Saturday, May 24, 2008

Who I am Makes a Difference!

Dear Friend,

I don't know what kind of week you've had or what you've been going through or what you've gone through in your life but let me encourage you that you make a difference in this world no matter if you realize it or not!

There is no one who is insignificant or or unworthy, especially in the eyes of a Loving God - your Creator!

Don't buy into the lies people tell you because you are capable of great things with God's help and through the gifts and talents He's given you!

Please read the below and I pray that you are as inspired buy the message that is shared. I wanted to pass this on to anyone who might visit this blog and please accept this as my blue ribbon to you! (You'll understand once you read the below)

You're life does make a difference and who you are makes a difference!

In His Love,

Randolph Koch


Wednesday, May 21, 2008

7.8 Magnitude Earthquake in China.

A colleague of mine in Asia forwarded several pictures and articles to me over the last week. (Since the day of the earthquake which was a little over a week ago.)

My heart cries out for these people who have suffered under the weight of the rubble as rescuers search for them, and those who are suffering the loss of their loved ones and for those who have lost their lives.

Please pray for them!

I’ve also learned that Medical Teams International is currently working to send over a half millions pounds of supplies to help them and they’re working with Boeing to deliver the supplies via several new planes that they are already planning to delivery to China. Please pray that this effort will be successful and help support them as God leads!

I’m reminded of the following scripture and will direct my prayers that those who are directly impacted by this disaster will be comforted by Him.

“God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam and the mountains
quake with their surging.”
~Psalm 46:1-3



Again, I will pray that God will comfort them during this devastating time and I'll especially pray that they would come to a personal relationship with the Him. May the Body of Christ be there to minister to the hurting and share His love while meeting the physical needs!

I wanted to share a few pictures that once you see them, I believe you’ll be moved to prayer as I have been. Please note: These images may be disturbing but they are also the reality of what has happened and what is occurring due to the Earthquake. Thanks for your prayers. Please see the below.


Please join me in prayer!

Humbled in Christ,

rlk














A boy is rescued from the debris of a collapsed building after an earthquake in Dujiangyan, Sichuan province May 13, 2008. [Agencies]














Bodies of many of the victims. [Agencies]




















Several young children trapped in the rubble. Note the IV attached to one of them onthe left. Some apparently are alive while some sadly are not. [Agencies]




















Young Man trapped in the rubble. [Agencies]


Young Boy receiving medical attention. [Agencies]


The Remnants of what was once a building. [Agencies]

Please pray!

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

New Features!


You may have already noticed but I wanted to let you know that I've added 4 new features to this blog which you'll see on the right navigation bar.




Here's what I've added:

Feature 1: Verse of the day
Feature 2: Weekly Bible Memory Verses
Feature 3: Read Through the Bible in a Year Plan
Feature 4: My Book Shelf - gives you the titles and information about a few of the books I'm currently reading.

You can click on each of these features to read or go to further information.

Regarding the first three features, I've wanted to add something like these for a while and just figured out the best way to do so.

Scripture is vital and having an additional tool to help you read and memorize it verse-by-verse is a practical addition. Note: these tools are linked to the ESV however, you can use it as a guide to read any version you like or simply use it as a tool to read your favorite version.

Enjoy!

rlk

Monday, May 12, 2008

Prince Caspian!

This Friday, the film Prince Caspian hits theaters which is based on C.S. Lewis' 4th book in the Chronicles of Narnia series.

For more information, be sure to see the below Prince Caspian Interactive widget! Or, You can click on the following link for the official web site! http://disney.go.com/disneypictures/narnia

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Laminin

Below is a video from Godtube.com that you’ll want to view.

The speaker, Louie Giglio, speaks of an amazing scientific truth regarding the cell adhesion protein molecule “laminin”. Which is the “glue” that holds our cells together. It is described as the rebar of the human body—it holds us all together. Louie uses it as an awesome illustration of a Biblical truth.




There is more I could share here after viewing this but you'll just have to watch the video as I don't want to give away the message. It is worth the watch!

"He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together."
~Colossians 1:15-17 (NASB)

"I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well."
~Psalm 139:14 (NASB)

Here is a diagram of Laminin:




Isn’t that amazing!

You may also want to do a Google image search using the term laminin and you'll also find some amazing pictures in outer space of pictures taken of a black hole by the Hubble Telescope.

God is Amazing and may you be encouraged today at God's mighty hand as He alone holds all things together!

God Bless,
rlk

Monday, April 14, 2008

Supporting Each Other


The Word:

Read: Exodus 17:8-16

"Supporting Each Other." By Randolph Koch

If you've ever been through a tough time in your life, you've probably come to know the importance of the support you were most likely given from a friend, a family member, your pastor, or someone from your church. The support may have been given through prayers, a supportive or loving word, a meal, or many other ways. It ministers to you in ways that words cannot describe. It's humbling to receive support from others and goes a long way to help heal the wounds of the battles of life.

We can see an example of the importance of supporting each other through the example of Moses during a battle against the Amalekite's. He went to the top of a hill, which was a vantage point overlooking the battle. As he moved up the hill, Joshua and the army were sent to war against the enemy. Moses, with staff in hand, stood and raised his hands. As he raised his hands, Israel prevailed. Then there was a point where he became weary and had to rest but while his hands were lowered the Amalekite's prevailed. Moses needed support, and who wouldn't after having their arms raised for such a long time while a battle raged on. Aaron and Hur came to help him in his time of need. They placed a stone beneath Him so we could sit instead of stand. Then they supported his arms so Moses could hold his hands up. With their help, Aaron on one side and Hur on the other side, his hands remained steady until the sun went down. Israel won the battle. Moses received the support he needed to get him through. The Lord told Moses to write down the experience of the day's war, and how the Lord led them to victory in a book so it could be relayed to others. Then Moses built and altar and named it "the Lord is my banner." What a day it was and what a support plan it was that God unfolded for us to learn from. Without the Lord, Israel and Moses would not have prevailed. Furthermore, with out the two men coming to Moses' aid, he wouldn't have made it through the whole day. Likewise, we cannot make it with out the Lord. It seems that in today’s world, we tend to believe we can do it all alone because we think ourselves to be self-sufficient and honestly we're trained to think this way. Many times our schools, businesses, the movies we see, and many other avenues train us to believe this is a totally healthy and necessary trait, (at times it's true that we have to be somewhat self-sufficient), but we desperately need each other. We can go way to far, and many do, with the self-sufficiency idea. Starting from our homes on into the rest of the world we need to be counter culture, especially in this area. We need to trust the Lord and receive the comfort He and others give us. We weren't created to be in this life alone. We in fact, were created to live and work for the Lord, to have an eternal relationship with Him, and to live and fellowship amongst other believers and of course the world. The Lord is our main source of strength - so don't be afraid to seek His support. Furthermore, it’s crucial to have support from the Lord and other believers. In other words, accept their support. Then as life unfolds and you travel from one storm to another you may begin keeping a log or a journal just to write down all of things God has done for you during your times of need (and what people have done). So you'll remember and be encouraged, especially when rough waters hit. This will be a great reference tool for you so you'll be reminded of His goodness when we tend to forget it in the middle of the trial. Memorialize all that God does and has done to bring you through. Review this list from time to time to refresh your memory and to add to it so you'll be encouraged for years to come. This is also something that you may be able to share with others or pass down to testify of the amazing love that the Lord and others have no matter the situation. Along the way, don't forget to thank the Lord and others for what they've done for you.

No matter what the time or season let us be willing and able to in turn support those in need. We need to be wise and sensitive enough to see the Holy Spirit's leading, as we are lead to help others. There are many ways we can effectively do this. There is also wisdom that we need to use as we seek to support others. The spirit will help us discern real needs or false ones. Finally, and most of all, let our prayer be that the Lord would find us whole heartily supporting each other.

Questions to Get Started With:

-Where do you look or to whom do you look for support in your time of need?
-Do you reach out to support others?
-Are you sensitive to seeing others needs?
-Do praise God for His amazing love and provision when the times are calm or when in rough waters?
-Do you keep a running log or journal of what He's provided for you physically and spiritually?
-What are some of practical things you can do to support others?


(Originally published Jan 21, 2001)

Monday, March 17, 2008

Happy St. Patrick's Day!


Wanted to share an old and very sincere Irish Blessing with you on this St. Patrick's Day!

An Old Irish Blessing

May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Have an Excellent day!

Your Bro,

rlk

Sunday, March 16, 2008

Free Download of John's Gospel - An Easter Gift for You From The Listener's Bible


If you are having trouble viewing this e-mail, click here.

Message from Randolph Koch
Thought you might enjoy taking advantage of this free audio download. All the best, rlk

This Easter be prepared to answer the most important question ever asked: "What must we do to do the works God requires?" Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent." John 6:28-29.

For many Christians, John’s Gospel is the most precious book in the Bible. Its beautiful language and penetrating descriptions of Jesus have the capacity to bring us closer to God than any book ever written.

Max McLean’s own testimony is this: “The event that brought me over the line to fully accept the reality of Jesus came when I read all of John’s Gospel in one sitting. I thought Jesus was going to come right out of the pages of the Bible and take me with him. When I got to the cross I was in tears. I saw the sacrificial love and I responded to Jesus, immediately.”

Now Max McLean and The Listener's Bible is offering this compelling and moving narration of John’s Gospel as a free download for you and your loved ones. Use it for your own edification or as an evangelism tool to forward to friends, family.

Learn more about Max McLean.

Hear the entire Bible:
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Plus Free shipping!

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