Pastor David Maier - Forward in Hope

Promise Keepers ... Memories and OPPORTUNITY!

Consecutive Promise Keepers events in Indianapolis a number of years ago, and then at the Silver Dome in Detroit, were incredible were memorable and influential in my life.  To see and be with 50,000 men and boys from around the country ... but especially with about 20 men and boys from our congregation was a privilege.  The sheer joy of being together as a group from church, discussing what we had heard and learned, recognizing the army of the Lord that had been encouraged and mobilized through the hearing and then applying of God's Word, being introduced to some great music ... what an awesome experience.  What especially impressed me were the changes that I personally saw take place in men's lives ... reconciliations ... renewals of relationships, men becoming better husbands and fathers (being told that from wives and children).

July 8 and 9 PROMISE KEEPERS will be in our own back yard at the Breslin Center.  Don't miss the OPPORTUNITY to attend!!  ... and still have the joy of staying in your own bed at home after the sessions.  The venue may be smaller ... but the blessings are still numerous.  Don't miss out!!  Tickets ... or wristbands in this case ... are still available for you, your sons, your fathers, your friends and neighbors after service the next two Sundays or in the Church Office. 

Its time to have some renewal, reconciliation, encouragement, motivation ... and memories!!

"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

New Hope and A Different Future

Don’t we all need hope …  Don’t we all need the possibility, if not the guarantee, that there is a better future awaiting us … and soon.  Real “hope” allows me to know that my past, and even my present, does not have to be the indicator of my future.  Therefore, “hope”, has the power, the potential, to change my life, and yours … NOW.

When Jerome Groopman diagnosed patients with serious diseases, the Harvard Medical School professor discovered that all of them were "looking for a sense of genuine hope -- and indeed, that hope was as important to them as anything he might prescribe as a physician."

WAKE UP! Don't Be Deluded / Deceived into NOT Embracing the Battles

If our men and women in arms over in Iraq were NOT DILIGENT in their watch for the enemy ... what would happen?  If they were just fun'in around ... knapping when ever they wanted, playing cards, or having softball tournaments ... what would happen?

Our troups have learned that battles in this war on terror are not scheduled, and often are unpredicable ... a simple bag left on a bench may be a bomb ... a woman or child coming to greet them may be fully wired with bombs.  They are learning to see ... what they never saw before.  They all have to be diligent in their watch for themselves and for each other.  They have to be constantly vigilant.

The point!?

MEN: Don't Forget to watch "Braveheart"

Just a quick heads up for all the men in the Saturday morning Book Study - Waking The Dead - by John Eldredge.  Even though it won 5 Academy Awards in 1995, including Best Picture and Best Director (Mel Gibson), I'm hearing that it may be hard to find to rent.  Interestingly, it is on sale this week at TARGET for $9.95 for the DVD!  I think that is a great buy ... and hope you will consider purchasing it.  Why? 

Our Savior Men ... GET OUT OF THE RUT

If I promised to give you directions to where you would discover a pot of gold that would forever cover the financial concerns of your life ... wouldn't you ask me when and where and how I would deliver the directions?

Saturday mornings, 7:30 AM at OSL ... the Holy Spirit - along with the synergy of all the other men present - will help deliver the Pot of Gold.

The Pot of Gold?  ... the awesome, blessed, fulfilled, content life the God our maker, Redeemer, and Lord has PROMISED for YOU ... and all His children.  This is what will discover and explore in Waking The Dead by John Eldredge ... our book study.

So what's holding you  back from coming ... weather, apathy, your wife ...   Be a MAN and step up to the plate.  I can assure you that there is one power, one force that does not want you to be there ...