Lifetree Cafe 12/28/12 Unlocking the Mystery of Music

Friday December 28  Lifetree Cafe Valpo 6:30pm - 7:30pm   Following w/ special musical guests   Frank J. Guzzo & Steve Campbell Admission to the 60-minute event is free. Snacks and beverages are available. Lifetree Café is a place where people gather for conversation about life and faith in a casual coffeehouse-type setting.

Unlocking the Mystery of Music New findings on how music heals and relieves Turn up the tunes for a better life.

The Healing Power of Music Explored at Lifetree Café The power of music to affect our moods, enhance our mental state, and aid in our physical wellbeing will be explored at Lifetree Café. The program, titled "Unlocking the Mystery of Music," features an exclusive film about a music therapist and a patient who credits music with helping in his recovery. "We'll share research that provides practical strategies for using music to enhance our lives," says Lifetree representative Craig Cable. "Music can improve memory, ease pain, and even help with weight loss." WATCH VIDEO PREVIEW January 4: Be Yourself: Everyone else is taken   Followed with special guest performer Dan Meyer  http://www.danmeyer.org/  January 11: Body Language: What you say before you say a word January 18: Overcoming Hardship: A father and son beat the odds

Jeni Bolton - Lifetree Cafe - Director               

1705 LaPorte Ave, Valpo, IN 46383 (219-531-7777 x15)

jenibolton@imaginelifedifferently.com

Family Becomes Family

It's always a joy to watch someone make the decision to join God, receive His Grace, and walk with Him.  This week has brought a special joy to my heart.  I've watched families bringing their family to God's family.

Christmas God Sightings!

It is always busy this time of year and it is a challenge for each of us to try to keep focus and balance in our lives this season.  As I struggle myself to do this, I am reflecting over where and how I am spending my time and I am blessed to see many God sightings!

Much of my time is being spent preparing for the Family Christmas Program on Saturday December 22nd at 6 pm.  We are having multiple practices throughout the week with different age groups and in between I'm working on props and tech.  I am threatened to become disillusioned with all the Christmas activities as my undecorated tree sits with 13 strands of lights that don't light nearby (like, really?) .  But as I step back I am encouraged to see so many preparing gifts for Jesus this season... and I am excited to see how He will use those gifts to bless others!

December 9  Lifetree Cafe Valparaiso  Friday 6:30 PM Ages 10 and Up Welcome

Finding Peace When Life Is Difficult How one family faced a life-or-death decision An inspirational story of faith, hope, and love

Finding Peace When Life Is Difficult Life-and-death decisions, hardships, and disabilities will be discussed at Lifetree Café. This program features an exclusive filmed interview with a couple who learned that their unborn child would have profound disabilities.

Lifetree Cafe - Simplify Your Life 12/7/12

December 7  (1705 LaPorte Ave, Valpo) Friday 6:30 PM  **Ages 10 and Up Welcome**

Simplify Your Life How a Hollywood millionaire walked away from it all Declutter. Shed the unimportant. Focus on true meaning.

How to Simplify Your Life Explored at Lifetree Café Hollywood director Tom Shadyac, best known for Ace Ventura, The Nutty Professor, Patch Adams, Bruce Almighty and the new I Am, will discuss how he simplified his life in an exclusive filmed interview at Lifetree Café.

Making the Most of Christ-Mas!

I just looked up what the suffix "mas" means.  So Christmas literally means a festival or mass in celebration of Christ.  Family Ministry has two ways to help your family get even more out of your celebration of Christ this holiday season!

I'm Ready

"I'm Ready."  I could tell by the look in his eye that he meant it.  Getting to this point was a lifelong process.  In recent years, Dennis had been actively asking his friends more questions and reconciling his life-story with the picture of a loving God.  Now, he was ready to accept the Grace that God offers each one of us and the powerful gift of His Spirit.  He was ready to be baptized.

LTC - The Mystery or Prayer 11/30/12

November 30  Lifetree Cafe  (1705 LaPorte Ave, Valpo) Friday 6:30 PM  **Ages 10 and Up Welcome**

The Mystery of Prayer Can God be swayed? 63% of Americans pray daily… but does it make a difference?

The Impact of Prayer Will Be Explored at Lifetree Café "Sixty-three percent of Americans say they pray daily," says Lifetree Representative Craig Cable. "But does prayer make any difference? Does praying somehow sway God?"

A Glimpse of God

I've been looking forward to the new series we began this past weekend entitled "A Glimpse of God" (Click to watch).  It really seemed to be a good "next step" after learning to become Contagious Christians, being On Fire for Him.  Now, as our new guests start accepting our invitations to Sunday services, they can begin to catch a "glimpse" of what we see and enjoy in our walk together with God.

Whenever we prepare for a new series, I get to catch a "Glimpse of God" working

Ministry Loves Company

I just got done working with Sue Renfro on computer data entry work for Life Bridge.  She is entering the Connect Card data into a computer system so we can easily access the follow-up tasks, prayer request, and contact information for people who want to connect.

I explained to her that her data-entry

God Sighting

The main point of this blog is to communicate what we see God doing.  So last night after a long month of 500 Turkeys, Thanksgiving, and beginning Children Christmas practice, I had a movie and game night for students at Life Bridge.  I know that I had been feeling overwhelmed with activity and thought maybe they were feeling the same, so we just had some down time together.  But God was there... and active!

Thanksgiving Reflections

Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. (1Th 5:16-18 NLT)


Do everything you say or do in the name of the Lord Jesus. Always give thanks to God the Father through Christ. (Col 3:17 NIV)

I simply want to share some thoughts... The theme of thankfulness has been one that has been reoccurring throughout the fall.  I just though that I would share some things that I see God doing in my own life in regard to being thankful.

Children's Christmas Practices Begin This Weekend!

Mark your calendars!  Our Family Christmas program will be Saturday December 22nd at 6pm.

Practice for the Children's piece will begin this Sunday at 2pm.  This is a great way to make Christ the center of your family's Christmas.  Each Children's practice will involve several aspects of putting the production together... the skit (speaking and non-speaking parts this year!), props, costuming, and crafts!

TODAY - November 23                                          Lifetree Cafe Valparaiso (1705 LaPorte Ave) Friday 6:30 PM  Ages 10 and Up Welcome

Preparing for the Worst How to survive a catastrophe Practical tips that lead to peace of mind WATCH VIDEO PREVIEW

Catastrophe Survival Discussed at Lifetree Café Practical steps people can take to prepare for the worst will be discussed at Lifetree Café.

Get Connected, Stay Connected

Ever since opening day in the fall of 2003, Life Bridge has been a church that strives to imagine life differently and empower people to walk together with God.  Being the church is more about listening to and following God rather than listening to and following a human leader.  Pursuing this "decentralized" model has created confusion for more than one person as they've walked in the door for the first time.

Often times, they will ask to speak to "the pastor" so they can be "in the know" about the many happenings that are going on around the church.  When they find out that I don't know everything that's going on (it usually takes about 30 seconds), they really don't know what to do.  "How can I know what's going on," they wonder.  "How can I get and stay connected?"

Communicate with God

Communicating with God is foundational to learning how to walk with Him.  As with any relationship, communication is key.  When we communicate with Him, we learn more about Him and where He's coming from.  We also find ourselves seeing the world around us more and more through His eyes.  This empowers us to walk with God.

At Life Bridge, several vehicles are available to open communication lines between you and God.  They include, but are not limited to, the following.

Communicate with People

We cannot love our neighbor as ourselves unless we make some kind of connection with our neighbor.  Part of our walk together with God is the walk together with one another.  Life Bridge provides several venues to help you build that walk together, building up the Body of Christ.

500 Turkeys Update (God - Is that you?)

We are at the end of the task list but the blessings will continue.  Thanks to everyone who has participated in 500 Turkeys so far.  

Lots happening lately!
Turkeypalooza on Nov 2nd was a huge success raising over $5000.  Nov 3rd THOUSANDS of food items came through the church doors that had been collected for months from places all over NWI.  About 1000 of each item to feed 500 families.  We then had enough to buy the turkeys and fill the boxes.  

I'm just in aw of what has happened.  
My God shouldn't surprise me anymore but He keeps on doing so.  

607 Meals boxed!

Funny story though...  you see, we planned to feed 500 families but God had other plans.  We continued to plan and prep as nominations kept coming in.  This year we had a waiting list in case we came up with extra food or meals were left.  During this time we were offered a gift of new boxes to pack the food in.  They said, we will print 600.  "But we don't need 600.  We only need 500." They said, well, they will print 600+ anyway.  I thought, OK, we will have extra.  THEN we made the tickets and ordered 500.  They came and were numbered but they stopped at 498.  A call was made to the printer and they said, "Sorry.  We will send you 100 more."  We didn't need 100 more, just 2 more.  We only planned to feed 500.  They told us that 100 is the amount they were sending.  OK, we will have extra.  

Soon after that the nominations had reached 600 and the waiting list was closed.   Then it HIT ME!  600 boxes, 600 tickets and 600 families with more resources coming in...  He was telling us that 600 was the number this year.  CLEARLY :-)  We dove right in to make the rest of it happen.  We had a couple large donations to get the rest of the food.  We found a great deal at Target for the other 100 turkeys (2 weeks from Thanksgiving) and we still had funds and support coming in.   We thought about what other needs people have so we added some extras... who doesn't need toilet paper?  2 rolls per box!  A push for seasonings is adding garlic and cinnamon to each gift.  We bought 600 4pks of margarine to add in and TODAY we were gifted 600 pumpkin pies at no cost!  Tuesday and Wednesday we had over 150 volunteers and pre-packed 607 meal gifts.

Valpo Vikettes Serving w/ 500T

I used to think it was crazy when people said that God spoke to them.  He spoke to Adam in the garden, Noah built an Ark, Moses had a conversation with a burning bush and He even spoke through a donkey in Numbers 22:28.   Jesus says in John 10:27, NKJV: “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”

Now I understand.  To hear Him is to know Him personally.  I knew my moms voice as a child calling me home for dinner.  I now hear the Lord speak to me.  He calls out to me to come to Him, follow Him and honor Him.  Sometimes I have to listen really close and there are times I don't hear him at all.  Those are the times He has to teach me HOW to listen.

I'm thankful for those times.  I'm THANKFUL for my Father and my family.  Just listen and say, "YES."

Have a blessed Thanksgiving! 
JENI BOLTON

p.s.  Hope to see you for distribution days.  Sign up at www.500turkeys.com/volunteer IT'S NOT TOO LATE to serve.

Family Christmas Program!! Let's Go!

Christmas is right around the corner!  For the third year, we would like to do a family program involving as many people who would like to be a part.  The program will take place on Saturday, December 22nd, at 6pm for family, friends, and the community to enjoy.

500 Turkeys Wraps Up This Weekend

God has been doing some incredible stuff!  This week God has worked through over 150 volunteers to box the Thanksgiving meals, sort clothing, and create Cards for not just 500 families, but over 600 families, all the while having fun together and reflecting on our own thankfulness!

Operation Christmas Child

Operation Christmas Child gives gifts to children around the world, as well as share God's love with them through coloring books and other age appropriate literature.  Your participation can make an eternal difference in the life of a child.

A Day to Pray

At various times throughout the year, we like to remind ourselves of the importance and power of prayer.  We know that when we spend time in prayer, we invite God to act.  This weekend, we will be inviting God to act once again.

A "Pray Where You Are" prayer vigil will be taking place on from Friday at 10 a.m. until Saturday at 2 p.m. For more than a day, we will be asking God to work in our lives and the lives we will be touching this week.  We will be asking Him for:

November 16  Lifetree Cafe Valparaiso  (1705 LaPorte Ave) Friday 6:30pm - 7:30pm

Wounded Warriors When war comes home Hope and healing in the aftermath of trauma WATCH VIDEO PREVIEW

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Discussed at Lifetree Café The impact of post-traumatic stress disorder will be explored at Lifetree Café.

Ready to go...

I'm walking around a fairly empty building after all the activity the last two evenings.  The energy can still be felt here...

11/11 - Be Contagious

This week's service is online.  Enjoy!

God Feeds 600 in Porter County!

We are almost there!  Food has been coming in all week... not just enough to feed 500 but enough to feed 600!

Not only has God provided the food for that many, but He has also given us over 600 nominated families!  I love to see how God works all that... watching the names go on the list and knowing that it exceeds our plans.  It is easy to feel overwhelmed by the need, but then God does His part and in the end, working through a community of people and churches, there is enough food for all the families.  Praise God!

There is still plenty of opportunity to get involved!

Check out

11/12 - Pre-Boxing Day @ Life Bridge 5:30-8pm

11/13 & 14 -Family Boxing Nights @ Life Bridge 6-8pm
11/17 & 18 - Distribution Days

To help with the clothing call Traci @ (219)707-0070.

For details on how you can sign up and participate, click here.

Prayer

Prayer

Sometimes seeing God in our lives can be difficult to discern, especially when we are having a tough week or get bad news, but this week many millions worldwide saw a defeated man make

November 9  Lifetree Cafe Valparaiso (1705 LaPorte Ave) Friday 6:30 PM  Ages 10 and up Welcome

Smile... Even when you think you can't An hour of upward attitude adjustment WATCH VIDEO PREVIEW

Invite a Friend!

Hey everyone!  

Remember that this Sunday is invite-a-friend week.  Don't forget to come and bring yours! 
With the time change this weekend, they even get an extra hour of sleep. ;)

I'm so looking forward to seeing God at work this weekend!

Pete

500 Turkeys Drop-Off Day & More

Tomorrow, Saturday, November 3rd from 2-6pm is 500 Turkeys Drop-Off!

Food and Clothing have been being collected from all over Porter County and this Saturday, it all comes to Life Bridge!  Can goods and food items will be organized and prepared for our boxing nights on Tuesday November 13th and Wednesday November 14th from 6-8pm.

Time Changes!

Time Changes!

As a member of the communication team, I’m using this as a reminder to set your clocks back 1 hour on Saturday night before you go to bed. It is also a time to not only change the batteries in your smoke detectors, but to recharge

The Family Continues to Grow

Luke Hilzley (Center Front)

I'd like to introduce you to our new brother in Christ, Luke Hilzley!

On Saturday October 27th, we joined with 4 generations of family and friends to witness Luke's decision to walk with God.

Luke has been learning about God under the tutelage of his parents, Skip and Cheryl Hilzley, and Life Bridge. 

Congratulations Hilzley family!  Keep on walking with God and encouraging one another along the way! 

More Eyes to See

We announce to you what we have seen and heard. 

We do it so you can share life together with us. 

And we share life with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.
(1 John 1:3 NIrV)

Only a few short months ago, I began writing posts to a blog entitled "God Sightings."  These posts, and their accompanying emails, were intended to help you see God at work all around you.  Sometimes it takes a different "pair of glasses" to help us see God alive and active all around us.  My hope and prayer is that you are starting to put those "glasses" on more often to see Him in your life as well.

This week, I've invited more people to put on their God Sighting "glasses" and

500 Turkeys and Clothing Drive

500 Turkeys is in the home stretch and as always God is at work in powerful ways!  It's not too late to get involved and participate!

NEW THIS YEAR... Clothing Drive!

We are collecting clean used clothing to further serve those in need this season.

We are accepting coats, gloves, hats, and clothing for all genders and ages.

Lifetree Cafe - Does God have a plan for you?

Friday - October 26 Lifetree Cafe Valparaiso Friday 6:30 PM Open to ages 10 and up welcome

Welcome to the Family!

On Saturday October 13th, we had a splashing good time down at Kouts Christian Church, as we baptized Cheyenne & Trenton Smith.

Early on in Life Bridge's history we had the honor of baptizing Chey and Trenton's parents, Matt and Denise.  Deb Warren, mom and grandmother, celebrated the new lives in Jesus both then and now!

New and Renew

Whew! Not only is our God a big God, He is a BUSY God!

I have seen His Spirit stirring hearts, renewing convictions and making Christ’s followers “contagious”.

Sometimes it’s difficult to see teenagers’ growth in faith or in their walk with God, this week I saw a teen that was so moved by praise and worship music that in his desire to be part of this ministry he belongs to 2 student worship teams at 2 churches and is very involved in Sunday worship as well! Praise God!

Called

In May the call came again from New Creation Men’s Shelter asking Pete if our church would be willing to host 15 to 20 homeless men every Thursday night. Prayerfully responding to the request that had been made a couple of times in the past, Pete accepted on behalf of LBCC.

Moving forward God filled the needs to do this each week with 3 men stepping forward every Thursday to spend the overnight hours at the church building to ensure the safety of the men and property and to be available to minister to those that needed prayer or just someone to listen. Friday mornings saw breakfast provided for the men and the 

volunteers - different people on different weeks gave a variety of healthy meals.

 Bedding was laundered and returned for the following week, a humble happening so

 that there were clean sheets for them to sleep on.

Last week our turn to serve came to a close and the men were housed at 7 different churches for the winter season. Many people from many different walks of life came together for the summer season to take care of their brothers. God brought these folks together weekly to serve and to be served, a humble task he has called all of us to do.

^Matthew 35 For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. ³⁶ I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’

³⁷ “Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? ³⁸ Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? ³⁹ When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’

⁴⁰ “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters,^[f]you were doing it to me!’

valposhelter.org

Rain Rain, It's OK

You may be aware that Life Bridge is planning on having our infamous "Grillin 'n Chillin" end-of-summer celebration tomorrow @ 1:00-5:00ish.  We get together to have some good music with good friends and good, grilled food.  We usually have it out on the Life Bridge Land on Route 2.

Well, the weather forecast for the rest of today and tomorrow is trying to put a damper on things.  Rain today and tomorrow would not only ruin our electric music equipment, it probably wouldn't help the hot dogs taste any better.  

So...WE'RE MOVING THE LOCATION.  

Grillin 'n Chillin is officially moved to the 
Life Bridge Building at 
1705 Laporte Ave., 
Valparaiso, IN 46383.

Same time.
New location.
All the good times.

Yeah, it's OK with us.  It's not like there's going to be a world-wide flood or anything. ;)

Hope to see you there!

A Birthday Sighting

I turned 44 years old today.  I'm not sure why I shared that other than the fact that it is driving my "God Sightings" for this week.  I find myself wanting to share different sightings than I normally do.  I like sharing sightings of God working in other people and groups throughout the church here at Life Bridge.  This week, though, I'm looking more at my own life and over a period of years rather than days or weeks...

Autoinvite

I was disappointed last week when I logged into the system I use for scheduling groups of people into groups for my prayer time.  The system had a notice telling me the developer were no longer going to support this software and I needed to move my data out of there.  It was a bummer, because I use that system to purposefully pray for over 500 people.  Now what am I going to do?

Choosing to See God

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (James 1:2-4 NIV)

 This week has been filled with all kinds of activities on a personal front that have produced significant highs and lows throughout each day.  Sunday service was Spirit Filled and people were experienced God's presence all morning (high).  That night, significant Spiritual Battles took place in various homes (including mine) and up at the church building, leaving several of the church leaders physically hurting and exhausted (low).  I traveled to Anderson University with my daughter for an interview where she was accepted to College (high) then we went upstairs to the Financial Aid office (low).  I had time to begin communicating with people again that I'm praying for them (high), then logged onto the software I use for this only to find it is being discontinued and I need to find a replacement now (low).  You get the idea.

His Body in Action

The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit. Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part. (1 Corinthians 12:12-14 NLT)

This summer, we've been challenged by God to see His Body as being bigger than just Life Bridge Christian Church here in Valparaiso.  He's reminded us that His Church is living and active all over our city, county, state, country, and world.  He's stretched us to recognize His followers by their love, unity, and the fruit of their spirit.  He told us we will not be in His Kingdom simply by calling Him "Lord, Lord."

Eleven

I only have one God sighting this week, but it lasted all week long.  It still lingers in my head and continues to drive my 16+ hour days and ministry to each person I encounter.  It has to do with the number eleven.

Last week, as we were finishing our outreach at the Porter County Fair, I received a call from an old friend who used to attend Life Bridge before moving away years ago.  He was asking for a favor.  "A good friend of mine just lost his 11 month old little girl to leukemia.  They don't go to church or have a pastor.  Would you be willing to do the funeral?"  How could I say no?  The funeral was set for Monday morning at 11am.  I prayed and prayed during my preparation for this funeral, not knowing what to say.  I trusted that God would provide.

Then Traci told me about a text that she received.  "Brianna wants to be baptized!"  Brianna is an 11 year old girl who spends the summer here with her mom.  Her summer was coming to an end this week.  Before leaving to go home to her dad's house, she wanted to be baptized this week...on Monday.

The number eleven seemed strangely popping up all over the place: 11 months old, 11 o'clock, 11 years old.  It took my mind to another significant time when the number eleven was important: eleven apostles.  Don't get me wrong.  I know that Jesus chose twelve apostles, but one of them ended up betraying him for money.  Judas wasn't really a follower of Jesus.  He was a follower of self.  It cost him his life and, most probably, his eternity.  The other eleven, though, remained faithful.  They wavered, but repented of those sins.  They held on to their faith in Christ all the way to the end of their lives.  They will spend eternity together with Him.

It was then that I knew what to say.  I knew what Monday was to be all about.  It was a day to celebrate life.  Family and friends at the funeral heard about life, were encouraged to hear that their little girl was enjoying life with Him, and were encouraged to join her in walking with Him.  They heard that they can get together with her again at the "family reunion" someday if they will turn to God through Jesus Christ and accept life everlasting.

I went home, changed clothes, and went to the lake to baptize Brianna.  Once again, we celebrated life.  "Why do you want to be baptized?" I asked her.  "To wash my sins away and receive the Holy Ghost," she answered.  We talked some more.  She understood what it meant to receive life everlasting and the power to live life to the fullest today.  We went into the water and her mom and I baptized her together.  We celebrated life.

As the evening progressed and we continued with tasks like cleaning up after the Porter County Fair, planning the next sermon series, coordinating activities with the team, it all had a different perspective for me.  I saw God working in and through those activities a little more.  I saw people working together to bring life to the world around us.  I saw God at work.

The rest of the week has been filled with long hours, many phone calls, texts, and emails.  None of it has worn me out.  I find myself energized by Him - desiring to reach people for Him and bring them new life.  I don't want to be like the one who turned away from Him, betrayed Him, and then chose death.  No, I will be like the eleven: choosing to follow Christ, turn back to him when I fall, and spending all my time living the abundant life.

A Youth Group, A Poster, & A Vision

I had the pleasure of seeing God working in and through a youth group today.  Scott Avenue Christian Church in Newton, IL sent their youth group to help us in any way they could.  Before I arrived, they cleaned up the storm debris from our parking lot.  They were ready to serve!

After a short time catching them up on Life Bridge and our mission, they broke up into teams and went all over the place.  One team went back to the church building and set up the computers, projectors, and cables that had been moved for last weekend's service at the fair.  Other teams trained on all three trollies, learned the booth, and covered everything at the fair from opening till 4.  Then they regrouped to get ready for their next stop and more service.

Speaking to their Youth Minister, it was a blessing to share visions with one another.  They are raising up their youth with a heart to serve anywhere God's Kingdom needs workers.  

While listening to him, I also thought about our part of His Church - encouraging people to live out John 17.  I looked at the poster on the wall someone made specifically for the fair.  These weren't our visions for our local churches.  The visions fit together perfectly - almost like two pieces of a really big puzzle.  I love it when we see another part of His picture and how we all fit together.

What a blessing to see Him at work!

Remembering Rain

It's been  a strange year as the drought threatens crops throughout the country.  So, when it rained this morning - even a thunderstorm - I was Praising God for the water He gave us.  Then it happened.  I got a call for help.  

The "storm destroyed our booth." 

The flood of memories began.

• I remembered storms leaking water into our old worship center and drying out carpet squares in the sun in preparation for weekend services.
• I remember a backed-up storm drain causing a flood that literally rained down on top of the platform, coffee bar, and tables & chairs in the worship center.
• I remember it flooding so bad that we held our worship service on the land.  "The rain came down.  The waters rise.  Through it all God will provide."
• I remember the flood being so bad two years ago that God used it to move us out of the basement and into our current building.
• I remember storms destroying one tent per year for the first two years we participated in the fair.  No tents have been destroyed since we started renting them from this company.  This must have been a really bad storm!

We rallied the troops.  Several people started to call in and offer to help.  When we arrived, though, we were pleasantly surprised.  The tent was fine.  The shelves holding the church fliers had blown over.  Papers had blown about and gotten soaked.  The tent was back up and running in less than an hour and new fliers were printed for every church by mid-afternoon. God does provide.

Go team!

Praise God!

God Sightings

We started asking the questions a little differently at the booth.  

"What's your favorite thing about your church?"

The responses were amazing.  We heard about music, preaching, children's programs, mission work, people coming to Christ, friendships, Bible studies, and much, much more.

Then it hit us.  We asked another question.

"Would you be willing to write that down?

They were and they did.  
Now the booth is covered with Praise - Glorifying God from all of His Body.  
Now I can see God a little more clearly.
 
Praise God!

A Day of Praise

 I got to "see" God all day long.  From the moment I arrived at the fairgrounds, I was met by a friend who was there to help set up technical equipment.  We served together side by side as we shared stories of other times we had seen God at work.  People arrived one by one and began setting up band equipment, sound boards, tables for "coffee bar" and "programs."  God's Spirit was in the air.

We began our church service a little after nine.  The worship was awesome; the message, right on point: Lord, let us be one.  We were.  Finishing with a final song provided, for us, a sense of "home" even when out on the fairgrounds with no tables and chairs.

Then it happened.  We realized that the crowd was filled with much more than Life Bridge.  Another church had come to join us in worship.  Yet another church was there for the end of our service, preparing for theirs at 10:15.  Open Door Fellowship set up for their time of worship.  We shared equipment.  We sang His praises together.  We listened to a different message that was, strangely, the same.  The preaching was Biblical.  The testimonies were powerful.  God was working in and through others' lives.  Praise God!

Then the set up took place for the next group, and the next, and the next.  Different churches, groups, and individuals too the stage; one after another.  Each of them was praising God with their own musical talent.  Sometimes we were invited to sing along.  Sometimes we were simply captivated and drawn into worship in our hearts.  God was Glorified.  We were His Body.  We were one - each one doing his own part.

Yes, it truly was a day of praise.

A Busy Building

When God first provided the "new" building almost two years ago, I remember someone telling me, "I sure hope we use the building a lot. It really gets to me when churches pay for buildings and don't use them six days a week."  I agreed.

 

When God provides resources, He expects us to use them for His purposes. It's such a joy to see that happen around here on a regular basis.

This morning, for example, the building is "hopping." A men's group used the building at 7:45 for a small group Bible study. Now there is a second small group meeting, people are painting shelves for the Porter County Fair, and others are cleaning in preparation for worship services tomorrow. In about 15 minutes, more people will be here to prepare for the Porter County Fair.

Its good to see people living out a walk with Him utilizing the resources He provides.