Life Cafe - Beginning Tomorrow Night, 9/14!

Beginning Tomorrow Night, 9/14!!!

Tuesday, September 13, 2016
Jeff Lampl

Listed below are maybe the best set of Class, Group and Study Offerings we’ve ever had at Life Cafe!

Discipleship:  The Great Adventure   Dr. Gary Arntessoni

Parents with Young Children             Mike and Laura Woodin

Entrepreneurial  Missions                  Ed Harshaw, Marianne Knox
                                                           and Duffy Sample

The Meaning of Marriage                   LK and Nancy Jordan
(begins October 2)

Life’s Healing Choices                       Jeff and Kathy Lampl

Constitution Alive                              Chris Wolfe

Beginnings                                        Dr. Gary Arntessoni 
(begins in November)

Real People/Real Faith Women’s Study Theresa O’Conner

Stand in the Light  Cancer Support      Diane Perekupka
(begins in January)

“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.  God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work."

 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NLT)

Light Meal and Fellowship          

6:15 pm

Classes and Studies

7:00 pm

Discipleship:  The Great Adventure               Dr. Gary Arntessoni

Learn to live more fully and deeply in the reality of God.   Learn to let your new life in Christ frame your life, relationships, actions and thoughts, making you in the process a brand new person.

Parents with Young Children                          Mike and Laura Woodin

Meeting alternate Wednesdays, this vibrant group shares the joys and challenges of parenting young children while seeking to apply God’s principles to their parenting

Entrepreneurial Missions                                Ed Harshaw, Marianne Knox
                                                                           and Duffy Sample

Do you want to serve God somehow but don’t know how?   This class may be for you.   You’ll find help in understanding your heart and gain tools in knowing how to pursue serving God

The Meaning of Marriage                                 LK and Nancy Jordan (begins Oct 2)

Few things on earth bring more joys or more challenges than marriage.   Whether newly married, married for 50 years or single, there is no one who cannot benefit from doing marriage better or preparing for it more thoroughly

Life’s Healing Choices                                      Jeff and Kathy Lampl

Do you find yourself stuck in habits, hurts or hang-ups that are damaging your relationships, attitudes toward life, your joy?   Using the Beattitudes of Matthew 5 we will explore how God seeks to set you free.

Constitution Alive                                              Chris Wolfe

Find out how the American Constitution was created based on Christian principles and why those principles are so foundational for a functioning democracy.

Beginnings                                                         Dr. Gary Arntessoni
(begins in November)

New to CLC?   This class is for you.  You will spend four weeks getting to know CLC, each other and how the Gospel forms us and grows us in this local church family

Real People/Real Faith Women’s Study          Theresa O’Conner

What does real faith look like?   How did the real people of the bible, living a real life, cope and even thrive because of the Gospel coming to life in them?

Stand in the Light Cancer Support                   Diane Perekupka  
(Begins in January)

There’s no other way to put it.   Facing cancer is hard.  But in facing it you can learn that God is there and that He has much to teach you, not least through the experiences of others.

See you Tomorrow night!!!!

Election 2016 - 9/11 Edition ISIS, Al Qaeda, and War

Election 2016

9/11 Edition

ISIS, Al Qaeda, and War

Monday, September 12, 2016
Jeff Lampl

"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'

 But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,"

Matthew 5:43-45 (NIV)

“Every war has the heavy burden of showing how it is an act of

 loving one’s neighbors and loving one’s enemies”

Miroslav Wolf, Yale Divinity School

Radical Islam wants to kill us, yet I can’t find any wiggle room around Jesus’ command that Christians love their enemies. 

How then do we love the Taliban, ISIS and Al Qaeda?   Should we just send them cookies and watch them kill us and others while we pray?

The world that presents itself to us is gray rather than black and white and sometimes the best we can do is to choose the lesser of the evils available to us.   Personally, I yearn to support leaders who, if they choose to go to war, do so reluctantly, with regret and with an understanding that killing is an evil, but with the humble admission/prayer,

“Lord forgive me for this sin, this war, that I am about to lead our country into.   It appears to me to be the least of the bad options available.   If there is another option available to me, I want with all my heart to know it.”  

I would love to have leaders who do not gloat over the killing of Osama bin Laden, rather grieve that he was overcome by the demonic powers of evil that had overcome him and led to the deaths and grief and so many other people including his own death.   I want leaders who never use the term “collateral damage”, rather recognize that every life lost is precious to someone including to God.

Finally, though deadly force can be deemed ethically justifiable, even in a Christian ethic (see “Just War Theory”), it will never be the means through which God’s New Creation will be ushered in.   God’s Kingdom on earth will not be achieved by a jobs program, globalization, democracy, socialism, capitalism, secular social justice initiatives . . . or any of the other human efforts to usher in a golden age.   God’s new world will finally come only through Jesus, his love, and yes the world wide church of Jesus Christ, taking up its cross and loving its enemies unto death.

I hope that you take time to watch this 3 minute video which jolted me into the radical nature of Jesus’ call to me and to all of us to love our enemies.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSv4vBcFyvo

Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed.   But if it dies, it produces many seeds."

 John 12:24 (NIV2011)

From Pastor's Heart

Pastor’s Blog

Friday, September 9, 2016
Jeff Lampl

Dear CLC Family,

On Sunday, 9/11, I am looking forward to just talking to you, heart to heart, about where we are and where we are going.  We are entering a new season in the life of CLC and there’s lots to talk about.  Hope so see you at 9:00 or 10:30!!

Jeff

PS

KidZone is just beginning its brand new curriculum, the Gospel Project, and our Jr. High Youth ministry, Outbreak Uprising, meets in the 2^nd floor Auditorium at 10:30 on Sunday.

A Pretty Neat Picture of God’s Heart for Every Church

“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship,

 to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 

All the believers were together and had everything in common. 

They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 

Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts.

They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts,

 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people.

 And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”

 Acts 2:42-47 (NIV2011)

Election 2016 - How would Jesus have us think about Immigration?

Election 2016

How would Jesus have us think about

Immigration?

Wednesday, September 7, 2016
Jeff Lampl

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink,  I was a stranger and you invited me in . . .  'I tell you the truth,
whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

Matthew 25:35, 40 

How is it that Angela Merkel, Germany’s Chancellor, led Germany to assume moral leadership in Europe by taking in hundreds of thousands of (mostly Syrian) refugees only to rescind the invitation and close their borders?

Merkel grew up in what was a communist controlled East Germany as the daughter of a Lutheran Pastor.   I am guessing that her experience as a politically oppressed person herself influenced her.   I am also certain that her Christian upbringing taught her that a fundamental of Jesus’ teachings is that we must clothe, feed, take in, the “stranger”.

It is worth noting that God initiated the salvation of the world with Abraham’s family who were impoverished, politically oppressed refugees escaping a brutal life and seeking a new life for themselves in the Promised Land.   In fact, Jesus was himself a political exile and refugee.

“Out of Egypt I called my son”            Matthew 2:15

It is also worth noting that Jesus’s story about final judgment is not addressed to individuals but rather to “nations”.  It has often been noted that God’s ultimate judgment of America will be based on our treatment of the ‘stranger’?

Why then did Angela Merkel’s Germany reverse course?   Germany discovered that it could not assimilate all those people effectively.   Many of the young male refugees have been a danger to young women and of course some members of ISIS were probably among the immigrants.   Those and many, many more problems have arisen.   So many that just a day or two ago, Merkel lost to the anti-immigration Party in the “primary” election of her home state.

My take?  I think Merkel’s initial move to give a home to displaced people was a Jesus move.   Sharing what we have with those who have less regardless of nationality is a theme which runs through the Old Testament and is lifted up high by Jesus.   And, whatever danger, inconvenience or suffering that doing so causes us is a price that Jesus led the way for us in paying.   He wants us to take up our crosses for the “stranger”.

Why don’t we and other nations take in more immigrants?   Although I am fully aware of the rational objections, frankly I don’t think those are the real reasons.   It’s more likely that most of us, not least among whom am I, are like the Washington DC elite, who, when faced with where to put their quota of immigrants, placed them in a lower middle class area outside the buffered confines of their pristine neighborhoods.   But how can I complain, when I want to be no more inconvenienced than they?   As Jesus spoke of the judgment of nations he spoke he gave us this measuring stick

'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine,
you did for me.'     Matthew 25:40

“Father, give us ears to hear and eyes to see.  In particular, Lord, remind us that judgment starts with the house of the Lord.   May each of us lead the way in our sphere of influence to model personal sacrifice for those who need drink, food, clothing and a place to lay their heads.   Make our hearts become more and more like yours.  Amen”

Election 2016 - Don't Surrender Your Witness

Election 2016

Don’t Surrender Your Witness

September 6, 2016

Jeff Lampl

Have you ever noticed. . . .

. . .  that people do not agree everything especially during election season? 

 . . . that lots of people not only have different opinions on candidates and issues, but that
       they have strongly held ones?

. . .  that and that many people love to tell you their opinion whether you want to hear it or
       not?

. . .  that many of these opinions are expressed in mean, disrespectful, insulting ways? 

. . .  that many of the worst offenders are Christians?

 "God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”                  John 3:17 (NIV)

“Respect everyone, and love your Christian brothers and sisters. Fear God, and respect the king.”                    1 Peter 2:17 (NLT)

                                   

“when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.”                 

                                                  John 12:32 (NIV)  

As I look back on the four messages that I finished on Sunday about how Jesus should guide us as we go to the polls, I am now more convinced than ever that. . .  

 . . .this election season offers each of us a unique opportunity to be noticeably different, to witness to a different kind of reality in the world.

What if, during all the angry, mean spirited, accusatory political debates and pontifications that take place at work, at home, at parties or wherever . . .what if non-believers encountered Jesus followers who engaged others with a spirit of curiosity, respect, love, gentleness, desire to learn, a penchant for listening, a confidence in God that does not need defending, and an optimism for the future (because Christians are, after all, optimists – Jesus is risen from the dead and the world will be set right.  This cannot not happen).

What if Christians (you) were seen by others as one who is a calm realist (the reality being that God is making all things new and will complete the job), one who is informed and enters into dialog intelligently, able to discuss issues, but in a way that others notice that you feel no need to be defensive, that you, unlike everyone else, don’t have to push your opinion, or refute a mischaracterization, or put down a candidate.

What if others saw you, a believer, referring to our president as ‘President Obama’ rather than calling him by his last name with body language intended to communicate your disapproval? What if others saw you verbalizing the positives in each of the candidates for elected office rather than being quick to point out what you don’t like?   What if we Christians were to lead the way in following Jesus by blessing the world rather than condemning it John 3:17?  What if we followed Peter’s advice, given in a politically contentious atmosphere, to respect everyone including our elected leaders 1 Peter 2:17?   What if each Christian saw his or her primary mission during this election season as that of drawing people to Jesus, influencing them with respect, love, listening, and caring about them personally, rather than pushing our opinions?   What if each of us would remind ourselves that our opinions don’t matter much but our influence for Christ does?

What if we actually believed the Bible enough to obey it, taking, for example this command to heart;

 “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful  for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.  And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of  redemption.  Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along  with every form of malice.  Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving  each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”          Ephesians 4:29-32 (NIV)

Lord forgive me for my critical spirit, disrespectful thoughts, demeanor, body language and words toward those whom you have specially chosen, or have at least allowed, to be our leaders in our nation’s’ capitol, in our state legislatures and on our school boards. I want instead to witness to the reality that Jesus is comfortably on His Throne, that all things are being made new, and that nothing on earth can derail that.  Please allow that reality to permeate my thoughts and words.   So that others may come to know You as Lord and Savior.   Amen”

What Does Jesus Say about Work?

  What Does Jesus Say about Work?

Labor Day, 2016

September 5, 2016
Jeff Lampl

Jesus and His Dad at Work

In the same way, let your light shine before others,

 so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Mathew 5:16

Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required,

and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more. Luke 12:48

His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant.

You have been faithful over a little;

 I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.'   Matthew 25:23

Why Workaholism can be the Worst Kind of Laziness

When Jesus speaks of work, he addresses it in the context of serving God.   He speaks of not wasting one’s talents, working in such a way that others are attracted to God, working in such a way that the smallest jobs matter so that we grow to have the capacity to further God’s Kingdom.   He relates work to God and to our purpose on earth as God’s partner in creating a flourishing world for all of God’s creation (a mandate given to human beings in Genesis 1:28 and 2:15)

So, how can working hard be laziness?   When I stay late at work because I want to get ahead because of my own ambition rather than witnessing to my colleagues that my life’s priorities center not around work, rather around my life with God, with my spouse and my children, I am being spiritually lazy.   I’m investing my energies disproportionately.

When I rely on myself, asking God to “bless my mess”, rather than beginning my work by giving it to him and following his lead, I am being spiritually lazy.   Doing so is a form of idolatry, thinking I can handle this part of my life without God.  I am playing God.

Jospeh Pieper writes that approaching work without a centeredness in Christ and his purpose creates in us a “roaming restlessness of the spirit”.  Nothing we do that way is ever enough.   We’re never satisfied and we’re proud that we’re not satisfied.  We proudly think that we’re virtuous in our pursuit of more and better.  He notes that work is not the ceaseless activity of capitalism, rather it has to do with cooperating with the God given purpose for which you were created, cooperating with God as your director and empowerer, and recognizing that your work has dignity insofar as it working “as to the Lord’.  When it is work simply for more money, or for more accolades or for more power it has lost its dignity, and you’ve lost dignity as well.

Personally I have fallen into this kind of laziness (acedia) in a variety of ways.   Sometimes I’ve stayed at work late rather than go home, because it’s easier to be at work than home with the kids during the 6:00 “dead zone” of the day.  That’s avoiding my call (the real work of God is my call, my calling, and that call is also to my home).    I have viewed work through the lens of ambition and desire for recognition, both of which are a form of avoidance, a laziness insofar as I have, during those times. avoided the time needed with God to repent and recalibrate.   I have worked (much, much, much too often) weeks without a Sabbath.   It is simple laziness to avoid the difficult work of doing nothing for a day a week other than to be present to God and to loved ones.   Work is simply easier than that.   Rest is hard.   Prayer is hard.   Simply being there for others is hard.

I could go on and on.   But you get the picture.   Do you suffer from acedia (the word our church “fathers” used for spiritual laziness of the heart)?   Could your workaholism be simple laziness?   Talk to Jesus about that and see what he says to you.   If you don’t like what he say, don’t be lazy.  Listen.

“Lord, those who have known you and listened to you over the last two millennia since you arrived on earth, died for our sin and rose from the dead, have so much wisdom for us.   Help us, Lord, is this world of “what have you done for me lately”, in this world that tells me my value is only in my utility, help us to practice the hard work of

stopping long enough for you to get a word in edgewise.

Amen”

Alexandra Begins 5th Grade - From Jesus Hope of Romania

Alexandra Begins 5^th Grade!!

 September 2, 2016

Jeff Lampl

Dear CLC Family,

Please take the time to read the letter from CLC Family Members, Jeanne and Steve Cowan who now live in Ireland for another year or so and who are our lead connection to Jesus Hope of Romania.   Their letter and the details following all concern Alexandra pictured above.   I send you their letter, a thank you letter from JHOR, a summary of Alexandra’s last few months and a bio of the life background from which she was rescued, with the belief that your prayers make a difference and with the thought that some of you might want to help in some way.      God bless, Jeff    

From Steve and Jeanne

Hi Everyone,

Below you will read about Alexandra and Florin, a brother and sister rescued by God through Jesus Hope of Romania from a horrible ‘home’ life.    

Steve and I were there that weekend when they came to the orphanage.  It was a miracle.  God has done so much in their lives.

I do know they are very grateful for the help that CLC has given to allow Alexandra to have these new hearing aids.  They will be stimulating her auditory nerves and hopefully allowing her to hear something.

We had been working with a team over here (Ireland where we are now living) of audiologist specialists as well and I hope to take one of them with me to meet her in person in Romania on November 18 so that they can continue to follow up this process.

If this hearing aid does not work then the only thing left would be an implant.  So we are praying for a miracle.  Again thank you goes to all the generous hearts and people who have given to make this possible for Alexandra to have a better life.   May they be blessed know that they are touching a life in such a wonderful way.

Blessings to you all.
Jeanne and Steve Cowan

From the JHOR Leadership

            Dear friends and partners in the ministry 

Jeanne Cowan has told us that $900 is to be wired through Assist International for Alexandra's hearing aid.

Thank you so very much! You have no idea how needed this money was and how much we appreciate it. The doctors have highly recommended this new device for Alexandra, which is supposed to improve her chances of perceiving sounds. Some of the costs are covered by her health insurance but we were still short of what is a significant amount for us. So this donation of $900 is truly a gift from above and a sign of God's wonderful provision and kindness.

We will keep you updated on how things go with Alexandra and we are also sending you now some more information about her situation in general (her background etc). We are not sure how familiar you are with the specifics of her case.

Once again, thank you! And may God bless you abundantly!

With love and appreciation,

Eliza,

   Ligia,

     & Laurentiu

          from the JHOR office

Eliza-Eunice Făt

Executive Assistant - "Jesus the Hope of Romania"

e-mail: assistjhor@gmail.com

              

Ligia-Iunia Dugulescu

President - "Jesus the Hope of Romania"

ligiadug@hotmail.com

Rev. Laurenţiu Timiş

Executive Director - "Jesus the Hope of Romania"

timis1976@yahoo.com

www.isussperantaromaniei.ro

Alexandra’s Bio

A few highlights from Alexandra’s life in the past few months

Alexandra's life and speech are continually changing for the better, step by step, with every speech therapy session she goes to. At the end of May, she went on a trip to Serbia, with her classmates from the School for Hyperacusis Children. It was the very first time she went on a school trip.

This has been quite an accomplishment, since she was able to express herself and get around in a completely new place. She was also very nervous because it was the first time she ever left the country. We had her passport issued, because otherwise this would not have been possible. She had a great time with her friends, even though they all use sign language to talk to each other.

Alexandra is very dedicated to her speech classes and the results are visible. She has made visible progress. She is able to pronounce more often and better several consonants (such as s, t, g), which are uttered from the throat.

Alexandra is still among the first students in her class. She will finish the 4th grade soon (at the end of June) and will be in the 5th grade, beginning with September 2016.

If in the very beginning Alexandra was a shy girl, who kept to herself most of the time, now she is a happy, outgoing person - all because she can express herself better and better. She is so glad that the people around her can understand her.

As she is about to start school soon, we will keep you updated on how she is doing.

Thank you!                       

“Lord Jesus, thank you for the worldwide Body of Christ,

 that through your Spirit you choose to rally hundreds maybe thousands of believers

around one little girl, because that one little girl matters to you.   Amazing! 

Amen”