It Must Be a Sign!

A pastor friend used this line under his own photo of the gigantic Shack Country Inn sign.  We thought it was so funny that we borrowed it.

The Shack is 1 hour north of Grand Rapids Michigan on a small lake and 100 acres of hardwood forest.  In October the maple trees are in full splendor.

It is because of the maple sugar harvest each spring that the Shack got it's name.  Maple sap is boiled down to make the delicious maple syrup for our pancakes.  It takes about 50 gallons of sap to make one gallon of syrup.

SABBATICAL

Sabbath Rest.  When looking up information on this subject we found a website that may give pastors help on planning for their own sabbatical.  Press SABBATH to go there.  Every 7 years is the Biblical example for this type of restoration process.

For a MINI SABBATH REST check out Broom Tree Ministries.  This non structured type of retreat is as much for the pastors spouse as it is for the pastor.  We recommend that you go to one of the many places for a live giving retreat once a year in order to keep strong for the spiritual battle that rages around you!

The Prayer Cottage Lesson

Mark Gilmore and his four boys came to the prayer house for the day to prepare for the school year.

This is what Mark wrote:


I so much appreciated the opportunity the Prayer Shed afforded to have a quiet day with my four sons.  Our purpose was to pray and discuss each one's personal daily schedule as we approached a new school year.  The setting was perfect!  Thank you!

Smallest Prayer Cottage visitor

Chad and Amy Jacobson have used the Prayer Cottage for several years - before they were married - when they were first married and now are teaching their 6 month old daughter, Madeline how to have a prayer time.

(Actually Madeline just came as her parents traded duties of caring for her and using the Cottage.)

Parents who are home schooling their children have also used this spot to "....bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord." Eph 6:4  What a great idea!

If He can use us . . .

We were at an event where there were so many qualified people with lists of accomplishments that equipped them for what they were doing.  Our credentials sort of go like this . . close your eyes - what do you see - that is just like our credentials.  Rita:  Dental hygienist - mother - girl scout leader - secretary.  Dwayne:  High school biology teacher - father - salesman for a pharmaceutical company - real estate sales.

Somehow God saw fit to call us into this ministry and then began to teach us what that meant.  Basically, provide a place, pray and get out of the Holy Spirit's way.

We can do that.  The rest is His.

March 2010 Retreat

The March Retreat at the Shack Country Inn in Michigan enjoyed a burst of warm weather and wonderful time alone with God both outside and in.  Pastors came from the midwestern US and Canada to remind us all how sweet it is to be in a body of believers!  Harmony across denominations, countries and cultures because of Jesus!

SPRING!

Every April millions of tiny blue flowers erupt in the lawns, woodlands and along the streets painting everything a beautiful shade of blue.   Each small plant has only a few frail blooms but massed together they color the landscape.  Sorta like the church.
Happy Easter - we just had to share this!