Tuesday, Feb. 28th 2012

Lesson 5: How to pray?
The bible makes it clear for us to pray, but we as simple beings need a helping hand. So God gave us instructions as to the common questions of "how, when, and why?" Today we looked at Matthew 6:5-8 and also Ecclesiastes 5:2 getting some really good insight on how we should pray. Thus far we learned that prayer is not used to impress God, gain His favor, or try to convince Him to do something we think we want. Prayer is how we bring our heavenly fathers will into our lives here on earth. Please join us next week as we search further in his word to discover, "How to pray?"

Did you Know..?

 Did you know….  that God protects those he loves? There are a lot of people that know it but dont believe it. I'm saying this because many people who say that they are God’s children run into serious problems but forget to call on God first. Here is a story about the children of Israel and how they came to know firsthand the protection that God can offer. It's found in the 10^th chapter of Joshua. After Israel finally made it into the promised land the surrounding tribes were afraid because of the stories of how God watches over them and the things that he does with and for them had reached their ears. The kings were so afraid that they wanted to kill the Israelites. One king wanted to so badly that he rallied up 4 other kings and their armies to fight against the Israelites. There were so many that came against them that Joshua had to ask God to keep the sun from setting (Joshua 10:13 - And the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, until the nation took vengeance on their enemies ... it was about a whole day). Before they went out to fight God comforted them saying do not be afraid for I have already delivered them into your hands. Not only did the 5 kings end up with the feet of the Israelites on their necks (literally, see verse 24) but God rained down stones from heaven killing more enemy troops than the entire Israelite army had done. This to me is a true testament to Gods word when he tells us to rejoice in the mist of the storm, because in the end  the victory is the Lords. "If God be for us, who can stand against us?"

Team Angel

Team Angel

Angel is HOME!!!!!!!! We will be staying in isolation and getting him stronger until transplant. Docs hope he has some time.

Ash Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Today Charlotte and I went to a noon service at Community Christian Church on Main street here in Kansas City. We are wearing the ash smudge from 26 years of Ash Wednesdays' there at Community.

Community Christian Church

Since you are supposed to wear the smudge until it wears off we are fielding some questions (always a good thing). To be honest I didn't know that much about Ash Wednesday but I did get an email from someone who can explain it far better than I can.  Here's the link to the post What Lent Really Means

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Another wonderful day of meeting together.

Carol brought us some handouts that were inspiring and full of wisdom. We finished up Lesson 4 (John 15:1-10) and next week we will move onto Lesson 5.

Angel

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Team-Angel/222567347803759 This is how to get to his Facebook page.

If you want to read more, and see more photo's of Angel, and his struggle. I came across this blog entry. He's a cutie and a fighter!
http://mmhughie.blogspot.com/search/label/Angel%20Perrenoud

Please remember he and his family in your prayers.

"Did You Know..?"

"Did You Know..?"

.… The Israelites only knew God as the God of their fathers Abraham, Isaac  and Jacob because they lived 400(+) years in the land of Egypt? Moses introduced God to them as “I am” but as time went on they came to know Him by other names, based on their experiences with Him. But of all the names told from generation to generation I believe “Jehova-Rohi” (which means The Lord is my Shepherd) was the most popular. It illustrates best how the Lord “Protected” them (while in Egypt and in the wilderness), “Provided” for them (both food or “mana from heaven” and water “which at times poured out of solid rock”). It shows how He (the Shepherd) also "Directed/Lead" his people ( the sheep) through the wilderness (as a pillar of cloud by day and as a pillar of fire by night). Most importantly it shows how he takes care for his people just as a shepherd takes care of his flock. These stories can be found beginning at Exodus 3 thru the book of Deuteronomy. Be blessed, and keep reading.

Tuesday, February 14

Our study today was about how the Bible is our absolute authority. The first verse was 2 Peter 1:20-21. We also discussed how the Bible is our daily link to God.

Someone asked how we can gain authority - how we can know? The answer is in our lesson today. The way we know is by immersing ourselves in His Word and asking prayerfully for His wisdom and then applying His word in our daily life.

John 1:1 - In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

John 1:14 - And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

"Did You Know..?"



"Did You Know..?"

 Did you know that, it was only 2 years since the Children of Israel were delivered from Egypt when they arrived at the promised land. But in those two years God’s wrath was kindled against them ten times and two of those times God wanted to kill them all and make a nation from Moses. However Moses prayed for the Israelites to be spared so that the promise that was made to Abraham, Isaac & Jacob could be fulfilled. The reason they had to spend 40 years wondering is this. When they arrived, twelve men were sent to scout the land of Canaan, 10 of the 12 were afraid and gave a report to the people saying that they would die if they tied to take the land. Caleb and Joshua felt otherwise because they saw what the Lord had done for them thus far. At that moment God declared that all the men 20yrs and older would not see the promised land, except for Joshua and Caleb, along with Moses and Aaron (who later lost that right, because of their lack of faith). As far as the men that gave the bad report stirring up the people, they died by plague before the Lord. Finally they were forced to wonder the wilderness for 40 years. (Numbers 13)

We, along with Angel's family would appreciate your prayers.

Angel and his family go to our church.  Angel is 12 years old and has had serious health problems for years but is now in grave condition.  Angel's liver is failing along with other serious health issues.  

Angel is an amazing kid, and has an amazing story. 

Both his 'adoptive' parents, Nick and Sarah are nurses, and actually met Angel when he was very little ... in foster care, and was a patient in the hospital where they both work.  Nick and Sarah were also very young ... early 20's and newly married.  But, they both had such a heart for this little boy that they not only stepped in and became Angel's caregivers but eventually adopted Angel as their own, knowing the long term health issues Angel had ahead of him.

Over the past five years, Nick and Sarah decided to have children of their own so have a son, Hudson, and a daughter, Haven.  Nick and Sarah are such a sweet couple.  And, they have and continue to be an amazing example of what it is to love 'unconditionally'.

Please pray that Angel can pull through this, and pray for strength & peace for his family.

Here is a photo of Angel well, and a photo of his brother, Hudson, sitting at his bedside ...

Thank you in advance for all your prayers,

Patty & Perrenoud Family

Tuesday, February 7

We met in the 9300 building conference room and continued in our study. Many prayer requests were offered.

East coast is putting God back in the schools.

Last week:

Florida Senate Passes Student-Led Prayer Bill

The Florida Senate passed a bill on Wednesday allowing student-led prayer or other inspirational messages at public school events

 

This week:

 

NY Senate Passes Bill to Reverse School Worship Ban

The New York Senate passed a bill Monday to reverse the New York City school district's ban on worship services at its schools. Sponsored by Sen. Martin J. Golden, (R-Brooklyn), it passed 54-7.

"Did You Know..?!"



Did You Know ..?!



..... that when God created all of the first creatures including man, they were all created from the dust of the earth? The only one that was not created from the dust of the earth was woman, for she was created from man. (Genesis 2: 19-22). The reason is plain and simple, God wanted man to see how important woman is to be to the man. So she was formed from one of his ribs, thus leaving his vital organs more exposed than any other creature to date. As it was later reiterated in Ephesians 5:25; "Husbands love your wives, even as Christ loved the church, and gave himself for it," we are to love our wives to the point of death. But that's not a bad thing because we also know that "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends (John 15:13).