Church out of the Box with Hot Dogs!

A beautiful day...

Prayer Works

I met David in August of 1996 and have to admit that we didn't hit it off immediately. But, if you know God, you start to get the sense that when He has other plans it's just easier if you go along from the start.

How do you make a 12 year old story short? Over the course of time David and I have been involved with each other in a lot of ways. I have seen them go through weddings, births, surgeries, good times and hard times, and I know that God has been tugging on them for a long time.

The most exciting part of this story is depicted in the pictures you see. That is David, his wife Elisha, sister-in-law Bianca, and father-in-law Richard all being baptized into Christ together. It reminds me of the jailer and his whole household being saved.

He then brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must i do to be saved?" They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved--you and your household." Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. At that hour of the night the jailer took them (Paul and Silas) and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family were baptized. the jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God--he and his whole family. Acts 16:30-34

Each one in this family has their own unique story, not the least of all is Richard who is battling cancer.

One side note: Rick said he could never figure out why he let his family talk him into building a pool...now he knows. Thanks to the Reeds for hosting this great event!

God is Good, never quit praying!
Al
(Alan Craig, guest blogger)

Been Awhile?

I am afraid it has been too long since our last post! God has been showing me in the last few weeks that you can have friends closer than family. I now have enlarged my "family" by many times. Sometimes it gets so "messy and complicated" with family that you have a long and storied past with. Isn't it good to have friends that you can have a fresh start with. Friends that see you in your fresh life, that don't have previous "muddy water" to get in the way of seeing you for who you have become.

Some old friends have grown along right beside us and see us as changed people. We are not who we were a year ago, and do not intend to get stagnant. God is not stagnant!

We were meant to live! Here is to Good friends, new beginnings and fresh starts.
Matt

School

As we prayed over Noah, Chloe, and Micah about the return of school and normal life (the end of late nights and sleeping late), It occurred to me that as parents Keely and I want our kids to take Isaiah 61 as their motto as they go into the school house this year. As a teacher I also adopt this motto, I feel like each child that comes into my class is divinely appointed to be there. Likewise I believe my children are in the class that God has put them in.

May we all seek to live this scripture out daily.

Isaiah 61

The Year of the LORD's Favor

1 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
because the LORD has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners, ^[a]

2 to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,

The Book we have been talking about

This book will rock your world.

I have read about half of the book so far. I recommend it if you are up for a mental challenge!

It will challenge what you have thought about church in the past.


For more info check out their site.

MC