
Prayers for Our Children (With a Little Help From Paul)

That God would give them a spirit of wisdom and revelation in their knowledge of Him.(vs. 17)That the eyes of their hearts would be opened so that they’d know the hope of His calling of them.(vs. 18)That they’d know the surpassing greatness of His power toward those who believe in Him.(vs. 19)That these things are done in their lives by the same power and strength that God used to raise Jesus from the dead. (vs. 19 – 20)
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I’m So Busy!

How many times have we used these statements?
My life is so hectic!
The Lord has been speaking to me lately about how to use my time more wisely. It seems our time is consumed by many things in our everyday life; running kids to soccer practice or games, working on things around the house, personal appointments… oh, and let’s not forget about work.
We obviously have many things vying for our time. I know we should, and even need, to do these things.
The Lord is my strength and shield… my heart trusts in him and he helps me.
In the Bible, we read many stories where Jesus made time for those in need-
whatever and whenever the need might have been.
Jesus took time to…
Heal (Mark 5:21 – 40)
God does not call people as a favor, but because He has something for them to do.
What is God calling me to do today? What is God calling you to do today?
When the Lord speaks to us about something he wants us to do, let’s take time to say:
Lord, use me in whatever way you want.
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In the Eye of the Storm

In my life currently, God has used Ryan Stevenson’s song “In the Eye of the Storm” to help me through a very difficult situation. Not only am I experiencing some trying times, but our country too, along with those severely impacted by hurricanes and natural disasters.
The LORD is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my life of – whom shall I be afraid?
In the eye of the storm, You remain in control
In the middle of the war, You guard my soulYou alone are the anchor, when my sails are tornYour love surrounds me in the eye of the storm
Are you experiencing troubled times or difficult situations today?
He is our light and salvation…our stronghold in the storm.
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Defining Truth

These days, we often hear statements like “Truth is what I define it to be.”
So how do we define truth? Not by the world’s standards,
what our friends say or what’s fed to us by the media.
Only by the Word of God.
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A Stone of Remembrance

Everyone experiences moments in life that are big.
Graduations & new jobs
Wedding day & new homes
It seems that our church is in the middle of one of these types of moments right now as we’re working through the purchase of a new campus for our grade school.
Reaching a major life goal
Paying off your house
Getting a promotion
It seems that the biggest life moments tend to center around the deeper and more personal things. They shape our lives and create the deepest memories.
In Joshua 3 & 4, we find the story of Israel crossing the Jordan River on their way into the Promised Land. This moment marked the end of two eras in Israel’s painful history: 400 years of slavery in Egypt and 40 years of desert wandering. This particular generation of people was well acquainted with the on-going pains of desert life; food and water were a constant concern, safety from dangerous neighbors plagued them and a continual sensation of not belonging anywhere reminded them they still had not found home.
God told them to cross the Jordan River with the priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant. Joshua describes the waters immediately receding as far north as the city of Adam (15 miles upriver), as well as all the tributary streams down river toward the Salt Sea (Dead Sea). By the way, the river was already at flood stage as always at this time of year.
God provided through their painful hardships
Mark your big moments with a “Stone of Remembrance.”
Raise it so it’s plainly visible in your life and home. Keep it as a reminder that by God’s grace, You will never return to the way things were.
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Grace in the Grey

Good and evil. Right and wrong. I believe this with every fiber of my being.
I also believe that these things are instilled deep inside of us.
But while there are black and white issues in the world,
there are also circumstances that live somewhere between the black and white.
Somewhere in the blur of the grey.
The grey is nebulous. The grey doesn’t offer quick and easy answers.
The grey can present itself suddenly, or very slowly over time.
Truth is, real life is lived in a variety of colors.
The loving them through it part.
grace for you.
Psalm 94:18-19
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