And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. (Rom 5:3-6)

Let not those who hope in you be put to shame through me, O Lord GOD of hosts; let not those who seek you be brought to dishonor through me, O God of Israel. (Psalm 69:6)



Monday, June 27, 2011

My Personal God Oriented Gospel Spreading Pursuit of Joy in Him Bucket List.


Last week one of our senior adults shared with the congregation that it was on her “bucket list” to encourage the church with what she had upon her heart for many weeks. I was thrilled at her accomplishment of this goal, as she had something meaningful to say, and it was edifying. This was a big deal for her, as it is for most people, to speak before a crowd. The introductions to the thoughts at hand were laid before us under the guise of a need in her life to honor God in this manner. These encouragements started my contemplation, “What should a Christian’s bucket list look like”, and “What should mine look like”.

Bucket lists are those lists of things you want to do before you die. This goal chart therefore says a lot about what a person values. It is quite easy to decipher the types of priorities that someone has in these lists. Sadly enough, bucket lists are many times often about a personal sense of accomplishment. Some have vast ranges. Many list out things solely based upon the advice or sensationalism that others have told of achieving. For example, some desire to go parachuting out of an airplane or bungee jumping to experience “the rush”. Years ago these activities would have been a consideration for me. But as I get closer to my own bucket I realize that I do not want to live with the sustained stresses that such athletic endeavors would wreck upon my frame.

Many have given their lives in pursuit of immortality as their bucket list. Throughout fame and history, many have expended themselves only to be forgotten. One notable “bucket list” of life is revealed that Caesar wept in his thirties when he realize that Alexander the great had accomplished so much more by age twenty five. We all want to leave some sort of legacy, to live a life of worth.

This leads me to consider my bucket, or better put my standing before God. I have been contemplating what my days will have to show as their result. I have had many adventures, experiences, and moments of grandeur. But putting this in perspective, truly the only things of value in this life are those actions of exalting God. Our purpose in existence is simple, we are created to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. All else is really idolatry. So thusly the Christian has a purpose and a direction for their list. The list is not about us but about the Gospel. Our lives are to be sharing the Gospel in all matters.

Therefore, here in a mashed up way is my personal God oriented Gospel spreading pursuit of joy in Him Bucket List.

  • To finish well and with more zeal and love than when I started this Christian journey. That I may hear “Well don thou good and faithful servant”.
  • To see revival in our world where God is worshipped in spirit and in truth in such a way that no man can take credit for what is to be an undeniable work of the Holy Spirit.
  • To produce a sustaining generation in my family for the glory of God.
  • To start a work in an unreached people group.
  • To establish a new church.
  • To establish a church in a foreign land.
  • To see a Muslim to faith and through discipleship.
  • To see a Mormon to faith and through discipleship.
  • To see a Hindu to faith and through discipleship.
  • To see an atheist to faith and through discipleship.
  • To see a Buddhist to faith and through discipleship
  • To arrive at a mind that espouses more scriptural wisdom than my own opinion.
  • To be a friend of sinners.
  • To see that whatever assignment God has me in I am leading people to a jubilant love and commitment to Christ.
  • To persevere.
  • To live a life that bears the fruits of the spirit and has crucified the flesh.
  • To live unashamed of the gospel.

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Many many people follow Christ with a great sense of service, duty, and ought, few however follow with passion.

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Praying In Our Church: Prayerwalking The Building


One format of prayer that we are using is the idea of prayer walking within the building of our church. On Wednesday nights, or at anytime, people are encouraged to pray at individual stations as they walk about the church. There is nothing "uber spiritual" about doing so. However, the beauty of prayer walking is that by being on sight and in the location of ministry you get a sense of participation and insight to the ministries involved.
Virtually every room has a prayer station. The main hallways have a rotation of countries throughout the world to pray for as missions opportunities. Most of the prayer stations are at the entryway of the particular room. Below I have included the text from our prayer stations to help those of you praying at home and those looking for ideas.

Prayer Station

In this room, please pray for our Senior Adults.

· Many have health issues, such as Doris Greer and Edna Sexton, and Mark Barton.

· Many have unsaved family.

· Many have unsaved friends whom are unchurched and questioning their life in these years.

· Pray for Norma as she teaches The Mind of Christ.

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. (Php 2:1-7)


Prayer Station

In this room we have both Sunday School and church meetings.

· Please pray for our church council as they make administrative decisions

· Please pray for our nominating committee as they look for servants for the year ahead.

· Please pray for Jody Ingram as she teaches in this room

· This room has many members whom travel through the year.

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (Eph 3:20-21)

Prayer Station

· Pray for our greeters, that they would remember names and have ability to help our guests.

· Pray for our guests, you never know what God is doing in their life.

· Praise God for our custodians whom keep our building clean.

· Praise God for furnaces and air conditioning.

Let brotherly love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body. (Heb 13:1-3)


Prayer Station

Dave and Robin Troeckler teach in this room.

· Praise God for babies. Even at this age we can begin to share the truth of God.

· Pray that the children in this nursery will grow to love God.

· Pray for our workers as they minister to parents also.

In the fear of the LORD one has strong confidence, and his children will have a refuge. The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death. (Pro 14:26-27)

Prayer Station

Mrs. Lisa Keune and Evie Atkins teach these folks.

· This room has special people, CHILDREN.

· Please pray that they will understand the love of God and the awesome power of God.

· Pray that they come to know their part in His plan of creation and glory.

· Pray that we reach more children and families for Christ.

Thorns and snares are in the way of the crooked; whoever guards his soul will keep far from them. Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. (Pro 22:5-6)


Prayer Station

This Class is led by Evelyn Laswell and Amber Reames

· More special people are here too!

· Pray for the health of kids in our church.

· Pray for families to have a heart for adoption.

· Praise God for allowing us to live in a country with so many resources.

· Pray that we would be good stewards with our resources to the glory of God.

· Pray for those whom do not have enough food, medicine, or even parents.

1Sa 1:27 For this child I prayed, and the LORD has granted me my petition that I made to him.


Prayer Station

This class is led by Steve and Sheri McGauley

· Pray for the kids growing up. Many of these kids are facing changes and challenges. Pray that they have wisdom.

· Pray for parents. Pray that they have faith and direction from God to raise kids for His purposes.

· Pray for our teachers to effectively share God’s stories and truth.

· Pray for the friends of these kids to fill up this room.

Psa 78:4 We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the LORD, and his might, and the wonders that he has done.

Prayer Station

Pray here for VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL July 18-23

Please pray for Team Kid in this same way.

· Pray for our workers. Many will make a sacrifice to be here.

· Pray that we share the gospel effectively.

· Pray that we can minister to the entire family, not just the kids.

· Pray for our follow up to VBS

· Praise God that we have opportunity to have a VBS, some churches do not.

But Jesus called them to him, saying, "Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it." (Luk 18:16-17)


Prayer Station

Prayer Here for this Sunday School Class, Sid Smith teaches here

· God has been working here in the people for passion for His word. Pray that Satan does not stop it.

· Pray for the jobs of people in this class.

· Pray for them to have opportunities to share their faith.

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; for the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish. (Psa 1:1-6)

Prayer Station

Pray here for the class led by Paul Shelton

· Many of the class members have a heart desire for the gospel to reach families and coworkers.

· Some have aging parents who need prayer.

· Several have kids in college. Pray that the truth of God reigns in their lives.

Jos 24:15 And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."


Prayer Station

This room is where Praise Kids is held ad Mr. Fred Shumake teaches the youth.

· Pray for these people to be missionaries in their schools.

· Pray against the challenges of peer pressure.

· Pray that these have a passion for the glory of God.

· Pray for an enduring application of the cross to their lives.

Then Jesus told his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? (Mat 16:24-26)


Prayer Station

This is the Junior High Class taught by Melissa Pinkley

· Pray for the new youth coming up into the class. They will have new challenges to life.

· Pray for the youth mission trip to Carmi in July.

· Pray as they delve deep in the scriptures to have wisdom beyond their peers.

Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. (1Ti 4:12-13)


Prayer Station

Pray for education and discipleship. These books are for us to learn of God and to see His supremacy about all creations.

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, (2Ti 2:15-16)

Prayer Station

Pray for Discipleship here.

· We need to know the truth.

· We need to worship in Spirit and in Truth. Not just be academic in our faith.

· Pray that we live with passion for the things God is passionate about.

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (Rom 12:2)


Prayer Station

· Pray for Worship

· Pray that God speaks to us, and that we clearly here Him.

· Pray for Spirit led communication.

· Pray that our hearts are undivided.

· Pray that we credit God for His glory.

· Pray that we obey everything God reveals.

· Pray that we are in unity with one another, and that we would be convicted if we are out of fellowship with someone.

· Pray for the leaders, musicians, and tech people to be able to worship and perform their duties in the service.

· Pray that distractions become opportunities for His glory.

· Pray for our body of believers. Many unshared needs exist. Many come here hurting, needing direction, needing hope.

· Pray we take the word of God to heart.

· Pray that we go into all the world and make disciples.

For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, and he is to be held in awe above all gods. For all the gods of the peoples are idols, but the LORD made the heavens. Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and joy are in his place. Ascribe to the LORD, O clans of the peoples, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength! Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; bring an offering and come before him! Worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness; tremble before him, all the earth; yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved. Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice, and let them say among the nations, "The LORD reigns!" Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; let the field exult, and everything in it! (1Ch 16:25-32)


Prayer Station

Pray for those in the prayer room

· Pray for them to go deep with God.

· Pray for their centrality of purpose in here.

· Pray for God to speak to them

For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil." (1Pe 3:12)

Prayer Station

Pray for our leadership and staff

Our deacons are

· Paul Shelton

· Ted Long

· Fred Shumake

· Ralph Keune

· David Troeckler

· Rick Kalz

Our custodians are Paul and Debbie Shelton

Our secretaries are Indira Steiner and Amy Barnes

Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. (Jas 3:1)


Prayer Station

Pray for our pastor

· Pray for his heart, mind, and soul to capture the words of God.

· Pray for his wisdom in decision making and patience.

· Pray that he effectively communicates.

· Pray for unspoken needs he and his family may have.

· Pray for his wife and family: Melissa, Ben, Micah, Levi, and Abby.

· Pray for a persevering zealous fire for God to burn within him.

So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. (1Pe 5:1-4)

Prayer Station

Pray that we go out these doors into a mission field with a deep sense of the urgency for souls, the exaltation of God and His name, and the work of the cross.

And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." (Mat 28:18-20)

Prayer Station

Pray that we go out these doors into a mission field with a deep sense of the urgency for souls, the exaltation of God and His name, and the work of the cross.

And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." (Mat 28:18-20)