Normal
0

false
false
false

EN-US
X-NONE
X-NONE

MicrosoftInternetExplorer4

/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:”Table Normal”;
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:”";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:”Calibri”,”sans-serif”;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}

::truth::

“Tom, I need to tell you something”, he said.

I must be in trouble, I thought!

I had gotten to know “Gary”, one of the regulars at “Lucky’s Lake Swim”, a few months ago. As we had built our relationship, he discovered I was a pastor (I never let on that I am a pastor too early – I like the look of surprise in people’s eyes when they find out!). Last year Gary had pulled me aside and asked me if I would pray for his business*.  He described the struggles he was having and the fear of losing everything in this economy.

I, of course, offered to pray, and did. 

Every now and again I mentioned to Gary that I was still praying and inquired how things were going. I must confess a bit of fear, lest the business continue to tank and God and my prayers got blamed!

But this morning Gary called me over. “Tom, I need to tell you something”, he said, “I just wanted to thank you for praying for me. Things are really turning the corner for my business and I am sure that is because of you and your prayers.”

I, of course, deferred the credit to God, “I’m just a middleman” I told him.

He responded, “Middlemen are what make business work!”

I thanked him for his kind words and we parted.  But I am most excited for our next conversation about Christ, now that I have banked a little spiritual capital with Gary.

I suppose the point is this: build relationships wherever you can, be up front and honest about your faith, offer to pray what people share their concerns with you, and always give the glory to Christ!

The well wisher of your soul’s happiness,

Pastor Tom

*When someone asks you to pray for them, that means what they will say next is really, really important to them. So handle it with care.

::prayer::

Sandee L:  Nichole- anxious about her next step with school.  Nichole & Jordan- keep focus on God.  Jordan may need another foot surgery.  We need to decide in about 1 week.

Eloise:  Pray for my healing from physical issue.  Pray that Trent will keep the appointment to see Nicole’s counselor and that he will put into practice any good advice he receives.  Praise:  Nicole’s medication for ADHD is helping a lot!  In fact, she made all A’s last progress report which is amazing for a child who had to repeat 1^st grade!

Lois:  please continue to pray for workers at Quisqueya Crisis Relief who will soon be looking for work.

Andria:  Praise that my brother got a second interview for a job in his field!!

Deborah T.:   Praise for God’s blessings during Erica’s finals!  Jim is seeking a new position at work.  Pray for a positive change.

Nancy W.:  Please pray for our continued needs as a family.  James will eb able to complete his high at Mid Florida Tech Tuesday (a good thing!).  Pray for God’s healing touch for Janna who is still sick with laryngitis and a sinus infection. And Stephen with inflamed tonsils!

Pray for Wendy in Cambodia working with RDI.  Pray for good health, protection and empowerment to do God’s work!

::community::

What are you doing to build community? Who are you going to connect with, outside of “church” gatherings? Do it!

The Prodigal God – a Church-Wide Spiritual Adventure

·         Message series Sunday 10:30 AM!

·         Men’s Group – Wednesday nights at 7PM at Tom McCoy’s home.

·         Women’s group – Thursday nights at 6:45 PM Tricia Phillip’s

·         Pick up a book for weekly reading

Church Picnic!  Saturday, May 29th at the Phillip’s "Beach" on Lake Butler. Be there!

Pastor Tom at Mepkin Abbey: Pastor Tom will be on a spiritual retreat Monday, May 24^th through Friday, May 28^th at Mepkin Abbey in South Carolina. Many thanks for your prayers for him!

::mission::

Get to know your neighbors / listen for their needs. To be human is to be poor. Or in other words, everyone has needs. The challenge of suburbia is that there are many more ways to conceal that poverty, and similarly that it will take more effort to get into a position where a neighbor can reveal their needs. Be intentional about building relationships. Share meals, play poker, have block parties, whatever it takes.

Mike & Sue Farho (Tunisia) – Pray for the Farho’s and the growth of the Sousse Church, that many more new believers will be added to their numbers.  Pray for those in the area that have respiratory issues due to the volcanic ash.

Wendy Andrew (Cambodia) – Continue to pray for Wendy, for her health and safety.  She has been traveling around to various villages assisting with testing the water supply. Please also pray for her conversations with Mak, a monk and the next door Wat (temple).

view email in browser | unsubscribe | update your profile | forward to a friend