Mike Lights

Christian. Husband. Dad. Pastor-Theologian. Singer/Songwriter. Gamer. Enjoying a new lease on life after surviving heart failure in early 2026. #gratitude

[Mike Lights @mikelightslive]

You may notice a new name around here. I’m switching from @mike_leiter to @mikelightslive. Earlier this year, I survived heart failure. Today I’m celebrating a new lease on life. Still a pastor-theologian. Still having the time of my life leading the Vineyard Church of Freeland. Still making music, telling stories, asking big questions, and probably buying too many guitars. I’d call myself Not Dead Yet, but @greg_boyd beat me to it. 😂

[Mike Lights @mikelightslive]

I guess there is some sort of bruhaha about the Michigan game? /shrug

[Mike Lights @mikelightslive]

@TiffanyLeiter @UMichFootball @WMU_Football Me, not being a college football fan.

[Mike Lights @mikelightslive]

I'm still going to sing the old lyrics to The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald, the way Gord wrote and sang them.

[Mike Lights @mikelightslive]

Tim Curry :(

[Mike Lights @mikelightslive]

@lukegeraty I've heard this claim from less articulate Orthodox as well. More articulate theologians of both camps would not claim that their faith has not developed. Of course it has. They would instead speak of development in the context of historic continuity.

[Mike Lights @mikelightslive]

There’s a heaviness today with the passing of Dolly Parton. Her music brought joy to generations, and she was never ashamed to speak openly about her faith in Jesus. Grateful for the songs, the kindness, the laughter, and the hope she shared. Rest well, Dolly. ❤️

[Mike Lights @mikelightslive]

https://t.co/aNyEgGeni9

[Mike Lights @mikelightslive]

@Logos #2 is the answer. Now, can I finally win a Logos mug? Been entering giveaways for years!

[Mike Lights @mikelightslive]

Health Update:
As far as the numbers go, things continue to improve. I feel the best I've felt since the beginning of the year. My A1C is down to 5.6 (which is no longer considered diabetic). My weight is down to what I weighed in the year 2000. My blood pressure has been nearly perfect. I "feel" like my ejection fraction has gotten better (won't know until the next test). I'm hoping it's strong enough to where I won't need to have the defibrillator installed (which is the current plan). I'm now 5 months and 13 days since my double bypass/valve repair surgery. They say it takes a full year to fully recover. The biggest risk for me right now is that I feel so good that I overdo it. I'm still on light duty, limited meetings/appointments, and I need to keep the stress down. God has been faithful and so have so many of you. None of us are guaranteed to be on this planet tomorrow, but I'm thankful for every day. Thank you.

[Mike Lights @mikelightslive]

The weird things I obsess about: Should I go by "Mike" or "Michael". Michael is my preferred because it's from the Hebrew "Who is like God?". The "el" at the end refers to the "God" part. Mike removes this. HOWEVER my last name is Leiter. If you say "Michael Leiter" the two "L's" run together and it's difficult to tell where one ends and the other begins. Is it Micah Leiter? Michael Iter? Mike Leiter has that handy vowel in between and I never have to repeat it. I dunno. Or, maybe I should start using my middle initial, "J". Michael J. Leiter. Seems too formal for me. Welcome to my brain ;P

[Mike Lights @mikelightslive]

@lukegeraty I just hope I'm following the true Christ of Scripture, not just my understanding of Him (or what I prefer!)

[Mike Lights @mikelightslive]

Look at all that “not fog” on my drive into Saginaw. #staysafe

[Mike Lights @mikelightslive]

Wrong direction. #airquality

[Mike Lights @mikelightslive]

Now I know.

[Mike Lights @mikelightslive]

They install roundabouts in Freeland and suddenly we get a tornado? Hundreds of cannabis shops open up and suddenly the state is filled with smoke. Coincidence? Ha, sorry - sense of humor is getting back to normal I guess. Stay safe everybody!

[Mike Lights @mikelightslive]

@DaveBondyTV All that cannabis being smoked has caught up to us!