Would You Remarry Your Spouse? ~ Study Shows...

In keeping with our current message series, "Don't Get Married Until...." I found this research to be interesting.

In a new CBS News poll, nine out of 10 (90%) married Americans said they would marry their spouse again, a percentage which has barely changed since 1995 (93%). Ninety-five percent of men said they would marry their wives again compared to 85 percent of women saying the same. When asked to pick what is most important in a successful relationship, about half picked "Respect" (49%), followed by "Trust" (37%), and a "Sense of humor" (10%). "Sex" was picked by two percent and "Money" by zero percent. [from CBSNews.com quoted from PWB, 2/26/2010]

That is nice to know!

Missions Review 2009 & Preview 2010

Here is the video of Valley Grace missions projects for 2009 that you were part of through your investment of time, resources and abilities. Great job & new opportunities for 2010. How will you be involved this year to help build the Church of Jesus Christ?

Letter from Pastor Sam Baer, Victory Mountain Chapel, KY

Part of a letter from Pastor Sam Baer at Victory Mountain Grace Brethren Chapel, KY (50 years of ministry) in response to the Thanksgiving/Christmas offering sent from Valley Grace.

Dear Brother Dan & Congregation,

Wow!!! $1,645.00!!! You Dear Folks really know how to encourage another Pastor & struggling Church. Our Parsonage Furnace gave up the "ghost" in December & we needed to purchase a new one. Even though we got it at cost (thanks to a Christian Contractor) installation & everything was only $1,700.00. Now isn't that something???

You all covered the cost of the whole furnace ($1,600.00), even though we were able to pay for it back in December, but that bill wiped out our church checking account. Your check beefed up our general fund so we could pay for your January bills with some left over. You all seem to know when we need some extra help & your gifts are always very generous & we are so appreciative of your love gift.... Your church helps keep our church from going under financially. Thank You So Very Much!!!

P.S. This winter has been hard. Every Sunday it seems we are facing something different weather wise. Last Sunday, all our vehicle doors were frozen shut so we had to cancel morning services & go for a 2:00 pm service. Six inches of snow here in the mountains & the schools must cancel for a week or 4 days.... Hope God keeps your congregation & ours safe from harm.

With Much Thanksgiving & Appreciation, Pastor Sam Baer

Note: You can read more from Sam on the bulletin board with more pictures.

An Outline for Daily Prayer

In Matthew 6:6-13 Jesus provides an outline for daily prayer. This passage is often referred to as "The Lord's Prayer" but we know that Jesus never prayed this prayer because He never needed to ask for his "transgressions" to be forgiven. This prayer is also prayed as a liturgy, but it was not intended to just be recited from memory. Jesus provides an outline for us to pray daily as we go about activities. There are 5 main areas of focus in this prayer.

1. Enhancement of God's Reputation ("Hallowed be Your Name") - this is praying that as we go about our daily activities, that we represent Christ and that His reputation is enhanced by how we conduct ourselves at home, at work, at school, in our times of recreation. That is, in all of our activities.
2. Advancement of God's Agenda ("Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven") - this is part of prayer asks God to use us to help reach people for Christ. It is praying that we will have the opportunity to help lead people to Jesus. This will help us to focus on sharing Christ and praying for opportunities for that.
3. Our Material Needs ("give us this day our daily bread") - this reminds us that God is the provider of all of our needs. We respond in thanksgiving for what he has provided: food, clothes, place to live, heat, and so much more.
4. Forgiveness ("forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors) - we are reminded that we need to seek God's forgiveness on a daily basis, in fact, as soon as it is brought to our attention that we have "missed the mark" in our relationship with Christ. But this passage also reminds us that we must forgive those who have sinned against us.
5. Spiritual Protection ("lead us not into temptation") - the Bible plainly teaches that God does not tempt anyone to sin (James 1:13). This is a prayer that we might be sensitive to the Holy Spirit and His leading in our lives in regards to what we should do, and shouldn't do. Praying that we might be able to see the spiritual land mines which are around us. It is also a prayer that we might not miss the good works that God has planned for us to carry out this day (Eph. 2:10).

This provides a great outline for us to pray each day as we prepare to live for Christ and serve Him.