“Go and tell John what you have seen and heard” from Luke 7:18-23

John the Baptist was concerned and confused. His cousin, Jesus, was doing great miracles – miracles one would expect of the promised messiah. But the revolution was not being televised – yet. Where was the fiery reformer John was expecting?

So John asked the question, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?”

Jesus’ answer was as authentic as he was, “Go tell John what you have seen and heard”.   Jesus did not send a simplistic answer nor did he send a theological tome. He simply pointed to his works and his words. Jesus came with the works and the words of the kingdom and he both walked the walk and talked the talk. His lips and his life were perfectly consistent.

Which gives us pause for reflection – if we were asked, “Are you the church – the body of Christ, the hands, feet, and mouth of Jesus, or shall we look for another”, could we say, “What do you see? What do you hear?”

Can we point to our works and our words as validating our reality? We are called to be “on-mission” with Christ and our words and works should be self authenticating. That’s called “authentic”. That’s called “being real”.

So let the gospel come to you and through you to a lost, blind, and hurting world!

The well wisher of your soul’s happiness,

Pastor Tom

Stuff to click:      Free worship music (with chord sheets!) – http://fm.thevillagechurch.net/music

Kevin DeYoung’s list of contemporary “Jesus-es”

::prayer::

Andria M – Pray for my friend from work, Sara, who is going through some tough stuff in her life. Also pray that I and the other Christians at work would show God’s love in the way we live.

Barbara B – Pray for my students and me as they return this week J. Pray for healing of my right eye. Pray for the pending sale of my parent’s house. It will take a miracle for it to sell.

Denise D – Thanks you for all your thoughts and prayers for my mother who had a hip replacement. She is recovering well and continues to do so.  Please pray for me – I will be having surgery Monday for kidney stones. Thanks you and God bless you all. Continue to pray for all our troops. My friend, Dave, who has Lou Gehrig’s disease and a friend, Alea, who has been in the hospital due to a rare illness and is recovering.

Eloise B – Pray for safety as we travel to PA on Fri and Sat and that our daughter, Pam, will be open to talk with us about Christ and that she will recommit her life to Him.

Deborah T – 1) Bread on Aug 2^nd – people taste it, like it, and buy it. 2) For vacation Aug 4-29. Good family bonding time, fun, laughter, meet other people… true followers of Christ. That we are ready for the trip – bring all we need. Most of all God is with us and protects us: driving, no accidents or illness (falling off a cliff!)

Nancy W – Pray for wisdom for our family as we make decision with James for his future. Continued healing of my hand. Outreach for our church.

Samuel W – Please pray for daddy to have a safe trip home.

::community::

Meet Julie Wolf: Julie is a licensed counselor representing Hope Counseling Clinic – “restoring hope and healing hearts.” Julie is leading a seminar called “Surviving Grief: Understanding Yourself and Those You Love” August 12th from 7pm to 8:30pm in the fellowship hall of the First United Methodist Church of Winter Garden. RSVP at 407-758-5693

New CD “Love Rains Down.” The album features local homeless musicians working together with an amazing cast of musicians and producers, including one sound engineer who just won an Emmy (all time and production donated). They all pooled their talents to create an amazing CD full of original songs. All the proceeds will go toward supporting work with the homeless in Orange County, with the first priority being to provide a shower trailer for the homeless of West Orange County. Available on Sundays! $10 Donation.

::mission::

Mike & Sue Farho (Tunisia) – Praise that attendance at the Sousse church has been up and for the great prayer walk they did last Sunday on the beach.  Pray for the Farho’s as they work through updating their resident visas.

Tim & Janice Greenfield (Guadalajara) – Praise for the 6 families that attended church due to exposure from VBS.  Pray for the Greenfields and other Alliance Missionaries from Mexico City and Tijuana as they gather this coming week for yearly field forum.  Their speaker will be Paul Little.

Please pray for the church family of Saint’s Sanctuary Alliance Church in Pompano Beach.  Their church van, filled with adults and children, was in a major accident last Saturday on the Florida Turnpike while returning from Orlando.  One person died, and several were injured.  Some are still in the hospital, including Pastor Matthieu Jean-Gilles’ daughter.

Asking God to do what only he can do.

Honesty is one of the reasons to love the psalms. The psalm writers share their hearts, bare their hearts, and know their hearts like nobody else.  I was reading Psalm 119 this morning and was impressed with how well the psalmist knows his own heart deficiencies and calls out to the Lord to do what only the Lord can do:

I will run in the way of your commandments when you enlarge my heart! (Psalms 119:32)

He wants to “run with the Lord” but he knows he lacks the capacity. So he cries out for a greater heart for the Lord!

Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain! (Psalms 119:36)

He knows his heart is inclined to selfish gain, so he pleads for a new inclination!

Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law. (Psalms 119:18)

He knows his eyes grow dull and dim to God’s word, so he calls on the Lord to open them!

So, do you get discouraged with your own heart?  Do you despair of every overcomcoming your own spiritual inertia? I’ve got good news for you. You can’t! You can’t change your own heart.

But that’s exactly what God does through the Gospel! He is in the business of doing what we can’t do.

So ask God to do what only he can do – change you from the inside out through the power of the cross!

The well wisher of your soul’s happiness,

Pastor Tom

::prayer::

Alliance City Church – Pray for Charlie Hughes and Alliance City Church as they seek to reach young progressives in the UCF area. http://www.facebook.com/alliancecitychurch

Debbie S – Please pray for Josh’s friends, Jeff & Marissa, whose baby was born this week at a mere 26 weeks.  Praise the Lord fof providing hosing for Kethi and Michelle who are moving out of their apartment in August. It is such an honor to watch them pray and trust the Lord to direct their path and see Him answer so wonderfully. They are moving into a huge house along with 2 other girls who are missionaries. Big house, Christian landlord, no lease, great cost! Also PTL for providing internship for the fall for Michelle.

Jim P – Please continue to pray for Rick’s salvation.

John D – Pray for Yolanda’s mother. 25 years of diabetes is having a toll on her. Pray for my uncle Jim who just went under triple bypass.

Nancy W – Please pray for the healing of my hand – the pain is very uncomfortable and I’m not sleeping well. Pray for James’s aunt Janet – she’s been in the hospital for 4 weeks with cellulitis in her leg.

Lou and Linn C – Daughter Liz needs a job. We really need to rent out our town house.

Keith & Krista Ellenberger (Mali) – Pray for Krista and middle son, Loren, as they travel to the states for the summer and get him prepared for college life.  Pray for Keith and Karlin as they remain behind, may they have good experiences together and minister to those around them.

LIFE 2010 – The CM&A High School conference was held this past week (7/6-10) in Louisville, KY.  Pray for the students that attended the conference, that they will continue to seek and serve the Lord.  Theme was Collide – what happens when your world meets God’s world?

::community::

New Family Bible Hour Classes – 9:15 Sunday Mornings!

“Major Lessons from the Minor Prophets”

Candy Hilton leads this multigenerational class as we survey the prophets from Hosea to Malachi. For High School students through adults.

“Love that Lasts: When Marriage Meets Grace”

Pastor Tom will lead this class geared for all who are married and those who one day may be. For High School students through adults.

New Message Series: “Askitallogy” (Ask-it-all-ogy!). Pastor Tom will be (attempting) to answer your questions about life, the Bible, practical issues, theological struggles, really – anything!  No question too easy or too hostile.  So “ask it all”!  Email Tom your questions or post them on our Southwest Church Facebook page.

For Next Week:

• Set-up: Glenn Tindall
• Nursery: Maxine Kelly
• Prayer: Sandee Lyons

::mission::

Scheduling Update: NEW-NEW-NEW DATE! Matthew’s Hope Homeless Dinner: On Tuesday, July 20^h, we will be having dinner with the homeless at Matthew’s Hope. They had a scheduling problem and wondered if we would be flexible. We are! Talk to Debbie Santora on how you can help!

Missions Party: Bring Your Own Dinner to the Childress’s home this Wednesday at 6:30PM for some plan-demonium!

When Christians disappoint.

Who do you look up to? Who do you put on a pedestal? Parents? Pastors? Missionaries? Friends? What happens when you get up close and see all the warts and blemishes? What happens when you see more of the “old man” than you do of Christ in them?

We often say, “don’t trust in people, people will always disappoint you”. But when it actually happens we are shocked and disillusioned.

What do I do with that discouragement?

You can let it remind you of the steadfast constancy and unchangeableness of God.

Thomas Watson, the great puritan theologian, contrasts the unchangeableness of God with the frailty of man:

See the vanity of the creature. There are changes in everything but in God. ‘Men of high degree are vanity, and men of low degree are a lie.’ Psa 62: 9. We look for more from the creature than God has put in it.

Sometimes we just “look for more in the creature than God has put in it”. At the core we are broken, troubled people whom God is graciously redeeming, re-molding, and restoring to the image of Christ. Nothing is going to get in the way of that work (Romans 8:26-39).

But the process is long and hard and we are all at different places on the journey.  And consider; could it be that you may have actually disappointed someone along the way? But please see the grace and patience of God with you as you stumble down the path. And pray for grace and patience for those who disappoint you.

The well wisher of your soul’s happiness,

Pastor Tom

::prayer::

Lorri M - A job was posted for a biology teacher at the high school across the street of where my fiancé will be working in the fall. I had interviewed with the principal for this school at the job fair, and would love nothing more than to work there. Pray for God’s favor in acquiring this job.

Deb T - Please pray for people to taste the bread, like it, and buy it. For Erica to understand algebra and ASL (American Sign Language). For Jim @ work. The heat drains him.

Annie M – Stress w/work and rehearsals.

Jim P - Check out www.call2fall.com and pray for our country.

::community::

Womens Bible Study: This summer we encourage you to participate in a 6 week study by Kelly Minter on the book of Ruth “hosted” by Beth Moore on the Living Proof Ministries website. See Tricia Phillips for details!

New Family Bible Hour Classes

“Major Lessons from the Minor Prophets”

Candy Hilton leads this multigenerational class as we survey the prophets from Hosea to Malachi. Does God really tell his prophet to marry a prostitute? Do prophets really hear the call of God and run in the opposite direction? Does God “romantically” win the hearts of his wandering people?  One thing is for sure, you will hear the heart of God in all his tenacity and tenderness!  For High School students through adults.

“Love that Lasts: When Marriage Meets Grace”

Pastor Tom will lead this class geared for all who are married and those who one day may be. In eight sessions we will apply what the Bible says about communication, conflict, romance, and intimacy. Based on the book by Gary and Betty Ricucci. For High School students through adults.

New Message Series: “Askitallogy” (Ask-it-all-ogy!). Beginning the second week in July I will be (attempting) to answer your questions about life, the Bible, practical issues, theological struggles, really – anything!  No question too easy or too hostile.  So “ask it all”!  Email Tom your questions or post them on our Southwest Church Facebook page.

::mission::

Scheduling Update: NEW-NEW-NEW DATE! Matthew’s Hope Homeless Dinner: On Tuesday, July 20^th we will be having dinner with the homeless at Matthew’s Hope. They had a scheduling problem and wondered if we would be flexible. We are!

YMCA Family Fun Night: A great night of free food and fun for families in our community! Saturday, July 10, from 5-7 PM at the Roper YMCA Family Center. The Fun and Games will include a Hotdogs and popcorn, Wii Bowling Tournament, Bean Bag Toss, Three Legged Race, and group games for the whole family. This is a great opportunity for our church to serve the community and build relationships. We’ll need volunteers so send me your t-shirt size when you respond! Invite friends!

This week I am going to invite a “guest pastor” to share some powerful thoughts on battling a judgmental spirit by looking for evidences of grace. C.J. Mahany is a true gift to the body of Christ and encourages my soul every time I hear him. I would encourage you to read and/or listen to everything you can get your hands on by C.J.  Enjoy…

Most people are more aware of the absence of God than the presence of God. Most people are more aware of the presence of sin than evidences of grace. What a privilege and joy it is in pastoral ministry and small-group ministry to turn one’s attention to ways in which God is at work, because so often people are unaware of God’s work. And much of God’s work in our lives is quiet; it’s not “spectacular.” It’s rarely obvious to the individual, and normally it’s incremental and takes place over a lengthy period of time.

So, informed by Paul’s leadership I want to interact with everybody by identifying an evidence of grace, because if they are Christian I know God is at work in their lives. What a joy it is to discern where and how God is at work, draw people’s attention to it, and celebrate God’s grace in their lives! The fact that we get to do this-how cool is this?

And I also know this is critical preparation for any correction that genuinely needs to take place in their lives. Because identifying God’s work in their lives gives them faith for the correction they might be in need of, and they can consider that correction without collapsing under that correction being unaware that God is at work in their life.

See, Paul’s correction of the Corinthian church is effective because he has faith for this church. When we correct people, they can tell whether we have affection for them and faith for them. I sadly know what it’s like to correct somebody where I neither had affection for nor faith for-as if the correction alone was sufficient and most important. That is not true. This is not an expression of the character of God and that is not biblical leadership.

I would encourage all of us to restrain ourselves from correcting someone until we have developed, to some degree, affection for them and faith for them.

So how do we identify evidences of grace?

Here is the “starter’s kit” I recommend for recognizing evidences of grace. (It’s a “starter’s kit” but you will never outgrow or exhaust it.) Just take two categories, the fruit of the Spirit and the gifts of the Spirit. Work from those two categories and lists, study those lists in the Bible, look up from studying those lists, and look at Christians around you. You will see God at work everywhere you look.

God is working. God is very busy. God, give us the eyes to see how you are at work so we can identify that, draw people’s attention to it, celebrate it, and assign all glory to God for that work!

-C.J. Mahaney, addressing the small-group leaders of KingsWay Community Church in Midlothian, VA (January 27, 2008).

::prayer::

Maxine K: Please pray for John the week as he will be attending an economic conference in Atlanta.  He leaves Monday and will return Saturday.

Nancy W: Thanks be to God for giving Stephen a great time at camp and for a deep spiritual experience!  Please pray for wisdom as we guide our children through many difficult circumstances.

Pray for Lindsey as she travels home this week – arriving Friday, June 25^th.

Lou C: Pray for Linn and Angela as we travel to our son Andrew’s wedding. Pray for safe travel, peace of mind, and spiritual refreshment. Pray also for Linn’s sister, Gavin, who is preparing to go back to Saudi Arabia where her husband works.

::community::

New Classes Coming Sundays in July – 9:15 AM!

“Major Lessons from the Minor Prophets”

Candy Hilton leads this multigenerational class as we survey the prophets from Hosea to Malachi. Does God really tell his prophet to marry a prostitute? Do prophets really hear the call of God and run in the opposite direction? Does God “romantically” win the hearts of his wandering people?  One thing is for sure, you will hear the heart of God in all his tenacity and tenderness!  For High School students through adults.

“Love that Lasts: When Marriage Meets Grace”

Pastor Tom will lead this class geared for all who are married and those who one day may be. In eight sessions we will apply what the Bible says about communication, conflict, romance, and intimacy. Based on the book by Gary and Betty Ricucci. For High School students through adults.

With great classes for the kids as well, this is a great time to connect (or re-connect) at Family Bible Hour!

Womens Bible Study: This summer we encourage you to participate in a 6 week study by Kelly Minter on the book of Ruth “hosted” by Beth Moore on the Living Proof Ministries website.  We will watch a video online every two weeks.  Participants are then encouraged comment on her blog as we learn together. Books can be purchased at Lifeway for $12.95.

::mission::

NEW DATE! Matthew’s Hope Homeless Dinner: On Tuesday, July 6^th, we will be having dinner with the homeless at Matthew’s Hope, 4:30 – 6:00 PM. Sign up for what you can bring this Sunday.

YMCA Family Fun Night: A great night of free food and fun for families in our community! Saturday, July 10, from 5-7 PM at the Roper YMCA Family Center.  The Fun and Games will include a Hotdogs and popcorn, Wii Bowling Tournament, Bean Bag Toss, Three Legged Race, and group games for the whole family. This is a great opportunity for our church to serve the community and build relationships. We’ll need volunteers so send me your t-shirt size when you respond! Invite friends!

“Major Lessons from the Minor Prophets”

Candy Hilton leads this multigenerational class as we survey the prophets from Hosea to Malachi. Does God really tell his prophet to marry a prostitute? Do prophets really hear the call of God and run in the opposite direction? Does God “romantically” win the hearts of his wandering people?  One thing is for sure, you will hear the heart of God in all his tenacity and tenderness!  For High School students through adults.

“Love that Lasts: When Marriage Meets Grace”

Pastor Tom will lead this class geared for all who are married and those who one day may be. In eight sessions we will apply what the Bible says about communication, conflict, romance, and intimacy. Based on the book by Gary and Betty Ricucci. For High School students through adults.

With great classes for the kids as well, this is a great time to connect (or re-connect) at Family Bible Hour!

“We had to celebrate and be glad” – Luke 15:32

The parables in Luke 15 follow a similar pattern: Something is lost. That something is found. So somebody throws a party. Pretty simple.

But how do we wrap our minds around the idea that God likes to celebrate? We are used to thinking of God sitting austere, disinterested, and disconnected from our emotions. A God that parties is not in our mental filing cabinet.

Yet it is clear from Luke 15 (and a bunch of other scriptures) that God truly celebrates. But what does God celebrate? What makes him throw parties?

We celebrate victories (championships, setting records), occasions (birthdays, weddings), and achievements (retirements, graduations). We want to celebrate, we feel the need to celebrate, I suppose you could say we have to celebrate!

So does God celebrate our victories, occasions, and achievements?

Nope. He celebrates our repentance. That’s right, repentance. He celebrates when a sinner (like me and you) first comes to Christ in repentance. But who’s to say he doesn’t celebrate every time we repent? Every time we turn from sin and believe his superior promises. Every time we choose faithfulness to Christ over compromise and ease. Every time we kill the selfish flesh and lay our lives down for Christ’s sake. Every day we live repentance as a way of life.

So, let make heaven happy. Not by offering our victories and achievements, but by offering our repentance. And then listen for the party!

The well wisher of your soul’s happiness,

Pastor Tom

::prayer::

Lindsey:  “I won’t be able to e-mail for awhile because I am going out to a village tomorrow morning until Friday. The team that is here is not Christian so I hopefully I will be able to be a witness to them this week! ”

Pray for Wendy as she travels home, arriving Wednesday evening, June 9^th at 11:40 pm.

Jim P: Please pray for Lindsey’s health and for God to bless her efforts for His Kingdom.  Pray for God’s perfect will to be accomplished in Whitney’s life.

Deborah T.: Selling bread on Monday so pray people will taste it, like it and buy it.  Praise God for all his goodness!

Denise D.: My mother- recovering from surgery from a broken wrist, my friend (Dave) – suffering from Lou Gerhig’s Disease, my sister’s mother-in-law, Mary Ann Dubb, major cancer surgery Monday (12 hour operation).

Eloise: Praise for a definite improvement in Trent’s behavior and attitude.  Pray for Ren as he witnesses to him (they live together), and for Trent’s salvation.

Barbara B: Pray for my eyes- infection keeps coming back.  Praise- my parents have gotten rid of many of their possessions as they prepare to downsize from a large home to an apartment this summer. Pray as my parents and I have to put down my cat.  She came with me from Brazil.  My dad is very attached to her.

Nancy W.: Praise God for His amazing provision of $390 for Stephen’s garage sale for camp!  Many thanks to those of you who helped & donated items!  Please continue to pray for the needs of our family.

::community::

Garage Sale for Summer Camp: Thanks so much to all who helped in our garage sale. We raised over $340 for camp!

NEW DATE! Matthew’s Hope Homeless Dinner: On Tuesday, July 6^th, we will be having dinner with the homeless at Matthew’s Hope. We need “worker-bees”, meal planners, chefs, and relationship builders. Please plan to participate and thanks for your response!

Family Fun Night at the YMCA: This summer we will be hosting a series of family fun night activities for the community at the Roper YMCA Family Center. We kick it off on Saturday, June 12 at 5:30 PM with a family movie night complete with hotdogs and popcorn!  Fun ‘n Games night will be Saturday, July 10^th and a poolside “Dive-in Movie” will be August 21^st.  If you can help plan or be a “worker-bee” please let us know!

Sunday, June 13^th

Set–up: Joe Relich & Kellys

Nursery: Jolene Small

Snacks: John Dishinger

Prayer: Glenn Tindall

::mission::

DISCOVER STORIES: Evangelism starts with communicating your story and God’s story, right? Wrong. We seemed to have condensed sharing the love of Christ to a mechanical formula. Traditionally speaking, Christians often view evangelism as getting the seeker to listen to us while we share a verbal witness — give our testimony in the hopes that they will better understand the gospel. We’re missing a step. We’re omitting a critical part of the process — the other person’s story. Non-Christians are eager to tell their stories. I’ve never met anyone who didn’t want to share their story. I’ve just not met too many Christians willing to stop talking long enough to listen.

Tim & Janice Greenfield (Mexico) – Praise for the blessing of 33 years of marriage for the Greenfield’s.  Pray for the 30 women who have attended Bible Study this past year, pray that they will continue to grow in Christ during the summer, even though they are taking a break from meeting together.

Hope you all are doing well!

This week I was able to travel with Wendy up north to a city called Battambang.  Here, we were able to meet and encourage some friends with CAMA.  They are working with Moringa leaves and have a great ministry there with Camai people.  Hopefully, soon, they will be able to open a shop where they sell Moringa oil, powder, and capsules.  If you do not know about Moringa, you should look it up because it is quite amazing.  From simple ailments like sores to artiritis and even the AIDS virus, Moringa can be quite useful and beneficial to those who take it.

We were able to go out on Thursday with the volunteers who work with AIDS patients.  This was a really hard day, as you can imagine.  The first home we visited, the child with AIDS was at school, but there was another little boy who was very malnurished.  His mother was an alcoholic and had not been taking very good care of him.  The little boy was three years old but could not walk, could not sit up, and could not walk.  He weighed 5kilos, which is about 11 pounds. The volunteers spent a long time talking with the mother and the family trying to convince them that the baby needed to go to the French Orphanage.  The family was willing to let him go, but the mother would not allow him to leave because she can use him to get money so she can buy more alcohol.  She did consent to let him go to the doctor, but we have not heard if he made it to the orphanage yet or not. I will keep you posted as we hear news of him.  Please keep him in your prayers.  We went to two other homes where the mother had AIDS and both women got it from their deceased husbands.  This was very sad, because now some of the children are infected with the disease.  Amazingly enough, these two women are taking Moringa and are looking very healthy! The first two homes were very poor, the second home was built on the side of a wall to a military base, had a very thin wall on the otherside and a tied on roof (which had blown off the week before in a storm) and was only one room. Please keep these families in your prayers.

On a lighter note, I am going to be able to meet up with a special woman named Leakhena tomorrow.  I met Leakhena when I was in Cambodia four years ago and we have kept in contact with each other since then.  She has told me that she’s prayed all the time that I would come back to Cambodia.  Now I am back! And I am so excited to see her again! Please pray that I would be able to encourage Leakhena and that God would bless our meeting tomorrow

The people here are much different than in the states, as you can imagine.  The first question they ask after they meet you is “how old are you?”  They usually think I am about 16-18 area and cannot believe that I am 22! Then they want to know if I wear colored contacts because of my blue eyes and then they cannot imagine that I can see both far and near without wearing contacts or glasses.

Wendy and I got back to RDI (outside Phnom Penh) tonight after riding all day in a taxi from Battambang.  Not too sure what next week holds, I may get the chance to go out into some villages and tag a long with the team that teaches in the schools or I may be painting silver on the water filtration pots.  Flexibility is key here

It has been great hearing from some of you! Thanks for your e-mails. I really appreciate them.  I know it has only been a little over a week since I left, but it feels like much longer than that because of how different everything is here.

Love you all and praying for you,

the traveler,

Lindsey

Deal or No Deal? Okay, a name for a TV show (anybody remember Howie Mandel with big hair?), but also a way of describing ways we try to reconcile with God.

Deal: I bring a bargaining chip to offer God in return for his acceptance of me: a life devoid of “big sins” (bank robbing, murder, etc…), regular religious practices, being a “nice person”, promising to try harder, playing the sympathy card with my abusive past, tearful repentance, etc…

The younger brother in Luke 15 tried to bring his father a “deal”; “Treat me as one of your hired servants”, he said. Even after Plan A had failed (“party boy”), and Plan B had failed (“Swineherd”), he still wanted to bring something in his hand to offer his father. He was trying to make a deal.

Yes, he was truly repentant. But be careful here. Some view repentance as a meritorious act that unlocks God’s favor, something we bring to offer God.

But the father will have none of this.

No Deal: Before the son has a chance to say anything the father runs to him, embraces him, and covers him with kisses. And before the son has a chance to bring his “chip” to the table, the father says; “Bring the best robe, the ring, and sandals too!”  Why?

Because the Father will allow nothing but His free grace at the table. Our reconciliation with God must cost us nothing, but must cost Him everything. At the cross all our “chips” fall to the ground in light of our overwhelming sin and His overwhelming grace. The Father will not “deal”! He will only freely love.

So, what are you trying to bring to the table? What deals are you making with God?*

Take the words of the hymn writer to heart”

“Nothing in my hands I bring

Only to the cross I cling”

The Father’s “No Deal” is better than any “Deal” you can imagine!

The well wisher of your soul’s happiness,

Pastor Tom

*you can find out by what you get mad about when the deal doesn’t go your way!

::prayer::

Christine D.:  My Dad has been diagnosed with Diabetes Type 2.  Pray he will eat correctly to control it.  Also my Grandma broke her wrist last night and is having surgery sometime this week.  My Aunt’s mother-in-law is also having surgery to remove ear cancer on June 7^th.

Anon.: Please open doors for my brother.  My father had skin cancer removed so pray they got it all.

John D.: Pray for those in Louisiana losing their livelihood due to the oil spill.  Pray that the terrible oil spill will not drastically alter the Gulf of Mexico.

Carolyn: Pray for these people in Cape Town:  Phillip- Angolan refugee in the streets and victim of land mines.  Ask for God’s provision, protection and salvation.  Derek – homeless- pray for salvation and hope.  Mpho – to know Jesus.

Jim P.: Please remember Lindsey, Wendy and Milt.  Praise God for answers to prayer in Lindsey’s situation.

Julie V.: Please pray for Tatiana – she is having frequent headaches.  Nothing to do with her eyes.

Nancy: Please continue to pray for strength, protection, empowerment and wisdom for our family’s needs.  Janna – employment in her field.  James- takes the SAT Saturday morning.  Garage sale – to raise enough money to send Stephen to camp.

::community::

Garage Sale for Summer Camp: Clean house and donated your sellable items to our Lake Swan Camp youth fund raiser (okay – so only one youth could go this year: mine! Still, it’s a church ministry offered to all!). Bring your items to the Welch’s before the garage sale on Saturday, June 5^th.

Matthew’s Hope Homeless Dinner: On Tuesday, June 22, we will be having dinner with the homeless at Matthew’s Hope. We need “worker-bees”, meal planners, chefs, and relationship builders. Please plan to participate and thanks for your response!

Family Fun Night at the YMCA: This summer we will be hosting a series of family fun night activities for the community at the Roper YMCA Family Center. We kick it off on Saturday, June 12 at 5:30 PM with a family movie night complete with hotdogs and popcorn!  Fun ‘n Games night will be Saturday, July 10^th and a poolside “Dive-in Movie” will be August 21^st.  If you can help plan or be a “worker-bee” please let us know!

Sunday, May 30^th

• Set-up: Jim Phillips
• Nursery: Julie Violini
• Snacks: John Dishinger
• Prayer: Milt Monell

::mission::

Be Spiritual: As you talk to people and get to know them, offer to pray for them. Prayer is a non-threatening way to begin spiritual ministry with someone. And prayer is a great way to show that you really care. Most of the time we operate by “out of sight – out of mind”. But prayer shows we are thinking of people. Even when they are not around! Care!

Tim & Penny Iverson (Taiwan) – Pray for the contacts and ministry opportunities that the Iverson’s have had.  Pray for their safety in travels, as they will be departing in a few weeks for home assignment.

Wendy Andrew & Lindsey Phillips (Cambodia) – Pray for Wendy’s and Lindsey’s health and safety.  Pray that when they show the love of God to all they meet that they will recognize something different in them and want it for themselves.

(That means hello!)

Hope this e-mail finds you all well.  The morning after I arrived (Thursday) I traveled out, along with Wendy, to another village.  We got on a ferry to cross the river and then had to drive through the rice pattys and very, very bumpy roads to get to this little village, which in English, is called, the Bamboo Creek.  At this village, we met another team from TN which has been here working on a water tank for the last week. It was great to meet some more people and see the work they had been doing.

This village was very remote.  The RDI team and the team from TN had been going to schools and to other villages close by, doing arsenic testing, and teaching about hygene and clean water.  They passed out lice soap and other things like that.  On Friday, I got to go to two different villages and help with the presentations.  At villages, the RDI team shows short videos, which are kind of like music videos and some karaoke,  which teach about clean water, hygene, etc… After the videos, people ask questions and then we got to play games with the kids and tell them a story.  At the first village, we told them the stories of David and Goliath and Jonah and the big fish.

I had the amazing opportunity to tell the story of Jonah and the big fish at both villages, through an interpreter.  We had two of the boys from the team act it out, and the kids loved that! We were able to tell them about God and that He wants us to obey Him.  I had so many questions in my mind during this time about the people, their beliefs, and how to best love them.  It was awesome that we could both tell them about God and then also provide for some of their physical needs, by making them aware of the water they were drinking and how that could change and by passing out lice soap.

I will spare you some of the details about where we were staying, eating, and bathing, but let me asure you, that it was a little rustic.  And I loved it!   The villages consist of a wat (a Buddhist temple) and then a main dirt road, where all the houses are, and as far as I can tell there is farming land surrounding it.  A river ran near the place where we were, which is where the people, cows, and everything bathe and get their drinking water (and sometimes use the restroom!- an interesting story goes along with that!). The houses are on tall stilks, some of which are concrete, because during the rainy season it floods a lot.  Rice is the main meal here, most of the time accompanied with some sort of meat.  In the village, they eat raw clams…which smell and they snack on sugar cane.

I am back at RDI for the next two nights and then it is off on an adventure with Wendy to Battambang on Monday morning, where we will spend the next five days.

Again, thank you for your prayers! If you have any questions, please e-mail me back and I will try to answer or give more specifics about what all is going on here.

Love you all!

Lindsey