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From: ptl@fluke.UUCP (Mike Andrews)
Newsgroups: net.religion.christian
Subject: To my Christian Family --- What's God doing for and through you?
Message-ID: <2408@cal-asd.fluke.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 5-Nov-85 16:06:18 EST
Article-I.D.: cal-asd.2408
Posted: Tue Nov  5 16:06:18 1985
Date-Received: Wed, 6-Nov-85 00:54:13 EST
Distribution: na
Organization: John Fluke Mfg. Co., Inc., Everett, WA
Lines: 93


Hi,

Thought it'd be fun to hear from my Christian Family as to the works
God is Personally doing for each of you and through you.  Also,
maybe we could share some of what our various denominations are doing -
what all our parts are doing for the One Body we are in Christ.
What do you think?  It would be great to put on this net for everyone
to enjoy.

You've already heard how God has His Hand in the purchase of our new house,
and the purchase of the car.  Nice to see that God wants to help in every
area of our lives.  Also how He kept us safe on our Canadian vacation:
like the car starting up again after dieing in front of a logging truck
coming at us down the side of a mountain - later found we had a shot fuel pump.
Also found we had traveled the 1500+ miles with a bad water pump, not losing
any water, though the mechanic says the fan wobbled over an inch when he
checked it on our return.  [All I know how to do is change the oil and filter,
put water in the windshield washer, and air in the tires - *not* your basic
car buff.]  There are many more things, bigger and smaller that
God is teaching my wife and myself about.  Growing up is tough stuff.
Your prayers are requested and deeply appreciated.  You are in mine.

As for Church - my wife and I are Roman Catholics.  We enjoy working as
Eucharistic ministers, and sometimes I get the opportunity to lector.
The Roman Catholic church has changed much in the last 20 years, very much
for the better.  As Eucharistic ministers, people get to help the priest
distribute communion during Mass, and take it to the homebound or sick.
Since communion during the Mass is now given in most parishes in both forms,
bread and wine, the priest needs all the help he can get.  As a lector,
I get to read two of three Bible passages read during Mass, the priest
reads a passage from one of the Gospels.  My best friend
Bob is on the parish council, and our parish has a very active one.  The
council makes financial decisions, helps set school and parish policies,
and in general works with the priests to keep things running as smoothly
as possible.  And we all know how smooth that can be at times?

Many parishes have activity groups that set up Bible studies [yes,
contrary to popular belief, Roman Catholics do know what a Bible
looks like :-) ; even the different versions], discussion groups
focusing on current topics, joint groups with other denominations
to see our similarities and build on our common beliefs (Jesus is our Lord,
and He is our salvation; we can't earn Heaven, or buy it; and a living
faith will show itself in work for the Lord).  Some parishes are
even starting up home groups, to increase the family aspect of Church.

Kris and I are also involved in the Charismatic Renewal, believing that
the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is real, and just as much for today as
when our Lord first sent His Spirit on the Apostles.  There are many
parishes with non-denominational prayer groups, Bible study groups, and
some with prayer and healing ministries.  I also work with a group
under the legal title of Catholic Evangelistic Outreach.  We put on
the Jesus Weekends I've mentioned before.  In the past 2-1/2 years
God has put on over 54 Jesus Weekends.  We'll go anywhere we're invited,
for free, where the pastor or minister in charge approves and there is a
group committed to do follow up.  Everyone on the team is an unpaid volunteer.
The fliers, equipment, etc are all paid for by donations.  The head of
Catholic Evangelistic Outreach is Episcopalean, the music ministry is
Episcopalean, Four Square, and Roman Catholic (on occasion --- we don't
have many good singers.  This is not a result of being Roman Catholic,
it's just that this bunch doesn't sing so hot.  But the way I figure it,
if God wanted to hear us sing with better voices, He'd have given them
to us.  So He must enjoy it.), and the rest of the team is
Roman Catholic.  It is GREAT!  God has put together a real family here.

So there's one input ... how about yours?  The intent isn't to show one
upsmanship or anything of the kind.  Anyone serving God knows
God doesn't work through perfect people, He works through sinners
like you and me.  That shows just how great His Power is, He chooses to do
great things through weak and sinful people; and also shows just how deep
His unconditional Love is, that He chooses to help a weak and sinful people
come to Him to share in His undeserved Blessings.  What a God - there is
no other!

God Bless,

Mike Andrews
-- 

******************************************************************************

   God said He would never leave me nor forsake me, and that I am His temple.

		          A man is what he thinks.

A body led by the soul is only 2/3 of a person : the soul tries to get rid of
			        the spirit.
A body led by the spirit is a whole person : the spirit works to make the soul
    help the body.  And a spirit led by God the Holy Spirit is invincible.

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