Inspired by Pastor Rich of First Presbyterian, Fort Collins, Colorado
Valerie Rae Hanneman
Mark 3:16-18 (NIV) “These are the twelve he appointed: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter), James son of Zebedee and his brother John (to them he gave the name Boanerges, which means Sons of Thunder) Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.”
I have a good friend We are both involved in many of the same church activities, we have children around the same age, and we both have a slightly offbeat sense of humor. Sometimes we look at each other and laugh because we know what the other is thinking. It is an almost perfect friendship except for one thing. We are at opposite ends of the political spectrum. Neither of us are radicals - but we’ve had a few heated discussions. We have agreed to disagree on politics and we have agreed that we value what binds us together by far more than we do our political strongholds and so we just do not talk politics. (poli (Greek for many) tics (blood-sucking bugs) - it makes sense).
Do you ever wonder about what it was like to travel around with Jesus and His twelve disciples? When we look at the snapshots that the Word of God gives us through the Bible, we see a group of men often confused, often wondering, capable of great faith and great doubts. We see them choose to follow this young carpenter/rabbi/miracle-worker/crowd-feeder/revolutionary/dreamer/Son of God? /Messiah?/whoever! We hear them ask each other, “Who is this?” we hear them say, “You are the Messiah” we see them marvel at Jesus’ miracles, and excited when He sends them out and gives them the power to do the same. However, what were they like, when we don’t see them?
Well, they were Jesus’ disciples, right? They were following God, so they got along, right? At night did they sit around their campfire, holding hands and singing, “Kombyah?” I don’t think so, I think that the campfires got to be pretty rowdy at times. To begin with there were two sets of brothers. Brothers fight and argue just for the fun of it. They came from different ends of the employment spectrum. Some were blue-collar fishermen, some were white-collar government employees. They had different temperaments – from impetuous Peter, to careful “show-me” Thomas. They were even at different ends of the political spectrums. There was one – the zealot – dedicated to the downfall of the Romans and one – the tax collector – who worked with the Romans. About all these men had in common was that, they were all Jews and they all chose to follow Jesus. I believe that at times they were listening with rapt attention to every word Jesus said but I also believe that there were times when their personalities clashed and Jesus had to tell them to knock it off!
There was one of them who was an outcast no matter how you were looking at them. Are you thinking Judas Iscariot? Nope – it was not him. It was Matthew, the tax collector. Everybody hated the tax collectors. They were considered to be blood-sucking bugs collaborating with the hated Roman government to drain as much from the INNOCENT, GOD-FEARING Jewish people as they could – and THEY were Jewish! They were the pariah of society, maybe even worse than Samaritans! Can you imagine the faces of the disciples when Jesus looked straight into Matthew’s eyes and invited, “Follow Me.” I doubt that they went up to Matthew, threw their arms around him and said, “Cool! We were hoping He would call you!” Truth is they probably kept their distance from him. Were there nights when the only one sitting next to Matthew at the campfire was Jesus?
But isn’t that so Jesus? As we look at who Jesus was sitting with it always seems to be the outcasts. There was the Samaritan woman who could only come to the well when nobody else was there; the adulterous woman under a death sentence, the lepers who had to shout out a warning to any who came near, the beggers, the Roman centurion; the prostitutes; the demon-possessed, the thieves and the blind, deaf or lame. He never hung out with the temple crowd – those who scrupulously tithed from their mint leaves and prayed, “Thank You, God that I am not like these sinners.” About the only time we see Jesus with the religious people was when He was chastising them for their self-righteousness and challenging them to come out of their stained glass towers and into the streets where God was sitting with the outcasts.
We still have outcasts today. They may have different names we call them – drug addicts, trailer trash, mentally challenged, HIV positive – they may have the same names – prostitute, thief, adulterer, physically challenged – but we label them with some name that means “below me”
We come to church and sit in our pew. We give money to a ministry to the poor because it is the right thing to do. We support a HIV hospital in Africa so we can help those sick people over there. Do we sit in our stained-glass tower thanking God for His blessings that make sure we are not like those other sinners?
And where is Jesus sitting?
Do we give to the poor because they are poor and we are not – while never seeing the poverty of our own spirit? Do we support the physically sick while we ignore the soul-sickness we have? Do we sit in our self-righteous towers, looking down on those in the streets below, forgetting that we have been given our abundance in blessings so that we can be a blessing to others?
I do, Father forgive me, but I do.
LORD Jesus, I don’t want to be in this stained glass tower anymore. I want to be sitting where you are. Help me to remember that the only difference between my brother in poverty and me is our circumstances, that the only difference between my HIV-positive sister in Nigeria and me is our circumstances, and, when You are looking at us, there is no difference between me and any other person on this planet. You have blessed me with so much. Help me to use what You have blessed me with to reach out to others, not
The smallest things become great when God requires them of us; they are small only in themselves; they are always great when they are done for God, and when they serve to unite us with Him eternally. -Francois Fenelon
I gave Ann McBain a ride home from church last spring. She offered me $10.00 for my gas and trouble. I told her no that it was my honor and privilege to take my friend home, particularly since we only lived a couple blocks from each other. Although I think she liked what I was saying, I don’t think she liked it that I wouldn’t take the money. She didn’t like feeling dependent or beholdin’ to another. She liked paying her own way. So the next time I gave her a ride home she had the $10.00 ready. When I started to refuse she said, “This is a donation for Kids Klub.” She had me good; she knew I wouldn’t turn down a donation to Kids Klub. Every time I gave her a ride home, Ann made that donation to Kids Klub. Ann liked paying her own way – and Ann liked getting her own way. Last Friday Ann won her last battle as she peacefully – and I think joyfully – left this earthly life to continue the eternity of her life in the presence of her God. I believe that her memorial service will be Sonday afternoon, October 7th at 4:00.
Does anybody have an update on Bev Willis? She has not been in services since I got home from Nigeria. I know that she had the knee surgery – does anybody know how she and Floyd are doing?
Please pray for Kelli Hastings as she continues to undergo tests. Her most recent e-mail says that they have narrowed it down to her small intestine and she will be going to San Francisco for additional tests.
Kelli’s roommate, Sandy is continuing to have set-backs. The cancer has spread to her brain. They have found 13 tumors in her brain. The cancer is affecting her ability to function and speak properly.
My sister, Kathy, will be undergoing back surgery to remove two bone spurs.
Pray for our upcoming “Building the Bridge” campaign.
Please continue to pray for – Martha recovering from surgery, Melissa & baby Eliza, Barbara Kansler with health issues; Carol Robertshaw with lung cancer, Norm Baird as he leads the Men’s Emmaus Walk, our Katie as she faced ongoing health challenges, Ellen Burton with worsening cancer and Walt Couch, who has prostrate cancer.
Pray for our missionaries –Jan & Larry Martin in Thailand, The Reaching Hand Society in India, Yvonne Deel in Belize, Bounkham & Khamla in Laos, Laurie Bethall in Prague, Meghan Dineen in Mexico, Biana and Faith Alive in Nigeria, Judy, Faye & Miisaw with New Life Center in Thailand, and all the missionaries worldwide.
Pray for our pastors our leadership, our ministries, and Father’s provision for His Church. Don't forget your prayer challenge of two minutes a day praying for unity within the Body and that we all are given opportunities to witness for Christ.
The Great I AM,
You have so many wonderful names, names that try to describe You and Your holy character. But the names cannot begin to describe the wonder of You. Right now, LORD God, we need the strength and comfort of knowing that You are the Great I AM THAT I AM, You are God who always was, always is and always will be. You inhabit all of eternity at once. Our future is already known to You because You are already in it. Sometimes the cares and troubles of this world try to chain our souls and drag us down. Thank You for Your promise that these troubles will pass away as surely as the earth itself will pass away. And when they do – You will remain and we will be with You. You are the Way the Truth and the Life, and Your promises have already been fulfilled.
Right now, Abba, Ann is in Your presence. She has finished her race and obtained her prize. She is complete. Tell her we miss her and will see her soon. Comforter, pour Your peace on Joy, Willie, their children and all of the McBain family as they grieve.
Great Physician, we lift up Bev Willis, Kelli, Sandy and Kathy and ask LORD of All, that You heal their bodies and bring them back to full health.
We pray for those on our prayer chain, that You will meet their needs.
Thank You, LORD God for the life that You have given us. Forgive us when we fail to be obedient to You, when we ignore the pain of those around us, when we fail to share You with a world that needs You so much. Turn our hearts and our eyes so that we can see as You see. Guide our hands to reach out in Your name, guide our feet to follow You more closely.
We lift up our “Building the Bridge” campaign to You, LORD, and ask, “What would You have me do?” Help us to have the courage to follow You.
Holy Spirit, we lift up the missionaries, the pastors and the leaders who have accepted Your call of service. Help us to always be willing to help them, support them and love them. Provide for the needs of Your Church.
I daydream, Father, of the day when my soul will be free to run past the gates of heaven, into the throne room, and to fall at Your feet saying, “Daddy, I’m home.” I want to hear You say, “I’ve been waiting for you, welcome home, My child.” This moment is what I was created for. I love my life here on earth, Father. You have filled it with so much joy. But I know that the best is yet to come. I long for You.
Mundiguda Field
Healing & Prayer: Mr. Kalia Nagul, son of Jaysingh Nagul of Mundiguda was possessed by evil spirits. He was troubling much. Mr. Jaysingh Nagul came to our missionary Mr. Ranjit Khora in the evening at 7:30 PM and requested him to visit his house to have prayer for his son who was in agony. Mr. Ranjit Khora visited his house had prayer for the boy that night. Next day morning he enquired and found that he has got well. Praise God the boy Kalia got well by the grace of God.
Mina Mandi daughter of Dhablu Mandi of Mundiguda who was suffering with fever. Her mother called Mr. Ranjit for prayer. After having 3 days of constant prayer the fever went away by the grace of God. Ramesh Mandi son of Dhablu Mandi had recovered from fever but he could not eat properly for 20 days. They requested Mr. Ranjit for prayer. After prayer he could eat some rice that night. From that day he started eating.
Mrs. Mati Nali of village Rangniguda was suffering with fever. The evangelist Daniel Potla prayed for her and she recovered by the grace of God.
In village San Nayakguda Mr. Padma after having prayer Guru Kamudi’s wife has got safe delivery. Two women of Kalia Pujariguda were having body burn by snake bite. After having prayer they recovered.
Mrs. Kamla Khillo had under gone stomach operation for tumor at Christian Hospital Nabarang Pur. The operation was successful. After 26 days of treatment at Nabarang Pur, her health condition is good now. Praise God, she has been escaped from cancer.
Evangelism work
Mr. Budra Khillo and Mr. Ranjit Khora went to Saipar for preaching. The village belongs to Kondh tribe. There were 15 people gathered where gospel songs were sang in their language. Mr. Budra Khillo preached on healing of paralyses. There was good respond of the people, they listened quietly the preaching of Budra Khillo. The people of this village afraid of the people nearby village.
The evangelist Mr. Sukhdev Hial has got opposition by Jhitru Khillo & Buthru Khillo, the sons of Headman of the village while he was preaching there. Mr. Sukhdev Hial conducting house visit prayer at Kusa Angulia’s house at village Sirpeta.
The Sunday worship is going on in village Khadimati where Mr. Arjun Majhi is always opposing the believer Balaram Khora. He scolded by telling very bad words. The evangelist Paul Mattam visits Balaram Khora’s house for prayer. Mr. Balaram’s brother, sister & his nephew want to accept Christ.
Mr. Paul Mattam visits Jadabondhguda regularly. The people of this village belong to Kondh tribe. There is a good respond in this village. He is also doing children ministry in this village. The sarpanch Mr. Jagbandhu Godongi of this village threaten the people saying that if any one accept Jesus, your ration card (a card allowing people to get basic grocery at a subsidized rate from the Government shops) will be seized and you will not be get land document any more. The people afraid of him. Mr. Paul Mattam is also contacting the village Balibhataguda where Guru Charan Khora, Madhu Khora and Narendra Khora are attending prayer. Please pray for those people to accept Christ.
Mr. Padma Kamudi visits Kamal Angolia’s house in Durkaguda and preach there. Praise God the whole village attend for prayer and listen to God’s word. He is also having prayer in Mohan Angolia’s house at Mecca village. These people are afraid of the opposition this area.
Praise Points:
1. Praise God the lady prisoners are interested to read Bible in the prison.
2. The children of Kadobahal are interested in study, song and dance as well as memorizing Bible verses.
3. All the staff children were suffering with fever this month and have recovered.
4. Kalia Nagul of Mundiguda got well from demon possession.
5. Mati Nali of Rangniguda recovered from fever.
6. Mrs. Kamla Khillo of Pod colony had successful tumor operation.
7. Surjyo Khillo of Pod Colony recovered from fever & anemia.
8. Dillip’s Sister in law got safe delivery and had a male child.
9. Mrs. Jogi & Mrs. Karuna of Village Kurti believe in Christ.
10. Prince Kuldip recovered from diarrhea.
Prayer Points
1. Pray for healing of Sapan Hembrom. He is under medication for tuberculosis.
2. Pray for Raba Dulla of Rabaguda He is under medication for tuberculosis.
3. Pray for Prabhati Kuldip having stomach pain.
4. Pray for Ankit Khora having earache.
5. Pray for the evangelism work in village Samrathguda, Daniguda, Kadamguda & Siraguda.
6. Pray for the protection of the missionaries from opposition.
7. Pray for healing of Purnima Potla who has been admitted in the hospital.
8. Pray for Raghuram Nali whose leg has had a fracture.
With prayers in the Lord’s service with you
Mrs. Satya Jyoti Dongri
Below is a report from Reaching Hand Society. I included a little part of Remo talking about Adarsh, he and Susan’s new-born son. I will be sending the report out in two parts.
Greetings in Jesus’ Name
Adarsh keep us busy and excited at all times. We are already making plans for what we would like him to become when he grows up, we have been talking to friends and insurance advisors what would be a good insurance plan to take out for him, at the slightest cry he makes we are by his side trying to feed him or changing his diaper. In one of my leisure moments I sat thinking if this is how our Lord deals with me as His child and as I continued to ponder I come to a realisation that since I am created in His image I continue to reflect the same kind of parenthood with my son. My God has made plans for my future and is by my side every time I make the slightest of the cries.
Will appreciate your continued prayers for the ministry of the Lord in and through RHS in Malkangiri. We are in a spot a bit with some financial constraints. We are yet to pay some of the missionaries their salaries for August, will appreciate your prayers and support towards this cause.
With prayers and your partner in the Lord
Ragland Remo Paul
Executive Secretary
Reaching Hand Society
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Report of the Work by Mrs. Satya Jyoti Dongri
Malkangiri Field
Prison MinistryThere are 185 male prisoners & 18 lady prisoners in the Jail. Among male prisoners the literacy programme is on. Mr. Pattnaik of Chitrokonda (one of the undertrials in the prison) helps in conducting literacy class there. Study materials have been provided to them. There are 30 prisoners attending the class. Oriya script & primary lesson are being taught to them. The Sunday worship is going on where 20 to 25 prisoners attend prayer. 12 of the 18 ladies prisoners can read and write the Oriya language. They have shown keen interest in reading Bible. These days they are practicing the National Song Jana gana and Sare jahan se acha. In this rain season the prisoners have been down with some health ailments and we have been able to assist them with medicines and treatment.
Kadobahal Children Ministry.There are 40 children regular to the literacy class at Kadobahal. Everyday they are studying their School subjects. Oriya script & numbers are taught to them. New action songs have been taught to them “Tiki tiki Tara…” and they are memorizing new memory verses. Bible stories are told to them. The little children are fond of learning song & dance.
Sanyasiguda Children Ministry:There are 23 children in the literacy class but nowadays only 10 to 15 are regular to the literacy class. Mrs. Sabita and Mrs. Rukmani are going regularly. In Sanyasiguda the headman Mr. Buti Hontal is sick with paralysis so they have started prayer everyday at their house after literacy class. The children are learning Lord’s prayer, National Anthem and patriotic songs.
House visiting prayer:Mrs. Shanti & Mrs. Minoti are going for house visiting prayer on all days except Saturdays. This month they prayed at Mr. Lobo Bhumia’s house where 10 people came for prayer and another person is Mr. Bhimo’s house where 4 people came for prayer. On 1st July’07, Mrs. Jyoti and Ranjan went to the new Ashirbbad colony for house visiting Prayer. They had prayer at Dillip’s mother house, Mr. Kamulu Khora, Mrs. Kumari, Mrs. Nilima
Rabaguda Field
Healing & Prayer Mrs. Karuna Madkami wife of a Badde (witchdoctor) of Kurti has been suffering from stomach pain and giddiness for long time. Jogi Kowasi is a widow and she was suffering from chronic bleeding from her nose and headache for many days. They got tired consulting baddes (witchdoctors) & local doctors but there was no good result. Finally they heard from the people about the missionaries who are staying in village Rabaguda, providing treatment to the sick persons by prayer and medicines. One day they came to them and shared their problems. Our missionaries prayed for them and informed Dr. Iris G. R. Paul all their problems. All treatment provided to them at Malkangiri. Now they got well. These days they believe in prayer. Our missionaries were requested to visit their houses and had a prayer there. Praise God they believe in Christ.
Opposition in the mission field On 13th of July’07, the noontime about 2 O’clock Mr. Niranjan Kuldip was sitting on his veranda and was talking with the youth of Masaguda Mr. Beti Singa who had been recently migrated to Hyderabad for daily labour. In the same time, a Bengali person of Village MV-61 suddenly visited their house. He talked with them for long time and when he came to know them as Christian Missionary. He changed his behavior and frequently asked irritating questions to them. Later our staff found that he was an active leader of RSS whose name is Nimai Sarkar. He is the elder brother of Pulin Sarkar who opposed our missionaries during Tract distribution in their village. Their main aim was to disrupt our work. Please pray for the protection of our missionaries and their work there.
Note from Valerie: This devotional was written by our Danette Lewis at FFBC. This is her very first devotional – and hopefully a promise of even more to come.
The Writing on the Wall
“Suddenly the fingers of a human hand appeared and wrote on the plaster of the wall, near the lampstand in the royal palace. The King watched the hand as it wrote. His face turned pale and he was so frightened that his knees knocked together and his legs gave way.” ~Daniel 5:5-6
Can you see the writing on the wall? Sometimes we can see it, but don’t understand it and sometimes we just ignore it completely. I mean, it’s my life isn’t it?
I have been a Christian all of my life. I was dedicated as a baby, accepted Christ at age 5 and was baptized at age 12. I was in AWANA and even became a leader when I was in High School. I even served in the nursery once a month. I’m not telling you this to impress you, I’m telling you this because even though I was involved with my church, I started making wrong choices in my life. I chose to do what I wanted instead of listening to what God wanted me to do. I even stopped going to church. I was a Christian already so I thought I didn’t have to go to church. Because I didn’t listen, I made some really bad choices. I wound up divorced twice and was beginning to wonder what I was doing wrong. I was pale and frightened. My knees knocked and gave way.
King Belshazzar chose to do what he wanted. He gave a great banquet for a thousand of his nobles and drank wine with them. He gave orders to bring in the gold and silver goblets that Nebuchadnezzar, his father had taken from the temple in Jerusalem so that he, his nobles, his wives and his concubines could drink from them. As they drank, they praised the gods of gold and silver, of bronze, iron, wood and stone.
Well, just then, the fingers appeared and wrote on the wall. The King was frightened and called for all of his wise men to read the writing on the wall and tell him what it meant. No one could tell the king what it meant and the King became more terrified and pale. The queen, hearing the voices came into the banquet hall. She told him not to be alarmed, that Daniel has a keen mind and knowledge. He can interpret dreams, explain riddles and solve difficult problems. So the King called for Daniel.
Daniel told the king that his father, Nebuchadnezzar was given greatness, glory and splendor by God. All the peoples feared him. But Nebuchadnezzar’s heart became arrogant and hardened with pride. He was stripped of his glory and was given the mind of an animal and lived with wild donkeys and ate grass, until he acknowledged that God is sovereign over the kingdoms of men.
Daniel also told the king that he hadn’t humbled himself, that he praised the gods of silver and gold, and that he did not honor God. Because of this, God sent the hand that wrote the inscription.
The inscription was:
MENE, MENE, TEKEL, PARSIN
This is what these words mean:
Mene: God has numbered the days of your reign and brought it to an end.
Tekel: You have been weighed on the scales and found wanting.
Peres: Your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians.
That very night Belshazzar, king of the Babylonians was slain.
I am so glad that God put writing on my wall. A dear friend invited me to her church and I went. I spent the morning crying because God met me where I was. The song, “Draw Me Close” was sung that morning. The words hit home. “You’re all I want, You’re all I ever needed. You’re all I want, help me know You are near.” Since that day I have asked God for forgiveness and repented. Best of all, He helped me forgive myself. (That’s the trick isn’t it?!) I was recently remarried to a wonderful man and now I have four children, my son and 3 step-daughters. I’ve learned to trust God again and I’m the happiest I’ve been in a long time.
My God, my Father,
Thank you for putting the writing on my wall and for sending my dear friend to help me understand it. I was on the path of Belshazzar and was doing things my way. Because of Your great love and compassion for me, You sent Your only Son to give His life for mine. He took my place so I won’t end up slain like Belshazzar. I am so thankful for the changes You’ve made in my life. Help me to continue to trust You and to be still and listen. I love you, Lord!
Amen.
Written by Danette Lewis
September 20, 2007
Notice, we never pray for folks we gossip about, and we never gossip about the folk for whom we pray! For prayer is a great deterrent. -Leonard Ravenhill
Martha continues to recover well from her surgery and appreciates all the phone calls she has been getting.
Please pray for Drs Chris & Mercy, Biana and the staff of Faith Alive as they go through some growing pains, pray that Father will keep them united in His will.
Please pray for Melissa Donham, and her baby girl, Eliza, who was born prematurely and is facing complications.
Keep Care Fresno in prayer as we start our new season. We have a new curriculum and lots of adventures planned – volunteers are needed. Come join us for a 40 foot banana split on September 28th at 3:45 in the Family Center (just follow the noise) or join us for prayer for our leaders and kids at 3:30 in the conference room in the office.
Barbara Kansler has been missing church lately due to heath concerns.
Pray for Carol Robertshaw with lung cancer.
Bev Willis was scheduled for knee surgery last Friday – Bev, are you back on the computer yet?
Please continue to keep our church family in prayer - Ann McBain recovering from a stroke, Norm Baird as he leads the Men’s Emmaus Walk, our little Katie as she faced ongoing health challenges and Ellen Burton with worsening cancer. Remember to pray for Walt Couch, my step-father, who has prostrate cancer.
Pray for our missionaries – Judy, Faye & Miisaw with New Life Center in Thailand, Jan & Larry Martin in Thailand, The Reaching Hand Society in India, Yvonne Deel in Belize, Bounkham & Khamla in Laos, Laurie Bethall in Prague, Meghan Dineen in Mexico, Biana and Faith Alive in Nigeria, and all the missionaries worldwide.
Pray for our pastors our leadership, our ministries, and Father’s provision for His Church. Don't forget your prayer challenge of two minutes a day praying for unity within the Body and that we all are given opportunities to witness for Christ.
Wonderful, Merciful Savior,
Christ within me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ above me, Christ below me, Christ to the right and left of me, Christ when I lie down and when I arise. Christ in every beat of my heart, Christ in every breath I take, Christ in every word I speak, in every thought I have, in every action I take. Christ when I am in a crowd, Christ when I am alone. Christ in everything, as everything and for everything. I surrender myself to You, LORD Jesus. Make me Your instrument of peace in this world. When others look at me, let them see You.
Holy God, we pray for those in our family who are not doing so well, We lift up Martha and pray for her continued recovery, for baby Eliza and her mom, Melissa that Eliza can come home from the hospital soon, for Barbara Kanzler, put Your healing hand upon her, Great Physician, for Carol Robertshaw suffering from cancer and for Bev Willis and her knee surgery. We continue to lift up Ann McBain, Katie, Ellen Burton, and Walt Couch with their ongoing health concerns.
Jehovah Jirah, we need help in Care Fresno this year – we need volunteers. Touch hearts, LORD, and bring them to our children. We ask that You grant Norm Your wisdom Your patience and Your strength as he prepares to lead this next walk. Abba, I thank You for letting me follow You to Nigeria and for allowing me to become involved in the work You are doing at Faith Alive. We pray for Faith Alive and for the challenges that they are facing. We pray for Dr Chris, Dr Mercy and for Biana as they follow Your lead in leading Faith Alive. When one part of the Body of Christ is in pain, LORD, it is the privilege for the rest of the body to hold up and support the part that hurts. Thank You for allowing us to support each other.
We lift up all of the missionaries that serve You in this world that You have created. We pray for those who hold a piece of our hearts and we pray for those that we will not know until we are finally home with You.
We pray for our pastors, LORD of Heaven and Earth, and ask that You refresh their spirits and give rest to them. We lift up the leadership of our church and of the Church Triumphant and Eternal. We ask Your guidance upon them.
Forgive us, Father God, for being so involved it the busyness of our lives that we fail to see the people that You love so much that You gave Your Son for them. The busyness will pass into nothingness in eternity and all that there will be left is You. Help us to see this temporary earth and her people with Your eyes of compassion. Help us to be Your witnesses in all that we do. Jesus, give us courage to speak to others about the new life You offer. Holy Spirit, fill our mouths with the words to say to our friends and family that will bring them to You. Help us to keep our busyness directed towards that which is eternal.
You are glorious; LORD God and You make all things glorious. I know You love me, Abba, but when You look at me, am I glorious in Your sight?
You are God of Eternity; there is nothing that compares to You in heaven and earth. Your name is Holy. Your name is Mercy. Your name is Love. And You call us Your own. We love You, LORD God. We will love You and worship You forever.
Valerie Rae Hanneman
1 Corinthians 6:19b-20a (NIV) “You are not your own; you were bought at a price.”
I was excited to be going to the market in Jos, Nigeria with Biana and my new friend, Blessing. Blessing runs one of the sewing schools for Faith Alive and we were going to market to purchase material to make clothes for me. Biana had advised me to wear my sneakers rather than my flip-flops and I am glad she did. The market had mud and standing water everywhere (other stuff, too, but let’s not go there). Some of the walkways were so narrow we had to turn sideways to go down them. Often we had to duck to go under vendors carrying their wares on their heads. The vendors, even the ones on the second stories, would shout to us trying to gain our interest for everything from shoes to food to machetes. It was loud, colorful and infinitely interesting. The material shops we went to were fantastic! It was never a matter of finding the right material; it was trying to decide which one of the rainbow arrays to choose. I would choose one and Blessing would look at it in the sunlight with me. If she didn’t like the colors on me, she wouldn’t let me buy it. Finally we came across the most beautiful piece of emerald green material. It was love at first sight for me. Blessing told me it was a good color on me (I already knew that) and asked me in a low undertone, “Should I bargain for you?” “Bargain? You mean on the price?” “Yes,” she answered, “I will get a better price for you.” “Sure!” Blessing turned to the vendor and asked the price. “Three thousand naira, (N3,000)” he answered. I did a quick mental calculation in my head – let’s see - N1,000 to $8.00 American means that the five yards of material would be $24.00. I was ecstatic to think that I was going to get that beautiful material for only $24.00! Blessing, on the other hand, had a completely different reaction. Her jaw dropped open in shock. “N3,000!” she all but shouted, “You saw white people and doubled your price! You are not going to do that! You give them the price you’d charge me – or we’re leaving!” (My heart dropped to my toes – I really wanted that material!) Blessing and the vendor argued in Hausa for a moment then she turned to me, “He is dropping the price to N1,500 – but you shouldn’t pay that much, there are other shops.” Again the vendor said something in Hausa, and Blessing turned on him. She leaned forward and stuck her finger in front of his face like she was scolding a small boy, “These people came all the way from America to help at Faith Alive clinic and you would charge them that price! Shame on you! You should be thankful that they are here – what if you need to come to Faith Alive?” Again they argued in Hausa, then Blessing turned to me with a smile, “He is willing to take N1,000, it is a good price.” I had that N1,000 out of my purse with lightning fast speed, and the emerald material was mine for $8.00. Blessing made a beautiful dress and head scarf for me out of it – I love it – and I tell everybody about how Blessing bargained the price down from N3,000 to N1,000.
From the instant I saw the emerald material; I wanted it. It was perfect for me. I was determined to have it and there was not much that was going to stop me from getting it. I would have even paid more than N3,000 for it and would have been happy to do it. I knew that that material had been created for me and that it was exactly what I wanted. But as much as I desired that material, the truth is that although I would have gladly paid the N3,000 I was even gladder that Blessing bargained the price down to N1,000.
John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him will not perish, but have everlasting life.” This is probably the best known Bible verse in the whole world. Maybe it is too well known. Maybe we have gotten so used to rattling it off at the drop of a hat that we don’t listen to it any more – we don’t think about what this verse means in a bone-deep way. Maybe it is that word “world.” Maybe “God so loved the world …..” sounds too big – too impersonal. Maybe the verse should say, “For God so loved YOU that He gave His only begotten Son that if YOU believe in Him YOU will not perish but have everlasting life.” One of my prayer habits is to pray scripture to God, although I often edit the verse a little to make it personal to me. I pray, “Thank You God, for so loving ME that You gave Your only Son, Jesus, so that if I believe in Him I will not perish but have everlasting life.” Now, don’t get me wrong, I understand that God used “the world” in this verse so that we could get a small idea of the infinite vastness of His love for us – but sometimes there is so much joy in making a verse personal.
For God so loved us that He gave His only Son. That just sends shivers of wonder down me. When the price of redeeming us from our sin-choices was set – it was the life and blood of the Crown Jewel of Heaven, the Bright and Morning Star, the One whom Father loved more than anything else – the price tag was His Son. And God did not bargain for us. He did not say, “That price is too high! Take the twelve gates of pearl and the streets of gold instead.” He didn’t say, “Take the archangel Michael, or the archangel Gabriel, they are the highest ranking angels in all of heaven.” He didn’t even hesitate, He just said, “Yes. I will pay that price for them because I love them so much.”
Do you ever feel small and insignificant in this vast universe? You are not small and insignificant to God - He paid an immense price to restore you to Him. Do you wonder if this life we are called to is worth it with all of its trails and tribulations? Father thinks the life He has called us to was worth the trial and tribulation of giving His Son’s life. Do you think you don’t make a difference in this world? You make a difference to God; He would rather die than live without you.
I really wanted that emerald material, but there was a limit to what I would have paid for it. God had no limit, He paid everything for us. We have been bought with a price – and the price was a sacrifice of love. He counts us worthy of this price and we should act like it. All that He asks us to do is to love Him. All things considered – that isn’t to much – is it?
LORD God, Your love for us brings me to my knees in wonder and awe of You. You know that my heart’s desire is to love You with all my heart, all my soul, all my mind and all my strength. My weakness is in taking my heart’s desire and making it my day-by-day living. Help me, LORD God, to express my love for You in my everyday thoughts, words and actions.
CAMPS, CAMPS AND MORE CAMPS!
Rainy Greetings! I know for you all on the west coast rain and cool weather is currently unfathomable; believe it or not, that’s our weather is commonly in Pachuca. We did, however, have an experience of 104% and humidity for the first part of August when we went to a village of Huitzitzilingo to help run a camp of 130 children, while also hosting a Mississippi youth group. As I mentioned in the last update, we also assisted at a camp the last days of July and beginning of August, where we served with a group of South Koreans for two weeks in Tasquillo - a children’s camp the first week and a youth/young adults camp the second week. Overall, the camps were a success; much was learned from the two weeks in Tasquillo, as we hope to someday be able to start camp programs of our own as YWAM Pachuca. During this time, we also were given the opportunity to visit a nearby church to encourage and inspire the youth and church as a whole to grow their global vision - to be involved in missions even at a young age and take part in God’s global vision for his people. The time with the Mississippi youth group in Huitzitzilingo was also very blessed, where in addition to touching the lives of the children campers, we were able to edify the local church, and help break walls that blocked past friendship/community with neighboring villages: we held soccer and basketball tournaments that allowed young people from other towns to join together in a safe environment - there had been resentment and slight rivalry in the past. A girl from Miss. and I also partnered to give a mini basketball training to the young ladies of Huitzi and share life applications through basketball principles. It was neat to share Christ’s love in such a practical manner.
The latter part of August was busy with computer work on my part: continued work on the web site and creating materials to help promote the Discipleship Training School (DTS) that will begin in January. As soon as the materials are ready, we plan to visit many churches, youth groups, and conferences to share what God is doing with YWAM Pachuca, and how others can be a part. In fact, this next Sunday we will visit a church in Mexico City. It has been interesting to hear from people out of the blue who have discovered our presence here in Pachuca, and have taken a great interest.
We continue to pray for students for the DTS. Currently we do not have any more groups scheduled to come in these next months, so it gives us plenty of opportunity to focus on the DTS planning and other ministries. In addition to my design duties, I (along with Nikki from Pennsylvania who will be here for two years) will be giving English classes to young people here in Pachuca and in a nearby town, Omitlán. We plan to start very soon with three 2-hour classes a week in both locations. This is the beginning of the ministry and very much part of the dreams God has for the area of Pachuca; the classes are a great tool to build relationships with youth and have influence through our teachings and lives.
I look forward to updating you in the near future. As for now, may you draw nearer to the Lord with each passing day.
Meghan
AUGUST 2007
To be afraid is to behave as if the truth were not true.
Bayard Rustin (1912-1987) Civil rights activist
Did you talk about Jesus – the Truth of God - today?
I saw Ann McBain on Friday. She was asleep when I arrived and woke while I was writing her a note. She asked who was there, and I came into her eyesight and said, “It’s Valerie, back from Nigeria” She gave my Nigerian clothes the once over and I said, “I know, I look a little weird.” And she responded, “Nothing new about that!” No doubt about it that her body may be giving her problems but her mind – and her mouth – are as sharp as ever! I had a wonderful visit with her.
Ellen Burton’s cancer is getting significantly worse. Ellen is my sister, Cyndi’s, ex-sister-in-law and has other connections as well to our church. I do not know the health of Ellen’s soul – please pray that Father becomes very real to her during this time.
Our Little Katie Arrigon continues to face health challenges, please keep her and her family in prayer. Please keep Katie’s older sister in prayer as well – for the healing of her spirit.
Martha is recovering well following her surgery this past Monday; please pray that her recovery continues to progress well.
Care Fresno Kids Klub opens on September 28th with a 40 foot banana split. Please keep this ministry to our neighborhood children in prayer as we get busy with our new year.
Norm Baird is the lay director of the November Men’s Walk to Emmaus. Although there is no doubt that Norm is perfect for this honor, it does come with a great deal of responsibility and work. Please keep him in prayer during this time.
Please continue to keep Ann, Jan and all of the Mead family in prayer following Larry’s passing, and Charles’ family & friends as they mourn his passing. Remember to pray for Walt Couch, my step-father, who has prostrate cancer.
Pray for our missionaries – Judy, Faye & Miisaw with New Life Center in Thailand, Jan & Larry Martin in Thailand, The Reaching Hand Society in India, Yvonne Deel in Belize, Bounkham & Khamla in Laos, Laurie Bethall in Prague, Meghan Dineen in Mexico, Biana and Faith Alive in Nigeria, and all the missionaries worldwide.
Pray for our pastors our leadership, our ministries, and Father’s provision for His Church. Don't forget your prayer challenge of two minutes a day praying for unity within the Body and that we all are given opportunities to witness for Christ.
LORD God, Most High,
We praise You and thank You, Jehovah Shalom, for the grace, mercy and peace that You have brought into our lives. You have broken the chains of sin that bound us, You have redeemed us and You have given us the freedom to fly in the light of Your love.
We pray, triune God, for Ann McBain and ask that You continue to be with her at this time. Give Joy, Willie and all of the family the strength to support her and protect her as she is ill. We pray for Ellen Burton, Father, and ask that You use this time to bring her close to You. Holy God, her physical condition is bad, but we pray for her spiritual condition. We ask Your mercy and healing on our little Katie and ask, LORD God, that you ease her troubles and that You grant peace to her family. We pray for Katie’s sister, Jesus, that You can become the foundation of her life. We lift up our beloved Martha before You, praising You that things have progressed well following her surgery, and asking, Abba, that You continue to heal her.
We lift up the leaders of Care Fresno Kids Klub as it once again gets ready to open its doors. Strength and patience are greatly needed. We pray for the children that will come into our program and pray that You will open their hearts to the glory of knowing You.
Being the lay director for the Walk to Emmaus is a huge responsibility, God of Eternity, but we know that Norm is Your chosen leader for this men’s walk. We ask Your guidance and strength be poured out on Norm, and that You prepare the hearts of those who will be taking this walk.
Comfort Ann, Jan and all of the Mead family; comfort Charles’ family as they continue to mourn the passing of their loved ones. Father God, I ask Your mercy on my step-father, soften his heart so that he can hear Your call upon his life.
Jehovah-Jirah, LORD God Who provides, provide for the spiritual and physical need of Your missionaries who serve You far from their homes.
Holy Spirit, we lift up the pastors and the leaders of our churches and ask that You remind us often to lift them constantly before You in prayer. We pray that You protect them from the temptations and snares that that great liar, satan, puts in front of them. We pray for the unity of the Church, the Body of Christ. Remind us that we are one in You.
Messiah and LORD of All, You left us with two commandments – to love You with everything we’ve got and to love each other. The first one is easy – we are created to love You and to be in relationship with You. Loving You is the joy of our life. It is that other commandment that gives us problems, LORD. Some of the people around us are easy to love – but some of them are more of a challenge to love. Help us to love others as deeply as You love us. Remind us that there are those who are our family, our friends, neighbors and co-workers who do not know You. Give us a heart for them, give us the courage to speak the Truth, the Way and the Life to them, and give us the right words to say that will reveal You to them as we know You.
Help us to remember what the true richness of our life is – remind us that it is not our stuff – it is our relationship with You. We love You, LORD.
A group of alumni, each established in their careers, got together to
visit their old university professor. Before long, conversation turned into
complaints about stress in work and life.
Offering his guests coffee, the professor went to the kitchen and returned
with a large pot of coffee and an assortment of cups - porcelain, plastic,
glass, crystal, some plain looking, some expensive, some exquisite - telling
them to help themselves to the coffee.
When all the students had a cup of coffee in hand, the professor said: "If
you noticed, all the nice looking, expensive cups were taken up, leaving
behind the plain and cheap ones. While it is normal for you to want only
the best for yourselves, that's the source of your problems and stress. Be
assured that the cup itself adds no quality to the coffee. In most cases, it
is just more expensive and in some cases even hides what we drink.
What all of you said you wanted was coffee, not a cup, but you consciously
went for the best cups... And then you began eyeing each other's cups....
Now consider this:
Life is the coffee; the jobs, money, and position in society are the cups.
They are just tools to hold and contain life, and the type of cup we have
does not define, nor change the quality of life we live.
Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the life
God has graciously provided for us."
"The happiest people don't have the best of everything.
They just make the best of everything.
Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly.
Leave the rest to God."
Fear not tomorrow, for God is already there. –Unknown
I am back from Nigeria! Although part of me will always be here there is also now a part of me that will always be with my new friends and family at Faith Alive. I am so grateful for God’s promise that any parting between believers – whether time, distance or death – is only temporary – I thank You, Father, for the promise that we will all be together again when we are eternally with You, It gives us something to look forward to!
While I was gone Ann McBain, Joy’s mom, had a stroke. She is currently at San Joaquin Gardens – in their care unit. I had hoped to go and see her today – but car problems interfered. Anybody with an update on her?
Larry Mead got to go home to Father last Wednesday after a battle with a brain tumor. His Life Celebration will be held on Friday at Fresno First Baptist at 11:00 am. Larry is known for his bicycle riding, I often saw him out and about on his bike. My guess is that by now he has circled the outskirts of our home - the New Jerusalem - several times. Please keep Ann, Jan and the family in your thoughts & prayers.
In our last prayer list I reported that a good friend of my mom and me, Charles, was very ill. Charles also got to go home to Father on August 25th. Please keep his family and friends in prayer.
Pray for our missionaries – Judy, Faye & Miisaw with New Life Center in Thailand, Jan & Larry Martin in Thailand, The Reaching Hand Society in India, Yvonne Deel in Belize, Bounkham & Khamla in Laos, Laurie Bethall in Prague, Meghan Dineen in Mexico, Biana and Faith Alive in Nigeria, and all the missionaries worldwide.
Pray for our pastors our leadership, our ministries, and Father’s provision for His Church. Don't forget your prayer challenge of two minutes a day praying for unity within the Body and that we all are given opportunities to witness for Christ.
I have been gone for six weeks – so I am a little out of the loop when it comes to prayer requests and praises. Let me know if you have something you would like added.
Magnificent and Holy Father,
We stand in awe of all that You are. Your power and majesty are supreme. You created all that there is with a thought, You gave us eternal life with just one of your breaths. We fall on our knees and bow before You, LORD of All, and we worship You. Not because You force us to, not because You demand that we do, but because, as we acknowledge Your love for us, Your mercy to us, Your care for us, our love for You, our awe of You and out joy in You can only be fully expressed while we humble ourselves before You.
LORD God, you know the plans that You have for us and they are good. Plans to prosper us and not harm us, plans to give us peace. Abba, we do not know the short-term plans that You have for our beloved Ann, but we have confidence in Your long term plans for her. Your promises will never fail us. Father, touch Ann with Your healing hands.
Precious Jesus, Larry has heard the words we long to hear, “Welcome home, you good and faithful servant.” Although we know that Larry is with You and that He is living within the fullness of Your joy, LORD, we miss him. Help us to find our comfort in You. We pray for Ann, Jan and the whole family during this time, that You will continue to be their shelter in this time of storm.
Triune God, Charles has also heard You welcome him home. He has touched Your beautiful face; He has looked into Your eyes filled with love for him. There is no more pain for him, but there continues to be the pain of parting for us – even though temporary. Again, we thank You for the life that we have in You, a life that never ends. We ask that you bring peace to Charles friends and family.
Holy Spirit, we pray for Your missionaries that serve You so faithfully. We lift up Larry & Jan as they are back home with us for a short season before they return to Thailand. Bless their time here, LORD God, and prosper them. We pray peace, safety and a sense of worth for all who serve You. Help them Father to see themselves through Your eyes.
We pray for Your Church, LORD of Light, and ask that You continue to be the light that guides us, the light that warms us, the light that fills us. We pray for the pastors and leaders as they serve You in all the many places where You have placed them. We lift up our part of Your church, Fresno First, and pray that You help us to keep our focus on You.
We are yearning to be closer to You today than we were yesterday, and pray that we are even closer tomorrow.