Ministry Updates

It was just about this time last year that I was preparing for a missions trip to Africa.  Things seemed to be falling into place, when, just days away from boarding the plane, a brown package arrived on my doorstep. 

The doctor called to let me know that my mom's mammogram reflected something which warranted a second look -- immediately.

In Anne Graham Lotz's recent A Wake-Up for God's People simulcast, she shares how God sometimes allows brown packages to come into our lives . . . because He has a treasure on the inside.   

I have to admit that while ...

". . . it was supposed to go my way!"

I got rejected. Not once. Not twice, but seven times! My future was starting to look bleak. One by one, the doors closed and I didn't get a single college acceptance letter that semester. "This is unbelievable," I thought! I was a part of school and church leadership, received a "leader of tomorrow" award, had above-average grades and was otherwise a 'well-rounded' student. Rejected when my friends got into Harvard, Yale and Princeton, I was a mess. How could this be? This was my story . . . it was supposed to my way!

"God ...

Is there someone in your life that is still resisting the Lord?  One of my greatest joys in life is to see men and women, boys and girls come to saving faith in Christ…but one of my greatest pains is when those I know and love continue to reject the Savior who has laid down His life for them.  I am sure there is someone who falls into that category in your life.

We try to love them…we try to be patient with them….we try to reason with them, and still they are obstinate or apathetic or ...

As we reflect on moments of time and begin to transition seasons, Joni has prepared some reflective messages that will both inspire and motivate you to truly seek the Lord in the trying times and in the joyful ones.

Click here to listen to a touching message regarding the terrorist attacks of 9/11 as we reflect this weekend on the live changing events that transpired 10 years ago - and how we can stand resolute against any power of darkness.

And, click here as we transition our thoughts to the joy of the world - Christ and the Christmas season! Joni ...

That's right! Summer may be still coming to a close but it's never too early to talk about Christmas! After all, it's only four months away! That's just enough time to plan for Elizabeth's new Christmas Special - "Christmas: What's a Mom to Do?"

"Finding that balance between a Christ-centered Christmas and real life-is a challenge.  And mom often finds herself right in the middle!"

That's the introduction to this new Special and what a relevant topic for the upcoming season!

Elizabeth explains, "Whether it's deciding how to spend your money for Christmas ...

Very few of us will ever experience the stopping of our hearts and live to tell the story! Brad Mattes, Director of the Life Issues^® Institute, is a rare exception! Although surgeons performed (successfully) major heart surgery on him only a month and a half ago, Brad is already on his feet. In fact, he's already recoded an episode of "Facing Life Head On" and is ahead of schedule for his daily radio feature, "Life Issues^®!" Thank you for your prayers!

What I wanted to share with you today is what Brad wrote a few days before the surgery ...