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Tuesday, March 2, 2010

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::truth::

Go Find Your Desolate Place

“Life comes at you fast”, says a recent string of commercials. That tagline resonates because we all feel it. It’s called stress.

Stress isn’t just when bad things happen. Even “good stress” can have adverse effects. Stress knocks us off our groove. Stress can even knock us off our mission.

At the height of Jesus’ popularity and “success” in ministry he does something unexpected: “he would withdraw to desolate places and pray”. The eternal Son of God felt the need to retreat from his ongoing mission to reset, re-mission, and reconnect with the father.

May I suggest we need this even more! So how do we go to a “desolate place”? Here’s some questions to guide us:

What is a desolate place? A place of solitude: No distractions. A lean vs. luxurious place. (the Laz-E-Boy is probably not it!)

Why go to a desolate place? To reset and recharge with the Father, to hear the Father’s voice, to sense the Father’s love, to get instruction.

What do you bring to a desolate place? Not much so travel light, even fasting. But bring the bread of life: the Bible.., and a notebook!

How do you get to a desolate place? It won’t come to you! You have to deliberately go. And it may take some time to get there. But The gospel must bring you, so be led by the Spirit. You have to set aside a specific time and place.

Where is your desolate place? Someplace quiet, void of distractions and interruptions. It could be a room, a path, a place. Any sacred space.

When is your desolate place? Jesus set aside deliberate time – special time. Jesus also had ongoing communion with the Father. So set aside a specific time, but also redeem the moments of your day.

And remember: it’s only good if you are on mission! Only when you are advancing do you need to periodically retreat. So get “on mission” with Jesus, and he will take you with him to that “desolate place”!

The well wisher of your soul’s happiness,

Pastor Tom

::prayer::

Julie V.: Please pray for Tatiana that the doctor will be able to find what’s wrong with her eyes at her appointment with a second retina specialist on Wed. March 3^rd. She’s having headaches now too. Also keep praying for my father, Julian, to be free of anxiety.

Milt M.: Please pray for Carolyn’s mom, Joyce, as she has knee replacement surgery on Monday, March 1^st. It is a little complicated in that she is in her late 70’s and has a heart condition,. Carolyn will be with her parents through March 9^th – pray that she will be God’s hands and feet for mom and dad!

Tom M.: Praise – Sue is on the mend. Thank you for your prayers as she suffered with flu.

Deb T.: Please pray that with God’s blessings the bread sells – people taste it, like it and buy it. Pray that Deb continues to feel better.

Michelle R.: Please pray for my students. We have 1 week left before FCAT.

Nancy W.: Pray for needs in our family. Pray for Janna: health & career options. Renewal in my life – faith and hope.

::community::

Daybreak Devotions at the YMCA:

“A Sacred Space in an Active Place”

10 Minutes to start your day with God

Quiet and contemplative

A time to Focus, Listen, and Respond to God

A mini-monastic retreat

Wednesdays:

6:30 AM in the Group Exercise Studio (GES)

8:55 AM in the “Chapel” behind the “Spinning Room”

Men’s Group! Conversation and encouragement this Wednesday night at Tom McCoy’s home at 7:00 PM. We’ll be looking at Chip Ingram’s “The Invisible War: What Every Believer Needs to Know about Satan, Demons, and Spiritual Warfare.” And don’t come just because you need it. Come because we need you! New Gate Access code: 54008

Women’s Bible Study: “Lord, Change My Attitude”, by James MacDonald. Thursdays at 6:45 pm at the home of Tricia Phillips.

M-Con 2010! This year’s Missions Conference is set for April 8-11. From time to time between now and then, we will be asking for prayer for the conference. Would you please take a moment right now and pray for those planning the conference. Please pray that God would be in control and lead exactly as He wishes regarding the details of this event.

Matthew’s Hope: We are watching the weather carefully as cold weather (below 39) is Forecast for later this week. Some reports have Winter Garden Temps dipping below 39 beginning Wednesday. If you can volunteer at the Freeze Warning Shelter during this time or can serve in some other way, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Karen Gowing by email at matthewshopeministries@yahoo.com or by calling the Matthews Hope Hot Line at 407.461.2625. If you can assist us as an Overnight Overseer, please contact Larry Black at lblack2666@aol.com asap
Also, please visit www.nextcommunitychurch.com and check out the updated Matthews Hope Needs List located under the Happenings Tab where you will find the Matthews Hope Page. We can still use more Socks and Men’s Pullover & Pocketed T-Shirts in particular.
Lastly, if you have an interest in Volunteering on Tuesdays at the Matthews Hope House Trailer beginning at the end of the month, please let Karen know as well.

Sunday Servants!

· Set–up: Jim Phillips

· Nursery: Linn Capice

· Snacks: TBA

· Prayer: John Kelly

::mission::

Outreach Idea of the Week! Hobby with Non-Christians. Pick a hobby that you can share. Get out and do something you enjoy with others. Try city league sports or local rowing and cycling teams. Share your hobby by teaching lessons, such as sewing, piano, knitting, or tennis lessons. Be prayerful. Be intentional. Be winsome. Have fun. Be yourself.

Tim & Janice Greenfield (Mexico) – Pray for the women’s Bible Study, it is going well and they have had 24 ladies in attendance! Pray they will grow in their Christian walk.

Toby & Kiersten Hull (Home assignment from Burkina Faso) – Pray for Toby as he continues his conference tours and for Kiersten as she remains behind with the children. Pray for the region of Kenedougou, for new believers, that they will remain steadfast.