Sculley Family 2014

Sculley Family 2014



"For God, who said, ‘Let there be light in the darkness,’ has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ.” (2 Corinthians 4:6, NLT)

Dear loved ones,

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! We share our annual letter with you in the hope that our lives will brightly reflect the love and glory of God – may He receive all the praise, honor, and glory! We have so much to be thankful for – each day is a gift from God to be received with gratitude. What we do with each day is our gift back to Him. Each year I try to think of a creative way to tell you about our year and what we’re each up to. This year, the Myers-Briggs type indicators came to mind  Instead of boring you with our four-letter combinations, I thought I’d make it a little more fun by giving a snapshot of what each of us would be like if we were cuts of beef (for the men, thanks to Hoven Farms) or desserts (for the ladies, thanks to the Sugar Box Lady). Here we go . . .

• Paul, if he were a cut of beef, would be a rib-eye steak. He “takes flavor seriously and likes to work on his own, but is not against great side dishes.” Paul finished his long stint with Georgia Pacific earlier this year, and is now on a study sabbatical, ramping up his skills in all kinds of computer programming acronyms. He is a pillar of wisdom and can often be found giving counsel to loved ones of all ages, especially on significant life decisions. He serves in a thousand and one ways at home, at Liberty Vineyard (our church), in person and online. If anyone needs anything, tech gadget or otherwise, Paul either already has one stashed away or finds the best price online within minutes. He loves surprising us with treasures and special trips. He helps each of us to think about what we’re doing and why we’re doing it. Paul can often be found in his home office, where he likes to study, have long conversations, fix things, watch movies, and work out. Favorite music includes whatever his kids put on the radio or Pandora.

• Karen, if she were a dessert, would be a chocolate-chip cookie. She “is warm, enthusiastic, appreciative, and supportive, and helps everyone feel good.” Karen has an all-girl student body for the first time in 19 years of teaching Sculley Academy. She is thankful for the opportunities she’s had to teach in church, conferences, camps, retreats, seminary, schools, and other groups throughout the year. She enjoys finding inspiring books & other resources for each person and situation, including our monthly movie nights. She loves providing opportunities for people to connect with God, connect with others, and thrive. She finished her 2 years of training in spiritual direction, and enjoys helping others to recognize God’s voice in their lives. She loves every chance she has to make beautiful music, especially as accompanist for worship teams, choirs, musicals, and open mic nights. Alone-time for Karen means just the eight of us, and she is especially thankful for Paul and each of the children, each of whom is the joy of her heart! She does in fact love chocolate, too, and has to admit that secret stashes of it have helped her through times of bumpy adolescent waters. Karen can be found here, there, and everywhere. Favorite music includes worship music, Celtic, classical, Russian Orthodox chants, and bands that blend old and new instruments (especially Le Vent du Nord and Trans-Siberian Orchestra).

• Peter (23), if he were a cut of beef, would be a tenderloin. He “is always thinking, and solves your problems by wrapping them in bacon.” Peter has just one remaining elective to do before receiving his Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Georgia Tech. He has a unique way of seeing things and sheds light on all kinds of topics with his strategic questions and insights. He and Karen taught adult ESL together one night a week for four months, and he discovered he has a wonderful gift for teaching and relating to those who are finding their way in a foreign land. Peter enjoys connecting with friends online on a regular basis. He is an amazing kid magnet – whenever little people are in the vicinity, they can be found clustering around Peter. He is a source of great humor and stability, especially when others are experiencing emotional turbulence. Peter can usually be found in the man cave or the kitchen! Favorite music includes Mily Balikirev, Modest Mussorgsky, and techno dance music.

• Cascade (17), if she were a dessert, would be a carrot cake. She “is empathetic, kind, responsible, social, loyal, and makes others feel at ease.” Cascade is a senior at Sculley Academy, and has been accepted to begin her college studies next autumn at Liberty University in Virginia, where she plans to study pre-med with a minor in vocal performance. She loves reading, cooking, planning, creating, writing, music, drama, and dreaming. Cascade is in her 5th year dancing with “Praise in Motion,” choreographed her dance solo, was stage manager for 3 one-act plays, and competed in music, dance, and drama as a soloist and in duo and ensemble groups (reaching the finals at a regional competition singing “O Mio Babbino Caro”). Cascade is one of our worship leaders at Liberty Vineyard, leading the singing once a month with Esther on guitar, Karis on djembe, and Mummy on keyboard. When not practicing, performing, or doing AP Calculus homework, Cascade can often be found on the love seat swing enjoying a small stack of her most recent book discoveries, knitting while watching “Call the Midwife” with her sisters, going on driving adventures to the library and beyond, cooking up delicious and nutritious cuisine, or playing “Phantom of the Opera” or “Les Mis” songs on the piano. Favorite music includes Irish / Celtic, 50s / 60s / 70s, Jesus Culture, Mendelssohn, and certain musicals.

• Jonathan (20), if he were a cut of beef, would be a t-bone steak. He “is a natural leader, a self-confident steak that strives for perfection on the grill.” Jonathan graduated in May from LeTourneau University with his Bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering and 3 minors. He received an award for achieving the highest score on the Ph.D. entrance exam at Georgia Tech, where he is now studying and researching. Jonathan is the tech guru of our home and is great at asking strategic questions of those who are struggling to find the best direction. Jonathan can be found in the man cave or playing his favorite game (trivia) or other family games. Favorite music includes Irish music and classic rock.

• Esther (14), if she were a dessert, would be a brownie. She “is quiet, friendly, peaceful, and brings great comfort to others without being pushy or opinionated.” Esther is a high schooler at Sculley Academy, and especially enjoys guitar, science, animals, dancing, drawing, singing, babysitting, and anything creative, including salon-worthy nail painting. This year she joined the choir that her sisters have been a part of, so all four Sculley ladies have shared this experience together! Esther enjoys sharing her gift of music whenever the opportunity arises, including concerts and special church services. She continues to grow in ability and grace in dance in ballet (en pointe) and modern. Esther can often be found reading on the swing, taking Runner for a walk, picking out a song on her guitar, or drawing with fine-line markers. Favorite music includes Christian radio (especially Unspoken and Colton Dixon) and Irish music.

• Michael (19), if he were a cut of beef, would be a rump roast. He “is quiet and friendly, striving to create an orderly meal that you can eat at home or at work.” Michael is a freshman studying philosophy at Toccoa Falls College. He enjoys exploring and discussing the deepest questions of life and was delighted to discover a philosophy club on campus that closely resembles the monthly “Movie Nights for Thinkers and Seekers” which our family has hosted for over three years! Michael earned his black belt in karate the week before he left for college – with his kind smile and quiet manner, he would be a great undercover bodyguard! When Michael is home from college, he can be found in the man cave with his brothers listening to music or watching a movie, reading ancient or modern philosophers on his kindle, or listening to a Ravi Zacharias lecture with mom. Favorite music includes contemporary Christian music (especially Casting Crowns and Third Day), and classical music (especially Mozart, Tchaikovsky, Brahms).

• Karis (14), if she were a dessert, would be a chocolate-lava cake. She “is outgoing, exciting, and one who lives life fully.” Karis is a high schooler at Sculley Academy, and especially enjoys writing, drama, singing, babysitting, dancing, and anything with people. She enjoyed playing the part of a 60-year-old grey-haired spinster in “Any Body for Tea?” and is looking forward to performing in the musical “Cinderella” in the spring. She enjoys the great outdoors, doodling, and spending time with people. Karis can often be found throwing her softball in the cul-de-sac, jamming and singing at the piano, reading Peanuts comics, walking on the treadmill, or snuggling on the couch. Favorite music includes Christian radio (especially Anthem Lights and For King & Country), film scores, Irish music, and Christmas music.

We’d love to see you this year, and sincerely enjoy unexpected visitors, so come visit!

God bless you each,
Paul, Karen, Peter, Jonathan, Michael, Cascade, Esther, Karis
(& our critters – Tubby, Dex, Sveta, Misty, Samwyse, Pippin, Max, Jack, & Runner)

“Oh! May the God of green hope fill you up with joy, fill you up with peace, so that your believing lives, filled with the life-giving energy of the Holy Spirit, will brim over with hope!” (Romans 15:13, The Message)

Nothing is wasted

(devotional given at Harvest of Hope high school gleaning mission trip at Camp Occohannock, Eastern Shore, Virginia)

Today we're going to read the second part of the feeding of the 5000 story that we started on Tuesday morning.

John 6:12-14 (The Message) - 'When the people had eaten their fill, he said to his disciples, "Gather the leftovers so nothing is wasted." They went to work and filled twelve large baskets with leftovers from the five barley loaves. The people realized that God was at work among them in what Jesus had just done.'

Don't you just love that last part? As followers of Jesus Christ, as Christians, which literally means "little Christs," as we live as His ambassadors in the world, God is at work among us. He's been at work among us this week!

So in our passage today we see again that Jesus provided enough so that each person present ate their fill. Then He told His helpers to gather the leftovers, much as we've been doing after our meals here. I wonder what the disciples thought of that? When they looked around, what did they see? Scraps, torn pieces of bread, fish skin and scales, a random assortment of bits and pieces. I wonder if all of them even saw the leftovers.

Why did Jesus tell them to gather the leftovers? So that nothing would be wasted. In the economy of God's Kingdom, nothing is wasted.

There are two aspects of this I'd like for us to think about.

Firstly, God's intention is that nothing is wasted in your life. Romans 8:28 (The Message) says that "we can be ... sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good." Nothing is wasted. He makes something beautiful out of the scraps and torn pieces of our lives. When we think about ourselves, our bodies, our minds, our personalities, our abilities, our experiences, our relationships, our opportunities, we may value some things and not others. We may wish we could edit our histories and throw out the bits we don't like. We may wish we could trade some aspect of our lives for what we perceive as something better. But God looks at us, and He has a way of seeing every part of us at once, and He says, "Wonderful!" He takes us in our entirety, the bits we like and the bits we don't, and makes something incredibly beautiful that reflects His glory and His love. Nothing is wasted.

Secondly, God desires that nothing is wasted in anyone else's life either.

We've been learning this week how wasteful it is to throw away food. We've been intentional about not wasting produce by gleaning potatoes.

Who is it that we consider leftover? Who do we just pass by or even throw away, because we don't consider them to be useful enough or valuable enough or pretty enough or cool enough or smart enough or rich enough or important enough? Like in the story of the Good Samaritan, who do we pretend not to notice? It might be someone we know, someone we don't know, an ethnic group, an economic group, a friend, an enemy, a neighbor, a nation. Ask God who it is that He wants you to gather. When I was out in the field this week, some of the potatoes were partially hidden. I had to dig around those a little to get them out of the dirt. Some were still attached to stalks. I had to gently help them break free. A few were just sitting on top of the ground in full view, as though they were waiting to be discovered. And every now and then, someone would spot a treasure trove of potatoes clustered together that were easier to harvest.

God has created each person on the planet in His image. Each person, whether we consider them good or not-so-good, whole, bruised, damaged, or leftovers, perfectly bears the image of God. But each person imperfectly reflects the likeness of Jesus Christ, some more imperfectly than others! God doesn't ask us to grade people the way markets grade potatoes. Grading of potatoes and other produce is one of the reasons so much food is wasted. It's not our job to grade people by judging who is worthwhile paying attention to and who isn't, in essence declaring them a waste of time or energy. Jesus' desire is that no one's life is wasted. He asks us to get out into the harvest field and glean. Some people are hidden, and we need to go out and find them, and speak life into them. Some are tied up in hurts, habits, or hangups and may need help breaking free. Some are out in the open, seeking life and truth, and just waiting for someone to show them the way. Every now and then, God moves in an unusual way among a whole group of people at once, like what's happening today in China where thousands of people are giving their lives to Jesus every day.

What harvest field is God inviting you to gather in? He doesn't want even a single life wasted. Each life is precious to Him! Your life is precious to Him. The life of every person on the planet is precious to Him. God's heart is that nothing is wasted in your life or in the life of anyone else.

I want to close by speaking a blessing over you.

May you love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and muscle and intelligence. May you live in the place of rest as you abide in Jesus day by day, hour by hour, breath by breath. May God give you such an overflow of His love that it spills out of you onto everyone you encounter. May the Lord give you direction, wisdom, and energy to gather the leftovers - those who are hidden, those who need help breaking free from hurts, habits, or hangups, those who are seeking life and truth, those whom God highlights to you, whether you easily consider them beautiful or whether they are the last, the lost, or the least. Go with God! The harvest is plentiful! May we each live our lives wholeheartedly to the greater glory of God, in the love of the Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, and in the power of the Holy Spirit!

Follow, notice, sit with, receive from Jesus

(devotional given at Harvest of Hope high school gleaning mission trip at Camp Occohannock, Eastern Shore, Virginia)

Today as we read our Scriptures, we are going to do something a guy called Ignatius of Loyola drew attention to 500 years ago. We are going to use our imaginations and notice what's going on in the Bible as we read the story. So as I read, close your eyes and picture the scene. Notice who is there, what they're doing, where you are, what catches your attention. Listen to Jesus' words and notice your responses to what He says and does. Try to be still and quiet on the inside so you can experience what the Holy Spirit wants to give you today.

John 6:1 - 11 (NLT) - 'After this, Jesus crossed over to the far side of the Sea of Galilee, also known as the Sea of Tiberias. A huge crowd kept following him wherever he went, because they saw his miraculous signs as he healed the sick. Then Jesus climbed a hill and sat down with his disciples around him. (It was nearly time for the Jewish Passover celebration.) Jesus soon saw a huge crowd of people coming to look for him. Turning to Philip, he asked, “Where can we buy bread to feed all these people?” He was testing Philip, for he already knew what he was going to do. Philip replied, “Even if we worked for months, we wouldn’t have enough money to feed them!” Then Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up. “There’s a young boy here with five barley loaves and two fish. But what good is that with this huge crowd?” “Tell everyone to sit down,” Jesus said. So they all sat down on the grassy slopes. (The men alone numbered about 5,000.) Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks to God, and distributed them to the people. Afterward he did the same with the fish. And they all ate as much as they wanted.'

Keep your eyes closed and listen as I read the passage again, this time in The Message translation. Pay attention to what you notice.

John 6:1-11 (The Message) - 'After this, Jesus went across the Sea of Galilee (some call it Tiberias). A huge crowd followed him, attracted by the miracles they had seen him do among the sick. When he got to the other side, he climbed a hill and sat down, surrounded by his disciples. It was nearly time for the Feast of Passover, kept annually by the Jews. When Jesus looked out and saw that a large crowd had arrived, he said to Philip, "Where can we buy bread to feed these people?" He said this to stretch Philip's faith. He already knew what he was going to do. Philip answered, "Two hundred silver pieces wouldn't be enough to buy bread for each person to get a piece." One of the disciples––it was Andrew, brother to Simon Peter––said, "There's a little boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But that's a drop in the bucket for a crowd like this." Jesus said, "Make the people sit down." There was a nice carpet of green grass in this place. They sat down, about five thousand of them. Then Jesus took the bread and, having given thanks, gave it to those who were seated. He did the same with the fish. All ate as much as they wanted.'

As I read over this portion of John this week, four things stood out to me. You may have noticed other things. I want to invite you to reflect on what God is showing you today. I gave my life wholeheartedly to Jesus when I was 11 years old, almost 40 years ago. I struggled for many years feeling that I wasn't able to hear the Lord personally. I want to encourage you that if this is something you struggle with, to relax and rest in the assurance that God loves you deeply and personally and does speak to you in a way that is intimate and fitted to the way He wired you. Job 33:14 - 'God does speak, now one way, now another (NIV) ... though we may not recognize it (NLT)'. God loves it when we boldly approach Him and ask ... Like any devoted parent, He loves to say "yes" to us when we ask for something good, like hearing His voice!

So as we consider what we noticed in today's reading, here are some questions for each of us to reflect on, to think about, based on some things God highlighted to me ... You don't need to have quick and ready answers ... I encourage you to sit with these questions today, as you're gleaning in the field, on the drive, wherever you are, enjoying the gift of today.

* people were following Jesus
Where is Jesus inviting me to follow Him?
What would it look like for me to follow Jesus in this season of my life?

* the people had seen what Jesus was doing
What do I see or notice Jesus doing? We all notice different things. You might be the only one in your arena of influence to notice a particular individual or issue or injustice.
What is Jesus asking me to join Him in doing?

* Jesus wanted them to sit down
Where in my life is God inviting me to sit with Him, to be still?
What anxieties, worries, or fears am I holding onto? What would it mean for me to lay those down, give them to Jesus, and live in a place of rest?

* Jesus gave each one as much as they wanted
Do I trust that God wants to and will give me everything that I need?
Do I doubt or despair that God will not have enough for all of His children's needs?
What am I hungry for? What are the desires of my heart?

This is a simple exercise that you can do any time you read your Bible devotionally. When we make room for God, He loves to lavish more of His love, grace, and presence on us. He loves each of us so very much, far more than we could ever imagine.

Lord, help us to follow you, to notice what You are doing and join You in that, to sit with You and be still, to give you all of our anxieties, worries, and fears, to stay in that place of rest. Please give us a deeper hunger for You and grant us the desires of our hearts. We trust You, we love You. May our lives bring you great glory, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit!

Behold, I am making all things new!

(excerpts from sermon preached at Liberty Vineyard Church on June 8th, 2014)

I'd like to open with a quote from our “The Victor and the Prize” journey that we’ve been on since Easter Sunday. In this week’s entry, we read that “New Creation describes God’s great restoration project – the Kingdom of God realized . . . All creation will not simply end with utter destruction, nor will human life evolve itself to ultimate perfection. Rather, God’s world will be renewed, restored, set right-side-up again and be filled with the presence, glory, and joy of God!” Today we’re honing in on one key verse, Revelation 21:5. As we read this, consider that this is what Jesus is saying to us. He is inviting us to join with Him in what He’s doing. Before I read that verse let’s remember the amazing reality that Jesus, God-with-us, is making possible something that was completely impossible! I think this is why Jesus starts off with an attention-grabbing word. Let’s read the verse:

Revelation 21:5 (ESV) – “Behold, I am making all things new”

Let’s break that apart, starting with the second part, “I am making all things new.”

We’re in our new space today – He’s making this new, He’s made our friend who was in ICU for months new, He’s making you and me new!

“I am making all things new.” What do you think about that? I don’t know about you, but I tend to have two buckets in my mind – things I believe God is making new, and things I’m not quite so sure about. To be honest, the first bucket isn’t always as full as the second one. Some of the things in my second bucket are huge things like societal problems that affect millions of people. Some of them are individual people who do not in my limited view seem to be softening towards God’s love. I am repenting as I’m confessing these areas of unbelief in my heart. Let’s ask ourselves – What are the things – situations, issues, people, circumstances – that I’m having trouble believing God is making new? Over what or whom have I despaired? Who or what have I given up on? Where do I need a fresh injection of faith and confidence that God is working today?

As pastor Zac has spoken of several times in this series, we know that in Christ we die to our former selves. In Christ we have God’s limitless power working in us – “My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.” (Galatians 2:20, NLT). All things are changed if we are changed. They are the same old things, but now, in Christ, we can see them in a new light, we can see how they can be used for new purposes. Imagine someone who has been blind for their entire life suddenly regaining their sight – the whole world is instantly changed! Surely the colors, variations, shades, play of light and shadow, and all the beauties of physical vision are unimaginable before they are experienced. That is a little of what it’s like for us – being in Christ changes the world completely for us! The way we see the world now is totally different! Jesus is the hope of the world! We have no need to despair now, even if we’ve tried and been defeated hundreds of times. It makes no sense to give up because God is able and He is with us! Victory is possible because yes, Jesus is the hope of the world – He is your hope and my hope.

Now back to the first part of our key verse. What do you behold? The word “behold” comes from the Greek word “horao” which has various shades of meaning – see, look upon, experience, perceive, discern, see with the mind, attend to. Consider: Where have you beheld? We may need to slow down and pay attention more to notice what we’re noticing. I remember in childhood thinking that everyone else noticed the same things I noticed. It took me awhile to realize that this simply isn’t true. We all have unique perspectives and personalities and ways of looking at things. If you’re not convinced, a few of you tell me – What did you notice on your way to church this morning? You may be one of the few, or possibly the only one in your arena of influence who notices something. God is inviting you to partner with Him to bring Kingdom transformation in that arena. As Beverly said earlier at the beginning of worship, pay attention to “What is your dream?” God is inviting us today to behold and then fully engage in the arenas of influence that He’s given us. Now in some ways we are all the same. Part of what it means to be created in the image of God is that He has wired all of us to behold Him, to be able to know and love Him and be known and be loved by Him. But He’s also wired each of us quite uniquely to behold people and places and situations and injustices. We don’t all notice the same things. We don’t all respond the same way to the same circumstances. We don’t all get upset by the same injustices. We don’t all get excited about the same adventures. God wants us to pay attention to those things that we behold and then do something about them.

We’re going to take a look at 6 arenas of influence today, one for each letter in the word “BEHOLD.” We’ll hear about a hero of the faith in each arena and touch on some ways to pray related to that arena of influence. I want you to pay attention to how the Holy Spirit is moving in you – what catches your attention? I invite you today to pay attention to what you’re paying attention to! God is calling us to participate with Him as intercessors and ambassadors for the Kingdom of God. Those are fancy words that mean simply, “pray and go.”

B – belief

Samuel Lamb was one of the most impactful pastors of the Chinese house church movement. He experienced Communist oppression and spent more than 21 years in prison, including 15 years mining coal in harsh Chinese labor camps because he tried to make a copy of the New Testament. But he also experienced God’s response to the suffering of the Church – the amazing growth of the church in China, now estimated at between 80 and 200 million believers. Samuel lead a house church which blossomed into a large network, and refused to merge with the government-sanctioned church, the Three Self Patriotic Movement, because that movement places itself at the head of the church and tries to restrict, control, and twist biblical Christianity. Samuel Lamb summarized his life in what he called the one holy principle of “more persecution, more growth,” referring to both numerical growth and each individual’s spiritual growth. He repeatedly warned his congregation, “We must be prepared to suffer . . . You don't know what will happen tomorrow. Today the authorities are not bothering us. But tomorrow things may be different. I pray that we will receive the strength to stand firm.” Through Lamb’s network, hundreds of thousands of pieces of Christian literature were distributed to Chinese believers. Vernon Brewer, the first graduate of Liberty University and founder of World Help, said of our hero upon hearing of his passing last year at age 88, “I was blessed to call Pastor Lamb my friend. He endured more persecution than anyone I have ever known. He was beaten and tortured for his faith—and yet he never wavered. Every time I was with him, he has a smile on his face and a song in his heart. He was God’s gift to the underground church in China. And his legacy will live on in the hearts of Chinese believers for years to come . . . a testimony of a life well lived, of a race well-run, of a fight well-fought.”

How is God stirring you to influence others to believe in our Lord & Savior, Jesus Christ? Remember that God created us for relationship, not religion. You don’t have to be a pastor to influence others in the area of belief. Pray for opportunities to share the truth, Jesus Christ, with others, that they would come to know Him and be set free to love and be loved and to live for Him! Like young James read out earlier, think about what is true.

Pray & go triggers: Christ-followers, those seeking truth, symbols of religion, special clothing, places of worship, unreached people groups

E – education

John Bosco, also known as Don (Father) Bosco, was an Italian priest, educator, and writer who lived in the 19^th century. He dedicated his life to the betterment and education of disadvantaged youth in an era of much war and famine in Italy. He cared for many street children and juvenile delinquents. He founded an organization to care for poor youth, and called his followers “Salesians.” He began mission bases dedicated to the education of girls and the education of the poor. When he was 9 years old he had a series of dreams that profoundly influenced the course of his life. In his first dream, he saw a multitude of poor boys who were playing and blaspheming, and a man of majestic appearance told him, “You will have to win these friends of yours not with blows, but with gentleness and kindness. So begin right now to show them that sin is ugly and virtue beautiful.” He developed what became known as the “Preventive System of Education” based on love instead of punishment, which was a revolutionary idea! He believed that education was a "matter of the heart" and said that people needed to not only be loved, but also to know that they are loved. He used reason, Bible, kindness, music, and games in his teaching methods. A tireless worker, he was known as a man of action, a man of prayer, and a man of poverty. Today there are more than 15,000 Salesians serving young people in 2000 institutions around the world.

How is God stirring you to influence others to seek truth through study & learning? Pray that those who teach and those who study would deal in truth and love. Pray for God to raise up voices of truth within the body of Christ who can teach & impart the truth of God’s Word with great love and wisdom.

Pray & go triggers: students, teachers, places of learning, controversial issues of our day

H – home

Lillian Trasher was born in Florida in 1887, raised in Brunswick, GA. She founded the first orphanage in Egypt As a young girl, she knelt by a log in the woods one day, and prayed, "Lord, if ever I can do anything for You, just let me know and I'll do it." In her early 20s she met a woman who ran an orphanage near her home in Georgia who invited Lillian to come work with her. Little did Lillian know that this is where she would get her training for her entire life's work. She became engaged to a pastor but laid down her marriage plans when she discovered that her future husband did not share the same call from God to serve Him across the world. Soon after she moved to Egypt with her sister and less than $100 in her pocket, she visited a dying woman to care for her in her final days. When the woman passed away, the grandmother wanted to throw the malnourished baby into the Nile River. Lillian, appalled at the idea, took the baby in, and her orphanage began. She trusted that God would provide for all of their needs, which He faithfully did! Within three years eight orphans were in her care, and she began a school and Bible program. Within four more years she cared for 50 orphans and 8 widows. Over a period of 50 years, approximately 10,000 children lived in “Mother Trasher’s” orphanage. The orphanage and widow’s dormitory is still operating today and currently cares for 650 orphans and widows.

How is God stirring you to influence homes, families, widows, and orphans? Pray for the Kingdom of God to come in every home, and give Kingdom strategies to welcome God’s transforming power and presence and conquer the many social issues of our day.

Pray & go triggers: homes in your neighborhood & surrounding area, people in the grocery store, issues in the news & media, someone who is lonely, a child you sponsor

O – occupation

George Washington Carver was born into slavery in the 1860s. He had whooping cough as a young child so couldn’t do the hard work that the other slaves did. He ended up helping in the family garden and home. He taught himself to read and at age 12 began school in a one-room schoolhouse with 1 teacher and 75 children. He was rejected from colleges because he was black, but at age 30 a college in Iowa finally accepted him to study botany. He went on to become one of the most prominent scientists and inventors of his time, as well as a professor and head of department at Tuskegee Institute in Alabama. Carver was a gifted speaker and loved telling this story: “I asked God, ‘Why did you make the universe, Lord?’ ‘Ask for something more in proportion to that little mind of yours,’ replied God. ‘Why did you make the earth, Lord?’ I asked. ‘Your little mind still wants to know far too much. Ask for something more in proportion to that little mind of yours,’ replied God. ‘Why did you make man, Lord?’ I asked. ‘Far too much. Far too much. Ask again,’ replied God. ‘Explain to me why you made plants, Lord,’ I asked. ‘Your little mind still wants to know far too much.’ ‘The peanut?’ I asked meekly. ‘Yes! For your modest proportions I will grant you the mystery of the peanut.  Take it inside your laboratory and separate it into water, fats, oils, gums, resins, sugars, starches and amino acids.  Then recombine these under my three laws of compatibility, temperature and pressure. Then you will know why I made the peanut.’” George Washington Carver discovered over 100 uses for the humble peanut as well as many others for sweet potatoes, soybeans, and pecans; his research and work in areas such as crop rotation and alternative cash crops to cotton contributed directly to much greater economic stability among the poor in the South, especially African Americans. He also advised Indian leader Mahatma Gandhi on matters of agriculture and nutrition. George Washington Carver said that the truly successful person was the one who had learned to serve others. He was well known for his faith in God.

How is God stirring you to influence others through your job? Pray that we would each worship God by using our gifts, talents, and resources for Him, and that each one would discover the things God has wired you to do best.

Pray & go triggers: businesses, workers you interact with, places of training, unemployed people, your job

L – law

Anthony Benezet was an 18^th century French-born American abolitionist, teacher, and writer. He joined the Quakers and worked to convince others that owning slaves violated Christian teachings. In his early life he concentrated on teaching, starting the first public girls’ school in America, black schools, and special programs for deaf and disabled students. In his 40s he focused on becoming an avid opponent of slavery. He said, “To live in ease and plenty by the toil of those whom violence and cruelty have put in our power, is neither consistent with Christianity nor common justice.” He started the first American anti-slavery society, “Society for the Relief of Free Negroes Unlawfully Held in Bondage.” Although he lived in America, he also traveled to Britain to denounce slavery there, and had a great impact on the British abolitionist movement. He wrote and published, at his own expense, a number of anti-slavery tracts and pamphlets. He wrote letters to people of influence, including Queen Charlotte. His writings influenced John Wesley and Granville Sharp and were instrumental in persuading Thomas Clarkson to embark on his abolitionist career. Anthony Benezet did not live to see slavery completely abolished 81 years after his death. But even after his death, Benezet continued to help slaves be educated and liberated.  He left some money in his will for his wife & family, some for individual slaves that he knew, and left the bulk of his estate to the “Free School for the Black People of Philadelphia.”

How is God stirring you to use your influence to bring about justice for individuals and in systems? Pray for God’s righteousness and justice to be done, and for the courage to do something about the injustices that we notice and know about.

Pray & go triggers: reading the news, leaders, people on the fringes of society, refugees

D – diversions

Keith Green, born in 1953, was a controversial hippie singer, I mean contemporary Christian musician whose life was cut short at only 28 when he died in a plane crash that also took the lives of his two oldest children. Keith Green was known for his passion, devotion, and confrontational messages urging others to follow Jesus with no compromise and to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with others. He had a Jewish background, but had a misspent youth dabbling in drugs and Eastern mysticism and other aspects of hippie culture. He and his wife married at age 19, hungry and seeking for truth. They were radically changed when they surrendered their lives to Jesus Christ at age 21. They were involved with the Vineyard movement in California in its early days. As soon as they opened their hearts to Jesus they began opening their home to the homeless, recovering drug addicts or whoever needed a place to stay, later launching their ministry, Last Days Ministries, in Tyler, Texas. In seven short years of knowing Jesus, the Lord took Keith from performing concerts for a small group in a living room to 12,000 in a stadium. His recordings topped the charts, and he gave them away for whatever people could afford. During his concerts he would often exhort his listeners to repent and commit themselves more wholly to following Christ. He would say, “If you praise and worship Jesus with your mouth, and your life does not praise and worship him, there's something wrong!" A theme of his life and preaching was a radical commitment to live wholeheartedly for God, holding nothing back. Many thousands of people around the world committed their lives to Christ as a result of Keith Green’s life and ministry. He left a legacy behind in his many songs, writings, family, and ministry.

How is God stirring you to influence others through the arts, media, music, sports, games, movies, storytelling, drama, dance, entertainment, . . . the list goes on! Pray that God would stir creativity and excellence in ways that reflect the glory of our Creator.

Pray & go triggers: centers of artistic endeavors, popular heroes, places of entertainment, performance, or competition

..............................

What do you behold? What do you notice? Did you pay attention to what you were paying attention to? I’d like to invite you to pray about one of these six arenas of influence. If more than one grabbed your attention, choose the one that stood out the most to you. Try and pay attention to where God is stirring your heart today, for this season in your life.

Revelation 21:5 (ESV) – “Behold, I am making all things new”

I encourage you to let this BEHOLD acronym serve as a reminder to pray and go as you behold . . . pay attention to prayer triggers, things you see or hear or experience that make you notice something. See what God wants you to see and then ask Him what He wants you to do about it. Ask God what He is doing. Ask Him what He wants you to do. It’s ok if you don’t know all the answers! Just pray what you notice.

Lord Jesus, we want to see what you want us to see, to pay attention to what you want us to pay attention to. Help us to behold You more fully, to know and love you and be known and loved by You. But also help us to behold the people and places and situations and injustices that You want us to work with You to set right, whether in the arena of beliefs, education, homes, occupations, law, or diversions. We consecrate ourselves to You today and ask that You would use us however You choose, for Your great glory, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Use us to reveal to others who You are and that You are Immanuel, God-with-us.