Alyssa
Tonight I finished previewing the movie "It's A Wonderful Life". This is the next message in our Christmas Classics series. This movie ranks as one of my all time favorites. It never ceases to inspire me. Sometimes we just don't see what impact our life really makes. We wonder, if we weren't around, would it make any difference.
It's finally here. Tonight we begin rehearsal for our multi-media drama, "Last Chance". Our performances will be this Sunday night, November 18-Tuesday, November 20, 7 PM.
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"The Barbarian Way" is a challenge to "return to the ancient, primal, and dangerous faith of Jesus and His early disciples. Let go of a sanitized Christianity and get back to the powerful, raw, and ancient faith that chooses revolution over compromise, peril over safety, and passion over lukewarm and watered-down religion."
This Wednesday, September 12 we are going to be starting a new topic for our adult study. I am really looking forward to it. The reason why may shock you. Even as a pastor, I do not really enjoy the stereotype evangelism style that most of us think of. Door to door, talking to a person I have never met. I know that some people love that and that it has its place in reaching the lost. The thought of that makes me want to run.
| July 15 | "Poolside Miracle" |
| July 22 | "Raising Lazarus from the Dead" |
| July 29 | "Water to Wine" |
| Aug. 5 | "Opening Blind Eyes" |
On Monday, some of our youth, along with Pastor Bobby, raced across the state of Minnesota. Their goal was to raise money to purchase a van for Minnesota Teen Challenge. If you would like to contribute to this worthy cause you can email Pastor Bobby at bobby@ourgreathope.org
Last Thursday, Alyssa graduated from the 5th grade! We are so proud of her. It's a scary thought for Darla and me to think that out of four children, we only have one left in elementary school. Where has time gone? 16 years ago, June 2 1991, was our first Sunday at Living Hope Assembly of God. At that time we only had one child on the way. It really is true when God tells us "life is a vapor".
Last Friday morning, Governor Tim Pawlenty was in Little Falls to kick of June Dairy Month. I was able to meet him at a breakfast that took place at the Falls Ballroom. When I told him I was a pastor he said, "what I do is important, but what you do really matters". 
This article was written by Terri Lehrke, Morrison County Record. Rashanda and her boys attend Living Hope. I thought it would be appropriate to add this to my blog in an effort to get out the word. Please prayer for this situation!Any single mother of two has enough on her plate. Being in a new city with few friends or even acquaintances makes life a little harder. Add to that failing kidneys and life can become overwhelming.
But, that's exactly what Roshanda Keller is dealing with right now.
The 25-year-old mother of two boys moved to Little Falls a year ago, leaving her home in Indiana.
Having worked in a nursing home for three years in Indiana, she saw people suffer through dialysis and didn't want to have to go through the same thing. "At first I told them no," she said. But, two weeks ago she was forced to begin kidney dialysis, or die.
Roshanda explained she's been having problems with her kidneys for six years, especially during the times she was pregnant. But, she said, the problems would always go away. She was diagnosed as having focal sclerosis. "That is when your body attacks your kidneys and treats them like foreign matter," she said.
The disease is not hereditary, and doctors have no idea what caused it, she said.
Roshanda was treated with steroids to keep her kidneys from failing. In October 2006 she felt sick, couldn't get out of bed, and was really "kind of out of it," she said. Her mother called from Indiana and insisted Roshanda see a doctor.
Her blood sugar was very high, and she was taken to the intensive care unit. The steroids, she said, caused diabetes. During the time in the hospital Roshanda lost her vision for over a month. Her mother traveled 14 hours by bus to stay for three weeks, but had to leave just before Christmas.
Her sons Arrione, 4, and Rayshawn, 6, are in preschool and kindergarten. "The boys are having problems in school," Roshanda said, "They get very upset."
She told of an instance where Rayshawn told his teacher he would be going to live with his granny when his mother died.
Rayshawn made a book in school, with the help of advisors in the Bridges program, that talked about illness. Roshanda said helped her son understand the situation a little better.
Roshanda's mother is dealing with her younger sisters in Indiana and cannot come back to Minnesota at this time. Roshanda has also been advised by her physician, Dr. Cowardin, not to work.
People at the Living Hope Assembly of God Church have been good to her, Roshanda said, and she is grateful for their help.
Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays find Roshanda going through the four-hour dialysis routine. She said after the treatment she feels sick and very tired, unable to do things with her boys that she used to. "I spend a lot of time sleeping," she said. Roshanda will have to continue dialysis until a kidney transplant can be done.
With her kidneys functioning at only 13 percent, Roshanda is on a transplant list. Three times they thought they found a match, but two failed a crossmatch. The third that passed both tests, fell through due to other medical problems.
Anyone who has type A or O blood, and would like to be tested can contact Patty Evans at the Hennepin County Transplant Center, (612) 215-2904.
Those who would like to help, without donating a kidney, can contact Pam Phelps, a member of the Living Hope Assembly of God congregation. Phelps has been working with other members of the church to aid Roshanda. "Things like helping with laundry, daycare while she's in dialysis, a meal, any little thing," Phelps said. "She's got a big load to carry." Phelps can be reached at (320) 632-4618.
Today I picked up my son after school and drove him to the golf course for his team practice. I had about an hour before I needed to get my girls from their volleyball and softball practice so I thought I would hit the driving range. It was a beautiful day and I was itching to start swinging. I've never been that great at golf. Every round I get a few good shots that keep me coming back for more punishment. I've wished that I could have someone teach me a few things to improve my game. Today was that day. After purchasing some range balls I walked to the driving range and there he was. Charlie had recently talked to my wife about giving us some golf tips and today we happened to both be there at the same time.
He watched my swing and then gave me three tips. 1. Change my grip, 2. Keep my head still, and 3. Keep my left arm straight, letting it become one with the shaft. It felt really awkward but it worked. My drives were going consistently straight and far.
As a Christian, I'm always applying everyday events to my walk with God. Here are a few that I gained from the driving range.
1. Change is good, being willing to change is even better, changing for the better is best.
2. God is a pro and He knows what I need to change to become more like Jesus. If I listen to what He says, I will be better for it.
3. Be teachable. The moment I think I know it all, I become ignorant.
4. Surround yourself with people that know more than you and you'll bring your game up a level.
