Prayer Request for Carla and her girls!!

We need to send out a prayer request for Carla and her girls. Victoria is having a hard time at her dad's and is trying to decide where she really fits in. It is making her so upset she has made herself sick over it. It's tough for Carla to see her going through this and not being able to fix it. Let us all pray for a hedge of protection around her and remove the guilt that she feels for the situation that has nothing to do with her. Let us also pray for the Lord to open her father's eyes and heart to be able to see Victoria's needs and to be able to give her what she really needs from her father.

Our prayers are with you Carla and hope you feel God's loving embrace surrounding you and your family!! We love you!

There's a Hurricane A'comin Prayer Request!!!

Okay guys, JT and I are going in and hope we make it back alive!!! That is to say we're going to the the gulf coast for vacation and are hoping this "Gustave" thing doesn't come near us too quickly. We will be keeping our eyes on it and will leave if it gets dangerous. Please keep us in your prayers that we have a great vacation (the first time for Jonathan to see the beach/ocean) and that we get some really fun days in before the storm gets to us!

Hope everyone has a SAFE and HAPPY Labor Day weekend. We will see you all next week!!!!

Jinna needs prayers!!

We have a prayer request from our sister Jinna. She is really on the mat and being pummeled this week. Both her daughter and herself are sick and for the first time in a while her asthma is giving her problems. There are also a number of annoying, stress filled things going on at the moment that have her feeling knocked out.

Could you please pray for a hedge of protection for their family. She feels certain that this is a spiritual battle since she is just beginning to rebuild her relationship with the Lord and actively seeking to grow again.

Let us wrap her in a protective blanket of our prayers and ask the Lord to give her the strength to endure whatever the enemy is throwing her way. We love you Jinna and are thankful you brought this to us. We will pray for your protection and guidance!!!

Phil's Fired Up Prayer Request!!

Okay, okay I know the opening was a little over the top but I wanted to get your attention. Our brother Phil had a fire at his house last night around 3:30am. The fire itself was contained in the garage and fortunately/unfortunately he only lost his truck, his Harley (yes, we can all grab a tissue now) and damaged his daughter's truck. The firemen (down, Dawne, down!) were able to put it out and the only damage to the inside of the house is smoke and water. He is just very thankful that the smoke alarms woke him and he was able to find the fire. He called 911 quickly and they were able to put it out before it got out of control.

Please keep him in your prayers for both the strength to get through the trials of dealing with the insurance company and also that the process moves along as swiftly as possible. At the moment he has informed us that he doesn't need anything but we will definitely keep you updated if and/or when that changes!

We love you Phil and you will be covered in prayer I am sure of it!!!!

Prayer Request for Preston!

Hi all, just wanted to ask everyone to please keep both Preston and his Mom in your prayers. They are going to be spending much time together this week and will need your prayers for both strength and compassion. Also include safe travel prayers for him as he will be flying in this nasty weather!!

1 Timothy 5:4

. . . these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God.

Service Day Tomorrow!!!

Just in case anyone forgot . . . . .

We wanted to remind you about . . . . .

Service day on the 23rd (that's tomorrow by the way)!!!!!!!!!!!

(please check your local e-mail for details)

Prayer Request from Seattle!

Hey all, on my flight to Seattle wed night i met a woman flying to be with her daughter Tracy. Tracy's husband is in the hospital. he had heart surgery - something to do with a valve and something happened during surgery i guess. he is on life support and Mary (from my flight) said they were probably going to declare him brain dead today (thursday). his parents are here in Seattle ( from Minneapolis) and today is Tracy's birthday. Please pray first for a miracle that will totally glorify God and for healing and for comfort and peace for the family. thanks for your prayerful support! i love you all!
hugs, bambi

Successful Surgery!

Kim's surgery was scheduled this morning but due to another persons complications in the operating room she was delayed until this evening. Kim is just now through surgery and back in her room. Her mother is with her and she is sleeping. Everything went well and she is expected to go home tomorrow. Her girls are fine and she doesn't need anything at the moment except loads of our prayers for a quick and smooth recovery. Let us also give many thanks for her family for helping out and the staff at the hospital for a wonderful job in taking excellent care of her.

Thank you for your concern and prayers. We look forward to seeing you all tomorrow!!!!

New Kind of a little bit urgent update for Kim Cox!

Hi everyone! I sure hope you guys are checking this thing as frequently as possible. I know Preston is sending out an e-mail but I also wanted to post an update about Kim Cox on here to let you know of a change in her situation.

She is now on her way to the hospital. She is going to be admitted and then they have the surgery scheduled for in the morning. She noticed that not only was the pain not lessening like it was supposed to, it was in fact getting worse. This prompted her doctor to make the decision to go ahead and have the surgery in the morning rather than wait until Monday.

She is in the best of hands now. Her mother is with her and the girls are being taken care of by other members of her family. We will keep you updated on her situation (of course) and will let you know when she is home safe and sound!

As always, just keep praying for her and her entire family!!! Thank you and love you all!

Prayer Request for Kim Cox!

Just wanted to update you on a struggle a member of our family is going through at the moment. Kim Cox started having very bad stomach pains yesterday and by this morning the pain was bad enough that she went to see a doctor. Two appointments and one ultrasound later they have determined that she has gallstones and had a bad attack. They said that the situation does not warrant surgery this weekend but she will have to go back in Monday for more tests to decide if she will have to have her gall bladder removed in a scheduled surgery sometime next week.

She is in a lot of pain and at the moment is at home with pain medication resting. Her family is taking care of her and both of her girls. She says she doesn’t need anything at this time but please, please take a moment to say a prayer for Kim, Sidney and Nicole. We will let you know more as new information comes in but for now rest assured that she is being taken care of and what she needs most is prayer for a good outcome on Monday!

Prayer Request August 12th!

For some time now a friend of my mother's from church has been asking for prayer for her niece (Elizabeth), who is trying to get away from a very verbally and physically abusive husband. Also, this husband is trying to take their 3 year old child (Ken) away from his Mother. She asks that you pray for her niece, her child, the husband and anyone else involved in the situation. From what little I know it has become a very dangerous situation so please double up on your prayers as soon as you read this request. Thank you in advance and blessings to you all!

Mail from God

For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do-this I keep on doing. Romans 7:19-20 NIV


Dear Child,

Has anyone ever called you a hypocrite for believing in me but not acting perfect all the time? Here is a news flash - you are a hypocrite. Any human who stands up strongly for something is immediately in danger of being a hypocrite and with eventually become one. Why? Because humans are not perfect. That is why we are not able to walk our convictions perfectly every single day.

But Christianity is not about having the perfect spiritual journey. It's about knowing which direction to take and doing your best to get there. Don't buy into the need to prove all the cynics wrong about your hypocrisy. There is freedom in accepting your imperfections - trusting my guidance and continuing to move forward with me.

Lover of the Hypocrites

God

God's Plan

WHEN GOD SAYS NO
____________________________________________________________

I asked God to take away my bad habits God said, No. It is not for me to take away, but for you to give it up.

I asked God to give me patience God said, No. Patience is a by-product of tribulations; it isn't granted, it is learned.

I asked God to bring back my happiness God said, No. I give you blessings; Happiness is up to you.

I asked God to spare me pain, trial and suffering God said, No. Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares and brings you closer to me.

I asked God to make my spirit grow and mature me in faith God said, No. You must grow on your own, but I will prune you to make you fruitful.

I asked God for things that will help me to enjoy life God said, No. I will give you life, so that you may enjoy all things.

I asked God to help me LOVE others - as much as He loves me. God said, Ahhh my child - you finally have the idea. May God Bless You,

"To the world you might be one person, but to one person you just might be the world"
"Even the word 'IMPOSSIBLE' says 'I M POSSIBLE"

Service Day on Aug. 23rd!!!

This is just a quick reminder about our first Service Day coming up on Aug. 23rd. We will give you more details soon but please just note this date in your calendars and plan on joining us in helping serve Him by helping out a member of our Life Group family!!!

"Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, because you know that the Lord will reward each one of you for whatever good you do, whether you are slave or free."
Ephesians 6:7-8

Better???

Nothin' but love 4 ya here at JCFinders baby!!

:)

Phil's Corner

I want to thank Preston, Madison, our brother (from another mother!) Ken, and our sister (newly drowned!) Sharona for all that you do to make the Life Group an inspirational success. You guys rock!!

I need to correct a serious misstatement I made on Sunday regarding God's mercy and grace. The quote should have read:

Grace is God giving us what we DO NOT deserve,

Mercy is God NOT giving us what we DO deserve!

I think that is a bit more accurate than my version, which mentioned the word "earn," which as I understand it is not the way our Father works in the Grace department. I apologize for my big mouth, which I am truly trying to keep my size 10 1/2 out of! I need to give credit where credit is due, and many thanks to Sandy for kindly and politely pointing out my major gaffe. Now if I can just get her, and Ms. Bad Ankles, and Ms. I Live Too Far Away Now, and of course, The Coug to come back out to volleyball (but not tomorrow evening, as we are not playing due to an election).

I will admit that I expressed reservations regarding the size of this "small" group to Preston as we first gathered, but I am finding it to be a great spiritual inspiration, as well as a wonderful learning opportunity for one such as me who is slowly reconnecting with Christ and taking baby steps along my journey. Thanks and praise be to our Heavenly Father, and to all of you for helping me in my walk!

In Christ,

Phil

Kim and her girls!

We wanted to put this picture up of Kim and her two lovely girls. They are such wonderful members of our Life Group family and we wanted to share with all of you their smiling faces!!

Kim has been greatly consistent in her adding of comments and we wanted to let you know that we love you and truly appreciate you taking time out to 'stay in touch'. We love you!!!

(As a side note we just wanted to let everyone in the group know that anyone is subject at any time to have their picture posted up here on our blog. If for some reason you would rather we not post your picture please let us know in advance and we will respect your wishes.)

Acworth Sprint Triathlon

(you DO NOT participate in the triathalon, just help those who are!!!)

ACWORTH SPRINT TRIATHLON VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
NorthStar Adult Singles Community Ministry
WE NEED YOUR HELP!
The NorthStar Adult Singles Ministry will be volunteering at the ACWORTH SPRINT TRIATHLON on Saturday, August 10, 2008.

This is an annual event supported by NorthStar Church and the Adult Singles Ministry. If you're an early-riser and in search of breakfast - this is your calling.
Great time for fellowship, serving others and showing God's love in such a way...

Interested in volunteering for this event?
Contact Margaret Owens from our JCFinders at legacyrunner01@bellsouth.net

Key Information
Saturday Morning, August 10, 2008
Arrive to NorthStar Church no later than 6:15am
Lite breakfast will be provided
Return in time for the 11:00am service

You are welcome to bring a small cooler with water and snacks (if desired)
Great T-Shirts for all volunteers (let Margaret know you size)

Prayer Requests August 4th!

Jinna has asked that we all pray for her and her oldest daughter Jessica. Jessica has recently moved back home and the road has been rocky. They are both attending KSU and are caught up in the great Financial Aid web that we all know can be so very tricky. Please pray for expediency through these financial matters. Also say a special prayer for Jessica that she may meet some new Christian friends who will help her along on her journey back to a relationship with our awesome God!! We all know God puts people in our paths for a reason. Please pray for Jessica to have eyes full of wisdom to be able to select the Godly new friends she needs!

Gail also still needs our prayers. As of this morning she is still in a lot of pain. She tried to go into the office but was only able to stay for about 2 hours. I told her how much everyone loved her fruit flower arrangement yesterday and could hear the smile on her face. She doesn't need anything at the moment but still appreciates the prayers and concerns. She was very sad about missing our joyful day yesterday but I feel confident that she will be up and back with us soon.
Please pray for her and her children who are doing their best to make sure she is comfortable and resting!

Worship for All!!

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you to all of you who were there at Greg and Julie's house yesterday to share in the joy of my baptism. I do not think it could have gone more smoothly or been more of an incredibly awesome spiritual experience.

What amazing God we serve right? The communion was incredible as well as all of the fellowship!

I hope everyone had an awesome time and look forward to doing this kind of gathering many more times in the future. As we grow closer as a family in Christ it is my sincere hope that we are going to be witness to many of these little miracles.

I believe that we are truly blessed to have one another and look forward to getting closer to each of you. I challenge each of you to search your hearts for what God may have placed there for you to share with us. Let us get to know you and help you along this walk with our wonderful God!

We welcome everything you have to say and hope you become comfortable enough to share with us yourselves!

Thank you again and may each of you have a week full of blessings and hope!!