Faith & Worship

Yesterday, I helped chaperone with a couple of Angela's classmates in Warrenton.

We attended a play called, "The Life Of Martin Luther King". I think it was interesting that we just saw a play yesterday and Coretta King, the wife of Martin, passed away this morning. I cannot imagine how hard it had been for, not only that family, but the whole race!! After the assassination of MLK, Coretta never gave up!! She cared for her four children and fought to keep Martin's legacy alive! Can you imagine how many times the thought of giving up runs through her mind? It seems to be impossible to convince millions of white people to accept Martin's call for unity, but she did! And because of her unfailing love for her own race and Martin's dream, we've all come together as one, sons of God, regardless of the race!

"There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." Galatians 3:28 (niv)

I keep thinking, throughout the history, of how people fought the good fight of faith. Where situations might be impossible to overcome, God overcame! There's another wonderful family, the Schwambs. I had the privilege, today, to meet Cristi, because she has expressed a desire to learn ASL. She felt a calling by God after reading an announcement I posted in the church's bulletin. Despite the setbacks she's experiencing right now with her third baby in ICU, she told me that she's determined to start learning ASL in March. I have not seen such positive faith coming out of a family like this in a long time!!

When their beloved baby, Lauren, had a setback and required surgery, they remain optimistic! They were all smiles and full of joy asking us all to continue to pray for Lauren. Not too long ago, her prognosis didn't look so great that there was a call for a 24 hour prayer a couple Sundays ago! Because our prayers were lifted up, Lauren continues to make a miraculous improvement! While Lauren remain in ICU, Cristi brought her two children to church to attend the Tuesday morning ladies' bible study!! This shows that, regardless of the situation with her daughter, she's determined to keep God first in her life! She continues to consecrate her life to Him. How pleasing is this to God? Awesome!! Keep the Schwamb family in your prayers!!

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I just talked with one of the hearing members of the church as well as getting some comments from come deaf members concerned about the commitment of others to worship services and classes. One hearing member commented,

"Most Christians do not understand the importance of coming together to worship the One who created us. It's like telling our dads, "Sorry, I won't be home for dinner. I have made other plans." How would dad feel? He sees an empty chair. He knows the son prioritizes things in life above the precious moment with the family. And guess what? Isn't it simple to know that Sunday is a day dedicated to God!? When all other Christians gather together in His Name, shouldn't others gather too? They may say, "Oh, I have other plans..." or "Oops! I overslept and my alarm didn't go off." or "My kids don't feel like going so therefore I don't have a choice but to stay home." These excuses pose problems with commitment. They aren't giving, two things: consistency and examplification. Jesus said, "Learn from me..." Then those having problems with commitment should learn from the committed!!"

Personally, my family and I are always dedicated and committed to being with God on Sundays! Shouldn't that be true for each and every Christian? When I see one, two or three always committed on Sundays, it shows their heart is true and fixed on Christ. When I seldomly see one, two or three, they are either ignorant about their relationship with Jesus or simply lukewarm, meaning they know but don't want to and/or allow the priorities of the world to take precedence over God.

Apostle Paul thanked the church in Thessalonica (1 Thessalonians) for their faith, labor and endurance!! Obviously, this church tops all the churches in the world, even today!! They had severe suffering from persecutions that we don't have today! The most common persecution we're experience is: "Not Getting What We Want"!! That keeps us away from the potentially deep relationship with God through Christ! A couple of things found in 1 Thess. 1:

1. They became imitators "in spite of severe suffering"!!! (6)
2. They became a model to all the believers (including us)!!
3. The Lord's message spread throughout (because of their fervency and sense of urgency)!
4. Paul didn't need to say anything to others because they are already seeing the evidence of the church's faith alone!! What did they see??

• They saw that they turned from worthless idols: what are the idols you're turning from: self and world?
• They served the true and living God (worship, worship, worship!!)
• They are anticipating the coming of Christ and entrance into Heaven!!

Now, question yourselves, "Who am I before God today?"


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Check this Prayer site out!! Excellent!!!

http://www.fxcc.org/deaf/prayer.asp