E-Praise & Prayers - July 20, 2004
Prayer is a condition of the mind, an attitude of the heart, which God recognizes as prayer,
whether it manifests itself in quiet thinking, in sighing, or in audible words.
O. Hallesby
Have you ever been in a situation where all you can do is shrug your shoulders and wonder how Father is going to turn this one to good? I am in that situation right now. Last Friday (7/16) my computer had a meltdown and I had to have the hard disk reformatted. Although I still have all my devotionals - I did lose the 80 + e-mail addresses for the e-Ministry that came from my home. I was really upset at first - but now I am in the shrugging the shoulders and saying to Father, “It is going to be interesting to see how THIS is used to good!” stage. Luckily I have a long history with Him doing exactly that - turning what I see as a disaster into good - and so although I do not see the good right now - the day is coming when I will see it. I praise Father tonight that He has the big picture of my life and that regardless of my little disasters - my eternity is secure within Him. (If someone mentions to you that they are no longer receiving the e-Ministry - have them e-mail me with their e-ddress.)
What a joy it was to be in services on Sonday and hear that Rev Glen & May Knight are celebrating their 67th wedding anniversary. They have been married longer than I have been alive! In this day of throw-away marriages - praise God for the testimony of strength, commitment and faithfulness of this couple.
At our quarterly business meeting this past Sonday we were more than triple blessed! The first blessing was sharing a meal of Mitzi’s enchiladas together. The second was getting to hear of the new additions to our church family and all the kingdom activities we are involved in. The third blessing was getting to honor Char Cole for her service to us. Char works as a nurse up at Camp Sugarpine. In lieu of wages, Char works so that children can receive a scholarships to attend Camp Sugarpine. I was watching Char as the award was given and she was so surprised! But isn’t that the way it usually is? Those who deserve recognition the most are often the most surprised when it is given to them. Thank-you, Char, for your warm, loving, generous heart.
It is with sadness that I report to you that Don Kramer (Geri Kinnish’s grandson) was taken off of life support this past weekend - and has passed into eternity. Please keep the family in prayer as they grieve the loss of this young life.
I am also saddened to pass on this update about Kyle Speer from Robert Kammer: “Friends and Family,
I have bad news. The doctor told us on Friday(7-9-04) that there is nothing more they can do for Kyle and we brought him home that evening. On the good side, he felt well enough to enjoy a SD Padres' game and a visit to Disneyland this weekend. We are planning a trip to Northern California later this week. It is an extremely difficult time and we sure appreciate your prayers.” Please pray for this child and his family.
Walt Hemphill continues to improve - please continue to pray for him.
Please continue to pray for Ruth Rush as she recovers from knee replacement surgery, Emmy Lou Graves as she recovers from pink eye, Lillian Seward as she recovers from her gallstone surgery, and Ray Rahn Jr, who is undergoing dialyses treatments.
Judi Wright’s mother continues to decline with her Alzheimer’s disease. Judi has had to step back from her choir involvement as she cares for her mother. Judi has a heart so big that it makes Texas look like Rhode Island and so I know that this is a difficult time for her. Please lift Judi and her mom high before our Father.
Please continue to pray for the Lois and Dan Hansen and his job situation; Joanne as she makes life decisions; Kelli Hasting’s father, Chuck Johnson, and his cancer, Annie Dennis’ father, John Rogers, with his cancer and need for a personal relationship with Jesus, Cheryl Baldera and her cancer, Mandy and her cancer, Khamla as she undergoes chemo for her cancer, Rick, Leslie & Kayla as Rick continues his chemo treatments, Chantel & her surgery, Robert Kammer and his sleep apnea and Brent with his film. Please let me know if you have an updates on any of these situations.
Please continue to hold up those who serve Jesus in lands far from home - our beloved missionaries. Dr. Iris Paul, from Reaching Hand Society in India leaves Canada today for Boston on her speaking tour. Please pray for her safety and continued health. Pray for the Reaching Hand Society as they continue to minister in India. Pray for Jan & Larry Martin in Thailand, Bounkham & Khamla’s mission to Laos and Dr. George Pe Myat in the Congo.
Please pray for our church fellowship, our pastors and leaders in the Church. One of the joys of my life is singing in our choir. I don’t sing in it because I have a talented voice - far from it. I sing because the music that our choir director chooses gives me an outlet to express my love for God. Joy Nolte, our choir director, leads the choir with enthusiasm and commitment and her example ensures that when the choir sings - we worship - not perform. Let’s lift Joy up in prayer this week, that Father continues to bless her as she blesses us with her talent..
Please pray for our country, our leaders and our military.
LORD God,
You are our Rock and sure Foundation. The trials and tribulations that this world slings at us may cause us to be shaken but You are never shaken - You are never moved. Because of Your faithfulness to us we are secure in eternity.
Abba, we praise You and thank You for the testimony of You that is given by your people in so many different ways. We thank You for Glen & May Knight and the commitment they made and have honored for 67 years. We thank You for the loving generosity of Char Cole as she works to make sure that children can go camping at Sugarpine. We ask that You bless these wonderful people.
Comforter, we grieve with Geri and her family at this time of loss. We ask that You comfort the family as they mourn the loss of this young man.
King of kings & LORD of Lords, we pray for your mercy on Kyle Speer and his family. We acknowledge and praise You for Your sovereignty in Kyle’s situation. Pour Your blessings on them at this time, reassure them so that they know that You are still with them.
We continue to lift up Walt Hemphill, Ruth Rush, Emmy Lou Graves, Lillian Seward and Ray Rahn Jr as they recover from their health problems and we ask Father, that You continue to hold them close in Your loving hands.
Great Shepherd, You lead us to green pastures and still waters - You give us rest - we ask that Your guidance be with Judi as she cares for her mom. Help her to find rest for her spirit and for her body. Help us to support and love Judi during this time.
Abba, we lift up Dan & Lois Hansen, Joanne, Chuck Johnson, John Rogers, Cheryl Baldera, Mandy, Khamla, Rick, Leslie, Kayla, Chantel, Robert Kammer and Brent. Bless each of these situations and bring comfort to those who are involved.
God Almighty, Ruler of Heaven and Earth, we pray for our missionaries that take Your good news to all the corners of the earth. We ask Your protection on Dr. Iris as she continues her speaking tour. We pray for The Reaching Hand Society, Jan & Larry Martin, Bounkham & Khamla and Dr. George Pe Myat and ask that You provide all of their physical and spiritual needs.
Holy Spirit, we ask that You fill our pastors and leaders with Your wisdom as they seek to do Your will. Guide them and protect them in all that they do. Give them a renewed spirit and a fresh vision of the Kingdom. We thank You for them. Jehovah Jireh, we ask that You provide for the needs of the Church - bless her financially as we seek to bring Your message to the world. With grateful hearts we lift up Joy and her ministry of music. LORD God, touch her life in a new way, fill her with the joy of worshiping You through music. Help all of us to support and love her.
God of the angel armies, we ask Your blessing be poured out on our country. Use us as witnesses of Your love and mercy and as tools to bring America back to You. Holy Spirit guide our leaders from the President to the school boards in the way that You would have this nation go. Pour Your wisdom upon them. LORD Jesus, protect those who serve our country in the military, grant them mercy and grace. Bring them home to their families.
LORD of All, we willingly bow before You and acknowledge that You are our all in all. You are our Joy, our Peace, our Life. When we breathe Your name, we smile. When we think of You, we smile. We dance within the waves of Your love for us. We rejoice knowing that as tightly as we are holding on to You - You are holding even more tightly to us. We love You, LORD. Amen
Posted by Valerie at July 21, 2004 05:24 PM