Blue Christmas

Today is a day of prayer.

Over the last 48 hours I find that God keeps bringing me to pray for several who are facing their first Christmas without a mom, dad, or spouse. I think of Diane, Scott, Wanda, Greg, Gary, and others. I rememer how Jesus was often moved with compassion. I pray for that same compassion to be felt within the heart for these saints.

Also I am compelled as others may have lost someone in recent years and are still saddened by the loss.

Though not a family member, I lost a significant friend this year also. She was 99. We won't be caroling at her house this Wednesday. Nor will she greet us with cookies right from the oven.

I am also burdened to pray for and encourage many whom are battling cancer, facing the season of giving without anything to give due to job loss, and those who struggle in difficult divorce situations.

But I can offer hope. For this is a season about birth. It is about all things new. It is a season to remember the covenant of God through His Son. As my son Ben and I were talking last night, this world is a world of great pain. Because of sin and separation from God, no one goes for long without scars and wounds. These truths are painful. Yet our hope is not here. Our hope lies in the Peace announced by the angels. That though we were captives, Christ can set us free. And one day, a glorious day, all this suffering will be past. I will see grandma and grandpa again. Grace will be seen in its true value. I will relish in the joy that God has made up for me the wrongs that I inflicted upon others. I will never again be separated from God and the gospel will have been fulfilled.

Though we suffer now, for a little while in comparison, we have this hope, His name is Immanuel. God is with us.

Getting the Most Out of Christmas

Dearest Saints of HSBC,

I am at my desk today and working through my annual desire to get the most out of Christmas. Often I find myself wanting to provide for my family and others in ways that would make Christmas extra meaningful for them. As I have been praying today and pondering how to present Christ this season, God has hit me hard. Over the last 24 hours I have encountered people and stories of pain, hurt, and rejection. May "Dreams" have been cruelly dispersed. Christmas can be a difficult time. Many I know are out of work. Some are facing the first season of holidays without their long time spouse. And God is speaking to me. Today I am finding power in prayer for these friends. God has enabled me to talk to some, others text, and to be an encouragement. This is the church being the church. Will you join with me in a few things...

• Spend extra time with folks and seek their prayer needs. Sincerely pray with them.
• Be open to God's promptings of the spirit to encourage others.
• Send me your prayer needs. (perseveringpastor@gmail.com) I do love to pray for you all. I regret that there seems to never be enough time for fellowship. It is in fellowship that we bond and support. So please let me know how I can pray for you this Christmas season.
• Lastly, please let me know what God is working in your life and through scripture. Are you taking the challenge to share the gospel by January 27th?
  

What I Pray for When I pray For Our Church

Have you ever wondered about your pastor’s prayer life? Have you ever wondered what does he pray about most often for us? Maybe you have heard him pray and it sounds different than anything you have ever heard. Do you know he is at church praying and desire to know how he can pray for so long or why he seems to just know what to pray? His prayers will give a grand outline to the question of his heart’s desire for the church. Paul in writing to the Colossians has been my inspiration. For many years now I have taken a personal directive to pray specifically according to a prayer that Paul himself prayed for these beloved people. He shares this prayer with the church by writing,

Col 1:9-14 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Paul’s pastoral heart has sparked my heart in ministry. Often one of my greatest joys is praying through the church directory. I also have on my desk a stack of index cards. These cards have the handwritten prayer requests of several members here. And I can not forget Facebook. When I check my account I often have “real time” news of what the saints are going through. Each of these venues provides me with opportunities to pray specifically. I can therefore imagine Paul, receiving news by a messenger of the church stopping to pray. Or maybe as I have had occasion, fondly looking at some memento from his flock and then praying for those whom he loves.

True pastoral ministry will have its strongest influences by the bible and by prayer. And prayer itself is to be directly influenced by the bible. Show us a man who prays and I can show you one who believes the Word of God.

So as I looked at these verses years ago I found Paul teaching me. First off I learned that he never ceases to pray for them. As pastor I need to do the same. Those whom we love we will pray for. Thus as a pastor I find that as my love for folks grows I pray in greater earnest.

When I pray I agree with Paul that we all need to be filled with knowledge in spiritual wisdom and understanding. This is not just to do a better job or have a comfortable life. This is knowledge to see things from a God centered and exalting perspective. If we are not first and foremost living in the glorification of God then all we do is doubly worthless. However, when we obey the command to do all things to the glory of God, then we actually worship. Remember, worship is in Truth and Spirit. By gaining personal knowledge of God and His will we also will have the benefit of growing in love for God. If we love God and desire His glory, most of our attitudinal and heart problems are cured in rapid fashion. Pastors love to see this sanctification of the flock

Paul makes me aware that I must ask in my prayers for the church to be strengthened. This keeps me aware of the daily struggles within and from outside that weaken us. This prayer is not so that we look good or to have a nice day. As a matter of fact I ask that our sufferings bring us joyful wisdom in God rather than a turning to the world’s solutions.

Next I pray about their journey, walk, with Christ. It is my desire that in a daily fashion we all take every thought of our being into the realization that we have been bought with a precious price. Too often we “move on to the next big thing” or shiny object of distraction unaware of what we are trading off. Because of this we rarely dwell on the great things of God. My prayer is that we all revel in His glory in every facet of the day. For us to do everything to the glory of God we need to value the work of God. Again, we need to know God. I pray that we will not fall in false theology as Satan persuaded Eve. Some do this by reading books without discernment. Some simply overschedule and squeeze God out of their lives. I can be faulted here also. Our walk ought to be in the understandable knowledge of God. I pray that this truth is captive in our minds all day long. Oh Father, may we be God centered people in everything.

I often pray 1 Corinthians 10:13 for myself, and I do it for our church. Temptations often grip us even unaware. I pray that it is by His might that we are strengthened. Sufferings are a means of us getting beyond our experience and personal resources in an opportunity to walk by faith. The challenge for us Americans today is that so little faith is “required”. We have convenience, lines of credit, and ample freedoms. Due to all of this we have lost the urgency of prayer, waiting upon God, and faithfully acting. We depend more on economic and technological resources than Almighty God. My prayer is not that we become Luddites, but that we properly cry out to God before turning to resources or giving into temptation. I pray that the promises of God are implanted, able to save our souls.

So I then pray for endurance and patience. Again I find that this is affected by our easy lifestyles in America. Granted the sour economy has awakened many to their return to God, yet we still have a dominating “I can do better elsewhere” mentality. So we don’t endure, we move on. This ideology in our social lives is often carried into the sanctuary. As a case in point, church hopping is easy. Finding a nondemanding church is easier. The sad thing is that these fallback gathering places may not constitute a New Testament church. Committed Christians persevere. Thus there is something to persevere against. If you never suffer for your faith then it is most likely that you do not have saving faith. We glorify God when we love on difficult people, even in the church. Speaking to the idea of staying in a church through difficult times ought to be a sermon series. Unfortunately, the less mature majority would see this as self serving to the pastor and staff. Let me surmise that the church ought to be revolutionizing the integrity of the believer that they are stalwart people of perseverance. Prayer is the key tool to God working in His people this way.

And I pray for joy in these sufferings. James in his first chapter gives us guidance. Joy above circumstances, with suffering, is glory unto God. It says that the Christian’s hope is in the personhood of God. It makes much of His promises. It strengthens the church as a whole. Yes we must pray for people’s joy, but pray that joy is in the difficulties of life. This builds character and glory.

If we are joyful we are thankful. And in thankfulness we give credit to whom it is due. It can be said that thankful people are worshipful people. And this is God’s desire. As I read in Romans two many moons ago, I saw how God’s kindness is meant to lead us to repentance. This truth led me to realize my sin, and yet His forbearance and grace. It welled up within me a sense that it is only therefore just and joyful to give my life evermore to Him. Thus, though I do fear God, I find I am more motivated to love and serve Him by means of appreciation for what He has worked through the cross. This is what Paul prays.

Paul prays that we would have this revelation. To give thanks to God who has delivered us from darkness to light.

Though Paul wrote these words they are the words of God. They are a truth that sets me and you free. Thus as pastor and fellow sinner I too pray these for us all. May we glorify God in this pattern.

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)

What I pray when I pray for the lost

My senior adults are some of my best students. I praise God that at an age when most people want to slow down we have been blessed with a proactive group of disciples. They refuse to be “old dogs” whom can’s be taught anything new. Passionately they delve into the scriptures to learn and grow. Amen.

One of the burdens the seniors have shared is the lostness of several family members. When I say lost I am referring to those who do not yet have a relationship with Christ in which He is Savior, Lord, and Love. (I have a previous post on this within the blog) The lost may very well be someone who knows that they do not fit into the category of being a Christian. However, most people either do not know they have a need of a savior or they assume that they already do have such a relationship.

Just the other day I was asked how to pray for two of these individuals. Here is my advice…

• Pray first for God to begin drawing the person unto Himself. God is the initiator of all salvation.
• Pray for their dissatisfaction with the world. People need to see that the world and its offerings are not the answer to life’s emptiness. Often it is helpful to pray that a person comes to the end of themselves.
• Pray that they see their sin as sin as God sees their sin. If we don’t deal with the sin issue we can not truly come to see our need of a savior. We must pray for their eyes to see the insufficiency of their own being before a Holy God.
• Pray they repent. Pray that they would be drawn by the Holy Spirit to love God more than they love their sin. (Romans 1)
• Pray for opportunities to share the truth of scripture with them.
• Pray that they understand God’s truth and apply it personally.
• Pray for them to become real disciples. This will be a natural outcome of a true conversion. But too often we fail to walk with a person at this point. Be one to thus encourage and applaud each of their successive steps in sanctification. You never know how many others will come to Christ because of one person being saved.

What I mean when I say I will pray for you

Day after day is blessed with helping others carry burdens they can not seem to bear. That is why I like being a pastor. Call me a maven, but I love connecting people with the truth of God. God gets the glory, the person grows in the faith, and I reap joy. It is one of the great perks a pastor gets.

Today I called one of our leaders to discuss a small problem. She herself was in crisis. The checkbook was missing. Her out of town husband could not be reached and she had a list of places to be. The missing checkbook was compounding the obligations of the day. We stopped, prayed, and in about fifteen minutes she e-mailed me to say the checkbook had been found. I love stories like this one. My prayer for her was not just to find the checkbook, but to remember who her guardian is.

I seem to get prayer requests all the time and I diligently try to keep them organized and remembered. Often I will pass out three by five index cards and ask people to share with me their personal requests. This is a great tool because as I pray through the church roll I can be reminded of specific needs.

So, obviously I do pray for a person’s expressed needs. Sometimes however I pray beyond that. What I mean is that often we get fixated on our apparent need, desire, or solution. I pray that our eyes will be opened to God’s greater plan and provision. The person may be praying for one specific thing whereas the answer to their need is completely different. I also pray that God gives a no answer in a clear manner when what is being asked is not His best.

Generally my ongoing prayer for you when I pray is that your eyes be opened to the already present truths of His glory. Also, that when He answers, you will clearly understand and give praise to Him. Too often we pray and then either stop looking for His involvement or we fail to learn and glorify Him.

So, when I pray for you, you can expect these things.

• That as often as I remember I will pray that you see God’s best befall you.
• I pray that God opens your eyes to His present truths in scripture that apply to your situation.
• I pray that you not fail to see His hand in your life.
• I pray that others will know of your experience and that you will take the opportunity to share of His grace.
• I pray your faith grows.
• I pray that trials do not last any longer than necessary for you to learn the lesson at hand.
• I pray that in turn you will be a person of prayer and help others in humility when they need prayer.

10 Things I am praying in 2011

People ought to make resolutions. Ministers are no exception. We often, not just at years beginning, set about looking at our lives and evaluate them. This is part of the practice of taking the sacraments. As Paul said, "we ought to examine ourselves" as not to partake in an unworthy manner.

Therefore, as the new year is about to begin I have pondered and considered these following ten items to pray about as a daily petition.

1. That every week I would lead and disciple a person in the saving grace of Christ.

2. To not say anything dumb. Yes, that only wisdom come from my mouth.

3. For personal holiness for the church's sake.

4. That He lead me not into temptation, but deliver me from evil. Thus progress in sanctification.

5. For my thoughts and actions to be redemptive with all people and situations.

6. God minded/centered thinking in everything would become my heart nature.

7. To stop and worship daily.

8. That I measure the success of myself, my church, and "heroes and others" by God's standards.

9. That I be faithful in all endeavors.

10. That joy permeate all things giving God the glory.

Miscellaneous Ramblings, or better put Thoughts Upon Returning from a Prayer Retreat

Saints,

Thanks for praying for me and the pastors on the retreat.

Wow. What a great time. Every six months I have a great opportunity through our association to take a 24 hour prayer retreat. We travel to Lake Sallateeska and run from noon to noon for a time of rest, Biblical meditation, and prayer. Usually eight to twelve pastors participate in the time. I can truly say it is refreshing, encouraging, and equiping.

Being a bit of a drive from home I usually prepare a day ahead by praying for the time and the men involved. Then I select a few sermons to listen to along the way. This time I traveled with Ravi Zacharias and listened to his teaching entitled, The Spurious Glitter of Pantheism. Being that I have several Hindu friends and have been asked by them to read and understand their teachings, this message presented me with a blueprint of understanding. We can never stop learning if we want to seek to glorify God. My hope is to now use this instruction to be able to help them understand the authentic gospel as well as relate to them in a deeper way.

While fishing (I arrived a bit early in order to do so), I listened to R C Sproul. The things taught on Renewing Your Mind can help us to meditate. Going deeper with a text and the axioms of Christianity is a great way to encourage biblical meditation. Thus R C is always one of my favorites.

I mention Biblical Meditation, and some question what I mean. I loosely define biblical meditation as a fast from distraction with the purpose of drinking in the scriptures and truths of the scriptures in order to renew the mind and live more like Christ. Not being the brights bulb on the Christmas tree, I need help in jump starting my thoughts. Ravi Zacharias and R C Sproul are two of the living men of our day whom I find stimulating towards this need. A few others in that realm would be Michael Horton, C J Mahaney, John Piper, and Don Carson. Another to note of late is Jerry Bridges, his book Respectable Sins is working me over.

That being said, I mention the living guys, but proceed with caution. You never know how a man will finish the race. But the dear departed that I consider friends through their writings would include Jonathan Edwards, Spurgeon, J C Ryle, Richard Sibbs, Thomas Watson, Martyn Lloyd Jones, A W Tozer, and if I kept going I man never finish this update.

My thoughts take this trail because of a bible study we had on the retreat that involved the topics of Elisha, perseverance, and the value of ministry. We talked at length of the self getting in the way, of how to properly evaluate success, and the need for time with God. Out of the discussion came the question, "Was the death of Jim Elliot worthwhile?" (Jim Elliot and 4 others gave thier life in 1949 trying to reach the Auca Indians of Equador with the Gospel. Following their martyrdom, thousands have cited their sacrifice as a calling card for obedience to the mission field call.) We also talked of one of my favorites Dietrich Bonhoeffer, who died in a Nazi prison and wrte the book The Cost of Discipleship. Thus the reminder to us all there is always a cost for discipleship, and though we co not see it now it is always worth it.

So it seems the lessons learned for this prayer retreat to be constantly remembered and practiced are these...

• Ministry is a messy business. It is costly.
• Because it is costly, and often the cost is life, it is supremely valuable.
• It gets its value from the glory of God. For anything to glorify God must not be for the glory of self.
• Thus those who lose their life for the Gospel actually save it.
  

Busy Relaxing

Saints, Friends, and others,

I truly believe that when God speaks to us, and with every sermon we hear we will be tested. Every sermon I preach becomes the test of the week. I often fail. When God is preparing us for something He seems to always give us a scripture. It may be in our devotional book, it may be in an e-mail. I am not saying all texts will be tested, but I am saying that God has a great way of provision by sharing with us truths that are necessary for worship of Him in all circumstances. It also amazes me how after failure in one of these tests I will pick up a book I have been reading and then find that the very next few paragraphs speak to the subject at hand. Often this causes me to wonder, "If I had only spend a few more moments with God, would I have succeeded"?


Lately I have been tuned into the topic of resting and being God-centered in our thinking. Too often we are so busy we can not stop and let our mind roll through the glories of God. Our church has been challenged to be godly. This is not mere morality. It is the constant consideration of God in all that we do. Often I struggle to rest. My mind is always racing and I am figity with projects. the family has been away for a few days and after completing the obligatory number of home improvements I found myself longing to rest before God. Thus to be obedient I took some time off yesterday. So, packing a few maps, a camera, and memories I trolled about Illinois in an effort to visit some childhood places.

Along the way I stopped to take several photographs. Many were of cool looking church buildings. Once to my main destination I sought out familiar landmarks. My cousin lives in the house my grandfather was born, lived, and died in. So that was on the list, I also adventured as I did thirty years ago to a state park that still holds more passion for me than an all you can eat buffet. I saw the old town that was safe to walk through for a kid, back in the day. The old park is there where I once found four dollars in change in the mud after a July 4th carnival. The Carnegie library still stands where grandma worked and I learned to read. It is now a military museum. I went by the old church we attended and found the very swing set I played on at age four. All this was done in looking at the providence of God.

Upon visiting my grandparents grave I summed up all my thoughts of the morning in a prayer of thankfulness to God. Heritage and rest. These are two things that the Hebrews of the Old Testament needed to spend more time on. We need to remember our heritage, where God has brought us from, through, and to. Rest, we need to rest in Him, for our our righteousness is filthy rags.

Bible Time

From Joel Beeke
"The Psalms show how varied the experience of Knowing God and walking with Him is". "Some people may expect the Christian life to be continuous joy and victory. Triumph is reflected in some of the Psalms, but nearly half of them describe the pain, sorrow, frustration, and loneliness of Christian experience. We should look at all the Psalms for a better understanding of what we will encounter in our walk with God."
And Luther noted: "If you can't find your life in the Psalms, you have never become a child of God."

From My Bible Time:
Today I was reading in Psalm 103. It captivated me as to how good God is to us who were His enemies. I could not help but pray line by line. As I did God opened my eyes (As has been my prayer lately) to depths and applications. Truly truly no good thing comes unless it comes as a gift from God. It was a worshpful experience. Then as I further asked God to open my eyes for spiritual sight I found the paragraph quoted above in Joel Beeke's book Overcoming the World, Grace to Win the Daily Battle.
Let me challenge you to pray through a Psalm every day.

Random Thoughts on Prayer

Here are a few random thoughts I have been utilizing while praying these last few days.

* Prayers most effective work is to change me before any situation changes. It is a heart matter.
* Do not pray and walk away. Pray and watch for an answer.
* Prayer is like breath for the Christian. Pray without ceasing.
* Prayer must be in faith. Otherwise it is religion, but in faith it is worship.
* Identify with those whom you pray for. Seek their best. When good news comes you can truly rejoice, when strife hits, you can weep with them.
* Life without prayer is the clearest indication of working in one's own strength.
* If I make a list for prayer I am less likely to forget and more likely to tarry onward.
* Prayer is Hope exercised.
* Continual prayer opens our eyes to the things of God.
* Prayer renews the mind.
* Prayer displaces fear.
* By praying in faith, it rightly puts the resulting glory upon God rather than on me.
* Praying through the Lord's prayer will unite us in His Spirit.
* Distractions will come while praying. Sleep with taunt you. But overcome these and power falls upon your heart.
* I have to "pray" for at least fifteen minutes before I am really praying.
* Trials will build the praying man's confidence. It is here he sees his need for God's wisdom, and God then graciously gives.
* Prayer partners are the truest of friends.
* Praying with your wife removes the strife.
* Praying with your kids keeps their hearts at home.
* By praying through the church directory your worship on Sunday becomes all the more moving.
* Prayer is not easy, otherwise it is not prayer.
* Idolatry is evident in one's prayer life.
* If I don't have my time of prayer, something else must be more important than God?
* Prayer can be done anywhere.
* To know someone is praying for you is to have hope.
* Prayer is an adventure, especially when you take real concern and not trite acquiescence. Prayer will vividly open your eyes to Majesty.
* How much more would my life had been if I prayed more?
* I miss my praying Grandma. Whom will intercede?
* The older I become the better I should be in prayer.
* Children can form the most astounding prayers. I have much to learn from them.
* God is not impressed by eloquent words. Neither does He hear bragging.
* Sometimes repentance is the only prayer I can utter.
* I often do not want to pray. Lord change my heart.
* Writing out your prayers in a journal is a benchmark for reference in life.
* We can read, talk, and write about prayer. But only prayer is prayer.

Pastor's Heart

>I am asking you all to begin taking the next fifty days, till Pentecost, to pray about the things listed below. Many of them I have direction on, some are quite vague. As a matter of prayer I ask that you seek God to speak to you clearly and with scripture as reinforcement. Let us see where God is working and wisely choose what He would have us do by faith.

At the end of the fifty days, I will be asking you all for feedback. In the mean time, please feel free to inquire as to anything that may be presently unclear.

Prayer Ministry

• Thursday Prayer- should it continue and in what context
• Wednesday Nights- How can we do effective ministry with limited resources.
• Youth- I believe we need to get our youth to make a habit of prayer in all things.
• Active prayer walking-
• Prayer partners-assigned, I have long seen the benefit of people praying together on a regular basis.

Building and Grounds

• Parking Lot & Covered entry way- needs planning and direction
• General upkeep- There are several things that need care. We are praying that God will call someone to be in charge of these things.
• Roof needs- Our roof is starting to come apart in the high winds. We need God to provide the funds for upkeep and upgrades.
• Remodel foyer- I is time for a few changes here, but what would best honor God?

Youth

• Leadership- I believe we are missing out because we do not have a regular leader
• Discipleship- What avenue should we pursue for our summer retreat
• Reaching others- We need to look at reaching out not looking in.

Working with Arms of Love

• Why Marriage Class- I have been asked to lead young couples.
• Pre-Marital counseling- The above would lead to strengthening their families.
• Free Wedding- AOL would be seeking churches would take on those who chose to marry and keep their baby rather than aborting them.

Men’s Ministry

• Paul & Steve heading this up
  
• Discipleship and Friendship

Women’s Ministry

• TBD- being proactive in ministry and outreach.
• Events designed to reach unchurched
• Hearts at home
• True Woman Conference?

Outreach

• Prayer Walking
• Training- We need to see how this is properly done, with the full gospel presented and not salesmanship.
• GROW
• Proactive
• Gift and Go
• Pastor’s Class
• In home bible study
• Ad on Facebook?

Sermon’s on Itunes

Team Kid

• Parent outreach- We are not reaching the parents
• Focus on doctrine- Let us keep training the kids in the basics, preparing the next generation.
• Focus on returning on Sunday- encouragement to come again.
• Summer ministry?

Missions

• Mission trip in August- Planning
• Future Missions- What would God have us do in the future?
• Missions education- We are severely lacking here. And this is our point of obedience.

Summit?

• Annual summit? Should we look to having an annual time of the body seeking God?
• Life Action return? Should they be invited to return, or is their some other avenue?

Discipleship

• Fall/Summer camp out retreat
• Winter classics Classes at a college level on particular disciplines

Deacons

• Church covenant
• New Deacons?

Budget Considerations

• Stewardship Campaign? We have several financial needs, how do we address them?
  
• Doing more, moving ahead by faith?

Planting a Church- My heart is to reach the world that God brings to us in our county.

• International Students
• International Residents
• Adopt Students
• Minister to Students
• International Market in Edwardsville

Praying over the next 50 days, till Pentecost.

Looking for God’s activity, scripture, and co-incidence happenings