We had a contest at our church for the most creative picture from all of our small groups that were studying through the book “God Has An App For That”. I had decided that I was going to visit the life/small group of the winning photo. The winning photo was that of a dog leading the group in the Bible study. So last night, true to my word, I visited the life group and met the dog of the infamous picture. Not only could this dog lead a life group on “God Has An App For That”, he also was a dog of prayer. I saw it with my own eyes. Here is a photo of a very Godly dog who prays at any given time. Enjoy! www.GodHasAnApp.com
So I am in a spinning class at the LA Fitness in Universal City when I get called out of class by a lady who says there is a phone call for me. She said that it wasn’t an emergency, but it was important. Whew, well at least I knew no one died and ran downstairs to take the call. It was one of my assistants, Shalena, who says, “Fred Roggin of NBC Sports wants to interview you about Tim Tebow.“
She then explained I had to be back at the church by 8:00 PM, where they would tape the segment. I raced home, changed my clothes, and got back to the church promptly at 8:00 PM. I did NOT know the questions he would ask, but I did have an idea about the direction of the interview.
I had NO idea what the final question would be and was surprised when Fred Roggin asked the following question. He asked me, “If New England and Denver were playing a football game in a river…” Right there, I was thinking, “WHAT?!?!?! In a RIVER?!?!?!” He continued, “If they were playing in a river, WOULD TIM TEBOW WALK ON WATER?”
2011 has been an amazing year capped off by our fall Revival. We had an outstanding list of speakers who delivered truly inspired messages. But the revival was a result of people who had been praying for the 6 weeks leading up to the revival. And, without question, each night you could sense the power of God at work in the lives of those who were there. Looking back I am still changed and moved by the events of that week. The preaching, the music, the prayers, the changed lives and the power of the gospel. I pray that this video will serve as a reminder that it’s “still not the end” and we have many souls to reach.
So many things upon my heart today. Just thought I’d list out a few prayers in hopes that you would join me in praying for our world. First, for all our families. Couples struggling, marriages on the brink, children running in rebellion. May the Lord help men to step up and become Godly men who serve Christ, who honor their wives and who lead their family and children. May women reflect the love of Christ in all situations and give them peace and strength for the challenges of each day.
I want to pray for all the single men and woman and ask that they would remain true to God and save themselves for marriage. Lord help them not to compromise their faith or their purity. Help them not to run ahead of what you have planned for them.
I pray for children, specifically that you oh God would watch over them and protect them. So many forces in this world to lead them down the wrong path. My prayer is that you would raise up a generation of young people that would shake this world for Christ.
Next, I want to pray for all the Pastors and Church leaders and ministries in the world. God that our churches would be evangelistic in nature, making disciples of all nations and to not get swept up in majoring in the minors. Help our preachers and teachers to speak God’s word in an uncompromising manner. The Word of God never returns void so help us lift high the Lord Jesus Christ and his plan of Salvation for all the world to hear.
Help Christians to get out of their comfort zone and to not worry about the cost, but the call of God upon their life. Give us boldness and faithfulness and give us a burden to become true followers of Jesus Christ. Lord, help us NOT to compromise but to live each day in complete surrender to your will.
I want to also pray for the following things 1. The flooding in Thailand and to help those trying to recover. 2. The turmoil in the Middle East, to protect Israel and bring Salvation to Jews, Arabs and Egyptians. 3. The economic turmoil in Europe and specifically those in Greece. 4. Pray for the underground church in China, for the Lord’s protection and mercy. 5. For Christians in India, China, Egypt and others who are being persecuted for their faith. 6. For Americans to care more for the spiritual than the physical. We need a revival in this country. 7. For College Students in USA and abroad to not be swept away by humanism and secularism. 8. Pray for the poor and down trodden in America and around the world. Let your love be known. 9. Pray for our government that they would have a holy fear and reverence for you Lord. 10. Pray for the men and women who serve in our Military. For police officers and firefighters. 11. Pray for Hollywood and those who work in the Entertainment business to use their gifts for God. 12. Praying for Shepherd of the Hills Church, that we would reflect the church that we see in Acts. 13. Pray that every person who reads this blog would hunger and thirst for righteousness that comes from above. 14. Pray for missionaries who serve around the world. Bless them and empower them to lift high Jesus’ name. 15. Ask God to provide for those who are hurting financially and help each of us to believe in HIS LAWS of planting and sowing. 16. Pray for the city of Los Angeles. It seems like the entire world lives in this city or is at least represented. From L.A. we can help change the world as we lead others to accepting and following the Lord Jesus Christ. 17. Pray right now for YOURSELF… that the rest of this day and the rest of your life that you would honor and serve Christ with ALL of your HEART.
Lord… Thank you for the power of your love and grace. May your mercy that shines upon us be forever present and may the personal relationship that we have with you be a testimony that YOU DESIRE to have that same relationship with others. Thank you for loving us and never giving up on us. Forgive us whenever we fail you and speak truth into our lives when we take our eyes off of you. Help us to repent, to turn completely to you without hesitation. May we read the bible with passion and conviction and see our trials as blessings as you shape and mold our lives.
I feel so compelled to pass this along to you because it just amazes me that God is so tuned in to our situations. We own a very small window cleaning company, and recently it seems that everything in our lives has gone wrong. I was injured at my work after working for 10 years, and I was forced to be laid off until a workers compensation case could be decided. At the same time, my husband was injured and needed triple bypass surgery, so our income went from comfortable to nil. We were evicted from our home in front of my children, our car was repossessed, our bank account was closed, and our insurance cancelled. Things were horrible.
My husband always donates his time at Shepherd of the Hills church. He helps with the offering and hands out the communion. Anyway, on Friday, he was on Ventura Blvd. bidding a window and awning job when a group of 12 people approached him and began talking to him. They asked if there was anything that they could pray for with him, and he told them about our troubles. At this point, they informed him that they were from Shepherd of the Hills and he immediately said , “That’s my church, too!” A small woman in the back of the group stepped forward and said, “I know you, I see you in church every Sunday!” Well, these 12 prayed with my husband at approximately 4 o’clock in the afternoon. At 6:30 PM he was parking our car when his cell phone rang. It was an independent contractor offering my husband steady work starting this Monday! I had to share this with you because it’s amazing that at 3 o’clock on Friday, our lives seemingly had no positive outlook—and after that prayer encounter on Ventura Blvd. with your 12 stewards, our lives have once again taken a positive turn. We now see light at the end of what seemed like a long dark road. Thank you for being you and allowing God to use you as our sounding board. God Bless you and your family, Pastor Dudley.
– Anonymous
I wanted to share with you this letter of the month and let you in on a secret…the group of people who approached the writer’s husband and prayed with him was none other than Caleb Kaltenbach and his team at the new Shepherd Woodland Hills church plant!
