3.28.22
I am going to be completely transparent as I am writing this blog late on Monday morning. I am optimistically tired. Why specifically is this the case? Two reasons, first I was able to rearrange some of my ministry schedule last week and spend sometime with Laura and the kids camping. This was our first camping trip since our accident last July and came with a host of emotions and many elements of positive healing for our home. I share this publicly because I suspect few will read this and those who do I feel God will use our story to aid in some manner. My family has struggled since our accident. From July 4th 2022 to the present interstate travel brings many hard realities of anxiety for Laura, myself, and especially Caden and Amiah. Only after much prayer and consideration Laura and I felt led to purchase another RV recently and pursue times of family intentionality that camping aids our family with. Last week was not the most restful of times for me personally but through massive doors God has opened in recent weeks we were able to camp again. Numerous details aside I will simply say this. God is good and if we will trust, seek, and stay faithful to His leading and plan He will provide, bless, and give opportunity for His glory.
The second reason I am tired this morning is because of the opportunity Aaron and I had this weekend to lead a group of you students to a Youth Evangelism Conference hosted by the Big Emory Association of churches. As I sat in an amazing Pigeon Forge venue hearing the gospel presented through song, game, and verbal form many things came to my mind. God has privileged me in accompanying several of these student groups on trips such as this and I have seen students rotate in and rotate out. Sadly many of those who have attended these trips in the past have little to no affiliation with the church now and I am not ok with this. On our prayer list this week I will include the names of those who attended conference this past weekend. I ask you to pray for these students and pray that they might grow closer to the Lord and His Work. Pray that they might be used by God in big ways within the local church. Pray that as they grow older and the world offers them so many alternative options regarding how to spend time, resources, emotions, etc. that they would seek God and His leading in faith.
I stated as I began that I am “optimistically tired” and I want to be clear. To follow God can at times leave the physical body tired. However, close alignment with God’s leading while leaving the physical body tired leaves the spiritual state of our being hopeful, rested, optimistic, and encouraged. I am positive that it is going to be a great week because I know that Jesus has got this. How about you?
I encourage all to take a look and consider these request for prayer this week. As always if you have any specific needs that you would like to have included on our list please let me know. Our list this week is as follows….
World Circumstances - The Ukraine/Russian War
Prayers for the people - those who have suffered loss, those displaced, those in harms way
Prayers for gospel opportunities in Ukraine and other areas of our world as a result of war
Serhii and family (Brother of Corey’s good friend Dana Spry. Serhii is a native of Ukraine and fighting in his home city of Lviv - Serhii’s wife (Ira) and two young children (Caroline 7, and Roman 3) have evacuated Ukraine for safety reasons)
Betty Jackson and family (Ms. Betty is homebound with Hospice. Prayers for her comfort and this time)
Tina Moore, Daniel Moore’s mom who is continuing to rehabilitate after trachea surgery
B and A - Young couple in a European country I had the opportunity to meet virtually last weekend. They are believers and leaders in their local church serving faithfully in an extremely hard spiritual climate. They are requesting prayers for vision, means, and God’s leading
MCBC Students - James, Ellie, Noah, Jaylen, Eligh, Madyson, Jack
Pastor Corey
