Unanswered Prayer: Unconfessed Sin

Your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you so that he will not hear. Isaiah 59:2

As we continue our discussion on unanswered prayer we recognize that unconfessed sin puts a barrier between us and God. This may be the most difficult reason that I do not want to hear. We worship a God of grace, but we should not expect him to bless and encourage our rebellion.

You ask for God's blessings in the area of your finances and yet you don't bring the tithe to the storehouse, your spending is out of control, you are racking up large amounts of consumer debt. How can God bless that which you are not honoring him with?

You ask for God's help in a difficult relationship. Yet, you don't extend forgiveness to the other person. You insist on winning every argument with them. You are waiting for them to bend to your wishes and desires. You want them to make the first move towards reconciliation. You have not extended to them the same grace that God extends you. How can God bless areas of our lives where we have ignored his instruction?

You want God to bless your work. Yet, you do as little as is acceptable by the boss and seek to get away with what you can get away with. You do not work as if you are working for the Lord, but you are working for the weekend, for money, or for the promotion. What is worse is that we would compromise our Christian values and ethics to get the sale or seal the deal. For us workaholic types, we might tend to neglect the Sabbath. How can we expect God to bless our work or our business when we compromise the standards he sets for us?

Yes, sometimes God's answer is for us to confess our sins (admit to God we are wrong) and repent of our sin (turn the other direction). God's slowness in responding is not as much about God being slow as much as it is in our slowness to deal with the sin that is in our lives and live in faithful obedience.

God's answer to our prayers comes as we live in faith. We trust his Word for what it has to say about every area of life, whether it is stewardship, relationships, work, or whatever. Living in faith is not about doing the easy thing. Often times it is about doing the difficult thing, the counter-cultural thing that is the right thing. Sometimes it is saying no to worldly gain and success for eternal treasure.

Have a great week. Readings next week:

02	Ezekiel 3:16-6:14 Hebrews 4:1-16 Psalm 104:24-35 Proverbs 26:27
03	Ezekiel 7:1-9:11 Hebrews 5:1-14 Psalm 105:1-15 Proverbs 26:28		04	Ezekiel 10:1-11:25 Hebrews 6:1-20 Psalm 105:16-36 Proverbs 27:1-2
05	Ezekiel 12:1-14:11 Hebrews 7:1-17 Psalm 105:37-45 Proverbs 27:3		06	Ezekiel 14:12-16:41 Hebrews 7:18-28 Psalm 106:1-12 Proverbs 27:4-6
07	Ezekiel 16:42-17:24 Hebrews 8:1-13 Psalm 106:13-31 Proverbs 27:7-9		08	Ezekiel 18:1-19:14 Hebrews 9:1-10 Psalm 106:32-48 Proverbs 27:10

Veggie Tales Live

Last night we attended Veggie Tales Live at Christ Community Church in St. Charles.  My daughter had been looking forward to this event for weeks.

I learned something new last night.  Instead of veggies, the creators of Veggie Tales considered using candy bars instead.  Completely two opposite ends of the spectrum.  

I like the Veggie Tales.  Especially the shows that are Bible stories.  I am glad my daughter likes Veggie Tales.   One night we were reading in her Children's Bible about Jonah and as we were reading the story, she commented, "that's a Veggie Tale story."

Actually it is a Bible story that the Veggie's made into a movie, but that's ok.  I am just glad my daughter is learning the stories of the Bible, even if she is associating them with vegetables.  Both are good for her.  It can't be all that bad.

The Snow is Falling

I just looked outside my office and there are snow flurries falling. The Farmer's Almanac is predicting "catastrophic" cold and snow this winter. I hope it is proved wrong, but this is not a good start.

Here is to warmer weather! Can't wait till spring arrives.

The Truth Video

Some of you asked about the video from this morning. Here you go. It is inspired by an Argentinean political campaign. Very creative. Here is the link to the original campaign add: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFz5jbUfJbk

Update: Tim Stevens from Granger Community Church shares in the comments that this video was originally done by their church and was used at an "Innovate Conference." So I guess the Argentinian's were inspired by the people at Granger. I have often watched the Granger Community Church Worship Services online. They have some very creative people there. My favorite is the M&M video. I will see if I can find it on YouTube.

Lord of Life Women's Retreat

Lord of Life's Women's Retreat is now concluded.  It was great to have had the opportunity to be in attendance on Saturday afternoon and evening.  

I am excited for every woman who was able to attend this retreat.  I am glad that they took time out of their busy schedules to pursue a deeper relationship with the Lord.  I pray that as much as they put into this weekend, that they got even more out of it.

Unanswered Prayer: Learning a Lesson

Women's Retreat
I write to you today from the Lord of Life Women's Retreat at the Inspiration Retreat Center in Walworth, Wisconsin. Please keep all the the ladies in attendance in your prayers. I am thankful for all the women who made the difficult commitment to come in spite of busy schedules. Pray that God will doubly bless their commitment. Pray that it will be a life changing weekend. Pray for the Spirit of God to be so real and speak in this place. Pray for a spiritual renewal of passion and commitment to the Lord. That this retreat would be a catalyst for all the participants to go deeper in their walk.

Pastors' Appreciation
On another note, I also want to say thank you for the many acts of kindness and appreciation that have been shown to me during Pastor's Appreciation Month. I am truly grateful and humbled to serve as the Pastor of Lord of Life Church. Most of all I am appreciative of so many of you who sacrificially and selflessly serve without recognition and appreciation. Know that your good deeds do not go unrecognized by the Heavenly Father.

Unanswered Prayer Continued
As we continue the discussion on unanswered prayer, I cannot help but think of disappointment. There are many disappointments in life. We all listened to a the disappointing economic news this last week. Beyond the economic disappointments, often times, there are people in our lives that we count on that let us down and disappoint us. And sometimes it seems that God disappoints us.

But there is often a greater purpose in our disappointment. That greater purpose is for the lessons God yearns to teach us. One thing I have learned through the years is that sometimes in the my failed expectations there is a lesson God knows that I need to learn. Sometimes it is a lesson in humility. Sometimes it is a lesson in patience. Sometimes it is a lesson in submission. Sometimes it is a lesson contentment.

God's Word says, "Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." Psalm 91:12 I pray that I would number my days, my expectations, and my disappointments in the right way.

Maybe the greatest lesson to learn is the lesson of repentance. Consider this verse: "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:9 If it seems God's answer is slow in coming. Examine yourself. Consider where your heart may not be right with the Lord. A place where you may have you interests in place of the interests of God at heart.

Readings for next week:

26 Jeremiah 49:23-50:46
Titus 1:1-16
Psalm 97:1-98:9
Proverbs 26:13-16

27 Jeremiah 51:1-53
Titus 2:1-15
Psalm 99:1-9
Proverbs 26:17

28 Jeremiah 51:54-52:34
Titus 3:1-15
Psalm 100:1-5
Proverbs 26:18-19

29 Lamentations 1:1-2:22
Philemon 1:1-25
Psalm 101:1-8
Proverbs 26:20

30 Lamentations 3:1-66
Hebrews 1:1-14
Psalm 102:1-28
Proverbs 26:21-22

31 Lamentations 4:1-5:22
Hebrews 2:1-18
Psalm 103:1-22
Proverbs 26:23

01 Ezekiel 1:1-3:15
Hebrews 3:1-19
Psalm 104:1-23
Proverbs 26:24-26

Lord of Life Golf Outing

Had lots of fun yesterday. We had 31 people come out for the Lord of Life golf outing at Hughes Creek in Elburn.

For more pics go to: http://lolchurch.smugmug.com/gallery/6310367_FASL4#P-1-12

Tough love vs. Spanking

A little good humor is always fun:

Most of the American populace thinks it improper to spank children, so I have tried other methods to control my kids when they have one of 'those moments.'

One that I found effective is for me to just take the child for a car ride and talk.

Some say it's the vibration from the car, others say it's the time away from any distractions such as TV, Video Games, Computer, IPod, etc.

Either way, my kids usually calm down and stop misbehaving after our car ride together. Eye to eye contact helps a lot too.

I've included a photo below of one of my sessions with my son, in case you would like to use the technique.

Sincerely,
Your Friend

This works with grandchildren, nieces, and nephews as well.

Men of God in New Reformation

MEN OF GOD IN NEW REFORMATION

Everywhere we look things seem to be changing. Elections, markets, weather, families, churches. It seems like God is in the business of reforming everything and everybody all at once. Even at Lord of Life, the last couple years have brought several reformations. It takes a steady hand and a clear mind to fathom this rocky water. One who sees this clearly is a man from our area, Dr. John Armstrong who has a rich passion for the Church in Unity and Clarity for the Mission ahead. Many years ago he focused his whole ministry toward the 21st Century Church. Come hear the vision God gave him regarding:

• Where we have come from as the Church of Jesus
• Where we have stumbled
• Where we are going
• How we will get there
• What that means to us personally
• How to find true Joy in this New move by the Holy Spirit

If you have struggled, even wondered IF we need to go back to old ways, questioned the new and in general have a desire to find your place in the new things God is doing you won't want to miss this. You may be released into greater ministry as a result of this essential Men of God meeting. Invite friends. Invite people from other Churches. This is a critical time for our church, nation, economy and the world. What does God have to say about all this? COME AND SEE.

MEN OF GOD
LORD OF LIFE CHURCH
LAFOX IL
NOVEMBER 1, 2008
8am-9:30am Sharp
Invite others to this rare opportunity to hear from this exceptional Man of God

Unanswered Prayer: Looking in the Wrong Place

The last two weeks we have looked at reasons for unanswered prayer. We have discussed that God does not answer prayers that are not prayed nor does he answer prayers that are asked with the wrong motives.

Today, we consider that God does not always answer our prayers in the way that we expect him to. I am reminded of old song, "looking for love in all the wrong places." Sometimes it might seem that God is not answering our prayers because we are looking for God's answer in all the wrong places.

In the last few weeks, the stock market has been going up and down, up and down, but mostly down. The media is obsessed with the negativity of it all. We watch all this, we get caught up in it, and we walk away in depressed (in more ways than one).

So where is God's answer to our prayers in all this? Maybe instead of obsessing ourselves with the minute by minute ups and downs of the market, we could turn to something that is much more solid and eternal - God's Word! While the market dwells in time, God's Word stands forever.

I know this: 1) our economy could stay the same, 2) our economy could get worse, 3) our economy could get better. As a pastor my thoughts often turn to the effect of the economy on the church, especially considering the weight of debt Lord of Life carries. Seeking God's answer on CNN.com or FoxNews.com is not going to cut it. It is not going to bring much hope.

But in listening to God in the Word, in the Sacrament, in the quiet, and in his people I believe there is an important Word for the Church. Consider this: The state of today's economy is opening up the greatest evangelistic opportunity of our generation. People are beginning to question their self-sufficiency. They are looking for hope and they are looking for answers. God is opening a door that has not been opened up like this for quite some time.

When the current economy is failing, people are looking for a new economy. One that is not dependent upon Wall Street, but one that dependent upon something so much more stable. Now more than ever is a time for the Church to rise up and be bold. Now more than ever is a time for the Church to take a chance. Now more than ever is a time for the Church to invest in that which is lasting and true. Now more than ever is a time for the Church to declare victory over death, over Satan, over every power and principality.

Now is the time for us to show where we really put our trust. Is it in our money we trust or is it in God we trust? If it is in God we trust, we've got nothing to worry about with an incredible and unprecedented opportunity before us.

What I had believed to be a huge crisis, God showed me is a tremendous opportunity. I had prayed, "God, don't let the economy fail."

He answered, "My economy never does. Invest in me, invest in the kingdom, invest in my work and you will reap a hundred fold."

Readings for next week:

19	Jeremiah 33:1-34:22 1 Timothy 4:1-16 Psalm 89:1-13 Proverbs 25:23-24		20	Jeremiah 35:1-36:32 1 Timothy 5:1-25 Psalm 89:14-37 Proverbs 25:25-27
21	Jeremiah 37:1-38:28 1 Timothy 6:1-21 Psalm 89:38-52 Proverbs 25:28		22	Jeremiah 39:1-41:18 2 Timothy 1:1-18 Psalm 90:1-91:16 Proverbs 26:1-2
23	Jeremiah 42:1-44:23 2 Timothy 2:1-21 Psalm 92:1-93 Proverbs 26:3-5		24	Jeremiah 44:24-47:7 2 Timothy 2:22-3:17 Psalm 94:1-23 Proverbs 26:6-8
25	Jeremiah 48:1-49:22 2 Timothy 4:1-22 Psalm 95:1-96:13 Proverbs 26:9-12

Grandma's 80th Birthday

Yesterday, we celebrated my Grandmother's 80th Birthday. It was good to be together with family. Here is a pic of Grandma and all the great-granddaughters.

What you can do every Sunday

In August, the voters of Lord of Life approved an aggressive Sunday morning ministry plan that is focused on connecting our guests with our church and ultimately Jesus Christ. It is a plan that cannot be accomplished by any one individual or by any one board or committee. It is an effort that takes all of us working together.

One of the most important parts of this plan is being able welcome our guests with the hospitality and love of Jesus. You play an important role in this. So I want to propose a top 10 list of things you can do, to help our church better welcome our guests.

1) Sign your “Connection Card.” You might have noticed the switch from the blue books last month. The connection card is a vital tool for getting useful information from our guests to be able to follow up in appropriate ways. There are several benefits to all of us signing the connection card. First of all it keeps our guests from sticking out. Many of our guests want to blend in. If no one else is filling out a connection card, they will not want to do so either. Another added benefit is that it allows our church staff and leaders the opportunity to better communicate with you the congregation. The communication cards also help us count people. Why do we count people? The reason is because people count.

2) Wear your name badge. Names are so important. It helps our guests know who we are. And it helps us identify each other as well.

3) Take the opportunity to serve. There are many opportunities to serve on a Sunday morning. You can serve as a greeter, usher, Cup of Life server, Sunday School helper, Welcome Center host, Nursery Attendant, and more. We cannot have enough people serving in these areas, no matter how many we have serving. We are family. We have guests coming to visit and we all need to pitch in. It’s everyone serve one!

4) Meet someone new each week. I can almost guarantee there is someone on Sunday morning you do not know. I cannot think of a Sunday morning where I would have been able to identify every single person in worship. Take a chance. I will challenge you to introduce yourself to one new person each week. It may be to a person who is new to Lord of Life. It may be to a long time member. It may mean stepping out of your comfort zone, but it will be more than worth it.

5) Stand in the gap. Every weekend there are little opportunities to serve. A few weeks back the rain was coming down in torrents. One of our members took it upon themselves to take an umbrella out into the parking lot to help usher people into the building. No one asked him to do it. He got wet. He did not get his picture up on the screen for doing it. There was no official job description he had to do it. He just saw it as an opportunity to serve in the moment. There are plenty of these opportunities around. If you need help finding one, I am sure I can help point you in the right direction.

6) Smile! Jesus loves you. He loves me. We’ve got the Good News. The Scripture tells us to “Rejoice in the Lord always.” There is nothing that will help make another person feel at ease as much as a smile.

7) Arrive to worship early. Every Sunday there are many people who show up at the last moment and enter into worship late. Not only does this detract from our own personal worship as we come in with a hurried and rushed mindset, but it is also distracting to others who are seeking to engage in the worship. When I arrive late all I can think about is my own needs and largely disregard the needs of others. Arrive early to prepare your heart and mind and to take on the servant’s heart. Give God the time and opportunity to use you.

8) Choose your seat and parking spot carefully. Every Sunday I intentionally park far away from the main doors. The reason I do this is because I know that I don’t need to park any closer. I am healthy and can walk. There are others who can use that parking spot close to the door better than I can. It is the same way choose your seat in worship carefully. The back row is always popular. Yet, I know that I don’t need to sit in the back row. There’s probably a young family with small children that are new who are a little nervous about being in worship for the first time that could use the back row much better than I can. The aisles are always popular as well. But when I arrive early I can move towards the center so that those who come late will have a seat that can be easily accessed. In all of this it may take sacrifice, but it is about having the servant’s heart for others. I exchange a little of my comfort for the sake of my neighbor.

9) Leave it better than you found it. That when you walk into the church building you leave it cleaner and better than when you walked into it. If your kids decide to pull all the brochures off a display rack, put them back and straighten it out. You see a picture that is crooked. Fix it. When you are leaving the worship don’t just set your bulletin on the first flat surface you find. If you see something that missed the garbage, help it find its place. It’s God’s house and we want to honor his home.

10) Finally, Pray! Pray for guests to come. Pray for us to welcome them with love. Pray for your role in helping to welcome them. Pray for them to experience Jesus in an incredible way!

In the end it is not so much about doing these exact things. Rather it is about having the right mindset. Sunday morning is not just about me and what I can get out of it. Sunday morning worship is about what I can give to Jesus and contribute to the kingdom by loving my neighbor. Lord of Life is our Church. Together with Jesus we make ministry happen.

Unanswered Prayer: Selfishness

We continue our discussion this week on unanswered prayer. Last week, we pointed out from James 4:2 is that God cannot answer a prayer that is not prayed. So one reason for unanswered prayer is prayerlessness.

A second reason we come to this week is found in James 4:3. Here it is written: "When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with the wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures." In other words God does not answer prayers that are prayed in selfishness.

Jesus teaches us to ask in the Lord's Prayer for God's will to be done. He even sets the example for us when he prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, "Abba, Father . . . everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will" Mark 14:36.

God does not always want for me what I want for me. That is a good thing. There are many times I think I know what I want, but what I want is not always what I think it is. God sees the big picture. I only see the small one. He has an eternal perspective. I have a limited one.

If you are feeling frustrated that your prayers go unanswered, consider what you are asking. Are you only asking for yourself? Are you asking for others? Are you asking for your own welfare for the sake of your own welfare? Or are you asking for your own welfare in order to turn that blessing into a blessing for others?

Readings for next week:

12	Jeremiah 19:1-21:14 1 Thessalonians 5:4-28 Psalm 82:1-8 Proverbs 25:9-10
13	Jeremiah 22:1-23:20 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12 Psalm 83:1-18 Proverbs 25:11-14		14	Jeremiah 23:21-25:38 2 Thessalonians 2:1-17 Psalm 84:1-12 Proverbs 25:15
15	Jeremiah 26:1-27 2 Thessalonians 3:1-18 Psalm 85:1-13 Proverbs 25:16		16	Jeremiah 28:1-29:32 1 Timothy 1:1-20 Psalm 86:1-17 Proverbs 25;17
17	Jeremiah 30:1-31:26 1 Timothy 2:1-15 Psalm 87:1-7 Proverbs 25:18-19		18	Jeremiah 31:27-32;44 1 Timothy 3:1-16 Psalm 88:1-18 Proverbs 25:20-22

Faces at Lord of Life: John Peterson

If there were a person at Lord of Life to receive a reward for being a “Super-volunteer” it would be John Peterson. John is an incredible blessing to the family here at Lord of Life. To give you an idea of the many ways that John serves the Lord through the Church consider the following list:

1) He is an Elder
2) He coordinates the AA meetings every Sunday night at Lord of Life
3) He is a leader for Celebrate Recovery on Friday evenings
4) He is a trained Stephen Minister
5) He serves on the Strategic Advancement Team
6) He is a full-time volunteer during the week doing everything from mowing the lawn, to fixing staff computer problems, to handy man extraordinaire
7) He has helped furnish woodworking tools for the start of a new woodworking ministry at Lord of Life
8) He serves once a month, operating the video screens on Sunday morning

I asked John what he appreciates about Lord of Life. He says that he appreciates the diversity of this church that the people come from all different walks of life from farmers to business men, from retired people to young families. They all bring their different talents. He loves that this is an alive church, we sometimes make mistakes, but we are not afraid to try new things and invite others.

At the time of this writing John is preparing to leave on October 18 for Sierra Leon. He will be embarking on a two week medical mission trip where he and Dr. Susan Busse will be conducting research on a low cost treatment for Malaria. It is a study that could potentially change the third world countries forever. In addition to the research, John and the ministry team will be conducting evangelistic worship services in this predominately Muslim country.

I asked John why he serves. “I like to give,” he said, “ I get more out of giving than anything, the reward is astounding, worth more than money. Even if this trip doesn’t work out the way we hope, we will still make an impact, and that will be worth it all.”

Thank you John for your servant’s heart. Thank you for serving the Lord. We will pray that God will continue to use you in an incredible way.

What a waste

So much hope. "This is the year!" We kept hearing it on the radio. We saw the signs at Wrigley. Eternal optimism rigned supreme in spite of all the years of disappointment. Even Ryan Dempster and Ronny Cedeno fearlessly proclaimed this would be the year the Cubs win the World Series.

I don't really care that it has been 100 years since the last World Series. I have only been alive for about a third of that time. But what does matter is that the Chicago Cubs in my lifetime are 1-6 in seven playoff series. They currently have a 9 game losing streak in the playoffs going strong.

Maybe it is not so much about the fact that they lose, but it's the way they lose. They are 0-6 when being one game away from the World Series. In 1998, 2007, and 2008 they didn't even sniff a win. To win 97 games, over 6 months, the most in the National League, rendered meaningless in four days is more than a little disheartening.

I will admit that I did not watch an inning of the game last night. I couldn't bear to watch. I listened to part of the game on the radio, but it made me so sad to hear Ron Santo. I was asleep long before it ended.

I don't think I ask for much. Just one team that is competitive in the playoff that doesn't totally collapse. I can handle 1989. That year the Cubs were over-matched. They didn't win the series, but they didn't break any hearts like they did in so many other years.

I have to say that this is the most deflating playoff series I ever watched. Second on my list is 1984. Third is 2003. I rank 1984 ahead of 2003 because 1984 was a better team. 2003 they at least won one playoff series, but they were not as dominate that year as they were this year in 2008 or in 1984.

In the end, there is so much more to life than baseball. I will have trouble watching any regular season game next year. Let me know when they get to the playoffs again (if they make it). Then maybe I will tune in.

Stick a fork in them

Another year. Same result. Ecclesiastes tells us that there is nothing new under the sun. In my lifetime the Chicago Cubs have played in seven playoff series. They have won only one of those seven series.

They were swept in 1998 and 2007 in three straight games. Worse yet, they lost three in a row in 1984 and in 2003 when they were only one game away from advancing to the World Series. I will not be surprised if this will be the 5th time in 2008 that they will loose three in a row on their way out of the playoffs.

It is sad. Very sad! What a waste of time following this team.

Unanswered Prayer: Prayerlessness

Times are tough. No doubt many are asking, "where is God in all this?" Many are left wondering, "why does God not answer my prayers?"

As believers we often talk about our faith in God that he hears and answers every prayer. And yet it sometimes seems like God is not listening. The answers are not easily coming.

I'm reminded of the Garth Brooks song entitled Unanswered Prayers. The premise of this song is that God sometimes does not answer our prayers because he has something better planned for us.

There may be some truth to this, but consider some Biblical reasons for unanswered prayer. The first thing on this list is prayerlessness. In James 4:2 it is written: "You do not have, because you do not ask God."

Sometimes we spend so much time in worry mode that we forget to operate in prayer mode. Yet, the Scriptures encourage us to engage in ceaseless prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:7). We may share with our spouse, with our friends, with our church family what we desire, but we forget to tell God. This is a big mistake.

God cannot answer a prayer that is not prayed. It's true that God does not need us to make our requests known to him. He already knows. But how will we ever see God's answer to our prayer as an answer to our prayer if we never prayed the prayer? Prayer is not so much about God needing to know our needs, as much as it is about us needing to know his answer.

Prayer is about building our faith. God wants us to ask him so that we can recognize his answer when he comes through for us and not dismiss it as coincidence.

Do you have something you need to ask God for? Don't wait! Do it now!

Next week we will continue this discussion with our second reason for unanswered prayer.

Readings next week:

05	Jeremiah 4:19-6:15 Colossians 1:18-2:7 Psalm 77:1-20 Proverbs 24:23-25		06	Jeremiah 6:16-8:7 Colossians 2:8-23 Psalm 78:1-31 Proverbs 24:26
07	Jeremiah 8:8-9:26 Colossians 3:1-17 Psalm 78:32-55 Proverbs 24:27		08	Jeremiah 10:1-11:23 Colossians 3:18-4:18 Psalm 78:56-72 Proverbs 24:28-29
09	Jeremiah 12:1-14:10 1 Thessalonians 1:1-2:8 Psalm 79:1-13 Proverbs 24:30-34		10	Jeremiah 14:11-16:15 1 Thessalonians 2:9-3:13 Psalm 80:1-19 Proverbs 25:1-5
11	Jeremiah 16:16-18:23 1 Thessalonians 4:1-5:3 Psalm 81:1-16 Proverbs 25:6-8

Lord of Life Visits Norton Farm

The Lord of Life Preschool went on its first field trip of the year to Norton Farm today. We were excited because this was Abby's first field trip ever. It reminded me of a first grade field trip I took to Edwards Apple Orchard when I was a kid.

We brought home an ear of corn, a pumpkin, and a gourd. I always enjoy the Fall activities, but I am not excited knowing that winter is not too far around the corner.

Lord of Life Missionary from India

It was good to have a missionary from India with us at Lord of Life this past week. I very much enjoyed his testimony at the Mission Potluck on Sunday. It makes me count the blessings we have in the United States to have freedom to worship without fear of persectution. We thank him for sharing with us.

Last night, Barbara and I hosted him for dinner. He had never seen an apple tree before so we made sure to have his picture taken in front of one at Kuipers Family Farm in Maple Park.