Faces of Children: Prayer Requests

Faces of Children is an ecumenical prayer ministry under the auspices of First Presbyterian Church of Midland, Texas. Our mission is to initiate ministries of prayer for children in churches, communities, and neighborhoods. In doing so, we seek to provide an opportunity for people of God to join together, learn about children and their needs throughout the world, and celebrate Christ's love (especially as it relates to children).

Prayer Concerns for the week of 02/18/09

Australia
• Please be in prayer for children and families affected by the bushfires that have claimed the lives of more than 170 people and destroyed some rural communities in southern Australia.
• Pray for those who have lost relatives and friends, homes, schools, and businesses in the wildfires that have plagued the state of Victoria.
A report from the BBC

Iraq
• Give thanks to God for the relatively violence-free election day late last month that allowed Iraqi citizens to vote for local representatives. Pray that peace and political stability will become the norm in this war torn nation, and not the exception.
• Please continue to pray for the children of Iraq who have witnessed so much violence. Pray for children who are desensitized to death and destruction. Please pray for all children in war torn areas.
• Pray for children who have witnessed the deaths of parents, siblings, family members, friends or neighbors. Pray for those who struggle with psychological disorders as a result of this kind of trauma. Pray they will have access to counseling and therapists to help them cope.
• Pray for orphaned children and for those who have been abandoned by parents unable to provide for them any longer. Pray they will have a safe place in which to grow, compassionate caregivers and hope for a brighter future.
• Pray that the children of Iraq may have access to food, medical care, and education.
A report from the New York Times

Kenya (CURE International)
• Pray for the disabled children receiving treatment at the CURE International Hospital in Kenya and for the medical staff and caregivers there. Please also pray for 16-year-old Dominic and for these girls: 10-year-old Susan, 10-year-old Teresiah, 13-year-old Jackline and 15-year-old Caroline.

North Korea
• Please continue to pray for the children of North Korea who are abused, used and neglected in appalling ways. The government of North Korea has one of the worst human rights records in the world, according to the European Union, the U.S. and other groups.
• Pray for children who are arrested and put into detention centers because their parents or relatives have been imprisoned first. The North Korean regime often practices guilt by association to maintain control. Please keep these children in prayer as they are forced to work, deprived of an education, and deprived of their freedom.
• Pray for children who have no access to education in this destitute state. A Seoul-based human rights organization says the school system is failing in the North and that has led to increased illiteracy and higher dropout rates.
• Please pray for children who are forced to work on farms, at factories, or scavenge for materials to be used by the military or local authorities.
• Pray for children in poorer areas who are deprived of much needed international food aid. Teachers, who are supposed to distribute the food, often sell it to the children or to local merchants. Part of the food aid is also diverted to children of the privileged class.
A report from alertnet.org

Pakistan
• Please keep the staff and volunteers of Christ Children Evangelism (CCE) in prayer as they minister to the children of Pakistan.
• Give thanks to God for their successful children's Christmas rally last December.
• Please pray that God will provide for the children with whom CCE works and also provide the resources this ministry needs to be effective ambassadors of Jesus Christ in a predominately Muslim country.

Faces of Children
• Please continue to pray that more churches and individuals will join with the ministry of Faces of Children in spreading awareness about children in crisis and inviting more people to pray for children at risk.

God Issues Today: "Acorns, Pickups and Submarines"

Author, educator and commentator Dr. James Denison has been pastor of Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas since June, 1998. Prior to that, he was pastor at churches in Atlanta, Georgia, as well as Midland (at First Baptist) and Mansfield, Texas.

Chicken Little thought the sky was falling because an acorn fell on her head. Wonder what she would think of the fireball that streaked across the Texas sky last Sunday.

People in this part of the world are still debating the nature of the occurrence. A fallen airplane was the first fear, sending police in a helicopter to look for a crash sight. We were then told that it might be debris from the satellites that collided over Siberia last Tuesday. The FAA even warned pilots to watch out for more of the same over the weekend. But then we were told that the debris belt, 500 miles above the Earth, could not have fallen this soon.

This morning we're hearing that the fireball was most likely a natural occurrence. Today's Dallas Morning News quotes an observatory manager who thinks it was a meteor the size of a pickup truck with the consistency of a chunk of concrete. I knew pickups were everywhere in Texas, but I didn't expect to see one fall from the sky.

If she read today's news, Chicken Little would be as frightened of the seas as the skies. This morning's New York Times tells us that two nuclear submarines collided while submerged on operational patrols in the Atlantic early this month. British and French defense ministries made the disclosure yesterday. Both vessels were damaged but returned safely to their home ports with their 250 crew members uninjured. Since both subs carry nuclear reactors and 16 ballistic missiles with nuclear warheads, we're glad to hear that there was "no compromise to nuclear safety." Makes you wonder what else is swimming around out there.

Years ago, a friend assured me that "just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they're not after you." There's your devotional thought for the day. As I write this morning's essay, I'm worried about finishing on time and then getting my other work done for the day. I'm not thinking about truck-sized meteors falling on my head or nuclear subs colliding in the Gulf of Mexico. And that's for the best. We can spend our day worrying about the bad that might happen and miss all the good that does.

Scripture assures us that "God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind" (2 Timothy 1:7, NKJV). What is your greatest fear today? Name it and give it to your Father right now. Know that you are in his hand (John 10:28), and that nothing can come to you without coming first to him. "Fear knocked—faith answered, and there was no one there." What's knocking at your door this morning?

Reminder: Workshop on "Helping Young People Cope with Transition, Loss"

First Presbyterian Church of Midland presents a workshop for parents of children and youth. It's called "Helping Support Our Kids with Transition and Loss," and it's presented by Vicki Jay, Director of Rays of Hope Children's Grief Centre.

The workshop takes place Wednesday night, February 18, from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. in the Koinonia Room at First Prez. Admission to the workshop is free. You may also consider joining us for dinner beforehand, from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. in Lynn Fellowship Hall. Dinner is $7 for adults, and $5 for children up to 12 years-of-age.

For more information contact Mary Beth Anton at mba62@suddenlink.net or call 684-7821.

God Issues Today: "No Man Ought to Looke a Geuen Hors in the Mouth"

Author, educator and commentator Dr. James Denison has been pastor of Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas since June, 1998. Prior to that, he was pastor at churches in Atlanta, Georgia, as well as Midland (at First Baptist) and Mansfield, Texas.

So advised John Heywood in 1546. Apparently you can tell how old a horse is by checking its teeth, though I have no expertise on the subject to share. But we get the drift—when someone gives you something, be grateful.

Take [Monday's] holiday, for example. If you're out of school or off work for "President's Day" you may not care why, but here's the story. "Washington's Birthday" was the first federal holiday to honor an American citizen. For years we actually observed his birthday on his birthday (February 22). But that made too much sense, so Congress enacted the Uniform Monday Holiday Act in 1971, shifting the day to the third Monday in February. Since it is usually adjacent to February 12, Lincoln's birthday, the two now must cohabit the same holiday and we call it "President's Day."

As a result, if you're ever elected president you get your own holiday (so long as you're willing to share with your presidential colleagues). William Henry Harrison (February 9) and Ronald Reagan (February 6) were born close enough to President's Day to merit consideration. But the four presidents following Mr. Reagan are nowhere in the ballpark, being born on June 12, August 19, July 6, and August 4 respectively. Mr. Obama has been president for less than a month, yet he gets to join the party. I'm sure he's grateful.

So is Matt Kenseth, your Daytona 500 champion for 2009. Today's New York Times tells us that Mr. Kenseth, winless last year, cried as he was awarded NASCAR's most coveted title. He had just taken the lead when a rainstorm forced an end to the race with 48 of the 200 laps still to go. Bad luck for most was good luck for one.

What was the last gift you received but didn't really deserve? Janet and I were honored last night by Park Cities Baptist Church upon the conclusion of our ten years of ministry with this great congregation. Very kind things were said and done, all of which were more gracious than deserved. Today we start our new ministry, beginning the Center for Informed Faith and serving Texas Baptist churches as Theologian in Residence. I will continue writing GodIssues Today, of course, and am excited about new additions to this Internet ministry. But this morning I am also overcome by a sense of gratitude for a church family which has been so kind to our family.

So it is with grace. Someone acronymized (is that a word?) "GRACE" as "God's Riches At Christ's Expense." You are loved this moment by the Lord of the universe. You can do nothing to earn or lose his love for you. Have you thanked him yet for grace?

Reports From Lulwanda: January '09

Every month, Lulwanda Administrator Edward Mukiibi provides an update on Lulwanda Children's Home in Uganda – how the children are growing and learning, how the staff is developing, and any ongoing needs that may arise.

January, 2009
"Our God has been most gracious as He continues to do marvelous things for us. He has protected us provided for our needs and our children continue under His grace to grow. We thank all of you for being part of the transformation that is currently taking place in Uganda. Thank you for standing with us this far and we trust that you will continue to be available for us as your utmost reward awaits in Heaven some day."

CLICK HERE to read the rest of his January 2009 report.
CLICK HERE to visit the December 2008 photo gallery.

West Texas Mission Opportunities:Invitation to Prayer

Faces of Children is an ecumenical prayer ministry under the auspices of First Presbyterian Church of Midland, Texas. Our mission is to initiate ministries of prayer for children in churches, communities, and neighborhoods. In doing so, we seek to provide an opportunity for people of God to join together, learn about children and their needs throughout the world, and celebrate Christ's love (especially as it relates to children).

A message from Chris Laufer, Coordinator, Faces of Children

On Wednesday, February 18, 2009, we will meet to pray for children at 11:30 a.m. in the Bride’s room at First Presbyterian Church, Midland. Please join us for this designated time of prayer and then for fellowship and lunch ($5) afterwards.

If you have prayer concerns or celebrations about children at risk, please send them to me at claufer@facesofchildren.net. Thank you so much for praying for the children of our community and world!

May the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you always,

Chris

God Issues Today: "Paraskavedekatriaphobia"

Author, educator and commentator Dr. James Denison has been pastor of Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas since June, 1998. Prior to that, he was pastor at churches in Atlanta, Georgia, as well as Midland (at First Baptist!) and Mansfield, Texas.

"The God of the universe loves you, no matter the day and date," Dr. Denison writes in today's post at God Issues.

Partners Blogcast: "The Reality on the Ground in an Active War Zone"

Steve and Oddny Gumaer started Partners Relief & Development in response to the needs of refugees and displaced people from Burma. This blog is meant to be a more personal stream of conversation than newsletters allow for. The opinions expressed here may not be those of Partners Relief & Development.

The Reality on the Ground in an Active War Zone

By a Partners Relief Team Leader - "The village I will sleep in tonight has been attacked many times by the Burma Army, twice in recent times. In April 2006, regime soldiers came and displaced hundreds of villagers, stole their possessions, and burned down many homes. There are three bullet holes in the bamboo walls of the house next to where I sleep."

"Today I visited a family in a nearby village. When a warning came from the defense army (KNU) that Burma Army forces were approaching, the father, Swe Htoo Ley (not his real name), quickly gathered his two children, his pregnant wife, and his bed ridden mother, and rushed to hide in a bamboo thicket. From this sheltered hide site less than a mile away they watched the smoke from their burning home-along with nine of their neighbors homes-billow into the sky. This was the second time the Burma Army burned down their home and the third time they came and stole all their possessions."

"Swe Htoo Ley's brother-in-law was killed in the attack, leaving behind his toddler, a one-week-old infant, and a destitute widow still recovering from child birth."

"The victims of the war in Burma are largely humble rice farmers who live earthy and wholesome lives while they raise their families and work the land their ancestors worked before their time. You may ask like I did, "Why does this happen to rice farmers living in the mountains of a remote region?" The short answer is simple: they were born in Karen State, where the Burma Army wants total control of all natural resources and to dominate or destroy the ethnic population who are obstacles to this end."

"I left an offering of money behind with the family and prayed for them. They asked me to please visit them again one day and with a bright grin they gave me their finest chicken as a gift."

"While I walked away, I felt sad that such good hearted and peace loving people are living within mortar range of a Burma Army camp, one of the most brutal regimes on earth. I reminded myself that these people matter and are valuable to God, like my own family, and that I bear a moral responsibility towards them as a son of God who subscribes to the greatest commandment. What does it mean to love the displaced people of Burma as I love myself? What does it mean to do for them what I would want them to do for me?"

"These are my reflections as I switch off the flashlight on another day. This is why I am here with the people of Burma today."

"Your prayerful support enables Partners to help tens of thousands of people like Swe Htoo Ley. Please lift my team and I up to God as we visit and minister to displaced populations. Thank you for being here with me. Thank you for doing your part to live the golden rule.”

Your Brother,
A Partners Relief Team Leader

God Issues Today: "Hockey Pucks and Holy Days"

Author, educator and commentator Dr. James Denison has been pastor of Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas since June, 1998. Prior to that, he was pastor at churches in Atlanta, Georgia, as well as Midland (at First Baptist!) and Mansfield, Texas.

Last night I went to a fight and a hockey game broke out. Some dear friends invited Janet and me to the Dallas Stars game, where we sat on the first row, next to the plexiglass walls which protected us from flying pucks and players. Unfortunately, there were more fights (two) than goals (one, for the bad guys). The good news is that a puck was launched over the wall, where an usher retrieved it and gave it to me. I'm now the only Baptist preacher I know with a used hockey puck for his prized paperweight.

Good things sometimes come in surprising places. Today's Dallas Morning News tells us that a man in Florida robbed a gas station but forgot to fill up before fleeing the scene. When police began looking for him, a newspaper carrier told them that a man in a car matching the one from the robbery had run out of gas nearby. The man was arrested soon thereafter, and charged with robbery with a weapon and loitering/prowling. I wonder if he can be convicted of stupidity as well.

Bad things turn out well more often than we realize. My old laptop became so slow and its battery so decrepit that I had to do something; now I cannot imagine life without the machine on which I'm typing today's essay. I talked yesterday with a Cuban pastor who is one of my best friends on earth; he told me that when the government refused his request to purchase television air time, he began recording outreach CDs for church members to play in their homes. Now they're seeing more people coming to Christ through these home groups than they've ever reached before.

If you're like most of us, you're dealing today with some issues you wish were very different than they are. You're facing economic challenges or health concerns or family stress; you're worried about the future or dealing with guilt from the past. But God is in the business of transformation and redemption. He is fond of speaking to renegade shepherds through burning bushes and frightened sailors on the Sea of Galilee and marauding Pharisees on the road to Damascus. John saw his best friend and Lord in all his heavenly glory only when he was first shipped to Patmos.

It is impossible to predict the future significance of present faithfulness. And it is always too soon to give up on God. King David knew something about the grace of God, and promised us that "weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning" (Psalm 30:5). God transforms all he touches, and makes hard days into holy days.

Why did you need that reminder today?

Michael Frost on Being the Missional Church

Australian missiologist Michael Frost talks about what it means to be the missional church, addressing the Presbyterian Global Fellowship Conference in Houston, Texas.

Faces of Children: Prayer Requests

Faces of Children is an ecumenical prayer ministry under the auspices of First Presbyterian Church of Midland, Texas. Our mission is to initiate ministries of prayer for children in churches, communities, and neighborhoods. In doing so, we seek to provide an opportunity for people of God to join together, learn about children and their needs throughout the world, and celebrate Christ's love (especially as it relates to children).

Prayer Concerns for the week of 02/11/09

China
• Please continue to pray for the children of China who are born with physical or mental disabilities. Because of China's "One Child" policy, society sees little wrong with discarding handicapped or disabled children.
• Thank God for the underground house churches that rescue throwaways and provide them with secure homes. Pray for the members of these churches as they struggle to care for unwanted children.
• Pray that God will provide for the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of China's throwaway children. May they come to know they are beloved children of God and that God will never discard them.

Malawi / United States
• Give thanks for "God's astounding grace, mercy and provision" regarding the successful five year partnership between First Congregational Church of Hopkinton, Massachusetts and Mbobo Mtonga village in Malawi and for the safe return of all the FCCH mission team members despite snowstorms and airplane problems.
• Praise God for answering so many prayers about the children and people of Mbobo Mtonga. They seem to be doing very well and have become quite self-sufficient.
• Please continue to pray for the many children sponsored by members of the Hopkinton church through World Vision. (This will continue even though the official relationship between the village and the church is over.)
• Thanks be to God for the new grain storage building and the abundance of maize collected there for the winter. One of the Hopkinton team members shared in a recent email that, "Mbobo Mtonga will never be hungry again."
A report from First Congregational Church, Hopkinton

Pakistan (Presbyterian Education Board)
• Give thanks to God for 17-year-old Meshezebel's successful surgery last week. Doctors had planned to spend eight hours in surgery, but it took them just four hours to remove her brain tumor. The PEB director emailed and said Meshezebel's doctors were amazed at how quickly they were able to remove the tumor and that she needed much less blood than expected during the operation. The director praised God for this answer to prayer and also expresses her gratitude to all of the Faces of Children intercessors who lifted Meshezebel in prayer. "Please thank each and every one for their prayers. Your prayer request (the Faces list) came exactly on the same day and time when she was in hospital for her surgery," wrote the director.
• Please continue to pray for Meshezebel's complete recovery from this surgery and that she will know the grace and peace of Jesus Christ each day.

United States
• Pray that God will put healing arms around 8-month-old Amonnie who is being evaluated for a liver transplant. At only 15 pounds, she is struggling to stay healthy this winter. Amonnie also has bronchitis and fluid in her lungs. Please pray for her family as they care for her during this stressful, anxious time. And pray for the medical personnel who are treating Amonnie now.
• Please keep the leaders and volunteers of Pishon Family Ministry in prayer as they prepare five separate mission teams to go to Asia this summer. Pray that God will guide them as they provide training for the leaders of underground ministries, lead a camp for orphans, and provide medical care for these children.

Zimbabwe / South Africa
• Please keep vulnerable Zimbabwean children and women who have crossed into South Africa in prayer. In an effort to escape grinding poverty and a rapidly spreading cholera epidemic in their home country, Zimbabwean children and women are entering South Africa in record numbers.
• Pray for the children and women who have been preyed upon by border thieves, swindlers, and rapists.
• Pray for unaccompanied Zimbabwean children (mostly boys) who are living on the streets of South African border communities. Pray for the girls who are quickly snatched up by "men who turn them into women."
• Please pray for God's healing Spirit to descend on Zimbabwe and mend this hurting nation.
A report from the New York Times

Faces of Children
• Please continue to pray that more churches and individuals will join with the ministry of Faces of Children in spreading awareness about children in crisis and inviting more people to pray for children at risk.

God Issues Today: "Dancing In the Rain"

Author, educator and commentator Dr. James Denison has been pastor of Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas since June, 1998. Prior to that, he was pastor at churches in Atlanta, Georgia, as well as Midland (at First Baptist!) and Mansfield, Texas.

I'm writing today's essay on Tuesday evening, as I have an early breakfast meeting Wednesday morning. Just as I sat down to work on the devotional, the power went out. Tornado warning sirens began blazing. Janet dug out our weather radio, and we sat in our closet listening to reporters describe hail and severe thunderstorms blasting through the area. Fortunately I work with a MacBook and have another two hours of battery and a wireless card to connect (slowly) to the Internet. Neither rain nor sleet nor snow nor hail will deter us from another essay.

Unfortunately, I have no idea if power will be restored in time for our server to send this to you in the morning, so I'll write in faith. If you don't like the weather in Texas, wait five minutes and it will change.

Storms are part of life on this fallen planet. However, God seems more than willing to use squalls and weather to teach significant lessons. The first rainfall in human history was the Flood and its judgment on sin. Jonah made a quick U-turn after an incident involving a storm and a fish. Jesus used a sudden squall to impress his divinity on his skeptical disciples. Paul weathered a hurricane to show Roman sailors the power and grace of his God.

One of my favorite promises in Scripture is given to us for the storms of life: "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior" (Isaiah 43:2-3).

When we're in a storm, we quickly realize how powerless we are and how much we need the power of God. There are no atheists in foxholes, as the soldier's saying goes. If you're like most of us, there are sirens sounding somewhere in your soul today. You're dealing with the temptations and tests, discouragement and doubt that are part of the human condition. When the squalls hit, it's a good time to turn to your Lord for the help and hope, peace and joy that he alone can give.

Janet recently hung a plaque on our bedroom wall; its words seem appropriate as I finish today's essay: "Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass.it's about learning to dance in the rain." Your Father is ready to lead-are you willing to follow?

Reminder: Workshop on "Helping Young People Cope with Transition, Loss"

First Presbyterian Church of Midland presents a workshop for parents of children and youth. It's called "Helping Support Our Kids with Transition and Loss," and it's presented by Vicki Jay, Director of Rays of Hope Children's Grief Centre.

The workshop takes place over two nights, Wednesdays, February 11 & 18, from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. in the Koinonia Room at First Prez. Admission to the workshop is free. You may also consider joining us for dinner beforehand, from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. in Lynn Fellowship Hall. Dinner is $7 for adultsm and $5 for children up to 12 years-of-age.

For more information contact Mary Beth Anton at mba62@suddenlink.net or call 684-7821.

God Issues Today: "Skeletons In the Soul"

Author, educator and commentator Dr. James Denison has been pastor of Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas since June, 1998. Prior to that, he was pastor at churches in Atlanta, Georgia, as well as Midland (at First Baptist!) and Mansfield, Texas.

History is hard to rewrite. President Obama's prime-time news conference last night warned us that "a failure to act will only deepen this crisis," a quote which summarizes coverage in today's New York Times. He asserted that history would judge us more harshly for doing nothing about the economy than for passing imperfect legislation. When the present becomes the past, it can no longer determine the future.

Hindsight is always 20/20, Billy Wilder claimed, but foresight rarely is. Baseball's Alex Rodriguez will forever be linked to the steroids admission he made yesterday to ESPN. I'm guessing he wishes he had made a different choice when he had a choice to make. Today's Times reports that at least one of the deadly Australia wildfires was set by an arsonist. You can't bring back the dead or unburn a forest.

When I ask you about regrets in your life, what springs to mind? The problem with skeletons in the closet is that they don't want to stay there. We find them rattling through the hallways and bedrooms of our souls, years after we locked them away. A guiltless human is an oxymoron. It's hard to find a significant figure in the Bible who doesn't have a past they'd rather I not preach about this Sunday.

But guilt is not of God. He forgives all that his people confess and then "remembers their sins no more" (Jeremiah 31:34). Jesus was courageous in exposing and condemning the sins which polluted his nation and corrupted their worship. But he was quick to forgive and receive all who came to him in honest repentance. God hates the sin but loves the sinner, the way an oncologist hates her husband's colon cancer but loves her patient.

So what do we do with the guilt which followed you to your computer this morning? First, name it as specifically as possible. Write it down, honestly and bluntly. Complete the sentence, "I'm feeling guilty because . . ." Second, determine what sin led to this guilt, and confess it completely and honestly to God. Claim his promise to forgive your sin and to cleanse you from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).

Third, expect guilt to return. When God refuses to punish us for our failures, we punish ourselves. We torture ourselves long enough to feel that we've earned the right to be forgiven. So don't be surprised when guilt arrives soon after confession is claimed. Last, take guilt to grace. Every time it returns, remember your confession and claim God's love. Do it 100 times today and 90 tomorrow, but eventually grace will win and guilt will leave. You can't change your past, but God can forgive it. Why not start today?

Midland Group: Chinese Human Rights Lawyer Taken by Police; Whereabouts Unknown

The China Aid Association is a non-profit Christian organization - based in Midland, Texas - with a mission to uncover and reveal the truth about religious persecution in China, focusing especially on the unofficial church. They do this, they explain in their website, by exposing the abuses, encouraging the abused and equipping the saints to advance the kingdom of God throughout China.

Chinese Human Rights Lawyer Taken by Police; Whereabouts Unknown

Issued by ChinaAid, February, 2009 ...

SHAANXI, CHINA – In his latest open letter, world-renowned Chinese Christian human rights lawyer Mr. Gao Zhisheng, revealed the shocking details of the severe torture he suffered. In his letter, Mr. Gao recorded that, after sending an open letter to members of the U.S. Congress, he was kidnapped on September 21, 2007 and for more than 50 days. ChinaAid learned that Gao, who was nominated for the 2008 Nobel Peace Prize, was forcibly taken from his hometown in Shaanxi province early in the morning on February 4 by a dozen police officers. Currently, his whereabouts are unknown.
Read the Rest of the Report from ChinaAid

Christian Released From Prison; Open Letter Reveals Torture

Issued by ChinaAid, Februuary, 2009 ...

BEIJING, CHINA – Shuang Shuying, 79, was released from prison and went immediately to see her dying husband, Hua Zaichen, 91, in the hospital. She sent an open letter to ChinaAid revealing how she was tortured in prison and thanking those around the world for their prayers and support.
Read the Rest of the Report from ChinaAid

West Texas Mission Opportunities:Invitation to Prayer

Faces of Children is an ecumenical prayer ministry under the auspices of First Presbyterian Church of Midland, Texas. Our mission is to initiate ministries of prayer for children in churches, communities, and neighborhoods. In doing so, we seek to provide an opportunity for people of God to join together, learn about children and their needs throughout the world, and celebrate Christ's love (especially as it relates to children).

A message from Chris Laufer, Coordinator, Faces of Children

"When we think about prayer, we usually regard it as one of the many things we do to live a full and mature Christian life. If we are fervent in our conviction that prayer is important, we might even be willing to give a whole hour to prayer every day, or a whole day every month, or a whole week every year. Thus prayer becomes a part, a very important part, of our life."

"But when the apostle Paul speaks about prayer, he uses a very different language. He does not speak about prayer as a part of life, but as all of life. He does not mention prayer as something we should not forget, but claims it is our ongoing concern. He does not exhort his readers to pray once in a while, regularly, or often' but without hesitation admonishes them to pray constantly, unceasingly, without interruption. Paul does not ask us to spend some of every day in prayer. No, Paul is much more radical. He asks us to pray day and night, in joy and in sorrow, at work and at play, without intermissions or breaks. For Paul, praying is like breathing. It cannot be interrupted without mortal danger.” Clowning in Rome by Henri J.M. Nouwen

This coming Wednesday, February 11, 2009, we will meet to pray for children at risk at 11:30 a.m. in the Bride's room at First Presbyterian Church, Midland. I hope you are able to join us for prayer and then stay for lunch ($5) and fellowship.

Thank you for your compassion for the children of our community and our world. Thank you for lifting them before God in prayer. If you would like to share prayer celebrations or concerns about children or those who care for them, please send them to me at claufer@facesofchildren.net or give me a call. Thank you for your prayers for the children of the world!

May the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you always,

Chris

God Issues Today: "Feeling Old"

Author, educator and commentator Dr. James Denison has been pastor of Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas since June, 1998. Prior to that, he was pastor at churches in Atlanta, Georgia, as well as Midland (at First Baptist!) and Mansfield, Texas.

Jesus is going to come back on a Monday morning, because he promised to return in an "hour when ye think not" (Luke 12:40, KJV). For me, this morning qualifies. I sneezed and coughed my way through my sermon yesterday and through last night as well. In between medicine-induced naps, however, I did watch enough of the Grammys to feel better about myself. Robert Plant, former lead singer of Led Zeppelin and now 60 years old, won album of the year for "Raising Sand," his collaboration with Alison Krauss. If Mr. Plant can beat a room full of musicians half his age, I can write this essay.

Age is just a number, they say. ("They" are probably really old.) Some of the most significant figures in biblical history were rather advanced in years when they took the stage. Remember Abraham, a century old when Isaac was born, and Moses, 80 years old when he confronted Pharaoh. Caleb speaks for all who are chronologically challenged when he tells Joshua, "Here I am today, eighty-five years old! I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I'm just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then. Now give me this hill country that the LORD promised me that day. You yourself heard then that the Anakites were there and their cities were large and fortified, but, the LORD helping me, I will drive them out just as he said" (Joshua 14:10-12). And he did.

Frank Lloyd Wright was still working on architectural projects when he died at the age of 91. When asked which was his greatest achievement, he replied, "My next one!" Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. served on the Supreme Court to the age of 90, at which time he took up the study of Greek to improve his mind. Albert Schweitzer served his beloved hospital in Africa to his death at the age of 90.

None of us knows how many days we will live, but we can know the One who does. We can begin this day by submitting it to his care and plans. When we do, we will find that his will never leads where his grace cannot sustain. The Trappist monk Thomas Merton has much helped me with this prayer: My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think that I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road though I may know nothing about it. Therefore I will trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone. Amen?

Helping Young People Cope with Transition, Loss

First Presbyterian Church of Midland presents a workshop for parents of children and youth. It's called "Helping Support Our Kids with Transition and Loss," and it's presented by Vicki Jay, Director of Rays of Hope Children's Grief Centre.

The workshop takes place over two nights, Wednesdays, February 11 & 18, from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. in the Koinonia Room at First Prez. Admission to the workshop is free. You may also consider joining us for dinner beforehand, from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. in Lynn Fellowship Hall. Dinner is $7 for adultsm and $5 for children up to 12 years-of-age.

For more information contact Mary Beth Anton at mba62@suddenlink.net or call 684-7821.

God Issues Today: "Blame My Walls"

Author, educator and commentator Dr. James Denison has been pastor of Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas since June, 1998. Prior to that, he was pastor at churches in Atlanta, Georgia, as well as Midland (at First Baptist!) and Mansfield, Texas.

Now I know why I'm no good at math—my walls are the wrong color. Janet handles our checkbook so we don't go to jail. For all these years, I thought my mathematical deficiencies were my brain's fault. Now I read in today's New York Times that painting my walls red would make my mind more accurate and detailed. Blue walls, on the other hand, would make me more creative. My problem is that I'm writing this essay in a room covered with brown paneled walls; if you find this essay neither accurate nor creative, blame my walls.

Athletes in the 2004 Olympics who wore red instead of blue in boxing, tae kwon do, Greco-Roman wrestling and freestyle wrestling won 60 percent of the time. Red symbolizes dominance, researchers think. Now I know what to wear to my next deacons' meeting. Another study found that women seen in photographs on red backgrounds or wearing red shirts were considered to be more attractive. I'll remember that fact for my next modeling job.

As we continue our news you can use theme, the Times informs us today that Twinkies are back from the bankruptcy grave. They were created in 1930 (I think I've eaten some of the original batch), and have survived the Great Depression and the Atkins Diet. Now in these health-conscious times, they are offering "Twinkie Bites," which have 100 calories a pack. If you think that Twinkies are good for you, you must be reading this essay in a blue-walled room.

Scientists tell us that a cloudless daytime sky is blue because molecules in the air scatter blue light from the sun more than they scatter red light, making the blue spectrum more apparent to our eyes. What a boring explanation. I think that God, who isn't bound by time, was reading today's New York Times when he designed our world. In my theory, the blue skies I can begin to see outside my window are evidence of his creativity. What he was thinking when he permitted us to invent Twinkies is a mystery, however.

Our Maker is a creative God, more inventive than we can possibly imagine. When he made the world with its blue skies and red flowers, he called it "good" (Genesis 1:10, 12, 18, 25). But when he made us, he called his work "very good" (v. 31). We are "fearfully and wonderfully made" (Psalm 139:14), the "apple of his eye" (Psalm 17:8), the favorite of all his creation. We are his twice—he made us and then he bought us back on his Son's cross. No matter what the world thinks of you, remember that the King of Kings is delighted to call you his child. Have you thanked him for his grace yet today?

Midland Group Releases Persecution Report, Urges Community to Speak Out

The China Aid Association is a non-profit Christian organization - based in Midland, Texas - with a mission to uncover and reveal the truth about religious persecution in China, focusing especially on the unofficial church. They do this, they explain in their website, by exposing the abuses, encouraging the abused and equipping the saints to advance the kingdom of God throughout China.

ChinaAid Announces Release of Persecution Report, Urges Community to Speak Out

Issued by ChinaAid, February, 2009 ...

ChinaAid announces the release of the 2008 Persecution Report, documenting significant increase of persecution of house church Christians in China, during the past year. In a few days, China’s human rights record will be reviewed by the UN. On February 9, the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) will host a Universal Periodic Review (UPR) in Geneva, Switzerland during which China’s review will take place. NGOs from around the world submitted reports of human rights abuses in China for this meeting, including reports on the persecution of house church Christians. Many NGOs have complained that the final summary which will be used during the UPR does not significantly address human rights abuse issues, including the persecution of house church Christians. ChinaAid urges UN member nations and citizens of those nations to appeal for accurate reports to be used during the UPR on China.
Read the Rest of the Report from ChinaAid

Read 2008 Persecution Report

Send a polite letter urging the UN to support Christians who are persecuted in China:
Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights:
InfoDesk@ohcr.org
Petitions Team for the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights:
tb-petitions@ohchr.org
Office of the Spokesman for the UN Secretary-General:
inquiries@un.org
UN Commission on Human Rights:
1503@ohchr.org

God Issues Today: "Killing Rabbit Ears"

Author, educator and commentator Dr. James Denison has been pastor of Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas since June, 1998. Prior to that, he was pastor at churches in Atlanta, Georgia, as well as Midland (at First Baptist!) and Mansfield, Texas.

When Janet and I got married in 1980, our first joint purchase was a portable color television we bought out of the newspaper. It turned out to be afflicted with multiple-personality disorder, and worked not a single minute in our home as well as it worked in the home where we bought it.

Given my electronic incompetence, my solution was foil on the rabbit ears, the more the better. When that didn't work, I slapped the offending device on a particular spot on its side. This behavior didn't really improve the quality of the picture, but it made me feel better. We finally sold the TV to someone who probably appreciates me as much as you appreciate the neighbor who walks his St. Bernard in your yard.

If my old television is still frustrating someone today, this can't be good news: Congress has just granted rabbit ears a stay of execution. This morning's Wall Street Journal tells us that the date by which TV stations must stop broadcasting in analog format has been moved from February 17 to June 12. The reason is simple: Preparations for the switch to digital television are going about as well as Rod Blagojevich's political career.

The Nielsen Co. has found that 6.5 million households, 5.7% of all homes, are still unprepared for the shift to digital. At present, people with rabbit ears must go on a waiting list at the Commerce Department to apply for $40 coupons that offset the cost of digital converter boxes. The problem is that applicants cannot get coupons in time for the February 17 deadline, because it takes weeks for them to arrive in the mail. Economic-stimulus legislation includes $650 million in added money for the converter-box coupon program, allowing the government to issue coupons immediately. That amount may just be enough to fix my schizophrenic television.

It's hard to make old things work as though they were new. My first cell phone was a brick with an antenna. Our first VCR had a wired remote like a leash on a dog. My first computer was a 64K machine with eight-inch floppy disks; my first printer was a dot-matrix contraption which sounded and vibrated like a train in a bathroom.

The good news is that you and I are scheduled for upgrades which will make digital technology blush. We will one day live in new bodies, inhabiting a new heaven and a new earth (Revelation 21). We are eternal creatures stationed for now in a temporal environment. "Only one life—'twill soon be past; only what's done for Christ will last." What will you do today to impact someone's eternity?

Now Showing in the Tall City

It's a colorful new application of a centuries-old expression of art and faith ... and it's showing right now in the Tall City.

At the dawn of the 21st century, Saint John's Abbey and University seek to ignite the spiritual imagination of believers throughout the world by commissioning a work of art that illuminates the Word of God for a new millennium ... The Saint John's Bible.

In the Middle Ages, monasteries helped preserve knowledge and culture for the sake of the greater community. By commissioning a handwritten Bible, Saint John's revives a tradition and affirms its commitment to the study of scripture, to the book arts and to educational, artistic and spiritual pursuits.

An exhibit of reproductions from the first hand-crafted Bible commissioned by a Benedictine abbey in more than 500 years, is now on display in the Garden Gallery of First Presbyterian Church of Midland, located at 800 W, Texas Avenue (the corner of Texas and A streets), on the west edge of downtown Midland. The exhibit is free and open to the public, and will run thru February 22.

Also free and open to the public will be related lectures by Dr. Kent Lydecker, formerly of the Metropolitan Musem of Art, on Thursday, February 19, at 7:00 p.m., and Sunday, February 22, at 9:45 a.m.

Call 684-7821 for more information.

God Issues Today: "Wearing Crayons"

Author, educator and commentator Dr. James Denison has been pastor of Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas since June, 1998. Prior to that, he was pastor at churches in Atlanta, Georgia, as well as Midland (at First Baptist!) and Mansfield, Texas.

In my ongoing quest to be a full service essay writer, today I wish to talk with you about men's fashion. Since I wear nothing Janet doesn't buy, I am eminently unqualified to speak on this crucial issue. However, I just read an article on the subject, which of course makes me an expert. My source is none other than that famed harbinger of haberdashery, this morning's Wall Street Journal.

Here we learn that spring wardrobes for men are changing from blacks, grays, navies and beiges to "a rainbow of Crayola colors." Fashion designers want men to wear pink, orange, lilac and cobalt blue. Since I have no idea what lilac and cobalt blue look like, I can clearly profit from this discussion.

In a time of economic distress, we're supposed to be cheered by cheery colors. Guys are being told to "layer different shades of blue from head to toe," for instance. A sky-blue shirt now goes with a royal blue sweater and navy pants, "topped off by a cobalt blue anorak." There's "cobalt blue" again. And what's an "anorak"?

The article tells us that "purple took off in a surprisingly big way in menswear last year." I hadn't noticed. A recent clothing show displayed a suit in sunflower yellow, and another ensemble composed of a blue and white jacket with red half sleeves, worn with red slacks. I now know what I want for Father's Day.

The older I get, the less I know. I thought a dark blue suit with a red tie and white shirt was the height of fashion, and now wish to apologize to all those church members who have been forced to watch me preach in such outdated apparel. When I preached my second sermon, I was a college sophomore and youth minister serving on my first church staff. My topic was "the judgment," my eschatological charts and schematics were crisp and clear, and I delivered an entire sermon I would now disavow. I knew much more about the end times then than I do today.

It's been said that the closer we get to God, the further away from him we realize we are. Complacency is spiritual suicide. The life of faith is a pilgrimage, not a destination. What was the last new insight you found in Scripture? When was the last time you heard the Spirit speak to your soul? What was the last book you read or song you heard or conversation you shared in which your Father revealed himself to you in a new way?

"Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ," 1 Peter 3:18 tells us. How will you answer your Father's invitation today?

Marking the Birth of a Martyr

Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a pastor and theologian martyred through his resistance to Adolf Hitler and Nazism, was born on this day in 1906. It was the begining of one of the more significant - if tragically short - lives of the 20th-century.

There was nothing cloistered about this cleric. He attended college in his native Germany, earning a PhD in theology at the age of 21, and took to traveling. He studied at a seminary in New York City, and attended Baptist church in Harlem, where he was introduced to the African-American spirituals that he collected and took back to Germany. He also traveled in India where he met Gandhi and studied the principle of non-violent resistance.

Non-violent, perhaps ... but serious nonetheless, as he returned to his native Germany, co-founded the Confessing Church, and ended up joining a resistance movement that opposed Adolf Hitler and the Nazis. "Cheap grace is the mortal enemy of our church," Bonhoeffer once wrote. "Our struggle today is for costly grace."

And it did, indeed prove to be costly. Bonhoeffer was arrested in 1943, and again - for the final time - in 1944, after a failed assassination attempt on Hitler's life. He was imprisoned in a series of concentration camps. Bonhoeffer was tortured, then executed under brutal circumstances in the camp at Flossenbürg on April 9, 1945 ... ending a life, but not a legacy that endures and inspires to this day.

Online resources include this page devoted to Bonhoeffer created by the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, the website of the International Bonhoeffer Society, the Bonhoeffer Reading Room at Tyndale College & Seminary and Bonhoeffer's Wikipedia entry.

Faces of Children: Prayer Requests

Faces of Children is an ecumenical prayer ministry under the auspices of First Presbyterian Church of Midland, Texas. Our mission is to initiate ministries of prayer for children in churches, communities, and neighborhoods. In doing so, we seek to provide an opportunity for people of God to join together, learn about children and their needs throughout the world, and celebrate Christ's love (especially as it relates to children).

Prayer Concerns for the week of 02/04/09

The Netherlands, Democratic Republic of Congo
• Please pray that justice will triumph in the International Criminal Court (ICC) case of a Congolese militia leader accused of abducting and using hundreds of children as soldiers or sex slaves in a 5-year-long conflict in Congo.
• Pray for the former child soldiers who will testify against Thomas Lubanga in this trial. Pray that God will give them the strength and courage to face this man in court.
• Please pray for all of the children who were used to kill, pillage and rape during this conflict that ended in 2003. Pray for their victims. Pray for all children—victims and perpetrators—who were physically, mentally and emotionally wounded during this conflict. More than 30,000 children were recruited during this war and an estimated 60,000 people died.
• Pray for peace and reconciliation in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
A report from BBC

Pakistan (Presbyterian Education Board)
• Please pray for Meshezebel, a 17-year-old high school girl who has been diagnosed with a brain tumor.
• Pray that the recent surgery to remove the tumor was successful and that she will recover completely from this frightening condition.
• Pray that God will give her family and friends the strength to endure the physical and emotional stresses of this experience.
• Pray for Meshezebel’s physicians and nurses—that God will give them wisdom in treating this young woman.
• Please pray that Meshezebel will sense the comforting presence of Jesus Christ throughout this ordeal.
• Pray for her health and for her future—that she might achieve her ambitions.

Palestine, Israel
• Please continue to be in prayer for the children of Palestine and of Israel who have seen more violence and bloodshed than any child should ever have to witness.
• Give thanks to God for the recent ceasefire between the two countries. Continue to pray for peacemakers to rise up and for the cycle of retribution to end.
• Pray that God will give the leaders of each country wisdom.
• Pray for children who suffer severe psychological trauma because of the bombing, shelling and fighting.
• Pray that the children of both countries will learn conflict resolution skills and that they may look forward to a future of peace and not one of violence. Pray that they may learn to see the good in one another despite their cultural and religious differences. Please pray this for all children.
A report from The Washington Post
A report from alertnet.org
• Please keep the Christian community in Gaza held close in prayer throughout this tense time. Pray that the Church will be a light in the midst of this darkness.
• Pray for the 35 families who were allowed to come to Bethlehem during the Christmas holidays and are now stranded there without sufficient resources.

United States
• Please pray for Jeremiah’s family and friends as they continue to cope with his death. Jeremiah, who would have been 3 years old, died last May from an aggressive form of cancer. Pray that God will comfort his parents, and especially Jeremiah’s father who is very, very depressed. Pray for Jeremiah’s parents as they raise his 14-month-old sister Faith.
• Give thanks to God that 5-year-old Braden’s brain tumors are shrinking—one of them is almost gone! Please continue to pray for God’s healing touch upon this little boy whose vision is still impeded by the tumors. And please lift Braden’s family in prayer following the tragic death of his grandparents and great-grandmother in a possible murder/suicide.

Faces of Children
• Please continue to pray that more churches and individuals will join with the ministry of Faces of Children in spreading awareness about children in crisis and inviting more people to pray for children at risk.

God Issues Today: "Trash and Treasures"

Author, educator and commentator Dr. James Denison has been pastor of Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas since June, 1998. Prior to that, he was pastor at churches in Atlanta, Georgia, as well as Midland (at First Baptist!) and Mansfield, Texas.

Which is worth more--$3 or 300 pennies? Dumb question, you say, except that subconsciously you just chose the latter. According to today's New York Times, researchers have proven that we are illogically impressed by large numbers. If I tell you that I will spend two hours writing today's essay or 120 minutes, you'll be more impressed by the latter. (Neither is really true—I haven't eaten breakfast yet, and am gastronomically motivated to hurry.)

There's no telling what we'll find valuable. For instance, this morning's Times reports that thieves in the northeast are stealing snowplows in record numbers. It turns out that the newer designs are easier to detach from your truck and reattach to mine. Since they go for $5,000 or so apiece (or 500,000 pennies, if I want to impress your subconscious), and have no features which distinguish one from another, they are easy fodder for black market theft and resale. I've lived in Texas or Atlanta my entire life and have never seen a snowplow, so I'll take the paper's word for it. But if you live in Massachusetts or Rhode Island, stealing the implement you need to get to work is serious business.

Topping the charts in the category of unusual treasure is today's announcement in the Times that sea explorers have found the H.M.S. Victory, one of the most famous of all British warships. The ship sank in a fierce storm in the English Channel in 1744, losing more than 900 men and the largest bronze cannons of the day. Even more motivational for the discoverers, the ship may also contain four tons of gold coins worth $1 billion (that's 100,000,000,000 pennies to your subliminal mind). As you might imagine, ownership of the wreck is currently under rather serious debate.

One man's trash is another man's treasure, they say. (Who "they" is seems in this case to be a disputed point.) I have a shirt I like wearing around the house; if Janet had her way, it would be used to clean the house instead. You see an old steering wheel hanging on my garage wall; I see the leather wrap around the wheel, the last present my father bought for me before his death.

If the world were watching me type these words and you read them, it might see us as just another preacher and businessperson (or whatever you do for a living). But our Father sees us as his children, loved with a passion which defies description. He has all of eternity to listen to your next prayer. He is excited about spending this Tuesday with you, and wants a more intimate relationship with you than you have ever experienced. You are priceless beyond value in his eyes. Will you return the favor today?

The Bridge: So, How Did It Go?

Last weekend, one of Midland's old churches open its doors on a new venture, and a new addition to the Tall City's community of faith.

So, how did it go?

It's called "The Bridge," a new worship service being added to the schedule at First Presbyterian Church-Midland.

"The Bridge is an ancient-future worship experience at First Presbyterian Church, each Sunday morning at 11:00 in the chapel," The Bridge's website explains. "Our desire is to engage God's ancient words in a new way, all for the purpose of entering into the presence of God."

"Wherever you are in life's journey, we hope that you'll join us at The Bridge, as we put our trust in God who is with us."

So how DID it go? ... "Everything worked! People sang and prayed and it was all good! God was glorified and his presence was everywhere," John reports in this post at "Into the West Texas Sun," a recent addition to Midland's corner of the blogosphere where he has been documenting the preparations - conception and organization, staff development, construction and rennovation - have been well under way for the better part of a year.

The Bridge is not replacing any of the current services at First Prez - it is an addition to the church's schedule of worship, taking place in the Chapel (the church's original sanctuary), while a traditional service is under way in the Sanctuary itself. Both services will be preceded by shared fellowship and refreshments in Lynn Hall. For more information, please call John Van Dusen 684-7821, Ext. 176.

God Issues Today: "Groundhog Faith"

Author, educator and commentator Dr. James Denison has been pastor of Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas since June, 1998. Prior to that, he was pastor at churches in Atlanta, Georgia, as well as Midland (at First Baptist!) and Mansfield, Texas.

"Two doctors standing together makes a paradox." Now that we have that out of the way, consider the contradictions we experience every day. Everyone at my house was cheering for the Arizona Cardinals last night, primarily because they were the underdogs. We pull for the team that is expected to lose, then are disappointed when they do what they were supposed to do.

This morning we heard again from Punxsutawney Phil, the groundhog who has been predicting the weather since 1886. He saw his shadow in the bright sunlight, which means that six more weeks of winter are on their way. If it was a cloudy and therefore colder day, Phil would have predicted an early spring. Shouldn't it be the other way?

Aristotle said that truth is non-contradictory. He apparently never visited a Baptist church. We "look up" a hymn by looking down at the hymnal. We "turn in" our Bibles by keeping them and finding the
prescribed passage. We "take" an offering-if we have to take it from the people, is it really an offering? And when the preacher says "in conclusion," we know the end is not yet in sight.

What would Aristotle think of our Trinitarian assertion that God is three and one, or our Incarnational claim that Jesus was fully God and fully man? Mark Twain was right: If I could understand every word of the Bible, I wouldn't believe that God wrote it.

Is God behaving in a contradictory way in your life? Is he seemingly unresponsive to a prayer you are offering with urgency? Is he asking you to accept something you don't like or do something you'd rather not do? Join the club. At least you're not Noah, told to build an ark when it had never rained; or Abraham, promised that he would be the father of many nations when his wife could not bear a child; or Joshua, called to step into the Jordan River when it was a torrential, life-threatening flood. If you're marching around Jericho with nothing more than a trumpet in your hand, you're in good company. If you're passing the time in a Philippian jail by singing hymns at midnight, Paul
and Silas would approve.

If you're struggling to trust God's promises and providence today, you might consider my favorite prayer in the Bible. A father pled with Jesus to heal his child: "If you can do anything, take pity on
us and help us." Jesus promised, "Everything is possible for him who believes." The father replied, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!" (Mark 9:22-24). And Jesus did. Would you like him to do the same for you?

West Texas Mission Opportunities:Invitation to Prayer

Faces of Children is an ecumenical prayer ministry under the auspices of First Presbyterian Church of Midland, Texas. Our mission is to initiate ministries of prayer for children in churches, communities, and neighborhoods. In doing so, we seek to provide an opportunity for people of God to join together, learn about children and their needs throughout the world, and celebrate Christ's love (especially as it relates to children).

A message from Chris Laufer, Coordinator, Faces of Children

"In prayer there is a connection between what God does and what you do. You can’t get forgiveness from God, for instance, without also forgiving others. If you refuse to do your part, you cut yourself off from God’s part!”
Matthew 6:14-15 The Message/Remix by Eugene Peterson

We will meet to pray for the children of our world this coming Wednesday, February 4, 2009 at 11:30 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church, Midland in the Bride’s room. Following our time of prayer, please stay for lunch ($5) and a time of fellowship.

If you have prayer concerns or celebrations regarding children at risk or those who care for them, please feel free to email them to me at claufer@facesofchildren.net or give me a call. Thank you for your prayers for the children of the world!

Blessings,
Chris

God Issues Today: "Darts with God"

Author, educator and commentator Dr. James Denison has been pastor of Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas since June, 1998. Prior to that, he was pastor at churches in Atlanta, Georgia, as well as Midland (at First Baptist!) and Mansfield, Texas.

Pat Quinn is now the governor of Illinois. Today's Wall Street Journal tells us that Rod Blagojevich was removed from office yesterday following a unanimous vote of the Illinois state senate. Mr. Blagojevich has also been barred from public office in the state.

Here's the good news: God won't do the same with us, no matter our crimes. In fact, he wants a more intimate relationship with us than we want with him. This week we've been learning to listen to our Father. Our first step is knowing that God loves us and wants to speak to us. Our second step is starting the day by spending time with him. This "quiet time," however, is not the end of our spiritual activity for the day, but only its beginning. We can "practice the presence of Christ," as Brother Lawrence (1605-91) put it. How?

First, seek God in his word, all day long. Whenever you come to a decision, opportunity, or problem today, consult the Scriptures. Find a promise or principle which applies to your situation, and obey it. The Westminster Confession of Faith asserts: "The whole counsel of God concerning all things necessary for his own glory, man's salvation, faith and life is either expressly set down in Scripture or by good and necessary consequence may be deduced from Scripture, unto which nothing at anytime is to be added whether by new revelations of the Spirit or traditions of man." Scripture is God's word to us today.

Second, seek your Father in worship. Pray to him, all day long. No one in the Bible prays by closing their eyes and folding their hands. You can talk to God just as you talk to anyone with whom you have a relationship. "Ejaculatory" prayer (from the Latin word for "dart") is the practice of speaking to God in short, quick phrases all through the day. Talk with him about everything that comes your way. Spend the day with him in the same way you would spend it with your spouse or best friend.

Third, seek God in his world. David told us that "the heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands" (Psalm 19:1). If you're up early enough to see the sunrise today, view it as the majestic painting of your Father against the tapestry of the sky and be grateful for his omnipotence in your life. I will follow my Friday routine of a long walk this morning after finishing this essay. As I pass leafless trees, dormant until spring, I will reflect on the power of God to bring life from apparent death. And I will remember that what he does with nature, he can do with anyone I know.

Francis Schaeffer reminded us that "he is there and he is not silent." What will your Father say to your soul today?