First, is this not an awesome banner Dan Drewes made for this series? I gave him a concept and he went with it.
As you can tell the Endangered Species series will have something to do with the home. In my research I found an organization called (get this) The Species Survival Commission of the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources. (Gotta wonder how many species died just while saying that name). They reported that about 41,5000 endangered species worldwide are named in the Red List of Threatened Species. Over 1300 are in the US alone. I think, IMHO, we could probably add one that they have never even thought of adding: the family, the home. The sad truth is that the Christian family is one generation away from extinction. And please, don’t get me started on what passes for intelligent conversation these days.
Okay Bill…stay focused. Personally, I believe more homes disintegrate from the inside out than from the outside in. It is high time we stemmed the tide and began to shoulder some of the blame and stop blaming the schools, the culture, politics, sports, and even churches. Most homes/families fall apart from the inside. My whole month will be spent with different aspects of the family. This Sunday I will be using Deuteronomy 6:1-25 as my Scripture. I am even going to spill the beans on my outline (bet you are thrilled): Authentic Living (1-3); Heartfelt Teaching (4-9); and Focused Commitment (10-25).
I am desperately asking for you prayers for this Sunday. Like so many you know (and maybe even yours) we have some families and homes on the brink. I want to offer hope and healing and direction. Thanks for praying. I know some of you do and you have no idea how important it is to know that. I pray you also have a fantastic weekend!
Father, i pray your blessings on bill — blessings of wisdom and courage and clarity of vision. i pray that you empower him through your Spirit to preach your words to those you’ve assembled to listen. i pray that starting today you are preparing families to hear your message, that their hearts are being opened, and that they are even now beginning to search for something greater. God, i pray these families will receive hope and healing and direction. bless bill to speak your words and use him as an instrument of your truth and power. amen.
Thanks James. You have no idea how much this means.
no problem. i’ve been trying over the last couple of years to pray for things immediately when i agree to pray for them. so many people say they’ll pray and don’t.
and then one of the shepherds at my sending church told me that he was attempting to do the same thing long ago, and decided (when it was by email, blog, etc) just to write the prayer out in full then and there. that way he kept his word to pray, and the other person could be blessed by “hearing” the prayer.
so… i’ve started doing the same thing. i will try to remember to pray about it later as well.
Good Morning Bill~
Believing and trusting that God will breathe His wisdom into you for this critical message.
I heard a local pastor say…..how are we supposed to have world peace when we can’t even keep families together?
think about it…..
I am gathered here with this prayer that has been offered up. May God grant you wisdom and be preparing hearts. I am looking forward to this series. Without giving the “church” answer, truth is truth. If our hearts are not intimate with Him there are consequences. Real relationships with the Father really change lives. Gotta start with me in my house. If I am really in relationship with Him I will live it that way at home. If not extinction is just around the corner.
Love the banner.
The family is definitely under attack.
Prayers are going out daily for you and yours.
Deuteronomy 6? Are you crazy?! You are going to preach from the OLD testament? 🙂
In all seriousness… that is a great passage to challenge fathers (and mothers) to step up to the plate. That includes myself.
Pastor Bill,
My pastor (Erwin Lutzer) preached a series last fall entitled “The Marriage Puzzle”…If you will send me a mailing address, I’ll be glad to get the CD series and send it to you.
Onechicagoman@yahoo.com
Blessings.
James: that is a great practice. I need to be more diligent of immediately praying.
Thank you Tom. Appreciate your prayers.
Dusty: glad you like the banner. Thanks for your prayers.
Tony: Yeah I have been called worse. 🙂 Challenges me also.
Phil: humbled by your offer. Thanks
Prayers for you my friend…
Thank you Robin. Much appreciated.
Michelle: sorry I missed your comment. Thanks for your prayers. The pastor is correct.
Lord, I am joining JamesBrett’s petition for Bill. Open eyes, soften hearts and lead folks to know the healing power You offer to broken hearts, spirits, and relationships. Let people be reconciled and grow in Your grace. selahV
selahv: thanks for your prayers. I see God moving in hearts Sunday.