The Crossing - Church on the Rez, Hannahville Community Center, Wilson, MI (2026)

05/08/2023

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04/05/2021

HFTW April 5, 2021 ‘Working Out’ Pastor Susan Cousineau
I received a gift of an Elliptical machine for Christmas. Also called an ‘Elliptical Trainer’, it is a stationary exercise machine with lower impact on my joints. I have it in my bedroom, so I now own or possess this gift.
But then, using it…that can be another story.
We know we are saved by grace- receiving Jesus into our lives, a believing faith. So, have you ever wondered what this scripture means?
Philippians 2:12-13 NKJV “…work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.”
NLV “ Work hard to show the results of your salvation.”
Paul is not talking about the status of our salvation, which is a freely given gift. Or something we ‘own’. But how we ‘exercise’ it.
Unfortunately, our flesh does not receive salvation. We have a life-long battle to subdue and starve it, always ‘working out’ to build up our spirit man. Learning obedience requires humility and trust. We are a divine work in progress, as every part of us is in the state of being saved.
We are working out our consciences to discern and our minds to think about the positive truths of God’s word.
Letting go of control of our own life and letting God be the highest authority requires surrender and strengthening of our faith in a faithful God.
We must not let the deceptions of the Enemy, discouragements, discomfort, and difficulties get us to quit working out. God gives us staying power.
Through the exerting forces of God’s love, we grow in our enthusiasms, affections, choices, and in our physical bodies every day.

Unlike me on my ‘trainer’, we do not have to grit our teeth and determine to finish what God has started. Fortunately, He gives us the power to ‘work it out’.
Philippians 2:13 (Ampl) “For it is [not your strength, but it is] God who is effectively at work in you, both to will and to work [that is, strengthening, energizing, and creating in you the longing and the ability to fulfill your purpose] for His good pleasure.”
God wants us to be fulfilled, and loving what we are created for, exceedingly MORE than we do!
Matthew 24:13 “The one who endures to the end, he will be saved” Message translation: “Staying with it—that’s what God requires. Stay with it to the end. You won’t be sorry, and you’ll be saved.”
As for me and my elliptical, until I attain stronger muscles! We got this.

03/15/2021

Hope for The Week March 15, 2021 ‘Why Do You Seek the Living Among the Dead?
In Luke’s Easter story, Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary, the mother of James, were on their way to anoint Jesus’ body for burial after He had been crucified. They were not seeking the living they were seeking a co**se. They went to His tomb. They were shocked when the stone had been rolled away, the grave was empty, and two angels appeared to them. The angels asked an especially important question; one asked of us today: “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He isn’t here but is risen.” (Luke 24:5-9)
Life feels so unfulfilling at times, doesn’t it? We try to have relationships, entertainment, recreation, and material possessions satisfy our need for happiness, but often come up empty.
Quote by the Rev. Sidney C. Partridge of the American Church Mission, Shanghai,1887.
‘How many there are on this Asiatic coast who, like the unwary bird, are caught in the snare of some materialistic or agnostic philosophy—something that has just enough brazen assurance, cool intellectual conceit, and mystifying terminology in its sheep's clothing to conceal the wolf that is within. Hollow specters are they from the groves and academies of the ancient world, dragged out after their centuries of sleep like mummies from their tombs; galvanized with wit, satire, and often cheap profanity, wrapped in the flimsy garments of a quasi-scientific phraseology which the popular eye and ear mistakes for brains, but which the Christian student knows to be indicative of superficiality, these forlorn and pitiable objects are the substitutes which a boasted nineteenth century infidelity offers for faith in the living God!’ Wow!
We must find our risen Lord because our spirit, the true us, must be nourished. Where should we look? 1. Seek Jesus Himself. Not a doctrine, theology, or a song. He longs to be an intimate Friend. Your life can be full even when the world seems empty. 2. Seek Jesus among His people. We are individuals comprising one body of believers, our connectedness is absolutely necessary for life. 3. Seek Jesus among the needy. At my job, Smiles on Wheels, a school dental program, kids, by just being kids, bring vitality and unconditional love. Our daughter, Jill, went on a Youth with a Mission (YWAM) trip to Jamaica. She wanted a return visit, so we traveled together. I was humbled by their incredible poverty of material possessions, but their abundance of joy and love for each other. 4. Seek the risen Lord in nature. Romans 1:20 NLT “For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So, they have no excuse for not knowing God.”
Our earth is incredibly magnificent in beauty. For me, beauty brings peace and faith from its intricate design.
And finally, but not exclusively, seek Jesus wherever you happen to be, and where you least expect Him. Live in hopeful anticipation of what He has planned for you.
There are many areas to look for sufficiency. Jesus is the only One who states, “I have come to give you life and life abundantly.” John 10:10
With that offer, why would anyone seek the living among the dead?

03/08/2021

Hope for The Week #-8-21 ‘Cheering You On!’
Pastor Susan Cousineau
I have watched the Food Network program with renowned celebrity chef, Bobby Flay, who battles unacclaimed chefs hoping their best cuisine will win. These unknowns show their culinary skills surrounded by an audience on a balcony cheering them on.
The book of Hebrews was written to Christians who had experienced severe persecution for their faith, many of whom were currently suffering, with the anticipation of brutal oppression in their future.
Hebrew 12:1 NKJV “Therefore, we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us…”
Passion Translation: “As for us, we have all of these great witnesses who encircle us like clouds. So, we must let go of every wound that has pierced us and the sin we so easily fall into. Then we will be able to run life’s marathon race with passion and determination, for the path has been already marked out before us.”
A witness is someone who knows from personal observation or experience what has transpired.
Isn’t it incredible to know we are not as alone as we thought?
Who are these heavenly spectators? A countless group of champions and unsung heroes who lived by faith in the particular time and place that God planted them. People from throughout history comprised of every life experience imaginable: misunderstood, murdered, martyred, marginalized, miscarried, mentally ill, malady and mess. All gathered together in eternity, watching us, who are still on our earthly journey, encouraging us to never quit.
Our lives are different because of Jesus. God, and all of heaven, is intimately involved in our every step and misstep, reminding us that Salvation is not a competition of winners or losers, but finishers.
Life is difficult and challenging. We must remind ourselves this is a journey, and no matter what good or bad looms in our future, God has not left us alone. We cannot succumb to our life’s circumstances. We have the Holy Spirit, our Helper, power Source and Guide, who will never leave us. We have a great crowd of spectators up in the balcony rooting for us to persevere.
Galatians 6:9 The Voice 9 “May we never tire of doing what is good and right before our Lord because in His season we shall bring in a great harvest if we can just persist.”

Your life in this historic time is no accident. Remind yourself you have more fans rooting for you than Bobby Flay.

03/01/2021

Hope for The Week March 1, 2021 ‘Happy Camper’
Pastor Susan Cousineau
Camping in Northern Michigan….so beautiful and peaceful. ‘Tenting’ for short stays was best for us with lots of children and no facilities. Battling mosquitos, rain, lightning, and leaks, made it easier to fold it all up and end our stay.
The Israelites had to travel through the desert wilderness, dwelling in tents, to get to the Promised Land. They were unhappy campers.
When Paul was teaching the church in Corinth, he compared a tent to the brevity of life. 2 Corinthians 5:1 “For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down (that is, when we die and leave this earthly body), we will have a house in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands.”
While on earth, you dwell in a physical body (your tent), but you are a spirit, (the REAL you), and you possess a soul (mind, will, emotions).
Everything in this world is temporary. We ‘tent’ through this journey of life, on our way to our permanent destination, heaven. The frailty of all aspects of life reminds us we are just traveling through.
Our battles in life are greater than mosquitos and mud, or desert barrenness. I am well aware we go and live through many trials, pain, and difficulties. Let’s encourage ourselves and others that this life is not a destination. We are just camping.
Jesus said to His disciples, "Let not your heart be troubled: you believe in God, believe also in Me. For in My Father's house there are many mansions. And I'm going to prepare one for you" (John 14:1,2)
Our tents are temporary. Our mansion is forever!
We cannot be absorbed in our circumstances, even if we feel we are following God through the wilderness. Keeping our eyes and hearts focused on our final destination, our eternal, heavenly home, allows us to enjoy the journey in spite of lumpy ground, and wet sleeping bags. That will help us be happy campers.

02/24/2021

Hope for The Week 2-22-21 ‘Bookkeeping Theology’ Pastor Susan Cousineau
Most of us are bookkeepers. In accounting? No. (Definitely not me!) With our life’s mistakes. In our minds and hearts, we keep a ledger of all our life-errors. On one side, we list all our shortcomings and failures. Every single one. Opportunities missed. Events blundered. Sins committed. On the other side, we put all our good deeds. Usually, because we are self-critical, the ‘faults’ side is much longer.
Many people, Christians included view God with an enormous heavenly book, where each of our sins is entered in the debit column, as He watches our daily struggles. Yikes! Who wants to get to know or serve a God like that? For one thing, God, being Omniscient, does not need a book to keep in mind our accounts.
Hear what God says about that: “I, even I, am He Who blots out and cancels your transgressions, for My own sake, and I will not remember your sins.” Isaiah 43:25 (Ampl)
Blot defined: To render invisible or unreadable; obliterate.
Ancient documents were written on parchments made from the skins of clean (kosher) animals. All quills from bird feathers and the composition of ink had strict specifications, taking a lengthy, extensive time to prepare. Manuscripts were painstakingly handwritten, and parchment was at a premium. The ink did not contain acid like modern inks, so when the scribe made a mistake, it quickly could be blotted and wiped away as if never existed.
God does not balance our life-events book: one side has the wrongs, and the other side has the rights, and He decides which list is longer, determining our outcome. No. He erases the entire list!
Colossians 2:13-14 “You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for He forgave all our sins. 14 He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross.” The KJV, 14 “Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to His cross.”
God forgave, blotted out, canceled, and destroyed the records containing all legal charges against us. Because of Jesus’ substitutionary atonement, our name is in His Book of Life forever.
We must understand and receive this profound truth so the Enemy or our unrenewed minds do not hound us with old sins that God has completely blotted out!
I Corinthians 13:5b “Love does not count up [keep a record of] wrongs that have been done.”
If God has done this for us, I think it is time to audit our books and wipe out the lists we have written against others as well. Clean page. Blank slate.
This is the Gospel message. If we understand the amazing mercy and lovingkindness of God, we will desire to know Him and enjoy His Presence in our lives. And love others well.

02/08/2021

Hope for The Week February 8, 2021 ‘A Tale of Two Churches’
Did you know there are only two categories of churches? What? With at least 33,000 various denominations, how could I rank them into only two?
The Old Testament ark, an ornate box built to hold the Ten Commandments, represented the localized Presence of God. It first was placed in the tabernacle of Moses. One time a year, one man, the High Priest, after much ritualistic cleansing, allowed him to go through a thick veil into the Holy of Holies, where God’s Presence dwelled.
The ark was stolen by Israel’s enemies, I Samuel 4:10-11, and kept seven months, until disasters sent by God, forced them to send it back. David, then the king of Israel, spent three months seeking the Lord as to how and where to transport the ark of God’s Presence back to Israel.
One tabernacle, (the tabernacle of Moses), was based on Mosaic law, a system of works using animal sacrifices to atone for human sin, with a limited amount of praise and worship, (I Chronicles 16:39-42; Leviticus 17:11). Women, gentiles, and the illegitimate were not allowed to even enter the tabernacle.
David did not return the ark to the old tabernacle, but to Jerusalem with extravagant, celebratory worship the entire way! (II Samuel 6:14-15). There, he up the tent, the tabernacle of David, where 4,000 singers and musicians offered praise to the Lord 24 hours a day! (I Chronicles 16:1-7, 25:1-7).
Acts 15:16, quoting Amos 9:11, show gentiles, meaning not just Jews, men, and the flawless, but everyone, now has full access to the Presence of God!
16 “‘After these things I will return to you and raise up the tabernacle of David that has fallen into ruin I will restore and rebuild what David experienced 17so that all of humanity will be able to encounter the Lord including the gentiles whom I have called to be my very own,’ says the Lord.”
When Jesus died on the cross, the veil in the old tabernacle was torn in two, symbolizing all mankind has direct access to God’s Presence anywhere, at any time (Mark 15:38). The availability of God and prevalence of free worship is now accessible to us! The Tabernacle of Moses, representing the holiness of God, has been juxtaposed with celebrating Him.
We offer God a sacrifice of praise from a grateful heart, not sacrifices based on our works (Hebrews 13:15).
We can experience the restored tabernacle of David today, where worship is also offered with extravagant, thankful worship. Many places of worship are still offering the ‘letter of a written code, the law, which kills’ instead of the ‘freedom of salvation through Christ and by His Holy Spirit which gives life’.
Which church would you rather be a part of? One where God is not invited, and legalism is followed, or one where His Presence is embraced and of highest imminence? I do not want to be anywhere where the Presence of God is not present.

02/01/2021

Hope for The Week February 1, 2021 ‘Climb Higher’
In the difficult world I live in today, I struggle with Christian platitudes. Do you know what I mean? “You know God is in control. God is working all this for our good.” Are these statements true? Absolutely. But it is not what I need to hear in the midst of grief, sickness, pain, and sadness with the state of America. I am just being honest here. Reading and speaking the truth of God’s word are important disciplines that I practice. I also must climb a ladder.
Genesis 28:12 “He (Jacob), dreamed that there was a ladder (stairway) placed on the earth, and the top of it reached [out of sight] toward heaven; and [he saw] the angels of God ascending and descending on it [going to and from heaven].”
Jesus was in the lineage of Jacob, a Patriarch of the Israelites. As Jacob was fleeing from the repercussions of his deceitful actions, God encouraged him by showing a way above his circumstances. Not removing them, but a way to ‘climb above’.
With the probability of the world’s systems (see my teaching ‘The World as Our Enemy’) growing increasingly darker, I must have a tangible way to rise above instead of succumbing. Jacob named the place of his vison, the ladder to heaven, Bethel, meaning the House, The Presence, of God. I cannot live burdenless without experiencing God in close proximity.
Just like climbing a ladder I make the effort to take a step up. I command my soul: my mind, will, and emotions, to actively be aware of God’s Presence. The song, 10,000 Reasons, (Bless the Lord Oh My Soul) by Matt Redman, helped me to tell my soul to think, speak, and sing words about the unlimited goodness, and greatness of God.
My new favorite, ‘Gratitude’ by Brandon Lake, speaks: “Oh come on, my soul, Oh, don't you get shy on me, Lift up your song ‘Cause you've got a lion inside of those lungs, Get up and praise the Lord.”
This choice to worship is the first rung. As I ascend, I gain revelation of who Jesus is and what His will is for my life on earth. I begin to see the world from His heavenly perspective, causing my thoughts, then actions, to affect the circumstances around me rather than situations infecting me. This ascension does not change my surroundings. It changes me.
As God strengthens my faith through trials and increased spiritual darkness, I take a step up. If I do not climb higher, I am stuck in the midst of my earthly conditions. The effort to climb is real. Each rung gets easier as I look down and see the darkness versus looking up and seeing the light. Does that sound like a platitude to you? It is not.

01/25/2021

Hope for The Week 1-25-21 ‘Junk in Your Trunk’
There is no recycling pick up where I live, so after collecting a few bags I put them in my trunk to take to the recycling center. Due to their limited hours, I might carry this trash around for a while. When my trunk is full of non-useful items, I may not have enough room for the necessary, like groceries. Or snowshoes.
Our hearts can be similar to our trunks. We choose what we put in them. We choose what we take out.
Our heart is the essence of who we are. That is why, as a primary target of the Enemy, he seeks to keep it cluttered with worry, hurts, regrets and self-condemnation. We may have individuals or ourselves to forgive and release. We may have larger entities, factions, or administrations we feel have hurt or betrayed us.
Jesus said love Him with all your heart. If your heart is full of ‘junk’, that is impossible. Are you sensing the ‘junk’ in and around you are your primary focus? Is it adding too much weight, even hopelessness and you cannot get ‘what is needed’ in there anymore? I would suggest giving and receiving genuine grace and forgiveness. In one fell swoop or one by one, let go of hurts you have committed, and all those who have damaged you. Release the seemingly insurmountable circumstances around you. This is not letting anyone ‘off the hook’ for their actions. Instead, it makes room for God to come in with His healing, peace, and the increased knowledge that He is in control. You are just not carrying it around anymore.
Jesus’ first words from the cross, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Father forgive them for they have done something that is beyond comprehension.
Jesus was asked what the world would look like in the last days. Matthew 24:12 “And because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will become cold.”
The way we keep our hearts from hardening like the ice on Lake Michigan is to keep them free from clutter. It is time to lighten your load. Choose to take out the junk, so you can receive and fill it with the necessary.

01/11/2021

Hope for The Week 1-11-21 ‘Woulda, Shoulda, & Coulda’ Pastor Susan Cousineau
I heard the phrase years ago that if you take ‘Woulda, Shoulda, and Coulda’ and put it in your pocket you can’t even buy a cup of coffee with it. Interesting thoughts.
Have you ever made New Year’s Resolutions? I think they can be a good thing if we are trying to move forward with healthier decisions. I believe the negative occurs when we add self-condemnation to them.
Shoulda communicates compulsion; Coulda implies a possibility, and Woulda suggests taking action but something interfered.
Condemnation. What a terrible word. Blame, fear of failure, criticism, disapproval. Where does this come from? Satan, the Accuser. Revelation 12:10(CEB) “The Accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them day and night before our God, has been thrown down.”
Many people do wrong, immoral, wicked things and do not give a rip.
The fact that you can feel condemned is proof that you have a heart of flesh, not a heart of stone. (Ezekiel 11:19, 36:26)
We all have a past, but we do NOT have to live there. Past false guilt may be due to unreasonable expectations keeping you from living fully in the present. There is a huge difference between feeling guilty and being guilty.
Romans 8:1“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus.” God placed all our sins, past, present, and future, on His Son, Jesus. As He hung on the cross, Jesus cried, “It is finished!”, and the perfect Substitute removed and condemned all sin.
You may be hurting from things that you have done or did not do in the past, but God can lift you above the weight of regret. Ask forgiveness, believe, receive, and walk in the wonderful condemnation-free journey called life. Ahhhhhhh, sweet mercy, and amazing grace.
Let us look at our future from God’s perspective, totally free from condemnation because of Christ’s righteousness, accepting His “plans for peace, not disaster, to give you a future filled with hope.” Jeremiah 29:11.
Resolve to move into the future with grace, knowing God takes our past mistakes, disappointments, and short-comings and even uses them for our good and the good of others. Let us be led by the Spirit of God (Romans 8:14), then leave the wouldas, shouldas, and couldas in the past. They are not even worth the price of a McDonald’s coffee.

01/04/2021

Hope for The Week January 4, 2021 ‘Hugs? Banded!’ Pastor Susan Cousineau
In the beloved Christmas movie, ‘Elf’, one of Will Ferrell’s well-known lines, “Does somebody need a hug?”, was his solution to fix all.
Hugs and personal touch do carry out many necessary functions in human lives: they communicate affection, are a stress buffer, help to disarm interpersonal conflicts, communicate care, provide personal support, and show acceptance with forgiveness. Hugs immediately increase our hormone levels of oxytocin, which decreases stress, and serotonin which elevates our mood, creating happiness. Hugs help heal feelings of loneliness, isolation, and even defuse anger. Because hugs evoke these physical and emotional stimuli, our immune system is strengthened.
The CDC has ranked hugging someone outside your household, on a scale of 1-10, a 7, as a risk to transfer Covid-19. Is it any wonder that social distancing is giving us touch starvation? The elderly and young children have been especially impacted as many do not understand the sudden lack of personal touch.
How can we still get the benefits miracle hugs provide while they are currently banned?
Here is a quote from me, ‘Hugs today set off alarms, but isn’t that why God made arms?’
Did you realize God can hug us? Just as with a human hug, we must permit it. Hebrews 13:5b (Ampl)“He has said, “I will never [under any circumstances] desert you [nor give you up nor leave you without support, nor will I in any degree leave you helpless], nor will I forsake or let you down or relax My hold on you [assuredly not]!”
Nothing can keep God distanced from us except us. God has never wanted a superficial relationship with His people. He desires to come close and deeply connect with us on an emotional and intimate level.
Perhaps you believe you are not acceptable to God. Or maybe you are mad at God. Or like me, with my perfectionistic patterns, I would not allow my heart to come near to God unless I had tasks finished and heart attitudes right. God never requires perfection or works to accept us. Because I live alone, I have personally struggled during this time of isolation. As I have let my guard down and opened my heart, I have allowed God to hug and hold me. My circumstances of quarantine no longer control me. Physically, I may be separated from human touch, but God’s Presence is no longer distant from me.
How can we begin to receive hugs from an invisible God? “Move your heart closer and closer to God, and He will come even closer to you.” James 4:8 (Passion)
“…the LORD will hold me close.” Psalm 27:10, NLT
“But the closer I am to You, my God, the better, because life with You is good. Psalm 73:28 (Voice)
“God lives forever! You can run to him for safety. His powerful arms are always there to carry you.” Deut. 33:27(NIRV)
God hugs may elicit feelings of peace, they may include a specific need being met, or answers revealed through His Word. Receiving a hug from God may be as simple as turning your attention toward Him and allowing yourself to be known. The results? Grace, and ‘joy unspeakable’. Remarkable.
Exodus 33:14 (NASB) And He said, “My Presence will go with you and I will give you rest.”
The difference between children of God and everyone else is that God Himself lives inside us, through the Holy Spirit! We are distinguished by the spiritual Presence of the living God. ( I Cor.6:19)
If God is present, it does not matter who is absent; it is difficult, but life can still be complete. We can know everything is under control. God’s hugs are never off-limits. Even in quarantine. “Does somebody need a hug?”

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