Psalm 7

O Lord my God, I take refuge in you;
save and deliver me from all who pursue me,
or they will tear me like a lion
and rip me to pieces with no one to rescue me.
O Lord my God, if I have done this
and there is guilt on my hands-
if I have done evil to him who is a at peace with me
or without cause have robbed my foe-
then let my enemy pursue and overtake me;
let him trample my life to the ground
and make me sleep in the dust.
Arise, O Lord, in your anger;
rise up against the rage of my enemies.
Awake, my God; decree justice.
Let the assembled peoples gather around you.
Rule over them from on high;
let the Lord judge the peoples.
Judge me, O Lord, according to my righteousness,
according to my integrity, O Most High.
O righteous God,
who searches minds and hearts,
bring to an end the violence of the wicked
and make the righteous secure.
My shield is God Most High,
who saves the upright in heart.
God is a righteous judge,
a God who expresses his wrath every day.
If he does not relent,
he will sharpen his sword,
he will bend and string his bow.
He has prepared his deadly weapons;
he makes ready his flaming arrows.
He who is pregnant with evil
and conceives trouble gives birth to disillusionment.
He who digs a hole and scoops it out
falls into the pit he has made.
The trouble he causes recoils on himself;
his violence comes down on his own head.
I will give thanks to the Lord because of His righteousness
and will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High.

Blessings to Geurink family as they go.....

Tomorrow is the concert!! Tickets are still available at communityreformed.org or at the Zeeland Christian School office(cash,check). Call me, 748-6267, or email toniajbk@hotmail.com if you would like a block of seats for a group(10 or more) for $15 each. Tickets are available at the door if you prefer for $20. Proceeds go to Mission 1:27 to help families fund adoption/foster care.

Truth Pandemic

Truth Pandemic

World AIDS Day and Project HOPEFUL

World AIDS Day and Project HOPEFUL

Concert with Mark Schultz/Downhere

Mark your calenders for a date night on December 4 to kick off the holiday. Mission 1:27 is bringing Mark Schultz and Downhere to Community Reformed Church for an amazing Christmas concert experience. Proceeds from this event will not only help finance adoptions but promote awareness of the need for families able to care for a foster/adopted child. So, invite your neighbors and coworkers to this event to support the needs of 147 million orphans around the world. Get your tickets now at itickets.com or communityreformed.org

Living a Life That Matters

Think of Me

I Love This!!

"Life shouldn't be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather, to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly shouting.....Wow! What a ride! Thank you Lord!!" ~author unknown

Domestic Adoption/Foster Care

Mission 1:27 has teamed up with Bethany Christian Services and has scheduled a foster care and domestic adoption orientation for all families who are considering either domestic adoption or foster care in the state of michigan. This orientation is a required FIRST step in the process. Please consider joining us in the journey to bring children to their forever families. We will meet on Tuesday, November 3rd in room C165 at Central Wesleyan Church in Holland Michigan. We will meet from 6-9pm. Please call Alison Maat at 748-1366 or maat@charter.net to register or with any questions.

Tickets on sale tomorrow for Mark Schultz!

Tickets go on sale, Monday, October 25 @
http://www.itickets.com/events/252102/Zeeland_MI/How_Many_Kings_Tour.html $15.00 group tickets for 10 or more, $17.00 Reserved seats, $20.00 at the door, and $25.00 Gold Circle.

Show is December 4 at 7pm at Community Ref. Church/proceeds to MISSION 1:27 Adoption and Orphan Care ministry

What if you never heard the truth?

I was recently introduced to OneVerse, an organization dedicated to changing lives through God's Word. There are still MANY people groups out there who do not have the Word of God available to them in their own language. They are living, generation after generation without HOPE. This is so sad, they don't know what Jesus did for them because we haven't brought them the Good News yet. We are God's disciples now.......the remnant of what was multiplied by the original twelve. When I think of it this way, I really want to make this a priority in my life. What is more important than reaching everyone with the Good News? We have grown so callous because we've heard it over and over....if we don't know what the Bible says, it's because our Bible collects dust on the shelf. ....numerous versions of the Bible in our language! Remember what we are commanded in Matthew 24:14 - And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. This is an opportunity to fulfull the great commission--How are you making an impact in the world? ......and thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else's foundation, but as it is written, "Those who have never been told of him will see, and those who have never heard will understand." -Romans 15:20-21 So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.-Isaiah 55:11

Thy will be done.........

This is a cause worth living for. It is a cause worth dying for. It is a cause worthy of moving urgently on. We have the gospel of Christ in us, and we do not have time to waste. Some wonder if it is unfair for God to allow so many to have no knowledge of the gospel. But there is no injustice in God. The injustice lies in Christians who possess the gospel and refuse to give their lives to making it known among those who haven't heard. That is unfair. I find it interesting that one of the most common questions asked today among Christians is "What is God's will for my life?" or "How do I find God's will for my life?" Many Christians have almost assumed the attitude that they would obey God if he would just show them what He wanted them to do. The answer is clear. The will of God is for you and me to give our lives urgently and recklessly to making the gospel and the glory of God known among all peoples, particularly those who have never even heard of Jesus. The question therefore, is not "Can we find God's will?" The question is "Will we obey God's will?" Will we refuse to sit back and wait for some tingly feeling to go down our spines before we rise up and do what we have already been commanded to do? Will we risk everything-our comfort, our possessions, our safety, our security, our very lives-to make the gospel known among unreached peoples? Such rising up and such risk taking are the unavoidable, urgent results of a life that is radically abandoned to Jesus. David Platt, Radical, Multnomah Books 2010, 159-160.

Troop Carrier or Luxury Liner ~RADICAL

The language of Matthew 10 envisions Jesus as a military commander sending soldiers out on a mission. He summoned His disciples and then sent them out. In light of the needs before them and the danger around them, the disciples knew they were entering into battle. In the late 1940's, the US government commissioned William Francis Gibbs to work with United States Lines to construct an 80 million dollar carrier for the navy. The purpose was to construct a ship that could speedily carry fifteen thousand troops during times of war. By 1952 the SS United States was complete, the fastest and most reliable troop carrier in the world. The only catch is, the ship was put on standby once during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, but otherwise she was never used in all her capacity by the U.S. Navy. Instead the SS United States became a luxury liner for presidents, heads of state, and a variety of other celebrities who traveled on her during her seventeen years of service. Things look radically different on a luxury liner than they do on a troop carrier. The faces of soldiers preparing for battle and those of patrons enjoying their bonbons are radically different. The pace at which the troop carrier moves is by necessity much faster than that of the luxury liner. After all, the troop carrier has an urgent task to accomplish; the luxury liner, on the other hand, is free to enjoy the trip. The church, like the SS United States has been designed for battle. The purpose of the church is to mobilize a people to accomplish a mission. Yet we seem to have turned the church as troop carrier into the church as luxury liner. We seem to have organized ourselves, not to engage in battle for souls of peoples around the world, but to indulge ourselves in the peaceful comforts of the world. This makes me wonder what would happen if we looked squarely in the face of a world with 4.5 billion people going to hell and twenty six thousand children dying of starvation and preventable diseases each day, and we decided it was time to move this ship into battle instead of sitting back on the pool deck waiting for staff to serve us. Are we willing to obey the orders of Christ? Are we willing to be like Him? Are we willing to risk our lives to go to great need and to great danger-whether it's in the inner cities around us, the difficult neighbor across the street, the disease-ridden communities in Africa, or the hostile regions in the Middle East? Are we willing to fundamentally alter our understanding of Christianity from a luxury liner approach that seeks more comforts in the world to a troop carrier approach that forsakes comforts in the world to accomplish an eternally significant task and achieve an eternally satisfying reward? David Platt, Radical, (Multnomah Books, 2010) 169-171.

Radical-Food for Thought Continued.....

Some more thoughts to ponder from Radical by David Platt: God asked me, "What are you going to do with what I have given you? How are you going to use your influence, your leadership, and your resources in the world around you?"
A couple in their early seventies were presented with a plethora of options for what to do together during their retirement. In response they chose an uncommon path: Disaster relief after Katrina, feeding the hungry in Nigeria, cooking for the hungry in Sri Lanka amidst rebel fighting. The man said, "What else am I going to do with my retirement? I just want to tell as many people about the gospel as I can." People like this believe they were created for more than a Christian spin on the American Dream. They believe the purpose of their lives is deeper than having a nice job, raising a decent family, living a comfortable life, and tacking church attendance onto the end of it. They believe God has shown them great grace in order that he might use them to accomplish the glorious, global, God-exalting purpose that has been primary since the beginning of time, and they don't want to settle for anything less than radical abandonment to that purpose. Sounds idealistic, I know. Impact the world. But doesn't it also sound biblical?

RADICAL - Food for Thought:)

I hunger for biblical truth. With all the cultural, denominational differences in theology, several years ago God directed me to His Word. Since then, I've devoured the Bible, praying for God to reveal to me the truths I am to run this life with. Along the way, He has continually placed books which expound upon the truths He lays on my heart. Radical by David Platt is the most recent of these. I'll give you a few things from it to chew on today.......The Bible does not teach that wealth alone implies unrighteousness or warrants condemnation. The rich man in the story is not in hell because he had money. Instead, he is in hell because he lacked faith in God, leading him to indulge in luxuries while ignoring the poor outside his gate. As a result, earth was his heaven, and eternity became his hell. Regardless of what we say or sing or study on Sunday morning, rich people who neglect the poor are not the people of God.
Like the rich man in Mark 10, every Christian has to wrestle with what Jesus is calling us to do with our resources as we follow Him. Are we willing to ask God if he wants us to sell everything we have and give the money to the poor? Are we willing to ask and wait for an answer instead of providing one of our own or justifying our ideas of why he would never tell us to do this? This seems a bit radical, but isn't it normal and expected when we follow a Master who said, "Any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple"? Jesus never intended to be one voice among many counseling us on how to lead our lives and use our money. He always intends to be the voice that guides whatever decisions we make in our lives and with our money. There is never going to be a day when I stand before God and He looks at me and says, 'I wish you would have kept more for yourself.'

Christmas Concert Coming to Community:)

We are excited to announce that Mark Schultz (featuring Downhere & introducing Alli Rogers) will be performing his 'How Many Kings' Christmas Concert on December 4th at 7:00pm at Community Ref. Church in Zeeland! Mark Schultz is a great adoption advocate and perfect for MISSION 1:27's first concert fundraiser. All proceeds from this event will benefit our MISSION 1:27 families to support adoption and orphan care. So, reserve the date, plan a date night with your spouse or a child, or take the whole family to this event. More info to come, concert will be advertised on JQ99 as well. Just wanted to give you all a heads up. Hope to see you there:)

Fundraiser-104th/Quincy NE corner (Hunter's Creek Sub.garage sale open same day:))

We will open the grey barn sale again this Friday at 9 a.m. Many more items have been added to the sale including: Little Tykes kitchen, Little Tykes gym, butterfly rug, crib, car seat, 2 full crib sets(one has lamp and mobile), books, cds, movies, valances, clothes(Columbia vest, MiniBoden rugby, HannaAndersson velvet christmas top/skirt/leggings, Naartjie velvet Christmas outfit and so much more!

Also available, NEW, MISSION 1:27, 3/4 sleeve baseball t's...$5

All $ will go to the VanderZwaag and Geurink families:)

Anita Geurink is clearing out her basement getting ready for the move to Beautiful Gate in 2 months! These items have been added to the sale so come and help the Geurinks clear out their excess baggage on Friday!! Hope to see you there:)

Hope Restored Tour - October 17

Join us at this awesome, local, Christian music event. We have been given the privilege of selling concessions at this concert to raise $ for our MISSION 1:27 families! Come enjoy the music(and the candy!) and support a worthy cause at the same time:)

Community Reformed Church on Felch in Holland/Zeeland
October 17 at 7:30


http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1619414409137&ref=nf

Considering Adoption or Foster Care?

"If You Were Mine", is a workshop by Family Life for any families who have considered adoption or foster care. It will be begin, Wednesday, Sept. 15th from 6:30-8 at Central Wesleyan Church. Childcare is provided. For more information email; maat@charter.net

This program is a wonderful resource to discover if God is calling you to adopt or foster a child. Hope to see you there:)

The Sale

Thank you to all the donors and shoppers who made the sale a success. $1733 was raised on Friday and Saturday! We have a decent amount of items left and will open the grey barn again on Thursday for any shoppers or donors who would like to stop by and support adoption.

Fundraising Sale - September 10 & 11

What: Yard/garage style Fundraiser
When: September 10th and 11th, 8:30 a.m.
Why: Help the VanderZwaag family bring home Luisa
Where: Quincy & 104th corner, big grey barn

• Drop off donations (priced or not, it's up to you), Sept. 9 after 4:00. at the grey barn. We will be there setting up that evening.
• If you don't have anything to donate, make sure to come and shop for a good cause:)
• Donate candy or snacks (Costco,Sam's) for us to sell
• All proceeds from the sale will go to the VanderZwaag's to pay the 'ransom' for Luisa.
• If you have tables we could use please bring them on the 9th as well for set up
• Tell your friends!
• check http://vanderzwaagfamily.blogspot.com for more information about the VZ's.
• Thoughts and suggestions welcome:)
• Hope to see you then!!

The Bible Gives Light-READ IT!

In July our family(minus Kiria) had the opportunity to serve in Guatemala with Grace Ministries. http://www.friendshipfamily.net My most significant experience on that trip, however, didn't include any Guatemalans. Ryan and I, along with our two sons climbed Volcano Pacaya. I didn't think it was a good day to do it(it was pouring rain!), but left the decision to Ryan. We loaded into a van along with the other "tourists". I was in the front center seat between the driver and the guide while Ryan and the boys were somewhere in the back. See, I get a bit of motion sickness, so I sat in the front hoping to feel well enough to enjoy the climb after 2 hours on curvy, bumpy mountainous roads. We stopped and picked up additional "tourists" two or three times and by the last stop we were PACKED in. It was then that the guide got out to let the boarding gentleman sit in front next to me while his wife squeezed in back. This was going to be quite a ride so I started chatting with the man right away. He was a retired school teacher on a two week vacation with his wife from Israel. "Wow, Israel," I said. "I've never met anyone from there." He had a thick Hebrew accent. I excitedly asked questions about what life was like there. He told me of the constant fightng all around them and how they are all required to join the army for a year at 18, even women. I asked if he was a Christian. "No," he said with a chuckle, "I am Jewish. 80 percent of Israel is Jewish". Okay. I know very little about what it means to be Jewish so I wanted to know all about it. I discovered that the Jewish bible consists of only the first 5 books of the old testament(although, this may not be true since he was recalling this from his childhood memories). He didn't really know what he believed either. He told me of the "religious" people throughout Israel. He was referring to their customs and traditions of prayer rituals, dress, rules to be followed and such. He asked if I was "relisous". I said "not in the way you're describing it". I told him Jesus himself hated the Pharisees and Sadduces of His day because of that very thing. They turned people away from Christ by putting greater emphasis on their man-made customs than the actual God breathed Word. This man was turned off by the "religous" people around him. "So what happens to you when you die?", I wondered. He believes death is the end, his body will decay and that's it. I thought, "wow, what is your purpose here right now? You must be livin' it up, getting all you can from this life." I didn't say that though, as he seemed very interested in hearing my take on Jesus' life. I excitedly told him, "you are God's chosen people and there is even going to be a New Jeruselem in Heaven." Surprised, but hopeful, he said, "really?" "Yes, get a Bible and read it for yourself," I encouraged. Pray for Gideon to see the light:)!!
"The entrance of Thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding" Psalm 119:130

"Whoever welcomes a child like this in my name, welcomes Me." Matthew 18:5

We are so excited to introduce two families whom God has called to serve the orphan in different ways. Bryan and Anita Geurink have accepted His call to serve at 'Beautiful Gate', an orphanage in Lesotho, South Africa. They have committed to 5 years there starting as soon as they can raise $175,000 of the $250,000 they need to support their family of 5 for 5 years. To find out more about the Geurink's go to: http://ourbeautifulmission.blogspot.com/
Ryan and Stacy VanderZwaag are in the process of adopting their daughter from Colombia. God has blessed them with the ability to care for their 5 children and have room for one more! Financing an adoption is a huge obstacle for many wonderful families and it is the hope of MISSION 1:27 to help them as much as we can with this burden. To read the VanderZwaag's story go to: http://vanderzwaagfamily.blogspot.com/