax joined the NAMB family in order to lead the new resources and research team to better equip pastors and church planters reach North America. One of their first efforts was to help Send Network relaunch NewChurches.com, a resource designed to fuel church planting. Replant One of NAMB’s key ministries is to assist pastors and other church leaders to stem the tide of dying churches through replanting, and NAMB’s Replant Team was able to see dozens of churches become rejuvenated and thrive. The team served pastors through its Replant Cohort and trained associational leaders and pastors through various trainings and its annual Replant Summit. Chaplaincy In chaplaincy, a Southern Baptist Armed Services chaplain was promoted to Chief of Chaplains for the U.S. Air Force. The promotion recognizes that Southern Baptist chaplains are some of the best in the world at what they do, and NAMB’s chaplaincy team supports them to conduct the ministry they are called to do. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Brandon Elrod writes for the North American Mission Board. #JANUARY22

by NAMB Communications Staff ALPHARETTA, GA – Vance Pitman, who planted Hope Church Las Vegas in 2000 and pastored there 21 years, will lead the North American Mission Board’s (NAMB) church planting efforts as the new president of Send Network. Pitman and NAMB president Kevin Ezell shared the announcement in a video released today. “I’ve been part of Send Network since its inception, but I’ve been part of it on the field — as a church planter, a pastor and a Sending Church. Now I get to be part of it from a different vantage point,” Pitman said. Pitman has led Hope to be a reproducing church. Under his leadership, Hope has played a part in planting more than 70 new churches. Throughout its history, more than 300 members of Pitman’s congregation have been sent out to help start new churches. “I want to take what the Lord has allowed us to be able to do at Hope Church and help be part of raising up the next generation church planters and pastors across North America,” Pitman said. Pitman will resign from Hope Church and begin his new role at NAMB on March 1, 2022. “I am excited about the days ahead for NAMB and Send Network,” Ezell said. “Vance is a church planter at heart, and he has already had a great influence on Send Network. We look forward to seeing what God has in store for us as we continue to meet needs, share the hope of the gospel and plant churches throughout North America.” Pitman has been closely involved in Send Network for several years. He contributed significantly to the development of the network’s church planter assessment process, which helps ensure that church planters are well qualified for their role. He is also regularly featured as a speaker at NAMB church planter training events. Pitman follows Dhati Lewis, who led Send Network for three years. In mid-November, Lewis shared his plans to leave NAMB at the end of the year to concentrate more fully on developing and mentoring young leaders who will plant churches in the urban context. “Vance is a close friend, fellow pastor and church planter,” Lewis said. “I’ve learned a lot from him, and I look forward to the ways he will help Send Network continue to plant churches everywhere for everyone.” Pitman and his wife, Kristie, relocated to Las Vegas in 2000 to plant Hope Church. Their sending church was First Baptist Church in Woodstock, Ga. What started as a small group meeting in their living room eventually grew to a church of more than 4,000 members with 54 languages spoken among them. “For me, it’s always been about the Kingdom being expanded,” Pitman said. “I want us to trust God for an even greater future than we’ve already seen in Send Network.” ABOUT THE AUTHOR The communications staff of the North American Mission Board produced this article. #JANUARY22

by Sue Hodnett CLINTON TOWNSHIP, MI – I peeked around the corner to make sure Logan was still playing safely as I prepared his lunch. He had moved off his play mat and was sheepishly sitting in my comfy gliding chair. I refrain from calling it a “rocking chair”, you know the stereotyping tends to age you. “What are you doing in my chair!”, I shouted in my playful nana voice. Logan’s giggles were priceless and the “nana tickle monster” craved to hear more of those giggles. This little game got me thinking about my own grandparents and their “chairs”! Each of my four grandparents had their own chair that I can describe to you in full detail, I can still picture its placement in the room. For me it would have been a “serious offense” to sit in their “chair”. You only made that mistake once and believe me there were no giggles. Oh, my how times have changed. Even in ministry there was a time when it felt very awkward or frightening to approach a senior director without being invited to do so. There was a time when women serving in church ministry positions was discouraged. The effects of this over the years has left us with a lost generation of women in ministry. Fewer young women are practicing their faith, and have no interest in ministry leadership roles. I believe we are at a time in ministry leadership where we can climb into any “chair” that God directs us to with confidence and celebration. I see women who are encouraged and respected as they come alongside to serve with their pastors and the church. Women are offered opportunities to develop their ministry leadership and valued for the contributions to the church growth movement. Women's Ministry is dedicated to strengthening the women of the Baptist State Convention of Michigan (BSCM) by encouraging, equipping, and engaging them to live intentional lives to the glory of God. Our ministry opportunities are of culturally relevant content, guided by a missional mindset, compassionate care, and places value on the development of women in leadership. Women’s Ministries, as well as our events, provide encouragement and support the professional development of women leaders in our churches. We come alongside our pastors and ministry leaders to provide resources and support in Leadership Development, Compassion Ministries, Missions Discipleship and Administration. Friends, your women’s ministry team is here to help you be all that you can be for the Lord. Maybe you are still trying to figure out what that is! We are here for you! Maybe you know and need help to take the next step! We are here for you! Maybe you don’t feel you have anything to offer or are not good enough! Yes, you are! We are here for you! Maybe you are ready to mentor and need resources! We are here for you! Maybe you just want to join us for a great time of fellowship! We are here for you! Contact us, we have a “chair” open for you! We promise not to tickle you, but we would love to hear you giggle! Visit: www.facebook.com/bscmwmu for the most current women’s ministry information. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Sue Hodnett serves as women’s ministry leader for the BSCM as well as WMU Michigan Executive Director. She has dedicated her life to ministering to women in Michigan. #JANUARY22

by Michael L. Ritchie ROSCOMMON, MI – It has been more than a year since I have shared an article, Life at Bambi Lake: God has been Gracious in the Baptist Beacon. Bambi Lake Camp has blessed us over the years, but really it is a story of the graciousness of God! This pandemic has seen us change the way we do church, and it is not hard to be discouraged. We lost some friends and loved ones, and have not seen our families as often as we would like. Our businesses have been stretched to the max by regulations and labor issues. After almost two years the virus has caught up to several of our church members, and likely others will contract the virus. Through of it all God has been gracious, and he has made a way through all this darkness. In my article I told how my wife and I were baptized in Bambi Lake in 1983, and since then we have served God at Roscommon Baptist Church. I shared a story of a young boy named John who was shooting archery with us. He wanted to be baptized with the other kids, but really didn’t understand it’s significance. Gratefully, John came forward 2 weeks ago to say he now has received Jesus, and wants to publicly profess Jesus before the church. He wants the world to know by being baptized. This year has been a challenge, but God continues to reach out to others though His body the church. Personally, 2021 has been good in that my son Jacob and his wife Kaleigh have had another son! He was born healthy, and hungry. Miles joins his brother Lucas, and they are best buddies. My father Paul Ritchie is still with us and has celebrated his 89th birthday. My wife Laurie and I have been blessed with 39 years of marriage. Roscommon Baptist Church has seen children, young adults and senior adults submit to Christ in the waters of baptism. It seems when the world gets darkest even the smallest light shines bright! Yes, God has been gracious! I hope this Christmas God has been especially good to all of you. Thanks to our Pastor Erikson Aldridge and his wife Glenda for leading our church and faithfully sharing the Word of God and to our staff at the Baptist State Convention of Michigan (BSCM) and Bambi Lake for facilitating a place like Bambi Lake to do ministry. There is light now to follow An anchor in the storm A harbor now for refuge A Way that keeps from harm A commission to be fulfilled A race yet to be won Since that day in Bethlehem When God sent His only Son Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year to everyone! ABOUT THE AUTHOR Dr. Michael Ritchie grew up in Harrison Township, MI. He is married to Laurie Allan Ritchie and they live in Higgins Lake, MI, where they have practiced Chiropractic for 37 years. They have 2 grown children, Sarah and Jacob (Kaleigh) and are grandparents to Lucas. The Ritchie's were saved right out of college and were baptized in Bambi Lake. They have been serving God at Roscommon Baptist Church ever since. His motto is "As a church we need to think out of the box, while we are still above ground." Michael has led the church in many innovative ministries over the years all in the effort that They might win some. "Jesus Christ is my life, without Him am nothing." #JANUARY22

by Scott Barkley LOUISVILLE, CO (BP) – Linda Hinkle didn’t get her “one more time” into the house. On Dec. 30, winds in excess of 100 mph drove the fire that would soon devour Hinkle’s home alongside others in several communities west of Denver. At the absolute most, she recollects, her family had 30 minutes to get what they could as the smoke thickened and ash began to fall. Bags with clothes jammed in them. Shoes. Medications. Computers, phones and chargers. Her 95-year-old father. Two parakeets in the travel birdcage used on trips to the vet and two dogs – a rescued Yorkshire terrier who had been in their home for a week and a Czechoslovakian Wolfdog – joined them in two cars. Earlier, Hinkle’s son, Jordan, had gotten off his shift from the bakery of a nearby Safeway and looked west toward the city of Superior. The dry conditions made the smoke he saw more concerning than usual, as fires typically don’t happen at this time of year. Meanwhile, two miles toward the direction he stared, parents were snatching up their kids at a Chuck E. Cheese, pushing through doors pinned by the wind, and running to their cars to escape the flames. Fifteen minutes after Jordan arrived at his parents’ house nearby, he told her they should leave. A moment later, Hinkle received an evacuation alert on her phone. She went to her backyard and looked. At that point, she says, it felt like you were inside a dark cloud that was choking views at 50 feet. “I was in panic mode and thought we were going to come back,” she says. “We just grabbed some necessities for a couple of nights.” Even so, the worsening conditions made her want to go back in the house one more time. Jordan had none of it, telling his mom they needed to leave now. His warnings were echoed by escaping cars honking their horns to alert neighbors and firemen announcing an immediate evacuation over loudspeakers. Hinkle was in the process of cleaning when Jordan arrived. The wedding ring she had removed to do so remained on the counter when they left. Other lost personal items include the jewelry given to her after her mother’s death and pre-digital era pictures and videos she had always meant to put online. “It felt like you were in the middle of an erupting volcano,” she says. “You couldn’t see. Ash was blowing around and getting in your mouth and eyes.” Eventually, they and others crawled their way onto the road and away from the smoke. After about 15 minutes, the darkness began to give way to the light. Things like your house burning down only happen to other people, she said, until it happens to you. There’s no doubt that losing possessions hurts, especially those with sentimental value. But that loss also has a way of clearing your eyes, letting you see what is of more, even eternal, value. In the past she and her husband, Dale, had served with Colorado Baptist Disaster Relief. As CBDR has responded to needs from the fire, so now the Hinkles are being cared for by friends and their church family at Reclamation Church in Boulder. “All of these possessions that we cling to … you can’t take them with you anyway. You realize how many people care about you [from the] love of our church, our friends and our family,” she says. Currently, the family is staying with her best friend, who is also a member of Reclamation Church (a daughter lives further north in Loveland, Colo.). With word getting out, clothes have been provided and even a more suitable birdcage for the parakeets. A woman at Walmart overheard Hinkle’s story and gave a $100 bill to help her get restarted. “People have helped me,” she told her. “And now I’m going to help you.” Sleep has often been tough to come by since last Thursday. All kind acts big and small have helped. “I pray, ‘God, it’s a new day. Give me the strength I need to continue,’” she says. “And He does; He gives me the strength to make it through.” Gratefulness doesn’t accompany only what you can hold and see, she says. It’s bigger than that. It helps you step through the darkness and into the light, one more time. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Scott Barkley is national correspondent for Baptist Press. #JANUARY22

by David Roach NASHVILLE, TN (BP) – Resolutions have yielded a mixed bag of successes and flops over the course of Christian history. A fourth-century Egyptian robber named Moses roamed the Nile Valley with a violent criminal gang, slaughtering people’s livestock for the pure joy of killing. Then he heard of monastic communities in the desert, resolving to join one and participate in their life of spiritual disciplines. It made a huge difference. He placed his faith in Christ, became known for gentleness and hospitality and took the title Abba Moses to signify his deep spirituality. A resolution didn’t work out so well for John Chrysostom, a fourth-century preacher known for his eloquence. Young and gung-ho for spiritual progress, he resolved to live in a cave, sleep one hour per night while leaning against a wall and memorize the New Testament. It worked at first. He memorized lots of Scripture. But he also permanently damaged his health, and a bishop ordered him to stop. Some Christians in church history “bit off too much,” said Chris Hall, president of Renovaré, a Colorado-based ministry focused on spiritual formation and spiritual disciplines. “They tried to do too much. They tried to do it in too short a period of time.” So how can believers make their New Year’s resolutions productive? Resolutions can foster spiritual growth, say Hall and other spiritual formation experts, if utilized within a broader program of spiritual disciplines and crafted with input from mature Christian friends. Americans’ practice of spiritual disciplines leaves plenty of room for resolutions to improve, according to the American Bible Society’s State of the Bible 2021 report. Just 1 in 6 U.S. adults (16%) reads the Bible most days during the week. Fifty percent read the Bible less than twice a year. The lack of personal engagement with God’s Word affects corporate disciplines as well, like loving neighbors and building the church, the report found. Resolution tips Those realities make spiritual resolutions in order for many as 2022 approaches. One key to making resolutions a success is how they are written, said Andy Davis, pastor of First Baptist Church in Durham, N.C. Don’t be “too prideful or too confident with what [your] resolution’s going to do,” he said. Rather, format resolutions as statements of “what I would like to see God do in my life over the next year.” Hasty resolutions can become “a legalistic burden” by February or March. Davis knows something about successful resolution making. He has memorized 43 books of the Bible—though he can’t recite them all today—and written a book about extended Scripture memory. Among Davis’s do’s and don’ts for resolutions: Do make reasonable and measurable resolutions. “I resolve to be a better person” is “not a good resolution because it’s not measurable,” he said. A better resolution would be, “Every night in the month of January I will ask my wife, ‘Did you find me to be kind and loving to you today?’” Don’t make resolutions you won’t keep, like memorizing 10 Bible verses a day. Do make a relatively small number of resolutions. Another key to successful resolutions is when they are written, Hall said. It doesn’t have to be Jan. 1. “Don’t start [making resolutions] if you haven’t already been engaged in spiritual discipline of some kind,” Hall said, “because you’re almost guaranteed to fail. Why? Because the same habit patterns that were troubling you before you ever made that resolution Jan. 1 will raise their head.” Good intentions to grow spiritually become successful resolutions when they are preceded by what Hall calls “preparatory disciplines,” like watching less TV and enjoying more silence to make room for more traditional spiritual disciplines. Make resolutions whenever you’re ready, Hall said, whether that’s January, March or November. Then “if you fail, just start over again.” A general principle of spiritual growth “is that we stumble and we get back up.” Still, milestone days can be valuable for making resolutions. Puritans of the 1500s through 1700s commonly made New Year’s resolutions, along with resolutions on their birthdays, spiritual birthdays and ordination days, said Michael Haykin, professor of church history at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Famous resolutions Some of those resolutions continue to inspire Christ-followers. Around 1700, Presbyterian Bible commentator Matthew Henry wrote, “This new-year’s day I have solemnly renewed the resignation and surrender of my whole self to God, as my God, deliberately, and upon good considerations.” American pastor and theologian Jonathan Edwards made 70 resolutions as a young man in the 1720s. Among them: “Resolved, that I will live so as I shall wish I had done when I come to die” and “Resolved, to study the Scriptures so steadily, constantly and frequently, as that I may find, and plainly perceive myself to grow in the knowledge of the same.” Christians should “recognize the danger of legalism” in making resolutions, Haykin said. “But having said that, they can be helpful” for individuals and churches. “When one joins a body of believers, I think it’s helpful to commit yourself to various things in that body” like worship attendance, praying for the pastor and financial giving. Despite their utility, resolutions fell into disfavor among evangelicals by the late 1700s. Samuel Pearce, an 18th-century Baptist minister and hymnwriter, ripped up his resolution when he felt it became a “legalistic fetter,” Haykin said, and many evangelicals ever since have taken a similar stance on resolutions. Nonetheless, resolutions maintain their place in healthy spiritual development if part of a balanced spiritual training regimen and not mere statements of good intentions. Resolutions, Hall said, should focus on “training rather than trying.” ABOUT THE AUTHOR David Roach is a writer in Mobile, Ala. #JANUARY22

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Occasionally the WestSide of Grand Rapids is referred to as the "Wild West." Things happen in this neighborhood as a matter of commonplace that would be very unusual in other neighborhoods. For example, when was the last time someone showed up to your church in a hearse. Mind you, no funeral. It's just what they drive. That's my neighborhood. Merri and I were having coffee on our back deck on a Saturday afternoon, and Merri said to me in a calm voice, "A man in full swat gear, just trotted by the front of the house." "Let's head inside," I said. A standoff ensued 100 yards south of my house, with a full armored vehicle and a large police presence. After multiple hours a person suspected of a triple homicide was apprehended. Just another day in the Wild West. Youth ministry news After my Tuesday Bible lab that I do with our ministry partners Bridge Street Ministries, one young man asked about what happens at the very end of the world. With another leader we turned to Revelation 21 and had him read it out loud. It's one of the best way to answer questions about the Bible. When they read the answer for themselves, it brings a moment of discovery that they own. After reading for a few minutes, he just stopped, and looked intently at me. Then He asked, "Can I have this?" I went and got a pen, and put his name in a Bible. I handed it to him and he was so happy and proud. He comes to Bible lab every week. Some of the other pictures below are from a movie night in our backyard. Loving our city Recently at a community meeting at Grand Rapids Police Department, I met some police chaplains from the adjacent cities, who expressed the desire to meet and chat. Many of them are new, and as I have been doing chaplain work for over 20 years the newer chaplains asked me for help. We are now planning to meet monthly, and they are asking for me to train them in various aspects of this difficult job. It is our goal that if our community is confronted with a crisis, we can pull together a diverse team of leaders to help bring the presence of Jesus to a the situation. A tank on a trailer, in the street Linda, who lives a short walk from where we meet on Sundays, made a decision to follow Jesus, and wanted to be baptized. We put a tank on a trailer and parked it right on Bridge Street. It was a great celebration. A couple of her homeless friends also attended. Thanks for taking a minute Because of the financial limitations of the communities that CrossWinds serves, we very much appreciate those who are able to participate in our kingdom work. For you giving partners, Thank You again for your faithful donations and prayers. If you'd like to give online, a link follows that you can copy & paste into your browser. After you click on "Give," you're taken to a page where you can click on a down arrow to find my name. https://www.windschurch.net/giving-1 #DECEMBER21

by Mickey Gross GARDEN CITY, MI – In October, one-hundred fifty women gathered to participate in the ‘Love God, Love Others’ Harvest Retreat at Bambi Lake Conference Center in Roscommon. After two years of separation, it was a delightful blessing to reconnect with new and old friends. I personally made a few new friends and saw God work by bringing darkness into light, drawing people deeper into their relationship with Him. God was amazingly generous to us as we gathered to receive the Word, worship in song, eat delicious food, shop, craft, rest, visit, and learn alongside one another. Our speaker, Casey Merrifield, focused our attention on how God works in and through us, encouraging us to love Him and others in our daily lives through ordinary means. Last fall, the BSCM Women’s Ministry leadership took some time to clarify how our particular ministry could work to better serve not only the church at large, but specifically the women of the Southern Baptist Churches of Michigan. As a result, we developed a Mission Statement. This statement helps us discern which events and resources are in the best interest of the women we serve and which will be given top priority. As a result of that concentrated effort, we refreshed the website for clarity and communication so that ministry leaders and church members alike are able to navigate the events and resources the BSCM Women’s Ministry has to offer. This will be a helpful tool as we seek to meet the needs of women in our changing culture. Women’s Ministry Mission Statement We resolve that our mission is to strengthen the women of BSCM by encouraging, equipping, and engaging them in order to live intentional lives to the glory of God. What We Do We resolve to accomplish our mission by providing resources and events designed to bring the women of BSCM together in a variety of settings, age groups, and content, in order to teach, minister, and build community.​ How We Do It We resolve to encourage women by coming alongside them to assist connection and build relationships. We resolve to equip women by providing resources and event opportunities. We resolve to engage women by offering ways to plug into ministry and become involved. In addition to clarifying our website and making it easier to navigate, we developed a logo with a bridge & water (Michigan), a cross (symbolic of our faith), and the words “engage, equip, encourage” (the focus of the ministry). And we streamlined the color scheme to match the BSCM website. Each tab will clearly direct you to information about each Women’s Ministry Events (complete with links for registration), the Ministry Center, WMU and Mission Offerings. Our highest hope is that you find this refresh easy to use and helpful in planning your 2022 Women’s Ministry calendar in your own church. If you have any questions about the Women's Ministry, you can connect with Sue Hodnett, Women’s Ministry Director for the Baptist State Convention of Michigan. You can find her information on the improved site here: bscm.org/women ABOUT THE AUTHOR Mickey Gross lives in Garden City, MI and is a member of Resurrection Church in Lincoln Park. She has devoted years in church leadership as a children's ministry director, praise team member, pianist, facilities coordinator, and event planner. Mickey loves camp ministry and has had the privilege of spending time at camp as a camper, serving as a volunteer, and operating on the leadership team for Harvest Retreat. #DECEMBER21

by Tim Patterson PLYMOUTH, MI – Many years ago, the Patterson household possessed two dogs and one cat. Or should I say they possessed us? Our oldest dog, TEX, was given to us just after we moved to Florida by a friend in our church. At this particular time, he had been with us for more than eight years, while our newest canine addition was still learning the layout of the land. NAPPY was the name that came with the short four-legged mop that was claiming the Patterson’s as family. She was a Yorkie but only in body. Inside she was a Great Dane with an attitude. If your name was NAPPY, you would have an attitude too! TEX on the other hand was a big black Lab-Shepherd mix that would scare the willies out of you with his yellow eyes and ominous bark. But the fact of the matter was that he was a big baby. A genuine lap dog. And yet he was a great watchdog and was very protective of his domain. He survived several car wrecks where he left the scene of the accident with less damage to him than the automobile that was involved. Our cat had been with us for several years as well, and was the same midnight color as TEX. The major difference between her and TEX, besides being of a different species, was that she did not have a loving disposition. In fact, she didn’t like anyone but me, and that was only because I fed her. Or it could have been because I was the one that took her in after someone dropped her off at the church. Most of us believe that cats and dogs are not compatible, but for the most part TEX and PRISSY got along just fine, as long as TEX stayed out of her way. Now NAPPY and PRISSY was all-together a different matter. A bad attitude has a way of driving a wedge between relationships. The cat was fat, lazy and unconcerned with few things but sleeping and eating. She usually stayed perched on the back of the sofa or on an elevated place on the porch where she could oversee and direct the affairs of the house. TEX didn’t stay in any one place very long at all. He was usually yapping, barking and terrorizing every squirrel in the county. He was also a great tormentor of “other” cats. With all the noise and racket our dog made, the cat maintained her position. She was totally unconcerned with the barking of the dogs. The cat knew that she could "take out" both dogs with one swipe, but for some odd reason she chose not to. She just found herself a higher place to rest and ignored that yappy NAPPY. Could it be that she knew that it wouldn’t last forever and that soon everything would be at peace? In the midst of today's “wild west social media”, I sometimes feel like my old cat, and that I have been treed by the dogs of this world. All the noise they make in their immoral protests, the bantering for their rights to have no social controls are barked at me and the rest of society almost endlessly. Their vile and abusive attitude for evangelical Christianity is without question. If it is not the ACLU, it is the Americans for the Separation of Church and State trying to force the presence or even the mention of God from the public square. They are adamant that we do not have “freedom of religion but freedom from religion.” Most of them remind me of a pack of stray dogs roaming about looking for their next victim. Turning over the filthy garbage cans of the indecent discards of corrupt humanity and spreading its abhorrent contents across our communities. They do so with the willing and willful help of most forms of media and those that control it. The filth that now covers the passageways of our cities because of these hellish hounds makes it almost impossible to walk at times and that is why we must seek higher ground. We do not seek higher ground by running from this world but running to our Lord. That is why we must have faith in the "Most High" and believe that He will lift us up. Taking the Higher Ground is a choice. It is choosing to be kind and willing to show more grace than is deserved. It means not entering into the “cat and dog fights” that are all around us but by staying elevated from the fray. Garrison Keillor, the former host of the National Public Radio program, "A Prairie Home Companion", and author of several best selling books was quoted in Leadership magazine. "A little faith will see you through. What else will do except faith in such a cynical, corrupt time? When the country goes temporarily to the dogs, cats must learn to be circumspect, walk on fences, sleep in trees, and have faith that all this woofing is not the last word." During this wonderful season of Christmas, may I encourage you to take the high ground and enter into His peace. A peace that goes beyond all understanding. My friends, don't let the dogs of this world bother you too much. Their barking will cease and we will enter into His final and everlasting peace. Besides, most of those barking dogs are headed for the pound anyway. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Tim Patterson is Executive Director/Treasurer of the Baptist State Convention of Michigan. Elected unanimously in May of 2015, Patterson formerly served for 9 years as pastor of Hillcrest Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Fla. He also served as trustee chair and national mobilizer for the North American Mission Board. #DECEMBER21