Thursday, July 28, 2005

It's a Birthday...!

Dear Heavenly Father,

Today is the day...! Thank You Jesus for this much anticipated day...! Today Monica and I are pleased to accept a great gift... The birth of our son: Elijah Arno~Christian Chadwell. What an awesome day today is...! By the way, today is our 25 month wedding anniversary, too...!

Father God, I just pray for Monica that she deliver smoothly (and quickly). I know that all will go according to Your Perfect Plan for Elijah. Lord, I am just so humbled by this experience. Bringing a new life into the world is something that I never ever dreamed I would be a part of. I'm both terrified and euphoric at the same time. You are truly such an awesome God...!

I love You, Lord. I most definitely offer this day up to You, Jesus.

In Your Holy Name I Pray, Amen.

Wednesday, July 27, 2005

Prayer for Daddys...

I've been reading a good book I got at church on Father's Day. It's called the Dad in The Mirror.

So far it's been great... I highly recommend it... Two profound statements it's made so far is:

1. The Goal of a father is to disciple the heart of a child to love God and others.

2. Christianity is not about behavior modification, it's about heart transformation.

My daddy wasn't around very much as I was growing up. He was always either off working somewhere, or when he was home he mainly rested from working. Looking back on it, I think it was a very pathetic existence. I know my dad was just doing what he thought he needed to do... And he DID at least provide an existence for us. But my dad didn't have a personal relationship with the Lord. And if he had, I think he would have approached everything differently.

I don't know if he had any 'parenting goals'... I don't know if he had any goals at all. We certainly didn't have any goals as a family. Looking back, it doesn't seem that he was overly concerned with the transformation of my heart. -And I hate to be so hard on my dad. But I definitely didn't become the man I am because of my dad. It was in spite of him.

I determined at an early age that I did not want to continue the track that my parents were on.

Actually, because of the kind of childhood I had, I never really wanted to be a dad. -Until I met Monica.... Now I'm happy to be a dad. I'm looking forward to it, actually. Monica and I are going to be a great mom and dad team...!

Today I want to lift up daddys every where...

Dear Heavenly Father,

Lord, thank You for my childhood. It wasn't ideal, yet it shaped and molded me. Thank You for all the Godly influences I've had in my life. I'm so looking forward to raising Connor and Elijah to be Godly men.

Father God, I pray for myself and daddys everywhere today. Help us know you better and raise our children in your image. Lord I seek You and Your divine will for my life and the lives of my family. I lift up my sweet wife to You also, Lord. She has a big day tomorrow...!

Father I love You and I give this day to You. In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen.

Tuesday, July 26, 2005

Prayer for the Baby

Dear Heavenly Father,

The Baby is two days over due now. I just pray for patience as we eagerly anticipate the arrival of our son. Lord, I know that we are about to embark on an incredible journey with the raising of this little baby. I know there will be many trials and surprises along the way. I just pray for Your wisdom and guidance to lead Monica and I as we bring our little boy up in Your ways.

Once again Lord I thank You for this blessing. And I know that You will equip us to be the Godly parents You have called us to be. Father we know the baby will be here soon... In Your Perfect Timing, Lord. I just Pray for Your will to be done in this matter...!

In Jesus' Name I Pray,

Amen.

Friday, July 22, 2005

A Thankful Friday

God is so Good...! Last Friday many of my tennis students organized a surprise baby shower for Monica. It was so touching, it brought tears to my eyes several times... I am amazed at how God continually pours blessings down upon me.

Today I just want to try count my many blessings... I've been blessed with a loving wife and family, a comfortable house, a satisfying career, good health, and the prosperity of living in America....

Yes, I truly believe that God has shed his Grace on Me...!

Dear Heavenly Father, God, thank You for being a God of great compassion. Thank You for hearing my prayers and for lifting me up. Today I just show my gratitude to You, My King.

I love You Lord, and I lift my hands to worship You...! All I have is from You. Nothing is from my own doing. I will try to live a life worthy of Your Grace and Mercy. I truly just want to serve You and be more like You. I want to influence souls for Your Kingdom. Let me just start with one today Lord. Help me to see the opportunities before me.... Help me to make the most of them.

Father God, Thank You for the little baby that is about to enter this world. I pray for him, give thanks for him, and lift him up to You always. What a wonderful, precious gift...!

Lord Jesus, thank You for everything. Most importantly, thank you for the gift of Salvation. I am saved because of what You did on that hill so long ago...

I give this day to You, Lord. In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen.

Wednesday, July 20, 2005

Testimony Time....

Today I'm taking another day off from tennis lessons. I want to spend a little extra time in the Word this morning, hang out with my family, and just chill out. We're still waiting on the baby. By the way, for those of you who haven't heard, we've decided on the name 'Elijah'. Monica and I both liked that name very much. We wanted him to have a biblical name and Elijah was one of the greatest of the old testament prophets. I've been reading the book of Kings a lot lately because I want to well versed on the story of Elijah. I'll do a study on Kings 1 and 2 very soon...

I'm already very much looking forward to reading and sharing the bible with our little one. Monica and I are going to read him stories from the bible even while he's an infant...! Our son will definitely know the Lord at a very young age. That's so different from how I was raised...! I knew about God, but never had a personal relationship with Jesus Christ until I was in College and I feel very cheated by my parents and all the adults around me growing up. Elijah is not going to grow up in a Godless environment!

At almost 40 years of age I've known the Lord for a little over 20 years. It will be 21 years in October....! My growth and Christian walk has certainly ebbed and flowed in the past 20 years. If I had an opportunity to walk with God from when I was a little boy who knows where I'd be right now...? I don't know... But I know that God has a perfect plan for me and this is it. I'm to be a daddy and a step daddy and pass on the knowledge I have and be a coach, mentor, and a friend to Connor and Elijah. God may have a few other tasks in store for me but I believe those have got to be the greatest tasks at hand. Everything else pales in comparison.

My life has taken some dramatic turns but the more twisty it gets, then the more I just trust in God.

God is Good.

Dear Heavenly Father,

I just love You and praise You today my King...! You are an awesome God. Wondrous and Mighty...! You are Lord of my life. Every breath I will be praising Your glorious name...!

Father God, thank You for giving me life. Thank You for bringing Monica and I together. And Thank You Dear Lord, for our sweet baby Elijah...! We will cherish him and bring him up in all Your ways.

Divine Master, I'm learning to not worry so much about difficulties. You have delivered me so many times I can't even count the number of times You have reversed negative situations and consequences, Lord. I will forever Praise You, My King.

I will live my life in honor of You, Jesus. I just want to make the best possible use of this precious life You have given me. I pray that You enable me to touch many hearts and influence many souls for Your Kingdom. Keep me humble, keep me meek. I want to be kind and gentle like You, My Lord and Savior.

Father I Love You. I offer this day to You. For Your Glory, For ever and Ever, and in Jesus' name I pray, Amen...!

Tuesday, July 19, 2005

Still Waiting Patiently

No baby yet... I know that God has his perfect timing in all this so I'm not stressing over it, but I'm ready for my son to be born. Monica is too... The Doctor gave us a due date of July 24 so we're closing in on that deadline. I just want to lift up mother and son this morning in prayer.

Monica has got to be uncomfortable in her condition. So I want to pray for her comfort and rest today. And for my son... Well, I just pray for his health. I was just thinking about how I'm going to be praying for him every day for the rest of my life... That's kinda neat isn't it..?

Dear Heavenly Father,

The day and hour is drawing near when my son will be born. I am eagerly anticipating the blessed event. What an honor and privilege it is to have a part in creating another human being. I am ready to be a daddy now. I would never have said that last year. What an incredible change of heart You have brought in me....

God, You're an awesome God... Thank You Jesus for Your blessings. I have no other desire but to serve You, Lord. Today I will be the best husband, the best dad, the best coach and the best witness and disciple that You have called me to be. I will carry Your word on my heart and on my lips. I Love You, Lord.

In Jesus' Name I Pray, Amen.

Sunday, July 17, 2005

Today could be THE Day

We're still waiting on the baby....! Monica is growing increasingly more uncomfortable and you can see the baby dropping lower and lower in her stomach...! The due date is July 24 but I hope and pray that it comes sooner...!

Friday my tennis students from the home school community in the Clear Lake area threw a surprise baby shower for my wife and I...! I was overwhelmed by the amount of support and the people that showed up. Even families that haven't had lessons from me in awhile were there.... Honestly, several times I had to fight back tears of joy and happiness....

God is so good and faithful...!


Dear Heavenly Father,

Lord God I just want to praise You for Your Goodness today...! You have been so good to me. Father I just Bless you and Praise Your Holy Name...! And I lift up Monica and the baby to You this morning. My Family, my church, my friends, my career... They're all gifts from You, Lord. Blessed be Your Name!

Sweet Jesus, I ask blessings on Pastor Sal and the Metropolitan Baptist Church this morning. And I lift up churches all over Houston today, Lord. May Your word be preached and many lives be reached...!

Lastly, I pray for all those on the road today. Those who are missing church. Bless them, keep them safe.

Lord Jesus, I just Love You. I offer this day to You, Lord. I pray that I serve You in my tennis event this afternoon. I pray that others may see the You in Me. Help me to be extra kind and gentle and patient. Help me to be meek and humble. Help me to be more like You, Dear Lord.

Father God, I pray these things in Your Son Jesus' Name, Amen.

Friday, July 15, 2005

It won't be long now...

Monica went to the doctor yesterday and he reported that she was dilated one centimeter...! Now only 9 more to go... But from what I understand it won't be too much longer...

She hardly slept any last night... That concerns me. Hopefully she'll be able to sleep a little this morning or afternoon. She's got to get her rest!

Normally I take Friday just for Praise and Worship but today I feel compelled to intercede for my wife...


Dear Heavenly Father,

Oh Lord I am very grateful for my sweet wife Monica and I just offer her to You Father for healing rest. She hasn't slept well lately and is so weary. I pray to You Lord for her restoration. I pray for a speedy, healthy delivery for the baby. I pray for peace in her spirit. Lord it is with great humility that I approach You. For You are an awesome God. You are THE God. You are my Savior. You are My King.

I know that You can do all things Lord. I just ask for blessings on my wife and baby this morning. Thanks God for being an Awesome God. I love You Lord. I worship You and give You Praise. In Jesus' Name I Pray,

Amen

Thursday, July 14, 2005

Bearing One Another's Burdens

Dr Stanley has been doing a series on bearing one another's burdens. I've been contemplating that concept the past few days. As Christians we are called to help one another through trials. If we are going to try to be more like Jesus in our every day life we must bear one another's burdens. It's amazing how even when we are burdened ourselves, when we help someone else with their burden it makes our load feel lighter, too.

Jesus had compassion for the whole world. Me...? I'm a bit selfish at times. I'm not always so worried about the world. I wish I were more like Jesus.

Dear Heavenly Father,

Lord I praise You today. I lift up Your Holy Name, Jesus. My God and Savior You have been so good to me and my family. I give you the credit for all I have. It's all by Your Grace and Mercy, Dear Lord.

Father, I seek to be more like You. Help me to recognize opportunities for service and witnessing. Help me to bear others burdens and be a good steward of my time and resources. I just want to honor You Lord in every thing I do. Every step I take Lord, I pray that it be to Your Glory.

Dear Jesus as always I want to intercede today on behalf of my sweet wife Monica and unborn baby Elijah. Oh let the baby come soon Father. Monica and I are eagerly anticipating his arrival...!

Lord, I pray for my tennis students this morning. I look forward to a good lesson and pray that I touch some hearts today with positive reinforcement. Let them see the You in me this morning, Lord. Father I just give this day to You. I love You Lord. And In Your Holy Name I pray, Amen.

Wednesday, July 13, 2005

Prayer is Warfare

A good and dear friend of mine has been writing a series on prayer the last few days and he wrote a great commentary on how The Enemy really works overtime to disrupt our prayer life. I don't know about you, but I have felt under attack most every day in this regard.

I had put aside the very first part of my morning every day for some concentrated prayer time for several years now. But since the summer is here and I have had an extremely busy schedule I've just not been able to carve out this special time consistently. Oh I said I'd move my prayer time to the afternoon, but that has rarely happened. I can't seem to slow down my day enough to give God 30 minutes to an hour of uninterrupted praise and worship.

How do you think that makes God feel that I don't have enough time in my day for the creator of the universe and my personal savior...? That's Rubbish...! I've felt convicted in this regard for weeks now. I'm very grateful to my friend who reminded me how the enemy is constantly waging a war against guys like me. Not that it's not my fault at all or anything like that, but it's not entirely my fault, that's for sure. My friend reminded me that there are supernatural forces at work here. That is all the more reason to double my efforts as a prayer warrior. And to remember that when we put on God's full armor that we are invincible. We are more than conquerors. When we walk with God we walk in Victory.

I do believe that I have been given the gift of intercessory prayer but I haven't been using my gifts to the fullest this summer. Today I just pray for forgiveness, and ask for help to fight the Evil One's snares of busy-ness. I pray for discipline in my prayer life. I pray today to be the Prayer Warrior God has called me to be.

-And I pray this morning for all the dear readers of my blogs. Many of You are great prayer warriors in your own right as God has called you. I pray that the enemy will not prevail in his efforts to bring down your prayer time and your spiritual walk.

Dear Heavenly Father,

What an awesome God You are. I just amazes me how You orchestrate my life. Thank You for great friends like Glenn who publishes thoughts for the day... His commentary is truly short little nuggets of Truth that light the path for so many who walk in the dim and the darkness. Thank You for disciples like Steve who live a life of Love that is evident to all who encounter him. What a great inspiration he is to me and many others.

Lord, You always give me what I need when I need it. You are a great Provider. A Sustainer. There is no one like You, Jesus. And today I just spend a concentrated time just pondering Your Greatness. I worship You Lord and Give You the Thanks and Praise You so Richly deserve.

You are God. You are Number One. You Lord, come before all others and everything. Father, I just humbly ask that You help me manage my time better. Help me to discern what are the most important activities for my schedule. The Enemy would have me to be busy and tired 24/7 but You Lord said to come to You and You would give us rest. I need rest Dear Lord. I need You.

I heard that the body does most of it's healing when we're sleeping and at rest. Our brain functions better after a good rest. I need rest Lord. But I need You more than anything.

Father, I thank You for my blessings. I thank You for the Prayer Warriors. I Thank You for those who read my journals every day. I lift them up to You Lord. If the Enemy is giving me a hard time then I know he's at work in their lives as well. Guard them. Shield them from Evil. Bless them and their families.

Lord Jesus I Love You. I give my all to You. This day is Yours, Lord. I offer it to You. And I pray these things in Your holy name, Amen.

Tuesday, July 12, 2005

More Prayers for Monica

Monica had a very restless night last night. I just pray that she takes it easy today and gets as much rest as she can. It won't be much longer before the baby's here.

Dear Heavenly Father,

I just lift up Monica and Elijah again today. I pray for a healthy, speedy delivery. Guard Monica's rest, Lord. Keep her safe. And I just thank You from the bottom of my heart for my Awesome wife and baby. I know I am blessed beyond measure.

Father God, I know You have complete control of this situation. We should not want or be anxious for any thing. I pray for calmness and patience as we wait for the birth of Elijah. You are God. Blessed be Your Name, Jesus.

Amen.

Monday, July 11, 2005

Prayer for Monica

Today I'd like to lift up my sweet wife. She's ready to have the baby. The due date is July 24 but she said she feels like she's ready to have it any day now. She's been having lots of trouble sleeping lately and it's just generally difficult to get around with a baby in one's stomach... I've said it before and I'll say it again, I'm very grateful that guys can't get pregnant...!

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You so much for being an awesome God. Thanks for my sweet wife whom I love and cherish. Thank You Lord for our baby boy, our son...! Father I just lift Monica and Elijah up to You this morning. Keep them safe and well. Keep them comfortable. I pray that You bless Monica's sleep and her rest the next few days so that she doesn't go into the delivery room exhausted. I pray that when she does go into the delivery room that I am not too far away.

Father God, I just love You and Thank You and Praise You for my blessings. You have given me such an awesome life. I just want to live my life to the fullest in honor of you. I want to be the best husband, dad, step-dad, coach, mentor, and disciple I can be...! Lord I give this day to You. I am surrendered to you, Father.

In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen.

Friday, July 08, 2005

Thankful

I've taken a week off from Blogging. I've just had so much going on there just hasn't been any quiet time to journal. This morning I just have a few minutes and want to sing praises to my God and King.

Dear Lord,

You are so wonderful. Thank You for watching over this family and blessing us. I have such a good life and am very grateful for it. Father God, I thank You that I live in America, the greatest country on earth. You have most definitely shed Your Grace on this Land.

Jesus I just Praise You and Worship You today. I love You Lord. I give my life to You. I pray that this day my words and deeds are a blessing to Your Kingdom.

In Christ Jesus' Name I Pray, Amen.