A Prayer for Our Shepherd's Children

A Prayer for Our Shepherd's Children
Min. Shirley Crenshaw Wooten, St. Stephen Church, Louisville, KY
Thank you, God for giving parents that awesome task of rearing children. Children are buds that grow with every breath. God, you sustain that breath and holds the hands of those rearing the children. How can children grow? They can with Godly guidance, with daily planting with knees that bend constantly in prayer. Crying out to God in daily prayer. Thank you, God for allowing our knees to bend, our eyes to see, your hands to give in times of need. Thank you for the Shephard's touch in His children's lives and allowing the ministering to stay alive. Thank you, God for works of those who push their children to carry every load. Thank you, God for mercy and righteousness. Thank you for the love untold, unfailing love that holds children in place while God is unveiling his plans for a life of demands.
We acknowledge that we all have problems with children sometimes, but who but you, God can understand every time. We know our children are less then perfect, but who but you, God can give them another chance to be what at first they couldn't be. Thank you so, so, much for all children, the children we have so many times left behind, the ones we see on the street corners crossing the street, getting off the buses, going to the stores, walking alone at night, playing on playgrounds, even knocking on doors in strange places. Thank you for children in hospitals, children in mental hospitals, children in homes, and children in centers, Home of The Innocence, and finally children in other countries, cities, states, and places. We pray for them all. In Jesus name, Amen.

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For the East Coast: A Prayer In Time of Trouble

Min. Angela Lee Price, St. Stephen Church, Louisville, KY
Heavenly Father, You are our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult. You are in the midst of the city; it shall not be moved; You will help it when the morning dawns. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge (Psalm 46). Last year, Father it was Hurricane Irene, and now Hurricane Sandy. Father, we prayed then and we're praying now. No other help we know! Millions experienced a violent night last night. The wind and waves beat against the shores! The cities flooded. Millions are without power. The fires burned in the borroughs, Lord. Yet, you are God! Speak now we pray, saying, "Peace! Be still! (Matthew 8:23-27).

Even in this time of trouble, oh Lord, trouble don't last always! Even in this time of trouble, oh Lord, joy comes in the morning! For we stand on your Word and we believe your promises! Shower down medics, oh Lord, first responders, and volunteers to help the needy. Increase your loving hand of protection upon sleeping babies in the shelters. Rescue the unsaved today, we pray from the wind and waves, and yes even unto eternal life. Thank you, Lord for your Son Jesus Christ. He is the only way to eternal life! Jesus saves! We pray for the East Coast, for your very present help in trouble, for salvation, deliverance and victory found only in You. To you, Lord, be glory, power,  dominion, and honor both now and forever! In Jesus name, Amen.

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Take Your Souls to the Polls!

 

Early voting is underway in a number of states. Check Your State's Early Voting Rules. October 30th is last day to return absentee ballot applications in Kentucky! The ballot itself needs to be received in office by 6 PM on Election Day, November 6th. Go to the polls and cast your vote. Voting in your right and responsibility!

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Join Our 12-HOUR FAST On Wednesday, October 31st! This is the last week of our prayer vigil, we ask whosoever can and will to set aside tomorrow as a day of fasting. The Bible expressly says somethings will only come out by prayer and fasting. Please join us in a day of fasting on Wednesday, October 31st from 6:00 A-6:00 P, or 6:00P-6:00 A beginnng tonight if you work the night shift.

Black Churches Redouble Their Efforts To Get People Out to Vote - BCNN1





Whitney Paul, who was a first-time voter, looked over a handout with suggestions as she waited with college friends for early voting to start in Jacksonville, Fla., on Saturday.

The Rev. Eugene W. Diamond of the Abyssinia Missionary Baptist Church here rarely pays attention to the clock when the spirit moves him to preach, but midsermon on Sunday, he said something unusual to his flock of hundreds: "Timing is critical, so let me hustle."

He had already scaled back the minutes devoted to worship. Congregants had been instructed to forget wearing their Sunday best in favor of comfortable shoes because they all had work to do: moving thousands of "souls to the polls." And they had only one Sunday to do it.

Mr. Diamond stressed the urgency in a tambourine-shaking, trumpet-blaring finale to his prayers: "Bless us as we make our voices heard!" he shouted above the music. "Let's go! Let's go! Let's go! Let's go!"

Across Florida, black churches have responded with ferocity to changes that Gov. Rick Scott, a Republican, and the Legislature made to eliminate six days of early voting this year -- including the Sunday before Election Day, which had been the traditional day to mobilize black congregations. In 2008, black voters cast early ballots at twice the rate of white voters, and turned out in significant strength on the Sunday before Election Day to help propel Mr. Obama to victory here.

Now, with Florida's 29 electoral votes up for grabs in a close race, Obama supporters are counting on a newly energized black base to put them over the edge despite the tighter window for early voting. A victory here for the president would defy recent polling and make his path back to the White House much easier.

In the newly revised schedule, early voting began on Saturday and continues through next Saturday. The churches, then, have one Sunday instead of two to move their members to vote. (Read more)

Black Churches Redouble Their Efforts To Get People Out to Vote - BCNN1

Early Voting Rules in KY and Elsewhere

Yesterday, President Obama voted early in his home state of Illinois. Early voting is up significantly in many states. Have you vote already or do you plan to vote early this election?

 

Early Voting Rules

Early voting takes place in person before election day at specified polling places and (in some states) satellite locations. Thirty-two states and the District of Columbia offer "no excuse" early voting - voters in these states do not need to provide a reason for voting before election day. A handful of states offer early voting only to voters who have a valid excuse for being unable to vote in person on election day.

Early voting is sometimes called early in-person voting, in-person absentee voting, one-stop voting or advance voting.

 

Here are Kentucky's Early Voting Rules:

Yes! You may vote early in person using a voting machine by absentee ballot;

You must submit application for absentee ballot at least 7 days before the election.  You have until 6:00 PM on election day to submit your ballot either in person or by mail if:

• You will be out of the county on election day;
• You are Military, their Dependents, or an Overseas Citizen;
• You are Military personnel confined to base and learn of your confinement within seven days or less of an election;
• You are a Student who resides outside the county or a resident who temporarily resides outside of the state, and will not be in the county on Election Day;
• You are a voter or the spouse of a voter who has surgery scheduled that will require hospitalization on Election Day;
• You are a pregnant woman in your third trimester.

OR you are one of the following:

• Precinct election officer appointed to serve in precinct other than his own
• Alternate precinct officer
• County Board of Elections’ members
• County Board of Elections’ staff
• Deputy county clerk
• State Board of Elections’ staff

Early voting starts 12 (or more) working days before the election and ends on election day.
Contact your Local Election Official to learn more about early voting in your area.
(Source: http://elect.ky.gov/voterinfo/Pages/absenteevoterinformation.aspx)
Check Your State's Early Voting Rules.

What to Do When Halloween Falls On a Church Night - BCNN1

NASHVILLE (BP) -- Pastors and church leaders faced the question of how to handle Christmas Day when it fell on a Sunday last year. The news media highlighted churches that chose to cancel services on Sunday to allow families to celebrate at home. A LifeWay Research study, however, found that nine in 10 pastors planned for their churches to host Christmas services on that Sunday.

This year, Halloween falls on a Wednesday.

According to a 2011 National Retail Federation study, "seven in 10 Americans (68.6 percent) plan to celebrate Halloween." If your church is like most others, you have midweek programming on Wednesday nights and it is unlikely that you would cancel those activities for Halloween.

The question is: What do you do when a major cultural event that does not represent your values threatens to hijack your activities?

Let me share how our church has chosen to tackle this. Our Wednesday night programming includes dinner, age-level activities and short-term connect groups for adults. I called an "ad hoc strategic meeting" with key staff members who lead or are involved in Wednesday activities. The only item on our agenda was to deal with our plans for Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2012.

After discussing all the options, we decided not to ignore Halloween, but to plan a few simple enhancements for the night and communicate to our church family in time for them to make their own decisions about participation. Click link for more.

What to Do When Halloween Falls On a Church Night - BCNN1

Prayer for An End to Violence and War - October 25th

Prayer for An End to Violence and War - October 25th
By: Min. LaQuita Gaskins, St. Stephen Church, Louisville, KY

O loving and righteous God, we love you and desire to be like you! We thank you for all you have done for us. Forgive us for our trespasses, God. Spirit of God, forgives us! Instead of loving our enemies, we have demonized our enemies. You are so righteous, Lord. You search minds and hearts, Lord, and we ask you to search our hearts and bring to an end the violence of the wicked and make the righteous secure in your abilities (Psalm 7:9). Lord, you establish the righteous. Lord, End the evil of those who are wicked and defend the righteous!

Lord, we pray for an end to war, poverty, starvation, racism, sexism, executions, torture, abortion, nuclear weapons, global warming, global wars, and violence of every kind in our world. We pray, God for you to heal the bombed out, and unwilling people in this world today. Take all hate from our hearts, O God teach us how to un-judgmentally help others in finding their way. Open our eyes and show us what things make it easy for hatred to flourish, so that we can cast it out before it catch root in our minds and hearts so it will not be hard for us to conquer it. Lord, we pray that you will lead us into your love! You sent your son Jesus Christ as a representation of that kind of love. We pray that you will lead us to your type of justice. You gave us the law to show us your justice. You confirmed it through the Prophets you sent. Love is stronger than hate! We know that by your stated peace. “My peace I leave with you! And My peace I give to You”! In Jesus name, Amen.
Join the Prayers of the Righteous Online United Prayer Vigil

 

Join Our 12-HOUR FAST!  If you could not fast along with us on Wednesday, it's not too late to pick a day this week to fast as well as pray. Give up something you love eating or doing for 12 hours and give that time to the Lord in prayer, scripture meditation, or bible study. Let the Lord lead you. Some of you may want to abstain for all foods but liquids, while others may want to abstain from favorite food and activities. Some of you may want to give up television, or texting, or telephones or computers, while others may want to abstain from sweets, and shopping. Be sure to read Mark 9:19-29. The disciples could not cast the foul spirit out of the man, and when they asked why, Jesus stated "This kind can come forth by nothing but by prayer and fasting." (v 29 KJV). Some bible versions, like NIV, add fasting as a footnote.
Let us fast and pray as God leads each one so that God's will may be done in the earth. Thank you for everything you are doing for the the Kingdom of God in this hour! The effectual fervent prayers of the righteous availeth much!

Fatal Shooting at Creflo Dollar World Changer's Church

Regardless of our varying opinions about Creflo Dollar's church, this is tragic and says something to all Christians and blacks in particular. We have to be on guard, watch as well as pray. The enemy is mounting an assault against the body of Christ. Violence on church properties is on the increase. We need the Lord like never before. Below is a news story on yesterday's shooting at World Changers International.
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ATLANTA -- U.S. Marshals say they have arrested 51-year-old Floyd Palmer at Macy's at Lenox Square. Palmer is accused of shooting a church volunteer at point blank range at World Changers Church International Wednesday morning. Officers went through Palmer's home Wednesday afternoon looking for evidence. They returned overnight with a bomb squad over concern for what turned out to be a homemade alarm system.

PHOTOS | World Changers Church International shooting MORE | Suspect faced previous charges in Maryland
 
Investigators said Palmer entered a chapel on the church's campus and started shooting. Palmer is a former church employee; he resigned in August of this year, according to Fulton County spokeswoman Kay Lester....
http://www.11alive.com/news/article/261683/40/LIVE--Shooting-at-World-Changers-Church

 

Dwight McKissic Rebukes Franklin & Billy Graham for Compromising Biblical Principles to Win an Election; Says Robert Jeffress' Endorsement of Romney is 'Inconsistent' - BCNN1 Bloggers

This is an excerpt of Dwight McKissic's post on Black Christian News Network.  To read the entire post, click the link below.

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I've been asked the question several times, why is it that Black Christians vote for Democratic candidates overwhelmingly in light of the Democrats position on gay rights and abortion? Black Christians tend to prioritize social and economic justice issues (which are also life issues) and they consider those moral issues as well. Black Christians tend to compromise their faith on pro-life and gay rights issues in order to vote for the party that they perceive will best deliver social and economic justice. The White evangelical church in this election is willing to compromise their beliefs on Mormonism and racial and gender accountability in order to support Mitt Romney. Black and White Christians vote for the party and the president that they perceive will best empower them. They simply view empowerment and priorities differently.

For those who ask, how can President Obama be a Christian and hold non-Christian views on abortion and gay marriage?: The answer is the same way Anglo Baptists/Evangelical slaveholders were Christians but wrong about slavery and denying women the right to vote. Make no mistake about it: President Obama and the Democrats are wrong on the issues of gay marriage and abortion. But just as Billy Graham is willing to declassify Mormonism as a cult in order to promote Romney, Blacks have prioritized economic and justice issues in order to elevate poor and historically oppressed people. I have burdens in my bosom concerning both parties. Therefore, I will be content to cast a write-in vote for Jesus Christ, and live with the results of who God sovereignly allows to become the next President.

If President Obama wins, I will take solace in the fact that Republicans will not be rewarded for their blatant disrespect of President Obama. Such as shouting "you lie" to him from the hall of Congress; the Governor of Arizona shaking her finger in his face; Laura Ingram referring to the President as, "you fool"; and I could cite many more disrespectful and racial attitudes and actions displayed toward President Obama, including declassifying Mormonism as a cult.

 

If Mitt Romney wins, I would hope that he would honor his commitment (though his history does not give me full hope) to stop same-sex marriage in its tracks and actually lead the Congress to adopt a constitutional amendment against same-sex marriage. If that happens, I will be eternally grateful and give God praise that my grandchildren will not grow up in a world where same-sex marriage is considered legal, sane and normal.

Although I'm not a Calvinist, I am perfectly content to trust the sovereignty of God in this election and praise His Name regardless to the outcome. I simply pray as a nation and as a church that we can come together in unity when the election is over.

Bart Barber, Dave Miller and Howell Scott need to be taken seriously regarding this matter of sounding a clarion call concerning the declassification of Mormonism as a cult sooner, rather than later. Is a cult only a cult until one of its members wins a major party presidential nomination and their opponent is a Black Christian who believes in gay marriage and abortion?

Pastor Jeffress and Evangelist Graham have a right to endorse and vote for Mitt Romney for President, just as Pastor Otis Moss and Pastor Frederick Haynes have a right to support President Obama for reelection.

What Billy Graham does not have the right to do is to declassify Mormonism as a cult without the larger evangelical community throwing the "red flag." If evangelicalism does not throw the "red flag" before the election, that is even a greater sign of our political and racial divide. We ought to be able to come together in unity and make it clear that Mormonism is a cult even if Black Christians and White Christians vote for different candidates. The unity of the faith is at stake here (John 17:21)!

Dwight McKissic Rebukes Franklin & Billy Graham for Compromising Biblical Principles to Win an Election; Says Robert Jeffress' Endorsement of Romney is 'Inconsistent' - BCNN1 Bloggers

Book Review: And Jesus Grew, Now How About You?

By: Min. Angela Lee Price 

And Jesus Grew, Now How About You? by Dr. Kevin Cosby is a short, easy-to-read non-fiction work of 119 pages. It offers a blueprint for becoming a mature and balanced disciple of Jesus Christ. The book is subtitled “Growing Beyond Life’s Stuck Places.” It includes an introduction and five chapters. The chapters are entitled, “Jesus’ Hidden Years, “How Fast Are You Growing Up?,” “Let’s Get Physical,” “Growing Up Means More than Showing Up,” and “Jesus’ Fave Five.” An epilogue, “Now How About You”, and an “About the Author” section complete the book...

And Jesus Grew... is a must read for all believers. Dr. Kevin Cosby uses great illustrations, personal testimonies, humor, and plenty of Bible passages to support his argument for achieving balanced Christian maturity in four areas, intellectually, physically, spiritually, and socially. There are a plethora of Christian discipleship books on the market. Oftentimes the “grow” aspect of many of these books has to do with how to study the bible, find the right small group, or discover your spiritual gifts. Cosby states that physical growth is the most neglected area. And so it is in most books. This is the first book I’ve encountered for laypersons that uses Jesus’ life as a model for achieving holistic spiritual maturity. After reading this book, I am convinced there is more biblical foundation for living life and growing relationally than for living in prolonged isolation as a monk as seen in Thomas Merton.

While the book is targeted to believers, Cosby uses “Jesus’ Fave Five” as an opportunity to speak to unbelievers as well. He witnesses to the lost who might not think they are worthy of salvation. Christians who are internally strong will become externally focused, which is the whole point of growing up in Christ, moving from “bibs” to “aprons,” from milk to pabulum to solid food. Cosby states spiritual growth is the most important growth area; intellectual growth, the most undervalued; physical growth, the most overlooked; and relational growth, the most challenging. Growing up ought to prepare us to move out of our comfort zone to show compassion and offer Jesus Christ to “liars, hypocrites, ungrateful folks, nasty folks, mean folks, ornery folks,” people we don’t like. While recognizing the book is for laypersons, I believe it has a place in academic discussion. I would like to have read more by Cosby on this subject as his ministry is looked upon as a model for church growth and how to do ministry.

The book review was written to fulfill requirements for my Journey to Christ-likeness class at Campbellsville University. The complete review is attached below as a pdf, along with a PowerPoint presentation.  I invite you to become a member of "A Really Good Book," our new online book club on the Jesus Saves Social Network.

Book Review - And Jesus Grew Now How About You?pdf
And Jesus Grew Book Review Presentation.pdf

 

Fourth Grade Scholars: Vote for Somebody

By:  Min. Angela Lee Price

Look at the label on these children, "Fourth Grade Scholars!" "Citizen Scholars!" I love it!  Here is what the description says about this video:

Democracy Prep's amazing fourth grade scholars want YOU to vote this November 6th! The Harlem Prep Hawks sing their civic message loud and proud to the tune of Carly Rae Jepsen's "Call Me Maybe." A "Straight A" network, with 2,000 students across seven campuses in Harlem, NY and Camden, NJ, Democracy Prep is proving what is possible in urban education. We are preparing our responsible citizen-scholars to succeed in the college of their choice and a life of active citizenship. We hope they inspire YOU to Vote for Somebody! The scholars are hoping to get 100,000 views and likes, so please forward this to your friends and visit DemocracyPrep.org to learn more. Work Hard. Go To College. Change the World! Follow us @DemocracyPrep or visit www.DemocracyPrep.org

I use to substitute teach and tutor children, mostly middle schoolers. I have seen the labeling that is occurring in the school system and it is horrible. It is not only happening to our children, it is happening to adults every day. I have seen it in the church. We stereotype people and pigeonhole them, and the one thing we think they can do is all we want them to do.

I thank God for placing it on my heart to look at the Prayer of Jabez more closely. I had sterotyped it as one of those "prosperity" prayers. I think the song had alot to do with it, too. That, plus everyone's fixation on prosperity a few years ago. I believe people were reading into it material provision and overlooked character provision. I believe, and it is just me, that it was Jabez's character that helped him get his prayer through. Think about it, he is listed in a geneology a whole chapter long, but only he gets a "Yes" from God that we know of, and only he is singled out with additional real estate on the page. Not everyone who is mislabeled and who prays to God will get their prayer through the way Jabez did. You have to have character, or really need it, to get God's attention. Virtue, as I am learning, is critically important to being spiritually, physically, and mentally well. After all, it was virtue that healed the woman with the issue of blood. Virtue was what she needed.  Jabez had virtue. He was more honorable than his brothers.

 

I pray right now for these children "citizens". Lord, in the name of Jesus may they remain "citizens" all of their lives. Don't let this sick society steal their inheritance in you or their citizenship in this country. I pray you will keep them out of prison, Father. I pray for their minds, Lord. Protect their intellect and their genius, Jesus! Make them critical thinkers, Lord! Pour into them greatness, Lord. In Jesus Name. Amen!

2 Peter 2-4 states, "Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus or Lord, and His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which has been given to us exceedingly great and precious promised, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust."

Don’t Give Up On Your Tulips In Mum Season

By:  Min. Angela Lee Price

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth" (Psalm 46:10).

I am convinced that we give up too easily. We want everything quick, fast, and in a hurry. No one wants to wait anymore. We want what we want when we want it, and how we want it. However, haste has no blessing.  It is mum season!  Mums are everywhere, little ones, big ones, and very big ones. Mums really beautify the landscape this time of year with an array of vibrant red, lavender, purple, orange, and yellow colors.  

I am encouraged to just be still.  Stop and smell the roses, and thank God for my mums. I hope to take time this fall to observe the beauty of the mum, while I wait on my spring tulips! Mums beautify my garden, just like tulips.  God didn't have to give them to me, but He did! We serve a good God who knows what to give and just when too give it.  Jesus tiptoed through the tulips, or shall I say the lilies.  In Matthew 6:28-31, Jesus observing the lilies stated, “See how the lilies of the field grow.  They do not labor or spin.  Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.  If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, o you of little faith?”

I am meditating on the Word of God today.  Psalms 62:1 states, “My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him..”  Psalms 46:10 states, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." I will pray persistently this fall and winter about my spring "tulips," my hopes, dreams, goals, and aspirations for the future. I'm a living witness of what God will do when you just be still, discover the beauty in each season, and trust God’s perfect timing.  I won’t give up on my tulips in mum season!

Be Persistent In Prayer

How persistent are you in prayer? Do you pray once or twice and give up, or do you PUSH -- Pray Until Something Happens? I was asked recently, "How many times should we pray to God about the same thing?" God has given me the word that we need to be persistent in our prayers.

Jesus tells us this in Luke 11:5-9 in the parable of the man who went to his friend at midnight for three loaves of bread. The story of Hannah praying to conceive a child is a story of persistence in prayer (1 Samuel 1:1-28). The widow pleading before the unjust judge is another example of persistence paying off (Luke 18:1-8). Romans 12:12 says, "Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer."

We know that God does not always answer prayers the way we want Him to or expect Him to, however, the good news is that in these instances of persistent prayer, God said "yes!" This suggests that we have not, in many cases, because we ask not persistently.

When it comes to prayer, in my humble opinion, it's important that we are consistently and persistently asking God for the lost to be saved and for our prayer requests to line up with His will for our lives! We all stand in the need of prayer, and we serve a God who is able to do exceeding, abundantly above all we can ask or think (Eph. 3:30)! Jesus saves!

Join our Prayers of the Righteous Prayer Vigil now through November 3rd on the Jesus Saves Social Network.