Devotion 11-29-12

Posted on Nov 29, 2012 in Fran's Devotions

Good morning,

Yesterday as I sat by my sick husband’s bed, I started looking through his Bible.  Those who know him know he carries his whole life history in his Bible.  One of the things I found was a few verses about prayer that I had not heard in a long time.  Author is unknown.

The Difference

I got up early one morning and rushed right into the day; I had so much to accomplish that I didn’t have time to pray.

Problems just tumbled about me and heavier came each task; “Why doesn’t God help me?”  I wondered; He said, “But you didn’t ask.”

I wanted to see joy and beauty, but the day toiled on gray and bleak; I wondered why God didn’t show me, He said, “But you didn’t seek.”

I tried to come into God’s presence; I used all my keys in the lock.  God gently and lovingly chided, “My child you didn’t knock.”

I woke up early this morning and paused before entering the day.  I had so much to accomplish that I had to take time to pray.

Father, when we don’t find the time to be silent before you, help us to be in prayer continually as Paul suggests in I Thessalonians 5:17:  “Pray without ceasing.”  Just be in silent conversation with Him all day.

In Jesus’ name.

Fran


Prayer request 10/29/12

Posted on Oct 29, 2012 in Prayer requests

Dear Prayer warriors:
  1. 33  year old man, father of a 2 year old and a 2 month old who found out he has stage 4 melanoma on the day of his last baby’s birth.  He starts treatment today at Moffitt which will consist of several surgeries, chemo, radiation and clinic trials.  Pray for his wife and family as well.  Submitted by Jamie Wright.
  2. Pray for the people in the line of the storm.
  3. Praise the Lord the Eberhard’s will be able to teach the class they were sent to teach in Brazil, even though they have only 6 students.  But God can do much with a few who are dedicated to His cause.
  4. Continue to pray for Iraida who has been diagnosed with an auto-immune disorder.  Pray that the treatment will return her to good health.
Thanks for the many prayers you send up for so many others.  God bless you.
In  His service,

Fran

 


Devotion 10/29/12

Posted on Oct 29, 2012 in Fran's Devotions

Good morning,
What a time of contrasts this past weekend has been.  Some of us rejoicing in the breezy, cooler weather and others having to batten down the hatches in preparation for one of the worst storms in memory.  And our hearts and prayers go out to each of them and to those who are laboring to try to help save lives.
But while keeping all these things in mind, I have to say that this weekend has been a real blessing to me.  Our worship service was a blessing, from the sermon, to the testimony of Leslie, to the beautiful songs sung.  But one of the different things was when our pastor asked us to seek out someone after the service and tell them that they had been an inspiration to them.  As I looked around at so many familiar faces, I realized that each of them had affected my life and Christian growth in some way.  So many great examples of Christ’s love have been shown to me and my family by this congregation over the years.  That is the way God blesses us, so that in turn we can be a blessing to others.   They did this in the early church and that is an example for each of us today.
Acts 2:42 says this about the first believers:  “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread together and to prayer.”  And so did we as we gathered to share a meal in honor of our staff.  God has so richly blessed us with a wonderful staff as well as so many dedicated volunteers that make things happen for us on Sunday.  May God richly bless each one who does things we never see, but are free to enjoy.   Father we thank You for caring enough about us to send Your Son to die for our sins.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.
In His service,
Fran

Aaron’s Bio

Posted on Sep 29, 2012 in Uncategorized

Aaron Miller

 Aaron was raised on a healthy diet of hymns, soul food and heart-warming Methodist fellowship. He was introduced to the wonder of the piano at a young age and soon after became a music enthusiast. By his senior year in high school, Aaron had picked up the Trumpet, playing in his school’s jazz ensemble and the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra and also dabbled with the guitar and bass.

 Aaron went on to study music at the North Carolina School of the Arts which was a thriving, culturally rich environment. He learned much about life, art and human nature in his two years at NCSA. Aaron continued his studies at Georgia State University in downtown Atlanta where he played in orchestras, jazz ensembles and various bands.

 Aaron’s life in Atlanta had many ups and downs, twists and turns, triumphant highs and devastating lows. Ultimately, it was during a time of great sorrow in his early 20s that Aaron was humbled to a point where he was truly ready to fully accept Christ. The Sovereign Lord led Aaron to the Tampa area and steeped him in the goodness of His grace. Ever since, Aaron has dedicated his life to sharing the Good News and resurrecting, liberating, life-giving power that is Christ Jesus.

To this day, Aaron considers music his prayer language and believes in it’s power to heal, inspire, invigorate, and unify God’s people.