Girls for Truth

Just over three years ago, Lakeshore, MS took the brunt of Hurricane Katrina’s fury with strong sustained winds of 150+ mph and a 42 ft. storm surge. All the homes in this community were destroyed and the residents were not only left without food, shelter, and running water, many lost their lives or the lives of their loved ones.

Lakeshore Baptist Church had their buildings destroyed, but the church body continued to stand to help their community. In the aftermath of Katrina, Rebuild Lakeshore, a mercy ministry spearheaded by Pastor Don Elbourne and Lakeshore Baptist Church, has coordinated the efforts of many churches from all over that have come to help rebuild Lakeshore. I was blessed with the opportunity to serve with my church for a week last January in the efforts at Lakeshore. I was so moved after meeting the people in this community that they have remained in my prayers and dear to my heart.

Lakeshore, MS is only one of the many areas devastated by Katrina and now the entire Gulf Coast is once again under the threat of a major catastrophe with the approach of Hurricane Gustav.

Please join me in praying for not only the community of Lakeshore, but also, for every community along the Gulf Shores. For a little help on how to pray, please read the following excerpt from Albert Mohler’s blog originally posted in 2005 in regards to Hurricane Dennis.

Perhaps we should pray as Jesus taught us, praying that the Father’s will would be done, that all persons would be spared harm, and that Christians would respond in the aftermath of disaster with a clear Christian witness of care, assistance, and witness. We should pray that any ‘natural’ disaster would be an opportunity for Christian witness to the supernatural Gospel, and for Christian reflection on the beauty of the Savior.

Remember this: Nothing can separate Christians from the love of God. Not hurricanes, not pestilence, not even death.

Let’s pray for those in Hurricane Dennis’ path, for lives threatened and for lives harmed. And let’s pray as Christians should pray, knowing that God is in control and that He has a purpose beyond our understanding. Let’s behold the power of the storm as a mere hint of the Creator’s omnipotence, and let us all be reminded to trust in Christ, and in Christ alone, for our security.
…..Read the rest here

This morning my mother received a call from a friend requesting prayer for her little sister. For sake of privacy, I will use the name “Jane” in describing her situation.

“Jane” is currently 19 weeks pregnant and just told her family for the first time today. She has received no medical care and is being urged by parts of her family to have an abortion for several reasons. She has an abortion scheduled for tomorrow, but her brother-in-law and my student pastor will be going to visit her tonight. I urge you to please pray for God to intervene, stop this abortion, and save this precious baby. Also, please pray for “Jane” and her family.

Psalm 139:13-16
For you formed my inward parts;
you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works;
my soul knows it very well.
My frame was not hidden from you,
when I was being made in secret,
intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed substance;
in your book were written, every one of them,
the days that were formed for me,
when as yet there was none of them.

As Christians, we need to love these girls who are facing these trials and making decisions based on worldly ideology, by reaching out to them. It is easy to “preach” against abortion, but it is another thing to get out there and do something about it.

Below are some resources to help you make a difference:

Eternal Perspective Ministries Resources: ProLife/Abortion
Eternal Perspective Ministries Links to ProLife Websites

I hope that you have had a nice Memorial Day. Even though we love having our families together for a long weekend, we can’t forget the reason why. This is the time for us to reflect on the men and women that have died fighting for our country. As we honor the soldiers that have fought and are fighting for our freedom, may we also remember the One who ultimately has allowed us this freedom. Also, I urge you to pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ in other countries that are fighting for the foundational freedom of the ability to worship God as well as sharing the Gospel that will free these nations from the bondage of sin.

A very dear friend of mine, Jessica Case, recently asked for a specific prayer request for her friends in South Africa. Jessica has recently spent time as a missionary in South Africa, and now, as a recent graduate of Moody Bible Institute, she plans on returning for a longer period of time. I am hoping to join her there for at least a couple of weeks early next year.

Prayer request from Jess:
I just received an e-mail from Ella, and wanted to pass it along so you can be praying.
Currently in the black townships, there is a targeted effort to “weed out” all foreign blacks. These are people who have come from Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, Malawi, Congo (other African countries) We are hurting because they are using violence and as of today 23 people have been killed and thousands are displaced and their homes are being ransacked and burned. I spoke with a pastor from Windmill park and where they stay, the churches are filled with people chased out of their homes. I just got off the phone with James and a dear pastor and friend named Eric (recent graduate of ICBM) is fearing for his life (he is from Mozambique 20 years ago) as thugs are going around his area wanting them gone.

This family will be living with the Embrees until the situation settles down. Pray that the violence stops, peace is restored, and Jesus will be glorified and magnified despite the hardship. And pray that those doing this will be broken and find Jesus!

Thanks!

Jess

Please pray for the family of Steven Curtis Chapman. Just yesterday, his five year old daughter, Maria Sue, was killed in an accident at their home.