Teamwork

Bishop James Holland
Area Presbyter of Central/Eastern MI

Confused

The season for confusion has arrived - times when a person asks themselves questions that are deeply rooted in bewilderment. Would Billy enjoy this toy? Will my wife like this color? Am I spending too much on this one item? Our children are just as confused when their little minds become mixed up and jumbled concerning the merchandising and the character in the red suit. We get the questions that must be answered – “How many Santa's are there? How can reindeer fly?” The big point of confusion could be when the Toy's-R-Us catalog comes and they choose the items they like and show them to grandma, dad, and mom and express how much they would like to have the selection. How does Santa get the right items at the right address and under the Christmas tree at their house?

Children’s Church Directors and parents spend eleven months on instruction, prayer, and activities focused on the real reason for the season. Then baby Jesus, on the bed of straw, becomes yet another point of confusion for children at Christmas time. Who is more important, the fellow with the white beard, or the baby born in the stable? There is no doubt that our children love Jesus, however, if asked do you want to read a Bible story and have a devotion or look at the Toy's-R-Us catalog… well, I think you get the idea.

Let us keep Christ in Christmas by filling the days before the celebration of His birthday with explanations. Let’s tell them that there is a difference between the fantasy of Santa and the realism of Jesus Christ. I challenge parents to explain to their children that the gifts are from mom and dad while sharing that God has provided the gift of Christ because He loved us so much.
This article is not humbug or anti-Christmas. It is a clear call for Jesus Christ to be the reason for the season.

Matthew 1:23
Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

Just Over in the Glory Land

Bishop James Holland
Area Presbyter of Central/Eastern MI

The past few months has renewed my love for this old hymn of the church – “Just over in the glory land, I’ll join the happy angel band…”  I boost the chorus of this song, which many of us with clear voices have sung and rejoiced.  However, it was a good friend that has renewed my love for this hymn.

His life’s work was telling others that “he had a home prepared where the saints abide…”  He would share with the members of his churches “how he longed to be by his Savior’s side… there to sing God’s praise and His glory share.”  Oh, how he loved to sing!  Many times after worship service was over and it was his time to preach, he would brake into song and lead the church in worship and singing again.  You would see the bright smile come to his face, when he would share the thought, “What a joyful thought that my Lord I’ll see, and with kindred saved, there forever be, just over in the glory land.”  This blessed Pastor, described by many as the best Pastor they ever had, loved his people and, in turn, his people loved him.  This wonderful man of God moved to that home prepared and “with the blood washed throng he is shouting and singing, glad Hosannas to Christ the Lord and King, just over in the glory land.”

This outstanding man of God was James D. Trump Sr. - Pastor, husband, father, and wonderful friend and hero of the faith.  He will be deeply missed by all whom he has touched in his lifetime.  If you listen, you can almost hear his voice singing, “O who will come and go with me? I am bound for the promised land.”

Words to I am bound for the Promised Land - Samuel Stennett
Words to Just over in the glory land – James W. Acuff

Accepting Full Responsibility

Bishop James Holland
Area Presbyter of Central/Eastern MI

The New Testament clearly points out that the Church is charged to keep and guard the faith against those who would seek to destroy or change certain teachings to their own advantage.  In addition to guarding the faith and keeping the doctrine pure as it was received by the apostles from Jesus, the Church is also responsible to preach the gospel.

When Jesus established His Church, He gave it the necessary power and authority to carry out the responsibilities and purposes that were to be accomplished by the Church. The doctrine is not to be kept hidden as a priceless treasure, but it is to be made known to all men.  Former General Overseer, M.A. Tomlinson stated, “One of the responsibilities of the Church is to keep and guard the faith.  It is the duty of the Church to keep the doctrine pure and to defend it against those who seek to change or destroy the beautiful teachings of Jesus.”* 

The Great Commission to preach the gospel was given to the Church: “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world” (Matthew 28:19, 20).  On one occasion, Paul wrote to Timothy and instructed him to remain in Ephesus “that thou mightest change some that they teach no other doctrine, neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than Godly edifying which is in faith” (1 Timothy 1:3, 4).

These passages emphasize the responsibility of the Church to preach the full gospel to all nations.  No other group has ever received this commission.  We hear a great deal about “full gospel” movements.  When this term is applied to an organization, it usually means that the group teaches heart-felt religion and places emphasis upon the baptism with the Holy Ghost.  The full gospel includes more than the plan of Salvation.  It is “all things whatsoever I have commanded you.”  The Church offers no criticism to those who are preaching Salvation, but even after souls have been born again, they still must hear the message of the Church.  We will accept the responsibility to be the Church that will teach all nations all things.

* M.A. Tomlinson, The Glorious Church of God - White Wing Publishing House, Copyrighted 1968

Have a Nice Day!

Bishop James Holland
Area Presbyter of Central/Eastern MI

Our days are identical suitcases, but some people can pack more into them than others. 

Be very careful, then, how you live not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity… Ephesians 5:15, 16 (NIV)

Many times after finishing a transaction in a store the clerk will say, “Have a nice day!”  This is being used so much that one might ask themselves, “Am I having a nice day?”  The quality of your day depends on your attitude and how full you're packing each moment you’re given.

Take advantage of the opportunities that God provides each day.   I heard someone say, “You would be surprised how much you can get done when you must get it done.”  I encourage you to not put things off until the last minute.  Being a wise steward of our time should be a personal mandate.  Good leaders make plans and arrangements well in advance appointing team members that are focused and have a clear vision of the task.  Leaders have meetings, make and return telephone calls, as well as seek the Lord in prayer for other team members and the success of their project.  The greatest possession you have is the 24-hours directly in front of you.  When we put God first and keep Him at the top of the planning order he will assist us.

For there is a time for every purpose and for every work.  Ecclesiastes 3: 17b

Abiding in the Unity

Bishop James Holland
Area Presbyter of Central/Eastern MI

Abiding in the Unity

Participating in the oneness of Christian fellowship, while enjoying the individuality that God has provided us within the Michiana Region, is indeed a wonderful blessing.  When the day of Pentecost was fully come, it is explained to us that after ten days of seeking, all were in agreement when the Holy Ghost filled all that were in that upper room.  The news of this was heard in Jerusalem and a multitude came together and were confused at what had taken place.  This multitude was from some fifteen different countries.  They were all amazed because, though they only saw Galilean people, they all heard the languages of their homelands.  Peter offered the anointed message filled with information and explained to them what God was doing.  In reply, they asked, “What shall we do?”

There comes a time when we know that we must do something.  Each of us know when something is missing; we can feel the absence of that item.  The long winter days and the absence of the sun is the reason we experience the winter blues and desire the warmth of spring days.  Let us be careful not to become spiritually cold by leaving the Son out of our relationships with one another as we participate in all of the wonderful fellowship and the personal contact that comes with unity, .  The instruction of the word of God encourages us to praise the Lord -

But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.  (Psalm 22:3)

Draw nigh to God and he will draw nigh to you. (James 4:8a)

Doing these things will keep away the spiritual blues and increase our spiritual fellowship as God enhances our individual fellowship, encourages our oneness and engulfs us in the unity of the saints.  We can be active in praise and be comfortable in personal fellowship as we abide in unity.

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” 

Luke 2:14

The spirit of the Christmas season provides the world a reason for harmony.  I once heard a story about the Christmas season of World War I on the east front when men faced each other across a field they called ‘no-man’s land’.  Both sides desired the war to be over and wished to be home with family and friends.  Neither side was willing to fight on Christmas day.  Soldiers on both sides of the battle shouted across to enemy lines telling the other side what they wished to do for Christmas.  They shared what they would traditionally eat and drink.  Many had packages sent from home and offers to trade items turned into a Christmas truce.  Men gathered in no-man’s land on a cold, wet, December day to enjoy Christmas without war.  Soldiers met their enemies and learned each other’s names.  They ate each other’s cookies and candy from home.  They showed family pictures and exchanged the season’s best greetings.  But at the stroke of midnight, both sides returned to their trenches and the truce was over. 

Christmas provides an opportunity and reason for people to speak to each other; to be understanding, and kind.  This year let us share the peace of Christ and the unity of the brotherhood with those that don’t enjoy the good news of God’s everlasting love for them.  Let us share the peace and mercy that will carry them from despair and depression to liberty and joy found with the Lord’s unspeakable gift.  Let the unity of the saints display an invitation to unhappy men and women to join with us in a time of rejoicing and fellowship.  Oh come let us adore Him together.