The Power of Prayer

As all Sundays are for me, yesterday was very busy. I knew I had a lot ahead of me when I woke up: helping get the kids bathed and dressed for church, getting myself ready, and preparing my mind for worship. In addition to all this, we were going to be having lunch at the church building with some other folks, so that meant that I would be "fielding and corralling" the children while my wife dealt with the business end of this lunch. The business end consisted of discussing the nursery ministry at church, in which Meloney has a large involvement. Also, the first meeting of the Mexico Mission Team was scheduled for the afternoon, so I had a lot on my mind as I began my day.

Sunday school went well with a great discussion of 1 Timothy 3-4. I was greeted in class by a very pleasant surprise in the form of some old friends, Ross and Tia Mitchell. Ross and Tia worked with the youth ministry at a church that I attended as a teenager and they are working with a church down in Florida now, where Ross is the preaching minister. I don't get to see them very often, so I was pretty excited.

Worship went well. Brad Sullivan, our usual preacher, was out of town so one of our elders, Mike Greene, filled in for him with a great message on love. The highlight of the service, however, was not the sermon or even the singing. It was the baptism that followed the sermon.

A 41-year-old man, the son of some long-time members at Vaughn Park, became my brother in Christ yesterday. His parents, along with many other people, have been praying for this day all of his life. Many of us probably would have given up by now, but not his Mom and Dad. They truly believed that God would answer their prayer that someday their son would come to know Christ. Yesterday, it happened.

"If you remain in me, and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish and it will be given you." (John 15:7)

I don't know about you, but I often take these words of Christ for granted. This statement was not just empty rhetoric, but a promise from God in the flesh. So often I forget that. What happened yesterday is proof that Jesus wasn't kidding when he made that statement.

What's my point? Very simple: DON'T GIVE UP!!! God is listening to your prayers! He hears you when you cry and he hears you when you rejoice! Continue to live for him and bring your petitions before him in prayer and he will answer you! It may not happen today or tomorrow, or even next year, but it will happen! Don't ever forget that!

Because of some parents that didn't give up on asking God to save their son, there is a 41-year-old man sleeping soundly tonight because he knows that he has a home in Heaven. Praise God!

SOLI DEO GLORIA! (To God Alone be the Glory!)
--Eric G.

I'd Love to Hear What You Think

Well, thanks to Haloscan, I've finally enabled my blog to accept your comments on my "ramblings." I'd love to hear what you think about all these different thoughts that I share. It lets me know that somebody is reading my posts.

Is this thing on? Anyone? Hello?

Later,
--Eric G.

Entering the Mission Field

I realize that there are probably many of you who read these posts of mine (or, as I like to refer to them, my "ramblings"!) who have already received this information in an email I sent out earlier today, but I'll post it anyway.

I just finished reading a couple of great posts on Jon Owen's blog, where he mentioned his upcoming mission trip to the Czech Republic. I am really excited for Jon and his mission team from GAC, and I pray that their trip is a tremendous success for the Kingdom of God.

I, too, am about to embark on a mission trip to the Baja village of Maneadero in Mexico. God has blessed me, along with a group of about 40 from Vaughn Park, with an opportunity to encourage the Church in Maneadero and share Jesus with non-believers that live in the village. We will be doing all sorts of construction work and meeting the physical needs of the people there. I praise God that he is allowing me to be a part of this effort.

I am responsible for raising the funds to cover expenses for the trip, but that's not the reason for this post (However, if you are willing to help me in that area, email me, and I'll tell you about it). My purpose here is to ask you to pray for me and the team from Vaughn Park, as well as Jon and the team from GAC as we all try to do our part to share the message of Christ with the people in Mexico and the Czech Republic.

In the coming weeks, I'll keep you posted as we prepare for our trip.

SOLI DEO GLORIA! (To God alone be the Glory!)

--Eric G.

Welcome Matt Elliott!

I believe it was Andy Warhol who said, "Eventually, everyone on earth will have 15 minutes of fame." Let me rephrase his words to express what I'm thinking: "Eventually, everyone I know will have a Blog."

Our latest addition is an old friend of mine by the name of Matt Elliott. Matt and his wife Lela are some old friends of mine (I mean, I've known them a long time, not that they're OLD!) who I especially got to know back in the Q days. Matt is a very talented worship leader and teacher, and he's a pretty good guitarist, too. I have been blessed to have sung on his worship team from time to time. He has a great perspective on things of a spiritual nature and on life in general, as well as a great sense of humor.

Check him out:
Matt's Blog

Enjoy!
--Eric G.

Discovering the joy of fasting

The joy of fasting? I don't know about you, but I've always thought of fasting as something that is painful. I mean, really...Going for a long period of time without food? Are you kidding?

Apparently, Jesus wasn't kidding:

"When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full." (Matthew 6:16)

Notice his wording? He doesn't say "If you fast...", he says "When you fast..."

In my own personal study, I have recently been reading a book called God's Chosen Fast, which examines this idea of fasting. While reading this book and examining the scriptures, I have found that fasting is not just some old custom from long ago, but something that ranks right up there with praying, singing praises, and reading God's word. So I decided to try it this week.

Once I got past the initial hunger pangs, I discovered that there is joy in fasting. By abstaining from food, I was able to fill my time with something more worthwhile, like praying and studying the scriptures. I feel like my relationship with God has really grown this week, thanks in part to fasting.

I just wanted to share these thoughts with you.

SOLI DEO GLORIA! (To God alone be the Glory!)

--Eric G.

Welcome to Keith Lancaster!

I just discovered yet another blog that I didn't know about. Keith Lancaster is the founder of the group Acappella and an old friend (via the Q days). Acappella is currently working on a new album to be released this year, entitled Heaven and Earth. Keith is producing and doing much of the writing for the project. He is chronicling the project through his blog. Even if you're not an Acappella fan, his blog is worth checking out.

Read Keith's blog

True Contentment

Do you ever feel like you've got so much stuff going on that you don't know what direction you're headed? Me too. Sometimes the stress of everyday life gets so big that I can't see anything else in my life. It's like I'm constantly playing "catch-up". If you feel like that, maybe the following article is for you.

The Contented Fisherman

Enjoy!

--Eric G.

Welcome to Helen Wishum

Hey! Hey! A big, hearty Welcome to Helen Wishum! Helen is an old friend of mine from way back who always has a kind word and a sweet smile for me every Sunday morning at church. She just began her own little Blogspot that gives her perspective of the world around her. I think you will benefit greatly from reading what she has to say!

Helen's Blogspot