Living Nativity

December 6, 2010 — Craig T. Owens

I’m so proud of our team for putting on an incredible Living Nativity in Cedar Springs this past weekend!

It was a rush job to begin with (see a previous post where I talked about God moments by clicking here), but then so many people stepped up big time!

You can see all of the pictures Delbridge Langdon Jr took by clicking here.

I want to give some shout-outs to our cast:

  • The Three Wise Men (or “The Three Wise Jeffs,” as we called them): Jeff Tolar Sr, Jeff Armstrong and Jeff Tolar Jr.
  • Mary and Joseph: Judy Anderson and Josh Schram.
  • Our angels: Harrison Owens, Samantha Owens and Brandon Owens (yes, they are angelic children!).
  • And our shepherdesses: Cindy Karafa and her 4H girls.

I also want to recognize Joe Palmer for his incredible set design, and Claudia Owens (my favorite Mom) for making all of our costumes.

And finally, thanks to the Calvary A/G family for praying for us and talking it up, and thanks to Chris Burns, the Cedar Springs City Manager, for inviting us to present the Living Nativity.

It was a great night, and I hope we can do this again and again for many more years.

Merry CHRISTmas!

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God Moments

November 15, 2010 — Craig T. Owens

Last week I was at the B2B (Business-to-Business) meeting in Cedar Springs. We were talking about events that bring people into the downtown area, like the Spook-tacular, at which we did our Light The Night carnival. The next item on the agenda was the upcoming Mingle With Kris Kringle event.

Out of the blue I was asked, “Hey, do you think you could setup a nativity scene?”

I wanted to say yes, but I was mulling over my response for a second. Someone else offered, “Yeah, just grab a couple of sheep and you’re good to go!”

<POW!> The proverbial light bulb went off, and I immediately said, “Yes! We’d be happy to do that!”

Right away I began texting a bunch of people in our church:

  • Can you sew some Middle Eastern first century costumes?
  • Can you build a manger?
  • Do you know where we can find some live animals?
  • How would you feel about playing an angel?
  • Have you ever considered playing the role of Joseph?

In a matter of just a few moments I got back a whole lot of Yeses. We’re under the gun to get everything done (we have to present this on December 3), but we’re going to make it happen.

Just imagine if I hadn’t been at that meeting … or if I hadn’t got so many yeses … or if I hadn’t wanted to take the risk … none of this may have happened.

I truly believe my steps are ordered by God. He places me in the right place at the right moment. So those moments are God moments where I get to say a wholehearted “Yes!”

When was your last God moment? How did you respond?

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No Bad Candy

October 30, 2010 — Craig T. Owens

Tomorrow night we will be shining the light of Jesus as we Light The Night in downtown Cedar Springs. If you’re available to help, c’mon down and join us.

The city of Cedar Springs has an annual Spooktacular event. We want to be a part of our community, but we also want to focus on the brighter side of things (I blogged about this earlier here).

So we have taken on the expense to bring in a HUGE inflatable slide … we’ve designed and built some fun carnival games … we’ll be giving away prizes at those games … we will have cider and donuts for the parents … fresh popcorn for everyone … and a big bag of candy for every kid … did I mention it’s a BIG bad of candy!

And it’s good candy too! Not any of that “bad candy” that Tim Hawkins rails on…

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Harmony Of Unity

August 5, 2010 — Craig T. Owens

One of the great joys for me living in Cedar Springs has been my involvement in the Cedar Springs Ministerial Association. It is so cool to get together with pastors from backgrounds so different from mine—Christian Reformed, Wesleyan, non-denominational, Methodist, and others—and have such unity.

It reminds me of what King David wrote:

How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!

That word unity (or some translations say harmony) means everyone getting together at the same place, at the same time, and for the same purpose. Sort of like a choir that shows up to sing. Some may sing alto, some bass, some soprano, and some tenor. They may not sing all the same notes, but the notes they do sing brings out a full harmonious sound. So much better than everyone singing the exact same notes!

Our Association is planning a community-wide worship service on August 29 in Morely Park. And, appropriately enough, we’re calling this worship service UNITY. Calvary Assembly of God is relocating our service that morning to the park to be a part of the beautiful harmony.

I wouldn’t miss it! Because in this harmony of unity is where David says God’s blessing is:

Harmony is as refreshing as the dew from Mount Hermon that falls on the mountains of Zion. And there the Lord has pronounced His blessing, even life everlasting.

If you are in the Cedar Springs area on August 29, come and join us.

Pastors, if you live in another community, I would encourage you to begin to harmonize with the other God-loving, Christ-following churches in your city. That’s where God blesses!

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Precious Life

January 24, 2010 — Craig T. Owens

Today is Sanctity Of Human Life Sunday. It’s the day we take time to remember this awesome truth:

For You created my inmost being;
You knit me together in my mother’s womb.

I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.

My frame was not hidden from You
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,

Your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in Your book
before one of them came to be.

Life is precious… all life. Today I’m challenging Calvary Assembly of God to help support the Alpha Family Center in Cedar Springs, MI. This is a wonderful organization:

  • Gives free pregnancy tests.
  • Helps young people cope with the anxiety of an unexpected pregnancy.
  • Provides resources to young parents.
  • Offers counseling to those who have experienced sexual abuse or a miscarriage.
  • Supports women who have undergone an abortion.

Celebrate precious life whenever and however you can. Life is so very precious!

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New Chapter

July 20, 2009 — Craig T. Owens

When I was a kid I used to love to read Hardy Boys books. Sometimes I’d pick one up first thing in the morning, and have it read before I went to sleep that night. Many times I would say to myself, “Okay, I’m only going to read this one more chapter, then I’m taking a break.” But every chapter ended so thrillingly that I just had to continue reading the next chapter.

Life is a lot like that. One chapter finishes, but there is no break—no pause—it’s just right on to the next chapter. When Jesus said that He wanted us to have abundant life, that means that each chapter is better than the last.

Last night Betsy and I turned a new chapter in our lives. I am excited to be the new pastor of Calvary Assembly of God in Cedar Springs, Michigan! This congregation is something special: they are totally in love with Jesus and it’s obvious that they want others to know about this same relationship. I am so thrilled to be able to partner with them in changing the world.

But as with all new chapters, there is something bittersweet about leaving the old chapter. So many friends that we have made on the east side of the state, so many memories, so many testimonies of what God has done. It’s a little sad to leave some of those things behind.

But now, it’s upward and onward. On to the next chapter in which the excitement and passion and adventure will be even greater!

Will you please pray with us. We have some pressing needs to take care of in the next 6-8 weeks, and we would love you to join with us in prayer—

  • We need to sell our house right away so we can move to West Michigan.
  • We want to find a home in Cedar Springs and get our kids registered for school.
  • Betsy is looking for a teaching job near Cedar Springs.

Thanks for your prayers. We sure do need them as we continue this adventure God has for us by turning to the new chapter in our lives.

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