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The Pastor's Pen  April 26, 2009

On last week,  we shared  several opportunities for Spiritual Growth assisting in the process of accomplishing

Spiritual Maturity.

First, we were encouraged, through the sermon, to ‘Wake Up’ and ‘Redeem The Time’.  We also noted that the general, Greek understanding of the word, redeem, means “to buy up, to buy all that can be bought, not allowing a suitable moment to pass unheeded”.  Therefore, our desire is to utilize, to the fullest, all of the time that we have available in ministry for Jesus.

Second, on this past week, we shared together in a 24-Hour Day of Prayer.  During this time of prayer we prayed for family, marriages, children, relationships, ministry and many other things.  The focal point for this time of prayer was based upon a prayer which was our theme for our Men of Valor / Women of Virtue Workshop, “Lord, challenge me, to look at me, then change me so that I may Live Love and Plant Myself In New Ground.”  We believe that God has already begun to answer the numerous prayers that were offered during this special time of prayer.

Third, on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, we shared in our Men of Valor / Women of Virtue Workshop.  During this workshop, we were challenged to pray our theme:  “Lord, challenge me, to look at me, then change me so that I may Live Love and Plant Myself In New Ground.” We believe that God has already begun to answer the prayers of the participants and we are well on our way to becoming better Men of Valor, Women of Virtue and Husbands and Wives.  We believe that healing has started to take place and God is moving us beyond what was, to what will be.  It is so easy, at times, to see the faults, failures and frailties in others.  We believe, however and more importantly, God has challenged us to begin to see the faults, failures and frailties in us.  Dr. Charles Swindol notes, I believe accurately, “Prayer does not change things.  Prayer changes me.”  May we commit to making the changes in ourselves, to position ourselves for God to work His work in us.

Through each of these opportunities and over the next month, we desire to be more intentional in our need to ‘Wake Up’ and ‘Redeem The Time’.  As God guides us on this Spiritual Journey, I pray that we open ourselves to Him and make ourselves available to His will and purpose.  I anticipate the sharing and receiving of numerous and various testimonies  regarding the demonstration of a visible manifestation of the Presence, Participation and Power of God in our Actions, Attitudes and All things pertaining to our ministry.

Pastor Childs

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