Go Tigers!

I knew it would take something monumental to get me to post on my site again.  I do admit that I am not good at keeping this site updated.  I am not even close to being good at it.  In fact, my guess is that no one will even read this because they have given up on me.  Two things have prompted me to get back at it.

The Tigers!  I grew up with the Detroit Tigers and lived with them through two World Series Championships.  I'm ready for another one.  In their honor I have changed the colors on my site to blue and orange.  It was cheaper than buying the sweatshirt I wanted which is sold out - unless I want an XXLarge. So, now I wait for the big game tonight to see if we play the Mets or the Cardinals. 

The second event that has prompted my attention to this site is the Bible study I just taught.  We are studying the kings and prophets and I never knew history could be so exciting.  Today we looked at Hezekiah who is a very good king.  He followed the rulership of his father who ended up closing the doors to the house of God and setting up idols to worship.  As you can imagine, God is quite angry.  Does Hezekiah follow in his father's footsteps?  Absolutely not.  He was a courageous man who in the first month of his reign reopened the doors to the house of God, cleansed the temple, restored the priests and levites to their rightful place in the temple and gathered the people for the Passover celebration.  There was revival in the land!  What a wise old man was Hezekiah.  No!  He was 25 years old.  He simply made a covenant that his heart would belong to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.  He simply did the right thing!  Read about it in 2 Chronicles 29-31.  You will be encouraged.

Xanga

CBLI is July 28-August 6 and if you are a young adult you will not want to miss it.  Our Bible studies will be from Exodus:  Leaving Behind, Moving On.  You know what it is like to move to a new place, to have to deal with transitions in school or work or in relationships.  You have probably experienced changes in your family as you have grown up and moved out on your own.  Some of these moves are gradual, just taken in stride.  Others can be painful or abrupt; certainly life-changing.  In Exodus: Leving Behind, Moving On, you will appreciate learning how God is in the midst of those movements, no matterhow minoror how transformational.

Our staff this year:   Linda Himes,  Majors Andy and Cheryl Miller, Todd and Sarah Miesch, Viki Payton, Jon Gugala, Esther Hong, and Bill and Elizabeth Moritz.

Come spend ten days with us in praise & worship, Bible study, discipleship classes, bunco tournament, campfire, great electives,  croquet, fine food and lots of free time.  If you have not registered yet, do it now.

Thursday, September 29

After a great summer and seeing many young adults from the territory at CBLI and CMI we are now getting ready for re:Generation, our young adult conference.  It is going to be a powerful time with God.  If you were at Youthquake you will know what a great heart for the Lord Captain Danielle Strickland has.  She will be our guest and will be bringing a special lady with her from the War College in Vancouver.  Eric Himes will be leading us in worship and I believe he is annointed by God for this ministry.  You can come!  Check out the SA website at www.usc.salvationarmy.org to register.

If you have friends here in the Chicago area give them a call and see if you can stay with them to save on housing costs.  Registration is only $35 which includes meals.

Would love to see you there November 4-6, 2005. 

I am looking forward to two events coming up in my life.  On Sunday I will travel to the Bahamas with the two Central Summer Mission Teams to conduct a day camp with 9-11 year olds.  It will be fun!  When I get home I will be on the fast track to get everything ready for the CBLI Young Adult Track.  We have a great staff this year and will be studying the Alpha Course. It will be great discussing the basics our our christian beliefs with other young adults.  You really should think about coming!  It will be worth it just to see Bram & Heidi Roberts, Courtney Strand, Viki Payton, Captain Steve Merritt, Majors Andy and Cheryl Miller and Simon Gugala with his praise team from Greenville College.  That's my staff and I am sticking with them!  Get your application in.  You can download it at www.usc.salvationarmy.org 

I was glued to the TV last night hoping the Pistons could pull off a repeat but, alas, it was not to be.  It was how a championship series should be but my team did not win.  As I watched the thousands of Spurs fans rejoicing over a basketball victory I recalled the lunch date I had earlier in the day with a young adult.  We talked about Kingdom warfare and cried as we rejoiced over the victories we have seen God pull off in the lives of many we know.  As we discussed God's heart for redemption and the possibilities for our involvement in redemptive ministry we were encouraged, excited, and motivated.

Responses have been coming in to Commissioner Baillie's challenge to give a year of ministry.  It is very exciting to have confirmed what I knew in my heart to be true.  There are many of you who are seeking meaningful ministry and are ready to accept this challenge.  You are not alone in your passions and desire for frontline action.  Now is your chance to get in the game!