Another day of memorial I 

think it proper to remember:

On June 1, 1865, Senator Charles Sumner commented on what is now considered the most famous speech by President Abraham Lincoln. In his eulogy on the slain president, he called it a "monumental act."  He said Lincoln was mistaken that "the world will little note, nor long remember what we say here."   Rather, the Bostonian remarked, "The world noted at once what he said, and will never cease to remember it. The battle itself was less important than the speech."

November 19, 1863, Gettysburg Address

Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.

But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate—we can not consecrate—we can not hallow—this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us—that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion—that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

Tour overview

We went out both with joy and we sowed precious seed with tears.

WE WILL NEVER BE THE SAME AGAIN!

-24 days

-9 travel days to eight locations in six states

-9 service days and sometimes in multiple locations at the same time since Kirkland MCs were with us three places

-17 ministry events in churches and schools plus one prayer walk in the red light district of Louisville.

We won't know how many lives were touched until we stand before Christ.  We know that some people told us they committed their lives to Christ because of previous visits so we believe others did this time as well.  Some confessed deep sins, others received healing and comfort from old hurts; some forgave others who had hurt them…

Everywhere people received prayers, words from God, at least one immediate physical healing. Several men and ladies took applications for MC and team members grew in faith, in boldness to testify and in ability to hear God's voice and follow his leading because they did nearly everywhere every time we ministered.

Some of the team went out as young students and now come home as emerging men and women of God. All of us matured in leadership, selfless love and service for God.

Another way we benefited was by renewing and developing relationships everywhere we went:

A feeling of being part of something much bigger than just our church or MC.

Strengthened relationships where we have been before: host homes, pastors, youth, and other Covenant Churches.

Deepening relationships with friends in the Kirkland MCs.

Some new Friends and some potential students.

We still have Paul Doherty’s Victory Fellowship in Little Rock, June 1-3

Then we work a MS Show in Orlando returning by Sat June 16.

Click here to read the blog about each tour stop.

Click here to see Kendra’a photo contest—many funny pictures and captions

Click here to see a variety of pics from various stops on tour.

HOW’S YOUR SIGNIFICANCE TODAY?

By Richard Lineberry

Much time and energy is spent these days by educators of the young to try to persuade them that their lives are to be meaningful.  It seems like the breakdown of families and absentee fathers is taking a great toll on us.  Many people feel nothing but emptiness and worthlessness.

Our longing for significance doesn’t just hit us when we turn into adults.  It’s inborn.  The relationship with parents, family and friends help to satisfy it to some extent.  Our vocation and daily activities add a little bit to the longing also.  But we are more complicated than that. 

Lasting significance at the deepest human  level, however, can only be achieved through a close and loving experience with God.  He didn’t create man from the dust and then say, “Ok, now go do your own thing.”  We were made to have fellowship and friendship with this eternal Father in heaven.  Animals can’t do it; only people are made for it.  It takes time to develop but nothing else can take its place.

The popularity, wealth and fame the world offers is fleeting and temporary.  Wealth can leave us in a moment.  Having a famous name is short lived because people’s interests are short lived.  Our inner desire to know that we are of eternal value goes beyond the physical realm and anything else the world can do for us. 

God’s Son came to earth to remind us that we were important to the God that made us.  We were not made for nothing or just to endure a miserable existence.  Rather, His love and closeness produces a freedom and joy that nothing else can provide.  In learning to commit ourselves to Christ and serving others as He did, all the need for significance you could have will take care of itself.  Just try it!

The Apostle Paul gives us a great prayer that helps us draw closer to the God who gives significance. 

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.                                                                          II Corinthians 13:14

CHURCH:
A good place to give and 

a good place to receive.
By Richard Lineberry

I know the “church” is not a building but the people of God that are called out to be His.  But what happens in your heart when you “go to church?”  The gathering of believers should be a place for both giving and receiving.  To receive you only have to be spiritually hungry and thirsty and come with an open heart.  God will fill us.  If we come already satisfied with good things of this world only, God won’t find much room.

As to giving, (and I’m not referring to money), I’ve learned that there’s a place in the spiritual journey that requires a giving heart BEFORE receiving.  Scripture tells us that Jesus came to serve, not just to be served.  He came as a giver.  He gave time, love, healing, nurturing, encouragement to the hurting and, of course, His very life for the salvation of all who will believe and accept God’s great gift of eternal life.

To come celebrate the Lord with others should be a well planned endeavor.  Here are some good warm up prayers: “Lord, how can I give today?”  “Who may I pray for?”  “What words can I speak to someone that will benefit them and glorify Your Name?”  “How will you guide me to use the spiritual gifts you have given me?”  “What are you saying to me?”

Never yet have I seriously prayed these kinds of prayers that the Lord didn’t give me a chance to spend myself on God’s favorite target—people!

My prayer for all of us today is that we give ourselves the opportunity to receive something from God that we don’t have by giving something to someone else that we do have. 

Praise be to God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of all compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.

                                    II Corinthians 1:3-4