Greetings from the East Coast! We have had an exciting weekend in the Washington D.C. area. The traffic here is quite different than the Midwest! HA! Larry had a significant challenge maneuvering our coach and suburban through all the traffic. With all of the weaving in and out of speeding cars, I was glad Larry had 45 years of bus driving under his belt. Also, it has become more clear to me why cases of road rage take place as there is definitely much hustle and bustle as everyone scrambles to and from work on the congested roads combined with a lack of patience amongst many drivers.

It was a special joy to be back at Christ Chapel in Woodbridge, Virginia, with our pastor friends, Bill and Lynna Roberts. We first ministered at Christ Chapel 18 years ago when the church was meeting in a gymnasium. This was now our fourth return trip. A lot has happened in that span of 18 years. They have built a beautiful sanctuary for their congregation of 1800-2000 people. They have also added a daycare, a Christian school for grades 1-9, a Masters Commission school to train young people for ministry, an extension of Valley Forge Christian College, mothering two new churches, and their own Hispanic church just to name a few of the ministries and outreaches. It is an exciting and active church!

Pastor Bill and Lynna, along with their wonderful staff, are reaching the nations through these many diversified ministry outreaches. We are really proud of them. Pastor Bill and Lynna shared the following comments with us:

"We had Larry and Gloria minister at Christ Chapel 18 years ago. In that service, the altars were packed with people coming to Christ. We have had them minister here three times since, and without exception, as it was last Sunday, dozens made commitments to Christ. Larry and Gloria are true evangelists with a burning passion for the Lost. Their message in music, testimony and word touches the hearts of all ages and nationalities. We appreciate their down to earth ministry and like I told my congregation last Sunday when they were here, 'They are the same on the platform as they are off. What you see is what you get!' Larry's evangelistic heart reaches beyond the pulpit to wherever he is. Whether he is in a restaurant or on the street, he's leading people to Christ. We appreciate having true evangelists minister in Christ Chapel."

We also have these comments to share from Jeff Nordin, a special young man dear to our hearts:

"I am no stranger to Larry and Gloria Lundstrom as I am originally from Willmar, MN, just 90 miles from Sisseton where they live and base their ministry. I have followed the Lundstrom Ministries since I was a little kid watching them on weekly television and was always inspired by their music.

In 1988, Larry and Gloria invited me to be their pianist for their ministry on the road. I was thrilled! I traveled coast to coast with them from 1988-1990. Night after night and rally after rally, I personally saw altars filled with hundreds coming to Christ.

Six years ago, Gloria suggested I submit my resume to Christ Chapel in Woodbridge, VA. I was hired on as the Minister of Music and Fine Arts and I continue to serve in that capacity. I love my ministry here.

Larry and Gloria are like family to me. It was great having them minister here. Christ Chapel is known as a church of all nations because of its diversity of nationalities due to its close proximity to Washington D.C. What I have always loved about their ministry is that is crosses all cultural barriers. I especially appreciated them speaking momentarily on marriage as it really impacted the hearts and homes of our people. Our congregation enjoyed their music and message. Gloria's sharing and Larry's message were simple and straightforward. They spoke to the non-Christians as well as the Christians, which was evident when Larry gave the altar call as dozens stepped forward to make decisions for Christ.

I am personally touched to see the consistency of Larry and Gloria's genuine anointed ministry all through the years. Their heartbeat for the Lost and ministry today is as great or greater than it was way back when I traveled with them."

Jeff has continued to be involved in our ministry by helping with the song arrangements for our music CD's. Thanks, Jeff!

One last testimony we would like to share with you that touched our hearts is from Audrey Lipsomb. Audrey came up to us before the service and said, "I met you when you were here 18 years ago and have been here every time you have ministered. I am now pastoring a small church and hurried over here to attend your early service before my church service begins. I have really appreciated your ministry all through the years."

Thanks giving is almost here. It is representative of a time to thank God for His many blessings in our lives...by the way this a good habit not just for Thanksgiving but every day! Many of you will be gathering with your families on Thanksgiving Day. Unfortunately, holidays can be awkward for families due to past offenses, hurts or misgivings. For some reason, those differences tend to surface and are the most painful on holidays. Oh, how the devil loves to attack the family and cause division. I would like to encourage you to not only be thankful but to be thoughtful as you meet with your family. Entreat God to direct what you say and how you say it. Ask God to fill you with His love so that it may spill out of you onto your entire family. These times of gatherings can be times of great healing in families.

I was in a grocery store checkout line last week. The customer ahead of me knew the cashier and asked if she would come be with her family on Thanksgiving. The cashier snarled, "I don't do anything with my family. We don't talk or communicate. I haven't talked to my younger brother in years. I don't know where he is and I don't care." She continued, "I have had nothing to do with my dad for years and years. In fact, I didn't even know his whereabouts until someone sent me his obituary." She snapped again, "And that's fine with me!" The customer chimed in and spoke about how she, too, is alienated from her family. She said, "That's the way I want it and that's the way I like it." She grabbed her groceries and trotted out of the store. I walked up next and placed my groceries on the conveyor belt. The cashier hesitated slightly knowing that I had heard their conversation. She put her hand on her hip and asked, "And, how are you today?" I smiled and responded, "Great! Isn't it a wonderful day? Every day I wake up is a great day, and how about you?" She just muttered something, bagged my groceries and I got the feeling she wanted me out of there. I smiled and said as I was leaving, "Have a great day! Every day is a gift from God." She looked stunned!

I thought to myself how sad it is that these families have been so fragmented by some misunderstanding or misgiving. Life isn't worth the pain of unforgiveness and the resulting anguish and misery it causes. This Thanksgiving, take the challenge and make amends with your family. Forget the past and build the present so that you can have a family relationship for the future.

Ephesians 4:31-32, "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice; and be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."

Have a blessed Thanksgiving!

FORGET IT

If you ain't been treated right.....forget it.

Don't go looking for a fight....forget it.

There's no need to bear a grudge,

'Twill your happiness besmudge.....forget it!

Anyway, you ain't the judge.....forget it!

So you've been misunderstood?....forget it!

You did the best you could?.....forget it.

There's no need to pout and whine,

Sit around all day and pine.

Cheer up, neighbor, sing and shine.....forget it.

So somebody slandered you?....forget it.

Just make sure it wasn't true, then....forget it.

Needless grief will mar your life

If you let it.

No use nagging at your wife.....forget it!

There's no need to be depressed

Though you've gone through many a test

And you feel that you're oppressed

And by many care possessed.

Tell the Lord, He knows what's best.

If you all your wrongs confessed

And you'll follow His behest

Then your soul will be so blessed

And you'll find such perfect rest

Like a birdie in its nest,

There's no need to be depressed....forget it!

-Unknown

CHUCKLE OF THE WEEK

RECIPE OF THE WEEK

            HOUSEHOLD HINT OF THE WEEK