Comments on GSLC's Russia Mission

What is Christian leadership? What should a Christian leader be like? There is no finer example for Christian leadership than our Lord Jesus Christ. He declared, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” (John 10:11). It is within this verse that we see the perfect description of a Christian leader. He is one who acts as a shepherd to those “sheep” in his care.

The Christian leader is a feeder and a nourisher of the sheep, and the ultimate “sheep food” is the Word of God. Just as the shepherd leads his flock to the most lush pasture so they will grow and flourish, so the Christian leader nourishes his flock with the only food which will produce strong, vibrant Christians. The Bible—not psychology or the world’s wisdom—is the only diet that can produce healthy Christians. “Man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD” (Deuteronomy 8:3).

The Christian leader comforts the sheep, binding up their wounds and applying the balm of compassion and love. As the great Shepherd of Israel, the Lord Himself promised to “bind up the injured and strengthen the weak” (Ezekiel 34:16). As Christians in the world today, we suffer many injuries to our spirits, and we need compassionate leaders who will bear our burdens with us, sympathize with our circumstances, exhibit patience toward us, encourage us in the Word, and bring our concerns before the Father’s throne.

A final word on Christian leaders comes from the article “Wanted: A Few Good Shepherds (Must Know How to Wash Feet)” by John MacArthur:

“Under the plan God has ordained for the church, leadership is a position of humble, loving service. Church leadership is ministry, not management. Those whom God designates as leaders are called not to be governing monarchs, but humble slaves; not slick celebrities, but laboring servants. Those who would lead God's people must above all exemplify sacrifice, devotion, submission, and lowliness. Jesus Himself gave us the pattern when He stooped to wash His disciples' feet, a task that was customarily done by the lowest of slaves (John 13). If the Lord of the universe would do that, no church leader has a right to think of himself as a bigwig.”

Car broke down, but did it really?

We have been planning a road trip to California for some time now, planning on leaving tomorrow(saturday June 5th). Driving to Sacramento to drop the kids off at Nana's house, Kristi and I are driving to Napa and then to San Francisco and then back to pick up the kids and come home. We purchased a newer vehicle with more room rescently and have been happy with it. Well, today (Friday) Kristi was driving to "Raging Waters" for the kids school day and the car died and would not restart. Needless to say Kristi called me frantic and pretty upset the car died with the kids in it going to "Raging Waters" the day before we were to drive to California. This is where I feel our GOD sighting comes in. Kristi called a friend that happened to be going to also, she picked the kids up, took them to the park while Kristi called Jerry Seiner Chevrolet, a gentlemen answered by the name of Craig. Kristi explained what was going on about going to Raging Waters and he asked her what school our kids went to, Christ Lutheran, well his daughter is in the same class that Griffin is in. Craig expedited a tow truck, got Kristi set up with a rental car so she could get to the park with the kids and if needed we could use the rental car to go on vacation with. Like the subject/title reads: "car broke down, but did it really?" or was it GOD's way of telling us how blessed we are for believing in him and allowing wonderful people to fill our lives. I don't think there is any question that GOD spoke to the Shinall family today. Thank you God for every moment of every day.
God bless,
Robert Shinall

Sweet Life Cafe Women's Retreat

At the Sweet Life Cafe Retreat, May 21-23 at Camp Pinecliff, women not only enjoyed each others company...they also received a little "food for the heart." We all have times when we feel like we don't have anything left to give. And sometimes it goes beyond a feeling. We literally have no more money, no more energy, no more time, no more compassion, no more patience. We are empty!

At this retreat we were able to recharge and refuel. We discovered that Jesus is the bread of life and can fill us back up. Taking time to sit at His feet and spend time with Him allows us the nourishment we need to continue to serve others; our friends, family, church and community.

We participated in "Sweet Talk" getting to know each other in small groups by answering questions about fun, silly and interesting times of our lives. We enjoyed "Savory Moments" where we discovered the importance of slowing down and "savoring" time with God through personal prayer and reflection. We also worked together in "Spicy Service" making flavorful gifts of love. Each woman at the retreat made a gift of cinnamon pancake mix wrapped in a towel to be given to a woman who might be hungry (literally or spiritually). We were told to spend time in prayer, asking God to show us who most needed to receive this gift of love. I can't wait to hear from the women who attend where God led them to give away their gifts.

It was a joy to be a part of this time of renewal and to get to know the 40+ women who were able to attend. Together we ate delicious meals and snacks, studied God's word, spent time in prayer, did some hiking, napping, crafting and crying. Mostly we just enjoyed building relationships with each other and with our Savior. Each woman in attendance, for one reason or another, was a God Sighting to me!

Thanks to all who attended the retreat and to the families who supported them so they were able to come.

God is good, look around today! What is your God Sighting?

Blessings,
Kelli Kirk

Are You Listening?

Denise Petersen and I were blessed to attend a conference at Group Publishing in Loveland, Colorado a couple of weeks ago. At the conference we had the ability to pray for our ministries and for our congregation. We were told to ask God for a family to pray for and write down their name.

We both sat quietly while God gave us a family name. Individually, we wrote down the name and spent time in prayer for this family and for other concerns that were on our list.

Later in the day, as we discussed the experience we both noticed that we had written down the same family name. Initially, when God gave us the name we both said to ourselves (and to God), "nah, they don't need our prayers." But clearly, God knew they did and kept bringing the same family name to mind for both of us.

When we returned to Utah from Colorado, we discovered that the family we'd written down did, indeed, need our prayers. Unbeknown to us their young son had been having small seizures and had gone in for testing. The tests came back normal and we are still praying.

The moral of the story? Even when we are certain that we know better, God knows what we need!

Humbly yours,
Kelli Kirk

Good Shepherd House of Prayer

Yesterday I walked into a God Sighting. God was everywhere, I saw him first in the royal colors painted on the walls that showcased his words in triangles of Scripture. He was in the order of the room that breathed a spirit of calm and drew me in, quietly walking the perimeter, taking in the treasures. He was on the cross that stood before the royal purple of the King on which his names were engraved, each one in gold: King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Wonderful Counselor, Prince of Peace, Comforter - my mind raced to speak each one; Master, Messiah, Servant, Teacher, Lamb of God, Alpha and Omega, Lord of Lords, Son of God, I Am, Good Shepherd, Redeemer, The Word, The Chief Cornerstone, Alpha and Omega…..Jesus Christ.

There were beautiful paintings of Christ, various studies, renditions of his face on tapestries and stained glass. The House of Prayer is possibility - to sit, to ponder, to learn, to pray, to gather together or to rest alone, to be with Him. I nestled into a comfortable chair in a small corner and noticed another could easily have sat upright at the large oak table; several could join hands in praise at the circle of chairs….possibilities. Thanks and praise to the team that has renovated, decorated, appointed and filled this HOP with their love and their prayers, Bravo! Job well done good and faithful servants!

Much love,

P. Christine

Letter of thanks from Family Promise guests

Dear Good Shepherd

I just wanted to take some time to tell you how grateful I am for your congregation and everything you did for us while we stayed in your church with Family Promise.

While we were at your church we were made to feel like family and a part of your congregation. We did not feel as if we were homeless or someone taking up your space.

Thank you for making my sons birthday a special birthday which he might not have been able to have if it were not for you. You brought cake, ice cream, decorations and even bought him some presents. That day is something I will not forget. It was hard for me knowing that I might not be able to do something for my child but you helped bring that all together.

You have one of the best congregations I’ve seen. Once a volunteer came for their night of hosting that was not the last time you saw them. Every time they were at the church they would stop by and say hi just to see how we were. One volunteer even brought all the supplies so we could have a girl’s night of pedicures and watching movies which was awesome to feel pampered in all that was going on in our lives at the time. You were so kind to invite our families to your movie night which gave us a moment to feel as though we weren’t going through this hard time and that we could do fun things as a family still. We had certain volunteers that would come by more than once just to hang out with us.

I know I am rattling on but I just want to let you know how much you affected us in that short time we were at your church. You do make a difference and it is greatly appreciated. One person can make a difference but a whole congregation has changed our lives and hearts for the better.

I can’t wait for the day that I can come back and help families the way that you have helped ours.

Thank you so much

Barbara and Zachary

Care and Share

Good Shepherd’s Member Care team under the direction of Denise Petersen,
has added to its many responsibilities the Care and Share team. Good
Shepherd’s members have always been quick to respond to each others needs in various ways, however, Care and Share is done online, making it possible to organize, volunteer and distribute care easily and efficiently. There have been multiple requests for meals in the past few weeks and Denise has gladly reported that the sign up sheets have been filled within hours of the request being sent out!

When the Milestone House opened the sign up sheets on the bulletin board requesting Tuesday night meals for the boys was filled just as quickly, although there were more questions about how, where, and when, to sign up.

One thing is very clear; the folks at Good Shepherds are willing to share their love with wonderful home cooked meals! What a wonderful Godsighting!

A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with others.
Proverbs 22:9

Pastor Christine

Paul and the Underground Church KidZone Lock In

God's love is always with us.

If you lived in ancient Rome, the oldest living male in the family held the title of paterfamilias. The paterfamilias, which means father of the family, had the final say in pretty much everything--a privilege called patria potestas, or paternal power. If a father didn't want a child, patria potestas gave him the right to have the child killed by exposure (simply setting the baby out in the street). A father could sell his children into slavery, stop his child from marrying, or make his child marry. As you can imagine, the image of a loving, compassionate father may have been a little vague back then.

Consider the power in Paul's words in Romans 8:38: "...nothing can ever separate us from God's love." Paul describes a tender, compassionate Heavenly Father who wraps his children in a strong and never-ending love. To Romans, who may have lived in fear of authority figures, this was a revolutionary idea.

Unconditional love is still a concept people struggle with. It seems illogical that God would love us so completely, so perfectly, even when we're imperfect. But Paul passionately proclaims that even death can't separate us from God's powerful love.

Because of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross, God's love truly is always with us! This is what the children attending the KidZone lock in on January 23-24 learned. They were guided in celebrating God's powerful love for his people by traveling through ancient Rome. They visited the Apostle Paul, who was under house arrest and chained to his guard Brutus. Paul showed them many of the letter's he had written. Letters inspired by God. Paul sent the children through the streets of Rome (the KidZone hallways) to the Underground Church, where they met Marcus and Lucia, two members of the church who were hiding in a cave, afraid of discovery by the Roman guard.

By the end of the night, the children learned of the great sacrifice the early church made so that we can worship today. They discovered that there are still people in the world who have to hide to worship God, and they learned to pray for the oppressed. And before they went to bed, Brutus, Paul's Roman guard, accepted Jesus as his personal Savior! With God all things are possible :)

What a God sighting, to watch the children learn and understand that God's love is a gift, and that His love is, indeed, always with us!

Blessings,
Kelli Kirk

Look and Listen

It might seem strange to list a funeral as a God sighting but many have said Susan Jardine's funeral was one. During Susan's Celebration of Life at Good Shepherd the microphone was opened to anyone who wanted to share. Many got up to speak and all were memorable in their stories about sharing time with Susan. Some told of her faith and courage during cancer treatments, others her devotion to God, many reported her steady kindness and love for children. Then 12 year old Duncan walked to the mic and explained how Susan had always listened when he needed to talk and prayed for his various ailments. Then he said he knew for sure that when he had bronchitis Susan prayed for him and he got better because she prayed. We will see God everywhere if we just look and listen!

With love,

Pastor Christine

How God is Working in Our Life!

Matthew got a paper back from his teacher that had 100% on it, upon reviewing the paper he realized that he actually had one wrong. The grade had already be posted and he could have kept quiet but he got up and told her that he has really missed one! I am so proud of him for doing the right thing.

Teresa Kashuba

Family Christmas Eve Service at GSLC

What a blessing the KidZone kids are! At the 4 pm service on Christmas Eve, these beautiful children were truly a God sighting! From the young ones enthusiastically reading God's word to the dancers who lovingly danced to "Sing Unto the Lord a new song" and all of the Sunday school children present who sang loudly to "Wonderful" and "Come, Let Us Praise Him" and the young musicians who shared their God given talents, I felt the Lord's presence. Thank you parents for your dedication to the Children's Ministry at Good Shepherd. Your children are a blessing and they continue to show the KidZone team why we do what we do. These children continue to shine God's love and blessings into our hearts all year through. From the KidZone staff, Merry Christmas and a wonderful, Christ filled New Year!

KidZone God Sightings

On Sunday, December 6, over 85 people gathered to learn about the power of a simple gift. What a God sighting! Parents and children gathered together to discover from the fun Veggie Tales Movie "St. Nicholas, A Story of Joyful Giving" how powerful it is to give. In the film, Laura Carrot was concerned that her Christmas Stocking might be empty this year because her dad was in danger of losing his job. Many children, including our family promise guests, were able to relate to this fear. Larry the cucumber thought a letter to the North Pole would fix the problem but Bob the tomato knew what would really help...and he told the story of a little boy named Nicholas who made a discovery in Bethlehem that changed Christmas forever. We learned the story of St. Nicholas and we all saw God at work as we discovered the true joy of giving to others, at Christmas time and throughout the year.

Many of you have been God sightings to those in need by giving joyfully to the Angel Tree and Christmas Shepherds programs at GSLC.

Through Angel Tree, our generous congregation has helped 79 children with one or both parents in prison, realize what it means to be loved. You have given 158 gifts to these special children.

In addition, with Christmas Shepherds, you have helped 99 people from our congregation and the surrounding community by purchasing over 240 gifts. Your generosity is a God sighting to me, the pastoral office, those in need and to the community!

"But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret." Matthew 6:3-4

Thank you and God bless!
Kelli Kirk

Where do you see God?

Last week, I headed out of town for an effective communicator conference in Colorado. As I enjoyed the beautiful ride from the airport in Denver to Group Publishing in Loveland, my neighbor - two seats away - tapped me on my shoulder and said, "Mrs. Kirk, you probably don't remember me but, we sat together at a LifeTree Cafe experience at last years conference and you shared that your mom has Alzheimer's Disease. I just wanted to let you know that I have been praying for you and your mom all year and I wanted to know how you are both doing."

That 5 minute conversation was enough to remind me how self centered I can be and how good God is. I hadn't thought of this beautiful young girl again after our conversation in 2008 yet she had been praying for me all year. What a blessing!

As I recounted the story later to my co-workers, I couldn't help but feel humble and blessed. I know it was God who sparked this near stranger to pray for me and ultimately comfort me while I was away from overseeing my mothers care for 4 days.

It's in these brief opportunities we are reminded that God is ever present and always working in our lives.

Where do you see God? In our busy-busy, go-go-go, 24-7-365 lifestyle, it seems harder to recognize the times when God is finding us and speaking to us. I can't wait to see how the life of the GSLC congregation will change when we each start seeing God at work in our lives every day!

Blessings,

Kelli Kirk