REVELATIONS 3:8

AUGUST 2012

THE OPEN DOOR T h e Open D oor

Know Grow Serve

Noel Acadien au Village: A BLINK AWAY

Let The Planning Begin!!

Noel Acadien au Village was the biggest event that The Open Door participated in throughout 2011. By way of much planning and preparing, the night of December 22nd was one of great fun and success as we joined Acadian Village in celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. For those who are unfamiliar with Acadian Village, it is located on 200 Greenleaf Drive and is situated on 32 acres of land not very far from our church. According to their website, the village was created to improve tourism in Lafayette, to preserve a piece of early Acadian heritage, and to benet LARC (Lafayette Association for Retarded Citizens) through its revenues. It also states that seven of the the eleven homes located on the property are authentic buildings of the 19th century. It is a beautiful piece of property that is worth a visit at anytime of year and especially throughout the Christmas season when every facet of the village is decked with lights and stunning decor. Last year, we had the privilege of sponsorship on the Friday night before Christmas. Over 3,000 attendants walked the pathways of Acadien Village that we were able to bless with Christmas cheer and the love of Christ. Whether it was through serving them at the concession stand, playing the role of Santa Claus, doing crafts with the children & painting their faces, handing out small gifts from our church, stunning them with incredible music, putting on a Christmas musical, reading Truth-lled stories in the chapel, or offering them the opportunity to participate in a rafe, we all had a place to serve our community. To fulll all the roles needed to make the night ow beautifully, it took about 100 adult/ youth volunteers plus many children who entertained passers-by at the main stage. So.... now as the time draws near, it is time to begin brainstorming some more great ideas to reach out to our community in the name of Christ. Put your thinking caps on and save the date on your calendar for Wednesday, August 1st. Join us for dinner at 5:30 p.m. (The kitchen staff assures us, they will dish up something worth coming for!!! NO CEREAL AND MILK HERE.) Dinner will be free for you and you family and we will begin our meeting at 6:15.

BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES

ANNIVERSARIES Dr. & Mrs. John Daire- August 7th Mr. & Mrs. Doug Place - August 9th Mr & Mrs. Robert Voitier- August 12th Mr. & Mrs. Carl Romero - August 14th

BIRTHDAYS: Renee Moore - August 4th Carl Romero- August 4th Jonathon Carmicheal - August 7th Michael Doherty- August 13th Jayla Falco- August 14th Marie Amidon- August 17th Helen Hughes- August 19th Jackie Hidalgo- August 24th Dianan Vice- August 26th Hanah Carmichael- August 27th Marty Olivier- August 28th Krista Romero- August 31st

Noel Acadien au Village Planning Meeting 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, August 1st Dinner is Free!!
www.opendoorla.org

1709 DULLES DRIVE, LAFAYETTE, LA 70506

337-981-6438

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD- FOOL PROOFING YOUR LIFE!

AUGUST 2012

Keep watch for school supplies & Summer gear going on clearance. These items make wonderful shoe box llers for Operation Christmas Child. Suggested gift ideas are stuffed animals, soft toys, pencil cases, pens,

pencils, colored pencils, sharpeners, erasers, chalk, paper, notebooks, hygiene items such as brushes, toothbrushes, hair clips/holders (no toothpaste), carry bags, jewelry, stickers, craft kits, ip ops, shorts, underwear, caps, beanies (winter caps), and t-shirts. Please do not purchase the following items to include in the shoe boxes: toothpaste, shampoo, bubbles, play dough, batteries, food of any kind including medicines/vitamins, damaged/used items, breakable items (glass/porcelain/mirrors), war-related toys, knives, anything of religious, racial or political nature, and gambling related items such as : play money, playing cards, and dominoes. We will be collecting shoe boxes and gifts in October and November to send off to Operation Christmas Child and look forward to your participation. Last year we were able to ll 300 boxes to send to children around the world. If the Lords willing, lets top that this year!! To nd out more about this wonderful opportunity, you can visit www.samaritanspurse.org.

What happens when the Christian virtues of kindness, patience, and gentleness dont work in your relationships? Do you often nd yourself wondering why you just cant get along with one of the most important people in your life? Is there a parent, spouse, boss, friend, sibling, or child who is making you feel crazy? Do you know someone who always thinks they are right . . . who uses anger to control . . . who trusts in their own heart? Then you know someone described in the Scriptures as a fool. Learn to deal with the difcult people in your life through the wisdom found in the book of Proverbs. Thursday, August 9th - Thursday, September 20th 10:00 - 12:00 @ The Open Door Contact Joann Buckley with Hope in Christ to sign up or for more info. mjoannbuckley@bellsouth.net
1709 DULLES DRIVE, LAFAYETTE, LA 70506 337-981-6438 www.opendoorla.org

POTLUC
EXTRAVAGANZA
Ca Cest Bon!
Bring a side dish or a dessert and the church will provide the meat. Join us for good food. Great Fellowship! Sunday, August 5th 12:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Immediately following Connect Classes

Host: The Open Door

1709 DULLES DRIVE, LAFAYETTE, LA 70506

337-981-6438

www.opendoorla.org

AUGUST 2012

July 20, 2012 Dear Friends, In a meeting this week in which numerous members of Acadianas legislative delegation requested answers as to why UL is offering a minor in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) studies, UL President Joseph Savoie offered the defense that he had no knowledge of the LGBT minor until the media reported the story. Thus, Dr. Savoie continues in what I have previously described as plausible deniability, which is an effort to distance himself and his office from being responsible for the decision to offer the LGBT minor. Dr. Savoie now asserts that federal guidelines governing accreditation prevent him from interfering with the university curriculum. That response prompted this letter from Congressman Jeff Landry, requesting elaboration on these federal guidelines. Further distancing himself from the issue, Dr. Savoie explained that the former Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and the former head of the Sociology Department had approved the LGBT immersion program at UL. Curiously, these two professors, who may have brought this LGBT immersion program to UL, are no longer around to explain their academic rationale for the program. Jim Beam of American Press rightly asserts, The LGBT minor will sink or swim on its own merits. LSU Political Science Professor Jeff Sadow follows up with this argument stating: These kinds of courses and programs by their very nature are less demanding, and fit very neatly into the now almost halfcentury arc where academia in general has been complicit in devaluing a university education. Its time for UL to explain the rationale for their decision to develop and offer this LGBT minor. Dr. Savoie did offer the name and position of the one decision maker in his administration who can walk back the UL drift into sexual politics-Dean Jordan Kellman, Ph.D., College of Liberal Arts. Dr. Savoie even went so far as to suggest that those seeking the elimination of this minor might contact Dean Kellman. In political circles, they might call this throwing Dean Kellman under the bus! One noteworthy development: LFFs charge of LGBT advocacy and politics has prompted university officials to scrub the LGBT minor website on at least three separate occasions! Each iteration of their website gets progressively less politically aggressive. The website still maintains that students challenge current traditions on sexuality and gender. Thus, the University is still unrepentant regarding their attitude of advocacy rather than academia when it comes to homosexuality and a traditional view of sex and morality. Todays Call to Action: 1. Tell Dr. Savoie hes fooling with fire when LGBT activists gain decision making opportunities within the university. 2. Contact Dean Jordan Kellman and tell him of your disapproval of the LGBT minor. He can be reached at 337-482-6219, kellman@louisiana.edu, or P.O. Box 40397, Lafayette, LA, 70504. 3. Thank Congressman Landry and Sen. Jonathan Perry for bringing a reasoned response to ULLs drift into sexual politics. In His Service, Gene Mills

Thanks to everyone who boldly took a stand and contacted our local and state ofcials and leaders concerning the LGBT minor at ULL. Please continue to pray concerning this issue and take the above actions. Thanks again.

1709 DULLES DRIVE, LAFAYETTE, LA 70506

337-981-6438

www.opendoorla.org

THE OPEN DOOR YOUTH & COLLEGE

AUGUST 2012

The Jesus Generation United For His Fame

8 Vacant Spots! Contact Stuart Amidon for more information: samidon@opendoorla.org Must be a Senior in High School - 25 years old to attend. Visit the Passion 2013 website @ http://268generation.com/passion2013/

WHO : Louie Giglio Chris Tomlin Francis Chan Kristian Stanll Beth Moore John Piper Matt Redman Christy Nockels

1709 DULLES DRIVE, LAFAYETTE, LA 70506

337-981-6438

www.opendoorla.org

CONNECT. CHURCH MEMBERSHIP. WHEN FAITH WAVERS!

AUGUST 2012

Tired of the same ole, same ole? Come, be challenged and refreshed through Connect, a place where Truth is explored and applied to daily life, fellowship with believers is alive, and serving others can become a reality. Sundays @ 10:55 (immediately following the service.) There are classes available for men, women, co-ed, college, youth, & children. When Faith Wavers James 1:5-8 If we believe that God is who He says He is and will do what He has promised, why do so many of us habitually waver in our prayers? Instead of exercising bold faith, we come to the Lord hoping He will hear us and answer our requests, but were just not sure He will. With this kind of thinking, we cannot expect to receive anything from Him. One reason we are so prone to doubt is that we fail to see God at work in our circumstances. We asked, and nothing happened. But the Lord is not some cosmic bellhop who jumps in response to our requests. He sees past, present, and future and knows the right time for every answer. His invisible hand is already at work on our behalfarranging situations to accomplish His will, opening hearts, and preparing us to receive what He wants to give. Another cause for uncertainty is ignorance. If we dont know Gods ways, we will be disappointed in His response. All too often our prayers are accompanied by expectations of how He will work. When He fails to intervene according to our timetable or anticipated method, we start to doubt. But placing our faith in the Lord and trusting in His good and perfect ways gives us stability as we wait for His answer. To overcome doubts, spend time in the Word to learn Gods principles and ways. Then youll begin to grasp what He wants to achieve in your life and how He goes about it. Examine your past from a biblical perspectivefaith will grow as you see the unexpected ways He answered your prayers. Charles Stanley

MEMBERSHIP CLASS IS AROUND THE CORNER!!!

Have you been attending our services for a while and would like to know more about the church? Are you ready to call The Open Door your church home? Are you not even really sure what that means? Or, do you want to know about how to get more involved? Sign up for membership classes held by Pastor Sam Brooks starting Sunday, September 9th - Sunday, September 30th during Connect. You can send an email to notify us of your interest @ info@opendoorla.org or call the church ofce @ 981-6438.
www.opendoorla.org

1709 DULLES DRIVE, LAFAYETTE, LA 70506

337-981-6438

CHICK-FIL-A TAKES STAND !

AUGUST 2012

Stand with Chick-l-A on August 1 in Support of Traditional Marriage

Chick-l-A President Dan Cathy with Franklin Graham in 2010.

DEAR FRIEND, Just a few days ago, Dan Cathy, President of Chick-l-A, affirmed his stance on the sanctity of traditional marriage. The restaurant chain has been, and continues to be, under a concerted attack from same-sex marriage advocates. I applaud the courage of Cathy to take a bold stand for the biblical denition of marriage between a man and woman in a culture that has grown openly hostile to the Christian faith and its followers. Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee has called for a National Chick-l-A Appreciation Day on Wednesday, August 1, to demonstrate support for the company. I would like to join with him, and ask that, if you live near one of their restaurants please drop by and let them know how much you appreciate them and their stand. I have known Dan and his father, Mr. Truett Cathy, for many years, and I respect how their company was founded upon and operates by Christian values. In the words of the bold, biblical prophet Daniel who refused to bow to the culture of his day: "The people who know their God will display strength and take action" (Daniel 11:32, NASB). Thank you and God bless you. Sincerely,

Lets be just as active in supporting those who stand for Truth as we are in standing against those who rally against it.

Franklin Graham

1709 DULLES DRIVE, LAFAYETTE, LA 70506

337-981-6438

www.opendoorla.org

GREETINGS FROM OUR PASTOR!

AUGUST 2012

reetings again in the name

of the Lord. I hope your summer is progressing very nicely and that you are getting some time together as a family before the new school year starts again. Time seems to be flying by. Merida says she thinks the Lord is compressing time as the end draws closer. I dont know about that, but it certainly feels that things are moving more rapidly. Several Sundays ago, I spoke concerning the need for additional staffing for our childrens ministry. Several volunteered to become teachers and fill some of the needed spaces. Thank you so much. I praise God for each of you who so wonderfully give of your time so our children may receive ministry. As Laura continues to call people, please respond to our need and become involved. The children will be blessed and I believe you will be as well. Also, we do not want to become sidetracked into the political arena, but I do hope each of you is registered to vote and will exercise your freedom at the ballot box this fall. Often we fail to take advantage of the liberties we have as believers in the United States, so I encourage you to become involved in making your voice heard. Also, do not forget to contact Dr. Savoie, president of UL-L and let your preferences be known concerning the new LGBT minor. We are currently studying Malachi during Sunday morning services and Ruth on Wednesday

evenings. I encourage each of you to take advantage of these studies by reading each book on your own during the week. Both are short and only take a few minutes to read. If you are familiar with the content, you will gain more insight from our studies together. There are things I believe Father God would like to speak to us from each book. Some things will be encouraging, some review and reminders, and some will be rebukes and calls to repentance. In each case it is imperative that we know He loves us. Not only has he chosen us, but as many as He loves, he rebukes and disciplines. He is always leading us into the truth by His Holy Spirit. Take advantage of our studies together and come prepared to receive from the Lord. Blessings! Pastor Sam Brooks

SAVE THE DATES WRAP UP: August 1st Noel Acadien au Village planning meeting - 5:30 August 4th Meeting for all youth parents August 5th The Open Door Potluck Dinner following Connect August 9th FoolProong Study begins September 9thMembership classes begin

Congratulations to Mark & Laura Daigle on becoming 1st time grandparents to baby Colt Daigle and to Jack & Christine Myers on another beautiful grandbaby!

1709 DULLES DRIVE, LAFAYETTE, LA 70506

337-981-6438

www.opendoorla.org

THE OPEN DOOR COMMUNITY OFFERINGS!

AUGUST 2012

As of May 2012, The Open Door began supporting Rancho Los Amigos in Juarez, Mexico as one of our Open Door Community Offerings. Rancho Los Amigos is a childrens home and ministry of YWAM-El Paso-Juarez (Youth With A Mission). This is an incredible ministry that offers a safe and loving environment based on Biblical principles. Here, children have opportunities that they would not have otherwise and are taught Gods Word. The goals of the home are to Reach, Raise, & Restore needy and hurting children as stated on their website. We have recently received a thank you letter from them for our participation in the academic education and character development of the children of Rancho Los Amigos through our nancial contributions. You can visit them at http://www.ywamepj.org/rlaoverview.php to learn more about who they are and what they do. At the end of June, Jazmin, one of their very own graduated high school. An excerpt of her graduation speech was included in the thank you letter

and it must be shared with you as a testimony of what is being achieved at Rancho Los Amigos. She stated, As we gaze back at our memories, tragedies, and wonderful things are remembered. But one thing must be pointed out: God was there. Mingled with joys and trials we see His hands so clearly in this year. Both giving us strength and standing right beside us. Giving us hope to reach the goal and showing us more of His grace and love... Graduates and future graduates, I encourage you to nish the goal and while doing that that you may come to know God fully because there is no adventure greater than that. Family of The Open Door, know that you had a part in that and be encouraged that God is at work and has never stopped doing remarkable and awesome things. May you too press on to the goal, all the while coming to know Him more fully. Thank you and Praise Him!

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