Friday, September 19, 2014

September Newsletter

Dear Friends, Jesus Christ has been building His church here in Atlanta! We have seen each part (member) doing their own special work to help the other parts grow. Kevin and Victoria have both been attending our gatherings, infusing new life with their sincerity and eagerness to learn. This is an answer to your prayers. Praise God!

image                                                                                                                    Ward, Victoria, & Kevin

The Rock Atlanta This Sunday (9/21) Danelle and I will speak at the English and Spanish services of the new Rock Church in Atlanta. Pastor Mandy Fernandez will interview us about marriage. Please pray.

Miami Danelle and I have been invited by the Rock Miami Church to teach our seminar on Relationships using Steve’s book, Secure In An Insecure World. We will be there October 31-November 2nd Steve will also speak to the church on Sunday morning in their new facility.

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Pittsburgh Danelle will be visiting her family November 7-10. Please pray for her time to be relaxing, fun, and to build many good memories. They don’t get to see each other often.

House Church Conference November 21-23 Our house church will join the Gainesville, Florida house church for a retreat near Savannah, GA. It will be time to relax and be alone with God, enjoy family, make new friends, seek God together in prayer, and learn from the teachings.

Growing Family Stephanie and David welcomed Isaac Stephen Shirley into the world on September 7th! Isaac and I will now share the same birthday. He and his mother are doing well. Danelle was able to drive down to help them for the first week. Isaac is our 11th grandchild! We had better keep exercising so we can keep up with them! Smile

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Pastor’s Conference I will join fellow pastors in the Southeast in Clemson, SC for our regional meeting October 17-18. It’s always a pleasure to be with men of like heart to follow Christ!

Praise Reports and Prayer Requests

1. Kevin and Victoria. We rejoice that they have been attending regularly. Pray they would keep growing in faithfulness, and they come to our house church conference in November.

2. Danelle. Please pray for her to have an excellent time with her family in Pittsburgh from November 7-10.

3. The Shirleys. Praise for baby Isaac! Pray for God’s grace for their family to make adjustments and get sleep. Pray for David’s job situation too.

4. Timmy Powers. Please pray for him as he is in Ukraine now until October 15th training leaders. Pray for his wife Kenyon to stay encouraged while he is away, and for her health.

5. Our Finances. Thank you to those who have given special gifts recently! We are not out of the woods yet, but on our way! Thank you to each of you who give so faithfully. We love you all, and could not do this without your partnership!

6. SE Pastors Conference Pray we would encourage & build one another (Oct. 17-18).

7. House Church Conference. Ask God to lead our time by His Spirit, to meet pressing needs, to transform lives and marriages, and for more laborers for the harvest in Atlanta and Gainesville. Pray that all would leave encouraged and with fresh vision from God.

Yours on His mission,

Steve and Danelle (GO TIGERS!)

Saturday, September 13, 2014

Worship Services or Worshippers?

Our fathers worshiped in this mountain, and you people say that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship. John 4:20

I receive much of my inspiration while praying and worshipping God when I am running with my daughter Grace. Early one Saturday morning while running along the river, we discussed how we sometimes equate worship to a limited period of time, a specific place, or an event that must be led by a specific person. Do you ever wonder why these are conspicuously absent in the New Testament?

The Samaritan woman embraced this view of worship: "Our fathers worshiped in this mountain, and you people say that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship." But Jesus gently corrected her: "Woman, believe Me, an hour is coming when neither in this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father" (John 4:20-21).

You are a worshipper-always, everywhere you go. Don't be fooled into thinking that your relationship with God must be limited to a few hours a week at a certain place, led by a special group of people. It is who you are!