Encouragement to pray MORE!!

Ate lunch with Kevin Murphy, the new Chief of Police for Montgomery, AL and was very impressed by his genuine spirit and kind heart. He brings with him approximately 25 yrs experience in law enforcement. He spoke to our ministers today at MBA and I was most impressed that he is concerned with "solutions" for Montgomery. We all got to hear that the MPD administration are finding ways to zero in on the specifics of crime and constantly looking for solutions. To give you some encouragement to "keep on praying"....CRIME HAS DROPPED in 2009/2010 (these were the two years AFTER we started intentionally praying in 2008 to reduce crime...Coincidence? I think not!). We are getting better....day by day on reducing crime. This is what I think... 1. I think that as we pray, the Lord is placing specific people in positions of authority who have wisdom and knowledge about criminals. 2. I think as we pray, neighborhood associations, MPD, churches and others are becoming more aware of safety issues and implementing them. 3. I think as we pray, criminals are seeing that there are immediate consequences since the MPD are now able to hone in on the areas of crime and catch them quicker. 4. I think as we pray, that God IS changing hearts of those who are desperate and unmotivated to change their lifestyles. We may not see it but I believe it. We still need to pray for: 1. Chief Murphy and his staff for wisdom, knowledge and discernment. 2. For those in bondage to stealing, drugs and harmful lifestyles. Pray for redeemed lives. 3. For Christians in Montgomery to stand up and say NO to crime. We don't have to tolerate others breaking into our homes, our cars and hurting our families. We need to WISE in how we live. A stat Chief Murphy threw at us was that out of all the "vehicle break ins" 75% of the cars that were targeted were UNLOCKED!! I Timothy 2:1-2 "I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness". Don't give up in praying for our city."....for when it prospers in peace...so will we"(Jeremiah 29:7)

Reaching the Mixteco's in Montgomery

mixteco(MEES-TEH-CO)an indigenous oral people group in southern Mexico that does not speak Spanish. They are an Indian tribe that has a tradition of Catholicism but not practicing. There are over 50 dialects within the language. This people group has come to Alabama. There are an estimated 3000 Mixteco's in Central Alabama. A good portion of that group seems to be located here in Montgomery. They have come here to work so that they can provide for their families back home in Mexico. THREE of our Montgomery churches are reaching out and FOUR of our Ministries are reaching them. Pray for: Eastern Hills Baptist Church Ridgecrest Baptist Church Yarborough Street Baptist Church Community of Hope Ministry Forest Park Ministry Center Nehemiah Ministry Center Shepherds Staff Ministry The Lord of the Harvest has asked us to meet the needs of the sojourner and the alien. As scripture says: we were all once aliens..... Pray for: The Mixteco Task Force in Montgomery. We are continually educating ourselves on this people group and how we can serve them and show God's love in tangible ways. There is a page for Praying for the Mixteco People of Montgomery here on Montgomery. If you like praying for people groups, here is one right in our backyard that we can pray for and minister to. Website is:www.mixtecomontgomery.blogspot.com God is on the move in Montgomery! Come...join Him in what He is doing. Peace along the way, Lisa Rose He executes justice........and loves the sojourner, giving him food and clothing. Love the sojourner, therefore, for you were sojourners in Egypt.” (Deuteronomy 10:18–19, ESV) *******************************************

Be Encouraged Today....

"As God's chosen ones (in Montgomery), holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness and patience.Bear with one another, and if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other, just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must also forgive."...And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts....and whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the the name of the Lord Jesus giving thanks to God the Father through him." Colossians 3:12, 15, 17 Pray over this verse. If we are renewed in our relationship with the Lord, then those around us IN MONTGOMERY will be drawn to the Lord. They will be curious as to what you have when all the chaos is going on around you. All that we do in our daily life ultimately affects the place we live. Be encouraged....