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Hi everyone,
Abundant Life in Blaine has 250 designer stackable chairs for sale. The fabric is flora crimson and the frames are antiqued silver - they are in great condition. They would like to sell them for $10 each. If you know of a church that might be interested, please have them call Bruce at 763-754-1011.

Priorities

Andy Stanley makes an interesting point in his September Catalyst article, "War of Two Worlds." He comments on the struggle we face to balance our work and our families. He states that it is even more difficult for ministers because they also feel “called” to the work that they do. Stanley goes on to state that many people in the ministry often times feel like they need to build the church that they are “called” to. However, it is God, and God, alone who will build the church. Now, I know that what most pastors are talking about is the organization of the church, i.e. staff, service planning, vision casting and all the other things that go with the leading of an organization. I also know that most of us don’t believe that we alone can build the church. However, we do tend to take on sole responsibility for our faith community and while we must be the pastor we must also understand that most of what we do can be done by someone else. It has even been said that you have not been a successful leader if you haven't duplicated yourself. Your church has (or should have) other leaders that can see to the day-to-day or even the service details. But your wife has only one husband and your children have only one dad. You are the ONLY one who can fill that position. Christ said that He would build His church, but commanded us to love our wives. So many times we (at heart) try to build the church and ask God to take care of our families. Here is what Andy says:

"It is interesting that nowhere in the New Testament are we commanded to build the church. Jesus said He'd do that. (Matthew 16:18) But husbands are commanded to love their wives like Christ loved the church. (Ephesians 5:25) When we reverse this-love our ministries or our careers, and ask God to take care of our loved ones-we violate an important principle. Ironically, we ask God to bless our ministry endeavors while we are violating His principles."

It is true that we can't neglect the ministry that God has called us to. However, Andy says, and I agree, that people who choose to prioritize in favor of their families are more capable of meeting the responsibilities of their work. But, people who prioritize their work over their families tend to suffer in both. I know I have found this to be true in my own life.


Here is a link to the article. Read it and tell us what you think. http://www.injoy.com/Newsletters/catalyst/Full/default.aspx?article_id=66

Here are some questions:

1. Who is receiving more attention: your work or your family?
2. If something were to happen to you would the ministry be able to continue or would it fall apart?
3. What can you do to start “raising up” leaders around you who can work with you and share the load?

Update on Moroma

Things are progressing well for Moroma. He is more responsive and is healing nicely. He still does not have the use of his right arm, but the doctors are working on it. Thank you all again for your prayers and support. In other good news, Hannah gave birth to a healthy baby boy. Solomon was born over the weekend. He weighed 6 pounds 6 oz and was 19 inches long. Both Solomon and Hannah are doing fine.

Upadate on Omot and Hannah Aganya

Moroma is now awake. He is responding to questions and is finally speaking. He is experiencing some memory loss and does not have the use of his right hand, but the doctors say he is recovering. The swelling in his brain has gone down and he is eating. He has come a long way but still has far to go. The doctors are saying that he will be in the hospital until the end of October. This has been a very overwhelming time for the family and they greatly appreciate your prayers and support. However as medical bills pile up they are faced with more concerns. As some of you may know Hannah is pregnant and in her third tri-mester. At her last visit (36 weeks) Omot and Hannah were told that the baby has not turned yet. Please pray that the pregnancy would continue without any complications and that the baby would turn to the correct position. We are so thankful for Omot and Hannah's faith in a loving and caring God through this time. Many people would be upset with God for allowing this family to go through all of this. However, Omot and Hannah continually thank Him for His goodness and faithfulness through this difficult time. They have glorified Him through a life of praise and thanksgiving. As they face these difficulties they continually remind us that regardless of circumstances, God is still faithful and He is still worthy to praised. Thank you Omot and Hannah for all you are doing for His kingdom and His glory. Our prayers and support are with you and your entire family.