I have been moved by a story this past week from Dallas, Texas. Check out this story about one stranger helping another stranger. What could happen to a community if the church began to live out faith like this.
Watch this:
Woman buys another person’s house back for them!
Or Read this:
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I received an email from a pastor from the Sudan. This is the guy I blogged about a few posts ago. Let’s pray for Romano as he remains faithful to the call of Christ.
Dear friends in the Lord,
Praise the name of the living God.
I am writing this as a living testimony that I am not dead today.
Last week thursday I was travelling from Torit to lohutok 74km east of torit.
But just half way I heard a gun shot so close that some fractures heat my right leg.
I found myself rolled three times on bike still and I ran and hid in the bush.
While in the bush I checked myself and with big sigh I thanked God for rescuing me.
Rejoice with me now with the save deliverance of our Good Lord.
Pray for the safety of this road.
Thanks
Pastor Romano
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Two weeks ago I shared an illustration using a balloon and the cross. The balloon represents us, and the cross represents what Jesus gave to us. We continue to feed our own needs, wants, and ego without realizing we have gotten in the way of the cross. Our world needs to hear about the cross. Our world needs to hear the gospel. It is time to get out of the way.
“He must become greater; I must become less.” John 3:30
In Jesus, we can be transformed from unhealthy to healthy.
Selfishness to Selflessness
Pride to Humility
Insecurity to Love
Resentment to Forgiveness
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Are you in a 40 Days group? Don’t miss out on what God is doing at Mount Ararat. Check out what I read this past week.
“Many historical movements have begun in the intimacy of small groups. The English Reformation started when a group of Cambridge scholars met in the White Horse Inn to study Erasmus’s Greek Testament. The Methodist Revival began in the Holy Club in the 1720s in Oxford, and continued in the class meetings. The East African Revival began in the 1930s and has continued with fellowship meetings. Today there is a worldwide proliferation of cell groups, home groups, or house churches.”
“In London we call them fellowship groups because we are anxious that they will exhibit the riches of New Testament koinonia. Fellowship groups express what we share in together as we pray and feed on Christ in his word. They express what we share out together. They are encouraged to be outward-looking, to look for opportunities of service, such as inviting local people to evangelistic evenings, visiting the sick and elderly people in their neighborhood, volunteering to cater for church events and interceding for the world and the church.”
The Living Church by John Stott p. 95
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 October 17, 2008Dear Saddleback Family, Kay and I, and our entire family are deeply grateful for your prayers for Jaime and her battle with a brain tumor. Below is a brief report of this past week along with the scripture verse I’ve focused on each day. Thanks for sharing this burden with us. You might want to save these verses for when YOU need them. SATURDAY Jaime was hospitalized for blurred vision, instability, and headaches. A CT Scan revealed a massive tumor at the base of her brain. ‘Lord, when doubts fill my mind, when my heart is in turmoil, quiet me and give me renewed hope and cheer.’ Psalm 94:19 (Living) SUNDAY My 25 year old daughter-in-law, Jaime, (Josh’s wife) is facing her second life-threatening health crisis in less than two months. Seven weeks ago, Jaime went into labor five weeks early. They discovered the baby was in the breech position and an emergency C-section was ordered because the baby’s heart rate began to drop. Cole was not breathing when he was born, and it took great skill from the medical personnel to resuscitate him. MONDAY A day for testing. The MRI revealed a very serious and complex vascular tumor and hydrocephalus. There is debate about the type of tumor and much concern about the best procedure to use. ‘God will shield you with his wings! They will shelter you. His faithful promises are your armor. Now you don’t need to be afraid of the dark any more, nor fear the dangers of the day; nor dread the plagues of darkness, nor disasters in the morning.’ Psalm 91:4-6 (Living) TUESDAY After getting 3 professional opinions on the nature of the tumor, we’ve moved Jaime to Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center. The UCLA chief of neurosurgery has taken Jaime’s case because of its risk and complexity. An angiogram today provided more information but because of the tumor’s location and connection to vital blood supply, doctors are unable to perform a procedure they hoped to do before the surgery. ‘The righteous do not fear bad news; they confidently trust the Lord to care for them. They are confident and fearless and can face their foes triumphantly.’ Psalm 112:6-8 (NLT) WEDNESDAY 10 AM Jaime was just rolled into the operating room for her 16 hour brain surgery. We now know the premature birth and emergency C-section of Cole likely saved Jaime’s life. She could have died pushing in a normal delivery. What we often think is a problem (at that moment) is often a protection. ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord is the one who goes before you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor forsake you.’ Deut. 31:8 (NLT) WEDNESDAY NIGHT 11 pm Hour 13 of Jaime’s surgery. We are told the tumor is tangled with all of the nerves on the left side of her brain, pushing its way into the brain. We are praying that Jaime’s life will be spared, the tumor will be successfully removed, and there will be no damage to her eyesight or permanent loss of movement. ‘The prayer that is said with faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will heal that person.’ James 5:15 (NCV) THURSDAY 6 AM After almost 20 hours, Jaime leaves the operating room. She’ll now be in recovery for several hours. She may sleep for a couple of days due to the strong anesthesia given. ‘When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.’ Isaiah 43:2 (NLT) THURSDAY 10:30 AM VERY BAD NEWS. A post-op CT Scan shows that Jaime is bleeding internally and building pressure on her brain. This is life-threatening, so doctors must go back to the operating room, reopen the wound, find the cause of the bleeding, and stop it. This will take another 4 ½ hours. ‘We do not know what to do, but we are looking to you for help.’ 2 Chron. 20:12 (NLT) THURSDAY 3 PM The second surgery stops two areas of internal bleeding. The doctor frankly discusses the possible long term damage. ‘Lord, you know the hopes of the helpless. Surely you will listen to their cries and comfort them. Psalm 10:17 (NLT) THURSDAY 5 PM Josh just got to see Jaime for the first time in 32 hours. It was only 30 seconds but she opened her eyes. She is on a breathing machine and can’t speak but can move all four of her extremities. The next 24 hours will be extremely critical. Our family is all worn out too. Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28 (NLT) FRIDAY AM Please pray that Jaime will have a full recovery, with no long-term complications. Pray that her life will be an example of the truth that God’s purpose for our lives is greater than any problem we face. Pray the doctors and nurses will be touched by the witness of her life. ‘If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.’ Matthew 21:22 ‘Pray that our Lord will make us strong and give us peace.’ Psalm 29:11 ‘Pray for us that God will give us an opportunity to tell people his message.’ Colossians 4:3 ‘I pray that God will take care of all your needs with the wonderful blessings that come from Christ Jesus!’ Phil. 4:19 ‘As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by failing to pray for you.’ 1 Samuel 12:23 THIS WEEKEND WE CONTINUE OUR FOCUS ON BUILDING STRONGER RELATIONSHIPS THROUGH 40 DAYS OF LOVE. ‘This is my prayer for you: that your love will grow more and more; that you will have knowledge and understanding with your love.’ Philippians. 1:9 Don’t forget, coming in November our Saddleback Civil Forum on the Economy, and Pastor Rick’s Financial Boot Camp: How to Manage Your Finances in the Current Chaos. I love you and I’m grateful for you.  Rick Warren Saddleback Church Purpose Driven Network |
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Worshipping with us on Sundays is a great place to start. Let me also encourage you to connect with a small group which can be instrumental in making new friends and developing your faith. These classes meet during all three worship hours at the Mount.
On your next visit, be sure to take advantage of all the great opportunities you will find at the Mount for you and your family to grow spiritually.
I hope to see you soon at the Mount!