Recently, I have been studying the life of Abraham through the life of Joseph.  It has been a great study, even though I have heard and read these stories over and over again.  It is amazing how God’s word always has something new to teach you.  This time as I read the focus was about encountering God rather than experiencing the blessings of God (even though the blessings took place). 

The lives of these men and women are so prevalent to us today.  Like us, each had their struggles such as, marital issues, dysfunctional families, struggled with generational sins, celebrated birthdays, babies were born, experienced loneliness and lack of contentment, prosperity took place, called to leave their families to start a life in a new place, etc.  During all the craziness that went on in the lives of this family, God still showed up.  He showered them with His blessings, His steadfast love, His mercy, His protection, His faithfulness, His provision, His goodness, etc.  However, the most important thing is that they encountered God. 

As I read about the individuals who are the focus of these stories, I found my attention more on the women who were highlighted.   These women had encounters with God, yet, they did not allow these encounters to affect their lives for the long-term.  It saddened me to read about their dissatisfaction, their controlling habits, and their manipulations each allowed and acted out in their lives.  Their actions greatly affected those around them, especially the behavior of Leah and Rachel.   Granted these two women were thrust into a situation that was not ideal, however, this did not excuse their conduct.  Here we have two women, two sisters, who longed for what they did not have.  Leah desired her husband’s love, but was blessed with many sons were she found short-lived happiness.  To Leah, her sons were meant to force Jacob’s attachment to her.  Rachel had Jacob’s love, but she did not appreciate it and blamed him for not giving her the sons she thought would bring her happiness.  The focus of these two women was on the object or objects they wanted to acquire not on what it should have been.  Each woman wanted what they didn’t have and missed out what they did have; missing out on God Himself. 

How often do we desire the blessings from God or the things we want God to bless us with and ignore the encounters we have had with Him?  Take time out today to encounter Him, not what He can give you on a tangible level.  Believe me you will find that your encounters with Him are far more precious and long lasting. 

Read Genesis 29:31-Genesis 30:1-24 for Leah and Rachel’s story. 

Read Genesis 12-Genesis 50 for the whole story. 

It didn't have to happen. Distraught Father Kills Wife, 5 Kids and Self, the headline read (read article http://news.aol.com/article/los-angeles-shooting-murders/319604). After hearing that he and his wife had lost their jobs a Los Angeles man went home and killed his entire family then turned his gun on himself and committed suicide.  Didn't he have a friend to talk to?  Didn't he have a counselor he could confide in?  Didn't he have hope?

Based on his suicide note apparently he didn't feel like he had hope or that anyone even cared.  We are in some stress filled times but this trajedy didn't have to happen. If you or someone you know are under a lot of pressure, stressed out, or at your wits end.  Don't give up. Reach out.  Call New Life Oak Forest at 708-499-6240 and speak to one of our Pastors or lay counselors.


There is HOPE,

Pastor AL

It’s amazing how good our God is. Who knew!

A few weeks ago Manny Valdez was sorting out some old papers and bumped into a note that said: “January 22nd 2002: launch Little Village’s English congregation.”  In some ways it seems like it was just yesterday when several of us got together thinking that we could reach English speaking people in Little Village for Christ. How foolish we were.

Still, here we are seven years later, many gray hairs later, many babies later.  Some of us have put on some weight, some have managed to lose it, many have changed jobs, some real good friends have moved on following our Lord’s plan for them, others have married, a great many new friends have joined us and what was once just a small home group has truly grown into a joyful, exciting and faith-filled congregation. 

These last seven years have not been easy. We have learned many lessons the hard way.  I suspect that many of us have the scars to prove it. We have also taken many steps of wild faith together. Many prayers have driven our crazy ideas. I still feel as unqualified to be a pastor as the day we began.

But above any struggle, or any difficulty that we could have ever encounter, the one constant that shines brightest in our past is the one characteristic that will continue to light the way ahead. Sylvia and I have found refuge in it during dark days. It has pushed us forward during times of sluggish faith. In days of strength, we have seen how it has led us to victory. It is the fact that God has truly made us a family. This little congregation began with a clear passion to be “a family of love which cooperates with God…” Daily I thank God that he has allowed me to be part of this great and awesome family. 

It’s amazing how good our God is. Who Knew!

 

This last week I’ve spent a lot of my time promoting a singles and couples conference that’s being hosted at our Lakeview location on February 6 and 7.  The singles portion of the conference teaches those attending how to get the relationship that they want.  The couple’s conference helps to enrich marriages and teaches couple’s how to better communicate with their spouse.  It’s been fun mixing up my schedule as I’ve woken up early to hit the Belmont and Fullerton EL tracks at 6:30AM to hand out promotional postcards as morning commuters leave for work.  It’s my hope that this opportunity will be what the community at large may be interested in attending.  The conference is funded by a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families Grant so the cost is reduced by a substantial amount.  I get excited when opportunities like this come around because it also gives my wife and I the opportunity to help enrich our marriage.

This conference is going to be one of two couple’s conferences that Rachel and I will be attending together over the next two months.  I’ve learned that communication is a key area that we continually need to develop and these types of conferences have helped us to grow in our friendship and understanding of each other over our last 4 and a half years of marriage.  I want to encourage those of you reading this to come out too.  These types of conferences help in building a healthier marriage and for those of you that are single it can offer key insights into how to find the relationship that you’ve been looking for.  If you are interested in registering for the conference I’ve included the details below.  I hope to see you there!

How to avoid falling in love with a jerk/ette                                     

Workshop for Singles - $10                                                                         

($200 value paid for by family bridges)                                                  

 

February 6 & 7                                                                                                  

Friday       6:30pm – 9:00pm                                                                         

Saturday 9:00am – 5:00pm                                                                          

 

New Life Lakeview         

2958 N. Damen Ave.      

Chicago, IL 60618             

 

To Register:                       

Call Tina @ 773-838-9470

 

Facilitator:                                                                                                          

Juliet Caceres Ph.D.                                                                                       

 

Workbooks, Food and Childcare Included

 

 

Within Our Reach

Workshop for Couples - $15.00

($300 value paid for by family bridges)

February 6 & 7

Friday       6:30pm – 9:00pm

Saturday 9:00am – 5:00pm

 

New Life Lakeview         

2958 N. Damen Ave.      

Chicago, IL 60618             

 

To Register:                       

Call Tina @ 773-838-9470

 

Facilitator:

Ken & Judy Kalina

I’m making a list of some of my favorite stories of Christians who are heroes to me. I hope some of these stories are encouraging to you. More importantly, I hope you have examples that connect with you and raise your vision higher for what the Lord can do in and through your life.

Favorite Story # 13: Keith Phillips [1944 - ]

1944       Born

1965       As a UCLA student began outreach in Watts Housing Project in Los Angeles

1971       World Impact Founded in Los Angeles

1972       San Diego & Wichita branches of World Impact begun

1975       Wrote They Dare to Love the Ghetto

1976       St. Louis & Newark branches opened

1977       Fresno branch started

1981       Wrote The Making of a Disciple

1982       Los Angeles Christian School opened; Morning Star Ranch acquired and used for discipleship

1984       Inner City Enterprises started for job training

1990       World Impact focuses on Church Planting

2000       School for Urban Cross Cultural Church Planting begins

2004       A total of 20 churches planted in 8 World Impact Cities

Highlights

• Love & Commitment to Poor Urban America. Their live up to their mission statement “Ministering God’s Love in America’s Inner Cities”.
• Racial Reconciliation. Philips has led World Impact to have a strong emphasis on breaking down walls of prejudice & discrimination.
• Holistic Ministry. Most churches are designed to minister to middle class people. Many people need a different type of church. World Impact has pioneered a successful way of making disciples in areas like Public Housing Projects. They have not only brought the gospel and Bible teaching but have enabled people to escape destructive patterns.
• Endurance. Inner City ministry can be discouraging and overwhelming at times. Keith Phillips has been working in high crime, high poverty, chaotic areas for over 40 years.

 

Favorite Story # 14: Franklin Graham [1952 -  ]

1952       Born in North Carolina (4th child of Billy & Ruth Graham)

1974       Born-again while in Jerusalem; married wife Jane

1975       Influenced deeply by 6-week trip to Asia with World Vision President Bob Pierce

1979       Became President of Samaritans’ Purse ministry after death of Bob Pierce

1989       Began preaching at Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) events

1993       Samaritan’s Purse took over “Operation Christmas Child”

2002       Became President of BGEA

2008       Visited, met with Government Leaders, and Preached in North Korea

Highlights

• A Prodigal Son who came home. Despite being raised by one of the most famous evangelists in history Franklin chose to live apart from God for many years. His autobiography Rebel With A Cause (1997) documents his life story.
• Compassion. Since his early 20’s Franklin has had a heart for the poorest and most oppressed people in the world. Samaritan’s Purse has strong, established ministry in areas like Sudan, Mongolia, Cambodia, Viet Nam, Kosovo, & Iraq.
• Mobilization & Administration. Operation Christmas Child delivers millions of shoebox gifts around the world each year. Over 63 million shoeboxes have been delivered to a total of 135 countries since 1993.
• Bold Witness. Despite leading a compassion based ministry and having regular contact with Government Leaders around the world he has not compromised his clear message of the gospel. He has repeatedly experienced criticism for explaining that Jesus is the only way for salvation, including controversy after his remarks against Islam after the 9/11 attacks.

Visit www.samaritanspurse.org to learn more about the ministry

                                               

Favorite Story # 15: David Wilkerson [1931 -  ]

1931       Born in Hammond, IN

1952       Married wife Gwen

1958       Moved to New York City & started Teen Challenge

1963       Publication of The Cross & The Switchblade

1971       Moved to Texas and started World Challenge Ministry

1986       Felt Called by God to come back to New York City

1987       Began Times Square Church in New York City

Highlights

• Urban Ministry. He has been serving and seeing great results in the hardcore inner city of New York for years. He is not just reaching ‘transfer believers’ from the church down the street.
• Rehab Ministry. Anyone familiar with Teen Challenge knows the great work they do. We have sent many people to the Chicago branch of Teen Challenge. They are the real deal. Wilkerson doesn’t oversee it anymore but he started it and gave it the initial direction.
• Perseverance. Here’s a guy who has been on fire for the Lord for over 50 years. He hasn’t given up or taken the easy road. I love the fact that he went back to New York to plant a church at age 56! He is still going strong now at age 77.
• Family. He has been married for over 50 years and all 4 kids are serving in the Lord and involved with ministries.
• Holiness. He has not changed his basic message about holiness throughout the years. At times Wilkerson has been criticized for being too strict but he has reached many people without watering down the gospel.

Check out www.tsnyc.org and www.worldchallenge.org to get an update on Times Square Church and World Challenge.

Last night Jeannette & I took a CPR class geared toward children & infants. There was no certification, but apparently the information was the same. I was impressed with how simple of a process everything was. The American Heart Association does a great job with the training class, called "Friends and Family," and we had a really good teacher. The thing we talked about on the way home was why more people don't learn something that is both so simple and so important. Busyness is obvious - as it was our excuse for the two years we've put off doing it since we first learned about the class. Or maybe just not realizing the ease and necessity. In my opinion it was worth the time (one 3hr class). Hope I'll never have to use, but I understand how to now if necessary.

Not your typically "church" post here, but something I think is very important for all of us.  If you've never taken a CPR class, check with your local school or hospital to see if they can provide information as to when and where classes are.

Hey New Life Family,

The One Year Bible is a great way to do devotions.  Here is a nugget I got from today's reading.PAL

Jesus Feeds Five Thousand

Read the word daily at www.oneyearbibleonline.com 

Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."

I’m excited how God is moving throughout our city and community. God wants to reach every one of us, especially our children. A team of us here at New Life Jefferson Park are on a mission to do just that. We’ve partnered with Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF). Last Summer, our team went through an intensive training with CEF. We approached several Chicago Public Schools on the Northwest side of Chicago about the possibility of starting an after school club, but every door that we knocked on was closed. Finally, God made a way for us, and this past November we started our first Good News Club at Jahn Elementary School located in the Lakeview community.

Having ventured out into the mission field here in our very own city, it has been exciting to see what God is doing and how he is touching the lives and hearts of the young students at Jahn. The children are excited about learning about Jesus. The parents and administrative staff have been very supportive and encouraging as well.

On the average, we have about 30 to 35 students who participate in a one-hour program, which includes singing Bible songs, hearing Bible stories, and learning about God’s grace and salvation through Jesus Christ. To date, we’ve had over 15 students accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Our team of 10 is looking forward to serving God in whatever capacity he may use us in the lives of these children.  Our prayer is that God will continue to open doors throughout our Public Schools, that he will touch the lives and hearts of children, and that he will raise up more and more people here at New Life and in other churches who are willing to go out into the our mission field.

Please pray for our team and the children in our club. Pray that God will bring us more helpers who would like to join our team. If you feel led to find out more about our club, please feel free to reply to this blog and I’ll be happy to give you more information. You can also check them out on the web here: Good News Clubs.

The Good News is being spread throughout our schools and it is through these children that families and communities will be transformed!