Good Stuff: Links

Here are three links I've run upon recently that I wanted to share.

This one is by my friend Dana: a great quote from Bonhoeffer on church growth.

I think this is awesome, though I wouldn't want to have to do the body scanner thing to get to show it off...

Here's a neat list of 31 different specific ways to pray for your children. I copied and pasted it into Word so I could print it out for my nightstand.

I hope you enjoy!

Back Again...

That was quite an abrupt ending last time! Sorry! Thankfully, Annesley is back to her funny little self, and whatever was causing her fever is gone.

I won't be taking the time to finish sharing what I've been reading about anger right now, but to request prayers from you all.

Go here to learn about our friends Heather and Michael's frightening news about their baby, and please pray for that family and for little Laura.

Unanswered Prayer

I'm sitting here finishing my hot Miracle-Whip and cheddar cheese sandwich (hey--it's no weirder than pickles and ice cream!) and I came across this amazing quote from C.J. Mahaney. If any of you regularly look at challies.com, you may have already seen it, but I thought it was well worth re-posting here.

"I want to celebrate unanswered prayer. I want to ... thank God for all the prayers I have prayed sinfully motivated, that the Saviour hasn't answered. I want to thank God that he is sovereign, not sentimental. I want to thank God for all the times when ... I have approached the Saviour demanding that he do for me whatever I ask, ... that the Saviour's response was not simply, “You don't know what you are asking”, but that he withheld an answer to that prayer. I am grateful to God for unanswered prayers.

Here's a question, though: how do you respond to unanswered prayer? I believe how we respond to unanswered prayer normally reveals our motive and ultimately reveals the purpose of our prayers. If I encounter someone who is bitterly declaring, “I have prayed ... and the Lord hasn't provided”, that is usually the voice of someone who wants to use God ... rather than serve him for his glory. I find unanswered prayer purifies my motive, and often alters the very content of my prayer as well."

This quote comes from the sermon found here.

Before I Turn In

Ahhh...Another day almost gone. Since I've been getting up to walk with my friend Michelle every morning at 5:30, I should be heading to bed soon...but I feel like rambling a bit, first.

I sampled some good eats at the Lenexa Spinach Festival on Saturday, and one of the things I snacked on was beer bread. I remember my Mom making this stuff when I was a kids, and forgot how good it is. So, Keely and I went directly to the store Saturday afternoon to buy self-rising flour and a six-pack of Bud. I felt kindof funny buying it, not because I think alcohol is evil, but just because I never do buy it...it even feels funny cracking them open to bake with them, while the kids are running around me. Funny, huh? It's like I am picturing in my head what I must look like: barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen holding an open container. Anyway, it sure is good. And for any of you concerned, the alcohol bakes out. ;)

Last night we met with our new church group, and it was good to begin reading through the book of Acts together and beginning our study of the first century church. Please pray for us, if you think of it, as we begin this journey. We are excited and not sure what to expect. Just trusting God to lead us and direct our steps. Also, though I don't feel that I should go into detail, please, please pray for our current church. We are working through some issues and desperately need reconciliation and forgiveness, all around. I know it has to grieve the Lord when there is fighting among brothers in the church. And what must unbelievers think? "By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13:35

A Man in Need

Someone sent this email to me today. It's a good reminder:

"Try to imagine yourself in this man's shoes, being verbally assaulted with hatred and venom on a daily basis at his job.

Try to imagine if you did the very best you knew how to do, and STILL, you were despised and hated without reason. How would you feel? How would you be able to function on a daily basis at your job? How would you feel every time you went out in public, knowing that people despised you and there was nothing you could do to change their minds?"

http://www.udata.com/users/byrd/pray.htm