Monday, June 25, 2012

Dear Jocelyn,

Dear Jocelyn,


I hope you are having a wonderful time at Grace Church camp. When our son went to this camp, his life was changed - for good!


Please know I'm praying for you every day. You are special to God. He loves you forever, and has a plan for your life.


At camp, you will do many fun things, and take home wonderful memories. But most of all, this is a time to grow closer to the Lord. My hope for you, Jocelyn, is that you will give Jesus Christ your whole self, committing your life to Him.


One of your talents is singing. God has blessed you with a beautiful voice. I pray you will love to worship the LORD, and use your singing gift to honor and glorify Him.


I pray God will bless you with wisdom, and that you will seek Him in all the decisions you make. I pray that daily Bible reading and constant prayer will become your holy habit. I pray He will protect you in all your activites.


I can't wait to hear about your exciting week! God bless you, Jocelyn. I love you very much!


Love,
Lori


Pray for the young people in your life who are attending church camps, Vacation Bible Schools, or going on mission trips. Consider writing them encouraging letters. May our LORD pour out His Spirit on the next generation!

New Group in T&T

"Continue earnestly in prayer,
being vigilant in it with thanksgiving."
Colossians 4:2 (NKJV)


I'm excited to report the formation of a new "Praying Grandmothers" group in the nation of Trinidad & Tobago! Following God's direction, and with the full support of her pastor, Margaret, grandmother of six, leads the group. They meet once a month to pray for their grandchildren and their world.

Margaret's  home church will host an official launch of this ministry on July 8, 2012. Desiring to share the "Praying Grandmothers" vision, they have invited several churches to participate in this meeting.

Please pray for Margaret, her group, and for the July 8 meeting. Pray that the LORD will bring forth more prayer groups in T&T. Please record your prayers in the "Comments" section.


Almighty God, You are sovereign! You are LORD of heaven and earth. Great is Your faithfulness! I thank You that You hear our prayers and You answer! Thank you for Margaret and her willingness to follow Your direction. I thank You and praise You for this new group. Holy Spirit be present in these meetings. Bless these precious grandmothers with wisdom, and unite them in love. Strengthen their faith, and encourage them. May they wait on You with expectation. Protect them from the evil one. Please perform miracles and wonders in the lives of their grandchildren! Lead other grandmothers to meet and pray together in the nation of Trinidad and Tobago. Let Your Name be glorified! In the Powerful Name of Jesus, we pray, amen!

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

What I Received




My Grandma Anna valued punctuality. Wrapped in her coat,  Anna sat rocking and waiting, 15 minutes before it was time to leave for church.

Anna's way was passed to my mom, and then to me. I like to be on time, so much so, I often arrive early.

Legacy is something handed down from the past. Anna passed on her value of punctuality.

What did you receive from your grandmother? Maybe you got some dishes, or a quilt, or a few family photos. Perhaps you inherited money, or a habit - good or bad. Or maybe, you received what Timothy did... a sincere faith- authentic and genuine.

We will all pass on things to our children and grandchildren. What do you hope to pass on to your descendants? What will be your legacy?

Let's influence the next generation by modeling and teaching them God's Word. Let's leave a legacy of prayer. Join us as we pray for the salvation and spiritual growth of our descendants.


Our Father God in heaven, You are the One, True God. Your faithfulness continues throughout all generations. Thank You for giving Your Son, Jesus Christ, to die in our place, for our sins, that we may live eternally with You. We pray that all our descendants will come to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior. We pray that every descendant will live lives pleasing to You, and will grow in grace and in the knowledge of the LORD. Amen.

Thursday, June 14, 2012

Sons and Fathers


Father God, You are the great and awesome God. You keep Your covenant of love with those who love You and obey Your commands. All Your words are true.

We offer this prayer for our sons who are fathers.

Your word says that You give wisdom generously to all who ask without finding fault, and it will be given. May our sons find wisdom and gain understanding, for those who lay hold of wisdom will be blessed.

May our sons trust in You with all of their heart and lean not on their own understanding. May they acknowledge You in all their ways, for in doing so, You have promised to make their paths straight.

We pray that our sons will love You with all their heart, soul, and strength, and diligently teach their children Your commands, bringing them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

May each son keep the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ and guard the good deposit that has been entrusted to him, which is the gospel of our Lord and Savior Christ Jesus. May our sons submit to You in all things, and resist the devil.

We pray they will love their wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her. May each one enjoy life with his wife, all the days You have given them. Fill each home with Your Spirit, Your love, Your joy, and Your peace. In the Name of Jesus, the Name above every name...amen.


Scripture References: Nehemiah 1:5; Psalm 119:160; James 1:5; Proverbs 3:5-6, 13,18; Deuteronomy 6: 5-9; 2 Timothy 1: 13-14; James 4:7; Ephesians 6:4; 5:25; Ecclesiastes 9:9; Phillipians 2:9.

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

A Tribute to My Father

My father was my first love, I called him "Daddy" and he called me "Sissie" until he died in 1986 at eighty-two from metastatic liver cancer.

My first memories are watching at the window for my Daddy to appear, walking down the street from the bus stop near our small house. I was three years old that summer. My father was grateful to have a job in those early post-depression days in the 1930's. Though he worked hard for little money, he was never too tired to pick me up, swing me around, and give me a hug. I called his hugs "Daddy's Bear Hugs."

In my young eyes, my Daddy could do no wrong. He was my hero - handsome, strong, wise, loving and "perfect." He never let me forget I was "the apple of his eye."

He was the lifter-of-spirits, the dryer-of-tears, the mender-of- broken hearts.

He was the one waiting outside at dismissal on the first day at a new school.

He was the one who could always find an ice-cream store after a disappointment or a hard day in my young life.

He was the one who expertly and painlessly bandaged skinned knees, or pulled loose teeth. He could make things happen and solve problems when there seemed to be no way.

His lap was always available when I needed a safe refuge, comfort, a short nap, or a good story.

His big hand always held my small hand, making me feel safe, even on the busiest streets.

He loved God passionately and served Him faithfully, and he taught me to love and trust God by his example.

He was the one who, by his faith and his zest for life, gave hope to our family, even in hard times.

He adored my mother and treated he like a queen. He treasured my brother, sister, and me, loving unconditionally. He loved his parents and cared for them in their old age.

He respected the men he worked with, no matter what their color or education, teaching me, by example, that prejudice is always unacceptable.

His love for his family was demonstrated by his life-long efforts to smooth out the rough places in the road as we followed behind him.

He gave up many of his own dreams to help me realize mine.

Never too busy to talk,  we had wonderful long discussions about life and many other things. He was so interesting and so wise. I miss that, even after all these years.

He knew James was God's choice for me as my husband before I did. He proudly and tearfully walked me down the aisle, a bitter-sweet moment for us both.

When he visited the hospital nursery to see my firstborn, his first grandson, the nurses thought he was the governor of Texas. He impressed most people that way, never entering a room without somehow filling it with his presence. His humility, I believe, kept him from ever thinking that he was worthy of such admiration or that he was the hero I thought him to be.

As wonderful as all his attributes were, I know that my father was, after all, just one of many wonderful, God-fearing men, with the same imperfections, failures and mistakes. But to me he stood a little taller, more special than any other. He was a godly man with a great faith and a huge love-filled heart - qualities God desires for every father.

I was devastated when I knew that my father was dying, finally realizing  he was not immortal as I somehow always wanted to believe, not being able to imagine life in this world without him. I turned in my grief to my Heavenly Father, who had been modeled so clearly in my Daddy's life, finding the love, comfort, and protection I needed so desperately. My earthly father had, by his example, removed for me the mystery of the fatherhood of God, and I had no difficulty surrendering myself with my needs, my pain, my grief, my loneliness to my Heavenly Father, my Abba.

My heart breaks for those who have difficulty picturing God as a loving Father, having never known one here on earth.

Thank you, Daddy, for teaching me about God, for helping me to know Jesus as my personal Saviour, and for making it a natural thing to talk to my Abba, My Heavenly Father, every day about everything, just as we once did.

"Daddy, I am thanking you today with a full heart for modeling for me so clearly the Christian way, and for teaching me about our Heavenly Father who makes every day, for me, 'Happy Father's Day.' "

by Lucy D (10-25-11)

Friday, June 1, 2012

The Class of 2012

Lord God, thank You for the gift that our graduates are to their friends and families. Thank You for blessing each one with gifts and talents.  May they use them to Your glory. Fill them with Your love and wisdom. May they always trust in You, seeking You for guidance and strength. I thank You, my Father,  that You are always with them. May they look to You as their Protector, Provider, and Peace. In the Name of Jesus...amen.