What an exciting summer of church services! We have criss-crossed South Dakota and Minnesota for these months.
It was such a privilege to minister in Lowry, MN, at the Lowry Community Covenant Church with Pastor Ted Graf. Lowry is located near Alexandria, MN, and is known as "A small community with a big heart." We sure found that to be true. What a wonderful loving group of people! We had so many friends that drove in for the morning service…a couple from Arizona, Iowa, and even one from out East who were on vacation.
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"You have been with us in Benson and Herman and now here in Lowry. We are always excited to have you come. Our people love you and there is always a good altar call."
Rev. Ted & Joann Graf
Lowry Community Covenant Church
Lowry, MN
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Our most recent rally was in Watertown, SD, at Christian Life Assembly of God. It was kind of a de'ja vu experience. As we walked into the church, my memory bank flooded with memories of coming to this same church as a teenager when our youth group would travel the one hour trip to attend youth rallies and church fellowships. (Now you know...that was a long time ago…I never say I am getting old, I like to use the word older as it makes me feel younger.)
As we loaded into the church, we were greeted with such an atmosphere of expectation. One middle-aged lady said, "We are so glad you and Larry are back here again. " She grinned and then added, "You have been on the road longer than I have been born." Did I mention she was in her 50's? I laughed, "Thanks for making me feel ancient!" She quipped, "No…I am just amazed that you are still going and ministering. I have been coming to see you since I was a young girl and now my children are grown." (That statement didn't make me feel any younger either. HA!)
Christian Life always has a wonderful group of teenagers in attendance who fill the pews up front and they cheer us on. When the altar call was given, three of them stepped forward along with others to dedicate their lives to Christ. I love seeing "prodigals" returning home and being witness to the sweet hugging reunions. God is good!
Thanks, Pastor Sheldon and Pastor Harris, for allowing us the privilege of being back at Christian Life. It was truly great!
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"I so very much enjoyed the happiness that you two bring through ministry. I so appreciated hearing how faithful you have been for so many years, and thank you for speaking the truth. Please stay out there!"
Roy & Carrie Brownlee
Watertown, SD
"I love music! It always brings me closer to the Lord and I feel such a connection with Him through it. What I am saying is thank you for your music and all the joy you brought Sunday morning."
Lindy Kopas
Watertown, SD
"We have heard about your ministry for years. We were so excited to be able to come and see you in person. The words to your songs so ministered to our hearts…love that country flavor. Sunday was definitely a highlight!"
Darrel & Gerry Crocker
Watertown, SD
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"About four years ago, my husband Damian and I attended your service in Sisseton, SD, and it was that morning that Damian and I decided it was our time to give our lives to Christ. When Larry gave the altar call, we responded. We didn't want to miss today as we enjoy your service so much. We LOVE the music and it is fun and exciting to watch all the people giving their lives to Christ."
Damian & Courtney Bostrom
Watertown, SD
*Courtney is my (Gloria's) great niece. She is attending Christian Life Assembly and is serving as a part time secretary.
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"I so enjoyed heading up the counseling and seeing those that responded to the altar call. "
Cecil Martinez
Watertown, SD
Yesterday I ran into a huge chain supermarket to pick up a couple of things. As I approached the checkout counter, the young man serving as my cashier looked at me and gave his required greeting asking, "And how are you today?" I answered, "Good." Still scanning the items, he looked up at me and asked, "Are you really good?" To which I smiled, "Yes." He then proceeded to inquire, "Why?"
I responded, "I was able to get out of bed today; I am able to walk on my own; there are no bombs or wars here in South Dakota; I have a house for shelter and food for sustenance and if I die, I know where I am going!" Without taking a breath I shot back, "And how about you?"
Stunned, he looked and me and said, "What?" I answered, "If you died, do you know where you would go…heaven or hell?" He put his hands up in the air and waved at me, "No, no, no….I don't allow my brain to think about that." I smiled as there was a lineup of customers behind me and gave my final statement, "Well you are a nice young man. I would seriously encourage you to think it over. If in question, you can always pray. Have a nice day."
And off I went! I was walking toward the exit where there was also a young man (about 6'4) stationed near the door standing like a tin soldier. I took about eight steps backwards, walked over to him and looked up, "Hi. How are you doing today?" He groaned, "Okay, I guess." I continued, "I love to talk to young people like you and ask questions." He groaned, "Yeah?" I proceeded, "Tell me…do you believe in a heaven or hell?" Stunned he grabbed his ears and rattled, "No…I don't go there. I don't allow myself to think of that."
Again, I smiled and told him, "You are a nice young man. If I were you, I would allow myself to think about it because they do exist…and…if you would really like to know, you can always pray and ask God to show you the truth." He stammered, "Ugghhhh…yeah." I bid him, "Have a nice day." He responded with a look like he had just been shot by a stun gun.
Larry and I are saddened by the large number in this generation that willfully live in the land of denial or as we call it "lala land". They choose to not want to hear truth or about spiritual things. They only live in the NOW and not the THEN. The scripture says, "In the last days, they will be lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God." Let's all take the challenge to reach out in love and to give these young people something to think about. Prayerfully they will reach out and up for Truth…Jesus Christ.
Here are our upcoming services. If you are in the area, please come and visit us!
Aug. 31 AM Elk River, MN, Twin Lakes Christian A/G, 763-241-1111
Sept. 6 PM & Sept. 7 AM Verndale, MN, Verndale Family Life Church, 218-445-5568
Gloria
You may register until the morning of Monday, August 18th!!!! Four spots left!!!
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"Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to an all-knowing God."
- Corrie Ten Boom
The story of Adam and Eve was being carefully explained in the children's Sunday School class. Following the story, the children were asked to draw some picture that would illustrate the story. Little Bobby drew a picture of a car with three people in it. In the front seat was a man and in the back seat, a man and a woman. The teacher was at a loss to understand how this illustrated the lesson of Adam and Eve. Little Bobby was prompt with his explanation. "Why, this is God driving Adam and Eve out of the garden!"
-beliefnet
6 peppers
1 lb ground beef
2 Tbsp onion, chopped
1 cup cooked rice
1 tsp salt
1/8 tsp garlic salt
1 15 oz can tomato sauce
3/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Cook cleaned peppers 5 minutes in boiling water. Brown ground beef with onion. Add cooked rice, salt, garlic salt and 1 cup of the tomato sauce. Stir together and put mixture in peppers. Add remaining tomato sauce. Stir together and put mixture in peppers. Add remaining tomato sauce on top. Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. Uncover, add cheese on top and back an additional 15 minutes. (1 1/2 times the recipe will fill the peppers fuller.)
With vacations, camping trips, and back to school activities all happening, you often have a lot of stuff! One way to easily keep your "stuff" from getting mixed up from others "stuff" is to purchase one of the fun bright designed duct tapes that are now available and mark your items. It is a fun way to ornament your items...whether coolers, tents, backpacks, lunchboxes, etc...and keep them from getting lost!