The Word, the Word, the Word!

Martin Luther was once asked, "How does God work?"  His response? "The Word, the Word, the Word."  Pastor Frank Starr captures that truth in his devotional book, "Light for the Way."

God's name is a saving Word among His people.  He reveals Himself to us in grace and provides salvation.  Where His name is not known, salvation is not possible.  (See John 14:6,9)  The saving name becomes our passport to God's kingdom of grace and His kingdom of glory.  We are baptized in God's name, and the saints in glory bear the saving name of God on their foreheads.  (Revelation 14:1)

From Book 1, page 25

The big weekend!

That's right, it's a big weekend for us at LICL.

This afternoon at 5 pm we'll have worship with Pastor John Pope preaching and communion will be celebrated.

On Sunday morning we'll follow our regular worship schedule with services at 8 and 10:45 am and Sunday school and Bible classes at 9:20 am.

And on Sunday afternoon at 4 pm we'll hold the installation service for our new Associate Pastor, Marcus Breitbarth.  A reception will take place afterward.  This service will be an opportunity to give thanks to God for providing us with a full-time pastor who will help us proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ to our community and world.

Come and join us this weekend!

Stress from Fear of Others

O God
be not far
from me
when I fear
other people
Remind me
they are all
like I am
as grass
They wither
They die
They come naked
from the womb
and naked 
they return
They all must bow
before You
So unless Your are
on my side
I falter
But I will not fear
You are my stronghold
my refuge
You will deliver me
O Lord
Praised be
the name of the Lord!

From Prayers For People Under Pressure by Donald L. Deffner
Northwestern Publishing House

Wisdom from Phillip Gulley

From his book, "Home to Harmony," page 16.

Sometimes what we think we need isn't what we need at all, and what gets thrown in for good measure is that which fulfills our hearts.

Good advice from Simon Cowell?

I am not much of a fan of American Idol.  Haven't watched it for years.  But I have to admit that Simon Cowell was curiosity.  He could be brutal in his evaluations of those participating on the program.  During his time on the program, folks either loved or hated him.  There was no middle ground when it came to Simon Cowell.  It was obvious that he knew something about the music business.  But his words to the performers were not seasoned with much grace.

So imagine my surprise when I found myself writing something in my journal that Cowell said.  I was flipping through channels when I came across a program called, "The Big Interview," hosted by news veteran, Dan Rather.  Cowell was his guest.  This was not a program I was going to spend time watching.  I was just about to move on when Rather asked Cowell about his father.

"Something," said Cowell, "my Dad taught me when I was very young...'It's very simple; everybody has a sign on his forehead that says, Make me feel important'."

How true.  How true.

We all want to feel important.  We all want to know we are valued -whether it be by our spouse, kids, employer, co-workers, teammates and so on.

How would it change your day if you made the effort to make everyone you come in contact with feel important and worthwhile? How might they respond to you? Is it possible that you might find them more cooperative, more helpful and more pleasant to you (and maybe others)?

Jesus said in John 15:16 - You did not choose me but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last.

The Lord's Words make me feel important.  Before I ever had an inkling that I should be pursuing Jesus, He sought me out, chose me to be His own, and filled me with the desire to bear good fruit - words and works offered in love and to God's glory to those around me.

Like making others feel important.

Who can you make feel important today?

They say it's your birthday!

I celebrated a birthday over the weekend.  It was a pretty low key affair.  I didn't feel much like celebrating.  I was really tired after a very full week.

But my dear, sweet wife made the weekend special.  She worked really hard to make my favorite meal.  And there was plenty of chocolate cake, too.

Most of my family came over and we had a great time watching most of the grand kids (really missed Katie, Josh and Drew).

I received a number of nice cards and gifts from people in the church.  I was blessed greatly by their generosity.

This birthday brought me to the realization that I've lived the majority of my life.  But that's not a depressing thought.

I've got important work to do.  We bring on a new Associate Pastor in a week or so and I look forward to partnering with him to shepherd the flock God has given me (us) to tend to.  Most of all, I continually receive joy from my loving wife and kids and grand kids.

The psalmist wrote, "My times are in Your hands, O Lord."  Help me, O Lord, to be faithful in serving You and others in the time you have given me.

Seek and Be Found

Ever play hide and seek with your kids? Didn't you do your best to let them find you? The truth is that we wanted to be found.  The Lord does the same for us.  He calls us to seek Him but then does everything we need so that we can be found.  Isn't that cool? Come and learn more this Sunday at LICL.  Worship is held at 8 and 10:45 am with Bible study and Sunday school at 9:20.  Or, if you prefer to worship on Saturday, check out our 5 pm service.  Deacon Jerry Klink will be preaching and Kevin Svec and his group provide the music.  Hope you'll join us this weekend at LICL!