February 2002
Page 1 - Renewal, Revival, and Reformation by Graham Cooke
Page 2 - Seven Habits of One Highly Effective Person
Page 3 - The Master's Institute - A Journal Entry by Diane Snyder - Administrative Assistant at The Master's Institute
Page 4 - Like a Child by Gary Bistram
Page 5 - Pastor-In-Residence
Page 6 - The Launching of the ARC
Like a Child
by Gary BistramI was at the Fellowship Hall at North Heights Lutheran in Arden Hills, MN. At the beginning of the service a group of girls about seven years old were doing a worship dance. As I watched them dance before the Lord and the whole congregation, I was moved by their freedom to worship the Lord with their dancing. The Holy Spirit reminded me of Matthew 18:4, "Therefore whoever humbles himself like this child is greatest in the kingdom of heaven."
I wanted to be like these dancing children, uninhibited before the Lord. But I don't like dancing-at all! So I asked the Lord to help me dance before Him. I began with small steps as I stood by my chair while the congregation sang the next worship song.
Then Paul Anderson, the Director of Lutheran Renewal, came to the front of the church and asked, "How many of you men have wanted to dance before the Lord like these young children, but have held back?" I raised my hand along with many other men. Paul called us to come out into the aisle and dance. I responded, and as we danced around the room I felt freed up to worship the Lord with my entire being-soul, spirit, and body.
The Lord used the worship dance of these children to usher me into His presence and sho me how to worship Him with my dancing. I am thankful for these little girls and for their teachers for how the Lord used them to speak to my heart.
Gary and his wife, Susan, are members of North Heights Lutheran Church in Arden Hills, MN. Gary is a professional photographer and has taken pictures of our August Conference.
