Road Trip 
 
In the summer of 1973 my mom and her cousin, my brother and sister, the cousin's son, and I drove from Grand Rapids back home to Canoga Park, California. It was a great trip across the country - one of 7 I've done so far.
 
I remember six of us crammed into an old Buick Skylark with the trunk packed and riding low, and no space between any of us as we rambled down the road playing the alphabet game, poking, prodding, arguing, laughing, and experiencing a trip I still remember over 35 years later.
 
All the activity came to a head when we hit the western slope of the Rockies. It reached fever pitch when all of us kids, ages 4 to 12, found the interior of the car subtlety moving inward, and every word was rewarded with a poke and every shift in the seat brought a shove. If we'd had enough, our moms were beyond their limit. (I know you've been there!)
 
We stopped for a bathroom break at a rest stop on the Colorado/Utah border. The rest stop straddled the stateline. We drove in on the Colorado side. I pushed my brother one too many times getting back into the car, which evoked a loud and exasperated response from my mom: "Tom, you get out and walk to Utah!"
 
It put me into a perplexing conundrum. Of course, I was an obedient son. Yes, I had done something wrong. The punishment was certainly deserved. But didn't my mom know that Utah was only a few steps to the west?!
 
I got out and started walking to Utah. Mom drove off in the car, all the way to the end of the rest stop and waited. A few moments later, I got back into the car, sat down quietly, and a silent car headed down the road. By Salt Lake City we were laughing uproariously as we thought how such a profound pronouncement was not much more than a simple walk, but it changed everything - my attitude, my behavior, the mood in the car, and our relationships on the trip.
 
Our family still laughs about that day, and often we'll mimic to each other the grand pronouncement: "Tom, you get out and walk to Utah!" A walk that helped me make the adjustments I needed in my life at that moment.
 
I've found that God makes some pretty significant pronouncements in His Word as well . . .
 
                                "You will seek Me and find Me when you seek me with all your
                                heart." (Jeremiah 29:13)

                                "He will call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him
                                in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him." (Psalm 91:15)
 
                                "Call to Me and I will answer you and tell you great and
                                unsearchable things you do not know." (Jeremiah 33:3)
 
. . . and when I follow them, it changes everything.
 
What situations are you facing that need a new perspective? What experiences require some adjustment? What circumstances might call for some level of change? Maybe you need to go take a walk, and seek, call, and listen to God who wants to provide His help, His strength, and His peace to the greatest challenges of your journey.
 
Together in the Cause,
 
Pastor Tom De Vries
FourPoints: North/South/East/West
 
Fitness at Fair Haven  There are several way to have community with others, have some fun, and get exercise too at Fair Haven: 
* Basketball - Monday nights, 6:30 - 8 PM,  Family Life
Center, contact Doug Wybenga for more info (doug.wybenga@speedwrench.com)
* Faithful Fitness - aerobics for women, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 9 AM in the Family Life Center, contact Tammie Palmitier for more info (669-7638)
* Volleyball - once a month on Friday nights, starting November 21, 6:30 PM, Family Life Center, contact Tom Elenbaas for more info (662-2100, ext. 3027)
 
Family Movie Night  Take your family to the movies at Fair Haven. On Friday, November 21, 6:30 PM in The Rock you can share in a great family time with your kids, ages 5 and up with a movie, cider, donuts, and popcorn. Childcare will be provided for children ages 4 and under. Need more info, want to RSVP, or have a movie suggestion? Go to: www.fhmin.org/movienight.kt
 
Wednesday Night Supper Benefit  This Wednesday, November 19, Fair Haven's Wednesday Night Supper will be a benefit dinner for Jeff Elenbaas (Pastor Tom's brother) and his family. Enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving meal with your donation helping to support living adjustments and needs for the Elenbaases following Jeff's hunting accident. Please continue to keep them in your prayer . . .
 
Go Green  Fair Haven is beginning to offer the opportunity to receive our monthly newsletter, The Anchor, electronically. If you would prefer to help us go green, while saving production costs, we'll email you The Anchor, starting in January. If interested, simply send an email to Margaret Applebee, margaret@fhmin.org, and communicate your desire. Thanks for helping Fair Haven be more environmentally friendly and cost conscious!
 
    
Currents is an electronic communication from Fair Haven Ministries - devotional thoughts, updates, and information for individuals connected to the ministry of Fair Haven. It is communicated via email and through the Fair Haven website - www.fhmin.org. If you do not desire to receive Currents, please follow the unsubscribe directions at the bottom of this email, otherwise, we hope you find meaning, encouragement, and hope through these regular communiqués.
FAIR HAVEN MINISTRIES
 2900 Baldwin Street
Hudsonville, MI 49426
616.662.2100 
Sunday Worship Celebrations: 9:00 & 10:45am