This Week at Twin Cities - May 28, 2009

Hey Gang,

We’re observing Communion this Sunday. The Bible never teaches us to celebrate Christmas, but it does tell us to celebrate Communion. Communion is the time when we remember the cross. I am always blown away by the concept that Jesus knew before He died that we would take His death for granted unless He built in a time for us to remember.

The cross, then, becomes the main focal point in all time to show us the extravagant love of God. He allowed His Son to die a cruel and harsh death in order to meet the righteous requirement for my sin.

In our Journey 101 Class, I teach how to prepare for Communion. Let me remind you so you can come ready to meet with God this week.

• Ask God To Examine Your Life

• Agree With His Probing Spirit

• Re-align Yourself With His Purposes

• Pray For Your Relational Fractures

Our service on Sunday will be designed to lead us to a place where we can experience the love God has for us through the cross. We’re talking about “Recalibrating Our Hearts.” This Sunday has tremendous potential to shake us all up in a good way for Christ. The current crisis is being called the “Great Recession.” Wouldn’t it be great if it became the “Great Revival” because God’s people got their hearts right with Him?

Looking forward to eating the bread and drinking the juice with you, my family and friends,


Pastor Ron



By the way… You might want to come out and enjoy the atmosphere Saturday morning at 8:00 for “Run For The Community.” We’ll have a band, lots of people and excitement as we sponsor this annual event for our community of runners. This is a great way to live out the 2010 Plan: 24 Months of Love.

This Week at Twin Cities - May 21, 2009

Hey Gang,

Memorial Day was always a special time in the Thompson household. On Saturday we would all get in the family car for a drive over to the cemetery to decorate the graves of my grandparents and great grandparents. I didn’t quite understand it as a youngster, but my parents were teaching the value of life and family heritage.

A couple of years ago, I was home over Memorial Day, and we loaded up my mom, Kimberly, Ryan and Jordyn, and we took the trip over to the same cemetery. It had been more than 30 years since I was there.  I was deeply moved as we walked around looking at our relatives who had lived and died over the years. 

The thing that moved me most was how seeing where I had come from gave me a sense of security that I never expected. Who would have thought that going to a cemetery would give me security and peace? Well, it did.

That’s the value of remembering and tradition. Even though it’s still two weeks away, I want to ask you to make May 31 a day that you commit to be in church. May 31 will be the day we remember the death and resurrection of Jesus as we observe communion together. As we remember Him, I believe you will have a sense of security and peace as we face the tough times of our current national crisis. In Christ we have hope. Make sure to be there for your time of remembering.

This weekend, we continue our series and talk about “recalibrating our schedules.” Many of us are re-thinking the way we’ve been living our lives, and summer is a good time to make sure you are really pursuing what is important to you and God.

Remembering with you,

Pastor Ron

This Week at Twin Cities - May 14, 2009

Hey Gang,

Today, our staff had the privilege of hearing about the growth of Christianity in China from a member of our church who travels there to train key leaders and pastors in basic Bible skills. It was absolutely stimulating to hear of the courageous faith it takes someone in this dark land to stand up for the “real” Jesus. We discovered that they do have government sanctioned churches, but that they are empty of the true gospel and power of Jesus Christ. 

Two things jumped out as we had our discussion. First, Rick Henderson, who works with our High School and College age kids, was blown away by the biblical worldview of our fellow Twin Cities’ member. He retired from his career so that he could go into these foreign countries in order to teach others about his love for God’s word. That’s unusual in today’s world, but it’s definitely the way God would want us to retire if we ever do.

Second, I was completely surprised to learn about the oppression the Chinese people really live under, and yet the “church” is growing rapidly. It made me feel grateful for the freedom we have in America to worship God as we believe is best. It made me grateful for the calling our church member has to go as a tourist into China and be a missionary impacting the lives of many. 

I hope you’ll stay engaged as we continue our “Recalibrate” series. God wants all of us to live with a radical obedience that impacts the world in which we live and possibly even the ends of the earth. Hope to see you Sunday as we talk about “Reducing Our Pressure.” We live in a time where many feel pressed in on every side. We’ll discover that our Good Shepherd has promised to provide all we need.

See you Sunday,

Pastor Ron

This Week at Twin Cities - May 7, 2009

Hey Gang,

I want to designate this space to a truly inspiring woman, Sharon Petersen. After a 14-year battle with cancer, Sharon went home to her heaven last week. Cancer is an ugly killer that creates suffering and cuts life short. As difficult as cancer is, though, I don’t want to focus on cancer. I want to focus on Sharon. 

Sharon won her battle with cancer. Her victory began with her pursuit of God. She was passionate about knowing and experiencing all of God. She didn’t just want religion or church. She wanted to know God. So she ran after Him with vigor. She learned to read the Bible and experience Him. She learned to pray in  a way that made you feel as if you had been with God yourself. She learned to love others and give herself compassionately. 

When cancer struck and struck again, she walked forward with faith laying her future in the hands of the One she had come to love. She died peacefully in her home, with her husband and daughters standing around her praying and singing her into heaven. She had the victory. Cancer didn’t win. She is now free. 

On Tuesday we celebrated her life, and as sad as we were, the auditorium was electric with a joy that comes from being certain of what lies beyond death. We experienced a joy that comes from celebrating a life well lived and a legacy well forged. Those of us who knew Sharon will always remember her impact in our lives. The legacy she leaves is certainly within the realm of every person. She made choices to pursue God passionately,  and those choices made her into the woman we celebrated. 

This Sunday we celebrate our mothers. I hope you’ll be here as we focus on the value a Godly woman has in our lives. 

Pastor Ron