Pastor David Maier - Forward in Hope

"The Voice of Truth" - What Voice do You Listen To ... Music with a GREAT Message

Easter Saturday a number of men gathered in the Sancturary at OSL.  We had just finished a brief review of the first seven chapters of Eldredge's Waking The Dead.  The previous half hour had been spent in small groups were the men just explained what the study of the book had meant to them so far.  Some amazing stories of change and transformation ... I have such a desire for the entire congregation to hear some of their testimonies.  (Actually, I know of so many people that have a great "story" to tell ... I think testimonies on Sunday morning will be regular part of the service).

Back to the Sanctuary ...  A moving, exciting song that summed up so much of what we have learned and been challenged with in the first part of  Waking The Dead is summed up in a great song by the group "Casting Crowns" ... from their debut album "Casting Crowns."  The song is entitled "Voice of Truth" and encourages us to hear the voice of God in our life directing and spurring us -- God's people -- on.  Not only are the lyric great ... so is the music.

I want to encourage you all to buy the album and listen to the admonition that comes through clearly in all the lyrics.

Below ... the lyrics for "Voice of Truth" :

“Voice of Truth”

Oh what I would do to have

The kind of faith it takes to climb out of this boat I'm in

On to the crashing waves

To step out of my comfort zone

Into the realm of the unknown where Jesus is

And He's holding out His hand

But the waves are calling out my name and they laugh at me

Reminding me of all the times I've tried before and failed

The waves they keep on telling me

Time and time again, "Boy, You'll never win!"

"You'll never win!"

Oh what I would do to have

The kind of strength it takes to stand before a giant

With just a sling and a stone

Surrounded by the sound of a thousand warriors

Shaking in their armor

Wishing they'd have had the strength to stand

But the giant's calling out my name and he laughs at me

Reminding me of all the times I've tried before and failed

The giant keeps on telling me

Time and time again, "Boy, You'll never win!"

"You'll never win!"

But the stone was just the right size

To put the giant on the ground

And the waves they don't seem so high

From on top of them lookin' down

I will soar with the wings of eagles

When I stop and listen to the sound of Jesus

Singing over me

But the Voice of Truth tells me a different story

The Voice of Truth says, "Do not be afraid!"

And the Voice of Truth says, "This is for My glory"

Out of all the voices calling out to me (calling out to me)

I will choose to listen and believe (I will choose to listen and believe)

I will choose to listen and believe

The Voice of Truth

I will listen and believe

I will listen and believe

The Voice of Truth

I will listen and believe

Cause Jesus you are the Voice of Truth

And I will listen to you

You are the Voice of Truth.

But the Voice of Truth tells me a different story

The Voice of Truth says, "Do not be afraid!"

And the Voice of Truth says, "This is for My glory"

Out of all the voices calling out to me

I will choose to listen and believe

The Voice of Truth

But the Voice of Truth tells me a different story

The Voice of Truth says, "Do not be afraid!"

And the Voice of Truth says, "This is for My glory"

Out of all the voices calling out to me

I will choose to listen and believe

The Voice of Truth

What can we learn from others … What can we offer ourselves … ??

For those who enjoy reading, for those who love to get, be challenged by, and can filter new ideas … for those who love reading the Acts of the Apostles (the book of Acts in the Bible) and marvel at the work of the Holy Spirit as seen in the rapid expansion of the early church (“… the churches were being strengthened in the faith, and were increasing in number daily.” Acts 16:5) … I want to recommend the following article from The New York Times …

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/27/magazine/327MEGACHURCH.html

(Paste the link in your browser ... or press Control and then Click)

I will look forward to discussing the article with those who read it.

"Doubting Thomas'" ... Bum Rap - John 20:19-31

As a child growing up with some pretty special Sunday School teachers who could wield a mean flannel graph ... I remember not thinking too positively about the disciple of Jesus, Thomas.  If you read the familiar account of John 20:19-21 you will be reminded that he was the disciple that did not believe the testimony of the other disciples from Easter ... who said they had seen the risen Lord.  He is best known for his comment, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it." (v.25)  ... and thus the name that had dogged him through history - "Doubting Thomas."

Leah's Spring Break Trip...and Prayers

Leah left on her Spring break with about 5 other girls last Saturday, I believe.  They are traveling by train ... and first went to Barcelona.  There they saw some other friends from Calvin ... whose families treated all the girls to some wonderful meals ... Then  they traveled on to Geneva and Luzern ... with a stopover in Interlochen, Switzerland tomorrow ... sleeping on the train or in Youth Hostels along the way.

The saddest thing for her on the trip so far was the total, yes total lack of recognition -- much less celebration -- of Easter any where in the countries that she's traveling though.  It really bothered her ... and caused her to miss home and OSL all the more.  We briefly talked on Easter and it was GREAT!

Thursday, March 31, and Friday she and the girls will be in Rome, then on to Florence on Saturday and then back to Barcelona, Valencia, and Denia by Sunday.

Thank you so much for your prayers for her.  We all in the Maier family miss her greatly and look forward to May 20 when she will be returning to the USA.  But please continue to pray for her safety, her witness (she has explained some interesting opportunities she's had), and her continued growth in the faith.  She is so thankful for you all and for your many prayers as well.

Palm Sunday Prayers

Prayer is such an important part of the Christian life. 

I've known all the academics and theology behind prayer ... the Lord's Prayer is the greatest of prayers ... Luther saying that (1) Prayer is the breath of the Christian life ... and (2) that if he has mountains of work to do in any given day he knew he needed to get up earlier and pray more to accomplish anything ...

I know the Bible also also says that we have not because we ask not ... that we should pray in Jesus' Name because it is only for His name's sake that our prayers are answered ... that when we pray in the realm of the temporal and material we pray that God's will be done ... because nothing else matters ... even that God will answer prayer, and that in His strength he can do anything, that in His wisdom He knows whats best, but that in His love He will do what's best ...

"My Little Buddy" ... A MASSIVE SPIRITUAL FORCE

What a joy this afternoon will be when my brother in Christ, Rev. Mandla Khumalo of St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church of South Africa, from Middleburg, South Africa, will be coming to our home for the weekend.  We have such a time together ... laughing together, praying together, singing together, talking about our families and the work and power of God in our different places in the world.

Don't miss the opportunity to see, meet, and talk with the incredible man of God.  When I was last in S. Africa some 15 years ago, I was able to stop with Mandla and preach at a number of different preaching stations ... some way out in the boonies ... literally.  God has blessed his ministry ... and this coming Easter they will expect in all of the churches to worship more than 25,000 people.

Please come to the Fish Supper (Fried and Baked) tonight.  Both of us will be there.  You'll love this guy ... short in stature, something of a British accent, full of faith and the Holy Spirit.  And please be generous with your donation at the Fish Fry/Bake (Ron and Dale's Famous) ...  All the profits will go to fund our mission team headed to Venezuella April 21-29 ... and Mandla loves being a part of that effort.

I would love for Mandla to go back to our brothers and sisters in S. Africa fully encouraged, energized, and uplifted by the response of the people here at OSL.  So please ...

• Come to the Fish Fry tonight between 5 and 7 PM ...
• Men ... join us Saturday morning for the Waking The Dead book study at 7:30 AM.  Pastor Khumalo will also join us there ...  Now if he can do it ... traveling half way around the world ... what's your excuse??
• Come to worship with us at the 8 or 10:45 AM services where he will be firing us up to "Live Worthy of Our Call To Serve God" based on Ephesians 4:1-7, 11-16 ...
• Come to the Bible Class between services (9:30 AM) in the 8th Grade Class Room where he will show a DVD that was taken of his ministries in 2003 ... and he will give an update on how mightily the Holy Spirit is working through his ministries.  Let's pack the place ... bring your friends, the person next to yoiu in the pew and your children.  Let's do it!

Don't miss out on this awesome opportunity to be awed by the Word of God and its effectiveness in S. Africa ... knowing that it bears the same power here. 

I am already encouraged knowing that my little buddy is just hours away!!

HEAVY WEIGHTS ... Godly Parents & Christian Education

This past Tuesday was an exciting day for many … it was a snow day for almost every kid I know … and there seemed to be lot of parents that had a day off … somehow.   Well it was a very exciting day for me too … not just because I discovered there was going to be a snow day early in the morning … or because there was a fire in the fireplace with the snow blowing outside … or because I had a cup of hot coffee in my hand … a silent house and a great time for devotion and prayer.   What made it most exciting was what happened a few hours later …

Prayer for Our Call ... A Call To Prayer

What a privilege to pray to the great shepherd of the sheep for another shepherd to help care for his sheep at OSL.  As has already been shared with you we are pursuing two avenues of approach.  One –  to seek a graduate from the St. Louis Seminary;  and two – seek a pastor from the “field” who already has professional church experience. 

In pursuing number one, four of us flew down to the St. Louis Seminary at the end of January.  Through the interview process of four potential graduates, one seemed to have the gifts and aptitude to bring a great deal of faith and Spirit to the team ministry at OSL.

3.3.05 Prayer Requests

Prayers of thanksgiving for how Joel is dealing with the chemo treatments this go around are greatly appreciated.  He is doing miraculously well … no neuropathy … no muscle damage … that we are aware of.  He’s maintained his personality, sense of humor, and even a great deal of strength.  He continues with going to classes and is even continuing his physical therapy.  Thanks indeed is due a gracious God for all that he has done and is doing for Joel as he focuses forward on his recovery and healing.

I also would appreciate your prayers.  This coming Tuesday I will head on down to Ann Arbor with Joel.  Joel goes for his chemo testing … and I will have my 3 month check up / testing:  that means I will have my CT Scan next week and then blood test and a visit with the doctors the following week to understand what the tests have shown them and determine a course of action if necessary.  The medicine and the course of treatment that they would like to give me with Bexar seemed to have gained approval with the FDA.  We will learn whether it has alos been approved as a primary treatment … or only as a treatment after chemo.

So, in advance, thank you for your prayers.  Thank you for your past prayers … and for your diligence in bringing them before God’s throne.  Please join me in praising God for the wisdom he will give the doctors … and thank God with me for the opportunities of continued service in His kingdom for what I pray will be many years to come.

When Does Parenting End ... Or Continue?

Godly parents are sure a blessing … even when (maybe even “especially when”) you are older.  Certainly our parents loved and cared for us when we were growing up as kids and demonstrated immense patience when we were teens.  But the genuineness and reality of their faith and love. I believe, can truly be seen now that their love and concern for each of us and for our children remain demonstrated constants … even when they don’t have to be.

When we first discovered that Joel had a tumor … my parents and Pat’s mom were awesome encouragers.  Before and after the brain tumor surgery at the U of M hospital in Ann Arbor … they maintained there continuing support and encouragement for Joel and for Pat and myself.  Pat’s mom was just down the road in Monroe, MI … and my parents made frequent trips up from Ft. Wayne, IN.

I’d have to say that especially my father kept my head above water by continually pointing me to the presence and power and peace of Christ … his forgiving love … and his power to overcome and deal with doubts. 

What was exemplified by my earthly father is done so perfectly by my heavenly Father.  Maybe in the end that’s the best definition of fatherhood: imitating and pointing to … the heavenly father.  That’s certainly what I’d like to do in my life … something I truly want to pursue.