Friend Day

I'm praying for our Sunday Services and outreach into the community. I'm praying that we can see souls saved this weekend or through our follow up efforts. The world needs to understand our lost condition. God's love and mercy prompted Him to move and satisfy in Himself, all that was needed in order to bring us to Himself. That's just what Jesus did. He mediates for us and brings us to Himself by means of the cross. His death was an attonement for our sins. On the basis of that sacrifice, we can find forgiveness and redemption. Because of His resurrection we are justified and cleansed; presented before God covered and uncondemned. This doesn't happen by merrit on our part, but by the finished work of Christ upon the Cross and His resurrection. All praise then goes to God; He alone is King of Kings and Lord of Lords. And we who have trusted and committed ourselves to Him will oneday stand before His presence and lift our voice in Praise!

Update on Nora

Mandy, Andy and Nora went to a consult at Riley Hospital a few weeks ago. I thought I had done the update already... sorry. Nora does not have to have surgery at this time. The probability is that she will at some point down the road. Please continue to keep her in your prayers. She is having problems sleeping through the nights right now so remember Mandy and Andy too. Thanks again for the prayers for our granddaughter. We appreciate and are humbled by your kindnesses.

Contemplation

This week, I heard of a fellow pastor who just heard that he has cancer. His son, at the age of 45, passed away suddenly from a heartattack leaving a loving wife and three children. The youngest is a senior in Highschool. I heard just today that the wife of a young pastor in our state lost her dad suddenly. The frailty of the human condition is evident all around us. The curse of sin upon Adam's race is clearly seen and heard everwhere we turn. What is amazing is that God took pity upon us, and sent His Son, Jesus to be our sin sacrfice. Jesus paid the price for our forgiveness and redemption. Through Him we have access into God's presence, eternal life, and a hope that stands even in the midst of difficult life storms. His resurrection insures the sureity of our redemption. In life there will be troubles. But Jesus is the overcomer. In Him we are more than conquerors!

Heart Thoughts

The reality of each new day is that it brings us closer to day when Jesus Christ will return. Several events will unfold prior to this. There will be apathy and contention towards Christianity and the Jews. The vestiges of these are already present. The attempt to erase any reference to God has ramped up in our society. Praying in public if you are a school official, coach is now apparantly criminal. The government is trying to regulate conscience and freedom of speech. There are things said, spoken and writen, that I find offensive. Some of those things and positions are even funded with tax dollars. I perceive a dangerous trend toward the intrusion of those in power as to what can be said in a public forum such as a worship service. There is talk this week of a global currency to replace the dollar. Whatever the motive or final results of such talk, we know that the Bible speaks of a global economy. This places that economy under the power of a small group and eventually under one man. The events of the daily news ought to be a source of encouragement and excitement. Some of us react in anger. I do too. But it is an opportunity to live in a time like never before; to take our stand for Jesus Christ and be the witness to those who may be the generation that sees the coming KING. It's time to work, to stir our hearts and give voice to our witness. These are curious and exciting times. We can see them as discouraging; allowing ourselves to become despairing and full of angst. Or we can look to them as encouraging; allowing ourselves to look up with hope and expectation of our coming King. It is all on who you look at it. The New Testament saints most often saw the Second Coming as the source of encouragement and hope. Times will get hard, that's true. But Jesus is Coming Soon!

It's a boy

We've heard from Jonathan. He called us all on a conference call to let us know that the newest addition to our family will be a... why spoil it. It isn't really my place to post this yet. You'll have to hear it from them.

Our prayers are with each of them as we celebrate God's love and mercy. Not only do we get to praise God for new life, but we've been called into His kingdom work by being in pastoral ministry. I'm so thankful for all that God has done for us; and is doing and will do in us and through us. Pray for them as they continue to raise funds to go to Pennsylvania and work there for the Lord. Pray too that their home in Bentonville, AR will sell quickly.

Nora's surgery

We appreciate all the prayers for Nora. The test run on Monday has shown that she needs surgery to correct the problem. Mandy, Andy and Nora will be going to Riley for a consult and then plan a date for the surgery. Please keep them in your prayers. We are thankful for all our friends and family who are lifting us up before the Lord.