FIVE FUN FREE FAMILY THINGS TO DO THIS WEEKEND!!! Aug 24, 25 & 26, 2012

5) FREE COFFEE HOUSE at Enola First Church of God tonight (Fri. Aug. 24) at 7pm Featuring “Randy Simpson”. Refreshments will be served.  A freewill offering will be received. More info: enolacog.com

4)Garden Spot Village in New Holland is showing the movie “Dolphin Tale” tonight (Fri Aug 24) beginning at dusk. The movie,based on a true story will be shown on the 40-foot-high Turkey Hill screen. Tune in to the soundtrack on your car radio or listen to the outdoor sound system. More info: 717-355-6000

3)  A Community Family Fun day tomorrow (Sat. Aug. 25th) at Christ United Methodist Church in Yorkana. fun, food, fellowship and activities.  More info: 717-755-3998

2) 46th Annual Lititz Springs Park Antique Show tomorrow (Sat. Aug. 25th)  9am-4pm  Outdoor antique and collectibles show. No admission fee.   More info: 717-626-4573

1) Zion Lutheran Church Peach Festival in Kutztown tomorrow (Sat. Aug. 25th) from 4-9pm.  Homemade food, games, and music.  The festival helps support a variety of charities, including Habitat for Humanity, Care Net, and the Potato Project, More info: 610-683-6853

JOHN SHIRK – From Deuteronomy 3:22.

Moses commanded Joshua, concerning opposing kingdoms, “Do not be afraid of them; the LORD your God himself will fight for you.”

Before uttering these words, Moses reminded Joshua of how the LORD had helped the Israelites to defeat two kings. He used past victories to encourage Joshua that more victories were coming.

For Joshua to move forward, he needed to have faith in God. That is what keeps us moving forward in the face of adversity too.

Faith gives us courage to overcome fear.

Faith keeps us moving forward in God’s plan for our lives.

Faith relies on God in the midst of our battles.

Today, our struggle may not be with an opposing army, but we are engaged in spiritual battles day after day. That is why the words of Moses to Joshua are relevant for us as well. “Do not be afraid of them; the LORD your God himself will fight for you.” Ephesians 6:10 urges us to “be strong in the Lord, and in his mighty power.” This will happen as we use the full armor of God in the midst of our spiritual battles.

Courageous faith is a vital sign of a changed life in the Year of Transformation.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Tune in all day Wednesday, August 29th, for a Sweet Frog Winning Wednesday!  We’ll give away lots of Sweet Frog Prize Packs!  Each one includes a Sweet Frog Tshirt, a plush toy of one of their mascots (“Scoop” or “Cookie”), and a $10 gift card to use at either the Lancaster or York location!  Keep us on speed dial: 717-392-FM90 (3690)!

Sweet Frog premium frozen yogurt stores offer a bright, positive, family-friendly environment where customers can create their own desserts from a variety of soft serve flavors and toppings!  The “Frog” in Sweet Frog stands for “Fully Rely On God”.  Sweet Frog was founded on the principles of Christianity and aims to bring happiness and a positive attitude into the lives of customers.  Learn more about Sweet Frog here!

Saturday is the day for my long runs.  I’m training to run my first half marathon in November and am following a training plan each week to help me accomplish my goal of finishing.  (I have no visions of speed or any sort of ranking… just survival and finishing well).   About 3/4 of a mile into my run, I came across a church group handing out water.    I was pretty excited because I keep forgetting that I should have water along on these longer runs and I knew that I could use it.  So, I smiled and took the water they cheerfully supplied as I continued running by.    Fast forward about an hour.  I had run my first 6 mile run and was slowing down into a cool down walk.   I was tired , thirsty and a little sore.   As I approached the area where the church group had been handing out water,  I saw that they were still there, but I also knew that they had already given me a water earlier, so I planned to just keep plugging away until I got home.  I even heard one lady say, “Hey we saw her run by here earlier!”.     When I went to keep walking by, they said “Are you thirsty?”  I said “Yes, but you already gave me some water earlier, and thank you!”  But they held out a water for me anyway and said “God Bless You”.     I know, such a little thing … but what a blessing it was!

As a body of believers who desire to represent Jesus … are we offering cold water to the thirsty?  Is it conditional?  When someone needs us do we think, “I’ve already helped you recently””

Last night I was visiting a friend and their child at the hospital.  The little girl was feeling very sick and kept asking her dad for more sips of water, sometimes after he had just put the cup down.  He lovingly gave her a drink whenever she asked.

Jesus never tires of lifting the cup to our lips.  He doesn’t mind our constant thirst, in fact, it pleases His heart that we ask Him and that He can provide for us.

How can we be Jesus to the thirsty today?    Are we inviting Him to satisfy our own thirsty hearts?

Some thoughts on thirst for you this week.

 This week, when you comment on our blogs at www.WJTL.com, you will automatically be entered to win the “Courageous” motion picture soundtrack!  It inclues songs by Casting Crowns, Third Day, Brandon Heath, Building 429, John Waller, Tenth Avenue North, Sanctus Real and Mark Harris–plus, bonus tracks from the film score!  So, see what we’re blogging about–and leave your comments!

FIVE FUN FREE FAMILY THINGS TO DO THIS WEEKEND!!! Aug 17, 18 and 19, 2012

5) Peach Festival at Cedar Grove Presbyterian Church in East Earl tomorrow (Sat. Aug. 18) from 7:30AM-1PM.  Book and bake sale, white elephant, crafts and silent auction, Breakfast and lunch available.  More info: 717-354-5573.

4)Touch a Truck – an interactive hands-on experience children  to see, touch, and explore a variety of working trucks and vehicles seen in everyday life, up close and personal. Colonial Park Community Baptist Church in Harrisburg tomorrow (Sat. Aug. 18) from 9AM-Noon. Vehicles will include a police car, fire truck, tow truck, garbage truck, and more.
More info: 717-545-3261

3) Winterstown United Methodist Church in Felton is having a Community Back to School Family Fun Day Saturday (August 18) from 10am – 2pm.  Emergency vehicles, games, inflatable rides, food and schools supplies for children in daycare and grades K thru 6th grade.  More Info: 717-244-1984.

2) Free Family Concert featuring Steven Courtney tomorrow (Saturday August 18) 11am at the Adams-Ricci Park in East Pennsboro. Door prizes, fun activities for kids, and free stuff! More info: 717-683-7275

1) The Movie “October baby” will be showing tomorrow and Sunday (August 18 & 19) at 7pm at Life Streams Productions in Ronks.   A freewill offering will be recieved, no reservations needed, More Information: (717) 687-4263

JOHN SHIRK – from Isaiah 35, verse 10.

“The ransomed of the LORD will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.”

This happens when the glory of God is revealed, and people’s limitations are lifted. The blind will see. The deaf will hear. The mute will speak. The land also will bloom with thriving vegetation. God will save His people.  Tears of pain will be replaced by songs of joy. The Lord is able to do this, and will act in the future to make this happen for those who have been redeemed by Christ.

Until that day comes, we can offer words of encouragement to those with fearful hearts that God is still on the throne. He has not forgotten His people or His promises. He will be back, and when He returns, He will defeat His foes, and establish a new world for His followers.

Confidence in God’s promises is a vital sign of a changed life in the Year of Transformation.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – From Galatians 6:9 and 10.

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”

There are a number of factors that might cause us to become weary in doing good:

Working long hours.

A feeling that our best efforts are not making a difference.

Discouragement from criticisms of others.

Having a complaining spirit.

The Apostle Paul is saying to us that there is purpose to our activity, and the good that we do for the glory of God is making a difference whether we see it or not. If we keep on doing the things God is calling us to do, we will eventually reap the blessings that come with faithful service. The Bible challenges us to go beyond our own interests to consider the interests and needs of others, and then enter their world with a helping hand.

Faithful service is a vital sign of a changed life in the Year of Transformation.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – From Jeremiah 7, verse 3.

“This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel says: ‘Reform your ways and your actions, and I will let you live in this place.’”

This was a message to people who gathered to worship at the temple.

They felt that there was some kind of protective hedge around them. Since they were God’s chosen people, nothing bad would happen to them. However, they were more vulnerable than they thought. Their hearts were in need of revival. Reforms were needed in their society. God was not only telling the people that they needed to reform, but He was also getting specific with where the reforms were needed. He said, “If you really change your ways and your actions and deal with each other justly, if you do not oppress the alien, the fatherless or the widow and do not shed innocent blood in this place, and if you do not follow other gods to your own harm, then I will let you live in this place.”

Sometimes when we cruise along through our daily schedule, it’s easy to start taking God’s blessings for granted, whether they be  relationships, or the things God has provided for us. Taking God’s blessings for granted paves the way for squandered opportunities. But if we can remember to be thankful to God for His blessings, we will be in a much better place to take care of what God has given us.

Actions that express respect for people and reverence for God are vital signs of a changed life in the Year of Transformation.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com