February is often synonymous with love. We celebrate Valentine’s Day by expressing our love for that special person in our lives, whether it be through a card, or candy, or flowers. It’s a time for husbands and wives to reaffirm the love they feel for one another. Obviously, you better do that much more often than once a year, or you will be in trouble! It is no secret that a good marriage takes a lot of intentional and hard work, but it is certainly worth the effort. And I can say that from experience! Several years ago I shared this story with you, and it bears repeating. It is the real-life story of the late John and Harriet McCormack.

According to Peggy Stanton, “They were married 52 years and never spent a night apart.” Evangelist Billy Graham referred to their marriage as one of the great love stories of our generation. Roger Brooks, their chauffeur of 20 years, declared, “They were just like newlyweds.”

When Harriet was hospitalized at age 87, John took the hospital room next to hers so he could be near her at all times. When she was too warm, he bathed her forehead. When she was weak, he fed her. When she could no longer eat solid foods, he didn’t either. And if she had to endure roast mush, he would endure it with her.

When people talked about sacrifice, John scoffed at them. What did they mean? He wanted to be with Harriet. He was annoyed when anyone suggested duty. Duty wasn’t love.

Sad to say, we don’t see enough marriages like that today. Often it is just a forgotten dream, a newlywed hope, now crushed beneath the demands of living. Some studies tend to validate this gloomy conclusion. They indicate that only about 10% of all marriages reach their relational potential. The rest struggle in mediocrity or end in divorce.

But the good news for all of us is that it doesn’t have to be that way! God still intends marriage to be a special relationship where two people truly become one, where they experience the deepest intimacy and the most complete fulfillment of which they are capable. To settle for anything less denies the divine ideal.

So I would dare to ask, “What is the state of your marriage? What kind of investment are you making in your marriage? Does it reflect the kind of love that John and Harriet had for each other?” I can promise you that you will never regret the amount of investment you make in your marriage.

The reason that so many marriages are failing today is that people give up way too easily. They maybe put forth a little effort, but if it is

not reciprocated by their partner, they are ready to throw in the

towel. “It’s just too hard,” or, “it’s just not working,” are the common

justifications we hear. Perhaps we need to remind ourselves of God’s own words, “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” At some point we must quit trying to do this thing in our own strength, and throw ourselves on God, since we already know for certain what His will is for our marriage. Will He not give us the strength and the wisdom and the patience and the will-power to hang in there until things begin to change?

For those of you who enjoy a great marriage, be thankful to God for what you have, and keep investing in that relationship. It is a priceless blessing. Perhaps you could even consider offering yourselves to mentor another couple who may be struggling in their relationship. Sometimes all a couple needs is to have a healthy example to learn from and imitate.

If your marriage isn’t what it could be, or should be, by all means do something about it. Get some help. Go to counseling. Read books. Find a marriage mentor. Pray. Invest in your relationship.

I can tell you from many years of working with couples and families, divorce is not the answer. We have mountains of evidence of that in our culture today. There has to be a better way, and there is! It’s God’s way. Wouldn’t it be a wonderful testimony to our community if CLF was full of marriages that resemble that of John and Harriet McCormack? What a legacy to leave our children and this community!

So, I say, “God’s best to all you John and Harriet wannabes!”

Senior Pastor’s Column

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A Big THANK YOU to all who have invested in the Kid’s Ministry. You have

made a difference in these lives!

Totals for the first 4 weeks in

January 2011

Promise Land – 246 kids

Kids Church - 303 Students

CLF Royal Rangers’ Annual Pinewood Derby

Saturday, Feb 19th Registration begins at 8:30am, first race is at 10:00am. Car kits are available for $10.00 (includes car kit and registration fee) on Wednesday nights during clubs. Everyone is invited to come and observe the race free of charge. A convenient

and thrifty lunch will be available for purchase sponsored by the Royal Rangers. Come and Support our Rangers!!

Pinewood Derby Car Clinic and Movie Night

Friday, February 4th 6:00pm at CLF

Demonstrators will be giving tips on things such as cutting out cars, sanding, painting, wheels, weights, & speed. Following the clinic, we will be hosting a family friendly comedy film to get you in the derby spirit entitled, “Down and Derby”. Refreshments will be available during the movie. Come out and enjoy a night of fun with your fellow race fans. You are welcome to come even if you are not entering a car in the derby.

For students 7th-12th Grade

March 11-13, 2011 Silver Birch Ranch

Cost is $120.00 Sign up with a $25.00 deposit before Feb. 18th ($10.00 late fee after) in the

church office or at [un]common

Includes: transportation, lodging, meals Activities include: amazing worship and

speaker, toboggan run, broomball, tubing, x-country skiing, ice skating,

horseback riding, indoor climbing wall. You don’t want to miss it!

[un]common student ministries 

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Food Pantry Sees  Increased Need

The Emergency Food Pantry at CLF has seen an increased need in our community over the past 2 years. In 2010, an average of 14 families per month utilized the food pantry ministry. The pantry provides families in crisis with enough food to last a few days and is open to walk-ins each Thursday from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM.

Community Care Day Set For March 19th

The 5th Annual Community Care Day will be held at Lincoln High School on

Saturday, March 19th. The event helps people in our community in two ways: 1)

by providing over a dozen free services (i.e. hair cuts, vision screening, cholesterol checks, food,

clothing, and more), and 2) an information fair that provides opportunities for people to connect with over 30 service agencies that offer some form of assistance in our area.

Over 130 volunteers will be needed to make the day a reality. Opportunities to serve include Client Advocates, Room Hosts, Greeters, Registration Volunteers, Set Up/Tear Down, as well as Food and Clothing Volunteers. Volunteer Registration forms will be available at both CLF campuses by mid-February.

CLF Food Pantry Distribution

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A QUICK LOOK AT REGIONAL MISSIONS 

Operation Christmas Child Update 

In November, 2010, CLF participated once again in Operation Christmas Child, an international program that collects shoeboxes stuffed with Christmas presents and distributes them to children around the world. This year an estimated 8.2 million shoeboxes will be distributed in more than 100 countries. The organization, led by Franklin Graham, presents the Gospel to children throughout the world as they receive their shoebox.

This last year the people of CLF contributed 101 shoeboxes to the effort. Thank you for your generosity!

In early December, Lori Fuchs, Jennifer Bunner, Tina Freeberg, and Ruth Freeberg traveled to the Minneapolis Processing Center of Operation Christmas Child. They joined many other volunteers from across the Upper Midwest to sort, inspect, and prepare for shipment 450,000 shoeboxes for the countries of India and Haiti.

City On A Hill Women’s Trip Set for May 

A trip for women only to City On A Hill in Milwaukee is being planned for Friday and Saturday, May 6th and 7th. On Friday night you will join with other women vol-unteers to help out at City

On A Hill’s annual “Queen for a Night” out-reach. Then, on Saturday, you will be able to help out at the health clinic that is housed at City On A Hill.

For any woman who is interested in participating, please reserve the dates on your calendar. If you would like to help plan this year’s trip, please call Lori Fuchs at 715-423-8292. Sign up for the trip will take place in late March/early April at both CLF campuses.

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Go online for your registration forms www.wildfireconnection.org

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Baby Dedication............. February 6

Men’s Breakfast .............February 19

KidZ BlaZt ...............February 25-26

Men’s Retreat ...........February 25-27

Girls Night Out..............February 25

Winter Blitz.................March 11-13

“The Love Liner”......March 24 & 25

Real Life Real Women Conference ..

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