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Our Church and COVID-19
Latest UPDATE: 4:53PM | 4.17.2020
Family and friends of Mayfair Bible Church,
The COVID-19 coronavirus crisis is certainly a rapidly evolving situation. Our hearts have been heavy and our minds weary as we’ve weighed every possible scenario, sought the best advice of medical science, and cried out to God for wisdom. We desire to honor our civil leaders for the peace and welfare of our community, as well as care for the safety of the church-flock.
We promised you that we’d make updates as necessary. Please listen carefully to the following:
NOTICE: All worship services will move to LIVE-streaming with only a select group of pastors, leaders, and assistants present at Mayfair.
We joyfully encourage you to participate in watching and engaging with each session in your homes or perhaps with members of your Thrive Group, using wise discretion based on your group leader’s direction.
- The best real-time participation for each LIVE streaming event will be on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Mayfairbible
- Live-streaming is also available on our website: LIVE Stream – Mayfair Bible Church
ENGAGE: We will endeavor to make this as participatory as possible by encouraging all who watch to comment with questions, prayers, verses, and encouragement.
“This is a short-term compromise, not a long-term convenience.” – Dr. Daniel Chin
This decision will remain in-effect through April 30. All regularly scheduled mid-week programs and gatherings at Mayfair are hereby postponed until April 30. We will provide further updates as necessary.
We are not canceling services but rather transitioning to an online format as a short-term compromise to protect and care for our community, not for long-term convenience.
From my heart to your home:*
With the onset of COVID-19 in our state, many people from the Mayfair family will be required to stay at home for an extended period of time. More than ever before, we need each other. Reports of panic attacks, anxiety, spiraling depression, and suicide are on the rise. We, at the highest level, need to give and receive the love of Christ as Mayfair Bible Church.
4 simple action steps WE ALL can take as we move forward together:
(1) CALL six or seven people that you would normally see and check up on them. Be sure to call TWO people that may not be called by others.
(2) Take THREE MINUTES to see if you can give an offering online. There’s a lot of ministry to get done in this time and it would be difficult for churches to try to do more ministry with fewer resources. Click here: https://www.mayfairbible.org/give-online/
(3) Find some worship songs to sing either by yourself or with your small (less than 10) community. And consider stretching outside of your preferred musical comfort zone. I highly recommend searching YouTube for worship music by CityAlight, Sovereign Grace Music, Rend Collective, Andrew Peterson, and Keith and Kristyn Getty. Join together for each live-streaming event at Mayfair Bible Church and engage with comments, questions, verses, and prayers. Let everyone know you are there and that you care. Go here: https://www.facebook.com/Mayfairbible/ or here: https://www.mayfairbible.org/live-stream/ (Sunday 10:45AM and Wednesday 7PM)
(4) Embrace a sense of loss. Believers are meant to meet together. But if wisdom calls us to a season apart, let us mourn our loss, lament for our world, turn to the Lord for a season of prayer and dependence, and look forward to the coming church reunion (including the largest reunion of all— O Come, Lord Jesus.)
*adapted from Pastor Matthew Westerholm
In God’s Vineyard,
Pastor Michael
Friday, 11:53AM | 3.13.2020
As of last night, twelve confirmed cases of COVID-19 (a coronavirus) are reported in Michigan. While these small numbers may seem to pose little threat to us, national and international data points toward a growing, long-term risk of infection.
The elderly and medically fragile are especially among those for whom we must all exercise great caution. After much prayer, research, discussion with medical professionals, and consultation with other area pastors, the following represents our goals and action steps for this coming weekend of mission conference sessions and worship services. Our schedule remains in effect, but all services to live-streaming with only a select team of leaders and pastors. We will provide updates as necessary.
Our Gospel-Centered Goals:
- Act wisely to care for the flock’s safety
- Honor our civil leaders to seek the peace and welfare of our community
- Live by faith not fear; Not fall into panic but remain resolute in hope
- Maintain our religious freedom to freely and safely gather for worship
What We’re Doing
- Live-Streaming all our missions conference sessions: Saturday 7PM, Sunday 9:15AM, Sunday 10:45AM, and Sunday at 6:30PM on Facebook and our site. Go here: https://www.facebook.com/Mayfairbible/ or here: https://www.mayfairbible.org/live-stream/ We will endeavor to make this as participatory as possible by encouraging all who watch to comment with questions, prayers, verses, and encouragement
- Receiving our gift-offerings online or by the other options detailed here: https://www.mayfairbible.org/give-online/
- Sanitizing all door knobs, handles, surfaces, and toys in every room
- Serving of coffee, water, food, or donuts will be offered by volunteers wearing sanitary gloves. Nothing will be self-serve.
- Providing hand-sanitizer in the main foyer and other key areas
- Posting signage to wash hands with warm water and soap in all our bathrooms
- Skipping single cup communion, passing the peace, and the holy kiss. Wait a minute, we don’t do these things anyway.
What We Ask of You*
- Wash your hands often with soap and water or use hand sanitizer, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. Say the Lord’s Prayer or sing “Happy Birthday” for 20 seconds while washing. We won’t think you’re crazy.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing
- Skip handshakes and hugs
- Avoid contact with sick people
- Stay home if you’re medically fragile, elderly, or sick in any form (fever, chills, sore throat, cough, etc.)
WACSAS.
When someone goes in for the handshake or hug, say “WACSAS.”
When someone forgets to wash their hands, shout, “WACSAS!”
Well, the whole “WACSAS” idea was invented by Pastor Michael. You can take it or leave it.
*Based on information published today by the MDHHS and recommendations from several physicians.
The chart below represents our ongoing action plan. Our community currently remains in the green zone with no confirmed cases reported. But as detailed in the points above, we’ve established preventative measures over-and-above the recommended course of action.
The chart was provided in a recent article (click here) by Dr. Daniel Chin, a physician trained in pulmonary and critical care medicine and epidemiology with 25 years of global public health experience. In 2003, he led much of WHO’s support to China to contain the SARS epidemic.
What We’re Reading
Eight Things the Coronavirus Should Teach Us
This is a really helpful article – written directly from one right in the thick of it (a pastor in Italy). I encourage you to read the entire essay. It’s not long: “Italy currently has the highest reported number of coronavirus cases outside of China: 9,172 cases and 463 deaths. As a result, 60 million people have been told to remain in their homes unless absolutely necessary. How are we, as Christians, to respond to such a crisis? Answer: with faith not fear. We are to look into the eye of the storm and ask, Lord, what are you wanting me to learn through this? How are you seeking to change me? Here are eight things we’d all do well to learn, or relearn, from this coronavirus scare: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/things-coronavirus-teach-us/
I’m an epidemiologist. Here’s what I told my friends about the coronavirus and COVID-19.
Most people (99.8% of the population) are likely not qualified to offer a knowledgeable, medically informed opinion on a wise, proper response to the coronavirus (Covid-19); this unqualified category certainly includes me. But here’s what an epidemiologist wrote today. I find her educated opinion realistic, informed, and well-balanced.
Bottomline? “Wash. Your. Hands. Wash them again.” Here: https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2020/03/11/epidemiologist-advice-on-how-to-fight-coronavirus-covid-19-column/5012545002/
The FAQs: Coronavirus Explained by an Infectious Disease Expert and Pastor
“Along with being pastor for preaching and vision of the International Baptist Church in Santo Domingo, Dr. Miguel Núñez has practiced medicine in different capacities for more than 35 years. He is board-certified in internal medicine and in infectious diseases. He was also an assistant professor of the Mount Sinai School of Medicine (1989-97) at Englewood Hospital and Medical Center in Englewood, New Jersey. For this reason we contacted him for information related to the current outbreak of coronavirus from the medical point of view and to offer some words of pastoral wisdom.” Here: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/what-we-know-coronavirus/
How DC Churches Responded When the Government Banned Public Gatherings During the Spanish Flu of 1918
“As World War I was coming to a close, still another enemy was making its way toward the nation’s capitol: the Spanish Flu. Between October 1918 and February 1919, an estimated 50,000 cases were reported in the District of Columbia; 3,000 D.C. residents lost their lives.[1] At the peak of the pandemic, the DC government banned all public gatherings, including churches. How Christians responded provides some lessons and principles for responding to similar dilemmas in our own day.” Click here: https://www.9marks.org/article/how-dc-churches-responded-when-the-government-banned-public-gatherings-during-the-spanish-flu-of-1918/
MDHHS Interim Recommendations
Let Us Pray
Above all, let us pray for those already impacted by COVID-19; especially for the physically weak, immunocompromised, and elderly. May we move forward with hearts of compassion and courage. May God give strength and insight to the nurses, doctors, and other medical professionals within our congregation. May God give us wisdom to make informed, faithful decisions in the days ahead regarding this global pandemic.
Soli Deo Gloria.
In God’s Vineyard,
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I’m Always Thinking…
Sometimes when I think about my childhood I get the warm fuzzies. I think about special dates with my dad to Sweet Tomatoes where he let me eat dessert and we talked about Anne of Green Gables and her life story for hours. I fondly remember shopping with my mom and spending time looking at everything and eating olives and sushi.
On hot summer days, I’d sit on the floor at my Aunt Donna’s house and listen as she played the piano and wrote music or go to my grandma’s house to spend the night, and wake up to the pungent scent of Folgers in the morning.
But then another part of me thinks about the hard stuff:
My Aunt Donna dying when I was seven, figuring out things related to my parents’ divorce, wondering why my birth-father left me when I was a baby yet also forgiving him when I was 18, or the hardness and repercussions of growing up being so involved in cult-ish religious organizations and cult-like churches.
I recall many of the people I’ve loved going through painful divorces, church splits, abuse, abandonment, loss, and more.
I remember all the spiritual abuse and erroneous teaching embedded in my thought process and legalism as the backdrop to my convictions; holding all of my pain inside because I was supposed to wear a “ministry smile” and bury my true feelings.
It’s like the heavy chains that Jacob Marley wears when he (as a ghost) visits his old miserly friend Ebenezer Scrooge to beseech him to change before it’s too late.
How do you get past all that? How do you forgive and move on and realize that some things will never be resolved, while other things have been redeemed and restored? How do you reprogram yourself and everything you know to make sure it’s actually theologically correct instead of manipulated and distorted by corrupt men?
I’m always thinking about how God never promised us that we would have easy, pain-free lives. No amount of good that we do will make our lives perfect.
But I also talk to Jesus and ask Him questions about the hard stuff and why I have to suffer.
And He listens.
He may not take away all the grief and pain, but He sits with me. It always makes me feel safe knowing He is there in any season and can handle hearing my joy, my grief, my anger, and my questions.
How are you living today? Are you working for your salvation? Are you striving for the good opinion of men over what God thinks about you? Have you found healing in your pain? Or are you still wondering why?
There is only one answer…
Jesus.
Jesus knows.
Jesus understands.
Jesus listens.
Jesus restores.
Jesus heals.
“The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.”
~ Psalm 34:18
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Feeling Icy Tears
One day, someone who I had just met asked me how many children I have. I gave my normal response of: “three on earth and six in heaven”.
They looked at me wide-eyed and said, “Miscarriage isn’t healthy on your body. You are done having kids, right?”
To be honest, I was taken aback.
I couldn’t believe someone would say that to me, but I kindly said, “No, we’d love more if God wants us to have them.”
This person replied, “How old are you?”
“Thirty-eight,” I said…trying to maintain my smile.
They exclaimed, “Well, that’s too old anyway.”
Feeling Icy Water
I walked away feeling like someone had just thrown me into the water during a polar plunge.
In addition to that conversation, I’ve been told we shouldn’t have more children because of Hudson’s struggles with ASD/ADHD (our oldest son), my health, and busyness in ministry. Others have chided me, claiming I shouldn’t be so open about loss and grief.
I miss my babies every day. But I also cherish the three I have. I don’t take them for granted.
If God wants to give us more, then our arms are open wide. But it’s up to Him, and thankfully it’s His opinion, and the opinion of my incredible husband, which matters most.
Infertility and loss have been some of the HARDEST trials I’ve ever gone through, yet I’ve grown and changed through the journey.
But I’m not going to stop talking about our losses, or my children’s grief, or how others can learn to walk with those who are grieving.
Trusting the Journey
Even in the midst of all the difficult days, I look ahead to when they will be gone and I try my hardest to soak it all up (even though I will never EVER miss some things like potty-training). 😂
In the meantime, I’m doing my best to enjoy everything I can with the three gifts I’ve already been given. Only one of them still cuddles with me every day, and I know that eventually I’ll deal with the “last” snuggle, the last request for help with homework, the last of being told I’m their best friend or being told they want to marry me, and so many more things.
I fail every single day, pick myself back up, ask Jesus for help, repent, and step forward. And yes, I’m very thankful for His grace. ❤️
But in all of those hard moments, difficult people, waves of grief and sorrow, I’m reminded to forgive, to continue to be open and bare my heart, and to keep trusting Jesus.
Running to Him isn’t always easy or safe, but it’s always the best choice.
He is the journey and the destination even if the path is painful.
“I am learning to trust the journey even when I do not understand it.” —Mila Bron
“For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:17-18)
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The Church Must Die
During our recent journey through the Gospel of Mark, God has gripped my heart with a vision of truth and a clarity on something that I can’t shake.
Our church needs to die.
We could even say the Church – every Jesus-following, gospel-breathing, Bible-proclaiming ekklesia – must die.
Our pastors need to die.
Our elders need to die.
Our deacons need to die.
All the members need to die.
For as long as we’re clutching onto our lives, we’ll never live. As long as we’re grasping onto Mayfair Bible Church (or any other church) as yours, mine, or ours…it will never live. As long as we’re grabbing onto our desires, we’ll never experience the delight in Christ.
This church must die.
We all must kill the works of the flesh – all that is not in-step with the Spirit’s will or in-keeping with the Spirit’s fruit.
We all must crucify any actions of hand – what we write and do – that fulfills our desires for respect, position, or rights.
We all must die to the footholds that lead us to stomp on others in an effort to achieve higher heights for ourselves.
We all must kill our lustful, envious, or jealous eye wanderings. (cf. Mark 9:42-49)
We all must murder the desire to be known – for ourselves to be known, for the name of Mayfair Bible Church to be known. The only name that we must want known among us is JESUS. Our only aim must be for our community to taste and see the beauty, grace, and truth of Christ in us. When they speak of us, may the speak of Christ. Alone.
We all must die to the desire to be first, top, or center. (cf. Mark 9:34-37)
We all must die to the desire to have things always arranged in perfect order and harmony – real people with real problems are messy.
“Everyone you meet today is God’s idea.” – Dr. Dallas Gatlin
We all must die to the desire for the church to grow by buildings, bodies, and bucks – the 3 B’s of Baptist and Bible church idolatry.
We all must die to the desire to save face in order to keep up the appearance of pseudo-perfection.
We all must die to our attitudes of anger, lust, pride, and holier-than-thou.
We all must slaughter any sin that keeps brothers and sisters and churches divided. (cf. 2 Cor. 10:5)
We all must put to death any thought that rises above the way of Christ
We all must kill the self-centered fears that hold us back from holistically loving our neighbors – all of them, no matter their sin propensities, proclivities, ethnicity, economic status, language, or creed.
We all must die to the desire to own this church for ourselves. Jesus Christ bought the church with His very own blood. So who is the sole owner of the Church with all the rights and privileges afforded thereunto? Jesus! (cf. Acts 20:28; 1 Cor. 6:20; Gal. 3:13-15; Eph. 1:14; Rev. 5:9)
We must crucify the desire to climb into political power.
We must die to the temptation of business strategies, marketing tools, and hype to do what only the Holy Spirit can accomplish.
We all must die. I must die. The church needs to die.
Resistance to this death will make the loss of our church inevitable – the kind of loss that Jesus does not want for the church. If we don’t die to self and sin, then this church will be lost.
But if we come and die, then in Christ we all will live. We, as a church, will live. And we’ll bear fruit…gospel life fruit!
Death to self is the way to gospel life.
“If anyone [or any church] wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it.” (Mark 8:34-35)
Death is the way to life.
“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life, in this world will keep it to life eternal.” (John 12:24-25)
We die to self and sin to rise again in Christ. Lose your life to find real Life in Him.
Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. We cry out to You for mercy to fall upon us, as Your followers, so that You may give us the fresh joy of repentance and healing. Grant us the faith and courage to daily crucify the flesh with its sinful and self-centered wants and desires. Chop away the roots of spiritual pride, religious-looking nonsense, and face-saving posturing, so that we can bear genuine, lasting fruit in abundance and for your glory alone.
In and through Christ we pray, Amen.
“I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.” (Gal. 2:20)
You can watch the full message from Mark 9:30-50 at Mayfair Bible Church here:
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An MLK Day Prayer
This past Friday evening, Stephanie and I had the immense joy of participating in the 41st Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Tribute Dinner at the Genesys Conference & Banquet Center.
I’m grateful to God for the opportunity to offer a closing prayer and benediction at this incredible event. Many thanks to Mary Coleman and Vera Jenkins, in conjunction with The Foundation of Mott Community College, for the invitation.
(from left to right) me, Pastor Christopher Taylor, Mayor Sheldon Neeley
And a bonus! I got to eat dinner with Flint’s new mayor, Sheldon A. Neeley. He’s a great guy… I think he might even live up to all that his lovely mother told me about him. 
So many kind, gracious, and loving people.
This Monday, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, I’m reminded in a fresh way of the freedom-trail he paved for us, yet also how far we still have to go in 2020 America. Words of hate, attitudes of vitriol, and cultural postures of racial division over-against reconciliation appear to be on-the-rise. So on this evening of remembrance, let’s rehearse a few poignant truth-sayings from Martin Luther King and then pause to pray together. For it’s only through the power of God that real, lasting change can occur in the hearts of humankind.
From his pen…
“I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality… I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word.”
“In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.”
“The time is always right to do what is right.”
“We must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive. He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love. There is some good in the worst of us and some evil in the best of us. When we discover this, we are less prone to hate our enemies.”
“Violence as a way of achieving racial justice is both impractical and immoral. I am not unmindful of the fact that violence often brings about momentary results. Nations have frequently won their independence in battle. But in spite of temporary victories, violence never brings permanent peace.”
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”
For us to pray…
Would you consider joining me in this prayer, which God led me to write for last Friday’s event?
Oh God in heaven, we know that right now Your dwelling place is filled with people of every language, nation, and ethnicity. They, together, rejoice as Your people united as one, yet diverse in a beautiful harmony orchestrated by your amazing creativity.
So as they dwell in perfect unity and joy with You, so may we also live here today! May Your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
May we, by Your amazing grace, be people who live out heaven’s agenda here on earth.
We praise You for the life and the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. We believe that Martin Luther King’s dream is God’s design for the church.
Therefore, I pray tonight that we would go forth from this place with his dream in our hearts and Your design flowing through our lives.
For we are overcomers through Jesus Christ who loved us and gave Himself for us so that we could be one redeemed, reconciled people in Him. So by the truth and grace of Jesus the Savior, I pray that You would lift up the light of Your countenance upon us, pour out your grace to us, and give us peace and power by the Holy Spirit to live for you.
And all God’s redeemed children say…. AMEN!
From History…
Below is one of the most beautiful, moving video shorts I’ve ever seen produced:
Further Related Reading from my Blog:
Christian Racism?: Q: “How should a Christian respond to racism? I hear these racist, white supremacists groups say they are also Christian. What do you think of that, Pastor Michael?” Article and Q & A Video: Christian Racism?
One Race: Dr. King was, undoubtedly, one of the most influential people of the twentieth century. His bold, visionary preaching stirred the hearts and changed the lives of millions of Americans. His courageous, peaceful leadership built a force against racial segregation across all walks of life. . . We are one race – the human race – of many ethnicities united in God’s love to the praise His glorious grace. We will gather together as the one people of God from every language, tribe, and nation by the blood of the Lamb. Continue reading here: One Race.
Stephanie and I at the 41st Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Tribute
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Empty Christmas
Each Advent season, I enjoy penning a poem to encourage God’s flock in the overflowing hope and joy of Christ. I’m grateful that God again granted a sense of creative inspiration to provide you with this piece entitled Empty Christmas. I’m praying that the Savior uses these simple words to draw you near and ever nearer to His heart of grace.
Watch the short film or read the lines below:
Empty Christmas | Redeeming Christmas from the Emptiness | A Christmas Eve Poem 2019 | By Michael J. Breznau
The air was thin
A heart restless, empty within
Another Christmas, another song
Yet we wonder: “This will go on for how long?”
Dusty tinsel lined the Wal-Mart shelves
Thanksgiving decorations were crowded out with elves
The bells were ringing
Mariah Carey kept on singing
Shortened days and longer nights accentuate a hallow ring
Which echoes through many souls till spring
Ornaments, lights, and lore
Can’t seem to fill a void deep in our core
Onward we march to Amazon’s drum
But we’re still left feeling droopy and glum
“Empty!” is the song that sings
behind all the holiday bling
We clothe our Christmas with crazy-happy
But it all wraps up like a Hallmark flick – just a bit too sappy
Flopped on the couch, once more we feel the gloom
Is there something that can fill this soul-vacuum?
Through all the lights and holiday noise
A different anthem softly drifts by the piles of plastic toys
Christmas is empty, meaningless, and void
If left to the devices of ploys and decoys
Many dodge – left and right
Attempting to make their hearts feel bright
But the only way to have a heart made full
Is by receiving God’s gift of Christ into your soul
Redeeming Christmas from the craziness
Now that may seem like a goal altogether pointless!
But pause to gaze into His Light
Your heart’s darkness will slowly melt away into the bright
You’ll find in Him true Life
Even your heart’s full, abundant delight
Another song will sing in the air – vastly different than the first
To your restless, shadowed heart – this one repeats: “Peace on earth!”
Come behold the newborn King this way
Receive Him into your heart today
He’ll “cast out your sin and enter in”
You’ll receive the new, forever-life in Him
Then bow your knees before His stable-throne
(A startling contrast to the world’s “famous and well-known”)
Jesus, we worship and adore
The One who emptied Himself so we could be filled up with Him forevermore
________________________
“…the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could He die, and only by dying could He break the power of the devil, who had the power of death.” (Heb. 2:14b NLT)
“but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.” (Phil. 2:7 NASB)
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” (John 3:16 NASB)
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When Christmas Isn’t Merry
When Christmas isn’t merry anymore…
I’ve always loved everything about Christmas. The emphasis on the birth of Jesus, giving carefully chosen and wrapped gifts, extra family time, sparkly lights, decorations everywhere, and festive foods. I love planning parties, decorating the house from top-to-bottom, and I normally start shopping in September.
However, this year…
I’m tired.
I’m weary.
I’m sad.
I’m physically unwell.
I’m grieving.
I’m weak.
I’m disinterested.
I’m not finished shopping for presents, my house is disorderly from me being sick, I’ve missed so many gatherings, I’m beyond exhausted, and I feel completely lacking as a wife and mother.
Yet, I’m hopeful. ❤️
I know that no matter what I go through, He’s here with me. I’m never alone – even when I feel alone.
When the lights go out, the people leave, and everyone is asleep, I sit in the stillness with only the lights of the tree shining on me. I take the time to thank Him for what He has done, but I implore Him for strength as I pour out what I don’t understand about this crazy life: my frustrations, questions, emptiness of loss…among many other emotions.
And…
He listens.
He understands.
He comforts.
He loves.
He stays.
He wipes my tears.
Only Jesus can fully bear the burdens of my life.
Only Jesus can heal my broken heart.
Only Jesus can know my true motives when I cry angry tears to Him.
Only Jesus can bind my wounds.
Only Jesus can give me any measure of joy.
Only Jesus can help me truly be “merry” in the midst of the mess. Or not be merry.
Only Jesus can help me be okay with not having it all together.
Because He can handle it all.
He gave me my joy, and He can carry my pain.
He sits with me in my mess and loves me anyway.
There is *no one* else who can or will do that for me. ❤️
That’s my Jesus.
He heals the brokenhearted
and binds up their wounds.
He determines the number of the stars;
he gives to all of them their names.
Great is our Lord, and abundant in power;
his understanding is beyond measure.(Psalm 147:3-5)
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Are We There Yet?!
Our effervescent daughter let out an uncharacteristic sigh and said, “When are we eevveerrr going to arrive?”
“Hey, yeah dad, are we there yet? When are we gonna get to Aunt Sarah’s house?” our ten-year-old son chimed in.
We’d only been driving an easy 15 minutes of the 45 minute drive to my sister’s home for Thanksgiving dinner. So I couldn’t help but let out a laugh.
“Okay you silly kids. Listen, we’ve only been driving for a short time. But we will arrive very soon. Just hold on and enjoy the ride,” I remarked, as my dear wife rolled her twinkling eyes.
In-Between
The term Advent could be succinctly translated “arrival” or “coming.” The season of Advent dials in on the beautiful yet also surprising biblical reflections of Jesus the Christ’s first arrival as a newborn baby – God-incarnate. The eternal Word took on human form (John 1:1-3, 14)!
But when celebrated fully and accurately, Advent also focuses our hope on the Savior’s second arrival. Christ’s first coming is proof for the second. For just as He came as the Suffering-Servant-Messiah, so He will return as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords (Rev. 19:16).
Yet here we are in-between.
Sometimes we wonder like children on a long holiday road trip, “Are we there yet?”
In the somewhere between, we are prone to grow weary, afraid, and oft-impatient. Yet across the ages, an ancient prophet reminds us: “Behold, your king is coming to you.” (Zech. 9:9b)
Immediately after proclaiming the royal announcement, Zechariah brought two mountain-peak promises together, even though the time-valley between them is not yet complete:
“He is just and endowed with salvation, humble, and mounted on a donkey, even on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” (Zech. 9:9c)
Of course, we recognize this promise as already fulfilled in the triumphal entry of Jesus Christ (John 12:14-15). But let’s look closely at the very next verse:
“I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim and the horse from Jerusalem; and the bow of war will be cut off. And He will speak peace to the nations; and His dominion will be from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth.” (Zech. 9:10)
We’re not there yet. Already…but also not yet. There will be no need for chariots and horses (the war machines of the Ancient Near East). All battles and fights will cease. How? Because Jesus the True Messiah will come to reign from His throne. Every nation will bow to His righteous, just, and perfect scepter. And the border of His territory? The entire earth.
But today…
Wars run rampant. The latest newsflash incites fear. Our nation’s future seems more uncertain than ever before. Half of America is angry with our president while the other half is angry with those who are angry at our president. Accurate fact-checking appears to be a pipe-dream. Trust in civil leaders, elected officials, and pastors is at an all-time low. No one seems to believe anyone anymore. North Korea, Russia, and a field of Mid-East nations threaten at our doorstep.
So we sit in the back seat of the minivan and shout up, “Are we there yet, God? Are we almost there?!”
Like a patient father, God speaks: “Not quite yet, children. Hold on. Just be patient. We’re almost there.”
As we hear His patient voice through the words of prophets long-ago, we remember again the reality of Christ’s first coming and know it is proof of the soon-coming second. And we will say and sing and let it resound aloud in our hearts this Advent season, “Okay, Daddy. We will wait. We’ll trust you all the way home.”
In God’s Vineyard,
________________
For the Family
An enthusiastic team of volunteers bustled around our beautiful facilities yesterday here at Mayfair Bible Church, decorating for Christmas in every which way. They can’t wait to see your smiles this Sunday as you soak in the sights and sounds of the season. I encourage you to grab a nice seat up front this Sunday, pray for the Word to work into our hearts, and look toward those around you who may need a word of encouragement, note of thanks, or act of service to experience the love of Christ through you.
You’ll find the blessing of giving always outweighs the blessing of receiving. Just as Jesus said, “It is far more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35b)
Walk in hope.
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God Does It!
Our natural tendency is to look toward results, reports, and bottom-lines with an air of self-achievement. Upon finishing a big project at work, wrapping up a great Sunday, or a executing a large event, we feel the pull to lean back and wait for the kudos.
“Look what we did…” we quietly surmise.
We find it all-too-easy to receive accolades and relish in our accomplishments when things go well.
What about when plans or programs go sour? When the “buildings, bodies, and bucks” don’t add up? Aha! In those moments, we quickly drop to our knees and cry out to God for direction, blessing, or a sense of relief.
But with increase or decrease, in want or in fullness, we are to move forward on our knees in total reliance on God. We dare not forget the God who brought us through the storm when we reach the peaceful, sunny shore.
God alone brings the increase. God alone accomplishes His work as we remain reliant, dependent, and submitted to Him.
The apostle Paul exhorts us under the inspiration of the Spirit:
“What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, even as the Lord gave opportunity to each one.” (1 Cor. 3:5)
Apollos was known as a “golden-tongued” orator-preacher of the gospel. He could capture the ears of hundreds…even thousands. Paul was the foremost theologian of his era, an expert church-planter, and a bold preacher of the Word. These guys were heavy-hitters in the line-up, you might say. But what does Paul make clear? They are only servants of God who entirely operated through the opportunities that the Lord alone provided. The apostle continues the logic:
“I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth. So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth.” (1 Cor. 3:7)
If the planter and the waterer are nothing, then that means God is the One who causes and cultivates EVERYTHING. God provides the opportunities, the calling, the equipment, and the power. The seed is God’s gospel. The water is God’s provision, the work of the Spirit. The servants are God’s redeemed children. The glory of the harvest belongs to God alone.
Listen carefully to the next line:
“Now he who plants and he who waters are one; but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor. For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.” (1 Cor. 3:8-9)
We’re united together. Eternal rewards will be given to each according to our obedience to Christ. But we’re not divided on the basis of gifting, skill, results, or reward because all of those are purely the outcome of God’s work. Three visual metaphors are combined in the last phrase: We belong to God’s team together as servant-leaders; ultimately, we’re all in God’s field and one in God’s house (cf. Eph. 2:11-22).
God does it!
So as elders and deacons of Mayfair Bible Church, let’s remember this is God’s church (not ours). We serve God’s people (not ours). The results of ministry-labors, whether up or down or in-between, are of God’s power and grace (not ours).
Let us…
Walk faithfully. Serve humbly. Pray fervently.
Soli Deo Gloria
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All the Power
Dear Mayfair Family,
Jesus has power — all the authority and power to command both the natural world and the forces of the spiritual realm. Notice that I did not say Jesus had power. The power of our living Savior is not past tense but fully active in the present. Jesus displayed His rule over weather patterns, sickness, disease, satanic forces, and even death itself during His three years of public ministry. The power and presence of the one, true Messiah is evidentially experienced by all who receive His gift of new, eternal life. Jesus isn’t the bellhop to do the bidding of believers at their command. But the reality of His power has not been diminished. His rule operates according to His will through His Body, the Church.
As the writer to the Hebrews declares, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8).
He, today, is more than powerful enough to order the affairs of humankind (Job 12:23; Psa. 22:8; 66:7; Prov. 21:1), hold all the planets in place like a symphony conductor (Col. 1:16-17), and produce radical transformation in anyone’s life (John 9:25; 1 Tim. 1:12-17). Every single day, Jesus is bringing men and women out of darkness and into His glorious light through the Gospel (1 Pet. 2:9-10).
This Sunday at 10:45 AM, we’re going to see in 3-D high-def color two “boat stories” from Mark 4:35-5:20 that prove yet again the shocking, life-altering power of Jesus the Christ. I can’t wait to dig into this text with you. Join with me in prayer that God’s Word works deeply into our lives by the Holy Spirit.
But there’s more…
As a living illustration of Jesus’ power to change hearts and lives, you’ll also have the opportunity to meet a very dear friend of mine, Pastor Devadas Mekala.
“Daddy” as he is affectionately called by hundreds, was born a Dalit – “the untouchable” caste of India’s poorest. He was an angry, abusive alcoholic until his mid-30s when He came to saving faith Christ through the witness of a colleague at the hospital where he worked as a pharmacist.
Daddy Mekala, his wife, and their sons now have cared for hundreds of orphans, helped plant over 50 churches, and initiated numerous other gospel ministries around Andhra Pradesh, India. He has been a mentor to me since I first met him in Flint in 2004 and subsequently traveled to India for my first ministry trip there in 2005-2006. You will not want to miss the opportunity to interact with this faithful man of God.
UPDATE: Here’s the video of Daddy Mekala’s story from Sunday
Our 9:15AM EQUIP Courses continue to grow. If you’ve not jumped into a course, feel free to check into one this weekend! Go to https://www.mayfairbible.
Ministry Leadership Update
Once again, we thank you for participating in our Annual Celebration luncheon and meeting last month. We appreciate the investment you make in the work of Christ as a local flock of believers. We praise God for your faithful prayers, enthusiastic service, and profound generosity. To follow-up on our business meeting recap (please let us know if you did not get that email and video), here are some additional points of information. We ask that you join us in prayer with each step we take together.
A. Why are we here? We exist to Belong. Thrive. Go.
Everything is about Jesus. We want to focus and hone everything we do around the simple mission Jesus gave His disciples.
3 Keys for Faithfully Moving Forward as Team Mayfair:
- PRAYERFUL. Complete Reliance on God. (read Matthew 9:38; Luke 10:2; Philippians 4:4-7; Ephesians 3:13-21)
- SIMPLE. Clarity on the Vision. (read Matthew 28:19-20; John 20:21; Acts 1:8)
- MISSIONAL. Collaborating together on the Mission. (read Philippians 1:27; Ephesians 4:1-6; Psalm 67)
Q: What’s the bottom-line calling of every Christ-follower? A: Make and multiply disciples.
This Sunday, you’ll be given 1-2 “Mayfair Gospel Vision” Prayer Cards. There are 15 assorted prayer requests; one per card. Please join with us in prayer to our loving, prayer-answering God.
B. Mortgage and ______________? In an effort to articulate the need to pay off the mortgage of the Worship Center addition, we may have overstated the case. Eliminating our mortgage will open up wide, exciting opportunities for us. We, as elders and deacons, have committed to fervently praying until the burden of debt is erased — Lord willing, by 2025! However, you also must know that we’re developing our plans to continue moving gospel ministry, outreach, and staffing forward while at the same time making serious headway on our mortgage. Paying down the mortgage will not, by God’s grace, hamstring the ministry.
C. Thrive Center: Who’s leading this and what are the plans? 
Matt Pearson is the leader of the Thrive Center remodeling team. He’d be happy to answer any questions you may have.
In addition to the details given in the printed Annual Report…
The Front Suite of Thrive Center is:
- An annex of Mayfair Bible Church
- A place for ministry events, gatherings, classes, and seminars of Mayfair
- A setting for community events, too. For example: job coaching, blood drives, birthdays, special-needs family events, teen events.
- A counter space (“coffee bar / sinks”) to be used 2 hours per week by FCOC for washing and packaging food products.
- A free laundromat (1-2 machine sets) guided by FCOC member churches and FCOC through coupons distributed to those deserving assistance.
All events and programs will be handled through a calendar curated by Mayfair and will follow our established guidelines for building use. Operations of the Thrive Center will be volunteer-staffed until God grows the ministry to the point of requiring paid staff. Our desire is that the hours of operation in the front suite mirror the typically open hours of FCOC.
The Middle Suite of the Thrive Center is:
- Home to the Flushing Christian Outreach Center
- Envisioned to be a Christian Counseling Center staffed with licensed professionals and certified lay-counselors. Other uses are in discussion.
The Drum Shop business will vacating by November 30th. Please pray that our site plan will be approved by Mt. Morris Twp. and that we will also receive tax-exempt status on the property for 2020.
Thank you so much for all you do in service to Christ and His people.
It is a joy to serve as your pastor!
