We've got a really great win story from our Men's Pastor, Kevin Howard.
In this video Kevin explains the heart behind Men's Ministry and how discipleship and
intentional relationship is changing lives.
Here's a video from Jim Booth, our High School STAND Pastor.
Watch and see how the Holy Spirit can work and overcome,
despite our efforts and mistakes. =)
This article was written in December by Melissa Sharon. She’s a LIFER, wife, mom and blogger. Thanks Melissa for sharing with us!
Francis Chan, author of Crazy Love, came and spoke at church last month shortly before Thanksgiving.
He spoke on giving, from what God has given us, to show people the crazy love that God has for them. I sat there inspired, and yet a little irritated.
Let me explain.
Here's this guy who is a renowned speaker, author and pastor. He has money. And he's able to do these amazing things for people...absolutely amazing things. I found myself sitting in my chair thinking, "I would do those amazing things too if I had money like that."
And then I was reminded, in the stillness of that moment, of the story where the master gave his three servants money. He gave one a bunch, one a reasonable amount, and one just a bit. The man with a bunch multiplied his money as did the one with the reasonable amount. But the one with just a bit, he just buried his money. He did nothing with it.
This last year with all the financial struggles my family has gone through with this economy, I feel like I've been wrestling with God to give me more. I feel like that third servant who has been so afraid to do anything with what God has given me in fear of squandering what I have. I've struggled with my comfort, and allowing my desire for comfort to come before my service to God.
As I continued listening to Francis, I realized that I have been called to be faithful with what God has given me. No, we haven't been given tons of money. But we have been given enough, and I was determined to use it to show others God's love.
So, on Thanksgiving the kids and I delivered cookies and brownies to firefighters, police officers and nurses who had to work on Thanksgiving instead of spending it with their families. I decided to do this, because God has given me food - and the ability to bake. And maybe, possibly, a warm cookie (and I must say my cookies are quite good) by a kind stranger might make their hearts softer towards the Lord. I don't know, but I felt like it's what I could do - and so I obeyed. And it was the most amazing Thanksgiving I have ever had.
Since then, my husband's job has become more in jeopardy as it looks like his company will be going out of business soon. My husband has also started getting sick again with a chronic illness that is very unpredictable. And just a few weeks before Christmas.
Oh that comfort. How my flesh so badly wants to grab whatever tangible thing I can and hold onto it for dear life. But really, right now, the tangible things aren't seeming as important anymore. The things I can't touch are what's seeming priceless - and even though my flesh is scared, I'm so amazed at God's crazy, crazy, CRAZY love for me, and I find peace in that.
People who I hardly know are calling me to minister to my family in ways that I haven't even spoken a need. My husband and I have had many moments the last few days where we just look at each other speechless on how God is providing for us.
And I know we are going to be ok.
And it makes me want to give from what God has given me. I want to multiply what I have by giving it away. I want so badly to be a good steward of what is in me that it is burning inside me.
So what does that look like for me?
You know that Christmas song, "The Little Drummer boy?" There is a part where it says, "I'm just a poor boy too, I have no gift to bring that's fit to give the King, shall I play for you on my drum?"
God gave him the gift of music - and so he gave...
God gave me the ability to bake. So I will give.
He's given me the ability to be kind. So I will give.
He's given me hope. So I will give.
He's given me love. So I will give.
He has given me everything that I need - so I will give...and it may just be a smile, or an encouraging word, or a plate of cookies. It may be a small gift, or a ride to a doctors appointment, or a warm meal. But I can give - so that others can experience a taste of God's crazy love for them, because I have tasted and seen that the Lord is good and that He loves me, in a crazy kind of way.
From the jungle by Melissa Sharon
Hey Lifers, we’ve got a little story for you. Our team, “The Bulletin Stuffers” had a Christmas party celebrating another great year of service for our church. This team ranges from 14-24 people and consists of volunteers who help stuff the bulletins to be used each weekend at services.
The “Bulletin Stuffers” meet every Friday morning; you’ll recognize the rowdy bunch all dressed in red in our lobby around 9:00 am. The group is fiercely in support of our troops. In fact, they wear their bright red t-shirts every week under the premise of “Wear your red shirt on Fridays, ‘til the troops come home.”
From 9 to 9:30 am is coffee and fellowship time, then at 9:30 am they have a short devotion and prayer time and the stuffing begins; they are usually wrapped up by 11am. Then as Monday morning rolls around, some of these same folks meet again at 8:30 am to ‘unstuff’ the bulletins and recycle any unused paperwork.
This ministry is crucial for serving our church; they work together as a small group and have strong relationship. It’s also an excellent starting place for many people who have never volunteered or served at Real Life to get in and “get their feet wet” serving for the first time.
Let’s celebrate this group LIFERS! This is a big church, where lots of ministry happens…and it takes us all doing our part to keep it running! If you would like any information on this group or would like to volunteer call the church office at 777-7325.
This past summer God used a handful of volunteers and a quarter acre of land to grow over 5,000 pounds of fresh produce. This food helped to feed our benevolence program and food room, area food rooms, and put food on the table for some of our very own ministry programs.
Not only is the Community Garden a place where relationships can be developed, but it's a wonderful way to gain new skill and get families and homegroups involved in an encouraging way to serve people.
We are currently getting the garden ready for winter, and would love some help with that process. We are also making plans for next year's garden.
We have acres of land, a big need, and an even bigger God...Jesus said the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few...if you feel the desire to help please contact Rex in Benevolence and he can get you connected into helping with the Community Garden.
This past September the Real Life Men's Golf Ministry put together a golf tournament with all proceeds going to benefit the Real Life Benevolence Ministry.
The Benevolence Ministry is a crucial part of the ministry we are able to do here at Real Life. They provide food and financial assistance to over 500 families in our area every month. They provide a safe place for people to get a warm meal, some financial help, clothing, food to stock cupboards, and people are meeting Jesus and getting baptized every week through this ministry.
The Golf Ministry worked hard to make this tournament successful, they had a desire to feed, clothe and provide for more families and as a result, bring more people to Jesus. Over 50 players were involved in the tournament, which included 18 holes of play, a dinner and an auction. All 18 holes on the course were sponsored by local businesses, and 25 donors gave prizes to the auction.
The Golf Ministry had set an original goal of raising $2,000....and God blew that out of the water. Watch the video to see how much was raised, the people God used to help serve, and get a glimpse of the ministry that benefited from all the hard work.
Plans are in action for next year's tournament...can't wait to hear how God works next!
Here at Real Life we are all about relationships, connecting in Home Groups etc. Question: Do you have people who care about you, and if so, how far would they go to help you in your time of need?
An RLM father and daughter got the answer to those questions this week.
Matt Gering took his daughter Kia (ki-ya) hunting for the first time Sunday but failed to return on Monday. Little did anyone know, but Matt’s truck had a flat tire and he had no lug wrench with him and his 4 wheeler wouldn’t start
Here’s what happened next:
Tuesday
April, Matt’s fiancé contacts local authorities to report them missing.
April contacts Home Group Leaders W.D. & Paula Wegner
Paula & W.D. send out prayer requests to H.G. members and the church
Shoshone Cty. Sheriff contacted by local officer, who contact Shoshone Search & Rescue
Matt and Kia (Ki-ya) run out of food they had been rationing.
Wednesday
Paula sends out prayer request to RLM and Home Group Members and contacts KXLY news
W.D. drops everything packs all that he thinks will be needed in the wilderness
Christine May (H.G. member) contacts RLM who donates food and $ assistance from our Lifelines/Benevolence Ministry to set up a Base Camp Cooking Station and heads up to St. Maries with W.D. and April to feed the volunteers.
Search & Rescue sends out request for 4 wheelers and snow mobiles (snow on ground 2 ft.)
RLM Members and staff offer food, housing, supplies, 4 wheelers, snow mobiles, etc.
Matt leaves Kia (ki-ya) in truck and heads out to find food. Less than a mile from truck he shoots a 5 point ELK. They survive on Elk back strap and snow.
KXLY News runs story of “Missing Hunter” with pictures of Matt, Kia (ki-ya) & truck. A local man is watching & remembers seeing them around the Dismal Peak area outside Avery, ID.
Thursday a.m.
Christine and W.D. serve breakfast to 50 volunteers
Local man contacts authorities and gives location where he saw their vehicle.
Fairchild Air Force Base sends out helicopter.
Matt makes decision to walk the 6 miles to main road.
RLM Staff receives text Matt and Kia (ki-ya) were spotted.
10 minutes later Matt and Kia (ki-ya) are on way back to Base Camp in good physical condition.
Celebration at camp is full of tears, hugs, joy, laughter, and prayerful thanks
Saturday, Matt’s home group will be meeting for a time of celebration.
Matt: “I knew someone would come. But, God gave Kia (ki-ya) and I an opportunity to re-establish our relationship. He had a plan!”
April: “God was my strength through all of this.”
Thanks to our church and Home Group, you’ve saved our lives more than once!
.png)
