Winding down

As we enter the month of May we start winding down. We have one more activity at the student center. May 6, Reading Day, there will be snacks and visiting at the student center from 6:30 till whenever. God bless all our students as they prepare for and take finals.

We need to clean out the student center during the month of May. Everything has to go. We also need to clean. We turn in our keys by the end of the month. If you can help with this work please let Dick know what day(s) are best for you.

Laser Tag

How close to 40 can we get? Laser Tag is happening on Thursday night from 7 to 9 pm. This is taking place at Skateland in Savoy. It will be a fun time. Games take about 10 minutes. 12 people get to play at a time. I am told that there is about a 10 minute turnaround between games. I want to see this turnaround time happen in 5 minutes. :) That way we can get more games in. We'll learn some co-operation. We have time to visit and enjoy each other. It will be a nice break from the studying and work that everyone is doing. Please take a break and join us for a little Laser Tag.

One faith

We are looking at "one faith" tonight during our dinner / devotional. Ephesians 2:8 says, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God." The one faith is a saving faith. We receive God's gift of grace through faith. What does that imply? This chapter in Ephesians tells us that we are dead in our sin. However, God out of his great love for us makes us alive in Christ. God shows us kindness in Christ and takes us from death to life. Are we alive to God? Do we agree with God that we are His workmanship? Are we engaged in the good works that God has prepared for us to do? Are you living the "one faith"?

What a week! Monday I came down with a "cold". I have been sick all week and only did about half of my usual work load. I tried to rest some each day. On Friday I went to the doctor and was put on an antibiotic and cough syrup. Monday evening we came home around 7pm to a sick dog. We took Turbo to the Emergency Room at the U of I. After a couple of hours we came home with meds and a plan to go see our vet on Tuesday morning. The visit to Vet. Med. Emergency Room was made much more enjoyable because Katy, Ryan and Megan went with us. Ryan used it as a learning opportunity. :) On Tuesday our vet didn't give us much hope. After spending an hour with him it was decided that the best thing for Turbo was for us to put him to sleep. It was hard and we are sad but we know this was best. We have received flowers from Ryan & Megan and Jon & Katy. We also have received notes from some in our Christian family. Thanks for your prayers.

Resurrection

I pray that everyone heard a good sermon yesterday on the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This cornerstone truth of our Christianity is essential to our one hope. Those of you who were blessed to be home for Easter missed a good sermon here at Philo Road. Randy did an excellent job of showing the place of the resurrection in our walk with Jesus. The tomb is empty! May we live our life with resurrection hope for this is the one hope of Ephesians 4:4.

Illini for Christ will be hosting a Laser Tag event on April 29. We need 40 participants so start inviting friends. We will invite the teens and young marrieds at Philo Road to join us for the fun. Laser Tag will take place at Skateland in Savoy from 7 to 9 pm. It will be $10 a person.

"one faith" - Jesus tells the story of a persisitent widow in Luke 11:1-8. The point of this parable is stated clearly in verse 1; "You should always pray and not give up." At the end of the parable Jesus ask a question concerning the "one faith" that Illini for Christ are talking about on Thursday evenings. "However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?" The evidence of having this "one faith" is prayer. How often do we teach people to pray? Is prayer a vital part of your walk with Christ? Do you know how to pray? Jesus wants us to excercise our faith by talking to the Father. He has given us access to the Creator, the one God and Father of all. Are you excercising your faith?