July 2009 Book
Selection
"Too Busy
Not To Pray"
by Bill
Hybels
Cost: $ 15.00
To purchase a
copy, please contact:
Jacques
McNeil at
jacques@witnessbookclub.com
or
310-671-4966
-------------------------------- JULY MEETING DETAILS Date: Friday, July 31, 2009
Time: 7:00pm
Location: Thompson Wealth Management
400 Corporate Pointe, Ste 595
Culver City, CA
Host: Jacques McNeil
Telephone: 310-671-4966
Menu Theme: Asian
Please feel free to contact me or your call captain with the menu item that you will be bringing ASAP.
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Will You Answer His Call?
YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO ATTEND
W.I.T.N.E.S.S. Book Club Ministry | Intercessory Prayer Conference Call
PRAYER WITHOUT WALLS
MONDAY, July 20, 2009
Time: 6:30 pm - 7:15 pm
Conference Dial-in Number: (712) 432-0800
Participant Access Code: 206418#
Send Prayer Requests and Praise Reports Via E-Mail: prayer@witnessbookclub.com
Kimberley Thompson Intercessory Prayer Leader
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If
you are interested in becoming a member of W.I.T.N.E.S.S. Book Club, or
supporting our ministry by sowing a seed please visit our website at www.witnessbookclub.com ------------------------------------
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-------------------- If you are interested in advertising your business in our newsletter, please contact Jacques McNeil at 310-671-4966.
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SAVE THE DATE
Jacques McNeil and the WBC sisters will be celebrating their 14th Anniversary. This is an event that you will not want to miss. It will take place Saturday, September 26, 2009, at Il Fornaio Restaurant in Manhattan Beach. Keynote speaker will be author and speaker,
Sharon Elliott. Come and be uplifted, inspired and encouraged on your journey. Your formal invitation, which will include ticket price, and event details, is forthcoming. We look forward to celebrating with YOU! Jacques McNeil, Founder and Publisher
jacques@witnessbookclub.com Angela Williams, Editor
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Don't Stop Praying!
Don't Stop Praying!
by Jacques McNeil
When was the last time you gave thanks for the privilege of being able to attend the church of your choice? Have you considered the freedom you have to read and study the Bible? Some may ask, "Why should I have to consider these things?" "Isn't it a given that I can go to the church of my choice and read and study the Bible whenever I choose?" The truth of the matter is that as Americans, we have these freedoms and opportunities; unfortunately, not everyone does.
Just the other day I read an article written by well-know author and public speaker, Chuck Colson. In his article, "Government - Run Churches, Can It Happen Here?" Mr. Colson wrote about churches and religious organizations in Great Britain that will be forced to operate under British governmental dictation beginning next year.
Government dictation will include hiring practices, and possibly sermon content management. Mr. Colson stated, "The government is beginning to run the churches, and if they succeed, it will be the end of religious freedom in Britain.
So-called "social reforms" that began in Europe may soon wash upon our shores." One might think, this is totally unheard of for the great United States of America...and that may be true, but if this is acceptable and occurring in other countries, we should begin to pray. Let's not forget that in 1962 prayer was banned from the public school system here in America.
The religious freedom we experience in the United States is not experienced in every part of the world. In China during the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976), all religious activities were banned. Most, if not all churches and places of worship were destroyed. Those who professed the name of Christ were forced to go underground, hence forming the Christian church house movement, or the underground church.
My sisters, we have much to be thankful for. The next time you have an opportunity to go to a house of worship and fellowship with other believers without being persecuted or receiving dictates as to how, when and if you can worship, give thanks. But don't stop there; I encourage you to:
ˇ Pray for other countries and groups of people who do not have religious freedom and are under various forms of attack and persecution
ˇ Pray for those who do have religious freedom, but either take it for granted or discount it all together
ˇ Pray for our government and the decisions made that could adversely impact the Body of Christ
ˇ Intentionally hide the word of God in your heart so you will not sin against God and in order to be equipped to stand against the fiery darts of the enemy
I don't know what tomorrow holds, but I know who holds tomorrow. Prayer is the catalyst for change, so my sister, don't stop praying. Remember, James 5:16bs states, "The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective."
Colson, C. (2009), Government Run Churches, Can It Happen Here? Retrieved from, http://www.christianexaminer.com/Articles/Colson/Art_Jul09_Colson.html
M.J. McNeil
CopyrightŠ 2009 |
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Radical Obedience|Declaring Your
Dependence Upon God
 Radical Obedience|Declaring Your Independence Upon Godby Kimberley Thompson
Growing up I could not wait to turn, 13, 16, 18 or 21 because with each passing milestone it was an opportunity to become more independent as I matured into adulthood. With each new stage in my development I noticed that the parental reigns would loosen and overtime I became less dependant on my parents and more self reliant. The opposite is true in our Christian walk with each new spiritual milestone we must in essence die to self (Luke 9:23-25) and be totally dependent upon God the Father to show us His will and empower us to do His good work.
Our ability to be dependent upon God requires that we renew are hearts and minds daily by studying God's Word combined with a life reliant upon prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:17). The Word of God reminds us that our hearts are wicked and cannot be trusted as our guide (Jeremiah 17:9). Our dependence upon God requires an act of our will and by doing so it allows us to exchange our needs for His provision (Romans 5:7-8).
So, when you are thinking that you need to flex your independence I encourage you to declare your dependence upon God the Father (1 Chronicles 22:19; Psalms 105:4; Isaiah 58:2), Jesus Christ (John 14:6; Matthew 16:24, John 15:1), the Holy Spirit and The Word of God (Deuteronomy 29:9; Job 36:11; Psalms 119:101).
K. Thompson
CopyrightŠ 2009
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Called
 CalledBy Clara Tucker
Face down in miry clay
My heart surrendered
I begged - "Have mercy, set me free"
Solely within I cried- "Suffering, be over!!"
Holding on to the straps of his shoes
Hoping for grace, instead I heard Him say,
"Accept your fate."
In bitterness I tried processing
Revelation came to comfort me
"Give I AM your pain. Come in out the rain, Follow Me."
Though I heard words clear as cymbals sounding
I expected more - couldn't feel grace relieving me
Some days pulled, others dragged
He lifted me on high for a glimpse
Far more than I dared to dream
Those days were experiences
Turning knowledge into wisdom
Carrying me through bad weeks, months and many tears
Drifting faith, little inspiration, I learned of a
Cruel world - rare peace
God's eyes followed me from the back roads of a small country town Ushering me out of repression and poverty
A suitcase filled with dreams, I walked after an unknown future
Yet believing I have one
Who knew! Making Jesus my choice,
I would become His hands, His feet, and His voice.
C.J. Tucker
CopyrightŠ 2007-2009
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W.I.T.N.E.S.S. Book Club's Annual Tea & Membership Drive
Last Month we celebrated our Annual Tea & membership Drive at Lady Effie's Tea Parlor. Enjoy pictures of the event taken by photographer, Michelle Taylor Greene. |
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Quote of the Month
"We are the Bibles the world is reading; We are the creeds the world is needing; We are the sermons the world is heeding."
~Billy Graham
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