Prayer of Thanks for 2 Years!

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You so much for 2 years of marriage to Monica...! It has been a joy and a blessing for sure. I love and cherish her so much. You have given us a great life. My Lord and Savior, You are such a great Provider. I just lift You up in thanks and praise today.

I pray that we stay in the middle of Your Will for our lives and marriage and that we give strong testimony for Your Kingdom.

Lord I love you. And I give this day to You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

On the Right Track

I'm making a concerted effort to dive in to the word this week. Oh I get bits and pieces of bible all the time listening to sermons every day, but my own discipline with reading the bible and conducting personal studies has been non existent. I want to walk as closely with the Lord as I can. How can he truly direct my path if I don't study his road map....?

Right now I'm reading and studying the book of Kings. This book contains the story of the prophet Elijah. I want to know this story forwards and backwards since we are naming our son Elijah. I'll try to have a full report for you in the next day or so. But meanwhile I encourage You my dear reader that if you are not already doing so, take some time today to study Gods' Word. Get on a disciplined bible reading plan and show God how much You love Him.

For me, I like to read before I go to bed at night so God's word is on my heart as I fall asleep. And I like to read in the morning to start my day because what better way to start one's day than by receiving guidance from the King of the Universe...? Plus, I always want to give God my best and I'm at my best physically first thing in the morning. Yes, I'm definitely a morning person...!

Dear Heavenly Father, Lord God, I just praise You and worship You My King. You are so faithful, so awesome, and so wonderful. Lord You just spoke the universe into existence. You know all things. You surely know my heart, Lord. Search me and reveal to me my errors, my faulty thinking. I just want to draw close to You, Jesus. I want to be Your devoted servant. I want my house to be a house of God. Father let my witness be strong today. Let me not miss any opportunity to let my light shine for the kingdom.

Lord, I've been hearing much about Billy Graham on the radio lately. How he's in such poor health these days. I just want to thank You for him. For his strength and courage. For his witness. I pray for his physical comfort. I pray that he continue to be faithful to the end. I thank You for his witness. He has been a tremendous inspiration to me over the years. Listening to his sermons, his videos, and reading his books have helped keep me on the right track many times. Thank You for Dr Graham and all who Shepard your flock.

Father God, I love You. I just want to live this day for You. I pray that this is a God-honoring day. I thank You for my wondrous blessings. I thank You especially for Your Word. I thank You for the precious gift of salvation made possible by Your Sacrifice.

Lord I pray today in Jesus' name,

Amen.

No Second Chances

Today Dr Charles Stanley's sermon discussed what happens to us when we die. It is appointed that a man will die once and then he goes before God to be judged. Dr Stanley denounced Purgatory in particular. He said that a belief in Purgatory is unfounded because it is not mentioned in the bible and it puts the believer in bondage. Purgatory is a false Doctrine. There is no intermediary place. Christ died for our sins so that we might have everlasting life. If We believe in Him we will be saved. If we haven't placed our trust in Him before we die then it's too late. There are no second chances. After we die we will not get in to heaven if we haven't taken care of business in our life here on earth.

It is my heart's desire to Honor God in all I do, say, and think. Many times I fall short, especially in the area of my thought life. But Dr Stanley states that Christ's death on the cross was enough to atone for all of my sins. I say Amen to that...!

Dear Heavenly Father, I thank You for the gift of everlasting life. I accept You as my Lord and Personal Savior. I want to be a witness for You, Father. I Thank You for the leadership of Great Believers like Dr Stanley. Bless his ministry Lord as he continues to touch reach the world in Your Holy Name.

Thank God It's Friday

I've been setting Fridays aside as a day to count my blessings for some time now. Although I've definitely been taking some hits with my work schedule lately and haven't got enough good sleep regularly, I will not despair. In spite of minor set backs that occur here and there I know that I am truly blessed. So I try to catch myself when I start to get negative, or begin to dwell on some negative situation. Attitude really is everything. Occasionally one needs to vent a little emotion when circumstances mount, but with God in control of Your life there's really nothing to worry about at all. I have no fear or doubt. My God will provide and my God will sustain me.

Dear Heavenly Father,

Lord I am so grateful for this life You have given me. I am most grateful for the free gift of salvation made possible by Your great sacrifice. Lord that blessing in itself is all man needs. But Praise You Lord for blessing me so much more than I need or deserve. Thank You for my calling as a Father and Mentor to Elijah and Connor. Thanks for the blessing of my sweet wife Monica. Praise You dear Lord for Judy and Arno who love me like a their own son.

I've got good health, a great career developing, three cats and a dog and a nice house...! Lord it's all because of You. I recognize that all good things come from above. So I have no petition today, Lord. I just want to walk a little closer with You today. I want to praise You with the way I live my life. I want every word that comes out of my mouth today to be edifying. I will keep all my thoughts be pure, Lord. I will dwell on the good and dismiss the negative.

I Love You and Praise You my King. In Jesus' Name I Pray, Amen.

Parenting

I'm reading a book I got at Metropolitan Baptist Church this past Sunday on Father's Day. It's really Good. It's called Dad in the Mirror. I read a similar book a couple of years ago called Man in the Mirror. Ironically, I got that book from Clear Creek Community Church on Father's Day, 2003.

I've only read the introduction and the first two chapters but I'm quite impressed with the material so far. I'm sure I'll use a lot of what I learn from that book in lessons here online.

So far it's discussed fathers like myself breaking out of the life cycle of how their dad raised them. It speaks of parenting the child's heart, not just parenting for performance. That's so crucial. But how do you train up a heart...? I could have answered that with out reading the book. It's by time well spent. It's through authentic conversation. Most of all, it's through modeling the heart you want your kids to have. It's important to be genuine. It's important to be there.

It's my task to break out of the cycle of how I was raised. I'm going to do that. Connor and Elijah are going to know love. They are going to live in an environment where there is love and respect for God and each other. That will be my legacy to them and the world.

Dear Heavenly Father,

Lord, You are wonderful. You are a mighty God. Perfect in every way. You are awesome. I am nothing without You, my King. I love You, I worship You. I give You thanks and praise.

Father, thank You for the opportunity to raise up Connor and baby Elijah. Help me to be the dad You have called me to be. I pray for these boys and lift them up to You today, Lord. I pray for their mom, too. Keep her safe and sound. Keep her free from worry. Guard her health. Guard her sleep. She needs rest, Lord. Help Connor and I to help her.

Father I just thank You for my life. I have such a blessed life. And I know that to whom much is given much is expected. I am ready and willing to serve, Lord.

I give this day to You, Lord. Season my words and actions that I may be a strong witness for Your Kingdom today. I pray these things in Jesus' Name.

Amen.

Who's Number One...?

The Bible Says to Love the Lord with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength. When God was speaking to Moses regarding the Ten Commandments the first thing he said was that He was a Jealous God and that we were to have no other Gods before Him.

My Question today is Who or What is Your God. What's most important in Your Life...? You might say it's God in Heaven. But where is the majority of Your time spent? In the pursuit of God or the pursuit of money,things, relationships, or other stuff....?

That's my struggle today. Who's number one in my life...? Rich Mullins had a lyric in one of his songs that has always stuck with me and is appropriate to today's thought. 'The stuff of this world is competing for the allegiance I owe only to the giver of all good things...'

God Must be Number One...! Everything else that we might pursue comes from God anyway...

Dear Heavenly Father, I seek You this morning, Lord. I want You to the God of My Life. My Savior Redeemer, there is nothing and no one else above You. You are my King. You are Number One. Lord God I love You. And I give this day to You, Lord. I seek every opportunity to serve You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Prayer for Today

Dear Heavenly Father,

Lord I just thank You so much for this past week. It was a long and difficult journey to be sure, but I did get through it by Your Grace. It was a very nice relaxing weekend, one that I desperately needed. I feel renewed and ready to dive into a new week of serving You to the best of my ability. Father God I just Priase Your Name today. Thank You for being my Friend. Thank You for being my Savior.

You are a Mighty God worthy of all praise and honor and glory. I pray for Your will to be done in my life, dear Lord. I pray for blessings on my sweet wife, stepson, and unborn baby. Lift up my family around the country, Lord. I pray that I be a blessing to them.

Lord, I pray that others may see the You in me today. I pray that I project a strong witness today and and everyday. Father God, I just give this day to You, Lord. And I love You.

In Your Son's Holy Name I Pray,

Amen.

Thanks and Praise

I had a tremendously busy week this week. So many projects were piled up that I worked late into the night and early into the morning most every day this past week. I typically would teach lessons most of the day, then come home and work on the computer until at least midnight and then go to bed only to get up again between 3 and 4 AM to get started on my next day.

Well, I made it to the weekend. I'm caught up on most everything and will take today off from lessons to rest up and get some things done around the house. I am so grateful to get through this past week. I spent all of my prayer time the last few days just praying for strength and endurance. Especially when I would be driving and getting drowsy I would pray for God to keep me awake. All in all, in spite of the gruelling schedule I count this past week as a very good week.

Today will be catch up day at home and then tomorrow will be a true, God-Honoring, Day of Rest!

Dear Heavenly Father,

My Lord God King Savior Redeemer, I give You all my praise and worship this morning. You are an awesome God who has delivered me through a difficult week. Thank You, Jesus. Thank You for the loving support of Monica and Connor. Thank You my Lord for good tennis programs all week long.

Father God, Thank You for my health. Praise the Lord my feet aren't hurting and my shoulder feels good. I'm losing weight and will one day soon be considered in good shape. Oh I long for that day, but until then thank You for the Grace to get from my current over-weight state to my future fit physique.

Dear Jesus thank You for blessing our finances. We don't have an abundance but we are making do with what we have and we are striving to be God Honoring in the handling of our money. God You are an awesome God...!

Lord I just thank You for all my friends. Bless them and lift the up today. Lord, Thank You for Life. Life is precious. Thank You for my life and the lives I come in contact with every day in every circumstance. I thank You for the opportunity to witness. I thank You for the Bible, Your Holy, Infallible Word and Truth.

Lord Jesus I thank You for Salvation and the Promise of Eternal Life. Father I just Love You and Praise You and Lift Your Holy Name on High.

I give this day to You Father. For Your Glory. In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen.

Honoring HIM

Dear Heavenly Father,

Lord, all I want to do is honor You. Yet I seem to fall short time and time again. I've done a miserable job of managing my schedule, lately. I just keep trying to do more than I can reasonably get done in a day. Help me to be a better steward of my time. I want to be a witness for You, Lord. I want to live a Godly Life in Your Honor. I want to live a SANE life. I want to model a Godly life for my wife and family. And that's got to be what You have in mind for me. Not this frantic, break-neck pace I've been running lately.

I need Your Grace, my King. I am nothing with out You. I Can Not accomplish a single thing under my own power. Lord, I just lean on You this morning. Help me Jesus.

I pray these things in the power of Your Holy Name, Christ my Lord, Amen.

Prayer For Strength and Endurance

Dear Heavenly Father,

Lord I'm leaning heavily on You today. This week is proving to be one of the most physically demanding I've had in some time. I just pray for Your Divine Strength and Endurance throughout the day. I pray for Your will to be done in my life.

Father God, I just seek You. I love You, Lord. And I give this day up to You for Your Glory, Through Christ My Savior,

Amen.

Vintage Christianity

Yesterday our church started a new series called Vintage Christianity. The Study was over Colossians 1:1-14 Pastor Sal spoke of being passionate about Living, Growing, and Grace. It really fired me up. Prior to church yesterday morning I was a little down emotionally. I really didn't even want to go to church, yesterday. But I'm sure glad I did...! It transformed me.

I can honestly say there's a passion in me right now. I'm ready to face a difficult, full week with enthusiasm. Whatever obstacles come my way I know God will give me Grace to carry on.

My favorite quote from Pastor Sal's sermon yesterday was this:

'We are living for Eternity. Sure, we are going to take some hits here on earth. But at the end the rewards are unimaginable...!'

So today I face the world with a passion to Live my Faith. I head out the door this morning to do God's will. No matter what comes my way I will live for eternity today...!

Dear Heavenly Father,

Lord There is a fire burning in my heart today like never before. A consuming passion to live and grow in Grace, Truth, and Love. Father I know that the evil one will wage warfare against me but I put on Your Whole Armor today and every day.

I pray for the Wisdom of the Holy Spirit in my decision making today. Season my words and actions to be salt and light to this dark lost world. I pray that my witness be strong today. I will be in a position of great influence to many today. Let them see the You in Me, Jesus.

Father I present my family to You today, as well. Bless them. Protect them. Draw them closer to You, Gentle Father. I lift up my sweet wife today, Lord. And my unborn baby, Elijah. And my stepson Connor. Father God I pray blessings on Judy and Arno, and Stanley, Becky, and John. May Your Grace and Mercy be theirs.

I offer this day to You my King. In Jesus' Name I Pray, Amen.

Prayer for Saint Peter Lutheran in Bay City

Today I want to pray for Saint Peter Lutheran Church in Bay City Texas. When I was growing up in Bay City my family lived at 1910 Peach Street. Right across the street was St Peter Lutheran. We lived at 1910 Peach for 6 or 7 years and during that time we never really had any interaction with that church. That's too bad, because thinking back on it, they always seemed to have something going on...

I wish that someone from the church would have taken time to knock on our door and visit with my family. Perhaps they did and my mom sent them away. I'll never know for sure. But at any rate, for some reason I awakened this morning with that church on my heart to pray for them.

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thanks for another Day Of Rest, my King. I honor You today, this morning Lord. I give this first hour of my awaken-ness to You. I give You the first part, the Best part of my Day, Jesus.

I want to lift up the tiny little Lutheran church in Bay City today, Lord. Bless their sermon today. I lift up the Pastor, his family, and the congregation to You Lord. I pray You use them to witness to the surrounding neighborhood and the entire Bay City Community. Thank You Jesus for that Church.

Lord, I also ask You to lift up The Metropolitan Baptist Church this morning as we go to visit there later this morning.

I pray these things in Jesus' Name, Amen.

Lean Not on Your Own Understanding

One thing I know for sure, is that I just don't know very much. And that's a good thing. God doesn't reveal the future to us in order to keep us dependent on Him. That's why we must be praying in the Spirit at all times. -Staying Connected to Our Provider and Protector.

For instance, if we knew the future such as the end of the world, or the last day of our life, we'd probably procrastinate and live an immoral life right up until the last second and then try to ask forgiveness right before it was all over. Since we don't know our last day we must live in expectancy at all times.

The only thing I really know for sure is that I need a closer walk with Jesus.

Dear Heavenly Father,

Lord You are such an Awesome God. My God and Savior I can't imagine how I made it through my childhood years without you. I definitely couldn't make it through a day now apart from You, Jesus. Lord I Love You. I give this day to You My King. Thank You for another day to grow in You and make a difference in this world.

Lord I pray that You would help me make the most of my opportunity today. Season my words that I may be a bold witness for You Kingdom. I lift up my family, especially my sweet wife and unborn son as they go for a doctor's appointment this morning.

Father, In Jesus' Name I pray these things, Amen.

Prayer for my Summer Program

This morning I officially start my summer program at Columbia Lakes. I'm not as organized going into the day as I would have wanted to be. But this morning I just give this summer program to my Heavenly Father and ask for a blessing that the classes I teach today will touch the hearts of the young people and they are able to see Christ in Me today. I view my job and my career as a ministry and pray for God's guidance today.

Dear Lord,

It's all about You today, Father. Everything I do today is for your Glory. Every conversation I have, every action I take, I offer it to Your Honor My Savior and King. I pray that You season the words from my mouth today like never before. I pray that I instill a love for tennis in the hearts of all who attend my classes today.

And Father, I pray that if it be Your will that you increase my attendance numbers today. And make fruitful my marketing efforts later this afternoon.

Thank You Lord for Connor. He will be with me all day on this very long day. Lift Him up and allow this to be a positive experience for Him, Lord. I thank You for Blessing our time together, Jesus. Lord I pray that You would bless My sweet wife Monica's day back home, too. Let this be a day of accomplishment for her and a day of rest, also. Protect her from herself and her tendency to work so much that she exhausts herself. Help her set a manageable pace today, dear Lord.

Father God, I want to stay plugged in to you all day today. I never want to hang up the connection we have right this minute. I pray that busy-ness does not overtake me today. I want to be in constant communion with You every passing minute. The Enemy would seek to distract me and get me off the path you have prepared but By Your Power and Grace He shall not over come Me. For I am strong in You, Christ Jesus. In You I am more than a conqueror. You are my Refuge. You are my Rock.

Blessed Redeemer, Lord of My Life, I Love You. I just Praise and Worship You today, Father. I claim Your protection and victory over Satan and his evil plans to derail my witness.

I give this day to You, Lord. In the Power of Your Holy Name, Jesus Christ, Son of God, AMEN.