God In A Big Way, Part II

Hey Cyber Church! Can God get an amen?

If you've been trying to call me on my cell phone, you've realized i'm out of service (a lovely euphenism for "my bill is not paid"!). Over the next couple days, you can reach me at 403-782-0664. And once i return home by faith, the old home number will be in effect - 905-828-8026. Of course, email is always the best - but you already knew that...

Big Fat Prayse Report From ian 2 (of 2):

Many of you know about this already, but i just wanted to share with everyone the news that i am no longer single, but dating the lovely Lady Lauren Morris of Mississauga, Ontario. Here's a picture which only hints at the loveliness of both her looks and character.





God put a desire in my heart for Lauren a while ago. The story of our union is far too long to tell; just know that we both are convinced He's brought us together.

Please pray for God's success for our relationship!


Another prayse report from me - two big assigments completed yesterday, and on time to boot! There's lots left, but God is driving me forward for success - finishing strong!

A nice object lesson prayse report from Seminarian Michaela Lawrence, from friend Lauren:
I am still praying for the right job in my field, but I am learning some valuable lessons in the mean time. Most recently, to appreciate how good and comfortable my life is, despite the fact that I am not yet working full time. And I'm also thankful for little and big financial surprises that God is continually sending our way.
It's neat that Lauren (no, my Lauren and this Lauren ain't the same Lauren) is catching the blessings that God has sent,j even though things aren't exactly the way she wants them. Sometimes, God withholds the blessings we're looking for so that we can develop 20/20 spiritual eyesight to see blessings in even the most troubled situations. You go on with your Godly vision, Lauren!

More prayer, more power as always! Let's get some power to:

from Rachel Nazareth, for her fiancé Mike's stepmom, Sue O'Brien, dealing with cancer and, according to the doctors, close to the end - healing, and reduction of suffering

for Mrs.O'Brien's family - strength to support her, and to keep faith

from Pastor Mathew Feeley, for the four vans of Pastors (including me) from the GTA that are traveling to and from the Oakwood College Ministerium the first week of December - safe travel, and a blessing from the program

from Seminarian Michaela Lawrence, for Debbie Ryan, the following 4 requests
- prayse report - my daughter, Kim, is 4 months pregnant and due May 11th ... around Mother's Day!
- my mom, who has Alzheimer's/dementia, and who fell on Saturday morning, broke her hip and right wrist, and had surgery today (Sunday) - for healing, wisdom, and peace.
- my brother, Joe and his wife, Julie, who are grieving the loss of their son - comfort and peace
- myself, suffering from a sinus condition which has been very difficult and made my hearing difficult - healing

for Minister Laura Henry-Stump, preaching in St. Catherines on Sabbath, December 9 - Holy Spirit power to preach and reach the people

from Shauna 4.0 Spence, fighting to finish the semester as the head and not the tail:
- that God will bless me as I complete the rest of my papers to hand in today. I need to write at least 10 more pages for one so pray that the words flow and that the paper will exceed my prof's high standards.- for a friend of mine named Junior. He is really excited to get involved in the church and opposition will hurt him, so please pray that his talents will be used in the right area. - that my relationship with my sisters will grow and be mended.- that my prayer about my GPA will be answered and that I'll do excellent on all my exams (and that I have the faith in God and confidence in myself to KNOW this will happen).
for Isaiah Joseph Irish, my grand nephew who was dedicated to God this past Sabbath - the opportunity to grow in the fear and knowledge and, most of all, love of God

for his parents Dean Irish (my nephew) and Ashley McDonald (his girlfriend) and their familes - the committment to raise Isaiah under God's direction, and to relate to each other as an example to him of how Godly families live

belated birthday blessings (mind you, i called each of these people on their birthdays; i just didn't get to include them in the email. And if you know them, i hope YOU called them....otherwise....)

Mr. Laurrel Bramble, my Dad - Dec 2
Pastor Toby Wong - Dec 2
Elder Sherry Grosset - Dec 3
Songbird Reba Hector - Dec 3
Jason Cooke - Dec 3


It's prayer time

God In A Big Way, Part I

(it's the first day of Christmas!)

People of the Promise,

On the wagon again! School, struggles and satan had me down, but God came through again - like always!

Big Fat Prayse Report From ian 1 (of 2):
i'd mentioned to you all that although the money is funny and the change strange, i was glad that my creditors were not persecuting me, chasing me down for the money i owe them. Mind you, they're completely within their rights to...but i am glad for a piece of grace.

Anyways, my mom came up with some money for tuition, and i went looking for Finance Director Mrs. Chenowith to give it to her. But i could not find her. i went by her office, called her, emailed her - and didn't hear back. Have you ever tried to pay someone money you owe them, and not been able to reach them? Very Twilight Zone strange.

i finally ran into Mrs. Chenowith, and she said that she hadn't been ignoring me, but had been "working on something" related to me. i didn't ask what it was, since it might have been my expulsion papers, so i waited on her. A couple days later, she summoned me to her office. She said that donors had made contributions to a special fund for a special purpose, and that she had been checking to see if those funds could be made available to me. Turns out they could.

The school offered me an interest-free $5,000 loan for my tuition.
!
!!!!!!
i'm just getting out of shock! Isn't God a-maz-ing? i'm just super grateful (and my mom is even more grateful). i'm still struggling for rent money and flight home money, but once i saw Him come through for my tuition, i know He can handle any and everything else! A prayse report for my loan benefactors, and other donors: College Heights Church, Lisa Toussaint, Mrs. Stewart, Mrs. Spence - praise God for another dollar

Encouragement for students finishing papers as the semester ends! A prayse report from Minister Laura Henry-Stump, who is working on a paper for school:

Wow! This morning I prayed for God to give me a miracle and let me have 10 pages by the end of the day. I feel so completely special when He answers these prayers. Prayers just for me. Wow.

Prayer Request through Seminarian Michaela Lawrence....this one came a little while ago, but something says it still needs praying for:

There is a situation in our church that needs oh, so much prayer!
A person in high leadership is creating division and spreading untruths about a church staff member he has an issue with. He will not state the issue, and has succeeded in bending the ear (and therefore the attitude) of our senior pastor against this person. Our senior pastor is known to shy away from conflict and confrontation, and seems to be glad to do so in this case, therefore creating even more stress and little advocacy for the staff member. The staff member is subjected to a hostile work environment there at the church, and other individuals are affected as well.
I do not say these things to spread malicious gossip -- please know that. These are facts, much of which I have seen evidence of. I sincerely believe that the devil sees the potential for amazing works (through Christ) in our church, and is using this high level person to create chaos. Please pray that the Lord shows up in a mighty way to shed light in the places of darkness, where evil is being done, to bring truth in the areas where untruths are revered, and that our senior pastor will be able to see his way clear of the manipulation and move forward in Christ. Lastly, I ask that prayer for the staff member to be encouraged and strengthened in this time of growth.
Thank you!

Yup....that definitely needs special prayer from special people like yourself. One more from Seminarian Michaela, ministering today to the students of Mount Vernon Academy in Ohio.

In the morning I'll run a poetry workshop with the Drama Class and in the evening I'll share poetry/prose/music for vespers. I'm really looking forward to it but I'm also humbled by the importance of what I'm about to do. The evening's topic is "Heaven" on which I could say so much, but I only want to say what God wants me to say.
Please pray with me, that I'll allow God to use me completely, that I'll prepare adequately (without shoving my school work into a corner), and that I'll enjoy the process--so often ministry can become drudgery

Thanks for praying for the requests above and the requests below:

for the University of Toronto Gospel Choir, ministering their Annual Christmas Concert tomorrow night and Sunday night (see attached flyer) - God's blessings to deliver and receive! Go Choir Go!

for the following requests from the good people at Royal Oak Manor:
- from Mable Wigley, for Marie Schultz, currently in the hospital and moving to a new nursing home in Stetler - healing, and help adjusting to a new environment
- from Ruth, for her brother Henry Feyerbend - God's comfort
- from Elma, for her son Ike - God's blessings
- from Viola, Helen, and Lila, for unspoken requests - God's answers
- from Lila, for Greg - that he become a child of God
- from Angie, wanting to continue to provide homecare service for a special family, and encountering employment trouble - God's success as a solution, God's faith to believe in it, and God's patience as it develops

for Anonymously Down But Not Out In Edmonton, going through all kinds of Job-like struggles - patience and faith to endure

from Maureen Stewart:
for herself, about to make some some life changes - strength, guidance and wisdom
for former coworker and friend Patricia Metcalfe and family
- her father has prostate cancer in the advance stages - healing
- her mom is recovering from a hip injury - healing
- her family van needs repairs - provision

from Minister Sharon Cumberbatch, for Mrs. Williamson is recovering from minor surgery - renewed health

from Gary Cockburn of UTGC
- for his wife and himself as she prepares to give birth (expected date: Jan 10/07) - health, and Godly parenting skills
- for his future as he begins today a leave of absence from Physiotherapy for at least 1 year (if not forever) to work with Youth for Christ in Toronto - God's continued direction and provision

for Passion in Praise and the Theology Club, winding down Semester I and gearing up for Semester II - God's direction and committment

for Chauntelle Sweeny, pushing through to finish strong this semester in Math and Finance - knowledge and understanding, and mercy from teachers

for Elder Hugh French, preparing to preach at West Edmonton Church on December 9 - Holy Spirit power to reach God's people

for your humble servant, preparing to preach at Garden Road Church on December 9 - Holy Spirit power to reach God's people


More to come....but you can get a head start! * * * ib

Nothing New Under The Sun....

...it's just a little bit brighter. Praise and Petitions, the website/blog version of my prayer list ministry, for a permanent, online record of what we've asked God for and what we've thanked God for.

Are you ready for more miracles? I am!