Dear Friends,
I sang a duet with my daughter Jaci at a nephew’s wedding in Battle Creek, MI a few weekends ago. I’d never sung a praise song at a wedding before and wondered how it would work. It did work - and turned out to be quite the experience! Let me explain.
It is hard to practice together when you are separated by 2,000 miles so Jaci and I prepared individually and practiced together in the car as we made the hour drive from Grand Rapids to Battle Creek. The rehearsal was a bit rocky, but we put on a face of confidence and professionalism, despite our discomfort. How would this go??
We maintained our façade as we sat toward the front, feeling butterflies but excitement as well. The ceremony was beautiful and the pastor’s message was very effectively delivered. He talked of commitment in a marriage that would be stressed by peaks and valleys. The body language of many indicated that they understood good times and bad times. Then the bride and groom expressed their vows including the traditional phrase “For better or for worse….” Our song was to follow the exchanging of rings - but that is when things fell apart. The bride got antsy and started her vow without the pastor’s prompt, “With this ring...” The pastor, startled, replied, “With this ring…,” and both realized the mistake with a laugh. The bride took the ring from the pastor’s hand and promptly dropped it on the wood floor where it rolled, seemingly forever, down the steps and in a circle, while the best man followed and the bride giggled. As the audience politely laughed, Jaci and I looked at each other, then to the pianist, with the unvoiced question, “Are they done?” “Is it time to sing?”
The piano introduction answered the question. We’re on! We sang with surprised smiles. I started in solo, Jaci joined in harmony, then the other way around. We looked at each other as we sang, to stay on beat and in tune. Father, daughter, blending, eye contact, passion, and appropriate words! As we sang, everything fell into place and the words to that praise song made perfect sense, like the pastor’s message and the vows of “for better or for worse….”
Blessed Be Your Name In the land that is plentiful Where Your streams of abundance flow Blessed be Your name
Blessed Be Your name When I'm found in the desert place Though I walk through the wilderness Blessed Be Your name
Blessed be Your name When the sun's shining down on me When the world's 'all as it should be' Blessed be Your name
Blessed be Your name On the road marked with suffering Though there's pain in the offering Blessed be Your name
Every blessing You pour out I'll turn back to praise When the darkness closes in, Lord Still I will say Blessed be the name of the Lord Blessed be Your name Blessed be the name of the Lord Blessed be Your glorious name
You give and take away You give and take away My heart will choose to say Lord, blessed be Your name
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Friday, October 23, 2009
Parents Weekend
Dear Friends,
Some of you may have noticed that I was gone last Friday through Monday. Pat and I scheduled a whirlwind visit to Western Michigan. We had three goals: visit Ryan and Emily at Calvin College for “Parents Weekend,” sing with daughter Jaci at a nephew’s wedding, and visit Pat’s Dad who recently moved into an assisted care facility in Kalamazoo. Missions Accomplished!
Emily is a freshman at Calvin, living in a dorm called Huizenga Hall (no relation, just weird coincidence). We visited a Religion class and learned about Old Testament sacrifice (Yuk!). The highlight was sitting in on her Honors Biology class, watching her phage research, and meeting her fellow students. She’s playing on the Lacrosse team!
Ryan is a junior and Secondary Education Major. We visited his education class with a professor that (get ready!) taught ME when I was at Calvin in the late ‘70’s. Ryan is doing well and will make a great teacher some day, according to his professor. “Like father, like son…” We watched a Capella rehearsal, the premier choral group at Calvin, and heard some fantastic music.
Calvin is impressive and Emily and Ryan seem to thrive there. But the most fun we had was a barbecue with our family and Ryan’s house mates - and a few other students who smelled the food and happened to wander in. It was an energetic and joyful event. I can’t remember laughing so hard! It is a tremendous blessing for Pat and me to know that our children have good friends.
The family attended the wedding of my nephew. Jaci and I sang the familiar praise song “Blessed Be Your Name.” I wondered how this would “play” in a wedding…. but it fit beautifully and I am happy to say we pulled it off! The reception was at Gull Lake Country Club where the lake shimmered in the moonlight with fall colors as a backdrop. Beautiful.
We picked up Pat’s Dad form Park Village Pines and brought him to church on Sunday. He is surrounded by family and friends. His short term memory loss has robbed him of his independence but not his integrity. He is a special man. We cried when we left him.
So many have asked, “Where were you last weekend?” and/or “How did it go?” Well, now you know! Thanks for asking. You are my friends. We are connected by being part of the Contra Costa Christian family. I am home again!
Some of you may have noticed that I was gone last Friday through Monday. Pat and I scheduled a whirlwind visit to Western Michigan. We had three goals: visit Ryan and Emily at Calvin College for “Parents Weekend,” sing with daughter Jaci at a nephew’s wedding, and visit Pat’s Dad who recently moved into an assisted care facility in Kalamazoo. Missions Accomplished!
Emily is a freshman at Calvin, living in a dorm called Huizenga Hall (no relation, just weird coincidence). We visited a Religion class and learned about Old Testament sacrifice (Yuk!). The highlight was sitting in on her Honors Biology class, watching her phage research, and meeting her fellow students. She’s playing on the Lacrosse team!
Ryan is a junior and Secondary Education Major. We visited his education class with a professor that (get ready!) taught ME when I was at Calvin in the late ‘70’s. Ryan is doing well and will make a great teacher some day, according to his professor. “Like father, like son…” We watched a Capella rehearsal, the premier choral group at Calvin, and heard some fantastic music.
Calvin is impressive and Emily and Ryan seem to thrive there. But the most fun we had was a barbecue with our family and Ryan’s house mates - and a few other students who smelled the food and happened to wander in. It was an energetic and joyful event. I can’t remember laughing so hard! It is a tremendous blessing for Pat and me to know that our children have good friends.
The family attended the wedding of my nephew. Jaci and I sang the familiar praise song “Blessed Be Your Name.” I wondered how this would “play” in a wedding…. but it fit beautifully and I am happy to say we pulled it off! The reception was at Gull Lake Country Club where the lake shimmered in the moonlight with fall colors as a backdrop. Beautiful.
We picked up Pat’s Dad form Park Village Pines and brought him to church on Sunday. He is surrounded by family and friends. His short term memory loss has robbed him of his independence but not his integrity. He is a special man. We cried when we left him.
So many have asked, “Where were you last weekend?” and/or “How did it go?” Well, now you know! Thanks for asking. You are my friends. We are connected by being part of the Contra Costa Christian family. I am home again!
Friday, October 9, 2009
God's Work
Dear Friends,
Many of you know that I come from a large family. Of the four boys, two became pastors, one an engineer, and the other an educator. All of us had to wrestle with a question, “Am I a Christian teacher (pastor, engineer) or a teacher who is Christian?”
Music was a big part of our lives. Two brothers are song writers; all of us are singers. We all had to ask the question, “Am I a Christian singer (song writer, performer, producer, etc.) or am I a singer who is Christian?” What is the difference, you ask? From my perspective, a Christian singer sings Christian songs to largely Christian audiences – like George Beverly Shea or Steven Curtis Chapman. A singer who is Christian probes different genres and performs for a diverse audience. I recently saw a PBS special about the gospel influence in Elvis Presley’s career. Was he a Christian?
I think the brothers all decided that we fell in the “singer who is a Christian” category. Our resumes include choral music, gospel, barbershop, country western, and rock and roll. It’s not always easy, however. My older brother went through a phase when he changed the lyrics on some of his best love songs to Christian themes. A song about a couple faced with divorce became The Lord’s Prayer. I protested. Why? Because, I think his love songs deal with realities faced by everyone, but they always acknowledge that God is bigger than any “cheatin’ heart” or “D-I-V-O-R-C-E.”
Not everyone will become a pastor, missionary, or Christian School teacher, but every Christian will do God’s work wherever he is, whatever she does. It is my dream that a CCCS alum will one day write and perform a #1 hit in which the lyrics are consistent with our Christian world view, or write a best seller love story that promotes God’s way, or creates a multi-million corporation that is known for ethical business practices. The dream is already happening. At CCCS, we partner with parents to prepare students to be Builders of God’s Kingdom, wherever they go, whatever they do. Thousands of CCCS graduates are in a variety of professions, across the world, doing their work in a way that honors God. And yes, a few are pastors and Christian school teachers, too!
B.J. Huizenga
Many of you know that I come from a large family. Of the four boys, two became pastors, one an engineer, and the other an educator. All of us had to wrestle with a question, “Am I a Christian teacher (pastor, engineer) or a teacher who is Christian?”
Music was a big part of our lives. Two brothers are song writers; all of us are singers. We all had to ask the question, “Am I a Christian singer (song writer, performer, producer, etc.) or am I a singer who is Christian?” What is the difference, you ask? From my perspective, a Christian singer sings Christian songs to largely Christian audiences – like George Beverly Shea or Steven Curtis Chapman. A singer who is Christian probes different genres and performs for a diverse audience. I recently saw a PBS special about the gospel influence in Elvis Presley’s career. Was he a Christian?
I think the brothers all decided that we fell in the “singer who is a Christian” category. Our resumes include choral music, gospel, barbershop, country western, and rock and roll. It’s not always easy, however. My older brother went through a phase when he changed the lyrics on some of his best love songs to Christian themes. A song about a couple faced with divorce became The Lord’s Prayer. I protested. Why? Because, I think his love songs deal with realities faced by everyone, but they always acknowledge that God is bigger than any “cheatin’ heart” or “D-I-V-O-R-C-E.”
Not everyone will become a pastor, missionary, or Christian School teacher, but every Christian will do God’s work wherever he is, whatever she does. It is my dream that a CCCS alum will one day write and perform a #1 hit in which the lyrics are consistent with our Christian world view, or write a best seller love story that promotes God’s way, or creates a multi-million corporation that is known for ethical business practices. The dream is already happening. At CCCS, we partner with parents to prepare students to be Builders of God’s Kingdom, wherever they go, whatever they do. Thousands of CCCS graduates are in a variety of professions, across the world, doing their work in a way that honors God. And yes, a few are pastors and Christian school teachers, too!
B.J. Huizenga
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Welcome Home
Dear Friends,
Two months ago, Bert (my wife’s dad) moved to Park Village Pines. His short –term memory is severely limited and it is not safe for him to live alone in his house anymore. His house. The one he built with his own hands along with his father after World War II for his new bride, Grace; the house where he raised four children, put them through Christian school and college; the house that he shared with Grace for 20 years after retirement until she died from cancer. He remembers his house in detail but not the name of his new home, Park Village Pines. “Is this a hotel? Who’s taking care of the house? Is my car in the garage?” “No, Dad, this is your home now.” Bert, a special man after God’s own heart is trying to make the best of things.
This past week, my mom, Tena moved to Quail Park. She shared in the decision to move since the neurologist told her that her brain is shrinking. This talented woman, this matriarch, this composer and musician, this woman of faith can’t drive anymore because she gets lost. She forgets that she put a pot to boil on the stove. She takes her once-a-day medication three times. She knows this and wants to find a place to call home that will provide safety, dignity and quality of life. But she must leave her house, her piano, her keepsakes, the bed she shared with Bart for almost 50 years, the avocado tree. She is giving up her independence.
Where is our home? Father Bert and Mother Tena would tell you that there is a mansion prepared for us. They see the door. They yearn to hear Jesus say, “Welcome home!”
B.J. Huizenga
Two months ago, Bert (my wife’s dad) moved to Park Village Pines. His short –term memory is severely limited and it is not safe for him to live alone in his house anymore. His house. The one he built with his own hands along with his father after World War II for his new bride, Grace; the house where he raised four children, put them through Christian school and college; the house that he shared with Grace for 20 years after retirement until she died from cancer. He remembers his house in detail but not the name of his new home, Park Village Pines. “Is this a hotel? Who’s taking care of the house? Is my car in the garage?” “No, Dad, this is your home now.” Bert, a special man after God’s own heart is trying to make the best of things.
This past week, my mom, Tena moved to Quail Park. She shared in the decision to move since the neurologist told her that her brain is shrinking. This talented woman, this matriarch, this composer and musician, this woman of faith can’t drive anymore because she gets lost. She forgets that she put a pot to boil on the stove. She takes her once-a-day medication three times. She knows this and wants to find a place to call home that will provide safety, dignity and quality of life. But she must leave her house, her piano, her keepsakes, the bed she shared with Bart for almost 50 years, the avocado tree. She is giving up her independence.
Where is our home? Father Bert and Mother Tena would tell you that there is a mansion prepared for us. They see the door. They yearn to hear Jesus say, “Welcome home!”
B.J. Huizenga
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