What the media DIDN'T report...

Wow, some amazing pictures!               As usual, the good news goes unreported.    There is tremendous re-enlistment in Baghdad......but it never made mainstream media...maybe it doesn't fit with their reporting of the hollow force, poor morale, etc.  For those who have been in the Al Faw Palace you'll have a better estimation of the number of people crammed in the rotunda.   Here is a re-enlistment ceremony from Baghdad on the 4th of July, 2008. Somehow this did not make it into network news broadcasts (imagine that).  Attached are pictures of what is reputedly the 'largest re-enlistment ceremony ever held in military history'.   The ceremony was held July 4, 2008 at Al Faw Palace, Baghdad, Iraq. General Petraeus officiated.   A pizzeria in Chicago donated 2000 pizzas that were made (frozen), shipped on Sunday, arrived in Baghdad Wednesday and were fed to the troops on the 4th.  Oh, by the way, the media DID report on the 2000 pizzas...just not what they were for.   THANKS TO OUR TROOPS!

 

A note from Steve and one of his teammates

Dear folks – Steve wrote a recent blog that was quite touching.  Also, one of Steve’s teammates on the World Race wrote a recent blog.  I thought both were worth copying portions of to get the feel of what the team is having to deal with this month.

 

Steve needs $2,500 total to finish the race - $700 of it by Sept. 1^st.  If you can help him out, please contact him at www.stevewright.theworldrace.org.  Go to “Support Me” and follow the directions.

 

Thanks.  Here’s the quotes.

 

From Mark Stratman –

 I have to say, however, that I'm feeling like a marathon runner at the moment. Everything...EVERYTHING is getting to me. Delhi is a tough place to be at this point in the race because it's a noise pollution definition. A simple walk to the corner store to get something to drink involves getting honked at from 3 motorcycles, 2 cars, and 3 rickshaw bikes must ring their annoying little bells all right in my ear...in case I didn't know they were there. While my ears continue ringing, I step over cow poo, walk around a cow, and smell some really nasty scents. I am over it. I think it's funny, still. I must admit that after yelling at the drivers to shut up and stop honking at me, I laugh. What if I brought this culture to the States? What if I decided that the lines in the road were optional? What if I took 1 million cows and released them in New York City, declaring that you couldn't so much as touch them? What if I honked at everyone just to let them know I'm around them...every car, bike, pedestrian, cow? What if I busted up the road to make them so pothole covered that you needed a 4x4 to go anywhere? What if I took away all the Wal-Marts and malls and replaced them with mini stores that you could get 3-4 things on your shopping list at any store and had to go to 4 stores to get all the things you wanted for dinner? What if?

 

From Steve –

We basically have three ministries that we have been doing.  Orphanage, leper colony, and Burmese refugees.  At this point I’ve been to all three, and they are going well.  At the orphanage, we've been able to play with the children, and they love the bible lessons and singing.  IN the morning when they are at school, there is a group that has gone in and fixed up the place as best as they can.  We bought some paint and also fixed a few fans of theirs. 

 

About a week ago I went to the leper colony, and I saw something that was difficult to take in.  There was a man that was crippled from leprosy.  All I could do was pray for him.  We prayer walked through the colony and played with kids.  Some of us sat a talked with some of the people there.  As soon as I went off on my own I saw this man, covered in a blanket, and swarmed with flies.  I went to put my hand on his shoulder and I only felt his bone.  I had to walk away after that, I didn't have anything to give him. 

 

Continue to pray for Steve and the ministry – I know he appreciates it!

 

Pastor Bob

 

A Good Story

JUST PUSH

 

A man was sleeping one night in his cabin when suddenly His room filled with light and God appeared.  The Lord told the Man he had work for him to do and showed him a large rock in front of his cabin.  The Lord explained that the man was to push against the rock with all his might.

 

So, this the man did, day after day. For many years he toiled from sunup to sundown, his shoulders set squarely against the cold, massive surface of the unmoving rock, pushing with all his might.

 

Each night the man returned to his cabin sore and worn out, feeling that his whole day had been spent in vain.  Since the man was showing discouragement, the Adversary decided to enter the picture by placing thoughts into the weary mind: "You have been pushing against that rock for a long time and it hasn't moved." Thus, he gave the man the impression the task God had given was impossible and he was a failure.

 

These thoughts discouraged and disheartened the man.  Satan said, "Why kill yourself over this? Just put in your time, giving just the minimum effort and that will be good enough."

 

That's what the weary man planned to do, but decided to make it a matter of prayer and to take his troubled thoughts to the Lord.

 

"Lord," he said, "I have labored long and hard in Your service, putting all my strength to do that which you have asked. Yet, after all this time I have not even budged that rock by half an inch. What is wrong? Why am I failing?"

 

The Lord responded compassionately, "Dear child, when I asked you to serve Me and you accepted, I told you that your task was to push against the rock with all of your strength, which you have done. Never once did I mention that I expected you to move it. Your task was to push.

 

And now you come to Me with your strength spent, thinking that you have failed. But is that really so? Look at yourself. Your arms are strong and muscled, your back shiny and brown; your hands are callused from constant pressure, your legs have become massive and hard.

 

Through opposition, you have grown much and your abilities now surpass that which you used to have. True, you haven't moved the rock. But your calling was to be obedient and to push and to exercise your faith and trust in My wisdom. That you have done. Now, my child, I will move the rock."  Which He did.

 

Moral: At times, when we receive a task from God, we tend to validate whether it is valuable from our own perspective and use our intellect to decipher what He wants, when actually what God wants is simple obedience and faith in Him. Don’t allow Satan to distract you!  By all means, exercise the faith that moves mountains, but know that it is still God who moves them.

 

Thought:  "Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending."

 

Have a good day!

 

Pastor Bob

 

 

Church news, prayer and a blessing!

Dear Folks – Hope your day is going well!  I wanted to update you on a couple of things. 

 

This Sunday, there is an important meeting right after church for all Children’s workers.  If you have a position working with children in our church, please attend (this includes Awana).  Also, if you are not currently involved in a ministry, but are interested in working with our children’s program (Sunday School, Nursery, Awana, Jr. Church, Youth Group) you are also invited to come.  The fall program is just around the corner!

 

The High School Youth group needs your help.  We are looking for various homes in which to meet on Sunday evenings from 6 – 8:30pm for Bible Study and fun.  It doesn’t require a lot of commitment on your part, just a willingness to open your home and provide snacks for about 10 teens.  If you are interested, please give me a holler.  We’ve already received several offers, so it would be sometime during Sept/October.  Thanks for considering this ministry!

 

The Haiti Team is returning on Saturday (hard to believe it’s been 10 days already!).  I’m excited to hear how things went – hopefully, they’ll be able to give a brief report this Sunday – we’ll have a full report shortly!

 

Please consider helping out the church financially at this time.  We are about $4,000 behind on our YTD giving and need to “catch-up” for the fall season.  I know things are tight for many people right now.  We need to remember that giving is a matter of worship – not resources.  God desires us to give regardless of our ability or circumstances.  Trust Him to honor his Word and provide for your needs.  While we don’t always receive a physical blessing for obedience – we ALWAYS receive a spiritual one!

 

Please pray for Kelly Waynick today – she is having carpel tunnel surgery at Bixby this morning.  Everything is expected to be fine – but surgery is always a scary thing!  If you want to be an encouragement to them, their address is 151 10^th St.  Britton, Mi. 49229

 

Finally – the church is receiving a blessing on Monday – there is a Christian carpet-cleaning place in Adrian (B & T Floor Care) that has offered to clean our church carpet for FREE!  (That’s a $300 value!).  I was very impressed at their heart for ministry.  If you are looking to have your carpets cleaned – I would highly suggest them to you (sorry you don’t get the same deal J)!  Call Bob at 517-605-0754 to have them come to your home or office. 

 

See you on Sunday!

 

Pastor Bob

prayer

Folks – Jo Fetters asked for prayer for Steve & Pam.  Steve’s diabetes is acting up and it is affecting his job and his mood (discouragement).  Please pray for him as he tries to get it under control.

 

Also, Pam’s sister-in-law just found out that the baby she’s carrying will not make it.  The baby has some brain problems that will not allow it to survive.  Sad!

 

In other news…The Haiti team got off yesterday!  They traveled to St. Louis to meet up with the rest of the group that’s leaving.  They will be flying to Florida today and will be leaving tomorrow for Haiti.  Please pray for safe travel and a great ministry.

 

Also – Chuck Koman died yesterday.  I was able to be there with the family shortly after he passed and prayed with them.  I’m glad I’ve been able to have a ministry with them.  Pray for the services.  I will let you know more when I have information.

 

Our church is having a great ministry at the school this week!  Thanks to those who have helped with money, supplies and time.  Almost $250 was given to purchase food and supplies.  The new Supt. of Schools was very impressed with our church!  He said yesterday that he has noticed how much our church likes to be involved with the community!  Yea!  He said that he is looking forward to moving his family here next year (his son is in his last year at Pittsford).

 

Anyway – thanks for praying and helping!

 

Pastor Bob