Its Friday again

Lord, it is friday again, and life seems to be flying by for my family and me. Jodi just celebrated her birthday, in Japan, 15 hours ahead of us, so i had to keep on trying to figure out if it was her birthday or not when i prayed for her. To make sure i was ok, i prayed for her before, during my devo time, on the 24th, and kept on praying until today, the 27th, just to make sure. So, LORD, will you bless JoJo? i want to remind you how much she means to me. we are working on the itinerary for our trip to Japan in march, i am afraid, that i won’t be up to the opportunity, or that i will disappoint you or her during this time. LORD, will you prepare me and Marge and Jojo’s precious friends in Japan? we will be used by you as you wish to use us.

Misty is leaving for Russia in just a few short hours, and as always, i have these conflicting emotions. She and i are so much alike, and i know i have to drive her to the brink sometimes. i said something stupid yesterday that was very hurtful to her, and even though i apologized profusely, the words are lying there. She is gracious about it, and hopefully it will be one of many anecdotes in our life to look back on someday, today i fell that she has been wronged, so close to leaving. Please, LORD, give her your grace and help during this time of getting ready to leave. Bless misty in her work for you, and she works for you in our lives too.

Matt was home for a computer swap, and as always, i am amazed by his energy, and his ability to get things organized and working well, and the kindness he shows when i know i have been trying to him as well. My kids daily teach me your love and kindness, Father. He worked all night, with only ½ hour of sleep, but was kind enough to call me to thank me for the help i gave him. One thank you like that sure goes a long way, LORD.

I guess i want to remind you LORD, that i am yours, my wife is yours, my kids are yours, and i am so thankful to you, for your grace and for letting me be a part of your kingdom. You daily affirm me, strengthen me, and humble me. i just hope you will let me grow up to be more like my kids, more like YOU today. Thank you again, LORD, for WHO you are and for all you have done for me... marvino

WWJP?

The old letters were WWJD? and they stood for the question that was asked by a generation of Christians, "what would Jesus Do?" My letters are WWJP? and they ask a new question, "Where Would Jesus Park?"

Last week, I was sitting in the parking lot, waiting for my wife to get off work. as I sat reading the last of my daily allocation of scripture, and was thinking about the words that I was reading, I came back to reality with a shock when I saw Jesus walking out of the hospital. O.K., it wasn't Jesus, but it sure looked like him, with the hair, the eyes, and the physical details (except instead of a robe, he was wearing regular work clothes).

I figured that he wasn't a doctor, even though his car was parked in the doctors section of our local hospital. How did I know? his purple ford escort was the first hint. as I stared at him, rather rudely I must say, I saw him light up a cigarette, and tilt his seat back to rest. the preacher in me goes into overdrive! I see strike three for the whole question of whether or not he is Jesus. first, he is parked in the wrong place. Would Jesus park in someone else's spot? Secondly, the purple escort, not a donkey, not a caddy, not a Buick! just a little old escort. nuff said! then, he lights up. Would Jesus smoke? I should say not!

As I sat figuring these riddles out, a real doctor came out. He had to go to the end of the lot to get into his much nicer car, and I leaned out to tell him that us guys without much hair ought to wear hats when it is snowing. He laughed and agreed. As he passed, i turned back to look as Jesus, who got out of the car, and went back into the hospital.

After this incident, i didn't feel particularly spiritual. i had wanted to believe that this man was Jesus (he could be, i guess!) and discounted him quickly for three rather shallow reasons. If i had been one of the guys here when my Savior came the first time, would i have discounted him that quickly too? Would I have asked Him to do a "trick with fish and bread" like Herod? Would i have demanded a sign like those who were given only one sign, the sign of the resurrection?

Lord, i pray that you will prepare my heart, and soften me to accept you in any way that you might come into my presence. Lord, forgive me, (of all people) for judging by apprearances- the very thing that i have often said that i won't do. LORD, i pray for the guy who looked like Jesus, that you would be formed in him and in me and in the real Doctor who came out in the snow to go home. You are the great physician, i know that you still have more work to do in me, and in those who cross my path. I LOVE YOU LORD, help me to know you when i see you, regardless of where you park.

Tonite, LORD, i will be meeting with Matt L and the guys, and we need your help. It looks like we might have two new guys, and we certainly have all of us guys who are older by one week who need your help. every day, LORD, i see you in the people around me, and every day, i pray to be more like you, and to know you better. It humbles me to know that you love me, me, just like this. thank you.

Not Wrong, Just Different

"Not wrong, just different." Lord with those four words, Lloyd starts his class for those who want to be a part of our church. He has 36 who have signed up to spend their saturday mornings for a few weeks learning to walk with you, with us here at bcc. i pray for those who will be coming to his meeting to be open to change and growth. Father, it is a blessing to speak to YOU, and it is a responsibility that i don't take lightly to speak for YOU. It is early on Saturday as i post this prayer, and i have already prayed with two different guys who both love you. Bless them and their families for their faithfulness to your work.

As Marge is getting up, will you give her rest? She works so hard for you and cares so much for those who cross her path on a daily basis. i pray for Jojo as she is getting ready for bed or is already in bed in Japan. will you give her great rest and prepare her to worship you with folks that she has grown to love. She had to tell her kids that she was leaving the school this year, LORD, give her peace, and bless her choice of a place of service. let her be loved. Misty is finishing a good but tough time of re-acquainting herself with friends and co-workers all over florida. she needs help with her one year visa, with travel mercies, and with peace to know that you hold her in your hands as well. Matt continues to bless me with his gentle ways, and his kind spirit. sometimes i wish were as kind as he is. Will you bless him today, and allow him to feel your peace? Father, you are so kind to have given me the privilege of family.

Lord, we have so many joys to share as people like Tomey who is going to Texas for a while. before going, he stopped in to let us know that he is going, and to share his joy with me. Bless him, and all of his family, and all who enter into his world the next two weeks. i know it is tough for folks to change, but this precious saint is one who has the ability to encourage those who are growing through the changes. LORD, you are our blessing, our joy, and we love you. marvino

men praying together

LORD, you always amaze me with your love and grace. thank you for the meeting of men who desire to grow with you. 13 had expressed interest, and an even dozen were able to attend. we talked about commitment and making this a high-expectation group. the more i know of your people and your work in our lives, the more i am convinced that you hold us up to higher and higher levels of excellence in order to accomplish your goals for us and in us. bcc has become a strong church because we have held those higher expectations for each other. will YOU bless us in these areas, and especially, will YOU LORD help us to fulfill these requirements for each other and for YOU.

ScrewTape men live by Rules! We want to be able to discover the answer to these two questions: "What one area of my life is most 'attackable' by Satan and his demons? What am i doing to protect myself in this area?" LORD, will you help us to discover this and LORD, will you protectus in that area?

1. We have a name which reminds us that we meet because we were chosen, and continue to meet because we are men of rules. We are called "B.I.O.S." These letters are a play on the Greek word for "life", and reminds us that we are "By Invitation Only Students."

2. We live by confidentiality... our meetings will by necessity include privileged information. So, on a daily basis, we must choose to keep ourselves from gossip and frivolous talk.

3. Lord, we will make one prayer blog entry each week and maintain daily prayer partners for the duration of our time to meet. Will you protect as we share our needs and desires for each other?

4. Weekly meet and greet will give us a chance to know each other better as we meet on a regular basis and keep our promise to show respect to each other.

5. Father, we have made a choice to have become weekly mission prayer partner , and have one sheet per day to pray for one of the missions which our church supports. I was struck by a sad thought as i read Genesis 18:32, where Abraham bargained with you LORD for Sodom. He got you to agree to spare the city, "for the sake of the ten", and when you failed to find ten, the city was destroyed. Let us continue to grow in righteousness to be some of the ten or more who live righteous lives for you.

6. LORD, will you help us to learn these verses, one per week, not just to know a verse, but to use these as resources to become more loving and confident as we walk with YOU.

a. Mark 1:35 "The next morning Jesus awoke long before daybreak and went out alone into the wilderness to pray. Later Simon and the others went out to find him." Mark 1:23-36, NLT.

b. Psalms 56: 3 & 4 “But when I am afraid, I put my trust in you. O God, I praise your word. I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me?”

c. 1John 4:4 “But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won your fight with these false prophets, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.”

d. 1 Peter 3:15 “Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if you are asked about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it. But you must do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear.”

e. Genesis 4: 6 “ ‘Why are you so angry?’ the LORD asked him. ‘Why do you look so dejected? You will be accepted if you respond in the right way. But if you refuse to respond correctly, then watch out! Sin is waiting to attack and destroy you, and you must subdue it.’ ”

f. Romans 12:1-2 “And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice--the kind he will accept. When you think of what he has done for you, is this too much to ask? Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is.”

g. 1 John 2:10-12 “Anyone who loves other Christians is living in the light and does not cause anyone to stumble. Anyone who hates a Christian brother or sister is living and walking in darkness. Such a person is lost, having been blinded by the darkness. I am writing to you, my dear children, because your sins have been forgiven because of Jesus.”

h. 1 John 4: 18 “Such love has no fear because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of judgment, and this shows that his love has not been perfected in us.”

7. Our weekly reading assignment comes from "The Screwtape Letters," by C. S. Lewis. We began with the first three letters and wish to read these to prepare for spiritual warfare together for YOU LORD. Will you speak to us through this wonderful book, and prepare our hearts and lives for the warfare that we believe we are involved in because of our choice to serve YOU, LORD?

Finally, Father, we are yours. Do with us as you will. In two short months, we will know each other better, will be equipped to love you better and walk with you more intimately, and will be better prepared to enter into this warfare called "The Christian Life." We do this because we want you to use us to spare our city and our county, "for the sake of the ten". Thank you for the trust you have invested in us. Help us to be worthy of your trust.

Lord, it is early and i want to start the day with you. You know my heart, my strengths and my weaknesses. I pray for Marge, and i thank you for her passion for your kingdom. Bless her as she sleeps, thank you for her willingness to serve you and to serve me and to serve with me. She has blessed my children and those who know her. Will you hold my three children in your hands? Lord, we took seriously the responsibility to raise our three children in your ways, and i pray for your Holy Spirit to protect them and to help them to grow. They are so different, but so alike. One of the best things you have done with me is to allow me to watch them. One just finished helping a friend in Florida with a wedding and is now having her batteries charged with friends from her support team. Another is growing by reading "War and Peace" and has grown in trusting you. Another child is a daily blessing by constant caring. When we get to visit in March, will you prepare all us to love you and show your love to others?

Father, yesterday was a tough day but a good one. i ask, will you bless those i talked to, and bless the words we shared, and remember the prayers we offered to you? Forgive me for any idle words or proud words that i have shared. LORD, will you right now bless those who crossed my path, every person who was open and honest with me? Thank you for allowing me to serve you. Will you make me more of a blessing? Help and bless those who work for your church, especially those who have been chosen to serve you at bcc. You know our hearts, and you know the sacrifices made, in time and in humility to serve you as a part of a team of workers. You also know the temptations and problems which cross our path. Forgive us if we have made light of your opportunities.

Father, i pray for all those who lead in your church. We have been blessed with elders and staff who are not perfect, but who know and love your ways, and want to honor you. When we meet this week, we will begin a new year of service and growth for you. We have many tough questions to answer over the next few years; will you give us wisdom guarded by love? Help us to find answers to problems and vision greater than our problems. We want to continue to fulfill our mission, to bring people to you, to communicate your message, and to care for all who cross our path.

Father, in a week or so i will be meeting with a few guys for study, prayer and growth. They are so different, some i know well, and some are new to my circle of caring. Will you prepare our hearts, and clear our minds so we can grow for you? I am so anxious to see how you use this time. Help us to prepare to make the best use of our time together. Help us to know what to do, how to meet, and where to meet to make this a success.

Our starting verse is Mark 1:35, “The next morning Jesus awoke long before daybreak and went out alone into the wilderness to pray.” LORD, give us a holy passion for you. We love you and want to be like Jesus.