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Our Deliverer, Our Solace
I was reading in Exodus today about Israel's deliverance from Egypt. Although the parting of the Red Sea and the host of other miraculous deliverances of Israel are familiar to us, I think we often take them for granted. Can you relate? Consider the Red Sea deliverance in Exodus 14 for a moment. Can you imagine what it must have been like! Imagine as we all are just delivered from an oppressive pe...
Welcome Jathan!
Announcing the birth of our dude-man #2! Jathan Lee Black was born today, January 26, 2012 at 4:14pm. He measured 8 lbs. 6.9 oz. and 21.25 inches in length. Laura is doing pretty good and on her way to recovery. Thank you all so much for your prayers! In His Grace, Derek, Laura, Elias, & Jathan
Let the Nations Be Glad!
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Corinthians… Jesus Identity
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Headed to ANC
So I'm pretty amped to speak at church this weekend with our friends at Dimond in Anchorage. Alaska big city here we come :-) Topics for the weekend include... the imago Dei (image of God) in relation to culture and a missiological focus, Acts 1:8 Confidence of the church, our ministry vision to the villages, and Acts 18 regarding God's sovereignty in redeeming a people to himself (the backsto...
Brief 2012 Thoughts
As I think about this new year (which reaches us in AK rather late on the world's timetable), my heart is drawn to Paul's earnest prayer for the Ephesians in chapter 1. This Christmas I thought much on Isaiah 9:1-7 and the reality of our God's active plan of redemption. As we graciously enter 2012, may we bring the reality of God's Word and His work back to our minds. Our world so desensitizes us,...
New Prayer Letter (Christmas 2011)
  Thank you once again so much for all of your prayers! Below are the links to our latest prayer update.   Christmas 2011 Update  
This Christmas God is Not Dead
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God Shaped Sexuality
Recently my attention has been directed toward God’s design of mankind as sexual beings. As we progressed through a study in the Koinonia group at church on 1 Corinthians, we approached chapters 6 and 7. It is here that the apostle Paul deals with confusion and compromise regarding sexual issues within the Corinthian church body. This topic led us to a brief study of the Song of Songs (or Song o...

Welcome Jathan!

Posted By: thegapstander on January 27, 2012 in Ministry Updates, Updates (all) - Comments: 4 Comments »

Announcing the birth of our dude-man #2!
Jathan Lee Black was born today, January 26, 2012 at 4:14pm.
He measured 8 lbs. 6.9 oz. and 21.25 inches in length.

Laura is doing pretty good and on her way to recovery.

Thank you all so much for your prayers!

In His Grace,
Derek, Laura, Elias, & Jathan

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  1. Kim R. says:
    January 28, 2012 at 5:57 pm

    Welcome Jathan! you have some awesome parents if you didnt know that already. Looks like you are in good hands with your big bro :)

  2. thegapstander says:
    January 29, 2012 at 12:39 am

    Thanks guys! We miss you all and trust all is well! God bless!

  3. Greg Ruble says:
    February 1, 2012 at 5:36 pm

    Hey Friends! Wonderful news about Jathan. We are praying for you here at LSCC. Many Blessings upon blessings:)

  4. thegapstander says:
    February 1, 2012 at 7:28 pm

    Thanks Greg! God is so good and gracious! Thanks for your prayers!

    - Derek

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