Trusting in HIM...

My wife and I have been through some perilous times together. We've weathered many a storm. At times discouragement has tried to have it's way with us. But Thank God that we have each other because we always prop each other up and encourage each other.

(And) THROUGH CHRIST, we have always triumphed over our difficulties.

Today's journal post is more of a testimony than anything else. This morning I just want to publicly proclaim what my Lord and Savior means to me and has done for me.

God is REAL.... God is GOOD.... God LISTENS.....

...And a strand of three cords is not easily broken...


Dear Heavenly Father,

Lord God I praise You and lift You up. You are an Awesome God. You have taken a poor wretch like me and made me a brand new creation. Lord, You have blessed me with an awesome friend, lover, and helpmate in my sweet wife Monica. You have given Monica and I the blessings of Elijah and Connor.

YOU have given us a wonderful life and a great opportunity to impact those around us for You, Jesus...! Oh Praise You, Lord...! Praise you my Savior...!

Father God I turn to You this morning. I just give all my cares and concerns to You. Lord I don't want my will, but YOUR WILL be done. Lord You know my heart. You know my weaknesses. Strengthen me, my King.

Lord I am in awe of what You've done for me. I love You, Lord. And I give this day to You. Let me give a strong witness and testimony to the world today, my Lord.

I pray blessings on my tournament and all the tournament participants this morning. Bless the weather conditions and all those who are traveling a good distance to get here today.

Father God I just give these things to You and I trust You for the outcome...

And Father God, I pray these things in the power of the blood and the name of my most precious, Holy Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen.

In Need of a Little Grace

Sigh.... I've been slipping in my prayer life lately. And I happened to read an article in Discipleship Journal around 2 AM this morning that turned me around...

I may come back later and post a few quotes from that article, but for now let me just say that somehow, my priorities with my time management have become out of balance. I simply haven't been starting my day in prayer and quiet time with my Lord.

And the results have been disastrous....

So this morning the prodigal son returns home.

Dear Heavenly Father,

Here I am, good and gentle Savior. I am sorry to have strayed. My life is nothing without You. I need You, Lord.

Bless me dear Lord. Bless my family. I lift them up to You. I stand in the gap for them today, My King.

I love You Father, And I give this day to You. I pray these things in the name of Jesus Christ,

Amen.

Christmas Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father,

Lord I am so thankful for this Christmas. Today we celebrate the day You were born. Of course we all know this probably isn't the EXACT day You came down to the earth, but that isn't the issue. The fact we have chosen today to honor You significantly more than on other days. Lord, You truly the reason for this season...!

Father God I recognize that I have been blessed beyond measure. I have an incredible wife and two awesome sons. I live in the greatest country in the world. I have so much. Much more than I could ever have hoped for. And I have the promise of eternal life because I believe in You. And none of this would have happened if You had not come to earth in the form of a little child. Oh what a special day this is that we celebrate Your birth and the wonder of it all...

God, You are an Awesome God....! I love You, Lord. I praise You and lift You up...! You are the King of Kings and Lord of Lords forever and ever.

My Precious Savior, I pray blessings this Christmas on my family and friends. I pray blessings on my church family at FBC West Columbia. Lord I especially lift up Stanley, Becky, and John and their families.

I pray these things in the holy name of Jesus Christ,

AMEN...!

Lifting Up Greg Page

Greg Page is wearing the Yellow Jersey in this photo. He is one of the founding members of the very popular Australian children's TV show, The Wiggles.

I became acquainted The Wiggles about eight months ago when I discovered it is my son Elijah's favorite TV show. Elijah and I have spent many memorable hours watching Wiggles tapes and DVDs together.

We are all deeply saddened to hear that lead singer Greg Page was leaving the group due to health concerns. Here is a link to The Wiggles website that describes Greg's condition.

Today I just want to pray for Greg, who has been such a positive influence on young people all over the world.

I also want to lift up his family, and the rest of the Wiggles cast.

Dear Heavenly Father,

Lord I just want to thank You for Greg Page. I can only imagine that he is as kind and sweet a human being in person as his character portrays. Father God we can not always figure out and understand what You have in store for our lives. I'm sure Greg and his family are wondering.

And Lord while I have no way what so ever of knowing the condition of Greg's heart in regard to spiritual matters, I pray that if he knows You, then he is trusting and resting in You that Your perfect will is being worked out in his life. Lord, if he doesn't know You as his personal Lord and Savior I pray that he is drawn to You through this experience.

Lord, Greg means many things to many people. He is a husband, a daddy, a friend, and more.... My little boy just adores him, and that's enough to get my respect and attention. Father, I pray for healing for Greg's medical condition. Lord I ask for a miracle. I pray that his symptoms simply vanish and he return to living a normal life. You are in the miracle business, Lord. If anyone can handle this, You can.

Greg is very dear to us. Father I stand in the gap for Greg today. I pray for his family. Bless them Lord. Bless the cast and crew of the Wiggles, too.

Father God, I love You and I give this day to You. I praise You as my Lord and savior and I thank You for being a God of every generation. I thank You for being a God of miracles. I thank You for being a God that listens to and answers prayer.

Lord I thank You for what You have personally done for me, going to the cross for my sins so that I might have everlasting life.

Father God I humbly pray these things in the power of the name of Your precious son's name, Jesus Christ, Amen.

Prayer for the Men's Ministry at FBC

Dear Heavenly Father,

Lord I thank You for my many unique church experiences that have prepared me especially for a time and situation such as this. I thank You for the Godly men who share my vision and desire to disciple and minister to the men at our church and in our community.

I pray that You would lift up more men with this passion for men's ministry. Bless our efforts Lord as we seek to honor You by impacting those around us through prayer and interaction with others.

Father God I pray special blessings for Pastor Dave, Brother Mark, and Brother Ryan. Thank You for our church leaders, Lord.

I love You Jesus. You are my Lord and King. And I pray these things in Your Holy Name, Amen

Having Surgery Today... Could Use Your Prayers

Today is the day of my surgery. I am so ready for this procedure. My knee has been in constant pain for a couple of weeks now. I'm looking forward to getting it fixed so I can be healthy again and start exercising more and I can finally get back into a healthier shape...!

This past month has been difficult. Coupled with my knee condition, I've been dealing with some 'family' issues regarding my brothers and sister which has been particularly draining.

We've also been dealing with a few financial issues due to some unforeseen expenses like repairing Monica's computer and some unexpected medical costs. Not being able to work my full schedule due my knee condition hasn't helped finances. There's even been some degree of stress at church lately. And of course, we've all been taking turns getting sick every few weeks...

Satan has not missed this opportunity to try to discourage and distract me during this time of trial. But thankfully I have a brave, strong wife who has been covering me in prayer constantly. And I have a God who loves me perfectly and will not let me fall. Please join me in prayer today that my surgery goes well and is completely successful. Pray for my Doctor, Dr Stephen DeYoung and his staff. Pray for my wife and baby Elijah who will be hanging out in Sugarland all day today while I have this procedure performed.

Divine Master, My Lord and King, My Sweet Heavenly Father,

Lord I stand strong in You today. Hold me up. Lift me up. Guard and protect me from the storms that rage around me. Shield and shelter my family too, Lord.

Father God, I totally, humbly surrender to You this morning. Let there be not an ounce of pride within me. Strip away everything in my life that is unpleasing to You. It is my one desire to honor You in everything I do, say, and even think. Holding my thoughts captive is the most difficult thing to do, Father. Oh how I am plagued by negative thoughts at times. Help me with that, dear Jesus.

But Lord I give all these difficulties, all these problems, all these concerns... I give them all to You and lay them at your feet.

I love You Jesus. You are my God. Thank You Father for my blessings. Thank you for my life. I pray this morning as I do every morning and at all times in the power of Jesus Name, Amen.

Prayer for Today

Dear Heavenly Father,

Lord I surrender this day to You. I know if I keep running around trying to get things accomplished under my own power then very little will get done. I awakened early this morning just to make sure I got to spend a little extra time with you, and to start my day off getting centered and focused on what is really important: My personal relationship with You, my King.

Father God, I Love You. You are number one in my life. I wouldn't have anything if it weren't for Your tremendous generosity. Thank You Lord, Thank You Jesus...!

Lord God You know about the big burden I'm shouldering right now. (You know all things, my King.) Father, I just give that burden to You. There are obviously demonic forces at work here and I need You and I stand in Your protection.

I will not be discouraged. You are my rock and my fortress. You are my strong tower and my shelter. I run to You, I cling to You, Lord. No weapon formed against me shall prosper as long as I stand strong in You, Lord.

Lord this morning I pray blessings on my family. Bless my sweet wife, baby, and stepson. Guard them and protect them today. I lift them up to you Oh King of Kings.

Lord I pray blessings on my Brothers Stan and John, and my sister Becky. Bless them and their families. I pray especially that they would know the peace and joy of a personal relationship with You.

Lord I pray also for Monica's parents as they are preparing to drive cross country to visit us for Your birthday. I lift them up to You, Lord.

Of course Lord I lift up the pastoral staff at First Baptist Church West Columbia. I lift up the choir, praise and drama teams, and everyone behind the scenes of our Christmas musical. I pray that our production will honor You in every way, Jesus and bring glory to Your kingdom by winning some souls this weekend.

Lord, there are so many other situations and people I could pray for this morning. There are too many to list this morning in the time I have but Lord You know my intentions and my heart. I pray blessings upon all the unspoken requests.

Lord I claim victory in You this morning. I praise Your name, Jehovah...! And it is in the power of Your sweet, sweet name I pray, Amen.

Prayer for the Week

Dear Heavenly Father,

Lord I surrender to You. There are many things going on in my life that I really do not have any control over. I can't control how people will respond to things I say, do and write. I can certainly be as careful as I can to not offend anyone but it is impossible to control another individuals perspective.

And I can't control difficulties that might pop up in my life but I can control how I respond to them.

Lord, I will not be discouraged. I have faith in You. Satan may wage all kinds of spiritual warfare against me but I know You will sustain me. We will have troubles in this world but were not to worry because you have overcome the world. You are in control of every outcome.

Father God I love You. I give my life to You. Help me to respond to all adversity in a Godly way.

Help me to be patient and forgiving. Bless my family oh Lord. And I pray a special blessing over my brothers Stan and John, and my sis Becky.

Thank You God for being Bigger than all my problems and always listening to my prayers.

I pray these things in Jesus' name, Amen.

Prayer for Our Sunday Service

Dear Heavenly Father,

Lord I lift up Pastor Dave this morning in anticipation of his sermon for the Sunday service at First Baptist West Columbia today.

Father God, I pray a special anointing upon him. Bless the words that come out of his mouth this morning. I pray that his words are your words this morning and that his message reaches many ears.

Lord please bless Brother Mark and the Praise Team this morning. Let our voices be a sweet, sweet sound to Your ears.

My King I pray that You bless me and prepare my heart for worship this morning, too. I need You Jesus... We all need You.

I lift up our musical production to You also. I pray for a splendid rehearsal this afternoon.

Father God I have a few unspoken prayer requests as well. You know what they are Lord. I just lay it all at Your feet, Jesus. I surrender all to You.

I Love You Lord, and I pray these things in Jesus' name, Amen.

Prayer for the Christmas Musical

Today I lift up the choir, praise team, drama, and technical arts department of First Baptist West Columbia. We're preparing for our Christmas production which is now officially one week away. I pray that all our parts come together, the drama runs smoothly, and all the technical support go well throughout the coming week.

Dear Heavenly Father,

Lord I thank you for the privilege and blessing to be a part of the Christmas program at church. I thank you for Mark and Pam's leadership. Bless them, Lord. And Father I ask blessings upon our efforts this next week.

I pray that the Christmas production is a success and that lives are forever impacted because of it. And Father God, please work on my heart and the hearts of our ensemble. Work on my heart especially. I don't think my heart is in the right place to give You full glory right now, and I suspect others around me are in the same situation. Lord I want everything I do to be pleasing to You. And I know my brothers and sisters in the choir and on the praise team share this sentiment.

Bless us, Dear Lord. Guard Us. Protect Us.

Brother Mark explained to us last night that we are struggling a bit because Satan does not want us to complete our mission successfully. And what's our mission...? It's to witness and win souls, of course. I hadn't seen it from that perspective, but I know he's correct. -Of course he is...! Sometimes we just get so caught up in the process of accomplishing something that we lose track of why we are doing it in the first place. Thank You Lord for Brother Mark to keep us focused on the reason we do what we do. -It's for YOU and YOUR Glory, Jesus!

I really feel that we are under a severe spiritual attack. ...And that MUST mean that our production REALLY WILL change a life (or two) this Christmas.

Hmmm.... Perhaps it's already changing mine...

Father God, I love You. I give this day to You. I praise You Jesus in the Highest...!
I pray a hedge of protection around our Christmas production today and I pray this morning in the power of Your Precious Holy Name, Amen.