Thru the Bible reading for yesterday and today: Numbers 15-19; Mark 6
Sunday evening, after a fun afternoon with family and grandkids at the great-grandparents house, Joyce hurt herself pretty bad. She had bent down and when she came up she felt a searing pain thru her upper thigh/hip area. It was her right leg, the one weakened by the cancer. She can't walk on her own. We had her leg xrayed this afternoon and we see her oncologist tomorrow morning. She's scheduled for chemo again on Thursday. It's been a rough couple of days. Please pray for her and I.
I read a quote from someone, I don't know who, that I had written in my Bible at Mark 6. It went as follows: Find your niche in the purpose of that which God allows. Pray we can find that niche... It's kind of elusive right now.
In His Arm's, Pat
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Saturday, February 24, 2007
Sat. 2-24
Bible reading for yesterday, today and tomorrow - 2/23-2/25: Numbers 7-14; Mark 4:21-5:43.
I'm blessed to tell you that my wife, Joyce, has been virtually pain free this past week! The meds she's taking now are working. Her appetite is getting better as well as her energy. I know so many have been praying for her and I do believe God answered. She had been hurting for several months with no relief and I think both of us were sort of expecting that was just how it was going to be for the long term. But the Lord allowed her to get hooked up with the Palliative Care folks and we've seen a great improvement.
Joyce still has chemo this Thursday again and we see her oncologist again on Wednesday. We have no idea how long she'll be on chemo this time - but this helps us fight a little harder now.
With a thankful heart! Pat
I'm blessed to tell you that my wife, Joyce, has been virtually pain free this past week! The meds she's taking now are working. Her appetite is getting better as well as her energy. I know so many have been praying for her and I do believe God answered. She had been hurting for several months with no relief and I think both of us were sort of expecting that was just how it was going to be for the long term. But the Lord allowed her to get hooked up with the Palliative Care folks and we've seen a great improvement.
Joyce still has chemo this Thursday again and we see her oncologist again on Wednesday. We have no idea how long she'll be on chemo this time - but this helps us fight a little harder now.
With a thankful heart! Pat
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Wed. 2-21-07
Our Bible reading for today: Numbers 1-3; Mark 3
On the home front: Joyce has had a pretty good week thus far. The pain meds seem to be working as they should and Joyce isn't experiencing nearly the pain she was a couple of weeks ago. Her present need is to get more nourishment. Her appetite has been gone for months now and she has lost a lot of weight. She is still very fatigued and unable to do any sustained physical activity that could build up her strength. So we are praying that with the lessening of pain, her desire to eat will return and with that, the ability to build up her strength.
The Palliative care doctor and nurses have been awesome - 3 home visits in 8 days! It's helped lift the burden of the correct treatment of the pain from her and I. So now we're gearing up for chemo again a week from tomorrow (Mar. 1). Our daughter, Noelle, will be with us thru mid March - she's been a tremendous help already.
Today, in our Bible reading, we're starting thru the book of Numbers. I've been teaching thru Numbers on Wednesday evenings at the church for about 4 months now - I'll be in chapters 27-29 this evening. If you want to listen to any of the studies, they are all posted on our church website www.ccesco.com
Davis Guzik notes that: The Book of Numbers is all about God's people in the wilderness - how they get there, how God deals with them in the wilderness, and how He brings them out of the wilderness on their way to the Promised Land.
The Book of Numbers gives us a big vision: Where is God taking us? What will it take to get there? What inward qualities must God develop in us and demand in us along the way?
The Book of Numbers approaches it all God's way. When we are in the wilderness, we are tempted to launch a hundred different schemes and plans to escape. But only God's way really works; and the Book of Numbers gives us God's way. The idea that the Lord spoke to Moses is repeated more than 150 times and more than 20 different ways in Numbers.
Exodus covered a year; Leviticus only a month - but the Book of Numbers encompasses more than 38 years.
Below is a brief outline of the four major divisions of the Book of Numbers:
1. Preparation for departure from Mt. Sinai - 1:1 -10:10
2. From Sinai to the plains of Moab 10:11-21:35
3. The prophecies of Balaam - 22:1- 25:18
4. Instructions and preparations for entering the promised land. - 26:1 - 36:13
Lot's of great stories in Numbers as well as some amazing forshadowings of our Lord Jesus!
Have a blessed day! Pat
On the home front: Joyce has had a pretty good week thus far. The pain meds seem to be working as they should and Joyce isn't experiencing nearly the pain she was a couple of weeks ago. Her present need is to get more nourishment. Her appetite has been gone for months now and she has lost a lot of weight. She is still very fatigued and unable to do any sustained physical activity that could build up her strength. So we are praying that with the lessening of pain, her desire to eat will return and with that, the ability to build up her strength.
The Palliative care doctor and nurses have been awesome - 3 home visits in 8 days! It's helped lift the burden of the correct treatment of the pain from her and I. So now we're gearing up for chemo again a week from tomorrow (Mar. 1). Our daughter, Noelle, will be with us thru mid March - she's been a tremendous help already.
Today, in our Bible reading, we're starting thru the book of Numbers. I've been teaching thru Numbers on Wednesday evenings at the church for about 4 months now - I'll be in chapters 27-29 this evening. If you want to listen to any of the studies, they are all posted on our church website www.ccesco.com
Davis Guzik notes that: The Book of Numbers is all about God's people in the wilderness - how they get there, how God deals with them in the wilderness, and how He brings them out of the wilderness on their way to the Promised Land.
The Book of Numbers gives us a big vision: Where is God taking us? What will it take to get there? What inward qualities must God develop in us and demand in us along the way?
The Book of Numbers approaches it all God's way. When we are in the wilderness, we are tempted to launch a hundred different schemes and plans to escape. But only God's way really works; and the Book of Numbers gives us God's way. The idea that the Lord spoke to Moses is repeated more than 150 times and more than 20 different ways in Numbers.
Exodus covered a year; Leviticus only a month - but the Book of Numbers encompasses more than 38 years.
Below is a brief outline of the four major divisions of the Book of Numbers:
1. Preparation for departure from Mt. Sinai - 1:1 -10:10
2. From Sinai to the plains of Moab 10:11-21:35
3. The prophecies of Balaam - 22:1- 25:18
4. Instructions and preparations for entering the promised land. - 26:1 - 36:13
Lot's of great stories in Numbers as well as some amazing forshadowings of our Lord Jesus!
Have a blessed day! Pat
Saturday, February 17, 2007
Sat. 1-17-07
Our Bible reading for today: Leviticus 21-22 and Matthew 28
Thanks for praying! Today was a fruitful day. Our monthly elders meeting was encouraging to me in many ways. We prayed for hurting families, Pastor Miles shared about our vision for more systematic discipleship and training for ministry; we discussed selection of a couple of new elders soon, and we talked about my role and function in leading the church in these trying days.
I am so blessed to have such a great group of godly men around me and helping me with the many duties of ministering to our flock at CCE. In the days ahead, we'll be laying out a plan of transition of responsibilities that will, we believe, help our church continue to move forward in God's purposes for us. Those who know me well know I feel I need to me in charge, in control of everything that's happening at CCE. But God is graciously dealing with me and I think I'm starting to hear him...and realizing He is the one in control and can work thru all of us, in many different ways, to accomplish His plans.
I have very capable, experienced, gifted, humble and loving pastors and elders holding up my arms. I trust them and their leadership and decision making abilities. They love CCE as much as I do and I need to let them run without having to take everything thru me. I'll still be teaching on most Sunday's and Wednesdays but I need to let go of the day to day running of the
ministry and let my team grow to their potential. I need to be home with Joyce more and more as she battles her cancer. Our board is encouraging me to do just that - so in the next couple of weeks we'll be working on the plan and let the body know the details when it's ready to implement. Pray my stubborn pride dies :-)
On the home front, Joyce was able to come with me and Noelle to Gabbi and Donovan's wedding this evening at the church. She hadn't been to the church in nearly 3 months - it was very tiring for her but she did it! I was so proud of her! And the wedding was full of joy and good fellowship. A great day overall! Thank You Lord!
Pat
Thanks for praying! Today was a fruitful day. Our monthly elders meeting was encouraging to me in many ways. We prayed for hurting families, Pastor Miles shared about our vision for more systematic discipleship and training for ministry; we discussed selection of a couple of new elders soon, and we talked about my role and function in leading the church in these trying days.
I am so blessed to have such a great group of godly men around me and helping me with the many duties of ministering to our flock at CCE. In the days ahead, we'll be laying out a plan of transition of responsibilities that will, we believe, help our church continue to move forward in God's purposes for us. Those who know me well know I feel I need to me in charge, in control of everything that's happening at CCE. But God is graciously dealing with me and I think I'm starting to hear him...and realizing He is the one in control and can work thru all of us, in many different ways, to accomplish His plans.
I have very capable, experienced, gifted, humble and loving pastors and elders holding up my arms. I trust them and their leadership and decision making abilities. They love CCE as much as I do and I need to let them run without having to take everything thru me. I'll still be teaching on most Sunday's and Wednesdays but I need to let go of the day to day running of the
ministry and let my team grow to their potential. I need to be home with Joyce more and more as she battles her cancer. Our board is encouraging me to do just that - so in the next couple of weeks we'll be working on the plan and let the body know the details when it's ready to implement. Pray my stubborn pride dies :-)
On the home front, Joyce was able to come with me and Noelle to Gabbi and Donovan's wedding this evening at the church. She hadn't been to the church in nearly 3 months - it was very tiring for her but she did it! I was so proud of her! And the wedding was full of joy and good fellowship. A great day overall! Thank You Lord!
Pat
Friday, February 16, 2007
Fri. 2-16-07
Todays Bible Reading: Leviticus 19-20; Matthew 27:51-66
Please keep the pastors, elders and I in prayer tomorrow morning as we discuss the direction of the church. Due to the severity of trials some of us are going thru, some of us feel in limbo - just trying to make sense out of each day - not really looking ahead to any new things - actually, speaking for myself - just tired! We want the best for the beautiful flock of CCE. When we feel we can't give it our best we get frustrated and concerned. Please pray for us to have God's heart and His wisdom as we minister His grace to one another.
In His Arm's,
Pat
Please keep the pastors, elders and I in prayer tomorrow morning as we discuss the direction of the church. Due to the severity of trials some of us are going thru, some of us feel in limbo - just trying to make sense out of each day - not really looking ahead to any new things - actually, speaking for myself - just tired! We want the best for the beautiful flock of CCE. When we feel we can't give it our best we get frustrated and concerned. Please pray for us to have God's heart and His wisdom as we minister His grace to one another.
In His Arm's,
Pat
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Thurs. 2-15-07
Our thru the Bible in a year reading should have us thru Leviticus 18 and Matthew 27:27-50
Home notes first. Happy Birthday Noelle! Our firstborn celebrates her 31st today!
This pic was from our trip to Hawaii last September. Noelle continues to work for Princess Cruises but is done with being away at sea for 6 to 7 months ata time. She will now be land based and working in L.A. training the singers on the teams performing on the ships thruout the Princess fleet. Which means she can come home on weekends and be relatively close to home if we need her.
The past couple of days have been pretty good for Joyce! Her meds were changed on Monday and her pain has been significantly lowered since. Thank You Lord! The Palliative care doc is coming to the house today to meet with her for the first time.
From our Bible reading: This section of Leviticus has been called the "Law of Holiness". It speaks of being set apart from all immorality and from all forms of sin. Good counsel for us today!
Through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross for our sins the way has been made for us to have fellowship with the Holy God! We who have been redeemed must now walk as redeemed people - in holiness!
Rom 13:13-14
13 Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy.
14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.
May you choose today the right way...the holy way...and seek to please the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength!
In His Arm's, Pat
Home notes first. Happy Birthday Noelle! Our firstborn celebrates her 31st today!
This pic was from our trip to Hawaii last September. Noelle continues to work for Princess Cruises but is done with being away at sea for 6 to 7 months ata time. She will now be land based and working in L.A. training the singers on the teams performing on the ships thruout the Princess fleet. Which means she can come home on weekends and be relatively close to home if we need her.
The past couple of days have been pretty good for Joyce! Her meds were changed on Monday and her pain has been significantly lowered since. Thank You Lord! The Palliative care doc is coming to the house today to meet with her for the first time.
From our Bible reading: This section of Leviticus has been called the "Law of Holiness". It speaks of being set apart from all immorality and from all forms of sin. Good counsel for us today!
Through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross for our sins the way has been made for us to have fellowship with the Holy God! We who have been redeemed must now walk as redeemed people - in holiness!
Rom 13:13-14
13 Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy.
14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.
May you choose today the right way...the holy way...and seek to please the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength!
In His Arm's, Pat
Monday, February 12, 2007
Monday, 2-12-07
Yesterday and Today's reading: Leviticus 11-13; Matthew 26:1-50
Sunday's worship was especially sweet for me. Terry and Nancy Clark led and the simple songs of His peace so ministered to my heart. I taught on "The One Thing Needful" which is personal worship and devotion to Christ - to regularly sit at His feet and learn His ways.
Sunday afternoon, Jordan and Anna brought over all 5 of the grandkids! Our daughter, Noelle, just got home from her work on the Island Princess, and brought the 3 girls hawaiian grass skirts which they all had to model.
Jordan's daughter Kaylee (age 4) is in the middle flanked by Anna's daughter's Ally (4 1/2) and Halley (3).
Joyce did pretty well with all the activity but the evening was a little rough.
Monday brought some changes which we hope will be more helpful in managing Joyce's pain. Kaiser has recently developed what they call the Paliative Care dept. which is sort of between their Home Health Care and their Hospice care. Their goal is to help ease the patient's pain and help them be more comfortable while they fight their particular disease. They sent out 2 nurses who got the history and explained the services and checked Joyce's vitals. The nurse reported directly to a doctor (whose responsibility is Paliative care) Joyce's current status, pain levels, medications, and while they were still at the house the doctor ordered some changes in her meds that simplified what she was taking and the rest of the day was the best I've seen Joyce in a couple of months. If they follow thru on all they say they'll do it will be a great burden lifted off Joyce and I. We felt this home visit was a real answer to prayer.
In His Arms,
Pat
Saturday, February 10, 2007
Sat. 2-10-07
Through the Bible in a year: Leviticus 8-10; Matthew 25:31-46
Have a blessed day! Keep looking to Jesus! Rejoice in all His marvelous works! Pat
Have a blessed day! Keep looking to Jesus! Rejoice in all His marvelous works! Pat
Friday, February 9, 2007
Friday, Feb. 9, 2007
Today thru the Word: Leviticus 6-7; Matthew 25:1-30
The men's retreat is Tonite thru Sunday morning up at Calvary Chapel's Twin Peak's Conference Center in the San Bernardino mountains. Ken told me this morning that 97 men were signed up to go. Please pray for an awesome, Spirit-filled time for all of them.
A couple thoughts from our reading today:
Matt 25:13 "Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.(NKJ)
In the parable of the 10 virgins many have gotten hung up on all the supposed allegories in this story but verse 13 is the Masters conclusion and main point in giving it.
Watch, be alert, give strict attention to. Don't miss the party!
Be it Israel or be it the church, the bottom line is the same. You better know the Lord when He comes.
Matt 7:21-23
21 "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.
22 "Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?'
23 "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'
I know you not. The HS in the life of the believer keeps us watching and ready and alert
and.....never forget that at any moment we could be standing before our Lord!
May each of us be walking, living and being led by the Spirit today and every day til He comes! Maranatha! Pat
The men's retreat is Tonite thru Sunday morning up at Calvary Chapel's Twin Peak's Conference Center in the San Bernardino mountains. Ken told me this morning that 97 men were signed up to go. Please pray for an awesome, Spirit-filled time for all of them.
A couple thoughts from our reading today:
Matt 25:13 "Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.(NKJ)
In the parable of the 10 virgins many have gotten hung up on all the supposed allegories in this story but verse 13 is the Masters conclusion and main point in giving it.
Watch, be alert, give strict attention to. Don't miss the party!
Be it Israel or be it the church, the bottom line is the same. You better know the Lord when He comes.
Matt 7:21-23
21 "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.
22 "Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?'
23 "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'
I know you not. The HS in the life of the believer keeps us watching and ready and alert
and.....never forget that at any moment we could be standing before our Lord!
May each of us be walking, living and being led by the Spirit today and every day til He comes! Maranatha! Pat
Thursday, February 8, 2007
Thurs. 2-8-07
To stay current on our reading thru the Bible in a year, we should be thru Leviticus 5 and Matthew 24 by the end of the day! :-)
On our home front, Joyce has been feeling better the past couple of days - the immediate bad effects of her chemo last Thursday are nearly gone and now we're hoping for some good effects - like a lessening of her pain and a little more energy. Thanks again to all who have been holding us up in prayer and encouragement - we are blessed beyond words.
Churchwise - about 90 of our men are heading up to the mountains for our annual Men's Retreat this weekend. Pastor Richard will be doing the main teaching so please keep him and all the guys in prayer.
This Sunday, Terry and Nancy Clark will be leading us in worship and I'll be teaching out of Luke 10:38-42
Blessings! Pat
On our home front, Joyce has been feeling better the past couple of days - the immediate bad effects of her chemo last Thursday are nearly gone and now we're hoping for some good effects - like a lessening of her pain and a little more energy. Thanks again to all who have been holding us up in prayer and encouragement - we are blessed beyond words.
Churchwise - about 90 of our men are heading up to the mountains for our annual Men's Retreat this weekend. Pastor Richard will be doing the main teaching so please keep him and all the guys in prayer.
This Sunday, Terry and Nancy Clark will be leading us in worship and I'll be teaching out of Luke 10:38-42
Blessings! Pat
Monday, February 5, 2007
Mon. 2-5-07
Yesterday and Today's Bible Reading: Exodus 34-38; Mt. 22:23 - 23:22
Services at CCE were busy and joyful today! Lot's going on. Candy and team led worship, Pastor Mark led our Communion devotion, we celebrated the Lord's sacrifice for us in recieving the bread and juice together; Pastor's Miles and Josh shared about their recent trip to Germany and the ministry of Calvary's in Western Europe; we prayed for Kelly Kierstead and Lorraine Herschlieb as they are preparing to visit Donna Burkell in Belize and leaving this Thursday; we viewed a video on the Tecate Orphange outreach and Dave Bossie and Don and Regina Thomas shared how the church could participate...and then I got to preach :-) teaching on being merciful - an essential character trait for every follower of Jesus - out of Luke 10:25-27. After 1st service the Jr. and Sr. High leaders held a reception for the parents of our young people - and of course served donuts.
On the home front, Joyce had a more difficult day yeterday - her pain was harsh and she was still adjusting from the chemo treatment last Thursday. Today she's feeling a bit better and the pain is not as intense. Our son, Jordan, turned 28 today and stopped in for a short visit this morning... Joyce got see our nearly 5 month old granddaughter, Brooklynn, as well which made her day!
So we press on thru another day! May the Lord bless yours and may He work his kindness and mercy thru each of you continually!
Blessings,
Pat
Services at CCE were busy and joyful today! Lot's going on. Candy and team led worship, Pastor Mark led our Communion devotion, we celebrated the Lord's sacrifice for us in recieving the bread and juice together; Pastor's Miles and Josh shared about their recent trip to Germany and the ministry of Calvary's in Western Europe; we prayed for Kelly Kierstead and Lorraine Herschlieb as they are preparing to visit Donna Burkell in Belize and leaving this Thursday; we viewed a video on the Tecate Orphange outreach and Dave Bossie and Don and Regina Thomas shared how the church could participate...and then I got to preach :-) teaching on being merciful - an essential character trait for every follower of Jesus - out of Luke 10:25-27. After 1st service the Jr. and Sr. High leaders held a reception for the parents of our young people - and of course served donuts.
On the home front, Joyce had a more difficult day yeterday - her pain was harsh and she was still adjusting from the chemo treatment last Thursday. Today she's feeling a bit better and the pain is not as intense. Our son, Jordan, turned 28 today and stopped in for a short visit this morning... Joyce got see our nearly 5 month old granddaughter, Brooklynn, as well which made her day!
So we press on thru another day! May the Lord bless yours and may He work his kindness and mercy thru each of you continually!
Blessings,
Pat
Saturday, February 3, 2007
Sat. 2-3-07
Thru the Bible in a year: Exodus 31-33; Matthew 22:1-22
Yesterday was a hard day for Joyce - the first couple of days after chemo usually are - but she rested good, ate a little and didn't get sick. She was in a lot of pain thruout the day but slept well last night and went 10 hours between her main pain med dosing - she is totally my hero!
I stayed home with her and was just greatful that I could. We have a wonderful staff at CCE and the ministry moves forward. Miles and Josh made it back safely from Germany and brought me a small bar of German Choclate which my granddaughter and I really enjoyed!
My brother Mike is doing well too. He also had a hard day in ICU yesterday but everything is progressing as it's supposed to and he likely will be transfered to a regular room today.
Hope your day is full of Jesus!
Pat
Yesterday was a hard day for Joyce - the first couple of days after chemo usually are - but she rested good, ate a little and didn't get sick. She was in a lot of pain thruout the day but slept well last night and went 10 hours between her main pain med dosing - she is totally my hero!
I stayed home with her and was just greatful that I could. We have a wonderful staff at CCE and the ministry moves forward. Miles and Josh made it back safely from Germany and brought me a small bar of German Choclate which my granddaughter and I really enjoyed!
My brother Mike is doing well too. He also had a hard day in ICU yesterday but everything is progressing as it's supposed to and he likely will be transfered to a regular room today.
Hope your day is full of Jesus!
Pat
Friday, February 2, 2007
Friday, 2-2-07
Thru the Word today: Exodus 29-30; Matthew 21:23-46
My brother, Mike, made it thru his surgery yesterday fine and he is in ICU beginning his recovery. Thanks to all who prayed!
Joyce also made it thru nearly 4 hours of chemo yesterday and it doing good today. No nausea so far - just extreme fatigue.
Pat
My brother, Mike, made it thru his surgery yesterday fine and he is in ICU beginning his recovery. Thanks to all who prayed!
Joyce also made it thru nearly 4 hours of chemo yesterday and it doing good today. No nausea so far - just extreme fatigue.
Pat
Thursday, February 1, 2007
Thurs. 2-1-07
Today in the Word: Exodus 27-28; Matthew 21:1-22
Joyce has her next chemo infusion today. It'll take about 3 or 4 hours. Also my brother, Mike, who lives in Lombard, Illinois, is in the middle of a 6 hour surgery to remove a cancerous growth in his esophogus. The docs will be taking out part of his esophagus and part of his stomach and then sewing the remaining parts back together. They say he'll be in the hospital at least 8 days. Please keep him and his wife, Joan, in prayer.
A couple thoughts from our reading in Mt. 21.
Matt 21:10 And when He had come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, "Who is this?" (NKJ)
Moved - siesmic; 4579 seio- to shake, to agitate, to cause to tremble ; To stir up
went wild with excitement.
Shaken as by an earthquake. "Even Jerusalem frozen with religious formalism and socially undemonstrative, was stirred with popular enthusiasm as by a mighty wind or by an earthquake". (from Robertson's Word Pictures in the New Testament)
When Jesus comes into your life, things do get stirred up...
And often our reaction isn't positive and joyful!
Our lifestyles, attitudes and motives....are challenged by the King.
Lifestyles: Our customs, habits, patterns, comfort zones....the Christian life-style does differ from the norm of the world around us...or it should! The person who opens his life to Jesus Christ will put obeying God before doing what is praised and accepted by society.
Have you been stirred up to serve others? Has the Lord in your life moved you from complacency to involvement in the work of the kingdom? Is your daily prayer, Lord use me today?
The Lord is surely stirring this community, and this church...He won't let us vegitate. As long as His word is proclaimed and taught, our status quo will be shaken up. Our comfort zones will be agitated.
How is the Lord stirring you today? Is anything being shaken?
Stay focused on Jesus today and press on in the good work!
In His Arm's,
Pat
Joyce has her next chemo infusion today. It'll take about 3 or 4 hours. Also my brother, Mike, who lives in Lombard, Illinois, is in the middle of a 6 hour surgery to remove a cancerous growth in his esophogus. The docs will be taking out part of his esophagus and part of his stomach and then sewing the remaining parts back together. They say he'll be in the hospital at least 8 days. Please keep him and his wife, Joan, in prayer.
A couple thoughts from our reading in Mt. 21.
Matt 21:10 And when He had come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, "Who is this?" (NKJ)
Moved - siesmic; 4579 seio- to shake, to agitate, to cause to tremble ; To stir up
went wild with excitement.
Shaken as by an earthquake. "Even Jerusalem frozen with religious formalism and socially undemonstrative, was stirred with popular enthusiasm as by a mighty wind or by an earthquake". (from Robertson's Word Pictures in the New Testament)
When Jesus comes into your life, things do get stirred up...
And often our reaction isn't positive and joyful!
Our lifestyles, attitudes and motives....are challenged by the King.
Lifestyles: Our customs, habits, patterns, comfort zones....the Christian life-style does differ from the norm of the world around us...or it should! The person who opens his life to Jesus Christ will put obeying God before doing what is praised and accepted by society.
Have you been stirred up to serve others? Has the Lord in your life moved you from complacency to involvement in the work of the kingdom? Is your daily prayer, Lord use me today?
The Lord is surely stirring this community, and this church...He won't let us vegitate. As long as His word is proclaimed and taught, our status quo will be shaken up. Our comfort zones will be agitated.
How is the Lord stirring you today? Is anything being shaken?
Stay focused on Jesus today and press on in the good work!
In His Arm's,
Pat
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