Good Morning!

March 10, 2010

"Thy Kingdom come." Jesus talked a lot about the Kingdom. When He began His public ministry, He preached, "Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand." He told many parables of the Kingdom saying, "The Kingdom is Heaven is like...." So, what is it that we are asking for in this petition of the Lord's Prayer? Like the previous phrase about hallowing His name, we are asking that God's Kingdom become more fully a reality within us. Where Jesus is, there is the Kingdom. As Jesus occupies our life He forms the nature of God's Kingdom there. This is why Paul could say, "It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me..." (Galatians 2:20) Further, as Christ establishes His Kingdom in us, we realize that we are ever a part of Him whether in this life or the next. "For I am convinced," Paul wrote, "that nothing in all creation can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."(Romans 8:38) We pray that, daily and through all the circumstances of life, this becomes more of a living reality in us.

Pastor Irvin Stapf

A New Book . . .

Not For This Life Only
A Study for Growth Into Maturity
as the Children of God
by Irvin F. Stapf , Jr.

"'What is your purpose in life?' Do you know where to begin in answering this question? If you are searching for a deeper purpose , Not for This Life Only will give you solid biblical truths to help you discover God's plan for you.

This insightful study will establish a firm biblical foundation as you prayerfully seek God's calling for your life. Through all of the circumstances of life, God is seeking to help us grow into Christ's example of sacrificial love. As a topic that can conjure up confusion, discover that God is not silent when it comes to the life he has called you to live.

Irvin Stapf weaves together common concerns such as purpose, family, suffering, and making mistakes and points them toward the focus and purpose in your life. Now is the time to start finding the answer to the question, 'What is your purpose in life?'

Irvin Stapf has been an ordained Lutheran pastor for thirty-eight years and is the Regional Pastor for the Eastern Region of the American Association of Lutheran Churches. Irvin, and his wife, Audrey, have been married for forty-three years and have five children. They currently reside in Mount Airy, Maryland."

148 pages - $11.99 (plus $3.00 S&H)

The book is published by Tate Publishing of Mustang,Oklahoma and can be obtained by going to the Tate website, or from the author at Christ Lutheran Church, 13903 Legion Court, Mount Airy, MD 21771.

The book is slated for national release November 10th after which time it can be obtained through major book stores.

Copyright 2009