Keep Pointing in Osage

I May Never Come To Your Church, But...

It was one of the greatest compliments that I've heard about our church so far.

"I may not ever come to your church, but I love what it's doing in the lives of my good friends.  Their marriage is being saved and they are really changing."

When I heard this from an individual in Osage I wanted to do a cartwheel.  Someone who doesn't like the way we worship or video teaching or something else about our church has experienced God moving through us and using us to changes the lives of their friends.  Amazing.

Friends, let this be a reminder that it's not always the folks who we invite to come to PLC that are most changed, but often it's people who may never come to PLC, but see Jesus living in us and through us that are the most changed.  Being invitational isn't merely about asking people to come to church.  It's about inviting people into a life of following Jesus that begins with how you love them and come along side of them.  For many, this begins with a conversation.  A smile.  Holding open a door.  A simple prayer for support.  Willingness to engage in an uncomfortable conversation or confrontation.  All of these and many more can open the door to inviting someone else into life with Jesus that is the most abundant life possible.

Thanks for being the church up here in Osage friends.  Thanks for being invitational in the way you love others.  God is on the move.  Let's keep after for the King.

What's Up In Our World?

Here are some links to what's up in your world and across the campuses of your church.

• Struggle with anxiety or know someone who does?  Me too.  Here's a helpful article from an excerpt on a great book about the topic.
• Want a quick overview of summer movies to see which ones are worth the money?  Here you go.
• Seeing Jesus in the Old Testament through Christophanies and Types.
• Should Christians believe in Evolution?
• Is the Millenium Generation losing faith?
• Want to watch a past message or message series from PLC?  Click here to do so.  You can also find sermon-based curriculum for further study as an individual or with a group as well.
• Here's a link the the PLC online calendar.  It's a great way to know what's coming up at church across all of our campuses and also a quick way to link to registration for various events.

 

 

This Summer

 

News from PLC and Around the Globe

Here are the weekly links from PLC and our world.

• Check out this well-written article about homosexuality in politics and the Christian response.
• Great article for everyone but for parents in particular regarding divine interruptions.
• Do you teach your kids Law or Gospel?
• Take a nap.  Jesus did. It's good for your soul.
• George Clooney helped make some serious green for President Obama's campaign.
• Roughly half of all Americans have zero saved for retirement.  Doh!
• Cool note of encouragement from PLC member Candy Steele on the Grinnell Campus blog.
• Have you "liked" the PLC-Osage Facebook page yet?  If not click here and do so ASAP.
• Watched 'Avengers' movie?  Someone estimated the total damage to Manhattan it would cause if it happend in real life.  Because apparently they have the kind of time.

Speaking of spare time.  This video is hilarious.  He has more courage than me.

 

 

What If Some Never Hear The Gospel?

Yesterday Pastor John preached week #2 of our FAQ series.  He addressed questions about sexuality, salvation and Hell.  He indicated that we would make a few resources available to address some of the questions surrounding the reality of Hell.  In particular the resources below address the reality that some people may never hear the Gospel or have what we would call Special Revelation about Jesus Christ.  What happens to those people?  Here are two links that address that very question.

Again thanks to all of you who submitted questions.  I hope that God used this series to address some of the questions that you or people in your life are asking.  If you are wresting with a question that we didn't get to make sure you send me an email and I'll do my best to address the question and/or point you to some resources that can.

Some Notes of Encouragement

God has been busy working in the hearts and minds of folks around PLC-Osage lately.  Here's a few things to celebrate.

• Last weekend we had our first official PLC-Osage wedding at the CRC auditorium.  Landry and Wendy (Ross) Dale were joined together in Holy Marriage.  Tell them congrats when you see them.
• I received an awesome email from an attender at our Osage campus who in the span of 12 hours one day last week had the opportunity to share her faith with 4 different people simply because she asked God to give her the ability to share her faith.  It all began with an open bible at a coffee shop.  She was able to talk about Jesus at the coffee shop and then at work.  Don't underestimate how simple sharing your faith can be when you are willing to do so!
• Recieved an email last week explaining how one of our folks is growing by leaps and bounds.  She came from a Catholic background and is just starting to understand the Gospel and dig into Scripture.  She loves PLC and is flourshing spiritually.
• April was the best month of giving in the history of PLC-Osage!  Thanks for your generosity.  It is making an eternal impact as God continues to use PLC to build His Kingdom in Mitchell County and beyond.
• We are getting closer to hiring a Student Ministries Coordinator for our campus.  Please continue to pray and ask God to give us wisdom to choose the right person for the job.
• We have a newly formed small group of young adults that is killing it right now and has a fantastic group!  They are developing the type of biblical community that I've been praying for.  It's been fun to watch them grow and develop.

Please continue to pray for our campus and continue to invest in what God is doing through us.  There is a next step at PLC-Osage for you regardless of where you are at.  If you need to know what your next step is shoot me an email or call the office and we'll chat.  Let's keep getting after it!

 

Links of the Week

Here are some links from around the web that are of interest to PLC'ers.  Things that are happening around the globe, PLC, and things of importance to you.  Enjoy.

• Find out how you can join Pastor Mack and the Grinnell team by praying with them.
• Have you checked out the PLC Family Ministry Blog?  It's loaded with info and resources.
• Have a prayer request?  Submit one online here and folks around PLC will pray for you.
• Great news.  Teenage girls are having less sex and choosing abstinence in record numbers.  Check out the stats here.
• This dude is tall.  And needs special shoes.  Cool story about how Rebook and donors are helping out.
• Solid article by N.T. Wright about Biblical Interpretation.
• Here's a new blog I'm checking out by Emily Freeman.

 

Resources for FAQ's

 

Here are some resources for questions you might have about the Bible, Christianity or how to live as a follower of Christ.  Quick disclaimer again: although these sites and books have good information, the info and views discussed may not necessarily represent my beliefs or those of PLC.  If you have questions about the information you find let me know.  I hope that these sites are beneficial for you.

Websites:

YouVersion Bible

Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry

Always Be Ready (ABR)

Bible Gateway

The Resurgence Blog

Desiring God Resource Library

 

Books:

Bible Difficulties

http://www.tsbalan.com/books/Difficulties.pdf

http://debate.org.uk/topics/apolog/contrads.htm

Answering the Tough Questions

 

Theology Resources

Wayne Grudem's Systematic Theology

Mark Driscoll's Doctrine

Weekly Links

Here's a quick tour of happenings around PLC and your world relating to world events, funny stuff and following after Jesus.  Enjoy.

• Even wonder about how Jesus relates to the Old Testament?  Here are links to articles about events and titles in the Old Testment that point to Jesus.
• Here's a helpful article for all the moms out there.  Practical ways to honor and love your daughters.
• Do you love to pray or need to do it until you love doing it?  Click here and pray for God's people around PLC and our world.
• Bi-polar Christianity?
• Here's an encouraging note from Karen Dillon, a PLC'er in Grinnell.

One of my all-time favorite videos of a worship song.

 

I've Always Struggled To Understand...

As you probably know during the next two weeks our sermon series will be FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions).  We are have been asking you to submit questions you've always wanted to know about God, the Bible or how to live as a Christ-follower.  We want to answer the questions that you and the people you know are asking.  We want to do so to encourage you, strengthen your faith and equip you to give biblical answers to those around you.  We've already received some fantastic questions, but we are asking for more. 

Want to submit a question?  Here's how.

Text it:
 - Cedar Falls: 319-804-9725
 - Waterloo: 319-804-9872
 - Osage: 319-804-8856

Type it:
 - rotating banner at prairielakeschurch.org

Write it:
 - postcards at the connection desk

I always enjoy these types of sermon series.  It's fun to answer questions that people have and to see what the Bible has to say about contemporary issues and things that we wrestle with.  Hope to see you during the next two weeks of this series.  I guarantee you will learn something and be encouraged!