Do Something

It's better
to do something imperfectly
than
to do nothing perfectly.

Lord, help me to
overcome my unrealistic perfectionism
without forfeiting my pursuit for excellence.
Amen.

Positive Prayers for Power-Filled Living - Robert H. Schuller

Fill Me!

O Lord, like the thirsty deer which goes
to drink from the mountain spring;
like the growing flower which turns hungrily
to the satisfying sun;
like the empty pitcher which is carried to the
fountain to be filled;
so I come, O God, knowing
that in this time of prayer
my soul will be filled
with your love and your truth.
Thank you!
Amen.

Positive Prayers for Power-Filled Living - Robert H. Schuller

Theological Term of the Day

Glory

In the Old Testament the word for "glory" is the Hebrew word   כָּבֹוד "kabowd" which carries the idea of heaviness and weight.  In the New Testament the Greek word is  δόξα "doxa" which carries the idea of opinion, judgment, estimate, spendour, brightness, etc.
It is used to speak of great honor, praise, value, wonder, and splendor.
Glory is spoken of in reference to people (Prov. 16:31) and God (Gen. 49:6; Psa. 3:3).  Glory is given by God (Psa. 84:11) and also is a manifestion of God's greatness and presence that is awesome to behold (Gen. 33:22; Exo. 40:34; Num. 14:10).

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Change

People
who never change their minds
are either perfect to begin with
or stubborn forever after.

So I'm willing, wanting, and waiting
to change into the person
you want me to be, Lord.
Amen.

Positive Prayers for Power-Filled Living - Robert H. Schuller

Theological Term of the Day

Gihon

Gihon is the name of one of the four Rivers (Pishon, Gihon, Tigris, Euphrates) in the area of Eden in which the Garden of Eden was placed in the Middle East.

"The name of the second river is Gihon; it flows around the whole land of Cush," (Gen. 2:13)

The river's location is not now known.

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Surprises

Thank you, Father, for the beautiful
surprises you are planning for me today.
So often in my life, when it looked like
the day would be dismal, depressing, and
dark, an unexpected burst of golden
sunshine exploded through a black cloud
sending inspiring shafts of warm,
beautiful sunshine into my life.
Father, it is happening now!
I can already feel the power of
your love, through Christ my Lord.
Amen.

Positive Prayers for Power-Filled Living - Robert H. Schuller

Theological Term of the Day

Gentile

Those who are not Jews. Gentiles were used by God to punish apostate Judea (Deut. 28:49; 1 Kings 8:33) and often included in blessings by God upon the Jewish people. "Gentiles" is often used biblically in reference to nations.

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Birthday Cake!!!

This year my birthday was pretty much...awesome!

Three small groups and/or Bible Studies all surprised me with cake...Monday night, Tuesday night, and on Thursday night!

Tanya (Music Director at Beneva Christian) lead a parody song called "The Do Ronn Ronn." Yvette, Kathy, and Maggie all sang and danced while the words played. During the song and dance number, a jib jab video played that was quite flattering of me doing things "Gangnam Style." (If you don't know what that is...that is probably a good thing.)

On my actual Birthday day, I woke up to find my house "forked."  I probably had it coming to me, as Melissa (my oldest sister) pointed out from the years I terrorized others with TPing and other pranks.

Later that afternoon, we had a cookout and celebrated with another cake, a strawberry tort cake that Yvette made. Sorry no pic of that cake!

 Monday Night Small Group - Thanks Beth for making the cake!

Tuesday Night Small Group - Thanks to Jon for making the cake and Tanya for decorating it! 

The Purple splotches is the "Holy Spirit." 

Thursday Music Practice - Thanks to Shane and Kathy Dresen for the Cake! 

The Forked Front Yard.

Theological Term of the Day

General Revelation

General Revelation is that revelation of God and right and wrong that is revealed from nature.  It is known by all.

• Rom. 1:18-20, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.”
• Rom. 2:14-15, “For when Gentiles who do not have the Law do instinctively the things of the Law, these, not having the Law, are a law to themselves, 15 in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness, and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them.”

General Revelation does not provide enough information for salvation because it is obscured by the sinfulness of mankind.  This is why Special Revelation is needed.

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Great Goals

Lord,

Thank you
For great goals!

Let them be my uplifting aims,
But
never let my targets
become ceilings!

Amen.

Positive Prayers for Power-Filled Living - Robert H. Schuller