Category Archives: From God’s Word

We thank God for you!

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May God bless you in many ways on this Thanksgiving day!thank-you3

Karen and I continue to thank God for all He has done for us.  Some days, we recognize new ways God is blessing us, while other days we get carried away with all the “things” that need to be done. On this Thanksgiving we want share two thoughts that encourage us.

  • “We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers.”   1 Thessalonians 1:2
  • “Praise the LORD. Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His love endures forever.”  Psalm 106:1

“Thanksgiving is the evidence of our acceptance of whatever He gives.  Thanksgiving is the manifestation of our Yes! to His grace.  “He who sacrifices thank offerings honors me …. Psalm 50:23” (Ann Voskamp, One Thousand Gifts) If this thought grabs your heart, take a look at onethousandgifts.com and start your journey of thanksgiving.

What are you thankful for?  Please use the comment link below this post so we might share what encourages you with the rest of our ministry team. rickandkaren4

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What’s in a story?

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For the Rogers family, May has already been both exciting and perplexing and it’s only half over.  Our family eagerly anticipated its arrival because Andrew was graduating from The King’s College and we all joined him to celebrate in New York City.  We had the chance to meet Andrew’s professors and fellow students and see some of his world.  It was a great weekend!  There were 60 graduating seniors and their families, all sharing their journey to this milestone.  Can you imagine all these stories coming together to make up the class of 2012 story?  

However, that week, Hannah, a long-time friend of the family, passed away.   Even though Hannah was a few years older, she and Erica were great friends because they walked a similar path in life.   Within 36 hours of returning from NY, Karen, Erica, and I found ourselves traveling so Erica could speak at Hannah’s life celebration.  (Our friends, Blaine & Judy, Hannah’s parents)

Erica & Hannah’s sister, Heather

It’s interesting and perplexing how God allows such different stories to be lived out simultaneously.  However, God has blessed it, and we are storytellers living part of God’s story of redemption and reconciliation.  Regardless of how great or broken our stories are, God delights in each one. They are unique views into His Story that we will hear in eternity.  Are you ready to tell your story to others?  It may be the story that opens the door to the very heart of God for someone.

If Jesus died this weekend…

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If Jesus gave his life this weekend instead of in 33 AD, how would it be shared? Since so much of our lives are shared “in process” through social media, it might look like this;

Have you read the original Easter account in God’s Word lately?  If not, take a look :  The Easter Story.

What are your memories of the first Easter you really understood the gift Jesus gave you?  Share it with us and a friend by posting a comment and forwarding this posting.

Happy Easter!  He has risen indeed!

What can I do? / Mar 2012 Newsletter

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It seemed like it took a half hour for Ellie to get through security at the airport on Saturday.   She had a bunch of change in her book bag.  You know how it is working with the TSA.  As we walked out of the airport, I remember thinking, here we go!  Part of me trusts the Lord for everything that will go on during the next twelve days of the St. Petersburg, Russia English Camp.  At same time, the list of things that could happen grows every time I consider the possibilities.  So even though it’s Ellie’s third project, I find myself at the same crossroads.  Do I put on the shoes of readiness from Eph. 6:15 as a part of the Armor of God and experience the gospel of peace, or do I choose the path of anxiety?

The New Testament definition for anxiety means to be “double- minded.”  I realize from this point until Ellie returns is out of my control.  Parents often face this situation.  I also realize worrying will not make a difference and will only ruin my day, so I need to decide to give this to God, flee the temptation (1 Cor. 10:13), and trust the Lord (Prov. 3:5-6). The only way I can do this is to pray and ask the Lord to fill me with the power of the Holy Spirit to believe in Him.

Lord, thank you for your Word, and the power to experience victory over worry.  If you relate to being double-minded or dealing with anxiety, click on “Why Worry?”.

Please review our prayer page and support needs links and lift up our ministry to the Lord.  Click the following:  Mar 2012  to print a hard copy newsletter.

A Life Changing Decision!

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Obviously we go to fulfill the Great Commission because God wants everyone to know Him and because we want to share God’s love, and for many more reasons.  So we are serving God to change lives, but did you ever consider how a mission trip would change the lives of those who go?  Take a look at some examples.

An athlete:  “After a summer of AIA Baseball, I came back to my campus and started AIA here.  Every week I lead a Bible study for all the athletes in my department.  During the week I meet with other athletes for one-on-one discipleship”

A parent:  “I help coach my sons’ soccer teams and work to be a Christ-like influence to the kids and parents of the team.”

In a community:  “I am involved in AIA, and also go around speaking at different high school huddle groups to share my testimony and encourage them.”

God uses these projects to change everyone’s lives!  Have you ever asked the Lord how you could be a part of a short-term project like AIA’s?  Take a look.

How has God changed your life through a mission project?  Share your experience!

Reconciliation

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After writing about the humanly impossible reconciliation that God orchestrated between Coach Evelyn and another Rwandan basketball coach two weeks ago (“He was one of them!”)  I set out to share about the ministry of reconciliation, but after a few hours I realized I could not do any better than Paul, as shared in 2 Corinthians.

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. (2nd Cor 5:17-20)

Out of the Mouths of our Babies

Karen: “Rick, why do I have to keep telling you you can’t wear those clashing colors together?”

Rick: “It’s proof that purgatory exists.”

Use the links below to get the November hard copy newsletter and to see our latest prayer needs:

Nov11 prayer letter                                                        Lift Us up in Prayer

God’s Grace / Our October Newsletter

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We are finding what sustains us today is God’s grace.  We are realizing how ungracious we are, but the love of Christ is the key to seeing the truth.  Jesus gave us life because He loved us.  (1 John 3:1)  He was kind and gave to us freely. (Eph 2:1-7)  As we live life, we also pick up burdens, but Jesus said, “Come to me and I will give your rest. “ From the fullness of His grace Jesus gives us one blessing after another.  (John 1:16) Grace, then, brings dignity to life and removes the shame that paralyzes us. (Romans 5)

Out of the Mouths of our Babies

As Karen hands Aaron the educational back of a cereal box at breakfast, Aaron:  “Oh no you don’t, I see how it is, I see what you’re up to.  I’m going to LEARN something.”

Use the links below to get the October hard copy newsletter and to see our latest prayer needs:

Oct11 Prayer Letter                                                        Lift Us up in Prayer