Jeane and I love to do road-trips. I know that sounds kind of Mid-century Beaver Cleaver Route 66ish, but we love traveling along in an automobile looking at the countryside and watching the telephone poles go by. We never tire of seeing all the different kinds of beauty in this vast country of ours.
While driving through cities and towns at night we have, on occasion, come across one of those old neon signs you used to see quite often in downtowns across America: "Jesus Saves," they advertise, in the shape of a cross. They're not as prevalent as they used to be, but they're still out there, glowing and humming in all of their fading neon glory in colors of pink or purple or green or blue. It always brings a little leap of joy to my heart when I see one.
The phrase "Jesus Saves" can become so familiar to us that the words lose their meaning or at least their power to touch us. It can so easily become just a pious cliche'.
But Jesus
does save. The question is: What does Jesus really save us from?
First of all, Jesus saves us from the eternal consequences of sin, granting us life everlasting through him. But it doesn't stop there.
There's something else that neon sign tells us when we read, "Jesus Saves." It also says, "Jesus Heals." Salvation means salvation of our total being--physically, emotionally and spiritually. Being saved
means being healed and freed from all those sicknesses in our lives that need to to be touched and transformed by him.
"But he was wounded because of our rebellious deeds, crushed because of our sins; he endured punishment that made us well; because of his wounds we have been healed." Isaiah 53:5 NET
Can this be true? Come Monday night when we will unpack this together.
In the meantime,
"See the USA in your Chevrolet...." and look for the neon sign that reminds you, "Jesus Saves!"
Greg~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
THIS WEEKSunday, July 1: Cirque du Soleil - Kooza For those of you who have tickets to Kooza, we have found out they are charging $10 per car to park. So....
MEET at 4:00 PM IN THE PARKING LOT ON 83rd and THUNDERBIRD-Northwest corner behind CVS Pharmacy). We can carpool from there to save parking money. (Bring an extra $2-$3 cash to chip in on the parking fee.)
Kooza begins at 5:00 PM Sunday under the Grand Chapiteau (air-conditioned tent) at University of Phoenix Stadium. After the show we will return to the parking lot for your car. For those who want to stay for dinner together we can eat at FuNuGyz in the same parking lot...or Culvers is across the street.
Call Bob for any questions at
623-326-9047. It should be a great show!
Monday, July 2nd: Monday Night ClassDidn't we have a good evening together last Monday night? This Monday we continue with Part 3 of
"The Holy Spirit in You." Bring your favorite summer salad for
Potluck Salad Supper at 6:30 PM. Class begins at 7:15 PM.
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SUMMER SCHEDULE
Here it is! To the best of our knowledge this is the schedule for the rest of the summer. Check this e-news weekly for more info or changes in the plan. (You know--predictability with flexibility:-)
Monday Night Class: Every Monday night at Peace Lutheran except the second Monday of the month, 7:15 pm, call Greg at 623-376-9926
Womens' Study: Second Monday night of each month - location varies, 7:00 pm, call Nancy at 602-570-5531
Fellowship of Followers: Second Sunday evening of each month at Greg & Jeane's house, 6:15 pm, call Greg at 623-376-9926
Breakfast Club: Third Sunday morning of each month at Greg & Jeane's house, 10:30 am, call Greg at 623-376-9926
DivorceCare: Every Wednesday evening at Community Church of Joy, 6:30 pm, call Jerry at 623-972-7651
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SUMMER EVENTS
Saturday, July 28: Day-trip to Willow Springs LakeGet out of the heat for a day this summer with a day-trip to the Mogollon rim! Bring your swimsuit, your kayak or boat, your camp chair and a picnic lunch. Willow Springs Lake is surrounded by tall trees and a nice hiking trail, so if you prefer hiking don't forget your boots or tennies. Save the date and stay tuned for more info.
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ON-GOING
DivorceCare: Wednesday Evenings, 6:30 PMCommunity Church of Joy
21000 N 75th Ave
Glendale
If you are going through a divorce or have unfinished emotions and feelings regarding a past divorce, come for this series of videos that can help you heal and move forward. This is a small group setting.
Call Jerry for more info at 623-972-7651.
Healing from Loss: Beginning this FallThis 12-week grief recovery workshop involves reading, reflection, homework and sharing. The next workshop will begin this fall. Please call Greg for info: 602-622-1488.
