Take Out the Trash

Ok, so I am not a blogger. I admit it. I also do not believe in New Year's Resolutions, I admit it! I do believe in goals. Not too many mind you. Too many make me overwhelmed and I am at my worst when in that condition.
It is funny how the Lord works. Every year at this time, it seems we are "encouraged" to look into that closet and discard anything we have not worn in the past few years. Well, maybe next week! But the Lord worked in me, through my pantry. I am blessed to have a very large kitchen pantry. Too large. Too large for me means, you have no idea what in the world is in there. Well, I had a can that decided it had seen better days and sprang a leak! Of course it was hidden in the back corner, I don't look in the corners of my pantry very often. From my Italian relatives, I know better than to leave tomato anything in a pantry too long. Acid and metal do tend to divorce chemically after a while. So, for the past few hours I have been throwing out and scrubbing. The contents of my pantry is all over my kitchen counters. It is a mess, but I am blessed to have found it!
As I was cleaning, I was thinking prayer life, or any other part of life, is like my pantry or any other "holding area". Sometimes, things need to be refreshed, washed off, discarded, or put up front so they can be of their utmost use. I can not hold on to things that no longer produce good seed in my life. If it no longer fits, God will remind us in many different ways. Like the can, God reminds me through my being, when I have sprung a leak! Take out the trash! I am blessed today that I know when things need to be better balanced and refreshed. I know I can do something about it. But, it is all in listening, for me at least. So, I have decided, not as a New Year's Resolution mind you, but as a goal, to start in the corners, check out the small stuff and work toward the center. That way...perhaps in no time at all, all the trash will be out, nothing hidden and can explode!
Happy New Year to you all

Alive and Well

Hi KOT,
The only way I am able to answer your email is via the blog. Yes, MCC does still exist and we would love for you to visit us. I am sure you will find a warm welcome.
Please check out the entire web site and you will see what else is going on in addition to Sunday service. Please continue to try to call the office. Someone is there each day, so your call should be answered. If you do make it to service, please make sure you introduce yourself to me. Would enjoy meeting you.
Pat

Lorretta gave me a "Do"

Thank you so much, Lorretta, for the new look of the Prayer Minister Blog. " You be cooking with gas, girlfriend!"

Pastor's Sabbatical

I remember as a child hearing the priests talk of taking a Sabbatical. Seems they always went to Rome and during the Sabbatical, a car dealer in town would give them a new car. Well, Pastor Sandy will not be enroute to Rome and the new car...who knows! Any lottery winners out there?

I encourage each and every one of you to keep Pastor in prayer during this time. This is a time of rest, study and rebuilding for her. If you were at "Send off Sunday" today, you know she asked the Lord to direct her time. That is something I feel all people should do. We live in a hectic world and hundreds of distractions can cross our path on a daily basis. Let us also keep in prayer all the people that Pastor Sandy has entrusted with duties in her absence. This can also be a time when we can reach out and help each other. Let us also ask the Lord to direct our steps, words and actions. Let us all be stronger when our Pastor, our friend returns.
God bless you, Sandy

National Prayer Day Approaching

May 1st is our National Day of Prayer. Just thought I would give you a few days to think about what is in your heart. I was wondering if perhaps it might be worth some thought to think about our needs on a smaller scale. When we think of the "nation", of course, peace would be right at the top of the list. That is something very valuable to me and an issue I address in prayer daily. I know, peace must begin with me. So, with that in mind, I will begin the day praying for peace of mind for all those who are in my circle.....and friends, I have learned, that means I will be praying for myself as well.
May any issue of peace that you are dealing with be given to the King of Peace.
Again, you remain in my prayers.
Pat Howes
Prayer Minister Holy Cross MCC Pensacola FL.

We Are Called To Be Like Children

I am so blessed to tutor 2 afternoons a week. I have 2 of the greatest children on the face of the earth to share life with me. One, Annie, I have worked with for over 2 years. Annie represents what I think the Lord was talking about when He spoke of being like a child. She loves life, she has to work hard, friends are few but those she has are cherished gifts, she hurts when others hurt, she never brags, never says an unkind word. Even when she is trying to explain something that has happened, she never blames or speaks ill of others. She is quite a remarkable 11 year old.

Yesterday we were working on some Math, which was mastered on Tuesday and forgotten by Wednesday. I asked her to try to explain to me why she got confused, was she mixing the concepts perhaps? After attempting to explain, she just looked at me and said, " I don't know, it just blew out of my brain." Annie also has a great sense of humor, we both laughed.

My brain got to thinking after I left Annie, just what has been blown out of my brain! I got to thinking, what would I never want to give up knowing, believing. I realized after coming up with a rather long list, the only thing I never want to "blow out of my brain" is the fact that I have the 24/7 love of my God. All the rest, as important as it seems, is really not that important. Does that mean I do not have important information, memories, dates, names, knowledge stored? Of course not. We all have information stored that we deal with on a daily basis, some information on a back burner, and some ready at a moments notice. But what is really important?

May God bless each of you.
Pat Howes Prayer Minister Holy Cross MCC Pensacola, FL

Words Can Kill

Words can kill everything from a reputation to a person's spirit. Lord, please protect my mouth from spreading death. The following is borrowed from the "Vision of Ministry"
Pat Howes...Prayer Minister

"Scripture: Leviticus 19:16
"Don't spread gossip and rumors” MSG
According to the dictionary I am known as “general talk that is damaging to one’s reputation.”

And when I speak --- you better believe people stop whatever they are doing and listen: My Name Is Gossip.I am nobody's friendI maim without killingI gather strength with ageI am cunning and maliciousI break hearts and ruin livesI have no respect for justiceI make headlinesI make headachesI make heartachesI ruin careersI end ministriesI generate griefI ruin marriagesI destroy familiesI spawn suspicionI trigger indigestionI topple governmentsI cause sleepless nightsI make innocent people cryThe more I am quotedThe more I am believedI flourish everywhere I goMy victims are helplessI have no name and no faceTo track me down is impossibleThe harder you try, the more elusive I becomeOnce I tarnish a reputation, it is never the same
I AM CALLED GOSSIP.
Shop gossipParty gossipOffice gossipChurch gossipOn-line gossipTelephone gossipBefore passing on a questionable story ask:Is it true?Is it fair?Is it necessary?Would I want this said about me?"

Prayer: Father help me to speak words of respect, love and kindness that reflect you. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen!