Vietnam Moving Wall

A replica that is half the size of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, is currently on display at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery near Camp Ripley. The memorial has 64 panels, each filled with the names of 58,200 American soldiers who died during the Vietnam War. It arrived Thursday and will remain on display in Little Falls 24 hours a day until Monday.

I believe this memorial is vital, especially to those who fought in Vietnam. I pray that this memorial can bring some healing to those who faced unmentionable horrors; both the soldier and their family. When my uncle returned from the Vietnam war, according to my mom, he was never the same. I can't even begin to imagine what these soldiers went through in a great effort to provide freedom and democracy for others. I've seen a few war movies and usually find myself thinking "I would be scared to death".

I am so thankful to the men and women of our country who are willing to lay their life on the line for our freedom and the freedom of others. I pray that my children will come to appreciate the sacrifices of others that have allowed them to enjoy the freedoms of the U.S.

All gave some. Some gave all.

Strong & Loving

In my personal time with the Lord this morning, I was reading Psalm 62. As I read verse 11 it jumped off the page at me. "One thing God has spoken, two things have I heard: that you, O God, are strong, and that you, O Lord, are loving..."

The first thing I noticed is that it appears that God and David are having a little communication problem. The verse says that God spoke one thing. Nothing wrong with that. The potential problem comes when David says that he heard two things. I don't know about you, but in the relationships I'm in, if one thing is said and two things are heard...that's big time trouble.

The stuff that really jumped out at me was what David heard. God is strong and loving. I love that about God. Those two characteristics of God give me so much peace. He loves me and He is strong!

What if we changed just one or both of those characteristics to be the opposite in description of God?
What if...
...God were weak and loving. He would care very deeply for me, but would be without power to do anything about it. Not good! I need a God who loves me and has the power to change me and/or to change the situations of life that I face.

...God were strong and hateful. We've all seen the superhero movies. There is always a villain who has stumbled upon some way of attaining power. They are also dealing with something from their past that has caused them deep pain. Vengeance becomes their goal in life and so they begin to terrorize the world.

...God were weak and hateful. If this were the characteristics of a person they would probably be an individual who is very much alone. They've pushed everybody away who should matter to them. They are abusive to themselves and no longer care about life.

Be encouraged today! Your God is STRONG AND LOVING!

"One thing God has spoken, two things have I heard: that you, O God, are strong, and that you, O Lord, are loving..." Psalm 62:11

Fireproof

The movie "Fireproof" is doing really well and I was happy to hear that it is coming to an area theater. The "Parkwood 18" in Waite Park will start showing it on Friday, October 17. The times are 1:40 PM, 4:15 PM, 6:45 PM & 9:15 PM.

Living Hope Church is in the second week of Life Groups, studying the "Fireproof" material. The Little Falls campus has just over 100 adults involved and our Rice campus has nearly 30! I believe this series will have incredible results in marriages and relationships in general. The family is worth fighting for and I am so grateful to the church that produced this film.

If you live in the Little Falls, MN or Rice, MN area and would like to get involved in this study, feel free to call Living Hope Church at 320-632-4365 or email me at keith@ourgreathope.org

The Edge

I want to invite you to join a work crew from Living Hope Church. We would like to go down to Winona to help Chuck & Steph Peterson. They have just planted a church called "The Edge".

If you are available for a couple of days within the next two weeks, please email me at keith@ourgreathope.org or call me at 320-632-4365

Men with a Passion

I just returned home from spending three days at Trinity Bible College in Ellendale, ND. The college invited several guest to come and share about ministry in rural America. The President of Trinity, Jack Strom, is passionate about training their students to reach rural America.

One of the individuals I was blessed to hear from was Zollie Smith.

Zollie L. Smith Jr. was elected executive director of Assemblies of God U.S. Missions at the 52nd General Council in August 2007. Smith coordinates the ministries of six departments: Church Planting; Chaplaincy Ministries; Teen Challenge International, USA; Chi Alpha Campus Ministries; Intercultural Ministries; and U.S. Mission America Placement Service (MAPS).

Prior to U.S. missions, Smith served as the Executive Presbyter representing the Ethnic Fellowships and as president of the National Black Fellowship. He served the New Jersey District of the Assemblies of God as assistant superintendent (1998-2005) and as executive secretary (2005-07).

Smith served as pastor of Eternal Life Christian Center (ELCC) of the Assemblies of God, Somerset, New Jersey for 15 years. During his pastorate, the church grew to over 300 members and completed a $2.7 million educational enrichment center. Prior to ELCC, Smith pioneered a church that later became Plainfield Assembly of God, a New Jersey district affiliate.

Smith has spent his life in service as a former police officer/detective; U.S. Postal Inspector; and Airborne Infantryman in the Vietnam War where he was awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star. (Info. from www.ag.org) (Watch a video of Zollie, ff to 30 minutes)

Zollie Smith is a man with a passion. His heart can be described in one phrase, "That none parish". Zollie encouraged those in attendance to make an impact where you are and to not get discouraged when it's not going your way. '"The steps of a righteous person are ordered of the Lord'". I was personally refreshed by Zollie's vision to reach America with the Good News of Jesus Christ. I feel blessed to have such incredible leadership in the Assemblies of God.

Cowboy Church

I am currently attending a symposium at Trinity Bible College on churches in rural America. One of the presenters is Duke Edwards. In the spring of 2006 he started the Wray Cowboy Church. He was born and raised in Washington state and started riding bulls professionally in Canada at the age of 16. In 1996 he was rookie of the year and final champion in Canada and in 1997 he was the Season Champion Bullrider for the Canadian Pro Rodeo. In September of 1999 he found God and started to do ministry with the PBR. In 2005 we moved to Holyoke, CO and began the planning for Cowboy Church.

When I asked Duke, "how many bones have you broke"? His response was, "it would be easier to tell you which bones I have not broken". That's nuts! How does one decide that they're going to jump on a bull, strap themselves to it, open a gate and hang on with all your might. Actually it sounds like a blast!

I love the diversity of the body of Christ. Each one of us is so unique and are called to reach out to a variety of people. I am wondering if Cowboy Church would work in my community. Maybe "Farmers Church" or "Military Church".

Everyone deserves to hear the gospel. The message of hope from the Word of God does not change, but the methods do. I am challenged to do whatever it takes (ethically) to reach people for Jesus.

The Apostle Paul said, "I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings." 1 Cor. 9:22-23.

Never Been There

Since I have lived in Minnesota all of my life, you may fine this hard to believe. Today I am leaving to go to North Dakota, a place where I have never been. People in the church look a little confused when I tell them I've never crossed the border into North Dakota. I simply remark, "I've never had a reason to go there". Do I need a passport to get in?

I will be spending the next three days at Trinity Bible College. They are having a "Rural Ministry Symposium" of which I will have a small part. Roger Stacy, from the Mn District office has invited me and a couple other Pastor's to share about church planting in rural settings. Two key things I have come to learn about church planting (there are many more) 1. I don't have all the answers, 2. It is God's passion and He has the answers.

I look forward to rubbing shoulders with some of the other speakers. It is in settings like this that I seem to learn so much.

Pray for me that I do not get detained at the border! :)