Rep Robert Dean Says He's Ready For Second Term

The Grand Rapids Times
4-25-2008

Earlier this week, Representative Dean announced that he intends to continue serving his constituents and that he is seeking re-election to another term. Dean makes his statement as his wife and supporters look on.

Grand Rapids – Recall efforts to oust him, did not hamper Rev. Robert Dean’s efforts as a Representative for Michigan’s 75th District. Earlier this week, Representative Dean announced that he intends to continue serving his constituents and that he is seeking re-election to another term. “I am proud of my record and my service to the State and specifically the 75th District, ” he said. “Therefore, I have decided to seek another term as the State Representative of the 75th District. I will continue to make the changes the public demands in order to preserve their quality of life, jobs and public safety.” The failed recall initiative was initiated and financed by a group from outside Dean’s district. The alliance failed to get enough signatures in its petition drive.

[read more in the print edition of the Grand Rapids Times or click here to log in if you have a subscription or want to buy a subscription]

Drives On To Keep City Pools Open This Summer

The Grand Rapids Times
4-25-2008

Last summer, thousands of Grand Rapids’ children and youth enjoyed swimming in city pools thanks to generous donations from businesses, organizations, foundations and community members.

Because of these donations, six city pools were open for eight weeks in 2007 compared to three pools open for seven weeks in 2006. Admission was free for children 17 and under.

Great Waves for Grand Rapids’ Kids and The Grand Rapids Parks and Recreation Department are seeking the same level or an even greater level of support for the 2008 pool season.

The Great Waves campaign, led by Roosevelt Tillman, CEO of Medbio, Inc., and Mike VanGessel, President of Rockford Construction Company, Inc., is raising money for the City’s 2008 pool season.

This is the second year of a three-year effort.

At the same time, the City of Grand Rapids Parks & Recreation Department is holding a bathing suit drive to ensure that all children and youth are able to swim.

So far, Great Waves has received pledges in the amount of $165,245 towards the $300,000 goal for the 2008 pool season. If you wish to make a financial donation to support the pools, please contact Roosevelt Tillman at (616) 245 - 0214 or the Grand Rapids Parks and Recreation Department at (616) 456 -3696.

You may also mail your donation to the Grand Rapids Parks and Recreation Department, 201 Market Avenue SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503. Please make checks payable to: Grand Rapids City Treasurer. Please clearly indicate on your check “Pool Sponsorship.”

The bathing suit drive is being held now through June 30, 2008.

The Parks and Recreation Department is asking that any new or slightly used suits be dropped off at 201 Market Avenue SW.

These suits will be given to families in need so that they are able to swim at the swimming pools this summer.

In the News

Lauri Parks,
Building a Legacy

Lauri Parks takes the oath of office at the Swearing In Ceremony led by Grand Rapids Mayor, George Heartwell, for her appointment as City Clerk. Her grandmother looks on as her grandfather, former Grand Rapids Mayor Lyman Parks, holds the Bible.

__________________________________________________________________

Service Earns Honors for local Dems

Armand Robinson

[Click Here to download Page 9 from the Grand Rapids Times Print Edition as a PDF]

Golden Gloves

Local Boxer Hopes for National Golden Gloves Win

[Click Here to download Page 8 from the Grand Rapids Times Print Edition as a PDF]

Obama For President

[Please comment on this article by following this link]

What’s In A Little Talk With Jesus?

May 1, 2008 is World Day of Prayer.

There are times when I have nostalgic moments during which I recall memories from my childhood. Among those memories that are most vivid are some of the songs that I learned as a child in church.

One summer during vacation Bible school at the Sweet Union Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Texas, my grandmother taught us the song, “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hand.”

Even though I am an adult now, I still have the same awe of God that I had when I was taught that song. I still struggle to fathom the thought that the enormity of our world still fits compactly in the palm of God’s hand. Perhaps it was that song that would frame my worldview and establish my perception of God.

As I grew older, the songs would change; but my wonder of God would never wane. Once I became a theological student I developed an even greater appreciation of and for the old hymns and spirituals that I was taught. I have learned that some of our greatest theology is rooted in the simplest metaphors used to describe God and our interaction with Him.

Do you remember “Just a Little Talk with Jesus?” It was at the New Rising Star Missionary Baptist Church in Forth Worth, that I was introduced to the notion that “just a little talk with Jesus makes it right.”
It was through this song I was taught about the telephone in my bosom, directly patched in to heaven. I have the liberty to use this phone as often as I wish and I need not worry about the size of my request. There are no worries about getting through, or having my concerns confused with another caller’s.

I would eventually learn that the proper name for a little talk with Jesus was prayer. During my “little talks with Jesus,” I am engaging in what Martin Lloyd Jones considered to be “the greatest activity of the human soul.” Prayer is nothing short of magic. It is the interaction between the human soul and the eternal — the open dialogue between the creation and the creator.

Another author would assert that man is at his highest and greatest when he comes face to face with God.

The rigid, rational language of science is inadequate to describe a discipline as dynamic as prayer. Because of its highly personal and emotional nature, I would liken prayer to art more than I would science. I would argue that science argues and informs, but the essence of prayer is the genuine expression of the soul. Because it is birthed from the soul, an expression of the heart, prayer is not bound by mechanics, structure, or form.

In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus shares with his audience critical principles of prayer. Perhaps of all the spiritual disciplines, prayer is the most misunderstood.

For so long I thought prayer had to be offered in a certain way utilizing certain words. Just as he did 2,000 years ago, Jesus wants us to know that prayer is not about what we say, but about the nature of the heart behind the words spoken. He said “Don’t be like the hypocrites who pray to be seen and heard.”

Prayer is rooted in a relationship that is likened to the bond between a loving father and his children. Inherent within this relationship is a privacy that is off-limits to the outside world. Now that I know prayer is a private matter, I have been liberated from being self-conscious in prayer, wondering what others think about how I sound or how I look. Prayer enables my soul to take flight, carrying my heart and affections far away from the cares of this world and into the presence of Him who holds the world in His hand.

Even though we are finite beings, prayer gives us mobility beyond our physical limitations. I may never have access to the Oval Office to speak face to face with the President about my concerns. But, through prayer, I am ushered into the holy of holies, the inner sanctuary, the throne room, to bear my soul to God. I am always welcomed and invited to stay as long as I wish. My request will never fall on deaf ears.

Critics of prayer would consider such activity to be an exercise in futility, a sure sign of weakness. However, people of faith would beg to differ with such a shallow, and frankly, sad assertion. I pray because I know prayer creates new possibilities. And these possibilities are not bound by reason, logic, science, or rational thought.

My rebuttal to the critic’s claim is God is Able! When prayer strikes the anvil of faith, all of heaven is on alert. We prick the heart of God. He inclines His ear to us and He moves.

Prayer releases me from the burden of understanding the how, when, and where, of my relief. All that is required of me is to know that God can and will do something. Jesus made the awesome claim that God already knows what we need even before we ask Him. All the more reason why I need not worry about what I say.

Of all of the fascinating knowledge I acquired in seminary, what has had the greatest impact on my life I learned outside of the classroom. I know God hears me when I pray!

Perhaps one of the greatest theological assertions to be made is that prayer changes things. Moses’ prayer stayed God’s hand of judgment on Israel. Elijah’s prayer opened heaven and brought rain. Jesus prayed for His disciples and the world before His betrayal and death. Paul and Silas’ prayer shook the foundation of prison and brought liberation.

When you are tired – pray. When you are weak – pray. When life offers no solution – pray. When sickness seems to win– pray.

We must always find ourselves praying, earnestly seeking, asking, and knocking. I’ve tried it for myself; and with confidence, I can say,just a little talk with Jesus makes it right!

RETURN TO TOP

  Log In