Prayer Requests for 01/27/10 Service

January 29, 2010

Anne Marie S.: To stay focused on the Lord's plan and what He wants me to do- not to get distracted by the road bumps Satan puts out there.

Anonymous: Transition and change in the near future of my life. May I remain positive and encourage. May I be able to put the past behind and move forward.

Rodney S.: Prayer request to our Lord and saviour to be trusted with more elderly to care for at the d/fw Nursing and Rehab, and to ensure quality care and services. An in crease in census!

Kathryn K.: Prayers for us to really listen to God's leading regarding changes coming up, and for us to act on what God leasds us to do - with confidence that He supplies all our needs.

Doug G.: Relief from my allergies/cold/cough that has been hanging on for too long. Healing please!

Anonymous: Could you pls pray that the Lord will bring a Godly man into my brother’s life to mentor him and for my brother’s salvation? The Lord has really brought him to his knees recently. He desires a change in his life finally, just needs the courage and faith to take it one day at a time and make healthy choices.
He’s without a vehicle, job, and honestly not sure where he is living right now…some friend’s house temporarily. He’s an ex felon and recovering addict/alcoholic.

Christina P.: For friend, Debbie Lopez's son- Brett diagnosed with Hotchkins lymphoma - on 2nd round of chemo.

Van Meters: Mary is 5 months pregnant and has a pneumonia, please pray for the baby's health, and complete healing from the infection of the lungs.

Follett's: Brooks (pre-mature baby with complications) was released from the hospital and got to go home last Friday night. This will be an on going situation though until he's able to have the surgery. We don't know yet when that will be but most likely a few months away. Thanks for the prayer warriors!!!

The Countdown to Summit Sunday Has Begun!

Monday, January 25, 2010
The Race to Summit Sunday began today with the men meeting at Mango's for lunch and from there a small parking lot prayer time at the Addison Event Center. The countdown has officially begun, and currently we have 5 days, 141 hours until Summit Sunday at 10:30am. Tomorrow, we will have a Summit Call and dessert night to notify all attendees of the big move and this weeks activities. Stay tuned....God is movin' in Addison and so is Summit Life!!

January 23, 2010 "Working for Glory"

What do you do for a living? Most people, including me, would answer that question by responding with what their "job" was; dentist, CPA, manager, musician, stay at home mom... but is that really what we "do for a living"?

Jesus was a carpenter by trade, that was his job - but that is not what He did for a living. In the 17th chapter of John we read in verse 4, "I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do." What was that work? It included things like; love, patience, peace, sacrifice and truth. You see... what he did for a living was not his identity. It was what He did in his living that formed His identity.

What you do for a living is important but it is not as important as what you are doing in your living.

So the next time someone asks, "What do you do for a living?" Consider your response from the perspective of eternity. Am I being honest? Do my words bring peace? Am I patient with others at my "job" (or in my home)?

"Life is not found in what we do - what we do is a demonstration of what type of life we have found."

"I have come that you may have life and have it more abundantly."

So as I listen to my children argue over the Wii controllers this morning - I'm off to demonstrate my "job" as a Father... and work for the Glory of God.

Peace to you... MP

Added Prayer Request Today

Friday, January 22, 2010

Please pray for the Follett Family: my brother’s infant son was born in September with a detached esophagus. Their family has been faced with several months of challenges with NICU and now home nursing. The baby is fed with a feeding tube and cannot have corrective surgery until he has developed further (maybe 3 to 6 more months). On Tuesday my brother and his wife had to take the baby to the ER because of he has a type of bronchitis and the home medical devices and home nursing staff could not give the baby the proper treatment. My brother and sister-in-law also have 6 and 4 year old sons at home. My brother’s name is Jeff; my sister-in-law’s name is Courtney; my nephew’s name is Brooks. I know that this is short notice, please add them to your prayer request list at Summit Life Church.

Prayer requests for week Jan 20th

Thursday, January 21st, 2010

Kathleen: "Eyes to see, ears to hear, and nimble feet to go where the spirit leads.

Saundra: Pray for wisdom and patience - dedication for health.

Anonymous: Financial issues and stress related to trying to get them resolved. Stress and a lot of pressure at work - required to handle more work; influence more client to use our products and eventually close more business.

Jenna: I feel physically the devil is trying to rob me of my faith and confidence, yet the Lord has kept me so safe and secure in Him. Please keep praying for strength!

Tara: Discernment and wisdom in sale of house in Richardson and that it sells! Finding a place to live in Lubbock. And that God continues to open doors to meet people and serve him.

Pansy: Pray for Martha Sartain and family - loss of MJ Sartain - funeral in Huntsville Monday a.m.

Pansy "praise" - EEG results were normal - meds being increased seems to be ok after a week...PTL!

Anonymous: To be the man, leader, that God wants me to be...to push me out of being uncomfortable. Also to be patient...to pray and believe Jeremiah 29:11-14.

Anonymous: Asking God for guidance in my fasting - what to even ask for.

Devin: That we begin ministering to widows/ orphans, any poor and needy in this city or surrounding areas.

Molly: Pray the Lord would bless us with a child.

Jeff: Prayer for R - Thank you for him, please set him free. Thank you Lord for providence, your Holy Spirit revival and awakening in the hearts and minds of all Addison - For salvation and powerful move of your hand in Addison! Thank you for Michael and Christina; Fill their cup!

Anonymous: Praying feverishly about move out and comfort zone as well as meshing of two to one.

Summit Prayer Requests / Praises

Saturday, January 16, 2010

Pansy: EEG results = "normal" PTL!
Meds increased - pray for adjustment time to body

Anonymous: "Thank you Lord for keeping your mighty hand on us during the "valley" (2009) and please help me with my fear of success for 2010. I need your supernatural wisdom and understanding to do those things you have laid on my heart. Please help me to be unwavering in my faith.

Anonymous: Pray for my friend Ruth McWilliams as her health continues to fail.

Anonymous: Mr. Giles Hofacer has just undergone 14 hr. surgery to remove a cancerous tumor in his throat and hnow has a trach with feeding tube. Pray for his recovery including ability to speak and eat again and recocvery of mind, body, and spirit.

Jeff Shepperd: My oldest daughter asks for prayers for Wendy and her family as she lost her baby on Wednesday that was due next week; The cord got wrapped around its neck and was still born today.

SLC: Summit Climbing Partner, James Stabile; Undergoing chemo for pancreas tumor.

SLC: Summit Life is praying for a space for Sunday morning service, and a permanent space they can call home soon after that.

Christina Perron: Dear friend from high school, Debi Lopez, her son, Brett Lopez just found out he has hotchkins lymphoma, started chemo last week. He is 11.

If you have any further prayer requests you can "comment" on this blog. Also, if God shows you something for any of these people, please share on this blog.

Be blessed, cp

Look Inwardly With Courage

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

"When they were alone, He explained all things to his disciples." Mark 4:34

It's been a few days since we completed the Summit fast. As I reflect on that time I spent alone with God, He continues to reveal more and more. Oh how I love the secret things of God. Had I not done the fast, I would have missed out on so much. God revealed to me things I did not want to take a look at. But when I stopped to listen, he gave me a gift. I love the passage that says, "A man can receive only what is given him from heaven." John 3:27. During the fast he showed me to look inwardly with courage and face the "thief" that tried to steal my identity at some point in my life.

During the fast, I had a dream that Michael and I were window shopping in a mall. I had picked up a pretty blouse and a beautiful amethyst ring in a ladies boutique. I showed them to Michael. He looked at me and said, "Go ahead and try them on, and then I'll buy them for you." Wow! A surprise gift, just because he loves me!

As I went into the bathroom to try them on, there was a woman standing there. She was very petite in frame, and long dark black straight hair. I didn't know her, and I couldn't see her face. I asked her to hold my items while I washed my hands. Here's the important part...as I motioned to hand her the items, the Lord spoke in my ear (and I heard it loud and clear). He said, "She will steal those if you give them to her." I remember thinking, "Really? Surely she won't." And so I handed them to her. She grabbed the items and ran. We chased her through the store and even yelled out the mall doors, but she was gone. Just like that.

So what does all this mean? At first I didn't quite know. But God has revealed it slowly to me the past few days. The gifts in the story represent unconditional love. God gives it to us, and my husband was wanting to give me a gift in the dream. The woman was the "thief." She tried to take what was mine. Let me rephrase that...I "gave" her what was mine. Even when God warned me NOT to hand the items over to her, I did it anyway.

You see, the small framed woman was a thief and she represented "envy" for me as well. This woman was a reflection of who I've always wanted to be. A small boned, tiny, size 4 woman. Why on earth would I want to be something I am not? I believe in my heart of hearts it is due to word curses spoken over me. God brought 2 instances to mind that I had not forgiven. One had to do with my mom, and the other an old boyfriend. So I looked inwardly, and prayed against those words. The truth was that I had stored those word curses somewhere in my mind, body and spirit. Thankfully we don't have to live with lies that were once spoken over us. The bible tells us: "You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free." John 8:32.

Then just as God would have it, the very next day I read in the word, "My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place." Psalm 139:15. I recognized that God made me to be me!

God is so good, and the dream has a good ending. I chased down the thief, pinned her up against the wall, stripped the items away from her and said to her, "Give me back what is rightfully mine." And today I can say that I am seeing myself in a new light.

I want to motivate you to look inwardly with courage and be free. Life is too short! As Oswald Chambers once said, "It is slow work-- so slow that it takes God all of time and eternity to make a man or woman conform to His purpose."

Be blessed! Christina

01/09/10 - Day 3 SLC Fast

"...you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; you shall be called the 'reparier of the breach', the restorer of streets to dwell in." Isaiah 58:12

These words were said of the people of God as they made God the priority and fasted.

As I consider the role of Pastor I soon realize that my duty is to prepare a foundation for others to stand upon. My 'job' is to build higher ground so that the generations that come after me start at a higher level. I often tell men that I talk with, "If your goal is to be like me... you're aiming too low - your destiny is to stand on my shoulders and reach higher to the LORD."

This day - where are your sights set? Are you preparing a foundation for others? Who are your 'men' or 'women' that will stand on your shoulders? I see in days to come, to be able to repair the breach, it will be necessary to reach higher. The only way to do that is for the generation of this day to sacrifice themselves for those who come after.

Pray this day for disciples, ask God to bring you young men and women who will stand on your shoulders. Pray for the '20-somethings' that will attend SLC.

"We have the potential to make this generation the best generation of mankind in the history of the world." John F. Kennedy

01/08/10 - Come to the Summit Life "Fast Blast Feast" at Hamelot!

Al Alder, Tonya Neal along with Jon & Saundra Hamel have offered to host our very first "Fast Blast Feast" at Hamelot! This Saturday at 6:00pm. They will supply hot dawgs, Buns, Chili, and drinks. The rest will be pot luck. They will have games like, speed scrabble, WII, and a kids table available. And YES the cowboy game will be on the big screen! Bring a side dish - tell us what you are bringing when you reply. Should you have any questions; Jon Hamel’s cell is: 214.437.7577

01/08/10 - Day Two SLC fast

Friday - John 17:1-26. "May all be one... That the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them."

"One" - That was what Jesus asked of the church (His bride). Another word often used is "unity". The bride of Christ in intended to move forward - to take light into darkness and to be a demonstration of unity among people.

Today, ask the Lord that the church (both universal and local) would be united to usher in the Kingdom of God to the world.

Today remember that "Where there is unity there is always victory."

01/05/10 - SLC Corporate Fast

"And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications,
with fasting… And I prayed unto the Lord God,
and made my confession... " Daniel 9:34

Last night I asked you to consider a fast; food, television, technology, exercise, or however the Lord directs. The purpose of this blog is for you to post your experience while fasting so as to encourage others. The only request I have is that you are honest with your comments. Whether this is the first time you have embarked on a fast, or this is a spiritual discipline you practice regularily, I want to let you know I have prayed for you for the past 10 days; specifically that God will reveal Himself to you... "more and more".

I'll be asking you to pray over certain aspects of Summit Life Church in the days to come. Today I would ask that you take the time normally spent "doing" to "be" and meditate on the verse, "Be still and know that I am God..." (Psalm 46:10)

- What does it mean to be "still".
- When was the last time you were still and silent before the Lord? (sleeping does not count)
- Are you nervous about "making" it through the fast?
- What are you asking of God?
- What are any other promptings that you would like to share?

For those of you who were unable to make it to the service here is an overview of fasting: For those who have this scroll to the bottom and write your comments... Peaace, MP

Fasting
"And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications,
with fasting… And I prayed unto the Lord God,
and made my confession... " Daniel 9:34
Dfn; To voluntarily refrain from eating or drinking (activity) for the purpose of drawing closer to the Lord and requesting his blessings. When individuals and groups fast, they should also pray to understand God’s will and to develop greater spiritual strength. Fasting has always been practiced by true believers.

What are the scriptures on prayer and fasting?

There are many Scriptures on prayer and fasting. Here are several:

Occasions of prayer and fasting in the Bible:

Praying for health: "David pleaded with God for the child. He fasted and went into his house and spent the nights lying on the ground" (2 Samuel 12:16)

Praying for safety: "There, by the Ahava Canal, I [Ezra] proclaimed a fast, so that we might humble ourselves before our God and ask him for a safe journey for us and our children, with all our possessions" (Ezra 8:21).

As an act of repentance: "When they had assembled at Mizpah, they drew water and poured it out before the LORD. On that day they fasted and there they confessed, "We have sinned against the LORD." And Samuel was leader of Israel at Mizpah" (1 Samuel 7:6).

As a sign of mourning: "They mourned and wept and fasted till evening for Saul and his son Jonathan, and for the army of the LORD and the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword" (2 Samuel 1:12).

Before making an important decision: "While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, 'Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.' So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off….Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust " (Acts 13:2-3; 14:23).

Teachings on prayer and fasting in the Bible:
Fasting is a personal event: "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. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you" (Matthew 6:16-18).

Fasting can be from things besides food: "The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. The wife's body does not belong to her alone but also to her husband. In the same way, the husband's body does not belong to him alone but also to his wife. Do not deprive each other except by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control" (1 Corinthians 7:3-5).

Jesus did require fasting as a part of Christianity: "They [Pharisees] said to him, 'John's disciples often fast and pray, and so do the disciples of the Pharisees, but yours go on eating and drinking.' Jesus answered, 'Can you make the guests of the bridegroom fast while he is with them? But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; in those days they will fast.'"

Fasting is a form of worship: "Then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying" (Luke 2:37).

01/05/10 - Ring in the New Year at Summit Life Church!

Summit Life Church in Addison moves to Wednesdays starting Jan. 6. 2010! It is that time of year where we are all ready to "ring in the New Year." Anyone know where that phrase came from? It was customary in England to "ring out" the Old Year at midnight on New Year's eve by ringing the church bells (as though for a person who had died), and "ring in" the New Year with a cheerful clang! Tennyson wrote this well known poem in 1850 which reflects this custom.

This is the first verse:

Ring out the old, ring in the new,
Ring happy bells, across the snow;
The year is going, let him go;
Ring out the false, ring in the true.

Well if you plan on joining us at Summit tomorrow night (Addison Conference Center) "truth" is what you will get! We will begin a 4 -part series, "First Things First" with the first message entitled, "Ringing in the New Year."

Join us every Wednesday night - We love well (hug well too!)
Addison Conference Center 15650 Addison Road, Addison, TX 75001
7pm - Doors open at 6:30
The adventure of transformed living starts here!