Checking in

Just a note to check in with you.  Wanted to explain that the reason I didn't send a different country for us to pray for this past week and today ... is that I get it from a site that didn't update last week.... so it is still Afghanistan.  They must really need our prayers.  I was thinking also that Egypt, the furtherance of the gospel there, and safety for the missionaries, might be a good thing to add to our prayer list. 

Also wanted to remind you that Community Group meets this Friday at 7PM the Brown's home to discuss Lesson 3.  Great chapter to think about and discuss and to lift to HIM in prayer and praise.   Please let them know if you will be able to attend.

AND....  today....  Keep looking for Him in all that is around you....  even in the mundane....  the ordinary....  the hard....   He is in them all..... working to make us into the image of His Son and to give us eyes of wonder and gratitude.  "Earth's crammed with heaven, and every common bush afire with God.  But only he who sees, takes off his shoes, the rest sit round it, and pluck blackberries."   Elizabeth Barrett Browning.

Miracles

There are only two ways to live your life.  One is as if nothing is a miracle.  The other is as if everything is.
Albert Einstein      
Soooo since we know everything IS a miracle ....  life, breath, air, water, food, His creation, and  especially abundant new life in Him, etc .... Let's praise Him for the miracle of today..... whatever it brings.  
To Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. AMEN.  Eph 3:21

[Fellowship Sageworks Prayer Requests] Jane Dodd

Fellowship Sageworks Prayer Requests has posted a new item, 'Jane Dodd'

Jane needs prayer as she cares for her adult daughter, Jeanna. Jeanna had a
heart valve replacement a fw months ago and is experiencing significant problems

You may view the latest post at
http://fellowshipsageworks.com/prayer/2011/01/jane-dodd/

You received this e-mail because you asked to be notified when new updates are
posted.
Best regards,
FSAdmin
rod@amdesign.com

[Fellowship Sageworks Prayer Requests] Martha Fitzgerald

Fellowship Sageworks Prayer Requests has posted a new item, 'Martha Fitzgerald'

Martha's father, Charles Dietz, is at home with hospice care. He has wide-spread
cancer. Please pray for Martha as she ministers to her mom and dad.

You may view the latest post at
http://fellowshipsageworks.com/prayer/2011/01/martha-fitzgerald/

You received this e-mail because you asked to be notified when new updates are
posted.
Best regards,
FSAdmin
rod@amdesign.com

After Friday night I remembered a David Platt sermon that I had seen a few years ago.  I had saved it to my favorites and would listen to it occaisionally.  Jim and I listened to it and thought it might be helpful for you to see it so that you could see him and hear his heart. It is just one of 6 messages he did on what the gospel demands.   This one is on giving. The rest are available on the Brook Hills Church site.... but I am sending this one that I found on Vimeo a few years ago.  It is long and when I first listened to it I had to turn it off and pray and think before I could go on.  I told Jim just to listen to it for 15 minutes to get the flavor of the man and his message from God.  He listened for 15 minutes and then kept listening to the end.  :-) 

I talked to a lady at David Platt's church yesterday, and she said that when she heard the first message on what the gospel demands she left stunned and wasn't sure if she wanted to hear more.  :-)  Now she says that the messages have been life changing for their church.

Here is the site   http://www.vimeo.com/5833626   

Grateful for you all and our walk together in Him.

Community Group

What a great night of discussion of the book, Radical, and a precious time of prayer and praise!!!!  The book is giving us lots to think about and to take to the scriptures for verification and to our lives for application.  May God, by His Holy Spirit, work His will and purposes in each of our lives.  Praise His Name!  And, we enjoyed a second birthday celebration for Jim Brown since last night was his actual birthday.  Thanks for letting us celebrate with you. 

Now here is the calendar for the rest of the year.... subject to change, of course.  I will post the date, the home where we will be meeting, and the Chapter that we will be discussing....God willing.  The homes are not all filled in yet, but that will be taken care of as the year progresses.

Feb 4th...  at Jim/Susan Brown's... Chapter 3

Feb 18th... at Jim/Linda Smith's.... we will EAT Jim Brown's chili (and possibly some of Linda's) this night and MEET at 6:30.  We will however, still discuss the 4th Chapter of Radical and pray.

March 4th.... at Ernie/Donna Peter's  Chapter 5

March 18th.... Chapter 6

April 8th....Chapter 7

April 22nd ....  Chapter 8

May 6th.... Chapter 9

May 20....  Celebration of Grace!!!!! and end of year.

We love you all!!!

Community Group memories and plans

Friday night was a wonderful time of praise and a great time of discussion of what God was showing us as we read the book, Radical. Thank you, Susan, for encouraging us to spend the night in just praise to our God.... there was a sweet, sweet presence in that place as we praised. Our God does indeed inhabit the praises of His people. I am hoping that we can start every prayer time together with a glorious time of praise before we go one to praying for needs. He is worthy of all of our praise!

Now two of our reasons to praise were and are these two Birthday Boys below. We are grateful for you both.... so grateful. I was just thinking as I wrote this that Ernie is responsible for this blog!!! Thanks to Him and to you, Ernie!!! AND we will get another opportunity to celebrate Jim Brown when we meet yet again NEXT FRIDAY, January 21st (Jim Brown's B'day) at the city Smiths. Yes, you read that correctly. Since we had a conflict on the 28th we have moved the meeting forward a week. That means that we will be discussing Chapter 2 of Radical next Friday. Jim will send the questions to you ASAP.... but you can begin reading until then. Great book.... as it puts the Word in front of us in a pointed way. Ah..... two-edged sword that judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart. May we always let it do it's work in our lives.

Now to the pictures...... Thanks, Suzanne, for the cake and the hospitality.

Glory to His Name!!!! Blessed New Year!!!!

CG Meeting

Hope everyone survived the snow and then the cold. Don't know about you, but I'm ready for some 50 degree days.
We are meeting at Suzanne Patton's home at 7:00 PM Friday evening, the 14th. Format will be slightly different. We would like to start by 7:15 with the Radical study questions. At 8:00 we will go to prayer with our prayer focus on praise. Praising Him for who He is, what He's done, how we see Him moving, etc.; however the Spirit leads us to praise.
Please let Suzanne know if you will not be able to be there.
Jim Smith

SageWorks Meeting January 9th

The SageWorks Kick-Off meeting for January 9th 6:00 to 7:30 PM has been canceled and rescheduled for January 23rd.