One thing I've looked forward to since when I was a teenager is coming home to my kids who are so excited to see their daddy!  This picture was taken at Vanessa's parents house ... I was walking up to the front door, not paying attention, when I was startled by banging on the door.  I looked up and Maddie is hitting the door in excitement!  I went from not paying attention to having etched into my memory an unforgettable moment!  The German Shepherd beside her is named Charger ... Maddie loves him and he loves her!  One of his ears is the size of her face! 

 

Just after graduating from NC State, it snowed one night.  Everything was closed the next day.  My roommates and I awoke and immediately rushed to hang out with some of our favorite gals.  Upon arrival at their house, I found one of them, wearing these cute blue-frame glasses, reading Job 38:22 and Psalm 51:7 and the surrounding verses.  She was keeping God first despite the temptation to immediately play outside.  I was busted because I rushed right over.  When she was playing in the snow minutes later, she had perspective.  I had painfully cold fingers.  Her name is Vanessa.  I married her!  As you can tell, moments like these leave quite a memorable impression.  Keep God a priority on these mornings, whether this means reading God's Word or safely 'braving' the roads for the sake of fellowship.  Whether snow or an earthquake, God must be worshiped. 

Harvest family and friends,

I know you are greatly grieved by the tragedy of what is occurring in Haiti as a result of the earthquake late Tuesday afternoon.


Harvest is responding.  Late yesterday afternoon, I spent 45 minutes on a video conference call with James MacDonald (the Senior Pastor of ‘Big Harvest’ in Chicago) and many of the 44 other Harvest Bible Chapels.  We will be combining our resources of prayer and giving to help the churches in  Haiti respond to the massive spiritual, physical, and emotional need.  We will have an extended time of prayer for Haiti on Sunday morning as well as take an additional offering for  Haiti at the end of the service, so come prepared for both.  I know you’ll be generous with both.

Harvest Bible Fellowship, in conjunction with Acts 29 (another church planting fellowship), will be launching a ministry called, “Churches Helping Churches.”  Here’s why: millions and likely billions of relief aid will pour into Haiti during the next months.  This is wonderful and good for the character of the world.  As a result, roads, homes, schools, and businesses will be rebuilt.  But what will not be rebuilt?  Churches.  Christians and church building were crushed, making difficult the ministry of churches which, as you know, contribute the most holistic type of healing available on this hurting planet … spiritual healing.  People in the West come to Christ most readily and aggressively in the midst of tragedy because what they once trusted has crumbled.  This is quite an opportunity for Christians in Haiti and we must help them.

Galatians 6:10 says, “So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.”  We are to reach out to everyone, but we are to especially love other Christians.

I will lead us in a time of corporate prayer.  Might God answer our holy roar.

Make out checks to “Harvest Bible Chapel North Raleigh” as usual, but insert “Churches Helping Churches” in the memo line.  We, together with many other Harvest Bible Chapels, will compile the giving from this separate offering and will forward the giving to Harvest Bible Fellowship so that Harvest can help churches in Haiti.

This is a great opportunity to bring your co-workers and friends to church who are looking for a way to help Haiti.  They will hear of the best way to help Haiti.

I will also speak briefly about what the Bible says about suffering of this magnitude and how we are to respond.

Pray hard and share their grief,

mike