This Sunday, January 6 (Epiphany) marks the begiining of Prayer Week for the Evangelical Covenant Church.  You can join us in praying with all believers across our denomination by downloading the prayer guide here. 

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 

Work, work, from morning until late at night.  In fact, I have so much to do that I shall have to spend the first three hours in prayer.
     ~ Martin Luther
~~~~~~~~ 

To get nations back on their feet, we must first get down on our knees.
     ~ Billy Graham
~~~~~~~~ 

Prayer is the exercise of drawing on the grace of God.
     ~ Oswald Chambers
~~~~~~~~ 

Prayer is not monologue, but dialogue; God’s voice is its most essential part.  Listening to God’s voice is the secret of the assurance that He will listen to mine.
     ~ Andrew Murray
~~~~~~~~ 

Prayer at its highest is a two-way conversation and for me the most important part is listening to God’s replies.
     ~ Frank C. Laubach
~~~~~~~~ 

Men may spurn our appeals, reject our message, oppose our arguments, despise our persons, but they are helpless against our prayers.
     ~ J. Sidlow Baxter
~~~~~~~~ 

Today, I will be in Chicago at the Central Conference office for my interview to complete my transfer of ordination.  I had to write a 12 page paper (single-spaced) answering a number of questions about my theology and pastoral/church practice.  I really look forward to the conversation with this group of Covenant leaders. 

I will also be interviewing a seminarian from North Park Theological Seminary for an internship position at Zion for 2008.  So, pray for me as both interviewer and interviewee!

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The SPA girls - very creative!

Why Can’t A Woman Be More Like an RV?  Inquisitive minds want to know…

Accepting the embrace of God: The art of lectio divina. Try it.

Does Christianity have an image problem?  Read this, this and then this.

.

Millard Community Church – Elkhorn,

Today we had our pastor’s district meeting in Elkhorn, Wisconsin hosted by pastor Lyle and his intern,Jeremy,who just started this last week. It was an enjoyable drive and wonderful time of renewed support and fellowship as colleagues in Christ’s ministry. Tom talked too much but Ryan kept getting him pizza to keep him occupied between commens and questions.

We are at my sister’s this weekend.  I’ll be helping Eric clean out his room as his lease runs out.  And The Press did our story – best I skip town pronto…

Today we met Covenant pastors and spouses for a Brewer game. We did a tailgate party before the game. I brought the Old Wisconsin real casing wieners and buns for a good ballpark bite. It was hot in the parking lot – real hot. And the attendance today was over 41,000. Too bad the Brewers could not please the big crowd. The Mets pounded the pitching leaving us with a score of 12 -4.

I did not think the Brewers were living up to the hype of the first part of the season. And if they keep playing like they did today, well, the Cubs are going to take the division. But we Covenanters had fun. Thanks to Jim E. for organizing the event for all of us!

Are you hungry to rekindle your love for God?

Are you hungry to join together in prayer for our mission partners and mission outreaches?

Are you hungry to experience God in a community of believers?

Are you hungry to build a deeper spiritual foundation with your family?

Are you hungry to pray and worship with all God’s people?

Are you hungry to make connections with friends old and new?

Are you hungry to rest, relax and play? Come to the FEAST, Come taste the Kingdom, Come!

It is never too early to plan for next summer. “The Feast” at Green Lake Conference Center will be a great opportunity to meet other Covenanters from around the country and Canada.  And its only down the road from Sheboygan!  Set aside June 21-24, 2008 and grow spiritually.  Check out the Feast website and watch the video.  We’ll be showing it in church this Sunday.