Help Name Ministry

At 1st A/G here in East Alton we have begun a new ministry for 20-55 year olds (young to middle aged adults), and we are looking for a name to call ourselves. Some suggestions have been: Middle of the Road, Up and Comers, Middle Ground, and Under the Influence (not my first choice). Any sugestions would be great.

The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything

What a treat it was to go to the Pirate's vs Cardinals game at the New Bush Stadium on Monday Night. To bad the Pirates had to disappoint me once again. I think the Pirates need to adopt the Veggie Tales song "The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything" as their new theme song. Especially since this is the worst start in Pirate History.
I am so thankful that at least the vendors at the stadium where wearing yellow. It made it look like there was actually 50 Pirate fans instead of the 6 that I know of. Every one was bragging about their new beautiful stadium with a view of the Gateway Arch. Whoopdy Doo, boring. There is nothing like the skyline view at PNC Park.
There are some great benefits to being married to an Italian. Home made ravioli! being just one of them. Suzanne spent all day making ravioli. And I just spent 20 minutes devouring a dozen. Yum Yum! I thought she made great cakes but the ravioli has to be my favorite.
Well, we have our first church league softball game tonight at 9:30. Hopefully tomorrow we will not have our first visit to the the E.R. It's amazing how out of shape you can get over the winter. Really, I just don't want to admit that I'm getting old.
Just 10 more days till I fly to Bolivia. I'm really excited about the ministry opportunity that we will have while we are there. Just keep Suzanne and the kids in prayer while I'm gone. I have never been away for more than 3 days before.

Where Have I Been

Well I know it has been awhile since my last blog. This whole blog thing is just hard to keep up on with so many other things going on in my life. But I will do a little update now for those of you that actually take the time every day to see if I have left anything.
Just 2 more weeks until I'm off for Bolivia. Praise the Lord all of my funds have been raised. The church took an offering and what came in has covered the cost of my trip. I am really looking forward to it. Please be in prayer for one of the pastors going with us, he is actually undergoing tests this week for an unknown sickness he has had the past 3 weeks. Pray that God would heal his body so that he will be able to go with us.
Thanks to some wonderful friends (Debby and Dave) from our old church in PA, I am now the proud wearer of 3 Steelers shirts. I where them with pride out here in St Louis Rams territory.
Suzanne and I on occasion have the opportunity to do some mystery shopping. We recently each had to complete 11 mystery shops of a local credit union. In doing so we often have to give a made up name when we are talking with account service reps.. Today was one of those occasions. Suzanne was in front of me waiting to meet with a rep and when they asked for her name I heard her say Schaffer, which meant that I couldn't be Mr. Schaffer for this shop. So I quickly thought, "well I guess I'll just be Mr. Johnson." So when they asked for my last name I told them Johnson. As I was sitting in the waiting area I started to think, "O boy what am I going to tell the rep when she asks what my first name is? I know, I'll just use my middle name." About 10 seconds went by and, "O no, I can't use my middle name, it's Howard." I couldn't go back there as Mr. Howard Johnson. . . . So . . . I was Tim Johnson for about 5 minutes.
I see that my Pirates are off to another great start this year. All I ask is that they win for me this Monday as me and my son will probably be the only 2 of 40,000 in black and gold in the new Bush stadium. Go Bucs! One thing I love about the Cardinals organization is that as a pastor I can apply for a season pass for two that is free. The only games I am not able to attend are games that are sold out. Which this year is more than half of their games. But I don't have to worry about any of the Pirate games being sold out. Yippy!
Well, enough for this blog. I will try to keep up a little better. At least once a week, I hope. It's the least I can do for all of you die hard blogger fans.

Shoveling Out

Well, we woke up this morning to the most beautiful day we have had since we moved to the mid-west 2 years ago. We finally got some snow! Yippy! (Alton-snow) Mind you it was only three inches, but it covered and stuck to everything. The trees were absolutely beautiful. For all of my PA friends, you'll get a kick out of this, they actually canceled school today for 3 inches. I know, it makes no sense to me either. But that's ok, my kids had the privilege of enjoying their first school snow day since we left PA. (to bad there are NO HILLS around here to sled on). I did think about hooking up a rope to the back of the mini-van and pulling them along behind, but the wisdom of my wife prevailed. I just hope that I don't have to wait another two years for more snow.

Last Sunday was awesome! We had 13 teens and adults follow the Lord in baptism. We are seeing some wonderful things taking place at church. God is so faithful to those who follow him. We have seen such an increase in our youth ministry (thanks Pastor Eric and Liz and all you youth leaders) that we are having to seriously look at moving forward with building a new youth center. Just 2 years ago we were averaging 12 teens, now we are averaging over 70 teens a week. They broke the 100 mark twice last September. Our children's ministries are undergoing a bit of a make over as well. Pioneer Clubs on Wednesday nights is growing and we have had to split up one of the classes. Our Children's Church ministry is also growing. Exciting things are happening at East Alton First Assembly www.eaassembly.org.

Going to Bolivia

Just cleared the way to take a missions trip to Bolivia, May 8-18. I will be going with Convoy of Hope International with coordinator Jack Belin (Belin). We are going on a Mission of Mercy trip, where we will be going into remote vilages and poor towns to distribute much needed food and supplies. We will be working with missionaries Steve and Lori Potutschnig in the distribution of the food (Potutsching)The trip itself costs $1500. But it is the goal of every one going to pay for at least $2000.00 in food to be distributed. With such short notice, my faith has just increased greatly, knowing that I will need to raise the $2000 in just 6 short weeks. However, I know that my God is able!

If any one is interested in helping to meet the need of those in Bolivia who have basically nothing, please feel free to contact me via email at schaffer@apci.net. and I will let you know how to help with this trip. It has been Ten years since my last missions trip to Jamaica, so I am really looking forward to this. Please also pray that I can get my passport ASAP!

Finally Moved

Hello again everyone. Sorry for the long delay in posting, but it has been a frenzied two weeks. We finally sold our house and had to be out in 4 weeks. Plus we had to do some minor repairs to it, as well as some major repairs and fix ups (actually built a bedroom in the basement for Michael)to the church parsonage.
But everything looks great. We moved Thursday and Friday, and so now we are just unpacking and setting up rooms. What an experience. Every time I move I ask myself,"Why do I have so much stuff?" and every time I move I seem to get rid of more and more.

I know it's not just me, our society is fixated on having more. More buffets, more food selections at the buffet. More toys, more buttons, more horse-power, more stuff! What would happen if we just gave up the 80% of the stuff we don't need or even use, and instead invested in the Kingdom of heaven? Thus the answer that some of you were wondering from the start of this blog, "Why did you move?" Suzanne and I have really been challenged lately on two levels. 1st to honor God in everything! 2nd to live a debt free life. Why pay a mortgage and taxes when you can use that same money to support a missionary and the church. Why allow yourself to maintain the same debt load year after year after year, when in one year you can be 95% debt free (the car will take a couple extra months).

If you live your life (completely) for the Lord, your desire should be to please the Lord in everything, from finances to faithfulness. Our God gave His all, it's time we start giving our all! What stuff can you give up today and instead invest in the kingdom of heaven? Maybee that $1.00 soda, if you drink water and give the $1.00 to the Lord in one year you have just given $365 to the Lord. Or how about that Starbucks? Imagine what you could do for the Lord. You could almost cover a missionaries entire month of support needed if you gave to God instead of stomach and taste buds.

Well didn't meen for this to turn into a sermon, just want us to consider what level of stuff we give to God vs. Self. Keep your focus on Him!

We Got One For The Thumb

Finally!!!
After waiting 16 years of my life, since I was in 6th grade, the Pittsburgh Steelers have given me the joy of celebrating their 5th Super Bowl victory! Way to go Steelers! Even though it wasn't the most entertaining of Super Bowls, and sure there were some questionable calls, but hey, a win is a win. Enjoy your retirement "Bus" you deserve it. For all of my friends and family back in PA, it sure was lonely watching the game with only one other Steeler fan (thanks Pastor Eric). Living in St.Louis doesn't afford me much black and gold material. So if any of you feel led to send me a Super Bowl champions hat or t-shirt, I wouldn't object.
Way to go steelers, way to go!

Pittsburgh's Goin to the Super Bowl

O the pain of living in the mid-west and being a Steeler fan. I am certainly missing the black and gold decor. At least I have my terrible towel, Steeler's cap, t-shirt, pennant, and peanut container to keep me going. How I have longed for the day of "One for the Thumb!" Will this be the year? If the last 6 weeks are any indication of how they will play in XL Game then I'm almost certain the Bus will be painted in real gold with headlights made of diamonds.

The trick for me will be able to get through our entire Sunday evening service and make it home without hearing any score of the game. I plan on tvoing it so I can watch the beginning and then be caught up to it probably about half time. That is, unless the Spirt of the Lord is moving in our service, and in that case I would definitely sacrifice seeing the game.

Today I got an unexpected gift from three of the girls in the youth group. They decided to decorate my tamborine. They covered it in sea blue and white ribbon and beads, and wrote on the ribbons, "Go Seatle, beat Pittsburg". I told them that they would have to seriously repent for the error of their ways. And that the tamborine is no longer useful. So I'm thinking about going out or trying to find a little steeler one for Sunday morning.

Is God #1

In a recent email from the Pastors Weekly Briefing (Focus On The Family) there was the following article:
Pastors vs. Congregants
Based on a representative national sample of 627 Protestant pastors across denominations, a study by the Barna Group (Barna) revealed that pastors believe on average that 70 percent of the adults in their churches view their faith as their greatest priority. However, among those who attend Protestant churches (to accurately compare Protestant pastor and congregants), the study found that less than one out of every four (23%) listed God as their highest life priority.

Those more likely to make God their number one priority include evangelicals (51%), African-Americans (38%) and adults who attend a house church (34%). The people least likely to put God first as a priority were adults under 30 years of age, residents of the Northwest and West, and those who described themselves as mostly liberal on political and social matters.

"The nation's adults deserve credit for acknowledging that God is not a top priority in their life", said Barna. "The challenge to church leaders is to stop pandering for popularity and to set the bar higher. People only live up to the expectations set for them. When the dominant expectations are that people show up, play nicely together and keep the system going, the potential for having the kinds of life-changing experiences that characterized the early Church are limited. If churches believe in the life-changing power of the gospel and the Holy Spirit, they must hold people to a higher and more challenging standard."

Where are you spiritually? Is God # 1?

Gave Blood

Today we had our church blood drive, thanks to everyone who gave. Poor Pastor Eric, he was the first to take the seat in the blood withdrawal chair. I'm not sure if he got the bad seat or just has some seriously clogged up veins but it took him 30 min to fill his bad. I sat down 15 min after he started and was done in 6 min. Of course, he had to make the comment, "Thin blood, that must be why you have thinning hair." All in good fun of course.

As I sat there it really caused me to reflect on the power and life that there is in blood. With out it we die. There is a lady in our church who currently going through a difficult psychical challenge. For some reason her body is not producing blood. This caused her to pass out and almost lose her life this past week. As I visited her in the hospital she shared how they were going to probably need to give her 3 pints of blood because her body was so depleted. With out the blood transfusion she would most likely be facing difficult days. But thanks for the blood.

Thanks for the life giving blood of Jesus Christ! With out it we all would surely perish. If not for his shed blood upon the cross of Calvary there would be no hope. As Christ shed his blood on the cross he knew that someday, actually that very day it would be needed by another. He knew that you and I would be in need of that life giving blood. His blood is the blood that never looses it's power. It is just as powerful to heal and to save today as it was 2000 years ago.

If you have never given your life to the one who died and shed his blood for you, why not do it right now. Without the forgiveness of your sins by His blood, you, me, all are condemned to die and spend eternity in hell. Knowing your sins are forgiven and you are ready for heaven is as simple as the following steps:

A. Admit you have sinned.....

"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23)
"If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us" (1 John 1:8).

B. Believe in Jesus.....

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life" (John 3:16).

C. Confess and leave your sin.....

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9).

You might want to use the following prayer as a guide:

Lord Jesus, I acknowledge that I'm a sinner, and I'm sorry for my sin. Thank You for dying on the Cross for me. Please forgive me of my sin, and accept me as Your child. I desire to live for You, Jesus. Amen.

Maybe you can take the time this week or next to give blood as well.

Happy Anniversary Jamaican Style

14 years, my how time flies when your having fun. Happy Anniversary Suzanne!
We just returned from the most incredible restaurant in St. Louis, De Palm Tree. If you remotely like Jamaican you'll love De Palm Tree! If your ever in St. Louis it's a must, located off of 170 and Olive. The Jerk Pork is out of this world, three extremely tender pork loins marinated and smothered in their own jerk sauce accompanied by a side of beans and rice and a side of pineapple. Suzanne had the 1/4 jerk chicken, nice and spicy.

When it comes to eating out I've got my two favorites since moving out to the Midwest: #1 definitely De Palm Tree and #2 is our local China Star restaurant right here in East Alton. So if you ever want to go to lunch or are in town visiting either one is a sure tasters satisfaction.

We finally discovered some real pizza out here. Only trouble is that we have to drive 45 minutes to Fox's Pizza in O’fallon, MO. But it's worth the drive for a Pittsburgh based pizza shop that knows what a white pizza and a wedgie are.

What are your favorite restaurants where you live?

They Tried to Steele It!

Unbelievable!
I don't know about you, but for me watching the Steeler game on Sunday was a bit nerve racking. With five minutes to go and a sure interception by Troy P. the game was in the bag! So every Black and Gold fan thought. Then coming out of the commercial break something strange happened. The officials blew the call and overturned the interception. To which the NFL has admitted their fault http://www.superbowl.com/news/story/9168866 (Lot of good that would have done if the Steelers lost), but hey we're (NFL) still going to penalize Joey Porter $50,000 for speaking the truth. If that wasn't enough for us die hard fans to be fuming over, what about the heart attack we all had as the old reliable Bus (familiar to many pastor's) became unreliable. For the game with its total domination by the Steelers to come down to a field goal attempt from the most accurate kicker in the NFL, WOW! To view with anticipation as the kick was away and to see and hear, "He missed it, wide right." O the jubilation that erupted in the hearts of every black and gold fan across the globe. But wait, what would the officials come up with to give them another chance. An offsides no false start movement didn't happen not really a penalty, but we'll let'em kick it again because we feel bad for the guy call? I was waiting to come back from the break after time had expired to see both teams on the sidelines because they mismanaged the clock and found that Indy had 32 sec. left. Man am I glad it's just a game and not life! I couldn't handle that every day.

O, well. We won and it's on to Denver to then Detroit. Let's go Steelers!

"We Are" - "Penn State" and Steelers

Living in the St. Louis area dosen't afford me much coverage of my two favorite teams, so it is always difficult to see or hear a game unless they are playing a local team. But this past week was awesome! The entire nation was able to witness the two greatest sports franchises in action. What a thrill when finally the Nittany Lions won the game in triple over time and then to come home Sunday night after church to watch on my DVR (greatest tech. invention since the computer) the Steelers erase the Bungels.

Now if only the Penguins and the Pirates could get their act together.

Here we go Steelers, here we go!
One for the thumb in ... how long has it been? Oh ya, 26 years. Man am I getting old.
Well, let's try this - The perfect mix for a ring in 2006.

Italy Vs. Jesus

Wow. Can this be for real? I thought it was some sort of bad joke. Apparently, the "story" of Jesus' existence is in legal jeopardy. Speaking of frivolous lawsuits... Read about this zany situation in its entirety here.
What's the deal?

Yeah for the Dow, Topping 11,000 for the first time since June 2001. But what does the future hold?

Is it God or is it Racquetball?

To say that our services yesterday were awesome would be an understatement. What a wonderful presence of the Holy Spirit could be felt in the place. I am so thankful for the faithfulness of God and his people.

As I was reading this morning, I came across this quote and was just wondering how some of you would respond to it. "The effectiveness of our preaching is not measured by how enamored they are with our preaching or how stellar we are in our capacity to communicate, but rather in whether or not their lives are more like Christ today than they were six months ago." Joseph M. Stowell - Shepherding the Church into the 21st Century (By the way pastors I highly recommend this book!) As pastors sometimes we struggle with knowing the effectiveness of our ministry, ie. Preaching, teaching, counseling, soul-wining, discipleship, etc. As I read this quote it stirred me to think that our
number one objective must be to see lives transformed by the gospel and not by the program.

How many churches today have great programs like softball, golf, exercise, weight loss, quilting, bowling, and the list goes on and on, but yet their people have no foundational knowledge or truth of who Christ is or what He has to say about living your life?

From the Doonesbury comic strip Comes this portrayal of today's church. The parish rector of the Little Church of Walden is discussing the focus of his church with a prospective couple.
The Pastor asks, "So what would you like to know about Little Church of Walden, folks? Don't hold back--I know how difficult it can be to choose a church."
The interested husband responds, "well, what's your basic approach here, Reverend? Is it traditional gospel?"
"In a way, I like to describe it as a 12-step Christianity. . . . Basically, I believe that we're all recovering sinners. My ministry is about overcoming denial, it's about re-commitment, about redemption. It's all in the brochure there."
The pastor's response stimulates the wife's interest, and she queries, "Wait a minute --sinners? Redemption? Doesn't all that imply . . . Guilt?"
To which the pastor responds, "Well, yes, I do rely on the occasional disincentives to keep the flock from going astray. Guilt's part of that!"
The husband responds, "I dunno. there's so much negativity in the world as it is." And his wife chimes in, "That's right. We're looking for a church that's supportive, a place where we can feel good about ourselves. I'm not sure this guilt thing works for us."
The husband observes, "On the other hand, you do offer racquetball . . ." To which his wife responds, "So did the Unitarians, honey. Let's Shop around some more." Gary B Trudeau, Doonsbury. Universal Press Syndicated, 1993

We must believe this, that, "greater is He who is in you than he that is in the world" (1 John 4:4)