Aldo and Katie

Yesterday we had the privilege of hearing from dear Aldo and Katie. Every time I hear from them, I want to sign up to go work for their ministry, Young Life. But then I'm reminded that I still have some young lives in my house we are still raising! One day perhaps. I especially loved the part when Aldo spoke about seeing "dead" teenagers arrive at camp and leaving "Alive" in Christ with a beautiful smile on their faces.

Aldo and Katie had a difficult year with some painful losses, but they remain hopeful as they continue to trust in our faithful God. They reminded us that in this life we will have troubles, but God is with us through our trials. Sometimes that is enough.

Let's remember to pray for Aldo and Katie as they raise money for their ministry and also that they get much needed rest while with their family. Also, for their upcoming camp in October when they return to the DR. I've attached the link to the Global Leaders program that Aldo spoke about.

http://ylgloballeaders.org/

Faith Under Fire: Jesus: Divine or Prophet? Michael R. Licona vs. Shabir...

September 15, 2013 class audio - Is Jesus a Prophet or the Son of God?

Discussion of session 2 of the Faith Under Fire book Exploring Christianity's Ten Toughest Questions
Led by Bill Gambrell


Some recommendations for further study on this topic:

• The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel
• The Case for the Real Jesus by Lee Strobel
• More Than a Carpenter by Josh & Sean McDowell
• Choosing Your Faith…In a World of Spiritual Options by Mark Mittelberg
• Putting Jesus in His Place: The Case for the Deity of Christ by Robert M. Bowman, Jr. and J. Ed Komoszewski

Sweetest Thing I Ever Saw

While at our lake house a couple of weeks ago, I witnessed what is perhaps the sweetest thing I ever saw. We were spending Labor Day weekend with most of our immediate family, including Laura, our daughter, Jason, our son-in-law and Lucy,our 14 month old grand-daughter. Lucy is, shall we say, experimenting with pulling anything and everything including human ears, cheeks, hair. You get the picture and to be expected for someone of her age. This is not, however going over well in the church nursery or anywhere in polite society, although her young aunts (9, 13) and her uncle (10) are happy to oblige their adorable niece. Well, this was not going to happen on her Daddy's watch. Our grand-daughter grabbed a big chunk of hair on her aunt's head and next thing I knew, her daddy, in a very serious voice said," Lucy, no! We don't grab hair." Lucy paused for a moment before her lips turned from glad to very sad and she broke down crying, well like a baby. I almost started crying myself, it was so sad. And then I then saw Jason take her in his arms to comfort her after explaining to her again that we don't grab hair.

 I was looking at the beautiful, priceless gift of a Daddy who loves his little daughter so much, he is willing to discipline her in spite of her cuteness. And we are talking about some major cuteness! I don't think I would have been able to do it. I loved that my younger children witnessed that yes, even their adorable niece needs to be disciplined. Discipline equals love. I need to remember this.

My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in. Proverbs 3:11-12

September 8, 2013 class audio - Is the Supernatural Real?

Discussion of session 1 of the Faith Under Fire book Exploring Christianity's Ten Toughest Questions
Led by Bob Carroll

Take a Chance

I hope that your Eat Pray Love Groups are going well and that you have been able to meet a few times with your group. Although finding a time when everyone or most people can meet is difficult, I think you will find that it's worth the effort. Don't give up! Like most things we try to do as Christians, we have an enemy who does not want us to meet together to encourage and pray with each other.

I also want to encourage you to be transparent with each other, get beyond small talk. This is also not easy to do, maybe even harder than finding a time to meet. The last time that our group met, I was asked how I was doing and I surprised myself and shared a health matter that I've been having. I think I was caught off guard before I could think of something else to say. I'm really glad I shared because my group gave me insight on this matter that I hadn't considered before. I realized that I am very reluctant to share my struggles. I'm very comfortable with my MO of keep moving forward no matter what, but is that good? I think so. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me, right? Why am I so reluctant to share a weakness? Is is pride? fear? both? All that to say that meeting together is a safe place that I'm learning to let my guard down and share a struggle.  I'll keep you posted and let me know what you have learned in your groups.

We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us." 1 Thessalonians 2:8