We ask for prayer of peace, love, prosperity, wisdom, and mercy for the following:

• The continued health and recovery of Deacon Mike Rogers of Christ Image Church
• For all those who have lost jobs and income during this recession. All will be well
• The Apostles, pastors, elders, ministers, prophets, and evangelists of the Christian Church
• The many Christian congregations across the world
• President Barack Obama and his cabinet of advisers
• Our congress men and women, all the governors, state officials, mayors, and local government officials

At the end of April some members from Christ Image Church, along with myself, took a trip to Thomasville, Alabama with the Saints on a Mission ministry. This trip was not a vacation, although we had a great time. It was a trip to fellowship with other Christians and to help break down the walls of racism that are still solid in some places. Even in the body of Christ, the sick grip of fear and racism has a hold in some areas.

1. Pray.
2. Go to bed on time.
3. Get up on time so you can start the day unrushed.
4. Say No, to projects that won't fit into your time schedule, or that will compromise your mental health.
5. Delegate tasks to others that are capable.
6. Simplify and unclutter your life.
7. Less is more. (Although one is often not enough, two are often too many.)
8. Allow extra time to do things and to get to places.
9. Pace yourself. Spread out big changes and difficult projects over time; don't lump the hard things all together.
10. Take one day at a time.
11. Separate worries from concerns. If a situation is a concern, find out what God would have you to do and let go of the anxiety. If you can't do anything about a situation, forget it.
12. Live within your budget; don't use credit cards for ordinary purchases.
13. Have backups; an extra car key in your wallet, an extra house key buried in the garden, extra stamps, etc.
14. K.M.S. (Keep Mouth Shut.) This single piece of advice can prevent an enormous amount of trouble.
15. Do something for the Kid in You everyday.
16. Carry a Bible with you to read while waiting in line.
17. Get enough exercise.
18. Eat right.
19. Get organized so everything has its place.
20. Listen to a tape while driving that can help improve your quality of life.
21. Write thoughts and inspirations down.
22. Everyday, find time to be alone.
23. Having problems? Talk to God on the spot. Try to nip small problems in the bud. Don't wait until its time to go to bed to try and pray.
24. Make friends with Godly people.
25. Keep a folder of favorite scriptures on hand.
26. Remember that the shortest bridge between despair and hope is often a good "Thank you Jesus!"
27. Laugh.
28. Laugh some more!
29. Take your work seriously, but yourself not at all.
30. Develop a forgiving attitude (most people are doing the best they can).
31. Be kind to unkind people (they probably need it the most).
32. Sit on your ego.
33. Talk less, listen more.
34. Slow down.
35. Remind yourself that you are not the general manager of the universe.
36. Every night before bed, think of one thing that you're grateful for that you've never been grateful for before.
    
    

• Old Testament - "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." (Psalms 46:1)


• New Testament - "If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31)

This poem is called "Being a Mother". It was written by Apostle Margaret Kelley of Christ Image Church. Please enjoy and we hope it brings meaning to you.

Being a mother means the world to me,
My life has new meaning, that only mom's can see.
I've been blessed with the anointing to know how to mother a child,
But in spite of all I go through, this experience has been worth while.
From changing diapers, to helping with homework, even wiping away their tears,
I learn something new about motherhood each and every year.
I wouldn't change my life for anything in the world.
My children are a blessing to me, from every boy to every girl.
Just remember that all things are possible through Christ who strengthens you,
If I can be a mother, just know that you can too.

It's through my prayers to Jesus that I have made it through.
So, through my testimony allow God to mold the mother in you.

Several months ago I gave a mini-sermon at Christ Image Church. It had been quite sometime since I spoke in front of my home church, but I was not nervous surprisingly enough, I was excited to bring forth the word that God had lain on my heart. It was not a word about the people becoming rich or about how eager God is to forgive us, if we just ask. No, it was a word of a different kind, it was a word about personal responsibility and accountability in your walk with Christ.

I spoke of people, most of us actually, who treat God as if He were their scapegoat. God placed this in my spirit and I did not understand why at the time, but as the day of my sermon got closer I began to understand, even more in the days following the sermon.

I explained what the "scapegoat" actually was. Just to give you a quick definition:

"The scapegoat was a goat that was driven off into the wilderness as part of the ceremonies of Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, in Judaism during the times of the Temple in Jerusalem. The rite is described in Leviticus 16:6-10.

Since this goat, carrying the sins of the people placed on it, is sent away to perish, the word "scapegoat" has come to mean a person, often innocent, who is blamed and punished for the sins, crimes, or sufferings of others, generally as a way of distracting attention from the real causes."

In this time of economic uncertain and the change of direction for the country. I wish you all a safe and happy new year. take a moment to bring in 2009 with humility, reflection, and prayer. Some of us are Baptists, some, Catholic, some Methodist, some Non-Denominational, and some are none of those. We spend too much time focusing on what is different instead of focusing on what we have in common, Almighty God is a god of love and forgiveness. How about if we try doing the same with each other.