Servers - Obsessed Series

People who are obsessed with Jesus do not consider service a burden. Obsessed people take joy in loving God by loving his people.
Francis Chan

"By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples."
john fifteen: eight

"The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field"
matthew thirteen: forty-four

Friends of All - Obession Series

"Godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and we can take nothing out it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many."
1st timothy six: six - thirteen


People who are obsessed with Jesus live their lives that connect them with the poor in some way or another. Obsessed people believe that Jesus talked about money and the poor so often because it was really important to him.

Francis Chan
Crazy Love

Great is the Lord

"Every day I will bless you and praise your name forever and ever.
Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable.
One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts.
On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.
They shall speak of the might of your awesome deeds, and I will declare your greatness.
They shall pour forth the fame of your abundant goodness and shall sing aloud of your righteousness."

psalm one hundred forty five: four-seven.

PBC Missions

Here are some prayer requests for Prestonwood's Missions currently going on:

Prison Outreach: On the weekend of Nov. 12–14, Prestonwood members will be sharing the Gospel with inmates in multiple prisons throughout DFW. Pray that the inmates would be open to the Gospel and that our people would share with boldness, humility and genuineness.

Prison Outreach: Prestonwood members are ministering to inmates and officers from eight different prisons and jails every month. Pray for continued favor with the officers and inmates in these prisons as we share the Gospel and disciple believers. Pray that God would strengthen and develop the ongoing ministries in each of these places with people, resources and prayer.

Prison Outreach: Each year, approximately 700,000 inmates reenter society. Of those, 70 percent will go back to prison or jail. However, many of those have come to know Christ while in prison. Pray that these would surround themselves with a community of believers to encourage and challenge them. Pray for God’s provision in the area of work, finances and housing.

Serve the City: Continue to pray for all those who will be ministered to during this weekend. Pray for those who are searching for a job, for single mothers who are struggling, and for widows and widowers who need help. Pray that God would call out the people of our church to help meet these needs.

Sudan Update: God worked in amazing ways on our recent trip to Kajo Keji, Sudan. Our Sudan mission team saw three churches started and three more established churches strengthened. Praise God for the 140 people who trusted in Christ for their salvation and followed Him in baptism. Please pray for the e3 Bible students who will be shepherding the churches.

Romania Update: Continue to pray for Troy Geddes, the IMB missionary with whom we serve in Romania, as he begins to disciple new believers in Braila, Romania. Pray also for the health of Troy's wife, Karla, as she we recently diagnosed with Lyme disease.

Risk Takers

People who obsessed with Jesus aren't consumed with their personal safety and comfort above all else. Obsessed people care more about God's kingdom coming to this earth than their own lives being shielded from pain or distress.

What if instead of praying, "Lord, we pray for safety as we travel. We ask that no one gets hurt on this trip. Please keep everyone safe until we return, and bring us back safely."

We prayed, "God, bring me closer to you during this trip, whatever it takes..."

Now I'm not saying it is wrong to pray for God's protection but I am questioning how we've made safety our highest priority. We've elevated safety to the neglect of whatever God's best is, whatever would bring God the most glory, or whatever would accomplish His purposes in our loves and in the world...

Francis Chan

Love instead of Hate

This series is taken from the book "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan. Each post in this series will be a "profile of the obsessed." I highly recommend reading and purchasing this book {here}

People who are obsessed with Jesus freely and openly, without censure. Obsessed people love those who hate them and who can never love them back.


"If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even "sinners" love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even "sinners" do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even "sinners" lend to "sinners," expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful."
Luke six: thirty-two - thirty-six

Prayers for Teacher Part 2

More verses of encouragement for teachers, counselors, and coaches.

We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers.
1 Thessalonians 1:2

The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.
1 Thessalonians 5:24

We ought always to thank God for you, brothers, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love every one of you has for each other is increasing.
2 Thessalonians 1:3

Command and teach these things.
1 Timothy 4:11

And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.
2 Timothy 2:2

Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.
1 Peter 4:10

It gave me great joy to have some brothers come and tell about your faithfulness to the truth and how you continue to walk in the truth.
3 John 1:3

Prayers for Teacher Part 1

As a new school year starts this week, class let's lift up the many Catalyst girls who are going back to school as teachers, counselors, and coaches. Here are some verses of encouragement as they start the new year.

But his delight is in the law of the Lord,and on his law he meditates day and night.He is like a tree planted by streams of water,which yields its fruit in seasonand whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.
Psalm 1:2-3

The law of his God is in his heart; his feet do not slip.
Psalm 37:31

He will be like a tree planted by the waterthat sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of droughtand never fails to bear fruit."
Jeremiah 17:8

Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
1 Corinthians 15:58

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, [23] gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Galatians 5:22-23

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Ephesians 1:16

crazy love.

"O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land there is no water. I ahve seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory. Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. My soul will be satisfied as with the richest foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you."

psalm sixty three: one - five.

Daily Bread Day 2.

Daily Bread

"Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?"

Matthew six: twenty-five

God's grace is sufficient for every day. God wants us to trust Him daily with our needs. This trust does not make us poor planners or careless about our futures, unprepared to face what may come. Rather, it keeps our relationship with the Lord in its proper perspective as He reminds us daily of our dependence on Him. God is aware of what tomorrow brings & how we should prepare for it. He knows the problems we will face, and He has already made provision for us to overcome them. He asks us to trust in Him daily. Our faith in Him today cannot be substitute for our trust in Him tomorrow. If we walk with Him closely today, we will be in the center of His will tomorrow.

Henry & Richard Blackaby - "Experiencing God"

how lovely...

"How lovely is your dwellng place, O LORD of Hosts! My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the LORD; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God. "

PBC Missioins

Here are some prayer requests for Prestonwood's Missions currently going on:

Sudan: During Aug. 4-15, 17 members from Prestonwood will travel to Southern Sudan for a church planting mission trip. The team will work alongside Pastor David Kaia, an e3 church planter and Sudanese National. Pray for hearts to be open to the gospel and the successful planting of a new church. Check for daily video updates on the Prestonwood missions website.


Sudan: Southern Sudan is experiencing a difficult drought this summer. This has left many without food and water in the area where our team will be ministering. Pray for rain in this region and for provision to meet the people's physical needs and that while our team is there, they will have opportunities to meet physical needs and share the gospel.

Sudan: Prestonwood joins with e3 Partners to help train pastors and missionaries through Bible School in Kajo Keji, Sudan. Pray for the Bible School students who will be sent out to surrounding villages and cities to share the Gospel and plant churches after their training. Pray that they would be established in right doctrine while in school and that they would be bold in their witness for Christ as they go out among the Sudanese.

Serve the City: Pray for all those who will be ministered to during this weekend. Pray for those who are searching for a job, for single mothers who are struggling, and for widows and widowers who need help. Pray that God would call out the people of our church to help meet these needs.


Romania: Pray for Troy Geddes, the IMB missionary with whom we serve in Romania. Many people came to know Christ during last month's trip; pray for Troy as he begins to disciple many of the new believers in Braila, Romania. Pray also for the health of Troy's family members as they invest their lives in the people of Braila.

"Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain."
1st Corinthians fifteen: fifty-eight

Prayer Request

Please pray for Carol's mom & family today. Today her mom starts her first chemo treatment today. Pray specifically she is not allergic to the chemo, she can be comfortable, and as healthy as possible. Pray for her and her family's strength as they see there mom take in poison into her body. Pray for the Oncology nurses and doctors as they help the Lacey family. May people come to know Christ through this trial. May the others sitting around them in the treatment center see how their family reflects Christ's love and how they shine with his hope of healing and take comfort in his power.

"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the shadow of death, I will fear no evil. for you are with me; your rod and staff, they comfort me."
psalm twenty three: one-four

for updates check: {here}

Prayer of Supplication

"Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for 3 years and 6 months it did not rain on the earth. Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit."
~James 5:17-18

To pray a prayer of supplication means that one is seeking something, petitioning to God for something. Elijah sought after dry lands and the Lord supplied. Because of Elijah's passion and zeal for Christ, his prayers were answered-God wants us to seek Him and all the he can give to us.

Today, pray a prayer of supplication to God. Seek His glory and seek His face. Desire to know His will in your life.

Prayer is Preparation

Thoughts to ponder about prayer...

"Prayer does not give you spiritual power. Prayer aligns your life with God so that He chooses to demonstrate His power through you. The purpose of prayer is not to convince God to change your circumstances but to prepare you to be involved in God's activity.

Prayer is designed to adjust you to God's will, not to adjust God to your will. If God has not responded to what you are praying, you may need to adjust your praying to align with God's agenda. Rather than focusing on what you would like to see hapen, realize that God may be more concerned with what He wants to see happen IN you."

Taken from "Experiencing God Day by Day"
by Henry T. Blackaby & Richard Blackaby

"The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus"
1 Timothy 1:14

Prayer for Service

As we reach the middle of June, be in prayer for the missions of Catalyst, the Young Singles Department, and Prestonwood as a whole.

Even though I was not able to participate, I was in prayer for Clean Sweep and for the blessings it brought to many in these times of tribulation and hardship. Continue to pray for this ministry and pray for it to grow and bless millions more in the years to come.

In July, many of our friends will travel to Boston to witness to hundreds of people and tell them about the love of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Pray for Hope Fellowship and the light it has brought to the community of Boston. Pray for those that are going-that they have safe travel and feel the presence of the Lord as they prepare to evangelize.

On June 6, Jarret spoke again of the Prestonwood mission statement and that one of the threads of our church is service and how important service is. Most people who are Christians never share the word of Jesus Christ. I know this convicted me and I pray that it will convict each member of our class to have a heart for service in Dallas, Boston, the Amazon, or anywhere the Lord may lead you to. I pray that each member of Catalyst can impact the life of one other person by sharing the Good News.

Nikki

Please lift Nikki up all day today as she goes into surgery for her back. Pray specifically for the doctor's guidance & wisdom.

Remember - God is the ultimate Healer. He is Jehovah-Rapha.

Living by the Spirit

Catalyst, let this be our prayers: 

"It's the best years of our lives

And it's finally coming true

Cause oh this whole world don't mean a thing

If it's done without you 

And it burns, the fire it breaths for you, 

Let take over my heart and consume,

So I can get away

From this world, and I'll run to you 

Let it burn

Mark Us, only for you" 

Mark Us by Matt Cote 

Let him mark us for his work. Let him use our purpose, relationships, and possessions for his glory. Let us all burn for him so much that it consumes everything we do. Amen. 

Memorial Day

Memorial Day Prayer by Mary Fairchilld

"Dear Heavenly Father,

As we remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom, we think of how they have followed in the footsteps of your son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. Please hold our service men and women in your strong arms. Cover them with your sheltering grace and presence as they stand in the gap for our protection.

We also remember the families of our troops, and ask for your unique blessings to fill their homes and your peace, provision and strength to fill their lives.

May the members of our armed forces be filled with courage to face each day and may they trust in the Lord's mighty power to accomplish each task. Let our military brothers and sisters feel our love and support.

In the name of Jesus. Amen." 

In Christ, Day 3

I am the salt of the earth and light of the world -Matthew 5:13-14
I am a branch of the true vine, Jesus, a channel of His life - John 15:1,5
I have been chosen and appointed by God to bear fruit - John 15:16
I am a personal, Spirit-empowered witness of Christ's - Acts 1:8
I am a temple of God - 1 Corinthians 3:16
I am a minister of reconciliation for God - 2 Corinthians 5:17-21
I am God's coworker - 2 Corinthians 6:1
I am seated with Christ in the heavenly realm - Ephesians 2:6
I am God's workmanship, created for good works - Ephesians 2:10
I may approach God with freedom and confidence - Ephesians 3:12
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me - Philippians 4:13

Praise the Lord that we are these things because of what he did for us!

In Christ, Day 2

I am free from condemnation - Romans 8:1-2
I am assured that all things work together for good - Romans 8:28
I am free from any condemning charges against me - Romans 8:31-34
I cannot be separated from the love of God - Romans 8:35-39
I have been established, anointed and sealed by God - 2 Corinthians 1:21-22
I am confident that the good work God has begun in me will be perfected - Philippians 1:6
I am a citizen of heaven - Philippians 3:20
I am hidden with Christ in God - Colossians 3:3
I have not been given a spirit of fear but of power, love, and discipline - 2 Timothy 1:7
I can find grace and mercy to help in time of need - Hebrews 4:16
I am born of God and the evil one cannot touch me - 1 John 5:18

In Christ

What each of us is in Christ....

I am God's child - John 1:12
I am Christ's friend - John 15:5
I have been justified - Romans 5:1
I am united with the Lord, and I am one spirit with Him - 1 Corinthians 6:17
I have been bought with a price. I belong to God - 1 Corinthians 12:27
I am a saint, a holy one - Ephesians 1:1
I have been adopted as God's child - Ephesians 1:5
I have direct access to God through the Holy Spirit - Ephesians 2:18
I have been redeemed and forgiven of all my sins - Colossians 1:14
I am complete in Christ - Colossians 2:10

I am not the great "I am," but by the grace of God I am who I am.

30 weeks.

Thank the Lord for the last thirty weeks. 

• the truth 
• the lessons 
• the leadership 
• the fellowship

Thank him for how it meant to you and please pray for the transition to Saturday nights. 

Prayer for Healing

Lord, watch over our nation and world tonight. Be with the sick and let us pray for their healing. Thank you for your healing powers. For those that are suffering, we pray for their comfort and we know your will be done in their lives.

"And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." James 5:15-16

Jonah's Prayer

Taken from Metro Bible Study. Check it out here http://www.prestonwoodmetro.org/ 

¹ From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the LORD his God. ² He said:
       "In my distress I called to the LORD, and he answered me.
       From the depths of the grave I called for help,
       and you listened to my cry.

³ You hurled me into the deep, into the very heart of the seas,
       and the currents swirled about me;
       all your waves and breakers swept over me.

⁴ I said, 'I have been banished from your sight;
       yet I will look again toward your holy temple.'

⁵ The engulfing waters threatened me, the deep surrounded me;
       seaweed was wrapped around my head.

⁶ To the roots of the mountains I sank down; the earth beneath barred me in forever.
       But you brought my life up from the pit, O LORD my God.

⁷ "When my life was ebbing away, I remembered you, LORD,
       and my prayer rose to you, to your holy temple.

⁸ "Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs.

⁹ But I, with a song of thanksgiving, will sacrifice to you.
       What I have vowed I will make good. Salvation comes from the LORD."

¹⁰ And the LORD commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.

Supplications & Praises

Current Prayer Requests: 

Jacalyn's aunt is having a sleep study done this week to determine if she has sleep apnea. Pray that the doctor's can determine what is wrong. 

Jacalyn finds out what are the next steps for her ankle (if surgery is necessary). Pray that surgery is not necessary but she can find relief from the pain. 

A family friend of the Cook family died recently and left 5 children with their mom. Please pray for comfort and hope for this family & the Cook family.  

Sarah's family friend , Jim Emmert was recently hospitalized with a blood clot in his lung. His wife died late last year after a long battle with cancer and since then he has been diagnosed with a tumor behind his eye. Pray for quick healing. 

Please pray for Nikki's grandma as she faces surgery this week to remove tumors from breast cancer. Pray for Nikki and her mom as they remain strong pillars for their beloved mom & grandma. 

Continue to pray for Nikki's back and her healing and relief from the chronic pain. 

Praise:  

Amanda Sawyer is a proud auntie! Her brother & sister-in-law just welcomed a new baby boy to the family! Congrats Sawyers! 

Farewell Boston.

As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by failing to pray for you. 

first samuel twelve: twenty-three 

Pray that as the Young Singles in Boston leave, the people and the city of Boston will stay on their hearts & minds, and in their prayers. 

Boston Mission Trip

Hey Catalyst!

Sorry for the lack of updates! Here is today's day in the prayer guide for the Boston Mission Trip. Please pray for our fellow classmates, Jeff Briggs, Matt Gallia, Josh Steckel, and Lindsey Steckel and the other young singles, as they serve the city of Boston & Hope Fellowship Church.

Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous works among all the peoples! For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised (Psalm 96: 3-4)

Pray for the seeds that will be planted through Servant Evangelism. Pray they would land on good soil. Pray that they would have a heart for the lost and that spiritual conversations would take place because of their service.

All together now.

I will bless the LORD at all times;
his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My soul makes its boast in the LORD;
let the humble hear and be glad.
Oh, magnify the LORD with me,
and let us exalt his name together!

psalm thirty-four: one - three.

Let's pray that the young singles have praise and worship continually at the tip of their tongues. May we all exalt his name together. May we be a light to all those around us together. May we praise him together.

David's Prayer

I'm not trying to get my way in the world's way.
I'm trying to get your way, your Word's way.
I'm staying on your trail; I'm putting one foot
In front of the other. I'm not giving up.

psalm seventeen: four and five
the message

Prayer for our nation.

Let us pray.
Almighty God, our Father, everything we see and everything we can’t see exists because of you alone. It all comes from you. It all belongs to you. It all exists for your glory.
History is your story. The Scripture tells us, “Hear O Israel, the Lord is our God. The Lord is One.” And you are the compassionate and merciful one. And you are loving to everyone you have made.

Now, today, we rejoice not only in America’s peaceful transfer of power for the 44th time. We celebrate a hingepoint of history with the inauguration of our first African American president of the United States. We are so grateful to live in this land, a land of unequaled possibility, where the son of an African immigrant can rise to the highest level of our leadership. And we know today that Dr. King and a great cloud of witnesses are shouting in heaven.

Give to our new President, Barack Obama, the wisdom to lead us with humility, the courage to lead us with integrity, the compassion to lead us with generosity. Bless and protect him, his family, Vice President Biden, the cabinet, and every one of our freely elected leaders.

Help us, O God, to remember that we are Americans, united not by race, or religion, or blood, but to our commitment to freedom and justice for all. When we focus on ourselves, when we fight each other, when we forget you, forgive us. When we presume that our greatness and our prosperity is ours alone, forgive us. When we fail to treat our fellow human beings and all the earth with the respect that they deserve, forgive us. And as we face these difficult days ahead, may we have a new birth of clarity in our aims, responsibility in our actions, humility in our approaches, and civility in our attitudes, even when we differ.

Help us to share, to serve and to seek the common good of all. May all people of goodwill today join together to work for a more just, a more healthy and a more prosperous nation and a peaceful planet. And may we never forget that one day all nations and all people will stand accountable before you. We now commit our new president and his wife, Michelle and his daughters, Malia and Sasha, into your loving care.

I humbly ask this in the name of the one who changed my life, Yeshua, Isa, Jesus [Spanish pronunciation], Jesus, who taught us to pray:

“Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."

Rick Warren's Invocation at President Obama's Inaguration.

Plans.

My whole life I've been preoccupied with plans; making plans, re-evaluating plans, changing plans, sticking to the plan. I don't know about ya'll but I've always had a plan for every stage of my life. I've always try to have a plan to guide my way and to reference where I am going. A noble goal or extravagant task to complete. However, lately I've been constantly reminded about the insignificance of my plan and how it keeps God's plan out of the equation. 

"If we are attempting to do noble or difficult things, we assume that we must be experiencing the maximum potential for our lives and that God must, therefore, be pleased with us. Until we have heard from God, we cannot imagine all that our lives could become or all that God could accomplish through us." Henry and Richard Blackaby 

Lord, I pray that we remind ourselves of God's big picture and that we have limited imagination compared to God. I pray we are able to follow God's direction and be witness to things so powerful that they can only be explained by God working in our lives.

"Now to him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us." Ephesians 3:20 

Happy New Year!

To me, the New Year always brings mixed feelings and emotions-excitement about the things to to come, anxiety about the future, thankfulness for God's blessings in my life, regrets about the last year-the list could go on and on... In 2009, I pray that Catalyst could grow inward and outward. Lord, let us be Christian brothers and sisters, lifting one another up in prayer. Lord, let us also be witnesses and disciples for you, sharing your love and blessings with the world.

In 2009, I pray that everyone in this class be showered with blessings and remember the words to this old hymn:
I am weak but Thou art strong, Jesus keep me from all wrong;
I'll be satisfied as long, As I walk let me walk close to Thee!
Just a closer walk with Thee, Grant it Jesus, is my plea
Daily walking close to Thee, Let if be dear Lord, Let it be.

I would also like to add a special prayer request that has been on my heart since Friday evening, a prayer for the Romph family. They are members of my church back home in Missouri and I used to babysit for their older children. On Friday night, their 5 year-old daughter, Margaret, was in a horrific car accident that has left her paralyzed from the neck down and if she lives, she will be on a ventilator for the rest of her life. I ask that you all could lift her and her family up in your prayers, especially her older sister, Erin, who was driving the car at the time of the accident. There are thousands of people across the nation praying for her recovery, but she could always use a few more :) You may read about her-and see her precious pictures-on her website: www.caringbridge.org/visit/margaretromph Thank you all!

Blessings in the new year!

"Evening and morning and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud; and he shall hear my voice." Psalm 55:17

Our God is...Merciful

I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity.  I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD" and you forgave the guilt of my sin. Psalm 32:5 

"I know the plans I have for you." declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11 

[The Lord] said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weakness, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 2 Corinthians 12:9 

The God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast. 1 Peter 5:10  

Lord, thank you for your mercy. Thank you that when I acknowledge my sin and don't cover it up, but confess it, you forgive the guilt of my sin. Thank you for your plans for the future & your hope. Please help me to forgive others like you have forgiven me. Amen.