Prayer, like faith, obtains promises, enlarges their operation, and adds to the measure of their results. E.M. Bounds
Unto Him that is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think Eph. 3:20
On the wall of my room I have a picture of the rings of Saturn. It is a color-enhanced picture - the colors of the rings being determined by the temperature of the ring. It is a simply beautiful picture. I love to read about the wonders that we have found in the universe. As I read about them I am truly astounded that any thinking person could look at all that and say “There is no God,” when the creativity and beauty of it simply screams of a Creator. But here is what is even more astounding. God, Who created all of this seemingly endless magnificence, calls us His own, knows the number of hairs on our heads, and turns His focus on us when we whisper His name. There is no greater love than His for us.
Great praise! Marisela has been taken out of severe intensive care and is now in intensive care. They have removed all the tubes from her and she is really moving around.
This upcoming Sonday - at some ghastly hour of the morning - Willie & Joy Nolte leave for the Cedarly Pastor’s Retreat for five days. They will be back home late Friday night. Please pray that during this time of rest and renewal that Father gives them a fresh vision and that they draw even closer to Him.
I have received an update from Julie. Although the bone in her hand is still broken the cast has been removed and Julie has gained most of the mobility in that hand back. Julie’s mom is still in a cast and on crutches. She went to the doctor’s yesterday and hopefully had gotten permission to start putting weight on her foot. Because of Carpel Tunnel, the crutches are difficult for her.
Please pray for a friend of mine and her family. This past weekend her son was taken to Valley Children’s hospital after an accident at home. They found that this two year old was hemorrhaging in his brain. As it turns out - the little boy had a tumor on his brain and that was the actual cause of the hemorrhaging - and had the accident not occurred it might have been a lot longer before they found the tumor. The boy has had one operation to remove the tumor and may have to undergo more. Please pray that Father protects this boy and his family.
I received an update from Maddie Neumann about her 2 year old cousin Brandon. Brandon’s lukemia is the type that can be cured. Brandon had been experiencing trouble with the shunt that was put in his chest for his treatment. They have removed that shunt and put in an internal shunt and Brandon is doing better. Please pray for Brandon’s full recovery and for his parents who do not yet know Jesus.
Bev Willis continues to improve with her knee. She is having a few troubles that she describes as “being up - but not at’em!” Please continue to pray for Bev.
We have an e-correction: Samme Myers friend’s name is Lois Winters - not Lori Winters. (I can’t even read my own handwriting!) Please continue to pray for Lois.
An e-mail from Anna reports that she can’t hardly wait to get here and collect on those hugs! Of concern to Anna is that her mother’s artificial knee needs to be replaced. That surgery will take place the day before Anna comes home to us. Please pray that all will go well with the surgery and that Anna can set aside her worry long enough to do well on her exam. Anna’s mother is improving with her depression problems.
Please continue to pray for Jim Hildman and his radiation treatments, Bill Clem and his shoulder, Lillian Seward’s continued recovery, Chuck Johnson for his cancer treatments, Ray Rahn, Jr with his kidney dialysis, Evelyn Hayhurst with her cancer, Peggy Molander as she undergoes physical therapy, Lois & Dan Hansen and new job for Dan, John Robert’s need to be in relationship with Jesus and for his cancer, Cheryl Balestra as she continues her cancer treatments, and Robert Kammer with his sleep apnea.
Please continue to pray for all of our missionaries - Jan & Larry Martin in Thailand, Laurie Bethall & Simon in Prague, Judy, Faye & Miisaw as they work at the New Life Center in Thailand, The Reaching Hand Society in India, Dr. George Pe Myat and the hospital in the Congo, Bounkham & Khamla’s mission to Laos, and all the missionaries worldwide. I ran into Khamla today - she looks great! Her hair is coming back in. She told me that Bounkham is in Thailand and on his way to Laos.
Please continue to pray for the church plants - The Rock Christian Church in Rio Mesa and The Life House in Reedley. Please pray for Karl & Shelly that the escrow on their home in LaHabra closes in a timely manner so that they can complete their purchase of a house in the Ranchos and get moved in by next week. Right now they are doing a daily commute from Visalia and that just has to be wearing on them.
When Jesus called us to Him He blessed us by giving us membership in His Church. Please pray for the Church and all of her congregations, Pastors, Leadership, ministries and finances.
Pray for God’s guidance in the upcoming election. Pray for our country, her leadership and for the military that ensures our freedoms.
God, my Savior
We are constantly amazed by all that You have created. Thank You for all the beauty and wonder that surrounds us. Thank You that as mighty as You are - You still love us enough to hear our weakest cry to You.
We continue to praise You for the work that You are doing with Baby Marisela and Bev. We ask that You continue to guide their recovery.
Jehovah, Strong and Mighty, we lift up Willie & Joy and ask that You bless beyond understanding this time that they will have in Wisconsin. Renew their spirits, refresh their souls and grant them a fresh vision of You.
We praise You Great Healer for the news on Julie and her mom. Continue to knit their bones back together.
We pray, Abba, for these two little boys - one with a brain tumor - the other with leukemia. Guide their doctors - grant them wisdom - and heal both of these boys completely.
Holy Spirit, grant Anna peace as her mother undergoes and recovers from her knee surgery. Grant that Anna does well on her exam. We praise You that she can come back to us for a time.
LORD Jesus, we ask Your mercy and grace fall on the following people and their situations, Lois Winters, Jim Hildman, Bill Clem, Lillian Seward, Chuck Johnson, Ray Rahn, Jr, Evelyn Hayhurst, Peggy Molander, Lois & Dan Hansen, John, Cheryl Balestra, and Robert Kammer.
Everlasting Light, shine Your presence on Your missionaries all over the world. Prepare the fields of harvest for them. Let them find those who have ears to hear, eyes to see and hearts to receive Your Good News. Provide for their needs.
Shepherd, guide Horatio, Cheryl, Karl and Shelly as they plant new congregation in our Valley. Bless them in all that they do. We ask Your blessing on those who will fill the pews in these churches. We ask a special blessing of good timing on Karl and Shelly as they close escrow on their old house and on their new house. We ask, LORD, that their move into their new home be uneventful.
You Whom our souls Love, we ask Your blessings on Your Church and all who attend her. Help us to truely see the world with the love and compassion with which You look at her. Help us to be Your hands and feet is we take Your message to all. We ask Your guidance and wisdom be on our pastors and our leadership. Bless all those who work in different ministries and help us to remember that it is all to glorify You.
Counselor, we ask Your blessings on the upcoming elections and we ask, Holy One, that Your will be done as we vote. Bless our nation, LORD God, bring her back on her knees to You. Guide our leaders as they make their decisions. Father protect our men and women in the military.
Triune God, if You were to come to us and offer us any place in the universe to be, we would fall at Your feet and beg You not to make us leave You. We lift more than our hands in praise of You. We love You , LORD. Amen.
Note from Valerie: I absolutely love getting those e-mails that tell of the cute things that kids say - and misunderstand - particularly around the church. The following was shared with me and I thought I would pass it on. For those not in the Fresno First Baptist Church fellowship let me give you a few background details. Joy is Joy Nolte, our choir director. The person who passed this story on to me is Ray Callahan, he leads the children’s music program on Sonday mornings. I got a good laugh out of it - I hope that you do too!
The funniest thing was passed on to me by Joy on Sunday morning, about how kids misinterpret some things said in passing. It goes something like this:
Joy came up to me, and asked what ‘dropping the rock’ meant. Not knowing what she was talking about, she mentioned that the kids said I’ve been using this comment about rocks, dropping rocks, putting down the rocks, kids waiting for rocks to drop, and I still had no clue, and somewhat worried that the kids thought I had been threatening them with rocks. Confused, I asked Joy to clarify, and she said that some of the girls were wanting to do the solo part, and thought that they were already picked, but now I’m letting others try out for the solos, and the girls said that I told everyone that I haven’t put down the rocks yet. Listening to what Joy was saying, I stood there and thought back to my practicing with the kids, then it came to me. I then explained to Joy that what I had said to the kids was that I wanted everyone to have a shot at the solo parts and that the decision on which of them to sing the solos parts WAS NOT SET IN STONE yet. We both had a laugh about how the kids took the phrase Set in Stone and changed it to putting down the rock. Goes to show how the young mind works and how unfamiliar some of our expressions are to the younger ones.
It has been a struggle to start writing this letter. This is because I write this with mixed emotions. August was not an easy month. My grandmother went to be with the Lord on the 17th August 2004. I was at Bangalore helping David settle into his college. I still feel very bad for not having been able to be by her side as she left this world to join her maker. I am very blessed to have an extended family in RHS as they took care of all the funeral needs. Also thanks to the friends in Malkangiri and the friends at IMST who were a great help during the funeral.
RABAGUDA UPDATE:
Rabaguda - A Koya village tucked away in the jungles with no electricity is a beautiful place. It is from this village that Ranu Rabe comes. Thank you for your prayers. She is today healed of all her physical scars from the bear attack. She is healthy and without any problem. She was a girl who the doctors gave no hope of survival but today due to prayer she is alive. Her pictures can be found at http://community.webshots.com/album/187589283khISDe
With the financial assistance got from Ms. Rema, Alice and Arul Livingston we were able to build a three-room house that Niranjan, Dilip and Thomas use. This house is also used for the daily literacy classes and the Sunday service. Pictures of this house can be seen at http://community.webshots.com/album/187596707klqLzT. We now need to build a toilet and a kitchen and also white wash the house. Will appreciate your prayers for the needed finances.
Young men from this village have requested a loan of Rs. 7,200/- for the purchase of 4 cycles (each cycle costs Rs. 1,800/-) that they plan to use to buy and take small groceries from the main market and sell them at villages. Last year Raba Muta and Beti Mala had taken such cycle loans and have successfully returned it as well. This cycle has helped them to make a living during the lean summer months. We thank Rev. Theodore Williams for this gift that enabled us to buy the cycles for Raba Muta and Beti Mala.
Beti Irma of Machaguda (a village close to Rabaguda where we have literacy class and Bible study happening) wants a loan of Rs. 4,000/- to set-up a small shop.
I must thank Pastor Manohar from the Grace Centre Trust for their monthly contributions specifically towards the ministry in Rabaguda. Thank you Pastor.
If you are led of the Lord to support the ministry in this village regularly or as a one-time gift towards any of the projects in the village, please get in touch with me at remopaul@vsnl.net and I should be able to give you the details.
More pictures of Rabaguda are available at http://community.webshots.com/user/remopaul. If you are not able to view the pictures and would like to get these pictures, please email me as to which picture you need and I should be able to send it as email attachments.
Please specifically remember Niranjan, Dilip and Thomas as they work. Please pray for continued revival in this village and in the villages in this area.
Both Niranjan and Dilip are now down with fever. Both of them have gone home for treatment and rest. Will appreciate your prayers for them.
The wedding of Niranjan has been fixed and he will be married in February 2005. Please pray for him as he prepares himself to start a new chapter in his life and obviously he is very excited and so also his extended family in Reaching Hand Society.
UPDATE ON DR. IRIS.
Mummy is in her last leg of her visit to the US on invitation and fully sponsored by India Partners. She has so far has had a good and fruitful time. A report from her is at the end of this letter. Please feel free to write to her at iris_paul@vsnl.net (she has limited access to the net as she travels, so maybe delayed in her responses).
FAMILY NEWS:
8 of our children who study in Lamtaput were here last week for their mid-term vacation. It was a joy to have them here. They left early today morning back to school. It was hard to say goodbye, but we know that it is necessary for their education.
David has joined a college in Bangalore to do his bachelors in Advertising and Graphic Design. He is enjoying his studies and is now managing his life as an independent man in the big wide world. He lives with my uncle in his house in Bangalore.
Mary started her A Levels course in Hebron. After a rough last year she is also starting to mature into a fine young woman.
FINANCES:
Finances have continued to be a struggle, but Jehovah Jireh has been good. Will continue to appreciate your prayers and support in this regard.
Closing with prayers
Remo
Valerie Rae Hanneman
Psalm 91:5 You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day,” (NIV)
Isaiah 26:4 “Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord is the Rock Eternal.” (NIV)
Deuteronomy 31:8 The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." (NIV)
When Fawn was working up at Sierra Summit Ski Resort she often came home on her days off. I usually took her back up the mountain because I truly enjoyed the beautiful drive and it was just that much longer I could keep her with me. Once I took my twin 7-yr-old niece and nephew with me so they could play in the snow for a wee bit before we headed back home. We had so much fun that is was dark by the time we were back in the car. We were driving at a fairly cautious speed because the snowbanks on the side of the road were piled higher than the roof of the car and the road was frosted white with snow. The only break in the whiteness of it all was the dark night and the gaps in the snowbanks that indicated a significant drop-off by the side of the road. But visibility was good and although I was driving cautious, I was not concerned. That is when we hit it. I don’t know if it was fog or a low-lying cloud that we drove into, all I know is that we were suddenly engulfed in white and my visibility suddenly dropped to about 10 feet. I immediately slowed down and we started inching our way down the mountain. After the second time of almost running into a snowbank because I couldn’t tell the road was curving, and remembering those gaps in the snowbanks, I moved to the center of the road . As visibility continued to drop, I had to move over again so Steven could open his door and watch the painted line on the side of the road to keep us on track. Believe me, Father and I were doing some serious communicating at that point in time. We were hitting top speeds of 3 miles per hour, I couldn’t see anything ahead of me except white, and my niece and nephew were in the back seat, “Aunt Valerie! I’m sca-a-a-a-red!” Then my brain pushed to the forefront a reminder of that hairpin turn right by the Shaver Dam and the sheer drop along one whole one side of it. That drop, that made me nervous under the best of circumstances, was on my side of the road. To say that I was in a highly stress situation would be an understatement. I wanted to yell at my niece and nephew to SHUT UP! because the truth of the matter was that I was scared too.
The world we live in is a scary place. There are terrorist attacks all over the world that leave us shocked at the evil that advocates the loss of innocent lives. There are threats of terrorist attacks in our own country that we must be on constant guard against. Of even greater danger is the “wrong place - wrong time” of the escalating violence on our streets. Predators stalk our children on the internet. Sexual immorality and perversion is called good and natural and preached to us over the TV and in our schools. Our family values are torn down more and more each day. Our faith values are mocked by the “politically correct.” We wonder if it can get any worse - then terrorists take a school hostage - and we know that it can.
It is enough to make you want to barricade yourself and your family in your house to try and protect them from what is going on in this world. But we can’t do that - and even if we could - would we really be safe?
We cannot be safe in this world if we are looking to the things of this earth to keep us safe.
We must seek our safety outside of what this earth offers. Our safety is found in what our Father offers. He offers us the promise that He is so intent on us that at any given moment He can tell us the number of hairs on our head. He offers us the assurance that He is the Rock Eternal - and He will not be moved. He offers us the strength of His hand and the knowing that nothing is strong enough to take us out of His hand. He offers us the courage to go on because we know that He goes before us, He is with us and He will never leave us or forsake us. We are absolutely safe with Father.
Father has never promised that we would not face the same tragedies and sorrows the rest of the world faces. Starting with Stephen in the book of Acts to the Christian rescue workers who died today in a plane crash our earthy lives are just as vulnerable and as fragile as any non-Christians. But that is where the resemblance ends. It is our real life - our eternal life - that is absolutely safe with Him. What a glorious foundation and promise for our lives. We are forever safe.
Obviously, I made it down the side of the mountain safely. And by the time we got to the hairpin turn that I was so worried about visibility had improved enough for me to get through it. I will admit to you that it was a scary incident in my life. I prayed and I prayed hard for us because I was afraid for the physical well-being of each one of us in that car. But there was no fear for my real life - my eternal life. I knew I was safe in my Father’s hands.
This earth is a scary place but we are eternally safe with Father. We can face this world with courage because of His promises to us.
Abba, this world is a dangerous place and there are no promises that say I will not be harmed by it. Your promise is that I am eternally safe with You. Nothing can take me away from You. Thank You for keeping me safe in You.
Contact Valerie at valerie@fresnofirst.org
Check out our e-Ministry blog at www.fresnofirst.org
Do not forget that prayer is ordained for the purpose of glorifying the name of God
Therefore, whether you pray for big things or for little things, say to God,
“If it will glorify Thy name, then grant my prayer and help me.”
O. Hallesby
A friend at work e-mailed me the top pictures of 2004 - most of them were nature pictures - and they were simply beautiful. There was a mama hippo & her baby, a daisy reflected over and over in the drops of rain that clung to it’s stem. A little yellow duck’s head sticking out of a field of green, the awesome power of a bolt of lightning splitting open the sky. Once again my breath caught at the diversity and beauty of the earth that God created for us. We thank You and praise You Father for the beauty of the earth - a beauty that stretches across the universe.
Our beloved Bev Willis underwent knee replacement surgery on September 13th. I knew about it - but in my own unique space-casiness forgot to include it on our prayer sheet. Good news and great praise because Bev is doing GREAT! She is already doing some walking without a walker. She will be going to start therapy at the Sierra Pacific Orthopediast Building
Little Marisela is taking her mother’s milk, has gained 6 ounces, and now weighs 2 lbs 6 oz. Her prognosis continues to be good. Connie is doing better as well. I do not think that Connie is a believer but she does know that we are praying for her and her family. She is very grateful for our prayers. Please continue to pray for Connie, Martin and the family. First for a relationship with our Jesus and then for the continued progress of Marisela.
We join Johnnie Sowell in praise of Father for her oncologist report that says the cancer has not spread to any other organs. She will still be having chemo treatments just to be sure they got it all.
I received an e-mail from Anna Gossen. She has to come back to Fresno on October 12th to take a test for her license. She will not go back to Germany until October 26th. What an unexpected surprise and gift from Father to us! Anna - we’ve got some major hugs waiting for you! YIPPEE!
We have a prayer request from Samee Myers for her friend Lori Winters. Lori has been diagnosed with cancer. This cancer will need a miracle to cure. The good news is that the God we serve is the same God that split the Red Sea and stopped the sun in the sky.
Please continue to pray for Jim Hildman and his radiation treatments, Fran & Ed Regier after the death of Fran’s sister, Mary, Bill Clem and his shoulder, Lillian Seward’s continued recovery, Anna Gossen’s mother as she fights depression, Chuck Johnson for his cancer treatments, Ray Rahn, Jr with his kidney dialysis, Evelyn Hayhurst with her cancer, 16 month old Brandon Johnson who has leukemia, Peggy Molander as she undergoes physical therapy, Lois & Dan Hansen and new job for Dan, John Robert’s need to be in relationship with Jesus and for his cancer, Cheryl Balestra as she continues her cancer treatments, and Robert Kammer with his sleep apnea.
The launch team for the Rio Mesa development church plant - now called “The Rock Christian Church” continues to grow and continues to meet every Monday. More people are needed! If you are interested - drop me an e-note and I will get the info to you. Please continue to pray for Karl & Shelly Roth and the Rock Church. Please continue to pray for Horacio and Cheryl Aleman and the Life House Church in Reedley.
I have received an update from Reaching Hand Society that I will be sending out in two parts over the next few days. The first part is Remo’s report on what is happening at Reaching Hand Society and the other is a report from Dr. Iris as she continues to travel in the USA. Please continue to pray for all of our missionaries - Jan & Larry Martin in Thailand, Laurie Bethall & Simon in Prague, Judy, Faye & Miisaw as they work at the New Life Center in Thailand, Dr. George Pe Myat and the hospital in the Congo, Bounkham & Khamla’s mission to Laos, and all the missionaries worldwide.
Pray for the Church and for each of the local churches. Pray for our pastors, our leadership and our ministries. Pray for the provision of God to all of our churches.
Pray for our country, pray for our leadership and for our military.
Great and Glorious God,
You are supreme and triumphant over all that ever was, all that is, all that will ever be. We fall to our knees in awe of You.
LORD of All, we lift up Bev Willis and ask that you continue to strengthen her as she starts her physical therapy.
We thank You for Marisela’s continued progress and for her growth. Place Your hand around this tiny little child and hold her close.
We praise you for the good news on Johnnie Sowell and ask LORD God, that You continue to heal her.
Powerful God, we hold up Lori Winters to You and ask for a miracle to be done in her body and her life. We ask that this situation be resolved in the manner that will most glorify You. We thank You LORD that no matter what happens to Lori’s earthly body - she cannot be taken from Your hands or from Your care.
Father, You know the names and situations of all those that we are praying for and we ask LORD God that You continue to bless and guide in each life’s situation.
Jehovah Jireh, we lift before you all of our missionaries around the world and we ask that You provide for their needs, comfort them and strengthen them.
Your Kingdom stretches across the whole face of this earth and there is not even a nano-second of time when we are not within Your love and Your care. How mighty and how glorious You truly are. We thank You that You know us, that You know our names and that You know all our tomorrows.
LORD Jesus, we pray for Your Church, we ask that her voice stands strong and speaks only Your truth. We call down Your power into the local churches. Fill our pastors and our leadership with Your fire. Fill us with the same fire. Jesus, let the flame of a committed and strong spirit burn within us - and let it begin with me. We pray for Your provision for our ministries, both in workers and in finances.
Holy Spirit, heal our land. We humble ourselves before You and ask for Your forgiveness for us and for our country. Guide our leaders back to Your throne. Protect our military as they serve our country all around the world.
LORD, we want the faith to step out of the boat and dance on the waves with You. We want the courage to face a giant with just a sling and a stone, knowing You are with us. But many times, LORD, we are afraid - we are listening to the voices that tell us we can’t win. Help us hear Your voice of Truth that says we have already won if what we do we do for Your glory.
It’s all about You.
Amen.
He was just a little boy, on a week's first day.
He was wandering home from Sunday School, and dawdling on the way.
He scuffed his shoes into the grass; he found a caterpillar.
He found a fluffy milkweed pod, and blew out all the "filler."
A bird's nest in a tree overhead, so wisely placed on high.
Was just another wonder that caught his eager eye.
A neighbor watched his zig zag course, and hailed him from the lawn;
Asked him where he'd been that day and what was going on.
"I've been to Sunday School," he said and turned a piece of sod.
He picked up a wiggly worm replying, "I've learned a lot of God"
"M'm very fine way," the neighbor said, "for a boy to spend his time."
"If you'll tell me where God is, I'll give you a brand new dime."
Quick! as a flash the answer came! Nor were his accents faint.
"I'll give you a dollar, Mister, if you can tell me where God ain't."
Valerie Rae Hanneman
Philippians 3:14 “My eyes are on the prize. I want to win the race and get the prize of God's call from heaven through Christ Jesus.” (NLV)
1 Corinthians 10:31 “So if you eat or drink or whatever you do, do everything to honor God. “ (NLV)
I am fortunate to have a job that I truly love and in which I am fairly successful. I have had to work hard for my success in my chosen field and it hasn’t been easy. I am the Financial Director of a not-for-profit law firm. The minimum requirements for my position include a degree in accounting. I don’t have that degree. I don’t even have a 2 year degree from a city college. What I do have is a few college credits in office skills and bookkeeping. The simple truth is I am not qualified to be in the position that I am in. But here I am anyway. How did a person with no qualifications get herself in a highly qualified position? Determination and a commitment to excellence. From my very first bookkeeping/secretary job in a 1 person office to supervising the finances of a $4.5 million law firm and a staff of three, I have been determined to learn more than I knew and I have been committed to doing the best job that I could do. When I had gained enough experience in the 1 person office I found a job in a larger company. Although I was hired to do the simplest bookkeeping I determined to learn the other financial positions as well. Even as I learned the other jobs I made sure that mine was done to the best of my ability. When an opening came up I was promoted and then promoted again. When I came to CCLS as a full-charge bookkeeper I employed the same work ethic. And when the job for the Financial Director opened up I was hired - even though I was definitely did not meet the minimum requirements. That was 18 years ago. A lot has changed in 18 years. The department is bigger - the work is harder. But what has not changed is my commitment to excellence in my job. I still work hard to be the best that I can be because my ability to provide for myself and my children depends on this job.
Most of us have things that we take pride in excelling in. Some people excel in a favorite hobby. Some people excel in music, others in cooking, others in clock making and still others in body building (think of the governator - Ahrnold - under this last category!). Regardless of what we are interested in - we try to excel in it. It is a good thing to strive to excel at something - regardless of what it is. I think that it is in our nature as human beings to try to be the best that we can be.
I wonder though - how many of us strive to be excellent - how many of us are committed to excellence in our service to God? Do we place as much importance on the ministry we are involved in as we do the requirements of our job? How many teachers open their lesson plan the night before - or worse - have our children read it to us as we drive to the church and yet think nothing of spending hours combing through antique stores looking for that perfect little addition to our collection? How many of us spend a few moments in prayer for our ministries and spend overtime hours at our job?
Last year was a really rough year for me when it came to Care Fresno Kids Klub. It was my seventh year in the ministry and I was getting tired of it. Attendance was down - the kids weren’t really engaged in what we were doing. Even as I was outwardly talking up the ministry - telling Pastor that I was committed to it - inwardly I was thinking that maybe it’s time had come. I lost my heart’s commitment to the ministry. I was still faithful to it - there every night that it met. But I often chose the Bible Story I was going to teach just an hour or so before I taught it. Many times my son read the story to me as we were headed out to the church. My prayers were, “If it is Your will that we close, LORD, so be it.” The worst part was that - as lead volunteer of the ministry - my lack of commitment to excellence in this ministry rubbed off on the rest of the team. When the end of the school year came I was not the only member of the team that thought we were finished. I was trying hard to figure out how to tell Willie that I was done. Then one night at our “Movies on the Lawn” Little Rachel came up behind me and gave me a great big hug, “Hi Miss Valerie! Guess what! I am old enough to come to Kid’s Klub.” Rachel had been waiting for over a year to be old enough to come to Care Fresno and here I was thinking about closing it. Talk about God thumping you one right in the heart! I went home that night and for the first time in a long time quit telling Father that it was okay with me if He wanted to close the ministry and instead starting asking Him what He wanted me to do in the ministry. His answer was clear - He had called me to Care Fresno all those years ago for a reason - and I may have changed my mind - but He had not changed His. When Care Fresno opened this year it was with a renewed commitment to excellence by me first - and now by all of the leadership team.
And it shows in the ministry. The ministry that was practically dead is once again growing and vibrant. Not because God changed His mind but because He changed my heart and renewed my commitment to excellence in my service.
God honors excellence and He is honored by our excellence.
It is good to be committed to excellence in our jobs - in our cooking - in our body-building. That commitment also honors God and is honored by God. But never at the expense of our service to Him. After all, the things of earth will all pass away and only He will remain. And of all the things we have excelled at - strived for - worked for - only those things that honored Him will remain. I am committed to excellence first in my service to Him and then in the other parts of my life because on that great and glorious day when all the straw of my life is burned away and only that which was excellent remains - I get to lay it at His feet and look into His wonderful eyes and say, “I love You.” There can be no greater joy.
LORD, sometimes we lose focus and commitment to the ministries You have called us to. Pull us back, renew our hearts, give us a fresh vision. Remind us that all will pass away and only what we have done in Your service will remain.
Contact Valerie at valerie@fresnofirst.org
God won't ask......
TEN THINGS GOD WON'T ASK on that day.
1...God won't ask what kind of car you drove, He'll ask how many people you drove who didn't have transportation.
2...God won't ask the square footage of your house, He'll ask how many people you welcomed into your home.
3...God won't ask about the clothes you had in your closet, He'll ask how many you helped to clothe.
4...God won't ask what your highest salary was, He'll ask if you compromised your character to obtain it.
5..God won't ask what your job title was, He'll ask if you performed your job to the best of our ability.
6...God won't ask how many friends you had, He'll ask how many people to whom you were a friend.
7...God won't ask in what neighborhood you lived, He'll ask how you treated your neighbors.
8...God won't ask about the color of your skin,
He 'll ask about the content of your character.
9...God won't ask why it took you so long to seek Salvation, He'll lovingly take you to your mansion in heaven,
and not to the gates of Hell.
10...God won't have to ask how many people you forwarded this to, He already knows whether or not you will share this information
"Be mindful that happiness is not based on possessions, power, or prestige, but on relationships with people you love and respect."
Avoid every tendency away from the simplicity of relationship with God in Christ Jesus,
and then prayer will be as the breath of the lungs in a healthy body. O. Chambers
“Let everything that hath breath praise the LORD” Psalm 150:6
There has been just a nip in the morning air these past few days. Once again we are sliding into a new fall season. Our children are back in school. (Personally, I think the first day of school qualifies as a religious holiday - considering all the parents who are thanking God on that day.) Thanksgiving and Christmas are just around the corner. I praise God for the changing seasons and for the rhythms of life. Life is so good - particularly when lived within the loving care of Father.
We have a praise report on Jim Hildman - his infection is gone and they will be able to start his radiation treatments. Please continue to keep Jim in prayer for healing of his cancer.
Connie’s baby, Marisela, continues to improve. Although the baby did have to have a blood transfusion last week she did not have many of the complications that the doctor’s were worried about. The doctors were able to take her off the respirator for a day, but have since put her back on. Please keep this family in prayer.
Bill Clem was in the hospital this past weekend for a blood clot in his leg. He was admitted on Saturday, they operated on him that same night and released him on Sonday. I ran into Bill at the church on Tuesday, once again working on the church landscaping. I am beginning to wonder if there is a big red “S” on his chest. (Superman) Please pray for Bill’s continued recovery from both of his surgeries!
Fran Reiger’s sister, Mary Sample, went home to be with Jesus last week. Please keep Fran, Ed and the whole family in prayer as they grieve Mary’s passing.
Please continue to pray for Lillian Seward’s continued recovery, Chantel’s recovery from her operation, Anna Gossen’s mother as she fights depression, Chuck Johnson for his cancer treatments, Ray Rahn, Jr with his kidney dialysis, Julie & her mother with their broken bones, Evelyn Hayhurst with her cancer, 16 month old Brandon Johnson who has leukemia, Peggy Molander as she undergoes physical therapy, Lois & Dan Hansen and new job for Dan, John Robert’s need to be in relationship with Jesus and for his cancer, Cheryl Balestra as she continues her cancer treatments, and Robert Kammer with his sleep apnea.
Please continue to hold up Karl & Shelly Roth and the church plant in the Rio Mesa Development and Horatio & Cheryl Aleman and the LifeHouse church in Reedley in your prayers.
Pray for our missionaries: Jan & Larry Martin in Thailand, Laurie Bethall & Simon in Prague, Judy, Faye & Miisaw as they work at the New Life Center in Thailand, Dr. George Pe Myat and the hospital in the Congo, Bounkham & Khamla’s mission to Laos, The Reaching Hand Society in India, and all the missionaries worldwide.
Praise God for our membership in His Church and for the privilege and opportunity to serve Him. Please continue to hold up her pastors and leadership through our prayers. Please continue to pray for the ministries and finances of our local congregations as we do the work of His Church..
Pray for our country, her leaders and our military.
God Almighty,
Who among the gods is like You, O LORD? Who is like You - Majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders? (Ex 15:11). There is none like You, LORD God. You alone are uncreated and You alone deserve the praise of Your creation. We praise You, God, for Your faithfulness to us that is shown in the changing seasons of the years and in the rhythms of our lives. To live life within the glory of Your love is to be truly alive.
Father, we lift Your name high in praise as we thank you for the wonderful reports on Jim, Marisela and Bill. We ask, Holy One, that You continue to move in each of these lives. Continue to heal and strengthen them.
Jesus, we thank You that Mary has come home to You. We can only imagine her joy at being in Your presence - finally free from the cancer and pain that invaded her body. We ask that You comfort Fran, Ed and the family as they grieve.
We lift high before You Lillian, Chantel, Anna Gossen’s mother, Chuck Johnson, Ray, Jr, Julie & her mother, Evelyn, Brandon, Peggy, Lois & Dan, John Robert, Cheryl, and Robert. We ask that You be sovereign in all of these situations.
Father, thank You for Your hand upon us. Thank You that You guide our every step. Sometimes we do not understand the way that You lead us, and we cannot see what is before us, but even when we cannot see - we still believe.
Holy Spirit, fill Karl, Shelly, Horacio and Cheryl with Your presence, Your strength and Your wisdom as they work to bring new congregations into service to You. We pray for those new families and new people who will fill these congregation and join their voices and lives together in worship of You.
Abba, we ask Your mercy and grace be poured on those who serve You in places far away from us. LORD of All, this week we have seen Your power work in the release of Your servants who had been taken for ransom in India. Once again we are reminded of how great You are! We ask that You continue to protect and provide for Your missionaries.
God of Wonders beyond what we can comprehend, we call out the names of our pastors and leaders of FFBC and all the congregations around the world. Bless them spiritually and physically. We pray that You protect them and that You bind satan away from them. We pray for all of us who are part of Your beloved Church. We ask that You lead us into a closer and ever closer relationship with You. To know You is our heart’s desire. Provide for each congregation, help us to keep outwardly focused to bring Your message to the world.
King of kings and LORD of lords, we lift our country up before You and ask that You forgive her for the way that she has forsaken You - the very One who made her strong. Use us, Father God to bring her back to You. Let our words, our actions and our lives be a strong testimony of You. Bless and guide those who lead our country. Holy Spirit, grant them wisdom in their decisions. Protect those who serve our country by putting their lives on the line. Father, grant them rest when they are weary.
For all of our earthly days we will lift our hands to You in praise and thanksgiving. We will lift our hearts in love for You. We will live our lives for You because You are our life. We love You, LORD God. We dream of the day when we will be in Your presence - when we will see You face-to-face - and when we will never have to leave You. Amen
GFA Missions Update, September 14, 2004
Imagine yourself being severely beaten for sharing Christ in a remote Indian village. Last week, several Gospel for Asia missionaries in Bihar, North India, suffered heavy beatings, were tied to a sacred tree and received threats of death within 48 hours if unable to pay an exorbitant ransom.
As the family of God worldwide began to pray about this crisis, 17 Gospel for Asia pastors from the surrounding districts gathered together and went to the leaders of the anti-Christian group holding the missionaries. The pastors appealed to each member individually and to the group as well, trusting God to intervene on their behalf.
At first the pastors were only met with anger and threats, but then tensions miraculously subsided. After further warnings, the group let the missionaries go. It was almost a repeat of the incident in Acts 4 as the pastors observed, right before their eyes, how the Lord supernaturally changed their enemies' hearts.
One of the missionaries held hostage was Pastor Manrathan. Here, in his own words, he relates his experience and how the Lord sustained him and his coworkers:
How many people attacked you?
Around 400 men and women attacked us.
What did they say to you when they were first threatening you?
They confronted a believer, demanding, "Why are you leaving your religion and becoming a Christian?" Then they accused me of misleading people and forcing them to become Christians. After that they began to beat us.
Where did they beat you?
They beat me on my head, chest, back and both arms.
What did they use to beat you?
They beat me with their hands and kicked me. They also used a "gulel"(pellet bow) to shoot stones at me.
Why did they keep your hands tied as they beat you?
They tied our hands behind our backs in order to keep us from running away.
Did you think you were going to die?
At that time we were thinking that surely they would kill us. We lost our hope because they were thinking of taking us into the forest and killing us there, or tying us to a tree and burning us. It was a horrible time for us.
What thoughts did you have during all this?
I was thinking the Lord will surely save us from this death. I was thinking the Lord Jesus will save us all; we are in His hand.
What will you do now that you have faced this persecution?
Now I am thinking that I will never forsake the ministry. When the situation becomes better in that village, I will go back to the same place to work.
Do you feel that your faith is stronger than it was before?
I now believe more than ever before that the Lord is with me all the time. God has saved me from the mouth of death, and He can protect me every time.
How do you feel toward those who beat you?
I am hoping that somehow the Lord may help them so that they may know Him and come to the faith. It was because they did not know the truth that they beat me.
Are you planning to one day return to the same place?
I am planning to serve in the same place once the situation settles down, and I believe the Lord will use me at that place for many to come to the Lord.
What would you like to say to those people who have been praying for you?
We would like to say to all those who were praying for us that because of your prayers, we were delivered. We were in the mouth of death and we were saved through your prayers. And we thank you all from the depths of our hearts.
Do you feel persecution will decrease or increase in the next year?
No matter what, I strongly believe that the situation will change in this place and the ministry will grow, and many people will come to the faith.
Do you think persecution is good or bad for the ministry?
It is good for ministry because it helps people grow stronger in faith, and revival will come in the end.
What has the Lord taught you through this incident?
Through this incident the Lord taught me, 'I (the Lord) am with you.'
What helped you to stand strong during this persecution?
When they were beating me, the Lord's Spirit helped me bear the pain and I was not feeling much pain in my body. At that time I also remembered Paul's life story, when he was going through this kind of situation. That brought me much encouragement at that moment.
Here's how you can pray for Pastor Manrathan, his wife and Bible woman Sarita:
*Pray for the hearts of those who persecuted them to be transformed.
*Pray for believers in the area to remain faithful and for more to come to Christ.
*Pray that Pastor Manrathan and the others will remain faithful and their injuries will heal soon.
Pastor Manrathan's story is not unusual. A number of Gospel for Asia's 14,000 native missionaries ministering on the Indian subcontinent daily risk persecution for sharing their faith. Yet many times they boldly choose to continue ministry, that their people may be reached with the
Good News. Thank you for holding up the arms of these dear brothers and sisters in Christ through your prayers.
09/10/2004: UPDATE -- GFA Missionary Hostages Released
In a miraculous turn of events, three Gospel for Asia native missionaries captured yesterday in the Indian state of Bihar have been released.
Pastor Manrathan, his wife and Bible woman Sarita were severely beaten and tied to a sacred tree by an anti-Christian group. Their captors demanded a ransom of 25,000 rupees within 48 hours and threatened to kill the three Gospel workers if the full amount was not received.
While I am still waiting on the full details, I wanted to inform you of this wonderful news as soon as possible. We are so grateful for how the Lord has answered the prayers of thousands of believers worldwide.
Please continue to pray for these three native missionaries as they recover from their injuries, that they would take hold of God’s grace made so abundant during suffering such as theirs.
And let us not forget others in our family of believers who continue to face opposition, persecution, imprisonment and even death for the sake of Jesus. Our 14,000 GFA pastors and missionaries, who share His love in some of the most difficult regions of Asia, need wisdom, endurance and boldness. Ask the Lord to especially strengthen the new believers in their churches.
We will be sure to send a full report as soon as we have more information.
GFA Missions Update, September 10,2004 http://link.salemwebnetwork.com/UM/T.asp?A1.173.26295.1.1582885
GFA Missionaries Held Hostage To Be Killed within 48 Hours!
Anti-Christian elements in Bihar have captured, severely beaten and are threatening to kill GFA native missionary Pastor Manrathan and his wife. GFA Bible woman Sarita is also being held hostage.
An anti-Christian mob from six villages holds the Gospel workers tied to a sacred tree, demanding 25,000 rupees as a ransom for desecrating their village with the Gospel. If the exorbitant amount is not received within 48 hours, they plan to kill the missionaries. There are no police in the isolated area to intervene. GFA leaders are fervently praying for wisdom on how they can best help the situation.
The anti-Christian group spearheading the incident is the same one that burned missionary Graham Staines and his two children alive in Orissa several years ago. In recent years a number of GFA missionaries serving in their native India have been brutally murdered for sharing their
faith as well.
Pastor Manrathan's village has proven extremely dangerous for Christian workers, yet God has blessed his courage and commitment. They recently planted a church in this remote area of North India. A few weeks ago, Pastor Manrathan held a service where new believers publicly proclaimed
their Christian faith. It was a significant time for the congregation. One new believer, a tribal person, renounced his old faith publicly by turning away from everything else to believe in God.
This act was brought to the attention of the whole village by his neighbors, who objected to his conversion. In no time, the news of this event spread to six surrounding villages. Soon a large mob descended on the small congregation of new believers and began to beat them. Pastor
Manrathan, his wife and Sarita were taken from the church, beaten mercilessly and tied to a tree. No one was allowed to leave the village, to prevent others from hearing of the beatings. Only yesterday, one of the believers escaped with the news.
Your urgent prayers for the lives of these missionaries are needed. Pray the Lord will give them strength and that His presence would be real to them during this time of trial and persecution. Pray also for endurance and boldness. We will let you know as we receive further news.
GFA's vision is to send 100,000 native missionaries to the unreached in Asia. 14,000 native missionaries already serve and plant over 10 churches daily
Note from Valerie: Please remember as you pray that the State of Orissa in India is where the Reaching Hand Society is based.
Valerie Rae Hanneman
September 10, 2004
1 John 4:1 “Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” (NIV)
Before we get too far into this writing I want to make two important points. First, Fawn is now 21 and seems to have survived having me for a parent. Second - I have never said that I was anything but a sinner saved by grace.
One day, when Fawn was in the fifth grade, she was helping me feed our dog, Rikki. Rikki, a large-breed dog, was at the screen door leaping into the air, trying to turn herself inside-out, in joyous anticipation of being fed. “Rikki really wants her food! She’s acting crazy!” Fawn said to me. “That is because dog food really tastes good.” I answered. “How do you know?” she asked, “It doesn’t smell good.” “Oh, I have eaten it before and I like it.” I lied. (Remember - sinner saved by grace) Fawn, that bright little child, gave me a very skeptical look. “Fawn,” I said, “Rikki’s dog food is made from the same cows that McDonald’s hamburgers are made from - and you like those don’t you?” (I failed to mention that they were made from different parts of the cow.) She nodded in agreement. “Rikki likes to eat your food, so she must like the same tastes as you do and look at how much she wants this food! The only difference between dog food and our food is that they add more of the vitamins that dogs need to the dog food. Why don’t you try it?” There was still a touch of wariness about Fawn. “Does it really taste good, Mom?” she asked me. I looked into the innocent china-blue eyes of my precious daughter and said, “Oh yeah, Fawn. You’ll like it! Here, have some.” And then I served my daughter a spoonful of dog food. Now for those of you who are thinking what a terrible parent I am - don’t worry - I got my comeuppance. That dog food stayed in Fawns mouth less than a nano-second then she spit it out all over the floor and me. Needless to say - she was quite upset at me and it was awhile before I got all her ruffled feathers smoothed down. (I think the price tag included a trip to Baskin Robbins to wash the taste of the dog food out.)
Sometimes people will tell us things that are not the truth. Sometimes they do it on purpose because they think your reaction will be funny. Sometimes they do it innocently because the incorrect information has been given to them. Sometimes they don’t know what the truth is and so they will tell you something to divert you, and sometimes they don’t tell the truth because they purposely want to get you off-track.
This is true in life and it is true in the church as well. I remember attending Sonday School as a child and hearing the story of how Adam and Eve ate the forbidden apple and because of that they were kicked out of the Garden of Eden. How many of us have been taught that? It is a “traditional” thought. One small problem - the Word of God does not say that. The Word says that they were forbidden to eat of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Now I personally think that this fruit must have looked absolutely unique because God would not want there to be any confusion about which fruit they were supposed to keep their lips off of. (Imagine Eve saying, “It was an honest mistake LORD. It looked just like an apple to me!”)
But this apple thing is not a soapbox issue for me. I don’t know - yet - what that fruit looks like. Who knows maybe it does look like an apple but what the fruit looked like doesn’t effect the truth of the story of the fall of man.
But there are other things that are being said in the churches today that do effect the truth of the story of the redemption of man.
Fawn took that mouthful of dog food because she trusted me to tell her the truth. Only I didn’t. Within the churches these days are leaders that are telling their people things that are not true. “Jesus is our way to God - but maybe not the way for all people.” “We listen to Holy Spirit speak today and that takes precedence over the Bible.” “Jesus was a son of God.” “It doesn’t matter what you believe - as long as you believe.” There are countless numbers of people sitting in the pews that are smiling and nodding their head in agreement because they are trusting their leaders to tell them the truth. They are being fed dog food and they don’t even know it.
How do you know when you are being fed dog food? You make sure that you know the difference between sirloin steak and Purina dog chow. I love to hear Pastor Willie preach - Father uses him to teach us great truths. But on occasion he will say something that makes me wonder. Maybe it is something I haven’t heard it before - or I’ve heard it taught differently. For whatever reason it puts a question mark in my mind. I write that question down and when I get to my house I pull out my concordance and my study Bible and I find out for myself. I test for myself what he has said and I make sure that it is consistent with God’s Word.
Rest assured - Willie has never said anything that is not absolutely consistent with God’s Word, and my full confidence and trust in him says that he never will. But it is my job - my responsibility - to find out for myself.
The bottom line is that I do not want the foundation of my faith in Jesus to be built on what Willie knows from the Word. I want the foundation of my faith in Jesus to be built on what I know from the Word.
The only way I can know the Word is to be consistently in it, studying, learning, making it just as much a part of me as my next heartbeat or the breath I take. Then when the smooth talkers come around trying to pass off the dog food as steak I will see through them and send them packing.
LORD Jesus, I want to know You more intimately. My heart’s desire is to know You as my Savior, my King, my God, my everything. Thank You that Your desire is for me to know You. Help me to know You better.
Contact Valerie at valerie@fresnofirst.org
Our lives are the answers not only to the prayers of other people,
but to the prayer the Holy Spirit is making for us
and to the prayer of our LORD Himself.
O. Chambers
This past week the world has been hit by another senseless act of violence. This time over 300 killed, most of them children. Another group of terrorists so driven by anger that they have to paint their rage in the blood of innocents. Hostages beheaded, buses blown up, planes flown into buildings. It is simply incomprehensible to me. And once again - the question. “How can a loving God permit this to happen? Why didn’t He stop it?” And we answer, “Because He loves us enough to give us free will - the right to chose.” I praise God that in the midst of all this ugliness I have His beauty to hold onto. I praise Him that although it seems like the world has gone crazy I can find my sanity in Him. I praise Him that although the world is filled with too much hate, my life is filled with so much of His glorious love. I praise Father because in a place where there is senseless death, He has given me eternal life. I thank Him that in a world of chaos, I stand firm on my sure foundation - which is Him. Most of all I thank Abba, on my knees, that in this insecure world NOTHING can take me out of the security of His hands. Please keep the families in Russia and those around the world who have been devastated by this evil in your prayers.
We have received an update from Charles about Chantel’s operation. Praise Father that they were able to do a less intrusive procedure on Chantel than what had been planned. She is recovering well.
We lift high our praises to Father because Khamla’s chemotherapy is over and she is already feeling better!
L:illian Seward continues to improve and has been able to start on physical therapy. We are so looking forward to the day we have Lillian back in services with us!
Little Marisela continues to improve and gain weight over at Valley Children’s. According to her doctors, the second week is the toughest on premie’s so please keep Marisela in prayer.
Anna Gossen’s mom has taken a downturn in her recovery from depression and is once again hospitalized. The doctors are trying to adjust her medication.
On September 13th Robert Kammer will be undergoing his sleep study #4 for his sleep apnea. This will allow him to get a CPAP air machine that will help improve his condition.
Please continue to pray for the following: Debra’s family as they mourn her loss, The Speers family as they grieve the loss of Kyle, Chuck Johnson for his cancer treatments, Ray Rahn, Jr with his kidney dialysis, Julie & her mother with their broken bones, Jim Holdman and his radiation treatments, Evelyn Hayhurst with her cancer, 16 month old Brandon Johnson who has leukemia, Peggy Molander as she undergoes physical therapy, Bill Clem’s recovery from shoulder surgery, Lois & Dan Hansen and new job for Dan, John Robert’s need to be in relationship with Jesus and for his cancer, and Cheryl Balestra as she continues her cancer treatments. (If you have updates on these situations - please send them to me)
Please continue to hold up Karl & Shelly Roth and the church plant in the Rio Mesa Development in your prayers. (P.S. - a small correction on the directions to Biana Grogg’s house for the meeting this upcoming Monday - she lives west of Blackstone - not east of it). Please continue to hold up Horatio & Cheryl Aleman and the LifeHouse church in Reedley in your prayers.
Pray for our missionaries: The Reaching Hand Society in India, Jan & Larry Martin in Thailand, Laurie Bethall & Simon in Prague, Judy, Faye & Miisaw as they work at the New Life Center in Thailand, Dr. George Pe Myat and the hospital in the Congo, Bounkham & Khamla’s mission to Laos and all the missionaries worldwide.
Praise God for our membership in His Church and for the privilege and opportunity to support her pastors and leadership through our prayers. Please continue to pray for the ministries and finances of our local congregations.
Pray for our country, her leaders and our military.
Everlasting Creator,
Humbly we bow before you and not only acknowledge but also rejoice that we know that You and You alone are God.
Refuge in the time of trouble, sometimes it feels like this earth is spinning out of control. We praise You and thank You that during these troubled times we can hold tightly to You and know that we are safe and secure. In the darkness of this world You are our ligh and You will guide us home.
Father, we ask that You comfort the families in Russia and around the world who have lost loved ones to these meaningless acts of violence.
We thank You, Abba, for the success of Chantel’s operation, that Khamla’s chemo is done, that Lillian is able to take physical therapy and that little Marisela continues to improve.
LORD on High, we lift up before You Your daughter, Anna’s mom. We ask healing for her mind and spirit. Pour Your Spirit on her and give her peace.
Father God, we ask that You bless Robert and this 4th sleep study. Let the results be good and let him get this machine that will help him.
Precious Jesus, thank You for the sacrifice You made on the cross. Because of Who You are, I am who I am. We take joy in knowing that we will be with You for all of eternity.
Comforter and Provider, we pray for Debra’s family, the Speer family, Chuck Johnson, Ray Rahn, Jr., Julie & her mother, Jim Holdman, Evelyn Hayhurst, Brandon Johnson, Peggy Molander, Bill Clem, Lois & Dan Hansen, John Robert, Cheryl Balestra and Robert Kammer. Continue to meet the needs in each of these situations.
Holy Spirit we ask that You pour Yourself on Karl and Shelly Roth, Horatio and Cheryl Aleman and all who are involved in the launch teams of these new churches. We ask that You bind satan away from them, do not let satan sow discord or discouragement as we work to build Your kingdom.
Good Shepherd, we pray for all of those who bring Your message of life to all the farthest reaches of this earth and among the forgotten, ignored and belittled peoples of the world. We thank You for the work that Laurie Bethell and Simon do among the women trapped in prostitution in Prague, for Judy, Faye & Miisaw as they work among the women at the New Life Center in Thailand. We thank You and praise You for the work done by Jan and Larry Martin in the villages of Thailand where lives are being enriched and changed in and by Your name. We praise You for the work done by the Reaching Hand Society as they reach into the villages and into the prisons to impact lives for Your kingdom. We sing Your praise for the work done by Dr. George and Your hospital in the Congo where people come to find healing for their bodies but also find healing for their souls. We thank You for the work of Bounkham & Khamla as they serve the physical and spiritual needs of the Laotian people. We ask Your provision and blessings surround all of these.
Great Provider, to be a member of Your Church is to be part of Your body - that is how deeply You love Your church and how deeply You love us. We thank You for the pastors and leaders that You have placed in our congregations. We ask that You bless them with Your abundance. Help us to support them at all times. Holy God, bless the outreach ministries of Your church and remind us that it isn’t about the numbers - it is about the souls.
Merciful God, we ask Your forgiveness on our country for straying so far from You when You are the very foundation she was built upon. Help us to lift our voices and make a stand for what is right and proper so that the we will come back to You. We ask You to bless our leadership with wisdom. WE pray Your protection on all of those who serve in the military.
Holy God, we cannot wait to be shown Your glory and Your majesty in the Throne Room of Heaven. We are going to follow You for all of our days on this earth and throughout eternity in Your presence. Help us to never forget the magnificence and power of God, Whom we serve. Amen
e-Church Plant News
Matthew 28:19 “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” (NIV)
One of the most exciting meetings I have ever been to occurred last night (Sonday). Held at the Aldridge’s beautiful home, a number of people from Fresno First Baptist and Clovis First Baptist met with Carl & Shelly Roth to take the first step in planting a church in the Rio Mesa development.
From college aged young people to more seasoned citizens all age groups were represented. It was an exciting & diverse crowd to be part of. After a couple of games to relax us and let us get to know each other better, and after some wonderful pie (Karl knows how to get a Baptist’s attention - serve food!) We sat together and talked about the demographics of the people who live near the Rio Mesa development. (There are no demographics available for Rio Mesa - they haven’t built it yet.) Here are some of the interesting demographics -
Their average age is 33
29% of them are strongly involved in their faith
17.8% are not interested in faith and have no preference in faith
44-46% of the people in the Madera Ranchos have “no faith involvement”
50% of the people in SW Fresno have “no faith involvement” (The national average is 24.7% of people have no faith involvement.)
Truly when it comes to this area of town the fields are white unto harvest and this church plant has a wonderful opportunity to gather the harvest into the Kingdom of God.
We also went over the milestones and goals that Karl & Shelly have set. They are some pretty big audacious goals and Karl knows that. But Karl commented that his desire is to always be on God’s time line and that God’s time line will be honored above all else. Karl believes that if he had to move to get on God’s time line - he would just rather that God have to grab him by the collar and slow him down then for God to have to stand behind Karl pushing to get him to speed up. I liked that!
The next meeting of the launch team will be on Monday, September 13 at 7:00. You are invited
to attend and be part of this exciting adventure. The next meeting will be held at Biana Grogg’s home which is over by Fresno First Baptist Church. Her address is 1126 E. Garland. Garland is the street that runs on the back of Fort Miller Middle School. Garland is south of Dakota and east of Blackstone - and is accessible from Blackstone. If you are even the littlest bit interested in how a new church is started - please come to this meeting!
Valerie Rae Hanneman
September 3, 2004
John 15:20-21 “Remember the words I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than his master. If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed My teaching, they will obey yours also. They will treat you this way because of My name, for they do not know the One who sent Me.” (NIV)
Just before school started Fawn, Steven and I took off for Pismo Beach for a day of boogie-boarding (not me) and relaxation (me). We set up our little camp, chairs, ice chest, food, towels, books, etc close to the shoreline. The kids took off into the surf and I settled into my chair with my book and Third Day singing praise in my headphones. It was a beautiful day. Often I would look up from my book and watch the flocks of pelicans that would fly past out at the end of the pier. They had such a cool, pre-historic pterodactyl look to them. I was watching one flock that was flying over the beach when they suddenly shifted in my direction. I was focused on their beauty and elegance when they suddenly pooped in unison. How do I know for sure it was in unison? Because I was below them looking up when they did it. I had a momentary lapse in the purity of my thoughts when I realized that I had been hit at least twice. I called Fawn in from the ocean so she could check my hair and she laughed when I told her what had happened. She thought it was real funny until I showed her where they had also gotten her towel twice - then she had her own momentary lapse. All together, they got me twice on my clothes, got Fawn’s towel and our ice chest. (Luckily the birds missed our food completely! I guess that some of those little stealth bombers aren’t so good at targeting) It was not the high point of my day to get pooped on by a flock of pelicans - but I have had worse happen to me. We had extra towels so I took Fawn’s towel up with me to the bathroom and used it to clean my clothes, I then proceeded to thoroughly enjoy the rest of my day.
I find it almost unbelievable how fast the world’s attitude towards Christians has changed - particularly Evangelical Christians. Back in my school days a student who brought their Bible to school was admired for their faith. Now they are prosecuted. There was a time when people wondered about the families that didn’t go to church - now they wonder about the families that do. Christmas nativity scenes used to abound - now they are torn down. Symbols of our Christian heritage are now illegal as city’s are forced to change their seals removing any possible link to Christianity while the false gods & goddesses are allowed to remain.
Tolerance used to mean that I believe what I believe is true, you believe what you believe is true, and although I might not think that what you believe is true - I support your right to believe it. But that isn’t what it means anymore. Now it means that I believe what I believe is true, you believe what you believe is true and I have to believe that what you believe is true because it is true for you and I have to accept what you do as right because you believe it is right. And if I don’t believe that what you believe is right and what you do is right than I am intolerant.
If you believe that all beliefs - Christianity, Buddhism, new age, Islam, Hinduism - are all the same in the eyes of God that it only matters that you believe as much as you can - then you are tolerant. If you believe that Jesus wasn’t lying when He said, “I am the Way, the Truth, the Life and no man comes to the Father but by Me.” then you are intolerant. If you believe in the sexual free-for-all that society embraces today of living together without benefit of marriage, one night stands, homosexuality, adultery, bisexuality, sex on the movie screen, TV screen and sex in the public bathroom than you are modern and forward looking. If you believe that the sexual free-for-all is immoral and an abomination to a Holy God, then you are hopelessly old-fashioned. If you believe that marriage as a union of one man and one woman, or two women, or two men, or one man and two women or your dog and your motorcycle, or any other combination that catches your fancy then you are open minded, but if you believe that marriage is between one man and one woman as ordained by God than you are close-minded.
Intolerant, hopelessly old-fashioned, close minded. They are not fun names to be called - are they? But they are the names we are called in all the medias, the schools, the courts, the government. And the saddest part is that they are not true. But to be a Christ-follower means that we choose to live a life of higher standards and the rest of the world simply cannot tolerate that. Because they cannot tolerate us they call us names that belittle us and try to drag us down. And sometimes the fight to maintain the higher standards seems to hard - too much of an uphill battle in a world that wants to drag us down.
I could have focused on the pelican poop that was on me instead of the great day that was before me. I could have sulked, shook my fists at the pelicans, decided that the day wasn’t worth it if I had to have pelican poop on me. I could have packed my kids up and gone back home over something as trivial in my life as pelican poop. But I knew that the pelican poop wasn’t permanent and the day that I was about to spend with my children would be permanent in our memories. So I cleaned it off me and went about building something that was permanent in my life.
The world’s names hurt but they are no more permanent than the pelican poop that was on me. Focus instead on the permanent names that God calls us. The world calls me intolerant - Father calls me His child. The world says hopelessly old-fashioned, Father says, “You are pure before Me.” The world calls us close minded, Father calls us redeemed. When the world’s names get splatted on you - remember that they are not permanent. Go to the bathroom, wash them off and go about building what is permanent and eternal in your life - your relationship with God.
Father, the names the world calls me - I don’t care about them. They wash off me and they are gone. I love the names You call me. I revel in them. My heart’s desire it to be worthy of the names You have given me. Help me to be worthy.
Contact Valerie at valerie@fresnofirst.org
Subject: A Word From Billy Graham
From www.billygraham.org, "Decision" magazine Weekly
E-mail Devotional Tuesday, August 31, 2004
"You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in allJudea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth" (Acts1:8, NIV).
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A Word From Billy Graham
"One of the greatest needs in the Church today is for every Christian to become enthusiastic about his or her faith in Jesus Christ. This is the essence of vital spiritual experience.
The apostles had been with Christ, and they could not help but testify to that which they had seen and heard. Every Christian should become an ambassador of Christ. Every Christian should be so intoxicated with Christ and so filled with holy fervor that nothing could ever quench his or her ardor.
The Gospel that Paul preached seemed madness to the world of his day. Let us have this madness! Let us capture some of the magnificent obsession that these early Christians had! Let us go forth as men and women filled with the Spirit of God!"