Fat bones!

Not talking about barbecue ribs (although that does sound good)…..but the truth of Proverbs 15:30 and the great report I just received from our Backyard Bible Clubs this summer:

• 172 in attendance at only 5 clubs, with 18 salvation decisions, including the mother of one of the children attending!

• One child overheard to say, “I thought this would be boring, but it was the best Bible study ever!”

• Every CLC host family reported how much fun it was & wants to participate again in 2011!

Kudos to Pastor Cheri Garrett and Deanna Mason and their entire team for all the work in making this possible!  Enjoy a few pics:

Afterglow!

Well, it’s a couple of days since Marilyn Hickey was with us at CLC, and I’m still enjoying the afterglow! She was everything her website says about her: encouraging, optimistic, upbeat & energetic….at 79 years old! I kept checking on her between services, etc., asking if she wanted to rest a bit, have some refreshments….but honestly, I think she had more energy than I did!

I’ve been thinking about some of her quotes:

“God thinks you can do anything”

“You give people flowers, they wilt; give ‘em chocolate, make ‘em fat; give ‘em the Word, change their life!”

“I’ve been married for 54 and a half years, and I can still fit into my wedding dress!”

“I just tell the devil, it’s not over until I win!”

She must have told me a dozen times, “I’m a pastor’s wife“. In fact, she told me at lunch that she had never been ordained; she just holds a license with the AoG.  I mean, here’s a lady after my own heart: she hasn’t worried about titles or positions all these years because she’s been too busy teaching the Word and doing the stuff!

I loved how she illustrated the 3 Greek concepts of ‘wisdom’ by showing each one in the lives of Joseph, David & Esther – and she actually taught those principles in about 20 minutes per service!  (I’m trying to make my sermons shorter, I really am – but wow, what an example!)

For me personally, the biggest takeaway was just the simple truth of holding onto the Word during the process. We all know it, but it seems we often struggle during the process and sometimes doubt the Word we received, or (oh me) complain about our circumstances, instead of just standing in faith & holding onto the Word.

I want to change.  I want to be a better example of staying positive, remaining optimistic and just holding on to the Promise! I want to be more intentional about making friendships for the purpose of reaching people with the Gospel.  I want to make a difference, like Marilyn has for the last 50+ years.  And I think I want to invite her back to CLC, to do it all again!

How ’bout you?

DRATS!

Does anyone still use that word, or did I just date myself?

Anyway, it expresses how I feel, after just receiving a phone call from the Watoto Choir that I wrote about yesterday.  It seems the US Embassy in Kampala will not give them an appointment to receive their visas until September 15, which effectively wipes out the first 2 weeks of their planned 6-month tour.  The Watoto office even appealed through US Congressmen & Senators, to no avail.

So, as much as I hate it, the choir will NOT be performing at CLC in September as announced.  They will visit us at the end of the tour next March, so it’s technically not a cancellation, just a postponement.

Of course, that doesn’t help with our planned opportunity on the heels of our ONE series, to give you a ‘good excuse’ to invite your unchurched friends to attend.  (What is it they say about the best-laid plans of mice & men?)

Oh well.  Nothing much left to say – except that I’m sorry we didn’t know sooner, before you started telling others about it.  And we’ll look forward to March!

The Power of One

We’ve spent the entire month of August emphasizing the value & importance & power of ONE.  Think of it: Jesus died so that even ONE could be saved.

Our plan is to follow up this emphasis with some “user-friendly” events that will be easy for you to invite your friends & co-workers to attend, and the first one is coming at the Tinley Park campus on September 12, when we’ll host the internationally-known Watoto Children’s Choir from Uganda!

These AIDS orphans have performed in various nations, before all kinds of audiences, including the White House, the parliaments of several nations, from Presidents to paupers  (for instance, they’ll be appearing at Trinity College & at Navy Pier on this tour). Their cause is worthy.  Their leader is a godly man who is leading an incredible ministry that is impacting Uganda.  I’m honored that we get to host them at CLC.

Speaking of ‘hosting’, we do still need a few families who would be willing to keep a few of the kids & an adult chaperon overnight on Saturday, Sept. 11.  If you’re interested, please let us know here.

Most importantly, this is one of those events that even unchurched folk will attend – the kids are that winsome & their story is that compelling.  So start inviting NOW. You won’t regret it, I promise.

The celebration continues…..

If you’ve been around, you know CLC is celebrating our 20th anniversary ALL THIS YEAR, instead of just having one big party.  Specifically, we decided to invite some of God’s “Generals” who have made significant impact on the body of Christ and have the wisdom and experience to impart to us during this 20th year.

This Sunday our special guest is noted teacher & author, Dr. Marilyn Hickey!  Marilyn’s ministry track-record is pretty incredible (read about it here) – think about it: 78 years old & still going strong with the Gospel!

Spread the word!

invite a friend!

Plan to arrive early to get a good seat!

Let’s come expecting!

Summer Revival – this Wednesday

It’s that time of year: the days are getting shorter, the temps will soon be dropping, the kids are back in school, the Bears are being the Bears (oh, well) and we’re gearing up for a great Fall season of Life Groups and Equip U classes at CLC-Tinley Park.

But not so fast.

There’s still ONE Wednesday “Summer Revival” service left on the calendar before the Fall season begins – this Wednesday, August 25 – when Pastors Dan & Pat Johnson from our Shorewood campus will be the guest speakers.  If you don’t know them, Dan & Pat were our Youth Pastors at CLC from 1999-2007, when they led the team to launch our first additional campus.  They’ve been ‘favorites’ at CLC through all those years and Dan has the gift of encouragement, so I’m sure you’ll be built up in your faith this Wednesday.

I think this is the first time they’ve ministered in Tinley Park this year, so I hope you’ll join me in giving them a great CLC welcome this Wednesday!

PP on the devil!

Tonight really was a “Summer Revival” at CLC – in fact, as I type this, our youth are still going strong, sharing testimonies of what God did in them during Destiny Youth Camp 2010!  I’ve heard from parents who say they’ve got brand-new kids since camp – so great was the transformation!

Meanwhile, our Hispanic Pastor, Jaime Flores preached in the adult service – “How Do You Battle Your Problems?”, using Acts 16:16-31 as his text.  My favorite quote from his encouraging message was when he told us, to win our battles, we should PP on the devil!

In case you’re wondering, PP means “Pray & Praise”, which is exactly what Paul & Silas did, instead of complaining (as we’re so prone to do when things aren’t going our way)….and God showed up in a supernatural way!  He. still. does. that. today.

One of my preacher friends often says, “If your experience with the Lord isn’t supernatural, it’s superficial“.

I’m glad we serve a BIG God!  I’m enjoying these Wednesday summer revival services.  Our final one for the season is next Wednesday when Pastors Dan & Pat Johnson will be ministering – hope you’ll join us.  Now go PP on the devil!  (thanks, Pasttor Jaime – we won’t forget that one)

The Blago trial & CLC

Probably like most of you, I’ve had a little interest over the last several weeks in the trial of former Governor Rod Blagojevich that ended in a mistrial yesterday on 23 of 24 counts.  But as the news came out from the jurors about their deliberations, it sure seems like the Blago trial is helping us preach.

Think about it: were it not for one person, Gov. Blagojevich would be looking at a long prison sentence today.  One jury kept the panel from a conviction.  One person stood against the prosecution.  One woman enabled our ex-Governor to remain a free man (at least until the retrial).

The power of ONE.  That’s what we’re talking about this entire month of August, and I’m excited about the remaining two messages in the series.  THIS Sunday, we’re going to dig even deeper into the parables Jesus gave us in Luke 15 and look at the unique & different kinds of people we’re reaching for, and how we can most effectively reach “One Like These”.  I hope you’ll join us at any campus & get the scoop on the difference YOU can make as ONE person (even without serving on a jury).

And of course you’re invited to join us for our annual PICNIC afterwards – get your tickets here.

Thrice Triple Three Today

I was trying too hard to think of a headline for the 3 things on my mind this morning…..way too hard, since what I wrote above would actually be 27, and that’s not what’s on my mind, so forget it.  Just take note of these details as a follow-up from yesterday’s services:

1.  Celebrate Recovery – to learn more about this wonderful life-giving ministry, read here.  I’m so excited that we’re launching this ministry at the Tinley Park campus NEXT MONTH, and if you’re interested in serving on the team, please contact Clarence or Carolyn Johnson here, or just call our office.

2.  ALL-CHURCH PICNIC this Sunday, August 22 – this is always the biggest fellowship event of the year at CLC, and bringing all 4 campuses together makes it even more fun.  Besides the opportunity to see friends from each campus AND talk with friends who are part of your church family but perhaps worship at a different service time than you, we’ll have something for everyone (literally).  Here’s a sample of what’s happening:

• pie-eating contest
• mother/daughter 3-legged race
• father/son tug-o-war
• hula hoop contest
• crab soccer (what’s crab soccer?  Never mind, I’m from Arkansas)

Not to mention a baking contest, a barbecue contest and LOTS of GOOD FOOD!

If you did not get your tickets yet, please go online now & do so in order for us to make adequate food preparation. It’s quick & easy to do – just click here now!  Thanks!

By the way, if you need directions to Camp Manitoqua in Frankfort, click here.

3. Pastor Jaime Flores is preaching THIS Wednesday at 7:30pm!  We weren’t able to announce it during our services yesterday, but the pastor of our Hispanic congregation will be speaking (in English) for our Summer Revival service this Wednesday.  Pastor Jaime always has a good word and plenty of passion, so come and get your own fire stoked Wednesday night! (There’s ministry for your children & youth as well, so bring the whole family!)

Home, sweet home!

Well, I’m back from Destiny Youth Camp and ready to get a little rest before tomorrow’s 3 services & a Newcomer’s Luncheon.  Just thought I’d post a few more pics from this morning’s session at Camp.  Enjoy!

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