Day 24- February 29, 2008

Prayer focus today: Seek God on Behalf of Ministries

That Christian ministries will be founded in God's truth, annointed by God's power and funded by God's people; for refreshed vision and encouragement upon the dedicated workers who labor in specialized service designed to increase the impact of local churches.

Psalm 97:1, 4-6, 10-11
The LORD reigns, let the earth rejoice;
Let the many islands be glad.
His lightnings lit up the world;
The earth saw and trembled.
The mountains melted like wax at the presence of the LORD,
At the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.
The heavens declare His righteousness,
And all the peoples have seen His glory.
Hate evil, you who love the LORD,
Who preserves the souls of His godly ones;
He delivers them from the hand of the wicked.
Light is sown like seed for the righteous
And gladness for the upright in heart.

Luke 18:1
Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart

2 Thessalonians 3:1-2 (NIV)
Finally, brothers, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you. And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men, for not everyone has faith.

Today we focus our prayer for countries on:
Rwanda, Saint Helena, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leon, Somalia and South Africa.

He Will Always Love His Kids

To the church of Blue Sky in Loveland, to those who belong to Jesus Christ and live for His return:

I am one pillar -
Joyful and strong in Christ's love
The church stands on us

Most of us can think of a time where we showed up somewhere and didn't fit in. I remember as an adolescent going to a tryout for a highly competitive soccer team. I was wearing shorts with Chicago Bulls insignia, a Michael Jordan T-shirt and had an attitude that could fly from the free throw line to the backboard of the gymnasium. All the current players on the team wore the same blue jerseys. I felt a little out of place.

It was wintertime in Alaska, so we were playing soccer indoors. I entered the gym looking like I was more ready for a street game of one-on-one basketball than a soccer tryout. I stood among a group of seasoned players wearing blue jerseys on their backs and confidence on their face. The coach kicked a green and mustard colored, fussy soccer ball my direction. Instead of gracefully "trapping" the ball, with a smooth, backward motion of my foot, I planted my foot in place to receive the pass. The ball bounced off my foot, went out of control, and one of the seasoned players recovered the ball. He passed it back to his coach with laser-like precision.

The coach came over and said he didn't think I was cut out for this league. He said I was used to playing in the Boys & Girls Club leagues and this was a whole different level. I was crushed. I may have gone home and cried or just gotten really bitter. I know I thought that I was dealt a bad hand. If he only saw my talent as I did, he'd understand. I thought he was an elitist and that it wasn't a fair tryout. Regardless what I thought, I didn't "belong."

The word "belong" came to me recently in meditation. The farther I venture down the Lenten Pilgrimage road and the further I grow toward the light of Christ, the more I consider how I belong. I knew after the word "belong" was presented to me in meditation that God wanted me to say something about it. I began my daily routine of getting on my knees and looking at selective readings.

"Seeking God for the City 2008," the issues of "Tabletalk" my mom sends, and my "Reflections for Ragamuffins" by Brennan Manning have been great compliments to Scripture as I go along this year toward the Resurrection Celebration. I then prayed aloud the Lord's Prayer, followed by petitioning prayers on my heart for God to hear. After I finished praying I began to just sit silently with what it meant to me to belong. What does it mean for me to belong to Christ? How can I draw nearer to Him? It's not about what He wants me to do. It's about who He wants me to be! It's not "What Would Jesus Do?" It's "What Did Jesus Do?" Who I am is who I am as a result!

I tried to think of a time where I didn't belong and the anecdote about the soccer tryout came to mind. I slightly laughed. What was I doing trying to be Michael Jordan at a soccer tryout? I laughed to myself again. I was a funny kid – a funny kid who God loves. He loves me. Even when I want to be Michael Jordan, He loves me. Even when I "want to change the world" like John Lennon tried to do, He loves me. Even when I want to be a songwriter like David, He loves me. Even when I want to write as profoundly as Isaiah, He loves me. Even when I want to be Adam, He loves me. He loves me - Adam. He made me. Adam didn't make Him. He wants me to be me, Adam to be Adam, not anybody else.

I'm sure glad that when I show up for the Wedding of the Lamb that God isn't going to come over and say "Adam, I don't think you're cut out for this league." I'm so grateful that He will, like so many times before, open His compassionate arms, kiss me and say, "Welcome home Adam!" He'll put a multi-colored dream coat on me, dunk my head and lift it back up so gently. He'll then set me on His knee and push my hair out of my face so I can see Him. He'll offer me bread and crushed grapes and say, "Remember, you're mine Adam!" There's nothing I can do to deserve that kind of love.

However, when I do try to earn that kind of love I get bitter, jealous, and disappointed. It's easy for me to get bitter, jealous, and disappointed when I forget how He treated me upon my return. When all I see is Him treating my returning brothers in the same loving and compassionate way, I want Him to still treat me that way. He does, but I can fail to see it. In this mindset I want Him to love me the way I think He should love me. He does love me, the way He loves me, but not the way I think He should love me. I think He should see me for all I've done and reward me. I get an attitude similar to a middle school kid who doesn't make the soccer team. Instead, He just says, "You're already mine, but one of our lost brothers has returned to us. Let's all celebrate together!" If I am trapped in bitterness, jealousy, and hatred, then I don't want to celebrate. I want to wallow in self-pity, isolate in a dark cave and glorify my selfishness.

But by the grace and love of Jesus Christ I get sick and tired of doing that after awhile and want to return to the Wedding Feast. I want to join hands with my brothers and my God, the Lord Jesus Christ. He helps me to remember. I am a pillar - Joyful and strong in Christ's love. The church stands on us. Thanks and praise to God – Jesus Christ the Lord and King. He will always love His kids.

Electric. God of gods, Lord of lords, King of kings, the Prince of Peace, Wonderful Counselor. Sure fire, sure fire, true serenity, ease. Divinity of Jesus Christ. Wholeness, wholeness, wholeness, hurricanes of wholeness.

Faithfully,

Adam Mackie

Day 23- February 28, 2008

Prayer focus today: Seek God on Behalf of Business People

Ask God to bless those who base business practices in righteousness. Pray that God will prosper those who pursue their business as mission for God's Kingdom. Pray for the gospel to spread in the marketplace; for righteous managers and executives; for creative, godly entrepreneurs. Pray that God would frustrate plans which escalate injustice and shake dominion of mammon and greed.

Isaiah 32:1,3-6
Behold, a king will reign righteously
And princes will rule justly...
Then the eyes of those who see will not be blinded,
And the ears of those who hear will listen.
The mind of the hasty will discern the truth,
And the tongue of the stammerers will hasten to speak clearly.
No longer will the fool be called noble,
Or the rogue be spoken of as generous.
For a fool speaks nonsense,
And his heart inclines toward wickedness:
To practice ungodliness and to speak error against the LORD,
To keep the hungry person unsatisfied
And to withhold drink from the thirsty.

John 18:37-38
Therefore Pilate said to Him, "So You are a king?" Jesus answered, "You say correctly that I am a king For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice. "Pilate said to Him, "What is truth?" And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews and said to them, "I find no guilt in Him.

Deuteronomy 8:18
"But you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who is giving you power to make wealth, that He may confirm His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.

Today we focus our prayer for countries on: Mayotte, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Republic of Congo and Reunion.

Day 22- Seek God on Behalf of University Students

Prayer focus today: Seek God on Behalf of University Students

Pray for evangelization of entire campuses; for many to follow Christ; for the truth to shine in a setting often hostile and cynical toward matters of faith; for students to make wise decisions, to form godly lifestyles and shape their careers and ambitions to fulfill God's global purposes. Pray for leadership to be strong among Christian groups on campuses; for the advance of movements of prayer and mission mobilization; for the ministries that focus on students.

Psalm 74:10,20-23 NIV
How long will the enemy mock you, O God?
Will the foe revile your name forever?
Have regard for your covenant,
because haunts of violence fill the dark places of the land.
Do not let the oppressed retreat in disgrace;
may the poor and needy praise your name.
Rise up, O God, and defend your cause;
remember how fools mock you all day long.
Do not ignore the clamor of your adversaries,
the uproar of your enemies, which rises continually.

Luke 13:16-17
"And this woman, a daughter of Abraham as she is, whom Satan has bound for eighteen long years, should she not have been released from this bond on the Sabbath day?"
As He said this, all His opponents were being humiliated; and the entire crowd was rejoicing over all the glorious things being done by Him.

2 Timothy 2:15 KJV
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Today we focus our prayer for countries on: Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania and Mauritius.

Day 21- February 26, 2008

Prayer focus today: Seek God on Behalf of Fathers

That fathers will look to God as the ultimate spiritual head of their household, serving and caring for their families; that God will instill a vision for wholesome, supportive fatherhood among the fathers of the city; that absentee fathers would change their lifestyles to nurture their wives and children; that children will see the character of the heavenly Father in the lives of their dads.

Habakkuk 2:4
"Behold, as for the proud one,
His soul is not right within him;
But the righteous will live by his faith.

Matthew 19:25-26
When the disciples heard this, they were very astonished and said, "Then who can be saved?" And looking at them Jesus said to them, "With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

Ephesians 6:4
Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Today we focus our prayer for countries on: Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea and Guinea-Bissau.

Day 20- February 25, 2008

Prayer focus today: Seek God on Behalf of the Unborn

That these precious children will be acknowleged and honored by all; for each of them to find sheltering homes; that the awful waste of their lives would cease; that they would come to Christ at an early age; for the parents of unborn babies, that God would turn their hearts towards their children.

Daniel 9:7,9,18-19
"Righteousness belongs to You, O Lord, but to us open shame, as it is this day--to the men of Judah, the inhabitants of Jerusalem and all Israel, those who are nearby and those who are far away in all the countries to which You have driven them, because of their unfaithful deeds which they have committed against You... "To the Lord our God belong compassion and forgiveness, for we have rebelled against Him;..."O my God, incline Your ear and hear! Open Your eyes and see our desolations and the city which is called by Your name; for we are not presenting our supplications before You on account of any merits of our own, but on account of Your great compassion. "O Lord, hear! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, listen and take action! For Your own sake, O my God, do not delay, because Your city and Your people are called by Your name."

Matthew 9:2
And they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralytic, "Take courage, son; your sins are forgiven."

Psalm 72:12,14
For he will deliver the needy when he cries for help,
The afflicted also, and him who has no helper...
He will rescue their life from oppression and violence,
And their blood will be precious in his sight;

Today we focus our prayer for countries on: Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo- Democratic Republic (Zaire), Cote d'lvoire and Djibouti.

Day 19- February 24, 2008

Prayer focus today: Seek God on Behalf of International Visitors

For students, workers and business people from other lands to be treated with honor and respect; that they will enjoy new friendships; that they will encounter the message of the gospel clearly declared and lovingly demonstrated.

Isaiah 42:1-4
"Behold, My Servant, whom I uphold;
My chosen one in whom My soul delights
I have put My Spirit upon Him;
He will bring forth justice to the nations.
"He will not cry out or raise His voice,
Nor make His voice heard in the street.
"A bruised reed He will not break
And a dimly burning wick He will not extinguish;
He will faithfully bring forth justice.
"He will not be disheartened or crushed
Until He has established justice in the earth;
And the coastlands will wait expectantly for His law."

Luke 18:6-8
And the Lord said, "Hear what the unrighteous judge said; now, will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry to Him day and night, and will He delay long over them? "I tell you that He will bring about justice for them quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?"

Deuteronomy 31:12
"Assemble the people, the men and the women and children and the alien who is in your town, so that they may hear and learn and fear the LORD your God, and be careful to observe all the words of this law.

Today we focus our prayer for countries on: Africa- Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon and Cape Verde Islands.

Day 18- February 25, 2008

Prayer focus today: Seek God on Behalf of Single People

Pray that Christ will fill the singles' hearts with His love; that they may taste the satisfaction which is found only in God; that friendships will bring ample fullness of relationship; for sexual purity and simplicity of lifestyle; for marvelous marriages for those who desire them. Pray for those single by divorce or death, that they would find healing and new hope for life ahead.

Psalm 72:17-19
May his name endure forever;
May his name increase as long as the sun shines;
And let men bless themselves by him;
Let all nations call him blessed.
Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel,
Who alone works wonders.
And blessed be His glorious name forever;
And may the whole earth be filled with His glory
Amen, and Amen.

John 12:27-28,30
"Now My soul has become troubled; and what shall I say, 'Father, save Me from this hour'? But for this purpose I came to this hour. "Father, glorify Your name " Then a voice came out of heaven: "I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again." Jesus answered and said, "This voice has not come for My sake, but for your sakes.

1 Corinthians 7:32
But I want you to be free from concern. One who is unmarried is concerned about the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord;

Today we focus our prayer for countries on: Thailand, Tibet, Timor, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Wake Island, Wallis and Futuna and West Papua.

Day 17- February 22, 2008

Prayer focus today: Seek God on Behalf of Health Care Workers

That God will equip health care workers of every kind to serve others with loving hearts; that God will bless them with perseverance and joy; that the pressure of their professions will not crush their families and friendships; that many will follow Christ.

Zechariah 8:20-22
"Thus says the LORD of hosts, 'It will yet be that peoples will come, even the inhabitants of many cities. 'The inhabitants of one will go to another, saying, "Let us go at once to entreat the favor of the LORD, and to seek the LORD of hosts; I will also go." 'So many peoples and mighty nations will come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem and to entreat the favor of the LORD.'

Mark 9:15
Immediately, when the entire crowd saw Him, they were amazed and began running up to greet Him.

Psalm 41:1-2
How blessed is he who considers the helpless;
The LORD will deliver him in a day of trouble.
The LORD will protect him and keep him alive,
And he shall be called blessed upon the earth;
And do not give him over to the desire of his enemies.

Today we focus our prayer for countries on: Palau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Pitcairn Islands, Samoa, Singapore, Solomon Islands and Sri Lanka.

Day 16- February 21, 2008

Prayer focus today: Seek God on Behalf of Marriages

Thank God for sturdy marriages that reflect His faithfulness and beauty. Pray especially for marriages which are strained to a breaking point; for those that are failing, and that God will bring hope and help; that He will heal broken hearts and restore intimacy; for every marriage, that God will refresh and recenter homes in Christ.

Micah 5:4
And He will arise and shepherd His flock
In the strength of the LORD,
In the majesty of the name of the LORD His God
And they will remain,
Because at that time He will be great
To the ends of the earth.

Luke 10:1-3
Now after this the Lord appointed seventy others, and sent them in pairs ahead of Him to every city and place where He Himself was going to come. And He was saying to them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest. "Go; behold, I send you out as lambs in the midst of wolves.

Hebrews 13:4
Marriage is to be held in honor among all, and the marriage bed is to be undefiled; for fornicators and adulterers God will judge.

Today we focus our prayer for countries on: Myanmar, Nauru, Nepal, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niue, Norfolk Island, Northern Mariana Islands and Pakistan.

Day 15- February 20, 2008

Prayer focus today: Seek God on Behalf of Laborers

Pray that God will reveal the dignity and honor of doing work unto Christ; that workplaces would be a setting of safety, joy and friendship; for workers to be treated with justice and dignity; for continued employment in the changing global economy; for many to follow Christ and serve Him openly in the work place with co-laborers.

Isaiah 35:2-6
It will blossom profusely
And rejoice with rejoicing and shout of joy
The glory of Lebanon will be given to it,
The majesty of Carmel and Sharon
They will see the glory of the LORD,
The majesty of our God.
Encourage the exhausted, and strengthen the feeble.
Say to those with anxious heart,
"Take courage, fear not
Behold, your God will come with vengeance;
The recompense of God will come,
But He will save you."
Then the eyes of the blind will be opened
And the ears of the deaf will be unstopped.
Then the lame will leap like a deer,
And the tongue of the mute will shout for joy
For waters will break forth in the wilderness
And streams in the Arabah.

Matthew 4:23
Jesus was going throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness among the people.

Psalm 128:1-2
How blessed is everyone who fears the LORD,
Who walks in His ways.
When you shall eat of the fruit of your hands,
You will be happy and it will be well with you.

Today we focus our prayer for countries on: Korea-North, Korea-South, Laos, Macau, Malaysia, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Midway Island and Mongolia.

Screwtape and company V. God's property

To the church of Blue Sky in Loveland, to those surrendering their self for the glory of Jesus Christ:

Broken before God
My weakness is what strengthens
My wounds are what heal

The Son of God did not come to call the righteous, but sinners. The reason I must fall to my knees and submit to the body of Christ is the same reason I must go to the doctor when I break a bone. When I wake up and don't surrender my broken soul for healing, trying to desperately "walk it off," it only gets worse. It is only when I concede to my inner most self that I am powerless, and make a voluntary submission of my life for Christ's Kingdom, does any healing begin to begin.

It's easy with any spiritual practice or discipline, including action-orientated Christianity, to create a working routine. The routine works because a powerless man like me draws power, strength and direction from the spiritual practice or discipline. Without the routine of the discipline my life would virtually fall apart. However, as Screwtape explains to Wormwood in his fourth letter, there are ways of distracting Christian disciples. There are ways, Screwtape explains, "to turn their gaze away" from Screwtape's Enemy (God) to themselves.

Screwtape writes:
When they meant to ask Him for charity, let them, instead, start trying to manufacture charitable feelings for themselves and not notice what they are doing. When they meant to pray for courage, let them really be trying to feel brave. When they say they are praying for forgiveness, let them be trying to feel forgiven. Teach them to estimate the value of each prayer by their success in producing the desired feeling; and never let them suspect how much success or failure of that kind depends on whether they are well or ill, fresh or tired, at the moment. (C.S. Lewis, "The Screwtape Letters")

When my gaze becomes focused on myself I begin to worship the routine of worship. I worship my weekly Sunday outing, what outfit I am going to wear, how my hair is going to look and the people I may encounter. I worship all the wonderful blessings in my life. I worship the job I have, car I drive, the roof over my head, all the people that show me love and attention and I forget to be grateful and to thank the Blesser. I slowly start to love God's gifts more than God.

When my gaze is focused on myself I also begin to think I am more spiritually evolved than I am. A friend of mine, and spiritual adviser of sorts, used to say he was a spiritual infant. I laughed and asked, "What does that make me, a spiritual embryo?" I am prey to spiritual pride and spiritual giant-atitis, in some cases the worst sin of all. When I place myself before God, I worship myself as God. Such a case happened to one angel in particular, you may recall.

As I near the halfway point of the Lenten Pilgrimage, I realize more than anything how I need to take the Word of Jesus spoken to Levi to heart. I need the words "follow me" to shadow me now, and throughout the spring, summer, fall and winter of every season to come. Jesus said, "Follow me," and I must follow the heart of God. Like so many of us, I focus on the splinters in others and not the planks in myself. Or I do the reverse pride thing and think the plank in me is dreadfully unimaginable. Only to find later I am in the company of countless others in the same boat of sin. I forget we've all been forgiven by the furious love and grace of God. Grace means we don't deserve it. And I don't, but in fact I do because I am God's property. He can do with me whatever He wants. He can pay me the same for working the whole day through, as He pays another working only an hour or two.

Jesus' next statement, in the breath after saying "follow me" to Levi, gives me hope and encouragement. When the Pharisee's asked Jesus why He was eating with tax collectors and sinners, Jesus responded by saying, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick." All I can say is Jesus is the doctor of my soul...my soul doctor. And I pray He forever keeps me wide awake to my selfishness, my self-centeredness, and my sinfulness. I am God's ally and I would be walking into the hands of Screwtape and company if I claimed righteousness outside the grace, love, and mercy of Jesus Christ our Lord. He is my Deliverer.

Faithfully,
Adam Mackie

Day 14- February 19, 2008

Prayer focus today: Seek God on Behalf of News Media

For people throughout the industries of broadcast and print media to come to know Jesus personally; that attitudes of cynicism will be changed; for those who love Christ to be strengthened in wisdom; for a growing emphasis in their work on that which carries value and conveys kingdom values throughout the city.

Isaiah 42:6-7
"I am the LORD, I have called You in righteousness, I will also hold You by the hand and watch over You, And I will appoint You as a covenant to the people, As a light to the nations, To open blind eyes, To bring out prisoners from the dungeon And those who dwell in darkness from the prison.

John 12:35
So Jesus said to them, "For a little while longer the Light is among you Walk while you have the Light, so that darkness will not overtake you; he who walks in the darkness does not know where he goes.

Proverbs 4:24-26
Put away from you a deceitful mouth
And put devious speech far from you.
Let your eyes look directly ahead
And let your gaze be fixed straight in front of you.
Watch the path of your feet
And all your ways will be established.

Today we focus our prayer for countries on: Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Guam, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Johnston Atoll and Kiribati.

Day 13- February 18, 2008

Prayer focus today: Seek God on Behalf of Native Peoples

For God's fullest blessing upon Native Americans; that those who live in and near your city would be honored for who they are and for all God intends them to be; that God would heal the wounds to our nation that have resulted from broken treaties and mistreatment; that the tribes will be treated justly and find their destiny and highest dignity; that churches will flourish among them and that God's praise will resound in first nation languages.

Psalm 145:11-12
They shall speak of the glory of Your kingdom
And talk of Your power;
To make known to the sons of men Your mighty acts
And the glory of the majesty of Your kingdom.

Luke 9:60
But He said to him, "Allow the dead to bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim everywhere the kingdom of God."

Isaiah 51:4
"Pay attention to Me, O My people,
And give ear to Me, O My nation;
For a law will go forth from Me,
And I will set My justice for a light of the peoples.

Today we focus our prayer for countries on: China- People's Republic, China-Taiwan, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands and Cook Islands.

Day 12- February 17, 2008

Prayer focus today: Seek God on Behalf of Educators

That teachers and mentors will impart godly wisdom to form character in their students; for needed tools and proper facilities; for those who home-school their children; for renewed zeal for truth and virtue; that they would have opportunity to know God in Christ; that believers would know how to pray for their students.

Genesis 28:14
"Your descendants will also be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east and to the north and to the south; and in you and in your descendants shall all the families of the earth be blessed.

Matthew 24:14
"This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.

Luke 6:40
"A pupil is not above his teacher; but everyone, after he has been fully trained, will be like his teacher.

Today we focus our prayer for countries on: Asia and the Pacific- Afghanistan, American Samoa, Antarctica, Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei and Cambodia.

Day 11- February 16, 2008

Prayer focus today: Seek God on Behalf of Homeless People

That God brings immediate relief, shelter, food and healthcare; that Christ will restore hope for the future; for wise counsel and trustworthy friendship; for protection from the risks of life on the streets; for employment, housing and restored family life.

Psalm 89:15-16
How blessed are the people who know the joyful sound!
O LORD, they walk in the light of Your countenance.
In Your name they rejoice all the day,
And by Your righteousness they are exalted.


Luke 24: 31-32
Then their eyes were opened and they recognized Him; and He vanished from their sight. They said to one another, "Were not our hearts burning within us while He was speaking to us on the road, while He was explaining the Scriptures to us?"

Psalm 107:41
But he lifted the needy out of their affliction and increased their families like flocks.

Today we focus our prayer for countries on: United States of America, Uruguay, Venezuela and Virgin Islands of USA.

Day 10- February 15, 2008

Prayer focus today: Seek God on Behalf of Agricultural Workers

That God will bless with great abundance families who farm, ranch or support agricultural industries; that they would follow Christ and find ways to be part of life-giving churches; especially for migrant workers who sometimes face injustice and great difficulties.

Isaiah 44:3-5 The Message
"But for now, dear servant Jacob, listen— yes, you, Israel, my personal choice. God who made you has something to say to you; the God who formed you in the womb wants to help you. Don't be afraid, dear servant Jacob, Jeshurun, the one I chose. For I will pour water on the thirsty ground and send streams coursing through the parched earth. I will pour my Spirit into your descendants and my blessing on your children. They shall sprout like grass on the prairie, like willows alongside creeks. This one will say, 'I am God's,' and another will go by the name Jacob; That one will write on his hand 'God's property'— and be proud to be called Israel."

John 7:37-39
Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. "He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, 'From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.'" But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

Deuteronomy 16:15
"Seven days you shall celebrate a feast to the LORD your God in the place which the LORD chooses, because the LORD your God will bless you in all your produce and in all the work of your hands, so that you will be altogether joyful.

Today we focus our prayer for countries on: St Kitts and Nevis, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago and Turks and Caicos Islands.

Day 9- February 14, 2008

Prayer focus today: Seek God on Behalf of Pastors

That pastors and church leaders will be filled with wisdom; that they will be honored by those they serve; that God will pour His Spirit upon them in power and humility, giving fresh intimacy with Jesus; for protection from the plots of the evil one against their families and children; that deep friendships with other pastors will grow.

2 Chronicles 20:3-4,12
Jehoshaphat was afraid and turned his attention to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. So Judah gathered together to seek help from the LORD; they even came from all the cities of Judah to seek the LORD... "O our God, will You not judge them? For we are powerless before this great multitude who are coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are on You."

John 10:16
"I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will hear My voice; and they will become one flock with one shepherd.

1 Peter 5:2,7
shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness...casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.

Today we focus our prayer for countries on: Puerto Rico, Saint Lucia, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

The Lenten Journey Thus Far... By Adam Mackie

To the church of Blue Sky in Loveland, to those seeking the face of God's only begotten son Jesus Christ:

Jesus, who are you today?
The real Jesus…
The only Jesus…

A Buddhist friend of mine once told me that if I ever meet the Buddha on the street that I should kill him. I find myself often meditating on the true nature of my friend's comment. Would this be true for Jesus too? One truth my experience has revealed for me is that God will always be greater than my greatest belief. When I think I've got God "figured out" and I put limits on what Christ will do in my life, then I am in for a very rude awakening.

I've never wholeheartedly observed Lent. This year the season leading up to the celebration of Christ's death, burial and resurrection has taken on new meaning for me. Although much to my dismay, I find myself still sending one or two of the long winded, elaborate emails I am notorious for and slipping the now and then cup of caffeinated coffee I try and will myself to resist. The point of Lent isn't whether or not I can run a 40-day marathon. It isn't to give myself a big pat on the back on Easter Sunday either.

However, it is easy for the Pharisee in me to get the upper hand. I hear this voice saying, "You must do what you said you'd do!" I hear another voice saying, "Are you kidding? You've already failed. Why go on?" And I hear a still, quiet voice saying compassionately, "Just follow me…"

I was raised to believe Jesus Christ was the only Son of God. At a young age I received Christ as my Lord and Savior. I remember becoming very upset as a child when after accepting Jesus I thought maybe He forgot or that it really didn't count or something. My mom sat me down and had me write out a letter proclaiming that I asked Jesus into my heart. She had me sign and date it.

On August 11, 1990 Adam Paul Mackie asked Jesus into his heart and to be his Lord.

8/11/90

10:30 P.M.

going into
5th Grade
Adam P. Mackie

Tennie A. Mackie

Adam P. Mackie Senior? in College
7/20/01
1:39 a.m.

As you can see, I still have this piece of paper today. If I ever need to refer to it, I do.

For a long time after, however, I thought Jesus was like a super hero for the world I lived in. The song that goes, "Where is Superman when you need a helping hand/Where is Wonder Woman when trouble is really coming…" comes to mind from all those seasons of Vacation Bible School. As I got older, Jesus became more and more of the foxhole, S.O.S., and I need reinforcements kind of person I called on. If things weren't going my way at school, I wanted that special girl with the nice hair, or I wanted those flashing lights behind me on the road to disappear, then I prayed like praying was going out of style. Though when the coast was clear, the grades were straight, and I was getting the attention I sought, I put my faith back into Adam.

To make a long story less long, it wasn't until I became seemingly hopeless and so filled with fear I was about to explode, I was willing to try a new way of living. I found God didn't work for me. I was to work for Him. He was to be the Employer and I was to be the employee. I became willing to go to any lengths for a new life and I signed my name again under the words, "I am willing to go to any lengths" on Nov. 14, 2005.

A new life I was given, indeed! I was freely given a way to develop a personal relationship with the God of my understanding, Christ Jesus. The only catch was I was to remain willing to grow along spiritual lines and pass on what I was freely given to the next man reaching out. The fruits of this life are too many to mention.

The personal relationship I have with Jesus Christ today continues to baffle me, confuse me, confirm me, uplift me, discourage me, comfort me, and give me a level of joy and peace that I never could have imagined. I am slowly beginning to comprehend that Jesus was a man, in the flesh, who suffered some serious mortal pain. I was blown away after watching "Passion of the Christ." To visually see what might have gone down was amazingly horrific to watch.

I am also starting to understand the significance in Jesus saying that He is the way, the truth, and the life and no one goes to the Father except through Him. I praise Jesus for the gift of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit dwells inside me. The Holy Spirit is inside you too, if God's only begotten son lives in your heart.

I think the comment of meeting the Buddha on the street and killing him if you do has something to do with the death of self. When we can quiet our mind we may find there is no mind and there is no self. Debate the truth of this if you will, but my truth today is I am filled. I pray I can continue to pour out all that is not Adam (the world, the addictions, the resentments, the fear, the guilt, the shame, etc.) and have God continue to fill me with all that is Adam. The real Adam is found in the person and character of Jesus Christ. God, show me who You want me to be.

Faithfully,

Adam Mackie

Day 8- February 13, 2008

Prayer focus today: Seek God on Behalf of Women

That women will be honored in their unique glory as persons created by God; that injustice of every kind toward women will cease; for pornography to be stopped; for protection from sexual violence; that hope would be renewed for the beauty of a God-designed interdependent life with husband and children; that single women would lay hold of the hope of great joy and purpose for God's glory.

Deuteronomy 30:2,6
and when you and your children return to the LORD your God and obey him with all your heart and with all your soul according to everything I command you today...The LORD your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, so that you may love him with all your heart and with all your soul, and live.

Revelation 2:4-5
Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.

Matthew 15:28
Then Jesus answered, "Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted." And her daughter was healed from that very hour.

Today we focus our prayer for countries on: Netherlands Antilles, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay and Peru

Reflections on the journey from Brad Bohlander

The first few days of this Lenten Pilgrimage have been eye-opening as well as heart-opening. Praying for others that I would not – honestly – think of praying about is a very good and powerful practice.

Something that really hit me personally is that I am truly and passionately wanted by God – we all are wanted by God. Not needed – but wanted. He really, truly and deeply wants a relationship with me. He desires so much to have a loving relationship with His children – to love and be loved – and for us to let Him in completely into our hearts and lives. I have heard and learned this (in my head) before of course, but this week I felt it too (in my heart). It is really awesome and truly amazing to really think about – and to feel.

But, what seems sometimes obvious looking back but difficult to discern in real-life-time, is that we are often deceived. We are tricked into thinking that we are not wanted or not good enough to be in His presence – or that we have to earn our way – which of course we cannot do. For me, I know guilt, fear and shame have kept me from wholeheartedly coming to God – from being totally open to Him – to completely allowing Him to love me. But, praying through one of the readings, it felt clear that God wants me to hold my head up, to come to Him, to let Him love and heal me. Let go of the shame, and let Him love me, and love Him back with all of me. What an amazing God!

It is time to get up, trust Jesus, and follow Him. He is with me – and you. No fear. Just Trust. Only God.

I know that I want to seek God – to seek His face. Not half way, and not bound by fear. I want to be wholehearted with God. I know that I have a long way to go, and the walk is not always easy – but it feels good knowing that I need not be afraid. It is good feeling that God wants and loves me.

No fear. Just Trust. Praise God!
Brad

Day 7- February 12, 2008

Prayer focus today: Seek God on Behalf of the Poor

For God to establish the poor so that their spiritual and physical needs are met with dignity and stability; that God will release them from cycles of oppression and despair; that God will reverse every curse and multiply blessing.

2 Chronicles 7:14
if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

Matthew 18:4
Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

1 John 3:17
If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?

Today we focus our prayer for countries on: Honduras, Jamaica, Martinique, Mexico, and Montserrat.

Day 6- February 11, 2008

Prayer focus today: Seek God of Behalf of The Military

For the Gospel to spread through the special relationships of military life; for courage and protection in the danger of battle; for wisdom and the fear of the Lord as military personnel are sometimes called upon to do the work of governing and enforcing law; for grace upon chaplains and other spiritual leaders; that God will fortify families stretched by numerous moves and separations.

Psalm 63:1-3
God, You are my God; I shall seek You earnestly;
My soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You,
In a dry and weary land where there is no water.
Thus I have seen You in the sanctuary,
To see Your power and Your glory.
Because Your lovingkindness is better than life,
My lips will praise You.

Luke 10:41-42
But the Lord answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her."

Matthew 8:5-13
And when Jesus entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, imploring Him, and saying, "Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, fearfully tormented." Jesus said to him, "I will come and heal him." But the centurion said, "Lord, I am not worthy for You to come under my roof, but just say the word, and my servant will be healed. "For I also am a man under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to this one, 'Go!' and he goes, and to another, 'Come!' and he comes, and to my slave, 'Do this!' and he does it." Now when Jesus heard this, He marveled and said to those who were following, "Truly I say to you, I have not found such great faith with anyone in Israel. "I say to you that many will come from east and west, and recline at the table with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven; but the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." And Jesus said to the centurion, "Go; it shall be done for you as you have believed." And the servant was healed that very moment.

Today we focus our prayer for countries on: Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Guyana, and Haiti.

Day 5- February 10, 2008

Prayer focus today: Seek God on Behalf of Families

For solid, God-centered relationships among family members; that parents would be bold to instruct their children in GOd's way of living and lead their families to pray together; for families dismantled by divorce to be healed; that Christ's forgiveness would dissolve long-held anger.

Psalm 24:5-6
He shall receive a blessing from the LORD
And righteousness from the God of his salvation.
This is the generation of those who seek Him,
Who seek Your face--even Jacob. Selah.

John 4:23
"But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers.

Genesis 12:3
And I will bless those who bless you,
And the one who curses you I will curse
And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed."

Today we focus our prayer for countries on: El Salvador, Falkland Islands, French Guiana, Greenland

Day 4- February 9, 2008

Prayer focus today: Seek God on behalf of Sick People

That God will touch those who are sick in your community with healing and comfort; that they will grow in character as God walks them throughout their ordeal; that God will provide for their financial needs; for their caregivers and families; that many will renew their trust in Christ and follow Him boldly, even in affliction.

Psalm 24:3-4
Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD?
And who may stand in His holy place?
He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
Who has not lifted up his soul to falsehood
And has not sworn deceitfully.

John 1:47
Jesus saw Nathanael coming to Him, and said of him, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!"

Matthew 14:14
When He went ashore, He saw a large crowd, and felt compassion for them and healed their sick.

Today we focus our prayer for countries on: Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador

Day 3- February 8, 2008

Prayer focus today: Seek God on behalf of Ethnic Communities

That God will bring racial harmony; that longstanding offenses may be healed by the forgiveness which begins in Jesus; that Christians show honor and act in Christ's reconciling power; that the beauty of distinctive languages and cultures would be on display in local churches.

Psalm 24:3-4
Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD?
And who may stand in His holy place?
He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
Who has not lifted up his soul to falsehood
And has not sworn deceitfully.

Matthew 17:8
And lifting up their eyes, they saw no one except Jesus Himself alone.

Psalm 22:27
All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD,
And all the families of the nations will worship before You.

Today we focus our prayer for countries on: British Virgin Islands, Canada, Cayman Islands, Chile, Colombia

Reflection on Ash Wednesday Gathering by Adam Mackie

To the church of Blue Sky in Loveland, to those abiding with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit:

We're going to leave soon
And go home with Him
But first we must help
Rebuild His Kingdom

I entered the Blue Sky church sanctuary out of the windy Coloradoan night thinking about the recent tornado that blew over the South killing more than 50 people on Feb. 6. I was grateful for my own life, saddened by the tragedy and awe-struck by the power. Any time a natural disaster occurs I realize how fragile we really are as human beings. I only imagine what a worldwide flood must have looked like or how an apocalyptic, fire rainstorm would look.

Nevertheless, I found myself several moments later kneeling before a mirror and a can of ashes. In all honesty, it was hard for me to look into the mirror. On one hand, I see a beautiful child of the living God. On the other, I see a broken man with dispelled dreams. The tricks of a spiritually unfit mind can send even the most faithful shooting into a surrealistic downward spiral where all features and truths become distorted. I prayed simply, God please show me the truth. There were written prompts asking me to consider the words "humility" and "mortality." I can still remember when I scoffed at these words – when I was dead to the Spirit. There was a portion of scripture I was directed to cue into, out of Genesis Chapter 3, where Abba speaks directly to the fallen man.

To Adam he said, "Because you listened to your wife and ate from the tree about which I commanded you, 'You must not eat of it,'

"Cursed is the ground
because of you;
through painful toil you
will eat of it
all the days of your life
It will produce thorns and
thistles for you,
and you will eat plants
of the field.

By the sweat of your brow
you will eat your food
until you return to the
ground,
Since from it you were
taken;
for dust you are
and to dust you will
return."

I couldn't help but wonder what a ragamuffin like myself was doing in a sanctuary on Ash Wednesday in downtown Loveland. I've really never done the Ash Wednesday thing before. What was so new about this year?

I was told about "renewal." It made me think of license renewals. Though I don't need to have a pilot's license renewed, I do need a reminder of who is flying this human vessel I see propelling itself around the Front Range. God is not my co-pilot. I am His. He's the Pilot – the Pilot of Pilots - so to speak. Flying for God gets me to where God wants me to be. When I try and make God fly for me, I tend to think I am being who I think I should be. Though in spending so much thought on myself as the pilot, I may miss the opportunity to be of service and fly for God. I am grateful God is a God of second chances and full of grace and gives me lots of chances to fly His plane. He sees me when I'm flying home, from a long ways off. He gets filled with compassion and runs to me, throws His arms around me, and showers me with His kisses. I hear Him ask, "Are you ready to fly the plane for me now, Adam? We've got a Wedding Feast for the Lamb we've got to get to!"

There's no doubt mortality was on my mind as I entered the Blue Sky door that evening from the city street. I didn't think I was thinking about it then, but I was. I do find myself pausing now to consider humility and I am thinking about humility as accepting a free gift gratefully. I still find it difficult at times, when someone gives me something without any thought of reward, to be truly grateful. I feel like I have to return the favor. I feel like I must go on and beyond the call of duty, even to the point of falling prey to spiritual pride. I can be the Prodigal son's older brother, just as much as I can be the Prodigal son. I fail to realize that the one action I can do to truly express my gratitude and appreciation for the gift is, in a like manner, giving freely to others as the Father gives.

The gift is God's Son Jesus Christ and His love for us. His procession to the cross, His death by our hands, His burial in the tomb, and His rise to the throne of God Almighty paint the picture for a redeemed life. Our sinful flesh died with Him on the cross and is buried by His sacrifice. We rise again anew! When Jesus went into the wilderness to prepare Himself for the trials and tribulations of facing temptation, just as we find ourselves in the wilderness facing temptation, He was preparing a gift greater than a key to a brand new shiny bomb shelter to get out of the firestorm. Jesus was preparing a way for the Holy Spirit to abide within the human likeness, through knowing Him as the only Son of God. His flesh and His blood mark the New Covenant! We are covered no matter what! Praise God!

I asked Pastor Joe for prayer about some personal issues in my life. He explained it is because Christ dwells within me that I can understand truths of the spirit and I become frustrated when those of the flesh do not. The Holy Spirit enables me to understand and see truth clearly. That is why I must have scoffed at "humility" and "mortality" when I was on a crash course to be the best at showing the world my invincibility. Today a new lamp has been lit, not one to keep in the closet, but one to shine a light into the world. I am to be salt for bland meat. I am eager to humbly serve where I am most effective in Christ's kingdom and I continue to pray for the willingness to go to any lengths, even death, for His namesake.

I pray for Blue Sky as a church to grow and bring other vagabond ragamuffins, like myself looking for cover, to Christ. I ask for forgiveness for all my selfishness and self-centeredness, masked by fear, and for God to remove it all so the Holy Spirit can burn more like a blow torch than a candle inside of me. I express my gratitude to the City of Loveland for making a welcoming home for four months and for all the warm-hearted, kind people residing there. I pray for an ongoing melting of any and all the hearts iced-over by the icicles of this world. And I pray that this Ash Wednesday will allow me to breakthrough to a new level of faith, receive God's revelation through the Word, and empower me to more deeply experience the love and redemption of Jesus Christ. Abba move me next to You.

"Nothing at all can come between God and our spirit."

~Julian of Norwich~

Faithfully,

Adam Mackie

Images and Thoughts from the Ash Wednesday Gathering

Ash Wednesday Service Revisited
A highlight for me for the second year in a row is my chance to lay hands on those who need healing, guidance or some blessing. As the worship music is sung, I am approached by those in tears needing the Lord to intervene. There is a great deal of humility here to walk up and go get prayer. Personally, I feel honored. As they share their need, I open the Scriptures and let them speak. Then I pray these verses upon their lives. Almost all those who approached me had one thing in common: renewal. They felt God moving, more than just personal renewal, but bringing renewal to those around them. My prayer is that God would multiply these folks so that this city will experience renewal. May His kingdom come as it is in Heaven.


-Pastor Joe

Day 2- February 7, 2008

Prayer focus today: Seek God on behalf of Youth

For people in their teens to radically commit their lives to Christ; to make wise choices; for older mentors; for solid friendships with those in their generation who are following Jesus; for open communication with their parents; for God's intentions for their generation to come forth in fullest measure.

Psalm 24:3-4
Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD?
And who may stand in His holy place?
He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
Who has not lifted up his soul to falsehood
And has not sworn deceitfully.

Matthew 17:6-7
When the disciples heard this, they fell face down to the ground and were terrified.
And Jesus came to them and touched them and said, "Get up, and do not be afraid."

Psalm 144:12,15
Let our sons in their youth be as grown-up plants,
And our daughters as corner pillars fashioned as for a palace;
How blessed are the people who are so situated;
How blessed are the people whose God is the LORD!

Today we focus our prayer for countries on: Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Bolivia and Brazil!