When I was in Middle School it was fun to lose my voice. In fact, we would yell as loud as we could until our regular voices turned into something else. We thought it was cool to have a raspy, quiet, almost whisper kind of voice.
The difference between someone who follows God and someone who doesn't, is a commitment to the Word and to personal time listening to the King. The person who follows God is committed to both and the person who doesn't follow God is committed to neither. We should all be more committed to God's Word and personal time with Jesus.
These are difficult times. Lots of people are walking away from church. The institutional church in America is losing its voice.
The reason we are losing our voice is because it is — "our voice". It needs to be His voice. The way we stop using our voices and tiny little dreams and start using His is by spending lots of time with Him and His word.
Here's a good verse to start with ...
Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. Psalm 143:8
When we lost our voice in middle school, people listened to us in a different way. Our raspy new voices commanded attention. I think the same things happens when we lose our voices and start speaking with words from God.
Whose voice is coming out of your mouth ... yours — His
8.7.09
6.7.09
Follow Me
In these days filled with twitter hype and competition to see who can attract the most followers, the words of Jesus ring loud and true. He calls us to follow Him.
I was reading in Mark 1 this morning. The Gospel opens with the writer telling us about the mission and message of John the Baptist ... John the Baptist was sent ahead in order to tell people about Jesus. He was preparing the way!!! (I pray my message is the same as the message of JTB.)
Verses 9-13 tell us that Jesus was baptized and then went into the wilderness where He was tempted. After the temptation (vs14), we see Jesus going about proclaiming the Good News of God ... we want to be like Jesus right??? When was the last time we went through the city proclaiming the good news of God?
Verses 16-20 really got my attention. The picture we get of Jesus is that Jesus went about His life proclaiming the Good News of God and asking people to come follow Him.
Look at these words. Read them and ask God to tell you what you are supposed to take away ... Mark 16-20 As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." At once they left their nets and followed him.
When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.
I can see it now ... Jesus, the messiah, the uncreated One, God Himself, walking by the lake, meeting people, telling people He crossed paths with that there is Good News ... and He even took it a step further ... He told them about the Good News and He asked them to drop their way of life and follow Him. That last part blows me away ... drop your way of life and follow ... Think about the ramifications ... drop your income, your rep, your family approval, your way of life and follow a man walking the streets of your city proclaiming the Good New of God ...
From this side of things following Jesus makes perfect sense. I mean I know Jesus is the Son of God. I have the Holy Bible sitting right next to my computer. I have years of life spent around people who believe. From this side of things, it seems like the only way for the disciples to respond was to say yes. Ask me, I say they would have been fools not to take Him up on His offer.
Anyway ... the call of Jesus went out ... Follow Me ... and they followed (go look at verse 18 again).
Its been fun studying this passage today. I love the message God sent me through these few short verses. The challenge He gives me is clear ... I am to point people to Jesus ... I am to live my day telling people the Good News of God ... I should do my part and ask people to follow Jesus ...
Its 11:42am ... I've tried several times to point people to Jesus ... a couple of really good conversations ...Can't wait to see what's next.
before I finish ... I wonder if Jesus would have used Twitter ... I think He would have. I also think Jesus would have used a Mac! haha
Have a great day!!!! Point people to Jesus.
I was reading in Mark 1 this morning. The Gospel opens with the writer telling us about the mission and message of John the Baptist ... John the Baptist was sent ahead in order to tell people about Jesus. He was preparing the way!!! (I pray my message is the same as the message of JTB.)
Verses 9-13 tell us that Jesus was baptized and then went into the wilderness where He was tempted. After the temptation (vs14), we see Jesus going about proclaiming the Good News of God ... we want to be like Jesus right??? When was the last time we went through the city proclaiming the good news of God?
Verses 16-20 really got my attention. The picture we get of Jesus is that Jesus went about His life proclaiming the Good News of God and asking people to come follow Him.
Look at these words. Read them and ask God to tell you what you are supposed to take away ... Mark 16-20 As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." At once they left their nets and followed him.
When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.
I can see it now ... Jesus, the messiah, the uncreated One, God Himself, walking by the lake, meeting people, telling people He crossed paths with that there is Good News ... and He even took it a step further ... He told them about the Good News and He asked them to drop their way of life and follow Him. That last part blows me away ... drop your way of life and follow ... Think about the ramifications ... drop your income, your rep, your family approval, your way of life and follow a man walking the streets of your city proclaiming the Good New of God ...
From this side of things following Jesus makes perfect sense. I mean I know Jesus is the Son of God. I have the Holy Bible sitting right next to my computer. I have years of life spent around people who believe. From this side of things, it seems like the only way for the disciples to respond was to say yes. Ask me, I say they would have been fools not to take Him up on His offer.
Anyway ... the call of Jesus went out ... Follow Me ... and they followed (go look at verse 18 again).
Its been fun studying this passage today. I love the message God sent me through these few short verses. The challenge He gives me is clear ... I am to point people to Jesus ... I am to live my day telling people the Good News of God ... I should do my part and ask people to follow Jesus ...
Its 11:42am ... I've tried several times to point people to Jesus ... a couple of really good conversations ...Can't wait to see what's next.
before I finish ... I wonder if Jesus would have used Twitter ... I think He would have. I also think Jesus would have used a Mac! haha
Have a great day!!!! Point people to Jesus.
25.3.09
George Whitefield
George Whitefield (1714–1770) began preaching at the age of twenty-four and is the greatest preacher America has ever seen. He preached eighteen thousand sermons to over ten million people during the Great Awakening. He planted 150 churches in New England, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. He preached in open air with crowds as large as thirty thousand people at a time. Amazingly, he preached to such crowds without a microphone and would cough up blood from the strain on his throat. It is estimated that most Americans heard him preach at least once. His farewell sermon on Boston Commons drew more people than Boston’s entire population and was the largest crowd ever gathered in America up to that time.
Taken from Mark Driscoll's Blog
Taken from Mark Driscoll's Blog
14.3.09
13.3.09
Penn Says: A Gift of a Bible
I've seen this several places lately and thought is was worth throwing on my blog tonight ... don't miss the responses below the video.
18.2.09
Check out this article from the Catalyst Blog
FEET & KINGS
By Brad Abare | Church Marketing Sucks.Com
"I have the shoes you gave her if you want them back," said the trembling voice on the phone.
Every fall for the past few years, my wife Jamaica and I pack our bags and make the long 12-mile car ride up the freeway to Pasadena, not far from our home in downtown Los Angeles. We check into the hotel for what will be a series of weeklong meetings for me. With a schedule that runs from early morning through late evening, I usually stay at the hotel, which provides a variety of conveniences, including a commute that lasts as long as an elevator ride. It's also nice when Jamaica can stay with me, which was the case on this occasion.
On one evening during the meetings last fall, I returned to the hotel room after a long day of deliberations. Jamaica had arrived a few minutes before me, herself returning from a home(less) group we're a part of. Our small group consists of people with homes and people without homes. A handful of us gather at a local McDonald's each week—a hub for many homeless in the area—to share fries and friendship.
One of our friends on this particular night was barefoot and had lost her shoes. In a blink, Jamaica took her shoes off and gave them to Medea. If you don't know my wife, this is the way she's wired. It's second nature for her to live and give sacrificially.
The funny part of this story is when Jamaica came back to the hotel. As she got out of the car and gave the keys to the valet (the only way to park at this hotel), the attendant noticed she was barefoot. "Are you a guest here?" said the inquisitive valet guy. "Yes, I'm in room 621." Jamaica proceeded to collect her things and walk through the fancy lobby, up the elevator and to our room. Barefoot.
We received the tear-filled call from Dottie the next day. Dottie and Medea are a regular part of our home(less) group that meets each week. Because of my all day and night meetings, I was unable to participate in the previous evening's assembly. I later learned that Jamaica and Medea spent an unusual amount of time with each other that night. Come to find out, giving her shoes to Medea was the culmination of a strong bonding time they shared through conversation and the care-filled presence of one another.
The call from Dottie, in a voice that choked with emotion, was to inform us of Medea's sudden death. Medea was found face-down in the dirt. She was still wearing Jamaica's shoes that she had received the night before. From what we can gather, Medea died of liver failure.
For reasons different than the passing of those familiar to our lives, it's challenging to mourn the life of an invisible person. Who witnessed her life? Where is her family? Who will miss her? What impact did she have on people for the last half a century? Was Medea even her real name?
Several of us gathered the next week in a small open field under some power lines. It was the space Medea called home, just a few feet from a major traffic intersection. Huddled around the glow of a few candles, we read Scripture and prayed. We shared memories of the Medea we knew so briefly, and ended with a group recitation of the Lord's Prayer.
Here in the U.S., we recently celebrated Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The annual holiday to honor a man who believed "that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality." As I reflect on King and what his life meant to the marginalized, I can't help but think how much work still remains to be done for you and I.
For all the Medeas in the world, we need more Kings. We need more people who are summoned to action. "One of the great tragedies of life," said King, "is that men seldom bridge the gulf between practice and profession, between doing and saying." "I can never be what I ought to be until you are what you ought to be, and you can never be what you ought to be until I am what I ought to be."
I end with a few choice words from the prophet Amos, words quoted many times by King himself. My prayer is that The Liberating King would continue to take residence in our doctrine and our deeds.
"I can't stand your religious meetings.
I'm fed up with your conferences and conventions.
I want nothing to do with your religion projects,
your pretentious slogans and goals.
I'm sick of your fund-raising schemes,
your public relations and image making.
I've had all I can take of your noisy ego-music.
When was the last time you sang to me?
Do you know what I want?
I want justice-oceans of it.
I want fairness-rivers of it.
That's what I want. That's all I want."
-Amos 5:21-24 (The Message)
Brad Abare is the director of communications for the Foursquare denomination, founder of the Center for Church Communication, Church Marketing Sucks and president of Personality, a consulting firm that helps organizations figure out who they are. He and his wife Jamaica live in Los Angeles.
By Brad Abare | Church Marketing Sucks.Com
"I have the shoes you gave her if you want them back," said the trembling voice on the phone.
Every fall for the past few years, my wife Jamaica and I pack our bags and make the long 12-mile car ride up the freeway to Pasadena, not far from our home in downtown Los Angeles. We check into the hotel for what will be a series of weeklong meetings for me. With a schedule that runs from early morning through late evening, I usually stay at the hotel, which provides a variety of conveniences, including a commute that lasts as long as an elevator ride. It's also nice when Jamaica can stay with me, which was the case on this occasion.
On one evening during the meetings last fall, I returned to the hotel room after a long day of deliberations. Jamaica had arrived a few minutes before me, herself returning from a home(less) group we're a part of. Our small group consists of people with homes and people without homes. A handful of us gather at a local McDonald's each week—a hub for many homeless in the area—to share fries and friendship.
One of our friends on this particular night was barefoot and had lost her shoes. In a blink, Jamaica took her shoes off and gave them to Medea. If you don't know my wife, this is the way she's wired. It's second nature for her to live and give sacrificially.
The funny part of this story is when Jamaica came back to the hotel. As she got out of the car and gave the keys to the valet (the only way to park at this hotel), the attendant noticed she was barefoot. "Are you a guest here?" said the inquisitive valet guy. "Yes, I'm in room 621." Jamaica proceeded to collect her things and walk through the fancy lobby, up the elevator and to our room. Barefoot.
We received the tear-filled call from Dottie the next day. Dottie and Medea are a regular part of our home(less) group that meets each week. Because of my all day and night meetings, I was unable to participate in the previous evening's assembly. I later learned that Jamaica and Medea spent an unusual amount of time with each other that night. Come to find out, giving her shoes to Medea was the culmination of a strong bonding time they shared through conversation and the care-filled presence of one another.
The call from Dottie, in a voice that choked with emotion, was to inform us of Medea's sudden death. Medea was found face-down in the dirt. She was still wearing Jamaica's shoes that she had received the night before. From what we can gather, Medea died of liver failure.
For reasons different than the passing of those familiar to our lives, it's challenging to mourn the life of an invisible person. Who witnessed her life? Where is her family? Who will miss her? What impact did she have on people for the last half a century? Was Medea even her real name?
Several of us gathered the next week in a small open field under some power lines. It was the space Medea called home, just a few feet from a major traffic intersection. Huddled around the glow of a few candles, we read Scripture and prayed. We shared memories of the Medea we knew so briefly, and ended with a group recitation of the Lord's Prayer.
Here in the U.S., we recently celebrated Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The annual holiday to honor a man who believed "that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality." As I reflect on King and what his life meant to the marginalized, I can't help but think how much work still remains to be done for you and I.
For all the Medeas in the world, we need more Kings. We need more people who are summoned to action. "One of the great tragedies of life," said King, "is that men seldom bridge the gulf between practice and profession, between doing and saying." "I can never be what I ought to be until you are what you ought to be, and you can never be what you ought to be until I am what I ought to be."
I end with a few choice words from the prophet Amos, words quoted many times by King himself. My prayer is that The Liberating King would continue to take residence in our doctrine and our deeds.
"I can't stand your religious meetings.
I'm fed up with your conferences and conventions.
I want nothing to do with your religion projects,
your pretentious slogans and goals.
I'm sick of your fund-raising schemes,
your public relations and image making.
I've had all I can take of your noisy ego-music.
When was the last time you sang to me?
Do you know what I want?
I want justice-oceans of it.
I want fairness-rivers of it.
That's what I want. That's all I want."
-Amos 5:21-24 (The Message)
Brad Abare is the director of communications for the Foursquare denomination, founder of the Center for Church Communication, Church Marketing Sucks and president of Personality, a consulting firm that helps organizations figure out who they are. He and his wife Jamaica live in Los Angeles.
14.2.09
Thoughts After Reading Ch 1 of Crazy Love
I love AW Tozer. I started reading his work back in the late 80's. He says things that challenge me, inspire me, and urge me closer to God. It looks like he has an influence on Francis Chan as well.
I love the way Chan writes and the approach he has to the concept of love ... I mean how can you talk or write about love without putting things in perspective. To know love you have to know God. Until we truly understand God our view of love will always be messed up.
Thinking back through the following truths about God was really good for me
~ God is Holy
~ God is eternal
~ God is all-knowing
~ God is all-powerful
~ God is fair and just
I remember first learning this stuff back in High School. My pastor was a great preacher who took the Bible apart for me each and every week. He spent long hours preparing in-depth talks (he called sermons) (using the term sermon ... not cool anymore hahaha ... we are so goofy sometimes). These talks consumed me. I took notes and wrote down everything he said every week. I ate it up! He helped me begin the journey and I'm missing those days today.
I remember taking these big concepts, the same ones Chan is talking about today, and growing closer to God. Pretty challenging stuff.
I like the way Chan keeps pressing us into action. He doesn't want us to read the book just for the sake of acquiring more knowledge ... he's pressing us to read and do ... that's good.
My favorite section of the chapter was ... the entire chapter ... I looked back through it to pull one part out as a fav and couldn't find one. He set it up just right with the opening, gave us some real meat, and ended with application ... perfect.
Today I want to sit and think about the great God I was put on the planet to love and serve.
I love the way Chan writes and the approach he has to the concept of love ... I mean how can you talk or write about love without putting things in perspective. To know love you have to know God. Until we truly understand God our view of love will always be messed up.
Thinking back through the following truths about God was really good for me
~ God is Holy
~ God is eternal
~ God is all-knowing
~ God is all-powerful
~ God is fair and just
I remember first learning this stuff back in High School. My pastor was a great preacher who took the Bible apart for me each and every week. He spent long hours preparing in-depth talks (he called sermons) (using the term sermon ... not cool anymore hahaha ... we are so goofy sometimes). These talks consumed me. I took notes and wrote down everything he said every week. I ate it up! He helped me begin the journey and I'm missing those days today.
I remember taking these big concepts, the same ones Chan is talking about today, and growing closer to God. Pretty challenging stuff.
I like the way Chan keeps pressing us into action. He doesn't want us to read the book just for the sake of acquiring more knowledge ... he's pressing us to read and do ... that's good.
My favorite section of the chapter was ... the entire chapter ... I looked back through it to pull one part out as a fav and couldn't find one. He set it up just right with the opening, gave us some real meat, and ended with application ... perfect.
Today I want to sit and think about the great God I was put on the planet to love and serve.
31.1.09
20.1.09
Rick Warren's Prayer Today at the Inauguration
I thought this was fantastic ... way to go Rick Warren
Almighty God, our Father:
Everything we see, and everything we can’t see, exists because of you alone.
It all comes from you, it all belongs to you, it all exists for your glory.
History is your story.
The Scripture tells us, “Hear, O Israel, the LORD is our God, the LORD is one.” And you are the compassionate and merciful one. And you are loving to everyone you have made.
Now today, we rejoice not only in America’s peaceful transfer of power for the 44th time, we celebrate a hinge point of history with the inauguration of our first African-American president of the United States.
We are so grateful to live in this land, a land of unequaled possibility, where a son of an African immigrant can rise to the highest level of our leadership. And we know today that Dr. King and a great cloud of witnesses are shouting in heaven.
Give to our new president, Barack Obama, the wisdom to lead us with humility, the courage to lead us with integrity, the compassion to lead us with generosity.
Bless and protect him, his family, Vice President Biden, the Cabinet, and every one of our freely elected leaders.
Help us, O God, to remember that we are Americans—united not by race or religion or blood, but to our commitment to freedom and justice for all.
When we focus on ourselves, when we fight each other, when we forget you—forgive us.
When we presume that our greatness and our prosperity is ours alone—forgive us.
When we fail to treat our fellow human beings and all the earth with the respect that they deserve—forgive us.
And as we face these difficult days ahead, may we have a new birth of clarity in our aims, responsibility in our actions, humility in our approaches, and civility in our attitudes—even when we differ.
Help us to share, to serve, and to seek the common good of all.
May all people of good will today join together to work for a more just, a more healthy, and a more prosperous nation and a peaceful planet.
And may we never forget that one day, all nations--and all people--will stand accountable before you.
We now commit our new president and his wife, Michelle, and his daughters, Malia and Sasha, into your loving care.
I humbly ask this in the name of the one who changed my life—Yeshua, 'Isa, Jesus [Spanish pronunciation], Jesus—who taught us to pray:
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name.
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.
Amen.
Almighty God, our Father:
Everything we see, and everything we can’t see, exists because of you alone.
It all comes from you, it all belongs to you, it all exists for your glory.
History is your story.
The Scripture tells us, “Hear, O Israel, the LORD is our God, the LORD is one.” And you are the compassionate and merciful one. And you are loving to everyone you have made.
Now today, we rejoice not only in America’s peaceful transfer of power for the 44th time, we celebrate a hinge point of history with the inauguration of our first African-American president of the United States.
We are so grateful to live in this land, a land of unequaled possibility, where a son of an African immigrant can rise to the highest level of our leadership. And we know today that Dr. King and a great cloud of witnesses are shouting in heaven.
Give to our new president, Barack Obama, the wisdom to lead us with humility, the courage to lead us with integrity, the compassion to lead us with generosity.
Bless and protect him, his family, Vice President Biden, the Cabinet, and every one of our freely elected leaders.
Help us, O God, to remember that we are Americans—united not by race or religion or blood, but to our commitment to freedom and justice for all.
When we focus on ourselves, when we fight each other, when we forget you—forgive us.
When we presume that our greatness and our prosperity is ours alone—forgive us.
When we fail to treat our fellow human beings and all the earth with the respect that they deserve—forgive us.
And as we face these difficult days ahead, may we have a new birth of clarity in our aims, responsibility in our actions, humility in our approaches, and civility in our attitudes—even when we differ.
Help us to share, to serve, and to seek the common good of all.
May all people of good will today join together to work for a more just, a more healthy, and a more prosperous nation and a peaceful planet.
And may we never forget that one day, all nations--and all people--will stand accountable before you.
We now commit our new president and his wife, Michelle, and his daughters, Malia and Sasha, into your loving care.
I humbly ask this in the name of the one who changed my life—Yeshua, 'Isa, Jesus [Spanish pronunciation], Jesus—who taught us to pray:
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name.
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.
Amen.
18.1.09
Today at Connect
I got to preach today at Connect. As I prepared the talk, I had this clear message from God. He wanted me to share a simple truth from Proverbs 3 and Psalm 90. I struggled with it. I had a lot of questions. I just wanted to make sure it was from Him and not from me.
So ... after over two weeks of preparation, I delivered the talk and I believe God was honored. I'm sure I did what He wanted me to do.
I shared truths out of Proverbs like
... do not forget my teaching. I particularly struggled with this part because so many times I forget God's teaching and cram though life on my own teaching. Not what God wants!
... do not let love and faithfulness ever leave you. I told a story about a gang member at Francis Chan's church. I read it this week on the Catalyst filter. It was a moving story about a gang member who got more out of gangs than he did the church. He said that gangs love more than two hours a week.
... trust in the Lord with ALL your heart. What does it look like for a person to trust God with all their heart? I struggled with this one too. I want to trust God with all my heart. I want Connect to trust God that much as well.
... do not be wise in your own eyes. This one was yet another hard phrase to talk about. I mean, we Americans are so guilty of this one! We think we have so many things figured out! Only in God will things ever be right.
... honor God with your wealth. We are so rich! God wants us to honor Him with our wealth. He gave it to us in the first place. He wants us to honor Him with it. What does it really look like to honor God with our wealth?
Speaking in public makes me really nervous. It always has. I have to trust in God to ever get anything said worth saying. It is painfully hard for me to hear God and deliver His message. I hope I did today.
On a personal note ... I love God! I love the way He works. I love His mystery. I love the way He chooses to do things and I love the fact that He doesn't tell us everything He's up to. Praise Him. He is before all things and worthy of my praise forever and ever and ever!!!!!!
So ... after over two weeks of preparation, I delivered the talk and I believe God was honored. I'm sure I did what He wanted me to do.
I shared truths out of Proverbs like
... do not forget my teaching. I particularly struggled with this part because so many times I forget God's teaching and cram though life on my own teaching. Not what God wants!
... do not let love and faithfulness ever leave you. I told a story about a gang member at Francis Chan's church. I read it this week on the Catalyst filter. It was a moving story about a gang member who got more out of gangs than he did the church. He said that gangs love more than two hours a week.
... trust in the Lord with ALL your heart. What does it look like for a person to trust God with all their heart? I struggled with this one too. I want to trust God with all my heart. I want Connect to trust God that much as well.
... do not be wise in your own eyes. This one was yet another hard phrase to talk about. I mean, we Americans are so guilty of this one! We think we have so many things figured out! Only in God will things ever be right.
... honor God with your wealth. We are so rich! God wants us to honor Him with our wealth. He gave it to us in the first place. He wants us to honor Him with it. What does it really look like to honor God with our wealth?
Speaking in public makes me really nervous. It always has. I have to trust in God to ever get anything said worth saying. It is painfully hard for me to hear God and deliver His message. I hope I did today.
On a personal note ... I love God! I love the way He works. I love His mystery. I love the way He chooses to do things and I love the fact that He doesn't tell us everything He's up to. Praise Him. He is before all things and worthy of my praise forever and ever and ever!!!!!!
31.12.08
Day 22 - 22 Days to Change
Day 22 already!
It really is amazing ... we've been praying for 22 days.
There's no way to no what's really taken place. Only God Himself understands what happens when we pray the way we have. We do know God wants us to pray and that our prayers make a difference. We do know our prayers are not in vain. We do know our loving God cares. He hears and responds.
As we wrap this up, lets pray one more time. Lets make this another day of thanksgiving. Lets thank God for hearing our prayers. Lets thank Him for the blessing we get to experience by involving ourselves with teenagers. Lets thank Him for His love for us and love for the students we face day in and day out. Lets thank Him for answering our prayers.
He is mighty to save!
Praise be to God for the great things He has done and ... is doing.
Glory to Him.
He is truly good.
He is truly love.
It really is amazing ... we've been praying for 22 days.
There's no way to no what's really taken place. Only God Himself understands what happens when we pray the way we have. We do know God wants us to pray and that our prayers make a difference. We do know our prayers are not in vain. We do know our loving God cares. He hears and responds.
As we wrap this up, lets pray one more time. Lets make this another day of thanksgiving. Lets thank God for hearing our prayers. Lets thank Him for the blessing we get to experience by involving ourselves with teenagers. Lets thank Him for His love for us and love for the students we face day in and day out. Lets thank Him for answering our prayers.
He is mighty to save!
Praise be to God for the great things He has done and ... is doing.
Glory to Him.
He is truly good.
He is truly love.
30.12.08
Day 21 - 22 Days to Change
For 21 days some of us have prayed.
We've gone before God on behalf of American students.
We've asked God for all kinds of things.
Now, with just one more day to go, lets spend today and tomorrow thanking Him for what He's been doing and what's ahead. I'm certain great days are coming soon.
Remember, He is mighty to save!
and ... don't forget what God has placed you where you are to make a difference.
Have peace.
We've gone before God on behalf of American students.
We've asked God for all kinds of things.
Now, with just one more day to go, lets spend today and tomorrow thanking Him for what He's been doing and what's ahead. I'm certain great days are coming soon.
Remember, He is mighty to save!
and ... don't forget what God has placed you where you are to make a difference.
Have peace.
29.12.08
Day 20 ... 22 Days to Change
Grace. The story of a God who did what we cannot do.
Think about it for a minute. God - did - what - we - cannot - do.
He saved us! He reached down and made us clean. And — He is still doing that today. People all over the world are coming to know Him, and His grace is alive and well.
Think about that as it relates to the students we love. He loves them as well. He LOVES them. Really loves them. He knows them and He LOVES them. He is a God who is mighty to save and is doing that even now.
Today, lets pray for God to somehow reach down and save the lost students we cross paths with today. Lets ask Him, lets beg Him, lets cry out to Him to reach down and save these incredible teenagers.
Only 2 more days left.
Think about it for a minute. God - did - what - we - cannot - do.
He saved us! He reached down and made us clean. And — He is still doing that today. People all over the world are coming to know Him, and His grace is alive and well.
Think about that as it relates to the students we love. He loves them as well. He LOVES them. Really loves them. He knows them and He LOVES them. He is a God who is mighty to save and is doing that even now.
Today, lets pray for God to somehow reach down and save the lost students we cross paths with today. Lets ask Him, lets beg Him, lets cry out to Him to reach down and save these incredible teenagers.
Only 2 more days left.
Day 19 ... 22 Days to Change
meditate on these words today ...
everyone needs compassion ... a love that's never failing ... let mercy fall on me
everyone need forgiveness ... a kindness of a savior ... the hope of nations
my savior, he can move the mountains, my God is mighty to save, my God is mighty to save
forever the author of salvation, He rose and conquered the grave, Jesus rose and conquered the grave
so take me as you find me, all my fears and failures, fill my life again, I give my life to follow
everything I believe in now i surrender
shine your light and let the whole world see ... we are singing for the glory of the Risen King—Jesus
then
— pray for God to help students get it. Ask God to break through and teach students this truth.
everyone needs compassion ... a love that's never failing ... let mercy fall on me
everyone need forgiveness ... a kindness of a savior ... the hope of nations
my savior, he can move the mountains, my God is mighty to save, my God is mighty to save
forever the author of salvation, He rose and conquered the grave, Jesus rose and conquered the grave
so take me as you find me, all my fears and failures, fill my life again, I give my life to follow
everything I believe in now i surrender
shine your light and let the whole world see ... we are singing for the glory of the Risen King—Jesus
then
— pray for God to help students get it. Ask God to break through and teach students this truth.
Day 18 ... 22 Days to Change
On this day ... 18 days after we began this little experiment, lets pray for students to know the grace of Jesus. They are living in terribly confusing days and they need us to go before God on their behalf. They need Jesus. Do we believe that? Do we really? If you read those words and your answer was no ... then stop now and pray for yourself. If your answer was yes, then stop now and pray! Ask God to soften the hearts of students all over the nation.
25.12.08
Day 17 ... 22 Days to Change
17 days into the 22 Days of Change prayer challenge. Just a few more days to go. We need to pray more than ever. That's clear. Today, let's pray for God to give us what it takes to finish.
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