tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63713315595489590222024-03-13T10:41:23.107-07:00The RhoadrunnerCurtis and Rachel Rhoadarmer
Serving Crossroad Community Church in Shelbyville, IN and Be One TogetherCurtis and Rachel Rhoadarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14071558808328232308noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371331559548959022.post-27186488670880156422014-08-13T10:55:00.000-07:002014-08-13T10:55:06.294-07:00I choose to be uncomfortable.<div class="MsoNormal">
I am comfortable. I
look around at my home and the things I own and the food we eat- there is
really nothing I need. Oh sure- there
are things that I want, things I desire…. But nothing I really need. I would venture to say this is true of so
many of us- especially in the church here in the United States. We drink our overpriced lattes; complain
about long lines at the supermarket, service at a restaurant not being as good
as what we paid for. When we get uncomfortable at church or it no longer “meets
my needs” we find a new one. </div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Tragedy in
our world strikes my face book feed when a famous comedian/actor commits
suicide. </div>
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As I have sat the past few days looking over how my face
book feed has blown up by the death of a famous person none of us knew but most
have enjoyed watching I am stricken by disparity of the world we live in and
the comfort ability of our nation. Very
few people acknowledge the 500 people killed (women and children buried alive)
in Iraq because they have different religious beliefs than the majority. People have fled their homes to the mountains
(if they were able) and those who were not have stayed and died. Those people are not comfortable.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Over 400 innocent children have died in the past month in
Palestine because of a war in Gaza. I
understand the side Israel takes- and I understand that with Terrorists there
are no rules. But 400 lives of innocent
children are 400 lives to many to pay the price of “peace.” This touches close to home because we sponsor
a 5 year old boy who lives in West Jerusalem/Gaza. We have prayed for him for the past month not
knowing if he’s alive or how his family is surviving. My kids ask, “Are they still at war? Why are they still at war?” I have no answers.</div>
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Then there’s the Ebola outbreak and crisis in Africa with
the most people dying from this outbreak than any other. There’s the crisis in Ukraine. Here at home I counseled a woman last week
who was on the verge of being homeless with nowhere to turn.</div>
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Yet- here I sit from the comfort on my home, drinking my
coffee, sad because a comedic icon is dead.
I am reminded of a story I heard once of a father and son walking on the
beach. The beach was scattered with
jelly fish and as they walked the father picked up a jelly fish and threw it
back into the ocean. He kept going
picking up jellyfish and throwing them back into the ocean. The son asked, “Why are you doing that? There are too many, you can’t help them
all. In the realm of things it doesn’t matter.” The father replied as he picked up another
jelly fish and threw it back into the waves, “It mattered to that one.”</div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
You see I don’t want to be comfortable. I can’t do anything about the Ebola Virus,
the religious genocide in Iraq, the crisis in Ukraine, the children dying in
Palestine. But I can refuse to be
comfortable. I can keep in fervent
prayer for our world that desperately needs peace, hope, joy and freedom. The answer lies only in Jesus Christ. I can choose to remember and spread the
word. I can decide to change my
perspective and instead of mourning a famous person, my heart grieves for the
loss of life all around the world. My
heart grieves for my sponsored child in Palestine and the things he has
experienced and seen in his short little life.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I can’t fix the world- but I can start serving God here
where I am. I can get up from my lazy
comfortable surroundings and be uncomfortable at church serving kids. I just read a story of a woman who gave up
lattes for a year so she could sponsor a child overseas. I can quit whining about the things I want
but don’t have- knowing full well how blessed I truly am. </div>
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When I look at the world it all seems so hopeless. I can get bogged down by the massive amount
of work to be done and in so doing stop doing anything and just be comfortable. But- you see- one life matters. Here at home, in Iraq, Ukraine, parts of
Africa. What I do matters to Kinan a
five year old living in war torn Gaza. I
choose to be uncomfortable so that people may know Christ and experience
freedom, hope, love and joy. Will you?</div>
Curtis and Rachel Rhoadarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14071558808328232308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371331559548959022.post-86769494266389892472014-06-23T13:56:00.001-07:002014-06-23T13:56:46.560-07:00Week of Hope 2014We just got back home from a service trip with our teens from Crossroad Community Church. It was a great time. Our leaders had the privilege of leading 8 youth to begin a relationship with Christ- 7 of them from our own church. Remarkable!<br />
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God moves in so many ways- many of which we have no idea how. I'll admit I wasn't happy Sunday night when we received our "crew" assignments. I was in charge of 4 teens- none of them from our youth group. The conversation in my head went something like this.<br />
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Me: What? God, are you serious? I don't know any of these kids. I just moved to IN 6 months ago and am getting to know "our" kids and now you give me 4 complete strangers? What are you doing to me?<br />
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God: I put them with you for a reason.<br />
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Me: Ok... ok. You know what's best. (mumble mumble grumble grumble)<br />
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I still don't know all the reasons why my crew was put together the way it was. Maybe it was because a couple of the shy girls needed someone loud and obnoxious (who, me?) as their group leader. Maybe it was because I was able to lead one of my crew's best friend in the beginning of a new relationship with Christ as their Savior. Whatever the reason- I had a blast hanging out with 4 kids from 3 different states. It was great to encourage them to be grateful for the things we have and to "serve with a smile." We had great conversations about the fact that while the Christian walk may be hard and things happen we may not understand- that it's worth the cost. In the end- while harder- it's so much sweeter to walk with Jesus than to walk alone.<br />
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I'm excited about the new found faith at least 8 teens began last week. I'm excited to see how God transforms their lives. Often, I feel at awe that I get to be a part of all that.<br />
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<br />Curtis and Rachel Rhoadarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14071558808328232308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371331559548959022.post-67937961835190912552014-05-08T12:05:00.001-07:002014-05-08T12:05:57.034-07:00My Failures as a MomMother's day is just around the corner. As a mom- I am a failure. <br />
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Failure #1- We moved during the middle of a school year. Everyone knows the best time to move is in the summer time, right? There's nothing like pulling a first grader out of school just when he's gotten the hang of going to school all day or pulling a pre-k student out when she finally knows the names of the kids in her class. But- when God says "Move!" You do it.... or Biblical history tells us you get swallowed up by a big<br />
fish.<br />
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Failure #2- My kid is below average on the kindergartner entrance exam. Never mind that we've never had to take an exam like this before. Never mind that Indiana would want my 5 year old to know body parts like "jaw", "heel" and "ankle." Who knew those would be of utmost importance. We've been working on things like being nice to friends. <br />
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Failure #3- The missed pick up. You get a call from the school (before the move) reminding you that it's early release day and your child has now been sitting in the office for 20 mins waiting for you. You get a call from the new school (after the move) reminding you that it's early release day and the child has now been sitting in the office for 20 mins waiting for you. Why can't all schools operate on the same early release schedule? Just pick a day and stay with it!<br />
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Failure #4- We missed Awana Awards last night because we had youth group going on at the same time. Usually we have another couple helping but they were on vacation. So the choice was to leave my husband by himself in a room full of Jr High students to see my kids get their awards- or be his backup. Luckily for us "Ma Bride" was able to go and see the kids awards. Sometimes no matter what you desire to do- responsibilities are in conflict. <br />
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I could continue on all the ways I have failed my kids. I'm sure if we all thought about it we would all have a long list if we're honest with ourselves. <br />
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I had a great chat the other day with a friend of mine who doesn't have kids. She feels like there's a lot of "stuff" she needs to deal with before having them. I told her- there's always a lot of "stuff" to deal with. For me and my husbands we thought we had dealt with sin issues like anger and patience. We thought we had them under control- and then we had kids.<br />
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Raising kids is a tough job. Raising them in the world of ministry is often unpredictable and hard. Which is why so many PK (pastor's kids) and MK (missionary kids) end up rebelling. Often it's hard to balance what people "need" me now. Our kids always need us. Our kids are the ones we'll have the longest. They are the ones who will have the chance to see how we deal with life not just when we're out in the limelight- but how we are at home.<br />
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When I say I'm a failure- I mean it. I fail every single day at being the parent my kids need and deserve. I make mistakes. I'm not a well person leading other well people. I'm a sick person teaching others the need of a healer. And the healer is not me.<br />
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You see there's immense freedom when I finally realize I'm a failure. There's freedom because I know who the real parent is. I know that their real Father wont ever desert them and wont ever fail them. He's there with them at school- I'm not. He's there with them when they make friends (good or bad)- I can't always be. He's there with them when they make their choices. He's the parent I will never ever be.<br />
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My job is to teach my kids about their incredible Father who loves them. My job is to help them develop into the man or woman God created them to be. My job is to point them to Christ. They are my first ministry. They are my first disciples. I will fail in my own power. I will fail at loving them unconditionally 100% of the time. But where I fail- I know God will succeed.Curtis and Rachel Rhoadarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14071558808328232308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371331559548959022.post-62709565513034637302014-04-16T19:51:00.000-07:002014-04-16T19:54:53.864-07:0017 Miles To HopeI made a friend today. Her name is Sue. She stopped into our church today to sit in our sanctuary. Most of our staff had left for the day and I was finishing up a training I was a part of. When she was done I invited her to our Easter Celebration on Sunday. She said she was just passing through on her way to Kentucky. It didn't take me long to realize she was on foot- with all her belongings on her back. She had been walking out of town and saw our church. Our church has a beautiful glass cross that is huge and visible from the Highway. That's why she stopped in.<br />
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I brought her home to dinner and introduced her as my friend to my family. She had a hot meal and a hot shower. But this isn't a story about that- God just opened the door and I stepped through.</div>
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After a couple of hours in my home I took her down the road. To a place called Hope, Indiana. As we drove we passed the sign telling us it was only 17 miles away. I asked her, "Wouldn't it be amazing if that were true? If true hope were only just 17 miles away?" She doesn't take much stock in names she said.</div>
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You see, Sue has no Hope. She says she and God "are done." She feels like He favors other people (specifically other races) above her own. She has no family. Her children are dead and her husband gone. She is going to Kentucky not because she knows someone there or has a job waiting. She's never been there and knows no one. She is utterly alone. "But I can handle it. That's how I like it.," she says. But deep down I know that's what she keeps telling herself to make it through her circumstances.</div>
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She's going to KY looking for a new start. Needing a new life. Wanting to start over. As much as I tried to tell her that we're made in the image of God and she's special and beautiful and loved. So loved in fact that Jesus died on the cross for her. She continues to say, she and God are "done." </div>
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I don't believe her. She came to our church because she saw a cross from a Highway. Maybe she truly believes that she is done with God. But God isn't done with her. He sent me to love on her. He sent my son to tell her "you're not a stranger- you're a friend." He had me drop her off in Hope.</div>
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I pray that Sue will realize her new start is possible- but only possible in Christ. He has a plan for her. He wants her to walk in freedom from the pain, guilt, sin, and loneliness. He is our HOPE and our future. </div>
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My heart breaks for Sue. Our world is filled with people like her. I'm so humbled and thankful that I could be her friend today when I know she has so few. People- our world needs Jesus. Our world needs Hope. It's not very far away. Who will YOU bring?</div>
Curtis and Rachel Rhoadarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14071558808328232308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371331559548959022.post-72274932796400782162014-04-08T07:02:00.001-07:002014-04-08T07:05:37.595-07:00The "Let it Go" phenomenon.Noah likes to sing "Let it Go" the new song from Disney's Frozen. He doesn't know all the lyrics, but enjoys singing the chorus over and over in his best rock and roll singing voice. On facebook I've seen videos of the song done by a voice actor, an african choir and a dad who does a parody of how tired of the song he is. I'll admit it's a catchy tune from a cute Disney movie. But why have people gravitated so much to it? From the time I first heard it as we watched the movie in the theatres the song has struck me as a perfect song to describe the postmodern movement. <br />
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Here are some of the lyrics:<br />
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Don’t let them in, don’t let them see</span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Be the good girl you always have to be</span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Conceal, don’t feel, don’t let them know</span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Well, now they know</span><br />
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><br style="border: 0px none; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;" />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Let it go, let it go</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Can’t hold it back anymore</span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Let it go, let it go</span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Turn away and slam the door</span><br />
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><br style="border: 0px none; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;" />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">I don’t care</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">What they’re going to say</span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Let the storm rage on,</span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">The cold never bothered me anyway</span><br />
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><br style="border: 0px none; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;" />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">It’s funny how some distance</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Makes everything seem small</span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">And the fears that once controlled me</span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Can’t get to me at all</span><br />
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><br style="border: 0px none; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;" />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">It’s time to see what I can do</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">To test the limits and break through</span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">No right, no wrong, no rules for me</span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">I’m free*</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #ccccdd; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><br /></span>
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The post modern world says "I can choose whatever I want to believe in. I can decide for myself what is wrong and what is right. No one can tell me what to do. I need to do what's best for me." It's a self absorbed world we live in when our actions and our emotions decide what's true and what's right for "me."<br />
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Notice what brings freedom in this song? No right- no wrong- no rules.<br />
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This song is a perfect example of the lies Satan feeds us. When we believe that we ourselves can choose whatever it is we want to do- that we are in complete control of our lives- and that freedom comes from the absence of rules or expectations on our lives we fall into the same exact trap that Adam and Eve fell into the garden. We want to become more like God by having control over our own lives. But- as Adam and Eve realized and some of us still realize today- the lies of Satan don't bring the freedom he promises. It brings bondage. <br />
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People look at God as a big old meany who creates strict rules for us to follow and then waits around to punish us when we screw up.<br />
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That's not the God I see in the Bible. That's not the God I have experienced in my life. The God I see in the Bible actually loves me. He created me out of love. Out of love He has put boundries up for my protection and my health so that I may live a life of joy and peace on this beautiful earth He has set me on. His "rules" are like the ones I set in place for my children. "Don't run out into middle of a busy street." When I tell my 5 year old kid this it's not to take away her freedom. Though she may feel that way. I tell her that because I know better than her about the world of cars and danger. I tell her so that she will live a long life- a safe life- a healthy life. <br />
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Which sounds like more freedom to you? One designed to follow a creator who loves me and cherished me and plans a prosperous life for me here as well as eternity? Or a life where I control everything because I of course know the best for me?<br />
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The thing that amazes me about the movie frozen is that Elsa- the same girl who<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"> sang the song "</span></span><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Let it Go" is the one who realizes in the end that true love casts out fear. I John 4:17-18 says, "<span class="text 1John-4-17" id="en-NIV-30621" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">This is how love is made complete <span class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30621AK" title="See cross-reference AK">AK</a>)"></span>among us so that we will have confidence<span class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30621AL" title="See cross-reference AL">AL</a>)"></span> on the day of judgment:<span class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30621AM" title="See cross-reference AM">AM</a>)"></span> In this world we are like Jesus.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"></span><span class="text 1John-4-18" id="en-NIV-30622" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">18 </span>There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear,<span style="font-size: 0.65em;"><span class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30622AN" title="See cross-reference AN">AN</a>)"></span></span> because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love."</span></span><br />
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Elsa in the movie realizes that letting it all go isn't really what she wants and doesn't bring about true freedom. We need to realize that true freedom is found in Christ and not in being self absorbed. A life of obedience to God isn't about rules and regulations. It's about walking within His boundries which are designed to give me true freedom. Freedom from the bondage of sin. Freedom from self. Freedom to love and serve God all the days of my life. Freedom to choose what is truly best and healthy for my life. His best. The only things I want to "Let Go" of is self and sin. I want to hang on tightly to the God who loves me so much He took my punishment on Himself and showed me immeasurable grace and mercy and gives me true freedom. <br />
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*Excerpt from Disney's Frozen "Let it Go", 2013.<br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>Curtis and Rachel Rhoadarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14071558808328232308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371331559548959022.post-37562060926174874022014-02-13T07:37:00.000-08:002014-02-13T07:37:13.778-08:00God's Undeserved Overwhelming GraceEphesians 2:8-10<div>
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God- not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.</div>
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I remember learning this verse when I was a kid. It's a great verse and I've heard it over and over again- my whole life it seems. Sometimes when we hear a verse over and over again we fail to listen to it. Does that ever happen to you?</div>
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There's a teen girls after school Bible study I get to be part of now. These girls, many newer in their faith, expressed this exact struggle. "It seems too easy- there's got to be more to it than just accepting Christ as your savior." "If I keep struggling with the same sin my whole life wont that mean I'm going to Hell." This struggle is one every single person on the face of the planet deals with. It's why in my studies of other religions the one thing separating Christianity from any other is that salvation is not based on me. Salvation is not based on how good I am- or how many good things I do- or how moral of a person I might be. Salvation is a gift. That's all there is too it. It's so "simple and easy" that most people reject it.</div>
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Yet it's not simple or easy at all is it?</div>
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We Christians call it a free gift- but is it really?</div>
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God created us in His image- created us to be in relationship with Him.</div>
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Sin interrupts that and our sin separates us from God. Since the garden of Eden God has been working out a plan of salvation- demonstrating to us His love over and over and over again. Wooing us, correcting us, picking us up when we fall and holding us when we hurt. His love is active and strong and vibrant. It is selfless, pure, and prefect. Never forsaking us- never leaving us- always forgiving us.</div>
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There is no love like that on earth. Marriage is supposed to be one of the closest pictures of God's love to us. Marriage will only survive and last and thrive when 2 people are constantly diligent about dying to self and serving the other. So many people think of marriage as a "ball and chain." They don't want to be committed- they want their freedom. What they fail to realize is that true love casts out fear. True love- real love- God's love creates immense freedom. Freedom from bondage to sin. Freedom to live a life full of hope and joy and love.</div>
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We see on the cross the depth of God's love for us. God's love for us cost Christ everything. He gave it all. It wasn't easy for him- he pleaded with God in the garden of Gethsemane that if there were any other way to let the cup pass from him. Yet he went. Willingly He died in my place. It was my sin that hung him to that cross. My fault he was there. </div>
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When we understand the cost of that gift we are given with salvation we begin to glimpse how great and wide and deep God's love is for us.</div>
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I love the fact that this verse in Ephesians doesn't stop with the gift. It continues to tell us the why. Why is this gift all from God? So that I can't steal His glory. He did it all- He paid the entire price.</div>
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When I understand that- I am overwhelmed by His love for me. His love that is poured out on me not based on what I do- but who I am. I am His workmanship. The same God that spoke a word and put it into being- the same God who paints the sky at sunset with immense beauty- the same God who intricately designed and planned the human body from conception- that same Creator is creating something in me. He is forming me, molding me, shaping me into HIS CREATION. His Masterpiece. He's not holding anything back. </div>
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John Phillips says, "Good works are part of God's plan. They are not the price of salvation, but the proof. The believer is not saved as a result of good works; good works are the result of salvation. They are the result of God's working in the believer's heart. They are the evidence that he is alive from the dead. They are the proof of the glorious togetherness that exists between the believer and the Savior." </div>
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What love- what grace- what beauty is God's love. Undeserved. </div>
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That's why I desire to serve Him with everything that I am. Because- He gives everything for me. I desire to walk with Him all the days of my life. </div>
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Curtis and Rachel Rhoadarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14071558808328232308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371331559548959022.post-71081091724404017452014-01-30T12:38:00.002-08:002014-01-30T12:38:43.031-08:00Finding a new homeFinding a new home can be a daunting task. When a person spends as much money as they do on a home- they want to make sure it's the "right" one. When we sold our home in Greeley I was happy that it sold so quickly. I took pride in the home God had given us there and we had it looking great. When we went to closing our Realtor asked the buyer if she was going to move into it right away. She replied, "No, I'm going to do some painting and things first." I tried not to be offended- but I couldn't help it. This was my home- it was perfect. Why would anyone want to change it? I realize those ideas are somewhat ridiculous. Of course it's not my home anymore- it's hers. Of course she wants to make it "hers" by giving it her own personality and charm. She wants to settle in until it's comfortable and right. <br />
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We have been without a true "home" for 3 months now. I am so thankful for God's provision for temporary housing both in Colorado before we moved and now here in Indiana. But, I get impatient. I want my home right now. I want it to be perfect as it is. The thought of ripping out carpets, painting, tearing down walls, constructing fences or sheds is so daunting right now. But, most of all, I want a place I can call my haven. I want a wall I can look at and see my kids' faces through the years displayed. I want a bed frame so my blankets don't slide off of us every single night. My husband really wants waffles, but it's packed away somewhere.<br />
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John 14: 23 says, "Jesus replied, 'If anyone loves me he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him."<br />
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How many of want Jesus walking through our door right now? Either literal or figuratively?<br />
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If Jesus walked through the front door of our rental what would he see? I would probably be embarrassed and rush around like Mary in the NT when Jesus went to visit her. Instead of spending time with Him I would be busy making everything suitable for Him.<br />
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The same is true of our hearts, isn't it? We try so hard to make our lives suitable for Jesus to live- when we fail to realize He's in the business of "flipping houses." <br />
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He buys a house and He spends everything He has on it. But the house He buys- no one knows why. It needs new..... well..... everything. He will spend the rest of time working on that house. It needs a new foundation, new walls, new paint, new floors, new roof- a new heart. He doesn't want something that's already suitable. He wants to change it- to make it His. He wants His fingerprints all over it. So when everything is said and done when people look at that house do you know what they will see? HIM.<br />
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I am so awed that He desires to take me- an old fixer-upper and make it new. I feel so unworthy. But, I'm willing. <br />
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As we continue to look for that "perfect" home I know that ultimately there will be no perfect home this side of heaven. I pray that as we begin to make that home "ours" I will remember the work He wants to do in me.Curtis and Rachel Rhoadarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14071558808328232308noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371331559548959022.post-9462014728994155322014-01-21T14:56:00.000-08:002014-01-21T14:56:03.300-08:00One Month<div class="MsoNormal">
When we put our house on the market in Greeley, CO and it
sold in 24 hours God confirmed to us that He wanted us in Indiana. We’ve been here a month. We have met numerous people (some of them
over and over again because we can’t remember their names.) We have plunged in head first and are trying
to keep our heads above water. </div>
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In the past month we’ve noticed many things. The community around Shelbyville, IN is a
broken and hurting community. In 2006
Time Magazine did an article on Shelbyville titled, “Dropout Nation.” It had a 75% graduation rate. Shelbyville has been able to turn things
around and is now at 90% but the brokenness remains. Only 12% of those over the age of 25 have
bachelor degrees.</div>
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The economics here aren’t much better. Shelbyville thrives on a number of factories
located here- but while factories are a great source of jobs- the median income
is $9,000 lower than the state average.</div>
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Curtis is working with Noah’s principal at Loper Elementary
to continue a afterschool Bible club- but the principal has also asked for
Curtis to work on developing a Divorce Care ministry as well. So many people around here are divorced,
remarried, divorced again, separated or living together. Many families are “blended” or fractured.</div>
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The need is so great.
The solution? Jesus Christ. We look around at the kids, the people at the
church and the community and we are beginning to realize why God has brought us
here. To preach His name and to show
people what it means to walk in freedom from bondage and to help bring healing
to brokenness. </div>
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There are so many people here- so much hurt. The world is crying for a Savior. In Shelbyville….in Greeley, CO… in your
hometown. </div>
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We answered His call.
We see the world’s need. We feel
overwhelmed, and yet we know it’s only in God’s power, His Might that we can do
what we do. Each day. Day in and Day out.</div>
Curtis and Rachel Rhoadarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14071558808328232308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371331559548959022.post-58346659732921729642014-01-02T11:41:00.000-08:002014-01-02T11:41:15.475-08:00To Know Him and Make Him KnownThis was the transcript <span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="22bbba72-3cd7-4b20-aee5-4af3060665e6" id="e4729b62-458e-45ff-82b8-8bf275a287f6">for</span> Curtis' sermon last Sunday. Not sure if they will post to the Crossroad sermon page or not. <div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I grew up on the North eastern plains of Colorado with my parents and my three siblings. Two older sisters and a younger brother all of whom still reside in Colorado. I came to know the Lord at an early age so young I don’t remember the exact date or time but I knew as a young man that I was a sinner in need of a savior and Christ’s sacrifice took care of that for me. When I was eight years old I was finally old enough to attend a small Bible Camp near me call Homestead Bible Camp. Homestead changed my life and while I understand that at eight there wasn’t a lot to change I came to realize what God wanted me to do while at camp. Bob Korthuis asked me at age 12 if I would consider helping him with his summer ministry a chance which I jumped at. Bob and his wife Ellen are two people whom I can only describe as second parents and mentors to me, they came alongside me and gave me opportunities to serve God right there at camp and have become as close to me as family.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In the summer 0f 1992 while sitting around the campfire at camp the speaker that week had pushed us to make our faith real and to resolve to follow him with all our hearts. I knew this message was for me because even though I knew I had made a profession of faith as a child I knew I was not living out that faith except at church and camp.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 9px; vertical-align: super; white-space: pre-wrap;">2 </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God. </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 9px; vertical-align: super; white-space: pre-wrap;">3 </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you. Rev. 3:1b-3</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">God has called on all of us to make our faith real if we look like we are alive and yet dead then we are zombie Christians and the only people we are fooling is ourselves. Our relationship with Christ cannot just affect our lives on Sundays or days we want it to.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">On the Merry-go-round next to the fire I made the resolution to offer my life up to Christ and a moment later an almost audible voice said, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“You’re not done yet, I want more I want not just your life now but I want your future, I want you to serve me for the rest of your life.” So I made the decision seconds after re-dedicating my life to Christ I also told him that my life was his to do with as he pleased wherever He wanted me to go and whatever he wanted me to do I was willing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 9px; vertical-align: super; white-space: pre-wrap;">8 </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What is more, I consider everything a loss. Phil 3:7-8a</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Most might think that this portion of scripture would mirror the conclusion of my decision to follow Christ but quite the opposite. For Paul his life before Christ was a huge success. Paul was a Pharisee and so zealous he sought out to rid the world of what he believed to be a false messiah and His followers. My own mistakes came after my decision to follow Christ but just like Paul it was this time which helped to define who I would become in Christ.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">After High school I made the decision to go to Trinity International University in Chicago and for the first time ever someone in our immediate family left the state of Colorado for more than just a vacation. I loved college, I made some friends there whom I will always love and I loved college life unfortunately a bit too much. After the 1</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 9px; vertical-align: super; white-space: pre-wrap;">st</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> semester of my sophomore year I came home for Christmas not to return to campus as a student for another 14 years. Failing out of college brought me to my knees because I believed God had desired for me to be there and therefore how could He change His mind and ruin my life. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Looking back I now realize how God was going to use this to teach me a very important <span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="c267e456-4bbf-4b43-96ab-8d4313bf07b1" id="f93d5026-b062-42b9-b612-cec8aea1713f">lessons</span>. Paul’s zealousness was not his problem it was just misplaced and when he turned that energy toward Christ his life was changed forever. God’s mind had not changed <span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="904ca12d-56db-4c56-93eb-29d624f6358b" id="1173339a-576d-440b-b761-7d17e0f546ca">for</span> my life but my own failure to take my studies seriously left me a broken humble young man who could no longer rely on his own strengths but had to learn to rely on God alone. This is a lesson God has had to teach me over and over again.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In 1999 I took a job working for an <span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="54203b0b-4c22-47f0-a820-da31af996c2c" id="67fbfd58-4e41-462d-93f7-01839bdde632">outsourcer</span> of AT&T and quickly succeeded in the secular workplace and while I was making friends I was not effectively sharing my faith nor using the gifts which God had given me to teach and disciple. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. Phil. 3:8-9</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As Christians it is not enough to just identify ourselves with Christ but to “Know Christ”. I can say that I have studied Abraham Lincoln or Peyton Manning but that doesn’t mean I know them. Knowing means having a relationship which goes deeper than just saying hi every other night or so. Paul is calling everything of this world garbage actually his words have the illusion of poop left on the street. He doesn’t say this to degrade the world in which we live but to show the grandeur of a life lived in Christ. My own walk with Christ was at a stand still and need to be kick started and a return to camp is what I needed. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In 2001 while still working for AT&T I had an opportunity to get back out to camp for a week and after just a few hours of being there I found myself on that same merry-go-round and this time wondering what had happened <span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="374878f4-f196-45f9-85c5-8883d0630230" id="efd5b571-136c-4f11-936c-d6d7641decd3">to</span> the past nine years and what I could do to change it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I went to Bob who was still the director and started the process of becoming a missionary in order to take over the camp and a year later ten years after I had made that promise to God there I was in my first year of directing at Homestead Bible Camp. Two years later while attending a new missionary orientation I met this girl whom I couldn’t get enough of. She bent paper clips with me into strange statues while we were supposed to be listening and she made me laugh like no one before. Unbeknownst to me she was also interested in me but in an effort to not appear too occupied and therefore rude to the rest of the group she tried to sit with and engage in conversation with other missionaries. I however had no problem with ignoring the rest of the class and was not impressed by her always leaving me behind. In her words I followed her like a puppy dog but from my perspective I was just chasing down my new friend who always seemed to be leaving me. This started an amazing friendship and a year later I got to marry my best friend. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Rachel and I have been by each others side ever since. Noah was born in May of 07 and Hannah in October of 08. Rachel and I have been serving the Lord through the ministry at Homestead Bible Camp</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Phil 3:13b-14</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> A year after we were married we felt the need to start up a new ministry. <span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="09d04160-152e-49dc-b1d7-1c0da2eca166" id="016bb9ca-91f1-4504-adee-d3bb0163e39a">God</span> called us to spread the Gospel as the great commission states:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matt 28:19-20</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Great Commission begins not with an imperative, a plan, or a strategy for our victory in the world but with the announcement that Christ has conquered SIN and DEATH. See, if we know Christ- really KNOW HIM. If we really get the idea that Christ not just forgave sin but became sin in our place. That Jesus truly didn’t just die on the cross but conquered death. If we truly believe that- <span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="557eee21-19f9-4b84-a079-875ad89fe0f7" id="e0920c27-e5c6-4483-98b8-bbb9d64aa522">than</span> change happens. If there is no change- <span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="bb1ac72c-a6e2-46aa-9571-a66d34418b7f" id="06b3c148-a64e-4e39-a5fc-95258bbd16ae">than</span> we must look at what we truly believe. Because the same power that conquered sin and death is alive in those of us who have trusted in Christ as our Saviour. That power must change our lives! When we truly know Christ then the natural result is to share Him with others.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If we were to fulfill this calling we needed to be reaching out in ways outside the walls of <span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="2f3c91db-afa6-4063-83ad-567540c1aee6" id="105167a3-d72e-49b8-b67c-b591e8492893">camp</span>. Both of us had been touched by the ministry of Vacation Bible School while growing up and it was our desire to start a ministry which would lead kids toward a relationship with Christ.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This also fulfilled Christ’s last words to the disciples before his ascension:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Seeing the need in the communities of NE Colorado we decided to start up teams which would go out into our own Jerusalem.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This new ministry had dual ministry outcomes because not only were the youth of NE Colorado reached for the gospel but the youth on the teams were directly affected as we had the opportunity to disciple and teach a new group of leaders every year. Quickly this ministry became our most profitable because we were fulfilling the great commission and doing it by raising up youth to teach and lead in exactly the way Jesus taught his disciples.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Five years ago Rachel convinced me I needed to go back to school and finish my degree. I did not know if I ever wanted to do this. I had been such a failure at school, could I change? This is just one more lie which I had continually told myself and allowed Satan to have in my life. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="e90f963f-8e0a-4db8-8c27-298c15d94e37" id="27aff1d9-eb35-4dc8-990e-48dc895f9670">for</span> it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. Phil 2:13.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I could not in my own <span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="f5fab54f-ad39-454e-aa6f-d8c40770b581" id="71a4c5f9-fbc7-4f8c-8191-8c8ea9351718">power change anything</span> and I had proven that over and over again. However Christ in me is power and it is through his power that on Dec. <span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="462ceaff-199c-490a-87b5-d7f1f196bf5b" id="b64fd8c6-221e-4a93-b5a1-a71e5acdd20a">13th just</span> three weeks ago I finished my bachelors degree with an A average.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So why are we here? We are here because God told us it was time to move on. Two years ago I came home from a summer of camp and realized while I still loved it my desire to be there for the rest of my life was gone. We prayed and sought council and after a year we felt peace about the idea of moving somewhere else.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">God has <span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="6c01296e-12f1-4b2b-9ea2-e70741613a29" id="e620dec6-25f8-4ca4-b10b-0410493132ae">lead</span> us here- to you. To work with your kids and your young people. God has given us a passion and a love to intentionally disciple youth- teaching them to Know Christ and to make Him known. Our children and young people have a realm of influence. We need to teach them who Jesus really is, the change He wants to do in our lives and send them out to influence the world for Christ.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. 16 Only let us live up to what we have already attained.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">17 Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do. 18 For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. Phil. 3:15-21</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It is up to us as leaders, volunteers, adults, parents, teachers, mentors and friends to be the example for others to follow. Our lives are mirrors in which we let the light of Christ shine through. The message of the gospel is offensive to those who do not want to hear it. It’s offensive because it 1) sheds light on our sin and <span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="e090f846-6e7b-4bf8-ba56-aa2ce0dde4b8" id="7a11087b-4048-428d-8543-033d3fed24fc">2)</span>inspires change in our lives. As Paul stated they are living in poop on the street when the grandeur of heaven is within their reach if only they will believe. Are we willing to let them stay in the muck living as “enemies of the cross of Christ” or are we going to share our citizenship? We cannot live our lives as if the sacrifice of Christ means nothing to us a <span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="039c0a63-1ea0-4681-9042-ed7957f5cfa1" id="236010f3-f555-4783-8508-d1d85f7d9269">Christians</span>. The relationship which God desires for to have with should compel us toward spreading the word. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We cannot just go through the motions of being a Christian. Christ wants more. He wants all of you. He wants you to know HIM and to make Him known. </span></div>
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Curtis and Rachel Rhoadarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14071558808328232308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371331559548959022.post-49212144143883844492013-12-16T07:10:00.000-08:002013-12-16T07:14:04.481-08:00In honor of Christmas: Waiting with Joy<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">This is from a devotional I shared with my ladies at the Kiowa Ladies Bible Study before we moved. Thought I'd share.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br />
We wait for a lot of things. Black Friday lines, Christmas presents, babies to be born. We wait for food to be delivered, timers to go off, our name to be called at the doctor's office. Sometimes waiting is easy. Like if I have a good book while I'm waiting at the doctor's office. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br />
Often though if waiting takes longer than we anticipated we become impatient or angry. How many of you ever had to wait so long for your food to arrive at a restaurant you either left... <span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="a34bc991-69a6-45c2-a7af-d78b5df7ce77" id="239b7840-0e41-4251-a6f8-4d622a186430"><span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="8113f3d2-3a5d-4f55-9843-f4f1341a303f" id="3e6d9b4c-1a13-4d27-8f39-37a69dcead5a"><span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="d2d9cf7e-9116-4921-9494-d702ba69a19d" id="4fe22134-af4a-4939-97f9-be2b63195adb">or</span></span></span> left a poor tip? How many of you have ever gotten frustrated <span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="98daf240-8f5e-4006-b38a-4e300fef72f4" id="77294aa7-7a10-4cf6-a0b8-630e7b67c6ab"><span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="db7ec614-c1a6-4ae8-b16f-e1c71bc33e45" id="b585a292-cef9-4ee1-9633-70898a762fe0"><span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="c4ec31a3-bbe2-4c05-b570-98508d9e6544" id="0711d3cf-03c0-4862-bc52-c356c8ba7f3b">at</span></span></span> a child or a husband for taking too long to get ready?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br />
You see- while we wait for a lot of things- we rarely wait well. It's usually <span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="4409fbc2-d1b5-474e-92d5-20a49c032c54" id="57609c3f-eaa3-44fd-bba3-272f0ff19abc"><span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="5d497118-e863-47da-a9ac-bf1df4512d09" id="d72f5bef-a160-4ba5-bdee-89cdfb67aebd"><span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="b2ed94da-de89-4210-beb1-9d5df4d54a3b" id="0514966a-52ec-465f-b74c-591335361d6a">annyoing</span></span></span>, frustrating- a nuisance. In an instant society we want less and less waiting. Why? Because deep down it's a waste of my time.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br />
But you see- waiting is one of those things God asks us to do and to do often. The Bible is full of examples of people who had to wait. Abraham waited for a son (and poorly if I might add!) David waited to be King. The Israelites waited for a deliverer to save them from their slavery in Egypt. Jonah waited three days in the belly of a fish. </span><br />
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Isaiah 9:6-7</span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: x-small;"><span class="text Isa-9-6" id="en-NIV-17836" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; position: relative;">For to us a child is born,<span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-17836A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></span></span><br style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span class="indent-1" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-9-6" style="position: relative;"><span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="8017ffc4-996b-4ef8-89a1-c0d3fa03318f" id="2803f171-022c-4fbf-a7f1-43878ba6cc7d"><span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="f88e65e0-7112-4fff-afbb-23f212db019d" id="3183bff4-71ec-4e6f-a4ee-7e3483abfa30"><span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="5df96fff-46f8-4856-95e6-fec52bc23bf1" id="bef6439d-ee31-4a55-a6ce-2aac8194cc7d">to</span></span></span> us a son is given,<span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-17836B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></span></span></span><br style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span class="indent-1" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-9-6" style="position: relative;"><span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="5d434ec7-1f5a-48fa-acf1-26eeb2058d56" id="486d2b30-a6c3-4cbd-a4d6-d38b22876ab0"><span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="bbfd6bce-5212-4aa9-80c5-6231f09d45de" id="1e9a44a1-cf13-47f1-9a9c-25e56e480b78"><span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="82b36eee-8395-452c-93da-7a778daf085a" id="b312c191-8f5b-4880-8187-decb73de16ef">and</span></span></span> the government<span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-17836C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></span> will be on his shoulders.<span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-17836D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)"></span></span></span><br style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span class="text Isa-9-6" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; position: relative;">And he will be called</span><br style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span class="indent-1" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-9-6" style="position: relative;">Wonderful Counselor,<span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-17836E" title="See cross-reference E">E</a>)"></span> Mighty God,<span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-17836F" title="See cross-reference F">F</a>)"></span></span></span><br style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span class="indent-1" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-9-6" style="position: relative;">Everlasting<span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-17836G" title="See cross-reference G">G</a>)"></span> Father,<span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-17836H" title="See cross-reference H">H</a>)"></span> Prince of Peace.<span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-17836I" title="See cross-reference I">I</a>)"></span></span></span><br style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span class="text Isa-9-7" id="en-NIV-17837" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="display: block; font-weight: bold; left: -4.8em; position: absolute; vertical-align: top;">7 </span>Of the greatness of his government<span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-17837J" title="See cross-reference J">J</a>)"></span> and peace<span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-17837K" title="See cross-reference K">K</a>)"></span></span><br style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span class="indent-1" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-9-7" style="position: relative;"><span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="c3e98a81-0c71-445c-ae26-1c1b2b4327dd" id="dea4cbe1-2f35-4d0b-88e0-f3bf79944c6f"><span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="d3955672-c77c-4ae7-a62c-d1611cd621b8" id="22c4a2b2-8482-4501-b9ad-6f25dc3452d7"><span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="c2348d5d-1744-4c40-a42a-b34c3ea75790" id="f86c8660-b62c-45b2-8318-913424ea6ed5">there</span></span></span> will be no end.<span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-17837L" title="See cross-reference L">L</a>)"></span></span></span><br style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span class="text Isa-9-7" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; position: relative;">He will reign<span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-17837M" title="See cross-reference M">M</a>)"></span> on David’s throne</span><br style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span class="indent-1" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-9-7" style="position: relative;"><span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="fbfbb736-9a16-4fb5-8273-a0154c3ecdb9" id="5ed78601-fc82-4663-b1a2-4b9c1c6f2be5"><span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="e3bb52f0-e41e-412b-8787-9dcda2c3cbbb" id="50327513-1793-4ed7-8bf5-add71163c98c"><span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="ce8fc556-645f-463e-a47e-a643077a0daf" id="0443ce17-9d4a-4012-96b3-269cbdd593d5">and</span></span></span> over his kingdom,</span></span><br style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span class="text Isa-9-7" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; position: relative;"><span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="82277c7a-7316-43c6-8bce-8e29e3ba2e5c" id="a98873e4-7cf1-4679-a7ca-a632b360506a"><span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="c642c42f-7b1c-4a00-b890-00342c56b71b" id="e35dcb32-00b8-48ef-92bf-9f5f2e1bad3e"><span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="efc0f505-d9d7-4c9a-bd34-0fa25b87d1df" id="961f887d-29a3-4f72-8b88-a3bcf5241d7a">establishing</span></span></span> and upholding it</span><br style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span class="indent-1" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-9-7" style="position: relative;"><span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="abb65c25-8afc-4a1c-a26e-c95986575b4d" id="ae8757bd-9075-4821-b5c5-4ad3d740b866"><span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="a6520b66-cc04-4680-8660-fe249f0275fc" id="ea8f2966-bbe4-4796-a8e6-d41862aec16e"><span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="f1747415-bc80-4b00-b9e9-60ace817bfdc" id="3ea0f270-7969-4f38-8ae1-3c46e49c736a">with</span></span></span> justice<span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-17837N" title="See cross-reference N">N</a>)"></span> and righteousness<span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-17837O" title="See cross-reference O">O</a>)"></span></span></span><br style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span class="indent-1" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-9-7" style="position: relative;"><span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="0bbcb08f-a8a6-409b-a60c-07955f3a46d7" id="38b04bfa-7efc-4455-bdd4-edb4e8edca79"><span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="12057ef2-115c-44a2-b934-bdc36367768a" id="45275387-c857-491d-b2ac-33cc5da6b6b7"><span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="9be1e740-4a8e-409a-8dd0-617e2c7d9dd8" id="adb6d838-9b5b-4bd7-9924-d06f209f4649">from</span></span></span> that time on and forever.<span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-17837P" title="See cross-reference P">P</a>)"></span></span></span><br style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span class="text Isa-9-7" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; position: relative;">The zeal<span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-17837Q" title="See cross-reference Q">Q</a>)"></span> of the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> Almighty</span><br style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span class="indent-1" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-9-7" style="position: relative;"><span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="e2680138-0b30-4132-977c-b1ebb5509d7b" id="ee1a6acc-d901-4f63-9e65-639cd5d14635"><span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="34f1134d-e83b-4139-a37e-bbd56fce130d" id="3a16612b-d71f-4635-b03d-61dbe0e3bd57"><span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="d4193ead-e210-468a-af12-9379a4cf6e40" id="3d4d70e7-3e04-4d8a-8c13-76873d9bdd77">will</span></span></span> accomplish this.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="indent-1" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="text Isa-9-7" style="position: relative;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">It struck me one day as I was listening to a sermon with this passage that the Israelites were promised a Messiah around 700 years before Jesus actually arrived. Talk about waiting a long time. I have a hard time waiting for water to boil let alone waiting 700 years for the Messiah. Is it any wonder <span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="7d466955-c808-4540-8db5-15189296b76d" id="704036e0-5400-4880-9c9f-1281e359cf63"><span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="9e76faad-56ae-4907-987c-97f36f864a8a" id="a6cf55e7-bea1-4129-83e1-6e19f6dbd4c9"><span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="ef3c665d-413a-4ad5-b90f-ba64ecb0cb02" id="ed207480-0b8d-4894-9fe0-9143ad72ad2a">than</span></span></span> that the Israelites had lost hope and missed the Messiah altogether when He did come?</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Why did God ask the Israelites to wait 700 years? Why does He ask us to wait today?</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The Messiah came at the right time. According to God's perfect plan. God asks us to wait so He can work His plan in our lives.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">If God asks us to wait (which He does) then how should we do it?</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">As I see it we have two options. We can wait well- or we can wait poorly.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Psalm 130:5 says, "I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in His word I hope."</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">How do we wait well? With HOPE.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">We wait on God knowing He will bring something to pass according to His great purpose.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Luke 2:25-35 tells us the story of Simeon. Simeon was an older man who had been "</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">waiting for the consolation of Israel" (<span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="3e6f0142-daac-43dd-bfe4-4b0ceaeee30d" id="4da1cc24-674e-4c43-ad30-8dca37a2e1f6"><span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="8bf86320-086d-4969-a8a7-ff7c7629db69" id="befc74f1-db64-4a8a-b311-a38cc88234e1"><span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="21529042-3583-4467-b89a-01d738cd93dc" id="6ab5cef6-4cd9-42cf-b3d8-90dd28e7ab88">vs</span></span></span> 25) for a long time. <span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="538f6000-7901-4cde-bff6-6493a1f3a467" id="0091dded-ab9b-4f69-a8a3-9fa7312f89b3"><span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="a4503efe-a077-4bb9-8057-f3085df7c337" id="d58f194d-9dcf-4eb9-b4c6-1fbb8de80ad0"><span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="29b4edd8-205b-4e1b-9840-d4f219ad588f" id="a26f1229-95c8-4a72-88e6-3780d593825c">Everyday</span></span></span> he was seen in the temple waiting. Day in and day out. Waiting for the day when He would see the Messiah. Why? Because God had promised Simeon that Simeon would see the Messiah before he died. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Simeon waited with Hope- believing and standing firm on God's promise to him. He didn't give up just because it took him longer than expected. Simeon is a great example to us of someone who waited well.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">As we approach this holiday season- think about Simeon and how he waited with Hope. God is asking you to wait too. Maybe the waiting has to do with a job, a family member to return, or maybe just the pizza to be delivered. Whatever it is- whatever situation you are facing right now. Wait with Hope. Place <span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="fdea7fb9-9fa1-4ea7-b502-331dadcb7f34" id="e41912fb-6dd6-47d9-8087-0d83b15f6b5f"><span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="447f8999-6cb8-43a8-856c-736d7d153557" id="35ef99d0-a819-4ee8-94b7-2c72e85a8511"><span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="7afb02b0-1653-430e-98c2-4ffc93fe302f" id="f059f230-4528-4d4e-8e6b-5cb725003afd">your</span></span></span> Hope in the ONE who is faithful to answer prayers, deliver us from evil, and save us from sin.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="indent-1" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="text Isa-9-7" style="background-color: black; color: white; position: relative;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="indent-1" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="text Isa-9-7" style="position: relative;"><br /></span></span></span>
Curtis and Rachel Rhoadarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14071558808328232308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371331559548959022.post-55943285532018805432013-12-09T16:45:00.000-08:002013-12-09T16:45:14.246-08:00We're finally here!We are here. Starting our new chapter of life and ministry in Shelbyville, Indiana. We have moved most of our belongings into a temporary rental and/or storage facility. We had a wonderful first time at Crossroad Community Church (where Curtis will be serving as Student and Youth Leader) yesterday morning. Of course... <span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="ceb78298-2065-46d4-9055-9bcbb65d8799" id="e5291daa-7d54-43b8-8b71-15e430f7b2ae">we</span> had to fix a flat tire first. <br />
<br />
Noah started school today at Loper Elementary. Not knowing where God will have us live permanently we decided to go <span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="37db6e25-7050-41c5-8528-013af7d4b370" id="f8d14c00-ec16-4d24-a92c-5cd65b8ea351">with</span> the school closer to <span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="37db6e25-7050-41c5-8528-013af7d4b370" id="35c4ab9c-d00f-4556-9327-47e008bab0d0">Crossroad</span>. <span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="ccc0f1e8-2bc2-46db-9830-be490539ec37" id="d3ef5650-de14-486a-8df9-7c0584826cd3">Loper</span> is also the school Crossroad has "adopted" and has a good news club during the school year. <br />
<br />
We will wait and put Hannah in preschool until January unless God opens the door for her to go sooner. <br />
<br />
Change is never easy- and it seems to take <span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="bdf3ea4c-3c80-4ec6-92c2-d8655824c346" id="970ce0fe-8e15-4d53-8338-90676563998c">it's</span> toll on kids sometimes more than adults. Please be praying for our kids as they make these transitions. Please be praying for us to take intentional family time in the midst of all that's happening.<br />
<br />
We look forward to getting to know more people in this community- and seeing God open doors through the ministry of Crossroad Community Church and our ministry outside the church with Be One Together.Curtis and Rachel Rhoadarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14071558808328232308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371331559548959022.post-33706345929722102662013-11-11T20:44:00.004-08:002013-11-11T20:44:35.843-08:00God's Timing is NOT our own.<br />
<br />
It seems like the past 2 years we have been waiting on God. Waiting to see what was in store. Waiting to hear from Him as to what our future would hold. Waiting isn't passive- it's been active for us. We have <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f096989b-0494-4e7f-ae2d-355ac0870a63" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="45b7ed40-33a5-4350-9c3d-b91b48e2d9ff" grcontextid="continue:0">continue</span> to serve God right here in NE Colorado during this time.<br />
<br />
Last year we began feeling that God was DOING something in our lives. We just didn't know what, when, where or how. This past spring I remember telling Curtis that when God finally decided to act it would go fast.<br />
<br />
Let me share a little bit of the whirlwind that has been our life the past month.<br />
<br />
We visited Crossroad Community Church the end of September. We knew God was calling us to that church and that community to serve Him.<br />
<br />
We came home and listed the house on Monday, October 14th. By the 15th (the next day!) we were signing papers on a full-price offer.<br />
<br />
We have been in the process of sorting, packing, working, turning things over, contacting supporters, meeting with mission boards for the past three weeks. <br />
<br />
We will close on our house here in Greeley on Friday the 15th of November.<br />
<br />
We will return to Eaton to the house we first lived in as a married couple (which has now been turned into a missionary <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="66eb39f1-be3a-4912-9127-7e860ae5b1d4" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1a7a2ee4-3867-4e50-8f7a-27c310941677" grcontextid="fulough:0">fulough</span> house). That way we can stay through Thanksgiving to be with family here in this area.<br />
<br />
Dec. 4th we plan on leaving Colorado on our journey to Shelbyville, IN.<br />
<br />
So many things are still up in the air. Please be praying as we continue to look for housing and schools in the Shelbyville area.<br />
<br />
God asks us to wait on Him. We have- and we will continue to do so.Curtis and Rachel Rhoadarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14071558808328232308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371331559548959022.post-18534863714786723682013-11-11T20:37:00.000-08:002013-11-11T20:47:36.890-08:00<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="GingerNoCheckStart"></span><span class="GingerNoCheckStart"></span><span class="GingerNoCheckStart"></span>BIG Changes</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">I never
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="06975398-e227-449b-a598-05f6cbbc074e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2e68e541-6cfb-4271-81ee-6bb7445e2f4a" grcontextid="really:0">really</span> experienced the beauty of autumn until I moved away from Oregon. Going from Minnesota and to Colorado I
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ba2d314b-2f0e-4f02-ae00-7129cce52d3e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="28fda462-16cb-4738-98c5-3131305057fc" grcontextid="finally:0">finally</span> understood the beauty of God’s creation in transition. The <a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6371331559548959022" name="_GoBack"></a>turning of the
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7618be6f-a60c-4596-91fe-8e32af028b48" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="37331a03-09b6-481a-be8a-45dc48682ebb" grcontextid="leaves:0">leaves</span> <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f03bf2a5-e48d-4747-b69c-433a76ec8756" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="37331a03-09b6-481a-be8a-45dc48682ebb" grcontextid="is:1">is</span> one of the most beautiful things to behold. People drive to the Mountains to see it
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9737bb8f-491a-44d9-8b87-0ce433c9f7a3" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="be22a8ab-0b44-4874-8a4b-6bbc54b260af" grcontextid="happen:0">happen</span> in all its glory? Why?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">People in
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0b75027a-d40c-407e-9e80-7d5db4963a84" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="00bf0d5e-f988-4099-8881-024c6eb45fec" grcontextid="general:0">general</span> are so resistant to change. Why
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4416f8ce-28b6-4c65-a349-22d502911df6" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1199cea7-7331-4394-bef0-1a6ed7b2f547" grcontextid="then:0">then</span> do we travel hours to see it happen in nature? Why are we so anxious for winter to come and
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7bd6a03d-07fc-4070-90ea-25eae8d97d46" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7cc3b590-c50d-44a7-8461-c212107c1c11" grcontextid="then:0">then</span> for spring to thaw the cold air? We
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f89daaf4-b76d-4034-b9c1-a195706f53ad" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6aee1105-a9ca-4a22-9bad-9ef8fbc6e114" grcontextid="know:0">know</span> that change is inevitable. Change
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f1641fd9-5f23-4003-a379-02f36ecb015d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="0097c90f-5630-4917-9904-f4376b6bed0d" grcontextid="is:0">is</span> necessary and needed. Winter is why
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b3d1ed32-5f33-41ec-8d89-9ea913213794" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9fe0d4da-d74a-4d44-aa11-5796f5771ef4" grcontextid="we:0">we</span> enjoy spring so much. There must be
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="aa990b95-7d30-4b07-a92c-f42f23ab571d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e781649e-cd7b-45e3-9322-8d5a89af7e4c" grcontextid="death:0">death</span> before new life. The changing of
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="557f2830-fa04-4670-b72b-40169e18282f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="70da9c43-cfd6-451d-b4bd-eead618daafb" grcontextid="the:0">the</span> season embodies the Gospel message.
We must die to self and be reborn through the work of Christ on the
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1fe70286-45a7-4a08-9cac-00c74971fe88" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2ab199df-acfd-4d4c-8a53-06885997a29d" grcontextid="cross:0">cross</span>. It’s a process and it’s <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4fe3a610-4d9d-4d4a-ac2a-b07d87d18244" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3d36a774-e510-4313-b676-82e8f1af07c4" grcontextid="rarely:0">rarely</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="004f84ff-65ab-4465-b4eb-39a68606dbda" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8b1aaf1d-94d9-4d03-b5af-22abae859c17" grcontextid="easy:0">easy</span>. One thing is clear though as I
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f13b91c3-c5ca-4ac4-bd9c-68eb7e201665" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="381c22aa-5208-4906-aa57-41a9def3e052" grcontextid="look:0">look</span> at the leaves turning on my Big Maple tree in my front yard- change is always
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2afd2adc-328e-4254-9284-f75d9b89c7f8" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8ddfaf78-756b-41c2-a14c-32d719c3603a" grcontextid="a:0">a</span> thing of beauty.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">For the
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a2af0321-7648-43a2-87c8-1cc11cfcf94f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b93af84a-1c21-403f-92a9-98afd864ed31" grcontextid="past:0">past</span> 2 year Curtis and I have been praying for God’s leading and direction in
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9145bc28-318e-457d-9f10-519a5956a245" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3b2b5ecb-1dc9-4e3a-904a-9b2352ae80ed" grcontextid="our:0">our</span> ministry. This past year God
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="20f2c3b7-edd2-4aef-a22e-4464a616b293" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e89b1756-be02-45f3-ad39-e9b7348c66a7" grcontextid="impressed:0">impressed</span> on us that it would be our last at Homestead Bible Camp. We finished our last summer strong giving the
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="612cf2b3-a42c-49c4-84a6-3c5c3890890d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="23d3c252-9c4c-4b62-be32-9df9d61b95ca" grcontextid="kids:0">kids</span> we work with everything we had. We
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9ca652cb-fa9b-4518-b026-c7ffafed7f49" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="aac87baf-b071-4fdf-92be-a4299b13bcca" grcontextid="stepped:0">stepped</span> out in faith knowing God was changing our scope of ministry- but
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="19d4d435-0ac9-4bd0-b49d-cbe64ebe3ee8" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9230e457-83ff-4d12-9a7a-3f3a5857ff90" grcontextid="waiting:0">waiting</span> on Him to tell us what and when.
God has led us to Crossroad Community Church in Shelbyville,
Indiana. Curtis will be the Student and
Youth Ministry Leader. He will oversee
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ef0013af-d01a-4696-8875-ef7cd3ea00d7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="cfd5fce7-1e0d-4ad2-834b-656254070692" grcontextid="the:0">the</span> k-12 ministries of the church with an emphasis on the Jr High and High
School ministries. He will be in charge
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="19969409-5a10-416a-91b1-0de4011b7e64" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ff5cc37f-bcd5-4ad0-a6b8-8d09c979eba2" grcontextid="of:0">of</span> training and <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="61b3d109-5fe3-449d-bb3c-c9afa1f6254f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ff5cc37f-bcd5-4ad0-a6b8-8d09c979eba2" grcontextid="discipling:1">discipling</span> volunteers for the children’s ministries as well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">As we have
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="cda021aa-6115-4f55-a56f-2e589d529943" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3957547d-a1a2-4bc9-abe4-3829ddee0570" grcontextid="been:0">been</span> praying about these changes and what it would mean for our ministries we
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e2531f5e-370f-4157-a000-65e9e4e31fdf" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="055e7626-7cab-4612-8daa-6714ac07a682" grcontextid="feel:0">feel</span> very strongly about keeping outreach outside the church <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b30d8262-dff4-47a4-aac7-24477b89c760" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="055e7626-7cab-4612-8daa-6714ac07a682" grcontextid="a priority as:1">a priority as</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a9a96d3f-8b35-4b26-939c-51f881eebe79" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="43b22070-c46a-4971-811b-13db849b91e2" grcontextid="well:0">well</span>. We can’t very well teach and train
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="18e64a08-a8fe-4b27-99ce-12467bcd2a0b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="72dbfe89-35c7-4077-aa43-32c1cabff67f" grcontextid="young:0">young</span> people to reach out to their world of influence if we’re not also
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="5eedbe9b-9f3a-47f7-b686-c5d983824926" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3c748e92-eb83-41b8-9e83-7b1e72de69d2" grcontextid="modeling:0">modeling</span> it. So Rachel will be joining a
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="72626e4d-2ebb-436e-b958-0f6610f0c608" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="107a4ddf-8240-4f46-a5a1-b4880832cb55" grcontextid="new ministry organization:0">new ministry organization</span> called Be One Together as a missionary. Be One Together mission statement “<span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">Is to engage all cultures by making
God's Word real through collaboration in outreach, discipleship, and
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="bf414919-55b8-4ecf-b918-ecc406ec095d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4baec2c4-699d-4385-8e2c-7a65a3fb8932" grcontextid="mobilization:0">mobilization</span>.” Their emphasis is working
multi-ethnically and we believe with the changing tide of our nation we need to
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="fbbac3e9-61f3-4ebe-a4c8-9fb7983a7f80" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="96b5259c-a2c0-46af-a445-5972add527da" grcontextid="be:0">be</span> part of an organization that is pursuing being Christ’s love to the nations
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="47053350-fd1e-4bfa-86db-7db2517edf3a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5a698589-5ad1-4b7f-a057-131b387c9804" grcontextid="represented:0">represented</span> within our nation’s borders.
We will be waiting on God to show us what that will look like when we
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7608fcf8-c119-48b5-96db-ec239b3bef91" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="0fa29fb1-53a5-4834-91dc-f9d407845eeb" grcontextid="arrive:0">arrive</span> in Indiana in December and get established in the church and the
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9a3d32b7-11e2-4895-a5fb-2097d2d49e26" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="94a9c980-1e20-4c83-bd40-6deaef85494f" grcontextid="community:0">community</span>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Change
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="066c5be1-e40f-4734-ae19-6e19811faa0b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="031ecc8a-7402-4fdd-a52d-2f0cb55d25b4" grcontextid="is:0">is</span> exciting and scary. We have had a
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6465db57-c099-423d-9acb-1b1b3e4493e9" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a9f74313-e739-454a-9f31-f2ff558bb7db" grcontextid="range:0">range</span> of emotions as we wait on God. We
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0c633fa2-5cf8-4b06-bc07-22ada842d782" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4a3e0b22-532e-4926-8c2a-6337b159f93d" grcontextid="know:0">know</span> it won’t be easy. But it will be
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="21caa5ac-6052-412a-9c5e-c4ece8272110" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8cbdb98a-e587-4e46-a701-e10fcbafafa6" grcontextid="beautiful:0">beautiful</span>. Psalm 139 assures us that God knew all these changes way before us
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="493e974d-dcca-478e-aa23-95b9e68929b6" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ed4bbe73-9e15-4810-af1c-c234b04c6f08" grcontextid="and:0">and</span> that wherever we are- “</span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">even there shall thy hand lead
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a8cf6363-739d-4cc2-8552-b5279ac4dba2" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a3e6336a-6fec-46c8-a7ae-69d4e993222a" grcontextid="me:0">me</span>, and thy right hand shall hold me.”
Psalm 139:10</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><br />
</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Will you pray for us as we continue to follow God’s leading? Pray for our family in the midst of these
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ae5a497e-65eb-4685-98ad-10d691d505e6" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="0fcd7698-134a-4651-9a1b-f9c04ae48a03" grcontextid="changes:0">changes</span>. Pray that we will bring about
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d484031a-86e4-4e7f-8630-279d66839bf3" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b2e706e3-8270-478e-909f-ec5094c051c6" grcontextid="the:0">the</span> beauty of the glory of God in our lives and in our ministry as God
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f41e0617-2dce-4b5f-8a63-89232cbced1a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c45dd51a-00cf-41cc-afd9-903a234ddc41" grcontextid="continues:0">continues</span> to change us.</span><span class="GingerNoCheckEnd"></span><span class="GingerNoCheckEnd"></span><span class="GingerNoCheckEnd"></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Curtis and Rachel Rhoadarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14071558808328232308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371331559548959022.post-28761369144134653482013-03-07T12:22:00.001-08:002013-03-07T12:22:34.754-08:00How to write, share, teach a devotion<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Segoe Script","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%;">How
to write/share a devotional</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-align: left;">Writing a devotional/Bible study
doesn’t have to be stressful and make you panic.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-align: left;">God has something to say so let Him say it
through YOU!</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> 1) Be in Prayer about it. Maybe what you are currently learning in your
relationship with God is something others need to hear too. If you already have a topic- be in prayer
over what God would want you to share.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">2)Research your topic. Make sure your Biblical facts are indeed
facts. Use a concordance to look up
other verses that may also deal with your topic. Commentaries can be great tools- but remember
they are just tools! Always make sure to
read and re-read the passage first.
Struggle with the text and develop your own opinion on the passage
before turning to someone else’s opinion.</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">3)<span style="font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Know your audience. Stories you might use may work better with
some audiences than others. If you start
talking about farming practices in a room full of city businessmen you’ll
probably lose their attention. If you’re talking about the latest pop sensation
with a room full of homeschoolers- it may not work well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">4)<span style="font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Exegesis. A big word that simply means to carefully and
systematically look at the passage to discover the original, intended
meaning. This is a 2 step process. 1<sup>st</sup> we look at context. Context of a passage looks at: who the
message was written to, historical issues, and surrounding passages. 2<sup>nd</sup> is content. Content includes meaning of words, choice of
words (in the original language), and grammatical relationship between words. Exegesis is where we start when we look at a
passage. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">5)<span style="font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Define words. Many times we use words as Christians we
can’t even define. If you’re going to
talk about Mercy- make sure you know what Mercy really means. Other words we don’t usually know but use all
the time: sanctification, redemption, grace, salvation, repentance. Don’t take for granted that everyone knows
what you mean when you say these things.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">6)<span style="font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Hermeneutics. A big word that simply means: what does it
mean here and now? Ok. So you’ve studied the words, the history, and
the purpose for why it was written back then.
The next question is: “If this passage meant ________ back then, then
what can it mean for us today.” Don’t be
tempted to start here. Many do. To truly appreciate the meaning for us today
we must first understand the EXEGESIS!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">7)<span style="font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">So… now you understand all the words,
the context and the meaning for today…. You’re almost done! If there is time for discussion after your
talk- make sure to come up with 10 or so questions. Questions should be open-ended (no questions
that can be easily answered with one word or two). Ask questions specific to the passage and
some questions dealing more with the hermeneutics- what it means today. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">8)<span style="font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Introduction. Just like in school- and introduction is
meant to grab one’s attention. If you
want the audiences to stick with you to the end- you need to get them
here. But no pressure! Introduction ideas:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0.75in; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Reflective
Question. “Think back to a time when you
were _______. What did you feel?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0.75in; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Funny
jokes or quotes on the subject.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0.75in; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Personal
stories or experiences. (Remember to keep these short!)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0.75in; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Statistics
(be careful here… too many are boring….. 1 or 2 strong stated statistics may
work well.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0.75in; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Movie
clips.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0.75in; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Skit. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0.75in; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">9)<span style="font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Middle. The heart and bulk of what God wants you to
talk about it in relation to your passage.
Make sure and be yourself! Use
visuals if possible.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">10)<span style="font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Sometimes it’s powerful to have the
audience walk out with something as a reminder of what you talked about (but
not always practical). I remember a
sermon when I was in Jr High talking about God’s name on our hearts……. And we
were each given a white rock with a Christian fish symbol written on it to
signify that. Be creative. Maybe it’s having them write something on an
index card and taking it home to put on their refrigerator. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">11)<span style="font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Conclusion. Wrap it up here. Tie in your conclusion with your
introduction. Challenge your audience to
leave the room and DO something. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;">
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">
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time allotment you’ve been given.
Nothing’s worse than making the group late because you just kept
talking.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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speaking in front of a group. One of the
best ways to combat this- is practice, practice, practice!!! Practice saying things out loud. Practice in the mirror. Practice talking it out to someone. The more you go over what you’ve written- the
more comfortable you will be talking in front of a crowd.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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God’s word lightly! Pray that God’s
message gets out! Pray when you begin
your devotion as well as at the end.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Curtis and Rachel Rhoadarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14071558808328232308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371331559548959022.post-31989934476884357452013-03-07T12:10:00.001-08:002013-03-07T12:10:30.007-08:00Cajun Boil time!<br />
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<span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1362678636376_8904">Hello dear friends.</span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1362678636376_8817">It's been awhile since we've been able to update you all on our ministry and family.</span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1362678636376_8813">We were able to drive to Oregon the end of Dec-beginning of Jan to help my grandparent's move to a retirement home. It was a blessing to minister to them in that way. When we returned home we had about one week and then we were hit hard with illness. It ran from our kids (mild) then to us. Curtis and I were down with flu/virus/infections for about 2 weeks. Luckily- we were still able to do some work at home and get our spring ministries planned out and worked on.</span></div>
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The past 2-3 weeks our family has finally been healthy and normal. YEA!! Which is a good thing because we started our busy Cajun Boil Fundraising season.</div>
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<span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1362678636376_8908">We have had 2 weekends so far. The first one at Homestead Bible Camp in Roggen, CO was a Huge success! <span style="color: #00007f; font-weight: bold;">We sold 21 tables- approx. 160 people</span>came through our doors in two nights of Cajun Boils. </span></div>
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Last weekend we were at Snyder Bible Church in Snyder, CO. It too was a great weekend. <span style="color: #00007f; font-weight: bold;">We sold 17 tables I think and saw approx. 130 people.</span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1362678636376_8912">So far I think <span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1362678636376_8911" style="color: #00407f; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold;">we've raised over $5,000 for Homestead Bible Camp!!! PTL</span>!</span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1362678636376_8915">We have one more weekend left at <span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1362678636376_8914" style="color: #c00000; font-weight: bold;">Bethel Church in Greeley, CO. <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1362686002_0">March 15-16th</span></span>. We still have tables available on the 16th- so if you need to make a reservation please don't wait!</span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1362678636376_8918">We have also officially started our <span style="color: #00007f; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold;">InFaith Impact VBS</span> program. We had our first informational meeting and are hoping to have 3 teams this summer. We were supposed to have our first training <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1362686002_1">this Saturday</span>- but due to an impending storm- we will have to postpone. We are excited to working with these teenagers and seeing God work through their lives over the past 3 months!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #00007f; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold;">Homestead Bible Camp</span> is still a little ways away but we have our theme: <span style="color: #c00000;"><span style="font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold;">"Identity."</span> </span> We will be exploring our identity in Christ. This is a concept that is so crucial to our young people (and to us too!) because we have such a hard time really understanding how God thinks of us and allowing that to transform our lives and self-worth to be outpouring onto others. We are excited about camp this summer. Please be praying for us as we schedule speakers and staff for this busy and rewarding ministry!</div>
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Rachel's InFaith Kiowa Ladies Bible Study has started a new study in the book of James that will take us through to May when we will take a break for the summer. She is writing this study- and hopes it will be a blessing to all as they study it.</div>
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Mom's Cafe is going well but we are in need of future leadership. Please pray with us that <span style="color: #00007f; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold;">God will bring the right 2-3 women</span> to join the leadership team of this ministry.</div>
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Noah is doing great in school and is beginning to read. Hannah is still a busy little girl and is working with Momma at home on her numbers and letters.</div>
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We appreciate your support, prayers, and encouragement. It's been a rather discouraging couple of months because of illness and other things. Please pray for us that we will be excited for VBS and Camp this summer and that our discouragement will not get in way of God's amazing work here in NE Colorado.</div>
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Please let us know if there is something we can be praying about for you!</div>
Curtis and Rachel Rhoadarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14071558808328232308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371331559548959022.post-35025870530583793772012-10-09T13:35:00.002-07:002012-10-09T13:35:49.721-07:00What's Going On<br />
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Good morning to you! Just wanted to update you a little on what's been going on in the Rhoadarmer House/ Ministry.</div>
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<span style="color: #0000bf; font-weight: bold;">Mom's Cafe</span>- Mom's Cafe had a successful start and we are continuing on studying the women of the Bible. Rachel has been busy co-ordinating this ministry with leadership meetings, teaching, and leading discussions. Please continue to pray for her as she continues to teach and for the women who are coming.</div>
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<span style="color: #0000bf; font-weight: bold;">InFaith Kiowa Ladies Bible Study</span>- We have begun for the year and are studying "Breaking Free from Fear" by Kaye Arthur. It looks like it'll be an interesting study for this fall. Many of our women have returned and we are excited about meeting together.</div>
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<span style="color: #0000bf; font-weight: bold;">Bethel Church k-5th Sunday School</span>- Curtis (and Rachel) are teaching the young people in our church through a series called "</div>
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<span style="color: #ab1013; font-size: 16px;">In the Beginning...Jesus" </span><span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: #ab1013; font-size: small;">A Chronological Study for Children of Redemptive History</span><span style="color: #ab1013; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal;">w</span><span style="font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal;">hich is a series about looking at the whole Bible and how Jesus fits into it. We will be teaching this Sunday School class through the end of the year. It's fun to be with the 5-10 kids who come (including Noah!). </span></span></h1>
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<span style="line-height: 20px;">Curtis is also busy with Preston Ranch Board duties. He is now the Chairman of the Board of this ministry <span style="color: #0000bf; font-weight: bold;">reaching families with adoptive and foster kids. </span> Please be praying for him in this leadership role.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 20px;">He is also very busy with his classes. He is taking Spanish class from the community college in town as well as taking classes online from Trinity Intl. We are hoping he will be all finished next fall 2013.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: #0000bf; font-weight: bold;">Update on Rachel's Mom, Mary Pinkerton.</span> She is all finished now with chemo. We are praying for healing of her body- and are praying God keeps the cancer away. We will be flying tomorrow, Oct 10, as a family to visit Mom and Dad in GA. Please pray for safety as we travel and a good time there with the parents!</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 20px;">Thank you for your prayers and encouragement! We hope you have a great fall!</span></div>
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Curtis and Rachel Rhoadarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14071558808328232308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371331559548959022.post-49648474765385494592012-09-04T07:04:00.001-07:002012-09-04T07:04:15.280-07:00The busiest slow time of the year<br />
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We usually tell people that fall is our slowest time of year. A time where we can "regroup" after our busy spring and summer. We keep busy with ministry- but it's not the marathon the rest of the year is. This fall isn't looking to be very slow at all.</div>
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On Friday the 24th 3 teenagers from Spain arrived. Angel (Jr.) is the eldest son of Angel Torres a man who Rachel's parents had in their ministry in Oregon. Angel (Sr.) went to Bible College and is now a pastor in Spain. So we have his son, Angel (Jr.), and two of his neices, Ana and Cristiana. They are living with us for a month to learn English. They study English in Spain during their school by a British teacher. Every day Mon-Fri Rachel has English class with them from 2-3 hrs. They are using a Christian ESL material and the "kids" are really enjoying it. Last night we took them to a Baseball game. Unfortunately the Rockies lost- but the kids really had fun. In preperation for the game they each had to read a book about baseball and write a report in English on our great american pastime. They will be here in Sept. 21. Please be praying for all of us- for the "kids" to learn english, and for Rachel as she teaches them. Please also pray they wont be too homesick- and that we will continue to have a great time together as they are a temporary part of our family.</div>
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Curtis started school back up. We are hoping that he will graduate winter of 2013. Pray that he will do well in his studies. Curtis also gets to preach 2 times this month. Please be praying for him as he brings the Word to Christ Community Church in Roggen, CO and Poudre Canyon Chapel in the Poudre Canyon. </div>
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Rachel's InFaith Kiowa Ladies Bible Study will be starting back up on Sept. 18th. They will be studied two different studies this year. Please be praying that the women will learn a lot and that we might have some new women come. </div>
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Rachel is also very busy beginning a new ministry in partnership with a local church here in Greeley (Grace Church) called Mom's Cafe. Mom's Cafe is a ministry designed to minister to Mom's of all stages and ages in life. It has been a process to get this ministry started, but we are looking forward to it beginning. It will start on Sept. 12th. We still have a few needs for childcare so please be praying that we can find all the leader's we need. Please be praying for the Mom's who come through our doors this year. We will be looking at different Women in the Bible. If you are in the Greeley area and would like more info- please let me know!</div>
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Noah started Kindergarten a couple of weeks ago. He loves it! Hannah is a little sad with her brother being gone every day for a few hours- but she is a trooper. Of course it helps that we have 3 other kids with us to entertain her for this month. </div>
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We thank you for your prayers and support! As always please be praying for our financial support. We've had a couple of regular givers let us know they will be unable to continue their support. Please be praying that God brings new people to join our ministry team to offset that!</div>
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<span style="background-color: #e6e6e6;"><span style="color: #434343;">Curtis and Rachel Rhoadarmer</span></span></div>
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Curtis and Rachel Rhoadarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14071558808328232308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371331559548959022.post-29989807214624229932012-04-20T11:17:00.002-07:002012-04-20T11:17:30.573-07:00Gearing Up<br />
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Hello dear friends. We'd like to take the time and give you an update on what's going on in the Rhoadarmer family/ministry.</div>
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Rachel's mom, Mary, had her surgery to remove the lump of cancer in her breast. She underwent a round of radiation- and we are praying that will be all she needs to do. They will undergo another test to see if Chemo is necessary. Please be praying that chemo is not something she needs.</div>
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One of our greatest privileges is to lead someone to Christ. It is even sweeter when it is your own child. Hannah prayed to ask Jesus into her life to forgive her of her sins a week ago. She was so excited to tell Noah when he got home from Awanas about the decision she made. Noah was equally excited to know that his sister will be going to heaven some day.</div>
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We are wrapping up some of our ministries as we approach our summer. Rachel's Kiowa Ladies Bible study completed their study through the Fruits of the Spirit. It has been a great time studying together.</div>
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We are gearing up for our summer ministry with Homestead Bible Camp and our Infaith IMPACT VBS programs. Please be praying as we hold trainings, gather staff and speakers, and find locations for our VBS programs.</div>
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We had a wonderful time at our InFaith Refresh conference in Indiana the end of March. We were able to stop and see dear friends and supporters along the way. Spending time with other InFaith missionaries is always such an encouraging time.</div>
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Please continue to pray for our ongoing support needs. God has provided some new donors to join our ministry support team- but we continue to pray for more to join in with what God is doing here in NE Colorado.</div>
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Thank you so much for your prayers and encouragement through the past few months as so much in our family has happened.</div>
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<span style="background-color: #e6e6e6; color: #434343;">Serving with InFaith</span></div>Curtis and Rachel Rhoadarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14071558808328232308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371331559548959022.post-67687688639821302772012-01-04T18:43:00.000-08:002012-01-04T18:44:56.019-08:00Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year<div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Christmas greetings dear friends! I am writing this email from the coziness of my (Rachel's) sister Debby's dining room and wanted to share our christmas journey with you. </div><div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "> </div><div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">We left Colorado on Tuesday morning in our van. We've had our van for 3 years- a wonderful dear couple had given it to us for ministry use. Trust me- we got alot of use out of it. It survived one of the biggest hail storms I had ever seen- traveled twice to Oregon, once to Phoenix, and this summer to Branson, MO. It wasn't pretty but it was our faithful steed. 30 miles east of Laramie, WY the transmission went out. We were lucky enough to limp it into Laramie to a mechanic. After having lunch there- they told us it would cost $1900 to fix it. The van isn't worth the money to fix so we figured out our options. 1)rent a mini van $200-$1000 dollars depending on how long we would need it or 2) buy a mini van sitting on a lot there in Laramie. After looking at the van- talking to both sets of parents and some trusted friends about our predicament- we felt like God was telling us to buy the van. We were able to trade our old van in for the new one- getting more than what salvage would have paid. We bought our 2004 Town and Country and were able to complete our drive to UT safe and sound. We really like the van and thank God for keeping us safe. Please do be praying for us though- the money we will have to use monthly to now pay for our van was allocated to other things. The van cost us under $7000 and we are praying for God to provide the money to cover this vehicle. Please be praying for God's provision for us! We are excited to have a "new" ministry vehicle and look forward to having something better looking- and more trustworthy to drive us- and ministry kids around in.</div><div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "> </div><div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">We are thankful for the safety for our trip thus far- and are looking forward to<var></var> spending Christmas with the Pinkerton/Fellows clan. As we look at God's provision for our safety and travels we are reminded of another trip 2,000 years ago that took a young married couple into Bethelem to bear their son, Jesus. God's provision for their safety provided us with a Savior. We pray you will enjoy God's provision, safety and salvation this Christmas and in the New Year!</div>Curtis and Rachel Rhoadarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14071558808328232308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371331559548959022.post-91992718964632775362009-04-26T21:47:00.000-07:002009-04-26T21:51:25.786-07:00Our Summer DilemaYesterday we had our Impact meeting. It looks like we might have 13 people doing Impact this year. Which gives us an interesting dilema. As things stand right now, Curtis, will need to lead an Impact team. But- he also needs to go around and visit all of our other VBS with our teams from Phoenix to promote camp. How can he be in multiple places at once you ask? We don't know. Maybe we should develop our time travel ideas? Please be praying for us and this dilema. It's a good one to have, we just don't see an answer to it yet.Curtis and Rachel Rhoadarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14071558808328232308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371331559548959022.post-9289812040759027692009-04-16T13:59:00.001-07:002009-04-16T13:59:39.231-07:00Update 4-16<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman'; font-size: 19px; ">Thank you for covering us in prayer as we've traveled so much the past month. <div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><br /></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">We had a wonderful time at the Ethnic Worker's Summit in Phoenix. It was a good time of fellowship with other AMF Missionaries, and other people who are working in Ethnic Ministry here in the US. </div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><br /></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">We also had a good time at AMF's camping conference in <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1239915451_0">Wellfleet, NE</span>. We always get so many good ideas from other camp directors when we attend these meetings.</div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><br /></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">We returned home to have a couple more cajun boil fundraisers (our last one will be <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1239915451_1" style="border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer; ">this Friday Night</span>.) We have much to do in the next month and a half to prepare for IMPACT (VBS ministry) and for Camp. We are still trying to finalize camp speakers and such. Please be praying for these ministries coming up this summer.</div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><br /></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">We will be wrapping up <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1239915451_2" style="cursor: pointer; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; border-bottom-color: initial; background-position: initial initial; ">Rachel's Kiowa Ladies Bible Study</span> for the year, as well as finishing up Curtis' preaching classes, and wrapping up our UIM Hispanic Kids Bible Club in the next weeks to come as we focus on our summer ministries.</div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><br /></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1239915451_3" style="border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer; ">Prayer Requests</span>:</div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">~ We will get our speakers all finalized for camp.</div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">~ That we will find the needed staff for camp this summer. It looks like Rachel will be the head cook this year, so that means we'll have to find childcare for Noah and Hannah this summer.</div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">~ It looks like Curtis will be joining the <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1239915451_4">Regional Committee</span> for the Ethnic Worker's Summit which will be held in Denver in 2011. We are very excited about this, but there is a lot of work to be done so the conference will be a success in Denver.</div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">~ We have gotten a little behind in our IMPACT training for various reasons, which will place a little bit of pressure on the young people we're training to have ample time to learn all their <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1239915451_5" style="border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer; ">Bible stories</span> and everything. Please be praying that God will change these young people's lives and they will see what kind of Impact they might make for the Kingdom of Christ here in NE Colorado.</div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">~ We will need to begin working on locations for our <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1239915451_6" style="border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer; ">Vacation Bible Schools</span> this summer. It looks like we might 20+ VBS again this year. Pray that God will lead us to communities that need Him the most. Pray for <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1239915451_7">open doors</span> and <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1239915451_8">open hearts</span>.</div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">~ It appears that we have lost about $400 a month in support due to multiple reasons. Please be praying that people might be touched to join our financial team and help us reach people in NE Colorado for Christ. </div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><br /></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">Thank you so much for all your prayers! We appreciate you!</div></span>Curtis and Rachel Rhoadarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14071558808328232308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371331559548959022.post-60242647867143190762009-02-28T14:03:00.000-08:002009-02-28T14:05:22.754-08:00Cajun BoilThis weekend marks a very busy one. We began our Cajun Boil fundraisers for Homestead Bible Camp this weekend. <div><br /></div><div>Next weekend, March 6-7 should be pretty busy. Looks like we might have a full house and (Lord willing) might even sell all 16 tables.</div><div><br /></div><div>Please be praying that we might get the finances raised that we need to for the electrical work at camp.</div>Curtis and Rachel Rhoadarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14071558808328232308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371331559548959022.post-17370236089034546572009-02-21T14:09:00.000-08:002009-02-21T14:10:57.739-08:00Impact informational meetingWe had our first meeting today for IMPACT. We were a little disapointed with numbers, only 4 kids showed up. So I guess we'll be hitting the phones trying to get more kids involved in this exciting VBS ministry. Please be praying that God will bring together the team that He wants!Curtis and Rachel Rhoadarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14071558808328232308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371331559548959022.post-51898229540011681642009-02-20T19:30:00.000-08:002009-02-20T19:31:13.055-08:00Rhoadarmer update 2-20<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman'; ">It's good to be home. After spending <b>13 days</b> on the road spending each night in a different location, and spending way too much time in the van bonding with our little children, we are finally home. We had a wonderful trip to the NW.<div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><br /></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1235187022_0">Highlights</span> of our trip:</div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">~<b>3 Open Houses with over 75 people</b> in attendance (2 in Salem and 1 in Portland, OR)</div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">~Visiting <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1235187022_1" style="cursor: pointer; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; border-bottom-color: initial; background-position: initial initial; ">Clear Creek Community Church</span> (Gresham, OR)</div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">~Meeting with folks from <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1235187022_2" style="border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">Grace Church</span> (Molalla, OR)</div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">~Noah and Hannah's first trip to the <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1235187022_3">Pacific Ocean</span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">~<span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1235187022_4" style="cursor: pointer; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; border-bottom-color: initial; background-position: initial initial; ">Going to a wedding</span> of a very dear friend and supporter (Seattle, WA)</div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">~Countless other visits with many many people!</div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><br /></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">It's good to be home. Thank you for your prayers as we traveled. <b>The Lord kept us safe from 2 deer, 1 rabbit and 4 <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1235187022_5" style="cursor: pointer; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; border-bottom-color: initial; background-position: initial initial; ">snow storms</span>.</b></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><br /></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">Now that we're back there are many things coming up in the next couple of weeks we'd like to ask prayer for.</div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><br /></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">1)<b>Our first IMPACT (VBS training ministry) meeting</b> is tomorrow. It's an information meeting and we hope there are many kids who would like to be part of this exciting ministry.</div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><br /></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">2) Homestead Bible Camp yearly <b>Cajun Boils start soon</b>. We are raising money to redo some of the electricity in a 100+ yr old building.</div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><br /></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">3) We will be attending <b>Ethnic Worker Summit in Phoenix, AZ <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1235187022_6" style="border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer; ">March 17-23</span> and need someone to watch and love our two beautiful children during that time</b>. This is a HUGE <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1235187022_7" style="border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer; ">prayer request</span> and weighs heavy upon our minds. Our registrations were paid by a donor and we will be unable to take the children with us.</div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><br /></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">4) We will also attending the <b>A</b><b>M<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b>F Camping Conference in Nebraska <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1235187022_8" style="border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer; ">March 26-29</span></b>. We are planning on taking the kids to this conference, which should make things a little interesting.</span></b></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><br /></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">As you can see we have a busy month or so ahead of us. Please pray for us and that we get the rest we need as well.</div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><br /></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">Thanks for all your encouragement and prayers!</div></span>Curtis and Rachel Rhoadarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14071558808328232308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371331559548959022.post-84992299664980976052009-02-03T10:20:00.000-08:002009-02-03T10:22:57.030-08:00Hezekiah's prayer<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'times new roman';"><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">Read Isaiah 37:14-20. <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1233684875_1">King Hezekiah</span> was in desperate need of help. He had <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">received</span> a letter from Assyria that "reproached" the living God. Assyria was threatening to attack. Can you imagine what he must have been going through? He looks at his neighboring nation of Israel in the North and see Assyria <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">completely</span> demolish them. War and famine are at his door step. I'm sure he felt alone, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">surrounded</span>, beat up. And where does he go? to the<span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1233684875_2">temple of the Lord</span>. What does he do? Lays the letter down in front of the Lord. It's like he was saying "I have no idea how to respond to this. I don't know where to turn, or what to do. There's no way for me to defeat what's going on in my life. The only thing I can do is lay this at God's feet." Now read his prayer. "O Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, who is enthroned above the cherubim, You are the God, You alone, of the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth. Incline Your ear, O Lord, and hear; open Your eyes, O Lord, and see; and listen to all the words of <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1233684875_3">Sennacherib</span>, who sent them to reproach the living God." later on he says, "Now, O Lord our God, deliver us from his hand that all kingdoms of the earth may know that You alone, Lord, Are God."</div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><br /></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">Basically in other words he's saying, "God I know that you are King, I know you are in control. You were powerful to create the world and I know you're powerful to defeat what's going on in my life and the bad things around me. Lord, hear my prayer, open your eyes and see what's happening. People are turning their own way and doing their own thing as if flinging it in your face. Lord, deliver us. Deliver us so that other's may know that it was only You, in Your Power that got us out of this mess, and by doing so, may others turn to know you as their God."</div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><br /></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">I know <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">sometimes</span> we're at a loss of words, and it seems like we don't have any more prayers left. Or that we're not being heard. And yet, here's a prayer for us also to pray. And maybe, if it helps, we write down all the things that are coming against us on a piece of paper, so we actually have something tangible to turn over to God and lay at his feet. It can serve as a reminder that truly God is in control, He does care, He does listen, and He is all powerful and will work through our messes.</div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><br /></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">*written for a dear friend</div><div><br /></div></span>Curtis and Rachel Rhoadarmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14071558808328232308noreply@blogger.com0