Grac*e-mail for 05/17/10 got grace?

Grac*e-mail for 05/17/10
got grace?

God is good!!!!! We had great moves of the Holy Spirit at Still Waters Café in Bedford on last Thursday, Friday, & Saturday – what a blast!

John()_:-) Every time you see this angel, remember that God loves you!

%%%%%%%%%%%%%

Isa 13:2-5

2 "Lift up a banner on the high mountain,
Raise your voice to them;
Wave your hand, that they may enter the gates of the nobles.
3 I have commanded My sanctified ones;
I have also called My mighty ones for My anger --
Those who rejoice in My exaltation."

4 The noise of a multitude in the mountains,
Like that of many people!
A tumultuous noise of the kingdoms of nations gathered together!
The LORD of hosts musters
The army for battle.
5 They come from a far country,
From the end of heaven --
The LORD and His weapons of indignation,
To destroy the whole land.

NKJV

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

For Virginia folks on the list, please see the end of this mailing for info on prayer workshops with The Rev. Dr. Terry Teykl.

%%%%%%%%%%%%%

Grac*e-mail now has a page on Facebook… so send your friends an invitation to enjoy!

%%%%%%%%%%%%%

There should be one on this list that makes each of you lol…

For every complex problem there is a simple solution. And it's always wrong. (H.L. Mencken)

Pigs CAN fly, if given enough thrust. But it's not recommended.

If the wheel had never been reinvented, we'd still be driving on logs.

You have given your life to be the person you are right now. Was it worth it? (Richard Bach)

Don't sweat the petty things and don't pet the sweaty things.

When your work speaks for itself, don't interrupt. (Henry J. Kaiser)

If you're going to run around making sense, we're going to have to ask you to leave.

Beware of all enterprises that require new clothes. (Henry David Thoreau)

No matter where you go, there you are. (Buckaroo Banzai)

There are never any endings, only beginnings in disguise. (Mark Raymond)

%%%%%%%%%%%%%

Got this from Rev Michael D Halley, Pastor, Suffolk Christian Church…

I was surfing around -- we all do this, right?? -- and came across a Baptist pastor who was reflecting on John Piper's decision to leave his church for an eight month period. John Piper, as you may know, is the pastor of preaching (OH IF THAT WAS ALL I HAD TO DO!!) at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minnesota and who has an extensive outreach ministry called Desiring God (Google him, he has excellent resources). Well, the thoughts of this pastor's comments are reflective on our pastoral ministry. I hope you glean something from them.

http://markmarshallsblog.blogspot.com/

%%%%%%%%%%%%%

A couple of funnies…

When my grandson asked me how old I was, I teasingly replied, "I'm not sure."

"Look in your underwear, Grandma," he advised. "Mine says I'm four to six." Today's CleanQuote


AND

A little boy is gone to school one day and while he is gone, his cat gets killed. His mother is very concerned about how he will take the news.

Upon his arrival home, she explains the tragedy and tries to console the boy saying, "But don't worry, the cat is in heaven with God now."

The boy replied, "What's God gonna' do with a dead cat?"

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
I posted some info from Pat Otwell in the last mailing. Here is some more…
ABC's of Alzheimer's Ministry
Have you ever wanted to help a person who has Alzheimer's disease but didn't know what to do? Next time you are faced with this dilemma, let the following suggestions come to your rescue. Some of these acts can be performed by individuals, whereas other recommendations are appropriately undertaken as projects by Sunday School classes, youth groups, or mission organizations.
ADVOCATE by contacting local, state, and national lawmakers to request increased
funding for Alzheimer's research and to enact legislation that will improve quality
of life.

BE a friend-no matter what.

CONTACT those affected by Alzheimer's frequently to see if there are practical needs
you can meet.

DONATE a book about Alzheimer's to a church or public library.

ENROLL a patient in the Safe Return program sponsored by the Alzheimer's Association
and pay the annual fee (if applicable).

FAMILARIZE yourself with non-verbal techniques to facilitate communication with
patients.

GIVE a Gideon Bible in honor of a patient.

HIRE a home health aide to stay with a patient for a few hours each week to enable the
family to have a time of respite.

INVITE patients and families to attend church socials and make them feel welcome.

JOKE sensitively to relieve tension.

KEEP abreast of services, programs, and other resources that are available for patients
and families.

LEARN as much as possible about the nature of Alzheimer's disease and how it affects
patients.

MAKE a Scripture Box of God's promises to give patients and families as a source of
encouragement.

NEVER argue with patients since this leads to agitation and makes matters worse.

OFFER transportation to a patient and spouse when attending worship services.

PRAY for specific needs of patients and families as well as a cure for the disease.

QUELL patients' fears by listening to their concerns and offering reassurance.

RELY on the Holy Spirit to guide you.

SEND cards on special occasions such as anniversaries, birthdays, and holidays.

TAKE a home-cooked meal to a patient and family at least once a month.

UNITE with members of other congregations to provide support groups for families and
specialized worship opportunities for patients.

VISIT periodically as an expression of your love and a tangible reminder of God's love.
WATCH out for patients' safety.

Xcuse irrational and eccentric behaviors.

YIELD momentarily to patients' needs instead of your own.

ZERO in on what the experience must be like for a patient who has Alzheimer's and minister as you would want others to minister to you if you had the disease.

© 2009 by Pat Otwell
Dr. Pat Otwell is the author of Guide to Ministering to Alzheimer's Patients and Their Families published by Taylor & Francis (Routledge imprint). The book can be purchased at Amazon.com and www.routledgementalhealth.com.
%%%%%%%%%%%%%
Here is a link to an article by Dr. Dale Sides…

http://lmci.org/articles.cfm?Article=407

Here is a bit of the article “A “New” Weapon for Hard Times: Praising God Beats Depression”…

I do not believe that things will get any easier through the upcoming days; they will probably get worse. But this truth remains: praising God beats depression!

Praising God is what called angels to deliver Paul and Silas out of jail.

And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed. Acts 16:25–26

%%%%%%%%%%%%%

If you received this from a friend and would like to join…

To subscribe to this group, send email to
grace-mail+subscribe@googlegroups.com

Or you can visit this group at
http://groups.google.com/group/grace-mail?hl=en?hl=en

%%%%%%%%%%%%%

Got this from the “Pearls” mailing list. To receive, just sent Larry Burrows a request at larryb1939@sbcglobal.net

God has a way of answering my requests, my prayers, in ways I never even dreamed of -- not always in a pleasant way, not always in a way I would have chosen, but always in a way that He sees best. --Alan Smith

%%%%%%%%%%%%%

Ps 107

Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.2 Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, Whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy,3 And gathered out of the lands, From the east and from the west, From the north and from the south.


8 Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men!9 For He satisfies the longing soul, And fills the hungry soul with goodness.

15 Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men!16 For He has broken the gates of bronze, And cut the bars of iron in two.

21 Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men!22 Let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, And declare His works with rejoicing.

31 Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men!32 Let them exalt Him also in the assembly of the people, And praise Him in the company of the elders.

33 He turns rivers into a wilderness, And the watersprings into dry ground; 34 A fruitful land into barrenness, For the wickedness of those who dwell in it.35 He turns a wilderness into pools of water, And dry land into watersprings.36 There He makes the hungry dwell, That they may establish a city for a dwelling place,37 And sow fields and plant vineyards, That they may yield a fruitful harvest.38 He also blesses them, and they multiply greatly; And He does not let their cattle decrease.

39 When they are diminished and brought low Through oppression, affliction and sorrow, 40 He pours contempt on princes, And causes them to wander in the wilderness where there is no way; 41 Yet He sets the poor on high, far from affliction, And makes their families like a flock.42 The righteous see it and rejoice, And all iniquity stops its mouth.
43 Whoever is wise will observe these things, And they will understand the lovingkindness of the LORD.

NKJV

%%%%%%%%%%%%%

Send good stories and clean funnies to: johnlynnbright@gmail.com

NOTE - All material contained in this mailing is shared as received and is believed, by me, to be anonymous... unless credit is given. Please contact me at the address above if you know the author of any material so that I may give credit where credit is due. Thanks!

Grace & peace –
John A. Bright
Pastor, Walmsley Boulevard UMC in Richmond, Virginia
johnlynnbright@gmail.com
"God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change..."


%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

Prayer Encounter Workshop
Saturday June 12, 2010
Virginia Beach, Va.

The Evangelical Fellowship of the Virginia, in cooperation with Foundry United Methodist Church in Virginia Beach, Virginia, is offering a Prayer Encounter Workshop on Saturday, June 12, 2010, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

The registration fee for the Workshop is $30 per person and includes a box lunch, continental breakfast, and snacks. Each participant may reserve an optional workbook at a cost of $15.00 each. Make checks payable to Foundry United Methodist Church (put "Prayer Encounter" on the memo) and mail to Foundry UMC, 2801 Virginia Beach Blvd., Virginia Beach, VA 23452

The purpose of the Prayer Encounter Workshop is to enhance an individual's prayer life and to resource a congregation's prayer ministries. The presenter will be The Rev. Dr. Terry Teykl. Terry's passion for prayer is contagious as he communicates foundational principles and practical ides. He'll make you laugh, but you will come away from the experience convinced that you can make a difference in your church, your life, and the lives of those who are yet to find faith in Christ.

Terry's warm humorous style makes him a sought after speaker and seminar leader. He pastored for 28 years and is now devoted full-time in prayer ministry. He has authored many books on prayer including Making Room To Pray, Pray the Price, Your Pastor - Preyed On or Prayed For, How To Pray After You've Kicked The Dog, Acts 29, Blueprint For The House Of Prayer, and The Presence Based Church. Terry is an ordained Elder in the Texas Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church.
The deadline for registration is Monday, June 7. Walk-in registrations will be accepted but lunch is not guaranteed. .5 CEU is available with preregistration notification.

Please note that the same workshop is being offered at Tabernacle UMC on Saturday, June 19, 2010, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. For more information, contact Pastor Steve Hay at 540-786-6162 or pastorsteve@tabumc.org, or Pastor Keith Boyette at 540-972-8808 or pastor@wildernesschurch.org.