April 2023 Newsletter
Something to Think About
by Mike Dunlap
The best things in my life have sustained the test of time. I have loved football since I was 5. I have loved hunting since I was 12. I have loved driving since I was 16—actually before that, but don’t tell. :) I have loved my family and Muff for over 40 years. And I have loved the Lord for 45 years. I say that because we live in an immediate gratification society—when we want something we want it now. I always joke that if they ask me at a drive-thru at a fast food
restaurant to pull over to the side and wait, I say “No, if I would have wanted to wait, I would have gone to a sit-down restaurant.” So what is my point?
My point is that I think the best thing in life is a personal intimate relationship with Jesus Christ as Lord of all of life. The other things I mentioned above are important, but not one is as important as the Lord. But the amazing thing about a relationship with the Lord is that many people think you can have that intimacy quickly, easily, and with very little effort. Oh, we can start a relationship with Jesus simply by yielding to Him and receiving His grace for us on the cross. But if we want a relationship with Him, if we are going to grow in trust and faith in what He has done to redeem not only us but the world, that will take a lifetime. In Philippians 1:6 Paul says, “He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion on the day of Christ Jesus.” That is not a quick process. Eugene Peterson calls it “A Long Obedience In the Same Direction” in his book with that title. Jesus Himself says in John 17 that the goal of life is to be “one with Him, as He is with the Father”. That is real intimacy! And John 17:3 says that “this is eternal life, that you may know the only true God and Jesus Christ whom He has sent.”
One of the great testimonies of time is that Jesus’ claim as Lord has stood the test of over 2,000 years. It has been attacked from about every angle imaginable and remains true. He really is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. My prayer is that we will believe that and invest the rest of our lives in growing ever closer to Jesus. He pursues us every minute of every day to that end. Paul had it right, “to live is Christ, and to die is gain”. Let’s take that road of long obedience and grow ever closer to the Lord of all of life.
What's Happenin'
by Alyssa Foldesy
The shift from winter to spring is beginning to become a reality! While the days seem longer and the temperatures are (very) slowly rising, change is in the air. The girls basketball team enjoyed some theme days at practice and a few team dinners prior to the season wrapping up near the end of February with a playoff loss. As the boys basketball team made their playoff run quite a few students came out to cheer them on, enjoy some pie shoppe donuts, and even ride a fan bus out to one of the away games. It was fun to see the high school and community support surrounding the basketball teams, rifle team, and wrestlers this winter. FCA has continued on bi-weekly basis and a consistent group of students has been present each week. Whether it was a pizza party, a galentines fondue and movie night, or a mini road trip, by God’s grace relationships have continued to be formed over the past couple of months.
A big highlight was our trip to NYC in the middle of March! A team of 15 people traveled to the Big Apple for the weekend and we sure did pack quite a bit into those 3 days. Taking in the city can often be a little bit of a shock to the system, but we did enjoy shopping at different stores, visiting Time Square, watching street performers, and catching our breath and a moment of quiet at Central Park. We visited the well-known Ellen’s Stardust Cafe where the servers are aspiring Broadway performers who serenade, perform, and entertain throughout the entire meal! We also got a taste of New York from an authentic pizza joint and local food truck. On Sunday morning we worshiped at Hillsong Church (and learned how to unload from the van in record time on the busy NYC streets!) But I think the highlight of the trip for me, and for many of the students as well, was the opportunity we had to feed and care for those who are homeless by providing hot dogs, coffee, toiletries and blankets to them. Students stepped out of their comfort zones to serve, listen, converse, learn, and pray. Many laughs were shared and even a few tears too. The trip as a whole helped us understand a little bit more about who God is, how desperately everyone of us are in need of his grace, and how much he loves us and desires to be in a relationship with us. We continue to be grateful and in awe of what he is doing individually in our lives, in the North Star community, and even on a global scale! The shift from winter to spring is beginning to become a reality! While the days seem longer and the temperatures are (very) slowly rising, change is in the air. The girls basketball team enjoyed some theme days at practice and a few team dinners prior to the season wrapping up near the end of February with a playoff loss. As the boys basketball team made their playoff run quite a few students came out to cheer them on, enjoy some pie shoppe donuts, and even ride a fan bus out to one of the away games. It was fun to see the high school and community support surrounding the basketball teams, rifle team, and wrestlers this winter. FCA has continued on bi-weekly basis and a consistent group of students has been present each week. Whether it was a pizza party, a galentines fondue and movie night, or a mini road trip, by God’s grace relationships have continued to be formed over the past couple of months.
A big highlight was our trip to NYC in the middle of March! A team of 15 people traveled to the Big Apple for the weekend and we sure did pack quite a bit into those 3 days. Taking in the city can often be a little bit of a shock to the system, but we did enjoy shopping at different stores, visiting Time Square, watching street performers, and catching our breath and a moment of quiet at Central Park. We visited the well-known Ellen’s Stardust Cafe where the servers are aspiring Broadway performers who serenade, perform, and entertain throughout the entire meal! We also got a taste of New York from an authentic pizza joint and local food truck. On Sunday morning we worshiped at Hillsong Church (and learned how to unload from the van in record time on the busy NYC streets!) But I think the highlight of the trip for me, and for many of the students as well, was the opportunity we had to feed and care for those who are homeless by providing hot dogs, coffee, toiletries and blankets to them. Students stepped out of their comfort zones to serve, listen, converse, learn, and pray. Many laughs were shared and even a few tears too. The trip as a whole helped us understand a little bit more about who God is, how desperately everyone of us are in need of his grace, and how much he loves us and desires to be in a relationship with us. We continue to be grateful and in awe of what he is doing individually in our lives, in the North Star community, and even on a global scale!