Mount Hope Church, Author at Mount Hope Church

About Mount Hope Church

We Are Family. Mount Hope Church is a community of people who love God and others—and that includes YOU! As a church family, it’s exciting to grow alongside others of all ages and backgrounds, coming together to experience the hope that is found only in Jesus. It is our desire that as you encounter God’s love and amazing grace at Mount Hope Church, you will truly feel a part of the family as we say, “Welcome Home!”

The Crazy Train

“Those who get married at this time will have troubles…” – the Apostle Paul
– 1 Corinthians 7:28

Now there’s a verse you never hear mentioned in a wedding ceremony. I’ve officiated a lot of weddings over the years, but never have I started out by saying, “We’ve gathered here today in the sight of God to let you, and all those that are married, know that you are going to have troubles.” Yikes… who wants to hear that, especially on your big day?

But the truth remains that even in the best of marriages, you will have troubles. It’s just a normal part of relationships. But what is not normal is when you have troubles that just don’t go away. Have you ever had a problem that seems to never get resolved properly? Is there something that seems to resurface, an issue that you keep walking around over and over again? Have you ever said, “Can we not have this conversation again!?!” That’s what we call the crazy train. Renee and I are familiar with it because we’ve taken our fair share of rides.

There is a verse I remember hearing my mom say often as a child and then she had us boys commit it to memory:

“God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.”
– Psalms 46:1

Who is God for you when you run into a challenge in your marriage? He is the Lord your refuge – the one you run to, the one who is safe, the one who protects you. He is your strength! Yes, He provides for you – supernatural strength for all you face. And make sure you catch this – He is always ready to help in times of trouble. He is your ever-present help! EVER-PRESENT means He is always with you, always for you.

I want to encourage you today if you are married or want to be some day! Yes, in marriage there will be troubles, there will be trials. It’s a normal part of life. But here is something else that can be normal for you – the knowledge that God is your ever-present help with every trial you face! You are not alone. The one who created marriage and the family is here right now to help you.

Would you join me and hide this verse in your heart? Go ahead and make it personal and pray this with me right now:

“Father, I thank you that you are my refuge and strength. You are my hiding place, you are the one who keeps me safe. Thanks for giving me access to supernatural strength – the strength I need to be the godly (man or woman) you have called me to be. What a delight it is to know that you are always ready to help in times of trouble! You are my ever-present help! O Lord, let that one sink deep down into me today. What a thought – the Creator of the universe is my ever-present help. Help me to care for my family in such a way that pleases you. Help me to honor you by treating my spouse and family in a way that represents your heart. Amen.”
– Pastor Kevin Berry

Friendship With The Father

My dad is one of my best friends. However, it hasn’t always been that way. I’d say I graduated into his friendship through the process of parenting.

When I was a boy, my dad was my hero. I looked up to him … literally. In my imagination he could lift engines out of cars with his bare hands, could do no wrong, and was stronger than any other dad on the planet. I had a healthy fear of his authority and knew that I would be disciplined if I ever fell out of line. His strength gave me a sense of safety and security.

As a young man, my dad shifted more into the role of an advisor or coach. He gave me room to be unique and allowed me to own my decisions and ideas. He would simply buffer my thoughts against biblical principles to direct me as I started to wade into the waters of adulthood. It was up to me whether I would listen to my father’s wisdom or choose pain as my teacher. Basically, I was given room to make the same choice Adam was given in the Garden of Eden—I was given liberty to choose to obey or disobey. However, I would have to live with the consequence of my choice.

Now as a father, myself, my dad is still my best friend. I graduated into a mutual respect that was forged through trust. I trust him, and he trusts me. I learned that his way works (which he found by studying the Bible), and he saw that I was faithful. Through that process we now enjoy friendship and common values that create a unique and godly culture inside our entire family.

I recognize this discipleship process with my own children today. It is similar to how physical boundaries change as a child grows. For example, when my son was five he could ride his bike in our driveway and to our neighbor’s house. Once he turned 11, I upgraded his bike to a small motorcycle and let him motor throughout our entire neighborhood. Relationship boundaries change too—they are supposed to grow in order to create liberty, trust, and love. However, it is important to recognize the boundary lines are increased or decreased based on our personal choices.

The evolutionary process of parenting reflects what the Father God desires for us all. It’s what family is all about. This process is best heard in Jesus’ words when He said to His disciples, “No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.” (John 15:15 NKJV). We can also see this relational growth in Isaiah 41:5, when The Lord said, “But you, Israel, are My servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, The descendants of Abraham My friend.” Abraham grew into friendship with God by obeying God’s voice, walking in faith, and reflecting God’s mercy.

God has designed a relational path for all of us to walk. It starts with the cross of Jesus Christ and leads to a deep and profound friendship with the Living God. The more faithful and obedient we are, the closer we get to Him. Likewise, we ought to mirror this process in raising our children. Below are a few parenting phases to consider. These are phases that I have seen in the life of Jesus and how He raised and released His disciples. It is a great framework for how to raise and release our children as well.

Lead by example. When children are very young, show them how things work and why we do things the way we do. The lifestyle you model should reflect an active relationship with Jesus Christ. He is love, and His ways always lead to life. As Jesus said, “But wisdom is justified by all her children.” In other words, your results are a direct reflection of your knowledge and ability.
Be a coach. Begin to release responsibility into the hands of your kids, then assist and advise. Give them room to make mistakes—that’s part of the learning process. This phase requires discernment to calculate how much room or responsibility your child can handle. Don’t move too quickly in this phase.
Cheer them on. Once we see that our children are faithful and able, the final phase is to step back and empower them to take the lead and be who God has called them to be. Our job is to cheer them onward.

– Joseph Mead

Prayer Focus: Lansing and the Soul Zone

“They shall be My people, and I will be their God; then I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear Me forever, for the good of them and their children after them.”
– Jeremiah 32:38-39

Pray:

For the salvation of all those living in and around the 50 mile radius of Mount Hope Church, called the “Soul Zone.” (Is 26:1)
That lost sons and daughters return to God (Is 60:4)
For peace and unity among families of Lansing and surrounding “Soul Zone.” (Psalm 72:7)
That there would be healing of marriages
For the single parents of our community, for safety, protection, and financial needs to be met.
For healing of the hearts of children toward their fathers. (Luke 1:17)
That people of our community will have God’s favor in their current jobs or in their search for employment.

Declarations:

That the whole city of Lansing is coming out to hear the Word of the Lord. (Acts 13:44)
That Lansing and the “Soul Zone” are a divorce-free zone.
That Lansing and the “Soul Zone” are a drug-free zone.
That Jesus is Lord in Lansing and the “Soul Zone.”
That there is unity among churches in Lansing and the “Soul Zone.” (Eph 4:13)
That Lansing and the surrounding communities are marked with signs and wonders. (Acts 14:3)
That Lansing and the “Soul Zone” is surrounded with the Presence of God.
Rivers of Living Water are flowing in and around the city of Lansing. (John 7:38)

Pray:

That Lansing’s Mayor Virg Bernero, will leave a Godly legacy as Lansing’s Mayor.
For the upcoming Lansing elections, for Mayor and City Council members.
That Godly men and women will fill the seats of all governmental offices in Lansing.
That You prepare the people of our community as they prayerfully seek You, Lord, and vote in office those with Godly principles.
For the protection and safety of police and firefighters of Lansing and the “Soul Zone.”
For divine strategies and direction for “first responders” in our community.
That all governmental agencies in Lansing and the surrounding communities are led by Godly leaders.
For God’s influence in our schools.

Blessed, Not Bothered!

But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit.
– Jeremiah 17:7-8

There is something extremely bothersome about a finger pointing at you followed by the words, “I’m not touching you, I’m not touching you!” It’s the phrase siblings use to terrorize each other. Often, it can be our own family—those closest to us—that know how to push our buttons and bother us.

The enemy knows how to push my buttons… and he knows how to push yours, too! He knows the kind of things that really get to you—the kind of things, that if allowed, would give you a meltdown and cause you to bawl your eyes out. He knows the kind of things that will make you feel like a failure and make you want to throw in the towel. Some days it may be the dirty laundry left on the floor… other days it may be hurtful words that were said in anger.

Maybe the enemy has been pushing your buttons lately. But, there is a secret in scripture to living a life that is blessed and not bothered by what happens around you… blessed so deeply on the inside that it eventually will have to affect your outside!

Here it is: Trust in the Lord! It’s simple and powerful. Blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made Him their hope and confidence! They are like trees planted along a riverbank… not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Wow! Blessed, not bothered, and worry-free!

So, trust the Lord, relying completely on your GREAT heavenly Father. The more you know Him, the more completely you will trust Him. May you be blessed so deeply on the inside that it will eventually have to affect your outside… and spill over to everyone in your family!

-Pastor Kevin Berry

Prayer: “Father, I will trust you, lean on you, obey you! Please help me cooperate with your Holy Spirit working in me. When the enemy tries to push my buttons, I declare, “NO MORE!” With your help, I will operate in faith and love. Thank you, God, for being the hope and confidence for me and my family. Amen!”

The Ministry Of Home

“If you want to change the world, go home and love your family.”
—Mother Teresa

Not long ago a good friend contacted me, asking for prayer because of a big transition her and her husband were about to make. You see, they’re both in full-time ministry, and they decided that it would be best for their family if she became a stay-at-home mom. She wanted me to pray for a number of reasons. The first thing she said was, she was nervous their pastor would think she was giving up on her calling to full-time ministry. Immediately, I felt led to encourage her that directions in her calling can change. They will look different in different seasons, but to be confident in this: a stay-at-home mom is in FULL-TIME MINISTRY!

Right away, I had a Holy Spirit lightbulb moment. Being a spouse and a parent in reality is a full-time ministry! While encouraging my sweet friend, I suddenly felt empowered by the role the Father had me in right now, in this season as a stay-at-home mom. Cleaning the kitchen, taking care of my children, doing laundry, planning meals, managing the budget, buying groceries and much, much more began to look different to me.

I used to ask myself if what I was doing at home was important, or if I was doing enough at church, serving in enough places, or just DOING enough, in general. But in that Holy Spirit moment, I was set free from those high-pressure thoughts brought on by the enemy himself. It made me feel like my role was vital, necessary, and beautiful. It radically changed my perspective and allowed me to shake off any unnecessary pressure when I realized that what I do every day for my family is not only important but it’s more than enough. In fact, it’s ministering to them similarly to the way I would in church or in the community.

To top it off, my husband and I are growing disciples right in our own home as we raise our children. Don’t get me wrong, serving in church and caring for people in the community are important, but our priority is first to our family. When I said a firm “goodbye” to the pressure to do more than what I am called to do right now, in this season, it freed me up and empowered me to take care of my family in peace and in love.

Dear friends, don’t allow the enemy or the comparisons to what other people are accomplishing diminish the value of loving and serving your family. When those things are in proper order, everything else flows from that place so beautifully. It’s world-changing stuff! I pray that right now, in this moment, your eyes would be opened to this revelation: what you do for your family is incredibly powerful, important, and eternal in nature. I would even go so far as to say that there is no higher calling than the ministry of home.

– Kristin Johnson

Harmony In The Home

How wonderful and pleasant it is
when brothers live together in harmony! For harmony is as precious as the anointing oil
that was poured over Aaron’s head… and there the Lord has pronounced his blessing.
– Psalms 133:1-3

The Lord commands a blessing, and when He does, it’s as good as done! No word from God is without the power to make that word happen. But it’s important to take notice of the place where the Lord pronounces a blessing. There is a certain position and disposition in which the blessing is given: it’s in a place of harmony, unity, and love.

Let’s focus on harmony in our home, among family. It is both precious and powerful! Harmony is something to be pursued and guarded. What is the harmony level in your home today? And here’s the bigger question: what are you going to do about it? You can’t make people get along with you, but you can take the initiative in pursuing harmony!

There is a fragrance to harmony that is strong, wonderful, and easy to detect – like the anointing oil that was poured on Aaron’s head and ran down his beard. It was visible to the eye and it was easy to discern because the strong fragrance could not be missed. Just as love, unity, and harmony are easily discerned, so are the opposites: bitterness, anger, victim mentality, and offense. Bitterness also has an odor, and it stinks! I encourage you to pursue harmony in your family today, and may it bring a pleasing aroma that shifts the atmosphere in your home!

– Pastor Kevin Berry

Prayer: “Father, I will do my part to pursue harmony in my family relationships. I want to be in the position and disposition where you command a blessing on my life, my home, my family, and my future! Grant me wisdom and grace to love others the way you love me… to always pursue reconciliation and to guard harmony! Thank you, Amen!”

25 Keys to a Joyful and Lasting Marriage

(in no particular order)

One of the keys to our marriage has always been to realize that we’re not experts and that our way may not be best for others. In fact, over the years, we’ve been asked to do “Marriage Retreats” and other types of events, and I’ve replied (with a smirk), “one of the secrets to our marriage is not speaking at marriage retreats!” So, this list is not comprehensive or authoritative, rather, just a quick, random, spontaneous list from Netta and me as we sat together in Florida celebrating 25 years of marriage… Enjoy!

Smile every day—often!
Talk (and listen) to God before you talk to each other.
Buy good toilet paper, and roll it over-the-top.
Fight for your ‘sabbath day’—and make it count.
The last one out of bed makes the bed.
Say ‘I love you’ as often as you can! Also, compliment each other. Use lots of eye-contact.
Don’t discuss important things when you’re overly emotional (angry, sad, depressed, etc).
Laugh … A LOT!
Don’t compare or compete with each other—revel in your uniqueness!
Honor one another. Never tease or embarrass the other beyond what’s kind.
Live translucent not transparent. Yes, allow others to see inside but not every detail.
Live amenable (even better than accountable).
Follow God’s dreams rather than expecting Him to follow yours.
Make love not war. (And everyone just went, “Oooooo!”)
Discipline in unity—be on the same team.
Be present (alert and responsive) not just around.
Take time away from ‘everything’ together, and at times alone.
Make sure God remains head of the home and marriage.
Don’t make your spouse your only friend—do different things with different people.
Live above reproach (opposite sex, computers, free time, interests, etc).
In disagreements or decisions, avoid words like ‘always’ and ‘never.’
Communicate LOVE the way your spouse needs it, not the way you want it.
Raise your children as individuals—no two are the same. Enjoy their uniqueness!
Seek wisdom from those who have lived it—not just from peers, blogs, and books.
Don’t think you’re an expert … EVER. Avoid writing lists for the first 25 years!

I hope you’ve enjoyed this little random list. I’m confident that we left out some essential things that may have made you think, “what about this?” — we’re just happy that it’s got you thinking, laughing, and reading. We’re SO THANKFUL for our marriage!

Life, marriage, and family are all wonderful ADVENTURES, not just tedious chores or mindless routines! Your path is planned by God and is filled with unexpected blessings and opportunities. IF you avoid the ordinary, you’ll live the extraordinary! This is our prayer for our lives and YOURS!

God is NEVER done with us. We need to always be improving, changing and LOVING! His grace, wisdom, and amazing kindness have allowed us to be surrounded by our five wonderful children (Mariah Lyn-24, Courtney Ann-21, Zoe Love-16, Maximus Aslan-12, and Chase Truth-10). What a joy! What an ADVENTURE!

Help is Coming!

My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and the earth.
– Psalm 121:2

Think about this today: “My help comes…” Stop right there and hear this, HELP IS COMING! Your help is coming. Help is on the way. Take a sigh of relief you are not on your own—your help comes. Your help will not be standing off, just hoping you make it. Your help is in motion. Help is moving toward you right now! When you feel like it’s just too much, when you can’t figure out how this is going to work, when you get tired and feel weary… listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit today saying, “Help is coming!”

Now let’s go on.

It’s not just that help is coming; it’s the kind of help that’s a big deal. My help comes from the Lord! Oh, it is the Lord who is coming. It is the Lord who is watching over you. It is the Lord who is protecting you through this season. The Lord is near you. He is always near to the humble, to those that cry out for help. He is your ever-present help in times of trouble. Take heart, my friend, He sees you and He’s coming toward you!

Okay, now buckle your seatbelt and hold onto this: It is the Lord, who made heaven and the earth, that comes to help you today! He is the one who creates something out of nothing. With His words, He created the heavens and the earth. His words will always create. His words will always go out on a mission and they will accomplish their mission. Know this, my friend, the Lord is speaking over you today. He is speaking over the current circumstances of your life. He is speaking over your family and your business and ministry.

King David goes on to say in Psalm 121 that the Lord who watches over you:

does not slumber or sleep
stands beside you as your protector
will keep you from all harm
lovingly watches over you as you come and go… ALWAYS!

I pray for you today that peace will well up in your heart as you are assured that the Prince of Peace is coming to help you! This is Jesus, who died for you, was buried, and rose from the dead as the sacrifice for your sins. The one whom death could not keep in the grave is coming to help you!

Love and Prayers,
Kevin

Almost Undetected

Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.
– Ephesians 4:23

I was outside with the family, roasting marshmallows by the fire, and making those very yummy s’mores. That’s when I saw it – a tick crawling up my arm! I flicked it in the fire and didn’t think much of it. But then Tanner found one on him. And Maraya found one on her. Yuck! Our fun by the fire ended early because of a small, almost undetected pest.

Over the years I’ve noticed something: marriages that started out fun, then somehow the fun and the fire ended early. Why? Often because of something small and almost undetected, at first anyway – the people’s thoughts and attitudes. When two people get married, they both bring a certain amount of unseen baggage. They both bring thought patterns and attitudes that have been shaped throughout their lives. All that is fine and wonderful until somebody’s buttons get pushed and then what was there all along comes out—a way of thinking or an attitude—and it’s not always a pleasant one.

If you want to get off the crazy train in your marriage, here’s a great place to start: take responsibility for your buttons! The fact is that you can’t control what happens to you, but you are in control of how you respond. Think about it, if you are in an argument and the phone rings, you stop the yelling for a moment and you answer the phone with a pleasant voice. How can you do that? Because you are in control of how you respond! You don’t get to choose what other people do, but you do get to choose what you do.

What is it that seems to push your buttons? Ask the Holy Spirit to help you see what the real issues are behind the issues that frustrate you the most. Ask the Holy Spirit to renew your thoughts and attitudes to reflect Him! I’ve found that the buttons people have come from two main sources.

Hurts – How have you been hurt? Maybe some of you are like me; I didn’t think I had any hurts… but I did. The Holy Spirit helped me and healed me so I could do what is best to do with hurts from the past – leave them there.
Ungodly beliefs – Beliefs that do not line up with the Word of God. Your belief system writes grooves in your brain and guides your heart and your actions. This is why we need the Holy Spirit to renew our thoughts and attitudes. Do you have any ungodly beliefs? Start the conversation with your spouse and talk about them.

I pray for you, my friend. May you determine today to work more on yourself than you do your marriage. May the Holy Spirit help you today by renewing your thoughts and attitudes. Yes, may this unseen area of your life be made new by the power of the Holy Spirit.

– Pastor Kevin Berry

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