This acrostic may be new to some of you and a tried and true adage to others. I first became familiar with it when reading Robert A. Heinlein’s 1966 novel The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress. Manuel, the hero of the book, used it to explain the economics of the "free lunch". The lunch is only "free" if you buy a drink first. Thus, the phrase, There Ain’t No Such Thing As A Free Lunch.

You’ve all seen the ads, billboards, and mailers. Phone solicitors, unwanted faxes, and spam e-mails proclaim the offer. It is a deal too good to refuse: Free Disney Tickets! But read the fine print: "take a three hour tour", "bring your spouse and proof of earnings", etc. Suddenly the "free" tickets have taken more than half your day and earned you the wrath of your spouse and children for dragging them along.

The adage is true. Everything has a cost. There is a price or value associated with everything that comes our way. The Old Testament Law made it clear that the price of sin was blood. The New Testament lets us know that "the wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23). Jesus reminded us that the cost of sin was His blood, suffering, and death. Thankfully, Jesus chose to willingly pay that cost for you and I! He was the living embodiment of God’s great grace and mercy!

Everything we do here at Lake Aurora has a cost: staffing, building, upkeep, utilities, insurance, programming, food (yes, even our "heavenly" bread), etc. Thankfully, many people have shared the stewardship of their lives with us in this ministry. Many of you have shared the resources God has placed in your hands: time to serve as a volunteer, talents and skills utilized in programming, treasures gladly given for scholarships and debt reduction.

We are able to continue to offer "lunch" here at LACC because of God’s grace and the generosity of His people. Thank you for partnering with us in ministry. Prayerfully consider how you can honor God through the Lake Aurora ministries.