Luke 8:24 - “And they came to Him and awoke Him, saying, "Master, Master, we are perishing!" Then He arose and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water. And they ceased, and there was a calm.”

Rev. 7:1 - “After these things I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, on the sea, or on any tree.”

James 1:6 - “But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.”

     Success Brings Complacency. Life was good. Job was successful. He was happy. His family was happy. They were doing family things. Job was content and maybe a little complacent with his relationship with God. Satan tells God as much, and challenges God to allow the testing of Job's faithfulness. God allows suffering in Job's life, and Job was a faithful man! A wind ended that complacency.

     Being Close to Jesus Brings Complacency. The Lord Jesus was traveling with the disciples and they were taking a shortcut across the Sea of Galilee. The disciples had been in a boat many times before. Some of them were fishermen, men who had plowed many a wave. Going out on Galilee was no big deal to them. A wind ended that complacency.

     Wind Challenges Our Complacency. Isn't it interesting how our Heavenly Father uses the wind to bring us into spiritual reality? People ask about hurricanes and God all the time, don't they? "Why did we lose this?" "Why did that person die in the storm?" "Why didn't we evacuate?" Lots of questions! Wind events have a spiritual component to them. They bring people to a point where they start to ask questions of faith and hope. You have heard the question many times, I'm sure: "Why me, God?" The answer is clear from God's Word. The storms of life bring us closer to our God and force us to deal with the nitty-gritty of our spiritual lives. When the wind is tough enough, we are driven to God.

     Even Complacency Will End. The Bible tells us that we are living in "end times." Yes, we know that the world appears to continue on with no apparent end in sight. John, the author of Revelation, tells us that in the last days of the earth, the wind will end, held back by God's angels. That is, when it comes to the end, there will be no more spiritual issues to resolve. God will resolve them once and for all.

     Complacency and the Storms of Life. But here we are. This is south Alabama. There is wind and storm and hurricane. What does wind mean for us? The storms of life are to build up our faith and our hope and our love. God does not want us tossed by the wind. This does not mean that He will restrain that wind, but it does mean that He will be that solid rock to which we can cling in the storm. When we have those doubts that come from the evil one himself, we can remember that hymn:

In times like these you need a Savior

In times like these you need an anchor;
Be very sure, Be very sure,
Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock!
In times like these you need the Bible,

In times like these O be not idle;
Be very sure, be very sure,
Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock!

In times like these I have a Savior,
In times like these I have an anchor;
I'm very sure, I'm very sure
My anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock!

This Rock is Jesus,
Yes, He's the One;
This Rock is Jesus,
The only One!

     The Answer to Complacency. Jesus Christ is the answer to the storms of life. A storm causes anxiety and spiritual questions. The Creator uses the storm to bring us close to Him. Have you brought your questions to Him?

     ~Pastor Dave

     We are going to have Pastor Jim Gerdeen present a number of workshop sessions to our congregation and community. The program will be over the weekend of Aug 13-14 and all people with any missions interest are invited. Here's our Workshop Program:

9:00-11:30

Session I ~ “Working Missions from Within the Immoral State of our Nation”

11:30-12:30

Complimentary light lunch

12:30-2:00

Session II ~ “Finding Mission Relevance in an Irrelevant Modern Church”

9:00-9:50

Session III ~ “The Most Urgent Mission Need in Our Church and Nation”

10:00-11:00

Sunday Sermon: “Christ’s Vision for Our Mission and Purpose in Today’s Church”

11:15-12:00

Potluck Dinner

12:00-1:15

Session IV ~ “Discipleship in the Mission of the Local Congregation”

     Missions Challenge. Pastor Don Richman one year ago challenged us in our thinking about missions in Eastern Europe. Are you ready for the challenge of home and foreign missions? Plan on attending the workshop.

This program, originally planned for April, was rescheduled due to severe flooding at that time.

     At its Wednesday night Bible Study, Zion Lutheran Church will explore, "How is a Christian supposed to live, anyway?"  The hour-long Bible study focuses on Titus. It begins at 7 PM and concludes at 8 PM.  This study series will continue on Wednesday nights through August 24.

     Dear Zion Lutheran Church Members,

     Thank you for your donation of $200.00 to the Baldwin County Sheriffs' Boys Ranch. We could not care for the boys that come to live at the ranch without the support of generous people of our community such as yourselves. You are an encouragement to the boys and the staff by your interest and generosity.

     We would like to extend and open invitation to visit the ranch and meet some of the boys who live here and the staff that cares for them. The boys always like to meet our supporters. Thank you again ….. Please keep the boys and staff in your prayers.

     Sincerely,

     Jim Harmon

     Director of Ranch Life

     A special congregational meeting was held on Sunday, June 26, 2005 for the purpose of voting on an amendment to our church constitution to allow for associate membership. The meeting was opened with prayer. Pete Midgarden, council president presented the following motion to the congregation for consideration:

 "People who are members in good standing of another non-local congregation, may obtain status as an associate member, recognizing the word of God as the sole authority in all things temporal and spiritual, upon Pastor recommenda- tion and council approval. Associate members will exercise all responsibilities and privileges of membership, but will have no vote in congregational meetings."

    The motion was seconded. All in favor signified by saying, "I."  Motion carried. Meeting was adjourned. The congregation enjoyed refreshments in the fellowship hall.

    ~Linda Gibbs

    Secretary

“A Ministry of Sav-a-Life of Baldwin County”

     Dear Pastor and Church Family,

     Recently we had a very abortion minded young lady…. come in for a pregnancy test. Her Mother already had an abortion scheduled but a friend talked her into coming here before she went thru with it. Mary's mom was sure an abortion was what they needed.

     After a positive test, Mary's counselor showed her a video showing the different stages of growth and development; She was amazed and smiled as her counselor gave her a small pair of hand made booties. Mary held onto the little blue booties as her counselor gave her even more information and encouragement. Mary left that day hoping her mother would change her mind and allow her to have her baby. We had suggested she bring her mom to see us and she was hoping she could convince her to come. We have kept in contact and have been faithful to pray for Mary and the safety of her unborn baby. Each contact from her counselor brought news Mary was still carrying her baby but mom was not moving on the abortion issue.

     …. it is Monday and Mary's counselor …. found out Friday that Mary’s mom had an abortion scheduled for Saturday. We are still praying for the life of this baby and Mary's emotional well being.

     Life and death situations like this happen every week here at the center. Please pray for all the little Mary's we see, and remember the counselors whom often are carrying huge burdens for them. The fight for life is a tough one and we are so thankful for people like you who prayerfully hold our arms up while the battle is being won, one life at a time.

     May God bless you,

     Sue Leavins

    Executive Director

     . . . .Thank you for the money sent in to purchase the bibles. We received it with Joy. May God bless the church members for their giving.

     Sincerely yours

    David [Rev David Natema]