Wednesday, November 19, 2008

RLK Ministries Update for November 2008

Hello,

The following is an update that I sent to friends of my ministry via e-mail.

Thought whoever stops by might be interested in an update regarding the many facets of my personal ministry.

Thanks,

rlk
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November 18, 2008


Dear Friends of RLK Ministries,

Greetings in the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Hope this message finds you well!

It has been a while since I last communicated with you so I wanted to provide you with an update regarding many facets of the ministry.

First off, during this Thanksgiving time I wanted to express my deep gratitude for the privilege of serving the Lord and you! Since coming to know the Lord it's been an adventure and through the inception of this ministry in 1997, it's been continuation of an adventure, journey, and dream and I look forward to further opportunities to humbly serve and shepherd where He leads.

I know that it's a very tough economic time for everyone at this time and my family is right there with you! We can pray and lift each other up during this and every season of our lives and isn't it a true privilege to do so for His glory!

I always hesitate to share areas of prayer and financial need especially during this season of turmoil however just like any ministry large or small there are areas of need that I'd appreciate your prayer covering for!

With this in mind here are a few areas of update I wanted to share with you:

The Devotional Starters:

I'd appreciate your prayers, I've taken a hiatus from writing over the last year but I've sensed that it's time pick up "the pen" again and restart the Devotional Starters. Pray that I can lock time out each month to write at least once a month or more.

I'm also looking at possibly changing them a bit - seeking to be even more concise with what I'm lead to write through studying and sharing His Word. I'll have a few devotions to write and then I'll circle back and finally complete the CHARACTER series some of you remember I had started up but did not completed.

Computer Update:

One of the resource areas we've struggled with besides finances is the lack of an adequate laptop PC. It's hard to maintain the web site, write, or simply manage the ministry without one.

I'm happy to share that I've been blessed with the use of a newer pretty well equipped Laptop PC with a 17 inch screen for a few months for my ministry and personal activities. This is thanks to a friend from church who doesn't need it for a few months and offered me the use of it. Pray that by February, (which is when I'll have to return the laptop) that God will help us secure a new one of like kind.

Now that I have the PC as of a little over a week ago, I am in need of specific software and wanted to let all my ministry friends know of the needs in case this is something you might have and would be willing to give:

Here's what I need in order of importance with insight to how it will be utilized:

1. MS Office 2000 or newer with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, FrontPage and Publisher (Used is fine as long as it comes with a license of course) I'm also considering an evaluation of the free open source suite called Open Office. This may work out and if it does it will provide a MS Office compatible alternative for Word, Excel and PowerPoint. This will not replace a need for FrontPage or Publisher as Open Office doesn't come with an alternative. I'll keep you posted. I'll have use of the software, (MS Office 2007) for a few months which is on this PC but after the PC is returned, I'll need to acquire another licensed copy.

Use: This software would be used for writing, document creation, presentation creation, cost tracking, web site maintenance and more.

2. Paint Shop Pro Photo X2 Ultimate (For graphics projects) http://www.corel.com/servlet/Satellite/us/en/Product/1155872554948#versionTabview=tab1&tabview=tab0

Use: This would be used for graphic projects such as editing photos for scripture wallpaper creation, web elements, editing graphics for presentations and more.

3. Swishmax http://www.swishzone.com

Use: This is a Flash like authoring tool that would be used for web and other project enhancements such as online evangelism tools as well as encouragement tools.


Web Site:

I'm in the process of re-vamping the ministry web site, if you know any web designers that have any dynamic FrontPage compatible templates let me know as the site requires a much needed refresh soon. With the site revamp we'll also look to add further tools and resources as well as links to useful information.

Prayers:

Besides prayers for the above, I would appreciate your prayers as God is helping me / having me re-evaluate and re-focus what He wants us to do in helping meeting the spiritual and physical needs in people's lives. I'm sure I'll have more to share in the months to come as this becomes even clearer.

Part of this I sense will definitely bring an even greater focus on meeting physical needs, (I.E. providing Thanksgiving meals as well as other practical ongoing assistance) in addition to the spiritual needs in striving to be the hands and feet of Jesus and enabling others to do the same.

Secondly, I'm having to find some type of part-time work to help supplement my day job as well as put other things in place to better take care of the family God has blessed me with. Pray that I can find something that will be flexible and provide the right income at the right time. Possibly even something ministry focused through this ministry or other related ministry activities. I may also begin offering wedding and vow renewal services in the future.

Please Note: To be clear I wanted to mention that no income has ever been drawn from any of the funds given to this ministry over the years as the funds always go to help others or provide for specific ministry supplies/resources.

Thank you for your prayers for all of the resources and other items shared in this update!

The Prayer Chain:

Wanted to remind you that we still have a prayer chain! It's underutilized and I'd love to see it grow in those who subscribe to pray for the needs as well as those who share prayer requests. For the sake of administration and clarity, the only thing I ask is that when sending a request that the prayer request is as clear and concise as possible so the prayer need is heard and can be prayed over. The details can also be included but the prayer request(s) need to be clear as the main priority.

If you'd like to subscribe to be a part of the RLK Prayer Chain please send a blank mail to the following address: rlkprayerchain-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

If you have prayer needs, please send them to one of the two following addresses: rlkmin@msn.com or prayer@rlkministries.org.

Supporting RLK Ministries:

From time-to-time I'm asked how can someone support the RLK Ministries, besides prayer which is vital, here are a few ways to support financially.

1. Online Giving:

If you're lead to support RLK Ministries financially please go to: http://www.rlkministries.org/Support.htm and click on the PayPal Donate Button. Note: you do not need a PayPal account to use this service and All major Debit or Credit Cards are accepted. (This is also subject to a PayPal processing fee that is deducted for each donation in order to provide the service. This fee isn't applied to you rather to the funds that are donated)

OR:

2. Donation Deposit:

You can make a deposit at any Washington Mutual bank for RLK Ministries, just e-mail me if you would like to do so and I'll give you the account number.

If you have a specific area you want the donation to go towards - you can make note of that through either financial method.


We always appreciate your prayers and any financial support as we seek to help meet the growing spiritual and physical needs in the lives of others.

Thank you for your time! It's a privilege to serve the Lord and you! Please don't hesitate to contact me should you have any questions or need anything! Also, feel free to let me know how you're doing as I'd love to hear from you from time to time.

In closing, until we communicate next, may God bless you as you continue to seek Him and love Him with all of your heart, soul, mind, and strength!

Your Brother and Servant,

Randolph Koch
RLK Ministries

Personal Blog: http://ashepherdsheart.blogspot.com
Web: www.rlkministries.org

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

An American Military Tribute - Veterans Day 2008



Dear Veterans,

On this Veterans Day words cannot express the gratitude I have for the sacrifices you have made for God and country!

I also recognize the great sacrifice your loved ones have made when you were gone, most likely often, when you were out protecting our country fighting for our freedom!

I also think of the numerous soldiers who have lost their lives in battle and the families that have been left behind to mourn their loss.

Simple words cannot truly express the gratitude I have for every military personnel past, present, and future!

Thank you for sacrifice! I pray that we never take you for granted!

The following is an American Military Tribute through a song named Unknown by David Harsh.

Please take a few moments to view and listen to this great tribute!

Note: You may need to pause the music/tunes on this blog by scrolling down the right hand side until you see the Tunes/Music Player and press pause so you can hear the introduction and music without interruption.

Sincerely,

Randolph Koch