Volume II, Issue 10

Volume II, Issue 10

www.midwestapologetics.org

Welcome to the monthly Midwest Apologetics newsletter.  Each issue is designed to keep you informed on the latest news concerning the ministry and provide timely articles to help strengthen your faith.  Be sure to check out our website for articles, book reviews, and answers to some of the tough questions concerning the Christian faith.

Thanksgiving

     Once again we are approaching the Thanksgiving holiday.  Originally, the holiday was set aside as a day for Americans to give thanks to their Creator for the many blessings He has given to us.  On October 3, 1863, in honor of Congress’ establishment of the annual National Day of Thanksgiving, President Abraham Lincoln declared:

      I do therefore, invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States…to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens…[it is] announced in the Holy Scriptures and proven by all history, that those nations are blessed whose God is the Lord….It has seemed to me fit and proper that God should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged, as with one heart and one voice, by the whole American people.[1]

     Unfortunately, it seems that we have lost sight of the real reason for this holiday.  Rather than a day set aside to give thanks to God for His grace and mercy, so many of us have allowed ourselves to focus on anything but that.  I’ll be the first to admit that I spend too much time watching football on Thanksgiving.  Many other distractions draw our attention away from the Lord on this day, such as the hundreds of sales ads in the newspaper, the food, or the movies.

     As I reflect on 2006, I realize I have so much for which to be thankful.  I have been given a new lease on life after being declared cancer-free on September 15^th.  Throughout my struggles with leukemia, thousands of people across our land were faithfully praying for my health.  I was allowed to return to work on November 6^th.  I have a family that loves the Lord and desires to serve Him.  I have already been given a few opportunities to share some of what I learned while I was hospitalized with leukemia.  Despite the many trials this year, I have been able to see God’s hand guiding my family and carrying us through the difficult times.

     As you prepare to celebrate next Thanksgiving this year, do not forget to acknowledge the One who gave us everything we have.  He even gave His only Son to take our place on the cross.  Please consider making a commitment to live a life that is full of gratitude and thanksgiving to the Creator and Savior, Jesus Christ.   

Leukemia Update

     Tim has finished his final round of chemotherapy and is doing well.  He was cleared to begin teaching part-time on Monday, November 6.  Lord willing, he will be able to return on a full-time basis in January.  On November 21, he will have another bone marrow biopsy to make sure the leukemia is still in remission.  Please pray that both tests (hematological and molecular) will again come back negative.  These biopsies will be repeated quarterly to monitor his health.

Upcoming Events

Tim has been invited to give several talks during a conference in Green Bay, WI in February (2^nd – 4^th).  Duane Gish from The Institute for Creation Research is scheduled to headline the event. 

If you would be interested to have Tim speak at your church, school, youth group, etc. please email us for more information.

Prayer Requests

Please pray for the following items this month:

-          Cari G. – Two months ago she received a bone marrow transplant and her health continues to improve.  She is still in a crucial stage so please pray that this will continue over the next month.

-          Gayla S. – the niece of a close friend of Midwest Apologetics has recently been intellectually convinced of the Christian faith but needs to take that step of faith to place her life in Christ’s hands.  Please pray that she will take that next step.

As always, if you have any questions, comment, concerns, corrections, ideas, prayer requests, etc., please email us and let us know.  Also, thank you for your prayers.  Please continue to keep us in your prayers throughout this month.

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