Happy Saturday and Happy Birthday Geni!

Our beautiful daughter turned 24 today. We had dinner at home tonight with her choice of menu and chocolate cake.

Bruce is doing more and more routine things now. Today, he went back to his men’s reunion group that has been meeting together each week for almost 20 years. It is made up of Emmaus brothers most of whom also serve in Kairos Prison Ministry. We then walked the two laps around the top floor of the mall making almost 2 miles.

Tonight we also were honored to care for our goddaughter, Asia Brewer. Her mom and dad celebrated their 6th wedding anniversary tonight and left her for the first time, making us her first baby sitters. It was great to have a baby in the house again.

On Thursday, my Dad retired (at the age of 78) from his job in the sheet metal shop where he has worked for at least 30 years. He told me today that it got up to 127 degrees in the building where he worked. I remember one time his boss told him that he was not looking forward to Daddy retiring because he could not replace him with the same caliber of work ethic. He is pretty amazing! He teased me that he never thought one of his kids would retire before him. Congratulations Dad!

Prayer: Father, I commit this day and my life into Your hands. Lead and instruct me according to Your perfect will. You are the God of my life, and I thank You for Your indwelling presence. Fill me with Your Spirit and lead me in Your truth. Amen.”

Psalm 42: 8 “The Lord will command His loving-kindness in the daytime, and in the night His song shall be with me—a prayer to the God of my life.”

The psalmist in this single verse tells us about his relationship with God and about his prayer life. He directs his prayer to the God of life not just the God of Sundays or the God of his parents. God was his all consuming purpose of his prayer life. The psalmist valued his relationship with God above all else.

When we prepare for worship we need to remember that God is ever-present with us. The psalmist describes an ongoing personal relationship with God and God’s steadfast love during the day and His song at night.

Our churches need to be filled with those believers who are people of prayer; mighty prayer warriors. The Holy Spirit flows through men; not though machinery, or methods, but those who truly believe and have that committed personal relationship. The Holy Spirit flows through people of prayer.

I read a story about Sir Isaac Newton. He once said that he could look through his telescope and see millions and millions of stars. And then he would go into his room and bow his knee in earnest prayer and see more of heaven and feel closer to God than when he looked through the telescope. Sir Isaac knew that even if he were to be assisted by the all of the telescopes possible that it was still prayer that allowed him to see into the very heart of God.

Are we prepared to worship seeking the very heart of God? Are we ready to eliminate the distractions around us and totally focus on the heart of worship…Jesus?

Take joy in the journey. Wear comfortable shoes, a hat and carry a bottle of water. Prepare your heart for worship and be a not just someone who prays, but a person of prayer. See you in worship. Love you all, Bruce, Gaylene, Geni and Travis.

Gcapplenotes@aol.com

I am not moved by what I see. I am not moved by what I feel. I am only moved by what I believe and I believe God.