Beautiful Feet

This weekend Tara and I had the privilege of being a part of the Missions Weekend at my home church. The theme for the weekend was "Beautiful Feet".
In Romans 10:14-15 says:
"How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"
Paul explains that as we bring the Gospel to the lost; they see us as bringing something special and valuable. It's nothing about us that makes people accept the Gospel message but it is the Holy Spirit that goes ahead and does the work. We as Christians are called to be obedient to where God calls us and to share the good news of the Gospel where we are.

I picture a village of people that are sick and helpless. Many are dying and trying to do their best to hide the pain through alcohol and drugs. Their is a hole in each one of these people their trying to fill and it just isn't working. The village is filled with screams of pain. The city lights are burning out. It's dark and dirty all around. Then in the distance you see someone that is brightly shining and walking toward the village. As he speaks God's Word the things around him become more colorful and take life. The people that accept the Gospel Words are changed; the old self cracks of of them like a brittle black shell and they are standing there bright and full of life. More and more people come to see whats happening in the street. Some laugh and reject the man and go back into the darkness. Others receive the Gospel and become a new creation. They join together in the streets to praise God for the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the life it brings. How beautiful are the feet of those that bring good news.

Tim and Tara Chamberlain
-For the sake of the Gospel

THE WEEKENDER - Fall Conference 2008!

What an amazing weekend we had!
There were 54 students from Whitewater that attended the conference.
There were over 400 students and staff and it was the largest conference the upper midwest Navs have had in a long time!
This years conference them was: "The Word is Life".
We had great conversations on the road there and back. This probably will be our last year at Village Creek Bible Camp because our group is growing out of the space they have at the camp; this is a good thing but sad to leave the camp.
Tara and I had lots of great conversations with students during the weekend. I stayed with the guys and she with the girls. Through those times connecting with our students we got to know them on a deeper level. Though some conversations went in to the wee hours of the morning, it was well worth it!
We are praying for the students that attended that they would continue to let God work in their lives. Much prayer is ahead for these students.
Thanks for praying and continuing to support this ministry!

Tim and Tara Chamberlain
-For the sake of the Gospel

Melting Peoples Hearts

This past week I met with a guy who has cerebral palsy. We meet every other Friday for lunch and to talk about spiritual things. This past Friday we met to talk about what it means to be a Christian and to share with him what salvation is. God has been working on his heart and his is ready. It is so evident that God has turned his heart from stone to flesh and he is just soaking up everything in the Bible. He told me that he wants to believe and accept the salvation as a gift but he is scared of what his parents may think. Please pray for him!

After we have lunch and talk, we head over to play basketball in the main Whitewater gym. Even with being in a powered wheel chair that doesn't keep him down. We were watching some of the guys playing as we got there and they were pretty intense and kind of talking back to each other. Once the game was over, we both got on the court and shot around. It was amazing how it seemed to melt the guys hearts when he came on the court.

I think a lot of times we take for granted our ability to run and stand. It's humbling playing with him on the court because we want him to enjoy playing also and it causes us to put aside our own desires and selfishness. My desire is not that you look at me and how good I am, because really it's because of Christ in me that gives me the heart and compassion to share with him about the gospel and treat him that way. But my hope is that by being obedient to God and setting aside my selfishness to get out on the court, that the others would wonder why I did that and be impacted. The least that we all can do is help those around us that are handicap. This guy was born with cerebral palsy and it wasn't anything that he did that caused him to be that way. I know that God is using this guy in my life to refine me.

-For the sake of the Gospel
Tim and Tara Chamberlain