During Lent you will receive an email devotion written by a Westview attendee.  Twice a week, on Tuesdays and Thursdays until Easter, a different Westview person will share with us a meaningful scripture and a brief commentary on the passage.  I hope this spurs us on in our own bible reading and prayer life.

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An old hymn that we sang in church when I was just a little fella went something like this, “There is power, power, wonderworking power, in the blood of the Lamb”. There is power, and that power is tied to the blood of the lamb. Sounds mysterious and messy doesn’t it? But the blood is shorthand for the death of Jesus, which is shorthand for the purpose of Jesus to give himself sacrificially for the world. And Jesus tells us, in Acts chapter 1, “you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses…”. There is power. But the wonderworking power of Jesus is tied to the purpose of Jesus for our lives. I am to be a witness for Jesus. Do I lack power in life? Well, am I a witness?

I am proud of my wife! Barb just finished her dissertation and defended it with her panel. One of the panelists who reads many, many dissertations, said that Barb’s was one of the best she has read.
Watching Barb go through this long process has made me think…what is my dissertation? What is my life’s work all about? What is it that I want to present and defend as a high accomplishment?
2 Corinthians 2:3 says, “You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.
I may write a dissertation someday…then again, I may not! But I know what I really want to accomplish.

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“So I commend the enjoyment of life, because nothing is better for a man under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany him in his work all the days of the life God has given him under the sun.” Ecclesiastes 8:15
I commend to you…life! What is life all about? The Westminster Catechism answers that the purpose of life is “to know God and enjoy him forever”. God wants us to enjoy life. He knows that, if we make it our life’s aim to know him, we will find peace in the regular activities of our days.
And that is a good thing!

I was walking Chase, my yellow Labrador, down the street in Big Timber, Montana, when suddenly he crouched low to the ground, his hair stood on end and he desperately pulled on the leash to get away. We were on vacation traveling out west and stopped in this small mountain town to take a break and stretch our legs. Barb was checking out the shops while Chase and I were enjoying the sunshine.

What caused his sudden anxiety? I tightened my grip on the leash and looked around for a threat…another dog, a cat…what could it be? Then I saw the sign, “Big Timber Meats, Wild Game Processing”. We were right in front of a wild game meat locker. And, in Montana, that can be anything from antelope, to elk, to buffalo, to bear. Chase had caught the scent of something big and scary from inside that building…and he was anxious!

I’ve thought about that since. I get anxious. You get anxious. Every person (and my dog) experiences anxiety. Jesus says, “Don’t be anxious, but…when you do, turn your anxious thoughts into prayers”. That’s my rough translation.

Chase doesn’t know how to pray. He just tries to escape. And here’s the kicker. Chase didn’t realize that the beast that he smelled and feared was already dead and hanging in the locker.

Barry Lang’s Ordination Service is scheduled for Sunday, August 23, 2 PM here at Westview. This is the official Reformed Church in America service for Ordination to the Office of Minister of Word and Sacrament – a very big day for Barry & Nicole after all his years of study. Barry will be serving as pastor of Bethel Reformed Church in Leota, Minnesota starting Sept. 1.   Everyone is welcome to attend the ceremony.

Title: Men\’s BBQ Lunch
Description: 2nd Wednesday at Shane\’s Rib Shack, 4th Wednesday at Famous Dave\’s 22nd Street
Start Time: 11:30
Date: 2009-08-12

Community Game Night
5pm to 11pm

Somebody recently asked, “What is the purpose of Community Game Night and who should participate?”

Good question and one that those of us who are regulars at CGN probably just assume that everybody else already knows the answer to. The short answer is, “You.”

The long answer is …The two primary purposes are: Fellowship and Outreach. CGN is intended as a monthly event that brings members of the church together for some fellowship. It is an opportunity for families or small groups or even individuals to just get together and have some fun together. It is also intended as a monthly event to introduce non-members to Westview. Some Christians find it awkward or difficult to invite friends and neighbors to church so this is a non-threatening way to invite people to have some fun and gently introduce them to Westview. So… everybody is welcome and should participate. We typically play a wide range of games including card games, family games, party games, and strategy games.

Open to everyone – invite your friends. Bring a snack to share and pop or water.

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There will be tons of games (both board games and card games) such as Settlers of Catan, Carcassonne, Ticket to Ride, Risk, Pokemon, Taboo, Say Anything, Outburst, Bridge, Spades, and others as well as tons of fun. Feel free to bring your favorite game or just join others. Feel free to invite your neighbor as new players are definitely welcome. Open to everyone but childcare will NOT be provided (young gamers are welcome to participate with their parents but we cannot allow unattended minors).

When: Second Saturday of each month 5:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. (Drop in for any part of the time)
Cost: $0.00 (FREE)
Where: 1155 Boone Dr., Waukee Iowa 50263 (Westview building)

What you are required to bring: A smile.

Other optional items that you are encouraged to bring:
a friend, ; your favorite game ; a snack to share ; pop (or water)

If you have a question, call us at [(515) 779-7662] or send an email to GameNightCoordinator [(at)] westview [(dot)] org

Title: Career Transitions Connection
Description: The Westview Career Transitions Connection is a metro Des Moines group that assists those that are either actively seeking new career opportunities, considering changes in career direction, or have a desire to find more fulfillment in their work and careers. There is no charge to participate
Start Time: 08:00
Date: 2009-08-07
End Time: 09:00