From Life...To Death...To Life

It has been my experience over the years that God has often brought things to me in connected pairs...one of those pairs has often been the coming and going of human lives. This past weekend was another example of this principle. My entire family, especially including my new granddaughter Amelia, converged on Boca Raton in S. Florida for a family wedding event. How fun it was to see all of my children together again with Allison and me as we celebrated a new marriage and our new grandbaby!!! But, as the providence of God would have it, while I was driving down the highway, a friend from the past called to ask if I could help her bury her Dad who had died unexpectedly the night before. So, all of the joy and fun of the weekend was tempered by the realization that I would soon be rushing home to lead this grieving family in the funeral process. This is the way life is this side of heaven, life and death, joy and sorrow, all laid along side each other. It was the suffering man Job who said, "The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away, blessed be the name of the Lord". Thus it will be until the Lord returns.... And we will finally see the end of all of the sorrow and pain.... Nothing but joy and bliss....so is it worth the wait? What do you think?

Coming in MAY !!! - Marriage Conference with Dr. Harv Powers

RLI is presenting a weekend marriage conference featuring nationally-known marriage counselor, Dr. Harv Powers, founder of The Redimere Group near Denver, CO. He will be joined for the weekend by his wife, Beverly, who is also a marriage counselor.

Make plans to join us on May 21st, Friday 6p - 9p, and May 22nd, Saturday 8a - 4:30p as Dr. Powers explores how to strengthen and deepen your marriage.

The conference will be hosted by Eastside Community Church at their campus located at 13301 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville, Fl., 32246

The conference cost of $100 per couple includes all materials and lunch on Saturday. Single adults who are considering marriage are welcome to attend at a cost of $50.

You can register and pay at the RLI website - www.rli-inc.com

BOY I MISS MY WIFE!!!!

Let me explain....you may recall that I left for Russia on January 7....shortly after that the birth of our first grandchild, Amelia, finally happened...we were all ecstatic...but I was in Russia and my wife, Allison, was in Florida plotting her getaway to Chicago to see the new baby. Meanwhile, I landed in Atlanta for 2 days of meetings while Allison and our daughter Mary headed to Chicago....I finally caugt up with my wife for about 36 hours in Chicago (not really, got to watch her hold the baby a lot!). Then, I went back to Florida while she stayed in Chicago for another week to help with little Amelia ( are you dizzy yet?). Finally, we were supposed to see each other for about 12 hour last night, then off to Denver(me) for ministry stuff today until Thursday. So...of course her flights were all cancelled for coming home last night because of bad weather and I had to leave early this morning for Denver....so...we will both be in the Atlanta airport today....but, alas, not at the same time (will miss each other by 2 hours)...so I hope to see her this coming Thursday night...3 weeks after leaving her on the 7th. So, lest you think that I'm just one of those wimpy guys who needs his wife, well, you are absolutely right!! Not that I can't live without her, but why would I ever want to? So yes, I REALLY MISS MY WIFE!!! Thanks for your prayers....and may you always really miss the ones you love....

RLI Website

We have our website back up and running! Take a look at our new format and design.

                                          www.rli-inc.com

We will keep the blog going with frequent news updates and use the website for things like fundraising, corporate news, etc.

Thanks to Jack McNeil for the really great RLI banner.

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Amelia makes her Debut!

I shared with you that Amelia arrived while I was in Russia, but now I have a picture to share with you.

Here she is, she looks like James (well,that his dad's opinion!)

Everybody is doing well so thank you Lord for that. And I'm on my way there!

Peace

Russia is crazy cold right now!

Snow and ice everywhere! Reminds me of why I live in Florida...although that's not a whole lot better right now. My time has been short, but very powerful with our students here in Voronezh....beginning the part of our curriculum that deals with planting new churches. Each of our students has committed to starting new churches so that eventually the entire Black Soil Region of Russia can be saturated with the true Gospel. Quite a challenge, but God has gone before us and has promised to sustain us.

This is why we go....that this entiire region may know...thanks for your prayers and encouragement....now to the train, so I can get to Moscow, and eventually to Chicago so I can hold my new granddaugter Amelia.

As the Russians say: SLAVA BOGU!! (Praise God!)....from deep in the snow-covered hinterlands of Russia

SHE'S HERE!!!

After months of anticipation, our first grandchild has finally arrived!! Her name is AMELIA JUBILEE and she arrived safely at 7:54 AM Chicago time....weighing in at 7 lbs. 15 ozs. Very reliable inside sources say that she looks a lot like her grandpa who shall hereafter be known as "Papa"!! We are so grateful to our heavenly Abba that Amelia is healthy and doing fine along with her parents Jesi and James. Thank you to all of you for your love, prayers and support....I will finish my work here in Voronezh and then, our Lord willing, I will stop by Chicago next Saturday through Monday, the 16th - 18th, on my way home from Russia. WELCOME HOME LITTLE AMELIA!!!! You have much to learn about your heavenly Father.....grace, Tim