A Word From Twitter

Raining Grace (@raininggracesd) has shared a Tweet with you: "raininggracesd: "Change won’t happen through ‘trying harder’ but only through encountering the radical grace of God." Tim Keller" --http://twitter.com/raininggracesd/status/94764752957472768

Looking for a new band leader!

We are looking for a new leader of our Lifeline worship band.  If you are interested in leading a worship team and our congregation in worship, please contact our church office at 605-361-3683.

We're Starting a Second Band!

Lifeline Ministries is starting a second band to offer a fresh sound to the awesome sound of the Lifeline band!  We need your help!  We're looking for local talented musicians that share a heart and passion for worship music and what it means to sing praises to God.

If you sing and/or play an instrument and are willing to join our team, please register for an audition time here.

If you have questions, please contact us!

RealDevotions: "Sing a new song to the LORD! He has worked miracles, and with his own powerful arm, he has won the victory" Psalm 98:1

Can this be said of us? "They share freely and give generously to those in need.Their good deeds will be remembered forever..." Psalm 112:9

RealDevotions: "...The minute I said, "I'm slipping, I'm falling," your love, God, took hold and held me fast..." Psalm 94:16 (MSG)

My Redeemer Lives!

Job 19:25

I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth.

Happy Easter! Christ is risen! Well, it's been almost a month since we celebrated the events of that changed history. Jesus made a great sacrifice for us by dying on the cross to wipe away our sins.

What's even more amazing is that he rose again, to give us hope that there is life after death! I, like most of us, find hope that winter is ending at the sight of the first robin. Spring is like a rebirth, bringing hope back to the hopeless. Isn't God amazing? In every aspect of life, we experience lows and highs; valleys and mountain tops; death and life.

Have no fear, people of God! Our Savior has died for us and has risen from death to live again! Feel hope in the promise that God will make all things new again! There is always a way out of the valley!

Know that your Redeemer lives with you today and will be with you always!

All you Lifeline subscribers, call or text us on our hotline at 605-610-9847 (it's a local number) to leave a message with prayer requests or shout outs to give praise and thanks for a blessing in your life. We will be posting some messages on our Wall of Praise coming soon to www.lifelineworship.com.

Lifeline Ministries

www.lifelineworship.com

God Is Faithful

Psalm 33:4-5 (New International Version)

 ⁴ For the word of the LORD is right and true; 
       he is faithful in all he does.

 ⁵ The LORD loves righteousness and justice; 
       the earth is full of his unfailing love.

I had an interesting day today.  I received an email at work today from someone I hardly know but somehow have been placed on his email list.  He forwarded an article from a blog of an organization that wants to "take back America."  As you can imagine, the email was quite lengthy and quite angry.  It blamed pastors for preaching on comfort in touch times, rather that that Christians should get together and fight for what is Biblically sound and right.

While I believe that we should not always sit back and "turn the other cheek", I do feel strongly that God is faithful and just; and God will have the last word in this world.  We are on this earth for a lifetime that is nothing but a blink of the eye of God.  God wants us to trust and obey him, and worship and praise his name while we are here on earth.  So what does that mean for us exactly?

So, back to the article...I was disturbed by this.  We are never promised that life will be easy.  What we are promised is that God is with us always and that if we trust and believe in him, we will life forever with him in heaven.  So as I've said before, knowing this gives me the strength and courage to face and endure all of life's valleys.  I have HOPE that God is with me and is going to welcome me to my eternal home with open arms.

So whether we fight, or just rely on the comfort of God's promises, may we do all in God's name and to his glory!

Watch this great video of talented artists singing "So Great."

A Time to Dance

Happy New Year everyone from Lifeline Ministries!  Here is your new devotion...the last one of 2009.

Read Ecclesiastes 3:1-13

When I read this passage, I first think of the Footloose movie with Kevin Bacon.  He quoted this passage to convince the town's leaders that it was time to get beyond the tragic events of the past and move forward with healing to allow the young people to hold an organized dance to celebrate life.

After I move beyond that fond memory, I think about new beginnings.  Life is full of new beginnings.  Thank God that he has allowed these little gifts in life to help us to continue on.  I think of how God provided the season of Spring to give us hope that there is life after Winter!  God has also given us events such as re-connecting with long-lost friends or relatives; or opportunities for personal, mental, spiritual, financial or professional growth; or the miracle of new life in a new-born baby or the extension of life through the amazing recovery from a life-threating health issue such as cancer.

Most importantly, God has sent us his Son, Jesus Christ, to bring us new life through the power of his death on the cross.  Forgiveness is a beautiful thing.  No matter whether you are on the giving or receiving end, forgiveness has the power to heal.

May God bless you in 2010 and may He turn our mourning into dancing!

Listen to this great worship "Mourning Into Dancing" and think of how God has given you a new beginning and then think of a brand new change you'd like to have in your life and ask God to be with you the entire length of that journey.

Blessings,

Justin Ehrman

New Devotion from Lifeline Ministries

Joshua 1:9 (New International Version)

⁹ Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."

As I was working at the church last night, I dug out my old Michael W Smith music.  I really thank my old high school classmate and best friend for introducing me to MWS.  He has been my inspiration in many ways through out the years.  I was listening to The Live Set which has some great live music.  One of the songs was "Be Strong and Courageous" based on this verse above.

As I heard this I thought about all of the courageous people that have touched my life over the years.  I think of all the military friends and family; those that possess more patience than I could only dream of having as they work with children and adults with disabilities; and those that have lost loved ones and find the strength to continue forward. 


The common theme with many is that their faith holds them together.  They recognize that God is working in them; and through their struggles God is strengthening their faith and character.  What an amazing gift we have been given!  Knowing that God is with us wherever we go creates a sense of calmness that we cannot receive from any person or thing.

Of course, God does not promise that we won't hit valleys, but the fact that God is always there with us?... I say "Bring it On!"

If you feel like listening to a great classic song by Smitty, here's the link for Be Strong and Courageous. 

http://www.last.fm/music/Michael%2520Smith/_/Be%2520Strong%2520and%2520Courageous?ac=be%20strong%20and%20courageous

Prayer:  Dear Emmanuel, as we wait for your coming this Advent, help us to remember your promise that you will never leave us or forsake us.  No matter the struggle, no matter the pain, we have comfort in knowing that you are always there beside us.  In your loving care we pray.  Amen.

PS.  Another great song to listen to about the valleys of life is by Ginny Owens.  Here is the link to a live performance of "If You Want Me To" on youtube.com.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1q8pWgDsv1E

Have a Blessed and Merry Christmas!
Justin
www.lifelineworship.com

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First Lifeline Devotion!

Greetings from Lifeline Ministries!  Here is the first weekly devotion to uplift your soul!  If you are not yet subscribing to Lifeline, please visit www.lifelineworship.com and enter your email address in the Subscribe! area.  Find other great information and inspiration at our site as well.

 

 

Great Things...

 

"The LORD has done great things for us,
       and we are filled with joy."      Psalm 126:3

 

This Sunday marks the beginning of a four week series based on the book Giving to God.  Our focus during these next 4 weeks involves the gifts that we offer to God and the ministries of the local and national church.  Tonight at Lifeline practice, we started working on the song "God in This City" by Chris Tomlin (listen here) to share in worship in a couple of weeks.  While we were singing the song, I was mindful of how blessed I am and how God has blessed all of us to share our God-given gifts through the works of this church home we call Peace Lutheran.

 

Just tonight alone, our church council gathered to lead the way in carrying out our mission.  Also, we hosted another meeting with our neighbors and city leaders to discuss our plans to expand the facilities at our church.  If that wasn't enough, leadership and music groups from our daughter church, Rejoice Lutheran, gathered to prepare for another worship and anticipate the quickly approaching move to a new, semi-permanent facility on Carolyn Ave.  Some exciting things are happening on the west side of Sioux Falls and beyond.

 

"The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy."

There are so many opportunities for growth and service.  How are you going to share the joy of Gods gift of Grace with the world?  Visit www.peacelutheran.com to discover all the ways to be involved at Peace.

 

Prayer:  Dear God, you are so good!  Thank you for blessing our lives.  Help us to find a way to shine your light unto the world so that all may see your good works and glorify you.  In Jesus name.  Amen

Devotions coming soon!

Hey Everyone,

 

Starting in September, we will be starting weekly devotions to lift your hearts and spirits as we explore themes and topics of our faith.  Be watching your inboxes!  You have to sign up so if you didn't get this message in your email, you aren't signed up!

 

For now, be blessed by this passage from Psalm 116:1-2.

 

"I love the LORD, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy.   Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live." 

 

Blessings!

 

Justin Ehrman

--
Justin and Lisa Ehrman
Raining Grace Ministries
www.raininggrace.net
Lifeline Ministries
www.lifelineworship.com

Bass and Guitar Players Needed!

The Lifeline Band is looking for acoustic/electric guitar players for the 2009/2010 year!  If you play or know someone that does, we would really love to hear from you!  Skill level must be intermediate to advanced.  A casual audition will be held on an individual basis.  Email us if interested and we'll set up a time to meet with you.

Videographers Wanted!

We would like to post videos of the Lifeline Band on our blog.  If you have a digital video camera and are willing to shoot videos for us, please email us.

--
Justin Ehrman
www.raininggrace.net

Friend plants wanted!

Have you noticed a visiting worshipper at Lifeline?  Have you ever wondered if they've come back again?  Sign up to be a Friend Plant who makes a point of personally welcoming visitors to our service and invite them to return.  If you are interested in being a part of this team, email us!

 

Lifeline Now on the WEB

Now you can join Lifeline Worship online for music, prayers, devotions and more!