Mary Jo and I just finished doing a seminar at Grace Bible Church in Sherman, TX. The pastor of this church teaches solidly on the Biblical record of Creation, and the people are eager to increase their understanding of scientific evidence that supports the Biblical view. We enjoyed the informed and enthusiastic response, especially from the young people who are being trained to defend their faith with boldness and confidence. It is so good to be in a church like this. I...
Read More2010 Speaking Impacts Kids and Adults
2010 was a busy, “ministry-packed” year with 187 separate speaking/teaching events in 17 states (AZ, CO, CT, IL, KS, MN, MO, MT, NE, NM, OR, SD, TX, UT, WA, WI, WY) as well as internationally in India and The Netherlands. Of these 187 events, over 20 were multiple-day events of 5 to 12 days (VBS’s, camps, and extended field trip classes). Speakers reported a total of 439 speaking days (not including travel and layover days). That’s a lot of speaking for our 3 main speaking...
Read MoreWait Upon the Lord
The AOI Board met this past weekend to consider direction and set the budget for 2011. This January meeting is always vital as we seek the Lord together to discern His goals and budget for the year. We are so grateful for a Board that prays! This year, we face a very real challenge, as year-end giving was substantially down. Since we already operate on a very “lean” budget, cutting expenses by much would be detrimental to our ability to reach people with the truth of...
Read MoreFruitfulness
In my past 2 blogs (His Workmanship and Chosen to Bear Fruit), I have looked a little bit at what it means to be a new creation in Christ and how we can bear fruit. The Bible talks much about fruitfulness – and bearing fruit for His Kingdom is one of the greatest desires of my life. But the question might be asked: What is this fruit? We often think of souls won for the Kingdom of God, and certainly this is wonderful fruit for which we can be grateful. But fruitfulness is...
Read MoreChosen to Bear Fruit
In my last blog (His Workmanship), I shared some thoughts from Andrew Murray about being God’s workmanship and being “in Christ” by His work. We become a “new creation” when we are joined to Christ, and bear much fruit as we stay connected to Him. Let’s explore these truths a bit further. Have you ever thought about how a vine produces fruit? It’s certainly not by thinking or effort on the part of the vine. Fruitfulness comes naturally as the branches are connected to the...
Read MoreHis Workmanship
In his classic, Abide in Christ, Andrew Murray powerfully reminds us: “God Himself Has United You To Him.“ According to I Cor. 1:30, “Of God are ye in Christ Jesus … ” We are “in Christ,” not of our doing, but of God’s – and therein lies our confidence and our fruitfulness. Murray writes: “You are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works”: grafted by Him into Christ, unto the bringing forth of much fruit. Whatever God creates is exquisitely suited to its...
Read MoreAOI’s Newsletters
I was able to get the Kids Think & Believe Too! newsletter finished and ready for the printer before the busyness of Christmas season took over. AOI publishes an adult newsletter and a children’s newsletter every 2 months. Dave and Mary Jo Nutting, along with occasional guest writers, write the articles for Think and Believe, and then have graphic artist Mark Sonmor add the artwork and layout. I (with occasional help from my wife Marilyn) write the Kids Think...
Read More40th Anniversary Thoughts
We wrote this a few days ago while looking out over the lights shimmering across a beautiful bay in Manzanillo, Mexico. What a wonderful spot to celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary and reflect on the beauty of God’s creation and our life and work together! When we were first married, we had no idea what God had in store for us – the miles we would travel, the sites we would see, the people we would meet, the blessings we would receive, and the challenges we would face....
Read MoreA Note of Thanksgiving
Notes like the one below are a great encouragement as we prepare for 2011. “Hi, Everyone! Thank you for your ministry! My oldest son, who is 15, had been taking Marine Biology and Oceanography at the local community college. He’s had the same professor for both classes. This teacher is hard core evolution in thought. My son said he was thankful and glad that he got to hear your seminars, because he said if he hadn’t, he would have easily gone to the side of...
Read MoreCreation Ministries – Making an Impact
Recently I was in the doctor’s office getting some stitches in a couple of my fingers as a result of an accident in the workshop. As the doctor, still in residency, was stitching me up, I began to ask him about his education, where he was from, etc. … just getting to know him. After a short time, he asked what I did for a living. Since I was dressed in old patched insulated coveralls (covered with grease, sawdust, and fresh blood), and beat-up work boots (with grease...
Read MoreGranddaughter’s Dedication
This past Sunday, my youngest grandchild was dedicated to the Lord at her parent’s church. This dedication really had not so much to do with our granddaughter; rather it was a time of celebration … an opportunity and a privilege for the parents, family, and church family to commit to do something, not just for the children, but for the parents as well. The parents (and grandparents!) were challenged to make a commitment: To lifting up their children/grandchildren in...
Read MoreGiving and Receiving
To truly give thanks requires acknowledgment of need, a heart of humility, and an appreciation for the giver. Think about it! It’s hard to give thanks for things for which you see no need. It’s also hard for a prideful, self-sufficient person to recognize or accept a gift. Finally, it’s hard to give thanks if you care nothing for the heart of the giver. Think about some of the gifts you have received in times past – that shirt or blouse that didn’t fit, or the fragrance you...
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Friends - Richard's Life was Changed!! - And this is why he is leading AOI's Colorado Family Camp! Join us July 30 - Aug 4 - conta.cc/3X4JroB pic.twitter.com/u8j1AP1Pmu
