Nate & Paula Wilson's December 2007 Newsletter

Preaching through the book of Isaiah for the last year and a half has been hard work, but it has yielded rich rewards. God has used the challenge to bring me (Nate) to the end of my personal abilities just about every week and force me to rely upon Him to feed His people.

If you’d like to see what we’re learning, I’d encourage you to read or listen to the translation I’ve made of the book of Isaiah and the sermons at www.CTRchurch-mhk.org/sermons. I also have an interlinear commentary on Isaiah going at www.NateWilsonFamily.Net/isaiah.htm.

The most prominent theme in the book of Isaiah is that of trusting God instead of man. It has been a great encouragement to our little congregation as we persevere in the process of starting a new church. This month we are meditating on finding comfort in God’s promises (chapter 51), getting ready to meet Jesus when He comes again (chapter 52) and the purpose of the Incarnation (chapter 53), which was to suffer the punishment for our sins and to reconcile us to God.

Fifty people came to our church Reformation Day party on Oct. 31. A highlight was singing the “Reformation Polka” about the life of Martin Luther, with Nate playing bass guitar!

New Music CD

“Your music CD is the best! We love it! Our kids love it too!”

~ Candi, wife of the second soldier our congregation has sent to Iraq (Pray for her!)

We finally finished making our new music CD! It’s been six years since our last one, so our kids are old enough now to contribute more significantly to this project with fiddle, recorder, bass, guitars, mandolin, and vocals. Many of the tracks are hymn arrangements – most of which speak of the love of God. As I have grown to understand more the depth of God’s love for me, I have matured (I hope) into a better lover myself – with a greater willingness to lay down my selfish interests and cherish my wife, a greater concern for the well-being of my children, and a more grateful love for my heavenly Father who loved me enough to send Jesus to be “for me” despite my unloveliness. Thus the title: “Lover.” If you support us with prayer or finances, we’d be glad to send you a free copy of this CD; just let us know if you want one!

One adjustment we’ve had to make since moving to Kansas has been to travel less, since we now need to be at the same church every Sunday! This has kept us from visiting family and supporters as much as we used to. Thank you for graciously continuing to support us in prayer and finances even though we have been less available to thank you personally!

The week before Christmas, we are planning to travel to Alabama and Georgia, and we are looking forward to seeing our families again! We also plan to join in worship with Briarwood Church on Sunday, Dec. 23, so if you’re in the Birmingham area that day, we’d love to see you around the 11:00 service!

Earlier this year, I went to the doctor’s office, and they fixed my hernia! I’ve also lost eight teeth since the last time I did a “kids corner.” I’m 7 years old now. I’ve been doing a lot of drawings. You can get on www.NateWilsonFamily.Net/kids_art.htm and see some of them! Grace and I sat in Papa’s study for a long time recording some songs – it was boring, but you can hear some of those songs at the same web page. I enjoy playing the piano because sometimes I can make up songs. In school, we’ve been studying a lot of history. My favorite story was about the Empress Irene. Her son sent her out of the castle, so then she ordered him to go to jail! For quiet times, I’m reading Matthew in the New Testament, but I like hearing the Bible being read to me at church, because then I don’t have to sound out the hard words! Please pray that I won’t be afraid of things like our house catching fire.

Praise God for sustaining us in good health (even Josh’s foot is all well!). Please pray that no one gets sick while we travel to Georgia and Alabama for Christmas.

Praise God for the four new members we received last Sunday, bringing the official membership up to 22 people in 6 families. All four new members are K-State students who may not stay more than a couple of years. Please keep praying for God to add more long-term people to our membership.

Rejoice in the richness of God’s word with us as we study Isaiah, and please pray for God to enable Nate to find quality time to study and prepare sermons each week.

Praise God for Irene – for her sensitive heart, her ability in the visual arts, and her love for righteousness and truth. Pray that she would keep growing into a Godly lady.

Isaiah

New Music CD

Christmas Sunday in Birmingham

Kid’s Corner: Irene