A good day ... a very good day

God is blessing us at Towerview Baptist Church. This much is clear. And while numbers alone do not tell the entire tale, they do matter. Because when people show up it means that we are able to influence more toward Kingdom growth. There are more people present to share the good news with. And those who have already received the good news about the coming of Christ and His sacrificial gift are urged and encouraged to move in a positive direction that brings them closer to Jesus.

All of that to say this. Last Sunday we had our highest "non-holiday" attendance in at least the last two years. 168 were present in our morning worship service. The only date in the last 2 years that topped that was the 172 that were present on Mother's Day earlier this year.

Reason to celebrate? ABSOLUTELY! The glory goes to our loving and sovereign God! Now, why not ask God who He would have you to invite to worship with us this week? No, not so that the numbers will go higher. Do it so that they might learn of the love of God!

See you Sunday!

Pastor Ron

Conversations With God

At Towerview we are in the middle of an in depth study of prayer. I feel almost silly typing that. How can you "study" a conversation with the God of the universe? It ain't easy. But we are taking our time and approaching it on three levels.

Sunday morning is "Level 101." That's where we are looking at the basics of prayer. Literally the who, what, when, where, and why of prayer. On Sunday evenings we are at "Level 201" and digging into the things we can do to prepare our hearts for prayer. Things like the practice of solitude, silence, meditating on God's Word. And on Wednesday nights we are at "Level 301" and learning some of the prayer practices of the early church. For those who choose to jump in with both feet I believe that it can be life changing.

Especially for the teacher. (That's me.)

I was speaking on Sunday morning and at one particular point we were looking at "God's silence." You have probably noticed that on occasion ... okay, most of the time ... God chooses to remain pretty quiet. He doesn't seem to speak unless He has something specific He wants to say. Of course, that is not a firm rule. God doesn't have to obey rules. He's God. He can stop the world and tell us all a joke if He wants to. He just doesn't do it very often.

So anyway, there we are talking about God's propensity for frequent silence. It seems to come at the most inopportune times. For instance, God seems to often be His quietest when you want the most to hear Him. And I managed to get myself into a position where it would appear that I was about to reveal why that is so. The problem is, I have no idea. I mean, who does? God does what He wants to do when He wants to do it. But I rather sensed that those who were still awake were waiting for me to address that issue.

And that's when He spoke. Softly. Gently. Within the depths of my own spirit He pointed out something that had never occurred to me before. As I was speaking from my notes I was actually multi-tasking. I was running through a sequence of scriptures in my mind checking to see if what I thought was God's prompting was perhaps the spicy food consumed the night before. Within about 30 seconds I was convinced it was God.

I like it when God makes me look brilliant. I mean, really. I determined to teach something that was not in my notes but was impressed upon my heart. And if I got it wrong I was going to look really, really dumb. I leaned on the acrylic pulpit and referenced the prayer that Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane on the night before He was crucified. He prayed three distinct and separate times. And the scripture makes it clear that He was asking God if He would mind changing the game plan for the next day. He was asking God if there was possibly a way to achieve His purposes without having to go to the cross.

And there is no recorded response from God. None. Zip. The Son of God asked His Father the same thing three times in the space of just a few minutes. And God said ... nothing.

Do you realize what that means?

It means it's okay to bug God. You have free reign to take the same request to Him over and over and over and over and over and ... well, you get the point. Don't be shy. Don't fear getting smacked. It's not going to happen. Jesus shows us the way.

And it means that God is often, at the moment of your greatest need ... silent. That really stinks. No, I mean really. THAT REALLY STINKS. Sometimes I just don't think I can take another breath unless God answers a particular question. Honestly? I've been asking God for an answer to something for years now. Just a simple "why" explanation would be more than enough. He has never once indicated that He was inclined to answer my prayer. I get more of a "lean not on your own understanding" feel than I do an expectancy that an answer is imminent. I just hate that. But it puts me in good company. Very good company indeed. Because once upon a time the Son of God asked His Father (whom He knew on a Face to Face basis) a question ... and His Father remained silent. Not a Word.

In an odd sort of way it makes me rather happy to read that. I mean, I don't want Jesus to have had to go through any more pain than necessary. But if God leaves His Son in the silence and He leaves me in the silence, well then I'm in the same camp as Jesus. So the company is not half bad.

Okay, the confession is that I'm not really brilliant. I just had my spirit tuned to "channel 1" (The God Channel) at that particular moment instead of "Channel 2" (the enemies channel) and God whispered what He wanted me to teach the people present in that worship center. And I have a very strong hunch that He was also communicating something to me. I'm pretty sure He was telling me not to expect an answer to my question any time soon.

Rats.

Sunday Night @ The Fire

A Time For Prayer

Towerview Baptist is turning to prayer. All of our services are currently directed toward studying prayer, learning to pray, and practicing prayer. This is going to be good! Here is how it works.

Wednesday Evenings - We will be studying prayer practices of the early saints. You'll want to attend this bible study in the worship center if you really want to go deeper in your prayer life. We meet from 6:30 - 7:30.

Sunday Evenings - We will be talking about "setting the conditions" for prayer. How do you prepare for it? What can you do to bring yourself into the presence of God? This is a rather "intermediate" level of the study of our prayer lives and communication with God.

Sunday Mornings - We will be focusing on the "Who, What, Why, When, and Where of Prayer." This is a more basic study of what prayer is about and what God teaches us about it in His Word.

I hope you take prayer seriously. If you don't ... you should! Come when you can and learn about the incredible value of communicating with our loving, eternal Heavenly Father!

Meeting Dates and Times

-Metro East Baptist Association Annual Meeting - Sunday, October 11, 4:30PM (at FBC O'Fallon) No services at Towerview.

-Finance Committee Meeting - Wednesday, October 14, 6:00PM

-Nominating Committee Meeting - Sunday, October 18, 5:00PM

Most Recent Update on Pastor Tom Eggley and Additional Prayer Requests

As of this morning, Wednesday, September 30th, doctors have detected a blog clot in Pastor Toms leg and an aneurysm near his spleen. In addition there seems to be an issue with his gall bladder. They have not yet determined what that is. Please continue to keep Tom and his family in your prayers.

In addition, please pray for the Administrative Assistant and Director of Maintenance at First Baptist Church of Anna, Illinois. On Monday an unknown intruder entered the church and beat them both severely. They were air lifted to Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Subsequently, one of them was air lifted again to St. Louis University Hospital. At the moment they appear to be out of danger. No suspects are in custody and no motivation is known. Updates on this situation can be found at http://www.annafirst.com/.

On a MUCH more minor note, a virus seems to be sweeping through our own church staff. Pastor Ron (that's me) is home ill as is Connie Henschel, our Administrative Assistant. Connie will probably be back in the office this afternoon. In the meantime Pastor Mike has his hands full. A special thanks to John Best who will be leading bible study in my absence tonight.

Pastor Tom Eggley Update

Towerviews former pastor, Tom Eggley, is in Memorial Hospital in Springfield, Illinois. He has come through some difficult and scary times but God seems to be delivering him back to health.

Updates concerning Pastor Tom can be found by going to www.memorialmedical.com. Click on the link for Care Pages at the lower part of the page and then you have to register. Once you have registered, to check on Tom type in lower case, bikerevupdate.

The latest update, posted around 2PM today (Monday) said ...

"Tom's status has been upgraded from ICU to Intermediate Care. He
is still in ICU and will be moved to Intermediate Care as a room
becomes available. He still has a long way to go but seems to be
improving and advancing in the right direction.

Thank you all for your prayers and words of encouragement. Tom
was one sick puppy when he arrived at the ER on Saturday night. I
thank God that Pam was with me.

Esther"


All of us at Towerview will be joining his family in praying for a full recovery!
Pastor Ron

Don't Forget ... WELCOME BACK!

This weekend will see the celebration of "Welcome Back Sunday" at Towerview! Perhaps you've been traveling? Maybe you've been on mega-vacations? Could be you've just been busy? Well this Sunday we would like to say, "WELCOME BACK!" Consider this your personal e-invitation to join us for worship at 10:15 AM this weekend. We are going to sing and sing and sing! I have a relatively brief message that I want to share with you about the goodness of our God. We are going to officially dedicate our new prayer room. And you won't BELIEVE the special song that the worship team has cooked up. They actually wrote it themselves!

So remember, this weekend, YOU SNOOZE ... YOU LOSE!

See you there!

A Time To Pray

Prayer. A small word that packs in incredibly powerful punch. Perhaps you have already experienced the power of prayer. Maybe the entire "prayer thing" is new to you. Maybe you fit some where in between. You pray, you really try to pray. But it's a rather dry experience. Nobody seems to be listening. God seems to be on vacation or maybe at Billy Graham's house.

Would you like to experience prayer as a life-changing event? Have you considered what might happen to your walk with God and your relationship with people if you were to develop a prayer life that is not only real but exciting, vibrant, alive? It happens. And it can happen to you. Prayer is a gift from God. He gives only good gifts and He gives them with the intention of them being used.

At Towerview we are about to enter a special and new "season." It is a season of prayer. You need to be a part of it.

On Wednesday evenings beginning on September 9th, we will be "practicing" prayer. We will be talking about ways to pray. We will examine ways that first century Christians prayed. We will be HAVING A BALL! This study and "practice time" will continue for four weeks, concluding on September 29th.

On Sunday morning, September 20th, "Welcome Back Sunday" we will be dedicating our new prayer room. It occupies the space directly across from the offices of the pastors and is actually in what was formerly the "out reach" room. The prayer room will be open for your use any time that the church building is open. You will love it!

And then beginning on October 18th and continuing through November 15th the topic of prayer will be our focus during both the morning and evening worship hours. Hey, it could be ... life changing. And as a matter-of-fact, I'm praying right now. I'm praying ... that you will come!

"Welcome Back Sunday!"

I hope you have had a tremendous summer! I pray that it has been filled with family, friends, food, fun, and all of those things that can turn a good summer into a great summer.

Bad news.

It's over. Labor Day is around the corner. But so are trees aflame in color, chilly evenings wrapped in warm blankets, and perhaps nice fires in the fire place.

But wait! There's more! On Sunday, September 20th we will be celebrating "Welcome Back Sunday!" at Towerview. With the demise of summer vacations we just want to remind you that there is a place where you are welcome. A place where you are wanted. A place that can bring about positive life changes as you are challenged to meet God and fall in love with Him. We are planning a very special morning worship hour on that day. I do hope you will come and be a part of it! Why would you miss it? I mean, for those of us who call Towerview our church "home" is there really any better place to be?

So mark it on your calendar. Bring a friend along. And above all let me wish you a hearty ... Welcome Back!

Pastor Ron

A Few Shots of the Church Picnic

Towerview Raises Over $700 for Sudan Orphanage

At the end our our "Character In Service" event last Sunday we had a "Merit Auction." Children had earned "merits" for doing good deeds through the summer. On Sunday evening we auctioned them off to benefit an orphanage in Sudan. Over $700 was raised and will be sent over seas to help care for the children there.

What can I say? Those who gave got nothing in return. You cannot hold a "merit" in your hand. It's simply a "good job" that you give to your child for doing something well. And yet you all responded by giving. On behalf of the kids in the Sudan ... THANK YOU!

And to the Character In Service team at Towerview over the summer ... nice job. God has honored your work, your early mornings, your studying, by providing truth to local children and food and clothing for children thousands of miles away.

Pastor Ron

Women's Ministry Events In Our Future

1. September 12 - The women's ministry will hold a breakfast in the fellowship hall at 9 a.m. followed by some music and a special speaker, Tammy Iskarous, at 10:30 a.m. in the sanctuary. Tammy is the director of "Riverbend Family Ministries" in Wood River, Illinois. She has an extensive history of ministry and service. You won't want to miss hearing her share her stories! Please sign-up on the church bulletin board outside of the office so that we will know how much food to prepare.

2. September 19 - Towerview is sponsoring 2 booths at the "Baptist Children's Home and Family Services" Fall Festival. We are looking for donations of prizes for the children who participate at our booths. We are also looking for people to donate themed baskets (golf, Italian, movie night, etc.) for a silent auction (proceeds from the auction go to BCHFS). Baskets should be completed by Sunday, September 13, and there will be a breakfast in the fellowship hall for all those donating baskets on that Sunday morning, at 8:30 a.m., with a certificate awarded to the "most creative" basket. And finally, we are looking for people to just support BCHFS by coming to the Fall Festival. We plan to have the van leave the church at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday if anyone wants a ride. There's a sign up sheet on the bulletin board for that too.

3. November 6 & 7 - Living Proof Live (a Beth Moore event) will be in Springfield, IL. The van will leave the church at 3 p.m. Friday and return around the same time on Saturday. Cost of the event is $60, and that is due to Towerview on August 30. Info on the hotel accommodations will be forthcoming.

God has provided Towerview Baptist with some wonderful women and a strong women's ministry! We hope you will plan on being a part of these great opportunities to serve and learn, minister and be ministered too!

Character In Service

As I type this the last day of "Character In Service" is spinning its way out here at Towerview. Led by Amber Webb it has been an amazing summer of Wednesday mornings full of games, serving, and God's Word. The children who have been able to participate have had a BLAST and I've seen smiles on more than one adult face as well. Today's final edition began with an awesome breakfast of french toast, egg muffins, fruit, and various other culinary delights. Yum! I was so glad to get an official invite!

Thank you, "CIS" team! You amaze me!

Pastor Ron