Rob Ketterling

ELEVEN CHILDREN

This Mother's day weekend, we had the privilege of dedicating eleven children to the Lord (Not all eleven were from one family!) and it was so much fun to be able to dedicate them. Each one of our weekend services had no more than four children being dedicated in them but in a few of the services, we really had our hands full! Every time I hold the children in my arms I hope that the child I have doesn't cry because I have a Microphone on and I don't want a blast of crying coming through the  system!

It really is a very meaningful thing to do when a family has a young child that they dedicate to the Lord. As I shared in church, we do believe in water baptism but that happens after one has made their own decision of faith. Our dedication service is following the pattern that even Jesus did as his parents brought him to the Temple to be dedicated to God. So these children are dedicated to God, and their parents also dedicate themselves to being the Godly parents they are called to be as they raise their child in the ways of the Lord. 

Congratulations to all of the families that dedicated their children this weekend it was an honor to be a part of that. Also, a belated happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there!

EVERYONE GETS PAID

This past weekend Lindsay Willis preached at our Apple Valley campus and did a really great job. When I introduced her I said that she works for RVC and doesn't get paid and after I said that, I had this thought. Everyone that works for the Lord gets paid. (Hold on Chris Lind, wait till the end of the blog before you ask for your check!) Here's what I mean. Matt 16:27 says that God will reward everyone according to his works.

Some of us get paid here, but all of us will get paid someday. So as you work for the Lord, know that your labor is not in vain, a payday is coming and all of us are working for His glory. Let me say once again, thank you Lindsay for waiting for your paycheck until heaven!

NO COVERAGE?

This morning at Rotary I asked what was the feeling concerning the Hidden Submarine Base in China and all the guys stared at me with blank stares. They shared with me that there was little to no coverage in the U.S. media and they wanted to know how I had heard about it. I told them that it was the headline article in the London papers and that there were pictures and everything. Here's the link. Did anyone else hear about this or did we cover this up as a nation? Ahh, a little conspiracy theory for the Blog!

GREAT WEEKEND

It was a great weekend at RVC at both of the campuses. Lindsay did an excellent job preaching at the Apple Valley campus and we had a breakthrough day at our Faribault campus. There were over 350 people there to hear Joe share his Surrender message. He said the people really loved it and there was a great response to the message at the end. I was hoping for a big day and that's exactly what we got!

One of the things that I've discovered about a growing church is that you have these big days several times a year and they're the days you can build on. Momentum is built and you have this new expectation by the congregation for bigger things. The church starts to think outward instead of inward and it all builds a greater desire to see lives changed and people enter an authentic relationship with Christ. That's why I get so excited about big days!

REDBULL

I was recently at a place that had free RedBull for the guests and you could have as much as you desired. So, I have a question for you, if you could drink as much RedBull as you wanted in one sitting, how many would you drink?

I had one, and took one for later, I've never done two at the same time so I thought I'd play it safe!

BOTH PLACES

First of all, sorry for the blog lapse, I was on vacation with the family and had limited Internet connection. I basically stayed connected via my BlackBerry and never used my laptop! I was reminded that Brian Houston said that the BlackBerry has enabled him to still lead a church of 20,000 on three different continents and if you don't have one, get one! I did and I'm glad I did, however there were several days that even it was off as I just vacationed. (Connor and Logan are cheering in the background! With all we've been through in the last 4 months, they needed some "dad time".)

I'm really looking forward to the weekend services as Lindsay preaches at Apple Valley and Joe does his Surrender message in Faribault. It's exciting at both places as I have the opportunity to hear Lindsay preach for the first time and also have high expectations for the Surrender message as well. If ever there was a reason to go to church at both locations, this would be the weekend!

A FAMILY MEMORY

We have been creating a huge family memory this weekend as we have been in Russia for the John Maxwell training in St. Petersburg. I was able to cash in my frequent flyer miles and have the boys fly for free and also find a hotel in Russia where kids stay for free so I brought them along and I'm so glad I did.

It was a joy to see them minister, hear them answer the questions that the people asked them and to see them have so much fun getting to know Pastor Igor and his family. It will be hard to leave because the boys have connected so much to his family and church. I think it's a huge thing to do missions and ministry with your family and I'm feeling so blessed that I can bring them along. If you ever get the chance to do something like this, I encourage you to build memories of ministry that your kids will never forget.

MEMORIES

This weekend we're wrapping up the Family Circus series and we're talking about creating family memories that last. Right now I'm creating one I hope will last forever in our family and I'll tell you about it after the weekend. Until then, plan to be at Part IV of the series as we wrap it all up with "The Flying Trapeze".

JUST GOOD NEWS

I was asked by a friend today if I only blog good news and avoid blogging about bad stuff and the answer is, sort of. Here's why I basically avoid the bad stuff. First of all, there's enough bad stuff out there already, so why should I add to it. Secondly, I feel like a lot of the bad stuff I deal with is for me to deal with and not for everyone else to consume or observe. Thirdly, I recognize that the entire world can read my blog and if I blog about someone driving a green Honda Accord stealing my joy because he cut me off in traffic, that guy or someone that knows him just might read it. That could create more troubles and I'm just not willing to add that to my life just because I blog!

I'm sure there are other reasons why I don't blog the bad stuff, but those will do for now. Right now, I'm just curious, how much of the bad stuff would you want to know and what areas would you like to hear about if I did open up and share a little more? I'm not saying I'd do it, (See reasons 1-3 above.) but if I did, what would make your list?

AT THE RIGHT TIME

I just got an email from someone in the church that is new to RVC and it just came at exactly the right time. I was consumed with the business details of church, the administration, and just stuff lately that takes away my joy. (Certain things add joy and others take joy, it all depends on how God has wired you!)

So when I was feeling a little drained or at least battling the "Monday Blues", I got an email from someone that made my day, my month and maybe even my year! This is why we do what we do, to change lives and bring people into an authentic, life-giving relationship with God. I won't give you all of what he said, just a look, but I just wanted you to be able to celebrate a victory as well.

"I just wanted to personally express my gratitude to you.  Ever since my family and I have been attending RVC in the last two months, we have seen a noticeable change in our home.  The love and peace we found at RVC has flowed over into our home.....I don't remember a time when I have look forward to going to church so much.  I use to count my weeks by how many days it is to Friday and I use to dread Sunday because it meant the work week was just around the corner.  Now I find I have to control myself because I would be at RVC every day if I could. "