from the week of april 12
“I Lift My Eyes To The Mountains – Where Does My Help Come From?
My Help Comes From The LORD, The Maker Of Heaven And Earth.”
Psalms 121.1-2
Prayer Matters.
“Now when Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet, saying to him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled. And he said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to him, “Lord, come and see.” Jesus wept.” John 11.32-35
“For the Lord takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with salvation.” Psalm 149.4
I started season 2 of The Chosen series – a well done (in my opinion) video series on the life of Christ – and in episode one there is a scene with Jesus (by himself) laughing, looking like he is caught up in a special memory. He is rejoicing (although not physically together) with a family that has experienced healing. This scene brought happy tears to my eyes – thinking of our God, our Creator, our Savior – smiling and laughing on our behalf. I was also thinking of last week when a sweet memory of my dad hit me square in the face and I couldn’t help but burst into tears missing him. I believe Jesus was weeping with me in that moment of grief.
I like to think as I am praying for others that Jesus is right there with them in their good times, their healing, and in the hard times, the grief and worry. When I pray with that emphasis, my focus shifts in how I am praying. It gets personal and deep, not so much generic or surface level. I hope what I am trying to say makes sense…regardless, I encourage you to ask the Lord to give you a new focus when you are praying for these prayer requests. I’m interested in what you are “seeing.”
Shine your light,
Ericka
“For the Lord takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with salvation.” Psalm 149.4
I started season 2 of The Chosen series – a well done (in my opinion) video series on the life of Christ – and in episode one there is a scene with Jesus (by himself) laughing, looking like he is caught up in a special memory. He is rejoicing (although not physically together) with a family that has experienced healing. This scene brought happy tears to my eyes – thinking of our God, our Creator, our Savior – smiling and laughing on our behalf. I was also thinking of last week when a sweet memory of my dad hit me square in the face and I couldn’t help but burst into tears missing him. I believe Jesus was weeping with me in that moment of grief.
I like to think as I am praying for others that Jesus is right there with them in their good times, their healing, and in the hard times, the grief and worry. When I pray with that emphasis, my focus shifts in how I am praying. It gets personal and deep, not so much generic or surface level. I hope what I am trying to say makes sense…regardless, I encourage you to ask the Lord to give you a new focus when you are praying for these prayer requests. I’m interested in what you are “seeing.”
Shine your light,
Ericka
our praises
- O Lord, we are fearfully and wonderfully made. Help us to fulfill the mission that you ordained for us, for our church and for our valley.
- Thankful for the many ways God has met me in the past and shown Himself to be merciful beyond measure and kind to me when I did not deserve it.
- I believe!
- Thank you for the Easter service that glorified God.
- I see God at work in the beauty of relationships around me.
- Praise Jesus for friendships that encourage and challenge me to live my best life. God is helping me see so much goodness!
- I am thankful for a family who helps one another out at moment’s notice.
- Praising God for a successful surgery! Please join me in prayer for an excellent outcome for the test results.
Our prayer requests
- Pray for our family as we go through a divorce.
- Healing prayers for G who has stage 1 breast cancer and will have surgery this week. Prayers for the doctors and family. Praising God, it was caught early!
- Praying for Camp Ghormley as they hire summer staff and prepare for campers during this new season of the pandemic.
- Please pray my co-workers and I find healthy, honoring ways to communicate as we start to work together in the same building again.
- Father God, please heal my mom who is dealing with three new issues that will require lifestyle changes. Renew her hope.
- God hears our prayers, even the ones we can’t put into words out of fear or shame. Lord, we trust You are working mightily in our friend’s life – walking with her, shielding her, loving her through a very stressful period.
- Prayers for protection (hearts and souls!) of our children who are in a challenging situation.
- God bless our pastors – Bill, Curt, and Alex. May they be refreshed in their spirit, mind, and body. May they breathe in God’s goodness and breathe out praise for all He has done for them.
- Please pray for Mary’s recent health issues to be resolved and that her energy and stability return, in Jesus’ name.
Thank you for praying for our church and camp staff:
Staff: (Pastors) Bill Williamson, Curt McFarland, and Alex Rule; (Business Manager) Tammy Nunley; (Family Ministry) Sarah Huck; (Media/IT) Deb Meyers; (Preschool Director/Teacher) Jessica Van Horn; (Administrative Assistants) Ericka Clark and Jennifer Brice; (Worship Leaders) Jason Wickson, Nathan Gross, and Jon Waite; (Preschool Teachers) Jenifer Knight, Ryan Clinkenbeard, and Becky Gruenberg; (Building/Grounds/Custodial) Maurice Peugh, Dan Barela, John Yolo and Marcus Barela.
Ghormley Staff (spouses) and Board: Joel and Trisha Whitehead (Director), Tom and Nicole Bandy, Eferon and Erin Betancourt. (Board) Corday Trick, Barney Trick, Marcus Huck, Ted Palmatier, Kathy Mathison, Rich Milhorn and Mark Baldwin.
Staff: (Pastors) Bill Williamson, Curt McFarland, and Alex Rule; (Business Manager) Tammy Nunley; (Family Ministry) Sarah Huck; (Media/IT) Deb Meyers; (Preschool Director/Teacher) Jessica Van Horn; (Administrative Assistants) Ericka Clark and Jennifer Brice; (Worship Leaders) Jason Wickson, Nathan Gross, and Jon Waite; (Preschool Teachers) Jenifer Knight, Ryan Clinkenbeard, and Becky Gruenberg; (Building/Grounds/Custodial) Maurice Peugh, Dan Barela, John Yolo and Marcus Barela.
Ghormley Staff (spouses) and Board: Joel and Trisha Whitehead (Director), Tom and Nicole Bandy, Eferon and Erin Betancourt. (Board) Corday Trick, Barney Trick, Marcus Huck, Ted Palmatier, Kathy Mathison, Rich Milhorn and Mark Baldwin.
“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 15:57 (ESV)