The rain can't dampen our parade

Looks like a weekend of rain (all together now: WE NEED THE RAIN!) but that won't keep us from worshiping, studying and having fellowship with one another.

On Wednesday we received our Certificate of Occupancy.  It was a long time coming but worth the wait.  A dedicated group of volunteers worked really hard this week to get tables, chairs, etc out of storage and over to the new Christian Life Center.  We're not completely moved in and that will take some time.  But we're so excited to finally utilize our new facility.

We have worship this Saturday at 5 pm with the Svec group providing the music.  This Sunday, my message is entitled, "But first, we pray."  My little group will also offer the music at services and we are very excited to sing Matt Maher's beautiful "Abide With Me" as an offertory.  Join us at 8 and 11 am for worship; 9 am for coffee fellowship in our beautiful new hall; Sunday school, youth ministry and ABC (adult Bible class) at 9:30 am.  Hope to see you this weekend at LICL!

Poster wisdom for $2.99

Shopping at a thrift store the other day I found a sign that really resonated with me. 

DREAM more
COMPLAIN less
LISTEN more
TALK less
LOVE more
ARGUE less
HOPE more
FEAR less
RELAX more
WORRY less
BELIEVE more
DOUBT less
PLAY more
WORK less

About Good Works

Therefore, we should value good works and remember doing them is still necessary. But we should value God's Word and His promises even more highly. We will live in God's presence because we believe in what He says, not because we do good works that make us holy. We have to make a clear distinction between our good works and our faith in God's Word. Believing in God's Word defeats the devil and makes us holy children of God.

Martin Luther, "Faith Alone," February 10

With three pennies and God...

I didn't note in my journal where I found this story but I wish I had.

Mother Teresa of Calcutta had a dream. She told her superiors, "I have 3 pennies and a dream from God to build an orphanage."

"Mother Teresa," her superiors gently chided, "you cannot build an orphanage with 3 pennies. With 3 pennies you can't do anything."

"I know," she said smiling," but with God and 3 pennies, I can do anything."

"Growing God's Church"

Gary L. McIntosh's new book should be required reading for every pastor.  A copy should be given to the members of the evangelism, outreach or witnessing teams.  It would be beneficial for any lay man or woman to read as well.  "Growing God's Church" is that good.

McIntosh provides updated research to explain why people are coming to church, what keeps them in church, and why it's so important for a church and its people to develop an awareness for lost souls.

I really appreciated McIntosh's emphasis on the importance of speaking God's saving Word to people. It's not enough to show the love of Jesus by doing good deeds for your neighbor.  Your neighbor needs to know what motivates you to show the love of Jesus and that is the Gospel message of forgiveness and salvation in Christ.

The book is also full of practical ways and ideas for the church to begin doing serious outreach into its community.  If your church is struggling to find ways to meaningfully share Jesus with others, buy a copy of this book for your pastor.  And one for yourself.

This Sunday will be super too!

Super Bowl Sunday - really super if you were a Patriot's fan and really duper if Atlanta was your team.  But every Sunday is a Super Sunday at worship.

You enter into the presence of God.  He speaks His Word of forgiveness to you.  He fills your heart with peace and hope with His Word of salvation.  He greets you at His table and give you His Supper, a meal like none other.  He sends you on your way into a new week by placing His blessing on your head.  What could be better?

Join us today at 5 pm or tomorrow at 8 and 11 am.  Have a blessed and "super" weekend!

Serving Goat

A young couple invited their aging pastor to their home for dinner one Sunday. While the couple was in the kitchen, preparing to serve the meal, the pastor leaned toward the couple's five-year-old son and asked, "What are we having to eat?"

"Goat!" the boy replied.

The pastor frowned at the boy, "Goat! Really?"

"Oh yes," the boy nodded. "They've been talking about it all week - having the old goat for Sunday dinner!"

From "A Laugh a Day - A Daily Dose of Heavenly Humor"