Welcome home Robert!!!!

Welcome home Robert. I look forward to hearing more about your experiences and your expectations for Iraq. God Bless.

What a turn out!!!

Hey group,


I was so happy to see the great turnout for the family movie night last night. There had to be over 100 hundred people from the church that turned out to see the Chronicles of Narnia movie. I am also so grateful to be a put of this home group. We had 100% attendance from those in the state, or country, and we had a great time viewing a movie that hopefully will let Hollywood know that Christians will go to the movies and watch "family friendly" movies with a Christian theme.

Happy B-Day all you December babies

I wanted to take this time to wish all the december babies a happy birthday.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Joel
Trevor
Scott
Angie
Brandy

oh yeah to me also.


I hope I didn't miss anyone?

I hope all your wishes come true!!!
Craig

Trials into triumphs

I wanted to take some time and go over our last meeting. As I told those of you that were there I really felt led to do a series of studies on the book of James. As with most of my discussions I am really looking to learn as much as possible about that topic as much as I am trying to lead and give opinions. I guess the reason why I am so fascinated with the book of James is that most historians believe that James is one of the earlier writings of the N.T. and (although there are some that disagree) most attribute it to James the brother of Jesus. James urged his readers to really try to look at trials from God's attitude. The trial itself was not an occasion for joy, but it could promote joy by becoming an occasion for producing stamina in the life of a committed believer.
This is where I find it so relevent for today's "American" society. Nobody likes pain or trials but we here in the U.S. have taken great strides to do away with any pain in our lifes and if you poll people on the street I would venture to say that most see absolutely no value in trials. With that in mind we could really turn to just about any book in the N.T. or the bible and see how trials are used by God for our good. I choose James, or rather I should say the Holy Spirit placed it in me, because it is one of those writings where the rubber meets the road. As I said at group it is about taking the lemons that life has handed you and making lemonade.When we studied chapter 1 verses 2-8 I saw four keys or imperatives.

1. In verse 2 we are told to "count it all joy when you fall into various trials"
2. In verse 3 we are told that "knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience"+
3. In verse 4 we are commanded "let patience have it's perfect work"
4. Then in verses 5-8 we read "let him ask of GOD"

So we need to have the knowledge and perspective that adversity can accomplish much good by letting the patient enduring of adversity accomplish its work. All the while using the wisdom God gives in answer to prayer to help put it all together. When this is dome, even trials can be a source of joy for the Christian!

I want to thank you all for your participation in group and I plan on disussing verses 9-11 and possible verses 12-18 at our next group. Remember that we are meeting at Barb's house at 6pm on the 13th to put together the "blessing bags" and to go to the Zoo. Thanks and God bless.

The Kurds and Us

Craig asked me to write a little bit about the differences between how I'm living here and how I live at home so that you'd have a better idea of how to pray for me.

It's a hard question, though, because things are very different, but very similar.

The family that I'm living with is wonderful to me and I really feel like I'm fitting in very well. They're pros at hospitality, and other than the language, they feel like members of my own family.

I think the thing that I'd like you to pray for is that they are all in various stages of belief about Christ. Last year, the youngest son, a Christian, passed away from cancer. He was so full of Christ's love that it spilled out to the rest of his family. he and his sister spent a lot of time praying with him and started going back to church at his request.

They're not your typical middle eastern family. They came to the US in the 1970s and were sponsored by the Lutheran church, so the younger children went to a Lutheran School. Many of them have accepted Christ or have taken steps to investigate Him more. It's all very interesting.

Anyway, it's clear that they're son who died left a lasting positive impression on the family. It's too much to explain now, but it's really amazing, so pray for that God will continue to reveal himself among the Kurds in Iraq and the United States. It's easy to see God's image in them and it's obvious that He wants them in His kingdom!

Also, please pray that my team continues to become unified in Christ!

I don't think I answered the question, but that's ok.

Hey, Homegroup!

Good afternoon everyone!

I know that you have home group this week, so I wanted to write and say Hi! I am having a good time here. It's hard being away from everyone and being in new place with new people, but God is really showing me what he has in store for my team in Halabj, Iraq and I am pretty excited about it!

The Kurds are really great people. My host family is absolutely wonderful and the food is great!

You should all sign up!

please pray

Hey guys,


Tuesday night while I was at the showing for Dennis' mother my Uncle had a stroke and was admitted to Grant. He is going to be transferred to Riverside to undergo some physical therapy but as of right now we don't know how severe the lasting effects are going to be. This is the Uncle who is a double amputee and lives with my Grandmother he is 80 years old and has many other health concerns. Please pray for him and my grandmother. She is really worried that she won't be able to take care of him if he comes back home to stay and she is equally as worried about putting him into a nursing home. The whole situation surrounding my grandmother needs prayer for as some of you know my sister (who lost her home) moved in with my grandmother earlier this year and has two dogs and a cat and never feels the need or responsibility to come home to take care of them.


Thanks and God bless,
Craig