Three Hymns
One Sunday a pastor told his congregation that the church needed some extra money and asked the people to prayerfully consider giving a little extra in the offering plate. He said that whoever gave the most would be able to pick out three hymns.
After the offering plates were passed, the pastor glanced down and noticed that someone had placed a $1,000 bill in the offering. He was so excited that he immediately shared his joy with his congregation and said he'd like to personally thank the person who placed the money in the plate.
And there sat Rosie all the way in the back shyly raising her hand. The pastor asked her to come to the front. Slowly she made her way to the pastor. He told her how wonderful it was that she gave so much and in thanksgiving asked her to pick out three hymns.
Her eyes brightened as she looked over the congregation, pointed to the three most handsome men in the building and said, "I'll take him and him and him!"
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Sunday, May 10, 2009
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY
I am so sorry I have not posted the past few days. The storm Friday took my internet service (again)! I love this high speed stuff, but I do lose service way too often. Just can't make myself go back to dial-up - which was reliable, but slow. Out here there aren't many choices (or should I say any choices), so I guess I'll have to put up and shut up.
Enough said, I hope all of you are having a great Mother's Day. We had something funny happen at our house. Pastor bought me the same purse for Mother's Day as Nickie picked out for her birthday. Now we're twinkies. We drug him along shopping for a purse for Nickie yesterday. She saw one she liked at the first store, but we decided to go to all the other stores we could find in Jackson to see if she found anything else she liked better. I really liked the one she picked out in the first store. Pastor, feeling sure that she would find something else at another store and that she probably would not come back and get that one, snuck back to the store and bought it for me. He just knew with all the other stores we were going to, Nickie would find something else - especially since she didn't get that one during the first visit to the store. Well, you guessed it - 3 hours later, we returned to the store and purchased the same purse for her as he had purchased for me earlier. Our challenge now - not to grab each other's purse on the way out the door!!!
I do hope all of you have a wonderful Mother's Day and that your children bless you today. There's nothing better than being a mother!
Love you, ladies!
Sister June
Enough said, I hope all of you are having a great Mother's Day. We had something funny happen at our house. Pastor bought me the same purse for Mother's Day as Nickie picked out for her birthday. Now we're twinkies. We drug him along shopping for a purse for Nickie yesterday. She saw one she liked at the first store, but we decided to go to all the other stores we could find in Jackson to see if she found anything else she liked better. I really liked the one she picked out in the first store. Pastor, feeling sure that she would find something else at another store and that she probably would not come back and get that one, snuck back to the store and bought it for me. He just knew with all the other stores we were going to, Nickie would find something else - especially since she didn't get that one during the first visit to the store. Well, you guessed it - 3 hours later, we returned to the store and purchased the same purse for her as he had purchased for me earlier. Our challenge now - not to grab each other's purse on the way out the door!!!
I do hope all of you have a wonderful Mother's Day and that your children bless you today. There's nothing better than being a mother!
Love you, ladies!
Sister June
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
PRAYER
We all want to effectively pray for the ministries God gives us to lead. So here's a helpful prayer guide that assigns a different area to pray for each day of the week. And it just so happens that each day's prayer "assignment" begins with the same letter as the day of the week. It's easy to remember and helps us ensure that we've got it all covered.
Sunday...Studies
Pray for the Bible studies, mentoring groups, book clubs and any other small groups that will meet in the coming week.
Monday...Ministry
Ask for God's direction for yourself and those who lead with you. Pray for specific ministry needs.
Tuesday...To Do's
Need we say more? We all have a list. Let's pray about it - what we should and should not do, when and how. Lord, help us redeem our time wisely.
Wednesday...World
Pray for the nations, the missionaries, the persecuted church and governments around the world.
Thursday...Those in Need
Lift up those who are hurting, lonely or poor. Pray for those who need a Savior.
Friday...Future Plans
We all have dreams. Let's commit the future of our ministries to God.
Saturday...Sunday Services
Pray for your pastor, for others who serve and those who will worship with you this week.
Sunday...Studies
Pray for the Bible studies, mentoring groups, book clubs and any other small groups that will meet in the coming week.
Monday...Ministry
Ask for God's direction for yourself and those who lead with you. Pray for specific ministry needs.
Tuesday...To Do's
Need we say more? We all have a list. Let's pray about it - what we should and should not do, when and how. Lord, help us redeem our time wisely.
Wednesday...World
Pray for the nations, the missionaries, the persecuted church and governments around the world.
Thursday...Those in Need
Lift up those who are hurting, lonely or poor. Pray for those who need a Savior.
Friday...Future Plans
We all have dreams. Let's commit the future of our ministries to God.
Saturday...Sunday Services
Pray for your pastor, for others who serve and those who will worship with you this week.
Monday, May 4, 2009
WONDERFUL DEVOTION
I received this devotion today and it ministered to me so much that I just had to share it!!!
Scripture: Matthew 28:20"I am with you always, even to the end of the age" NKJV
There is a Cherokee Indian legend that defines a child's rite of passage from childhood to being a MAN. It's a Cherokee rite of passage!
A young boy's father takes him into the forest. There he blindfolds him and leaves him sitting alone on a stump. The young boy is required to sit on the stump the entire night. He may not remove the blindfold until the rays of the morning sun shine through it. He cannot cry out for help to anyone. Once he survives the night --- the legend says he is a MAN. Most important --- he can't tell the other boys of this experience, because each lad must come into manhood on his own. The boy is naturally terrified as his mind displays all kinds of fear. He can hear noises --- perhaps wild beasts are all about --- maybe even another human out to do him harm. The wind blows the grass, shakes the trees and his stump grows unfriendly and cold. But the boy must sit stoically, never removing the blindfold. He knows it was the only way for him to become a MAN. Minutes drag on --- they turned into hours as the sounds of the forest got louder and louder. Then a silence starts --- the horrific night --- is coming to an end and he can feel the warmth of the sun. Then the sun begins to seep through his blindfold and he knows it is time. He then removes his blindfold and discovers his father sitting on the stump next to him. His father had been on watch the entire night, protecting his son from harm. What a wonderful analogy for us to understand that we are never alone. Even when our worst fears are over coming us --- even when we don't know it, our Heavenly Father is watching over us. And Jesus is "sitting on the stump" beside us. When trouble comes, all we have to do is reach out --- It's a rite of passage.
Scripture: Matthew 28:20"I am with you always, even to the end of the age" NKJV
There is a Cherokee Indian legend that defines a child's rite of passage from childhood to being a MAN. It's a Cherokee rite of passage!
A young boy's father takes him into the forest. There he blindfolds him and leaves him sitting alone on a stump. The young boy is required to sit on the stump the entire night. He may not remove the blindfold until the rays of the morning sun shine through it. He cannot cry out for help to anyone. Once he survives the night --- the legend says he is a MAN. Most important --- he can't tell the other boys of this experience, because each lad must come into manhood on his own. The boy is naturally terrified as his mind displays all kinds of fear. He can hear noises --- perhaps wild beasts are all about --- maybe even another human out to do him harm. The wind blows the grass, shakes the trees and his stump grows unfriendly and cold. But the boy must sit stoically, never removing the blindfold. He knows it was the only way for him to become a MAN. Minutes drag on --- they turned into hours as the sounds of the forest got louder and louder. Then a silence starts --- the horrific night --- is coming to an end and he can feel the warmth of the sun. Then the sun begins to seep through his blindfold and he knows it is time. He then removes his blindfold and discovers his father sitting on the stump next to him. His father had been on watch the entire night, protecting his son from harm. What a wonderful analogy for us to understand that we are never alone. Even when our worst fears are over coming us --- even when we don't know it, our Heavenly Father is watching over us. And Jesus is "sitting on the stump" beside us. When trouble comes, all we have to do is reach out --- It's a rite of passage.
BLESSING
Good Monday Morning! I just want to pray a blessing over you this morning as we begin a new week. Father, I thank you for my sisters in Christ. I thank you for the love we share both between one another and in You. I pray that you will bless them as they begin this new week. I pray that you will bless their going in and coming out. Bless them as they work, bless them as they play, bless them in your Word and in their prayer time. God, I ask you to go before them and be their guide and protection against the wiles of the enemy. Guard their minds and hearts that they may hear and know You in their lives. Lord, I pray that You would meet their every need - physical, spiritual, financial, and emotional as they trust You. Bring peace and joy into their hearts, homes, and lives. May they find You to be richer and greater than ever before as they set themselves before You this week. May your goodness and mercy be extended to them in great measure.
God, I pray that you will also bless their families and their homes. May their homes be filled with Your presence and power, with love, joy, and peace. May our homes reflect You in every way.
We thank You for this in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.
Ladies, may this be one of your best weeks ever. I love you.
Sister June
God, I pray that you will also bless their families and their homes. May their homes be filled with Your presence and power, with love, joy, and peace. May our homes reflect You in every way.
We thank You for this in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.
Ladies, may this be one of your best weeks ever. I love you.
Sister June
Friday, May 1, 2009
MOTHER'S DAY
Well, it's almost here - Mother's Day. We are planning a wonderful Mother's Day service. We hope you will be a part of it. The theme is A Mother's Legacy. We have a gift for each of you that I'm sure you will like. I hope you will join us.
Opportunities
I have received invitations from a couple other churches to attend their events. One is a Mother's Day event at First Assembly in Portageville on May 8. The other is a women's conference at Bro. Robinson's church in Kennett. This is the district church for Sister Johnson. This event is May 5-8. If you are interested in either of these, please let me know. I am going to try to attend one night with Sister Johnson and would love to have you join me.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
