I get them, you get them, all God’s children get them… email links to “you don’t want to miss this” or “really cute” and the ever popular “I don’t usually forward things but this one really hit home with me.” I recently got a link to a youtube clip with Louie Giglio, Christian inspirational speaker and founder of Choice Ministries, entitled, “Laminin.” Giglio recounts how a micro-biologist approached him after a concert and told him about laminin. No, no this is not some new dietary supplement or pyramid scheme product… it’s a glycoprotein that connects cells in our bodies. The scientific explanation is a swirl of buzz words and Sci-fi incantations –well, you be the judge…

Laminin, gamma 1 (formerly LAMB2), also known as LAMC1, is a human gene. Laminins, a family of extracellular matrix glycoproteins, are the major noncollagenous constituent of basement membranes. They have been implicated in a wide variety of biological processes including cell adhesion, differentiation, migration, signaling, neurite outgrowth and metastasis. Laminins are composed of 3 non identical chains: laminin alpha, beta and gamma (formerly A, B1, and B2, respectively) and they form a cruciform structure consisting of 3 short arms, each formed by a different chain, and a long arm composed of all 3 chains.

If you took the time to read the fine print you noticed that this cell linker is cruciform shaped which was the point of the youtube link. Giglio suggest that when we peek into the micro-biology and building blocks of life we find that we are held together by a cross shape glycoprotein matrix. He quickly jumps to Colossians 1:15-20 where Paul in discussing the supremacy of Christ says, “He is before all things, and in him all things hold together… making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.” This anthem hails that all things were created…visible and invisible… by Him and for Him! These crosses invisible to the naked eye remind us that Jesus holds all things together –He’s the molecular glue secured in a cross!

This is where the sound effect of majestic music is abruptly halted as it is overpowered by the scratching of the phonographic needle as it is pulled across the record. And I reluctantly say, “Hey, wait a minute!” (Reluctant because boy, does that laminin stuff preach). None-the-less, in the small print scientific explanation is also the information that much of the research on laminins has been in regards to its connection to metastasis… that is, its role in cancer and specifically colon cancer. This really is a cross to bear… and a reminder that Jesus does hold all things together but not by secret crosses but by unexpected love that redeemed us on an all too visible cross! -DAN

Mission Report

Brother Tom Tune is an amazing Christian. At an age where most are well into their retirement years, he is preparing to establish another congregation of the Lord's Church in Can-Tho, Vietnam, the 3rd largest city in that country and located about 4 hours distance from Saigon. During his secular employment in Saigon several years ago he became concerned about the children living in poverty with no prospects of a better future. He and co-worker began church services with 6 of the children; the resulting congregation now exceeds 100 and according to reports, growth is limited by the available meeting facilities. To date, 48 have been baptized into the Lord. In addition, Brother Tune began enrolling the children in local schools to prepare them for a better life. Contributions from many sources, including our own congregation, have permitted many students, at $14.00 per month, the opportunity to escape the poverty cycle that plagues so many. The success of this program prompted Brother Tune to begin a similar one in Can-Tho where the new congregation is to be established. Six students have been funded and are now attending school. Ten more have been selected and will begin attending when funds have been obtained.

Presently, three families of this congregation are funding schooling costs for 10 children. If you would like to participate in this long term mission program, please see me for more details.

Congratulations are in order to the Ladies Bible Class members. In answer to a request from Karen Clayton of the India mission work, $296.63 has been contributed to buy sewing machines to provide Christian widows employment and native preachers' wives the opportunity to support their families so their husbands can preach the gospel. This is also mission work. --ODELL

Please pray over David and Babi Ingram who are missionaries currently housed in Fortaleza, Brazil.

Remember Rob McPherson and his family after the recent death of his mother.

Life Groups have ended for the summer and will resume September 7th.

Jane Cash who is 89 years old, was baptized on 5/25.