Wednesday, October 26, 2011

A Special Request for Prayer

 One of the ladies at church has a son who will receive a bone marrow transplant next month. He has been ill since his senior year of high school. He is 25 years old. His name is Clint Sheward and he has a rare form of Leukemia. He will be undergoing preparation for the transplant starting the Thursday before Thanksgiving, November 17. His mother told m e she thought the actual transplant would take place on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, November 29. All medical procedures have been/ will be done at the Cleveland Clinic. It is a miracle that they found a donor. His sister wasn’t a match and they had to go to the marrow registry in order to find one. My request is that you pray for Clint and his family. He and his mother will be away from home for at least three months. Also please pray for the donor and his family as well.

Acting Up In Church became very interested in this young man when Lora, his mother and a friend of hers came into the Sanctuary to pray at the altar one Saturday in early September. At that time they didn't have a donor. His sister wasn't a match. Lora couldn't be a match because she had Cancer herself, a few years ago. We prayed with her and her friend.

Some of Clint's friends put together a benefit fundraiser to help the family with expenses. Two and a half weeks ago that event took place.  They had a motorcycle ride, a chili lunch, later they had a euchre tournament, and a band. Throughout the whole day they had items( about a dozen gifts) on display for a raffle. They also had a 50/50 raffle, actually they had two drawings on this. Seven of us from Acting Up had lunch more or less together that day. (One man came late and some of us stayed and sat with him while he ate.)

Lora and her family would appreciate any prayers they might receive about this procedure and the pre transplant time as well as the post transplant time.

Monday, October 24, 2011

The Holy Spirit Poured Out




“He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done,

but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing

of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured

out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior.” Titus 3:5 (NIV)



We didn’t do anything to deserve our salvation. God extended it to us because of His great love for each of us. It is only when we realize this fact that we begin to appreciate the work God did through Jesus Christ.

God accomplishes this transforming of our hearts through the work of the Holy Spirit. He changes us into the person He can use for His purposes.

In 1985, I had a heavy burden in my heart. This issue caused me to have a degree of depression. I decided I needed to find another place to worship God. I did research on different churches near our home. I visited one located a half-mile from where we live. The people took me into their hearts. I learned of God’s love anew. I learned about the Holy Spirit.

My husband found the Lord because people of the church prayed for us. They accepted him just like they had accepted me and our son. God and His Holy Spirit guided me through several tough times while we were a part of that church. They were patient with me when I had a backset. At that time people would ask me how I was and all I could reply was, “Thank You” It was a verbal short-hand that sent a coded message. When I said it, I meant I couldn’t talk about it either because we didn’t have time or I was really having a hard time and felt they would be brought down by what I would tell them.

Although we attend another church where several of the members have come from our former church, I still feel close to God because of my discovering His Holy Spirit almost 30 years ago. I am grateful to God and His Holy Spirit for the changes in my life.

Dear God:

Thank You for seeing in me something that You could develop and then use me to work for You. Thank You for the guidance, wisdom and love that Your Spirit has been able to grant me.

God Alone

  Jesus and the children at our church's prayer walk.          I will both lie down in peace and sleep;  For You alone, O LORD make ...