Month: September 2009

This picture sums up the last few days of flooding here in the Atlanta area.

If anyone would like to help people who have been affected by this flood, our church Westridge Church is hosting a team from Samaritan’s Purse who have come to help thus who have been affected in our area of the city.  Many people have lost everything and the worst part is many of these people did not have flood insurance! I will try and post more information in the coming days as our area slowly recovers and the waters recede. The link from Samaritan’s Purse has ways for you to donate money or your time. Please be praying for the people in our area and for our church as we respond to help people in the days and weeks ahead.

“I am praying for them. I am not praying for people in the world but for those you gave me, because they are yours.” John 17:9 NCV

Our church just finished a series called “United” where we studied the prayer of Jesus for 4 weeks along with several other churches in our area. This morning I was re-reading John 17 and this verse jumped out at me. I think that it jumped out at me because so many people say that they are praying for you and do not mean it. That is not to say that everyone who says that they are praying for you in not in fact praying but the fact that Jesus says that he is praying for me and for us as his followers carries some weight with me. So you might ask what is Jesus praying for us? The answer comes in verse 11

“Holy Father, keep them safe by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they will be one, just as you and I are one.”

Jesus is praying that we would live in unity in the same way that He lives in unity with God the Father.

I take great comfort in the fact that Jesus thought enough of me to pray for me and then die for me!

Challenge:  How am I living as an answer to Jesus’ prayer in John 17?

As August gives way to September I had to stop for a moment and ask, “where did the summer go?” Time seems to be flying by and before I know it Christmas will be here. I really like the Fall and I am excited for its arrival. Fall is my favorite season of the year. Fall is football season, crisp days, jean and sweaters, windows open in the house. I will miss the longer days of summer but I am happy to trade them for the crisper days of fall.