Go Team!

Last night a new team at Ironridge met. It is called the 'Go Team" it is built around the truth that God wants all of us to become active in the work that he is doing.

1 Peter 4:10-11 says: Everything in the world is about to be wrapped up, so take nothing for granted. Stay wide-awake in prayer. Most of all, love each other as if your life depended on it. Love makes up for practically anything. Be quick to give a meal to the hungry, a bed to the homeless—cheerfully. Be generous with the different things God gave you, passing them around so all get in on it: if words, let it be God's words; if help, let it be God's hearty help. That way, God's bright presence will be evident in everything through Jesus, and he'll get all the credit as the One mighty in everything—encores to the end of time. Oh, yes!

We have an amazing opportunity before us to see things happen that we only dream about. We must not lose heart but instead all become a part of what God is doing and the impossible will become possible right before our eyes. Don't let another day pass before you join "The Go Team". We are preparing ourselves to work together to see lives changed! My friends that is the mark of an alive church. Nothing is impossible when we follow God's lead.

Check out this video below of a church that has made a huge difference in its community by believing "all things are possible through Christ who strengthens them".

Almost Heaven West Virginia

John Denver wrote the words to a song that goes like this. "Almost heaven, west virginia
Blue ridge mountains
Shenandoah river -
Life is old there
Older than the trees
Younger than the mountains
Growin like a breeze

Country roads, take me home
To the place I belong
West Virginia, mountain momma
Take me home, country roads

I have been to west Virgina. It truly is one of the most beautiful places in America. But with all due respect. I hope Heaven is more than that. In Fact it is. This Sunday November 2nd we will take a look at what the Bible says Heaven is like. Most likely it will include some of the splendor that is West Virgina and Much Much More! Hope too see you there!

Whats The Deal With Heaven and Hell?

The next two weeks we will be taking a look at Heaven and Hell. There you go again some might say. Trying to scare me into going to church. I promise I have no intention of scaring you. It is a subject that the bible talks about and we should know what it says. So we will start this Sunday October 26th with part 1 of Heaven and Hell. With a look into the darkness of a place called Hell.Whats it really like? Does it exist? How do I not end up there?

In 1986 A Band by the name of Stryper introduced a new song called 'To Hell With The Devil' It took many in the christian world by surprise. But looking back, The music, the lyrics were right on.It was the cover of the album that made many question its origin.

To Hell With The Devil

Speak of the devil
He's no friend of mine
To turn from him is what we have in mind

Just a liar and a thief
The word tells us so
We like to let him know
Where he can go

[Chorus]
To hell with the devil
To hell with the devil

When things are going wrong
You know who to blame
He will always live
Up to his name

He's never been the answer
There's a better way
We are here to rock you
And to say...

[Repeat Chorus]

Hope too see you there Sunday October 26th

Meet Our College Students

Brett Hermanson is a Private First Class and is doing his reserve training once a month in Des Moines while going to Iowa State. After he gets his 4 year degree he will become an officer in the Marine Corp. He also does his officer training next summer in Quantico, VA. Keep Brett in your prayers as he attends Iowa State College and serves in the US Marine Corp.

This Sunday Offering Grace to Others

This Sunday October 19th we will be taking a look at offering Grace to Others. Sometimes there is a lot of other things we would like to give others. Like a map to take a long walk off a short pier. But God says there is another way. Plus there are great tings that happen when we choose to live God's way. So before you decide to give that neighbor a knob on the head. Check out what it looks like to offer Grace!

Natile Grant Will Be at the Women of Faith Conference

Women of Faith Conference Tickets Still available

There are still 12 tickets available for the Women of Faith Conference. If your in need of a break and some inspiration to move through some of the stress in your life. Or if you just would like to spend a great time with other Women discovering your faith journey. This would be the perfect opportunity! Time is fast approaching for this year’s 2008 Women of Faith conference, 10/17-10/18.

Past year’s conferences have been life changing and we want the enthusiasm to continue and ripple through our families, communities and businesses. Catch the buzz and share the joy with a friend or two. This year’s Women of Faith event is "Infinite Grace 2008".

"And God is able to make all Grace abound to you, that always having all sufficiency in everything; you may have an abundance for every good deed." 2 Corinthians 9:8

We have 2 buses reserved and 12 tickets still available. Due to the limited number of seats available, only payment in full guarantees your reservation. Here is a link to a sign-up sheet for you to complete & return with payment. We are trusting the Lord to fill each seat & asking each of you to share the word and invite someone who hasn't had the opportunity to attend previously.

The Conference ticket cost is the same as last year- Early Bird Premium Package (2 lunches included) - $119
Bus - $38/seat.
Rooms - Country Inn and Suites - 4/room - $35 ea.
Total Cost $192

You can return your sign-up sheet anytime with payment in full - $192 (check, money order or cash only). Again, seats are limited & will go fast, so don’t delay! If you know someone who really needs to go and cannot afford this fee, please let us know as God will supply all our needs.

The only added expense will be your dinner Friday night and again on Saturday night. We will be stopping to eat at Culvers in Rochester on the way home Saturday night.

We will leave at 5:30 a.m. Friday from the fairgrounds in Waukon to attend the pre-conference from 10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. (I Second that Emotion; speakers, Jan Silvious, Patsy Clairmont & Anita Renfroe) and then the Infinite Grace 2008 conference begins Fri evening from 7-9:30 p.m. and continues from 9-5 p.m. on Saturday. We return to Waukon Fair grounds around 10 PM Saturday night. The bus will be stopping in Decorah to pick up and drop off as well.

This is such a special time for women to make new friends, just relax, be renewed, energized and refreshed in the Lord. Ask a friend and give us a call to reserve a place anytime now. Any questions call us at 563-568-2911 Darcie Klocke or email at darcie@kitchenkrafts.com OR Lynn Sorensen at 563-568-6563 or email lynn@kitchenkrafts.com.

Can't wait to hear from you!

Sister's in Christ - Darcie Klocke & Lynn Sorensen

Trunk orTreat

Our fourth Annual Trunk or Treat will take place Friday October 31st at the Waukon State Bank Parking Lot. Come see all of the decorated trunks and load up on the free candy. Last year we had nearly 600 people go through and it was a fun time to be had by all. Maybe you would like to participate this year and do a trunk? All you need is a car with a trunk an idea to decorate it and a little imagination and your set for the fun! contact Ironridge Church for details at 563-568-4153 or email marlanm4@msn.com for more details. Hope to see you there.

Luther College

Monday afternoon I will be at Luther College in Decorah Iowa to do a Strengths finder training for one of the departments there. Now Discover Your Strengths by Marcus Buckingham and Donald Clifton, both researchers at the Gallup Organization. Developed The tool which the premise of the tool is to effectively manage personnel, the best approach is to focus on enhancing people's strengths rather that try and eliminate their weaknesses. The authors have analyzed results of interviews conducted by Gallup of over 1.7 million employees from 101 companies and representing 63 countries, resulting in the formulation of 34 positive personality traits. StrengthsFinder is a talent assessment instrument developed expressly for the Internet. It is built upon three primary discoveries that resulted from decades of research of successful human beings. Skills can be learned, and knowledge can be obtained. However, talent – the key to strength and peak performance – must exist naturally within a person. A talent is a naturally recurring pattern of thought, feeling, or behavior that can be productively applied. They are spontaneous, top-of-mind, perhaps even subconscious, reactions to situations. Talents are what one does well “without even thinking about it.” They are innate, non-teachable.

Noah's Ark Replica

Have you ever wondered what Noah's ark looked like?

Here is a replica built by someone with more time than I have. It is located in Denmark and is movable from port to port. Have a look inside.






This is 1/5 the size of the original