Soul’d Out

Posted on January 7, 2019 by America's Keswick in Freedom Fighters

“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life that I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me.” Galatians 2:20

We are embarking on a new year. Our theme for 2019 is Soul’d Out – Relentlessly Pursuing Christ.

This fall on our bus trip to Michigan, one of our stops was to Lambeau Field, the home of the Green Bay Packers. It was quite the experience for someone who isn’t really into sports (and an Eagle’s fan for sure).

The stadium seats 81,441 people including areas where it is standing room only. Every game is sold out, and the lion share of the seating is not the typical stadium seats. Most of the seats are on hard metal bleacher type benches.

The stadium’s nickname was spawned by the Ice Bowl between the Packers and the Dallas Cowboys, played on December 31, 1967. The game was played in temperatures of −15 °F (−26 °C) with sharp winds.

The tour guide for our group made this statement: Green Bay Packer fans are sold out for their team and are willing to sit in sub-zero temperatures.

Each year the team employs hundreds of volunteers to shovel rows of snow so that fans can enjoy a game. They started the snow shovelers in cash because they weren’t cashing their checks. Talk about commitment.

Dr. Howard Hendricks, a long-time professor at Dallas Theological Seminary once likened the church to football: “On the field, there are 11 people who desperately need rest, while there are 81,441 fans in the stands who desperately need exercise.

Too bad that for many, we get more passionate and excited about the scores of our favorite teams than we do about our relationship with the Lord.

But our prayer this year is that you and I will fall more and more in love with Jesus by relentlessly pursuing Him.

1. Get one of our new wristbands that you can use as a conversation starter to people you meet. You can contact Raws Guest Services to order your free bracelet. (800-453-7942)
2. Join us as we read through the Bible this year. Last month we sent you a free copy of the plan. I trust you know where it is and that it will not just be a bookmark but a guide that will help you grow as you read the Word this year. You can also download the guide from our website: https://americaskeswick.org/blog/resources/2019-daily-bible-reading-plan/
3. We have been encouraging our staff for the last several years to memorize God’s Word. We have put together a list of verses so that you can memorize one verse each week plus some bonus verses. If you would like a copy of the verses, please contact Guest Services (800-453-7942). You can also download a copy from our website: https://americaskeswick.org/resources/2019-memory-verses/

You have been faithful at tracking with us for our Monday through Friday emails and we say “Thank You.” Now will you consider joining us on the journey this year as we move towards being “Soul’d Out?”

Happy New Year and God bless you.

Relentlessly pursuing Christ,

Bill Welte, President/CEO
America’s Keswick

Written by Bill Welte: Written by Bill Welte,President/CEO of America’s Keswick: Bill has been married to his childhood sweetheart for 40+ years and has four married kids and 11 amazing grandkids. He loves music and is an avid reader.

The Daily Bible Reading:  Genesis 18-19; Romans 7 | You can download our 2018 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here

Think About This: “God’s goodness is near us. It is not a goodness far away, but God follows us with His goodness in whatever situation we are. He attaches Himself to us, He has made Himself close, that He might be near us in goodness. He is a father, and everywhere to maintain us. He is a husband, and everywhere to help. He is a friend, and everywhere to comfort and counsel. His love is a near love. He has taken upon Himself the closest kinds of relationships, so that we may never lack God and the evidences of His love.” — Richard Sibbes

This Week’s Verse to Memorize: And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.  – Genesis 2:7